A Complete Guide On What Are Nic Salts?

Table Of Content

Published on January 10, 2024 ,  Updated 17 July 2025

Six seconds. That’s all it takes for nic salts to hit, clean, smooth, and startlingly close to the rush of a real cigarette. No scratchy throat, no waiting around. Just fast-acting satisfaction that mimics the classic nicotine hit smokers know and love. Tired of weak hits or harsh drags? Curious what all the hype is about? This guide breaks down exactly what nic salt is, how it works, and why it has become the go-to choice for vapers who prefer a cigarette-like rush. Let’s get into all of this!

What Are Nic Salts?

Nic-Salts Bottles of Bar Juice, Efliq and Elux brand

Before jumping into the details, the most important thing to know about “what is salt nicotine” is to get a crystal clear understanding!

Nicotine Salts are a different type of nicotine than the one found in the tobacco plant's leaves. Unlike the traditional nicotine used in regular vape juices, known as freebase nicotine, these vape liquids are formed by combining nicotine with benzoic acid. This bonding process creates a stable product with a lower pH than freebase nicotine. This lower pH level gives an enjoyable vaping experience by sitting gently and smoothly on the throat.

Nicotine Salts VS Freebase Nicotine

After knowing “what is nicotine salt”, let’s discover the basic difference between nic salt and freebase nicotine. Freebase nicotine is the more traditional form used in most standard e-liquids. It has a higher pH level, which leads to a much harsher throat hit and can sometimes dull the flavour of the vape. This type is typically preferred by those who are after intense vaping experiences.

Nicotine salts are made for smoother vaping and faster nicotine delivery. They’re made by combining purified nicotine from tobacco leaves with an organic acid, usually benzoic acid, which lowers the pH. The result? A gentler throat hit and quicker absorption into the bloodstream, all while enhancing the flavour.

These e-liquids come with multiple delectable flavours, from refreshing menthols to fruit ones, dessert-inspired and many more. You can choose the one that suits your taste buds.

Not sure which one’s right for you? Check out our comparison of nic salt and freebase nicotine.

What’s So Great About Nicotine Salts?

Here are some top advantages of these vape liquids:

  • They are absorbed quickly into the body and provide long-lasting craving satisfaction. This isn’t a bluff!
  • According to research, nicotine salt e-liquids were absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream.
  • They provide classic, complex, and bold flavours. They offer smoother throat hits as compared to traditional e-juices.
  • They aren’t harsh when it comes to higher nicotine strengths.
  • They’re affordable; you need to vape less to satisfy your cravings.

How To Use Nic Salts?

Nic Salts Bottles of Various Brands

After getting a thorough knowledge of “what is salt nicotine,” it’s time to know how to use nic salts. Using these vape juices is relatively easy and simple, and the process is similar to using regular vape liquids. Nic-salt vape liquids are available in various nicotine strengths, typically ranging from 10mg/ml to 20mg/ml. They are also manufactured with a balanced ratio of PG/VG (50/50). That’s why they are recommended for use with low-powered vaping kits, including starter kits, Vape pens or Vape pod systems.

To use these e-liquids, fill your kit’s pod or tank with the desired nicotine strength and flavour e-juice. Allow the coil to saturate for at least 5 minutes so it offers optimal flavour delivery and performance. Once the coil is properly primed, it’s time to start vaping. Ensure not to overload the vape tank to avoid leakage issues and enjoy the utmost vaping experience.

Nic Salt Vs. E Liquid

One of the key distinctions in the vaping world lies between nic salt and e-liquid. Here are a few differences between them:

The primary difference is the form of nicotine used. Traditional e-juices contain freebase nicotine with a higher pH, resulting in stronger throat hits, especially at higher nicotine levels.

On the other hand, nic salt, with its lower pH level, offers a smooth throat hit. This makes these e-juices an attractive option for vapers who want a more satisfying nicotine experience.

Here’s the basic difference between these two vape juices in tabular form to get a better understanding:

Aspect

Nic Salts

Conventional E-juices

Absorption Rate

Faster absorption in the body

Slower absorption

Throat Hit

Smoother, less harsh

Stronger, more pronounced

Device Compatibility

Suited for low-wattage devices

Suitable for various devices

User experience

Micmics the sensation of smoking

Varied experience, Stronger throat hit

New to vaping juices or just curious? Our guide on vape juices breaks it all down in one place.

Are Nic Salts Better?

