Updated May 2026: Both brands have moved on. The IQOS 3 DUO from the original review has been retired (alongside HEETS sticks, discontinued globally in 2025). IQOS now sells the ILUMA family, with the new ILUMA i ONE rolling out shortly. Ploom upgraded the Ploom X to the Ploom X Advanced. The 2026 comparison is below; the original review follows for context.
2026 update: IQOS ILUMA i ONE vs Ploom X Advanced
The current heated-tobacco-device decision in the UK is between IQOS's ILUMA family (with the next-gen ILUMA i ONE rolling out shortly) and Ploom's X Advanced. Here's how they compare.
IQOS ILUMA family — and the new ILUMA i ONE
The IQOS ILUMA range moved away from blade heating entirely. A small metal element built into each TEREA stick heats up via induction when you insert it. Three benefits over the older blade design: no cleaning, no breakages, and a more consistent draw — particularly toward the end of a session.
The current line-up has three tiers:
- IQOS ILUMA One — compact, all-in-one, around £19. Around 20 sessions per charge. The pick if you want simplicity.
- IQOS ILUMA — holder plus pocket charger. Better day-out battery if you'd rather dock between sessions than wait for a full recharge.
- IQOS ILUMA Prime — premium materials, magnetic lid, slightly larger battery. Same heating tech as the others.
The new IQOS ILUMA i ONE is the next-generation entry kit. Same single-piece form factor as the ILUMA One, improved heating system, and reportedly better battery life. Stock is incoming — sign up on the IQOS collection page for restock alerts.
Ploom X Advanced
Ploom kept blade heating but refined everything around it. The X Advanced is more compact than the original Ploom X, heats up in around 20 seconds, and uses EVO tobacco sticks. EVO sticks come in slightly fewer flavours than TEREA but cost a bit less per pack — usually about £1 less than TEREA, which adds up if you're a heavy user.
Ploom's lineup is simpler than IQOS's: one current device, not three tiers. If you're indecisive or just want something that works, that's an advantage.
TEREA vs EVO sticks
Both stick formats are 20 to a pack and last around 6 minutes / 14 puffs each. The flavour ranges differ:
| Range | TEREA (for IQOS ILUMA family) | EVO (for Ploom X Advanced) |
|---|---|---|
| Classic tobacco | Amber, Yellow, Teak, Sienna, Russet | Tan, Brown, Bronze |
| Menthol | Turquoise, Green, Blue | Green, Lime, Sea Green |
| Aromatic / fruit | Mauve Wave + Pearl variants (Abora, Amelia, Starling, Twilight) | Citric Tan, Purple, Crimson |
| Pack price | £6.95 (multi-buy 10 for £66) | ~£5.95 |
Which one should you buy?
The honest take: if you want the best experience and don't mind a slightly higher per-pack cost, ILUMA. The wider TEREA range, the zero-maintenance design, and the upcoming ILUMA i ONE refresh make it the more future-proof choice.
If you'd rather minimise running costs and you're happy with a smaller flavour set, Ploom X Advanced. £1 less per pack over a year is meaningful for daily users, and the device feel is fine.
Neither is a wrong choice. Both are far cheaper than smoking and produce far less smell. Browse IQOS at Grey Haze or browse Ploom to compare prices and flavours.
Original review: IQOS 3 DUO vs Ploom X (2024)
Note: this section reviews the older IQOS 3 DUO and Ploom X. Both have been replaced — the 3 DUO with the IQOS ILUMA family (and ILUMA i ONE incoming), and the Ploom X with the Ploom X Advanced. HEETS sticks for the 3 DUO were discontinued globally in 2025.
At Grey Haze we're all about helping people find an alternative to smoking — whether it's a vape kit, nicotine pouches, or heated tobacco. Heated tobacco brands like IQOS and Ploom use heat-not-burn technology, which gradually warms real tobacco to produce an inhalable vapour containing nicotine. No combustion, no smoke, no ash, no tar — and far fewer of the harmful chemicals associated with cigarettes.
The original review compared the IQOS 3 DUO (now retired) with the Ploom X (now replaced by the X Advanced). For the current device comparison, see the 2026 update above.
