Blu vs RELX: Features, Price + More (2024)
The epic showdown: Blu vs RELX. We're here to dissect every puff, flavor, and cloud.
But how do they compare against each other in terms of product range, performance, flavors, value, and more?
Whether you're on team Blu or rooting for RELX, this detailed comparison guide is packed with juicy details!
And stick around, because we've got a twist for you – nicotine-free vapes from Cyclone Pods. Safer, smoother, and even more satisfying.
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Further Reading: Explore these resources: Check out these links: |
A Quick Intro to Blu and RELX
Blu, headquartered in North Carolina, USA, serves up a sleek range of e-cigarettes and vaping products that cater to the curious newbies and veterans. With a lineup that spans from their myBlu device to a variety of liquid pods and disposables, they've got your back whether you're in it for the taste or the convenience.
Hailing from Beijing, China, RELX has a product lineup that includes sleek pod vapes, disposable e-cigarettes, and a wide array of flavorful pods, catering to both novice and seasoned vapers.
Brand History and Background of Blu and RELX
Let’s look at how the two brands evolved.
Blu vapes, launched in 2009 by Fontem Ventures, quickly made its mark with user-friendly designs, though its journey has seen its share of ups and downs, including regulatory challenges. After being acquired by Lorillard Inc. in 2012 and later by Imperial Brands in 2015, some argue Blu lost some of its pioneering edge amidst corporate shifts. Recent efforts to expand flavor choices and enhance device technology in 2023 and 2024 have kept Blu in the game. However, in Feb 2024, the US FDA issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) for four Blu Disposables (Menthol 2.4%, Vanilla 2.4%, Polar Mint 2.4%, Cherry 2.4%) and one Myblu product (Menthol 1.2%.) Fontem Ventures cannot market or distribute these products in the US.&
RELX was founded in January 2018 by Kate Wang and later that year the founder was awarded with the title of “Innovation China 2018 New Entrepreneur”. In 2021, an investor filed a lawsuit against the vaping company claiming that they misrepresented its financial performance and hid potential regulatory risks. This caused the company’s shares to drop by 70% in the NYSE. Despite this legal setback, RELX continues to be a popular brand among seasoned vapers. Its products bagged awards in three different categories at the Vapouround Global Awards 2023, UK. Despite this legal setback, RELX continues to be a popular brand among seasoned vapers. Its products bagged awards in three different categories at the Vapouround Global Awards 2023, UK.
Blu vs RELX Comparison Summary
Take a quick look at the features of Blu and RELX vapes before we get into the details:
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Blu |
RELX |
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Product Range |
Blu 2.0 rechargeable device & pods |
RELX MagicGo GA600, GA2500, GA3500 RELX MagicGo Plus SA600, DM6000 Disposable Vape RELX Bar, RELX Infinity, Infinity 2, Infinity Plus, Artisan, and Essential (Rechargeable) RELX Pod and RELX Pod Pro (Flavored Pods)
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Nicotine-free options available? |
No |
Yes |
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Device Quality & Build |
Sleek, minimalist design with a durable, lightweight aluminum body. Ergonomic shape for comfortable handling. |
Portable, lightweight vapes with a leak-resistant maze-like structure and an ergonomic shape. |
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Battery Capacity |
Blu 2.0: 400mAh Blu Bar: 400mAh Blu Pro: 1100mAh |
RELX Classic: 350 mAh RELX Infinity: 380 mAh RELX Infinity 2: 440 mAh RELX Infinity Plus: 380 mAh RELX MagicGo GA600: 400 mAh RELX MagicGo GA2500 and GA3500: 1000 mAh RELX MagicGo Plus DM6000: 850 mAh |
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Pod Capacity, Nicotine Strength |
Blu 2.0: 1.9ml pods, 18 mg/ml Blu Pro: 9 mg/ml and 18 mg/ml (0.8% and 1.6%). Blu Bar: 20 mg/ml |
RELX Infinity, Infinity 2, and Infinity Plus: 1.9 ml RELX Pod and Pod Pro: 18 mg/ml RELX MagicGo GA600: 2 ml (1.55%/3%/5%) RELX MagicGo GA2500 and GA3500: 6 ml (1.55%/3%/5%) RELX MagicGo Plus DM6000: 12 ml (1.55%/3%/5%) Disposable Vape RELX Bar: 2 ml, 19mg/ml |
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Number of Puffs per Pod |
