Posted by Pure E-Liquids on 31st Oct 2025
Updated October 2025
Nic salts are the present and future for UK vapers. Vapers across the UK in June 2025 found themselves staring at empty shelves, facing the frustration of the recently implemented disposable vape ban. In the wake of this change, alternatives became not just a matter of preference but necessity
Swap for better value, equally intense flavour and smooth nicotine.
Ready to find your ideal nic salt and vape kit combination? Below, we evaluate our top 10 choices for this year and what type of kit they are best paired with, guiding you to discover the perfect match for a sublime vaping experience.
Table of Contents
- Vampire Vape Nic Salts
- Elux Legend Nic Salts
- Elf Bar Elfliq Nic Salts
- Bar Juice Nic Salts
- Hayati Pro Max Nic Salts
- Ske Crystal Nic Salts
- Riot Squad Nic Salts
- Vsavi Nic Salts
- Vaporesso Deliciu Nic Salts
- Oxva Ox Passion Nic Salts
- How Nic Salts Work
- Nic Salts vs Freebase
- Taste Comparisons
- Best Vape Kit for Nic Salts
- FAQs
Note that from our list of top brands and flavours below, all as standard are available in 10mg and 20mg strengths for refillable vape kits.
Top 10 Nic Salts for 2025 Vaping
Vampire Vape Nic Salts
One of the leading vape brands in the UK is Vampire Vape. A mass producer of some of the finest vape juice flavours in the country, its names like Heisenberg and Pinkman that put Vampire Vape on the map.
The Vampire Vape 10mg and 20mg nicotine salts are a favourite among vapers, recognised for a smooth inhale. What sets them apart from the rest is their drive to push the boundaries of creativity.
Flavours like White Chocolate Hazelnut Tobacco and Black Jack are just a few examples of unique flavours not seen anywhere else.
Interestingly, Vampire Vape also offers a fine collection of Vampire Vape freebase vape juice in five different nicotine strengths for a stronger throat hit.
Elux Legend Nic Salts
Another juggernaut of vape manufacturers is Elux and their popular Elux Legend nic salts range. The two strength nic salt options are ideal for those looking to quit smoking or move away from their well-liked single-use disposable vape range.
To sample and add something different to your vape, why not try Fresh Menthol Mojito? Or alternatively, a rich combination via Vanilla Tobacco for someone who does not want to move away from tobacco flavours?
This range is very popular with our customers and has received rave reviews for its subtle flavour and smooth texture.
Elf Bar Elfliq Nic Salts
Elf Bar has been a household name for years since the creation and rise of the Elf Bar 600 kit. Now they have transitioned elegantly into refillable e-liquids with Elf Bar Elfliq nic salts, which offer a fantastic alternative that is better for your bank balance and tastes just as good!
With a wide range of flavours to choose from in various strengths, this nic salt range is every-so-smooth and one of the best flavour profiles to move on from the disposable vape ban.
Bar Juice 5000 Nic Salts
One of the leading brands for nic salts is Bar Juice 5000 10mg and 20mg range. Replicating the popularity of disposable vape flavours, this UK-made mix of vape juice from Bar Juice features many popular replicated flavours, such as Blue Razz Lemonade and Peach Ice.
In addition, they offer enticing variations of fruit and beverages options as well as classic tobacco or mint. There is something for every vaper with Cherry Cola, Cream Tobacco or Orange Zest, demonstrating the plethora of options available from Bar Juice.
Hayati Pro Max Nic Salts
Hayati is fast becoming one of the top vape brands in the UK, with their big puff vapes and refillable Hayati Pro Max nic salts. These flavours are not only highly rated by many but also intensely rich and sweet.
Not only are there tropical blends like Mango Peach Pineapple, but also mild vape taste from the likes of Fresh Mint.
Vapers on Reddit forums and YouTube reviews highlight the strong intensity and the smooth throat hit that balances the flavour with the PG at the base.
Ske Crystal Nic Salts
Next up, we have a vape juice with Ske Crystal Nic Salts that can be paired with many pod kits, vape pens and starter kits. More than 30 flavours from Ske highlight the sheer depth of quality and premium flavour choices at a vapers disposal in 1% and 2% nicotine.
Mimicking the popularity of their sweet disposable kit flavours, the majority are fruit, dessert, or beverage flavours.
One of the most popular among vapers to date is Banana Ice, a blend of rich, creamy banana notes with a hit of ice on the exhale for a cool vape.
Riot Squad Edtn Nic Salts
Riot is a popular UK-based brand that makes stellar vape juice. Their nic salt collection called Riot Squad Edtn is intriguing to say the least. As you can find with many of the e-liquids from our online store, multi-buy options of nic salts offer excellent value for money.
Flavour profiles from Riot Squad, including Lychee Watermelon or Apple Blackcurrant, are just the right amount of sweetness and nicotine satisfaction. The addition of benzoic acid to this vape juice creates a careful balance to offer a gentle proposition away from cigarettes.
Vsavi Nic Salts
In contrast to some of the newer brands on this list of best nic salts, Vsavi nic salts are tried and tested bestsellers.
They are slightly more expensive than other brands at £5.99 per 10ml bottle.
