Planning on buying your first e-liquid online? Consider the following key factors. We’ll cover some of the most commonly asked questions, from nicotine strengths to ingredient ratios and even the type of vape juice you need to buy, depending on the vape device you own.
In the end, we’ll try to steer you in the right direction when it comes to choosing a vape juice that you’ll love and hopefully become your new vape-all-day e-liquid.
Finally, we’ll recommend our top three best-selling vape juices. But that’s not all of the vape recommendations you’ll get. If you want to browse through our clearance section, you may also find a few incredible deals that you won’t want to miss out on.
Table of Contents:
- What is Vape Juice or E-Liquid?
- What is E-liquid Made Out Of? (Vape Juice Ingredients)?
- Vegetable Glycerin in Vape Juices
- Propylene Glycol in Vape Juices
- The Importance of VG & PG Ratios
- Nicotine in Vape Juices
- Freebase Nicotine & Nicotine Salts [The Different Types of Vape Juice]
- What Nicotine Strength To Choose
- What Device Do You Own?
- Vape Juice Flavors?
- Bestselling Vape Juice Products
- Conclusion
What is Vape Juice or E-Liquid?
E-liquid, also known as vape juice or e-juice, is the oily substance that’s poured into the tank of your favorite vape device and the main reason why vaping is even a possibility. In other words, it’s the nicotine-infused liquid used to create vapor. E-liquids can come in hundreds of different flavors, and virtually any flavor you can think of is probably in existence today. From Red Bull to cornbread pudding, the possibilities are endless.
Ejuices can also have different ingredient ratios and nicotine strengths, impacting the taste and the devices you use. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves and start with simpler subjects like the ingredients used to make e-liquids.
What is E-liquid Made Out Of (Vape Juice Ingredients)?
Choosing your first e-liquid is the main issue at hand here. Which makes the essentials, like vape juice ingredients, so important. Not every vape juice will work the same way with every device. For the most part due to the formula used in each vape juice.
That said:
Vape juices are made up of four main ingredients. Nicotine is one of these four substances, but one that is ultimately optional The other three ingredients include:
- Vegetable glycerin
- Propylene Glycol
- Artificial flavorings
Vegetable Glycerin in Vape Juices
Also known as VG, Vegetable Glycerin is a natural chemical extracted from vegetable oils. In vape juice, it is the fluid that gives thickness to the vapor, and it is usually very viscous, which requires more battery power to make it evaporate. It also provides less of a throat hit, making vape juices with higher VG smoother and less harsh on the throat.
Propylene Glycol in Vape Juices
The second most important ingredient is propylene glycol (PG). It is a colorless and odorless fluid. Because Propylene glycol is odorless and tasteless, it carries the flavor better than vegetable glycerin. But it’s also less dense than VG, which would account for the harsher throat hit it provides.
The Importance of VG & PG Ratios
You’ve probably heard about VG/PG ratios, but now you know what it is that makes them so important. For example, a ratio of 70VG/30PG will likely have a more complex flavor, generating thicker vapor and producing a smoother throat hit. While a 40VG/60PG ratio will make for a harsher vape juice, perhaps one that feels more flavorful but with a slightly thinner cloud of vapor.
That said:
Remembering to ask and know the composition of your first vape juice is key in ensuring a satisfactory vaping experience.
Nicotine in Vape Juices
Although nicotine is optional in vape juices, you should be aware of a few things before buying your first e-juice if you’re planning on using a product with nicotine. For starters, you should probably start with the nicotine strengths available.
Nicotine is an alkaloid found in plants like tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes, and tobacco. Nicotine is the main ingredient found in traditional tobacco cigarettes, but contrary to popular belief, it is not necessarily the ingredient that makes cigarettes deadly (Center for Tobacco Products, 2020). Along with the unwanted effects it can have on the developing adolescent brain, which is the reason why we stand by regulating underage nicotine consumption.
When it comes to the vaping experience itself, more nicotine usually means a harsher throat hit. Vapes with high nicotine are generally recommended for new vapers who are looking for an alternative to cigarettes.
Freebase Nicotine & Nicotine Salts [The Different Types of Vape Juice]
There are two types of nicotine e-liquid options, freebase nicotine, and nicotine salts. Using one or the other can affect your vaping experience and determine the device you decide to use.
Freebase is the most traditional form of nicotine used in vaping. It is also used in cigarettes and nicotine replacement therapy products. It has been the standard since the 60s when cigarette giant Marlboro discovered that they could make nicotine more readily available to the body by removing the positive charge found in the naturally occurring version of the substance.
Nicotine in its natural form is a salt. And salts are made up of a positive (acid) and a negative charge (base). But by removing the positive charge, nicotine returns to a “freebase” state, allowing it to move with ease through the body.
