NICOTINE SALTS VS. FREEBASE NICOTINE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!

What are Nicotine Salts?

Before we jump into the article, we think it's best to define who vapers are and what sets them apart from other smokers.  After careful consideration, we thought it best to have a fellow vaper define this: "The standard of e-liquids over the last few years has essentially created what the world thinks of as a vaper; a flashy, cloud-chasing individual that would flaunt their sub-ohm setup without a care in the world.  This new standard of Nicotine Salt vaping returns to its roots as to how our industry became popular in the first place: to deliver a safe and discreet, yet generous amount of nicotine, to those that are taking part in the experience specifically for that." ~Martin

Enter Nicotine Salts, the pen-ultimate form of nicotine delivery for those that wish to return to the original form of smokeless-tobacco consumption.

Freebase Nicotine vs. Nicotine Salts

You're probably thinking to yourself, "how would one differentiate the characteristics of traditional e-liquid and nicotine salt e-liquid?"  To answer it plainly, it's all about the experience.

Freebase nicotine, such as our BLVK, WYTE, FRZN, CHBY, and MILK collections are considered to be the purest form of nicotine and has proven to the be most popular avenue of nicotine delivery since the industry took off several years ago.  To create freebase nicotine, the compound if added to a mixture of vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) which effectively carries the nicotine when vaporized at higher temperatures.

Nicotine Salt Pros & Cons

Nicotine salts obviously have their pros and cons.  Ultimately, since the process of developing the salt versions of your favorite e-liquid blends can be detailed down to an experience level, we'll try to keep the comparison as objective as possible.

Advantages

•  Satisfaction: Vapers, especially new vapers that began their journey off freebase blends have often found it difficult to get the same satisfaction or "punch" from their nicotine.  Nicotine Salt blends solve that due to the chemical process behind development.  The end result is a higher concentration of nicotine delivered in devices with a lower power output allowing for that extra "umpf" to your vaping experience.
• Smoother hit: A huge turn-off for many "would be" vapers is that conventional e-liquids are too harsh, and to a certain extent, nicotine is to blame.  Traditional freebase nicotine blends tend to increase in unpleasant experience the higher the temperature and nicotine level.  Due to nicotine salt consumption almost entirely secluded to lower-wattage devices, the result is a smoother vape regardless of nicotine level.
• Lower displaced flavor:  For those that have kicked the habit and vape 0mg, you might have noticed a significant difference in flavor due in large part to freebase nicotine possessing a rather large footprint in the overall composition of the blend.  With the development and popularization of nicotine salts, the chemical footprint is smaller, leading to a well-rounded, flavorful, and more enjoyable vaping experience.
• Affordable: Nicotine Salt blends are generally less expensive than traditional blends.  Due to in part of the delivery system required.  Looking at the total cost of a full setup to vape traditional blends, factors such as a device, a sub-ohm tank, building supplies and/or replaceable coils, batteries, and respective chargers can easily run you an upfront cost of $100 with a recurring charge of anywhere from $20-30 to restock on your favorite e-liquid blends.  Now take the startup cost required for a nicotine salt blend - the comparison is significant

Disadvantages

• Too much: While heavy smokers need a heavy dose of nicotine, lighter smokers can make do in the 3-12mg range, thus making traditional freebase nicotine blends the optimal choice for obtaining your fix.
• Fewer options: Despite nicotine salts gaining vast popularity over the last year, in pale comparison to the near-endless supply of e-liquid brands available, the nicotine salt market is still very new; therefore supply and variety might be limited.
• Lower fun factor: While the initial reason for one to explore the world of nicotine salts would be to return to a simpler, and more discreet form of vaping, it is also safe to say that nicotine salt vaping takes a certain element of fun away from vaping.  Whether it be in competing in cloud competitions, showcasing the latest trick, or flaunting your device, there is definitely a different audience nicotine salts adheres to.

It's Ultimately Your Decision

Now we're not here to have you lean in any which way.  Freebase nicotine?  Nicotine Salts?  Luckily for you, we're more than equipped at providing vapers of all backgrounds and levels of knowledge with an exceptional vaping experience for both avenues of delivery.  Be sure check out our collections for both traditional e-liquid and nicotine salts here and here.