TYPES OF VAPE JUICES EXPLAINED: WHICH ONE SUITS YOUR STYLE?

Vaping is a personalized experience, and each type of vape juice offers something different, from how much nicotine you get to how big your clouds are and how smooth the throat hit feels. Finding the right vape juice or e-liquid for your preference can transform the experience from “just okay” to “exactly what I needed.” 

Let’s dive into the different types of vape juices so you can find the one that suits you best.

CATEGORIES OF VAPE JUICES BASED ON NICOTINE STRENGTH
Nicotine strength in vape juice directly affects how intense or mild your vaping experience will be. It influences the throat hit—the sensation you feel when inhaling vapor—and determines how closely the experience mimics smoking traditional cigarettes.

NICOTINE-FREE VAPE JUICE (0 MG)
Nicotine-free juices are your go-to if you're into vape flavor and ritual but don’t want the kick. These e-liquids allow you to enjoy the sensory effects—the smooth inhale, rich flavor, and thick clouds—without nicotine’s addictive properties.

LOW NICOTINE (3 MG TO 6 MG)
Low-nicotine vape juices offer a mild buzz. They pair well with high VG (vegetable glycerin) e-liquids, which create smoother hits and denser vapor. This combination is especially effective in sub-ohm vapes, where you inhale the vapor directly into your lungs (DTL).

MID NICOTINE (10 MG TO 12 MG)
Mid-level nicotine juices deliver a more substantial hit without being too harsh. You can use them in both MTL (mouth-to-lung) vapes—where you draw vapor into your mouth before inhaling—and DTL (direct-to-lung) setups. Pod systems, typically MTL devices, excel with mid-nicotine vape juices.

HIGH NICOTINE (18 MG TO 20 MG)
High-nicotine vape juices are all about delivering a strong, impactful experience. These e-liquids provide a robust throat hit and a quick nicotine fix, similar to a traditional cigarette. Nicotine salt e-liquids work best at these formulas because they offer a smoother inhale, even with high nicotine concentrations. MTL vapes are ideal for potent juices because they allow you to take smaller, more controlled puffs.

TYPES OF VAPE JUICES BASED ON VG/PG RATIO
The VG and PG (propylene glycol) ratio in your vape juice is crucial in shaping the experience. VG is a natural substance derived from vegetable oils, known for its thick consistency and smooth throat hit. PG, on the other hand, is a thinner, synthetic liquid that carries flavors well and delivers a more substantial hit, like smoking. The balance between these ingredients affects everything from flavor intensity to the size of your vapor clouds.

70 PG / 30 VG
A 70 PG / 30 VG ratio is the way to go if you're after solid flavors and a cigarette-like impact. The higher PG content makes this juice thinner, which is perfect for standard MTL vapes like pod systems or basic vape pens. You’ll get a sharp, flavorful hit with a 70 PG / 30 VG e-liquid.

50 PG / 50 VG
A 50/50 blend strikes a balance between a good throat hit and moderate vapor production. This ratio works well with MTL vapes and some lower-powered DTL devices. 50 PG / 50 VG is also the standard for nicotine salt e-liquids.

70 VG / 30 PG
A 70 VG / 30 PG ratio is the way to go if you’re looking for thick clouds. The higher VG content means you’ll produce larger, denser vapor with a softer throat hit that’s perfect for sub-ohm devices. If you’re using a box mod or a high-power vape pen, this ratio will help you maximize the output without minimizing the flavor.

80 VG / 20 PG
An 80 VG / 20 PG ratio ups the ante on vapor release. The juice is thicker, so you’ll need a powerful sub-ohm device to handle it, but the payoff is enormous. If you’re all about those big, dense clouds, 80/20 might be your choice.

MAX VG
Max VG vape juices have very little PG, which makes them ideal for silky inhales and gigantic billows of thick clouds. To maximize these liquids, you’ll need an advanced sub-ohm setup, like a box mod or other high-powered device.

