{"id":2954,"date":"2026-09-04T19:24:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T16:24:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gsvaping.com\/iqos-devices-comparison-2\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T19:35:11","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T16:35:11","slug":"iqos-devices-comparison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gsvaping.com\/en\/iqos-devices-comparison\/","title":{"rendered":"IQOS Devices: ILUMA vs BONDS Compared"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Device comparison \u00b7 2026<\/span><\/p>\n

IQOS Devices: ILUMA vs BONDS Compared<\/h1>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n \u23f1 5 min read<\/b><\/span>
\n \ud83d\udccd Kuwait<\/b><\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

What is the core difference between ILUMA and BONDS?<\/h2>\n
\n Short answer<\/span><\/p>\n

The difference is the heating system and the stick each device accepts.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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 \u2014 so the decision starts with the system, not the flavour.<\/p>\n

\n In this article<\/span><\/p>\n
    \n
  1. The core difference<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Quick comparison table<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. ILUMA: induction heating and TEREA<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. ILUMA ONE<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. BONDS: ROUNDHEAT and BLENDS<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Stick compatibility by device<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. Which one should you pick?<\/a><\/li>\n
  8. FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

    Quick comparison table<\/h2>\n
    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Item<\/th>\nILUMA family<\/th>\nIQOS BONDS<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Heating system<\/th>\nSMARTCORE INDUCTION \u2014 induction heating<\/td>\nROUNDHEAT TOBACCO SYSTEM\u2122 \u2014 external heating around the stick<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Internal heating blade<\/th>\nNo \u2014 induction based<\/td>\nNo \u2014 heated from the outside<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Compatible sticks<\/th>\nTEREA sticks only<\/td>\nBLENDS sticks only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Models<\/th>\nILUMA \u00b7 ILUMA PRIME \u00b7 ILUMA ONE \u00b7 ILUMA i \u00b7 ILUMA i PRIME \u00b7 ILUMA i ONE<\/td>\nOne model in three colours: Slate Grey \u00b7 Ruby Red \u00b7 Ocean Blue<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Session length<\/th>\n\u2014<\/td>\nAbout 5 minutes per stick<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Uses per full charge<\/th>\n\u2014<\/td>\nUp to 25 uses<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Charging port<\/th>\n\u2014<\/td>\nUSB Type-C<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Routine cleaning<\/th>\n\u2014<\/td>\nNo routine cleaning required<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Ash<\/th>\nNo ash \u2014 heating instead of burning<\/td>\nNo ash \u2014 heating instead of burning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

    On the table:<\/strong> an em dash means IQOS publishes no single figure covering all six ILUMA models, and we do not estimate unannounced numbers.<\/p>\n

    ILUMA: induction heating and TEREA sticks<\/h2>\n

    ILUMA is the generation that moved IQOS from blade heating to induction heating<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n

    Models in the ILUMA family<\/h3>\n

    The list published on TEREA products reads: ILUMA \u00b7 ILUMA PRIME \u00b7 ILUMA ONE \u00b7 ILUMA i \u00b7 ILUMA i PRIME \u00b7 ILUMA i ONE. All six share one system, so any TEREA stick works with any of them.<\/p>\n

    What does not work with ILUMA<\/h3>\n