As a purchasing manager, you see "ice" flavors everywhere. On one hand, you have disposables like our RAZ Frozen Edition, and on the other, premium pod systems like Polar Ice. You’re trying to figure out how they fit into your inventory. Are they for the same customer? You’re worried that stocking a disposable ice vape is just offering a "cheaper" version of a premium pod experience, potentially confusing your customers and weakening your brand’s position in the market.
RAZ Frozen Edition and Polar Ice Pods don’t stack up as direct flavor competitors; they represent two entirely different engineering philosophies. The RAZ Frozen Edition is a closed, holistic disposable vape, precision-tuned for a perfectly consistent, hassle-free cooling experience from the first puff to the last. Polar Ice Pods offer "premium" through customization, allowing the user to adjust power and temperature to control the cooling sensation. The choice depends on the target consumer: one who values perfected simplicity or one who wants adaptable control.
From my manufacturing perspective, comparing a disposable like the RAZ Frozen Edition to a pod system like Polar Ice isn’t a flavor-to-flavor battle. It’s a clash of engineering. A disposable is a closed, holistic system. The cooling agent, fruit concentrate, and coil are all precision-tuned to a fixed wattage to give a consistent experience across the entire puff count. Our challenge is to maintain that perfect balance without the cooling agent degrading the fruit notes over thousands of puffs. On the other hand, a premium pod system gives control to the user, offering adjustable settings. The "premium" feeling of pods comes from this customization—the user can fine-tune the "coldness" themselves. The disposable’s success is in its perfected, unchangeable design, while the pod’s value is its adaptability.
Are cooling/ice-flavoured vapes still growing in popularity in 2025’s market?
You’ve been seeing "ice" and "menthol" flavors for years, and you’re starting to wonder if the trend has peaked. Every brand seems to have an ice line, and market saturation is a real concern. You’re hesitant to invest heavily in another frozen line if consumer interest is about to decline. You need to know if this category still has room for growth or if you should be looking for the next big thing instead.
Yes, the cooling flavor market is not only still growing in 2025, but it is also maturing and evolving. The growth is shifting away from harsh, straight menthol profiles and into the much larger "fruit + ice" category. Consumers are looking for the refreshing sensation of cold without the overpowering minty taste. This more nuanced approach appeals to a broader audience and signals a long-term preference for crisp, clean-tasting flavors, ensuring the category’s continued relevance and expansion.
We’ve watched this evolution very closely in our own factory. The demand hasn’t slowed down, it has just changed its focus.
The Shift from Menthol to "Ice"
Originally, cooling flavors were all about replicating the menthol cigarette experience. This was a niche market for former menthol smokers. The introduction of synthetic cooling agents like Koolada, which provide a cooling sensation without a minty taste, changed everything. This allowed us to create "ice" versions of any fruit flavor, opening the category up to everyone.
Market Data Shows Consistent Growth
Despite saturation fears, the data shows that "cooling" remains a top-three flavor attribute globally. Instead of shrinking, the category is capturing more market share from less popular profiles like desserts and tobaccos. The "ice" suffix has become a marker of a refreshing experience, which has near-universal appeal, especially in warmer climates and during summer months.
"Fruit + Ice" is the New Standard
Today’s growth is almost entirely within the "fruit + ice" sub-genre. A plain "Strawberry" can feel too sweet or one-dimensional for some users. But a "Strawberry Ice" feels more complex and refreshing. The cooling element lifts the fruit flavor, making it feel crisper and cleaner on the palate. This is the dominant format that new and experienced vapers are looking for.
Traditional vs. Modern Cooling Flavors
| Attribute | Traditional Menthol | Modern "Fruit + Ice" | Market Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flavor Profile | Strong minty taste with a sharp throat hit. | Fruit-forward with a clean, cool finish. | "Fruit + Ice" has a much broader appeal. |
| Cooling Agent | Primarily Menthol | Synthetic coolants (Koolada/WS-23) | Allows for non-minty cooling. |
| Target Audience | Ex-menthol smokers, traditionalists. | Broad demographic, modern vape users. | Growth is concentrated in the modern category. |
| User Experience | A strong, intense sensation. | A refreshing, palate-cleansing experience. | "Fruit + Ice" is better for all-day vaping. |
What differentiates a “fruit + ice” combo from a straight menthol/ice-only profile?
