Rogue vs ZYN

To Rogue or to ZYN? That is the question. We’ve pulled together relevant info about both these brands so you can compare them side by side, weigh up the pros/cons, and ultimately decide which one you want to be your next nicotine pouch. Is flavor or price more important? Size or strength? No matter what, this guide should help you make more informed choices at the Northerner checkout.   

Before digging into the details of each category, let’s get to know the main similarities and differences between Rogue and ZYN: 

Objectively looking at Rogue and ZYN’s tobacco leaf-free ranges, you can see they have 5 flavors in common: Wintergreen, Spearmint, Peppermint, Citrus and Cinnamon. We believe that number is closer to 6 – adding  ZYN Cool Mint/Menthol to the list (despite going by different names, their main selling point is to leave a refreshingly minty mouth feel, so the experience is very similar). 
 
Otherwise, Rogue offers fans of fruit more choice than ZYN with their Apple, Mango and Berry pouches (each sold separately) – plus their exclusive Honey Lemon fusion which is an elevated take on the standard Citrus. ZYN specializes more on the mint front.
 
It’s worth noting that Rogue has developed a tobacco leaf-free Tabac flavor for those that enjoy the experience of snus without the teeth-staining effects, while ZYN has a caffeine-free Coffee flavor that achieves a similar result minus the espresso. 
 
Both brands have developed their pouches based on what American consumers want – but did you know this also includes the absence of flavor? You’ll find 2 unflavored ZYNs (Chill and Smooth) as well as 1 unflavored Rogue (Original) to buy. 

The make up of Rogue and ZYN pouches is largely the same. Both include fillers such as microcrystalline cellulose, maltitol and gum arabic, salts like sodium carbonate and flavorings like ace K (most popularly used in sugar-free sodas).  

The main difference between the two is that ZYN uses nicotine salt (nicotine bitartrate dihydrate), while Rogue has its own formulation called nicotine polacrilex, which is extracted from the tobacco plant using steam and blended with resin. Both types of nicotine are 100% tobacco leaf-free. 

Both Rogue and ZYN present you with the same choice – opt for one of their Less Intense (3mg) pouches or a Regular (6mg) one. 

Keep in mind that nicotine is an addictive chemical, so these products are only meant for adults who smoke or consume nicotine already.

If you’re chasing the best possible value, Rogue is the way to go since it costs less per can than ZYN and contains 20 pouches rather than 15. ZYN, however, is known for their quality as the #1 nicotine pouch brand in the US and is still regularly involved in Northerner promotions, so it’s possible to find good deals.

Of course, overall pricing between the two brands will depend on:

• • Stock availability;
  • The number of cans you order; 
  • Any local taxes that may apply based on where you live.  

Of course, both brands of nicotine pouch will appeal to different people for different reasons. We’ve summarized the main selling points to consider here before hitting that 'Buy Now' button: 

Flavor:

• • Rogue and ZYN offer 5 of the same flavors: Wintergreen, Spearmint, Peppermint, Citrus and Cinnamon (6 if you count ZYN Cool Mint/Menthol). Although technically the “same” flavor, each brand has their own take, so it will be a matter of trying them and figuring out which one you like more. 
  • Rogue has 4 times as many fruity options as ZYN, and a slightly larger flavor range overall. ZYN is more focussed on mint.
  • ZYN has a caffeine-free Coffee pouch and Rogue has a tobacco leaf-free Tabac pouch.
    
    

Strength:

• • No comparison here – both offer 3mg and 6mg of nicotine per pouch. 
    
    

Price:

• • ZYN is going to cost you slightly more then Rogue, but is still a good deal given the unprecedented demand for these pouches lately.
  • You will get more bang for your buck with Rogue as it typically costs less than ZYN and contains 5 more pouches per can (20 in total).
    
    

Format/Other:

• • To the untrained eye you can’t tell the difference, but Rogue pouches are Slim and ZYNs are Mini. Both tuck comfortably under your lip, Mini pouches are just a little shorter in terms of length and width.
  • Rogue is made in the US with local and imported ingredients while ZYN’s manufacturing is split between the US and Sweden, where the concept of snus and nicotine pouches originated. 

These are 2 of our biggest brands and (due to a combination of popular demand and production capacity issues) we're currently experiencing a nationwide ZYN shortage. This means, unfortunately, some of your purchasing options in this guide will be limited for the time being.

Signing up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page is one way of staying in the loop and being notified when they're back in stock. Until then, you can browse 10 of Rogue's most popular pouches that are still in steady supply.