Modern bong design has gone far beyond the basic downstem. Today’s glass market is filled with an array of percolators that change the way smoke moves through water, from honeycomb discs to matrix chambers to intricate recyclers.
Within that wide spectrum, two styles have become reference points for how diffusion can be engineered: the showerhead perc and the tree perc.
The showerhead perc represents a more recent generation of diffusion. It relies on a skirted structure with multiple openings that create a balanced, consistent pattern of bubbles. Its appeal comes from a focus on smoothness, airflow, and simplicity of build.
The tree perc belongs to an older but still widely used class of designs. It channels smoke through a central column that splits into several arms, each acting as a mini diffuser. Its appeal comes from the visual effect of stacked bubbles and the ability to scale diffusion by adjusting the number of arms.
Both are built on the same principle of using water to cool and filter smoke, yet each brings a distinct approach that shapes performance, durability, and ease of use.
In this article I will explain how both designs function, compare their advantages and drawbacks, showcase Thick Ass Glass pieces engineered with thick borosilicate and CAD-modeled precision, and show how to avoid the trap of over-percolation that can compromise a good session.
The Role of Percolators in a Bong
Percolators are integrated into the design of a bong to refine how smoke is delivered. They control the flow of air, the way smoke is cooled, and the amount of flavor that reaches the user.
By shaping these factors at the same time, percolators transform a basic piece of glass into something that feels smooth, balanced, and satisfying.
Airflow: The Heart of Diffusion
Airflow defines how easy and enjoyable each pull feels. A well-engineered percolator divides dense smoke into multiple smaller channels that travel freely through the water. This creates a steady stream that feels lighter to inhale.
The shape, size, and placement of the openings in a perc determine how evenly the smoke is dispersed. When these details are tuned correctly, the chamber fills with activity without creating resistance. The draw feels consistent, the bubbles rise in rhythm, and the entire inhale matches the pace of the user’s breath.
Smooth airflow also allows larger hits to be taken comfortably, which is why enthusiasts value precision in this part of bong design.
Cooling & Filtration: Making the Smoke More Palatable
Cooling and filtration take place the moment smoke is divided into finer streams. Each additional bubble expands the surface area of contact between smoke and water. This expanded contact lowers the temperature quickly and gently removes heavier particles.
The outcome is a cooler, cleaner vapor that feels comfortable and preserves the natural taste of the material. Terpenes remain more distinct, flavor notes become clearer, and the user enjoys a draw that highlights quality rather than harshness.
Percolators designed with cooling and filtration in mind allow every inhale to feel refreshing. They protect the throat, ease the lungs, and deliver a smoother taste that elevates the session.
Engineered Smoothness: Showerhead Percs
Among the many perc styles, the showerhead stands out for combining strong diffusion with an efficient design. It looks simple at first glance, but its performance has made it a favorite for users who want smooth pulls without unnecessary drag.
What Showerhead Percs Look Like
A showerhead perc is shaped like a skirt or dome that flares out from a central stem. Around the lower edge of this skirt are evenly spaced slits cut with precision. Once the bong is filled with water, the perc sits slightly submerged, ready to break smoke into streams.
When a pull begins, the chamber fills with a circular crown of bubbles that rise evenly toward the surface. The look is distinctive and easy to recognize, even for someone new to percolators. The fountain-like ring of bubbles is both visually appealing and a sign of consistent diffusion at work.
What Happens Inside of a Showerhead Perc
When smoke enters the chamber, it travels down the main stem and exits through the skirt. The multiple slits divide the smoke into dozens of tiny streams that immediately turn into bubbles.
Each bubble increases the contact between smoke and water, allowing cooling and filtration to take place quickly. Because the openings are evenly spaced, the airflow feels open and airy instead of restricted.
This balance gives showerhead percs their reputation for delivering smooth hits without making the draw feel heavy.
Top Advantages of Showerhead Percs
The design excels at producing even diffusion. Every pull feels consistent because the smoke is broken up in the same way each time. The airflow remains smooth, which makes longer sessions comfortable and easy on the lungs.
Unlike tree percs that rely on fragile arms, the showerhead structure is sturdy and less prone to damage. Cleaning is also more straightforward, since resin buildup does not get trapped in multiple branches or hard-to-reach corners.
One detail that enthusiasts often point out is how double-showerhead setups react to water levels. With too little water, the draw can feel very airy, while too much water creates a chugging sensation. This sensitivity means tuning the fill level matters, but once dialed in, the performance is excellent.
Recommended TAG Models
- TAG – 12" Fixed Super Slit Showerhead Straight Tube Bong (14MM Female): A compact design with a fixed showerhead can, built from thick borosilicate for durability.
- TAG – 19" Inline to Super Slit Fixed Showerhead Bong 50x7MM (18MM Female): Combines an inline stage with a fixed showerhead perc for uniform diffusion and low-drag performance.
Functional Spectacle: Tree Percs
Tree percolators have been part of bong design for decades and remain one of the most recognizable diffusion styles. They are prized for their visual appeal and the way they multiply smoke streams inside the chamber.
