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About E-Liquid
Everything You Need to Know About E-Liquids
From nicotine strengths and device compatibility to flavour profiles and liquid types, this guide covers the essentials for choosing a vape liquid that works with your refillable vape kit and your preferences.
What is E-Liquid?
E-liquids (often called vape juices or vape liquids) are the foundation of every vaping experience, determining the flavour, throat hit, and nicotine delivery of your refillable vaping device. The liquid is poured inside your vape tank or pod, where it is then absorbed by the cotton wick inside the coil; when you activate your device, the coil heats and turns the liquid into vapour which you then inhale. Choosing the right liquid for your coil resistance and device power is key to getting the best performance.
All e-liquids are made using four core ingredients: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), food-grade flavour concentrates, and nicotine, or none if you choose a nicotine-free option. In the UK, all nicotine-containing e-liquids must comply with TRPR regulations, which place strict limits on nicotine strength (max 20mg) and restrict certain additives.
Popular Vape Juice Types
At Vape Superstore we offer several different formats of refillable vape juice, each designed to suit specific refillable vapes, coil resistances, nicotine preferences and inhale styles. Finding the right match for your device makes all the difference.
50PG/50VG Liquid
50/50 liquids use an equal ratio of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, creating a thinner liquid that performs well in low-power MTL vape kits, including refillable pod kits and MTL starter kits. The higher PG content delivers a noticeable "throat hit," a sensation many ex-smokers look for.
These liquids work best with coils around 0.8Ω or higher and are available in a wide range of strengths up to 18mg nicotine.
Nic Salts
Nicotine salt e-liquids are formulated to deliver nicotine smoothly, even at higher strengths, allowing users to vape 10mg or 20mg without the harsher throat hit associated with traditional freebase nicotine. Like 50/50s, nic salts are also mixed to a 50PG/50VG ratio and best used with refillable MTL pod kits.
Nic salts have grown rapidly in popularity, particularly as vapers move away from disposable devices and look for a refillable alternative that provides a similar level of satisfaction.
High VG Liquids
High-VG liquids are designed for sub-ohm tanks and high-powered vape kits. With a higher percentage of vegetable glycerine, these liquids have a much thicker consistency that 50/50 blends, which prevents the liquid from flooding the large wicking ports on sub-ohm coils. The result is dense vapour production and a smooth inhale.
We would only recommend using these with kits operating with coils below 0.4Ω and higher wattage devices.
Shortfills
Shortfill vape juices are large bottles of nicotine-free e-liquid, available in 50ml or 100ml formats. The bottle is only partially filled to 80% capacity, leaving room to add a nicotine shot if desired.
Many regular vapers prefer shortfills because they offer significantly better value per millilitre compared to smaller bottles. They are most commonly used with sub-ohm devices where higher liquid consumption makes larger bottles more practical.
Bar Salts
Bar salts are nicotine salt e-liquids developed to replicate the bold flavour profiles popularised by disposable vapes, using higher flavour concentrations to deliver intense fruit and ice combinations designed for MTL vaping in pod systems.
Following the UK disposable vape ban, bar-style salts have become one of the fastest-growing e-liquid categories as customers transition from disposables to refillable pod kits.
Hybrid Nicotine Liquids
Hybrid nicotine blends combine freebase nicotine with nicotine salts balancing the smooth delivery of salts with the slightly stronger throat hit of freebase nicotine. They are commonly used in pod kits and MTL setups where users want a consistent nicotine experience without excessive harshness.
How to Choose the Right Nicotine Strength
Selecting the right nicotine strength plays a major role in how satisfying vaping feels, particularly for people switching from cigarettes. In the UK, nicotine-containing e-liquids are limited to 20mg strength and sold in 10ml bottles, while larger bottles are available nicotine-free and designed to be combined with nicotine shots.
From our experience helping customers make the switch from smoking, many begin with 10mg or 20mg nicotine salts, especially when using refillable pod kits. The guide below provides a starting point for choosing the right nicotine strength.
