If you are thinking about starting vaping as a way to stay off of cigarettes, you will find it relatively easy to pick a vape kit. But where many new vapers seem to struggle is choosing the right vape juice from practically an endless array of flavours.
Settling on an e-liquid flavour as a newbie is hard whether you pick up a prefilled pod kit or decide to go for a refillable advanced kit. Every big puff vape is available in dozens of different flavour varieties, while there are hundreds of bottles of e-liquids with names that sound like desserts, drinks, or science experiments. At that point, it is quite easy to overthink it or make the wrong choice.
This guide to picking the correct vape juice lays out all the key information you need to know when it comes to e-liquids. This way, you will be better informed to pick an option from among the popular vape juices that both serves your needs and satiates your desires.
How to Pick the Right Vape Juice
A common mistake many beginner vapers make is assuming there is a perfect vape juice waiting to be discovered. In reality, there is just a suitable one for where you are right now in your quit-smoking or vaping journey.
You increase your chances of picking the right vape juice for you when you take into consideration a few basics. These factors can end up making the whole process feel comfortable rather than frustrating. Get any of these parts wrong, and the vape will taste and feel off. As a beginner, it is hard not to blame vaping itself when that happens.
Here’s what actually matters when choosing your first vape juice:
Nicotine strength:
If you pick an e-liquid too high in nicotine strength, it risks being harsh to your throat or can even make you dizzy. If it is too low, you will be left with unsatiated cravings.
Flavour style:
Choose a flavour that you can enjoy repeatedly, instead of going for an exotic one that tastes heavenly at the start but gets boring really fast.
VG/PG ratio:
Only use an e-liquid that both suits your vape kit as well as your throat. Vape juices high in VG will gunk up your pod kit’s coil fast, while a very high PG will turn the flavour too thin and even taste harsh.
Device compatibility:
Check your particular vaping device’s coil resistance and wattage settings before filling it up with an appropriate e-liquid.
You will have all the time in the world to experiment and play with the best vape flavours. But, at the beginning, it is wise to go with simpler flavours.
Ingredients of a Vape Juice
If you are an ex-smoker, you would be used to burning tobacco. With vaping, you are vaporising a fluid. It will be easier for you to decide on a particular vape juice once you understand what e liquid contains. Vape juice contains:
- Vegetable glycerine (VG)
- Propylene glycol (PG)
- Flavourings
- Nicotine (optional)
Here, there is no tobacco involved and nothing is burned. That difference alone explains why vaping feels nothing like smoking.
VG is the thicker and smoother component and is responsible for those vapour clouds. PG is thinner and is what carries flavour more sharply. It is the different ratios between these two substances that change how the vapour feels in your throat and how intense the flavour seems.
With the basic formulation of e-liquids out of the way, you might ask yourself ‘Is e-liquid harmful?’ This question comes up early, and it should. When you compare it to smoking, UK public health bodies consistently state that vaping is far less harmful. That is why electronic cigarettes are widely used as a harm reduction option for adult smokers.
Which Nicotine Strength is Right For You as a Beginner
Finding the suitable nicotine strength is where many beginners struggle. If your e-liquid is too high, the vape feels uncomfortable. If it is too low, your cravings never quite settle.
In the UK, nicotine strength is measured in milligrams per millilitre and is capped at 20mg/ml by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR). You will find most e-liquids in the 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg varieties. Nicotine salts (faster-acting, salt-based nicotine) are often used at higher strengths but feel smoother than traditional freebase nicotine.
The following is a rough nicotine starting point for you if you are just beginning vaping:
- Light smoker: 5mg to 10mg
- Moderate smoker: 10mg nicotine salts
- Heavy smoker: 20mg nicotine salts
There is no real advantage to choosing a stronger liquid than you need. On the other hand, you can even find nicotine-free options, if that’s where you are in your smoking cessation journey.
Nicotine Salts vs Freebase Nicotine
It is crucial to understand the difference between nicotine salts and freebase nicotine. Nic salts absorb faster and feel smoother at higher strengths. They are commonly used in pod kits and suit beginners who want something that feels close to smoking.
Freebase nicotine, on the other hand, has a sharper throat hit and is usually used at lower strengths in more powerful devices. For most beginners using pod systems, go with nicotine salts.
Which Vape Flavour To Choose When Starting Vaping
Flavour is the part vapers obsess over, and for good reason. While nicotine manages cravings, it is the flavour that decides whether you enjoy vaping at all.
Fruit flavours are often the easiest vape juices for newcomers to get into. The following are a few beginner-friendly flavour styles people novice vapers usually enjoy:
Fruits like apple, mango, and mixed berries
Menthol or ice flavours for a fresh, clean feel
Desserts such as vanilla or custard
Tobacco-style flavours for smokers who want familiarity
VG and PG Ratios
VG and PG ratios might sound technical, but they are really easy to get your head around. If you use a 50/50 blend, it will work well in most beginner devices. The reason being that it wicks easily and delivers flavour cleanly. It also has a less harsh throat hit.
As a new vape user, you will mostly stay away from the higher VG liquids, like 70/30. They are thicker and meant to be vaporised by more advanced devices like vape mods. Using them in pod kits often causes problems.
Matching Vape Juice to Your Device
| Device Type | Recommended VG/PG | Nicotine Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pod kits | 50/50 | Nicotine salts | Smooth draw and easy wicking |
| Starter vape pens | 50/50 | Freebase or salts | Balanced throat feel |
| Sub-ohm tanks | 70/30 | Freebase | More vapour, lower nicotine |
| Disposable-style pods | Fixed blend | Nicotine salts | Designed for simplicity |
Ready to Choose Your Vape Juice?
Now that you have a good grasp of the basics of e-liquids, choosing vape juice should be far less intimidating. If you are ready to explore beginner-friendly options from a trusted UK retailer, you can confidently buy Ma Vapour E-liquids and build a vaping routine that actually suits you.
At the same time, reliable delivery also matters because running out of vape juice often sends people back to cigarettes. If you choose the best vape delivery service in the UK, it removes that risk.
