Mini Bubbler vs Bubbler Stem for a Lobo Owner
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In short: for a POTV Lobo bubbler that keeps the device handheld, choose the bubbler stem. For more water, a removable lid and easier cleaning at home, choose the compact attachment bubbler. Both go where your normal glass stem goes, so you do not need a WPA. Buy a WPA only if you already own a water pipe, and choose the extra-large bubbler only if you mostly use the Lobo at a desk.
The Lobo is a small device: Planet of the Vapes lists it at 150 g without glass, with a 0.2 g oven. Any glass you add changes how it balances in the hand. This guide compares the two smaller water options we make for the Lobo, explains how the glass connects, and shows when the bigger bubbler or an adapter is the better buy.
How Lobo water glass connects
The Lobo's glass sits in a magnetic glass adapter on top of the device. POTV sells this adapter for the Lobo only. It accepts POTV-style glass, and our Lobo water pieces are made to sit in it, just like a stem. Two practical points follow:
- Keep the adapter's O-ring in good shape. POTV fits an O-ring to the bottom of the glass adapter to seal it to the device. If the adapter starts to feel loose or the draw leaks, check the ring first.
- Keep alcohol off the device itself. POTV says rubbing alcohol can damage the Lobo's silicone and outer surfaces. Clean the glass on its own, away from the device.
The two contenders
Water bubbler stem
The water bubbler stem is a glass stem with a small water chamber built in. It replaces your normal stem. Our listing says it takes only a small amount of water, just enough to cover the diffusion opening.
Compact attachment bubbler
The compact water bubbler is about 100 mm long and 26 mm wide, and weighs 50 g. Its removable lid has small bubble holes that help stop water reaching your mouth. Take the lid off to refill and rinse it.
Side by side
| Bubbler stem | Compact bubbler | Extra-large bubbler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Stem-style, small chamber | About 100 × 26 mm, 50 g | 150 × 35 mm, 80 g |
| Added weight vs a 150 g Lobo | Not listed (our listing calls it compact and balanced) | 50 g, about a third | 80 g, over half |
| Water | Small fill | More | Most |
| Lid | Not listed as removable | Removable, with bubble holes | Removable, with splash control |
| Fits | Lobo, ONE | Lobo, ONE, XMAX V3 Pro | Lobo, ONE, XMAX V3 Pro |
| Best for | Handheld use, lighter cooling | Sofa or desk, easy cleaning | Desk use, most cooling |
What to expect in use
The bubbler stem takes only enough water to cover its diffusion opening, so it stays close to the size of a normal stem. The compact bubbler takes more water and has a lid that helps stop splashes reaching your mouth. Expect any water piece to make the draw feel a little different from a dry stem. Neither turns the Lobo into a desktop device.
Balance is the other difference. Our listing describes the bubbler stem as compact and balanced. The compact bubbler adds about a third of the device's weight on top, and the extra-large bubbler more than half, so we suggest using the larger pieces sitting down, ideally with the Lobo on a table.
How to choose
- You use the Lobo handheld most of the time: the bubbler stem.
- You use it mostly at home and hate fiddly cleaning: the compact bubbler.
- You want the most water and mostly use it sitting down: the extra-large bubbler.
- You already own a water pipe: skip the bubblers and buy an adapter. The 14 mm WPA is a 75 mm frosted male piece for standard 14 mm female joints. The all-in-one 10/14/18 mm WPA steps between 10, 14 and 18 mm, which helps if you own more than one water pipe. Check that your pipe's joint is female.
Not sure what size your pipe's joint is? Check the maker's listing for your pipe first. If it is not stated, measure across the inside of the socket at its opening: roughly 10, 14 or 18–19 mm corresponds to the 10, 14 and 18 mm joint sizes. If you are still unsure, check with us before ordering.
Filling and using either one
- With the glass off the device, add a little clean water. In the bubbler stem, just cover the diffusion opening. Overfilling makes splashback more likely.
- Dry the outside of the glass, then seat it firmly in the glass adapter with the device cool.
- Keep the Lobo upright and draw slowly and steadily. A hard pull can lift water towards your mouth.
- After the session, let the glass cool, empty it and rinse it in warm water. Never rinse hot glass in cold water.
Cleaning and carrying
Empty the water after every session. Fresh water each time keeps the glass cleaner. Every so often, soak the glass in isopropyl alcohol, rinse it well and let it dry completely. Do this away from the Lobo itself. Our guide to cleaning water bubblers and glass attachments covers soaking times and drying.
Never pack a bubbler with water in it. The bubbler stem is the easier of the two to carry because it is smaller. Wrap either in a cloth or keep it in a padded case.
Prefer no water at all?
A longer stem or a cooling-beads stem cools vapour with nothing to fill or empty. A sensible routine is a dry cooling stem day to day and a bubbler for longer sessions at home. Our guide to cooler Lobo vapour without water compares the options. For mouthpiece shapes, see bent, straight or dimpled.
A note on availability
Planet of the Vapes has paused international shipping, so official POTV parts are harder to get in the UK at the moment. Our Lobo water glass is our own design and ships from us. For wear parts such as the glass adapter and its O-ring, read our guide to the POTV shipping pause.
Frequently asked questions
What is a POTV glass adapter?
The term covers two different parts. POTV's own glass adapter is the magnetic piece on top of the Lobo that holds the glass. People also use "glass adapter" to mean a WPA, the short glass piece that connects the Lobo to a water pipe joint. Our WPAs come in 14 mm and all-in-one 10/14/18 mm versions.
Do these fit the POTV ONE?
Yes. All the pieces in this guide are listed for the Lobo and the ONE. The compact and extra-large bubblers and the 14 mm WPA also list the XMAX V3 Pro.
Will a bubbler make the Lobo hit harder?
Water cools the vapour; it does not make the oven produce more. If you want denser draws, look at temperature first: our guide to Lobo heat settings explains how to step up.
Browse every Lobo stem and water piece in the Lobo and ONE collection.
