Walk into any vape shop and you'll see two main types of e-liquid: nicotine salt (nic salt) and freebase. They look identical on the shelf, but they feel very different to vape. Here's what you need to know.
What is freebase nicotine?
Freebase is the original form of nicotine used in e-liquids since vaping began. At higher concentrations (12mg+), freebase nicotine delivers a noticeable throat hit — which some vapers love, but others find harsh. Best suited to experienced vapers using sub-ohm or DTL devices at 3–6mg.
What are nicotine salts?
Nic salts are a modified form of nicotine where the pH has been adjusted to make it smoother to inhale at higher concentrations. This means you can vape at 20mg without the harshness that would make 20mg freebase unpleasant. Best suited to new vapers, people switching from cigarettes, and MTL pod kit users.
Side-by-side comparison
| Nic Salts | Freebase | |
|---|---|---|
| Throat hit | Smooth | Can be harsh at high mg |
| Nicotine strength | 10–20mg | 3–6mg (sub-ohm) |
| Device compatibility | MTL pod kits | DTL/sub-ohm kits |
| Speed of satisfaction | Very fast | Slightly slower |
| Best for | Switchers, pod kit users | Experienced, cloud vapers |
Which should you choose?
If you're switching from cigarettes, nic salts are almost always the better starting point. The fast nicotine delivery and smooth throat hit closely mirror the satisfaction of a cigarette. A 20-a-day smoker will typically start at 20mg nic salt.
If you already vape and use a sub-ohm or DTL device, freebase nicotine at 3–6mg is the standard choice.
VG/PG ratios explained
You'll also see ratios like 50/50 or 70/30 on e-liquid bottles. This refers to the ratio of vegetable glycerine (VG) to propylene glycol (PG). A 50/50 blend works in all devices and is best for MTL kits. A 70/30 VG/PG blend is thicker, produces more vapour, and is best for sub-ohm kits. Most pod kit users should use 50/50 e-liquids — using a thick 70/30 in a pod kit can cause flooding and poor wicking.
Browse our full e-liquid range at ilovevapour.com or visit us in store — we'll recommend the right nicotine strength and flavour profile for you.