virto Sticks FAQ: Flavors, Compatibility and glo HILO Use
A complete guide to virto tobacco sticks for glo HILO and HILO Plus. Compare current virto flavors and intensity levels, understand device compatibility, learn how to insert and use the sticks correctly and solve common problems such as weak taste, difficult insertion or a broken stick.
Quick answer
virto sticks are tobacco sticks designed specifically for glo HILO and HILO Plus. They contain real tobacco and nicotine and are available in different tobacco, fresh and market-specific flavored profiles. virto sticks are not compatible with glo HYPER devices, IQOS, lil SOLID or Pulze.
About virto sticks
virto is a dedicated consumable platform developed for the TurboStart Quartz heating system used by glo HILO devices.
What are virto sticks?
virto sticks are specially engineered heated-tobacco sticks for glo HILO and glo HILO Plus. Their dimensions, internal airflow channel and tobacco structure are designed around the HILO TurboStart Quartz heating element.
The device heats the tobacco substrate to create a nicotine-containing aerosol without lighting the stick with a flame.
Do virto sticks contain real tobacco?
Yes. virto sticks contain a processed tobacco substrate made from real tobacco leaves. They are not a tobacco-free or herbal product.
Do virto sticks contain nicotine?
Yes. Nicotine occurs naturally in the tobacco used to manufacture virto sticks. Nicotine is addictive, and virto products are intended only for adults who already use tobacco or nicotine.
How much nicotine is in a virto stick?
There is no single universal nicotine figure that can be applied to every virto variety or country. Product formulation, testing methods and labeling requirements can differ between markets.
Check the local package or official regional glo information. A nicotine figure should not be treated as directly equivalent to the amount absorbed from a cigarette.
How many virto sticks are in a pack?
Current official virto packs contain 20 sticks. Packaging, health warnings and available varieties can differ by country.
Are virto sticks cigarettes or vape pods?
Neither. virto is a heated-tobacco consumable. It contains a solid tobacco substrate rather than the e-liquid used in vape pods, and it is designed to be heated inside a compatible HILO device rather than burned like a cigarette.
What does the name virto mean?
According to glo, the name was inspired by “virtuoso,” referring to a high level of skill or performance. The final “o” also connects the name with the glo brand and earlier consumable names such as neo.
virto flavors and intensity levels
The table below covers the current six-variety virto range officially listed by glo Greece. Flavor names, capsule options and availability vary by country, so it should not be treated as a permanent worldwide list.
| virto variety | Official flavor profile | Intensity | Freshness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature Tobacco | Full-bodied tobacco blend with smoky notes | 5/5 | Not listed |
| Classic Tobacco | Classic roasted tobacco with smooth, roasted and velvety notes | 4/5 | Not listed |
| Balanced Tobacco | Roasted tobacco with woody and dry-spice aromas | 3/5 | Not listed |
| Golden Tobacco | Mellow and refined tobacco with balanced complexity and a subtle finish | 3/5 | Not listed |
| Silver Tobacco | Smooth roasted tobacco with woody and nutty tones | 2/5 | Not listed |
| Azure Tobacco | Balanced tobacco with a subtle touch of menthol freshness | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Choosing a virto flavor
Which is the strongest virto flavor?
Signature Tobacco has the highest official intensity rating in the current European reference range at 5/5. It is described as full-bodied with smoky tobacco notes.
Intensity describes the strength of the overall taste experience, not a verified measurement of nicotine absorption.
Which virto sticks are the mildest?
Silver Tobacco and Azure Tobacco have the lowest listed intensity rating in the current range at 2/5. Silver focuses on smooth toasted and nutty notes, while Azure adds light menthol freshness.
Which virto flavor has menthol?
Azure Tobacco is the fresh option in the current six-variety European lineup. It combines a balanced tobacco profile with a subtle menthol note and has a freshness rating of 1/5.
Other fresh or menthol varieties may be available in selected countries.
Which virto flavor has the most traditional tobacco profile?
Classic Tobacco is the clearest starting point for a roasted, traditional-style tobacco profile. Choose Signature Tobacco if you want a stronger and smokier taste, or Silver Tobacco for a smoother and lighter option.
Do virto sticks have flavor capsules?
Some market-specific menthol and flavored virto varieties can include a capsule, but not every virto stick has one. Check the pack for a capsule symbol or activation instructions.
Do not attempt to crush the filter of a variety that is not marked as a capsule stick.
Are virto flavors the same in every country?
No. The manufacturer confirms that virto flavor selection differs between markets. For example, the current Greek range lists six tobacco-focused varieties, while BAT launched virto in Japan with eight varieties across tobacco, fresh and novel profiles.