The answer to whether nic salts are better than traditional ones depends on individual preferences and vaping goals, and is subjective. Nic salt provides a mild throat hit and the ability to vape higher nicotine concentrations without being too harsh. This will make them an excellent choice for those transitioning from smoking to vaping or for vapers who crave a more potent throat hit.

However, it’s essential to consider the trade-offs. Depending on individual preferences, nic-salt may be preferable for some users, but it may not suit everyone’s taste. Some vapers require a stronger throat hit, and some opt for multiple flavour options in traditional e-liquids. But don’t fret! The vaping industry is wider than you think. You can jump into our vape juice catalogue and choose the e-liquid of your choice!

Best Nic Salts Brands in the UK

Visit our Online Vape Shop to explore our wide range of economical nicotine salt e-liquids to experiment with unique and complex flavours from leading brands. You can get your hands on our vape nic salts in affordable 10ml e-liquids for refillable pods and starter kits.

Here are our top five trending nicotine salt e-juice brands. This is just a glimpse; you can explore many more:

Elfliq Nic Salts

Five Bottles of Elfliq Nic-Salts

Are you a fan of Elf Bar's delectable flavours? You can rejoice and enjoy the same range of scrumptious flavours in a lightweight, super-affordable, refillable vape kit. Elfliq Nic Salts. are available in 10ml recyclable bottles and varying nicotine strengths, including 10mg/ml and 20mg/ml. This 10ml bottle offers up to 3000 puffs per bottle. These nic salt bottles come with child-proof caps and tamper-evident seals to ensure a safe and secure vaping journey. Elfliq e-juices are well-known for their unique and intricate flavour blends that suit every taste palate.

IVG Nic Salts E Liquid

Two Bottles of IVG Nic-Salts E Liquid

IVG Nic Salts come with a range of punchy flavours inspired by IVG Bars, which are popular among vapers. A wide range of complex and original flavours in IVG nicotine salts are here to tantalise the tired taste palates. They deliver instant satisfaction in 10mg/ml and 20mg/ml strengths.

Bar Juice 5000 Nic Salt

3 Flavours of Bar Juice 5000 Nic-Salts

The Bar Juice 5000 comes in classic and complex flavours. These 10ml e-liquid bottles are here to ramp up your vaping game to new heights, offering a smooth throat hit with bold flavour profiles. These e-juices are highly recommended for MTL vape kits.

Elux Legend Nic Salts

Five flavours of Elux Legend Nic Salts

Elux Legend Nic Salts e-liquids are available in 10ml gorilla bottles with varying nicotine strengths and delectable flavours. A blend of astonishing and sweet flavours is packed in Elux vape liquids. They are of premium quality and assure you that they will make your vaping journey satisfactory.

Hayati Pro Max Nic Salt

Three Hayati Pro Max Nic Salts

Hayati Max nic salts come in various flavours, with a range of super sweet fruits, refreshing menthols, and beverage-inspired flavours. Available in 10mg/ml and 20mg/ml nicotine levels, these e-juices come in 10ml bottles with a child-proof cap and recyclability, making them a perfect choice for eco-conscious lovers.

On the hunt for the best nic salt brands in the UK? We've got you covered. Check out our blog!

Before You Puff: Read This!

Before you wrap up, here are a few simple safety pointers to help you enjoy nic salts the right way:

  • Use low-powered devices like pods or vape pens (avoid sub-ohm kits).
  • Start with lower nicotine strengths if you're a light smoker or new to vaping.
  • Always store e-liquids away from children and pets. Let the coil soak for a few minutes after filling to avoid dry hits.
  • Don’t overfill your tank—leaks and messes aren’t fun. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded, take a break and lower your strength next time.

Bottom Line

In the dynamic world of vaping, nic salts are prevalent as a compelling option for those looking for a mild and more potent nicotine buzz. As we have already discussed thoroughly what nic salts are, their intricacies, from their chemical composition to their functional use, make it clear that they offer a unique set of advantages that cater to specific preferences.

Christopher Banks - Vape Expert

Store Assistant & Content Writter

Chris works at Alectrofag as a shop assistant, where he has spent years getting to grips with vaping, both the technology and the people behind it. He’s always on hand to help out on the shop floor, offering advice that comes from real experience, not just theory. When he’s not chatting to customers, you’ll find him writing about vaping tech, digging into the details of new products, or answering the questions that pop up most. Outside of the shop, Chris is usually lost in music, playing his guitar and chasing fresh sounds. For him, it’s not about the jargon, it’s about making sense of the vaping world and sharing that with anyone who wants to understand it better.

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