Picking the right vape juice in 2026 shapes your entire vaping experience. Flavour, vapour production, coil life - they all depend on the juice you're using.
New vapers often struggle to choose vape juice that actually works. With nicotine from 0mg to 20mg, different PG/VG ratios, and literally thousands of flavours, it's overwhelming. Fair enough.
But here's the thing - once you understand the basics, finding the right vape juice isn't complicated. Match nicotine strength to your smoking history, pick a PG/VG ratio for your kit, find flavours you actually enjoy. That's it. Browse our complete vape juice collection to see what's available, or read on to learn how to pick.
This guide breaks down what's in vape juice and why each bit matters. You'll learn to choose vape juice properly - nicotine levels, PG/VG ratios, matching juice to your specific kit. Let's get into it.
Understanding Vape Juice Ingredients
E-liquid only has four components. The PG to VG ratio affects vapour and throat hit. Nicotine type determines satisfaction. And flavourings, well, they make it taste of something.
Propylene Glycol vs Vegetable Glycerine
PG (propylene glycol) and VG (vegetable glycerine) form the base of every vape juice. Without these, you've got nothing.
PG is thin and flavourless but carries taste brilliantly. Gives you that throat hit - the sharp sensation when you inhale, a bit like smoking. Flows through small coils easily. More PG means stronger flavour, more throat hit, but less vapour.
VG is thicker with a touch of sweetness. Makes those big clouds everyone's after. Feels smoother even at high power. Sub-ohm tanks need high VG juice to work properly. Browse our high VG e-liquids if you're after clouds.
|
VG/PG Ratio |
Best For |
Throat Hit |
Cloud Size |
|
70% VG / 30% PG |
Sub-ohm tanks |
Smooth |
Large clouds |
|
50% VG / 50% PG |
Pod kits |
Balanced |
Moderate |
|
30% VG / 70% PG |
MTL vaping |
Strong |
Small clouds |
Your kit dictates the ratio. Pod vape kits need thinner liquids - more PG. Powerful mods handle thick VG no problem. Our 50/50 e-liquid range works in most starter kits if you're unsure.
Nicotine Types and Formats
Modern e-liquids come in different nicotine formats. Each one hits differently, so picking the right type helps you choose the right vape juice for satisfaction.
Freebase nicotine
Is the standard type. Harsh at higher strengths but that's what some ex-smokers want. Comes in 3mg to 18mg typically. Works best in bigger sub ohm tanks at lower strengths.
Nicotine salts
Stay smooth even at 20mg. They absorb faster too - cravings gone quicker. Salts work brilliantly in pods and MTL kits. View our nicotine salt collection for high-strength smooth options.
Zero nicotine (0mg)
Lets you vape for flavour alone or customize your nicotine strength. Browse nicotine-free e-liquids if you're cutting down. Light smokers might start at 3-6mg, while 20-a-day smokers often need 12-18mg freebase or 20mg salts.
Flavourings and Profiles
Food-grade flavour concentrates give e-liquid its taste. Same quality used in food production, tested for inhalation safety.
Main categories are fruit, dessert, tobacco, and menthol. Some brands keep it simple with single flavours, others mix complex profiles. Our tobacco e-liquids help ex-smokers transition without missing cigarettes.
Quality matters here. Good manufacturers test everything, dodgy ones don't. Stick with reputable brands and you're fine.
"After 11 years in this industry, I've learned that flavour preference is completely personal. What tastes amazing to one person might be terrible to another. Start with what you know you like in real life - if you hate coffee, don't buy coffee vape juice." - Shane, Ecigone
Choosing the Right Nicotine Strength
Nicotine strength makes or breaks your switch from smoking. Too high and you'll feel sick. Too low and you'll crave cigarettes. Getting it right when you choose vape juice is crucial.
Understanding Nicotine Levels
Nicotine shows as mg/ml on bottles - milligrams per millilitre. UK law caps it at 20mg/ml maximum. That's plenty strong enough.
Freebase nicotine: gives a better throat hit but gets harsh above 12mg. Sub-ohm vapers stick to 3-6mg because you're inhaling more vapour per puff.