Always check the current official selection for the country in which the sticks are offered.
virto stick compatibility
virto sticks use a short, wider format engineered specifically for the HILO heating chamber. Similar-looking heated sticks are not interchangeable.
| Device | Compatible with virto? | Correct stick family |
|---|---|---|
| glo HILO | Yes | virto and rivo |
| glo HILO Plus | Yes | virto and rivo |
| glo HYPER PRO or PRO+ | No | Compatible neo, veo and selected regional HYPER sticks |
| glo HYPER, HYPER+ or HYPER Air | No | Compatible glo HYPER-format sticks |
| IQOS ILUMA devices | No | TEREA and other locally approved SMARTCORE sticks |
| Older blade-based IQOS devices | No | HEETS or other locally compatible blade-system sticks |
| lil SOLID or Pulze | No | Device-specific compatible sticks |
Compatibility questions
Which devices work with virto sticks?
virto sticks are officially compatible with glo HILO and glo HILO Plus. Both devices use the same virto stick format.
Do HILO and HILO Plus use the same virto sticks?
Yes. There is no separate HILO Plus version of virto. A genuine virto stick intended for the HILO platform can be used in either HILO device.
Can virto sticks be used in glo HYPER PRO?
No. virto sticks are shorter and wider than neo sticks and have an internal structure designed for the HILO TurboStart Quartz system. They must not be forced into HYPER PRO, HYPER PRO+, HYPER Air or another HYPER device.
Can neo or veo sticks be used in glo HILO?
No. neo and veo belong to the glo HYPER ecosystem. Inserting an incompatible stick can lead to incorrect heating, a stuck stick or damage to the HILO heating chamber.
Can virto sticks be used with IQOS ILUMA?
No. IQOS ILUMA uses induction-compatible SMARTCORE sticks such as TEREA. virto has no SMARTCORE heating element and is designed for a completely different device platform.
Can TEREA sticks be used in glo HILO?
No. TEREA is made for IQOS ILUMA and contains an internal metal heating element. It must not be inserted into a glo HILO device.
Can third-party sticks be used in glo HILO?
Only use sticks that are explicitly identified as compatible with glo HILO. An incorrect diameter, internal cavity or heating material may interfere with the Quartz element and damage the device.
virto vs rivo vs neo
These three glo stick families differ in both their heated material and compatible device platform.
| Stick range | Heated material | Tobacco? | Nicotine? | Compatible platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| virto | Tobacco substrate | Yes | Yes | glo HILO and HILO Plus |
| rivo | Rooibos-based plant substrate | No | Yes | glo HILO and HILO Plus |
| neo | Tobacco substrate | Yes | Yes | Compatible glo HYPER devices |
virto vs rivo questions
What is the difference between virto and rivo?
virto contains real tobacco and primarily offers tobacco-focused profiles. rivo is tobacco-free and uses a processed rooibos-based plant material, with fruit, mint and cooling varieties more common across the range.
Both contain nicotine and work with glo HILO and HILO Plus.
Are rivo sticks nicotine-free because they contain no tobacco?
No. rivo contains nicotine even though its heated material is tobacco-free. “Tobacco-free” does not mean nicotine-free or risk-free.
What is the difference between virto and neo?
Both ranges contain tobacco, but they use different dimensions and heating systems. virto is shorter and wider and is engineered for HILO. neo uses the longer HYPER stick format and is intended for compatible glo HYPER devices.
Should I choose virto or rivo for glo HILO?
Choose virto if you prefer a tobacco-based profile. Consider rivo if you want a tobacco-free heated material with fruit, mint or cooling flavors. Both ranges contain nicotine and neither is harmless.
How to use virto sticks
How do I use a virto stick with glo HILO?
- Open the sliding door covering the heating chamber.
- Insert a new virto stick with the tobacco end facing into the device.
- Stop at the insertion line and leave the filter and printed section visible.
- Select Standard or Boost mode.
- Press and hold the relevant physical button until the device vibrates.
- Wait for the ready signal before taking a puff.
- Remove the used stick gently when the session ends.
How do I use virto with glo HILO Plus?
- Open the heating chamber door and insert the stick to its marked line.
- Select Standard or Boost mode using the device interface.
- Press and hold the physical control button until the device responds.
- Wait for the vibration or display signal confirming that heating is complete.
- Remove the stick after the session and close the chamber door.
The touchscreen is used for navigation, but the session is started with the physical control button.
What is the difference between Standard and Boost mode?