However, this additional cost reflects the premium ingredients, flavours and nicotine salt intensity. Note that there are also saving bundles available – when you buy a pack of three, it is only £16.49.
Available at 20mg only, flavours including Juicy Lemonade, Smooth Tobacco and Coffee Latte highlight the different taste of vape juice available.
Vaporesso Deliciu Nic Salts
Next up, we have vape kit designing legends Vaporesso with Vaporesso Deliciu. As the name suggests, they have decided to make a nic salt that, in their words, is delicious and we can attest to that with their unique collection of flavours.
Available in 1% and 2% nic salt strengths, as the market seems to produce, examples such as Wild Apple and Hawthorn as well as Raspberry Key Lime are their best nic salt sensations.
There are popular renditions of nic salt classics made by other brands with their own twist, such as Kiwi Passionfruit Guava and Pink Lemonade if that is something you prefer too!
Oxva Passion Nic Salts
For some time now, Oxva has been the go-to choice for many vapers – in particular beginners – seeking a simple but effective vape kit. And now they have the nic salt e-liquids to match, diversifying as a brand with the Oxva Passion range.
And let it be known that as the industry shifts away from single-use disposables and brands such as Oxva continues to disrupt, Oxva Passion is a fantastic refillable e-liquid alternative.
The flavour from this nic salt collection is as powerful and reliable as the Oxva Xlim kit series, including the popular Oxva Xlim Pro 2 DNA. They offer a mixture of options from classics such as Lemon and Lime to new choices like Paradise Punch or Strawberry Melon.
How Nic Salt Vape Juice Works
Nic salts are produced with a weak acid, such as benzoic acid in a solution. This reduces the pH balance to allow vape e-liquids to be less harsh on the throat.
This in turn creates an effect like smoking, where vapour to inhale is produced, but less of a tickle on the back of the throat. Additionally, nicotine salts can be vaped at a the max strength of 20mg without feeling too harsh. Instead, a heavy smoker can vape less frequently and still feel the same level of satisfaction.
Nic salts are perfect for starter kits because they offer a smoother transition from cigarettes, importantly without combustible tobacco, but still containing nicotine needed to not quit smoking cold turkey.
Freebase Nicotine vs Nic Salts Vape Juice – Which is Better?
This depends on what type of familiarity you hope for when vaping. Are you trying to mimic the sensation of smoking with something identical? In that case, the closest match may be a cigalike, with a thin-shaped vape kit that offers freebase nicotine e-liquids. With this type of vape juice, you have a stronger throat hit like vaping and can opt for a lower strength should you be more of a casual smoker.
Nic salts tend to be preferred by those who are used to disposable vapes and those who want the nicotine found in cigarettes but less harsh on the throat. For a high nicotine strength but less intense sensation, a 20mg nic salt is perfect. If you only occasionally smoked previously in social settings, a 10mg nic salt or a lower strength freebase nicotine liquid (nicotine in its most natural state) may be your best option.
What you do not want to do is find that the experience of vaping does not match the sensation you felt when smoking. It needs to be a smooth transition, and it is all about the trial-and-error method to find the most suitable match for your preferences.
Taste comparisons with nic salts
Many want to know before buying their first e-liquid how it will taste in comparison to smoking. And even those who have for years only vaped traditional e-liquids want to know how the flavour differs, with nic salt e-liquids.
What we can say is that because nic salts are smoother by nature, the e-liquid sweeteners resonate more with your flavour palette.
This is because the pH level is more balanced compared to freebase, where the high intensity of nicotine can taste a bit peppery to some vapers. The smoother throat hit of nic salts can feel more satisfactory on the throat and therefore create a sweeter sensation, whether you pick tobacco or juicy lemonade flavour.
However, bear in mind that a higher strength nicotine may also disrupt the natural flavours of your vape juice. So, try to stick to your nicotine habits, which you previously smoked, but also try both freebase and nic salt e-liquids to see the ideal flavour profile that you prefer when vaping.
Best Vape Kit for Nic Salts
Whether you decide nic salts are right for you or freebase nicotine depends on a few factors, such as what vape kit you choose and the sensation you hope for. As an example, those who have quit smoking but seek a similar sensation of high throat hit and a familiar, discreet amount of cloud should opt for a low-powered vape kit to pair with a high-nicotine e-liquid to achieve a wattage between 10-30W.
This would also be suitable with a nic salt e-liquid too. If you want a lower nicotine vape liquid to achieve more clouds, nic salts may not be the best for you. Try a higher-powered vape mod kit to vape those big clouds and increase the flavour intensity. You will need a higher VG e-liquid to achieve this level, so nic salts should be avoided.
Nic Salts FAQs
Are nic salts stronger than freebase nicotine?
Yes, nic salts can deliver more nicotine per puff while feeling smoother. That’s why 20mg nic salts are common in pod kits.
Are nic salts safe?
Nic salts are TPD-compliant and designed for nicotine replacement, making them a safer alternative to smoking combustible tobacco.
What flavours are the best for beginners?
If you’re new to vaping, start with familiar options like tobacco, mint, or fruit blends such as Blueberry Sour Raspberry.