Best hookahs according to redditors

Try instrument shops, if they can replace tenon corks on recorders, they should be able to replace this, who knows.

I just had another idea if you have no luck there, you could try if something like this fits. if you can find a plastic gasket in the right size, they are less maintainance than cork gaskets (you should grease them to keep them from drying out and rotting, as you now know)

For 5$ more you could get a MYA QT which is a decent starter hookah, change the hose to a washable one and you’ll be good till you can upgrade to something pricier.


14" 1 Hose MYA QT Sky Blue Hookah with Carrying cage and Free Charcoal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009LO7NMO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8NmWDbC8Z3704

This is a copy and paste for a guide I'm working on, but hopefully it'll help. Check out CocoUrth coals! If you don't want to read the massive amount of text below, then trust me and just go with a Shika hookah. Lifetime warranty on them :)

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Hello! This is my guide on what to look for while buying a hookah. While it'll be inherently subjective, I'll be doing my best to make it as objective as possible. The last guide (in sidebar) on Hookah By Price contained a lot of information I wanted to get out, but is too much trouble for me to try keeping it up to date. So instead of telling you what hookah I recommend, I want to go more in depth into what you look for when you're buying a hookah.

The Smoke is Not Dependent on the Hookah

• The hookah itself has very little effect on smoke production
  
• Think of your entire set-up as a car - the hookah itself is the body of the car, and the shisha/coals/bowls make up the engine.
  
  • You can spend a lot of money on a nice aesthetically pleasing hookah, but if you don't know how to pack a bowl, manage your heat, or if you don't have good shisha, the production of the hookah won't be any good. It'd be like putting the engine of a first gen Prius into the body of a Ferrari.
    
• The Smoke and the Draw - Given the same heat and same pack, the bowl will produce the same amount of smoke - the gauge of the draw will determine how quickly you can intake the smoke. The volume of the smoke would not change and has nowhere to go when drawn into the hookah other than your lungs. Simply put, the size of your set up, the gauge of your set up, has no real impact on the clouds.
  
  • A wider gauge hookah will obviously be an easier draw (given that the airflow is consistent through the hose, bowl, and hose port), but it will not get you bigger clouds.
    
  • A narrow gauge hookah will be a tougher draw, but because it takes longer to intake the same amount of smoke, you'll "taste" it more since the smoke will pass through your mouth for a longer period of time.
    
    

    The Material
    

• The material of a hookah usually won't effect your session, but it makes a difference in maintenance and longevity. The part of your hookah where the material is most important to is the downstem. The downstem is in water, and deals with a lot of moisture. If the stem of a hookah starts rusting, it's time to retire it. We're already inhaling smoke, no need to inhale rust particles.
  
  • Stainless Steel - There's good stainless steel and bad stainless steel. The vast majority of hookahs (if not all) that use stainless steel use steel in the 300 series. The main difference that's of concern to us is how resistant to corrosion the stainless steel is. Stainless steel has chromium in it, which forms protective layer on the steel to keep it from rusting. Damage to the steel can expose non-chromium covered areas to oxygen, and begin rusting the steel before another layer forms. It's more complicated than this, but good stainless steel is hard to damage and almost impossible to rust unintentionally and bad stainless steel rusts very easily.
    
    • Low Grade Stainless Steel
      
      • There's no regulation on saying what sort of stainless steel you use. A rule of thumb is that if they're not advertising high quality stainless steel, it's not high quality stainless steel.
        
    • High Quality Stainless Steel
      
      • Series 316 stainless steel is what's generally regarded as "surgical quality" stainless steel. It's very resistant to corrosion and is one of the best materials you could use for a hookah. Unfortunately, there's no regulation for what can be called "surgical stainless steel". They feel the same as their weaker (normal) 304/303 counterparts, and manufacturers don't usually advertise what steel they use. Your best bet if you're looking for a stainless steel hookah is to get one from a brand that advertises "aerospace/surgical stainless steel".
        
