If you've shopped for e-liquid lately, you've seen "nic salts" everywhere. They're the most popular way to vape in the UK, and for good reason, but the name doesn't tell you much. This guide explains what nic salts actually are, who they suit, which strength and device to pair them with, and how to pick a flavour you'll come back to.
Contents
- What are nic salts?
- Why people choose nic salts
- What strength nic salt should I use?
- Nic salts vs shortfills: which format?
- What are hybrid nic salts?
- Which device do you need?
- Choosing a nic salt: flavours and ranges
- Common questions
Key Takeaways
β Nic salts are a smoother form of nicotine that's absorbed faster, so they satisfy cravings quickly without a harsh throat hit
β They're ideal if you're new to vaping, quitting smoking, or using a small pod device
β Riot nic salts come in 10ml bottles, usually in 5mg, 10mg and 20mg β plus 0mg if you want nicotine-free
β Nic salts suit low-power MTL pods, not high-power sub-ohm kits
β Hybrid nic salts blend the smoothness of salts with a touch more throat hit
β Once you know the format, pick by flavour β that's where the fun is
What are nic salts?
Nic salts, short for nicotine salts, are a form of nicotine designed to be smoother to inhale and faster to absorb than traditional freebase nicotine. They're made by combining nicotine with an acid (usually benzoic acid), which lowers the pH of the liquid. The result is a gentler throat hit at higher strengths, and quicker craving relief.
In plain terms: nic salts let you vape a stronger nicotine level without the harshness, and feel satisfied sooner. That's exactly what most people switching from cigarettes are looking for. Everything else about a nic salt vape juice is the same as any e-liquid, a PG/VG base plus flavourings, it's just the nicotine that's different.
(Want the full technical comparison? Our guide to nic salts vs freebase nicotine goes deeper on how the two differ.)
Why people choose nic salts
Nic salts are the default choice for most modern vapers, and here's why:
You're new to vaping or quitting smoking
The smooth hit and fast nicotine delivery make nic salts the easiest switch from cigarettes. If you're just starting out, our New to Vaping guide walks you through the basics.
You want cravings handled fast
Because nic salts absorb quickly, they take the edge off a craving sooner than freebase, closer to the hit-and-satisfy rhythm of a cigarette.
You use a pod device
Nic salts are made for small, low-power pod kits and MTL (mouth-to-lung) setups, the pocketable, no-fuss devices most people carry.
You want a smooth, discreet vape
No big clouds, no harsh throat, no fuss. Nic salts are the low-key, everyday option.
What strength nic salt should I use?
Strength is the thing people get wrong most often β too high feels harsh, too low leaves you reaching for the vape constantly. As a rough starting point:
These are starting points, not rules, the right level is the one that satisfies without feeling harsh. Our e-liquid strength chart has the full breakdown, and it's easy to step down over time as your nicotine need drops.
Nic salts vs shortfills: which format?
This trips a lot of people up, so here's the simple version. Nic salts come ready-mixed in 10ml bottles at a set strength, made for small pod devices. Shortfills are larger, higher-VG bottles designed for bigger, sub-ohm kits and cloud production, they come as a 0mg base that you add your own nicotine to.
β Choose nic salts if you use a pod, want convenience, and want your nicotine ready to go
β Choose a shortfill if you use a powerful sub-ohm kit and want big clouds
If cloud size and airflow mean nothing to you yet, our guide to MTL vs DTL vaping explains the two styles, and VG/PG ratio covers why shortfills feel different.
What are hybrid nic salts?
If you want the smoothness of salts but miss a bit of throat hit, hybrid nic salts are the middle ground. Riot's hybrid nic salt range blends nic salt and freebase nicotine, so you get quick, comfortable satisfaction with a touch more of that back-of-throat sensation ex-smokers often want. They run in the same pod devices as standard salts.
Which device do you need?
Nic salts need a low-power device, a pod kit or MTL vape, not a high-wattage sub-ohm setup (which would make salts feel harsh). If you're kitting up:
β Not sure what to get? Use our Vape Kit Finder
β Want a reliable, refillable pod? The Oxva NeXlim and Aspire Cyber G Slim are both built for nic salts
β Brand new to all this? Start with New to Vaping
Choosing a nic salt: flavours and ranges
Once the format's sorted, the flavour is the fun part, and it's where Riot lives. Our nic salt collection spans every taste:
β Bar Edtn - bar-style fruit and ice blends, our best-sellers and a natural first stop off disposables
β Riot X - loud, layered triple-fruit blends
β Kuro - premium, Japanese-inspired flavours
β Classics Salt - the original Riot line-up in nic salt form
Prefer to browse by taste? Jump into fruit or menthol & ice. Can't pick just one? Build a bundle and mix your favourites, most people run two or three on rotation.
Nic Salts and More from Riot
Nic salts are where most vapers land, and Riot's UK-made range proves smooth doesn't mean boring. From best-selling Bar Edtn fruit blends to premium Kuro, it's flavour first, every time. Browse the full nic salt collection, find your strength on the strength chart, or build a bundle and mix your line-up. You must be 18+ to buy.
FAQs
What is a nic salt? βΌ
Nic salt is a smoother, faster-absorbing form of nicotine made by combining nicotine with an acid. It gives a gentler throat hit at higher strengths, which is why it suits new vapers and ex-smokers.
Are nic salts better than freebase? βΌ
Neither is "better" β they're for different setups. Nic salts suit pods and quick craving relief; freebase suits powerful sub-ohm kits and bigger clouds. See our nic salts vs freebase guide for the full picture.
What strength nic salt should a new vaper use? βΌ
Most ex-smokers start at 10mg or 20mg depending on how much they smoked, then step down over time. The strength chart has a full guide.
Can you use nic salts in a sub-ohm kit? βΌ
No β nic salts are made for low-power pod and MTL devices. In a high-power sub-ohm kit they'd feel harsh and deliver too much nicotine.
Do nic salts come in 0mg? βΌ
Yes. If you want the format without the nicotine, there's a nicotine-free option.