Blu 2.0: 262 puffs per charge Blu Bar: 600 puffs Blu Pro: 600 puffs |
RELX MagicGo GA600 and MagicGo Plus SA600: Up to 600 RELX MagicGo GA2500: Up to 2500 RELX MagicGo GA3500: Up to 3500 RELX MagicGo Plus DM6000: Up to 6000 Disposable Vape RELX Bar: Up to 600 |
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Charging Time |
Blu 2.0, Blu Bar: 1 hour Blu Pro: 2 hours |
RELX Essential: 40 mins approx. RELX Infinity and Infinity Plus: 45 mins |
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Safety Features |
Blu 2.0 has a magnetic pod retention system that secures the pods in place while you use it. This eliminates the risk of unintended pod detachment. Blue Pro has a 10-second cut-off protection, overcharge protection |
Designed with a child-resistant mechanism, RELX Infinity 2 has SmartPace vibration alert system, auto-shutdown feature, short circuit protection, low voltage protection, and overcharge protection. |
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Device and Pod Cost |
Blue 2.0: £9.99 (UK) Blu Pro kit: £17.99 (UK) Blu Bar 600: £3.99 (UK) Blu Bar 1000: £5.99 (UK) Pods: £3.99 - £6.99 (UK), $9.99 (2-pack) |
RELX Essential: $14.90 RELX Infinity and Infinity 2: $29.90 RELX Infinity Plus: $29.99 RELX Artisan: $46.90 RELX Pod Pro: $11.40 RELX Pod: $10.29 RELX MagicGo GA600: $6.89 Disposable Vape RELX Bar: $6.99 |
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Customer Support and Warranty |
1 year |
Pod: 18 months from the date of manufacture. Device: 12 months from the date of original retail purchase. |
Now let’s compare these brands in detail:
1. Design and Aesthetics
Blu's design is sleek, minimalistic, and compact. The Blu 2.0 comes with a satin and gloss finish and has a PowerTap feature for checking your battery on the go. It has a closed pod system, rapid recharging, and uses PURLAVA™ heating technology with ceramic wicks. This prolongs the life of the coil, ensuring all of the e-liquid in each pod is vaporized before the coil expires. Each Blu device has unique configurations that contribute to their vapor output. For example, the Blu Pro is designed for a more direct-to-lung vaping style, which typically produces more vapor compared to the more discreet, mouth-to-lung style of the Blu 2.0 and Blu Bar disposables.
RELX devices flaunt a sleek, minimalist design, and are available in chic color options, such as robin blue, indigo denim, bright mandarin, and more. They’re lightweight and compact with an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
2. Performance and Battery Life
The Blu 2.0 and Blu Bar, both with 400mAh batteries, provide adequate power for light to moderate users. But, they need to be recharged frequently and may fall short for heavy vapers. The Blu Pro, with its 1100mAh battery, stands out for longer-lasting performance, catering well to more demanding users. However, across the board, Blu's battery life can be a limiting factor, especially when compared to competitors offering higher capacity options for extended use.
RELX devices cater to different user needs — from RELX Classic's 350 mAh battery, offering a good balance of size to performance to RELX MagicGo GA3500 with a 1000 mAh battery, designed for extended use. RELX Infinity 2 stands out with a 440 mAh battery and an ultra-fast charging feature – reaching 80% battery in 15 minutes.
3. Longevity
Blu vapes' longevity varies, with the Blu 2.0 offering 262 puffs per charge, falling short for heavy users. Meanwhile, Blu Bar and Blu Pro provide a more robust 600 puffs, catering better to frequent vapers. This range indicates a moderate lifespan, positioning Blu as a practical option for daily vaping needs.
RELX is a fine choice for someone looking for a high puff count per pod. RELX Infinity series offers a robust battery life tailored to heavy use and the RELX MagicGo line provides puff counts up to 6000. So there's a good-quality, economically viable option for every user.
4. Flavor Selection and Nicotine Options
Blu vapes' flavor selection ranges from classic Tobacco and Menthol to more exotic ones like Pina Colada and Java in Blu 2.0. Blu Bar flavors lean into fruit-based flavors like Banana Ice and Peach Ice, appealing to users who favor sweet, refreshing tastes. The Blu Bar variety pack allows you to try multiple flavors before committing to a single one.
RELX offers a wide range of over 30 flavors, including passion fruit, lychee ice, lemon zest, orchard rounds, and more.