        
• Copper
  
  • One of the safest choices for a hookah’s downstem. Copper has been used to transport drinking water for a long time in the States, and continues to be used because it’s not subject to corrosion like stainless steel. A copper pipe downstem is a downstem that’ll last longer than you’ll ever want to smoke. The one big downside to copper downstems is that while it doesn’t corrode, it’ll oxidize and change colors (e.g. Statue of Liberty). The green oxidation can be cleaned very easily, but you’ll feel the urge to clean this more than you would a stainless steel hookah. Most copper tends to be softer than steel too, but there shouldn’t be instances where you’re testing this.
    
    
• Brass
  
  • Similar to copper, it’s a safe choice for a hookah downstem. It’s rare, but it’s a great choice. Won’t corrode, but harmlessly oxidizes like copper. Softer than steel, but there’s never a need to test that.
    
    
• Aluminum
  
  • Great material for a hookah. It won’t corrode, and it won’t change color like brass and copper. Additionally, high grade aluminum is harder than most copper (2.-2.9 on Moh's Hardness Scale, compared to copper's 2.5-3 rating). There’s no real downside for aluminum usage. Also allomantically inert ^^^^that’s ^^^^a ^^^^joke.
    
    
• Glass
  
  • Doesn’t ghost much, very easy to clean, but tends to be very expensive and fragile. High quality glass hookahs (a rising industry standard seems to be 7mm thick) go for hundreds of dollars and are much more expensive than their metal counterparts. In the linked picture, note how /u/gayhomophob3 put froyo in his base and can do so without worrying about residual froyo since it's glass.
    
    

    Price Range
    

• $0-$50 - There aren't many high quality hookahs in this range (if any).
  
  • Mya Econo Line - Cheap stainless steel hookahs that tend to be a little bit higher quality than other hookahs in the same range. A big reason why these hookahs are recommended in this price range is that they're compatible with some great upgrades. Not all cheap hookahs work well with high quality upgrades like a Dream Hose or a Crown Cloud phunnel bowl, but they're good fits for the Mya Econo Line. Lastly, the base on the smaller Myas are very sturdy, and there's very low risk in knocking something over.
    
• $50-$100 - This is where you'll see the potential for a jump in quality. There are many hookahs that fall within this price range, but a lot of them pale in comparison to two brands that stand out to me as clear choices above all the others.
  
  • Shika Hookahs - Shika hookahs have become a favorite (if not favorite) brand of hookahs for a variety of reasons - they're at a great cross section between affordability and quality. They have hookahs at under 100, and over 250.
    The majority of their hookahs are completely made with brass and copper - unlike many other "brass/copper" hookahs, which are just shelled with brass and copper. Shika hookahs also often come with thick glass bases and washable hoses. Shika's are hand welded and engraved. While that almost always indicates a high level of craftsmanship, there are imperfections on occasion. Furthermore, Shika has a good reputation for great customer service when imperfections are found.
    
    • The Accessories - Shika stands above KM for beginner smokers or first time buyers in large part because of the quality accessories it comes with. Rather than an poorly made Egyptian bowl and a unwashable hose that is frequently made out of recycled newspaper (the handle), Shika comes with the Shika Typhoon/Mammoth hose and the Shika Oblivion/Sandstorm bowl. Not the absolute best, but extremely good for what comes with a hookah.
      
  • Khalil Mamoon - KM hookahs are an industry standard and for good reason. They're like Toyotas - Most of their stuff is good higher end entry level hookahs. They'll give you a lot of mileage and you'll rarely have any problems with them. But like how you can upgrade to a Lexus from a Toyota (same company), you can go from your "entry" level KM's to some "nicer" stuff as well. Something else to keep in mind is that not all KM's are made equally. KM's in this price range will tend not to be brass. Some, in this price range and above, are indeed mostly brass and copper and thus will probably never rust (though you have to watch for oxidation) but still have stainless steel downstems and bowl ports.
    
    
• $100+ - After committing to spend more than 100 dollars on a hookah, you'll have enough options that it's about finding a material that you're comfortable with, and then finding a hookah that's aesthetically pleasing to you.
  
  

  My Top Picks by Category
  

  
  

• Traditional Egyptian - Shika
  
  • 
    
• Modern Brass - Sahara Smoke Executive Hookah
  
• Aluminum - Shishabucks Cloud | One
  
• Modern Stainless Steel - Regal/Starbuzz MIA
  
• Glass - Zahrah
  
  

Found it!

