By Arslan Elahi, Snus O'Clock · Last updated 5 November 2026 · 8 min read
ZYN vs VELO is the most common head-to-head in nicotine pouches. They are the two biggest names in the UK, both are tobacco-free, and both come in mint and fruit flavours at similar prices. So which is better? It depends mainly on how strong you want your pouch and which flavours you like.
We stock both brands, so this comparison uses our own range and sales data alongside the makers' details. Strengths below are per pouch, as printed on the UK cans.
Quick answer
Quick answer
- For lighter pouches: ZYN. It goes down to 1.5mg and 3mg, which suits beginners and people cutting down.
- For stronger pouches: VELO. It goes up to 17mg per pouch, while ZYN tops out at 13.5mg in our range.
- For coffee flavours: ZYN, which has Coffee and Espressino.
- For the widest choice: VELO, with more flavours and strengths in our range.
- What our customers buy: VELO outsold ZYN on our store over the last 90 days, 240 cans to 156.
In this guide
ZYN vs VELO at a glance
| ZYN | VELO | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Swedish Match, part of Philip Morris International | British American Tobacco |
| Strengths in our range | 1.5mg to 13.5mg per pouch | 4mg to 17mg per pouch |
| Pouch sizes | Mini and Regular/Slim | Mini and Slim |
| Signature flavours | Cool Mint, Black Cherry, Citrus, Coffee | Freezing Peppermint, Crispy Peppermint, Tropical Mango, Cherry Ice |
| Coffee flavours | Yes | Not in our range |
| Tobacco | None | None |
| Pouches per can | 20 | 20 |
Browse both ranges in full in our ZYN and VELO collections.
Who makes ZYN and VELO?
ZYN was created by Swedish Match, which has been owned by Philip Morris International since 2022 (Tobacco Insider). In January 2025, ZYN became the first nicotine pouch authorised for sale by the US Food and Drug Administration, which said the products pose a lower risk than cigarettes; that is not the same as "FDA approved" or safe (Axios).
VELO is made by British American Tobacco. Sainsbury's product listing for VELO Freezing Peppermint names British American Tobacco as the manufacturer. VELO is widely sold in UK supermarkets and convenience stores. Read more in our guides to why ZYN is so often recommended first and why VELO is a go-to brand.
Strength: which is stronger?
VELO goes stronger; ZYN goes lighter. Both brands print the nicotine per pouch on UK cans, so the numbers compare directly:
| Strength level | ZYN | VELO |
|---|---|---|
| Extra light | ZYN Cool Mint Mini X-Low 1.5mg | None below 4mg |
| Light | ZYN Apple Mint Mini 3mg, ZYN Black Cherry Mini 6mg | VELO Purple Grape Mini 4mg, VELO Crispy Peppermint Storm 6mg |
| Medium | ZYN Cool Mint 9mg, ZYN Citrus 11mg | VELO Cherry Ice 10mg, VELO Blue Raspberry 8mg |
| Strong | ZYN Blackcurrant Frost 13.5mg, ZYN Menthol Ice 13.5mg | VELO Bright Spearmint 14mg, VELO Sweet Blackcurrant 14mg |
| Extra strong | None above 13.5mg | VELO Freezing Peppermint 17mg, VELO Tropical Mango X-Intense 17mg |
Both brands show strength with dots on the lid as well as the mg figure. If you want something much stronger than either, see our ranking of the strongest nicotine pouches in the UK, and our mg per pouch guide explains how to compare brands that label strength differently.
Flavours compared
| Flavour type | ZYN | VELO |
|---|---|---|
| Mint | Cool Mint, Spearmint, Menthol Ice, Apple Mint | Freezing Peppermint, Crispy Peppermint, Peppermint Storm, Bright Spearmint |
| Berry and cherry | Black Cherry, Blackcurrant Frost, Blueberry Frost, Red Fruits | Cherry Ice, Icy Berries, Ruby Berry, Sweet Blackcurrant, Blue Raspberry |
| Citrus | Citrus, Lemon Spritz | Orange Spark, Arctic Grapefruit, Lime Flame, Frosty Lemon |
| Tropical | Exotic Mango, Tropical, Guava Spice | Tropical Mango, Mango Flame, McLaren Sweet Papaya |
| Coffee | Coffee, Espressino | Not in our range |
| Other | Bellini, Sour Ruby | Wintry Watermelon, Purple Grape, Peach Ice, Strawberry Ice |
If you like a strong cooling effect, VELO's "Freezing" and "Crispy" mints and ZYN's "Frost" and "Menthol Ice" lines are the icy options. For coffee, ZYN is the only one of the two with coffee flavours in our range. More options are in our mint and fruit collections.