5. Vaping Experience
Blu vapes are generally known for moderate vapor production and a discreet and satisfying experience. The vapor output is sufficient for casual vaping, providing a smooth and consistent draw. The throat hit from Blu vapes is notably satisfying, especially for former smokers or users who prefer a stronger sensation reminiscent of traditional cigarettes. This is achieved through their nicotine formulation and the device's design, which ensures a sharp, clear hit at higher nicotine strengths, such as the 20 mg/ml offered in Blu Bars.
All RELX devices are designed with the brand’s independently-developed Super Smooth™ Performance technology. They are equipped with either ceramic or cotton atomizers, which vaporize the e-liquid at the right temperature to unlock the full-bodied flavor.
6. Health and Safety Concerns
Blu has been in the hot seat for health concerns, especially with its high nicotine content leading to worries about addiction and cardiovascular impact. There's also the buzz about exposure to harmful substances like benzoic acid in their pods, though they're generally considered less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
Like most vaping products, RELX isn’t free from risks of nicotine and other harmful chemicals like glycerol, propylene glycol, flavorings, and nicotine salt. However, the brand does offer nicotine-free vapes for a safer experience.
7. Regulatory Compliance and Legal Issues
The FDA’s marketing denial orders (Feb 2024) against some flavored Blu vapes, including menthol are mainly due to insufficient evidence on their public health impact. Concerns highlighted include the lack of data on harmful ingredients in the aerosol and battery safety issues.
RELX hasn’t faced any serious legal trouble in the US in the past.
Note: Consumers must also verify adherence to the latest local laws prior to any purchase of devices from these brands.
8. Nicotine Content Potential
Blu vapes offer nicotine levels that vary across their product range, including 18 mg/ml for their pods and up to 20 mg/ml for Blu Bar disposables, providing a potent nicotine delivery that can satisfy cravings effectively. However, these higher nicotine concentrations also raise considerations for addiction potential.
RELX pods are packed with varying nicotine strengths at 5% (50mg/ml), 3% (30mg/ml), 1.8% (30mg/ml), and 0% giving you the flexibility to tailor your vaping experience based on your nicotine preference. Vapers may also opt for nicotine-free options to enjoy the sensation of vaping without the harmful effects of nicotine.
9. Compatibility with Other Products
Blu vapes' proprietary design restricts cross-compatibility with third-party options. This exclusivity ensures a consistent experience but narrows customization options.
RELX doesn’t offer any pairing options with third-party pods and accessories.
10. Availability and Accessibility
Blu vapes are widely available in both the US and UK in online and retail stores. Availability in other regions may vary due to local regulations and market presence.
RELX products can be bought in retail stores (in the US), online stores (in countries like the UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, and more), and on their website. However, there may be limitations on getting products delivered in certain areas, depending upon their local regulations related to tobacco and nicotine products.
11. Cost vs. Quality
Blu vapes offer a competitive price range, from the affordable Blu Bar disposables at £3.99 to £5.99 in the UK, to the more comprehensive Blu Pro kit at £17.99. This offers a good cost-to-quality ratio, with an affordable and reliable vaping experience despite limitations like restricted third-party compatibility and variable vapor production. Their wide flavor range and user-friendly design make them an attractive option, though higher nicotine levels may deter those seeking lower intake.
RELX Pods are available at $10.29 for a 2-pack, while the Pro version is priced at $11.40 for the same quantity. Both options offer a wide flavor variety, but RELX Pods Pro gives a better vaping experience with its Super Smooth™ Performance technology. In general, the brand offers a satisfying vaping experience at an affordable price.
Pros and Cons of Blu and RELX
To summarize, here are the benefits and drawbacks of both these brands:
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Pros of Blu |
Cons of Blu |
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Pros of RELX |
Cons of RELX |
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In short, both Blu and RELX stand out in the vaping market with their unique strengths and offerings.
Blu finds itself navigating through some regulatory hurdles, unlike RELX.
Now, if you’re on the lookout for a nicotine-free alternative without compromising on the vaping experience, we’ll tell you what’s best.
Cyclone Pods: The Safest, High-Quality, Nicotine-Free Alternative
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Our innovative products include the Surge and Thunder rechargeable vapes, and the Gust Super disposable range. Pick from our stunning range of:
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- Classic vapes, such as mint vapes and menthol vapes
- Exotic flavor blends
We use only high-quality flavorings, vegetable glycerin, and propylene glycol in our vape juice giving you big clouds and the purest of flavors. There’s absolutely no vitamin E acetate, diacetyl, or any other addictive substances, including nicotine.
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