IQOS Devices: ILUMA vs BONDS Compared
The IQOS name now covers two separate systems: ILUMA with induction heating and TEREA sticks, and BONDS with ROUNDHEAT and BLENDS sticks — full comparison and a compatibility table.
Device comparison · 2026
IQOS Devices: ILUMA vs BONDS Compared
One brand name, two different systems: ILUMA heats by induction and takes TEREA sticks, while BONDS heats the stick from the outside and takes BLENDS sticks. Here is the difference, with a compatibility table.
What is the core difference between ILUMA and BONDS?
Short answer
The difference is the heating system and the stick each device accepts. ILUMA devices run on SMARTCORE INDUCTION and work exclusively with TEREA sticks, while BONDS runs on the ROUNDHEAT system that heats the stick from the outside and works exclusively with BLENDS sticks. The sticks are not interchangeable.
IQOS is often taken for one device in different shapes. In reality the name covers two separate families, each with its own stick and its own way of heating tobacco — so the decision starts with the system, not the flavour.
In this article
Quick comparison table
| Item | ILUMA family | IQOS BONDS |
|---|---|---|
| Heating system | SMARTCORE INDUCTION — induction heating | ROUNDHEAT TOBACCO SYSTEM™ — external heating around the stick |
| Internal heating blade | No — induction based | No — heated from the outside |
| Compatible sticks | TEREA sticks only | BLENDS sticks only |
| Models | ILUMA · ILUMA PRIME · ILUMA ONE · ILUMA i · ILUMA i PRIME · ILUMA i ONE | One model in three colours: Slate Grey · Ruby Red · Ocean Blue |
| Session length | — | About 5 minutes per stick |
| Uses per full charge | — | Up to 25 uses |
| Charging port | — | USB Type-C |
| Routine cleaning | — | No routine cleaning required |
| Ash | No ash — heating instead of burning | No ash — heating instead of burning |
On the table: an em dash means IQOS publishes no single figure covering all six ILUMA models, and we do not estimate unannounced numbers.
ILUMA: induction heating and TEREA sticks
ILUMA is the generation that moved IQOS from blade heating to induction heating. The system, SMARTCORE INDUCTION, is built for TEREA sticks, classified as SMARTCORE STICKS: the heat comes from an element inside the stick itself, not from a blade pushed into the tobacco.
Models in the ILUMA family
The list published on TEREA products reads: ILUMA · ILUMA PRIME · ILUMA ONE · ILUMA i · ILUMA i PRIME · ILUMA i ONE. All six share one system, so any TEREA stick works with any of them.
What does not work with ILUMA
- BLENDS sticks: made exclusively for IQOS BONDS, not compatible with any ILUMA model.
- IQOS ORIGINALS blade devices (IQOS 3 · 3 DUO · 3 MULTI · 2.4 · 2.4+): TEREA is not compatible with them, because they heat with a blade rather than by induction.
TEREA sticks: packaging and range
A pack holds 20 sticks and a carton 10 packs, for 200 per carton. TEREA is our widest range at 12 variants — classic tobacco (Silver, Bronze, Amber, Sienna, Teak, Russet, Rigan) plus menthol and refreshing options (Turquoise, Yellow, Purple Wave, Sun Pearl, Oasis Pearl). Detail is in the compatible TEREA flavours guide.
! Check availability first
Our range shifts with stock. We carry the BONDS device with TEREA and BLENDS sticks; ILUMA devices themselves are not listed. See the IQOS devices section for the live picture.
ILUMA ONE: what sets it apart?
ILUMA ONE is one of the six models above, and on compatibility — the part that matters in practice — nothing separates it from the rest: same SMARTCORE INDUCTION, same TEREA sticks, same exclusion of BLENDS and blade devices. The rest is design, battery and charging format, and IQOS publishes no per-model sheet we could rely on.
“ILUMA Yellow”: clearing up a mix-up
Searches like “IQOS ILUMA Yellow” join a device name to a flavour name. They mean TEREA Yellow used with an ILUMA device — officially “Mild & Zesty”, light tobacco with a citrus touch and no menthol — not a device model.
