There are all kinds of custom glass pipes on the market today. Their popularity can be attributed to the numerous advantages they have over wood, clay, metal and silicone pipes. Those advantages include the fact that they don’t have to be broken in, they’re very easy to clean, they don’t saddle you with smoke from burning wood and, of course, they look amazing.

Without a doubt three of the most popular types of glass pipes are the "spoon", the "bong" and the "bubbler". Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages, and that's what we’re going to look at here. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Spoons

So-called spoons are probably the most popular kind of custom glass pipe on the market today. They’re called a spoon because they bear a slight resemblance to that eating implement with their round head and slender neck. But the similarities stop there. Most spoons have a carb hole on the side of the bowl that you place your thumb over while inhaling.

Advantages of the Spoon

Spoons typically feature some of the most compelling designs of any glass pipes. They will often fit into the palm of your hand and slip easily into the pocket of your pants, jacket or coat. This type of portability can't be beaten. A spoon also doesn't have any water that can spill while transporting it, like a bong or bubbler does. And filling the bowl of your spoon and sparking it up takes only seconds. In addition, they’re very affordable, extremely durable and very easy to clean.

The Disadvantages of the Spoon

Honestly, the spoon is a custom glass pipe with very few downsides. If we had to pick something we might say that if you don’t clean your spoon regularly resin buildup could cause problems with your pipe's functioning. However, if you clean the pipe often you won’t have that problem. Also, because they don’t typically have screens you might find yourself inhaling tiny particles of your weed, or a bit of ash.

Bubblers

The bubbler occupies a gray area between the spoon and the bong. Like a bong, it uses water to make the smoke smoother and cleaner. But size-wise it’s closer to a spoon than a bong, and some bubblers could easily be mistaken for spoons.

The Advantages of the Bubbler

Bubblers are known first and foremost for cleaning up the smoke before it reaches your lungs. They also allow the user to enjoy a bigger hit. But the advantages of the bubbler don’t stop there. The smoke is cooler than what you would get from a dry pipe, and some bubblers are extremely compact and can slip easily into a jacket or coat pocket. Bubbler designs are also some of the most interesting of any pipe.

The Disadvantages of the Bubbler

While some bubblers are pretty small they can be heavy, meaning you may have a hard time carrying them in your pocket. Bubblers also use water, so transporting them to the park for a bit of relaxation isn’t going to work, unless you bring water along with you too. In addition, cleaning a bubbler is a more involved activity than cleaning custom glass spoon pipes. And they’re more expensive than spoons.

Bongs

Bongs and bubblers are both water pipes. That is, pipes that use a water filtration system to reduce the temperature of the smoke, eliminate some of its harmful components and produce a more enjoyable overall experience. The bong is the descendant of the hookah, an iconic piece of smoking paraphernalia that has been with us since the 15th century.

The Advantages of the Bong

Like the hookah before it, the bong is ideal for parties and other social situations where numerous people are gathered to enjoy life. The bong typically features a larger smoking chamber than the bubbler or spoon and is capable of delivering mind-bending hits. Bongs typically hold quite a bit of water compared to bubblers and many feel this allows them to deliver the cleanest, coolest hit you can get.

The Disadvantages of the Bong

Most of the disadvantages of the bong have to do with its size. It would be wrong to characterize it as “portable” even though there are probably plenty of dedicated stoners who would argue otherwise. If you are someone who is parsimonious with your expensive weed you may be appalled at how fast you burn through it using a bong. Also, people with no prior experience with a bong are sometimes taken aback by the size of the hit they receive. And the bong can be something of a chore to clean up, especially if you don’t clean it very often.

Which is Better, The Spoon, The Bubbler or the Bong?

You can make a rock-solid case for any one of these quality pieces of custom glass. So which one you ultimately choose will come down almost entirely to how you intend to use it.

If you like the idea of slipping a piece of custom glass in your pocket before heading to the party, then the spoon may be what you’re looking for.

If you like the idea of obtaining larger, cleaner hits, but don’t like the idea of having to carry a backpack to accommodate a bong, then a bubbler might be for you.

Finally, if you are looking for something to keep on the coffee table during large get-togethers, you can't beat the bong.