TYPES OF VAPE JUICES BASED ON FLAVOR
Flavoring can make vaping more enjoyable, and certain types of vape juice flavors work better with specific VG/PG ratios and devices.

oTobacco and Menthol: Tobacco and menthol often pair with higher PG ratios to give you that sharp throat hit and mimic the sensation of smoking. They’re a solid choice if you’re using standard MTL vapes and want something familiar as you transition from smoking.

oFruits and Beverages: Fruity and drink-inspired flavors are crowd-pleasers that work well with various VG/PG ratios. A 50/50 blend often pairs nicely with these tastes, giving you a good mix of intensity and vapor production.

oDesserts and Creams: If you’re into rich, indulgent flavors, dessert vapes will undoubtedly satisfy. Higher VG ratios bring out the creaminess and depth of these flavors, making them perfect for sub-ohm devices that produce smooth, dense vapor.

HOW TO PAIR YOUR VAPE JUICE WITH THE RIGHT DEVICE
Choosing your ideal vape juice quality is just the first step. To get the most out of your experience, you’ll also need to pair it with the right device. Using the wrong combination can lead to issues like spit back, dry hits, or weak flavor.

MTL VAPES (MOUTH-TO-LUNG)
MTL vapes are designed to replicate the sensation of smoking a traditional cigarette. These devices typically have higher resistance coils (above 1.0 ohm) and produce less vapor. They’re perfect if you prefer a more discreet vaping style or are transitioning from smoking.

Best Vape Juices for MTL Systems:

oNicotine Content: Types of vape juice with higher nicotine levels, between 12 mg and 20 mg, work best in MTL devices. The reduced vapor production means that you get a more concentrated nicotine delivery, which mimics the feeling of smoking without needing to inhale large amounts of vapor.

oVG/PG Ratio: A 50/50 or 70/30 PG/VG ratio is ideal for MTL devices. The higher PG content enhances the throat sensation and effectively carries flavor, while the thinner liquid wicks easily in the higher-resistance coils.

oFlavors: Standard MTL setups are popular with more pronounced vape juice flavors, such as tobacco, menthol, and sharper fruit.

DTL DEVICES (DIRECT-TO-LUNG)
DTL vapes provide a more open draw, like when taking a deep breath. These devices produce larger clouds and offer a smoother overall experience. DTL setups typically use lower resistance coils (below 1.0 ohm), known as sub-ohm coils, that operate at higher wattages.

Best Vape Juices for DTL Devices:

oNicotine Content: Lower nicotine e-liquids, from 0 mg to 6 mg, work best in DTL devices. The nicotine content doesn’t need to be as high because you inhale more vapor with each puff. Higher nicotine levels in a DTL vape can be too harsh and may result in an uncomfortable experience.

oVG/PG Ratio: DTL devices require a high VG content (70% VG or more). The thicker VG liquid produces dense vapor clouds and provides a smoother sensation.

oFlavors: Creamy, dessert and fruity flavors work exceptionally well with DTL devices. The smoothness of high-VG liquids complements these rich, complex flavors.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT VAPE JUICE FOR YOUR NEEDS
Now that you’ve mastered the types of vape juice and device options, it’s time to narrow down your choices.

oStart by considering your nicotine needs.
If you’re transitioning from smoking, a higher nicotine level (12 mg to 20 mg) might be necessary, with a higher PG concentration, nicotine salts, and a menthol or tobacco flavor.

oVapor production is another key factor.
If you love thick clouds, choose a high-VG formula (70% or more) with lower nicotine levels and a sweet, creamy flavor.

oLastly, match your juice to your device.
Pod systems, particularly MTL-focused ones, are best with nicotine salts or higher PG liquids, offering a tighter draw. Sub-ohm devices and box mods excel with high VG juices, delivering dense vapor and full flavors.

CONCLUSION
Vaping is all about customization and finding what works best for you. By understanding the different types of vape juices and how they pair with various devices, you can enhance your vaping experience and make every puff count. Make sure to choose the right nicotine strength, VG/PG ratio, and flavor to create the ultimate vaping experience tailored just for you.