If you're using a low-powered pod kit (0.8Ω+ coils), higher strengths such as 10mg or 20mg nic salts tend to feel more satisfying.
For sub-ohm kits (using coils below 0.6Ω), lower strengths like 3mg are generally recommended due to increased vapour production per puff.
Read our full nicotine strength guide for more detail.
Understanding PG and VG ratios
All vape liquids use a base of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). The ratio between the two affects vapour production, throat hit and how the liquid performs inside your device.
High PG (50/50)
Higher-PG blends (such as 50/50) are thinner and vapourise efficiently at lower power levels. These are best suited to Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) kits which use higher-resistance coils, typically 0.8Ω and above.
High VG (70%+)
High-VG blends are designed for sub-ohm devices with coils below 0.6Ω, producing larger vapour clouds and a smoother inhale but requiring higher wattage to vaporise efficiently.
One of the most common issues new vapers experience is using a thick high-VG liquid in a small pod device. Because these coils cannot absorb thicker liquid quickly enough, it can lead to dry hits or burnt coils. Matching the PG/VG ratio to your device and coil resistance helps avoid this problem and keeps flavour consistent.
Choosing a Flavour
With over 1,800 flavours available at Vape Superstore, there is plenty to explore. If you're just starting out, beginning with something familiar is a straightforward way to ease in.
Fruit
Strawberry, blueberry, watermelon and mixed berry blends dominate the UK market. Light, refreshing and endlessly varied, the most popular vape flavour by a significant margin.
Shop fruit flavours →Menthol & Mint
Icy, refreshing inhales ranging from spearmint to polar menthol. A natural choice for ex-menthol smokers and popular with vapers who want a clean, palate-cleansing profile.
Shop menthol flavours →Dessert & Bakery
Custard, vanilla, caramel and pastry-inspired blends. Rich and satisfying, particularly popular in high-VG shortfills.
Shop dessert flavours →Tobacco
Classic and blended tobacco profiles for ex-smokers looking for a more familiar taste, ranging from straight Virginia and menthol tobacco to more complex RY4 blends.
Shop tobacco flavours →Sweet & Candy
Sherbet, sour candy, bubblegum and gummy bear flavours with a nostalgic quality, a category that has grown significantly from the rise of disposable vapes.
Shop candy flavours →Drinks & Soda
Cola, lemonade, iced tea, energy drink and cocktail-inspired blends with bright, effervescent profiles that work well as an all-day vape or alongside fruit-based combinations.
Ice vs No Ice
If you're exploring our bar salts category, these vape juices include a subtle cooling effect even when ice or menthol isn't mentioned in the flavour name. From our experience tasting a wide range of bar salt liquids, manufacturers often add a small amount of cooling agent to recreate the refreshing sensation found in disposable vapes. Those who prefer a completely non-icy vape may want to explore dessert or bakery blends, which are typically produced without cooling additives.
Choose the Right Type for Your Vape Kit
Not sure where to start? Select your device type below and we'll show you the best vape liquid formats and top recommendations for your kit.
Nicotine salts or 50/50 liquids
Refillable pod kits typically use mouth-to-lung higher resistance coils which are designed for thinner liquids. Nicotine salts deliver a smooth throat hit and fast nicotine satisfaction at 5mg, 10mg or 20mg. 50/50 freebase liquids also work well if you prefer a harsher, more cigarette like throat hit.
Our recommendations:
Prefilled pods (no liquid required)
Prefilled pod kits come with sealed, ready-to-use liquid pods. You do not need to purchase e-liquid separately, when the pod runs out, swap it for a new one. The pods come in a wide range of flavours and are available in 20mg nicotine salt strength as standard.
50/50 freebase liquids
Vape pens and MTL starter kits use higher-resistance coils designed for thinner 50/50 PG/VG e-liquids. The balanced ratio wicks easily and delivers a strong, defined throat hit. Nicotine salts in 50/50 format also work well if you want a smoother experience at the same strength.
