Ever wondered why some vapers can take a quick puff and feel instantly satisfied, while others seem to chain-vape all day? The secret is often nicotine salts (or “nic salts”). They’ve become the go-to choice for new vapers and ex-smokers. But what are nic salts? If you’ve heard the term but aren’t sure what it means, this guide will clear it all up.
TLDR: Nic Salts Explained
- Nicotine salts are a form of nicotine that provides a smoother throat hit at higher strengths, closely mimicking the sensation of smoking
- They are designed ONLY for low-power, mouth-to-lung (MTL) vape kits using high-resistance coils (0.8Ω or higher)
- Choose nic salts for faster nicotine satisfaction and a less harsh experience compared to traditional “freebase” e-liquids
What Do Nicotine Salts Mean in Vape Juice?
Nicotine salts are the natural form of nicotine found in tobacco leaves. Unlike the “freebase” nicotine used in regular e-liquids, nic salts are more stable and less alkaline. Manufacturers mix them with an acid (usually benzoic acid) to lower the pH level, creating a much smoother throat hit.
This clever chemistry allows vapers to use higher nicotine strengths – like 20mg – without the harsh throat sensation you’d get from traditional e-liquids at the same strength. The result? A vaping experience that feels closer to smoking a cigarette, with nicotine hitting your bloodstream faster and more efficiently.
Nicotine Salts vs. Freebase: What’s the Real Difference?
Understanding the difference between nic salts and freebase nicotine helps you choose the right e-liquid for your needs. Here’s a clear comparison:
| Feature | Nicotine Salts | Freebase Nicotine |
| Throat Hit | Smooth, even at high strength | Harsher, more noticeable |
| Absorption | Fast, quick nicotine rush | Slower, more gradual build-up |
| Strength | High (10mg, 20mg) | Low (3mg, 6mg) |
When it comes to nic salts vs freebase nicotine, the difference lies in a chemical used to produce nicotine salts, benzoic acid, which is used to lower the PH level of the e-liquid and deliver a smoother vape.
Regular e-liquids made using a traditional freebase nicotine solution have an overall PH of around 8, which puts it into high-alkaline territory. This isn’t a health hazard, but it does result in a harsh throat hit and slightly decreased flavour for your taste buds.
The addition of this acid levels the PH level to 7, the neutral zone between acid and alkaline compounds and results in the purest form of nicotine.
What Are Bar Salts? The Difference From Nic Salts Explained
Bar salts have become hugely popular, but many vapers wonder how they differ from regular nic salts. Here’s the truth:
• Bar salts are nicotine salt e-liquids designed to replicate the intense, sweet flavours found in disposable vapes like Elf Bar, Lost Mary, and Crystal Bar
• All bar salts ARE nicotine salts – they just contain extra flavour concentrates to match that punchy disposable vape taste
• Yes, Elf Bars use nic salts. That’s why they deliver such a smooth hit despite containing 20mg nicotine
• Bar salts offer the perfect solution for anyone wanting to switch from disposables to a refillable pod kit without sacrificing flavour intensity
The main difference between bar salts and nic salts? Bar salts focus on recreating specific disposable vape flavours, while regular nic salts offer a wider range of traditional e-liquid tastes.
What Is the Difference Between Nic Salts and Shortfills?
The main difference between nicotine salt e-liquids and shortfills is size and nicotine strength potential.
| Feature | Nicotine Salts (Nic Salts) | Shortfills (Freebase E-liquid) |
|---|---|---|
| Nicotine | Pre-mixed, usually 10mg or 20mg | 0mg (nicotine-free) – designed for adding nic shots |
| Throat Hit | Smooth, less harsh even at higher strengths | Can be harsher depending on added nicotine shot |
| Absorption | Fast-acting, quick nicotine delivery | Slower absorption compared to nic salts |
| Bottle Size | Small bottles (10ml, due to TPD regulations) | Larger bottles (typically 50ml or 100ml) |
| Customisation | Fixed strength, less flexible | Highly customisable – user adds nic shots to adjust strength |
| Best For | Smokers seeking strong, fast nicotine satisfaction | Vapers wanting bigger bottles, longer-lasting liquid, and lower nicotine strength |
As we have covered, nicotine salts are nicotine-infused e-liquids that use benzoic acid for a smoother inhale and richer flavour. Shortfills, on the other hand, are e-liquids sold in larger bottles as a workaround for size restrictions imposed by the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD).
In the UK, It is illegal to sell e-liquid containing nicotine in bottles larger than 10ml in size. Shortfills are larger bottles of e-liquid that contain no nicotine at the point of sale. Shortfills will always have a small amount of free space inside the bottle. For example, a 60ml shortfill bottle will contain 50mls of e-liquid, a 120ml bottle will contain 100mls of e-liquid, and so on.
This free space is left so you can add 10ml bottles of flavourless freebase nicotine solution nic shot, as you are legally permitted to infuse your e-liquid with nicotine once you have purchased it.
Most shortfills are sold with nic shots included, though they are often freebase nicotine shots. Salt nicotine nic shots are available, however.
It should be noted that most shortfills are filled with high-VG e-liquids. These vape juices are distinct from nic salts in that they are vaped direct-to-lung rather than the mouth-to-lung style most nic salts require.
