Full Size Shishas

Choosing a full-size shisha

Full-size shishas cover a wide spread of heights, so check each listing before you choose. For example, the MS Magma Titan is 66cm and the Steamulation Superior Gen II is 67cm, while the El-Badia C7 V2 and Aeon Edition 6 Premium Plus stand at 53cm.

What to compare

• Hoses: most full-size pipes have one hose. For sharing, look for multi-hose models such as the Aeon Edition 6 Premium Plus or Steamulation Ultimate Gen. III, which take up to 4. Some, like the Starbuzz Carbine 2.0, can become a 2-hose shisha if you swap the purge valve for a hose adapter.
• Materials: Wookah pairs a wooden body with V2A stainless steel parts, and the Wookah Classic adds a wooden vase. The Balian uses handcrafted resin and stainless steel, and the El Bomber Sansara Cyber is AISI 304 stainless steel.
• Base fitting: pipes such as the C7 V2, Hexium and MS Magma Titan use a click system between stem and base, so there is no grommet to push in.
• Draw: a removable diffuser, as on the El-Badia Octagon Hookah, or a reversible one, as on the C7 V2, lets you change how smooth or traditional the pull feels. Regal pipes have no diffuser at all, for an open draw.

What comes in the box

Contents vary widely. A complete kit like the MG Hookah Chrome Edition includes a base, silicone bowl, hose, mouth tip and tongs, while a stem-and-vase listing such as the Starbuzz Challenger XS leaves the hose and bowl to you.

Starting from scratch?

Many models also come as kits with coals, a flavour and more, for example the C7 V2, Octagon and Starbuzz Carbine 2.0. Browse starter kits. If you are short on space, look at medium shishas or portable shishas instead.

Questions

How many people can smoke at once?

Most full-size models have one hose. Multi-hose pipes such as the Steamulation Ultimate Gen. III and the Aeon Edition 6 Premium Plus take up to 4.

What does a removable diffuser do?

On the Octagon, leaving it in gives a quieter, lighter session. Taking it out gives a more traditional pull with more resistance.

Does the Solari come in one height?

No. The Solari Hookah is made in three heights: Primadonna at 45cm, Dolevita at 62cm and Solemio at 83cm.