NEAFS Teo Starter Kit and Sticks Product Review

I have been trialling the Neafs Teo Heating Device for the past two weeks. This is a completely different vape method from anything I have used before - I predominately use disposable or reusable vape devices - so it is all new to me.

I recently came back from visiting Berlin, where I saw more people using 'heat not burn' devices over cigarettes. This shows that Heated Tobacco really is becoming a reliable alternative to smoking.

It says on the Neafs website that the TEO uses a 'leading-edge heating process that provides an unparalleled heated tobacco experience, with minimal cleaning required.'

This device is tobacco-free, but it is the closest alternative to a cigarette I have ever tried. It heats up and smells similar - but without any of the ash or smoke. Instead of Tobacco, Neafs have opted for a sophisticated blend of organic ingredients infused with nicotine and an array of flavours.

The device uses one-use 'sticks', which look exactly like the filter of a cigarette. These sticks come in various flavours and are being sold for around £4.95 for 20 sticks or £48 for 200 sticks at the time of writing.

I think it's important to note that on the official Neafs website, they state that the average annual savings from switching to their device from cigarettes is £3018.55, which would easily sway me to change.

Neafs boast about being able to use 20 of their disposable sticks before the battery life runs out, with a stick lasting for as long as a regular cigarette - around 15 puffs. According to Neafs, this is 4x more than their competitors, which is impressive.

I feel like most people trying to quit smoking find it difficult to move over to vape devices or disposables as they are so different from an actual cigarette. Using Neafs Teo would eliminate this issue as it's incredibly similar.

The Teo packaging is very minimal but enticing nonetheless. It feels very secure. It is also recyclable and contains very minimal plastic.

When I opened the package, I was excited to try the device. It feels sturdy and high-quality, and the green colour I have is just beautiful. Neafs also have several other colours if green is not up your street; these are grey, blue, and rose.

The device fits into my pocket easily or in my handbag with a pack of sticks. It feels very resilient. I've dropped it a few times, and it hasn't scuffed.

It doesn't seem to weigh a lot, so it's easy to hold. The on/off button is on the side, with a colour-matching reflective trim. This is a nice touch and makes the device look higher quality. The position of the on/off button is perfect - just by where your thumb would naturally sit on the device when holding - which is convenient and appreciated.

To start the device, I'd recommend charging it beforehand. Once charged, insert one stick into the hole at the top until you feel resistance; this is where the Teo heating blade is.

Then, you must press the side button 5 times within 2 seconds. You can feel the device getting warmer at this stage. This takes approximately 20 seconds. Press the button for 2 seconds, and the device will vibrate, indicating it is ready to inhale.

One thing I really like about this device is the auto shut off after 5 minutes, in case you forget to manually turn it off by holding the button for 3 seconds or until it vibrates.

The device has a C-type charging port with a cable included. The battery is 1700mAh, and to fully charge the device, it should take around 120 minutes. I recommend sticking to the charger Neafs provide, as other ones may be too powerful or weak to charge properly.

I appreciate the light indicators with the on/off button, which flashes when it's heating up, a solid white light when it's ready to smoke, and flashes yellow when it needs charging.

I found all these time scales for pressing buttons confusing at first, as I usually just inhale straight away! But I got used to it. I felt a bit out of my depth for a few days, but you quickly get the hang of it.

A useful instruction booklet is included with the device. This tells you how to clean and turn on/off the device and provides troubleshooting if you are struggling to figure things out.

It's been around a year since I have used any cigarettes. I started my vaping use back then and quickly found out what my preferred vape flavours and devices were and stopped smoking, but I know some people always end up continuing to use them.

In my opinion, this is the group that understandably looks at other options, including "heat not burn" devices.

I have not tried any of these heat devices before, so when I was asked to look at the TEO with NEAFS, I was interested and curious.

TEO is a heat device that has been specifically designed for use with NEAFS sticks. These little smokes do not contain any tobacco. Instead, the company says that it uses high-quality cellulose, and some of this is actually made from tea leaves.

The sticks themselves come in various flavours, and these can be ordered with 1.5% nicotine added or with 0%.

The TEO unit

The unit is sleek, smooth, and metallic. It has a built-in 1700mAh battery and comes with a USB C for charging. To charge it, remove the top of the device and insert the cable into the slot. Once the unit is fully charged, you can pop the top back on, and the device is ready to use.

The unit is comfortable in the hand due to the ergonomic design. It is also well-made and feels durable. The battery is large enough to last well, and I was able to heat over twenty sticks on a single charge.

The NEAFS sticks

These sticks are a very good option for those who have not been able to stop smoking cigarettes. The sticks themselves are like a short cigarette, and the effect of heating them does remind me of smoking.

The nicotine delivery of the 1.5% stick is not like vaping at all. It is more intense, similar to a traditional cigarette.

The aroma of the NEAFS when heated is definitely unique. I think some people will like it, and some will hate it. The vapour that is produced is very herby and unusual in both taste and smell. Some might describe it as pungent, but others might describe it as mild. It is one of those things that will come down to personal preference.

Because of this, it would be advisable to use the device somewhere with good ventilation, at least at first.

My overall feelings and impressions of the TEO device and NEAFS sticks are mixed.

If I found myself reaching for tobacco cigarettes often or if I didn't get on with vaping, this would be a great choice. Personally, I think that I can find other more suitable options to satisfy my nicotine cravings.

I am fully aware that some people are still looking for that thing to replace cigarette smoking that suits their taste. For this group, TEO could be the solution, and I would definitely recommend giving it a go.

The product comes in slide-to-open packaging, which assures the user of its quality. It is very nice to the eye, and the design is elegant. It feels like you're holding a very expensive yet graceful USB.

The package also contains a USB type-C cable, along with the instruction manual and the device itself.

The product features a button on the side to activate/unlock the device.

This caused me a bit of confusion initially as I was still figuring out if I needed to press the button 5 times in a 2-second window or hold the button for a few seconds for the product to light up.

The instructions are clear in the manual. However, some users like to try out a product themselves before reading the instructions, so the idea of making it simple for the user could have been given more thought.

Once activated, the device vibrates, giving a signal to the user that it is ready to use. This a great feature, as most would confuse it with when to take a hit.

The device highlights for me included its elegant looks and how nice it was to touch. The button on the side of the product is also quite easily reachable, and the click and vibration give a useful alert to let you know what is going on. The magnetic finish when you lift the cap to charge the device is nice and smooth.

The packaging for the device and flavour sticks make the product feel premium. They have obviously invested time in it. The battery life is extensive, so the device does not need to be charged that often.

However, there were also a few downsides.

The device does not do justice to cigarette smoking, as it does not give the same feeling of holding a cigarette. There's no thick smoke-like vapour coming from the sticks, which is important to me as the smoke is the second most essential part of the experience.

I didn't like using the sticks. I felt a burning sensation in my lungs when I inhaled, which caused me discomfort. I also found they got quite warm once they were active and tended to stick to the lips when you took a puff.

I didn't enjoy the flavours I tested that much (Coffee, Original, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Menthol). The sticks suggest they are flavoured, but I felt little to no flavour could be tasted.

Considering this, I felt the price was quite high for a product that did not give me much pleasure.

To conclude, I would not recommend this product as a substitute for cigarettes or even to someone who is considering quitting smoking. I recommend switching to vapes or disposables instead, as they are a much better option.