ZYN Review
If you're a regular ZYN user or debating whether or not to buy ZYN, we've got you covered.
In this comprehensive ZYN review, we’ve asked our in-house expert to delve into all things ZYN – going beyond the basic flavor descriptions you may have read elsewhere – as well as drawing on real customer feedback to give you the full picture of what makes this pouch so popular.
About ZYN: A Quick Overview
ZYN is a brand manufactured by Swedish Match and owned by Philip Morris International, made up of 10 flavors and 2 nicotine strengths.
ZYN shipped an estimated 350 million cans worldwide in 2023 and currently accounts for more than 50% of all nicotine pouches sold in the US, making them the market leader in a booming smokeless category. They’re especially well known for their tobacco leaf-free minty flavors (Wintergreen, Spearmint, Peppermint, Cool Mint and Menthol) as well as the quality of their all-white pouches.
The Top Customer-Rated ZYN Pouch on Nicokick
One of the most frequently asked questions we get is, “so, what’s the best ZYN?” While this is highly subjective and will vary from person to person, Nicokick’s customer data speaks for itself!
Looking at ZYN’s range, we can see that ZYN Wintergreen 6mg is our most consistently ordered and highly rated pouch.
Described as “wintery mint with a hint of sweetness,” you don't have to wait for winter to enjoy this one.
The 6mg variety is considered Regular and quite mild in terms of mint intensity. When it comes to the nicotine content, you can also find this flavor available in a 3mg strength.
What Our Customers Say About ZYN Wintergreen 6mg
Love Wintergreen too? Or do you prefer other mint flavors? Don't forget to share your own review by clicking through to the specific products you’ve tried and rating them! This is one of the best ways to learn about new ZYNs and help other customers by giving a sense of the real nicotine experience.
Review of All ZYN Products
If we zoom out a bit and take a look at all ZYN flavors, you have a total of 10 tobacco leaf-free options to choose from and we decided to ask long-time ZYN user, Kira from our Customer Service team, how she felt about them. As someone who interacts with customers every day and switched to the brand 2 years ago herself, we feel like she's uniquely qualified to give an honest assessment of ZYN's range.
For the purposes of her review, we’ve grouped the flavors into these 3 categories and asked her to give each category an overall score out of 5 stars.
Minty
- ZYN Wintergreen
- ZYN Spearmint
- ZYN Cool Mint
- ZYN Peppermint
- ZYN Menthol
The 3 C's
- ZYN Coffee
- ZYN Cinnamon
- ZYN Citrus
Unflavored
- ZYN Smooth
- ZYN Chill
Minty ZYN Review
Our expert's take: “Did you know that Wintergreen is not actually derived from mint? While it has a strong minty scent and taste, it’s actually from a mint-like family of plants. The flavor is commonly used in chewing gum, toothpaste and even root beer, which should come as no surprise then why it’s such a popular choice. It's a gentle mint, but if you want even sweeter, ZYN Spearmint is the pouch you should try.
Personally, I’d say that you can’t go wrong with ZYN Cool Mint. It’s right in the middle in terms of mint intensity (mintensity?!) and offers a lingering freshness that I enjoy, especially after meals.
ZYN Peppermint has a sharper or ‘spicier’ hit of mint due to the high menthol content. This flavor is not suited to everyone – but for those who love it, they really love it. Same goes for ZYN Menthol. It offers a cooling or numbing effect that can be nice in small doses, but this is not an everyday nicotine pouch for me.”
Overall score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Whatever type of mint you’re into, the quality and consistency of these ZYNs sets the bar very high for other brands to try and match.
The 3 C's ZYN Review
Our expert's take: “While Cinnamon, Coffee and Citrus might seem like an odd grouping, these are the ‘other’ non-mint ZYNs that deserve some of the spotlight too. Each has their own appeal, but I would say that ZYN Cinnamon is my pick of the bunch for its warm, spiced notes. It’s been developed specifically for the American market, so you won’t find it elsewhere, and it’s not overly sweet like some other cinnamons I’ve tried.
