What Are Nic Salts? A Guide To Nicotine Salt E-Liquids

Nicotine salt E-Liquid offers better, faster nicotine absorption and a much smoother throat hit at higher strengths compared to traditional freebase nicotine. Our guide to nicotine salts explores how nic salts work, who they’re designed for, and how to get the most out of your nic salt E-Liquid.

Nic salts go by many names: nicotine salts, salt nicotine, nic salt, and salt nic. These E-Liquids are ideal for new vapers who are quitting smoking, as they offer an ultra satisfying throat hit at higher nicotine strengths, plus a quick nicotine delivery to satisfy your cravings.

Plus, nicotine salt E-Liquid is designed for use in beginner-friendly vape kits, like pod devices and starter vape kits, ensuring every new vaper can hop on the nic salt train without much fuss.

Our guide to nic salt E-Liquids delivers everything you need to know about nic salt juices to help you quit smoking.

What are Nic Salts?

Nic salts are a type of E-Liquid made with a highly effective nicotine formulation designed specifically for smokers. Nic salt E-Liquid offers a higher concentration of nicotine without sacrificing that smooth throat hit reminiscent of a traditional cigarette, plus heightened bioavailability allowing the nicotine to enter your blood stream faster.

Nicotine salts were invented in response to issues with regular E-Liquids: they weren’t satisfying nicotine cravings fast enough, and for those who needed a higher nicotine strength, it meant enduring an incredibly harsh throat hit.

Nic salts have helped create the world’s most successful smoking cessation aid: vaping. Vaping is considered more effective than any other nicotine replacement therapies, including patches, gums, lozenges, and even medications, with an estimated 59.7% to 74% success rate.

How do Nic Salts Work?

Nic salts are created by adding an acid (usually salicylic or benzoic acid) to the nicotine molecule, which lowers the pH of the nicotine.

By taking nicotine found in it purest form from the tobacco plant and adding benzoic acid, a chemical formula is created which allows for a smoother vape at higher strengths, plus greater bioavailability.

The added bioavailability means that nic salts deliver a nicotine hit much faster than standard freebase nicotine can—usually, in seconds.

Do Nic Salt E-Liquids Taste Salty?

No, nic salt E-Liquid does not taste salty.

This is a common misconception when people read the word “salt” and think of chips or cured meats. The term “salt” in the name “nic salt E-Liquid” refers to the chemical formulation, not the flavour.

Are Nic Salts Safe?

Nic salt E-Liquid is no more or less safe than any other vaping products.

In the UK, all E-Liquids undergo rigorous testing and approval processes before they can be sold. The UK has some of the world’s strictest regulations on vaping products, from ingredients to packaging to how they can be advertised.

According to Public Health England, Cancer Research UK, and health bodies across the globe, e-cigarettes are at least 95% safer than traditional cigarettes. This is because vaping does not expose the user to any of the thousands of harmful chemicals present in tobacco smoke.

Benefits of Nic Salt E-Liquid

Nicotine salt E-Liquids offer an array of benefits, including a faster nicotine delivery, a smoother throat hit, the option of higher nicotine strengths, and compatibility with the most easy-to-use vape devices on the market.

Faster Nicotine Delivery

Nic Salt E-Liquids can deliver a nicotine hit to the body much quicker than traditional E-Liquids can. When you take a puff of a salt nicotine vape juice, the nicotine reaches your blood stream in seconds.

Smoother Throat Hit

Unlike freebase nicotine, nicotine salt E-Liquid offers a smooth and satisfying vaping experience, even with high nicotine strengths.

Higher Nicotine Strengths

Nic salt E-Liquid is available in strengths up to 20mg (2% nicotine)—the legal limit for nicotine E-Liquids in the UK. A heavy smoker can get the equivalent strength of an entire cigarette packet in 2ml of E-Liquid.

Used in Starter Kits

Because of their VG/PG ratio, nicotine salt E-Liquids can be used in most cheap vape kits, pod kits, and starter kits. The most beginner-friendly vape kits are also the most compatible with nic salts.

How Are Nicotine Salts Different from Regular E-Liquids?

When comparing nic salts vs. freebase E-Liquids, there are a few key differences. Nic salts offer a quicker fix and a smoother throat hit while freebase E-Liquids provide a longer-lasting delivery and a better variety of strengths. Both E-Liquid types have the same PG/VG ratio, so they’re compatible with the same devices.

