Getting Started & Setup · 7 min
What do I need to smoke hookah? Accessories checklist
Hookah, bowl, foil or HMD, natural charcoal with charcoal lighter, tobacco, hose and mouthpiece: the basic equipment for your first session.
Shisha Getting Started & Setup
Small hookah: dimensions, models and what it does worse
Hookahs up to about 45 cm without a bowl count as small, and travel hookahs are only 16 to 23 cm tall. They fit on a shelf and in a rucksack, but with a shorter stem and less water they smoke a little warmer. Cold water, a few ice cubes and the right water level make up for that.
In this article10 chapters
When does a hookah count as small?
There is no fixed limit. Classic hookahs are 70 cm and taller; in the scene, anything up to about 45 cm without a bowl counts as small. Below that are the travel hookahs at 16 to 23 cm, which fit in any rucksack.
Height is measured without the bowl. If the hookah is to go on a shelf, allow a good 10 cm above the charcoal tray for bowl and HMD.
Compact hookahs compared
The table shows the height without bowl and what is in the box. With a base device, you buy the bowl, hose and mouthpiece in addition.
Aladin 2GO
23 cm tall, glass base with diffuser.
Laziza Lux Mini
41 cm, with chimney bowl, hose and molasses catcher.
Swiss Mini Squad
Four connections on 38 cm.
Bash Mini Lounge
With hose, clay bowl and HMD in the box.
| Model | Height | Connections | Features | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amotion Roam | 16 cm | 1 | Plastic body instead of glass, push-fit, around 1.2 kg | Base device without bowl and hose |
| Aladin 2GO stainless steel | 23 cm | 1 | V2A stainless steel, glass base, diffuser, purge valve, 1.2 kg | Base device without bowl and hose |
| Diamond Hookah Lil Hope 3.0 | Glass 18 cm, stem 12.5 cm | 1 | Crystal glass base with 0.75 l, click system, 18/8 ground joint, molasses catcher | Complete set in a case with multi-hole bowl, chimney, hose, mouthpiece and tongs |
| alite Bash Mini Lounge | 37 cm | 1 | Glass 18.5 cm, purge valve, diffuser, 2.67 kg | Hose, mouthpiece, clay bowl, HMD |
| alite Swiss Mini Squad | 38 cm | 4 | Glass 20 cm, purge valve, diffuser, 3.15 kg | Hose, mouthpiece, clay bowl, HMD |
| Steamulation Mini Gen 2 | 39 cm | 1 | Glass 26.5 cm, click system, adjustable dip tube | Base device |
| Laziza Lux Mini | 41 cm | 1 | Aluminium, glass base | Hose, mouthpiece, chimney bowl, tongs, molasses catcher |
| Aeon x Hookain Lounge Mini Neo | 42 cm | 1 | Glass 18 cm, purge valve, diffuser, 18/8 ground joint with bowl adapter | Base device without bowl and hose |
| H2 009 Little Jewelry | 43 cm | 1 | Aluminium and glass | Hose, bowl, mouthpiece, chimney, tongs |
What a small hookah does worse
The stem is shorter, and there is less water in the glass base. The smoke has less distance to cool down and reaches the mouthpiece warmer than with a large hookah. Size changes nothing about the taste, which depends on tobacco, charcoal and bowl packing.
On some minis the hose connector sits close to the water. If there is too much in the glass base, it splashes into the hose on a hard draw, and the draw gets heavy and gurgles. On top of that there is usually only one hose connector: for a group of four you need a Squad model.
How a small hookah smokes cooler
With these steps you win back almost all of the difference.
| Step | What it brings |
|---|---|
| Dip tube about 3 cm under water | More water makes the draw heavy and pushes it towards the hose, less barely cools. In a small glass base, you measure to check. |
| Cold water and a handful of ice cubes | Cools the water. How strongly you notice it is disputed in the scene, so test it yourself. Thin glass can crack with ice. |
| Use a diffuser | Slows the bubbling and keeps water out of the hose. |
| One charcoal fewer | If the smoke gets harsh, take one charcoal off the bowl or push it to the edge. More in the article Heat management with an HMD. |
| Hookah into the shade | Outdoors, the sun heats the glass base and water additionally. |
Travel hookah: Roam and 2GO
The Roam belongs to the independent brand Amotion.
The Amotion Roam is 16 cm tall and weighs around 1.2 kg. The plastic body shrugs off knocks. Bowl, hose and mouthpiece are not included: the Roam Add-on Kit brings a hose, mouthpiece and a bag for the accessories, the Roam Spike gives it a firm stand in grass.
The Aladin 2GO is 23 cm tall, has a glass base with a diffuser and fits in its box without the bowl. In a rucksack, you wrap the glass base in a towel.
Mini for flat and balcony
From about 37 cm you get a full-value hookah with glass base, purge valve and diffuser. The alite Bash Mini Lounge comes with hose, mouthpiece, clay bowl and HMD, to which you add tobacco, charcoal and tongs. As Bash Mini Squad and Swiss Mini Squad the alite minis have four hose connectors.
Large glass base or complete set in a case
The Steamulation Mini Gen 2 has, at 26.5 cm, the tallest glass among the minis. With Dip Tube Control you set the length of the dip tube to the glass base, exactly what a small glass base needs. Coming complete in a case is the Diamond Hookah Lil Hope 3.0 with crystal glass base, molasses catcher, multi-hole bowl and chimney. What else belongs on the shopping list is in the article What do I need to smoke hookah?.
Checklist before buying
Seven points decide whether the mini suits you. How to choose a hookah in general is described in the article Which hookah to buy?.
| Point | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Height without bowl | Measure your shelf or rucksack and add a good 10 cm for bowl and HMD |
| Glass base | Glass for home, plastic or stainless steel for on the go |
| Dip tube | Adjustable or matched to the glass base, so that it sits about 3 cm in the water |
| Diffuser and purge valve | The diffuser keeps water out of the hose, via the valve you blow out stale smoke |
| Hose connectors | One is enough alone or as a pair, for four people a Squad model |
| Bowl connection | Usually the bowl sits on with a bowl seal, with an 18/8 ground joint via an adapter |
| Scope of delivery | Complete set or base device: buy bowl, hose, mouthpiece and HMD in addition if necessary |
Frequently asked questions
When does a hookah count as small?
Hookahs up to about 45 cm without a bowl count as small. Travel hookahs like the Amotion Roam at 16 cm or the Aladin 2GO at 23 cm are still much smaller, classic hookahs are 70 cm and taller.
Does a small hookah smoke worse?
Not in taste, but a little warmer, because the stem is shorter and there is less water in the glass base. Cold water, ice cubes and the right water level make up for that.
How much water goes in a small glass base?
Enough that the dip tube sits about 3 cm in the water. More water makes the draw heavy and pushes it towards the hose.
Which small hookah suits several people?
The alite Bash Mini Squad and the alite Swiss Mini Squad each have four hose connectors.
Which hookah is meant for on the go?
The Amotion Roam at 16 cm with a plastic body, or the Aladin 2GO at 23 cm with a glass base with a diffuser.
What do I need to buy in addition for a small hookah?
Tobacco and charcoal always. With a base device like the Roam, the Aladin 2GO or the Aeon x Hookain Lounge Mini Neo, bowl, hose and mouthpiece are added.
About the author
Julian
Hookah expert
For this article
What you need
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