Bubblers are popular portable water pipes because most of them are pocket-sized all-in-one pieces that don’t require purchasing extra accessories and bowls.
The great thing about glass water bubblers is that they act as coolant to your smoke before you take the hit. This is helpful because it doesn’t feel so harsh on your throat and lungs.
Are you looking for a new hand pipe? We’ve done the hard work and researched five of the best bubblers so you don’t have to!
If this is your first bubbler, these are the features that you should look out for;
- Filtration
How type of percolator does the bubber have and is it diffusing smoke?
- Style
Bubblers are available in a variety of styles including sherlock bubblers, hammer bubblers and all different kinds inbetween.
- Bowl Size
Will the depth and shape of the bowl suit your smoking habits?
Glass Bubbler with Slitted Drum Perc
If you are looking for a new bubbler, then an affordable and stylish option would be the Glass Bubbler with Slitted Drum Perc.
Made from high-quality glass, this solid and durable bubbler has been engineered to get the most out of your dry herb.
Boasting an elegant yet sturdy design, this bubbler stands proud on its stable circular foot and provides exceptional filtration via its ingenious slitted drum percolator.
Crafted with a fixed downstem with a 14.5mm female joint and a 14.5mm male herb bowl affixed with a handle for easy carrying, this comparatively affordable bubbler represents excellent value for money.
The filtration that this bubbler provides really is excellent as the clever slitted drum percolator separates the smoke whilst pulling it through the water, providing a more filtered, cooler hit that still packs flavor.
Equipped with a comfortable and ergonomically designed mouthpiece, this bubbler has been created with comfort in mind.
Fitting perfectly in the palm of your hand, with a slightly bent neck, the custom shape of the bubbler allows you to sit back, relax and enjoy a top-class smoking experience.
An excellent and slickly designed bubbler, users will be able to appreciate the simple, clear lines of the piece as well as the colored glass accents on the mouthpiece, drum of the percolator, and the rim of the foot.
Eye-catching as well as innovative, this bubbler is a great investment for anyone looking to upgrade their bubbler.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy and durable
- Comes with random colour accents
Cons
- No carb hole
Glasscity Glass Handheld Bubbler with Drum Perc
The Glasscity Glass Handheld Bubbler with Drum Perc is another eye-catching bubbler from the GlassCity bubbler range.
With an excellent price, high-quality design and small compact size, this bubbler is the perfect travel companion for anyone who fancies smoking whilst on the move.
Made out of durable borosilicate glass and with a length of just over 6 inches, this bubbler is small enough to be easily held in one hand and yet powerful enough to give you the intense, filtrate boost you are used to from larger varieties within the GlassCity range.
Boasting a fixed downstem with a slitted percolator drum, the bubbler has also been designed with an ergonomic grip in the form of its wavy stem and a heavy, resolute base that is in no danger of ripping over on a flat surface.
The cleverly designed slits in the percolator drum help separate the smoke particles and aid filtration, meaning that your smoke loses none of its potency in terms of flavor but is less harsh on the throat and not overwhelming.
Available in an eye-catching and vivid blue color, this bubbler represents excellent value for money and is of a significantly higher quality than many bubblers in the same price range.
Pros
- Eye-catching color
- Ergonomically designed
- Portable
Cons
- Bigger bubblers are available
Glasscity Double Chamber Bubbler with Showerhead Tree Perc
The Glasscity Double Chamber Bubbler with Showerhead Tree Perc is a much-loved addition to the many excellent bubblers that GrassCity offers.
The Double Chamber Bubbler comes in three distinctive color schemes; green, blue, and black, so that you can customize your bubbler to your own individual desires.
Made from highly durable and versatile borosilicate glass, the bubbler has an impressive double chamber design which allows users to experience double the level of filtration and therefore double their enjoyment.
The initial filtering begins in the showerhead percolator, where the smoke is expertly filtered by several slits into smaller particles, thus increasing the surface area of the smoke and allowing for a much more rapid cooling to take place.
This filtered, cooler smoke is then pulled into the second chamber, where an innovative 8-arm tree percolator creates a mass of bubbles that filters and cools the smoke again.
The repeated filtering and cooling processes mean that users experience a much smoother, less harsh inhalation that loses none of its excellent taste or potency.
At just 6.3 inches long, the Double Chamber Bubbler is incredibly portable and has been specifically designed for users’ comfort.
With an emphasis on design, functionality, and comfortability, the Double Chamber Bubbler with Showerhead Tree Perc certainly deserves all of the credit and acclaim it has been receiving.
Pros
- Double the filtration
- Excellent price
- Available in multiple colors
Cons
- Bowl may need to be replaced frequently
Glass Bubbler with Curved Neck and Showerhead Perc
The Glass Bubbler with Curved Neck and Showerhead Perc is a bubbler that is as attention-grabbing as it is innovative.
The unique curved neck design and stable, sturdy base anchoring the bubbler to the surface is exceptional, as is the quality of both the materials and craftsmanship.
Made from toughened, clear glass with a top that is beautifully decorated with a large blue colored glass marble, the bubbler is a distinctive display piece as well as a fully functional bubbler.
The bubbler has been developed with an ergonomically designed mouthpiece and an ingenious red showerhead percolator that cleverly filters the bubbly smoke via the water and creates a comfortable, smoother, and fuller taste when smoking.
