UMF 6+ vs UMF 12+ Manuka Honey: Which Should You Choose?

The short answer: match the grade to how you plan to use the jar

UMF 6+ and UMF 12+ are both certified Manuka honey grades from Manuka Doctor, but they sit at different points on the scale. UMF 6+ carries a minimum MGO of 110+, while UMF 12+ carries a minimum MGO of 350+. The higher the UMF grade, the higher the MGO level it must meet — and the more you typically pay for the jar.

For many people, UMF 6+ is the practical everyday choice: it is the entry point of the UMF range and the lowest-priced certified option. UMF 12+ is for buyers who specifically want a stronger grade and are willing to pay more for it. Neither is 'better' in every situation; the right pick depends on what you want from the honey and how often you use it.

What the UMF grade actually certifies

UMF stands for Unique Manuka Factor. It is a rating system administered by the Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association (UMFHA) in New Zealand, and it independently certifies natural components in Manuka honey to assure potency, purity, authenticity and freshness. Manuka Doctor holds UMF Licence No. 1026.

The key point for comparison shoppers: UMF testing checks MGO, but it also checks other markers — HMF, DHA and Leptosperin — that are specific to the nectar of the Manuka bush (Leptospermum scoparium). That is why the MGO number corresponds to the UMF grade but does not tell the whole story on its own. Both jars in this comparison carry the UMF trademark, so both have passed that broader certification.

UMF 6+ vs UMF 12+: side-by-side on the facts that differ

• UMF grade and MGO: UMF 6+ = MGO 110+; UMF 12+ = MGO 350+. The grade and the MGO minimum move together, so UMF 12+ is the stronger of the two by the brand's own scale.
• Position in the range: Manuka Doctor's UMF range starts at 6+ (110 MGO+) and runs up to 20+ (MGO 830+). UMF 6+ is the entry point; UMF 12+ sits in the middle of that ladder.
• Jar size: Both are supplied in 250g jars, so the size of the jar is not a reason to pick one over the other — only the grade differs.
• Certification: Both carry UMF certification under Manuka Doctor UMF Licence No. 1026. The difference is the grade level, not whether the jar is certified.
• Price positioning: The catalog lists UMF 6+ at USD 18.50 and UMF 12+ at USD 27.00. If budget is the deciding factor, UMF 6+ is the lower-cost way into the UMF range.

When UMF 6+ (MGO 110+) is the sensible pick

Choose UMF 6+ if you want a certified UMF honey for regular, everyday use and you do not need a high MGO number. It is the same premium-quality honey as the rest of the range, with the extra certification test that earns the UMF grade, and it is the most accessible price in the UMF line.

It also makes sense if you are new to UMF-graded honey and want to try the certification before committing to a stronger jar. The 250g size is manageable for a first purchase, and you can move up the scale later if you decide you want more.

When UMF 12+ (MGO 350+) is worth the step up

Choose UMF 12+ if you have already decided you want a mid-range UMF grade and a higher MGO minimum than the entry level offers. It is the same style of certified Manuka honey, simply tested and graded to a higher threshold.

The trade-off is price: at USD 27.00 for 250g, UMF 12+ costs more than UMF 6+ at USD 18.50. If you use honey frequently, that difference adds up over repeat purchases, so it is worth being honest about whether you specifically want the stronger grade or simply want a certified UMF honey.

Product facts behind this comparison

• UMF 6+ Manuka Honey 250g - MGO 110+: UMF 6+ Manuka Honey 250g - MGO 110+; Manuka Doctor UMF Licence No: 1026. Confirms the grade, MGO minimum and certification for the entry-level jar, so you can compare it directly with UMF 12+.

  

• UMF 12+ Manuka Honey 250g - MGO 350+: UMF 12+ Manuka Honey 250g - MGO 350+; Manuka Doctor UMF Licence No: 1026. Confirms the higher grade and MGO minimum for the step-up jar, under the same licence.

  

• UMF 6+ Manuka Honey 250g - MGO 110+: Honey should not be given to infants under 12 months old. Applies to both jars — a safety limit that is not affected by which UMF grade you choose.

What to check before you decide

The supplied product information does not include preparation instructions, storage guidance, serving sizes or allergen statements for either jar. If you need those details — for example, because you are cooking with the honey, storing it long-term, or checking suitability for a specific diet — treat that as a gap to fill before buying rather than assuming the two grades behave identically.

What the supplied information does confirm is the grading difference: UMF 6+ at MGO 110+ and UMF 12+ at MGO 350+, both 250g, both under UMF Licence No. 1026. If your decision comes down to grade and budget, those are the numbers to weigh. If it comes down to how you will use the honey day to day, the grade is still the main difference between the two jars — the rest of the detail is not confirmed in the supplied records.