Hookahs have been around for centuries and are enjoyed by people from many cultures. This is a centuries-old tradition that originates from India and the Middle East. And recently it has become more popular in the United States and other Western countries. If you’re new to the world of hookah or just looking for advice on buying your first best hookah pipes, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover some of the different hookah style options out there.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT HOOKAH STYLES?
Now that we have covered a tiny bit of the vast and interesting history of hookah, we are ready to dive into the different styles of hookah. There are many styles, some very similar and some quite different from each other.
The differences between hookah styles come from different materials, different amounts of stems, the bowl shape, stem shape, and more. So buckle in, here is the hookah breakdown.
TRADITIONAL HOOKAH STYLES
We will start with the origins of hookah. There are three traditional styles of hookah, all from regions that influenced the origins of hookah. The three types of traditional hookahs are Turkish, Syrian, and Egyptian hookahs.
Egyptian Hookahs
Egyptian hookahs are probably the most common of the traditional hookahs. Egyptian hookahs are known for their ornate copper shafts. Egyptian hookahs are also known for their open draw, meaning it is very easy to pull smoke from the hookah, which offers a lot of options to the smoker to adjust how much and little smoke they get in each pull.
Egyptian hookahs are considered the standard of excellence on the hookah market. Egyptian hookahs are some of the best benchmarks for hookahs of all styles, showing the importance of the Egyptian hookah’s influence on all of hookah culture.
Syrian Hookahs
Syrian hookahs are incredibly rare, making them unique and special to hookah enthusiasts. Due to the lasting turmoil ongoing in Syria, the supply of Syrian hookahs has been incredibly low for a long time now. Syrian hookahs are thus incredibly rare, and are sought after by expert hookah smokers all over the world.
Syrian hookahs are wonderfully handcrafted and ornately decorated, making them some of the most beautiful hookahs that are available today.
Syrian hookahs are most noted for their sophisticated draw. Somewhere between an open and restricted draw, Syrian hookahs offer the most incredible smoking experience, which is why they are so sought after.
Turkish Hookahs
Turkish hookahs have neither the widespread popularity of Egyptian hookahs, nor the rare collectability of Syrian hookahs. Turkish hookahs instead have a very involved fan base — consider Turkish hookahs the cult favorite amongst traditional hookah smokers.
Turkish pipes are known for their barebones construction, as well as their intricate designs and engraving. Turkish pipes have a very, very tight draw. But lovers of the Turkish style say they have a very potent flavor due to the tightness of the draw.
MODERN HOOKAH STYLES
While the wonderful designs and handcrafted artistry that you get in a traditional hookah is beyond compare, they are not the end all be all of hookah smoking. Since they are handcrafted, they can sometimes be easily blemished or defective upon arrival. A modern hookah, made with more repeatable mass production properties, can provide a more consistent smoking experience.
There are many different types of modern hookahs; we will give you a brief overview of each one.
Glass Hookahs
Glass hookahs are so named because they are made of, well, glass. This makes glass hookahs relatively similar to bongs, which are water pipes that are also commonly used for smoking (though usually for marijuana, and smoked directly from the vase versus a hose).
Glass hookahs may be very cool aesthetically (you can see your draw from start to finish), but it comes at the cost of quality. Glass hookahs tend to have undesirable draws, whether too open or too closed, and also are majoritively made in China, where quality is a concern.
American Hookahs
America is a latecomer to the hookah production market, but in the years since American manufacturers tried their hands at making hookahs, they have become international sensations.
American hookahs take the best elements of traditional hookahs from around the world and put them together in a mix and match style while using high-quality materials and mass manufacturing to eliminate blemishes and variation.
These hookahs are great additions to your hookah collection, and offer a wide variety of draw openness and functionality.
Many More
There are tons of other modern hookah makers that are also great additions. Russian brands have been hitting the market and finding success, along with German makers. You can also find acrylic hookahs that are cheaper and offer a low-budget option while still retaining some quality.
There are so many options out there, you may start to feel overwhelmed. Remember that any hookah style can be a high-quality hookah option. Just be sure to research any brand you consider and read lots of reviews to make sure that you will be getting a high-quality hookah that can deliver a top-notch smoking experience.