Nicotine Salts vs Freebase Nicotine: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever bought a bottle labelled nic salt and thought “hang on, isn’t nicotine just nicotine?”, you’re not alone. Both nicotine salts and freebase nicotine can get you where you want to be, but they feel different, and they suit different kits.

This guide explains the real difference, how each one vapes day to day, and how to choose without wasting money on the wrong bottle.

Quick answer

• Choose nicotine salts if you want a smoother hit at higher strength, and you vape low power (most pod kits, MTL, tighter draw).
• Choose freebase nicotine if you want more throat hit, you vape lower strength, and you use higher power (sub-ohm tanks, RDL/DTL).

In the UK, nicotine e-liquid is capped at 20 mg/ml, and nicotine liquids are typically sold in 10 ml bottles.

What is freebase nicotine?

Freebase is the “standard” nicotine used in e-liquids for years. It’s nicotine in a form that tends to give a sharper throat hit, especially as the strength climbs.

How it feels:

• More kick in the throat at the same mg strength
• Often feels more “present” on the inhale
• Can get harsh for some people at higher strengths (for example 12 mg to 18 mg in certain setups)

Freebase is common in:

• Lower strength liquids for sub-ohm (0 mg to 6 mg)
• Classic 10 ml e-liquids in strengths like 3 mg, 6 mg, 12 mg, 18 mg
• Nicotine shots used to add nicotine to shortfills (usually freebase)

What are nicotine salts?

Nicotine salts are made by combining nicotine with an acid to create a more “salt-like” form of nicotine. In vaping, manufacturers use different acids (benzoic is common, but there are others). 

However, this article is not a chemistry lesson, but this article is an interesting read if you want to learn more about how nic salts chemically work.

How it feels

• Smoother throat hit at higher strengths
• Usually works best at low power
• Often preferred in pod kits and MTL where you take smaller puffs but want decent nicotine strength

Nicotine form (freebase vs more protonated forms) also affects inhalability and can influence how nicotine behaves.

The differences that matter when you vape

Throat hit

• Salts: smoother, less scratchy at higher strengths
• Freebase: more throat hit, especially as mg goes up

If you miss the “bite” you used to get, freebase often scratches that itch better. If you want high strength without feeling like you’re inhaling sandpaper, salts usually win.

Best match for your kit

Nic salts usually suit:

• Pod kits and MTL kits
• Higher resistance coils (often around 0.8 ohm to 1.2 ohm)
• Lower wattage (often under 20W)

Freebase usually suits:

• Sub-ohm tanks and DTL/RDL setups
• Lower resistance coils (often below 0.6 ohm)
• Higher wattage (often 25W and up)

You can bend the rules, but if you put 20 mg salt into a powerful sub-ohm tank, it can feel like getting punched in the throat, and you may end up taking in more nicotine than you meant to.

Strengths you will see in the UK

Because the UK cap is 20 mg/ml, salts are commonly sold as:

• 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg

Freebase is commonly sold as:

• 3 mg, 6 mg, 12 mg, 18 mg

The legal cap is set out in UK legislation.

“Satisfaction” and how often you vape

People often find nic salts more satisfying at higher strengths in low-power kits, so they don’t chain-vape as much. That said, nicotine delivery depends on device power, liquid, and puff style. 

How to choose between nic salts and freebase

If you want a cigarette-like draw (MTL)

Go nic salts as your default.

• Start around 10 mg if you want a noticeable hit without it being too strong
• Consider 20 mg if you currently use higher nicotine and you are using a low-power pod kit

If you want bigger clouds (DTL or open RDL)

Go freebase as your default.

• 3 mg is the usual starting point for sub-ohm
• 6 mg can be fine in some RDL setups, but it can get harsh in hotter tanks

If you are getting a harsh throat hit

• If you are on freebase at higher strength, try switching to salts with a similar flavour profile to test the difference
• Or drop your nicotine level and tighten airflow a touch

If you feel like you are vaping too often

• In a low-power pod kit, try moving from 5 mg salts to 10 mg salts
• In a higher power setup, try reducing airflow or moving to a slightly higher resistance coil, rather than jumping straight to high nicotine

Nic salts vs freebase with shortfills and nic shots

Shortfills are usually nicotine-free, with space in the bottle to add 10 ml nic shots.

• Freebase nic shots are the standard choice and work well for most sub-ohm shortfills.
• Nic salt shots exist too. Some people prefer them if they want a smoother feel, especially in pod-focused 50/50 shortfills.

The UK rules are why shortfills exist in the first place: nicotine liquids are limited to 10 ml and 20 mg/ml, so shortfills let you buy a bigger bottle and add nicotine separately.

Common mistakes & fixes

Mistake 1: Using high strength nic salts in a sub-ohm tank

What it feels like: too strong, unpleasant, dizzy, instant regret.

Fix: switch to a lower nicotine (often 3 mg freebase), or move that salt liquid to a pod kit.

Mistake 2: Using low strength freebase in a tiny pod and wondering why it’s not hitting

What it feels like: flavour is fine, but you keep reaching for it.

Fix: try 10 mg salts, or a slightly tighter airflow and higher resistance coil.

Mistake 3: Blaming nicotine type for burnt coils

Coil life is usually more about sweetener level, wattage, airflow, and how well the coil is primed than whether nicotine is salt or freebase.

FAQs

Are nicotine salts stronger than freebase?

Not inherently. 20 mg is 20 mg. The difference is how it feels and how it pairs with your device. Nic salts tend to feel smoother at higher strengths, which is why people often choose them in pods. 

Can I use nic salts in any vape?

Technically yes, practically no. They are best in low-power kits. In high power sub-ohm setups, high strength nic salts can be unpleasant.

Do nic salts absorb faster?

Nicotine form can affect inhalability and nicotine behaviour, and some research discusses differences between freebase and more protonated nicotine forms. Real-world delivery still depends heavily on device and puffing. 

What is the maximum nicotine strength in the UK?

20 mg/ml. Nicotine-containing refill containers are limited to 10 ml, and tanks are limited to 2 ml capacity.