Few companies can claim dominance in one tobacco sector and then successfully invade another. Al Fakher is doing exactly that. Built on 25 years of shisha expertise, the brand has launched into the vaping market with products that are turning heads and capturing market share from established names like Elf Bar, Lost Mary, and Hayati.
One standout example of Al Fakher’s innovation in the modern vape market is the Al Fakher Crown Bar, a premium disposable known for its rich flavour delivery and consistent performance. It is considered one of the best-selling options in its category and is best to buy from Vape Online Store in the UK, currently available for £10.49 only with next-day delivery, making it a top choice for customers looking for quality, value, and fast service.
The Shisha Foundation
Al Fakher started in 1999 in the UAE. Within two decades, it became the largest shisha tobacco manufacturer in the world. The numbers tell the story:
- Products sold in over 150 countries
- More than 60% of the US hookah market by 2024
- Recognised globally as the world’s number one shisha brand
That kind of infrastructure and consumer trust doesn’t happen by accident. Al Fakher shisha built its name on flavour innovation and rigorous quality control. When the company decided to enter vaping around 2020, it brought that same expertise to an entirely different product category.
Entering the Vape Market
The shift made strategic sense. Consumer preferences were changing. Traditional tobacco was declining while vaping continued its global rise. Al Fakher saw an opportunity to leverage what it knew best – flavour formulation – and apply it to modern nicotine delivery devices.
The Al Fakher Vape range launched with clear intentions. Disposable and pod-based devices arrived first, including the Crown Switch and Crown Bar 15K. These weren’t rebadged products. Al Fakher engineered devices without heavy metals or ceramics in the heating elements, addressing safety concerns that have plagued parts of the vaping industry.
What sets Al Fakher apart is flavour authenticity. The company’s vaping products pull directly from their established fruit-tobacco profile combinations. Shisha enthusiasts recognise the taste. New vapers experience something different from the standard candy-sweet profiles dominating the market.
Product Innovation at Scale
The Al Fakher 30K and Hypermax 30K represent the brand’s push into high-puff-count devices. These products target vapers who want longevity without sacrificing performance. The Crown Bar 15K sits in the mid-range, offering rechargeable functionality and substantial e-liquid capacity.
Al Fakher partnered with AIR and Canadian technology firms to develop proprietary features:
- Quantum Vape technology enables low-temperature vaporisation, preserving flavour notes that higher temperatures destroy
- Coldstream technology adds cooling effects without excessive menthol
- Rechargeable systems extend device lifespan and reduce waste
These aren’t marketing gimmicks – they represent genuine engineering advances that improve the vaping experience. The 2025 World Vape Show in Dubai showcased this innovation, with Al Fakher demonstrating products that combined traditional Middle Eastern flavour profiles with cutting-edge vaporisation technology. Industry response was significant.
Taking On the Established Players
Elf Bar, Lost Mary, and Hayati have dominated vape retail for years. They’re in every vape shop and corner store across the UK and Europe. They’ve built distribution networks and brand recognition that seemed unassailable.
Al Fakher brings something different to the competition: heritage and manufacturing scale. The company already operates global distribution for its shisha products. Pivoting that infrastructure to support vaping products gives Al Fakher reach that newer vape brands don’t have.
Regional Performance
In the UAE, Al Fakher already commands the local vaping market. UK expansion is progressing rapidly. The brand appeals particularly to younger adults transitioning from traditional tobacco – the same demographic that major vape brands have targeted for years.
Competitive pricing adds pressure. Al Fakher can leverage its manufacturing scale to undercut competitors while maintaining quality. Large puff counts on devices like the Al Fakher 30K range deliver value that resonates with price-conscious consumers.
Market Position and Future Trajectory
Industry analysts suggest Al Fakher could match or surpass Elf Bar in certain market segments by 2026. That projection is based on:
- Current growth rates across key markets
- Product development velocity
- Distribution expansion into mainstream retail channels
- Strong user loyalty from shisha crossover customers
The company’s approach combines tradition with technical innovation. Al Fakher shisha heritage provides authenticity. Modern engineering delivers performance. Global scale enables competitive positioning.
Where This Goes
The vaping industry has seen consolidation and competition intensify. Al Fakher represents a different kind of competitor – one that didn’t start as a vape company but brought transferable expertise from an adjacent sector.
In the UK, Al Fakher is already dominating the online vape market. Top-rated Online vape stores like Ecigone.co.uk have seen significant demand for the brand, with Al Fakher products becoming consistent bestsellers alongside established names. This online traction signals broader market acceptance and positions the brand for continued growth across UK retail channels.
For consumers, more competition means better products and better prices. For established vape brands, Al Fakher’s expansion signals that market leadership requires constant innovation rather than coasting on existing distribution.
Al Fakher shisha built a global empire over 25 years. The vaping division is moving considerably faster. The combination of heritage, quality, and aggressive expansion suggests this is a brand worth watching – and one that competitors should take seriously.