Nicotine salts: changed the game. Smooth at 20mg, absorb fast, satisfy cravings quickly. Bar salts taste like disposables did. Check our bar salt range for popular flavours.
Nicotine shots: let you add nicotine to shortfills. Usually 18mg in a 10ml bottle. Mix it into a 50ml shortfill and you've got 60ml at 3mg. Browse shortfill e-liquids for customisable strength.
Nicotine Strengths for Different Users
|
Smoking History |
Freebase Nicotine |
Nicotine Salts |
|
Light (under 10/day) |
3-6mg |
10mg |
|
Moderate (10-20/day) |
6-12mg |
10-20mg |
|
Heavy (20+/day) |
12-18mg |
20mg |
Your kit affects nicotine choice when you choose the right vape juice:
-
Pod kits and MTL tanks: 10-20mg salts or 12-18mg freebase work well
-
Sub-ohm tanks: 3-6mg freebase only - salts are too strong here
Feel dizzy or nauseous? Your nicotine's too high. Vaping constantly but still want a cigarette? It's too low. Adjust accordingly.
Nicotine-Free Options
Zero nicotine e-liquid keeps the habit without addiction. Popular with people cutting down gradually or for the hobbyist vaper who just enjoys vaping in general.
Same ingredients, same flavours, just no nicotine. You still get clouds and taste. Many vapers mix nicotine and 0mg throughout the day - morning with nicotine, evening without.
Most flavours come in 0mg now. Handy for those who are nicotine dependent but still enjoy it to vape.
Balancing PG/VG Ratios for Your Vaping Style
The PG/VG ratio changes everything about your vape. Wrong ratio in the wrong kit and you'll have a bad time. Understanding ratios helps you choose vape juice that actually works.
PG/VG Ratio Explained
Every e-liquid mixes propylene glycol (PG) with vegetable glycerine (VG). The proportions matter.
PG is thin, carries flavour, and creates throat hit. That sharp feeling when you inhale? That's PG doing its job.
VG is thick, slightly sweet, and makes clouds. Want massive vapour? You need high VG.
Labels show ratios like 50/50 or 70/30. First number's VG, second's PG. So 70/30 means 70% VG, 30% PG. Simple.
High VG vs High PG E-Liquids
High VG (60% or more) suits sub-ohm tanks with low-resistance coils. You'll get thick clouds and smooth hits.
70/30 and 80/20 ratios are cloud chaser territory. Smooth as silk but thick liquid can clog small coils in basic kits. Won't work properly in pods.
High PG (50% or more) flows through small coils easily. Strong throat hit, intense flavour, but less vapour. Shop our high PG e-liquids for MTL setups.
Some find high PG harsh, especially with more nicotine. Start with 50/50 if you're unsure.
50/50 and Specialised Mixes
50/50 mixes balance everything nicely. Work in most kits, decent clouds, good flavour, moderate throat hit. Safe bet when you first choose vape juice.
Nicotine salts usually come in 50/50. Thin enough for pod coils but balanced enough for satisfaction. Most popular ratio for new vapers.
Some liquids use 60/40 or 70/30 for specific results. 60/40 VG/PG gives more clouds than 50/50 but still works in mid-range kits. Match the ratio to your kit for best results.
Matching Vape Juice to Your Kit
Wrong juice in the wrong kit equals problems. Pods need thin juice. Sub-ohm tanks need thick juice. Get this wrong when you choose the right vape juice and you'll waste money on burnt coils.
Pod Kits and Their Requirements
Pod kits run at low wattages (10-30W usually). They need higher PG liquids or nicotine salts to work properly.
The coils are tiny with high resistance (over 0.6 ohm). Thin liquid wicks through these small coils. Thick VG just sits there and burns. Our pod kit e-liquid collection has suitable options.
Best for pods:
-
50/50 VG/PG works brilliantly
-
Nicotine salts at 10-20mg
-
Higher PG if you want more throat hit
Put high VG in a pod and you'll get dry hits, burnt taste, dead coils in days. Not worth it.
