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Two of the most common types of e-liquid available to buy online right now are freebase e-liquids and nic salts. They can look almost identical to anyone who is new to vaping, but they are actually quite different products.
What makes them different is how the nicotine itself is made, the strengths available, and which vaping kit the liquid works in. This guide explains how and why they differ, and, more importantly, which might be the best option for you.
Nic salts and 50/50 freebase e-liquids share the same 50PG/50VG base, so both suit the same low-powered MTL kits.
Freebase e-liquid gives a sharper throat hit and comes in 0mg, 3mg, 6mg, 12mg and 18mg; nic salts feel smoother and come in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg.
Nic salts use benzoic acid to soften high-strength nicotine, which is why 20mg salt feels gentler than 18mg freebase.
Both formats run in MTL kits and neither belongs in a true sub-ohm tank; nic salts and low-strength freebase suit coils from 0.6ohm up, while 12mg and 18mg freebase is better at 1.0ohm and above.
Heavier smokers tend to start on 20mg salt or 12mg freebase; lighter smokers do well on 5mg to 10mg salt or 3mg to 6mg freebase.
A 50/50 e-liquid is built from equal parts propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). The PG carries flavour and throat hit, while the VG makes the vapour. Split evenly, they give a versatile juice that draws tightly and runs in most vape starter kits - the entry point for most people who are new to this.
The nicotine in a standard 50/50 is freebase nicotine, the unbound form, which is a higher pH than salt and gives a noticeable, punchy throat sensation above 12mg. In the UK, 50 50 vape juice comes in 3mg, 6mg, 12mg and 18mg. In terms of labelling, ‘50/50’ refers to the PG/VG ratio, while ‘freebase’ refers to the type of nicotine.
A standard 50/50 bottle uses freebase nicotine, which is why the two terms often appear together, but they are describing different things.
Many nic salts are blended to the same 50PG/50VG ratio, so they behave like a 50/50 in the kit. The difference is the nicotine itself: salt e-liquids combine nicotine with an acid, commonly benzoic acid, to lower the pH and make higher nicotine strengths feel smoother to inhale. For a deeper look at the formulation, benefits and use of salt nicotine, read our guide to how nicotine salts work.
Nicotine salts can also deliver nicotine efficiently at higher strengths. Studies comparing salt and freebase formulations have found higher nicotine delivery from some salt e-liquids at the same concentration, although the amount absorbed also depends on the device, formulation and how you vape.
UK nic salts come in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg, with 20mg the legal ceiling for a 10ml bottle. The smooth hit at those strengths is why salts belong in low-powered kits running coils of 0.6ohm and up. In a sub-ohm kit, they can deliver an uncomfortable dose in one puff.
Here are the two formats side by side:
| Feature | 50/50 Freebase | Nic Salts |
|---|---|---|
| Base Ratio | 50PG/50VG | 50PG/50VG |
| Nicotine Strengths | 0mg, 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, 18mg | 5mg, 10mg, 20mg |
| Throat Hit | Sharper, noticeable at 12mg+ | Smoother, even at 20mg |
| Satisfaction | Steadier | Faster |
| Best Device | MTL kits, 0.6ohm+ | MTL kits, 0.6ohm+ |
| Suits | Step-down, widest flavour choice | Recent switchers, strong smooth hit |
In short, the main difference is the type of nicotine. Nic salts are formulated to make higher nicotine strengths feel smoother to inhale, while freebase nicotine gives a more noticeable throat hit, particularly at higher strengths.
Freebase at 12mg to 18mg gives a distinct, very sharp catch at the back of the throat. Now, that might sound unpleasant to some people, but to many, it is a highly desirable, sought after sensation, as it echoes a cigarette. Nic salt at 20mg feels much smoother than 18mg freebase taken the same way, which is the benzoic acid at work on the pH.
To put it in terms that are probably more useful to anyone who might be new to vaping, if your first vape felt harsh, nic salts are usually the answer (or at least worth trying).
If you miss the firm draw of a cigarette, 12mg to 18mg freebase or 20mg salt is probably worth a go. Coil resistance changes harshness too, though, as a 1.2ohm-plus coil gives a tighter draw. To that end, if a vape feels off, it may be the coil rather than the juice.
Which brings us neatly round to our next point - the different devices available for nic salts vs freebase.
Both 50/50 freebase and nic salts are best suited to low-powered MTL and pod kits. The important factor is not resistance alone, but how much power the device uses and how much e-liquid it vaporises with each puff.
50/50 e-liquids work across a wide range of low-powered hardware, from starter kits and refillable pod kits to MTL tanks. Nic salts suit many of the same devices, but nicotine strength becomes especially important because higher-powered setups vaporise more e-liquid with each puff.
Regarding coils, 0.6ohm to 0.9ohm are technically ‘sub-ohm’ by number, but in a low-powered MTL pod kit they are fine for both. A true sub-ohm setup runs 30W to 120W with high-VG liquid at 0.5ohm and below, which is a different kind of vaping.
| Device Type | Compatible Format |
|---|---|
| Refillable Pod Kit (0.6ohm+) | Both |
| MTL Tank | Both |
| Vape Pen / Starter Kit | Both |
| Sub-Ohm Tank (0.5ohm and below) | Neither |
50/50 freebase comes in 0mg, 3mg, 6mg, 12mg and 18mg variants. Nic salts are available in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg options. Getting the strength right from the start is often a tricky proposition, as matching your previous smoking habits to daily nicotine strengths in vaping isn't an exact science, but there are anecdotal rules you can follow.
50/50 freebase commonly comes in 0mg, 3mg, 6mg, 12mg and 18mg variants, while nic salts are widely available in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg strengths. UK regulations limit nicotine-containing e-liquids to a maximum of 20mg/ml. Choosing a strength is not an exact cigarette-to-vape conversion, because nicotine delivery also varies by device and how frequently you vape.
As a rough starting point, someone moving from heavier daily smoking may prefer a higher-strength option such as 12mg to 18mg freebase or 20mg nic salt, while lighter smokers may find lower-strength freebase or 5mg to 10mg salts more suitable. If the strength feels too harsh or too strong, move down rather than assuming a higher strength will work better.
Choose nic salts if you prefer a smoother inhale at higher nicotine strengths, have recently switched from smoking, or use a low-powered pod or MTL kit.
Choose 50/50 freebase if you prefer a more noticeable throat hit, want greater flexibility across lower nicotine strengths, or are gradually reducing the amount of nicotine you use.
Either works if you have a pod kit at 0.6ohm or above and fancy switching between the two, or you are chasing a flavour stocked in both.
Yes. If your refillable vape kit is designed for 50/50 e-liquids, you can usually switch between freebase and nic salts without changing the device. The main things to consider are nicotine strength, coil resistance and the power your kit uses.
If you change from freebase to nic salts, don't assume you need the same nicotine strength. Nic salts are commonly available at higher strengths and feel smoother to inhale, so choose the strength that suits how often you vape and the device you are using.
The choice between nic salts and 50/50 freebase is not really about which is better, as the choice is highly subjective. It all depends on what suits you personally. If you are just off the cigarettes and after a smooth, strong hit from a pod kit, salts are probably the best place to start.
But if you prefer a firmer throat hit, a lower strength, or a fuller flavour, freebase is likely more ideal. Either way, get your coil resistance matched to your liquid and you will not go far wrong.
