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How to Choose Mānuka Honey | MGO, KFactor & Strength Guide
Choosing Mānuka honey can feel confusing at first, especially when you see terms like MGO and KFactor, or notice how much prices can vary between jars. This guide breaks down the key differences in a simple way, helping you understand what the ratings mean and how to choose the right Mānuka honey for you.
What is Mānuka Honey?
Mānuka honey is a special type of honey produced in New Zealand from bees that pollinate the Mānuka bush. It is known for its unique naturally occurring compounds, and is specially tested and graded. Here is a quick comparison of Mānuka honey vs regular honey:
Mānuka Honey
Made from bees pollinating the mānuka bush in New Zealand
Produced and tested in New Zealand
Graded using systems like MGO or KFactor
Known for its unique naturally occurring compounds
Often considered a more premium type of honey, typically more expensive & varies in price
Regular Honey
Made from a variety of flowers
Produced in many countries around the world
Usually not graded for strength
Popular for everyday sweetness and flavour
Typically lower in price
Understanding MGO & KFactor Rating Systems
MGO and KFactor are two different ways of grading Mānuka honey. Both help show authenticity and quality, but they measure different things.
MGO
Measures the concentration of methylglyoxal naturally present in the honey.
- Displayed as a number such as MGO 400 or MGO 850.
- Higher numbers indicate higher concentrations.
- Often the easiest system for customers to compare one jar to another.
Best for:Customers looking for a simple strength-based grading system.
KFactor
Wedderspoon’s own grading system, designed to reflect authentic Mānuka honey more broadly.
- Measures Mānuka pollen content and key authenticity markers
- KFactor 12 = at least 65% Mānuka pollen
- KFactor 16 = at least 75% Mānuka pollen
- Focuses on authenticity as well as quality
Best for:Customers who prefer a broader authenticity-focused grading system.
How to Tell If Mānuka Honey Is Genuine
- Look for clear MGO or KFactor grading
- Sourced and packed in New Zealand, with FernMark certification verifying genuine New Zealand origin
- Independently laboratory tested
- Fully traceable from hive to jar
Extra quality standards to look for
These are not required for authenticity, but indicate a higher-quality Mānuka honey:
- Raw & unpasteurised
- Free from antibiotics
- Tested for glyphosate residues
- Non-GMO Project Verified
In a complex market, this level of transparency helps confirm you are choosing genuine, verified Mānuka honey.
Why Mānuka honey is more expensive
Mānuka honey is more expensive than standard honey because it is carefully sourced, tested, and graded rather than treated as a bulk commodity.
Limited supply — only produced in specific regions of New Zealand.
Strength grading — higher MGO levels are rarer and more valuable.
Independent testing — each batch is verified for quality and authenticity.
Traceability —tracked from hive to jar for full transparency.
Raw handling — minimal processing to preserve natural properties.
Size differences — larger jars naturally cost more than smaller ones.
Choosing the right strength of Mānuka honey
The best Mānuka honey for you depends on what matters most to you — whether that is a familiar grading system, a specific strength, an organic option, a more portable format, or a glass jar.
- A great starting point if you are trying Mānuka honey for the first time.
- Daily high-strength support. Raw & unpasteurised Mānuka honey.
- Our most popular Mānuka Honey options.
- Popular everyday strengths for regular use.
- Daily high-strength support. Raw & unpasteurised Mānuka honey.
- Our most popular Mānuka Honey options.
- A higher-strength Mānuka honey for those looking for a more premium grade & stronger profile.
- Higher MGO concentration compared to mid-range options. Raw & Unpasteurised Daily Mānuka honey.
A different way of understanding Mānuka honey quality and authenticity.
- Focuses on multiple natural markers, not just one number.
- Includes pollen count and purity indicators.
- KFactor 12 = at least 65% Mānuka pollen.
- KFactor 16 = at least 75% Mānuka pollen.
