BESTCITYTRIPS
If you’ve ever stood staring at a wall of e-liquids – or scrolled endlessly through an online vape shop – you’ve probably felt it. That moment of “Why is this so complicated?”
10ml bottles, short fills, nicotine salts, different PG/VG ratios, shots, concentrates… it can feel like you need a manual just to pick a bottle of juice.
Here’s the honest truth: most people make this way harder than it needs to be.
Matching your e-liquid to your device really comes down to one simple decision, and once you get it right, vaping becomes smoother, tastier, and a lot less frustrating.
The One Thing That Actually Matters
Before flavours, before nicotine strength, before bottle size – the only thing you need to know is this:
What kind of device are you using?
That’s it. Everything else follows naturally from that.
Different devices are built differently. They use different coils, different power levels, and different airflow styles. E-liquids are made to match those differences. When you pair them correctly, your vape just works.
When you don’t, you get leaking, burnt coils, harsh hits, or weak flavour.
Small Devices Need Light Liquids (This Is Where Most People Go Wrong)
If you’re using a pod kit, vape pen, or mouth-to-lung device, your coil is small and your wattage is low. These devices aren’t designed to handle thick liquid.
This is where 10ml bottles really shine.
Most 10ml e-liquids are blended at 50/50 PG/VG, which means:
- Thin enough to soak into small coils properly
- Strong flavour delivery
- A familiar cigarette-style inhale
This is also where nicotine salts come into play.
Nic salts are smoother than traditional nicotine, especially at higher strengths like 10mg or 20mg. That’s why they’re so popular with people switching from smoking – you get the nicotine satisfaction without a harsh throat hit.
If you’re using a pod system and want something easy, reliable, and satisfying, 10ml nicotine salt e-liquids are almost always the right choice.
Bigger Devices Need Thicker Liquid – No Exceptions
Now, if you’re using a sub-ohm kit, a tank with wide airflow, or anything designed for bigger clouds, the rules change.
These devices run hotter. They pull more liquid. They need thicker juice to keep up.
That’s where short fills come in.
Short fills are larger bottles – usually 50ml or 100ml – and they’re blended with higher VG content, like:
- 30/70 PG/VG
- 20/80 PG/VG
Higher VG means:
- Thicker liquid
- Smoother inhale
- Bigger vapour clouds
Trying to use a thin 50/50 liquid in a high-power device usually ends in flooding or leaking. On the flip side, thick high-VG juice won’t wick properly in a small pod.
This is why matching liquid to device matters more than brand or flavour.
Nic Shots, Ice Shots & Salt Shots (What They’re Actually For)
Short fills usually come without nicotine. That’s where shots come in.
Nic shots are small bottles of nicotine that you add to a short fill to get your desired strength. It sounds technical, but it’s honestly simple – pour it in, shake, and you’re done.
Ice shots are for people who love that cold, icy finish. You add them if you want extra cooling, especially with fruity flavours.
You’ll sometimes hear people mention salt shots, but most users just choose ready-made nicotine salt e-liquids instead. They’re easier and more consistent.
PG/VG Ratios
You don’t need to memorise numbers, but it helps to understand what they feel like.
| PG/VG Ratio | Best For | Vapour | Throat Hit |
| 50/50 | MTL pods & pens | Low | Medium |
| 30/70 | Sub-ohm tanks | Medium | Soft |
| 20/80 | High-wattage DTL | High | Very Soft |
0/50 PG/VG
Balanced, flavourful, great for pods and MTL devices
- 30/70 PG/VG
Smoother, slightly thicker, ideal for most sub-ohm kits - 20/80 PG/VG
Very smooth, big clouds, best for powerful devices
If your device is small, stay closer to 50/50.
If your device is powerful, lean toward higher VG.
Simple.
Flavours Matter More Than People Admit
A lot of people think flavour is just a preference thing – but it actually affects how much you enjoy vaping and whether you stick with it.
Some flavours feel lighter and easier to vape all day, like:
- Fruits
- Menthols
- Simple blends
Others feel richer and heavier:
- Desserts
- Candy flavours
- Creamy profiles
That’s why 10ml e liquid are great for experimenting. You’re not locked into one flavour for weeks. You can try different profiles without wasting money.
Short fills are better once you already know what you like.
DIY & Concentrates – Only If You Enjoy the Process
DIY e-liquid isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay.
Some people love mixing their own juice. They enjoy tweaking flavours, adjusting PG/VG ratios, and building something custom. That’s where DIY concentrates come in.
Just be honest with yourself. If you want convenience, pre-made e-liquids are easier. If you enjoy the process and control, DIY can be very rewarding.
There’s no “better” option – just what suits you.
Mystery Boxes: Surprisingly Useful for Finding New Favourites
A mystery box might sound gimmicky, but for a lot of vapers, it’s how they discover flavours they never would’ve chosen themselves.
They’re especially good if:
- You’re bored of the same flavours
- You want value for money
- You like surprises
Some of the best all-day vapes people use were found by accident.
Putting It All Together (No Overthinking)
If you remember nothing else, remember this:
- Small device?
Go for 10ml e-liquids, nicotine salts, 50/50 PG/VG - Big device?
Choose short fills, higher VG (30/70 or 20/80), add nic shots if needed
That’s the “one simple step” everyone talks about – and once you follow it, everything else becomes personal preference.
Final Thought
Vaping shouldn’t feel confusing or technical. It’s meant to be enjoyable, satisfying, and easy to fit into your day.
When your liquid matches your device, you notice the difference straight away:
- Better flavour
- Longer-lasting coils
- Smoother draws
- Less frustration
Whether you’re browsing 10ml bottles, nicotine salts, short fills, DIY concentrates, or even a mystery box, the right choice always starts with the same question:
What device am I using?
Answer that, and the rest takes care of itself.
