What’s the Difference between Salt Nic and Freebase E-Liquids: Which is Better for You?

Confused about the differences between salt nic and freebase nicotine? Let’s explore the benefits, effects, and overall comparison of these two popular forms of nicotine to find which one is best for you! 

When it comes to vaping, choosing the right type of nicotine for your E-Liquids is crucial. Two popular options on the market are salt nic and freebase nicotine. Here, we’ll be diving into the characteristics, benefits, and overall comparison of salt nic and freebase nicotine.

Whether you’re a seasoned vaper or a newcomer to the world of vaping, understanding the differences between these two forms of nicotine can help you make an informed decision about your vaping experience. And for current smokers attempting to make the switch, choosing the right type of nicotine can lead to a much easier quitting journey.

What is Salt Nic?

Salt nicotine, also known as nic salts or nicotine salt E-Liquids, is a type of nicotine that is naturally found in tobacco leaves. In salt nic, the nicotine molecule has an added acid—usually benzoic or salicylic acid—to create a smoother throat hit and a more satisfying vaping experience. However, some users have reported sensitivity to salicylic acid, which includes coughing and sneezing during use. If you’re experiencing this, or just want to learn more about the variations in nicotine salt E-Liquids, check out the Why are some Nicotine Salt E-Liquids harsher than others? guide by Shop Vapes UK.

One of the significant benefits of salt nic is its ability to deliver nicotine to the bloodstream more efficiently than freebase nicotine. This means that vapers can experience a quicker and more satisfying nicotine hit even at lower concentrations.

Some popular salt nic E-Liquids include:

• Bar Juice 5000 Nic Salts: Made with the very same flavourings as the UK’s most popular disposable vape brands, these juices pack tons of flavour and are the best-selling E-Liquid range we stock.
• Pod Salt: With a variety of ranges and flavours available in nicotine strengths from 5mg all the way up to 20mg, Pod Salt’s specialty is salts. Expertly crafted with premium ingredients, these juices are fan-favourites among vapers across the UK.
• SALT Nic Salts: Salt nic is the name of the game for SALT. Their budget-friendly E-Liquids come in a variety of flavours, with their Glacier Nic Salt being one of our all-time best-selling liquids by far!

Benefits of Salt Nic

Nicotine salts offer several advantages for vapers:

1. Smooth throat hit: Salt nic provides a smoother throat hit compared to freebase nicotine, making it ideal for vapers who find regular vape juices too harsh.
2. Higher nicotine concentration: Salt nic E-Liquids typically come in higher nicotine strengths, which is beneficial for vapers who are looking for a more potent nicotine experience.
3. Less E-Liquid consumption: Due to the higher nicotine content and efficient absorption, vapers tend to consume less E-Liquid when using nic salts.

Does salt nic last longer?

Nic salt E-Liquids tend to last longer compared to freebase nicotine E-Liquids. Since salt nicotine delivers nicotine more efficiently, vapers can achieve the desired nicotine satisfaction with fewer puffs. As a result, a bottle of salt nic E-Liquid typically lasts longer.

Salt nic does not, however, last longer in the bloodstream than freebase liquids do. They have the same “half-life,” meaning they take the same amount of time to leave the body, which is roughly 2 hours.

Does salt nic taste better?

The taste of E-Liquids depends on various factors, including the flavourings used. While salt nic itself doesn’t necessarily enhance the taste, the smoother throat hit it provides can allow vapers to fully experience the flavour profile of E-Liquids. This can result in a more enjoyable vaping experience.

For example, if the same flavouring and concentration was used in a 20mg salt nic juice versus an 18mg freebase blend, you may find the flavour more satisfying in the salt nic version simply because the freebase liquid would be much harsher on your throat.

Why is nic salt more expensive?

Nicotine salt E-Liquids tend to be ever-so-slightly more expensive compared to regular vape juices. This is mainly because the production process involves additional steps, like the addition of the acid to the nicotine molecule, which adds to the cost. 

However, the enhanced vaping experience and overall satisfaction that nic salts provide can make the investment worthwhile. To learn even more about nicotine salt E-Liquids, check out our comprehensive nic salts guide.

What is Freebase Nicotine?

