What’s a percolator and does it matter?
🌬️ Smoother hits start with smarter bubbles.
A percolator (or “perc”) is a built-in filter that breaks smoke into smaller bubbles, cooling and filtering each hit through water.
🔍 Common types:
🌳 Tree Percolator
A vertical centerpiece made of several “arms” (usually 4 to 12), each with tiny slits at the bottom. As smoke travels through each arm, it gets diffused into bubbles for smoother hits. The more arms, the more filtration — but also more drag.
Best for: High diffusion with a classic look.
Watch out for: They can be fragile and harder to clean.
Tree Percolator 🚿 Showerhead Percolator
A vertical tube that flares out into a rounded disc or bell shape with slits or holes on the bottom. It pushes smoke through evenly spaced holes in a circular pattern for excellent airflow and solid filtration.
Best for: Smooth hits with easy pulls.
Pro tip: Easier to clean and less likely to break than trees.
Showerhead Percolator 🍯 Honeycomb Percolator
A flat disc with dozens of tiny holes, placed horizontally in the bong’s chamber. When smoke hits the honeycomb, it bursts into a bunch of small bubbles for fast cooling.
Best for: Heavy diffusion with minimal drag.
Stackable: Some pieces have 2–3 honeycombs for ultra-filtration.
Honeycomb Percolator ➖ Inline Percolator
A horizontal tube at the base of the bong, lined with slits along its underside. As smoke passes through, it diffuses downward into the water.
Best for: Compact bongs or recycler rigs.
Known for: Low profile + solid filtration without clogging.
💣 Matrix Percolator
A cylindrical perc with dozens of vertical and horizontal slits, often found in high-end bongs. It provides incredibly even smoke diffusion from all directions.
Best for: Maximum filtration and ultra-smooth draws.
Durability: More robust than tree percs.
🧊 Swiss Percolator
Not a percolator in the traditional sense, but a glass disc or wall with multiple holes throughout the body of the bong. These holes disrupt airflow and increase surface area for cooling.
Best for: Unique design lovers and smooth rips.
Bonus: Looks wild and stacks well with other percs.
✅ Bottom line: Do percs matter?
If you’re chasing cooler, smoother hits with less throat burn, then yes — percolators definitely matter. They filter smoke through water and break it into tiny bubbles, increasing surface area and cooling the vapor before it hits your lungs.
While Tree, Showerhead, Honeycomb, and Inline percs are some of the most popular, there are many other styles — including Matrix, Turbine, Swiss, and Fab Egg percs — each offering different levels of diffusion and resistance.
| Perc Type | Smoothness | Drag | Cleaning Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honeycomb | High | Low | Easy | Beginners |
| Tree | Very High | High | Medium | Daily Smokers |
| Showerhead | High | Medium | Easy | Smooth daily use |
| Inline | Medium | Low | Easy | Dab Rigs |
| Turbine | High | Medium | Medium | Cool visuals + airflow |
| Matrix | Very High | Medium | Medium | Filtration + function |
| Swiss | High | Medium | Hard | Aesthetics + smoothness |
And beyond these common types, you’ll find custom percs (like this dino perc) that are artist-designed or engineered with unique airflow patterns. Some don’t even fall into a widely recognized category. These one-of-a-kind pieces can blend performance with creativity, making your smoke session not just smoother — but also a whole lot cooler.
Whether you're a daily smoker or just diving in, the right percolator can seriously change your sesh.
| ❓ Frequently Asked Questions | 💡 Pro Tips About Percolators |
|---|---|
| Do more percolators mean smoother hits? Yes — more percs usually improve diffusion and coolness, but may add drag. | Use fewer percs if you want less drag. Stacking 2+ percs can smooth out hits, but may slow airflow — find your balance. |
| What’s the easiest percolator to clean? Honeycomb and showerhead percs are easier than tree or matrix styles. | Start with simple percs like honeycomb. They're easier to maintain and still deliver smooth results. |
| Can I add a percolator to my bong? Yes — ash catchers with percs can upgrade any bong with the right joint size. | Inline percs are ideal for dabs. They offer low drag and direct diffusion, great for concentrates. |
| Which perc is better for dabs vs flower? Inline or showerhead = great for dabs. Tree/honeycomb = great for flower. | Use percs with wider airflow for dabs. Look for low-resistance designs when using rigs. |
| Are percolators worth it? For smoother hits, absolutely. They filter smoke and reduce harshness. | Avoid percs with too many slits if you like airflow. More holes = smoother hit, but also more pull resistance. |
| Match perc shape to your sesh style. Tree percs = flavor + filtration; honeycomb = speed + ease; turbine = fun + swirl. | |
| Clean often to preserve percolator performance. Resin buildup blocks airflow fast, especially in tight-slotted percs. | |
| Try different water levels. Experimenting with slightly less or more water can dramatically change how a perc performs. |