When vaping first started, freebase E-Liquid (often referred to as “regular E-Liquid”) was the only juice available. Freebase nicotine, found in 50/50 E-Liquids, is derived from the tobacco leaf, offering nicotine satisfaction for longer periods—but it takes longer to kick in.

With regular freebase nicotine, the higher your nicotine strength, the sharper the vapour will feel on your throat. This causes a harsh throat hit with high-strength freebase liquid.

For vapers who’ve successfully quit smoking, freebase E-Liquid can help regulate your nicotine intake. You can get regular freebase nicotine strengths of 3mg to 18mg, with some even offering a 0mg option for vapers wishing to go nicotine-free.

Nic Salt E-Liquid is the best choice for recent ex-smokers.

We delve more into finding the right E-Liquid in our beginner’s guide to vape juice if you’re curious about nic salts and freebase.

Who Should Try Nic Salt E-Liquid?

Nic Salts are ideal for new vapers who need high nicotine strengths and quick satisfaction to quit smoking.

They’re also great for disposable vapers looking for the best alternatives to disposable vapes, since nic salt E-Liquids are the same type of juice used in a disposable vape. Nicotine salt E-Liquid in a refillable vape is more sustainable and eco-friendly than disposables.

You can get a variety of disposable flavoured E-Liquids to replicate the taste, with dozens of mouth watering flavours from your favourite brands like Elf Bar, Crystal Bar, and Elux.

Vapers trying to limit their nicotine consumption and use less nicotine may not benefit from nic salts, since nic salts don’t offer many nicotine strengths. All nic salt E-Liquid brands offer 20mg by default, but only some have the 10mg option, and even fewer offer 5mg.

What Nic Salt Strength Should I Use?

The nic salt strength you choose should be based on your previous smoking habits, though this is only a guide. You may find that you need a higher or lower strength depending on your preferences.

Heavy Smokers

Heavy smokers of a packet or more per day should opt for the highest nicotine salt strengths available: 20mg (2%).

Moderate Smokers

Moderate smokers who would normally smoke between 10-20 cigarettes a day should try a 10mg (1%) or 20mg (2%) nic salt E-Liquid.

Light Smokers

Smokers who would typically have fewer than 10 cigarettes per day should choose either a 5mg (0.5%) or 10mg (1%) strength.

Can You Have Too Much Nic Salt E-Liquid?

You can have too much nicotine, though it’s unlikely to cause severe effects, and any symptoms should dissipate within a few hours. Colloquially referred to as “nic sick,” excessive nicotine can cause light-headedness, headaches, and nausea.

However, this is fairly uncommon. The amount of nicotine it would take to cause nic sickness will vary based on individual tolerance.

Humans have an uncanny ability to “self-titrate” nicotine, meaning that we tend to stop once our bodies have had enough. Studies show that e-cigarette users self-titrate their nicotine intake, and when given low-strength E-Liquid, they take more puffs than they do when given a high-strength E-Liquid.

If you’re trying to quit smoking, you should focus on getting enough nicotine to sate your cravings. Don’t opt for a lower strength nic salt E-Liquid in fear of overindulging. Your body will tell you when you’ve had enough.

What are the Best Nic Salt E-Liquid Brands?

The best nic salt E-Liquid brands are a matter of personal preference, but our customers love the ones with ultra-concentrated flavourings and a great range of flavours to choose from.

There are hundreds of E-Liquid brands in the UK, but some favourites among our customers are Bar Juice, Elf Bar Elfliq, and Riot E-Liquid (formerly known as Riot Squad).

What are Nic Salts? A Complete Guide to Nicotine Salt E-Liquids in [y]

Bar Juice

Bar Juice debuted in 2022 with the UK’s first disposable-flavoured E-Liquid. They have a range of vape juices offering the same flavourings found in the UK’s most popular disposables, including the Elf Bar, Crystal Bar, and Elux. Bar Juice is one of our most popular brands to date.

The Blueberry Sour Raspbery Nic Salt E-Liquid by Bar Juice is one of our best-selling E-Liquids of all time, and it only came out last year!

