Is Buying a Bong Worth It? The Truth No One Tells You (UK Guide)

Buying your first bong can feel like a commitment, especially from A Bong Shop UK, where the choices are endless and the prices can range from £15 to well over £150. So the big question I hear almost every day is:

“Is buying a bong actually worth it?”

And right behind it:

“Why are some bongs so expensive and are they actually any better?”

After years of using them, selling them, breaking them, fixing them and trying everything from £10 acrylic tubes to premium borosilicate percolator bongs, here’s the honest truth from someone who’s learned the hard way.

This is your full, no-nonsense UK guide.

So… Is Buying a Bong Worth It?

Short answer?
Yes, if you buy the right one.

Long answer?
It depends on why you want it.

Here’s why most people in the UK end up buying a bong:

• Smoother, cooler hits
• Water filtration cools the smoke fast, making less harsh on your lungs.
• Bigger rips, you can get an intense hit with huge clouds of smoke.
• Cleaner flavour and tastier terps.
• Especially with glass bongs UK, you taste more terps and less of the burn.
• More efficient
• A well designed bong burns herb slower and more evenly, meaning less waste.
• Better for quick sessions
• You don’t need to roll anything. A couple of small bowl packs can hit harder than a big joint.
• More control
• You can adjust airflow, water levels, bowl sizes, and percolation.

Most customers tell me the same thing after buying their first proper piece:

“I wish I’d bought a good bong years ago.”

Are Bongs an Investment?

This is the part nobody really explains properly.
But honestly… yes, a bong can be an investment depending on how you look at it.

Here’s why:

• A good glass bong lasts years
• Proper borosilicate glass (the same used in science labs) is built to handle heat and last. Maintain it right and it will last longer than most other accessories you own.
• You actually save money

It sounds mad until you think about it:

• Better airflow = more efficient burning
• Smaller bowls = fuller hits
• No half joints wasted or going out
• No papers or tips

A bong turns a small bit of herb into a proper session.

You invest in your experience

A bong isn’t just a smoking tool, it’s part of your ritual.
It’s smoother, tastier and cools the smoke.
Over time, that’s worth far more than the price tag.

Why Are Some Bongs So Expensive?

Let’s clear this up once and for all:
A £15 bong and a £120 bong are not doing the same job.

Here’s where the price differences come from:

Glass Thickness

Thin glass = lower cost, easier to break.

Thick glass (5–9mm) = premium, sturdy, smoother pulls, longer lifespan.

Type of Glass

Borosilicate isn’t just more durable, it gives cleaner flavour because of the way the glass handles heat. It’s non porous, meaning it won’t absorb smells or residue over time and it doesn’t release any taste of its own when heated like acrylic and silicone. That means you are only inhaling the herb.  

Soft glass, on the other hand, warms up more quickly, hold onto residue and can give a slightly “dusty” or muted taste, so when people talk about borosilicate giving a cleaner, purer hit this is exactly why.

Percolators & Ice Catchers

Percs aren’t just for shows they’re filtration systems.

They break smoke into tiny bubbles, improving cooling and airflow. Read More… How bongs work

Craftsmanship

Hand blown pieces take time, skill and precision.
Factory acrylic… doesn’t.

Brand and Build Quality

Good brands test their pieces.
Cheap brands copy shapes and hope for the best.

At A Bong Shop UK, every bong we stock is chosen for value and performance so whether it’s £15 or £200. If it’s on the site, all prices are relative and definitely worth the money.

Are Premium Bongs Worth It?

If you care about flavour, smoothness or long-term quality, then absolutely.

Premium bongs offer:

• Cleaner taste (no plastic or metallic notes)
• Better diffusion and cooling
• Longer lifespan
• Easier cleaning
• Stronger materials
• Better terp retention
• A genuinely smoother experience

 

Cheap bongs work but premium bongs improve your ritual 

What About Budget Bongs?

Let’s be honest, budget bongs have their place.

They’re perfect for:

• Beginners
• Parties
• Backup pieces
• Travel
• Quick, affordable setups

Acrylic and basic glass bongs are often the gateway to learning what you like. There’s no shame in starting simple.

My advice?
Start where you’re comfortable. Upgrade when you’re curious. 

Check out our collection under £30

 

How to Choose the Right Bong (Simple Guide)

£10–£25 | Budget

Acrylic or small glass. Easy, effective, great for first-timers. Like this 10inch Classic Beaker Bong

£25–£60 | Mid‑Range

Best balance for most people. Better airflow, thicker glass, smoother rips. Check out Phoenix Star Showerhead Perc Bong  

£60–£120 | Premium

Percolators, ice catchers, borosilicate glass and heady designs. 
The smoothest and most reliable pieces like the Glass Head Ancient Oracle Recycler

Final Word from Jimmy Green

Whether you’re chasing huge rips, flavour chasing or want better value, yes buying a bong is worth it.

A bong can be an investment. Not just financially but in your daily ritual, your enjoyment and your overall experience.

At A Bong Shop UK, we only stock bongs I’d use myself. Durable glass, honest pricing and functional glass art with options for everyone from curious beginners to OGs 

If you’ve been thinking about buying your first bong or upgrading your setup you’re in the right place.

👉 Shop Bongs UK | Curated for Beginners to Connoisseurs