BONDS: the ROUNDHEAT system and BLENDS sticks
BONDS by IQOS is neither a smaller ILUMA nor an older generation of it. Instead of induction it uses the ROUNDHEAT TOBACCO SYSTEM™: external resistive heating surrounding the stick, with no internal blade. Per the product page: tobacco heated without burning, no ash, no routine cleaning.
Published BONDS specifications
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Heating system | ROUNDHEAT TOBACCO SYSTEM™ — external heating around the stick |
| Uses per full charge | Up to 25 uses |
| Consecutive uses | Up to 3 in a row |
| Cool-down after those | About 4 minutes |
| Full charge time | About 3 hours |
| Charging port | USB Type-C |
| Power management | FlexBattery |
| Session length | About 5 minutes per stick |
| Design and material | All-in-One build, aluminium body, pocket sized |
| Colours | Slate Grey · Ruby Red · Ocean Blue |
| Sticks | BLENDS sticks only |
Operating features
- Autostart: heating begins automatically once the stick is inserted.
- Pause Mode: pause a session and resume it.
- FlexPuff: follows the usage pattern and adjusts the session automatically.
- Alerts: light indicators for status and remaining time, plus a vibration alert.
Use and first charging are covered in the BONDS explainer.
The four BLENDS sticks
All four share one packaging — 20 sticks per pack, 10 packs per carton, 200 in total. Gold is rich roasted tobacco, warm and full, the highest intensity in the classic range; Silver is light and smooth, the lowest; Beige sits between them with a creamy touch; Green Menthol adds medium-to-high mint coolness.
Stick compatibility by device
This is the table that prevents the most common buying mistake:
| Stick | Works with | Does not work with |
|---|---|---|
| TEREA sticks | ILUMA · ILUMA PRIME · ILUMA ONE · ILUMA i · ILUMA i PRIME · ILUMA i ONE | IQOS BONDS · IQOS ORIGINALS blade devices (IQOS 3 · 3 DUO · 3 MULTI · 2.4 · 2.4+) |
| BLENDS sticks | IQOS BONDS only | All IQOS ILUMA models · earlier IQOS generations |
! The rule that never bends
The stick follows the heating system, not the shape of the device. Never force a stick into a device that is not on its compatibility list, even if it seems to fit.
Which one should you pick?
You want one compact device with no maintenance
BONDS: all-in-one aluminium body, pocket sized, no routine cleaning, a USB Type-C charge of about 3 hours giving up to 25 uses.
You want the widest flavour range
ILUMA is broader — 12 TEREA variants in our catalogue against four BLENDS options.
You use several sessions back to back
BONDS allows up to 3 consecutive uses, then a cool-down of about 4 minutes.
You own an older IQOS blade device
Neither TEREA nor BLENDS works with IQOS ORIGINALS, so switching means changing device and stick together. The overview is in the IQOS and heated tobacco guide, and our range sits under the IQOS brand page.
FAQ
Do TEREA sticks work with BONDS?
No. TEREA works exclusively with IQOS ILUMA devices using SMARTCORE INDUCTION; BONDS uses different sticks and a different heating system.
Do BLENDS sticks work with ILUMA?
No. BLENDS is made exclusively for IQOS BONDS and is not compatible with ILUMA devices or earlier IQOS generations.
How many uses does BONDS give per charge?
Up to 25 uses on a full charge, and up to 3 consecutive uses followed by a cool-down of about 4 minutes. Charging takes about 3 hours over USB Type-C.
What does “IQOS ILUMA Yellow” mean?
It means TEREA Yellow used with an ILUMA device — “Mild & Zesty”, light tobacco with a citrus touch and no menthol. There is no device model called Yellow.
I own an older IQOS blade device — which stick fits it?
Neither TEREA nor BLENDS. Both are incompatible with IQOS ORIGINALS blade devices (IQOS 3 · 3 DUO · 3 MULTI · 2.4 · 2.4+).
Which IQOS devices does GSVAPING carry?
Currently the IQOS BONDS device with TEREA and BLENDS sticks. ILUMA devices are not listed, and the range changes with stock — see the IQOS devices section or ask your nearest branch.
Choose the system first
See what we carry today across IQOS devices and matching sticks, then contact your nearest branch to check availability.
Read next
Sources: the specifications and compatibility lists above come from our own product pages and the printed packs. Figures the manufacturer has not published are neither quoted nor estimated.