I've never used it myself, but: turn any bottle into a hookah. http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Bottle-Hookah-Stem-Kit/dp/B00MYGNDF2

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Modern-Hookah-Grommets-Every/dp/B07MNW4FBD/ref=sr_1_107?crid=JUO0BX4PPAD9&keywords=hookah+base&qid=1556489745&s=gateway&sprefix=hookah+base%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-107

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https://5starhookah.com/collections/hookah-bases/products/large-feather-base?variant=28195724363

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https://5starhookah.com/collections/bohemian-glass-bases/products/bohemian-elegance-base-midna?variant=12522462412878

https://www.southsmoke.com/pd-khalil-mamoon-basha-two-hose-ice-chamber.cfm

This is what u need good quality, pretty good looking but idk if it has the ball thingy so u don't have to use ur finger, try to call south smoke and ask them.

On other hand u can always buy hose adapter to split 1 into 2 hoses

Just make one yourself.

Here is the link on Amazon for the kit and go to your local bar/pub and ask for them to hold back a particular empty bottle of whatever alcohol you want.

Something like this :

Vatra Tube Bag Hookah Shisha Nargila Waterpipe Glass Protection Case (Black/Gray Plaid, 14") https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077VXGW2R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NWAHDb2VCNN5E

Just adjust for the length of your bong. Looks like some expensive glass there, so you could opt for a hard shell case and be a big baller lmao

http://www.amazon.com/NeverXhale-Deluxe-Series-Hookah-Complete/dp/B00GR5M3SO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398175164&sr=8-1&keywords=mosaic+hookah

gorgeous is right.

I've got a kaloud lotus on this phunnel bowl with this hookah and use Coco Nara coals...

Couple questions: what is the best brand of shisha to use with this setup? I've used starbuzz, currently own some al-fahker but havent smoked it yet, and have been smoking lately Fantasia Peach Fuzzy Navel because I really like the flavor - about 20 grams I would guess per bowl. I suspect possibly other brands / amounts of shisha might work better for this reason or that, I just don't know because I havent tried. Not 100% sure how packed I should be having my bowls.

With the Lotus, I see people saying to use 3 coco nara coals in it, but theres no way I think I can get those all to fit in there at once, ESPECIALLY not when their lit and hot?? So I normally cut one coal in half, and use 2 halves + 1 full coal... I don't know if this is normal or detrimental at all for the sesh. How even do you fit 3 coco nara's in there :O

Also in regards to the Lotus, does closed vents = more heat with it being contained and open vents = less heat since its escaping? Or is it, open vents = more heat because the coals are getting more oxygen? Never was really clear on this, which in turn has made me be unsure during seshes whether or not to open or close vents at times.

Is there a way to get the ash out of the lotus easily during a sesh when you switch up to fresh coals? or do you just leave it in there and push it out of the ways with fresh coals until you the sesh is over and its cooled off?

I sometimes find myself moving the coals around in the lotus because it hits kinda harsh sometimes, but I was under the impression that with the lotus you ought to be able to entirely control that with the vents, which makes me think I'm doing something a little bit wrong.

Sorry this is a really loaded comment, I just am still relatively inexperienced with hookah and want to make my seshes as efficient and pleasurable as i can lol. Might have more questions later Ill ask lol. Thanks y'all :)

While what others have said is true, I would recommend getting a Mya QT instead of the one you linked. I've used one similar to the one you linked and personally I don't like them. The QT however is probly the best tiny hookah I've used, especially for the price. Not quite as nice as a full size KM IMO but a great experience, and the build quality is way better and less prone to rust than the one you linked.

These will do you well.

Here's a pharaoh on Amazon for not too expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/Pharaohs-Nysa-Hookah-Set-Smoke/dp/B07B41KS1L

Purge is when you blow out the smoke from the chamber to clear it. That is really weird about the hose... Amira maintains that it is a surgical grade silicone so it should not ghost (hold the flavors like you are saying)..

but a cleaning with baking soda and hot water followed by a through rise in cold water should wash all the flavors out. I clean my hookah and bowl after every session to get the fullest flavor possible.

