Electronic shisha and charcoal-free e-shisha

What is an electronic shisha

The electronic shisha takes up the principle of the hookah, inhaling through a hose, without charcoal or combustion. A coil or heating plate, powered by a rechargeable battery, brings an e-liquid (propylene glycol, vegetable glycerine, flavourings and, where applicable, nicotine) or, for some heating systems, a shisha preparation up to temperature. The temperature is regulated electronically, which removes the handling of embers, charcoal burners and ash. The term e-shisha covers all of these devices, whatever their format.

The three e-shisha families

Electronic heads to place on a classic shisha

The electronic head fits in place of the traditional head, on the stem of a classic shisha, usually with a silicone adapter. The vapour then passes through the base and the hose like the smoke of a hookah. Two principles coexist: heads with an e-liquid cartridge, such as the Waker Electronic Head (mesh coil built into the cartridge, 4,000 mAh battery), and heating systems with adjustable temperature such as the XKAH Pro (roughly 175 °C to 315 °C, three modes), designed to heat a shisha preparation in dedicated bowls, without combustion. The latter fall under tobacco product regulations when used with a preparation containing tobacco.

Complete electronic shishas

The complete electronic shisha is a self-contained device: base, heating system, battery, hose and mouthpiece. The ENSŌ shisha runs on a removable 5,000 mAh battery (around two hours of use) and disposable or reusable capsules or ceramic bowls; its materials are zinc alloy, glass, porcelain and stainless steel. The EHUKA X-GO and EHUKA Classique models pair a variable-power mod (5 to 60 W, 0.2 or 0.3 Ω coils, 2,000 mAh battery) with a base and a hose; the pod detaches for standalone use, and the X-GO comes with an adapter for placing it on the head of a classic shisha.

Compact cartridge models

Small-format e-shishas work with pre-filled e-liquid cartridges and a built-in battery. The HOOKY SLIM (219 mm, 63 g) carries a 1,300 mAh battery for around 1 h 30 min of use, with activation by a pressure sensor on inhalation. Cartridges are specific to each brand and each generation of device; HOOKY cartridges require an adapter cap on devices from before March 2021. The brand has a dedicated page bringing together devices, cartridges and e-liquids: Hooky electronic shisha. Shisha pens and rechargeable puffs are separate categories, in an even more compact format.

Models in the category

Battery, run time and charging

Run time depends on battery capacity (from 1,300 to 5,000 mAh depending on the model) and heating power. It is expressed as continuous use time, from around 1 h 30 min to 3 hours. Charging is via USB-C or micro-USB cable depending on the generation of the device; use the charger or the electrical specifications given by the manufacturer. Removable batteries are replaced with a battery of the same model.

E-liquids, cartridges and nicotine

The e-liquids used in e-shishas take up the flavour profiles of shisha (fruit, mint, fruit-mint combinations). They come with or without nicotine; the maximum strength permitted in France is 20 mg/ml, and nicotine-containing bottles are limited to 10 ml. Tanks and cartridges intended for a nicotine-containing e-liquid are limited to 2 ml (TPD regulations); larger capacities are reserved for nicotine-free liquids. The nicotine strength of each cartridge or capsule is stated on its product page and on its packaging. Compatible cartridges, capsules and bottles are grouped in the e-liquids and cartridges category.

Care and replacement parts

After each session, empty and rinse the base with clean water on models with a water reservoir, wipe the electronic head once cooled and check the condition of the seals. The coil is a consumable: replace it when the taste alters or vapour production decreases. Replacement tanks, coils, batteries, seals, mouthpieces, docks and hoses are available in the e-shisha accessories category. At end of life, the device and its battery fall under the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) stream and should be taken to a collection point.

Electronic shisha and classic shisha: the differences

The classic shisha heats a shisha preparation with natural or quick-lighting charcoal and requires a head, a tray and a heat management device. The electronic shisha does away with charcoal and regulates temperature electronically; it produces neither ash nor embers and works without an open heat source. E-liquid models are vaping products within the meaning of Article L.3513-1 of the French Public Health Code: sales to minors prohibited, advertising prohibited, capacities and nicotine strengths governed by the TPD regulations. A blog article describes how these devices work: how the charcoal-free electronic shisha works.

Category characteristics

FAQ

How does an electronic shisha work?

A battery powers a coil or heating plate that vaporises an e-liquid or heats a shisha preparation without combustion. The vapour is inhaled through the hose, with or without passing through a water base depending on the model.

Does an electronic shisha contain charcoal or tobacco?

No charcoal. E-liquid models contain no tobacco; XKAH-type heating systems heat a shisha preparation, with or without tobacco, without burning it.

Can you fit an electronic head on a classic shisha?

Yes. Electronic heads fit in place of the traditional head, most often with a silicone adapter, on the majority of standard stems. Check the stem diameter on the head's product page.

What is the difference between an electronic shisha and an electronic cigarette?

The vaporisation principle is the same. The electronic shisha keeps the hookah format (base, hose, mouthpiece, sometimes a water base) or fits onto a classic shisha, with a higher-capacity battery; the electronic cigarette is a pocket device for individual use.

Which liquids can you use with an e-shisha?

The cartridges or capsules specified by the manufacturer for the model concerned or, for refillable tanks, an e-liquid in a 10 ml bottle that matches the recommendations on the product page and in the device manual.