Who this guide is for
If you are a current smoker or existing vaper in the UAE trying to choose between RELX and JUUL, the options can feel confusing fast. Both use nicotine-salt pods, both are slim and discreet, yet they serve slightly different users and come with different running costs. This guide breaks down exactly what each system does, what it costs per week in AED, and how quickly you can get either delivered across Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi.
Neither brand is a miracle product and both carry trade-offs worth knowing before you spend money. Read this before you order anything.
How each system works
RELX: rechargeable device with a wide pod range
RELX devices are slim, rechargeable pen-style vapes that charge via USB-C or magnetic cable depending on the generation. The pods are closed, pre-filled with nicotine-salt e-liquid and click firmly into the top of the device. RELX has invested heavily in its pod lineup, offering a broad flavour catalogue that includes fruit blends, mint varieties, tobacco, and mixed options. The device itself is usually bought once and pods are replaced as they run out, typically every two to four days for a moderate user.
The RELX system draws automatically, meaning there is no button to press. Airflow is smooth and consistent, which most users describe as closer to a cigarette pull than many other pod devices. Build quality is solid across the current generation, and the devices are available in several colour options. Running costs depend entirely on how often you vape, but pod consumption is measurable and fairly predictable once you settle into a routine.
JUUL and JUUL 2: simplicity and nicotine focus
JUUL operates on a very similar closed-pod principle. The original JUUL device is a flat, USB-stick-shaped rechargeable that uses magnetically attached pods. JUUL 2 is the updated version with a slightly longer battery life, improved leak resistance and a redesigned pod connection. Flavour options in the UAE are more limited than RELX, concentrated mainly on tobacco and menthol, which suits users who want a straightforward cigarette-like transition rather than a fruit or dessert experience.
JUUL pods are known for delivering a strong, fast nicotine hit, particularly at the 18mg nicotine-salt strength available in the UAE market. For heavy smokers making a switch, that directness is often appreciated. The device itself is genuinely pocketable and almost invisible in the hand, which matters to users who value discretion in public or shared spaces.
Comparing the two side by side
Flavour range and satisfaction
RELX wins on flavour variety by a significant margin. If variety matters to you, or if you find tobacco profiles uninspiring, the RELX catalogue gives you real options. JUUL suits users who do not want to think about flavour choice at all and simply want a clean, reliable nicotine experience in a familiar style. Neither is objectively better; it comes down to what you actually want from the experience.
Cost per day and per week in AED
Prices shift with promotions and quantity orders, but as a rough guide: RELX pods typically retail between AED 35 and AED 55 each, lasting a moderate user about two to three days. That puts weekly spend somewhere between AED 80 and AED 140 depending on usage. JUUL pods are sold in packs of two or four, with a twin pack running roughly AED 55 to AED 70. A moderate JUUL user might finish a twin pack every three to four days, so weekly spend lands in a similar AED 90 to AED 130 range. Heavy users on either platform will spend more; light users will stretch pods further. Device costs are broadly comparable, usually AED 90 to AED 150 for a starter kit on either brand.
Convenience and discretion
Both devices are genuinely discreet. The vapour from nicotine-salt pods dissipates quickly compared to high-powered open systems, and neither device produces a large visible cloud under normal use. JUUL has a slight edge on physical size for pocket carry. RELX devices are marginally larger but still slim enough for any pocket. Pod replacement on both is a simple click-in process that takes seconds. Neither requires coil changes, cotton wicking or liquid refilling, which is the main reason closed-pod systems appeal to people moving away from cigarettes.
Smell and residue
Nicotine-salt pods from both brands produce very little lingering smell compared to combustible cigarettes or open-tank vapes using high-VG liquids. Fruit pods from RELX do leave a faint sweet scent that some users enjoy and others find noticeable in enclosed spaces. Tobacco and menthol pods from JUUL leave almost no identifiable scent. Neither leaves ash, tar residue or the heavy fabric-staining smell associated with cigarettes.
UAE availability and legality
Vaping products in the UAE are regulated under Federal Law, and nicotine e-cigarette products including RELX and JUUL are legally sold to adults aged 18 and above through licensed retailers and online platforms. The products are subject to excise tax, which is factored into retail prices. Buying from unlicensed or grey-market sources carries legal and quality risks; sticking to established UAE-based retailers is the straightforward approach. Both RELX and JUUL products are available through specialist vape shops and delivery services across all seven emirates, though stock depth varies by location and season.
If you are in Dubai and want genuine RELX products delivered quickly without uncertainty about authenticity, ordering through a dedicated local platform is the most reliable route. Relx Dubai is a UAE-based retailer focused specifically on RELX devices and pods, with full stock of current-generation devices across available flavour and strength options. Ordering through a specialist like this means you get products sourced for the UAE market, not re-routed grey imports, and the platform handles delivery logistics directly rather than through a third-party courier chain that adds delay and uncertainty.
