Flower=the correct terminology for bud.
Yes, it's a drastic improvement. Those cheap $10 pieces are usually like 2.5-3.5" long. The heat is what is irritating to your throat. A longer pipe will help with that.
A bubbler will help even more with the water acting as a filter and cooling the smoke some before you inhale.
A bong will do the same, but they're usually larger which allow it to cool more. Also, a good bong will have ice notches in it. Basically just lil grooves in the neck of the piece that allow you to drop ice cubes down the neck to really chill the smoke for a smooth hit. Bongs also give huge hits that get you super baked.
You can always use a chillum if you like small concealable pieces that aren't that irritating. You just have to know how to hold it right for it to work properly, otherwise they're basically like a one hitter.
Vaporizer are another breed in their own. You gotta get the right ones and also know how to properly set the temp. I helped digi out w/his vape. He loves it.