Our recommendations:
High-VG shortfills
Sub-ohm kits operate at higher wattages (40W+) and use low-resistance coils that need high-VG liquids (70VG or above) to produce the dense vapour and smooth inhale they are built for. Add one nicotine shot to a 50ml shortfill or two to a 100ml to reach approximately 3mg, which suits most sub-ohm vapers.
Our recommendations:
What Else Should You Consider?
Once you've considered the PG/VG ratio, liquid type and flavour, there are a few additional things worth checking before you buy.
Device compatibility
Make sure the PG/VG ratio matches the device and coil you're using. Higher-resistance MTL coils (0.8Ω+) pair with 50/50 blends or nic salts. Sub-ohm coils (below 0.6Ω) are suited to high-VG liquids.
Freebase vs Nic Salts
Nic salts offer a smoother inhale at higher strengths. Freebase nicotine provides a throat hit closer to smoking. Both are available across most flavour ranges.
Power output
Sub-ohm vaping produces high vapour volume, so use low nicotine strengths (3–6mg). Low-powered MTL pod kits work best with higher nicotine options (10–20mg) to compensate for lower vapour output.
Budget & bottle size
10ml bottles are easy to carry, but heavy vapers will get through them quickly. 50ml and 100ml shortfills work out significantly cheaper per ml, even after adding a nic shot.
Flavour intensity
Bar salts use higher flavour concentrations to replicate the bold taste of disposable vapes, the closest refillable match if you're switching from an Elf Bar or Lost Mary. However, they can be very sweet and may shorten coil lifespan compared to standard nic salts or freebase liquids.
Flavour rotation
Vaping the same flavour continuously can cause flavour fatigue, sometimes referred to as vaper's tongue. Our advice is to have at least two different flavour profiles on the go. Switch between a fruit and a dessert, or a menthol and a drink flavour. This simple rotation can keep your palate fresh and the flavours tasting as they should. Multi-buy deals make it easy to mix and match different flavours, so you can explore a few options while saving on your order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which e-liquid should I use if I'm switching from cigarettes?
For heavy smokers (20+ a day), start with a 20mg nicotine salt in a low-power pod system, it most closely replicates the speed and feel of nicotine absorption from a cigarette. For lighter smokers (under 10 a day), a 6mg or 10mg freebase in a starter pen kit is usually sufficient.
Can I use any vape juice in any device?
No, not all vape juices are compatible with every device. Using the wrong liquid can lead to poor flavour, leakage or burnt coils. The key is matching the PG/VG ratio to your coil resistance and device power output.
MTL coils (0.6Ω or higher, up to ~40W) work best with 50/50 blends or nic salts. Sub-ohm devices (40W+, coils below 0.6Ω) are designed for high-VG liquids at lower nicotine strengths such as 3mg or 6mg.
What's the difference between mouth-to-lung and direct-lung vaping?
Mouth-to-lung (MTL) mimics the draw of a cigarette, you pull the vapour into your mouth first, then inhale. It uses tighter airflow, higher nicotine, and thinner 50/50 liquids. Direct-lung (DTL) involves inhaling directly like a deep breath, it produces larger clouds, uses low-nicotine or nicotine-free shortfills, and requires sub-ohm devices with open airflow.
How much do vape juices cost?
Prices start from £1.20 for a standard 10ml, with price increasing for larger formats. Shortfills work out much cheaper per millilitre. Buying in multi-buy deals reduces the cost further, for example, 6 for £10 on 10ml bottles.
Are e-liquids regulated in the UK?
Yes. All e-liquids containing nicotine sold in the UK must be notified and registered with the MHRA under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). This means products undergo testing for ingredients, safety data, and packaging standards before going on sale. Our entire range is TPD-compliant and sourced from registered UK or EU manufacturers.