- A certified organic Mānuka honey option within the MGO range.
- Unmatched purity - produced under strict organic standards.
- Same strength level as MGO 400.
- The first Organic & Raw Manuka Honey in the UK & Europe.
- A convenient way to enjoy Mānuka honey wherever you are.
- Single-serve, mess-free sachets for easy use.
- Ideal for travel, work, school or busy routines.
- Same quality KFactor 16 Mānuka honey in a portable format.
- A traditional glass jar option for customers who prefer classic honey packaging.
- 115+ MGO strength for a milder introduction to daily Mānuka honey.
- A good option for customers looking for a lower-strength starting point.
Our Bestselling Mānuka Honey Options
If you are looking for a simple place to start, two of the most popular jars in our range are Wedderspoon KFactor 16 500g and Wedderspoon MGO 400 500g.
KFactor 16 500g
A trusted favourite for customers who prefer Wedderspoon’s traditional grading system and a more “authenticity-led” approach.
- Focuses on natural authenticity markers, including pollen count, not just a single number.
- A balanced mid-strength option, making it one of the most common starting points in the range.
MGO 400 500g
A popular everyday choice for customers who prefer a simple, easy-to-understand strength rating.
- Focuses on a single, clear MGO number that makes comparing Mānuka honey straightforward.
- A balanced mid-strength option, making it one of the most common starting points in the range.
Both are good examples of the kind of premium, traceable New Zealand Mānuka honey we focus on, and they are often where customers start when they want a jar that feels like a confident step up from the basics.
Why we recommend Wedderspoon
Wedderspoon remains our main recommendation for customers looking for the strongest all-round combination of authenticity, traceability, and quality standards.
Its KFactor system was designed with the New Zealand government’s scientific approach to Mānuka honey in mind, while its MGO range now makes comparison easier for customers who prefer a fixed number.
We also value the wider trust signals behind the range. Wedderspoon honey is sourced and packed in New Zealand, traceable from hive to home, raw and unpasteurised, free from antibiotics and glyphosate, Non-GMO Project Verified, FernMark certified, and independently lab tested. That is why it remains the range we recommend most often.
FAQ
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Mānuka honey is a type of honey, not a brand. It comes from New Zealand and is made by bees collecting nectar from the Mānuka bush. Brands such as Wedderspoon and Queen Bee are different producers or ranges of Mānuka honey.
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MGO refers to methylglyoxal, a naturally occurring compound measured in the honey. The MGO number gives customers a fixed figure to compare, which is why many people find it the simplest grading system to shop by.
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KFactor is Wedderspoon’s own grading system. It was designed around a broader way of assessing authentic Mānuka honey, including chemical markers and the DNA of Mānuka pollen, rather than relying on one number alone. KFactor 12 means the honey meets or exceeds 65% Mānuka pollen, while KFactor 16 means it meets or exceeds 75% Mānuka pollen.
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Genuine Mānuka honey is tested, graded, and sourced from New Zealand, which already makes it very different from standard table honey. Price is also affected by strength, jar size, traceability, certification, shipping, and the careful way the honey is processed and handled.
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A good starting point is to look for clear grading, New Zealand origin, independent testing, and traceability. Exported New Zealand Mānuka honey must meet the New Zealand government’s scientific definition and be tested through recognised laboratory processes.
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If you are new to the category, Wedderspoon KFactor 16 and Wedderspoon MGO 400 are two of the most popular starting points in our range. They give customers a clear way into premium Mānuka honey, whether they prefer the traditional Wedderspoon system or the simplicity of MGO.
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Not necessarily — it depends on what matters to you. Some customers prefer the simplicity of a higher MGO number, while others prefer Wedderspoon’s broader KFactor approach. The best choice is usually the one that gives you the clearest and most confident way to compare the options in front of you.
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Yes. Organic 400 MGO is our certified organic raw Mānuka option and a very rare find in the UK market.
