Nic salts in the UK are sold at three strengths for most ranges: 5mg, 10mg and 20mg per ml. Some ranges add 15mg, but those three are the core. Pick the wrong one and even a great flavour feels wrong, so it is worth five minutes to get this right.
| Strength | Usually suits | How it feels |
|---|---|---|
| 20mg | Ex-disposable users, people who smoked 15+ a day | Closest to a cigarette or a disposable; fewer puffs needed |
| 10mg | Lighter or social smokers, people stepping down | Noticeable but softer; you may puff a little more often |
| 5mg | Already cut down, or vaping mainly for flavour | Gentle; the flavour does most of the work |
If you are coming off disposables
The disposables that dominated UK shelves were almost all 20mg nic salt. If that is what you used, start on 20mg in a pod kit. Starting lower is the most common reason people say a refillable kit "doesn't hit the same".
Most flavours in the Elux Legend range come in 10mg and 20mg, so you can step down without changing flavour.
Signs you are on the wrong strength
- Constant puffing and still wanting more: probably too low.
- A harsh catch in the throat, or feeling light-headed: probably too high.
- Fine in the morning, unsatisfied by evening: try the next strength up for a week.
Stepping down
If you want to reduce, drop one step at a time and stay there for a few weeks before the next move. Keeping the same flavour while you change strength makes the change much easier to notice, and to live with. All three ranges we cover sell most flavours in more than one strength for exactly this reason.
Nic salt strength is per ml. A 10ml bottle of 20mg contains 200mg of nicotine in total. Keep bottles capped and away from children and pets.
Questions readers ask
Is 20mg nic salt the same as a disposable?
Most UK disposables used 20mg nic salt, so 20mg in a pod kit is the closest match.
Is 10mg nic salt strong?
It is mid-range. It suits lighter smokers and people stepping down from 20mg.
Can I mix strengths?
Some people mix a 10mg and a 20mg bottle to land around 15mg. Use the same flavour and range so the taste stays consistent.