What’s the Difference Between Nic Salts and Vape Juice?

If you’ve been around vapes for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard people talk about nic salts and vape juice.
Sounds a bit confusing at first, right? Feels like they’re the same thing. But trust me, they’re not.

The one you choose can change how your vape feels, how it tastes, and how strong it hits. So, let’s keep it simple and talk through it — no science degree needed.

Nic Salts: What Are They All About?

Nic salts — short for nicotine salts — are a type of e-liquid made to give you a smooth puff and a quick nicotine kick.
They’re a bit gentler on the throat, even when the nicotine’s high.

Why people like them:

• They work well for folks who’ve just quit smoking
• They give you a good hit without making you cough
• They’re perfect for small, easy-to-carry pod kits

A lot of people use nic salts like bar juice Nic salt because they’re simple, smooth, and get the job done fast.

And Vape Juice?

Vape juice (also called freebase e-liquid) is the old-school version.
It’s been around since the early days of vaping. It uses pure nicotine without the tweaks nic salts have.

This makes it a bit sharper on the throat at higher strengths, but it’s great for:

• Big clouds
• Bold flavours
• Lower nicotine levels

If you’ve seen bottles labelled elux vape juice, that’s freebase. It’s what a lot of cloud chasers use in bigger vape kits.

How They’re Made (Without Getting Boring)

Both nic salts and vape juice start with the same main bits:

• PG (propylene glycol) — carries flavour and adds throat hit
• VG (vegetable glycerin) — makes vapour clouds
• Flavouring
• Nicotine

The difference is the nicotine type. Nic salts have a little acid added to smooth things out. Vape juice just uses pure nicotine, which gives it a sharper edge.

That tiny change makes them feel totally different when you puff.

Which One Tastes Better?

Depends on what you like.
Nic salts are made for smaller vapes, so the flavour’s smooth and mellow. Vape juice works in bigger, more powerful kits, so the flavour can be stronger and warmer.

Think of it like tea — nic salts are your milky brew, easy to sip. Vape juice is your strong builder’s tea, bold and in-your-face.

Nicotine Strength: Who’s the Heavyweight?

In the UK, the law says you can’t have more than 20mg nicotine in e-liquid.
Nic salts usually come in 10mg or 20mg and hit faster, so they feel stronger.
Vape juice comes in a wider range, from 0mg to 18mg.

Even if the numbers look the same, nic salts often feel more powerful because they get into your system quicker.

Smoothness vs Punch

If you’ve ever had a puff and thought “oof, that’s rough,” that’s throat hit.
Nic salts are much smoother — you can take bigger pulls without coughing. Vape juice gives a bigger punch, which some people love because it feels more like smoking a cig.

So, Which Should You Pick?

Go for nic salts if you:

• Want quick nicotine satisfaction
• Like a smoother vape
• Use a small pod kit
• Just quit smoking and want something easy

Go for vape juice if you:

• Want big clouds
• Enjoy bold flavours
• Like a stronger throat hit
• Use a bigger, high-powered vape

Plenty of people use both — nic salts in the day for a quick hit, vape juice in the evening for a flavour session.

My Two Pence

I’ve been vaping for a fair few years, and here’s what I’ve seen:
New vapers usually start with nic salts because they’re simple and satisfying. After a while, some switch to vape juice for more variety and bigger clouds.

Whatever you pick, buy from a proper vape shop. Don’t mess about with dodgy liquids from random market stalls.
If you want the official word on vaping in the UK, the Gov.uk guide is worth a read.

Final Thoughts

Nic salts are smooth and fast. Vape juice is bold and flexible. Neither’s “better” — it’s just about what works for you.

If you’re unsure, try both. You might find one you stick with, or you might swap between them depending on your mood. That’s the beauty of vaping — there’s always another flavour or style to try.

So, next time you’re picking up your vapes, have a think about how you want it to feel — smooth and mellow, or punchy and full-on — and choose from there.