Freebase nicotine is the traditional form of nicotine found in many E-Liquids, such as 50/50 E-Liquids and the nic shots used in most shortfills. It is produced by chemically altering the naturally occurring nicotine found in tobacco leaves. Unlike salt nic, freebase nicotine does not contain any additional compounds like benzoic acid.

In addition, freebase nicotine came along before salt nicotine, as nic salts are a fairly recent innovation in the vape world. Nicotine salts were created specifically for their faster delivery mechanism when researchers found that freebase nicotine has somewhat poor absorption into the bloodstream.

Some of our most popular freebase 50/50 E-Liquid ranges include:

• V4 Vapour 50/50 E-Liquid: Budget-friendly and delicious to boot, V4’s incredibly tasty vape juices won’t break the bank. Their nicotine options range all the way up to 18mg, and they’re available for £1.99 each or Mix & Match any 6 for £10—one of our best deals on 10ml E-Liquids!
• IVG 50/50 E-Liquid: One of the UK’s favourite E-Liquid brands makes the ever-popular freebase range, available in 3mg, 6mg, and 12mg. With an incredible variety of flavours to suit any palate, IVG is one of the UK’s most popular freebase nicotine brands.

Benefits of Freebase Nicotine

Freebase nicotine offers its own distinct set of advantages:

1. Wider flavour selection: Though nic salts are becoming more and more prevalent, freebase nicotine E-Liquids typically offer a broader range of flavours compared to salt nic E-Liquids. You may find that long-standing vape brands offer more variety in their freebase selection.
2. Compatible with various devices: Freebase nicotine can be used with a wide range of vaping devices, including pod kits and even sub-ohm devices under certain conditions (eg. lower strengths, like 3mg or 6mg).

How much nicotine is in freebase vape juice?

The nicotine concentration in freebase vape juice can vary depending on the brand and product. Typically, freebase nicotine E-Liquids come in nicotine strengths ranging from 3mg/ml to 18mg/ml.

Is freebase vape juice harsher on your throat?

This depends on the strength. Vapers often find that low-strength freebase vape juices (3mg or 6mg) are smooth and satisfying, and do a good job of staving off nicotine cravings once they’ve quit smoking and lowered their overall nicotine intake.

However, at higher strengths (such as 12mg and 18mg), freebase nicotine can become harsher on the throat, and may give a more gritty, sharp feeling than you’d like. Still, some people prefer this harshness as it replicates the feeling of smoking, so this is incredibly subjective.

What’s the difference between salt nic and freebase nicotine?

Nic salts are typically smoother on the throat and the nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream better than freebase. Freebase nicotine is formulated differently and has no added acids, while it can be used in a wider range of vape kits than salt nic can.

Is salt nic better than freebase?

The answer to this question depends on personal preference. 

Salt nic is often favoured by vapers who seek a smoother throat hit and higher nicotine concentrations. 

On the other hand, freebase nicotine is compatible with various devices and allows for lower nicotine strengths, which is great for those who are looking to lower their overall nicotine intake and dependence.

Ultimately, the choice between salt nic and freebase nicotine comes down to individual vaping preferences.

Is salt nic stronger than regular vape juice?

Salt nic E-Liquids are typically vaped at higher nicotine concentrations compared to freebase vape juices. This allows vapers to experience a stronger nicotine hit with an ultra-smooth throat hit. 

However, it’s important to note that you can get nicotine strengths up to 20mg regardless of the type of nicotine you choose (though for most freebase E-Liquids, the maximum available strength is 18mg), and the major differences will be how quickly your body absorbs it and how the nicotine feels on your throat.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both salt nic and freebase nicotine offer unique benefits and cater to different vaping preferences. 

If you’re a recent ex-smoker (or a current smoker looking to make the switch) who still experiences strong nicotine cravings, salt nic is probably best for you. You can enjoy higher nicotine strengths and a much quicker delivery than you would if you vaped freebase E-Liquids.

If you’re a long-time vaper, or you’ve left your nicotine dependence in the past, it may be time to switch to freebase nicotine. You can still enjoy some of the best flavours on the market, with lower strengths and wide device compatibility.

Regardless of what type you choose, we offer a wide selection of both salt nic and freebase nicotine E-Liquids to cater to every vaper’s needs here at Vape Green!