Juice Vapes

What vape juice is and what is in the bottle

Vape juice, also called e-liquid, is the fluid that a vape coil heats into vapour. Almost every bottle in this collection is built on the same ingredients: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), food-grade flavouring and, in most cases, nicotine. PG is thin, carries flavour well and gives a slightly sharper throat sensation. VG is thicker, faintly sweet and produces denser vapour. The ratio between the two, written as something like 50/50 or 70/30, decides how the liquid behaves in your device, and it matters as much as the flavour name on the label.

This collection covers the range of juice sold for refillable vapes in the UK: 10ml nicotine salt bottles, 10ml freebase nicotine bottles, and larger shortfill bottles that are sold with little or no nicotine so you can add shots yourself. Across all three formats you will find fruit, ice, menthol, dessert, drink, sweet and tobacco profiles, from single-flavour liquids to layered blends.

It helps to be clear about what juice is not. It is not a device and it will not do anything on its own. You need a refillable pod kit, a pen-style kit or a tank with a coil that suits the thickness and nicotine type of the liquid. If you are new to vaping, look at the device collections first, then come back here and choose liquid to suit the kit in your hand rather than the other way round.

A few points to keep in mind from the start:

• Nicotine is addictive. Vapes are intended for adults who smoke or already vape, not for anyone under 18 and not for non-smokers.
• Nicotine-containing juice sold in the UK is limited to 10ml bottles and a maximum of 20mg/ml nicotine strength.
• Flavour does not tell you strength. A sweet, mild-tasting liquid can carry just as much nicotine as a sharp menthol one, so always read the strength on the label.

Who juice vapes suit

The core audience is adult smokers who want to switch to something that carries a fraction of the risk of smoking. UK health bodies consistently describe vaping as far less harmful than smoking, while stressing that it is not risk-free. If you are moving from cigarettes or rolling tobacco, the right juice and a suitable device make the switch far more realistic than guessing. A local stop smoking service can also offer free support alongside vaping, and it is worth asking them about it.

Existing vapers are the second large group. If you already own a refillable kit, buying juice separately lets you control flavour, nicotine strength and cost per ml, rather than being locked into a sealed pod or a single flavour. Many experienced vapers keep two or three bottles on the go and rotate them to avoid flavour fatigue.

Juice also suits people who want to reduce their nicotine over time. Because the same flavour is often sold in several strengths, you can step down gradually, or use a shortfill and mix your own strength, without changing the taste you have settled on.

This category is not suitable for:

• Anyone under 18. It is illegal to sell vapes or e-liquid to under-18s in the UK, and age checks apply.
• Non-smokers and people who have never used nicotine. Starting nicotine use through vaping is not recommended.
• Anyone who is pregnant or has a heart condition and has not spoken to a health professional first.

If you are unsure whether vaping is the right route for you, speak to a pharmacist, GP or stop smoking adviser before buying. They can explain how vaping sits alongside other quitting aids.

Nic salts, freebase and shortfills: choosing a format

The first decision inside this collection is format. There are three main types, and each is built for a different kind of device and a different style of vaping.

Nicotine salt (nic salt) e-liquid uses a form of nicotine that is absorbed quickly and feels smooth even at higher strengths. It is normally sold in 10ml bottles at 10mg/ml or 20mg/ml, usually with a 50/50 VG/PG ratio. Nic salts are made for low-power devices such as pod kits and small pen vapes, where a tight draw and a modest cloud are normal. They deliver nicotine fast, which many people switching from cigarettes find satisfying.

Freebase nicotine e-liquid is the traditional form. It comes in 10ml bottles at lower strengths, commonly 3mg, 6mg, 12mg and 18mg, and in a range of VG/PG ratios. At higher strengths it can feel harsh on the throat, which is why it is usually kept to lower strengths in higher-powered devices that produce larger volumes of vapour.

Shortfills are larger bottles, typically 50ml or 100ml, sold with 0mg nicotine and extra headroom in the bottle. You add one or more 10ml nicotine shots, shake well and end up with a full bottle at the strength you want. For example, adding a single 18mg shot to a 50ml shortfill in a 60ml bottle gives roughly 3mg/ml, and two 18mg shots in a 100ml shortfill in a 120ml bottle give a similar result. Shortfills work out cheaper per ml and suit people who use a lot of liquid in a sub-ohm tank.