High-VG e-liquids will always produce large clouds and are usually low-strength as the bottles do not have room for more than one or two nicotine shots. 50/50 shortfills designed for MTL vaping are available, however.
Why Choose Nic Salts? Top 4 Benefits
- Smoother Hit: You can comfortably vape higher nicotine levels without the harsh throat sensation. This makes the transition from smoking much easier, especially if you were a heavy smoker.
- Faster Satisfaction: Nic salts absorb into your bloodstream quickly, satisfying cravings almost instantly. You won’t need to chain-vape to get your nicotine fix.
- Beginner-Friendly: The simple pod systems designed for nic salts are straightforward to use. No complex settings or massive clouds – just fill, charge, and vape.
- Less Vapour: Low-power devices produce smaller clouds, making them perfect for discreet vaping. You can take a quick puff without drawing attention or filling the room with vapour.
How to Vape Nic Salts Safely: Coils, Wattage & Devices
Getting the right setup is crucial for a good nic salt experience. Here’s what you need to know:
• Use Low-Power MTL Devices: Nic salts work best with pod systems and vape pens designed for mouth-to-lung vaping. These devices mimic the draw of a cigarette.
• Choose High-Resistance Coils: The best coil for nic salt vaping is 0.8Ω or higher. Yes, you can use a 0.8 ohm coil for nic salts – it’s actually ideal. Higher resistance coils (1.0Ω, 1.2Ω) also work brilliantly.
• AVOID Sub-Ohm Coils: Never use low-resistance coils like 0.4Ω or below with nic salts. The intense nicotine delivery will be overwhelming and potentially unpleasant. If you’re wondering “can I use 0.4 ohm coil for nic salts?” – the answer is no.
• Keep Wattage Low: The best wattage for nic salts sits between 10-20W. Most pod devices handle this automatically, so you don’t need to worry about adjusting settings.
Choosing the Right Nic Salt Strength
Picking the right nicotine strength makes all the difference. Too low and you’ll still crave cigarettes. Too high and you might feel dizzy or get headaches. Here’s a simple guide based on your smoking habits:
| If You Smoked… | Recommended Nic Salt Strength |
| 20+ cigarettes a day | 20mg |
| 10-15 cigarettes a day | 10mg |
| Fewer than 10 a day | 5mg or 10mg |
Not sure where to start? Try 10mg first. You can always move up or down based on how satisfied you feel after a few days.
Nicotine Salts FAQ
Can You Use Nic Salts in Any Vape?
No, you can’t use nic salts in any vape. 10ml nic salts are always produced with a VG / PG ratio of 50/50 or with a higher PG content than VG.
This results in a thin e-liquid with minimal vapour production, similar to the amount of smoke produced by a cigarette. Vape kits designed for this e-liquid are known as MTL (mouth-to-lung), describing how you inhale the atomized vapour.
All the best MTL vape kits use coils with resistances of 0.8ohms or higher, which are optimal for absorbing and atomizing nic salts.
Can I Sub-Ohm Nic Salts?
For those asking how to use a nic salt e-liquid in a DTL kit, we’re afraid you usually can’t sub-ohm nic salts. This is because sub-ohm devices use low-resistance coils, usually with ohmages rated between 0.15ohms – 0.6ohms.
These coils are designed to absorb thicker e-liquid, and nic salts are likely to leak through the coil and out of the air inlets on your tank or vape pod when used in place of 100% VG e-liquids and other juices with high VG contents.
Nic salts are also usually produced at relatively high nicotine strengths, which can lead to inhaling too much nicotine when vaped in a DTL vaping style.
As previously mentioned, however, there are nic salt nic shots available for those who wish to use nicotine salts to produce low-strength, high-VG shortfills.
What Is the Best Wattage for Nic Salts?
The best wattage for nic salt e-liquid is between 9W and 15W. This is because the MTL coils (often used in pod kits and starter kits) required for nic salt vaping aren’t capable of handling more power than this without beginning to degrade prematurely.
If using a nic salt shot in a high VG shortfill, then you can go ahead and use the high wattage recommended by your sub-ohm coil, as the nic salts will only make up a small amount of the overall e-liquid volume and will quickly emulsify into the thicker VG vape juice.
What is the Best Coil for Nic Salts?
The best coil resistance for nic salt e-liquid is 1.2ohms, as this sits firmly in the MTL range. However, any vape coil with a resistance between 0.8ohms and 1.8ohms will be ideally suited for nicotine salt vape liquids. Coils with resistances like these will be designed to absorb and trap thinner 50/50 and high-PG vape liquids, so you won’t have to worry about leaks. These resistances are also aimed at low-wattage outputs, delivering a moderate nic salt vapour you won’t find overwhelming.
Conclusion
Nicotine salts have transformed vaping for millions of people, offering a smooth, satisfying alternative to cigarettes. They’re particularly brilliant for new vapers who want something simple and effective.
Remember the golden rule: only use nic salts with low-power MTL devices and high-resistance coils (0.8Ω+). Stick to this advice and you’ll enjoy a great vaping experience without any unpleasant surprises.
If nic salt sounds right for your vape, visit the MIST online vape shop for great deals on nic salts, other tasty e-juices, and the best vapes for nic salts.
