Starting off vaping, one of the best bits is the huge range of flavours you've got to choose from. However, before you get into that part, you need to make sure you're using the best type of e-liquid for your needs too.
If you started off vaping with a mouth to lung vape pen or pod kit, chances are you were also using freebase or nic salts. If you're still figuring out what's what (and which one is best for you) we're here to clear a few things up.
To understand the differences between these types of vape juice, it's important to know how nicotine works in vaping. Traditional cigarettes and most standard e-liquids use freebase nicotine - nicotine in its purest, most potent form. However, this pure form becomes harsh at higher concentrations, limiting how much nicotine can be comfortably vaped.
Nicotine salts solve this problem by adding benzoic acid to create a smoother experience even at high nicotine strengths. This innovation has revolutionised vaping for people trying to quit smoking, as it allows for cigarette-like nicotine satisfaction without the harsh throat hit.
The name 50:50 comes from the ratio of its two main ingredients - PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerine). PG is the ingredient that carries the flavour of your e-liquid and also gives you that “throat hit” feeling. VG is the part that creates more vapour and mellows out the throat hit a little too. Aside from that the other ingredients are just flavour and freebase nicotine.
Our 50:50 freebase e-liquids typically range from a very low level of 3mg and 6mg, to much higher levels like 12mg and 18mg. Freebase nicotine e-liquids are a little more slowly absorbed but also stay in your system a bit longer. For a deeper understanding of VG/PG ratios, check our detailed VG vs PG guide.
Just like freebase, nic salts are also usually 50% VG and 50% PG. They also contain flavouring and nicotine but it's the kind of nicotine here that's different. Nicotine salts are a more neutral pH than the freebase nicotine found in 50:50s.
Generally, they come in high nicotine strengths only - mostly 18mg or 20mg though more and more brands are offering a 10mg middle ground. They also absorb more quickly than regular freebase nicotine, meaning they’re great for ex-smokers who had a heavy habit.
| Factor | Nicotine Salts | Freebase Nicotine (50:50) |
|---|---|---|
| Absorption Speed | Fast (similar to cigarettes) | Slower |
| Throat Hit | Smooth at high strengths | Harsh at 12mg+ |
| Available Strengths | 5mg, 10mg, 20mg | 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, 18mg |
| Best For | Heavy ex-smokers, quick satisfaction | Gradual nicotine reduction, longer sessions |
| Cloud Production | Minimal | Variable (can be high) |
With the only real difference between the two coming down to nicotine type, it really comes down to what kind of experience you’d like from your vape. While PG offers a bit of a throat it, another factor to consider is the type of nicotine.
Freebase nicotine is more basic on the pH scale, meaning it feels more harsh to inhale on the higher end of the strength spectrum. Nic salts have been neutralised a little to still offer that high strength but with a more gentle sensation on the inhale.
Basically, a 20mg nic salt feels more gentle to vape (as well as hitting faster) while an 18mg freebase nicotine 50:50 will feel a lot more scratchy. So, if you want a high strength and a strong throat hit, we’d recommend 50:50s for you. If you want the high strength but want a more mild inhale, nic salts are your new best friend.
Whenever you’re using 50:50s or nic salts, you’ll be wanting to use a refillable pod kit that normally utilises a plus Ohm coil (1.0ohm or higher). The reason is, the lower your resistance the more power and vapour you get through. If you used either 50:50s or nic salts in a Sub Ohm device (less than 1.0ohm), you’d get an overwhelmingly strong nicotine hit and a very scratchy throat hit.
When it comes to your own mouth to lung kit, you’ll usually have a few coil options. Not sure about MTL vs DTL vaping styles? Our MTL vs DTL guide explains all the different techniques.) Given that nic salts absorb so quickly into your system, if you’re using a 20mg nic salt for example, we’d recommend using the higher resistance coils. Anything between 1.2ohm to 1.8ohm is great, they’ll give you a smooth hit, the right amount of nicotine and won’t be too potent to enjoy. Those coils also offer the most comparable inhale to conventional cigarettes, meaning they’ll emulate the tight draw you’re used to.
If you’re using a more moderate nic salt strength like a 10mg or the higher strength freebase 50:50s, the best coils for you are around 1.0ohm - 1.2ohms. They’ll give you a little more vapour but won’t be so hot and powerful that you get too much of a nicotine headrush.
Finally, if you’re on a light nicotine 50:50 strength like a 3mg or 6mg, you can use anything between 0.5ohm to 1.0ohm. The 0.5ohm will give you more vapour and a looser inhale while the 1.0ohm is that just right balance of a tighter inhale while still giving you a decent amount of vapour.
The primary difference between nicotine salts and freebase e-liquids is the addition of benzoic acid in nic salts. This acid is naturally occurring in many foods and is generally recognized as safe by health authorities. Both types of e-liquid are significantly safer than traditional cigarettes.
Whether you’re wanting to switch from nic salts to 50:50s or are a total beginner and need some help, we’re always happy to help you out with support or recommendations. There are plenty of ways you can contact us if you need a hand choosing which e-liquid to buy.
