E-Liquid

E-Liquid Buying Guide: Types, Strengths & VG/PG Ratios

E-liquid (also called vape liquid, vape juice or e-juice) is the flavoured solution used in refillable vaping devices. When your device heats the liquid at the coil, it turns into vapour that you inhale. The best e-liquid for you usually comes down to three things: the device you’re using, the draw style you prefer, and the nicotine strength that suits your current routine.

What’s in vape juice?

Most e-liquids use a simple core recipe: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), food-grade flavourings, and an optional nicotine content. PG is thinner and carries flavour well, often giving a more noticeable throat feel. VG is thicker and tends to produce denser vapour with a smoother mouthfeel. Flavourings create everything from familiar tobacco and menthol styles to fruit blends such as strawberry, blueberry and raspberry, plus dessert and drink-inspired profiles.

Nicotine is optional. Some adults use nicotine e-liquid when switching from smoking, then gradually reduce over time, while others prefer nicotine-free options. Nicotine is addictive, and vaping isn’t risk-free, but regulated e-liquid gives adult smokers a clear alternative format to combustible cigarettes.

Nicotine salts vs freebase nicotine

In the UK, you’ll typically see two nicotine styles in ready-to-vape e-liquids: nicotine salts (nic salts) and freebase nicotine. Nic salts are commonly chosen for pod kits because they can feel smoother at higher strengths while still delivering a satisfying hit. Freebase nicotine is the “classic” nicotine format used in many traditional e-liquids and can feel sharper at higher strengths, which some people prefer in lower strengths or different device setups.

If you want a smoother high-strength option for pods, browse our nic salt e-liquid collection. If you’re new to refillable vaping and want something straightforward, our starter e-liquid range is built around easy compatibility with beginner devices and simple flavour choices.

UK compliance and what “TPD” means for e-liquid

In the UK, nicotine e-liquids are regulated under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) and UK TRPR rules. That includes limits such as maximum 10 ml bottles for nicotine-containing e-liquid and a maximum nicotine strength of 20 mg/ml. Shortfills are commonly sold as larger bottles without nicotine, designed to be combined with 10 ml nicotine shots if you want nicotine in the final mix. These rules exist to keep products consistent and regulated for adult use.

Match Your E-Liquid to How You Vape

Different e-liquids behave differently in different devices. The main reason is viscosity: thicker liquids move more slowly through the cotton wick inside the coil, while thinner liquids absorb more quickly. Matching PG/VG and nicotine type to your device helps you avoid dry hits, leaking, or a draw that doesn’t feel satisfying.

Mouth-to-lung (MTL) and pod vaping

MTL vaping is the closest to a cigarette draw: you pull vapour into your mouth first, then inhale. This style is common with pod kits and lower-power starter devices. MTL setups typically perform best with balanced liquids (often referred to as 50/50) because they wick reliably through smaller coil ports. Many adult smokers moving away from cigarettes also choose nic salts for a smoother feel at higher strengths, especially in compact pods.

Direct-to-lung (DTL) and sub-ohm vaping

DTL vaping means inhaling straight to the lungs, usually with higher power and more airflow. These devices often pair better with higher-VG liquids because VG supports a smoother, denser vapour at higher wattages. Shortfills are common in this style, letting you choose the flavour profile you want and then add nicotine shots if needed. If you’re mixing, our nicotine shot calculator helps you work out the final strength accurately.

How coils, wicks and airflow affect flavour

Your e-liquid choice also interacts with device design: the coil heats the liquid, the cotton wick feeds liquid to the coil, and airflow controls how tight or airy the draw feels. If you use a very thick liquid in a small pod, the wick may struggle to keep up, leading to a dry, burnt taste. If you use a very thin liquid in a high-airflow tank, it can sometimes flood the coil and cause leaking or spitback. When in doubt, start with the liquid style your device is designed for, then fine-tune flavour and strength once performance feels consistent.

Quick Guide: The Main Types of E-Liquid

• Starter e-liquids – Easy-to-use liquids designed for low-power starter kits and a familiar draw. A practical option if you’re newly switching from smoking.
• Nic salts – Smooth nicotine salt e-liquids that are popular with pod users and recent ex-smokers. Explore our nic salts for fruit, menthol and tobacco-style blends.
• 50/50 e-liquid – A balanced PG/VG ratio aimed at MTL devices, giving clear flavour and a satisfying throat feel without being too thick for smaller coils.
• Shortfills – Larger bottles made for higher-VG, higher-power vaping. They’re usually nicotine-free and leave room for nicotine shots if you want nicotine in the final mix.
• Nicotine shots – 10 ml nicotine “boosters” used to add nicotine to shortfills. Use our calculator to work out the amount for your target strength.

