IQOS Philip Morris Device Review: Big Tobacco Tries Vaping

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by Thanush Poulsen

Updated: October 21, 2022

IQOS Philip Morris desktop

Review Score: 73/100

Price Range:
$85-$110
Color:
Black, White, Gray, Blue, Copper
Temperature range:
202-215°C
Warranty:
Varies based on region
Works with:
  • Herbs icon

Pros

  • Portability
  • Stylish design
  • Easy-to-use

Cons

  • Cleaning and maintenance

It was only a matter of time before an entity with as much global reach and influence as Big Tobacco would turn its gaze toward e-cigarettes and vaping.

Whether they looked at vaping as a threat or a business opportunity, they knew, either way, that something had to be done – a kind of beat ‘em or join ‘em situation.

The IQOS, which can be labeled as a starter kit, seems to be the tobacco giant’s response to that dilemma and falls into the latter category. The IQOS is Philip Morris’ attempt to muscle into the vaping market with a device that combines their traditional bread-and-butter product, leaf tobacco, with an innovative “heat-not-burn” (HNB) vaping capsule.

The main attraction of the IQOS are the HEET sticks that resemble real cigarettes but are much shorter and contain a mixture of real tobacco, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and nicotine. These sticks get inserted into the vaping device, get heated up, and produce a vapor textured and flavored to resemble tobacco smoke.

The HEET sticks have a limited vaping life and are single-use only. A package of HEET sticks comes with any purchase of the entire tobacco heating system that also includes a multi-use electronic case to store, clean, carry and charge the vaping apparatus.

The Goods

Gadgets for smoking
O.PASH/Shutterstock

The IQOS tobacco heating system can be bought online or at various retail tobacco shops around the world. There are many different variations on the kit’s contents as well, so if you decide to buy a standard starter kit, here’s what you’ll get:

  • One IQOS heating system/holder
  • One IQOS portable carrying case/charger
  • One USB charging cable
  • One cleaning brush system
  • Ten cleaning sticks
  • One pack of Marlboro Regular Heatsticks
  • One pack of Marlboro Smooth Regular Heatsticks
  • One pack of Marlboro Balanced Regular Heatsticks

The IQOS from Philip Morris: Up Close

Considering that Philip Morris International poured almost $3 billion into the research and development of the IQOS, it stands to reason that the product that they ultimately delivered is rather well-made. The entire system is comprised of three essential elements: the tobacco heatstick, the IQOS holder/vaping device, the IQOS charger/carrying case.

The tobacco heatstick is the least fascinating part of this setup since it is basically a shortened version of a regular tobacco cigarette. Except, its insides have been pressed and shaped into what looks like tobacco rods. These “rods” have been dipped into vegetable glycerin to provide a more robust vapor when the stick gets inserted into the IQOS holder.

  • The IQOS holder and the IQOS pocket charger are where you start seeing how all those billions of dollars were spent; they are indeed what makes this product unique.
  • The holder is the element that both departs and coincides with the rest of the e-cigarette market.

The holder is incredibly lightweight and, of course, perfect for portability. On the inside of the device, you’ll see a blade-like apparatus that is made of gold and platinum (again, Big Tobacco doesn’t cut corners) where you insert the heat stick.

Unlike the coil and wick of a traditional e-cigarette or vaping device, this is the tobacco heating element on the device, which is powered by an internal Li-ion battery. There is a single firing/power button with a built-in LED light located in the recessed center of the device.

The IQOS carrying case/pocket charger looks a lot like other e-cig carrying cases/pocket chargers like those that come with the Magnum Snaps E-cigs kit, which, in turn, is based on the design of a traditional pack of cigarettes. The IQOS pocket charger has a few buttons and LED lights on its side that serve various functions.

You have a small metal latch on the side that opens the top of the device so you can access the docking port. Underneath this latch, you have a series of LED lights, pin-hole in size, that indicate three separate functions:

  • Charging and battery life of the holder.
  • Charging and battery life of the IQOS pocket charger.
  • The cleaning process that the pocket charger also performs.

Working Your Way Through the IQOS from Philip Morris

Using the IQOS should not present any problems even to those people who have no experience vaping. It is merely a matter of taking out a heat stick, inserting it into the holder, turning it on and waiting for it to be ready.

