How do you choose the right e-liquid? Start with your device, then your taste. Match the PG/VG ratio to your coil, pick a nicotine type and strength that suit your device (nicotine salt for low-power pod kits, lower-strength freebase for high-power sub-ohm setups), and then choose a flavor family you enjoy. Get the first two right and almost any flavor will vape well; get them wrong and even a great flavor can taste harsh, weak or burnt.
This guide walks through each factor in turn, explains what to use in a VAPORESSO device, and shows how VAPORESSO's own coil recommendations can help you narrow it down.
What Is E-Liquid?
E-liquid, also called vape juice or e-juice, is the liquid you fill into a refillable vape. It typically contains vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavorings and, optionally, nicotine. PG and VG are the base that creates the vapor, while the flavorings and nicotine provide the taste and the throat hit. Our guide to what's in e-liquids covers each ingredient in detail.
When choosing an e-liquid, the factors that matter are the VG/PG ratio, nicotine type and strength, flavor and quality. For flavor ideas, see our round-up of vape flavors for women.
VAPORESSO Liquid: What to Use in a VAPORESSO Vape
If you've searched for VAPORESSO liquid or VAPORESSO juice, here's the short answer: VAPORESSO makes the devices, pods and coils, and you can use any quality e-liquid that suits your coil. On the VAPORESSO website, the Liquid menu links out to e-liquid brands rather than to a VAPORESSO-branded juice, so the practical question is which juice works best in your VAPORESSO vape. That comes down to the coil:
- XROS, VIBE, ECO and LUXE Q pod kits: mouth-to-lung pods that work best with a balanced 50/50 PG/VG juice or nicotine salt.
- Pod mods with GTX coils, such as the LUXE XR MAX 2: use the GTX table below to match the juice to the coil you fit.
- Sub-ohm tanks with GTi coils, such as the iTank T: higher-VG juice and lower-strength freebase nicotine.
VG/PG Ratio
The first factor to check is the ratio of vegetable glycerin (VG) to propylene glycol (PG).
VG is a thick, slightly sweet liquid made from plant oils and used in food production. It produces denser vapor and a smoother hit, which makes it well suited to sub-ohm vaping.
PG is a thin, food-grade liquid that carries flavor well and gives a stronger throat hit. It's also the usual carrier for flavor concentrates and nicotine.
So VG means more vapor and a smoother hit, while PG means sharper flavor, a stronger throat hit and less vapor. If you chase clouds, look for a higher-VG juice; if you care more about flavor and throat hit in a small pod, look for a balanced or higher-PG juice. Thickness matters too: tight mouth-to-lung coils wick thin liquids easily but can struggle with very thick, high-VG juice. Our vape juice FAQs answer other common questions.
What VAPORESSO Recommends for Each Coil
VAPORESSO publishes recommended PG/VG ratios and nicotine strengths on its GTX coil page. They're a useful starting point even if you use a different device:
| GTX coil | Style | Nicotine salt | Freebase nicotine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.15Ω to 0.3Ω | Direct-to-lung | Not recommended | 40/60 to 30/70 PG/VG, 0 to 6mg |
| 0.4Ω | Direct-to-lung | 50/50 to 40/60 PG/VG, 10 to 20mg | 50/50 to 40/60 PG/VG, 6 to 12mg |
| 0.6Ω | Mouth-to-lung | 50/50 to 40/60 PG/VG, 10 to 20mg | 50/50 to 40/60 PG/VG, 6 to 12mg |
| 0.8Ω and 1.2Ω | Mouth-to-lung | 50/50 to 40/60 PG/VG, 20 to 50mg | 50/50 to 40/60 PG/VG, 12 to 20mg |
Flavor
Flavor is the most personal choice. E-liquids range from fruit and dessert to menthol, beverage and tobacco-style blends. If you enjoy fruity flavors, you might try watermelon or grape; if you prefer desserts, vanilla or chocolate; and if you like a classic profile, a tobacco-style flavor. Buy a small bottle of a new flavor before committing to a large one, and keep in mind that very sweet flavors tend to wear out coils faster. Flavored products are restricted in some US states and cities, so check what's available where you live.
Nicotine Strength
Nicotine strength is measured in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL), and many juices are also available at 0 mg. The right strength depends on the type of nicotine and the device you'll use it in. High-power devices produce a lot more vapor per puff, so they're paired with lower strengths; low-power pod kits produce less vapor and are paired with higher-strength nicotine salts. If you're unsure, start at the lower end of the range for your device. Our guide to vape nicotine levels explains the numbers in more detail.
Free Base and Nic Salt
Freebase and nicotine salt are the two main types of nicotine used in e-liquids. You'll see the type on the label.
Freebase nicotine is the traditional form. It feels harsher at higher strengths, so it's usually sold at lower strengths, such as 0 to 12mg, and vaped in higher-power devices and sub-ohm tanks.
Nicotine salt feels smoother at higher strengths, so it's usually sold at higher strengths, typically 20 to 50mg, and is best suited to mouth-to-lung pod kits.
In short, freebase is usually sold at lower concentrations and nicotine salt at higher ones, which is why each suits a different type of device.
Introducing the VAPORESSO XROS Series
The VAPORESSO XROS Series is a range of compact, refillable pod kits. The current line-up includes the XROS 6, the screenless XROS 6 MINI, the XROS 5 NANO and the XROS PRO 2.
Every XROS kit is refillable, so you choose your own e-liquid and switch flavors easily. They all take XROS pods in 0.6Ω, 0.8Ω, 1.0Ω and 1.2Ω. That range lets you match the pod to your juice: a 0.6Ω pod for a bit more vapor, or a 1.0Ω to 1.2Ω pod for a tighter draw with nicotine salts. XROS pods use VAPORESSO's COREX heating technology, designed for accurate flavor and a longer pod life.
If you're browsing other refillable pod vapes, the same rule applies: check the pod's resistance and match your juice to it.
Summary
Choosing the right vape juice comes down to four checks: the VG/PG ratio for your coil, the nicotine type and strength for your device, the ohm rating of your coil or pod, and a flavor you enjoy. Get those right and you'll get the best out of any e-liquid.
For VAPORESSO devices, the coil and pod pages tell you which ratio and nicotine strength each resistance is designed for, so the right juice is easy to find whether you want more vapor, more flavor or a balance of both.
FAQ
What E-Liquid Should a Beginner Use?
For a typical pod kit, a balanced 50/50 PG/VG juice or a nicotine salt is the easiest place to start. Pick a flavor family you already know you like, and start at the lower end of the strength range for your device.
Can I Use Any E-Liquid in a VAPORESSO Pod?
You can use any quality e-liquid, but it works best when it matches the pod's resistance. VAPORESSO's mouth-to-lung pods suit 50/50 PG/VG juices and nicotine salts, while sub-ohm coils suit higher-VG juices and lower-strength freebase nicotine.
Can I Use Freebase E-Liquid in a Pod Kit?
Yes. Many pod kits work with freebase juice as long as the PG/VG ratio isn't too thick for the pod. VAPORESSO's GTX recommendations, for example, list freebase strengths for every mouth-to-lung coil as well as nicotine salt strengths.
Why Does My New E-Liquid Taste Harsh?
The usual causes are a nicotine strength that's too high for your device, a high-PG ratio, or power set too high. Try a lower strength, a higher-VG juice or a lower setting, and make sure the coil is primed.
