ENSO Electric Hookah Review: A Sleek, Smoke-Free Upgrade to the Traditional Hookah Experience

Over the years, I’ve reviewed a wide range of products, from portable monitors and e-bikes to leather MagSafe wallets, but every so often, something crosses my desk that breaks the mold entirely. Our friends at AirVape sent us the ENSO Electric Hookah, and it is one such product. At first glance, it appears to be a sleek home décor piece or a high-end speaker. But beneath that minimalistic, modern shell lies a surprisingly innovative device that reimagines a centuries-old tradition for the modern age.

Example of a classic hookah

If you have ever visited the Middle East, you know that hookahs are a mainstay for many. While ideal for smoking shisha, a flavored tobacco, it can also be used for hashish or cannabis flower for those who choose. A traditional hookah, or water pipe, consists of a heat source, usually hot coals, a water tub, and a mouthpiece. The material to be enjoyed sits on the hot coals, releasing smoke that is then drawn through the water and into the mouthpiece.

Hookah smoking is often a social activity with individual mouthpieces being used by each person with the same mouthpiece tube. There’s even a hookah bar in the Jerusalem Market where residents and visitors alike gather for a drink and a smoke.

The ENSO, a modern take on the classic hookah

The ENSO Electric Hookah builds on this ancient tradition, bringing modern technology to the process. Along the way, the ENSO delivers more control, ease of use, and portability.

In many ways, it’s what Apple would create if Apple got into the hookah business. Seriously, this is a beautifully crafted piece of kit that takes a traditional practice and utilizes modern technology to elevate it to the next level.

Thanks to our friends at AirVape, we’ve had the opportunity to check one out.

Let’s dig in.

Unboxing: Premium Vibes from the Get-Go

From the moment you open the box, it’s clear that ENSO Electric Hookah is targeting a premium lifestyle audience. The packaging is clean and minimal, with matte black foam inserts cradling each component. There’s no clunky branding or wasted space — just a deliberate, high-end presentation that made me think, “This is the hookah version of unboxing an iPhone or a Nomad product.” (Yes, there’s that reference again… but for good reason.)

Then there is the ENSO Electric Hookah itself. Made from brushed aluminum with a matte finish, the device features concealed tubing, simple controls, and a selective use of lighting, making it a thing of beauty. And the integrated handle… means it can go pretty much anywhere you do. (If you plan to travel with the ENSO, you’ll want to pick up the accessory bag that’s available for purchase when you order your unit.)

Inside the box, you’ll find:

•   The ENSO electric base (which houses the battery, fan system, and heating elements)
•   A glass water tank
•   A magnetic charcoal tray
•   A hose with an aluminum mouthpiece
•   Silicone bowl
•   USB-C charging cable
•   Cleaning brush and extra gaskets
•   A remote control (yes, seriously)
•   Quick-start guide and safety instructions

Everything feels substantial in the hand. The glass is thick, the hose has good weight, and the aluminum accents give the whole setup a modern, industrial elegance.

I appreciate that the company included extra mouthpieces for social hookah smoking.

They even included a removal tool so you can quickly, safely, and easily remove the hot cup holding spent shisha and replace it with a fresh batch.

Set-Up: Plug, Fill, and Go

If you’ve ever dealt with traditional hookahs — foil, coals, wind covers, heat management — this is a revelation. The ENSO Electric Hookah eliminates most of the hassle without sacrificing the experience.

The ENSO Electric Hookah’s setup took all of five minutes. I filled the glass base with water, snapped the top in place (magnets ensure foolproof alignment, and packed the bowl with flavored shisha. (You can use traditional molasses-based tobacco or go tobacco-free- ENSO doesn’t discriminate.)

I then connected the hose and chose a heat setting using the dial on the front of the device. That’s it. Within minutes, I was good to go. There was no need for coals, lighters, or guesswork.

The heating system is fully electric and heats the bowl evenly and quickly. It reaches optimal temp in under a minute. That’s another benefit compared to traditional hookahs, which require a waiting time of 10-15 minutes for the coals to warm up and heat the chosen material.

Moreover, the ENSO Electric Hookah’s heating sensors constantly report temperature, and a microcontroller adjusts the wattage to maintain a steady level of heating. The resulting consistency is something you can’t get with a traditional hookah.

The Experience: Smooth Draw, Low Fuss

What struck me immediately was the smoothness of the draw. The fan-assisted airflow gives just enough pull resistance to mimic a traditional hookah session, but with more control. You can adjust airflow and temperature settings depending on your preferences—whether you’re chasing thick clouds or just want a chill, aromatic session.

There’s also a built-in LED ring that adds ambient lighting to the experience. It’s a bit gimmicky, but also surprisingly effective at setting a relaxed mood, especially in dim lighting.

Sessions are quiet — the fan and heating system are barely audible — and cleanup is ridiculously easy.

Everything disassembles and rinses clean in under 3 minutes. This alone puts it lightyears ahead of any traditional hookah setup I’ve used or reviewed.

Battery Life and Charging

The ENSO Electric Hookah features a swappable battery that charges via USB-C, delivering approximately 3–5 full sessions per charge, depending on the selected heat setting.

The swappable battery

The battery is easily removable, and one could potentially purchase an extra battery if desired for marathon sessions. Charging from 0 to full took just under 2 hours.

Use Scenarios: Solo Chill, Hanging With a Friend, or Group Hang

The ENSO Electric Hookah shines in a variety of settings:

•   Solo use: The fan-assisted draw and precision heating make it perfect for winding down without the mess. I’ve used it while watching a show or writing up reviews, and it’s become part of my late-night ritual.
• With a partner: I tested ENSO with a friend, with each of us using a different rubber mouthpiece. It was a quiet, mellow experience that didn’t leave the apartment smelling.
•   Small gatherings: While it’s not really designed for a traditional “pass-the-hose” party, it holds up well for small group sessions thanks to the multiple included mouthpieces. The sleek, modern design also blends into most environments; it doesn’t scream “hookah,” which is a plus when you want something classy but social.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a hookah purist who lives for the charcoal ritual, the ENSO might feel like heresy. But if you’re someone who loves the flavor, relaxation, and social elements of hookah without the mess, setup, and smell, this is a game-changer.

Using the ENSO Electric Hookah isn’t necessarily healthier than any other form of smoking. At the same time, replacing the charcoal of a traditional hookah with the electric heat of the ENSO means there is no CO2. For those who prefer this form of relaxation, the ENSO might be a slightly better choice.

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I do- but I do. And apparently I’m not alone. ENSO Shisha won the Shisha of the Year award in 2025 in Frankfurt!

The ENSO is a reimagining of what a hookah experience can be in 2025; it is clean, sleek, tech-forward, and surprisingly satisfying.

The ENSO Electric Hookah retails for $420; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including AirVape.

Source: Review sample provided by AirVape

What I Like: Truly smoke-free and coal-free operation; Fast and easy setup; Quiet, fan-assisted airflow; Premium build quality and sleek design; Consistent heat with adjustable controls; Easy to clean

What Needs Improvement: Limited battery life for extended sessions; Price point may feel high for traditionalists; Not quite the same tactile ritual as using real charcoal (for purists)