Nicotine Pouches vs Vapes: Which One is Right for You?
There’s been a lot of buzz around nicotine pouches and vapes lately as these products have tapped into society’s desire to move away from tobacco (knowing what we know now about the health risks of traditional, so-called “combustible,” cigarettes).
But why should you pick one of these products over the other? What’s the difference and which is a better fit for your lifestyle? Your tastebuds? Your wallet?
This review will attempt to look objectively at the smokeless nicotine category and demystify some of the debate that’s been circulating since vapes and nicotine pouches, like ZYN, have become such a hot topic.
Get to Know Nicotine Pouches and Vapes
To begin with, we should clarify that nicotine pouches are like small, flavored tea bags (measuring around 14mm x 28mm), designed to be tucked underneath your top lip and left there to release nicotine for up to an hour.
You could say this is a more passive way of enjoying tobacco-free nicotine since you barely notice the pouch when it’s in position and can go about your business as if it wasn’t even there.
The first brand introduced to the US was ZYN back in 2014, but the pouches themselves have a much longer history with roots in Scandinavia.
Vapes, on the other hand, appear more cigarette-like at first glance since you have to actively puff them.
They come in various shapes and sizes – some resembling a pen, others more like a chunky matchbox – and will have slightly different components depending on whether you go for a basic disposable model or a more advanced rechargeable/refillable device. Whichever one you pick, they all work by heating and vaporizing a flavored e-liquid that you then inhale.
Also known as e-cigarettes, they were invented by a Chinese pharmacist in the early 2000s who was smoking 2-3 packs a day and struggling to kick the habit.
What's the Difference Between Nicotine Pouches and Vapes?
Both nicotine pouches and vapes exist to fulfil a need for tobacco-free nicotine, so, fundamentally, have that in common. You’ll also find both available in a variety of flavors and strengths, but this is where the similarities stop. Big differences exist between them in terms of longevity, ease of use, visibility, convenience and price (as illustrated below and which we’ll go on to explain in more detail).
| Nicotine Pouches | Vapes | |
| Tobacco-free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Flavors | Predominantly mints and menthols; fruity fusions; cinnamon, coffee or unflavored (with flavor bans in some states) | Almost unlimited – including more dessert- and candy-inspired flavors (with flavor bans in some states) |
| Strengths | 2-20mg | 0-60mg* |
| Longevity | Up to 60 minutes | Up to 10,000 puffs |
| Ease of Use | High | Moderate |
| Visibility | Low | High |
| Convenience | High | Low |
| Price | From $1.99 to $4.99 | From $5 to $120 |
*Vape strength can also be expressed as the percentage of nicotine in every 10 milliliters (ml) of e-liquid, so 60mg is equivalent to 6%. This is considered an excessively strong – even dangerous – amount of nicotine at 3 times the UK’s legal limit for TRPR-compliant devices (which is 20mg or 2% as a comparison point).
Flavor Comparison
Adults want to enjoy their nicotine without added tobacco, and this is where taste has been factored into the experience with both products available in a large assortment of flavors.
Nicotine Pouch Flavors
Mint is the most popular category, closely followed by fruit or some combination of the two. Interestingly, ZYN’s flavor range in the US is much smaller than in Europe due to tighter regulations and a lengthy FDA approval process, as well as flavor bans being rolled out in certain states.
Vape Flavors
Fruit and menthol dominate the vape scene too, with popular brands like Elf Bar producing flavors such as Sunset Miami Mint or Lost Mary’s Strawberry Ice. That being said, certain vape flavors have attracted attention for all the wrong reasons with some brands accused of having a more youthful bent to their advertising. In recent years, states like New York and California are among those to have prohibited the sale of any e-cigarettes that aren’t mint-, wintergreen- or tobacco-flavored.
Strength Comparison
Nicotine Pouch Strengths
Our nicotine pouch strength guide outlines how we group pouches based on whether you want a Less Intense (2-3mg); Regular (4-6mg); Strong (7-9mg) or Extra Strong (10-15mg) experience.*
Each brand has their own unique offering too, meaning that not all flavors are available in all strengths. For instance, you have the choice between ZYN 3mg vs 6mg (Less Intense and Regular) but if you want something stronger, you’ll have to try elsewhere – like FRĒ’s 9mg, 12mg or 15mg pouches.