However, the problem with freebase nicotine, especially for vapers, is how incredibly harsh it can be at higher doses but not as potent in lower strengths. This causes new vapers to feel as if they aren’t receiving enough nicotine to calm their cravings, and if they were to bump up the strength, it would be too harsh to bear. Which is precisely why nicotine salts were invented.
Nicotine salts were created by Pax Labs, the same company behind the most famous vape device in the world, the JUUL. Although they have kept the exact process of turning nicotine into nicotine salts a secret, we know that it’s thanks to their invention that people can vape much higher nicotine dosages. At the same time, without having to get rid of the positive charge, nicotine salts are also easily absorbable by the body.
So, in essence, the type of nicotine you go with will have a significant impact on your satisfaction. Here’s how freebase nicotine and nicotine salts differ:
- Freebase nicotine can be stronger on the throat.
- Nicotine salts are only suitable for low-powered devices like pod systems and can not be used with box mod or low-resistance devices.
- Freebase nicotine has lower nicotine levels.
- Nicotine salts tend to have less flavor complexity.
- Freebase nicotine creates more vapor.
- Nicotine salts are potentially better suited for heavy smokers transitioning to vaping.
What Nicotine Strength to Choose
The next step in choosing your first e-liquid is deciding what kind of nicotine strength you want to use. Like choosing your type of nicotine, this step is based on your nicotine consumption habits. In truth, the nicotine strength you finally decide on varies significantly from person to person, so it will ultimately come down to trial and error that will allow you to define what nicotine level you enjoy the most.
What Device Do You Own?
Now that you understand VG/PG ratios, the different types of nicotine, and how the different nicotine strengths affect the e-liquid you should choose, it’s time to move on to what kind of device you own or which one you should get.
This is an essential step because the vape juice you choose should be compatible with your device. As explained earlier, nicotine salts can only be used with low-powered devices like pod systems, and they should not be used with box mods or low-resistance devices like RDAs or rebuildable dripping atomizers.
However, some devices come with different coils that allow for nicotine salts and freebase nicotine. For example, you might find a box mod that comes with two coils: a mouth-to-lung coil that acts like the coil in a pod system and a direct-to-lung coil that acts more like a box mod system.
In that case, you can use nicotine salts with your box mod, but you must always make sure that you are using a suitable coil before vaping.
It is essential to understand what type of device you have and whether it is compatible with the vape juice you plan to use.
Vape Juice Flavors?
The last thing you need to take into consideration is the vape juice flavor you plan on getting. Since no flavor is off the table, with this decision, just go with what you love. If you are fond of vanilla, go with vanilla. If you love strawberries, go with a strawberry flavor, and when shopping, consider reviews and bestsellers since positive reviews and bestsellers are there for a reason.
Best Selling Vape Juice Products
If you just want to know what are our top three bestselling vape juices of all time, then you can find them below.
Marea by Ritual Craft Vapor Liquid
Marea by Ritual Craft Vapor Liquid is, by a long shot, the most popular vape juice we sell at eJuiceDB. Created by Ritual Craft Vapor Liquid, this blue razz takes what tastes like freshly picked blueberries and raspberries that grow in the snow and adds a secret ingredient that takes this vape juice to the next level. If you want vape juice with more than 151+ five-star reviews, choose this one.
Hulk Tears by Mighty Vapors
Hulk Tears by Mighty Vapors is second on the list, but that does not mean it’s not excellent. Take sour watermelon candy and add apple to the mix. Sweet, sour, acidic, and complex, this is one of the most famous vape juices in the world. If you want something unique yet perfect for your sweet tooth vape, Hulk Tears.
XXX by Chain Vapez E-Liquid
Triple X by Chain Vapez E-Liquid is a rarity in that is extremely well layered with multiple notes, yet it’s only one flavor. XXX by Chain Vapez is a strawberry vape, but it’s more than that. It’s made from three different strawberries from three different parts of the globe, and each adds a nuance to the strawberry flavor that makes it an absolute must-have. Easy on the coils and with a taste all of its own, this vape juice has more than 70+ five-star reviews.
Conclusion
It should be said that landing on your first all-day vape juice is not only a matter of research but also of experimentation. That means you might not find your favorite flavor or preferred nicotine strength from the get-go. So remember to experiment and try out different options; ultimately, that’s half the fun of buying your first e-liquid. On eJuiceDB, you’ll be able to find more than 2900+ vape juices that you can buy quickly and easily without having to leave your chair.
References
- Center for Tobacco Products. (2020, August 28). Nicotine: The Addictive Chemical in Tobacco Products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/health-information/nicotine-addictive-chemical-tobacco-products
EjuiceDB articles and blogs are meant to entertain and educate. However, we are not medical professionals and do not intend to give medical advice through them. Furthermore, Vaping products and nicotine use are only meant for persons over the age of 21.
Children, breastfeeding and pregnant women, persons with risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or that take medications especially for depression or asthma should not use nicotine or vaping products. Always consult a licensed physician prior to use.