ZYN vs VELO vs Loon: Which Nicotine Pouch is Right for You?

Walking into a convenience store or browsing online for nicotine pouches, you're immediately faced with a choice: ZYN, VELO, Loon, On!, Rogue... the list goes on. But for most people, the decision really comes down to the big three: ZYN, VELO, and Loon.

These three brands dominate the market, but they're surprisingly different. ZYN is the market leader with FDA authorization. VELO offers unique flavors and international credibility. Loon, a Minnesota-based brand, provides the strongest options available.

So which one should you choose? This comprehensive comparison breaks down everything you need to know about ZYN, VELO, and Loon to help you make the right decision.

Table of Contents

• Quick Comparison Overview
• ZYN: The Market Leader
• VELO: The International Challenger
• Loon: The Minnesota Powerhouse
• Strength Comparison
• Flavor Breakdown
• Pouch Size and Comfort
• Price Comparison
• Quality and Consistency
• Which Brand is Right for You?

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Quick Comparison Overview

Before we dive deep, here's a snapshot of how these three brands stack up:

Feature	ZYN	VELO	Loon
Market Share	#1 (70-75%)	#2 (15-20%)	Regional leader
FDA Status	Authorized (2024)	Under review	Under review
Strengths Available	3mg, 6mg	2mg, 4mg, 7mg	10mg, 14mg, 20mg, 28mg
Pouch Size	Slim	Slim (slightly larger)	Regular (larger)
Flavor Range	8-10 flavors	10-12 flavors	6-8 flavors
Price Range	$5.50-$6.50/can	$5.00-$6.00/can	$5.50-$7.00/can
Best For	First-timers, mainstream users	Variety seekers, ex-vapers	Heavy nicotine users
Origin	Swedish Match (PMI)	British American Tobacco	Minnesota-based
Availability	Everywhere	Widely available	Growing (especially MN)

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ZYN: The Market Leader

Brand Overview

ZYN is the undisputed king of nicotine pouches in the United States. Manufactured by Swedish Match (now owned by Philip Morris International), ZYN commands roughly 70-75% of the U.S. market share.

Key Facts:

• Founded in Sweden, brought to U.S. in 2014
• First major nicotine pouch brand in America
• Received FDA premarket authorization in September 2024
• Available at nearly every convenience store
• Trusted, consistent quality

Strengths Available

ZYN offers two strength levels:

ZYN 3mg (Regular):

• 3mg nicotine per pouch
• Light to moderate nicotine delivery
• Best for: First-time users, light smokers (under half pack/day)
• Effect: Gentle, manageable nicotine satisfaction

ZYN 6mg (Strong):

• 6mg nicotine per pouch
• Moderate to strong nicotine delivery
• Best for: Regular users, moderate smokers (half to one pack/day)
• Effect: Satisfying nicotine hit without being overwhelming
• Most popular strength across all brands

Available Flavors

ZYN's flavor lineup is classic and crowd-pleasing:

1. Cool Mint (Best-seller)

   • Clean peppermint flavor
   • Refreshing, not overpowering
   • Most popular flavor in the industry

2. Wintergreen

   • Sharp, medicinal mint
   • Stronger than Cool Mint
   • Popular among former dip users

3. Spearmint

   • Sweeter, gentler mint
   • Less intense than Cool Mint
   • Easy all-day flavor

4. Peppermint

   • Balanced mint flavor
   • Between Spearmint and Cool Mint
   • Smooth and consistent

5. Citrus

   • Orange/lemon blend
   • Bright, tangy flavor
   • Good for variety

6. Coffee

   • Espresso notes
   • Rich, sophisticated
   • Morning favorite

7. Cinnamon

   • Warm, spicy flavor
   • Unique option
   • Polarizing (love it or hate it)

8. Smooth (Unflavored)

   • Minimal flavor
   • Just nicotine
   • For flavor-ban areas

Why People Choose ZYN

Pros:

