11-Sep-2025

Comparing Heated Tobacco Products

Heated tobacco products are innovative smoking alternatives and smoke-free products for adult users in Egypt. These tobacco heating systems — also known as heat-not-burn devices — warm real tobacco leaves rather than burn them, producing a tobacco aerosol instead of cigarette smoke.

Within the tobacco industry in Egypt, there is a growing choice of heated tobacco products — particularly across the IQOS ILUMA line, which includes IQOS ILUMA, IQOS ILUMA ONE and IQOS ILUMA PRIME. In all IQOS ILUMA devices, IQOS ILUMA Smartcore Induction Technology — with a bladeless design — heats tobacco instead of burning it to deliver the taste of real tobacco when used with heated tobacco sticks.

Across the wider IQOS range in Egypt, formats and features differ from one device to another. Read on to find out how and choose the smoking alternatives that suits you.

What Are the Different Types of Heated Tobacco Products?

Across Egypt, IQOS leads the category of tobacco heating systems for adult users seeking smoke-free products.* Within the tobacco industry, these are distinct from smokeless tobacco and from e-cigarettes that use an e-liquid solution. Rather than burning tobacco like conventional cigarettes, IQOS devices use an electronic heat-control system to warm specially designed heated tobacco sticks, creating a tobacco aerosol instead of cigarette smoke.

The newest generation available locally is the IQOS ILUMA family — IQOS ILUMA, IQOS ILUMA ONE, and IQOS ILUMA PRIME — alongside other options such as IQOS ORIGINALS DUO. Together, these heated tobacco products sit within the wider landscape of smoking alternatives in Egypt.

IQOS uses two families of heated tobacco sticks: HEETS and TEREA. HEETS utilise patented HeatControl™ Technology to heat tobacco rather than burn it. TEREA heated tobacco sticks, created for the IQOS ILUMA range, work with Smartcore Induction Technology and the IQOS ILUMA’s bladeless design, helping provide a consistent, cleaner experience. You’ll also find multiple TEREA types available in Egypt.

Compatibility is essential — think of it as TEREA vs HEETS from a pairing perspective. TEREA is designed exclusively for IQOS ILUMA devices and must not be used with earlier models.

HEETS are compatible with devices such as IQOS ORIGINALS DUO and are not for use with IQOS ILUMA.

Discover all about switching to heated tobacco products.

The Revolutionary IQOS ILUMA Series

The IQOS ILUMA series reimagines tobacco heating systems for adult users in Egypt. Powered by Smartcore Induction Technology and a bladeless design, IQOS ILUMA devices heat tobacco rather than burn it, creating a tobacco aerosol when used with TEREA heated tobacco sticks.
The line-up — IQOS ILUMA, IQOS ILUMA ONE and IQOS ILUMA PRIME — offers smoke-free products in different formats to suit daily preferences, supporting consistent nicotine delivery without combustion.

IQOS ILUMA vs IQOS ILUMA ONE

Both are smoke-free products in the tobacco heating systems category and use Smartcore Induction Technology with TEREA sticks. IQOS ILUMA pairs a Pocket Charger and Holder, enabling 2 consecutive uses before returning the Holder to charge (full recharge ~2 hrs 15 mins).

IQOS ILUMA ONE is an all-in-one device that delivers up to 20 uses per full charge (around 1 hr 30 mins). In practice, IQOS ILUMA suits adult users who prefer the classic two-part format and quick turnarounds, while IQOS ILUMA ONE favours simplicity and all-day portability with consistent nicotine delivery.

IQOS ILUMA vs IQOS ILUMA PRIME

Performance is aligned: both use a Pocket Charger and Holder, offer 2 consecutive uses, and recharge in about 2 hrs 15 mins. The difference is in positioning and finish. IQOS ILUMA PRIME is the premium expression of the range, with elevated materials and design detail, while IQOS ILUMA keeps the same heating approach in a more minimal package.

For adult users in Egypt comparing these tobacco alternatives, choose PRIME for a more luxurious form factor, or IQOS ILUMA for understated practicality—both are smoke-free products compatible with TEREA.

IQOS ILUMA PRIME vs IQOS ILUMA ONE

IQOS ILUMA PRIME uses the two-part system (Holder + Pocket Charger) with 2 consecutive uses per cycle and 2 hrs 15 mins to recharge, delivering the most premium design in the IQOS ILUMA family. IQOS ILUMA ONE condenses everything into an all-in-one body, offering up to 20 uses after 1 hr 30 mins of charging.

Adult users who want a premium look and feel may lean towards PRIME; those prioritising light weight and extended out-of-home use may prefer IQOS ILUMA ONE. Both remain smoke-free alternatives within heated tobacco and work exclusively with TEREA

The Classic IQOS ORIGINALS

For adult users in Egypt who prefer the familiar two-part format, the IQOS ORIGINALS line — including IQOS ORIGINALS DUO — remains a dependable entry into heated tobacco products. Using patented HeatControl™ Technology with a ceramic blade, the device warms HEETS heated tobacco sticks to create a tobacco aerosol rather than cigarette smoke, distinguishing it from a conventional cigarette.

As a smoke-free product within modern tobacco alternatives, ORIGINALS DUO offers two consecutive uses before returning the Holder to the Pocket Charger, with straightforward operation and well-established accessories across Egypt.

Side-by-Side Comparison: IQOS ILUMA vs. IQOS ORIGINALS

Both sit in the tobacco heating systems category, but they differ in how they heat tobacco and which sticks they use. IQOS ILUMA devices (including IQOS ILUMA, IQOS ILUMA ONE, and IQOS ILUMA PRIME) feature Smartcore Induction Technology and a bladeless design, working exclusively with TEREA sticks to support consistent nicotine delivery; IQOS ILUMA ONE is an all-in-one option, while IQOS ILUMA and IQOS ILUMA PRIME use a Pocket Charger and Holder with two consecutive uses.

IQOS ORIGINALS DUO employs HeatControl™ Technology with a blade and is compatible with HEETS — not TEREA.

TEREA Variants vs. HEETS Variants

In Egypt, IQOS offers two families of heated tobacco sticks, each for a specific device type — TEREA for the IQOS ILUMA range and HEETS for IQOS ORIGINALS DUO and earlier models.

Both lines are designed for heated tobacco products (not burned like conventional cigarettes) and provide smoke-free alternatives for adult users, with blends ranging from classic tobacco notes to cooling menthol and aromatic profiles.

Think of it as HEETS vs TEREA by compatibility first, then flavour preference.

With HEETS and TEREA, we are building a future where there is always another heated tobacco variant and experience to discover.

If you’re exploring TEREA types or comparing TEREA vs HEETS, start with the device you use, then choose the blend that suits your taste. Local availability may vary by city and shop in Egypt.

Check out TEREA flavours.

Final Thoughts

When choosing a device, focus on format (all-in-one vs two-part), ease of use, charging time, number of uses per charge, and compatibility with the heated tobacco sticks available in Egypt. Select what best fits your daily routine and after-sales support needs.

Know more about the difference between heated tobacco and cigarettes.

It’s important to note that IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive. While some adult users who would otherwise continue smoking may view smoke-free products within a harm reduction approach, the best decision any adult user can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. IQOS products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.

IQOS is not smokeless tobacco; it heats tobacco and does not eliminate potential exposure risks to others (i.e., passive inhalation).

IQOS is not risk-free and provides nicotine, which is addictive. Only for use by adults.