There is no universal “best” nicotine. The right choice depends entirely on what kind of vape you’re using and what style of vaping you’re into.
While Nic Salts dominate the pod kit market for their smoothness, Freebase Nicotine remains the king for cloud chasers that use sub-ohm tanks and rebuildables (RDAs) or for those crazies that love an insane throat “kick.”
Me? I use pod vapes, so I keep it locked to high-quality, UK-made nicotine salts.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Freebase Nicotine | Nicotine Salts |
| Throat Hit | Punchy; harsh at high mg | Smooth, even at 20mg |
| Absorption | Slower, gradual delivery | Near-instant (6–20 seconds) |
| Best Device | Sub-ohm tanks / High-power mods | Pod kits / Low-wattage pens |
| Cloud Size | Large, dense clouds | Minimal, discreet vapor |
| Shelf Life | Faster oxidation (shorter life) | Highly stable (longer life) |
| Max Strength | Up to 18mg (but very harsh) | Up to 20mg (smooth) |
When Nic Salt is “Better”
Most people nowadays use pod vapes or AIO vapes. The days of sub-ohm tanks and massive vape mods are over.
Compact, powerful refillable pod vapes are now the most popular type of vape in the UK, and these vapes are designed to run on nic salts.
Nic salts also come with a few additional benefits you simply do not get with freebase nicotine, such as:
- Fast Relief: Because they cross the blood-brain barrier faster, they kill cravings in seconds, much like a combustible cigarette.
- High Strength, Low Pain: You can vape 20mg (the UK legal limit) without coughing. 20mg freebase, by comparison, feels like “inhaling fire” for most people.
- Discreet Vaping: Salts work perfectly in low-power pods like the Vaporesso XROS Pro 2 or OXVA XLIM Pro 2 DNA, producing minimal vapor for public use.
When Freebase is “Better”
Freebase is the choice for hobbyists and those tapering their nicotine intake.
- The “Throat Kick”: If you miss the physical “bite” at the back of the throat that comes from smoking, a 6mg or 12mg freebase liquid provides that sensation better than salts.
- Cloud Chasing: If you use a sub-ohm device at 50W+, you want 3mg freebase. Using salts at high wattage is unpleasant and can lead to nicotine overdose.
- Flavor Complexity: Freebase is often better at carrying complex dessert or tobacco notes, whereas salts excel with simple fruit or “bar” (disposable-style) flavors.
How to Choose (The Simple Rule)
- Choose Nic Salts if: You use a pod system, you smoked 10+ cigarettes a day, and you want a smooth, fast hit that keeps you away from tobacco. Here’s the best UK nic salts to buy now, broken down by flavor profiles.
- Choose Freebase if: You use a larger device with “big” coils (sub-ohm), you enjoy blowing clouds, or you are gradually lowering your nicotine level (e.g., moving from 6mg to 3mg to 0mg).
Our VapeBeat x Crystalize Nicotine Salts line is available in QuickMix (20ml) and Longfill format (60ml and 120ml).
The mixing process is simple and mess-free; it takes like 2 minutes and then you have either a 20ml, 60ml or a 120ml bottle of nicotine salts.
