E-Liquids

Choosing the Right E-Liquid

Picking the best vape juice for your setup comes down to three things: nicotine type, nicotine strength and PG/VG ratio.

Nicotine type matters more than most people realise. Freebase nicotine delivers a noticeable throat hit and works well at lower strengths (3mg to 6mg) in sub-ohm devices. Nic salt vape juice is smoother at higher strengths (10mg to 20mg) and absorbs faster, making it the better choice for pod kits and anyone coming off cigarettes. If you enjoyed disposable vapes, bar salts replicate those familiar sweet, fruity flavour profiles in a 10ml nic salt format and are designed to drop straight into a refillable pod.

Nicotine strength depends on how much you smoke or vape. As a general guide: 20mg suits heavy smokers (20+ cigarettes a day), 10mg suits moderate smokers (10 to 20 a day), 6mg or 3mg suits light smokers or vapers stepping down, and 0mg nicotine free vape liquid suits anyone who has fully weaned off nicotine but still enjoys the habit.

PG/VG ratio affects how the liquid feels and performs. A 50/50 PG/VG blend is the standard for pod kits and MTL devices, producing moderate vapour with good flavour clarity. High-VG blends (70/30 or above) are thicker, produce bigger clouds and work best in sub-ohm tanks and mod kits. Using high-VG liquid in a small pod coil can cause dry hits and poor wicking, so always match the ratio to your device.

E-Liquid Types Explained

There are four main types of e-liquid, and each suits a slightly different setup and vaping style.

Freebase e-liquids are the original format. Available in 0mg to 18mg, they come in 10ml TPD-compliant bottles and suit both MTL and DTL devices depending on the PG/VG ratio. Best for vapers who prefer a traditional throat hit at lower nicotine strengths.

Nic salts use a modified form of nicotine that delivers a smoother hit at higher strengths (10mg and 20mg). They're the go-to for pod kits and the preferred choice for ex-smokers. Sold in 10ml bottles.

Bar salts are a subcategory of nic salts, formulated to match popular disposable vape flavours. Brands like Elfliq, Maryliq and SKE Crystal Nic Salts offer familiar profiles such as Blue Razz, Watermelon Ice and Kiwi Passionfruit. If you've recently moved from disposables to a refillable pod, bar salts make the transition seamless.

Shortfills are larger bottles (typically 50ml or 100ml) of nicotine free vape liquid with space left in the bottle to add a nicotine shot. They're the most cost-effective option for high-VG, sub-ohm vapers who get through a lot of liquid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is e-liquid?

E-liquid (also called vape juice or vape liquid) is the flavoured liquid used in vape kits. It's heated by a coil inside your device to produce the vapour you inhale. All e-liquids sold in the UK are regulated under TPD rules, which limit nicotine-containing bottles to 10ml and cap nicotine strength at 20mg/ml.

What is in vape juice?

Vape juice contains four core ingredients: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), food-grade flavourings and optionally nicotine. PG carries flavour and provides throat hit, while VG produces vapour. The ratio between the two affects how the liquid performs in different devices. There are no sugars, oils or tar.

Is there sugar in vape juice?

No. E-liquids do not contain sugar. The sweet taste in many vape juices comes from food-grade flavouring concentrates and, in some cases, sweetener additives like sucralose. Sucralose can contribute to faster coil wear, which is why heavily sweetened liquids tend to shorten coil life. If you find your coils gunking up quickly, switching to a less sweet flavour profile can help.

What strength e-liquid should I use?

Start by matching your nicotine strength to your current smoking or vaping habits. Heavy smokers (20+ a day) usually find 20mg nic salts most satisfying. Moderate smokers (10 to 20 a day) are typically comfortable at 10mg. Light smokers or those stepping down from higher strengths suit 3mg to 6mg freebase. If you've fully quit nicotine, 0mg e-liquid lets you keep vaping without it.

Does vape juice expire?

Yes. Most e-liquids carry a shelf life of one to two years from the date of manufacture. Over time, nicotine can oxidise, causing the liquid to darken and the flavour to become muted or peppery. Storing your vape juice in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight will help it last longer. Always check the expiry date on the bottle before use.

How long does vape juice last?

How quickly you get through a bottle depends on your device, wattage and how often you vape. A 10ml bottle typically lasts a moderate pod kit user around three to five days. Sub-ohm vapers running higher wattages will use liquid faster, often getting through 10ml in one to two days. Buying shortfills in 50ml or 100ml bottles is the most economical option if you vape frequently.