E-liquid

What Is E-liquid?

E-liquid, also known as vape juice or vape liquid, is a vital ingredient. It’s the flavoured liquid that you put into your pod or tank as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. E liquid is specially formulated to work with vape coils and produce vapour, while satisfying your nicotine cravings. It does this without all the harmful chemicals found inside combustible cigarettes. You can also buy nicotine free e liquid if you want to have the actions of smoking, without taking any nicotine.

No matter what e cig you use, from disposables to vape pod kits it will contain e-liquid in some form. The best thing about using vape juice is the choice between flavours. There is something for everyone, from fruity and citrus, to sweet and dessert flavours. You can even try out a range of drinks flavours based on popular cocktails and soft drinks.

With some trial and error, we’re sure you will find your perfect flavour combination. Most people often stick to what they know for a long time, but don’t be afraid to mix things up every once in a while, to keep your vape experience fresh and exciting.

What Is Vape Juice Made Of?

Vape Juice is made up of four main ingredients including nicotine, flavouring, propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). There are a lot of flavours to choose from, catering to all tastes to fulfil the vaping experience. E-liquids can help you transition from cigarettes and lower your nicotine intake while reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Flavourings are used to create the taste you know and love. These are food grade quality and are added in different concentrations depending on the liquid to deliver a burst of flavour to your vape.

Propylene Glycol, or PG, makes the vape juice thinner, and provides you with the throat hit to simulate smoking. It also produces less vapour, making it ideal for a more discreet vape. 

Vegetable Glycerin, or VG, will make your e-liquid thicker, and determines how much vapour the liquid can produce. The more VG, the thicker the vapour will be. It also reduces the throat hit to balance out the PG.

Nicotine is what satisfies your cravings. It is added to e-liquid in various strengths that you choose based on how many cigarettes you currently smoke. It comes in different forms, including freebase and nicotine salt, which give you a different vape experience.

Water is usually added to create a thinner consistency, allowing the liquid to be absorbed into the vape coil easier. This helps prevent coil burnout and is found inside every e-liquid.

PG & VG

All e-liquid will have a ratio of PG to VG. This will affect the throat hit, amount of cloud and strength of flavour you experience. So, it's worth figuring out the ratio you want. We have summarised the main differences below.

 

What Are The Different Types Of E-liquid?

Choosing the right e-liquid for you is an important part of vaping. Getting it right can make your experience much smoother. Most vapers will pick an e-liquid with nicotine in it, however, there are 0mg options for those who would prefer to go without. To learn more about the different types of e liquid we offer, we have broken them down for you into sections.

What is Freebase E liquid?

Freebase e-liquid uses pure nicotine in its base form. This is also found in cigarettes (but without all the harmful chemicals) and offers a quicker hit when inhaled. In higher strengths it can sometimes feel harsh, but is the most popular choice among both new and existing vapers. If you want an e-liquid that most closely mimics a cigarette, then freebase is a great starting point. The 3 main points to note about freebase e-liquid are below.

• Uses pure nicotine like cigarettes
• Available in more strengths than most liquids
• Provides a more instant nicotine hit

What is Nic Salt E Liquid?

Nic salt, or nicotine salt, simulates nicotine in its natural salt form. Nicotine appears as a salt inside the tobacco leaf, and when used inside e liquid, will give you a smoother hit that gradually builds up and lasts for a longer time. This means you shouldn’t have to use your vape as much, and it is often found in higher strengths due to its smoothness. Some main points to take away below.

• Simulates natural salts found in the tobacco leaf
• Usually comes in high strength options
• Provides a smoother, longer lasting nicotine hit

What is Bar Salt E-liquid?

Bar salts are type of vape juice that have the same intense flavours found in disposable vapes, making them an ideal choice for people moving over from single use kits. These e-liquids come in a wide range of strengths and flavours which include popular brands such as ELFLIQ and MARYLIQ. These e-liquids use nic salt as a base, usually around 50/50 PG:VG, meaning you will get a smoother inhale at higher strengths. Some key points to note are below.

• Same strong flavours as disposable vapes
• Nic salt base for a smoother inhale
• Ideal for those moving over from single use devices

What is Shortfill E Liquid?

