“The nicotine patch is much safer than continuing to smoke, as it does not expose a person to the toxic chemicals contained in cigarette smoke,” Nicolas Schlienz, PhD, Research Director at Realm of Caring, says. “Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more when deciding if a nicotine patch is a good option for you.” Dr. Schlienz adds that your doctor can also help you understand what dose of nicotine to start with, where and how to wear a nicotine patch, when to remove a nicotine patch, and more. In addition to finding the proper dosage, you can choose between opaque beige patches and more discreet, clear options. The number of patches in a pack also varies, so we recommend consulting your quitting program and schedule before you buy. Based on our reviews, here are the best nicotine patches on the market. Each pack contains 14 nicotine patches, making it a two-week kit. Like many Step 1 patches, this one is designed for those who currently smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day. NicoDerm recommends wearing one patch per day for the first six weeks of a ten-week quitting program. Price at time of publication: $73 Each pack of Rite Aid Step 1 Nicotine Transdermal Patches contains 14 nicotine patches, making it a two-week kit. Like many Step 1 patches, this one is designed for those who currently smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day. Rite Aid recommends using these patches for four weeks before switching to a lower-dose patch. Price at time of publication: $25 Each pack contains 14 patches, making it a two-week kit. Like many Step 2 patches, it’s designed for those who currently smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, and NicoDerm recommends using these patches for the first six weeks of an eight-week smoking-cessation program. This patch is also suitable for those who are moving to a lower-dose nicotine patch after completing the Step 1 portion of a quitting program. NicoDerm recommends this group use the Step 2 patch for two weeks before moving to an even lower-dose option. Price at time of publication: $39 Each pack contains 14 patches, making it a two-week kit. Like many Step 2 patches, the Rite Aid Transdermal Nicotine Patch is designed for those who currently smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, as well as for those who are moving to a lower-dose nicotine patch after completing the Step 1 portion of a quitting program. Rite Aid recommends using its Step 2 patches for two weeks before moving to a lower-dose option. Price at time of publication: $25 Each pack of NicoDerm CQ Step 3 Nicotine Clear Patches contains 14 nicotine patches—or two weeks’ worth of nicotine patches. And like other Step 3 patches, these nicotine patches are recommended for those who have completed Step 2 of a quitting program. Price at time of publication: $40 Each pack contains 14 patches, making it a two-week kit. Like other Step 3 patches, this is designed for those who are moving to a lower-dose nicotine patch after completing the Step 2 portion of a quitting program. Habitrol recommends using its Step 3 patches for the final two weeks of your smoking cessation program. Price at time of publication: $27 Each pack comes with 56 nicotine patches: 28 Step 1 patches (enough to last you four weeks), 14 Step 2 patches (which will last you two weeks), and 14 Step 3 patches (enough for two weeks). Combined, these patches create an eight-week program that makes it easy to gradually reduce your nicotine consumption. You don’t even have to remember to order your next box of patches—everything you need is already there. Price at time of publication: $115 We segmented our nicotine patch recommendations by dosage (grouping Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 patches separately). And within each group, we assessed patches based on appearance. (Were the patches opaque and easy to see, or transparent and discreet?) We also considered how comfortable and effective the nicotine patches were, according to those who’d tried them. And we factored in reports of potential side effects, as well.
What to Look for in a Nicotine Patch
Dosage
The primary way nicotine patches vary from one another is in dosage. Step 1 nicotine patches deliver 21 milligrams of nicotine, Step 2 nicotine patches deliver 14 milligrams of nicotine, and Step 3 patches deliver 7 milligrams of nicotine. These doses are typically released little by little over a 24-hour period. And the dose you should opt for will vary, based on your smoking history and where you are in your quitting program.
Appearance
Some nicotine patches are beige and opaque, while others are clear. If you want a more discreet option, one of the clearer patches will likely serve you better than one of the opaque ones.
Patch Count
Nicotine patches come in packs, and these packs tend to contain somewhere between seven to 21 nicotine patches. Before you shop, consider how many patches you’ll need—and at what doses. Different quitting programs call for different schedules, and considering your program before you buy will help you avoid stocking up on something you don’t need. (For instance, if your program calls for two weeks of Step 3 patches, you don’t need to buy a 21-pack of Step 3 patches).
Why Trust Verywell Mind
As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend products that are reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed by those who’ve tried them. Like any form of medication, nicotine patches are associated with some negative side effects. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad for you. According to the CDC, nicotine patches are much safer than continuing to smoke. Just be sure to speak to your healthcare provider before using them for the first time. Your doctor can help you ensure you’re starting with the appropriate nicotine dose and using your nicotine patches correctly. They can also help you monitor and mitigate potential side effects. To cut down on irritation, the CDC also recommends putting the patch in a different spot each day. Again, you’ll want to stick to parts of your upper body that are clean, dry, and hair-free. But you’ll want to avoid putting the patch in the same spot more than once per week.
