How To Pick Vape Juice: A Guide for Vape Beginners

If you landed on this page, you’re probably thinking about diving into the world of vape juice. Maybe you’ve been living that disposable vape life for a while now—but lately, refillable vape devices and all those juicy flavors have been calling your name.

We get it. Buying vape juice online can be overwhelming, especially when it feels like every flavor is shouting “PICK ME!” But flavor is actually the last thing you should focus on when you’re just getting started.

In today’s blog, we’ll break down the basics—nicotine types, strengths, ingredients, and devices—so you can feel confident buying your first bottle of vape juice. Let’s get into it.

Why Buying Vape Juice Might Be a Smarter Move

Sure, disposables are easy—but making the switch to refillable vapes and bottled vape juice comes with some real perks:

• Flavor freedom: You’re not stuck with the dozen or so prefilled disposable flavors. Now it’s hundreds—yes, hundreds—of options, from tropical fruit explosions to cozy dessert blends. 
• Budget-friendly: Refillables might feel like a bigger upfront investment, but long term? Way cheaper. Once you’ve got your device, all you need is juice.
• Customization: You get to control your nicotine level, the vapor thickness, and the throat hit. It’s like building your own adventure. And trust us—it’s way more satisfying.

Step One: Choose Your Nicotine Level

This is a big one. Every vape juice comes with a nicotine level, and finding your sweet spot takes a little trial and error.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 0mg – No nicotine. Great if you just want the flavor and clouds.
• 3mg – For light smokers or social puffers.
• 6mg – For those who used to go through a half-pack a day.

Everyone absorbs nicotine differently, so don’t stress if you need to test a few levels before you land on the right one. Start low, then work your way up if needed.

Need more help figuring it out? We’ve got you covered in Vape Juice Nicotine Levels: Which Is Best For You.

Nicotine Salts vs. Traditional Vape Juice

Here’s where it gets real: if you’ve been using disposables, you’ve likely been vaping nicotine salts. These are smoother, stronger, and designed to hit fast and clean. They usually come in 25mg to 50mg strengths and are perfect if you want that strong-but-smooth feeling.

If you're thinking of sticking with that disposable feel but want more control, nic salts are the move. Just make sure you use a low-power pod system designed for salts.

Prefer the classic route? Then you’re looking at freebase vape juice, which gives you more control over throat hit and is ideal for larger, cloud-producing devices like box mods or pod mods.

Curious about the science behind it all? Don’t miss our blog What Is Salt Nicotine and Is Salt Nic Better for You?.

The VG/PG Ratio: What’s That?

Two key ingredients in vape juice are:

• VG (Vegetable Glycerin): Thick, sweet, and perfect for clouds.
• PG (Propylene Glycol): Thin, sharp, and carries flavor like a champ.

The ratio between VG and PG affects everything—how sweet your juice is, how much vapor you get, and how smooth or harsh it feels.

Here’s a cheat sheet:

• 70VG/30PG: Big clouds, smoother hits. Great for sub-ohm vapes.
• 50VG/50PG: Balanced feel, great for nicotine salts and pod systems.

Want to nerd out a little more? You’ll love Vape Juice Ingredients Explained.

Okay, Now You Can Pick a Flavor

Once you've got the technical stuff sorted—nicotine type, level, and VG/PG ratio—now you can pick a flavor. Think fruity, dessert, menthol, candy, cereal, even tobacco.

Want something refreshing? Head to The Top Six Best Vape Juices For The Summer. Struggling with harsh vape hits? We’ve got a fix in Why is My Vape Juice Harsh? The Top 4 Reasons And How To Fix Them.

And hey, don’t stress if your juice doesn’t last as long as expected—we got tips for that too in How To Make Vape Juice Last Longer?.

Quick Tips Before You Click “Add to Cart”

• Storage matters: Keep your vape juice in a cool, dark spot to make it last longer. Check out How To Store Vape Juice: E Liquid Storage Tips.
• Accidents happen: If you spill, don’t panic. Learn how to clean up fast in How To Easily Get Vape Juice Out of Clothes.
• Still not sure where to start? What To Buy As a Vape Beginner: The Best Devices and Vape Juice is the perfect companion piece to this guide.

Final Puff

Picking your first vape juice online doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by deciding between nicotine salts and freebase vape juice, then figure out your nicotine level and preferred VG/PG ratio. Flavor is the fun part—but everything else sets the stage for a great vape experience.

Whether you're curious about refillable vape options or just want to break free from the disposable cycle, you're on the right path.

Now go browse, explore, and make your first juice pick count. And don’t forget to check out our related blogs to keep leveling up your vape game.