Shortfill vape juice is a larger bottle of e liquid that comes in 0mg strength, and is usually high in VG for maximum vapour and a sweeter flavour. The reason why shortfill is not available with nicotine is due to TPD and TRPR regulations, which state that e liquid which contains nicotine can only be sold in 10ml bottles. Most shortfill e-liquid comes in 50ml, 100ml and 150ml options.

You do get additional space inside every shortfill bottle though, allowing you to add 10ml nic shots to increase the nicotine strength yourself. Shortfill offers very good value for money, and is popular with vapers who like to stick to one flavour for a while. Three shortfill points to take away are:

• Comes packaged in a larger bottle between 50ml-150ml
• Zero nicotine as standard to comply with TPD and TRPR regulations
• Often uses high VG ratio to provide sweeter flavours and more vapour

E-liquid Strengths

The nicotine strength you use should match align with your personal preferences. For those trying to quit smoking this will usually depend on your history with cigarettes. Heavier smokers should start off with 18-20mg a high strength and slowly reduce. Whereas light smokers should use lower strengths such as 3-5mg to to satisfy their cravings. If you are a smoker needing some help, we recommend the following based on how many cigarettes you smoke per day.

Choosing the right nicotine strength for you is an important part of vaping and getting it right can make your experience much smoother. Most vapers will pick an e-liquid with nicotine in it, however, there are 0mg nicotine options for those who would prefer to go without.

Best nicotine strength for new vapers?

If you are a new vaper, we recommend you stick to a strength you're used to. New users in particular need to pay attention to the nicotine strength of their e-liquid. This is to ensure a smooth transition from disposables or smoking. If it’s too low you may still have a craving, but too much could leave you feeling sick. As a general rule, the amount you smoked previously can indicate which nicotine strength you should go for. For example, if you smoked 6-14 cigarettes a day then 6-12mg is the right choice for you!

Once you have become accustomed to vaping you can then begin to reduce your intake.

Best E-liquid To Suit My Vaping Style?

Depending on your vaping style, you may be better off with a certain type of e-liquid. If you aren’t quite sure what style of vaper you are, take a look at the different styles below and which vape juice is best.

Direct to lung or mouth to lung vaping

Direct to lung (DL) is where vapour is inhaled directly to the lungs, essentially by taking a big breath. Mouth to lung (MTL) is closer to traditional smoking, where you hold the vapour in your mouth before inhaling it into the lungs. Restricted direct to lung is a mix between the two, and offers an airier draw than MTL, but not quite as open as DL. Different e-liquids are better suited to each of these styles.

Best E-liquid For Mouth To Lung Vaping?

The best e-liquid for mouth-to-lung vaping is freebase 50/50 or a high PG vape juice that includes nic salts and bar salts. However, most e-liquids would also be suitable for MTL vaping. For specific examples, you can check out our guide to ‘The Best Nic Salt E-liquids 2025’.

Best E-liquid For Direct Lung Vaping?

The best e-liquid for direct lung vaping would be high VG or 50/50 liquid as these will provide a quality throat hit and flavour. Shortfill e liquid is very well suited to this vaping style. For more information on direct lung vaping, you can read our guide to the best direct lung e-liquid.

Best E-liquid for Restricted Direct To Lung Vaping?

This vape style can use most e liquid types, including 50/50, bar salt, nic salts or freebase. We would advise to stay away from anything with too much VG, as some RDL vapes can struggle to absorb the liquid quickly, which can reduce the lifespan of your pod or coil.

Why buy from The Electronic Cigarette Company?

As one of the oldest vape stores in the UK, we stock a range of TPD compliant premium e-liquids. Enjoy our selection of multi-buy deals such as 3 for £10, 4 for £9.99, and 5 for £10 on selected brands. You will also receive free next day delivery on any order over £15. We also offer an exclusive loyalty group called Vape Plus, which gives you access to savings not available elsewhere.

We are confident that you will find an e liquid to suit your needs no matter what you are looking for. Our prices are some of the lowest in the UK, and to back this up, we offer an e-liquid price match. If you manage to find the same brand cheaper elsewhere, we’ll give you DOUBLE the difference back as store credit!

Guides and Blogs

The Best E-liquids 2025

What Is Vape Liquid?

Does E-liquid Expire?

E-liquid Brands

E-liquid FAQs