Nic salts are e-liquids made with nicotine salt instead of freebase nicotine, giving a smoother throat hit at higher strengths. Vampire Vape sells them in 10ml bottles at 10mg and 20mg across its Nic Salts, Max and Bar Salts ranges.
Nicotine salt e-liquid, usually shortened to nic salts, is now one of the most common refill types in the UK. The shift accelerated after single-use vapes were banned on 1 June 2025, because adults moving to refillable pod kits wanted a liquid that felt similar to the 20mg disposables they were used to.
This guide explains what nic salts are, how they differ from freebase nicotine, and where Vampire Vape Bar Salts fit alongside the brand’s other nic salt ranges. It also covers how to choose between 10mg and 20mg and which devices work best.
What Are Nic Salts?
Nic salts are e-liquids that use nicotine in a salt form, created by combining nicotine with an acid. This lowers the alkalinity of the nicotine, which is why a 20mg nic salt feels noticeably smoother on the throat than a 20mg freebase liquid.
The nicotine strength itself is not higher. A 20mg nic salt and a 20mg freebase liquid both contain 20mg of nicotine per millilitre; the difference is how the vapour feels. That smoothness is what allows manufacturers to offer 10mg and 20mg salts that remain comfortable in small, low-power pod kits.
Nic Salts vs Freebase Nicotine: What Is the Difference?
The main difference between nic salts and freebase nicotine is throat hit at higher strengths, which then decides the device each liquid suits. The table below compares the two on the attributes that matter when buying.
| Attribute | Nic salts | Freebase nicotine |
|---|---|---|
| Nicotine form | Nicotine salt | Freebase (standard) nicotine |
| Throat hit at 20mg | Smooth | Sharp |
| Common UK strengths | 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg | 0mg to 18mg in 10ml; 0mg in shortfills |
| Typical PG/VG | 50/50 | 50/50 or 60/40 in 10ml; 70VG or higher in shortfills |
| Best devices | Low-power MTL pod kits | MTL pens (10ml) or sub-ohm kits (shortfills) |
| Vampire Vape options | Nic Salts, Max, Bar Salts | Classic 10ml freebase, Koncept shortfills |
UK law applies the same limits to both types: nicotine e-liquid is capped at 20mg/ml, sold in bottles no larger than 10ml, and used in tanks or pods holding no more than 2ml.
What Are Vampire Vape Bar Salts?
Vampire Vape Bar Salts are a nic salt range built around flavours inspired by bar-style disposable vapes, sold in 10ml bottles at 10mg and 20mg. They are designed for refillable pod kits and mouth-to-lung devices.
The range exists for a specific type of vaper: someone who enjoyed the sweet, fruity profiles of disposables and wants something similar in a refillable setup. Flavours such as Fizzy Orange and Watermelon Mojito follow that style, rather than the layered heritage recipes Vampire Vape is known for.
How Do Bar Salts Compare With Vampire Vape Nic Salts and Max?
Vampire Vape runs three nic salt ranges, and all three share the same 10ml bottle and 10mg or 20mg strengths. What separates them is flavour style.
| Range | Flavour style | Example flavours | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vampire Vape Nic Salts | Heritage recipes | Heisenberg, Ice Menthol, Vamp Toes, Blood Sukka | 10mg, 20mg |
| Bar Salts | Disposable-inspired | Fizzy Orange, Watermelon Mojito | 10mg, 20mg |
| Vampire Vape Max | Bolder, disposable-style intensity | Raspberry Apple Juice, Blueberry Sour Raspberry, Fruit Bears, Strawberry Ice | 10mg, 20mg |
If you want the classic Vampire Vape taste, choose the standard Nic Salts. If you want a sweet, bar-style flavour, Bar Salts are the closer match. The Max range sits between the two, offering remastered classics and newer fruit blends with a stronger flavour hit; this roundup of the best Vampire Vape Max nic salt flavours is a useful shortlist if you are choosing your first bottles.
How to Choose Your First Vampire Vape Nic Salt
Choose your first Vampire Vape nic salt by flavour family, then pick the range that delivers that style. A simple way to narrow it down:
- Menthol fans: start with Ice Menthol or Heisenberg from the standard Nic Salts range.
- Fruit without heavy menthol: try Vamp Toes, which blends blackcurrant, raspberry and grape.
- Former disposable users: pick a Bar Salts flavour such as Fizzy Orange for a familiar sweet profile.
- Vapers who find salts too subtle: move to the Max range, for example Raspberry Apple Juice.
Because every option uses the same 10ml bottle and 10mg or 20mg strengths, switching between ranges is easy. Buying two or three flavours in a mix-and-match multi-buy is the most economical way to find a favourite before the October 2026 duty feeds into shelf prices.
Should You Choose 10mg or 20mg Nic Salts?
Choose 20mg if you are moving from a 20mg disposable and want a similar feel, and choose 10mg if 20mg feels too strong or you take frequent puffs through the day. 20mg is the maximum strength permitted for e-liquid in the UK.
Many adults start at 20mg when switching from disposables and later try 10mg once they are comfortable with a refillable kit. Because Vampire Vape offers both strengths in the same flavours, you can change strength without changing taste.
Which Devices Work Best With Nic Salts?
Nic salts work best in low-power, mouth-to-lung refillable pod kits. These devices typically use higher-resistance coils and produce modest vapour, which suits the smooth delivery of 10mg and 20mg salts.
- Refillable pod kits: the most common match, with 2ml pods and draw or button activation.
- MTL pen-style kits: work well with 10mg salts or lower-strength freebase.
- Sub-ohm tanks: not recommended, because high power and large vapour volumes make 10mg and 20mg salts feel harsh.
How to Use Nic Salts in a Refillable Pod Kit
To use nic salts in a refillable pod kit, fill the pod, let the coil soak and vape with slow, gentle draws. Follow these steps:
- Fill the pod to the maximum line, avoiding the central airflow tube.
- Wait several minutes so the wick fully absorbs the liquid, especially with a new pod or coil.
- Set the device to its lowest power or recommended wattage if it is adjustable.
- Take slow, mouth-to-lung draws of two to three seconds.
- Refill before the liquid drops below the wick openings to avoid a burnt taste.
One 10ml bottle fills a 2ml pod five times, which makes refillable nic salts far less wasteful than single-use devices. For more background on formulation and strengths, see this complete guide to nic salts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are nic salts stronger than freebase nicotine?
No. At the same mg rating, both contain the same amount of nicotine per millilitre. Nic salts simply feel smoother at higher strengths.
Are Vampire Vape Bar Salts the same as Vampire Vape Max?
No. Both are 10ml nic salts in 10mg and 20mg, but Bar Salts focus on disposable-inspired flavours, while Max offers bolder versions of classics and new fruit blends.
Can you use nic salts in a sub-ohm kit?
It is not recommended. Sub-ohm kits run at higher power and produce more vapour, so 10mg and 20mg nic salts feel harsh. Use low-nicotine shortfills instead.
Are nic salts legal in the UK?
Yes. Nic salts are legal for adults aged 18 and over when sold in bottles of 10ml or less, at 20mg/ml or below, and notified to the MHRA.
Will nic salts cost more after October 2026?
Yes, over time. Vaping Products Duty of ÂŁ2.20 per 10ml applies from 1 October 2026 to all vaping liquids, including nic salts.
Nicotine is addictive. Nic salt e-liquids are for adults aged 18 and over only.