• Pod kits and small pen vapes: nic salts, 50/50.
• Sub-ohm tanks and higher wattage kits: freebase or shortfills, 70/30 or similar.
• Nicotine-free vaping: 0mg shortfills or 0mg 10ml bottles.

Do not mix nic salt shots into shortfills unless the product is clearly designed for it. Standard shots are freebase, and adding salts changes both the strength and the feel.

How to choose a nicotine strength

Choosing the right strength is the single most important decision for anyone using juice to stop smoking. Too low, and you may keep reaching for cigarettes. Too high, and you may feel dizzy, nauseous, jittery or get a headache. These are signs of taking in more nicotine than your body wants, and they are a reason to drop a strength rather than push through.

As a rough starting guide for adult smokers, based on how heavily you smoke:

• Heavier smokers (around 15 to 20 or more cigarettes a day, or a cigarette within half an hour of waking): 18mg to 20mg nic salt in a pod kit, or 12mg to 18mg freebase in a tight-draw device.
• Moderate smokers (around 10 to 15 a day): 10mg to 12mg nic salt, or 6mg to 12mg freebase.
• Lighter smokers, social smokers and those stepping down: 3mg to 6mg freebase, or 5mg to 10mg nic salt.
• Sub-ohm vaping: usually 0mg to 6mg, because the device produces a lot of vapour per puff and delivers nicotine in much larger amounts.

Remember that the UK limit is 20mg/ml, and this applies to all nicotine e-liquid and to the prefilled liquid in vape devices. Nothing legally sold here should be stronger than that, so be suspicious of any listing that claims otherwise.

Nic salts feel gentler than freebase at the same number, so a 20mg salt does not feel like a 20mg freebase would. Match the format to the device first, then pick the strength within that format.

Most people settle on a strength within a week or two. If you find you are chain vaping, vaping constantly through the day or feeling cravings between sessions, the strength may be too low. If your head feels light or your stomach feels uneasy after a few puffs, it is probably too high. Aim to reduce gradually once you feel stable and no longer reach for cigarettes.

Matching juice to your device and coil

Even a well-made liquid will perform badly in the wrong kit. Two things decide compatibility: the coil resistance and power of your device, and the VG/PG ratio of the juice.

Pod kits and mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices typically use coils between about 0.6 and 1.2 ohms and run at low wattage. They draw like a cigarette: you pull into your mouth first, then inhale. These devices need thinner liquid. A 50/50 VG/PG blend, especially a nic salt, wicks properly into small coils and keeps the flavour clean. Using a very thick, high-VG liquid in a low-power pod often leads to gurgling, leaks or dry hits, because the cotton cannot soak up the liquid quickly enough.

Sub-ohm tanks and direct-to-lung (DTL) devices use coils below about 0.5 ohms, often between 0.15 and 0.4 ohms, and run at much higher wattage, commonly 40W to 80W. They pull a big, open draw straight into the lungs. These coils handle thicker, higher-VG liquid, often 70/30 or 80/20, without trouble. Using strong nic salts here is a mistake: the large volume of vapour means you take in far more nicotine than you expect.

Practical checks before you buy:

• Look at your device manual or coil packaging for the recommended VG/PG range and wattage.
• Prime new coils by dripping a few drops onto the cotton, filling the tank, then waiting five to ten minutes before the first puff. Skipping this is the common cause of a burnt taste.
• Do not open or refill sealed, prefilled pods unless the manufacturer says they are designed for it.
• Replace coils when the flavour turns flat, burnt or muted. Coils usually last from about one to three weeks, depending on your juice and use.

Dessert and sweet liquids leave more residue on coils than fruit or menthol liquids, so expect to change coils a little more often with them.

Flavour profiles and how to pick one

Flavour is where juice is most personal, but the main profiles behave in fairly predictable ways, and knowing them helps you avoid expensive trial and error.