JUUL 2 pods: what to know before you buy
JUUL 2 is the version worth considering if you are buying new rather than upgrading an existing device. The pods are not cross-compatible with the original JUUL device, so it matters which generation you buy. The improved seal on JUUL 2 pods reduces the occasional leaking that some users experienced with the original format, and the battery lasts meaningfully longer between charges. For anyone new to JUUL in the UAE, starting with JUUL 2 rather than the older platform makes practical sense. You can browse and order current stock of Juul 2 pods through PodsXpress, a UAE delivery specialist that carries both tobacco and menthol options and ships across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi with fast turnaround times. Checking availability before you commit to a device generation avoids the frustration of buying a device and then finding the matching pods are out of stock locally.
Who each brand suits
Choose RELX if
- You want variety across fruit, mint and mixed flavours
- You prefer a slightly longer draw and smooth airflow
- You vape frequently enough to value a reliable device ecosystem with wide pod availability
- Aesthetics and colour choice matter to you
Choose JUUL or JUUL 2 if
- You are transitioning directly from cigarettes and want tobacco or menthol only
- You value the smallest possible physical footprint
- You want the quickest, most direct nicotine delivery from a pod device
- Simplicity and minimal decision-making matter more than variety
Common first-time mistakes to avoid
Buying the wrong generation of device is the most frequent error. RELX pods are generation-specific, meaning RELX Infinity pods do not fit RELX Essential devices and vice versa. Always check that the pods you order match your device model. With JUUL, the same applies between JUUL and JUUL 2. Ordering a four-pack of pods without confirming compatibility first wastes money and time.
The second common mistake is underestimating pod consumption. New users often assume a pod will last longer than it does, particularly if they are replacing a heavy cigarette habit. Factor actual usage into your weekly budget rather than relying on manufacturer estimates, which tend to assume moderate usage patterns.
Third, buying from unverified social media sellers in the UAE to save AED 10 on a pod pack is rarely worth it. Counterfeit pods exist in the market and are difficult to identify from packaging alone. Use retailers with a clear UAE address, payment on delivery options and a verifiable track record.
Fast delivery across Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi
One of the practical advantages of ordering pods online in the UAE rather than searching physical shops is speed. Multiple specialist retailers now offer same-day delivery within Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman, with some offering one-hour windows for orders placed before early afternoon. Abu Dhabi is typically served by scheduled next-day delivery rather than same-hour slots, though this varies by retailer. Cash on delivery and card payment are both widely accepted, and several platforms offer 24/7 WhatsApp support for order queries, which is genuinely useful if you need to clarify stock or change a delivery address.
Logistics across Dubai have become genuinely fast in recent years, partly driven by on-demand delivery infrastructure that now covers most residential and commercial areas. For anyone curious about how delivery networks operate across the city, a comparison of the main ride and courier platforms is worth reading. The piece on getting around Dubai for same-day delivery gives useful context on how the underlying city logistics work, which helps explain why one-hour pod delivery is a realistic promise rather than a marketing claim in most Dubai zones.
Balanced verdict
RELX and JUUL are both solid closed-pod systems that work well for UAE adults who want a simpler alternative to cigarettes or open-tank vaping. RELX offers more flavour choice, a broad device range and strong local availability through specialist retailers. JUUL 2 offers exceptional simplicity, a familiar nicotine experience in tobacco and menthol, and a device that is genuinely pocket-sized. Neither is a clear overall winner because they are aimed at slightly different preferences. Your choice should come down to flavour priorities, budget planning and which local retailer has reliable stock of pods for your chosen device generation.
Order from a verified UAE retailer, confirm device-pod compatibility before you buy, and use same-day delivery to your advantage rather than over-stocking pods you might not finish.
Frequently asked questions
Are RELX and JUUL pods legal to buy in the UAE?
Yes. Both are legally sold to adults aged 18 and above through licensed retailers in the UAE. Excise tax applies and is included in standard retail prices from reputable sellers.
Can I use JUUL pods in a RELX device or vice versa?
No. Pods are brand and generation specific. RELX pods only fit compatible RELX devices, and JUUL pods only fit JUUL devices. JUUL 2 pods are not compatible with original JUUL devices.
How fast is delivery to Abu Dhabi compared to Dubai?
Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman typically have same-day or one-hour delivery options through specialist vape retailers. Abu Dhabi is usually served by scheduled delivery, often next-day, though specific retailers vary on this.
What is the cheapest way to manage pod costs week to week?
Buying pods in multi-packs rather than singles usually reduces the per-pod cost. Tracking your actual daily usage for one week gives a reliable baseline for budgeting, which is more accurate than relying on manufacturer estimates.
