Types of Bong Percolators Explained (Visual Guide)

What Is a Perc?

What does a percolator do in a bong? A percolator, or "perc," is a filtration chamber built into a bong that breaks smoke into bubbles as it passes through water, cooling it and filtering out some impurities before you inhale. There are several types of percs, including honeycomb, showerhead, tree, and matrix percs. Each type produces a different balance of smoothness, drag, and ease of cleaning.

A perc sits between the downstem and the mouthpiece, adding a second stage of water filtration on top of the base chamber. More surface contact with water creates smaller bubbles, and smaller bubbles create a cooler, smoother hit. The trade-off shows up during cleanup. Designs with more surface area and more intricate glasswork trap more resin, so smoother percs generally take more time to maintain. See our bong cleaning guide for the full maintenance routine.

Types of Percs at a Glance

The table below compares the 10 different types of percs across diffusion level, smoothness, drag, cleaning difficulty, and beginner suitability.

Types of Percs Explained

Each percolator type below follows the same format: what it looks like, how it hits, a water level tip, cleaning difficulty, and best use case.

Diffused Downstem

Looks like: a glass tube with slits or small holes cut near the bottom. How it hits: a diffused downstem breaks smoke into small bubbles for light diffusion. Water level tip: cover the slits by about half an inch. Easy to clean? Yes, the simple design rinses clean in one pass. Best for: smokers upgrading from a plain downstem for the first time.

Showerhead Perc

Looks like: a cylindrical tube with holes or slits around the bottom, similar to a showerhead. How it hits: a showerhead perc pushes smoke down and out through multiple points for even diffusion. Water level tip: keep water just above the holes. Easy to clean? Medium, the interior holes trap some residue. Best for: smokers who want reliable filtration without heavy drag.

Honeycomb / Disc Perc

Looks like: a flat glass disc packed with dozens of small holes. How it hits: a honeycomb perc forces smoke through every hole at once, creating dense micro-bubbles. Water level tip: submerge the disc by about a quarter inch. Easy to clean? Medium, the flat shape helps but the holes need attention. Best for: smokers who want maximum filtration with low drag.

Tree Perc

Looks like: a center stem with 4 to 8 branching arms, each cut with slits. How it hits: a tree perc diffuses smoke through every arm at once for a wide, smooth pull. Water level tip: cover each arm's slits evenly. Easy to clean? Hard, the branching arms trap resin in hard-to-reach spots. Best for: smokers who prioritize smoothness over easy maintenance.

Inline Perc

Looks like: a horizontal cylinder with slits cut along its length. How it hits: an inline perc diffuses smoke as it passes horizontally before reaching the main chamber. Water level tip: fully submerge the slits without overfilling. Easy to clean? Medium. Best for: multi-perc setups that pair inline diffusion with a second percolator.

Matrix Perc

Looks like: a grid or tube with dozens of small round holes arranged in rows. How it hits: a matrix perc pushes smoke through every hole for dense, high-diffusion bubbles. Water level tip: keep water covering all rows evenly. Easy to clean? Hard, the tight grid holds onto resin. Best for: smokers chasing maximum filtration who don't mind extra cleaning time.

Swiss Perc

Looks like: a flat disc with larger, evenly spaced holes. How it hits: a Swiss perc diffuses smoke with less resistance than a honeycomb design because the holes are bigger. Water level tip: cover the disc by about a quarter inch. Easy to clean? Medium, larger holes clog less often. Best for: smokers who want honeycomb-style filtration with an easier pull.

Spiral / Coil Perc

Looks like: a coiled glass tube that wraps smoke in a spiral path. How it hits: a spiral perc extends the smoke's path through water for added cooling. Water level tip: submerge the lowest coil. Easy to clean? Medium. Best for: smokers who want extra cooling without a complex percolator design.

Turbine Perc

Looks like: a disc with angled slits that spin water when smoke passes through. How it hits: a turbine perc creates a visible swirling motion while diffusing smoke. Water level tip: cover the slits so the swirl effect activates fully. Easy to clean? Medium. Best for: smokers who want a visual centerpiece along with functional diffusion.

Donut Perc

Looks like: a ring-shaped disc with holes around its circumference. How it hits: a donut perc diffuses smoke evenly around the ring for balanced bubbling. Water level tip: cover the ring by about a quarter inch. Easy to clean? Medium. Best for: smokers who want honeycomb-style filtration in a smaller footprint.

How to Choose the Right Perc for You

Five factors determine the right percolator for you: budget, aesthetic, overall goal, ease of cleaning, and compatibility with your existing piece. Weigh these against how often you clean your piece and how much drag you're willing to accept for extra smoothness. New to bongs entirely? Start with how to use a bong guide before picking a percolator style.

• Budget: Simple percs like a diffused downstem cost less than multi-perc setups.
• Aesthetic: Tree and matrix percs create more visual movement than flat disc designs.
• Overall goal: Choose high-diffusion percs like matrix or honeycomb for maximum smoothness, and simpler percs for easier upkeep.
• Ease of cleaning: Flat disc designs rinse faster than branching or coiled percs.
• Compatibility: Confirm the percolator matches your joint size, 14mm or 18mm, before buying an ash catcher or replacement piece.
  
  

Not sure where to start? Don't be a bong basic. Grab a showerhead or Swiss perc and level up your rips without babysitting a cleaning routine.

Ready to find your perfect match? Browse our percolator bongs collection and see which perc is your soulmate.