Nic Salt Strengths Guide: Choose 5mg, 10mg or 20mg

Just getting into nicotine salts and wondering which strength to go for? Nic salts are different from freebase nicotine. They hit smoother on your throat and your body absorbs the nicotine quicker. That's why people using pod kits prefer them.

Getting the strength right matters. It changes how the flavour tastes, how it feels in your throat, and how much you end up vaping. Pick too weak and you'll be puffing away constantly without getting what you need. Pick too strong and you'll feel rough or lightheaded.

We're going to look at 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg nic salts. By the end, you'll know which one fits your situation based on how much you used to smoke and how you vape now.

What Are Nicotine Salts?

Nicotine salts are basically nicotine mixed with an organic acid - benzoic acid is the common one. This changes the pH level and makes it gentler on your throat. You can handle stronger nicotine levels without coughing your lungs up, which is perfect for small pod kits.

Compared to regular freebase e-liquids, nic salts work faster in your system. They feel more like an actual cigarette but without that scratchy harshness.

Why People Go for Nic Salts Instead of Freebase

• Easier on your throat: Less sting and coughing, even when you go stronger

• Works in smaller devices: You get what you need from 8-20 watt pod kits

• Sorts you out quicker: You're satisfied faster, so you're not constantly reaching for it

• Stays low-key: Small pods with less cloud, easy to use when you're out

Nic salts just make sense if you're using a pod kit or you've recently packed in the cigarettes.

Breaking Down the Strengths: 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg

Your strength choice affects how fast you feel satisfied, what the throat hit's like, and how often you're vaping. It depends on what you smoked before and how you're vaping now.

Here's how they compare:

5mg Nic Salts: For Lighter Vapers

5mg suits you if you're vaping here and there or you're trying to dial back your nicotine. It's gentle on the throat and you can vape throughout the day without worrying.

The flavour comes through really well at this strength. Without as much nicotine getting in the way, you actually taste your fruit, dessert, or tobacco flavours properly.

Who it's for:

• People who only smoked a few cigarettes a day

• All-day vaping without overdoing it

• Getting the most flavour out of your liquid

Move up to 10mg if you're finding yourself constantly puffing or feeling like you need more between vapes.

10mg Nic Salts: The Middle Ground

10mg is where most people land. It works if you vape regularly and want to feel satisfied without it being too much. Loads of people who used to smoke half a pack to a full pack find 10mg hits the spot.

Who it's for:

• People vaping every day

• Getting throat hit and flavour working together

• Keeping cravings under control

Still finding yourself topping up all the time or struggling in the mornings? You might need 20mg instead.

20mg Nic Salts: The Strong Option

20mg is for people who smoke heavily and need something that works fast. It's a strong hit, so you don't need as many puffs to feel sorted. This really helps in those first few weeks after quitting cigarettes.

Who it's for:

• Pack-a-day smokers

• Getting relief quickly without constant vaping

• Dealing with stressful situations

Stick with low-power, tight MTL pods when you're using 20mg. If it feels like too much, drop down to 10mg and see how that goes.

Working Out Which Strength You Need

Think about what you smoked:

• 2-5 cigarettes a day → Go for 5mg

• 10-15 cigarettes a day → Try 10mg first

• 20+ cigarettes a day → Start with 20mg

Match it to how you vape:

• MTL style (tight draw, lower power) → 10mg to 20mg

• RDL style (airy draw, more power) → Stick to 5mg or use shortfill e-liquids and 3mg

You might need to drop down if:

• You're getting jittery or headaches

• Your throat feels too harsh

• You're feeling dizzy or sick

You might need to go up if:

• You're constantly puffing without feeling satisfied

• You wake up with strong cravings

• You're going through vape pods way too fast

Using Nic Salts Safely

• Start lower than you think you need, then adjust up if necessary

• Keep bottles somewhere cool and dark, away from kids

• Swap your vape coils when they start tasting burnt

• Don't chain vape - space it out through the day

• Drink plenty of water

• If you feel rough, stop and try a lower strength next time

Final Thoughts

Go with 5mg if you're a light vaper who wants great flavour. Pick 10mg for everyday balanced use. Choose 20mg if you were a heavy smoker. Start on the lower side, give it a week, then see how you feel.

Need Help Deciding?

We get it - choosing your first nic salt strength can feel like a guess. That's why our team is here to help you work it out.

Get in touch however suits you:

• Live chat: Hit us up on live chat 7 days a week for quick advice

• Email: Send our helpful team an email and we'll get back to you at lightning speed

• Phone: Drop us a quick call - we're always happy to talk through your options

We deal with nicotine strength questions all the time, so nothing surprises us. Whether you're making the switch from cigarettes or trying to find your sweet spot, we'll help you get it right.

Stepping Down Your Nicotine

Here's something important - we firmly believe people should reduce their nicotine strength whenever they can. If you're comfortable at 20mg now, that's fine. But once you're settled and not reaching for cigarettes anymore, think about trying 10mg. Then eventually 5mg.

There's no rush, but lowering your nicotine over time is always the healthier choice. We'll support you through each step down when you're ready. Just reach out and let us know where you're at - we'll help you plan the next move.

Your vaping journey is yours to control. We're just here to make sure you've got the right strength at every stage.