A WPA – short for water pipe adapter – is the connector between a vaporizer and a water pipe (bong). It routes vapor through water before inhalation, cooling it down and providing light filtration. Every draw comes out noticeably smoother. Once you have tried it this way, going back feels like a step backward.
426 of the 527 active vaporizers on vapochecker.com are WPA-compatible – that is 81 percent of all devices. Using a vaporizer with a water pipe is not a niche setup. It is one of the most common ways experienced users enjoy their devices at home.
Standard Sizes: 14mm and 18mm
Water pipes have a defined diameter at their joint openings. The two most common sizes in Europe are 14mm and 18mm. Almost every standard bong uses one of these two joints, and almost every vaporizer WPA is built for one of them.
- 14mm: By far the most common standard. Most bongs sold in Europe use a 14mm joint, and most vaporizer WPAs target 14mm.
- 18mm: Found on larger bongs. If your piece has an 18mm joint, you need either an 18mm WPA or a simple glass reducer from 18mm down to 14mm.
Reducers cost just a few euros and are practical to keep around. One WPA can serve multiple bongs of different sizes once you have the right reducer.
Note: 10mm joints exist too. They are rare on bongs but relevant for DynaVap devices, which have a native 10mm diameter at the tip.
Types of WPA
Native WPA: Arizer
Arizer has one of the most elegant WPA solutions available. The glass stems on the Arizer Solo 3 and other Arizer devices have a 14mm outer diameter. That matches the standard water pipe joint perfectly. Pull the glass stem out of the vaporizer, drop it straight into the 14mm joint of the bong, and you are done. No adapter required. The glass stem itself is the WPA.
This saves money, avoids leaky connections, and makes cleaning simpler. One piece instead of three that all need to fit together. Glass is flavor-neutral and takes 30 seconds to clean with isopropanol and a pipe cleaner.
Dedicated WPA: Storz & Bickel
For the Mighty+, the Crafty+, and the VENTY, Storz & Bickel sell their own WPA. It attaches to the mouthpiece of the device and ends in a 14mm glass spigot that drops into the bong.
This adapter is stable, sits firmly, and works reliably. It costs around 30–40 EUR, which is on the expensive side, but the fit is exact and there is no wobble or leakage. For regular home use, it is worth the investment.
DynaVap: 10mm Native, 14mm With Adapter
DynaVap devices like the DynaVap M7 have a 10mm diameter at the tip. Many smaller bongs have 10mm joints, and a DynaVap drops straight in without any adapter at all. For standard 14mm bongs, inexpensive 10-to-14mm glass adapters work perfectly.
This makes DynaVap one of the most flexible devices for water pipe use. No battery needed, no WPA required if the bong has a 10mm joint. The combination is popular among users who want one device that works both on the go and at home on a bong.
Universal WPA: Silicone Adapters
For any vaporizer that lacks a native WPA connection, universal silicone adapters are the go-to solution. A silicone piece slides over the mouthpiece of the vaporizer and ends in a 14mm glass or silicone spigot for the bong.
Pros: cheap (usually under 10 EUR), flexible, fits many devices. Cons: silicone can impart a faint taste, especially when new, and the connection is sometimes not perfectly airtight. Anyone who cares about pure flavor should opt for glass WPAs instead.
Benefits: Why Use a Water Pipe With a Vaporizer?
Cooler Vapor
The biggest reason. Water cools vapor very effectively. Even at high temperatures (200 °C and above), the vapor arriving after the water filtration is noticeably cooler. That protects your airways, reduces the urge to cough, and makes longer sessions much more comfortable. Anyone with sensitive mucous membranes or who tends to cough at hot vapor will notice a meaningful difference.
Smoother Draws
Water filtration removes some of the suspended particles from the vapor. This makes every draw noticeably softer and more pleasant. At high temperatures where vapor gets denser, the difference is especially clear.
