CLEW vs ZYN: The Definitive Guide
Keen-eyed shoppers may have noticed a new addition to our shelves this week... We’re excited to announce that CLEW is the latest brand to join Northerner's lineup of premium, tobacco-free nicotine pouches!
If you haven’t tried them before, or even if you have, this is the ultimate guide to break down where the similarities and differences lie between CLEW and ZYN (aside from the obvious—one has years of established market dominance, the other, is making a strong first impression after launching just last year).
So, how do they compare in terms of flavor? Strength? Value? We’ve got the answers you seek right here.
Key Takeaways
- Flavor: Both brands have a solid range of minty and unflavored choice, plus their own takes on Citrus. ZYN’s lineup also features Coffee, Cinnamon, and Menthol, while CLEW stands out to fans of fruit with their exclusive Blueberry.
- Strength: Less Intense (3mg) and Regular (6mg) pouch users can take their pick from either brand, but CLEW has even broader appeal with Strong (9mg) and Extra Strong (12mg) options on offer as well.
- Pouch Format: CLEW’s moist, ultra-smooth material means nicotine is released quicker than ZYN, which is semi-dry. CLEW might be faster-acting, but ZYN is typically longer-lasting (45 mins vs 60 mins in your mouth).
- Cost: CLEW typically offers better value than ZYN with 5 extra pouches per can (20 vs 15) at a lower price point.
- Availability: It’s worth noting that ZYN is still experiencing a supply shortage. Meanwhile, it’s never been easier to get your hands on a can of CLEW!
What's the Difference?
Let's start by having a look at the main selling points of each brand, at a glance.
| CLEW | ZYN | |
| Flavors | 6 (including 1 unflavored) | 10 (including 2 unflavored) |
| Strengths | 3mg / 6mg / 9mg / 12mg | 3mg / 6mg |
| Portions per can | 20 | 15 |
| Pouch format | Slim, moist | Mini, semi-dry |
| Type of can | In-built waste compartment | In-built waste compartment |
| Type of nicotine | Synthetic | Plant-derived |
| Manufacturer | Nevcore Innovations Inc. | Swedish Match |
First Things First: Flavor
ZYN appears to have a larger flavor range with 10 distinct varieties compared to CLEW’s 6, but keep in mind that 2 of these are unflavored (ZYN Smooth and ZYN Chill). If you live in a state where flavor bans are in effect or simply want a more neutral nicotine experience, CLEW also features an unflavored option with their Original pouches.
Aside from that, both brands have an emphasis on mint with their own takes on the popular Wintergreen, Spearmint, and Cool Mint—while ZYN has the added benefit of Peppermint and Menthol for those who prefer it.
When it comes to fruit, both brands have something to offer in terms of Citrus, but CLEW stands out with their exclusive Blueberry flavor that’s already proven to be a crowd pleaser.
If you’re looking for a nicotine pouch outside of the fruit, mint, or unflavored categories, ZYN brings American classics Coffee and Cinnamon to the table.
Need a bit more guidance when it comes to flavor? These are the bestselling pouches for each brand according to Northerner customers:
Top CLEW Pouches
Top ZYN Pouches
How Many Milligrams of Nicotine Are You Looking For?
Strength is where CLEW and ZYN deviate from each other the most. While both brands offer a Less Intense (3mg) and Regular (6mg) option for adult users, CLEW goes above and beyond with the addition of their Strong (9mg) and Extra Strong (12mg) pouches.
This makes CLEW one of few brands to have a pouch in every strength category, so you really can find something that appeals to everyone. In this sense, experienced users who may want more milligrams per pouch could find ZYN’s assortment lacking.
Comparing Pouch Feel & Format
Aside from the obvious impact of flavors and strengths on your nicotine experience, did you know that the actual pouch also plays a big role in your enjoyment? Everything from its size to the material used and moisture content within will affect its "mouthfeel,” as well as its rate of nicotine release and absorption.
This gives CLEW’s soft, ultra-smooth pouches the edge over ZYN’s semi-dry ones if you’re looking for something fast-acting. You could say, however, that ZYN is longer-lasting with a more gradual nicotine release of up to an hour compared to CLEW’s average turnaround time of 45 minutes.
What's Inside Counts
Ingredients-wise, there’s not a whole lot separating these 2 tobacco leaf-free brands. Both use pH balancers, plant-based fillers, artificial sweeteners, and a granulating agent for texture. The main difference is CLEW’s pharmaceutical-grade synthetic nicotine and ZYN's use of nicotine salts.
Price Breakdown
For the budget-conscious, you’ll find CLEW pouches return better value than ZYN. Not only do they contain 5 more pouches per can (20 vs 15), but they’re usually less expensive too.
Bulk buying in one of our 5, 10, 25, or 50 can packs is the best way to ensure a lower cost per can for users who go through a lot of pouches or want to stock up.
Final Thoughts
Overall, picking the “right” pouch will depend on what’s most important to you. ZYN may have the upper hand when it comes to brand recognition, but CLEW is clearly forging their own path in the market and attracting loyal fans along the way.
Right now could be the perfect opportunity to get to know CLEW purely from an availability perspective as ZYN continues to face online stock shortages.
CLEW is also the clear winner if:
- You’re keen to try something different with their exclusive Blueberry flavor;
- You generally go for more than 6mg milligrams of nicotine per pouch or you like having the full range of strengths to choose from;
- You prefer a softer pouch with quicker nicotine release;
- You want more bang for your buck in terms of pouches per can.
