Bongs are composed of four basic elements: the water chamber, the neck, the downstem, and the bowl that the dry herbs sit in. Bongs tend to be designed to maximize smoke and increase its density.

Regular bongs are usually more simple than dab rigs, with a base that holds water, a bowl that holds tobacco and dry herb, a downstem that connects the two, and a mouthpiece to inhale from. The benefits of a bong over a hand pipe lies not just in its size but also in its filtration ability, which is similar to a bubbler’s while also adding additional volume for the smoke to fill. The water that sits in the bong’s chamber works to help remove some impurities in the smoke and often results in a cleaner, tastier hit than what a spoon can provide.