salt nic vs regular juice

Shortfills vs Nic Salts: What’s the Difference?

What Are Shortfill E-Liquids?

Shortfills are nicotine-free vape juices that come in larger bottles with space left at the top to add nicotine shots. These e-liquids are ideal for sub-ohm vaping and bigger tanks, where users want more vapour with lower nicotine. They’re also more budget-friendly for regular vapers, especially those using high-wattage devices.

Common shortfill sizes:

50ml in a 60ml bottle, 100ml in a 120ml bottle, 200ml in a 240ml bottle

How to Add Nicotine Shot to Shortfills

Choose your nic shot (usually 18mg in 10ml bottles), Remove the cap from the shortfill bottle, Pour in the nic shot, Close and shake the bottle well, Let it settle for a few minutes

What Are Nicotine Salts?

Nicotine salts are e-liquids made with a different type of nicotine that’s absorbed faster into the body. They usually come in 10ml bottles and are designed for low-wattage kits (featuring high-resistance coils) like pods and mouth-to-lung (MTL) devices. They work well for those who are quitting smoking or looking for stronger nicotine without vaping too often.

Common Nic salt strengths:

5mg/ml, 10mg/ml, 20mg/ml

Shortfill vs Nic Salt: Key Differences

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you compare shortfills and nic salts:

Feature Shortfills Nic Salts

Nicotine Content 0mg (add Nic Shot if needed)Pre-mixed (usually 10mg or 20mg), Bottle Size 50ml, 100ml, 120ml, 200ml 10ml, Throat Hit Mild to medium Soft even at high strength, Best For Sub-ohm vaping, big tanks Pod kits, MTL, beginners, Vapour Production High Moderate, Coil Type Low-resistance coils High-resistance coils

Choosing Between Shortfills and Nic Salts

Choosing the right e-liquid depends on your vape setup and what you're looking for in your nicotine hit. If you prefer bigger clouds and lower nicotine, shortfills are the way to go. On the other hand, if you want higher nicotine and fewer puffs, nic salts suit pod kits and MTL coils better. You get fast absorption and less liquid use, which is great for those trying to manage nicotine cravings or quit smoking.

Popular Nic Salt Brands

Love Your Coil: This nicotine salt brand makes vape juice that gives a consistent nicotine hit with awesome flavours. IVG Nicotine Salts: IVG vape juice is known for its fruity and minty profile. It's ideal for beginners using MTL pods and comes in 10mg or 20mg strengths. SKE Crystal Nicotine Salts: Widely available and works with most low-power kits. Great flavour options with a smooth inhale.

Best Shortfill Vape Juice

Grape Freeze Shortfill 50ml E Liquid by 88 Vape: A budget-friendly option that pairs well with your favourite nic shot. Best for sub-ohm tanks and coils below 1 ohm. Big Drip Watermelon Chill 120ml E Liquid by Doozy Vape: Ideal for regular vapers who go through juice quickly. You get a lot of liquid with room for two nic shots.

Final Thoughts

Shortfills and nicotine salts each have their place depending on how you vape. If you're into big clouds and longer sessions, shortfills give you more juice and flexibility with your nicotine. If you're after quick hits with stronger nicotine and don’t want to bother with mixing, nic salts are easier to use and carry around.

Frequently Asked Question

What's the difference between vape juice and nic salts?

All nic salts are vape juices, but not all vape juices are nic salts. Vape juice includes freebase nicotine or nicotine salts mixed with VG and PG. Nic salts are a special kind of nicotine blended in a way that absorbs faster and feels smoother. So if you see the term “vape juice,” it could be a shortfill, a nic salt, or even a basic 10ml bottle of freebase nicotine.

Are nic salts better than disposables?

Disposables have been banned since June 1, 2025, which is why brands are launching nic salts that offer almost the same, disposable-like flavours. Nic salts absorb into the bloodstream faster, which is why they’re loved by most vapers.