Flavor, throat hit and cloud production are the usual reasons for picking one vape juice over another. More and more vapers also want to know what is actually in the bottle. The answer varies by manufacturer, because e-liquids are not all made the same way, and the differences are part of what separates a well-made juice from a poor one.
The four basics
Across thousands of flavors, the recipe is usually built from the same four things: vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol, food-grade flavoring and water. Nicotine is very common as a fifth, though plenty of e-liquids are made without it.
Some makers add other additives to bring production costs down, and that tends to lower the quality of the liquid. Our advice is to pick products that stick to the essentials.
The base: propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine
Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerine (VG) are the flavorless base of an ejuice. Nicotine and flavorings are mixed into them, they carry the flavor, and they are what turns into vapor when an electronic cigarette heats the liquid.
PG is a chemical compound known for its “throat hit”, a sensation close to that of a cigarette or other tobacco product. VG is a natural compound made from vegetable oils, and it tastes slightly sweet. Either can do the job alone, and the ratio differs from juice to juice: some lean heavily one way, some are all VG or all PG. Vapers pick a side for different reasons, and this PG vs. VG comparison sums them up.
| Propylene Glycol (PG) | Vegetable Glycerine (VG) | |
|---|---|---|
| Throat hit | Stronger | Smoother, which suits new vapers and sub-ohm setups |
| Flavor | More pronounced | More muted |
| Vapor | Less of it | Thicker, larger clouds |
| Coils and atomizers | Last longer | Can clog sooner, cutting performance and lifespan |
| Worth knowing | May cause irritation, dehydration or a sore throat | Derived from vegetable oil; see our note on side effects |
Flavorings
Flavor is where e-liquids differ most, and with thousands on the market there is something for every palate. Finding yours comes down to what you already like and how willing you are to experiment; a flavor you would never have guessed can end up as your all-day vape. Our Shop By Flavor page is a good starting point for browsing by taste.
Water
Water is the ingredient people overlook, yet it matters as much as the rest. Water that has not been properly filtered and purified can carry bacteria, germs and contaminants, and anything in the water ends up in the finished e-liquid, where it is a serious risk. Poor water also degrades the liquid itself and makes for a worse vape. A juice you can trust is made with purified water only.
Why the ingredient list matters
A good vape juice is more than a handful of ingredients thrown together. It is a short list of quality components, purified water included, combined in the right ratios. Knowing what belongs in the bottle, and passing that on to other vapers, makes it easier to judge what you are buying.
If you have a question about what goes into vape juice, leave a comment under this post and we will answer it.