• Widest availability (find it anywhere)
• FDA authorized (regulatory confidence)
• Consistent quality batch-to-batch
• Trusted brand with track record
• Slim pouch design (discreet)
• Reliable flavor profiles
• Good moisture level (not too wet/dry)

Cons:

• Only two strengths (3mg, 6mg - no higher options)
• Higher price point than some competitors
• Less adventurous flavors compared to VELO
• Can be harder to find during shortages (high demand)

Who ZYN is Perfect For

• First-time nicotine pouch users (market leader = safe bet)
• Former smokers (half pack to one pack per day)
• People who value consistency (every can tastes the same)
• Travelers (available nationwide)
• Professional settings (slim, discreet, no-nonsense)
• Those concerned about FDA status (only authorized brand)

ZYN Bottom Line

ZYN is the gold standard for a reason. It's not the cheapest, not the strongest, and not the most adventurous—but it's reliable, widely available, and FDA-backed. If you want a safe, mainstream choice, ZYN is it.

Best ZYN Products:

• ZYN 6mg Cool Mint - The industry standard, perfect all-around choice
• ZYN 6mg Wintergreen - For former dip users or strong mint fans
• ZYN 3mg Cool Mint - Best for beginners

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VELO: The International Challenger

Brand Overview

VELO is British American Tobacco's answer to ZYN. While it's the #2 brand in the U.S., VELO is actually the global market leader, available in 40+ countries. It brings international sophistication and bold flavors to the American market.

Key Facts:

• Owned by British American Tobacco (BAT)
• Global brand with strong European presence
• More strength options than ZYN
• Bolder, more experimental flavors
• Growing market share in U.S.

Strengths Available

VELO offers three strength levels (more granular than ZYN):

VELO 2mg (Light):

• 2mg nicotine per pouch
• Very light nicotine delivery
• Best for: New users, very light smokers
• Effect: Gentle introduction to pouches

VELO 4mg (Regular):

• 4mg nicotine per pouch
• Moderate nicotine delivery
• Best for: Regular users, half-pack-a-day smokers
• Effect: Balanced satisfaction
• Roughly equivalent to ZYN 3mg

VELO 7mg (Strong):

• 7mg nicotine per pouch
• Strong nicotine delivery
• Best for: Heavy users, pack-a-day smokers
• Effect: Noticeably stronger than ZYN 6mg
• Good middle ground before jumping to Loon

Available Flavors

VELO's flavors are more adventurous and intense than ZYN:

1. Freeze (Intense Mint)

   • Ultra-cold menthol blast
   • Strongest mint on the market
   • For serious mint lovers

2. Ice Cool (Peppermint)

   • Cold peppermint
   • Similar to ZYN Cool Mint but icier
   • Very popular

3. Crisp Peppermint

   • Clean peppermint
   • Refreshing, crisp finish
   • All-day mint

4. Wintergreen

   • Classic wintergreen flavor
   • Comparable to ZYN Wintergreen
   • Sharp and medicinal

5. Citrus Burst

   • Bright citrus blend
   • More intense than ZYN Citrus
   • Tangy and sweet

6. Tropical Breeze

   • Tropical fruit blend
   • Pineapple, mango notes
   • Unique, summery flavor

7. Dragon Fruit

   • Exotic fruit flavor
   • Sweet and mild
   • Adventurous choice

8. Coffee

   • Rich coffee flavor
   • Similar to ZYN Coffee
   • Morning go-to

9. Cinnamon

   • Spicy cinnamon
   • Warm and bold
   • For cinnamon fans

10. Berry Frost

    • Mixed berry with cooling
    • Sweet and refreshing
    • Unique offering

Why People Choose VELO

Pros:

• More strength options (2mg, 4mg, 7mg)
• Bolder, more intense flavors
• Unique tropical/exotic options
• International brand credibility
• Often slightly cheaper than ZYN
• Good availability (second most common brand)
• Slightly larger pouches (more nicotine surface area)

Cons:

• Not FDA authorized yet (still under review)
• Less widely available than ZYN
• Flavors can be polarizing (very intense)
• Less consistent flavor batch-to-batch (some users report)
• Pouches are wetter (some like this, some don't)

