The honest lineup · 2026

PEK vs. BoomBoom vs. Cigtrus

Plus the two everyone asks about: Vicks and Füm. Five ways to scratch the same itch — here's how they actually differ, with the receipts. We make one of these, so read the others' pitches too.

The drugstore classic

Vicks VapoInhaler

  • Single-tube airflow — one nostril at a time
  • Medicated: an OTC drug with a label to follow
  • One scent: medicine-cabinet menthol
  • Built for congestion — not exactly a vibe

The essential-oil original

BoomBoom Nasal Stick

  • Single-tube airflow — same classic hardware
  • Mint-forward blends — fruit takes the back seat
  • Twist-cap open tube — scent fades with every open
  • Runs $10–13 per stick at retail
DUAL-HOLE

The ritual object

PEK PRO 2.0

  • Dual-hole draw — both nostrils, one full pull
  • Three icy fruit flavors — citrus, watermelon, grape
  • Flip-cover seal — stays cold between draws
  • Nicotine-free, non-medicated — $9.99
PEK PRO 2.0 dual-hole nasal inhaler stick

The full grid

PEK PRO 2.0BoomBoomCigtrusVicks VapoInhalerFüm
FormNasal stick, flip coverNasal stick, twist capMouth-draw strawNasal stick, single tubeHandheld device + flavor cores
AirflowDual-hole, both nostrilsSingle tubeMouth inhaleSingle tubeBrand guidance: not for deep inhale
Flavors3 icy fruit profilesMint, citrus, lavender blendsMint, grapefruit & moreMenthol onlySwappable cores, herbal-forward
NicotineNoneNoneNoneNone (medicated instead)None
MedicatedNoNoNoYes — OTC drug, follow labelNo
Price / unit*$9.99 (3-pack $24.99)~$10–13 per stickSold in multi-packs~$4–6Premium: device + core refills
Built forIcy sensory reset, the draw ritualNose breathing & wellnessHand-to-mouth habit, quit-smoking crowdCongestion relief per labelHabit replacement gadget

*Prices are approximate, from public listings at time of writing (July 2026). Check each brand's site for current pricing.

Who should pick what

Pick Vicks if…

you're congested and want the medicated classic. It's an OTC drug that does what its label says. Fair warning from public reviews: the vaporub smell is polarizing — clinical, not recreational.

Pick BoomBoom if…

you're into essential-oil wellness and nose-breathing culture. The Shark Tank alum owns that lane and mint-blend fans rate it. It's still classic single-tube hardware, priced above most of the category.

Pick Cigtrus if…

what you miss is the cigarette-shaped, hand-to-mouth motion specifically. Its mouth-draw straw format has genuine fans in quit-smoking communities. It's a mouth product — different sensation from a nasal stick.

Pick Füm if…

you want a premium device you can accessorize with flavor cores. Two things users commonly flag in public forums: the price of entry, and that the brand itself says the flavored air isn't meant to be deeply inhaled — so don't expect a real pull.

Pick PEK if…

you want the coldest, most flavor-forward version of the actual draw: dual-hole airflow, three icy fruit profiles, flip-cover seal, $9.99. We're the young brand of this lineup — our review base is still growing — which is why the single stick exists: try one, then commit to the 3-pack.

Straight answers

Is PEK better than BoomBoom?

Different tools. BoomBoom is an essential-oil wellness stick, mint-forward, single tube. PEK is a dual-hole, fruit-flavored ritual stick built around the draw itself. If you want blends and nose-breathing philosophy, they're great. If you want cold, flavor, and a full pull — that's us.

Which one is best for quitting vaping?

None of these are smoking-cessation products, ours included — nothing here treats nicotine addiction. If what you miss is the physical draw, pick whichever gives you a version of it you actually enjoy, and talk to a health professional about the nicotine part.

Why is Vicks so much cheaper?

It's a mass-produced medicated decongestant with one scent, made by a pharma giant, sold as medicine. Lifestyle sticks — PEK, BoomBoom, Füm — are flavor products with design, packaging, and small-batch economics. Different aisle, different math.

Where do I start with PEK?

The single stick at $9.99 if you're testing the water, or the Variety 3-Pack at $24.99 — all three flavors, and it unlocks free US shipping. See the flavors side by side or read how nasal inhaler sticks work.

Judge it yourself.

Single stick $9.99 · Variety 3-Pack $24.99 · free US shipping over $20 · 30-day money-back.

Buy now · from $9.99