The Amira has a very wide gauge downstem, so a shallower phunnel bowl might work better than a deep bowl. So to improve your setup, I'd definitely get a HMD, and a bowl that holds it well. You can make that a 2 hose hookah very easily, if you watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6lfhYd_y4U. You might not be able to get a KL in SA, but you can def get a chimney, that would be my goto in case I could not get access to a HMD. something like this. https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Narghile-Charcoal-Narguile-Accessory/dp/B078SP1LF6. Ratings are BS. If you are enjoying your session and don't burn the tobacco, It's a 10/10.

edit: another example of a chimney: https://www.reddit.com/r/hookah/comments/cn0yjv/relaxing_night/

Which brand did you go with?.

Ive seen the following:

Deezer fabric :
https://www.amazon.com/Deezer-ice-hookah-hose/dp/B07FSNZZXZ?th=1&psc=1

Deezer gel:
http://www.deezerus.com/deezer-silicon-freezable-hose-mix-color.html

Mya freeze:
https://www.amazon.com/MYA-Saray-Freeze-Hookah-Shisha/dp/B01LMONE6E

Mystique Ice Hose Tip:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BU925GC/ref=psdcmw_10342620011_t3_B01LMONE6E

And of course the off brand of the mystique.

I was at a hookah bar that offered the Mystique style. I kinda the cooler effect thennjust ice in the base

Just get hoses and tips from anyplace but 5 Star, as they have terrible customer service and shipping practices. You can get 100 long plastic tips on amazon for 7.50, for example.

Save up $3 more dollars and this https://www.amazon.com/LLAKED-Detachable-Transparent-Waterpipe-Accessories/dp/B07Q2XLDP1/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?keywords=llaked&qid=1568883353&s=gateway&sprefix=llkaked&sr=8-2

...or buy one of these! www.amazon.com/dp/B073W95VJP/

That was the first hookah I got:http://www.amazon.com/NeverXhale-Deluxe-Series-Hookah-Complete/dp/B00GR5M3SO/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0ZANWK9EM59MA9JHA6V6

Please dont get one. For the same price you can get a Mya Gelato.

I actually got it on Amazon. It was $107 so tbh not bad at all lol

Link to hookah: https://www.amazon.com/KHALIL-MAMOON-SHAREEF-COMPLETE-HOOKAH/dp/B06XZ9W3LN/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?keywords=hookah+khalil+mamoon&qid=1575062132&sprefix=hookah+kha&sr=8-15

https://www.amazon.com/KHALIL-MAMOON-SHAREEF-COMPLETE-HOOKAH/dp/B06XZ9W3LN

If youre doing it for the fun of the project, then this wont help much but they sell stems made to fit into bottles.

Unfortunately looking at my other post, I had to break it with Hydro Herbel Blue Viper (which tastes awesome) but not as good as real tobacco.

this is my go too bowl and what I've been using forever. I've never tried silicone before but I've heard they are good. Never heard of powerbowl so I can't really comment.

• 1- I'd need this gun to help me deal with all the winers.
  
  
• 2- I definitely need these boots for all the dust that's gonna get kicked up!
  
  
  
• 3- This would help me keep my hair looking good when I take off my hat.
  
  
• 4- I have to be able to write all these essays, ese!!
  
  
• 5- I would keep this in it's own trunk, but bring it out at night when we were all hanging out in the common room.
  
  
• Extra- These things worry me. But if I had one, it would defiitely be hooded

Good idea, I like the way they look.

EDIT: So it can be found for $30 on amazon

They sell grommets on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003VMCBA6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1420533213&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=21jRfdhuudL&ref=plSrch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0035X7KQQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1420533234&sr=8-2&dpPl=1&dpID=11De-5WgraL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

Sure this is my favorite I've tried they have like a dozen flavored.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002513M48/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1410904462&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

try this link

Kitosun Hookah Bowl Set Ceramic Hookah Bowl with 12Holes + Larger Charcoal Holder with Screen Shisha Heat Management Bundle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BXPNKYL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MQ7ODbPQFH57A

It also came stamped as Amy Delux