Navigating the world of e-liquids as a first time shopper can seem overwhelming what with the vast selection of flavours, nicotine strengths and e-liquid ratios available. Choosing the right type of e-liquid that meets your requirements for vaping style, nicotine and flavour, and works in your vape kit will help you to get your vaping journey off on the right start and ensure that you have an enjoyable and successful vaping experience.
We recommend that beginners and those looking to make the switch from smoking use e-liquids suitable for the MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) style of vaping. If you're looking to vape purely for recreational cloud and flavour chasing, you can take a look at DTL (Direct-to-Lung) Sub-Ohm vaping, but bear in mind that there is a learning curve that requires you to delve into wattage and coil resistance in a bit more depth.
By law, the sale of any vaping products including nicotine-free e-liquids to minors under the age of 18 is prohibited. Online retailers carry out Age Verification using independent third parties, while face-to-face sales employ Challenge 25, requiring those who look under tha age of 25 to provide proof of identification.
We've crafted this e-liquid buying guide to serve as companion to help give you a better understanding of what e-liquids are and how they differ depending on each style of vaping. Once you are familiar, you'll be free to discover the ideal e-liquid that is tailored precisely to your vaping needs. Read our Vape Kits Buying Guide for more about the various types of vape kits on offer.
E-liquid Ratios Explained
Understanding the ratio of the base ingredients Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerine (VG) is important. E-liquids are mixed to varying consistencies depending on what type of kit you are using. Balanced 50:50 PG/VG ratios like those found in nicotine salts are thinner e-liquids good for beginner MTL pod kits. Thicker high VG e-liquids work best in powerful DTL sub-ohm vape devices.
10ml Nic Salts - 50:50 PG/VG or 60:40 PG/VG - Thin liquid, Great for MTL vaping, Strong flavour, Satisfying throat hit, High nicotine levels.
10ml Freebase - 50:50 PG/VG or 60:40 PG/VG -Thin liquid, Great for MTL vaping, Very strong throat hit, Muted flavour, High nicotine levels.
10ml High VG - 30:70 PG/VG or 20:80 PG/VG - Thick liquid, Great for DTL vaping, Strong flavour, Little to no throat hit, Low nicotine levels.
Vaping Styles
Mouth-to-lung (MTL)
Replicates a cigarette draw, Noticeable throat hit, Wide range of nicotine strengths, Great flavour, Discrete vapour production
Direct-to-lung (DTL)
One deep inhale, No throat hit, Low or no nicotine, Big flavour, Big clouds
Optimal Vape Kits for Every Vaping Style
Style | Disposables | Refillable Pod Kits | Pre-filled Pod Kits | Sub-ohm Kits | Nicotine Priority | Cloud Production |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MTL | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ✓ |
|
DTL |
| ✓ |
| ✓ |
| ✓ |
Nicotine Strengths by Vaping Style
- Vaping Style
- Nicotine Strength
- Flavour
Vaping Style
Your vaping style will decide what kind of e-liquid and nicotine you can use. MTL (mouth-to-lung) vaping works with 50:50 e-liquids and high nicotine strengths up to 20mg. DTL (direct-to-lung) vaping uses high VG e-liquids and zero nicotine up to 3mg max.
Nicotine Strength
Think about how heavy your smoking habit is, are you a social smoker or a pack-a-day heavy smoker? If you don’t have enough nicotine in your e-liquid you will go back to cigarettes. Are you vaping purely for flavour? In that case, do you even need nicotine?
Flavour
If flavour and nicotine are important to you then nicotine salt e-liquids in MTL pod kits are the perfect choice. If you are purely after flavour and don’t wish to vape any nicotine then high VG e-liquids in sub-ohm vape kits will be a better option for you.
Knowing how to store your e-liquids correctly will also ensure that you lock in the flavour for as long as possible.