Standard mode provides a longer, smoother and more balanced session lasting approximately 5 minutes 10 seconds. Boost mode provides a stronger heating profile and a more intense taste, with a session lasting approximately 4 minutes 10 seconds.
Does Boost mode increase the nicotine in a virto stick?
Boost mode does not add nicotine to the stick. It changes the device’s heating profile, which can make the taste and sensation feel stronger. Actual nicotine delivery also depends on the product and individual puffing behavior.
How should I puff a virto stick?
Use slow, gentle and consistent draws after the device gives its ready signal. Very sharp or repeated draws may produce a harsher experience and do not necessarily create more aerosol.
Can a virto stick be used twice?
No. Each virto stick is designed for one heating session. A used stick contains depleted and already-heated material and should not be reinserted or reheated.
Can I light a virto stick like a cigarette?
No. virto is designed only for use inside a compatible glo HILO device. Never light, burn, cut open or modify the stick.
How should I remove a virto stick?
Let the session finish, hold the stick by its filter and remove it gently with a slight twisting movement. Do not bend it sharply or pull it sideways against the heating chamber.
Storage and common virto problems
Why will my virto stick not fit into glo HILO?
Do not force it. Check whether:
- The stick is genuine virto or rivo made for HILO
- The correct end is facing into the chamber
- The stick is bent, crushed or swollen from moisture
- A broken stick or foreign object is blocking the chamber
- The chamber door is fully open
Forcing a stick may damage the TurboStart Quartz component.
Why does a virto stick produce weak aerosol or taste?
Common causes include incorrect insertion, using a damp or damaged stick, starting before the ready vibration, a low device battery or using an incompatible stick.
Try a fresh virto stick from a properly stored pack, insert it to the marked line and confirm that the device completes its heating cycle. Boost mode may provide a more intense result.
Why does my virto stick taste burnt?
Stop the session if the taste is unusually burnt or harsh. Check that the stick was inserted in the correct direction and that it is a compatible, unused virto stick.
Allow an overheated device to cool before trying another stick. If the problem continues across several fresh sticks, inspect the device using the official troubleshooting guidance.
What should I do if a virto stick breaks inside the device?
End the session and allow the device to cool completely. Use only the official glo stick-removal tool and follow the instructions for the specific HILO model.
Do not insert needles, knives, tweezers or other metal objects into the chamber because they can damage the Quartz heating element.
What is StickSeal technology?
StickSeal is the sealed plug at the tobacco end of a virto stick. It helps prevent tobacco fragments from falling into the device and supports cleaner operation and consistent airflow.
The sealed end should not be removed, pierced or opened.
Do virto sticks eliminate the need to clean glo HILO?
StickSeal reduces loose material inside the heating chamber, but you should still follow the maintenance and error instructions supplied with your HILO model. Never pour water or cleaning liquid into the chamber.
How should virto sticks be stored?
Store them in their original closed pack in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, moisture, excessive heat and strong odors. Do not use a stick that is wet, crushed, torn or visibly damaged.
How should used virto sticks be disposed of?
Allow the stick to cool and dispose of it according to local waste rules. Do not leave a recently heated stick near flammable materials, and keep new and used sticks away from children and pets.
Health and safety information
Are virto sticks safe?
No tobacco or nicotine product is safe. virto sticks contain tobacco and addictive nicotine, and the aerosol can contain harmful substances even though the stick is heated rather than burned like a cigarette.
Are virto sticks less harmful than cigarettes?
Heated-tobacco products may produce lower levels of some harmful chemicals than cigarette smoke, but this does not make them harmless or establish a universal reduction in individual health risk.
Completely avoiding tobacco and nicotine exposure remains the lowest-risk option.
Is virto aerosol just water vapor?
No. The visible output is an aerosol containing nicotine and other substances released from the heated tobacco formulation. It should not be treated as harmless water vapor.
Can virto sticks help me quit smoking?
virto sticks and glo HILO are not approved smoking-cessation treatments. Adults who want to stop smoking or using nicotine should consider evidence-based support from a healthcare professional or local stop-smoking service.
Who should not use virto sticks?
virto should not be used by minors, non-smokers, pregnant or breastfeeding people, anyone sensitive to nicotine or anyone who has been advised to avoid tobacco or nicotine for medical reasons.
Official information sources
Product ranges and regional availability can change. The information on this page was checked against the following sources:
- glo Greece — virto tobacco sticks and current varieties
- glo Greece — sticks compatible with HILO devices
- glo Greece — HILO and virto official FAQ
- glo Japan — virto construction, StickSeal and storage
- British American Tobacco — glo HILO and virto launch information
- CDC — heated tobacco product health information
Last reviewed: September 7, 2026