Nicotine users have been switching from cigarettes to more discreet and healthier products for years. After snus and vapes have shown their downsides, the latest product that may supplant them all is the nicotine pouch—an easy way to get a nicotine buzz without tobacco-related health issues, teeth discoloration, or bad breath.
While the nicopod market is still relatively fresh in the U.S., a few brands have emerged as the most popular options—including On! and ZYN. Their products have become user favorites thanks to many available flavors, nicotine strengths, and overall quality.
In our in-depth On! vs. ZYN comparison, we’ll explore the differences between the two brands and help you choose the best one for you.
For a more detailed look at ZYN nicotine pouches, check out our expert ZYN review and guide to On! nicotine pouches.
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ZYN vs. On! Pouches—Available Flavors
A variety of flavors is one of the main advantages of nicotine pouches over more traditional products, which all entail a strong tobacco aroma. ZYN and On! are both market leaders in this regard, offering various options.
Judging by the number of different flavors alone, ZYN is the clear winner. While On! Currently offers 7 different aromas, ZYN lets you choose between 11.
A closer look shows that ZYN is a far better option for people who prefer the taste of mint. With On!, you can only choose between Wintergreen and Mint, while over half of all ZYN flavors are various types of mint.
Source: congerdesign
The main difference between them is the intensity of the mint’s cooling effect—peppermint is stronger than spearmint, for instance, while wintergreen provides a woodier, less herbal taste and milder freshness.
Check out the table below for a detailed look at all available options:
| Nicopod Brand | Different Flavors |
| ZYN | Wintergreen Citrus Espressino Cool Mint Menthol Smooth Cinnamon Chill Spearmint Coffee Peppermint |
| On! | Original Coffee Citrus Cinnamon Berry Wintergreen Mint |
On! vs. ZYN Pouches—Nicotine Strength
Choosing the appropriate nicotine strength before buying nicotine pouches is essential. Low-nicotine products provide a lighter buzz, making them better for newbies and people trying to reduce their nicotine intake.
More experienced users with years of smoking and vaping under their belts often opt for stronger nicopods because they can handle a stronger hit.
Source: ZYN
Depending on the nicotine content in each pouch, ZYN lets you choose between the following strength options:
- Low—1.5 mg per pouch
- Regular—3 mg per pouch
- Strong—6 mg per pouch
- Extra Strong—9 mg per pouch
On! pouches are slightly superior in this regard, as they’re available in five strengths:
- 1.5 mg per pouch
- 2 mg per pouch
- 3.5 mg per pouch
- 4 mg per pouch
- 8 mg per pouch
If you’re unsure about your nicotine tolerance, start with one of the low-strength pouches and work your way up to the stronger varieties. A gradual approach reduces the risk of nicotine overuse to a minimum and ensures you’ll find a suitable strength level safely.
ZYN vs. On!—Pouch Ingredients
Along with VELO, ZYN and ON! are the biggest names in the American nicopod market—largely thanks to their high-quality ingredients. Comparing the contents of ZYN and On! pouches yields relatively few differences, most of which aren’t relevant to the average user.
Both brands only use nicotine salts and various food-grade ingredients. For a more detailed rundown of what’s found in each pouch, check out the table below:
| Nicopod Brand | Pouch Ingredients |
| ZYN | Nicotine salt Gum arabic Maltitol Microcrystalline cellulose Sodium bicarbonate Sodium carbonate Hydroxypropyl cellulose Acesulfame K |
| On! | Nicotine salt Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) Maltitol Acesulfame K Cellulose powder Sodium carbonate Sodium bicarbonate Artificial flavorings |
All the ingredients listed above belong to one of the following five categories:
- Nicotine salt—Pharmaceutical-grade nicotine in liquid form, naturally found in tobacco leaves
- Sugar substitutes—Artificial sweeteners widely used in the food industry
- pH adjusters—Used to maintain the desired level of acidity in pouches, also found in baked goods
- Fillers—Used to make chewing gum bulkier, also found in nicopods
- Stabilizers—Additives that ensure pouch consistency
Source: StingFree
Always ensure you’re buying from an established manufacturer with a reputation for quality ingredients and safety standards. To avoid shady merchants with questionable products, only order nicopods from reputable online stores.
Where To Buy High-Quality Nicotine Pouches
At SnusBoss, you can order top-shelf nicotine pouches made by reputable brands.