How to Recognize a Tree Perc
A tree perc is built around a central trunk that extends downward into the water chamber. From this trunk, multiple slender glass arms branch outward like fingers. Each arm ends in a slit or small hole.
When the bong is filled and pulled, every arm releases its own vertical stream of bubbles. These columns rise in parallel, creating the appearance of stacked streams climbing together through the water.
This display is distinctive and gives tree percs their reputation as one of the most eye-catching percolator types.
How Tree Percolators Help Your Hits
The function begins when smoke funnels into the trunk. From there, it is divided evenly into the arms and exits through the slits or holes at the tips. Each arm adds its own path of diffusion, multiplying the amount of smoke that interacts with the water.
The more arms in a tree perc, the greater the number of streams. This increase creates stronger cooling and more filtration, giving each pull a smoother feel.
At the same time, additional arms introduce more water resistance. With higher arm counts, the draw can feel heavier, which some users enjoy for the denser bubbling effect.
What Can Tree Percs Deliver
Tree percs deliver a striking visual experience. Watching bubble branches rise in sequence can be just as enjoyable as feeling the cooled smoke. They are also flexible in design, available in configurations that range from simple 8-arm trees to elaborate 32-arm structures.
This adjustability allows buyers to choose the balance of diffusion and draw strength that fits their preferences. Thick Ass Glass takes the design a step further by producing fixed-arm trees that are welded directly to the base.
This reinforcement makes the perc more durable and gives the arms better stability. It also reduces excess drag compared to floating-arm imports, creating a smoother experience while extending the life of the piece.
Recommended TAG Tree Perc Bongs
- 16" Fixed 16-Arm Tree Beaker Bong 50x7MM — with a medium arm count with a beaker base, 28/18 downstem, this bong can deliver some really big hits in high style
- 13" 6 Arm Tree Straight Tube Bong 50x5MM — compact, entry tree configuration. Great piece to get used to rising column action.
Head-to-Head: Showerhead vs Tree Perc
Showerhead and tree percs both take smoke and split it into finer streams so the water can do its job.
That’s the similarity. The difference is in execution. Showerheads are built to move air evenly with minimal resistance, while trees stack multiple arms to create a showy wall of bubbles. One design is about consistency, the other about spectacle.
Comparison Table
Yes, I know many people mix up these two styles. That's not going to happen to you after you take a brief look at this neat table that shows their strengths and weaknesses side by side.
|
Feature |
Showerhead Perc |
Tree Perc |
|
Diffusion Consistency |
Uniform, fountain-like |
Varies with arms |
|
Drag |
Lower |
Higher |
|
Durability |
Compact, sturdy |
Fragile arms |
|
Cleaning |
Simple |
Harder, arms trap resin |
|
Aesthetic |
Functional fountain |
Mesmerizing stacks |
Showerhead Percs Take the Crown
The showerhead is the clear winner. Every slit around the skirt works together to create a crown of bubbles that keeps the pull smooth and predictable. It holds up better because there are no fragile arms, and cleaning takes a fraction of the time.
That combination of performance, strength, and ease makes it the most practical choice for anyone who actually wants to use their bong every day.
A showerhead perc is ideal for the smoker who wants a dependable daily driver. It works perfectly in group sessions where you need consistency from hit to hit.
It’s also the right call for people who want to experiment with double-perc builds, because the water level in a showerhead can be tuned to adjust the feel without ever losing balance. If you care about smoothness, reliability, and keeping your glass in play for years, the showerhead is the smarter design.
Can They Work Together? Hybrid Builds and Stacked Chambers
Showerhead and tree percs can be combined in the same bong, and the pairing makes sense. A showerhead works well as the base stage because it spreads smoke evenly into a crown of bubbles with low drag.
That smooth, consistent first layer of diffusion sets the tone before the smoke rises into the next chamber.
A tree perc then takes over as the second stage, releasing parallel columns of bubbles from each arm. The tree adds more surface contact with the water and creates a stacked visual effect that many smokers enjoy. The combination means you get the efficiency of a showerhead with the spectacle of a tree.
The advantage of this setup is balance. The showerhead keeps airflow open and predictable, while the tree increases the density of bubbles without overwhelming the draw right away. It is a way to enjoy both designs without giving up what makes either one appealing.
There is a limit to how much stacking makes sense. Every additional chamber adds drag and increases the effort needed to clear the piece. Two well-matched percs usually offer the best trade-off between function and comfort. More than that often becomes excessive and harder to maintain.
You Can’t Go Wrong With a Showerhead Bong
You want a hit that lands smooth. Fast. Repeatable.
Start with the showerhead.
The skirt splits smoke into a tight crown of bubbles. Airflow stays open. Pulls feel light. Cleanup takes minutes. That rhythm holds bowl after bowl, friend after friend, night after night.
Crave spectacle sometimes? Add a tree on top in a two-stage build. Keep the stack lean. Tune water. Enjoy the show without giving up control.
Wondering where to find the gear to make this real? That’s easy. Just go to Thick Ass Glass bong collection page and look at the marvels of modern glass engineering.