At first glance, the two brands are only one letter and one syllable apart. But the differences between LUCY pouches and ZYN pouches go beyond their names alone. What is lurking within the sachets, and which brand offers the best experience?
We’ve broken down how the two brands compare in various aspects, including flavors, strength levels, and cost.
LUCY vs ZYN: Flavors
LUCY has a grand total of six flavors, while ZYN offers ten (admittedly, two of them are unflavored options).
Have a personal favorite? Check which of the two brands offers it in the table below.
|
LUCY |
ZYN |
|
|
Peppermint |
No |
Yes |
|
Wintergreen |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Spearmint |
No |
Yes |
|
Mint (Other) |
Yes (LUCY Mint) |
Yes (ZYN Menthol and ZYN Cool Mint) |
|
Cinnamon |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Coffee |
Yes (LUCY Espresso) |
Yes (ZYN Coffee) |
|
Fruit |
Yes (LUCY Mango and LUCY Apple Ice) |
Yes (ZYN Citrus) |
|
Unflavored |
No |
Yes (ZYN Smooth and ZYN Chill) |
A slight twist, though. The flavors above only cover LUCY’s core range — but LUCY also has a LUCY Breakers collection, which brings a whole host of new taste profiles to the table.
More on that shortly…
ZYN vs LUCY: Strength Levels
ZYN keeps things simple when it comes to nicotine strength. All its flavors come in two sizes:
- A 3 mg for those who want to keep their pouch experience mild
- A 6 mg option for those who prefer something a bit stronger
LUCY offers more choices. Similarly to ZYN, it has a milder 4 mg option and a more potent 8 mg version. But it also offers a third nicotine strength of 12 mg for those who want an extra-strong option. All of its taste profiles are available in these three strengths.
Between them, the two brands offer five different options, so nobody can complain that their preferences aren’t represented!
LUCY Breakers vs ZYN
Now, it’s time to throw a curveball into the mix by the name of LUCY Breakers. LUCY offers this additional range of pouches, and it’s kind of a game-changer.
While the differences between standard ZYN pouches and LUCY pouches are minimal, the Breakers pouches have the rare claim in the nicotine pouch market of being a truly unique product.
The cans don’t just contain pouches — they also have a capsule inside that allows users to customize their experience. Users place the capsule in their mouth and break it (either before they slot in the pouch or during their release) to up the intensity.
That means more strength, more flavor, and more moisture — almost immediately.
LUCY Breakers Taste Profiles
LUCY Breakers are available in the following flavors:
- Mango
- Apple Ice
- Mint
- Berry Citrus
- Espresso
- Apple Cider
Since Berry Citrus and Apple Cider flavors aren’t part of the standard LUCY range, this takes the total of LUCY flavors up to eight. However, ZYN still offers the most choice overall when it comes to taste profiles.
Each one is available in both 4 mg and 8 mg.
Anything Else?
Still undecided? The good news is that we’ve not quite finished our comparison yet.
Cost
On a budget? Fortunately, that isn’t going to affect decision-making, because the two brands tend to cost the same (although LUCY Breakers is slightly pricier).
Of course, every retailer has different prices, so there’s no guaranteeing that they will always cost the same everywhere. For instance, Prilla often runs promotions.
Number of Pouches
Once again, the two brands are identical, with both offering 15 pouches per can.
Size
Finally, something that differentiates the two brands. All ZYN pouches come in a mini size, while LUCY pouches boast a slim format.
This is a matter of personal preference. Some like the mini size as it’s easier and more comfortable to slot into the mouth, while finding the longer size of slim pouches more satisfying.
Moisture Content
LUCY pouches are moist, meaning they provide an intense and fast release. In contrast, ZYN pouches are dry, so their release is more gradual.
Availability
When talking about ZYN flavors and strengths, there’s admittedly an elephant in the room.
There’s currently a ZYN shortage, so many customers are finding it difficult to get their hands on their favorite products.
So, while ZYN technically offers a fantastic selection of different taste profiles and products, it’s not always possible to buy the product of choice. This is unlikely to be an issue with LUCY pouches.
Background
LUCY was first launched in 2019 by a team of brainboxes — its founders include two C-suite executives from Soylent and a PhD in Biophysics and Biochemistry.
As well as selling nicotine pouches, it offers lozenges and gum.
ZYN was first launched in 2014, giving it a longer history than LUCY. Plus, it’s a Swedish Match brand, meaning it’s owned by none other than Philip Morris International (PMI), one of the biggest tobacco companies in the world.
Swedish Match is the name behind many successful nicotine pouch brands, so its credentials are hard to beat. But those keen to support the “underdog” may gravitate to LUCY.
What Will it Be?
When it comes to the LUCY vs ZYN debate, there truly isn’t a “bad” choice.
In summary:
- Looking for a ZYN alternative due to the shortage? Choose LUCY
- After the lowest-strength product? Choose ZYN
- Want a higher-strength option? Choose LUCY
- Looking for the greatest range of flavors? Choose ZYN
- Intrigued by the Breakers innovation? Choose LUCY
- Want to go for the most popular? Choose ZYN