IQOS device
Tanapatw/Shutterstock

The waiting part would be the thing that most irks people about the IQOS since the device does not fire instantaneously but requires at least a six-second ramp-up time to properly “heat-not-burn” the tobacco inside. The LED indicator light will start blinking green when the device is turned on and then, turn a solid green when the vapor is ready to be inhaled.

A lot of vaping devices have automatic cut-off times, and the IQOS is no different. From when the LED indicator light turns a solid green you have about six minutes or fourteen puffs before the heat stick has been spent and needs to be replaced.

You just throw out the heat stick after using it, but things are more complicated with the holder. Since you are still using traditional tobacco, there is an awful mess left inside the holder after each use.

Therefore, Philip Morris recommends you clean the tobacco using the cleaning sticks and cleaning device included in your kit after every use.

How the IQOS from Philip Morris Performs

IQOS on back blackground
Andrej Safaric/Shutterstock

Vaping on a device made by a tobacco giant, you expect that you are going to notice a distinct tobacco flavor more than anything else. While the standard bundle kit includes three different tobacco flavors, they taste pretty much the same, save for the menthol version.

I’m not a cigarette virgin, so smoking is not an unfamiliar activity for me, and from all the vaping devices I’ve used, the IQOS comes closest to genuinely replicating that smoking-a-cigarette feel. The throat hit is noticeable, and the mouth-to-lung inhalation is very apparent.

But saying that the IQOS is what comes closest to simulating smoking a cigarette is not necessarily a compliment, at least, when it comes from a never-smoker like me. I like the purity of vaping and the feel of it. And I imagine a lot of vapers would agree with me.

I didn’t start vaping because I had a smoking habit. I wanted to quit – I just wanted to try vaping. I never sought to simulate smoking a cigarette when vaping, but I imagine that many people would want to have that reassuring taste and feel when trying something a little outlandish like vaping and that is what the IQOS delivers.

The IQOS from Philip Morris vs. the Magnum Snaps

I think the Magnum Snaps e-cigs kit from ePuffer was the last cig-a-like product that I used and reviewed and I thought it germane to my review of the IQOS from Philip Morris. The two products share differences and similarities.

The first difference would be, of course, that one product vapes actual tobacco and the other vapes a cartridge pre-filled with liquid nicotine. You have to assemble your Magnum Snaps e-cigs, which you don’t have to do with the IQOS, but on the other hand, regular cleaning and maintenance are required for using the IQOS, which is something you don’t have to do with the Magnum Snaps.

IQOS Philip Morris Device vs.Magnum

You do get more life out of your cartridges with the Magnum Snaps setups since each cartridge will last you at least 200 puffs unlike with the IQOS whose heatsticks have a short vape life and must regularly be replaced.

The pocket chargers from both companies are also quite similar to charging times for each both hovering around one hour – that’s to charge both the case itself and to recharge the battery/holder. One noticeable and vital difference, however, is the price of either unit.

The Magnum Snaps kit comes in at a reasonable $70, while the IQOS system I got was around $250, which is a difference significant enough to blow your hair back. I think ultimately this will come down to preference.

If you are a smoker who wants to continue with tobacco, then you could stick with the IQOS, but if you want to try something new, then the Magnum Snaps e-cig kit would be best.

IQOS Specifications

Cycle Length: 6 minutes or 14 puffs
Features: Bluetooth
Power Input: USB Cable
HeatSticks: HEETS, Marlboro for IQOS

Pros&Cons

Pros

  • Portability
  • Stylish design
  • Easy-to-use
  • Sticks resemble cigarettes
  • The same as with cigarettes, disposable sticks

Cons

  • Tobacco
  • Cleaning and maintenance

The Final Word

It was only a matter of time before tobacco companies either tried to stop vaping from taking hold in the public’s consciousness or tried to stake out a niche in the market. The tobacco heating system seems to be a measured compromise.

It’s a vaping device, but not exactly. It’s not as dangerous (supposedly) as smoking cigarettes, but it has tobacco in it. I, for one, am not convinced.

While Philip Morris has, of course, put the IQOS through a series of rigorous, completely unbiased scientific tests to prove their safety and purity, I’m not yet ready to believe them.

Recently, a study by a Swiss research team found cancer-causing chemicals (in higher concentrations than in traditional cigarettes!) present in the vapor released by the IQOS.

