Walk into any modern smoke shop or browse online glass collections, and you’ll notice one design popping up again and again: honeycomb percolator bongs. With their clean lines and futuristic discs, honeycomb percs have built a reputation for delivering incredibly smooth hits.
But are they actually better than tree percolator bongs—or just different?
If you’re trying to choose between these two popular percolator styles, this guide breaks it down honestly. We’ll look at how honeycomb percs work, how they compare to tree percs in real use, and which type of smoker benefits most from each.
A honeycomb percolator is a flat, circular disc with dozens of small precision-cut holes. When smoke passes through the disc, it’s broken into an extremely fine set of bubbles before rising into the chamber.
You’ll most often find honeycomb percs stacked in straight tubes or incorporated into sleek modern glass bongs designed for maximum filtration.
The key idea behind honeycomb percs is even diffusion. Instead of splitting smoke through arms (like tree percs), honeycombs diffuse smoke uniformly across the entire disc.
Honeycomb percs focus on micro-diffusion. Here’s how a hit flows:
Smoke travels from the bowl through the downstem
It passes through dozens of tiny holes in the honeycomb disc
The smoke becomes fine, uniform bubbles
Maximum water contact cools and filters the smoke
Because the bubbles are so small, honeycomb percs are excellent at reducing harshness—especially on larger hits.
This is why honeycomb percs are common in tall straight tube bongs and stacked multi-perc designs.
Tree Percs vs Honeycomb Percolators: The Core Difference
At a glance, both percs aim for smoothness—but they go about it very differently.
Use multiple arms with slits
Diffuse smoke through branching pathways
Softer, slower draw
Excellent for relaxed sessions
Use flat discs with many holes
Create ultra-fine bubbles
Cleaner, tighter draw
Designed for high filtration
Neither is objectively “better”—but one may suit your smoking style more.
This is where opinions usually split.
Honeycomb percolator bongs tend to have:
More resistance
Slower airflow
A very controlled, dense pull
Tree percs:
Feel airier
Allow longer, smoother inhales
Are more forgiving if you pull harder
If you like strong lung pulls or snapping bowls quickly, honeycomb percs can feel restrictive. Tree percs often feel more natural for everyday smoking.
Honeycomb percs win when it comes to raw filtration.
Because smoke is divided into extremely fine bubbles, honeycomb percs:
Cool smoke aggressively
Reduce throat irritation
Handle large bowls well
Tree percs still deliver smooth hits—but they strike more of a balance between smoothness and airflow.
For users with sensitive throats or who take large rips, honeycomb percs can feel noticeably gentler.
One common criticism of honeycomb percolators is flavor loss.
Because smoke spends more time in water:
Subtle terpene notes can be muted
Lighter strains may taste flatter
Tree percs preserve flavor slightly better because airflow is less restricted.
If flavor matters to you:
Keep your glass clean
Pair with a well-designed bong bowl
This is where honeycomb percs can be divisive.
Pros:
No fragile arms
Strong structural integrity
Cons:
Tiny holes clog easily
Resin buildup is harder to remove
Needs frequent cleaning
Pros:
Easier to flush resin out of slits
More visible clogging
Cons:
Fragile arms
Risk of breaking if shaken too hard
Using a dedicated bong cleaner regularly is essential for both—but especially honeycomb percs.
Honeycomb percs are typically more physically durable. A solid disc is less likely to snap than multiple tree arms.
That said:
Honeycomb percs punish neglect
Tree percs punish rough handling
For travel or outdoor use, neither is ideal. If durability is your top concern, silicone bongs are far safer.
These are the most common and offer maximum diffusion.
Beaker Bongs with Honeycomb Percs
Beaker bases add stability and water volume, balancing out the drag.
Mini Honeycomb Bongs
Compact but very restrictive. Better for light use than big rips.
Yes—accessories help a lot.
Ashcatchers keep resin out of the disc
Proper downstems fine-tune airflow
Routine cleaning prevents clogging
For customization fans, modular setups like Build-a-Bong let you test percs without committing permanently.
Honeycomb percs are ideal if you:
Prioritize smoothness over airflow
Take large, slow rips
Smoke stronger strains
Clean your glass regularly
They may not be ideal if you:
Hate maintenance
Prefer fast clears
Want strong terpene flavor
Here’s the honest answer:
Honeycomb percolator bongs are smoother and more filtered
Tree perc bongs are more forgiving and flavorful
If you smoke daily and value comfort → honeycomb
If you value balance and airflow → tree perc
Many experienced smokers keep both and switch depending on mood.
If neither feels perfect:
Bubblers offer light filtration
Pipes preserve flavor
Vaporizers reduce harshness entirely
Concentrate users should look into dedicated dab rigs with quartz bangers and carb caps instead of multi-perc bongs.
Honeycomb percolator bongs aren’t hype—they genuinely deliver some of the smoothest hits available in glass. But that smoothness comes at the cost of airflow, flavor nuance, and maintenance.
Tree percs remain the better all-rounder for many smokers. Honeycomb percs shine when smoothness is the top priority.
If you’re still deciding, browsing different styles—and even checking the clearance sale—can help you find the right balance without overcommitting.
In the end, the best bong isn’t about trends. It’s about how you like to smoke.