Sub-Ohm Kits and Mods
Sub-ohm kits run at serious power (40-200+ watts) with coils under 1.0 ohm with most being below 0.4 ohm. They need thick juice to keep up.
Direct lung hits and cloud production need high VG. 70/30 minimum really. Smooth hits even at 100 watts. Browse sub-ohm e-liquids for these powerful kits.
Sub-ohm needs:
-
70/30 VG/PG for everyday use
-
80/20 VG/PG for cloud competitions
-
Max VG if you want zero throat hit
High VG protects your coils and delivers the clouds these kits are built for. Keep nicotine low - 3-6mg maximum.
Vape Pens and Starter Kits
Vape pens sit between pods and sub-ohm tnaks. Running 15-40 watts with medium resistance coils gives flexibility.
Most support both MTL and restricted DTL vaping. You can use various ratios here. 60/40 VG/PG often works nicely. View our vape pen e-liquids for options.
Check your coil first. Above 0.8 ohm? Use 50/50 or higher PG. Between 0.1-0.6 ohm? Try 60/40 or 70/30 mixes.
Selecting Flavours for the Best Vaping Experience
The right flavour makes vaping enjoyable instead of a chore. Personal preference rules here but understanding categories helps you choose vape juice you'll actually use.
Exploring Flavour Categories
E-liquid flavours break down into main groups, each suiting different vapers:
|
Category |
Popular Options |
Best For |
|
Tobacco |
Classic, Virginia, RY4 |
Ex-smokers starting out |
|
Menthol/Mint |
Ice menthol, spearmint, cool mint |
Menthol cigarette users |
|
Fruit |
Berry mix, tropical, citrus |
All-day vaping |
|
Dessert |
Custard, donut, cheesecake |
Sweet treats |
UK vapers often start with familiar tastes. Ex-smokers grab tobacco or fruit first, then branch out. Browse our menthol e-liquids for cooling options that clear your palate.
Adjusting for Flavour Preferences
Your taste buds decide everything. Love sweets? Dessert profiles will suit. Want fresh and clean? Menthol or citrus work better.
Flavour strength varies with ratios too. Higher PG carries flavour strongly, VG softens and sweetens it. Check our dessert e-liquids if you've got a sweet tooth.
Nicotine can affect taste. Higher strengths sometimes mute flavours or add peppery notes. Drop the nicotine if flavours seem off.
Flavour and Kit Interactions
Your vape kit changes how flavours come through. Pods give concentrated taste, less vapour. Sub-ohm tanks produce more vapour, bringing out subtle notes in complex mixes.
Power settings matter loads. Low wattage keeps delicate flavours intact. High power brings out bold, rich notes. This knowledge helps you choose the right refillable vape for your vape juice.
Optimising Your Vaping Experience
Getting the most from your juice means avoiding problems, tweaking settings right, and fixing issues when they pop up.
Preventing Common Issues
Dry hits happen when coils aren't wet enough. Keep tanks topped up above the wicking ports. New coil? Let it soak 5-10 minutes before vaping.
Leaking occurs when juice is wrong for your tank. Thin PG liquids leak from sub-ohm tanks. Everything screwed together properly? Good. Not too tight though.
Keep your vape kits upright when possible. Hot cars thin juice and cause leaks through airflow holes. Common sense really.
Customising for Cloud Production
Want clouds? You need a high VG - 70% minimum. VG makes vapour, PG doesn't. Simple as that.
Setup matters:
-
Low resistance coils work best
-
Start low with wattage, work up
-
Open airflow completely
-
Keep nicotine at 3mg or less
Browse our cloud chasing e-liquids for maximum vapour.
Troubleshooting Unwanted Effects
Harsh throat?
Nicotine's probably too high. Drop from 12mg to 6mg if using a powerful kit. Or switch to salts for smoothness.
No flavour?
Coil might be done. They last 1-2 weeks typically. Or your VG's too high - try more PG for flavour.
Spitback?
Coil's flooded. Thin juice in a high-VG tank causes this. Lower your wattage or use thicker liquid.
