E-Liquid Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Vape Juice for You

E-Liquid Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Vape Juice for You

If you vape, your e-liquid is just as important as the device you're using. It controls everything from how strong your nicotine hit is to how good your flavour tastes. Choosing the right vape juice can be the difference between a satisfying vape and one that ends up in the bin.

This guide breaks it all down. Whether you’re completely new to vaping or just looking to try something new, we’ll cover what e-liquid is made of, how to match it to your vape, what flavours and strengths to consider, and how to avoid wasting money on stuff that doesn’t suit you.

Let’s get straight into it.

What Is E-Liquid?

E-liquid, also known as vape juice, is the liquid used in electronic cigarettes and vape devices. It gets heated by your coil and turned into vapour when you inhale.

All vape liquids are made from four basic ingredients:

  • Propylene Glycol (PG)

  • Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

  • Flavouring

  • Nicotine (optional)

Some vapers use nicotine-free liquids just for flavour. Others use higher nicotine strengths to quit smoking or curb cravings. No matter what your reason for vaping is, your choice of e-liquid plays a massive role in the experience.

PG and VG – What Do They Mean?

You’ll see PG and VG mentioned on every bottle of vape juice. These two ingredients make up the base of your liquid, and the ratio between them affects everything from throat hit to cloud size.

Propylene Glycol (PG)

PG is a thin liquid that carries flavour well and produces a noticeable throat hit, similar to the feeling of smoking a cigarette. It’s found in most beginner-friendly juices and works best in low-powered pod systems.

Best for:

  • Ex-smokers

  • Mouth-to-lung devices

  • People who want a stronger throat hit

Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

VG is thicker and sweeter. It produces larger vapour clouds and gives a much smoother inhale. You’ll find high-VG liquids used in sub-ohm setups and with bigger, more powerful kits.

Best for:

  • Direct-to-lung vaping

  • Big cloud production

  • Smoother hits

PG/VG Ratios Explained

Here are some common blends and what they’re used for:

  • 50/50: A balanced mix suitable for pods and basic kits

  • 70 VG / 30 PG: More vapour, less throat hit, great for sub-ohm devices

  • 80 VG / 20 PG: Designed for cloud chasing and direct-to-lung hits

  • High PG (60/40 or 70/30): Strong throat hit, less vapour, tighter draw

Always check your vape device before choosing a ratio. Using high-VG juice in a small pod may cause dry hits. Using high-PG juice in a sub-ohm tank might feel too harsh.

Nicotine Strengths - Which One Is Right for You?

Getting your nicotine strength right is one of the most important steps. If the strength is too low, you’ll feel unsatisfied and crave more. If it’s too high, you might feel dizzy or get a headache.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

  • 20mg: Suitable for heavy smokers (20+ cigarettes a day)

  • 10mg–12mg: Good for moderate smokers

  • 6mg: Light smokers

  • 3mg: Casual vapers or those cutting down

  • 0mg: No nicotine at all

If you’re unsure, most people start around 10mg and adjust based on how it feels. You’ll know quickly if it’s too strong or not strong enough.

Nicotine Salt vs Freebase Nicotine

There are two main types of nicotine used in e-liquids: salt nicotine and freebase nicotine.

Nicotine Salt (Nic Salt)

Nic salt gives a smoother hit even at higher strengths. It absorbs quickly into the bloodstream and is ideal for low-power devices like pods. It’s perfect for people who want something close to the feel of smoking without a harsh throat hit.

Common strengths: 10mg and 20mg
Best with: Small pods and starter kits
Ideal for: People quitting cigarettes

Freebase Nicotine

Freebase is the traditional form of nicotine. It gives a stronger throat hit and is used in both 10ml bottles and shortfill liquids. Freebase works best with sub-ohm devices and those looking for bigger clouds and bolder flavour.

Common strengths: 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, 18mg
Best with: Vape pens, sub-ohm tanks, box mods
Ideal for: Experienced users or those who want more control over nicotine intake

Flavours - What to Expect and How to Pick

This is where things get fun. Vape juice comes in hundreds of flavours, and there’s something for everyone. Whether you like something sweet, fruity, fresh, or traditional, you’ll find it in a bottle.

Main Flavour Categories

1. Tobacco
Great for people switching from smoking. These flavours are smooth, earthy, and sometimes blended with caramel, vanilla, or nutty notes.

2. Menthol & Mint
Cool and refreshing. You’ll find straight menthol as well as ice versions of fruits like watermelon ice or mango menthol.

3. Fruit
By far the most popular group. From single flavours like strawberry or grape to complex blends like tropical punch, fruit juices are great for all-day vaping.

4. Dessert
If you like sweet and rich, dessert vapes offer flavours like vanilla custard, donut, cheesecake, and cinnamon roll.

5. Drinks
Inspired by popular drinks like cola, coffee, lemonade, or energy drinks. Often paired with ice or fizz effects.

How to Choose the Right Flavour

It really depends on your personal taste. If you’re just quitting smoking, a simple tobacco or menthol might feel more familiar. If you want something new and different, fruit and dessert flavours are a good place to explore.

Start with a small 10ml bottle to test, then grab bigger sizes or bundles once you find something you like.