Who VELO is Perfect For

• Ex-vapers (bold flavors appeal to vape users)
• Flavor adventurers (Dragon Fruit? Tropical Breeze? Yes please)
• International travelers (available globally)
• Those who want 7mg strength (stronger than ZYN 6mg, weaker than Loon)
• Mint intensity seekers (VELO Freeze is the coldest)
• Budget-conscious users (often $0.50-1.00 cheaper than ZYN)

VELO Bottom Line

VELO is the adventurous choice. If ZYN is a reliable sedan, VELO is a sporty hatchback—more fun, more options, slightly edgier. The 7mg strength fills a gap ZYN doesn't, and the unique flavors keep things interesting.

Best VELO Products:

• VELO 7mg Ice Cool - Stronger than ZYN 6mg, excellent mint
• VELO 4mg Freeze - If you want the COLDEST mint possible
• VELO 7mg Tropical Breeze - Unique, summery, strong

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Loon: The Minnesota Powerhouse

Brand Overview

Loon is the wild card in this comparison. It's a Minnesota-based brand that's taken a different approach: instead of competing with ZYN and VELO in the mainstream 3-6mg space, Loon went ultra-strong.

Loon offers strengths up to 28mg per pouch—nearly 5x stronger than ZYN 6mg. This makes it the go-to brand for heavy nicotine users transitioning from high-nicotine products.

Key Facts:

• Minnesota-based (hometown pride in Twin Cities)
• Highest strength options on the market
• Larger pouch size (more product)
• Growing rapidly among heavy users
• Strong regional loyalty

Strengths Available

Loon doesn't mess around. It offers four strength levels, all significantly higher than ZYN or VELO:

Loon 10mg:

• 10mg nicotine per pouch
• Stronger than VELO 7mg, much stronger than ZYN 6mg
• Best for: Pack-a-day smokers, heavy dip users
• Effect: Strong, long-lasting nicotine delivery

Loon 14mg:

• 14mg nicotine per pouch
• More than 2x ZYN 6mg
• Best for: Heavy smokers (1.5+ packs/day), experienced users
• Effect: Very strong nicotine satisfaction

Loon 20mg:

• 20mg nicotine per pouch
• Serious strength
• Best for: Very heavy users, those transitioning from extreme products
• Effect: Intense nicotine delivery

Loon 28mg (Highest Available):

• 28mg nicotine per pouch
• Strongest commercially available pouch
• Best for: Extreme nicotine tolerance
• Effect: Maximum nicotine hit
• Not for beginners or even moderate users

Available Flavors

Loon's flavor selection is smaller but focused on bold, long-lasting profiles:

1. Mint Ice (Best-seller)

   • Strong, icy mint
   • Long-lasting flavor
   • Pairs well with high nicotine

2. Wintergreen

   • Classic wintergreen
   • Sharp and medicinal
   • Former dip users love this

3. Berry Frost

   • Mixed berry with cooling
   • Sweet and refreshing
   • Unique in the high-strength category

4. Citrus Chill

   • Citrus with menthol
   • Bright and cooling
   • Good for variety

5. Original (Unflavored)

   • Minimal flavor
   • Just nicotine
   • For purists

6. Coffee (Select strengths)

   • Rich coffee notes
   • Morning favorite
   • Not available in all strengths

Why People Choose Loon

Pros:

• Highest strengths available (10mg to 28mg)
• Minnesota-based (support local)
• Larger pouches (more product, longer-lasting)
• Strong, bold flavors that last
• Perfect for heavy users transitioning down
• Good value for high-nicotine needs
• Growing availability in Twin Cities

Cons:

• Not for beginners (way too strong)
• Less widely available (regional brand)
• Fewer flavor options than ZYN/VELO
• Not FDA authorized yet
• Can be overwhelming if you don't need high strength
• Larger pouches less discreet

Who Loon is Perfect For

• Heavy smokers (1.5+ packs per day)
• Former dip users (dip delivers high nicotine)
• People who find ZYN/VELO too weak
• Minnesota residents (support local, easier to find)
• Experienced nicotine pouch users stepping up in strength
• Those transitioning from high-nicotine vapes (50mg salt nic)

Loon Bottom Line

Loon is the heavy hitter. It's not for everyone—in fact, it's not for most people. But if you have high nicotine tolerance and find mainstream brands unsatisfying, Loon is a game-changer. Just don't start here.

