What Are Percs? Every Bong Percolator Type Explained

Percs are percolators — the internal glass chambers in a bong that force smoke through water, breaking it into thousands of tiny bubbles so every hit comes out cooler and smoother. If a bong is described as having a tree perc, honeycomb perc, or UFO perc, that's the filtration system doing the work between the bowl and your lungs.

What Does a Perc Actually Do?

Every time smoke passes through water it cools down and drops some of its harshness. A percolator multiplies that effect. Instead of one big glug through the downstem, a perc splits the smoke into fine bubbles — more surface area touching water means more cooling and filtration per hit. The result: bigger rips that don't tear your throat up.

The downstem in a basic beaker is technically the first perc. Everything below is what glassmakers add on top of it.

Every Perc Type, Explained

Tree Perc

A cluster of vertical arms (usually 4 to 12) that look like tree branches, each with slits at the bottom. More arms, more diffusion. Tree percs deliver some of the smoothest hits in glass, with slightly more drag than simpler designs. Our 21" Triple Hitter stacks three chambers of tree percs.

Honeycomb Perc

A flat glass disc drilled with dozens of small holes, sitting horizontally in the tube. Honeycombs create a wall of fine bubbles with very little drag, and they stack beautifully — double and triple honeycomb bongs are popular for a reason. See how it compares in our tree perc vs honeycomb breakdown.

Showerhead Perc

A dome with slits around the bottom rim, shaped like a showerhead. Great all-rounder: solid diffusion, easy to clean, low drag. Common in dab rigs as well as bongs.

Matrix Perc

A cylinder with slits cut in a grid pattern — vertical and horizontal — pushing bubbles in every direction. One of the best-looking percs when it's running, and a strong performer.

Inline Perc

A horizontal tube with slits along its length, usually sitting in the base. Often paired with a second perc above it. Low drag, big bubbles, very sturdy.

Disc / Puck Perc

A simple slitted or fritted disc. Minimal drag, modest diffusion — usually a supporting act in a multi-perc piece.

UFO Perc

Our signature. A rounded, saucer-shaped chamber that gives smoke a wider bulge to expand into with more water contact than a standard disc. It looks like a flying saucer parked in your tube, and it hits bigger and smoother than its size suggests. You'll find it across our Alien Bongs collection in beakers and straight tubes.

Which Perc Is the Smoothest?

For pure smoothness, tree and matrix percs lead. For smoothness with the least drag, honeycomb and showerhead win. For character and big-hit performance, the UFO perc is why people come to us. The honest answer: any well-made perc beats no perc, and the difference between good perc types is smaller than the difference between thin glass and thick glass.

Do More Percs Mean Smoother Hits?

Up to a point. Each additional perc adds smoothness and also adds drag — the resistance you feel pulling. Two or three well-designed percs is the sweet spot for most people. Beyond that you're working harder for diminishing returns, and cleaning gets serious.

Perc FAQ

Are percs hard to clean?
More percs, more effort. Salt and isopropyl handle most builds; tree percs take the longest. A capful of cleaning solution after heavy sessions keeps buildup from settling in.

Do percs need their own water?
Yes — fill each perc chamber just enough to cover its slits. Our guide on filling a percolator bong covers levels for each type.

What's the best perc bong to start with?
A single honeycomb or showerhead beaker. Smooth upgrade over a basic beaker, easy to maintain. Browse our full percolator bong collection or the lab-style builds in scientific glass.