Shortfills, Nic Shots, and Bigger Bottles

When you’ve found a flavour you like, you might want a bigger bottle to avoid buying the same 10ml over and over. That’s where shortfills come in.

What is a Shortfill?

A shortfill is a large bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid. It usually comes in 50ml or 100ml sizes but leaves space in the bottle for you to add nicotine shots. These are called shortfills because the bottle is “short filled”, meaning it’s not filled to the top.

For example, a 60ml bottle will have 50ml of juice, leaving room for a 10ml nicotine shot. You mix the two by shaking the bottle. The end result gives you a 3mg nicotine strength if you’re using one standard nic shot.

What is a Nic Shot?

A nic shot is a 10ml bottle of unflavoured nicotine, usually freebase. It’s designed to be added to shortfills.

Here’s how it works:

  • 50ml shortfill + 1 nic shot = 60ml of 3mg juice

  • 100ml shortfill + 2 nic shots = 120ml of 3mg juice

Some brands also offer nic salt shots, which give a smoother hit. Make sure you shake the bottle well after adding the nic shot so the nicotine distributes evenly.

Why Use Shortfills?

  • Better value per ml

  • More flavour options

  • Less plastic waste

  • Great for sub-ohm vapers who go through more liquid

Shortfills are not suitable for small pod systems or low-wattage devices. They tend to be high VG, which is too thick for basic coils.

How to Read an E-Liquid Label

Labels can be confusing when you’re just starting out. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to look for:

  • Flavour name: Obvious, but good to double-check

  • Nicotine strength: Shown in mg per ml (e.g. 10mg)

  • PG/VG ratio: Tells you if the liquid is balanced or high VG

  • Bottle size: 10ml, 50ml, 100ml, etc.

  • Expiry date: Most liquids last 1 to 2 years unopened

  • Ingredients: Should list PG, VG, flavouring, and nicotine if included

  • Batch number: Needed for product safety tracking

  • TPD info: Bottles with nicotine in the EU must have warning labels

Never buy unlabelled or unregulated e-liquids. If the label doesn’t tell you what’s in it or where it was made, skip it.

Storing Your E-Liquid Properly

E-liquid doesn’t last forever. To get the most out of it, store your bottles in a cool, dark place with the cap tightly closed.

Do’s

  • Keep bottles upright

  • Store away from sunlight

  • Keep away from pets and children

  • Use older bottles first

  • Close the cap tightly after every use

Don’ts

  • Don’t leave bottles in a hot car

  • Don’t store near radiators or heaters

  • Don’t leave nicotine shots open for too long

If a bottle of e-liquid starts to look very dark or smells off, it may be past its best. Most e-liquids are fine to use for up to a year after opening, but flavours can fade over time.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Buying e-liquid is easy, but getting the right one isn’t always guaranteed. Here are some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Using the Wrong PG/VG Ratio

High VG liquid in a small pod device can cause dry hits or coil flooding. Always match your juice to your vape.

Fix: Read your device instructions and stick to 50/50 or high PG if you're using a low-power device.

2. Choosing the Wrong Nicotine Strength

Too strong and it’ll feel harsh or make you dizzy. Too weak and it won’t curb your cravings.

Fix: Start in the middle (10mg) and go up or down based on how you feel after a few days.

3. Not Trying Before Buying Large Bottles

It’s tempting to grab a big bottle of something that sounds nice, but it’s risky if you’ve never tried it.

Fix: Always buy a 10ml tester if possible before committing to a full 100ml bottle.

4. Ignoring Expiry Dates

Old juice can lose its flavour or nicotine punch. If it’s been open for too long or stored poorly, it may not vape well.

Fix: Use within six months after opening and rotate your stash so older ones get used first.

5. Mixing Flavours in the Same Tank

If you switch from mango to custard without cleaning your tank or pod, the flavours will mix, and not always in a good way.

Fix: Rinse your tank with warm water and dry it properly before switching flavours.

E-Liquid FAQs

What’s the best e-liquid for quitting smoking?

Nic salts with 10mg or 20mg strength and a tobacco or menthol flavour are the most common choice for new vapers. They feel more like smoking and absorb quickly.

Is it safe to vape sweet flavours?

Yes, as long as they’re from a trusted supplier and TPD compliant. Always avoid home-mixed liquids or unlabelled bottles.

Can I mix two flavours together?

You can, but it’s better if they’re in the same flavour family. For example, strawberry and kiwi usually work well together. Tobacco and cola probably won’t.

Why does my e-liquid taste burnt?

That usually means your coil is burnt out or you’re vaping too fast. Change the coil, refill the tank, and take slower puffs.

Can I use high VG liquid in my pod?

Only if the pod is designed for it. Otherwise, it’s too thick and could ruin your coil or leak.

Final Tips Before You Buy

  • Always match liquid to your device

  • Start with smaller bottles to test flavours

  • Read reviews if you’re buying online

  • Avoid buying from sketchy sites or stalls

  • Ask for advice if you’re not sure

The best e-liquid for you is the one that works with your setup, satisfies your cravings, and makes you actually enjoy vaping. Don’t be afraid to try different flavours and brands until you find your favourites. Once you do, vaping becomes far more enjoyable and a lot more affordable than smoking.

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