Though they are both water pipes, bubblers and bongs are very different. Both are great for different reasons. There are many big and small differences between bubblers and bongs. What is a bubbler? A bubbler is between a dry pipe and a bong as far as size and strength of the hit. What differentiates a bubbler from a bong is that a bubbler typically more closely resembles a pipe in appearance and function. Bubblers usually have a mouthpiece, a bowl, and sometimes a carb, just like a dry pipe does. One key differences of bubblers is that, for the most part, bubblers only have fixed downstems, meaning you can’t remove them and clean them. Bubblers typically come in either “Sherlock” style, where the piece is shaped more like the classic type of pipe smoked by Sherlock Holmes, or, as the style is developing, a small glass water-pipe that may look similar to a bong, but is actually a complex bubbler. Benefits Of Bubblers: +Smoother Hit: Bubblers and other water pieces offer a smoother hit that is less likely to cause you to cough the way a dry piece might +Better Tasting Hit: Water pieces filter the smoke in a way that a dry piece does not, which gives the user a better tasting hit. +Bubblers Are A Good Medium-Level Piece: Bubblers are great for those times when you want to smoke out of something stronger and smoother than a pipe, but don’t want to go as far as a bong. +Easier To Handle: The way that bubblers are shaped makes you less likely to drop them than a bong. +More Durable: Bubblers are more durable than a bong. If you drop a bubbler it is far less likely to break than a bong, simply because bubblers tend to be made of thicker glass and they cover less surface area than a bong. +No Need For Extra Pieces: Bubblers have everything that you need built into the piece, so there is no need to buy extra pieces, such as bowls. +More Stealthy: Bubblers hit quieter than bongs do, which makes it easier to cover up the sound when you need to. Liabilities Of Bubblers: -Difficult To Clean: Bubblers are more difficult to clean than a bong, because you cannot take them apart, the way you can a bong. -Not Customizable: Bubblers are not as customizable as bongs are. You can buy separate bowls and accessories to personalize almost almost any bong, for some bubblers that’s not the case. -They Get Dirty Faster: Bubblers need to be cleaned more often than bongs and the water needs to be changed more often. -Bowls Don’t Smoke As Long: Bubbler bowls smoke faster than bong bowls, which makes it not as ideal as a bong for large group What is a bong? A bong tends to be step up from a bubbler as far as complexity and prestige. Bongs are quite different from bubblers and pipes. Bongs are vertical pieces on both appearance and functionality. Bongs are built with a long mouthpiece, a chamber for water and require a separate bowl with a downstem. Bongs come in many different varieties, but the construction of a bong is typically the same all around. Benefits Of Bongs: +Stronger High: Bongs offer the user a stronger high than a bubbler does. Most bongs are much larger than a bubbler with more space between the bowl and the mouthpiece, which allows the user to take larger hits than with a bubbler. +They Smoke Longer: Bong bowls are larger, which means they last longer than a bubbler or pipe bowl. This makes them better for smoking in large groups. +Bongs Are Better For Stoners With A High Tolerance: There are times when a dry piece or a bubbler will not meet your needs. Sometimes you need something stronger. +Bongs Are Easier To Clean: Bongs are easier to clean than bubblers because you can clean the bong, bowl, and downstem separately. +Bongs Have More Variety: Bongs are more customizable than pipes or bubblers. You can have many different bowls for the same bong. You can have one with a percolator or not. Bongs come in many different variations, and you can always find one that matches your particular preference Liabilities Of Bongs: -Bongs Are More Breakable: Bongs break easier than bubblers do. If you drop a bong it is way more likely to break than a bubbler. -You Have To Replace Things More Often: Parts that you need for a bong, such as the downstem and bowl break and need to be replaced from time to time. This is more money out of your pocket and can be a hassle if you don’t live near a head shop. -Bongs Are More Difficult To Hold: Bongs are more difficult to hold than bubblers, which means you are more likely to drop them. -Bongs Rips Are Louder: Bong rips are much louder and more conspicuous than bubbler rips, which can be an issue when you are trying to smoke incognito. -More Difficult To Store: Since bongs are bigger than bubblers and more breakable, this makes storing them much more difficult to store and hide than a bubbler. -They Start To Stink: If you don’t clean your bong often enough it starts to smell really bad.