• Fruit: single fruits such as strawberry, blueberry, watermelon and apple, plus blends like berry mixes or tropical combinations. These are often the easiest to vape all day and are kind to coils.
• Ice and menthol: fruit or mint flavours with a cooling agent added. The cooling can feel sharp on the throat, so go easy on it if you are sensitive. Pure menthol and mint are often used by people moving away from menthol cigarettes.
• Dessert and bakery: custards, cakes, biscuits, ice cream and sweet treats. They taste rich, though the sugar-like ingredients can build up on coils faster.
• Drinks: cola, energy drink, lemonade and iced tea profiles. They tend to be crisp and refreshing, with a mild sweetness.
• Sweets and bubblegum: candy, gummy and chewing gum styles, usually sweet and bold.
• Tobacco: from light, dry blends to richer caramel or nutty styles. Many ex-smokers start here because it feels familiar, though it does not suit everyone.

Some tips for choosing well:

• Buy a 10ml bottle of an unfamiliar flavour before committing to a 100ml shortfill. A flavour that tastes great for three puffs can become cloying after a whole tank.
• If you vape constantly through the day, favour lighter fruit, mint or drink profiles over heavy dessert styles.
• Remember that sweeteners and cooling agents shift the experience at different wattages. A flavour that tastes muted in a pod may open up in a stronger device.
• Rotate between two or three flavours to avoid vaper's tongue, where a flavour seems to disappear even though the liquid is fine.

Flavour rules in the UK continue to be debated, and the range available to buy can change. Check each product page for the current details instead of assuming a flavour will stay available.

Comparing popular brands and bottle formats

The e-liquid market in the UK is crowded, and most brands sit in a handful of recognisable lanes. The notes below are general orientation, not a promise of what is in stock today, so always check the listing for strength, VG/PG ratio and bottle size.

• IVG: a UK brand known for wide ranges across both shortfills and nic salts, with many fruit, ice and drink flavours at accessible prices.
• Dinner Lady: well known for tart, dessert and citrus-led flavours, available as salts and shortfills.
• Nasty Juice: recognisable fruit-and-ice styles with strong branding, usually in 50ml shortfills.
• Vampire Vape: an established name with berry, cola and dessert blends in several formats.
• Doozy Vape Co: sweet, creamy and fruity blends, often in 50ml shortfills.
• Pod Salt and similar salt-focused lines: designed to pair with pod kits at 10mg and 20mg.
• Elf Liquid and Lost Mary Liq: liquid lines that follow the popular disposable flavours, so they suit people who already know those tastes and now want a refillable route.

How do the formats compare in practice?

• 10ml nic salts: convenient, pocket-sized and gentle at higher strengths. Cost per ml is higher than shortfills, but you buy exactly the strength you need.
• 10ml freebase: useful for lower-strength vaping and for testing flavours. Often in various VG/PG ratios.
• 50ml shortfills: a middle ground. Cheaper per ml and suit regular sub-ohm users, but you need to buy shots separately if you want nicotine.
• 100ml shortfills: the lowest cost per ml in most ranges, but a big commitment to one flavour.

When comparing two similar-looking brands, check four things: the VG/PG ratio, the nicotine strength actually offered, the bottle size and the flavour description. A cheaper liquid with a thinner flavour profile may not be better value if you end up vaping more of it to get the taste you want.

UK legal context: nicotine caps, bottle sizes and the disposable ban

E-liquid sold in the UK is regulated under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations, which implemented the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and remain in force. Knowing the main limits helps you spot products that should not be on sale.

• Nicotine cap: nicotine-containing e-liquid must not exceed 20mg/ml. This applies to refill liquids and also to the prefilled liquid in any vape device, which is why 20mg is the highest strength you will see on legitimate UK products.
• Bottle size: nicotine e-liquid is limited to 10ml per bottle. Larger bottles are only legal when sold nicotine-free, which is why shortfills exist, with nicotine shots sold separately in 10ml bottles.
• Tank size: refillable tanks and pods are limited to 2ml capacity.
• Packaging: legitimate bottles carry a nicotine health warning, an ingredients list, a batch number and child-resistant, tamper-evident closures.
• Notification: nicotine-containing products must be notified to the MHRA before being sold, with a mandatory waiting period before they can reach shelves.
• Age: you must be 18 or over to buy. Retailers use age checks at checkout and on delivery.