To you, as a buyer, "cold" might just seem like "cold." You see "Watermelon Ice" and "Cool Mint" on your order sheets, and it’s easy to think they serve the same purpose. You’re worried about misjudging the customer. If you market a fruit-ice blend to a menthol lover (or vice versa), you might create a bad customer experience and lose a sale. You need to understand the fundamental difference in their goals.
The key difference is the role of the cooling sensation. A straight menthol or ice-only profile is all about the sensation itself—providing a sharp, intense throat hit and pure coldness. A "fruit + ice" combo, however, uses the cooling effect as an enhancer to lift and brighten the fruit flavor. It makes the fruit taste more "refreshing" and crisp. One is the main event; the other is the supporting act that makes the star shine.
This is a distinction we spend a lot of time on in the flavor lab. They are chemically and experientially different products.
Sensation vs. Enhancement
A menthol user wants that recognizable, almost harsh "kick" at the back of the throat. It’s a powerful physical sensation they are used to and look for. In a "fruit + ice" vape, the goal is the opposite. The cooling should be smooth and integrated, not harsh. Its job is to cut through the sweetness of the fruit and prevent the flavor from becoming syrupy or cloying.
The Chemistry of Cold
This difference comes down to the molecules we use. Menthol is a specific organic compound that has both a strong minty flavor and a cooling effect. Straight ice profiles rely on this heavily. "Fruit + Ice" blends usually use synthetic coolants like WS-23 (Koolada). These chemicals are brilliant because they provide a clean, cold sensation with almost no flavor of their own. This allows the fruit profile to remain pure and front-and-center.
Different Consumers, Different Needs
The audience for straight menthol is specific and loyal. They are often former smokers who want to replicate a familiar experience. The "fruit + ice" consumer is much broader. They are looking for refreshment. They want their vape to taste like a cold drink on a hot day, not like a cough drop. This is a much larger and more diverse group of people.
Sensation vs. Enhancement Comparison
| Feature | Straight Menthol/Ice | Fruit + Ice Combo | Your Purchasing Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose of Cold | To be the primary sensation (strong throat hit). | To enhance and refresh a fruit flavor. | Stock both, but market them to different audiences. |
| Flavor Profile | Minty, sharp, intense. | Smooth, clean, with fruit as the hero. | "Fruit + Ice" will have a wider, more general appeal. |
| Key Ingredient | Menthol | Synthetic Coolants (flavorless) | The chemistry dictates the final user experience. |
| Target User | Menthol purists, sensation-seekers. | General vapers, refreshment-seekers. | Understand these two distinct customer profiles. |
For disposable vapes, how much does puff-count and device performance matter vs flavour design?
You’re constantly balancing priorities. One supplier offers a device with a massive 30,000 puff count. Another offers a device with an amazing, nuanced flavor but a lower puff count. It’s hard to know what the consumer values more. You worry that if you choose the high puff count, you’ll get complaints about bad flavor, but if you choose the great flavor, customers will feel it’s a poor value.
For disposables, device performance and flavor design are not competing priorities; they are completely intertwined. You cannot separate them. A high puff count is meaningless if the flavor dies or tastes burnt after the first few thousand puffs. Likewise, a great flavor is useless if the battery dies prematurely. The true measure of a disposable’s quality is its ability to deliver a consistent, high-quality flavor experience across its entire advertised puff count. Performance and flavor must work together.
This is the core philosophy behind how we build our products. The device and the e-liquid are developed as a single unit.
The Disposable as a "Closed System"
Unlike a pod system where you mix and match pods and devices, a disposable is a sealed unit. We design the battery’s power output, the coil’s resistance, and the e-liquid’s viscosity and flavor concentration to work in perfect harmony. Changing one element would throw the whole system off balance. For example, a more powerful battery would require a different coil and a thinner liquid to avoid a burnt taste.