The online store was created by industry experts with a vast knowledge of the manufacturing and quality assurance processes in nicopod production. As a result, this website only sells the highest-quality nicopods from respectable companies, such as:
SnusBoss sells pouches from trusted EU brands, where newer research has yielded more moisture, a stronger flavor, and a more potent nicotine buzz. Unfortunately, U.S. legislation on nicopods is restrictive, limiting the development of new flavors by local companies.
Source: Swenico
Besides a discount on larger purchases, SnusBoss often provides other offers—along with an express shipping option that can have your favorite products delivered in only two to three days.
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On! Nicotine Pouches vs. ZYN—Pouch Size & Pricing
Nicotine pouches come in a few different formats, usually depending on their nicotine content:
- Mini—Non-invasive, easy to place under your lip discreetly, but with lower nicotine content
- Slim—Slightly heavier, with a narrower and longer pouch shape designed to hold more nicotine without creating a visible bulge
- Large—Holds the most nicotine, is more difficult to use, and may cause gum irritation due to its bulky shape
Larger pouches can provide a stronger and longer-lasting buzz, but they’re also harder to use discreetly. That’s why On! and ZYN use the Mini format, ensuring their pouches can be used discreetly in any environment. Unlike cigarettes and vapes, you can take a Mini pouch in any area without anyone noticing—including airplanes. work meetings, and other social gatherings.
To produce a lasting nicotine kick, pouches from both brands are designed to minimize moisture, relying on your saliva instead. This results in a gradual nicotine release, not an instant buzz, so you don’t have to exchange pouches frequently in public.
A single can of both brands contains around 20 pouches, though ZYN is somewhat more expensive. One can of ZYN pouches costs around $3.90, while On! will set you back $2.99.
Regular users may notice this price difference, but it’s not significant enough to determine which brand you’ll use—consider your preferred flavors and nicotine strengths as well.
On! vs. ZYN—Overall Impressions
The differences between ZYN and On! are subtle enough to make the choice between them subjective. Both brands provide a similar experience, with a dry texture that prolongs nicotine delivery and ensures a continued buzz for 30–40 minutes, although the timing may vary depending on your personal nicotine tolerance and pouch of choice.
While On! provides a little more flexibility regarding nicotine strengths, it’s hard to deny ZYN’s superiority in flavors—especially minty, fresh aromas. Ultimately, your choice will depend on how much you value flavors, strengths, and prices.
How To Take Nicotine Pouches Safely
Regardless of which brand you choose, it’s essential to use nicopods properly. Follow these steps to safely consume a nicotine pouch:
- Take a single nicotine pouch out of the can
- Place it between your upper lip and gums
- Wait 5–10 minutes for the nicotine absorption to begin
- Remove the pouch after up to 30–40 minutes
- Dispose of the nicopod
While placing the pouch, ensure it rests comfortably next to your gums—otherwise, you may suffer from gum inflammation.
Nicopods deliver nicotine via the mucous membrane in your gums, which absorbs the chemical directly into your bloodstream. The result is a pleasant tingling sensation, which will cease after your body has absorbed most of the nicotine. However, overuse can turn this tingling into burning and gum disease. This is why taking sufficient breaks between two pouches is vital—wait at least 1 or 2 hours and never take more than one pouch simultaneously.
If you take pouches too frequently, you may experience nicotine poisoning with various side effects, including:
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of appetite
- Stomachache
- Vomiting and nausea
- Tremors
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Confusion and anxiety
- Raised blood pressure
- Headaches
- Increased heart rate
If you’re not used to nicotine or nicopods, start slow. At first, keep the pouch in your mouth for around 15 minutes. As you become accustomed to absorbing nicotine through your gums, you can increase that interval to the recommended maximum.
Keep nicopods out of the reach of pets and kids because large amounts of nicotine can be toxic. While nicopods can help you quit harmful smoke-based products, bear in mind that nicotine is addictive—always use it in moderation.
Regardless of the flavor, pouches are only legal if you’re 21 or older because nicotine can be harmful to adolescent brains. The following groups of people should also refrain from nicopods due to potential health risks:
- Breastfeeding and pregnant women
- Individuals with high blood pressure or heart disease
- People with any other underlying medical conditions
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Additional Safety Precautions
Some unwanted side effects of nicotine may appear even with moderate usage—including dehydration, which can cause a sore throat and similar unpleasant symptoms. That’s why staying hydrated is crucial while using nicopods, so make sure to drink enough water.
If you notice any adverse effects, remove the nicopod immediately and consider seeking treatment from a medical professional if the symptoms don’t abate quickly. Don’t ignore discomfort on account of a nicotine kick—with the right pouch strength and moderate use, you’ll get the buzz without dizziness or other unwanted reactions.
Featured image source: ZYN