Best Loon Products:

• Loon 10mg Mint Ice - Entry point to Loon, strong but manageable
• Loon 14mg Wintergreen - For ex-dip users, perfect strength/flavor combo
• Loon 28mg Mint Ice - For the truly hardcore (use with caution)

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Strength Comparison: The Numbers Game

Let's break down exactly how these brands compare in nicotine strength:

Strength Tier Comparison

Strength Tier	ZYN	VELO	Loon
Light (2-3mg)	3mg	2mg	-
Regular (4-6mg)	6mg	4mg	-
Strong (7-9mg)	-	7mg	-
Extra Strong (10-15mg)	-	-	10mg, 14mg
Ultra Strong (16-28mg)	-	-	20mg, 28mg

Nicotine Delivery Timeline

How fast and how much nicotine do you get from each brand?

ZYN 6mg:

• Peak nicotine: ~5-10 minutes
• Duration: 30-45 minutes
• Total delivery: Moderate, consistent

VELO 7mg:

• Peak nicotine: ~5-10 minutes
• Duration: 30-45 minutes
• Total delivery: Slightly higher than ZYN 6mg

Loon 14mg:

• Peak nicotine: ~3-7 minutes (faster)
• Duration: 45-60 minutes (longer)
• Total delivery: High, sustained

Finding Your Strength Match

If you smoke/smoked:

• Less than half pack/day → ZYN 3mg or VELO 2-4mg
• Half to one pack/day → ZYN 6mg or VELO 7mg
• 1-1.5 packs/day → VELO 7mg or Loon 10mg
• 1.5+ packs/day → Loon 10-14mg
• Chain smoker → Loon 14-20mg

If you dip/dipped:

• Light dipper → VELO 7mg or Loon 10mg
• Regular dipper → Loon 10-14mg
• Heavy dipper → Loon 14-20mg

If you vape/vaped:

• Low nicotine (3-6mg freebase) → ZYN 3-6mg
• Medium nicotine (12-18mg freebase) → ZYN 6mg or VELO 7mg
• High nicotine (25-35mg salt nic) → VELO 7mg or Loon 10mg
• Very high nicotine (50mg salt nic) → Loon 10-14mg

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Flavor Breakdown: What Actually Tastes Good?

Flavor is subjective, but here's how these brands compare across categories:

Mint/Menthol Flavors

Cool/Peppermint Mint:

• ZYN Cool Mint: Industry standard, balanced
• VELO Ice Cool: Icier, more intense
• Loon Mint Ice: Strong, long-lasting

Winner: ZYN Cool Mint for most people, VELO Ice Cool if you want intensity

Wintergreen:

• ZYN Wintergreen: Classic, medicinal
• VELO Wintergreen: Similar to ZYN
• Loon Wintergreen: Strongest, best for ex-dippers

Winner: Loon Wintergreen (if you can handle the strength), ZYN for mainstream

Extreme Mint:

• VELO Freeze: Coldest mint available, no competition

Winner: VELO Freeze (no contest)

Fruit Flavors

Citrus:

• ZYN Citrus: Mild, orange/lemon
• VELO Citrus Burst: Brighter, more intense
• Loon Citrus Chill: Citrus + menthol

Winner: VELO Citrus Burst

Berry:

• VELO Berry Frost: Sweet, refreshing
• Loon Berry Frost: Similar, stronger

Winner: Tie (both good)

Tropical/Exotic:

• VELO Tropical Breeze: Unique, summery
• VELO Dragon Fruit: Sweet, mild

Winner: VELO (only option in this category)

