Difference between 50:50 & Nic Salts

The OG nicotine, Freebase 50:50 nicotine delivers a stronger throat hit at higher nicotine levels due to its high pH content. The 50:50 part is the ratio of main ingredients PG (propylene glycol) & VG (vegetable glycerine) and simply denotes the thickness of the liquid. A 50:50 ratio is a thin liquid that works well with lower-powered pod kits and vape pens.

Available in 10ml bottles at strengths of 3mg, 6mg, 12mg and 18mg, freebase was the only option in the early days and while it is effective, users found that the throat hit it produced at higher strengths of 12mg and 18mg was extremely harsh and almost scratchy and the flavours were muted. This could present a problem if you needed a high amount of nicotine to match your smoking habit. Ideally what people were looking for was a high level of nicotine that delivered a smooth-throat hit and rich flavour.

Nicotine salt is freebase nicotine that is blended with benzoic acid to lower the pH of the nicotine. This reduction in alkalinity brings it in line with our bodies' own pH, and the result is a nicotine that absorbs rapidly and satisfies cravings much faster and for much longer, delivers a soft throat hit at the highest nicotine levels and doesn’t impair the flavour of the juice. Nic salts are also available in 10ml bottles at strengths of 5mg, 10mg and 20mg strengths and are blended to the same 50:50 PG/VG ratio as freebase. For more information, check out our guide on What are Nic Salts.

It depends on your individual needs. The aim is to make sure that you make a successful transition to vaping, so you need to take into consideration how much you smoke per day. If you are trying to make the switch from a strong smoking habit then nic salts are the best option for you as they will be able to match the nicotine level you need and satisfy your cravings as quickly as regular tobacco would. If you are a social smoker or looking to reduce your nicotine content, then vaping freebase nicotine at 3mg or 6mg would be ideal.

Nic salts have a smooth throat hit and are available in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg strengths whereas freebase nicotine goes up to 18mg but is extremely harsh on the throat at that strength. Nic salts absorb much faster than freebase and keep you satisfied for longer, so you don’t need to use them as much and they don’t impact the flavour of the e-liquid which is helpful as the flavours can be beneficial in helping you stay away from tobacco.

Nic salts aren’t more addictive than freebase nicotine, both derive from the nicotine found in tobacco leaves. Nic salts have a pH similar to the human body which means that they get into your system faster and keep your cravings at bay for longer, which can help to make your switch to vaping a successful one.

Nic salts have a much more neutral pH which doesn’t affect the flavour of your e-liquid. What you get is a full-bodied flavour with a smooth throat hit even at 20mg. This is important as enjoying the flavour of your vape can help make your transition a lot easier and more rewarding. Freebase nicotine noticeably mutes flavour and at 18mg strength, all you really taste is the nicotine. This may suit veteran heavy smokers or those who just want their fix without too much sweetness.

• If you are a heavy smoker of a pack of 20 or more a day then it is recommended that you start off with 20mg of nic salts as this will match your body needs and ensure that you don't go back to smoking.

• If you smoke 10-15 cigarettes a day you can try a 10mg nic salt, if you find this isn’t enough you can go up or drop the level if you find that it is a bit too strong.

• For social smokers and light smokers of 5 cigarettes a day or less a 3mg or 6mg freebase 50:50 nicotine should be enough, but again, if you find that you still have cravings then it is worth going up a level.