The comfortable mouthpiece, the angled neck, the sturdy base as well as the overall intelligent design of the bubbler means that users can be assured that every care has been taken when manufacturing this product to provide users with an optimal smoking experience each and every time.
Well priced given its exceptional aesthetic look and impressive functionality, the Glass Bubbler with a Curved Neck and Showerhead Perc will make an excellent addition to any true smokers collection.
Pros
- Excellent design
- Easy to clean
- Comfortable mouthpiece
Cons
- More basic models are available
Famous X Straight Hammer Herb Bubbler
The Famous X Straight Hammer Herb Bubbler is one of the most eye-catching, innovative, and exceptional bubblers on the market today.
Such is the high demand for this product that many retailers are struggling to keep up with demand, and after seeing the functionality for ourselves, it’s clear as to why.
With a novel, crisp design bearing the Famous X logo and made from high-quality materials, this is a bubbler that blends form and functions perfectly.
Compact and extremely portable, the Famous X Straight Hammer Herb Bubbler has been specifically designed to provide the most comfortable smoking experience.
Made from high-quality borosilicate glass and measuring in at just 4.7 inches in length, this small, durable bubbler is perfect for all your on-the-go smoking needs.
Equipped with an open-ended downstem, the Hammer bubblers base is also slightly angled so that the bubbler will not tip over on a level surface, providing both sturdy functionality and a great design aesthetic.
Super easy to use and lightweight, this bubbler is perfect for anyone looking to purchase their first bubbler or for smokers who are looking for a compact, lightweight alternative to their bigger, bulkier models they already own.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Ergonomic design
- Available in multiple colours
Cons
- Larger bubblers are available
How to Find the Best Bubbler
Bubblers are popular because they offer the benefits of water filtration and silky smooth hits without the need for bowls or stems.
If you’re a stay-at-home couch smoker, bubblers are perfect. But, they’re not solely restricted to the home, their small size makes them portable for smoking on the go.
Here are some of the main qualities to look for when shopping for a bubbler;
Shape
The shape of the bubbler has a huge effect on how it smokes. Everybody has different preferences, therefore, manufacturers develop pieces in different shapes.
- Sidecar is great for preventing water splashback
- Hammer rests on the table without rolling
- Pendant is perfect for portability
Percolators
Percolators provide an additional layer of filtration for the smoke which provides an enjoyable and smooth smoking experience.
Different percolators achieve this in different ways and contribute a different aesthetic appeal to each piece. These are the most recognizable styles of percolator;
Honeycomb Percolators
The shape of the honeycomb percs provides the functionality that’s needed to filter smoke efficiently. The round discs at the bottom of the bong are great for diffusing the smoke without slowing down the smoking process.
Tree Percolators
This occurs when within the tube of the bong, there’s a collection of rods that resemble tree limbs with a few slits each, providing plenty of diffusion.
Considering that the man reason for buying a water pipe over a dry pipe is for filtration, you should consider;
- What kind of percolator does the bubbler have?
- How is the smoke defused?
- How big is the chamber? The bigger the chamber, the more water for filtration
Bowl
You need to think about your smoking preferences and need to decide on the appropriate bowl size, shape and depth.
How often do you smoke and how long are your sessions? These are two important questions that will help you choose your size of bowl.
Best Way to Clean a Bubbler
If you’re a casual smoker, you should thoroughly clean your bubbler every three to six months. If you’re a regular smoker, you should clean it at least once a month/.
Cleaning your bubbler is important because it fights bacteria, eliminates resin build-up makes your bubbler last longer.
Over time, bacteria and mold build up over any moist surface. The intricate inner parts of a bubbler can become so clogged with resin that it can weaken them or even cause them to break.
You Will Need;
- Salt
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Plastic bags
- Rubber bands
- Pipe cleaners
- Running water
- Container
Once you have all of the supplies, it’s time to get cleaning;
- Use 16oz of Isopropyl alcohol and put it in your container. Mix in ¼ cup of salt and let it sit. Alternatively, fill your bubbler with the solution and use plastic bags to cover the holes. Next, wrap rubber bands around them to keep them secure.
- Soak your bubbler in the container you’re using to clean or let it soak with the liquid inside. Leave to soak for about 30-60 minutes.
- Once you’ve let your bubbler soak for a while, remove the cleaning solution and rinse with warm water.
- Take your water pipe and scrub as needed until the debris is gone. For really dirty bubblers, a second soak may be the only solution.
- Rinsing is important in order to get rid of any alcohol and solution from cleaning, which can be dangerous if smoked. Drying is important for keeping herbs dry and reducing bacterial growth.
If you don’t have any cleaning alcohol or prefer not to use chemicals, you can use;
- Salt & Vinegar
- Vinegar and Baking Soda
- Lemon Water
Lemon water is the most natural way to clean your bubbler, but as a result it takes the longest to work. We recommend you soak your bubbler for 2-3 hours for the best results.
Recap
Bubblers are one of the best forms of pipes for smokers because it combines the cool, smooth rips that are provided by a bong with the convenience of a portable hand pipe.
The Bubblers that we identified as the best bubblers all meet our criteria of high-quality construction, reasonable price, and an excellent smoking experience.
Most importantly, they’re Bubblers that we’d smoke ourselves.
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