Larger Draws Possible
Because the vapor is cooler and smoother, you can take much larger draws at once. This is interesting for experienced users who want a more intense session. The water pipe acts as a buffer that allows a long, steady draw that would otherwise be too harsh to hold comfortably.
Desktop Experience From Portable Devices
A bong sits on a table. You do not hold anything. The draw is relaxed and unhurried. That brings the experience closer to a desktop vaporizer than typical portable use. Pairing a Mighty+ or VENTY with a bong at home gives you portable technology with desktop comfort.
Step by Step: Setting Up a WPA
- Get the right WPA: Check if your vaporizer has a native connection (Arizer 14mm glass stem, DynaVap 10mm tip) or a dedicated manufacturer WPA. Otherwise, pick up a universal silicone adapter.
- Check the bong joint size: Most bongs use 14mm. If unsure, measure with a 14mm test piece or ask when buying.
- Fill the bong with water: The water should cover the bottom end of the downstem by about 2–4 cm. Too much water increases draw resistance; too little barely filters anything.
- Insert the WPA into the bong: Drop the 14mm spigot of the WPA into the joint. It should sit firmly but without forcing it.
- Attach the vaporizer to the WPA: Depending on the type: insert the glass stem, slide on the WPA mouthpiece, or push on the silicone adapter.
- Heat up the vaporizer: Set it to the desired temperature and wait until operating temperature is reached.
- Draw slowly and steadily: With a WPA setup, drawing slower than usual lets the water filter properly. Drawing too fast can pull water up into the vaporizer, which should be avoided.
Cleaning
Change the water after every session. Old water smells and tastes unpleasant quickly. Anyone who uses a WPA regularly notices how much fresh water changes the experience.
The WPA itself needs regular cleaning. For glass WPAs, isopropanol (70% minimum, 99% preferred) and a pipe cleaner or small brush work best. Soak briefly, shake, rinse. For silicone WPAs, warm water and a mild dish soap is safer – isopropanol can degrade silicone over time.
The bong: shake it out regularly with isopropanol and a bit of coarse salt (the salt acts as an abrasive). Rinse thoroughly. With regular use of several times per week, a proper clean once a week keeps flavor fresh.
Compatible Devices on vapochecker.com
Of the 527 active vaporizers in our database, 426 devices (81%) are WPA-compatible. This includes portables, desktops, and some pen-style devices. Whether a device is WPA-compatible is shown on each product page in the price comparison.
The most well-known WPA-compatible devices include:
- Storz & Bickel Mighty+ (dedicated S&B WPA)
- Arizer Solo 3 (native 14mm glass stem)
- DynaVap M7 (10mm native or with 14mm adapter)
- Storz & Bickel VENTY (dedicated S&B WPA)
FAQ
Do I always need a device-specific WPA?
Not necessarily. Many vaporizers have native connections (Arizer 14mm glass stem, DynaVap 10mm tip). For others, dedicated manufacturer WPAs or universal silicone adapters work fine. Which option is best depends on your device.
Can any bong be used with a WPA?
Any bong with a 14mm or 18mm joint can be used. For 18mm, you need either an 18mm WPA or a reducer. Very small bongs with 10mm joints are mainly suited for DynaVap without an adapter.
Does water filtration reduce flavor?
Slightly. Water does filter out a small amount of aromatics. Most users find the difference barely noticeable, and the gain in cooling and smoothness clearly outweighs it. Those who prioritize absolute flavor purity may prefer using their vaporizer without water.
How often should I change the water?
After every session. Old water picks up smell and flavor quickly and affects the taste of your next draw negatively. Always use fresh, clean water.
Can water get pulled into the vaporizer?
Yes, if you draw very hard or overfill the bong. With most devices, minor water contact is not immediately damaging, but it should be avoided. Draw steadily and at a relaxed pace, and keep the water level in check.
Does a WPA make the vaporizer louder or quieter?
Neither. You will hear the typical bubbling of the bong during the draw, but the vaporizer itself sounds exactly the same as it does without the WPA.