Nic salts vs freebase e-liquid: which should you choose?
If you’re looking to branch out from what you’re vaping, or you’re new to vapes and vape juice entirely, you may be wondering about nic salts and freebase nicotine e-liquids.
Many people may just read the label, not entirely understand what it means, and choose something that doesn’t actually match their needs. We don’t want that to be you.
While nic salts and freebase nicotine are both nicotine products, each one provides an entirely different experience. Understanding the difference between them will help you make a better choice.
Stick with us as we walk through the differences between them and why they’re so popular.
Key takeaways
- Nic salts provide a smoother inhale, higher nicotine strengths, and a pod-friendly option.
- Freebase nicotine has a stronger throat hit, lower nicotine strengths, more cloud potential, and provides more control over your setup.
- Nic salts are often best for pod kits and MTL devices, while freebase is more flexible.
- Vapour production depends on more than just the e-liquid, so your device, coil, and VG/PG ratio all matter too.
- Nic salts provide a smoother, more immediate taste, and freebase suits fuller, more layered blends.
What are nic salts?
Nicotine salt, or nic salt, is a type of vape juice that is made from the natural form of nicotine found in the tobacco leaf.
A more recent innovation in the vaping world, nic salts are made by combining nicotine with an organic acid, which lowers pH and alters how nicotine behaves in vape liquid.
Nic salts are absorbed into the body more quickly, delivering that satisfactory nicotine hit for instant relief. Even at higher strengths, nic salts offer a smoother throat feel, which is why they’re favoured by people who prefer a less harsh vaping method.
They’re also known for providing better flavours that last longer.
What is freebase e-liquid?
Freebase nicotine is the more traditional form of nicotine in e-liquid, and it tends to give a stronger throat hit, especially at higher strengths.
When you see standard vape juice, it most likely contains freebase nicotine. It’s created by converting nicotine from its natural salt state to a purer form to increase the potency of the nicotine without having to up the dosage.
Compared to nicotine salt, freebase nicotine provides a harsher throat hit, similar to cigarettes, which is why so many people switch to this when quitting smoking.
It’s also usually sold in lower concentrations because it’s so strong, such as 3mg, 6mg, 12mg and 18mg, though strengths can vary by brand.
Nic salts vs freebase: the key differences that actually matter
While the chemical makeup of nic salts and freebase nicotine differs, the main differences come down to how the vape feels, how much nicotine satisfaction you want, which device you use, and the overall vape style you prefer.
After all, these are the things that affect your experience the most.
1. Throat hit
The throat hit, also known as the sensation you feel at the back of your throat when vaping, is the first thing most people notice when vaping.
Nic salts are generally smoother on the throat, which is why they’re more popular for people who want the stronger nicotine hit without the harsh feel of a cigarette.
On the other hand, freebase nicotine provides a scratchy throat feel, which can make the vape feel firmer, punchier, and a little closer to the sensation people expect from a traditional cigarette.
2. Nicotine satisfaction
Since nic salts are sold in strengths like 10mg and 20mg, they’re ideal for people who want a stronger nicotine hit to avoid cigarette cravings and enjoy the satisfaction without the harsh throat feel.
While freebase nicotine still delivers a satisfactory hit, it comes in lower nicotine strengths, which is why it’s better for those who want the throat feel to be part of what makes the vape feel satisfying.
3. Device compatibility
Not every type of vape is compatible with every type of e-liquid.
Nic salts are most commonly paired with low-powered pod kits and mouth-to-lung devices since they offer a more controlled cigarette-style inhale, and they’re compatible with higher nicotine strengths. If you use a small refillable vape, then these are your best bet.
Freebase nicotine is more flexible since it can be used with more vape devices. However, it’s especially common in standard 50/50 e-liquids for MTL kits and lower-strength liquids used in more powerful devices.
Freebase is the better choice if you use a sub-ohm kit or anything designed to produce more vapour.
4. Vapour production
Nic salts produce less vapour, which can be a downside for those who love creating smoke rings or doing cloud tricks. That’s because they’re more compatible with vapes that have a lower power output, so the clouds are more discreet.
So, if you want the bigger clouds, freebase nicotine is the e-liquid for you. When they’re paired with more powerful kits and high-VG e-liquids, you’ll get more visible, longer-lasting vapour.
However, the device, coil, and VG/PG ratio still play a big role in vapour production, so don’t assume that the e-liquid alone will give you the clouds that you want.
5. Flavour
Both nic salts and freebase nicotine provide great flavours, but they come through in different ways.
Nic salts often provide a cleaner, smoother, and more immediate taste, especially when used with pod kits. They are popular in fruity and icy blends, where the goal is a bold flavour that comes through quickly and delivers instant satisfaction. If you like punchy flavours, you’ll enjoy this more.
Although freebase nicotine can also provide strong flavours that feel more well-rounded, especially with dessert, tobacco, and layered blends. Just remember that the coil, wattage, airflow, and VG/PG ratio all affect how an e-liquid tastes.
Which should you choose?
Still struggling to decide which one is the best choice for you? We’ve created a little guide to help you out.
Choose nic salts if…
- You’ve recently switched from smoking
- You want a smooth inhale at 10mg or 20mg
- You use a pod kit or MTL device
- You want a refillable alternative to disposables
- You’re looking for something compact and straightforward
Choose freebase nicotine if…
- You prefer a stronger throat hit
- You prefer lower nicotine strengths
- You enjoy bigger clouds
- You use a more powerful vape kit
- You want more flexibility with VG/PG ratios and liquid styles
Find the right e-liquid for you with Juicemate
If you want a smoother inhale, a strong nicotine hit, and a pod-friendly vape, then nic salts are often the better choice for you.
If you want a stronger throat hit, more flexibility across devices, bigger vapour production, or lower nicotine strengths, freebase may suit you better.
At Juicemate, we sell a range of e-liquids in various strengths, flavours, and mixes. Browse our range today to find the perfect match for you.