When you’ve finally had it with tobacco, you’ve got plenty of alternative options to get your nicotine fix. One of the most popular and most modern nicotine alternatives is the nicotine pouch.
How to use nicotine pouches? You can use nicotine pouches a couple of different ways, but just like traditional smokeless tobacco, nicotine pouches can be placed under your lip where the nicotine will slowly seep through. A benefit of pouches over traditional chewing tobacco is the ability to swallow your saliva and stay mess free.
There are many brands, flavors, and types of nicotine pouches available on the market, but which is the best nicotine pouch? How do you choose which one is right for you?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different factors you should take into account when making your decision.
What is a nicotine pouch?
Before we get into how to choose your new favorite nicotine pouch type, let's make sure we’re on the same page: what even is a nicotine pouch?
A nicotine pouch (commonly called tobacco-free pouches) is a tobacco-free product that contains nicotine. It's typically placed under the lip like traditional tobacco, however, unlike with dip or chew you can swallow your spit — no more gross cups or nasty spitoons.
Nicotine pouches are popular because they provide a way to get a nicotine buzz without smoking tobacco or dealing with the mess of chewing tobacco. As mentioned above, they are also less likely to cause teeth staining than other nicotine products, such as cigarettes or dipping tobacco.
What factors should you consider when choosing a nicotine pouch?
Now that we know what nicotine pouches are, let's discuss the different factors you should take into account when making your decision.
Choosing by pouch strength
The average nicotine pouch contains about as much nicotine as a cigarette. However, just like with smokes, dip or chew, there are different strengths available.
The amount of nicotine in a pouch is measured in milligrams (mg). Pouches with a higher nicotine content will have more mg, pouches with lower will blah blah you get it why does this matter. What’s the strongest nicotine pouch? (We know you’re wondering. No shade, we like a strong buzz too.) The strongest nicotine pouches have about 15mg of nicotine, while a low-strength pouch may only have around 4mg.
Bridge pouches come in three strengths: 4mg, 10mg, and 15mg—so there's an option for every user.
If you're new to using nicotine pouches, it's best to start with a low or medium-strength product, then move up to stronger products if you want a more intense buzz. This will allow your body to adjust to the varying nicotine sensations and reduce the risk of an unpleasant experience.
If you’re transitioning from cigarettes to nicotine pouches, a good way to figure out what strength you need is to start with the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. First, find out how much nicotine there is per cigarette in your preferred brand and multiply that by the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. This will give you your approximate daily nicotine intake. (And no, it’s not a perfect calculation. But as you start to use Bridge you’ll naturally start to figure it out. You’re a pretty smart dude.)
Once you have that number, you can match it up with the amount of nicotine in different pouch products.
Learn more about choosing a nicotine pouch strength.
Choosing by flavor
Another important (and fun) thing to consider when it comes to nicotine pouches, is flavor. Nicotine pouches are available in a wide variety of flavors, from mint and wintergreen to fruit and coffee.
How do you pick? Personal preference. Maybe you’re a citrus guy. Maybe you’re into mint. Maybe you’re a strange or just super badass dude who prefers the flavorless option. Whatever you’re thing is, there’s a nicotine pouch flavor to suit your style. (And they all smell infinitely better than the stuff you’re switching from, so your partner is definitely gonna love it.)
Bridge offers a wide variety of nicotine pouches in different flavors, and we’re confident you’ll find something you love. Feel free to mix and match while you’re figuring it out.
Learn more about choosing a nicotine pouch flavor.
Moist Nicotine Pouches vs. Dry Nictoine Pouches
There are two types of nicotine pouches: moist and dry. Moist pouches contain a small amount of liquid, while dry pouches fully depend on your saliva to stay moist.
So, which type is right for you? It really depends on your personal preference. Some people find that moist nictoine pouches provide a more intense flavor experience and will not dry out your mouth, while others prefer the harshness of dry pouches.
There's no right or wrong answer here. It's all about what you like best.