The Promise of Consistency
The primary promise of a disposable vape is simplicity and consistency. The user expects the 10,000th puff to taste just as good as the first. This is where engineering is critical. We have to ensure the power output remains stable as the battery drains and that the flavor notes don’t break down from repeated heating. A high puff count is only valuable if the quality is consistent across those puffs.
Puff Count = A Promise of Quality
You should view a high puff count not just as a measure of longevity, but as a promise of engineering quality. A manufacturer confident enough to offer a 30,000-puff device is claiming that they have solved the complex technical challenges of battery life, coil durability, and flavor stability. It’s a statement about the quality of the entire integrated system.
Synergy: Performance and Flavor
| Priority | Why It Fails Alone | How It Succeeds with Synergy | Your Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Puff Count | Useless if the flavor becomes muted or burnt. | Guarantees a long-lasting, high-quality experience. | A high number is only good if the quality holds up. |
| Great Flavor | Useless if the device fails or the battery dies early. | Is delivered reliably from the first puff to the last. | Great flavor needs a great device to deliver it. |
| Device Performance | Pointless if the flavor it delivers is terrible. | Ensures the flavorist’s vision is perfectly executed. | Performance is the vehicle for the flavor. |
How do consumers perceive “premium” ice pods vs standard disposable ice flavours?
You see pod systems like Polar Ice marketed as "premium," and it makes you worry about your disposable offerings. Does stocking a disposable ice flavor automatically brand it as the "budget" or "lower quality" choice in the consumer’s mind? You need to understand how consumers define "premium" in these different formats so you can position your products effectively.
Consumers define "premium" differently for pods and disposables. For ice pods, "premium" means customization—the ability to adjust power and airflow to dial in the perfect level of coldness. It’s about control. For disposable ice flavors like the RAZ Frozen Edition, "premium" means perfected consistency—the guarantee of a perfectly balanced, hassle-free cool and fruity experience every single time. It’s the luxury of not having to think about it.
One type of premium is not better than the other; they just serve two different types of users.
Premium as Customization: The Pod System
The user of a premium pod system is often a hobbyist or tinkerer. They enjoy the process of finding their perfect setting. For them, value comes from having the control to make the vape their own. They might want a warmer, more flavorful vape in the morning and a colder, icier vape in the afternoon. The premium price of the device and pods buys them this flexibility.
Premium as Consistency: The Disposable
The user of a premium disposable values their time and convenience. They want a product that just works, perfectly, every time. For them, "premium" is the result of our engineers having done all the tinkering for them. We’ve found the absolute perfect balance of cold and fruit, and locked it in. The premium is in the reliability and the flawless, grab-and-go experience. It’s a luxury of convenience, like a bespoke suit versus a perfect off-the-rack designer one.
Two Consumers, Two Versions of Premium
These are often two different customers. The pod user[^1] enjoys the process; the disposable user[^2] enjoys the result. Trying to sell a disposable by highlighting customization would fail. Equally, trying to sell a pod system by highlighting its fixed, unchangeable nature would also fail. You must market to the correct definition of "premium" for each product type.
Defining "Premium" in Different Formats
| Format | Consumer’s Definition of "Premium" | Key Value Proposition | Target consumer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium Pod System | Customization & Control | Adaptability, user input | The Hobbyist / Tinkerer |
| Premium Disposable | Perfected Consistency & Convenience | Reliability, hassle-free | The Pragmatist / Busy User |
Conclusion
The choice between a disposable like the RAZ Frozen Edition and a pod system like Polar Ice is not about which is better, but about which user you are serving. They are not direct competitors but champions of two different design philosophies. The pod offers premium through customization, giving control to a user who enjoys tinkering. The disposable offers premium through perfected consistency, providing a flawless, grab-and-go experience for a user who values convenience and reliability. As "ice" flavors continue to dominate the market, understanding these two distinct paths to "premium" is the key to building a smart, successful inventory.
Relate
[^1]: Understanding the pod user can help tailor marketing strategies effectively, ensuring better engagement and sales.
[^2]: Learning about disposable users aids in creating targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with their preferences.