On disposables: the 20mg/ml cap applied to single-use vapes as well, but the sale of single-use (disposable) vapes was banned across the UK from 1 June 2025. That change pushed many vapers towards refillable kits and rechargeable devices, which is part of why juice is now such a large category. If you see single-use vapes advertised for sale, treat them with caution. Rechargeable, refillable devices and the juice that goes in them remain legal to buy.

Rules around flavours, packaging, display and vaping duty are in flux. Duty and tax changes can affect shelf prices, and new restrictions may be phased in over time. This page describes the position at a general level and is not legal advice, so check current government guidance if you need certainty.

Value, buying tips and spotting genuine stock

Price per ml is the fairest way to compare juice. A 10ml nic salt is usually the entry-level price point per bottle but works out costlier per ml than a 50ml or 100ml shortfill. For occasional or pod-based vapers the bottle price is what you notice. For heavy sub-ohm users, the cost per ml is where real savings sit.

Honest value guidance for most UK vapers:

• Check multibuy offers. Many 10ml nic salts are sold in bundles of three, four or five, which reduces the per-bottle cost noticeably.
• Buy shortfills for sub-ohm. If you use a lot of liquid, a 100ml shortfill and a few nicotine shots almost always works out cheaper than a stack of 10ml bottles.
• Do not buy 100ml of something untried. A cheap large bottle that you dislike is poor value.
• Count coil costs. A very sweet liquid can shorten coil life, so a cheap bottle is not always cheaper in the long run.
• Treat unusually low prices with suspicion. Prices far below the typical range can indicate counterfeit, grey-market or non-notified stock.

How to spot genuine stock:

• Look for tamper-evident seals and child-resistant caps, with intact packaging.
• Check that the nicotine health warning and ingredient list are printed clearly on the bottle or box, in English.
• Check that nicotine strength never exceeds 20mg/ml and that nicotine bottles are no larger than 10ml.
• Look for a batch number and a production or use-by date. Smudged, misspelled or inconsistent printing is a warning sign.
• Compare the packaging against the brand's own website. Counterfeiters often get fonts, colours or label layouts slightly wrong.
• Buy from a reputable retailer with clear contact details, an address and a returns policy, not from an unverified marketplace seller or social media account.

If you receive a bottle that looks wrong, smells off or leaks badly from sealed packaging, stop using it and contact the retailer straight away with photos and the batch number.

Storage, care, safety and recycling

Good storage keeps juice tasting the way it should and keeps your household safe. E-liquid contains nicotine, which is poisonous if swallowed and can irritate the skin and eyes.

Storage and care basics:

• Keep bottles in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, radiators and car glove boxes. Heat and light break down flavour and can darken the liquid.
• Keep caps tightly closed and bottles upright to prevent leaks and oxidation.
• Use the liquid within the period shown on the packaging. Most juice stays at its best for roughly one to two years if stored well. If it smells odd, turns cloudy or tastes harsh, discard it.
• Shake shortfills after adding nicotine shots, and let them rest for a day or so to settle the flavour. Some flavours improve slightly after a short steep.
• Rinse and wipe tanks and pods when switching flavours, and let them dry before refilling. Residue from a previous flavour can ruin the next one.

Safety:

• Always keep bottles and devices out of reach of children and pets. Nicotine is dangerous in very small amounts for them.
• If liquid gets on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. If it gets in your eyes, rinse with plenty of water. If it is swallowed, seek medical help immediately.
• Never mix different nicotine strengths blindly. Work out your final strength before you pour.

Recycling and disposal:

• Empty plastic bottles can usually go in household plastic recycling once fully empty, though local rules vary, so check with your council.
• Never throw vapes, batteries or charging cables in household bins. UK retailers that sell vape devices are required to take back waste vapes, and you can use the Recycle Your Electricals locator to find a drop-off point near you, including many supermarkets and council recycling centres.
• Small items such as used coils can go in general waste unless your local scheme says otherwise. Put leftover liquid in a sealed container and take it to a household waste site, not down the drain.