Not sure what to try first? We recommend the moist pouches. They’re the most popular, easy to start using, and OK maybe we just like saying the word “moist.”
Once you've had a chance to try both types, you'll be able to decide which is right for you.
Pouch Duration
One of the most common questions about nicotine pouches is: how long does a pouch last?
The answer to this question depends on a few factors, including the type of pouch (moist or dry), the size of the pouch, and how often you use it.
Moist pouches tend to last longer than dry pouches. This is because the moisture in the pouch may help to release the nicotine more slowly, as dry pouches can have a large initial release once they become saturated. Since moist pouches are already saturated, the nicotine has a steadier rate of release. At least, this is what we found from our own personal experience, and what we hear from Bridgers.
All that said, your mileage may vary. It all depends on how often you use your pouches.
Spit vs. no Spit Pouches
The major benefit of pouches over traditional smokeless tobacco is that there’s no spitting. At least, there’s no need to spit. (If still you really want to, you do you. But let me tell ya, we don’t miss carrying around that cup.)
Spitless nicotine pouches like Bridge pouches don’t contain certain agents found in traditional tobacco and tobacco alternatives that can make you feel sick when swallowed. No more nausea, no more brown slime, no more looking awkward in certain public situations, no more defending your choices to your significant other at a brunch with her parents.
So, which should you choose? It really depends on your personal preferences. If you want something that is spit free and tobacco free, then pouches are the way to go. If you still want to spit and get the full tobacco flavor there are alternatives out there which emulate the chewing tobacco experience but have additional drawbacks that we covered above.
Can you swallow nicotine pouch spit?
Yep, you can swallow nicotine pouch spit. In fact, that’s part of getting the best buzz. Just make sure not to swallow the whole pouch!
Can/tin sizes + Flavor Saver
Another variable to consider, is how many you want. Bridge offers single tins as well as 5 pack rolls of tins.
Nicotine pouch tins are similar in size to traditional tobacco dip, Bridges tins are a comparable size but are slightly smaller, more discreet and just nicer looking.
The small size is perfect for those who want discreet pouches they can take anywhere, without the noticeable “dip bulge”. The large size is great for people who want to have a little bit more nicotine per pouch, and care less about the “packed lip look.”
Finally, there's the Flavor Saver - this is a handy compartment located inside every Bridge tin where you dispose of used pouches, or to store a pouch when eating, drinking, or simply wanting to take a break.
If you're always on-the-go and like to have fresh-tasting pouches, the Flavor Saver is definitely something you should prioritize.
Bulk discounts + rewards
Price is an important factor when choosing anything. Nicotine pouches are no different.
When it comes to price, there are two things you should look for in a nicotine pouch brand: bulk discounts and rewards programs.
Bulk discounts are great because they allow you to save money on your pouches by buying them in larger quantities, and rewards programs are awesome because they give you points for every purchase that you can use towards future discounts or merch.
So, if you're looking for a good deal on nicotine pouches, make sure to choose a brand that offers both bulk discounts and rewards programs. Bridge's pouch perks and subscription model is a great example of this—you can save money by having replacement pouches auto-delivered. Plus, you'll earn points with every purchase that you can use to get even more discounts and rewards down the road.
Convinced? Good. Sign up for Bridge's nicotine pouch subscription and start saving.
Availability - online and instore
Before you make your final decision, make sure the nicotine pouch you’ve been researching is actually …available. You’ll want to make sure that the brand you choose is easily accessible and convenient for you.
Bridge is a great option for those who want maximum convenience. With Bridge, you can order your pouches online and have them delivered right to your door and have them re-delivered on a regular basis, so you never have to worry about running out.
Stay tuned for in-store availability.
The perfect alternative to tobacco
Well, there you have it. There’s a few things to keep in mind when choosing a nicotine pouch brand or type, but once you find the one for you you’re be happy you put in the legwork. (We would know.)
What's the best nicotine pouch? Well Bridge of course.
As always, if you have any questions, our team at Bridge is more than happy to chat about our favorite habit. Leave us a message.