1. Quick overview — What are nicotine salts?

Nicotine salts are a naturally occurring form of nicotine found in tobacco leaves. E-liquid manufacturers create nic salts by combining freebase nicotine with an acid (commonly benzoic acid or similar). The result is a smoother throat hit at higher nicotine concentrations, which lets vapers use strengths like 10mg or 20mg with less irritation than equivalent freebase strengths.

2. Nic salts vs freebase nicotine — what's the difference?

Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which suits your device and needs:

3. Benefits of nic salts

• Smoother throat hit — higher strengths without harshness.
• Faster satisfaction — nic salts are absorbed faster, so cravings are satisfied sooner.
• Perfect for pod kits — optimised for mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices commonly used by ex-smokers.
• Smaller clouds — lower VG or 50/50 blends produce discreet vapour ideal for public or low-cloud situations.

4. Things to watch out for

• Only use nic salts in devices recommended by the manufacturer (pods, MTL devices).
• Avoid sub-ohm tanks — high vapour production with high nicotine can be harsh and unpleasant.
• Start at a lower nicotine strength if unsure — you can always step up.
• Store bottles in a cool, dark place to keep flavours stable and NIC potency consistent.

5. Nic salt brands & collections on VapeGen

Below are popular brands you’ll find on VapeGen — click each brand to jump to a sample collection page (replace these dummy links with your real collection URLs later):

• Bar Juice — fruity, candy & tropical nic salts (10mg / 20mg).
• ElfLiq — modern nic-salt blends and popular disposable flavours.
• Elux — salts and classic fruity blends.
• Hayati — high-puff, premium nic salt options and dual-flavour pods.
• Just Juice — juicehouse nic salts and dessert blends.
• Pod Salt — focused nic salt collection for pod devices.
• Riot Squad — candy & icy blends in nic salt format.
  
• SKE Crystal — premium nic salt blends inspired by the best-selling Crystal Bar range, delivering crisp menthol and vibrant fruity flavours for pod kits. 

Shop all nic salts: VapeGen Nicotine Salts Collection

6. How to choose the right nic salt strength

Use this simple guideline based on cigarette consumption — but remember to adjust by feel:

• Light smoker (< 5 cigarettes/day): Try 10 mg
• Moderate smoker (5–15/day): 15–20 mg
• Heavy smoker (many per day): 20 mg (UK legal max)

When moving between brands, start one step lower than you expect because flavour intensity and perceived throat-hit can vary.

7. Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use nic salts in my sub-ohm tank?

A: It’s not recommended. Sub-ohm tanks are designed for high VG oils and bigger clouds — using high-strength nic salts can be harsh and uncomfortable.

Q: Do nic salts last longer?

A: No — nic salts do not have a longer shelf life than freebase e-liquid. They simply deliver nicotine in a way that often reduces the number of puffs you need.

Q: Are nic salts safer or more dangerous?

A: Nic salts are not inherently safer or more dangerous than freebase nicotine. Both follow the same regulatory and safety guidelines. Use responsibly and within legal limits (UK max 20mg/ml).

Conclusion

Nicotine salts have changed the way many users approach vaping — offering a smoother throat hit and faster satisfaction, especially for those switching from cigarettes. If you’re ready to try nic salts, explore our curated brand collections on VapeGen and choose the device that matches the liquid type (pod kits for nic salts).