ZYN Coffee is a more robust flavor – similar to a mocha with rich chocolatey notes. I've heard some complaints that it's too sweet and doesn't reflect the earthy bitterness of an espresso, but for me this isn't really an issue. The best part about this pouch is the fact it’s caffeine-free, so I often use it to replace a cup or two during my day.
ZYN Citrus, on the other hand, has a more tangy and vibrant flavor profile. It’s a little tart for my tastes, but I can’t deny the long-lasting lemon and lime is popular amongst my friends."
Overall score: ⭐⭐⭐
These ZYNs are a solid choice – not bad, but not blowing me away either. They last longer than other pouches but it's worth noting there are only 15 portions per can (as opposed to the usual 20), so some other brands may offer similar flavors at better value.
Unflavored ZYN Review
Our expert's take: “ZYN has 2 unflavored options, which is more than most other brands. It’s up to you to decide whether you want the slight chill of (you guessed it) ZYN Chill or the completely neutral ZYN Smooth.
Both come in a Dry, Mini pouch which I think is perfect for a steady nicotine release and little-to-no drip.
A major selling point for me is that they don’t smell when I open the can, so I’m able to use them in public places like the office. I know my boss is happier to see me taking fewer smoke breaks too...”
Overall score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
These are both enjoyable palette cleansing pouches and have earned ZYN bonus points for offering more unflavored choice than most other brands.
Review of ZYN Nicotine Strengths
Our expert's take: “ZYN comes in 2 different nicotine strengths (3mg and 6mg per pouch) giving you the choice between a Less Intense or Regular nicotine experience. I think ZYN caters for a good chunk of customers’ preferences with these two options, but I would welcome the addition of a Strong in their range.
Whichever strength you pick, the good thing about ZYN is that the nicotine is released steadily, unlike some brands that have a spike of nicotine in the beginning that quickly fades away. It feels like I get more out of every pouch and don’t have to change them so often.”
Overall score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Most Nicokick customers opt for ZYN 6mg, but whether this is too strong for you will depend on how much nicotine your body is used to, as well as (surprisingly) which flavor you pick! Check out our ZYN 3mg vs ZYN 6mg Guide if you’re unsure which one is right for you.
What Our Customers Say About ZYN
ZYN Pouches Review Summary
So, after reading this review, is ZYN worth a try? We’ve distilled our expert’s opinion down to a handful of key pros and cons for you to consider before hitting the ‘Buy Now’ button:
ZYN Pros
- Mint Specialists: If you’re a fan of mint pouches, look no further than ZYN! Their 5 different minty varieties give you a huge amount of choice – no matter whether you’re in the mood for a sweet Spearmint or more invigorating Menthol.
- Established Brand: ZYN has earned its reputation as the #1 nicotine pouch brand in the US and, at this stage, has pretty much become synonymous with the category itself!
- Pouch Quality: You know what you’re getting with a ZYN and can be sure that the Mini, Dry pouches are crafted to the highest standards with your comfort in mind.
- Steady Nicotine Release: Minimal drip means the flavor and nicotine in your ZYN should last up to an hour without the highs and lows of other brands.
- Usability & Convenience: It’s easy to start enjoying hands-free, tobacco leaf-free nicotine without disrupting your lifestyle, and if you're switching from smoking, you'll actually save time. Plus! All ZYN cans are lightweight and pocket-friendly, with a childproof lid for extra peace of mind around the home.
ZYN Cons
- Potential Supply Shortage: Right now, Swedish Match are amping up their production capacity to deal with the incredible demand for ZYN across the US. We’ve had to temporarily limit the number of ZYNs you can order every 30 days, which may make it harder to find the flavor(s) you’re looking for. Signing up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page is the best way to know when the stock situation is back to normal though.
- Individual Flavor Preferences: If you’re in the market for a more exotic fusion like Jalapeño Lime or Honey Lemon, you’re not going to find it with ZYN (at least, not right now). Their flavor range is better suited to those looking for tried and true classics – especially fans of mint – and anyone wanting extra unflavored choice.
- Affordability: ZYN is a pricier pouch than some and contains 5 less pouches than the usual 20 you might expect from other brands. The cost per can will vary based on the retailer you go to, as well as any local sales taxes that apply where you live, but the best way to lock in good deals is by ordering ZYN online through sites like ours.