Flavours and Taste Profiles

Finding an “all-day” flavour is often what makes vaping feel sustainable. If you’re coming straight from cigarettes, familiar profiles can be the easiest place to start. If you’ve already moved away from tobacco taste, fruit and dessert blends give you variety without the smoke and ash of traditional smoking.

Tobacco and menthol flavours

Tobacco-style e-liquids aim to mirror the warmth and dryness adult smokers expect, sometimes with notes like caramel, nuts or light sweetness. Menthol and mint flavours add a cleaner finish—anything from a gentle freshness to an icy cooling sensation. These profiles are popular with recent switchers who want something familiar, especially when paired with a tight MTL draw.

Fruit favourites: bright, sweet and sharp

Fruit flavours cover everything from single-fruit profiles to layered blends with a cool finish. Strawberry and blueberry are common “sweet” base notes, raspberry often adds a sharper edge, and mixes like lemon-lime or apple-ice offer a crisp finish. Watermelon, tropical fruits and mixed berries are also popular if you want something light and refreshing.

Desserts and drinks

Dessert and drink flavours are usually richer and more rounded, with profiles like custard, bakery, vanilla, cola and coffee-inspired blends. These can be a nice change if you want a warmer, fuller vape that feels less “icy” and more indulgent.

To cover the most popular flavour families, we stock a wide mix of UK-made and international options, including Elfliq for punchy fruit and ice-style blends, Dinner Lady for well-known classics, and Cigara Salt Bar if you want a bar-inspired nic salt profile built for pod vaping.

Nicotine Strength: Getting It Right

Nicotine is a big part of satisfaction for adult smokers switching to vaping, but it should feel comfortable—not harsh or overwhelming. Strength is typically shown in mg/ml (for example, 10 mg or 20 mg). The right strength depends on how often you vape, how long your puffs are, and whether you’re using a tight pod draw or a higher-power setup that produces more vapour per puff.

If you want a practical starting point, our nicotine strength calculator helps you narrow the range based on your smoking history and device type. If you’re using shortfills and nicotine shots, our nic shot calculator helps you mix accurately so your final bottle lands where you expect.

Storage, Shelf Life and Safe Handling

Like any consumable with flavourings, e-liquid should be stored properly. Keep bottles sealed, away from direct sunlight and heat, and out of reach of children and pets. If a bottle has been stored for a while, a quick shake can help redistribute flavour. You’ll usually find a best-before date on packaging—if a liquid smells off, tastes unusually harsh, or has changed significantly in colour and consistency, it’s best to replace it.

If you’re using a fresh bottle in a new coil, let the cotton wick saturate before vaping (often called “priming”). Taking a few draws without firing (where your device allows) can help pull liquid into the wick, reducing the chance of a burnt first hit.

Quality and Responsible Use

All e-liquids on myCigara are for adults aged 18+ only and are intended for adult smokers and existing adult vapers. They are not for non-smokers, children, or people who are pregnant. Vaping may be considered less harmful than smoking for adult smokers who switch completely, but it isn’t harmless and nicotine is an addictive substance. If you have a health condition, speak with a healthcare professional before using nicotine products.

Why Buy E-Liquid from myCigara?

We’re a UK vape specialist with both online and physical stores, so you can shop the way that suits you. Our e-liquid selection focuses on regulated products across a wide range of flavours and nicotine options—whether you’re starting out, switching from disposables, or fine-tuning your everyday setup.

Easy ways to narrow down your choice

If you’re unsure what to pick, start with your device type (pod kit vs sub-ohm), then choose a flavour family (tobacco/menthol, fruit, dessert), then dial in nicotine strength. If you’re also choosing hardware, browse our vape kits to compare formats, then come back to match your e-liquid to the kit you choose.

Find Your Next Bottle

Whether you call it e-liquid, eliquid, vape juice or vape liquid, the goal is the same: a flavour you enjoy and a setup that supports your smoke-free routine. Explore the collection, use the calculators if you’re mixing, and if you want a simple first step, begin with starter e-liquids or smooth nic salts.