Nic salts are a type of e-liquid that utilises nicotine salt, a compound that closely resembles the nicotine found in tobacco leaves. Nicotine salt is synthetically created by combining nicotine with either benzoic acid or salicylic acid to lower the pH of the e-liquid. A lower pH results in a smooth throat hit, as well as extending the shelf life of an e-liquid. Nicotine salts exploded in popularity due to their use in disposable vapes and pre-filled pod kits, making them the default option for many beginner vapers in the UK.
Salt nic juice delivers a smooth throat hit even at higher nicotine strengths, making them more accessible for ex-cigarettes smokers that require a strong nicotine hit to ward off nicotine cravings quickly. Most nic salts are mixed to a 50VG/50PG ratio, making them suitable for beginner vapes like pod kits, starter kits, and MTL vape pens.
Nicotine salts come in 3 standardised strengths; 5mg (0.5%), 10mg (1%), and 20mg (2%). You may be more familiar with seeing nic salt nicotine salts labelled in percentages due to many disposable vape and pre-filled pod manufactures including the percentage instead of the numeric value. High strength nic salt e-liquid is classified at 20mg, medium strength as 10mg, and low strength as 5mg. Most, if not all, nicotine salt brands create their flavours in both 10mg & 20mg, whereas only a select amount of brands and flavours are made in 5mg.
Because of the high nicotine strengths, the instant absorption, only a vape with low power is required. This makes nicotine salts ideally suited to small vape pens and all in pod kits.
Nicotine salts are usually the nicotine e-liquid of choice for the majority of vapers. They offer fast-acting nicotine absorption with a satisfying throat hit, satisfying even the heaviest of smokers. Because of the salt formation of the nicotine, nic salts are more effective at curbing nicotine cravings than freebase nicotine, they enter the bloodstream quicker and act more like a cigarette than freebase juice.
Many vapers are keen to eventually reduce their nicotine consumption gradually. Nicotine salts are available in multiple nicotine strengths, from 5mg to 20mg. As many popular nic salt brands create flavours in every strength, you don’t need to worry about giving up your favourite flavour when reducing your nicotine intake.
Because of the instant nicotine hit and the long lasting nicotine effects that nic salts have on the body, you don’t need to puff as much e-liquid to feel satisfied as freebase e-liquid. This results in less vape juice being used and saving you money.
Yes, nicotine salts are smoother on the throat than freebase e-liquid. This is because of the high pH concentration in the nicotine salt, the throat hit is smooth while still being satisfying. Nicotine salts are recommended for beginner vapers as they closely replicate the feeling of smoking a cigarette. Even at higher nicotine strengths, nic salts are smoother on the throat than freebase nicotine, and are far less likely to irritate your throat or make you cough than freebase nicotine.
Depending on if you’re a current vaper or you’re looking to quit smoking, you will need a different strength of nicotine salt. If you’re a new vaper and a heavy smoker, you should use a high nicotine strength (20mg). High nicotine strengths closely resemble smoking tobacco and are recommended for people smoking 15 or more cigarettes a day.
If you’re smoking 10-15 cigarettes a day, it’s recommended to start on medium strength nic salts like 10mg. A 1% (10mg) nicotine strength still offers a stronger nicotine hit, however it’s considerably smoother on the throat than 20mg. Many people who start on a high strength gradually taper themselves down to a medium strength in time, assisting in their journey to quit nicotine for good.
A very light smoker (1-5 cigarettes a day) may choose to use low strength nic salt juice as it offers a subtle nicotine hit at the back of the throat without an overpowering nicotine hit. A 5mg nic salt is often referred to as a low strength nicotine salt, with most major brands being available in this strength.
Yes, all popular disposable vapes were made with nicotine salt. This is why it was much easier for people to quit smoking by using disposable vapes than with traditional vape kits and freebase nicotine. Since the ban of disposable vapes in the UK, many vapers have decided to switch to a pre-filled pod kit or a refillable vape kit that utilises nicotine salts. Because vaping nicotine salts closely resemble the feeling of smoking a cigarette, they were used in disposables to boost the chances of people quitting smoking for good, making for good disposable vape alternative.
The best vape to use with any strength nicotine salt is a low powered pod kit. Pod kits were designed with nic salts in mind, not the other way around. Vape pod kits usually feature 2 components, the battery and the pod. Lots of pod kits utilise replacement pods that feature built-in vape coils for a minimal-maintenance experience. Instead of dealing with messy coil changes, you simply refill the pod with e-liquid and discard it once the coil & pod have come to the end of its life. Vape pod kits offer immense flavour as well as satisfying, cigarette like drags. Any starter kit listed on our website is suitable for nic salts, or comes with a pre-filled pod filled with nicotine salt e-liquid. If you're unsure which kit to go for, why not browse our trending vapes page which has all the current best sellers and highest rated vapes of the moment.
The majority of new vapers tend to have an easier time quitting smoking using nic salt e-liquids, mainly due to the fact that they provide a high strength, smooth nicotine hit quicker than regular freebase e-liquid does. Nicotine salt juice closely replicates the nic hit that cigarettes offer. This makes nic salts a strong first choice of e-liquid when just starting out vaping. Using a 20mg nic salt will be much smoother, faster acting, and considerably less harsh on the throat than an 18mg/20mg freebase juice.
The most popular nicotine salt flavours are fruity blends, with flavours including strawberry, watermelon, blueberry, and more. Although fruity flavours are the most common, you’ll also find flavours like menthol, tobacco, and sweets. Some people enjoy exploring different flavours and vape brands, whereas some people prefer to stick with the same 1 or 2 flavours. Whichever category you end up in, the most important part is keeping away from cigarettes for good. It can be good to try different flavours if you’re getting bored of vaping and are having thoughts of going back to tobacco. We stock all kinds of flavours from various brands here at Prime Vapes, allowing you to fully explore various flavours in depth.
Nic salts are neither better or worse for you than traditional freebase eliquid. Because all nic salt juices contain nicotine, they are thoroughly tested by the MHRA to ensure they meet all TPD regulations set out by the UK government. The MHRA emission test every nic salt juice before it can even be considered to be sold in the UK. Every e-liquid we stock, whether nic salt or freebase nicotine, are official products that have passed all government testing.
Because of the explosion in popularity of disposable vapes that contain nicotine salts, it’s wrongly perceived that nic salts are more addictive than traditional e-liquids. The actual reason why disposable vapes were so popular was because of the similarity they posed to cigarettes. Nic salts are more fast acting, sometimes providing a “buzz” to people that aren’t used to nic salts. However, as nic salts are fast acting, you don’t need to puff a nic salt vape as much as a freebase vape.
