Smoking may be on the decline in the UK, but there are still 4.9 million smokers who may be contemplating quitting. For vapers who do decide to stop smoking, traditional freebase nicotine and high VG vaping could still play a role for a variety of reasons.
In this guide, we explain what both terms mean, why thousands of vapers still choose freebase and high VG them over popular nic salts and the best strengths and types for 2026 from Vsavi’s vape juice ranges.
Freebase nicotine vs nic salts: what’s the difference?
Freebase is nicotine for vape juice in its ‘classic’ form. Intended for adult smokers looking to quit, freebase nicotine was the first type created by manufacturers before the rise of nic salts, as explained by Cancer Research UK in its smoking cessation resources.
The difference between the two is simple. Freebase is nicotine in its purest form, while nic salts have an added acid to reduce the PH level. Nic salts offer a smoother and less harsh throat hit, meaning they can be vaped at higher strengths less frequently.
For smokers seeking the same strong throat hit as cigarettes, this is why freebase nicotine (the closest match) is still as popular. Freebase is available in more nicotine strengths (18mg, 12mg, 6mg and 3mg), as well as zero nicotine.
If you have previously vaped disposables, chances are you prefer that smoother intake of nicotine from nic salts and want to carry on using a nic salt refillable vape (typically 20mg or 10mg nic salts).
- For familiarity and to continue the sensation of smoking without tobacco, opt for freebase.
- If you want to vape closer to the smooth intensity of disposables, go for a nic salt.
Why high-VG still wins for clouds and Sub-Ohm
The key goal of vaping is nicotine reduction, which is backed by and high VG helps vapers to focus on that. With an e-cigarette vape juice, you have different options.
Not just a restricted vape draw like smoking with higher PG e-liquids, but also direct lung vaping from a high VG vape juice. High VG creates denser vapour with a smoother pull but also less harshness when paired with nicotine, which is explained in our VG and PG guide.
It generates much more cloud because of the viscosity of the Vegetable Glycerine (VG). VG needs to be heated at a higher temperature and therefore requires more power from a Sub-Ohm mod.
With a low-powered pod kit or vape pen, a high VG vape does not work effectively. Less wattage will burn the coil and create a bad-tasting vape juice, in addition to damaging vape coils.
High VG shines when paired with a powerful device. It maximises flavour potential and can produce much bigger clouds of vapour for those who enjoy that look. Better yet, it is possible to vape a high VG vape juice with 3mg or 0mg nicotine.
The real reason freebase still matters in 2026
There are still a lot of people in the UK who are finding it difficult to quit smoking. And large clouds are not for everyone. Some don’t like the smell of cigarettes but prefer the discreet puff of smoking.
For this reason and the throat hit it makes, freebase nicotine with a higher PG still resonates as a popular alternative.
Freebase creates the closest sensation to smoking and always has, even after the emergence of nic salts. The necessary throat hit at sensible strengths, e.g. 3mg/6mg/12mg. With this, you can chain vape if needed more frequently without the higher strength of nic salts (typically 10mg or higher).
Plus, it works brilliantly with either shortfills as part of a lower strength nicotine shot setup, so you get more value for your money with a 3mg strength in a 50ml or 100ml bottle.
Who should use freebase & high-VG in 2026?
This decision should be based on your preferences. It needs to be factored in with what vape style you like first, your required nicotine strength and flavour, as well as your budget.
Will you keep it classic by wanting to replicate the throat hit and draw of vapour to match the habits of smoking? Or are you seeking plenty of cloud and sweeter, richer flavours?
Essentially, you will go down the route of mouth-to-lung vaping, like smoking or direct lung vaping, generating more cloud at a faster rate.
Once you have made that decision, you can then decide what kind of budget you have. To keep costs low, you will want to pick a vape pen, or a simple pod kit that is geared towards little customisation and primarily focused on just performance and nicotine satisfaction.
For this setup, a freebase nicotine that is low in strength with little cloud production from a high PG vape juice or 50/50 is the way to go.
High VG has its place also in 2026 but suits more cloud chasers, or those who like true optimisation. More airflow and power are needed so likely a pod-mod kit at a higher wattage if you still want a compact vape or a more customisable vape mod (which tend to be less compact and slightly more in price).
Choosing the right VG/PG and nicotine strength
Nicotine strength should match your previous habits, whether that is coming off of smoking or disposable vapes. For higher strengths from 20mg disposables or heavy smoking habits, you will want less VG, which is thicker on the coils, less cloud generation and more of a PG balanced ratio.
If you are in the mid-range, a 50/50 VG and PG mix with a 6mg-12mg vape juice is perfect and our highest recommendation for the best performance and subtle amount of vapour to match these strengths.
Finally, if you have made good progress and are down to 3mg or 0mg, you will want more VG and less PG for sweeter flavours to help with these final steps, although high PG at 0mg is also popular. As we said, it all depends on what you like and what makes you feel most comfortable as you move towards no more vaping.
What About Shortfills?
Shortfills over the years have reduced in popularity and demand, but still serve a niche market. They are for those who are keen to save money long-term or have complete control over the amount of nicotine in their chosen vape juice.
When mixed by shaking the bottle after adding the nicotine shot, it will create a maximum of 3mg nicotine, so it is aimed at those who vape less nicotine frequently or infrequently.
Shortfills are also versatile because they give the vaper the choice of 0mg nicotine, too, if you just want to maintain the habit until you are ready to quit vaping and no longer feel the desire to smoke.
Bottles tend to hold 50ml or 100ml of nicotine-free vape juice, and then you add a 10ml or up to 20ml with the respective-sized bottles. They tend to be more VG than PG, with a typical ratio of 70VG and 30VG (such as the Nyx range) for more cloud and less throat hit.
Final Thoughts
Both freebase nicotine vape juice and high VG vape juice with freebase serve a purpose in 2026. It highlights older methods of vaping that are still utilised today. That classic throat hit and that big puff of vapour supported by freebase vs smoother nic salts at higher strengths.
If you previously vaped nic salt disposables, you may find it more difficult to get used to the additional harshness of freebase, which is nicotine in its natural form.
Nevertheless, many vapers (especially former smokers) still value its likeness to a hit of nicotine from a cigarette. For high VG vaping, freebase balances out the sweetness and viscosity of a thicker vape juice, but bear in mind it works better at lower nicotine strengths.
At Vsavi, we sell both high PG freebase vape juice with a classic taste in a variety of flavours, in addition to pure 100% VG for those seeking the biggest clouds or intolerant to PG.
Freebase and High VG FAQs
Is freebase nicotine stronger than nic salts?
The difference between freebase and nic salts is sensation rather than strength. Nic Salts are smoother, so can be vaped at higher strengths (maximum of 20mg). Because it absorbs in the body faster, it may feel slightly stronger than freebase, which is a slower release of nicotine, but a more intense throat hit.
What’s the best VG ratio for big clouds?
Go up in VG ratio for bigger clouds. More power is needed, but a 70/30 and 80/20 VG to PG split with the right device will have you Sub-Ohming big clouds in no time.
Can I use high-VG vape juice in a pod kit?
You can, but it depends on the device. It needs to support Sub-Ohm resistance coils. Ideally, choose a kit that can support 0.4 Sub-Ohm coils or lower for maximum high VG results. This will mean that with more power at 60W plus, the pod device and coils will be able to cope better with warmer temperatures.