title: Bubbler, bong or hand pipe description: How a hand pipe, a bubbler and a bong differ in water, size, bowl and price, with each shelf side by side. primary_query: bubbler vs bong format: side by side pillar: choosing a piece updated: 2026-11-08
The difference is water. A hand pipe holds none, a bubbler holds a little in a small chamber, and a bong holds the most and takes a separate bowl.
| Compare | Hand pipe | Bubbler | Bong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | none | a small chamber | a full chamber |
| The bowl | part of the pipe | often built in | a separate glass bowl in a joint |
| Size here | 3 to 8 in long | 5 to 8 in tall | 5 to 18.5 in tall |
| Price here | $6.28 to $180.00 | $21.99 to $69.99 | $23.99 to $129.95 |
| How many here | 71 | 17 | 70 |
Hand pipes
The simplest piece: a bowl at one end, a mouthpiece at the other, and a small hole on the side called the carb. Spoon pipes are the classic shape; sherlocks curve down like an old tobacco pipe. They need no water and nothing to replace, which is why most travel-friendly pieces here are hand pipes.
Bubblers
A bubbler is a hand pipe with a water chamber built in. It's bigger than a spoon and smaller than most bongs; the ones here run 5 to 8 in. Many have the bowl built into the glass, so there's no bowl or downstem to buy or break.
-
5" Solid Color Hammer Bubbler w/ Double Maria Neck
-
5.5" Element Fume Stand Up Bubbler - Made in USA
-
5.5" Dual Fume Accent Flat Mouth Maria Neck Sherlock Bubbler
-
6" Mugsy Bubbler
Bongs
A bong is the biggest of the three: a water chamber, a neck, and a joint that takes a separate bowl. That joint is the reason the Parts Fit Guide exists: the bowl can be swapped, replaced or upgraded, and it has to match the joint's size and kind.
All bongs, or by height: small, medium, tall.
And chillums
A chillum is a straight pipe with the bowl at one end, smaller than a spoon. One-hitters are the smallest of these. Chillums and one-hitters