Not to mention the fact that the tests that Philip Morris performed themselves have been thoroughly debunked as to their findings and methodology. But then again, if you were expecting a tobacco giant to tell the truth about their products then it’s not tobacco that you’re smoking.

Published: January 8, 2018Updated: October 21, 2022
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Thanush Poulsen

Being a regular Sweden student, I discovered innovative ways of living healthier. And with my very first e-cigarette, I’ve got obsessed with all things digital. So vaping collided my interests in electronics, science, and health. I enjoy bringing people into the world of vaping through my reviews, guides, and best-of lists.


Comments

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11 comments on “IQOS Philip Morris Device Review: Big Tobacco Tries Vaping

  • Richard Pattisall

    August 17, 2021 at 3:40 am

    I am an advanced computer user. My iQuos system came with NO INSTRUCTIONS – I have to look on Google and You Tube. I have not yet found a statisfactory ‘how to’ – the USB port system does not charge. I will now try to use the wall plug. My review of this sytem is a big fat ‘O’. Stay away!!!

  • M Wan

    October 2, 2019 at 11:41 am

    A very unreliable vaping device. Bought one iqos mesh, returned it twice. This is now the third one i am trying. All three fails to charge. (I am using the standard charger & cable).

  • nick smith

    October 30, 2018 at 11:36 am

    I have been using this for 2 month now
    Poor service, The device is poor and the sticks are faulty that I bought. They don’t always heat the device correctly, Im on device 3 now in 2 month and still you waste money buying sticks as sometimes they don’t work.

    Customer service refused to replace faulty sticks. I won’t be buying again from this company

    They are a long way off getting this to work efficienty and the poor customer service nick smith

  • Chain vapor

    October 13, 2018 at 8:15 am

    I used to smoke a pack a day started vaping back in June 2018 haven’t had a cigarette since. I vape not this other expensive garbage cause u still want the nicotine and dont want to make rich people richer. Its flavored taste good and cheaper then cigarettes. G***le it

  • Mark Godfrey

    September 24, 2018 at 5:07 pm

    I have to say this is the closest experience i have found to cigarettes and have not purchased any since buying the IQOS. Cleaning it after a packet of 20 sticks is a pain, but overall i dont aee myself reverting back to ciggs. Beautifully engineered product.

  • Shirley Ann Duncan

    September 5, 2018 at 12:55 pm

    I need to stop smoking is there no nicotine ones available for this machine .

    • Mike

      September 18, 2018 at 8:49 pm

      It’s got tobacco in it, lady. Of course not.

  • James waldron

    August 22, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    I have been vaping for five years – used to be a smoker – tried iqos and think it is a great product – nearly like smoking a cigarette – very professionally presented as you’d expect. Sticking with vaping but occasional iqos use – don’t want to stray back to cigarettes!

  • Angeliki

    August 11, 2018 at 5:36 pm

    Terribly heavy Aftertaste like old-fashion cigarette, the one 50 years back used to smoke with the smell of cheap heavy cigarette which stays in your fingers for ever.
    You need to recharge the deviceevery time the heat stick ends wich is very fast indeed!
    Nope, fail.

  • Paul

    July 21, 2018 at 7:07 am

    Iqous is a rip off. Very badly made. When I bought mine from a rep, I was told, if it breaks, well send out a free replacement withing 24 hours. When I phoned to do this, I was told they had no account for me and said they will not be giving me the promised replacement because of this and they had the absolute cheek to say “we don’t know if your old enough to smoke”. Yeah, say that AFTER YOU HAVE SOLD SOMEONE A DEVICE WITH AN 18 YEAR AGE RESTRICTION. To get a replacement I apparently need to prove to them my address, age and where I bought this piece of crap from. I would require a passport for age verification and I don’t have one. So they want me to go pay whatever it is to buy a fucking passport, just for them to stick to their sales pitch, contract and promises. DO NOT BUY THIS PIECE OF CRAP, BUT A DECENT VAPE.

  • Steve

    May 8, 2018 at 6:57 pm

    The IQOS is a very unreliable device. I have had to have the holder replaced about 7 times now. What happens, even if you are very careful with cleaning and using the device like I am, is sometimes as quickly as after half a days usage when you place the holder back into the charger the top circular light turns red which means its malfunctioned and can’t be used at all. I have stopped using this device. It is totally unfit for market and I would never buy anything made by Philip Morris again. Thankfully their sales are down at the moment.