Coffee

All three brands offer coffee:

• ZYN Coffee: Rich espresso notes
• VELO Coffee: Similar to ZYN
• Loon Coffee: Good but limited availability

Winner: ZYN Coffee (most consistent)

Cinnamon

• ZYN Cinnamon: Spicy, polarizing
• VELO Cinnamon: Slightly better flavor

Winner: VELO Cinnamon

Unflavored

• ZYN Smooth: Minimal flavor
• Loon Original: Minimal flavor

Winner: ZYN Smooth (more available)

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Pouch Size and Comfort

Physical differences matter for all-day use.

Pouch Dimensions

ZYN:

• Size: Slim (smaller, thinner)
• Dimensions: ~15mm x 8mm
• Feel: Very discreet, barely noticeable
• Best for: Professional settings, all-day use

VELO:

• Size: Slim (slightly larger than ZYN)
• Dimensions: ~16mm x 9mm
• Feel: Noticeable but comfortable
• Best for: Good balance of discretion and substance

Loon:

• Size: Regular (larger, more substantial)
• Dimensions: ~18mm x 10mm
• Feel: Clearly present in your mouth
• Best for: Those who want to "feel" the pouch

Moisture Level

ZYN: Medium moisture

• Not too wet, not too dry
• Activates quickly
• Comfortable for extended use

VELO: Higher moisture

• Wetter pouches
• Very quick activation
• Some users find it too wet

Loon: Medium-high moisture

• Substantial feel
• Long-lasting flavor release
• Pairs well with higher strength

Comfort for All-Day Use

Most Comfortable: ZYN (slim, dry-ish, easy to forget it's there)
Best Balance: VELO (comfortable but more present)
Most Substantial: Loon (you'll always know it's there)

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Price Comparison

Prices vary by retailer, but here's the typical range:

Retail Store Prices (Convenience Stores, Gas Stations)

Brand	Price Per Can	Price Per Pouch
ZYN	$6.00-$7.00	$0.30-$0.35
VELO	$5.50-$6.50	$0.28-$0.33
Loon	$6.00-$7.50	$0.30-$0.38

Online/Delivery Prices

Brand	Price Per Can	Price Per Pouch
ZYN	$5.50-$6.50	$0.28-$0.33
VELO	$5.00-$6.00	$0.25-$0.30
Loon	$5.50-$7.00	$0.28-$0.35

Value Analysis

Best overall value: VELO (cheaper, decent strength options)
Best value for high-nicotine needs: Loon (more nicotine per dollar)
Premium pricing: ZYN (you pay for reliability and FDA status)

Cost Per Day

If you use 10 pouches per day:

• ZYN 6mg: ~$3.00-$3.50/day = $90-$105/month
• VELO 7mg: ~$2.50-$3.00/day = $75-$90/month
• Loon 14mg: ~$3.00-$3.50/day = $90-$105/month (but you might use fewer)

Comparison to smoking: A pack-a-day smoker spends $200-$300/month. All three brands are significantly cheaper.

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Quality and Consistency

Manufacturing and Quality Control

ZYN:

• Manufactured by Swedish Match (premium reputation)
• Extremely consistent batch-to-batch
• Rare quality issues
• FDA authorization indicates quality standards

VELO:

• Manufactured by British American Tobacco
• Generally consistent
• Occasional flavor intensity variations reported
• International manufacturing standards

Loon:

• Smaller-scale production
• Good quality but less consistency than ZYN
• Some batch-to-batch variation
• Improving as brand scales

Shelf Life and Freshness

ZYN: 12-18 months unopened, best freshness
VELO: 12-18 months unopened, good freshness
Loon: 12-15 months unopened, good freshness

All three maintain quality if stored properly (cool, dry place).

Customer Satisfaction

Based on reviews and market feedback:

ZYN: 4.5/5 average

• Pros: Consistency, availability
• Cons: Price, limited strengths

VELO: 4.2/5 average

• Pros: Flavors, strength options
• Cons: Wetness, availability

Loon: 4.3/5 average

• Pros: Strength, local brand
• Cons: Not for beginners, limited flavors

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Which Brand is Right for You?

