The IQOS Iluma was purchased during a recent trip to Germany. It is not available in the US yet, but it is expected to have a test launch in Austin, Texas, in Q4 of 2024.
This device is presented as a sleek and modern heat-not-burn product with several versions that perform the same. The review focuses on the design, how it works, the Terea sticks, and the overall experience of using it.
IQOS Iluma Versions
There are three versions of the IQOS Iluma, and they all perform the same:
- IQOS Iluma One – the most affordable model, with the device and charger built into one unit.
- IQOS Iluma – a two-piece version with a thin device and a charging case. This is the model that was purchased.
- IQOS Iluma Prime – the most expensive model, basically the same as the Iluma model but with a more premium look.
All three versions come in five colors: beige, gray, red, blue, and green.
Design and Box Contents
The setup is described as sleek, elegant, modern, and high-end. In the box, you get:
- IQOS Iluma holder
- IQOS Iluma pocket charger
- Charging cable
- Power adapter
When bought in a country where the product is sold, it also comes with two free packs of tobacco sticks called Terea.
The IQOS Iluma Holder
The Iluma holder is a stick-shaped device that holds and heats the Terea sticks. It has a matte finish, a button, and a hole at the top where the tobacco stick is inserted.
At the bottom is a proprietary charging port, and it can only be charged in the IQOS charging case. The button has one function: it shows how many uses are left in the device.
Each full charge provides two uses, which means two full Terea sticks. Depending on how often it is used, carrying the charging case may be necessary.
Bladeless Heating System
Most heat-not-burn products use a heating blade that inserts directly into the middle of the tobacco stick. The Iluma is bladeless. This is seen as a benefit because there is no need to clean out the chamber.
However, the review also notes that there are some cons to this bladeless design.
The Pocket Charger
The IQOS Iluma pocket charger has a soft material with a sparkly look. It is compared to the type of material people use to coat their garage floors, and it is said to feel very good in the hand.
The side that opens is made of shiny plastic, while the back has a USB-C port. There is also a button at the top with LED lights.
To use the charger, you press below the shiny side, which flips open the charging slot. The IQOS holder drops into the slot and snaps into place with a magnet.
The charger can charge the Iluma device about 20 times before the charger itself needs to be recharged.
Terea Sticks
Terea sticks only work with IQOS Iluma devices. They contain tobacco with metal elements inside, allowing the tobacco to heat using induction.
Because of this design, only Terea sticks can be used in the IQOS Iluma. Heets or other tobacco sticks cannot be used, because there is no blade in the device to heat them.
Terea sticks are made with real tobacco and are said to taste like real tobacco. The review describes them as remarkably similar to a real cigarette in taste, but without burning.
According to the review, they do not produce the grossness of a cigarette. They also do not release smoke or vapor while not being puffed, show no yellowness in the filter when finished, and produce no ash.
How to Use the IQOS Iluma
The device is described as extremely simple to use. The process is as follows:
- Insert the Terea stick into the device.
- The device starts automatically.
- If you want to stop, pull the stick out.
- Wait about 20 seconds for it to warm up.
- The device vibrates when it is ready.
- The session lasts 6 minutes or 14 puffs, whichever comes first.
- When there are 30 seconds left or two puffs remaining, the device vibrates and shows a pulsing light.
- When the session is over, the light turns off.
- Remove the stick and throw it away.
The used stick may be a little hot, so care is needed when removing it.
Overall Experience
The overall experience is described as surprisingly satisfying. It is said to feel very much like smoking a cigarette, while still being removed enough that it does not feel like actually smoking a cigarette.
The review highlights the amount of vapor, the temperature on the inhale, and the amount of flavor as all being just right. The full session also lasts 6 minutes, which is described as being just like a regular cigarette.
The review says IQOS nailed the experience and points out that there is no ongoing smoke filling the room like there is with a lit cigarette.
Recommendation
The experience with the IQOS Iluma is described as so good that it would absolutely be recommended to smokers looking to move to something with less harm. It is also described as a perfect middle ground between smoking and vaping, especially for smokers who struggle to get into vaping.
FAQ
Is the IQOS Iluma available in the US?
No. It cannot be purchased in the US yet, but it is expected to have a test launch in Austin, Texas, in Q4 of 2024.
What are the three IQOS Iluma models?
The three models are the Iluma One, the Iluma, and the Iluma Prime. They all perform the same.
How many uses does the holder provide on a full charge?
A full charge of the holder gives two uses, which equals two full Terea sticks.
How many times can the pocket charger recharge the holder?
The pocket charger can charge the Iluma device about 20 times before it needs to be recharged.
Can other tobacco sticks be used in the IQOS Iluma?
No. Only Terea sticks work with the IQOS Iluma because the device is bladeless and uses induction heating.
How long does a session last?
A session lasts for 6 minutes or 14 puffs, whichever comes first.
Does the device produce smoke or ash?
According to the review, it does not release smoke or vapor while not being puffed, and it produces no ash.
Cyclist, follower of Christ, ukulelist, Mad Men fan and Guest speaker. Operating at the fulcrum of aesthetics and elegance to craft meaningful ideas that endure. I work with Fortune 500 companies and startups. Tropical swift lover. I want to show people that IQOS is about the future.
