Choosing the Right Nicotine Strength For Your E-Cigarette

Last updated on June 17th, 2023

 

Choosing the Right Nicotine Strength for Your E-cigarette

What Nicotine Level is Right for You? 

Electronic Cigarette cartridges and e-liquids come in many strengths of nicotine. When ordering your first ecig starter kit you’ll have the choice of choosing a nicotine level from zero, to as high as an EXTRA strength level of 24 MG which is pretty darn strong.

To date, I know of just one ecig that offers a nicotine level of 5% and that’s the JUUL ecig.  Most other companies on our top ten list top out at 2.4%.

It usually takes some experimenting, as different levels of nic yield different results; but most new vapers are looking for an effective smoking alternative.

Is There an Ideal Nicotine Level That Satisfies Tobacco Cravings? 

Many new vapers think that the nic delivery in an electronic cigarette is the same as with a traditional tobacco cigarette, but surprise!…there’s a big difference.

According to scientific research, each puff on an e-cigarette (both cig-alike and advanced devices) introduces less of this addictive chemical to the bloodstream than smoking a tobacco cigarette.

“Both devices delivered to the bloodstream far lower nicotine compared to a tobacco cigarette.”

-Dr. Konstantinos E. Farsalinos, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center

 

The typical tobacco cigarette contains approximately 9 mg of nicotine, but the amount that is absorbed into the bloodstream actually measures about 1 mg.

When an e-cigarette containing 9 mg/mL fluid (0.9% NBV) is inhaled, the actual delivery of is 54 percent lower than the amount delivered by the tobacco cigarette containing the same amount.

So How Do You Choose the Ideal Nicotine Level to Give You the Same Effect as Smoking?

Here’s Our E-Cigarette Nicotine Comparison Chart 

Your Current Smoking StyleSuggested Ecig Nicotine Level
2 ½ packs or more per dayExtra strength (3.6%) (5%)
Between 2 and 2 ½ packs per day Full strength (2.4%)
Between 1 and 2 packs per dayFull to Med. strength (2.4%) - (1.8%)
Up to 1 pack per dayMed. to Light strength (1.8%) - (1.2%)
Less than 1 pack per dayLight to Ultra Light strength (1.2%) or (0.6%)
1 pack or less per weekUltra Light to No strength (0.6%) to Zero

The suggested levels shown above are just that – suggestions. 

Many vapers say that the higher the nicotine level, the greater the “throat hit”. That means higher levels in your e-cigarette may feel too harsh for your particular taste. Low levels can make your vape too smooth tasting. (Notice, I didn’t say “tasteless”).

Like any new transition, vaping may take some trial and error, but hey, it’s also an adventure.

Other Ways to Improve the Way Your E-Liquid Tastes – Besides Adjusting Nicotine Levels.

In addition to all the ecig nicotine strength options out there, you can fine-tune your vaping experience with the thousands of e-liquid flavors, cartridge flavors and innovated e-cigarette styles from which to choose.

Companies that sell High Watt Vaporizers suggest you use a lower level of nicotine because you typically get fuller flavor and more control over your throat hit.

Sub Ohm Vaporizers perform best with High or Max VG e-liquids and they recommend you keep your Nic levels lower. 

Nicotine Salts Are Getting More Popular

Now many companies are offering Nicotine Salts e-liquids. This type of e-liquid is formulated in much the same way JUUL formulates their 5% mg/ml nicotine level juice. Nicotine salts e-juice (unlike traditional nicotine) won’t burn your throat if you vape at very high nic levels.

Here Are Companies That Sell the Best E-Liquids

All Are Guaranteed Diacetyl and Acetyl Propionyl Free.

Kind Juice – Totally organic and great tasting Kind Juice is not only free of dangerous chemicals, it is 100% free of propylene glycol (PG). If you’re sensitive to PG, or choose not to vape it, Kind Juice e-liquids is a great choice.

MIG Vapor – The company has always placed an emphasis on quality and high standards. Rigorously tested, there is no Diacetyl or Acetyl Propionyl present. MIG currently sells pre-filled ecigarette cartridges.

Vaporfi – E-Liquid purity, safety testing and several flavor options. Their NicTech line lets you custom blend any of their e-liquids, and you get to choose flavor and nic strength. 

 

Happy Vaping from Best E-Cigarette Guide!

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4 comments

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    • JustTurned50 on April 3, 2018 at 2:07 pm
    • Reply

    Great article-thankful for the March ’18 update! I was a Juul user as of last week & it has a high nic level so have been decreasing my level through the Blu recently. I went from smoking about a 3/4 pack of Marlboro Ultra Lights for the last 30 years outside to the Juul ALL THE TIME! Vaping makes it too easy-watching TV, driving, BBQing, at restaurants, reading in bed-I really ended up getting more nicotine on the Juul. Anyway-my plan is to decrease the nic levels gradually, started on the Blu this week. Your article REALLY explained the options and levels-THANKS!

    1. Hi JT50,
      Great comment and so glad you found it helpful. I’m also researching alternatives to pod pens so check back 🙂 Best of luck!

    • Bobby Hayes on March 15, 2017 at 6:53 pm
    • Reply

    This was a very informative article on picking an e-juice. I cannot believe that picking an e-juice could be so complex!

    • e cigarettes on July 20, 2016 at 4:09 am
    • Reply

    I was able to find good information from your blog posts.

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