UMF 15+ and UMF 20+ are both higher-strength Manuka honey ratings, but they are not the same level.
Both sit well above entry-level UMF options like UMF 5+ and UMF 10+. The main difference is that UMF 20+ is a higher UMF rating than UMF 15+, and it usually appears in a more premium price range.
But higher does not automatically mean the better choice for every buyer.
If you are comparing UMF 15+ and UMF 20+ Manuka honey, the smartest approach is to check strength, price, taste, jar size, batch details, traceability, and how you actually plan to use the honey.
Choosing between UMF 15+ and UMF 20+ Manuka honey? 🔎
UMF stands for Unique Mānuka Factor.
The UMF Honey Association describes UMF as an independently certified quality system for New Zealand mānuka honey. It says the system is designed to validate potency, authenticity, purity, shelf life and freshness.
That means UMF 15+ and UMF 20+ are not just marketing phrases. They are part of a specific UMF grading system.
For buyers, the simple comparison is:
UMF 15+ is a high-strength UMF-labelled Manuka honey.
UMF 20+ is a higher-strength UMF-labelled Manuka honey.
Both should still be treated as food-grade honey unless the product is clearly sold as a separate sterile medical-grade product.
How UMF 15+ and UMF 20+ compare by MGO context 🔢
UMF is broader than MGO alone.
UMFHA says its four-factor quality testing looks at MGO, leptosperin, DHA and HMF. These are used to assess potency, authenticity, shelf life and freshness.
In UMFHA’s comparison information, the UMF scale is shown with MGO values of 512 mg/kg for UMF 15+ and 826 mg/kg for UMF 20+.
That helps explain why UMF 20+ is considered stronger than UMF 15+ within the UMF system.
But UMFHA also says MGO is only one of the four factors in UMF, and that MGO does not convert directly to UMF because UMF is a broader quality measurement.
So MGO is useful context, but UMF should not be reduced to MGO alone.
UMF 15+ vs UMF 20+ Manuka honey compared 📊
| Label detail | UMF 15+ Manuka honey | UMF 20+ Manuka honey | What buyers should remember |
|---|---|---|---|
| UMF level | High-strength UMF rating | Higher-strength UMF rating | UMF 20+ is stronger than UMF 15+ within the UMF system |
| MGO context | UMFHA table shows MGO 512 mg/kg | UMFHA table shows MGO 826 mg/kg | MGO helps explain strength, but UMF is broader |
| Typical price | Usually premium | Usually more premium | Compare price against jar size and use case |
| Taste | May taste strong, earthy or intense | May taste even stronger or more concentrated | Taste varies by brand, texture and source |
| Everyday practicality | May be enough for many higher-strength buyers | May be chosen by buyers wanting a bigger step up | Higher is not automatically necessary |
| Label confidence | Should show UMF mark and number | Should show UMF mark and number | Do not assume UMF unless clearly shown |
| Product type | Food-grade honey unless stated otherwise | Food-grade honey unless stated otherwise | UMF does not automatically mean medical-grade |
| Best comparison method | Compare against other UMF 15+ jars | Compare against other UMF 20+ jars | Compare like with like first |
What to check before paying more for UMF 20+ ✅
Start with the UMF mark and number.
A product should clearly show UMF 15+ or UMF 20+ if it is using the UMF system. Do not assume a jar is UMF certified just because it is New Zealand Manuka honey or because it has a high MGO number.
Then compare the full label:
- Is it UMF 15+ or UMF 20+?
- Does it also show MGO?
- Is the country of origin clearly New Zealand?
- Is it monofloral or multifloral?
- Is the brand connected to the UMF system?
- Is it batch tested?
- Is it traceable?
- Is it raw, organic or unpasteurised?
- What is the jar size?
- How much more are you paying for the higher rating?
- Is it food-grade honey, skincare or medical-grade?
For exported New Zealand mānuka honey generally, New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries says honey labelled as mānuka for export must be tested by an MPI-recognised laboratory against a definition made from five attributes: four chemical markers from nectar and one DNA marker from mānuka pollen. MPI says this helps identify honey as monofloral or multifloral mānuka honey.
That MPI export testing is separate from choosing between UMF 15+ and UMF 20+, but it shows why Manuka honey labels often involve more than one layer of testing and verification.