Let's make this simple. Here's who should choose which brand:

Choose ZYN If:

• You're new to nicotine pouches
• You smoke/smoked less than one pack per day
• You value consistency and reliability above all
• You want FDA-authorized products
• You need maximum availability (travel, etc.)
• You prefer slim, discreet pouches
• You want the industry standard

Recommended Products:

• Beginner: ZYN 3mg Cool Mint
• Moderate user: ZYN 6mg Cool Mint or Wintergreen
• Variety: ZYN 6mg Citrus or Coffee

Choose VELO If:

• You're an ex-vaper who loves bold flavors
• You want more strength options (2mg, 4mg, 7mg)
• You need 7mg (stronger than ZYN, weaker than Loon)
• You like unique, intense flavors
• You want to save money vs. ZYN
• You're adventurous with flavor
• You prefer international brand credibility

Recommended Products:

• Ex-vaper: VELO 7mg Freeze or Dragon Fruit
• Strong mint lover: VELO 4mg Freeze
• Moderate user stepping up: VELO 7mg Ice Cool

Choose Loon If:

• You're a heavy smoker (1+ pack per day)
• You're a former dip user
• You find ZYN and VELO too weak
• You're in Minnesota (support local!)
• You have high nicotine tolerance
• You want the strongest options available
• You don't mind larger pouches

Recommended Products:

• Entry to Loon: Loon 10mg Mint Ice
• Ex-dipper: Loon 14mg Wintergreen
• Maximum strength: Loon 20mg or 28mg Mint Ice (caution!)

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Can You Mix and Match?

Absolutely! Many experienced users keep multiple brands on hand:

Common Combinations:

• ZYN 6mg Cool Mint (all-day use) + Loon 14mg Wintergreen (when you need extra)
• VELO 7mg Ice Cool (daytime) + ZYN 3mg Spearmint (winding down)
• Loon 10mg Mint Ice (weekdays) + VELO Tropical Breeze (weekends/variety)

Strategy:

• Lower strength for frequent, all-day use
• Higher strength for specific moments (stress, cravings)
• Different flavors for variety and preventing flavor fatigue

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The Verdict: Our Recommendations

Best for Most People:

ZYN 6mg Cool Mint

• Safe, reliable, available everywhere
• Perfect moderate strength
• Industry-standard flavor

Best for Variety Seekers:

VELO 7mg Ice Cool or Freeze

• Bold flavors, good strength
• More options than ZYN
• Better value

Best for Heavy Users:

Loon 14mg Mint Ice or Wintergreen

• Only option for high nicotine needs
• Minnesota pride
• Strong, long-lasting

Best Overall Value:

VELO 4mg or 7mg (any flavor)

• Cheaper than ZYN
• Good strength range
• Decent availability

Best Premium Experience:

ZYN 6mg (any flavor)

• FDA authorized
• Most consistent
• Widest availability

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Shop All Three Brands

Ready to try ZYN, VELO, or Loon? CartStop delivers all three brands to your door in 30 minutes across the Twin Cities.

Our Selection:

• ZYN: All strengths (3mg, 6mg), 8+ flavors
• VELO: All strengths (2mg, 4mg, 7mg), 10+ flavors
• Loon: All strengths (10mg, 14mg, 20mg, 28mg), 6+ flavors

Why Order from CartStop:

• 30-minute delivery
• No convenience store markups
• Full selection (20+ SKUs)
• Age verified, compliant
• Real-time tracking

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Related Articles

• Nicotine Pouch Strength Guide: Finding Your Perfect Mg
• The Ultimate Nicotine Pouch Flavor Guide
• Twin Cities Nicotine Delivery Guide

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Last Updated: January 10, 2026
Disclaimer: Product availability and pricing subject to change. CartStop is not affiliated with ZYN, VELO, or Loon. All brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.