Overall, the nicotine effect and flavor of a pouch usually lasts for up to an hour. Certain flavors can enhance the perceived strength of a pouch too (for example, anything containing citrus or menthol).
*We don’t currently stock any 20mg pouches on-site, but this is the recommended limit for all our testing via Nicoleaks. Any pouch stronger than that isn’t considered reliable or safe by our standards.
Vape Strengths
As far as vapes go, regulators are playing a bit of catch up in a fast-moving category. Some illegal devices are reported to contain up to 60mg of nicotine, which is a very dangerous level (equivalent to 50 cigarettes) and not recommended at all.
The vape strengths you’re more likely to see in stores are between 0mg (nicotine-free) and 20mg (which can be a helpful tool if transitioning away from heavy smoking).
Since it’s easier to lose track of the number of puffs you’ve had per day than physical pouches, many vape users may end up consuming more nicotine than they intend to. Devices typically range from 500 to 10,000 puffs.
Using Nicotine Pouches vs Vapes
Ease of use is one of the biggest selling points for nicotine pouches, since all you have to do is pop open a can and park the pouch between your top lip and gum. It’s hands-free, spit-free and hassle-free, so you can use them pretty much anywhere including the office, the cinema, on public transport – even travelling further on a plane.
Since visibility is also low, they don’t draw attention to your nicotine usage habits and once you get used to the feeling, you can easily hold conversations with the pouch in place.
Convenience can be considered high because you don’t need to take constant breaks to use them and there is no extra equipment required to enjoy them – all you have to do is ensure you have enough pouches in the pocket-friendly can (ZYN contains 15 individual portions while most other brands have 20).
Vapes have a bit more to keep track of in terms of usability but are still relatively straightforward. Since the style of device can vary, you will either have a simple disposable vape that requires removing a sticker at the base before inhaling, or a more advanced set up for refilling/recharging.
Refillable and rechargeable vapes last longer and are the more sustainable choice but do require a certain level of preparation and maintenance. This has earned them a lower ranking in terms of convenience, simply because there are extra steps involved to enjoy your nicotine and forgetting to charge your device or bring a spare pod of e-liquid may render it unusable.
Like cigarettes, there are also rules about where you can and can’t use these devices – planes are a no-go, for instance. The visibility score here is high because of the clouds of vapor they produce. Some exhalations are more subtle than others (smaller clouds, less dense), while others are impossible to miss (large, white clouds).*
*The type of cloud should be specified on the box and will be determined by the temperature and wattage of the device, as well as the composition of the e-liquid.
Price Comparison
Prices fluctuate and will depend on the brand/style you go for, but we can narrow it down to certain ranges for both products.
Nicotine Pouch Prices
As a general rule, you will end up paying more for nicotine pouches in-store than you do online. Take ZYN as an example – this premium pouch currently retails for around $5.30 at a gas station, compared to $4.30 on Nicokick. On the cheaper end of the spectrum, you can also find deals on nicotine pouches for as low as $1.81 online.
Vape Prices
Vapes are a more technical piece of equipment and will, therefore, cost you more than a can of pouches – but there is still a wide range within this category, depending on your nicotine needs and budget. The most basic disposable vape will set you back around $5, a quality starter kit could fall between $30-50 and mechanical mod kits can be closer to $100-120. Some devices are even more expensive than this but fall into their own custom category for extreme vaping enthusiasts.
Are Nicotine Pouches Better Than Vaping?
Our aim with this review was to break down the key considerations of these two tobacco-free categories and empower you with the necessary information to decide which one (if any) is right for you.*
As relatively “new” products, the long-term health effects of both nicotine pouches and vapes are still not entirely known – but they are the focus of ongoing research. What we can say is that since nicotine pouches don’t involve any inhalation, they don’t pose the same sort of respiratory risks as vapes or cigarettes.
Nicotine pouches are also:
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- Cheaper than vapes;
- Generally easier to use;
- More convenient (no extra equipment needed);
- And less visible (if that’s important to you).
Vapes, on the other hand:
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- Last longer;
- Offer more sustainable options with rechargeable and refillable devices;
- Are available in more flavors and strengths (depending on where you live).
*We want to stress the fact that nicotine is an addictive substance and the products we've discussed in this review should be kept out of the hands of anyone under 21. We're serious about the responsible sale of nicotine only to existing adult consumers, and have age verification measures in place to prevent underage access.