Also remember the basic honey safety rule: honey should not be given to babies under 12 months. The CDC says honey given to children younger than 12 months may cause botulism — read more here.
Five UMF 15+ vs UMF 20+ situations where buyers get confused 📌
You assume UMF 20+ is always the smarter buy 💰
UMF 20+ is stronger than UMF 15+ within the UMF system, but it is not automatically the smarter buy.
If UMF 15+ already gives you the strength level, taste profile and price point you want, paying extra for UMF 20+ may not be necessary.
If you specifically want a higher UMF rating and are comfortable paying more, UMF 20+ may make sense.
The better choice depends on use, budget, taste, jar size and label clarity.
You compare UMF 15+ with an MGO-only jar 🔢
UMF and MGO are related, but they are not identical.
UMFHA says UMF uses four factors, while MGO is one of those factors. It also says MGO does not convert directly to UMF because UMF is a broader measurement.
If you are comparing UMF 15+ with an MGO-only jar, check the rating explanation carefully. Do not assume the label systems are identical.
You assume UMF 15+ is not strong enough 🍯
UMF 15+ is already a higher-strength UMF-labelled product.
Some buyers may not need UMF 20+ for everyday food use, especially if they mainly use honey in tea, yoghurt, toast, warm water or breakfast foods.
UMF 15+ may be the more practical choice if the price difference is large and the label is otherwise clear.
You assume UMF 20+ means raw or organic 🌿
UMF 20+ does not automatically mean raw. It does not automatically mean organic.
Raw and organic are separate label claims. A UMF 20+ jar may also be raw or certified organic if the label clearly says so, but the UMF number alone does not prove those details.
Check processing and certification claims separately.
You treat UMF 20+ food honey like medical-grade honey ⚠️
UMF 20+ is still food-grade honey unless the product is clearly sold as a sterile medical-grade product.
A higher UMF number does not turn a pantry jar into a wound-care product. Do not use UMF 15+ or UMF 20+ food-grade honey as wound care.
Medical-grade honey products are a separate category and should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional.
FAQs about UMF 15+ and UMF 20+ Manuka honey ❓
What is the difference between UMF 15+ and UMF 20+?
UMF 20+ is a higher UMF rating than UMF 15+. UMFHA’s comparison information shows UMF 15+ with MGO 512 mg/kg and UMF 20+ with MGO 826 mg/kg as part of its four-factor UMF profile.
Is UMF 20+ better than UMF 15+?
UMF 20+ is stronger within the UMF system, but it is not automatically better for every buyer. UMF 15+ may be enough for buyers who want a high-strength food-grade Manuka honey without paying for the higher UMF 20+ level.
Is UMF 15+ high strength?
Yes, UMF 15+ is generally treated as a higher-strength UMF-labelled Manuka honey. It sits above UMF 5+ and UMF 10+ within the UMF rating scale.
Does UMF 20+ mean medical-grade honey?
No. UMF 20+ does not automatically mean medical-grade. A UMF-rated jar is food-grade honey unless it is clearly sold as a sterile medical-grade product.
Can babies have UMF 15+ or UMF 20+ Manuka honey?
No. Babies under 12 months should not have honey, including UMF 15+, UMF 20+, raw, organic, pasteurised, regular or Manuka honey. The CDC says honey before 12 months may cause infant botulism — read more here.
Final thoughts: UMF 20+ is stronger, but UMF 15+ may be the better value ✅
UMF 15+ and UMF 20+ are both higher-strength UMF Manuka honey ratings.
UMF 20+ is the stronger option. UMF 15+ may be the more practical option for buyers who want a high-strength UMF jar without paying for the next step up.
Before choosing, compare the full label:
UMF rating, MGO context, country, monofloral or multifloral status, raw status, organic status, batch testing, traceability, jar size, product type and warnings.
For beginners, the rule is simple:
Choose UMF 15+ if you want high-strength UMF Manuka honey. Choose UMF 20+ if you specifically want the stronger premium step up — but check the whole label before buying.
Related posts if you’re comparing higher UMF ratings 📚
Compare UMF 15+ and UMF 20+ Manuka honey side by side 🏷️
Use the main table to compare food-grade Manuka honey products by UMF rating, MGO, country, monofloral status, raw status, organic status, UMF certification, MGO testing, batch testing, traceability and brand details.