Gravity Bong vs. Waterfall Bong vs. Bucket Bong: What’s the Real Difference?

Same principles, different setups—here’s how these gravity-powered smoking methods actually compare.

Gallant Gravity

1. Gravity Bong (aka Bucket Bong)

The gravity bong—also known as a bucket bong—is a classic. It uses water and air pressure to deliver massive, concentrated hits with minimal effort and a small amount of herb.

How it works:

• Setup: Cut the bottom off a plastic bottle. Fill a larger container (like a bucket, pitcher, or large cup) with water, and submerge the bottle into it.
• Pack the bowl: Attach a bowl to the top of the bottle. Most people use tinfoil or a modified bottle cap with a socket inserted into it.
• Light and lift: Light the bowl and slowly lift the bottle straight up. As it rises, the vacuum created inside pulls dense smoke into the chamber.
• Inhale: Once the bottle is full of smoke, remove the bowl. Place your mouth over the top and push the bottle back down into the water. This forces the smoke upward and into your lungs.

Why people love it:

• The hits are extremely powerful.
• It’s super efficient—you get a full chamber of smoke with very little herb.
• It’s simple to make with household items.

As for the term “bucket bong,” it’s just a specific version of a gravity bong that uses an actual bucket (or large open container) as the water chamber. Mechanically, it’s identical. So for all practical purposes, gravity bong = bucket bong.

2. Waterfall Bong

The waterfall bong is the true variation in this trio. It still uses gravity, but it functions very differently from a bucket or gravity bong. Instead of pushing the bottle down into water to force smoke out, a waterfall bong lets water drain from the bottle to pull smoke in.

How it works:

• Take a regular plastic bottle and poke a small hole near the bottom.
• Plug the hole with your finger and fill the bottle with water through the top.
• Pack your bowl at the mouth of the bottle.
• Light the bowl and release the hole—water starts to drain from the bottom, and the suction created pulls smoke into the bottle.
• Once drained, remove the bowl and inhale the smoke.

Why people love it:

• It’s compact—only one bottle needed.
• It’s cleaner and less messy (no big containers or splashing).
• It’s quick—great for solo sessions or when you’re in a hurry.

Waterfall bongs typically produce smaller, more manageable hits than gravity bongs, but they’re still efficient and can be surprisingly smooth if made well.

3. Key Differences

While both methods use gravity to generate smoke, they offer pretty different experiences.

Gravity (or bucket) bongs are best known for their huge smoke volume and intense hits. Because they typically use a large bottle and water container, they’re better suited for group sessions or when you really want to feel it. The setup is a bit larger and slightly more involved, but it’s still easy to make. Resetting between hits takes a little more time, and there's a higher chance of splash or mess.

Waterfall bongs, on the other hand, are more compact. You only need one bottle with a small hole in the bottom, making them easier to handle and reset quickly. The smoke volume is smaller, and the hits are a bit lighter, but it’s a great option for solo use or when you want something fast and discreet.

To recap:

• Smoke volume: Gravity bongs give bigger, denser hits.
• Hit strength: Gravity bongs are more intense, waterfalls are slightly smoother.
• Setup size: Gravity bongs need two pieces (bottle + container), waterfalls only need one bottle.
• Reset time: Waterfall bongs are quicker to reset between uses.
• Mess potential: Gravity bongs can splash more if you're not careful.
• Best for: Gravity bongs suit groups and longer sessions; waterfall bongs are ideal for solo, quick hits outdoors or over a sink.

Which One Hits Harder?

Gravity (or bucket) bongs hit harder—no contest.

The combination of water pressure and a large chamber full of dense smoke results in a punch that most other smoking methods can’t match. You don’t even need to inhale manually; just pushing the bottle down into the water does the work for you.

Waterfall bongs are still powerful, but their hit is usually lighter and quicker. That’s not a bad thing—it just depends what kind of session you’re looking for.

Which One’s Easier to Make?

They’re both pretty simple.

• Gravity/Bucket Bong: Requires two parts—a bottle and a container of water. You’ll need to cut the bottle and create a bowl that fits in the top.
• Waterfall Bong: Just one bottle with a small hole poked in the bottom. Slightly easier to set up and quicker to use.

If you’re in a rush or just want one quick hit, a waterfall bong wins on simplicity. But if you’re hanging with friends or want something stronger, gravity/bucket bongs are the way to go.

Can You Use the Same Bowl for Both?

Yes—and this is where things get interesting.

Whether you’re using a gravity bong or a waterfall bong, the bottle’s top is almost always the same. That means the same bowl piece can work with both setups, as long as it fits snugly in the bottle mouth.

That’s where a reusable, tapered bowl comes in handy—something like the Gallant Greeb. It fits tightly into just about any standard bottle and doesn’t require foil, tools, or a trip to the garage. It works for waterfall setups, bucket setups, or even a more polished glass-based setup if you’re ready to ditch plastic altogether.

So… Which Should You Use?

It really depends on your vibe.

Choose a gravity/bucket bong if:

• You want strong, milky hits
• You’re smoking with friends
• You’re into the visual experience of watching the chamber fill with smoke

Choose a waterfall bong if:

• You want something quick and discreet
• You prefer a one-hit style of smoking
• You’re short on space or time

Both are fun, powerful, and easy to make with stuff you probably already have. And both become way more reliable (and cleaner) when paired with the right bowl piece.

Want the Gravity Bong Experience—Without the Plastic?

If you’re ready to upgrade from cut bottles and random containers, check out the Gallant Glass Gravity Bong Kit.

It’s a refined, travel-ready version of the classic bucket bong—complete with a thick glass bottle, a sleek water canister, and your choice of Gallant Greeb bowl. You still get the same hard-hitting gravity-powered hits, but without the mess, plastic taste, or DIY setup.

You can also use the Gallant Greeb bowl separately with any bottle and any setup you want—waterfall, bucket, or gravity. It’s the simplest way to turn any homemade piece into something you’re actually proud of.

Final Thoughts

Gravity bong. Bucket bong. Waterfall bong.

They all rely on gravity and water to do the work—but the experience you get from each one is totally different. Whether you’re into strong group hits or fast solo sessions, there’s a method that matches your style. Try them all and see what hits right.

And when you're ready to clean it up, make it last, and get the most from every pull—upgrade your setup with gear built to do it better.