Elf Bar Elfliq

Elf Bar, the world-famous disposable brand, debuted their very own nic salts last year, offering a range of their most popular disposable vape flavours in the Elf Bar Elfliq nic salts range.

The Elfbull Ice Nic Salt by Elf Bar Elfliq (so many elfs!) is extremely popular among vapers who love that classic energy drink taste with an icy menthol twist.

Riot

Riot E-Liquid, formerly known as Riot Squad, is dedicated to getting smokers to quit. They offer a special hybrid nic salt which blends freebase nicotine and nic salt E-Liquid to create the ultimate throat hit and long-lasting nicotine delivery for smokers.

Their most popular E-Liquid is the Blue Burst Hybrid Nic Salt by Riot, delivering a rich berry blend with a smooth, cooling menthol undertone.

What are the Best Salt Nicotine Flavours?

The best nic salt E-Liquid flavours will be a matter of personal preference, but thankfully, there are thousands of delicious flavours on the market. From mouth watering passion fruit to tangy pineapple to a classic ice menthol mix or tobacco E-Liquid, there’s something for every vaper’s taste buds.

We’ve made it easy to shop E-Liquids by flavour on our website. You can narrow your search by E-Liquid type, brand, and nicotine strength using our handy filter tools!

Best Vape Kits for Nic Salts

Nic Salt E-Liquids are ideally suited to low-powered pod kits, vape pens, and starter kits because of the thinner consistency of the liquid.

Here are some of our favourite vape kits to use with nicotine salt E-Liquid.

Uwell Caliburn

The Uwell Caliburn is the most popular pod kit series of all time, perfect for nicotine salts. With over a dozen models, there’s a Uwell Caliburn pod for everyone.

For newbies, we recommend the draw-activated and buttonless Uwell Caliburn A2S, which requires very little maintenance aside from the errant refill, recharge, and pod replacement.

All Caliburn models are compatible with nic salts, making them a go-to choice for new vapers seeking a nic salt vaping experience. We have a handy guide to help you find your perfect Caliburn if you’re interested in learning more about the range.

OXVA Xlim

The OXVA Xlim series offers an array of beginner-friendly pod kits which are all compatible with nicotine salts. The OXVA Xlim series is fairly new, but it’s already rivalling the Caliburn.

The OXVA Xlim SE is the most user-friendly of the lot, with a buttonless design and pods with built-in coils requiring very little maintenance. Aside from recharging, all you’ll need to do is replace the pod once it starts to taste burnt or begins losing its flavour, which is roughly every week or two.

For more experienced vapers, we have a review of the OXVA Xlim Pro for adventurous vapers looking to try out the different settings and features.

Vaporesso XROS

The Vaporesso XROS series delivers a range of beginner-friendly pod kits designed for use with nic salt E-Liquid. Fans of the Vaporesso XROS love the flavour production, colours, and build quality.

If you’re looking for an easy-peasy pod vape, the Vaporesso XROS 3 Mini has no buttons or menus—just fill it up, vape, and give it an occasional recharge.

And if you prefer a matchbox-style vape, the Vaporesso XROS 3 Nano is another buttonless pod kit that can be worn around your neck on the supplied chain lanyard.

Can I Use Nicotine Salts in a Sub-Ohm Vape?

No, you cannot use nic salt E-Liquid in a sub-ohm vape kit. This is because the liquid has a thin consistency, which will cause your sub-ohm coils to burn and flood with E-Liquid. In addition, the high nicotine strengths will cause an unpleasant throat hit when vaped at higher wattages.

Summary

You should now be better equipped to begin your quest to find your new favourite nic salt E-Liquid. If you’ve recently made the switch to vaping from smoking traditional cigarettes, nic salt E-Liquid offers your best chance of quitting successfully thanks to its special chemical formulation.

When choosing a nic salt E-Liquid, you’ll need to consider your nicotine strength, but after that, the vaping world is your oyster! There are hundreds of brands to choose from, and enough flavours to keep you excited for years to come.

If you still need help finding the best nic salt E-Liquid for you, contact us via live chat, phone, or email. Our dedicated team of expert vapers is here to assist you. We’re always on standby to help a would-be vaper get started on their vaping journey.

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What are Nic Salts? A Complete Guide to Nicotine Salt E-Liquids in 2024