IQOS 3 DUO vs Ploom X — features
| Feature | IQOS 3 DUO | Ploom X |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 2900mAh | 2000mAh |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Compatible sticks | HEETS (discontinued 2025) | EVO |
| Smoke / burn free | Yes | Yes |
Both devices targeted the same user — someone wanting a closer-to-cigarette experience than vaping provides. Both held around 20 sticks of session before needing a recharge, despite the IQOS 3 DUO's larger battery (the Ploom X was simply more efficient). Both required brand-specific sticks: HEETS for the IQOS, EVO for the Ploom.
HEETS for the 3 DUO have since been discontinued globally as part of IQOS's move to ILUMA-only. If you've still got a 3 DUO at home, it'll keep working until you run out of stock you've already got — but the supply chain has stopped. Our HEETS vs TEREA guide covers the switching path.
IQOS 3 DUO vs Ploom X — design
| Feature | IQOS 3 DUO | Ploom X |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 114 × 46 × 23 mm | 90.8 × 48 × 24.8 mm |
| Weight | 128 g | 46.6 g |
| Parts | Two (holder + charging case) | One (all-in-one) |
| LED + haptic feedback | Yes | Yes |
This is where the design philosophies diverged. The IQOS 3 DUO had two parts — the holder slotted into the charging case for two consecutive sessions before needing to be docked back. The Ploom X was a single unit: insert the EVO stick, heat, use, done.
The 3 DUO's holder felt slimmer and more cigarette-like in the hand. But the charging case made the whole package heavier and bulkier than the Ploom X. At 46.6g the Ploom was almost three times lighter — a real difference if you carried it in a pocket all day.
IQOS 3 DUO vs Ploom X — flavour
| Feature | IQOS 3 DUO (HEETS) | Ploom X (EVO) |
|---|---|---|
| Flavours | 10 | 12 |
| Strength | Mild – Strong | Mild – Extra Strong |
| Best blends | Amber, Blue, Mauve Wave | Tan, Green Option, Bronze |
HEETS came in 10 blends, EVO in 12. Both ranges spanned classic tobacco, menthol, and aromatic. EVO had more menthol-capsule options than HEETS, which let users activate menthol mid-session by clicking the filter. HEETS Sienna Caps was the closest equivalent. Both ranges produced the throat hit and tobacco taste that smokers tend to miss when they switch to vaping.
Final verdict (original 2024 review)
At the time of the original review, the Ploom X edged out the IQOS 3 DUO. The all-in-one design was more practical, the device was significantly lighter, and the EVO range had two extra flavour options. For most users in 2024, the Ploom X was the easier recommendation.
2026 caveat: the Ploom X has been replaced by the Ploom X Advanced (a longer-lasting, more durable refresh), and the IQOS 3 DUO has been retired in favour of the ILUMA family. The current decision is ILUMA family vs Ploom X Advanced — see the 2026 update at the top of this article.
Shop IQOS & Ploom at Grey Haze
Made your choice? Browse our full range of heated tobacco devices and sticks.
IQOS vs Ploom FAQs
Should I buy IQOS ILUMA or Ploom X Advanced?
It depends on what matters most. The IQOS ILUMA family is the better device if you want zero cleaning, a wider range of tobacco flavours (TEREA), and the option of upgrading to the new ILUMA i ONE when stock arrives. The Ploom X Advanced wins on simplicity and running costs — EVO sticks are about £1 cheaper per pack than TEREA. Both heat tobacco without burning it, so the health argument is broadly similar. If budget's tight, go Ploom. If you want the best experience, go ILUMA.
Can I use HEETS in IQOS ILUMA?
No. The ILUMA range only works with TEREA sticks, which have a built-in metal heating element for the induction system. HEETS were designed for the older blade-based IQOS models (like the 3 DUO and Originals) — both of which have been retired alongside HEETS itself. Putting a HEET in an ILUMA device won't work — the device simply won't heat it. Our switching guide maps each old HEETS flavour to its closest TEREA match.
Is heated tobacco cheaper than cigarettes?
Yes. Both TEREA sticks (for IQOS, £6.95 a pack) and EVO sticks (for Ploom, around £5.95) cost meaningfully less than a £14–16 pack of cigarettes. The exact saving depends on your habits, but most pack-a-day smokers notice the difference within the first month and recoup the device cost within weeks.
What's new in the IQOS ILUMA i ONE?
It's the next-generation IQOS ILUMA One, replacing the current model. Same compact single-piece form factor, improved heating system, and reportedly better battery life. We're expecting stock shortly — sign up on our IQOS collection page for restock alerts.
