Choosing a Nicotine Strength – Refills & E-Liquids
If you are new to vaping, you may be wondering which nicotine strength you should start with. This depends on various factors including your current nicotine habits and which vape kit or e cigarette you will be using. Everyone is different and you may find you need to adjust the strength you use to begin with or over time, however, please refer to the tables below to find out more information about the different products and nicotine strengths available for each.
Our OK Cigalike Classic starter kits come with one 18mg and one 12mg nicotine refill in Tobacco or Menthol flavour. This allows you to try both strengths to help gauge which strength will be right for you. However, we also sell our packs of cigalike refills in 20mg, 6mg and nicotine free strengths.
Which Refill Nicotine Strength Should I Choose?
The following table lists the most common refill nicotine strengths, along with recommendations for who each strength will be most suitable for. You can use this table to help you work out which nicotine strength you should choose.
Nicotine Content | Recommended For | Flavours |
20mg Nicotine | These are usually suitable for those who smoke the stronger nicotine strength cigarettes such as Benson & Hedges Gold, Lambert & Butler Silver and Superkings.
If this strength makes you feel nauseous or lightheaded, try 18mg refills instead. |
20mg Tobacco E Cig Refills |
18mg Nicotine | This strength is usually a good place to start. They tend suit users of cigarettes such as JPS Blue, Pall Mall Red, Superking Blue, Marlborough Red or Mayfair.
If you find that this strength doesn't satisfy your cravings, try the Extra High strength. If 18mg makes you feel nauseous or lightheaded, move down to 12mg. |
18mg Tobacco E Cig Refills |
12mg Nicotine | For users of medium to light strength nicotine cigarettes such as Marlborough lights, Silk Cut, Pall Mall Blue or B&H Silver or for those who are light to medium smokers.
This strength also might suit those who use rolling tobacco. |
12mg Tobacco E Cig Refills |
6mg Nicotine | Great for current vapers looking to lower their nicotine intake.
Lighter smokers may also find 6mg is enough to help them make the switch to vaping. |
6mg Tobacco E Cig Refills |
0mg Nicotine Free | For those looking to completely cut-out nicotine. If you're completely new to vaping you may find it easier to start with some nicotine content to help with cravings. | Nicotine Free Tobacco E Cig Refills |
Pod Refill & Nicotine Salt Strengths
Nicotine salts, otherwise known as 'nic salts', are a great choice for beginners as they produce a stronger, smoother vapour than 'freebase nicotine' (the type found in most regular e liquids).
Another benefit to nicotine salt e liquids is that they provide a faster nicotine hit, helping to stave off cravings. Read our guide to nicotine salts if you'd like to find out more.
Most pod vape devices are designed for use with nicotine salt pods (or nicotine salt e liquid where the device features refillable pods), as they lend themselves very well to this type of device. OK Pod refills are designed to work with the OK Pod device. These refills are supplied in packs of 3 in a range of 6 flavours, with each pod containing 2ml of nicotine salt e-liquid.
You can use the following table to get an idea of which nicotine salt strength you should choose.
Which Nicotine Salt Strength Should I Choose?
Nicotine Content | Recommended For | OK Pod Refill Flavours |
18mg Nicotine Salts | Beginners, or those trying to make the switch from smoking.
This strength will not give a strong throat hit, but will quickly and effectively satisfy cravings. |
Golden Tobacco Menthol Blackcurrant Berry Mint Strawberry Mint Cream |
12mg Nicotine Salts | Suitable for more experienced vapours wanting to use a pod device or e liquids with nicotine salts, who have previously been using a 18mg or 12mg freebase nicotine product.
Some lighter smokers making the switch to vaping may also find that this strength is enough to satisfy cravings. |
Golden Tobacco Menthol Blackcurrant Berry Mint Strawberry Mint Cream |
50/50 E-Liquid Nicotine Strengths
Our versatile 50/50 e-liquid range contains a balanced ratio of PG & VG. This means they work well with most devices and coils. This blend offers a great balance between flavour, vapour production and throat hit.
OK 50/50 E liquids contain 'freebase' nicotine.
Which E Liquid Nicotine Strength Should I Choose?
Nicotine Content | Recommended For | Flavours |
18mg Nicotine | Our strongest nicotine strength e liquid. Suitable for new users looking to switch to vaping from smoking or those who prefer a stronger throat hit and nicotine hit. | USA Tobacco Classic Tobacco Iced Menthol |
12mg Nicotine | A good strength option for moderate smokers switching to vaping, or those that find 18mg too harsh but want to keep cravings at bay. | Classic Tobacco USA Tobacco Iced Menthol Cherry Crush Blueberry Squash Blackcurrant Liquorice Sweet Anise & Menthol Pink Lemonade Pear Punch Strawberry Splash Raspberry Ripple |
6mg Nicotine | 6mg is a good place to start if you are a light smoker or smoke rolling tobacco. However, some heavier smokers find that they prefer the lighter throat hit from this strength and will instead vape more frequently to help with cravings.
If you are using a sub ohm or DTL device and prefer a stronger hit, 6mg may suit you. |
Classic Tobacco Rolling Tobacco Iced Menthol Rainbow Burst Sweet Anise & Menthol Lemon Sherbet Raspberry Ripple Cherry Sherbet Blackcurrant Peach Dream Berry Ice Strawberry Mint Pink Lemonade Strawberry Splash Liquorice Pear Punch Blueberry Squash |
3mg Nicotine | 3mg is our lowest Nicotine strength, producing little to no throat hit. This strength is ideal for sub ohm/ DTL coils and kits.
Also a good option if you use a Classic style kit and are looking to cut down your nicotine intake. |
Iced Menthol Sweet Anise & Menthol Blackcurrant Strawberry Splash Pear Punch |
What Nicotine Strength Should I Vape?
If you are struggling with getting the right vape nicotine strength, you may find the following tips useful.
- If you are completely new to vaping, we recommend trying a mid-strength e-liquid, pod, or refill first. If you are using a refillable kit, an e-liquid with 50 to 60 percent PG content at 12mg is a good starting point. This will avoid any adverse reaction from too much nicotine but should stave off cravings for a real cigarette. You can then go higher if you think you need it.
- Bear in mind that not all kits are designed to be used with higher PG e-liquids. A sub-ohm kit will require vape juices with at least 50% VG (vegetable glycerine). You will also want to start with a lower nicotine strength if you choose a sub ohm kit, as higher strengths will be very harsh. 3mg would be a good starting point.
- If you find your vape is too harsh on your throat at a higher nicotine strength, try an e-liquid with a lower ratio of PG (propylene glycol). This ingredient produces a 'throat hit', therefore lower levels will make for a smoother vapour. 50/50 e liquids are a great option if you find higher PG e liquids too harsh. Alternatively, you may want to try nicotine salts.
- Nicotine salts are great for beginners are they are smoother than the freebase nicotine used in most standard refills and e-liquids. This allows you to use a higher nicotine strength whilst avoiding a harsh throat hit. If you find regular e-liquids too harsh but feel that you need higher nicotine in order to make the switch from smoking, give nicotine salts a try. The OK Pod range contains nicotine salts and is a great option for beginners.