Pouch size and feel
Both brands make two sizes. Mini pouches are smaller and more discreet under the lip; both ZYN and VELO label them clearly on the can. The standard pouch is labelled Regular or Slim by ZYN and Slim by VELO. If you are new to pouches, a Mini is easier to get used to; if you want more flavour, a full-size pouch gives you more.
Pouch feel is personal: moisture, softness and how quickly the flavour comes through vary between products, even within one brand. The easiest way to decide is to try one can of each at a similar strength.
Which do UK customers buy more?
On our store, VELO outsold ZYN over the last 90 days: 240 cans of VELO across 53 orders, against 156 cans of ZYN across 42 orders. That fits with VELO's wider range of strengths, especially the 14mg and 17mg pouches, which ZYN does not match. ZYN's lighter pouches remain popular with people who want a gentler start.
Which should you choose?
- New to pouches or cutting down: ZYN, starting with a 1.5mg or 3mg Mini. See our beginner's strength guide.
- Want a strong mint: VELO Freezing Peppermint 17mg.
- Want a mid-strength fruit pouch: ZYN Citrus 11mg or VELO Cherry Ice 10mg.
- Coffee drinker: ZYN Coffee 11mg.
- Can't decide: buy one can of each at the same strength and compare.
Order before 12 noon for Next Day Delivery across the UK. Nicotine pouches are for adults who already use nicotine; see our guide to the UK age limit.
Related guides
ZYN vs VELO FAQ
Is ZYN or VELO better?
Neither is better for everyone. ZYN suits lighter users, going down to 1.5mg, while VELO suits stronger users, going up to 17mg per pouch in our range.
Which is stronger, ZYN or VELO?
VELO. Its strongest pouches in our range have 17mg of nicotine per pouch, while ZYN's strongest have 13.5mg.
What is the lowest strength ZYN?
ZYN Mini X-Low pouches have 1.5mg of nicotine per pouch, the lightest of either brand in our range.
What is the strongest VELO?
In our range, VELO Freezing Peppermint 17mg and VELO Tropical Mango X-Intense 17mg, both at 17mg per pouch.
Who makes ZYN?
ZYN was created by Swedish Match, which is owned by Philip Morris International.
Who makes VELO?
VELO is made by British American Tobacco.
Is ZYN FDA approved?
No product is "FDA approved" in this sense. In January 2025 the FDA authorised ZYN pouches for sale in the US, saying they pose a lower risk than cigarettes.
Do ZYN and VELO contain tobacco?
No. Both are tobacco-free nicotine pouches. They contain nicotine, which is addictive.
Which has more flavours, ZYN or VELO?
VELO has more flavours and strengths in our range, but ZYN has coffee flavours that VELO does not.
What is the difference between ZYN Mini and Regular?
Mini pouches are smaller and more discreet. Regular or Slim pouches are full-size and give more flavour.
Is VELO Freezing Peppermint stronger than ZYN Cool Mint?
At the top strengths, yes. VELO Freezing Peppermint comes in 17mg, while ZYN Cool Mint goes up to 11mg in our range.
Which is better for beginners, ZYN or VELO?
ZYN, because it offers 1.5mg and 3mg pouches. VELO's lightest pouches in our range start at 4mg.
Are ZYN and VELO the same price?
They are similarly priced. Check the product pages for current prices and multi-buy deals.
Can I mix ZYN and VELO in one order?
Yes. You can order any mix of brands and flavours in one order.
Can I get ZYN and VELO with next day delivery?
Yes. Order before 12 noon for Next Day Delivery across the UK. Nicotine pouches are for adults only.
18+ only. Nicotine pouches contain nicotine, which is addictive. They are for adults who already use nicotine. They are not a stop-smoking product and are not suitable for anyone pregnant or breastfeeding.
