How to Choose Your Perfect Vape Flavor
Posted by Courtney McElligott on May 17th 2019
With all of the new products and developments in the vaping world, it can be hard to keep up. The industry has grown enormously, jumping from 7 million vapers in the US in 2011 to over 35 million in 2016.
With so much changing, how do you know what type of vape juice to choose? With all of the different products out there, let's find the right flavor of vapor for you.
Types of E-Juice
We know it can be tricky to find the right mod, tank, coil, and everything else. It can be confusing when you are just getting started.
Before we get into flavoring, there are different types of juice made for different devices and different vapers. Let's talk through a couple of the main categories available.
VG/PG
Most vape juices use two ingredients for their base: vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). Both are common food-grade additives that the FDA recognizes as generally safe (GRAS) for use in food. (That food-additive status is not a claim about vapor products.)
Don't let the abbreviations confuse you. A common ratio is 50% VG and 50% PG. For more detail, check out our guide on the difference between VG and PG.
A higher-VG blend, such as 30PG/70VG, tends to produce a smoother draw and larger clouds of vapor, while a higher-PG blend carries flavor a bit more sharply. The experience varies by your device and your preferences, so don't be afraid to ask questions to find what suits you.
Salts
Nicotine salts are most commonly used with low-wattage devices like pod systems. If you are buying a juice with nicotine salts, make sure your device is set to a low wattage.
E-juice made with salt nicotine behaves differently than traditional freebase nicotine, so it is worth doing your homework on this one.
If you are using a box mod or a higher-powered vape pen, those pair better with lower-strength freebase nicotine. When in doubt about which juice fits your device, ask before purchasing.
Types of Vape Flavors
With so many different and even weird vape flavors to choose from, browsing can feel like walking into a grocery store on an empty stomach.
If you already know the tastes you enjoy, see whether they are available as a vape juice. Here are some of the most popular flavor categories on the market.
Fruit
Fruit vapes, and sweet vapes in general, aim to mimic the flavor of your favorite fruits. There are many combinations brands experiment with, like strawberry and banana, or kiwi and watermelon.
If you know which fruits you like most, search for those flavors or ask for a recommendation. Most brands sell a wide variety of fruit-flavored vape juices.
Candy
Another popular sweet option, many brands create products that taste like your favorite candies. These can taste similar to fruit vapes, but usually with a little more sweetness.
Dessert
Dessert vapes are common, offering anything from baked goods to ice cream flavors. They are often combined with fruit notes, like strawberry shortcake.
From cakes to creams, dessert vapes cover a lot of ground. Try a few of the dessert flavors that appeal to you and see which match your taste buds.
Tobacco
Tobacco-flavored vape juice is not the most popular category, but it has a dedicated following among adults who enjoy a classic, familiar profile.
Some options blend tobacco with sweeter or fruity notes, like our Blu-Bacco, for vapers who want a tobacco base without it being the whole story. If a straight tobacco flavor is too much for your palate, a blended one can be a good middle ground.
Menthol
Menthol is another long-standing favorite. If you enjoy a cool, crisp finish, a menthol juice delivers that refreshing sensation.
Menthol flavors are also commonly mixed with fruit. Mentholated apple or strawberry blends are extremely popular.
Coffee
Coffee lovers, unite. There are coffee-flavored vape juices ranging from the natural taste of coffee beans to mixtures with chocolate and caramel.
If you tend to order coffee instead of dessert after a meal, this might become a new favorite.
Cereal
Coffee and cereal? You can put a whole breakfast in your vape rotation.
Cereal flavors are extremely popular, especially with higher-powered box mods. The flavors of many well-known cereals are captured surprisingly well in vape juice, so give one a try.
How to Pick the Right Flavor of Vapor
Back in 2014, there were over 7,700 different flavors sold by 460 different brands, and those numbers have only kept climbing. Finding the right one for you can take some exploring.
Everyone's tastes are different, so there is no single best flavor. While many vapers like to switch things up from time to time, plenty find a favorite and stick with it. In other words, it is worth trying a few to land on your go-to.
If any of the categories above sound appealing, see which ones sell best. Ask a knowledgeable clerk or check the bestsellers online.
Try them out, and if one isn't your style, move on to another that sounds good. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy something unexpected, so don't judge a vape juice by its label.
Next Steps
With so many flavors from hundreds of brands, it is up to you to discover what you like best.
If you grew up eating a certain cereal and miss that taste, give a cereal flavor a try. If you are a frequent coffee drinker, reach for a coffee vape juice.
And if you still haven't found the one and want to get creative, check out how to DIY your own vape juice and build the perfect blend for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What VG/PG ratio should a beginner start with?
A 50/50 VG/PG blend is a popular starting point because it works well in most beginner pod kits and starter devices, balancing flavor and vapor. Higher-VG blends like 70/30 are geared toward higher-powered sub-ohm devices that make bigger clouds.
What is the difference between nicotine salts and freebase nicotine?
Salt nicotine is formulated for low-wattage pod systems and tends to feel smoother at higher strengths, while freebase nicotine is typically used at lower strengths in higher-powered box mods and tanks. Match the juice type to your device rather than mixing them up.
Which vape flavor categories are the most popular?
Fruit and dessert flavors are consistently among the top sellers, followed by candy, menthol, tobacco, coffee, and cereal profiles. The best category is simply the one that matches the tastes you already enjoy.
Are PG and VG safe ingredients?
Both propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are widely used food-grade additives that the FDA recognizes as generally safe for use in food. That food-additive status is not a claim about vapor products, and these juices are intended only for adults 21 and over.
How do I find a flavor I'll actually like?
Start with flavors that mirror tastes you already enjoy, then branch out into a few different categories. Checking bestseller lists and asking staff for recommendations can help narrow the options, and trying a couple of profiles is the surest way to find a go-to.
Can I mix my own vape juice flavors?
Yes. Many vapers create custom blends at home, and our DIY vape juice guide walks through the basics of combining bases, nicotine, and flavor concentrates to build something tailored to your taste.
These products are intended only for adults 21+. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. This article is general product information and is not a smoking-cessation claim.