Vaping Style
Your vaping style will decide what kind of e-liquid and nicotine you can use. MTL mouth-to-lung vaping works with 50:50 e-liquids and high nicotine strengths. DTL direct-to-lung vaping uses high VG e-liquids and zero nicotine up to 3mg max.
Nicotine Strength
Think about how heavy your smoking habit is, are you a social smoker or a pack-a-day heavy smoker? If you don’t have enough nicotine in your e-liquid you will go back to cigarettes. Are you vaping purely for flavour? In that case, do you even need nicotine?
Flavour
If flavour and nicotine are important to you then nicotine salt e-liquids in MTL pod kits are the perfect choice. If you are purely after flavour and don’t wish to vape any nicotine then high VG e-liquids in sub-ohm vape kits will be a better option for you.
The Two Types of Nicotine
There are two nicotine formulations available and each has benefits that are worth considering before you make your e-liquid purchase. Heavy smokers looking to break away from their tobacco habit will find the higher strengths offered by nicotine salts beneficial in keeping their strong cravings at bay. Nic Salts also provide richer flavour profiles and a much smoother throat hit. Freebase nicotine e-liquids on the other hand delivers a much more muted and subtle flavour profile that may be suitable to those that don't want an overly sweet vape. However, freebase can be exceptionally harsh at strengths above 12mg and may be more be more suitable to light/social smokers who prefer a lower nicotine strength.
Pre-mixed nicotine e-liquid is available in 10ml bottles for refillable starter vape kits and 2ml pods for prefilled pod kits.
Freebase Nicotine
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Available in 10ml premixed bottles
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Offers a wider range of nicotine strengths: 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, and 18mg
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Throat hit is much more noticeable and can be unpleasant at strengths of 12mg and higher
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Muted flavours, above 6mg
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Great for reducing nicotine levels
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Takes longer to work and leaves the body sooner.
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Limited range of flavours.
Nicotine Salts
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Available in premixed 10ml bottles and 2ml pre-filled closed pod systems
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Highest nicotine strengths available; 5mg, 10mg & 20mg
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Smooth and satisfying throat hit no matter the strength.
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No compromise on flavour
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Bioavailability - works almost instantly and satisfies cravings much longer
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Extensive range of flavour options.
High VG 0mg Shortfills
Made for DTL (direct-to-lung vaping), high VG e-liquids require more powerful devices, known as sub-ohm kits, to vaporise the e-liquid. These kits utilise coils with a lower resistance, which produce large plumes of rich flavour with a silky smooth draw that has virtually no throat hit. You can add a nicotine shot to create a 3mg strength shortfill bottle or vape them nicotine free. Consider where you use these kits as they may not be suitable to use in all public situations.
Read our Coils Buying Guide for a more indepth look at the wide range of coils on offer.
High PG 0mg Shortfills
Made for MTL mouth-to-lung pod kits that use higher resistance coils, High PG Shortfills offer excellent value for money but are limited to a 3mg max nicotine strength, which is perfect for social/light smokers or those who have lowered their nicotine levels.
How to choose the right nicotine strength
Cigarettes per day | Nicotine Strength |
Social: >5 | 3mg |
Light: 5 - 10 | 5mg, 6mg |
Average: 10-15 | 10mg, 12mg |
Heavy: 20+ | 18mg, 20mg |
Ordering your e-liquids
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Free UK tracked delivery on orders over £20
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DPD Next Working Day Delivery.
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Same Day Delivery to London, Birmingham, Leeds & Manchester.
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Find out about Same Day Delivery and other shipping methods.
Recycling
It is vitaly important to minimise your waste do your bit for the environment, empty vape juice bottles should be rinsed out and recycled with your household recycling.
*Check out our clear and simple Beginners Vaping Guide and find out how to choose your first vape kit and e-liquid.
www.vapesuperstore.co.uk contains general information about vaping and vapour products. The information provided is not medical advice, and should not be relied upon unless explicitly cited. We do not make any warranties surrounding the health benefits, reliability and accuracy of written copy across all pages on our website, including blog content and content posted on social media.
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