An estimated 35 million people were vaping in 2016, and a count of the market found 7,700 e-liquid flavors. With that much choice, working out which bottle deserves your money is confusing. Price alone is a poor guide. A very cheap liquid can turn out to be money wasted, and a poor one can harm your vaporizer or e-cigarette. Here is what to look at so you end up with a good liquid that still fits your budget.
Judge the liquid itself
How it looks
Good e-juice is clear. Cloudiness is a bad sign, and so is anything in the bottle besides liquid: particles, debris or mold. If you spot something floating, send the bottle back straight away, and discard it when a return is not possible.
How it smells and tastes
Flavor is among the main reasons to pick one liquid over another, so a juice that barely resembles the flavor on its label is cause for concern. Be wary of any liquid that leaves your throat burning. Get in touch with the maker or bin it.
The PG/VG ratio
E-juice is a blend of several ingredients built on a base of propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerol (VG). The balance between the two changes the flavor, which is why it matters. Many vapers settle on an even split or 40/60, but this comes down to taste. Before buying, confirm the bottle uses a ratio you like.
Judge the company
Look into the seller’s standards, particularly when you shop online. A reputable company is open about where its liquid comes from and how it is made. Expect to find:
- a customer service phone number
- a physical address
- a return policy
- willingness to answer whatever you ask about the business
You should also be able to read up on the specialists who mix the flavors, and the company ought to explain its mixing process readily so you can assess the quality of what you are buying.
Judge the price
You often get what you pay for, but not always. Some online shops and brick and mortar stores sell vape juice at a discount, and a lower price does not automatically mean lower quality. A discount that looks unusually deep is different. Think twice in that case, and ask questions.
The short version
Vaping’s growing popularity has drawn in a lot of companies looking to profit from it, so do not choose a juice just because it costs little. Check the appearance, the taste, the ratio and the company behind it, and you can find a liquid that suits both you and your budget. You can browse our e-juice collection with those points in mind.