Water pipes & bongs
by Hemper
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The Palm Tree Bong is a 7-inch (17.8 cm) borosilicate glass water pipe from Hemper that filters smoke through a diffused downstem percolator for cooler, smoother hits. With its clear glass base and amber palm tree body, this compact bong looks like a miniature holiday on your shelf — and pulls like one too. It sits at that sweet spot between novelty piece and genuine daily driver: eye-catching enough to spark conversation, functional enough that you'll actually reach for it.
Everything you need to know about this palm tree water pipe at a glance — compact dimensions, solid glass construction, and a percolator that actually does its job.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Hemper |
| SKU | HS2616 |
| Height | 7 inches (17.8 cm) |
| Material | Borosilicate glass |
| Base colour | Clear glass |
| Body design | Amber palm tree |
| Percolator type | Diffused downstem |
| Included | Bong, downstem, bowl piece |
Complete your setup with a decent grinder to get a consistent, fine grind — it makes a real difference in how evenly your bowl burns. A set of pipe cleaners and some isopropyl alcohol will keep the downstem clear and your hits tasting fresh. If you're after something with more volume, have a look at the larger bongs in our water pipe collection.
At 17.8 cm, this bong is compact enough to tuck away in a cupboard or slide into a bag without stress. That's the main draw for a piece like this — it doesn't demand a dedicated spot on your coffee table, but it's solid enough that it won't feel flimsy in your hand. The glass has a decent thickness to it; you can feel the weight when you pick it up, which is reassuring for something at this price point.
The diffused downstem is where it counts. Instead of a simple open tube dumping smoke straight into water, the downstem has small slits that break the smoke into smaller bubbles. More bubbles means more surface area in contact with water, which cools the smoke down before it reaches your lungs. The result: less throat irritation, better flavour, and you're not coughing your head off after every pull. For a 7-inch piece, the filtration is genuinely impressive — we'd put it up against bongs twice its size that only have a basic downstem.
Now, the honest bit: at 17.8 cm tall, the smoke path is short. You're not going to get the same level of cooling as a 35 cm beaker bong with an ice catcher. That's physics, not a design flaw. If you want maximum cooling, you'll want something taller. But if you want something portable, fun to look at, and smooth enough for daily use — this is a proper little workhorse. We've seen customers grab these as a travel piece or a secondary bong for the garden, and that's exactly where it shines.
We've handled a lot of Hemper pieces over the years, and the thing that stands out is their attention to the novelty factor without sacrificing function. The amber palm tree trunk isn't just decorative — it forms part of the smoke chamber, so you're watching your hit travel up through the tree before you clear it. It's a small detail, but it makes the experience feel a bit more playful than your standard straight tube.
One thing to watch: the palm tree design means there are some curves and angles in the glass that can collect residue faster than a simple beaker shape. Give it a rinse with warm water after each session, and do a proper clean with isopropyl alcohol and coarse salt once a week. The downstem slits can clog if you let resin build up — and once they're blocked, you lose the whole point of having a diffused percolator. Keep it clean and it'll keep performing.
Using a water pipe with a diffused downstem is straightforward, but a few details make the difference between a decent hit and a great one.
A diffused downstem is a tube that sits inside the bong's base, submerged in water, with small slits or holes cut near the bottom. When you draw air through the bong, smoke is forced through these slits, breaking it into dozens of tiny bubbles rather than one large one. This massively increases the surface area of smoke touching water — and water contact is what cools the smoke and filters out heavier particulates.
The practical difference is noticeable from the first hit. A bong without a percolator delivers harsher, hotter smoke. A diffused downstem smooths things out considerably. It's the most common percolator type for a reason: it works reliably, it's easy to clean, and it doesn't add drag the way more complex percs (like honeycomb or tree percolators) sometimes can. For a compact 7-inch bong like this Palm Tree piece, a diffused downstem is the right call — anything more elaborate would restrict airflow in a chamber this size.
| Percolator type | Filtration level | Drag | Ease of cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| No percolator (open downstem) | Minimal | Very low | Very easy |
| Diffused downstem | Good | Low | Easy |
| Honeycomb disc | High | Medium | Moderate |
| Tree percolator | High | Medium-high | Difficult |
A 7-inch bong won't give you the same cooling capacity as a 14-inch beaker. That's just the reality of a shorter smoke path. But here's what a lot of people overlook: a smaller bong concentrates flavour. With less air volume in the chamber, you taste more of the terpene profile and less of the staleness that can build up in a large piece. If you're someone who appreciates the flavour differences between strains, a compact bong can actually be the better choice.
The 17.8 cm height also means this bong is genuinely portable. It fits in a backpack, it's easy to hand around a circle without worrying about someone dropping a 40 cm glass tower, and it stores in a kitchen cupboard without needing its own shelf. We'd pick this over a full-size bong for outdoor sessions, barbecues, or anywhere you don't want to lug around something fragile and oversized.
Fill until the slits on the diffused downstem are covered by about 1-2 cm of water. Draw without lighting — if you see even bubbling and no splashback, you're set. The water level sits in the clear glass base, so it's easy to eyeball.
Not at all. A 17.8 cm bong with a diffused downstem delivers smooth, filtered hits — just with a shorter smoke path than a full-size piece. You trade some cooling capacity for better flavour concentration and portability. It's a different experience, not a lesser one.
The curved glass can trap resin in spots a straight tube wouldn't. Pour in some coarse salt and isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher), cover the openings, and shake firmly for 30-60 seconds. Rinse thoroughly with warm water. Do this weekly and the downstem slits stay clear.
It breaks smoke into small bubbles through slits at the bottom of the stem. More bubbles means more water contact, which cools the smoke and filters out harsh particulates. The result is a noticeably smoother hit compared to a plain open downstem.
This bong doesn't have ice notches, so ice cubes would drop straight into the base and potentially crack the glass from thermal shock. If you want cooler hits, use cold (not icy) water in the base instead. It's safer for the glass and still makes a difference.
Yes. The bowl lifts out of the downstem, which is how you clear the chamber after filling it with smoke. It also makes cleaning much easier — you can soak the bowl separately.
Glass delivers cleaner flavour — silicone can impart a slight taste, especially when new. The Palm Tree Bong is borosilicate glass, which is heat-resistant and durable for its type. Silicone wins on drop-resistance, but glass wins on taste and smoke quality every time.
Last updated: April 2026
