Below is a clear, practical comparison of RELX and JUUL across history, hardware, cartridges/pods, nicotine delivery, flavoring, battery/charging, user experience, safety/quality, price & availability, and who each product tends to suit best. I’ve avoided linking or citing any websites, and this is a synthesis of commonly reported features and user-experience differences up through my knowledge cutoff. Treat brand details that might have changed (new models, regulations, country availability) as potentially updated since then.
Quick summary
JUUL Dubai is the brand that brought pod-style vaping to widespread attention, especially in the U.S.—simple, compact, and optimized for a cigarette-like mouth-to-lung (MTL) hit. RELX is a later entrant that focused on design, customizable pod tech, and an ecosystem approach, popular in many international markets. Both use nicotine salts in pods for smoother high-strength nicotine delivery, but they target slightly different priorities: JUUL emphasizes extreme simplicity and a very cigarette-like draw; RELX emphasizes design refinements, pod variety, and incremental device improvements.
Brand background & positioning
JUUL Labs dominated early pod-vape conversation by making a product intentionally minimal: tiny USB-charged device + prefilled nicotine pods. It attracted rapid uptake among adult smokers looking for a discreet alternative — and also drew intense regulatory scrutiny and controversy. RELX entered as one of the newer pod-system companies focused on product design, flavor engineering, and often broader regional availability. RELX tends to present itself as a “device + pod” ecosystem, with multiple device generations and pod options.
Device design & build
JUUL’s hardware is iconic for its size and simplicity: a thin, credit-card-sized stick with a magnetic pod that clicks in. There’s typically a single LED indicator and USB charger. The ergonomics aim to mimic a cigarette in hand and draw.
RELX devices come in a wider range of shapes and finishes (rounded edges, color gradients, textured bodies). RELX devices often feature visible airflow slots, slightly larger batteries than early JUUL models, and visual indicators for pod fill or battery. RELX also released multiple generations to improve coil life, anti-leak features, and fast charging.
If you prefer ultra-minimal one-button-less designs and the smallest footprint, JUUL historically wins. If you want a more substantial feel, color options, and visible design flair, RELX tends to offer more variety.
Pods / Cartridges and coil tech
Both brands use prefilled pods containing nicotine salts. JUUL’s pods historically had a fixed resistance coil and a narrow-mouthpiece optimized for MTL draws. JUUL pods are compact and simple: click, draw, dispose.
RELX pods have been marketed with different pod formulations (varying e-liquid viscosities and nicotine levels) and sometimes different coil or wicking structures to reduce dry hits and leakage. RELX has put emphasis on anti-leak designs and visible pod capacity in some models.
In short: JUUL pods are famously simple and consistent; RELX pods prioritize slightly more engineering (fill-window, anti-leak measures, different pod types).
Nicotine delivery & flavor
Both rely on nicotine salts, which allow higher nicotine concentrations with smoother throat hit compared to freebase nicotine. That means both produce a nicotine effect close to cigarettes for many users while being easier to inhale.
Flavor-wise, JUUL’s flavor range was initially limited (tobacco, menthol, some fruit/sweet flavors) especially after regulatory pushback in some markets. RELX historically offered a wider palette of flavor profiles internationally, and tended to emphasize flavor variety and refinement.
If nicotine strength and a cigarette-like throat hit are your priority, both perform; if flavor breadth is important, RELX usually offers more variety (again, subject to local regulations).
Battery life & charging
JUUL’s device battery is small by modern vape standards; it’s designed for portability and short recharges via USB dock. A full battery might give a day’s moderate use for some people, but heavy users needed more frequent charging or spare devices.
RELX devices—especially later models—tend to have larger batteries and faster charging options (some models support USB-C). That means marginally longer runtime between charges for RELX in many comparisons.
If you want the smallest possible device and don’t mind charging often, JUUL is fine. If longer battery life and faster charging matter, RELX commonly has the edge.
Leak, maintenance, and durability
Pod systems are lower maintenance than tanks, but leaks and pod failures happen. JUUL’s tight engineering made pods generally reliable, though any pod-based system can experience occasional leaking or gurgling.
RELX made deliberate improvements to anti-leak designs and pod seals. User reports often indicate RELX pods can be less prone to leaks, depending on the generation. Device durability depends on build quality and user handling; both brands produce robust-enough devices if treated reasonably.
User experience & customization
JUUL: extremely simple. No buttons, minimal indicators, swap pod, draw. Great for users who want a “smoking alternative” with no learning curve.
RELX: simple but offers more device models and pod choices, which gives users options to optimize throat hit, flavors, and battery. RELX’s ecosystem approach means users can choose a device for style or battery, and a pod for flavor strength.
If you want plug-and-play with no choices, JUUL is slightly more frictionless. If you like small customization (different pod flavor options, devices with different looks), RELX is better.
Safety, quality control & regulations
Both companies have faced regulatory pressure in various markets. JUUL, in particular, had high-profile legal and regulatory scrutiny related to marketing and youth uptake. RELX also navigates strict regulations in many countries.
From a manufacturing perspective, both follow standard industry practices for device safety, battery protection, and child-resistant pod packaging in regions where that’s required. However, the regulatory environment and available flavors can vary drastically by country—what’s sold in one market may be restricted in another. Always obey local laws and purchase through authorized channels to reduce counterfeit risk.
Price & availability
Prices depend heavily on region, taxes, and retail channels. JUUL historically positioned itself at a mid-to-premium price point for both device and pods. RELX often competes on a similar price band but may have more promotional pricing and bundle options because of broader device choices.
Availability also depends on where you live: one brand may be widely distributed in your market while the other is limited or unavailable.
Who each is best for
- Choose JUUL if: you want the simplest, smallest pod device with a cigarette-like draw and minimal fuss; you prefer an ultra-discreet form factor and are happy with a limited device and flavor range.
- Choose RELX if: you want a pod ecosystem with more device styles, better battery life options, more flavor choices, and engineering aimed at reducing leaks and improving pod life.
Pros & cons (short)
JUUL
- Ultra-simple, highly portable, cigarette-like draw.
- Consistent nicotine delivery.
− Smaller battery, limited flavors/options, heavy regulatory scrutiny in some markets.
RELX
- Broader device designs, better battery options, more flavor variety, pod engineering focused on anti-leak.
- Slightly more customization for style/performance.
− Still a closed pod system (less moddable), availability varies by market.
Final thoughts
Both RELX and JUUL deliver the core promise of modern pod systems: convenient, relatively discreet nicotine delivery via nicotine salts. JUUL won the early market through minimalism and an extremely cigarette-like experience. RELX refined the formula with more device choices, pod engineering, and a greater emphasis on battery and flavor variety.
If you value absolute simplicity and the smallest footprint, JUUL remains appealing. If you want slightly more flexibility, longer battery life, and more pod variety without jumping to refillable tanks or complex mods, RELX is likely the better fit. Whichever you consider, buy from authorized sellers, follow local regulations, and be mindful that nicotine consumption carries addiction and health risks.
