E-Cigarette Liquid: The Complete 2026 Guide

The liquid for an electronic cigarette is the heart of vaping. It decides the flavour, the throat hit, the vapour you get and, of course, your day-to-day experience. But behind that one word "e-liquid" sits a technical product, made up of several precise ingredients, with ratios, strengths and quality levels that vary enormously from one brand to the next. This guide covers the lot: composition, ratios, nicotine, flavours, bottle sizes, storage and quality. Everything you need in order to understand what you are putting in your vape.

What is liquid for an electronic cigarette?

An e-liquid (or liquid for an electronic cigarette) is a liquid mix that turns into inhalable vapour once your device's coil heats it. Its job is to deliver flavour and, in most cases, a controlled dose of nicotine so the vaper can replace tobacco.

An e-liquid typically contains four ingredients:

• Propylene glycol (PG) — a neutral liquid that carries flavour and throat hit
• Vegetable glycerine (VG) — a thicker liquid, responsible for the vapour
• Food-grade flavourings — what gives the taste (often 5 to 15% of the volume)
• Nicotine — optional, dosed to suit the vaper

That is all. No oil, no sugar, no combustion. Just a cool vapour produced by gently heating a water-based mix of food-grade or pharmaceutical-grade ingredients.

The PG/VG ratio: the technical foundation of every e-liquid

PG and VG are the two pillars of an e-liquid. Their proportions decide almost everything: the throat hit, the volume of vapour, how the flavours come through and the kind of hardware that suits them.

Propylene glycol (PG)

PG is a clear, thin liquid widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In an e-liquid it carries the flavourings (it "fixes" them and spreads them) and it is responsible for the famous "hit" — that tickle at the back of the throat every smoker knows. The higher the PG content, the sharper the flavour definition and the stronger the hit.

Vegetable glycerine (VG)

VG is a thicker, sweeter liquid of plant origin (usually food-grade rapeseed or palm). It produces the vapour. The more VG there is, the denser the clouds and the smoother the throat feel. In exchange, flavours are slightly muted and the liquid needs suitable hardware (low-resistance coils, high wattage).

Common ratios

The vast majority of our e-liquids sit between 50/50 and 30/70. That is the best compromise for most vapers, whatever hardware they use.

Nicotine: strengths, types and how to choose

Nicotine is the optional part of an e-liquid, but it is the part that matters most when you are giving up smoking. It comes in two forms and several strengths.

Classic nicotine (freebase)

This is the original form. It gives a pronounced hit, which ex-smokers tend to enjoy, and it reaches the bloodstream quickly. You will find it in the standard strengths: 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, 16mg or 20mg/ml.

Nic salts

A more recent version, nic salts allow higher strengths with less hit and faster absorption. Perfect for pods and for heavy smokers after quick satisfaction.

Which strength should you choose?

To dig deeper and pin down the strength that suits you exactly, read our complete guide to choosing your nicotine strength.

Flavours: the fun part

This is often what stops beginners in their tracks: where do you start in a catalogue of several thousand references? Broadly speaking, there are five big flavour families.

1. Classic / tobacco

For smokers making the switch who want a familiar taste. Blond, dark, full-bodied, sweet blond tobacco... Our pick of tobacco e-liquids runs through the best recipes.

2. Fruity

The largest and most popular family: strawberry, mango, red berries, citrus, tropical. For a detailed rundown, see our guide to fruity e-liquids.

3. Dessert

Pastries, creams, chocolate, caramel, biscuits. These are the most technically demanding recipes. Our best dessert e-liquids covers the must-haves.

4. Fresh / menthol

Mint, eucalyptus, an icy kick. Ideal in summer, or for anyone vaping without nicotine who wants a strong cooling effect. Our fresh and menthol selection covers the ground.

5. Drinks and mixes

Cocktails, fizzy drinks, iced teas, coffees, yogurts. A newer family, but one growing fast, with brands such as Fruizee and Le Petit Verger shining in this area.

For a complete overview of every family and the best recipes in each, read our guide The best e-liquid flavours of 2026.

Bottle sizes: from 10ml to 1 litre

E-liquids are sold in several sizes, each matching a particular use and budget.

For a detailed comparison of the large sizes and the savings they bring, see our guide to large-format e-liquids. And if budget is your main priority, read the cheap e-liquid guide 2026.

How to spot a quality e-liquid

Not all e-liquids are equal. Here are the objective criteria for identifying a serious product:

1. Where it is made

An e-liquid made in France or in the European Union is subject to strict standards (TPD, ISO 9001, good manufacturing practice). That is a safety guarantee. Well-established French brands such as Le French Liquide, Vape Institut, Maison Fuel, Le Petit Verger and Moonshiners have all earned that recognition. For a complete picture of the French brands, see our guide to the best French brands.

2. Traceability

A serious e-liquid states clearly: composition, PG/VG ratio, batch number, date of manufacture (or best-before date), the maker's identity and contact details. If any of that is missing, treat it as a warning sign.

3. The flavouring content

The best recipes use 8 to 15% flavour concentrate. An e-liquid at 3% will taste flat; one at 20% will be sickly. Premium brands rarely publish the figure, but the quality comes through in the taste.

4. Reviews and sales volume

This is the most reliable practical test. An e-liquid sold in its thousands without a single complaint is necessarily a decent product. In our catalogue, best-sellers such as 500! Red Ice (12,458 sold) and Creme Kong (8,920 sold) are safe bets.

Ready to vape or DIY?

There are two main ways of getting your e-liquid.

Ready to vape

This is the simplest. You buy a bottle, you put it in your clearomiser, you vape. No handling, consistent quality, guaranteed results. It suits 95% of vapers, from beginners to old hands. It is the way to go if you are starting out (our beginner's guide to vaping walks you through it step by step).

DIY (Do It Yourself)

The home-cooking version. You buy a neutral base, some flavour concentrates and boosters, then you mix your own recipe. Upsides: an unbeatable price (under €0.03/ml), total control over the recipe, and the freedom to invent your own blends. Downside: a learning curve and the time it takes to prepare.

To ease into it, our beginner's DIY guide explains every step and the basics you need to know.

Storing your e-liquids

An e-liquid generally keeps for 1 to 2 years from the date of manufacture, provided you follow a few simple rules:

• Away from light — UV oxidises nicotine and can spoil the flavourings
• At room temperature — avoid extremes (the heat of a car, freezing conditions)
• Cap tightly closed — air oxidises too, slowly but surely
• Out of reach of children and pets — it goes without saying, but nicotine is toxic if swallowed

An e-liquid that is "too old" does not become dangerous, but the nicotine may have degraded (a slightly peppery taste) and the flavours may have faded. In practice, an opened bottle is best finished within 6 to 12 months.

FAQ: liquid for electronic cigarettes

What is actually in an e-liquid?

Four ingredients: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), food-grade flavourings and, optionally, nicotine. No combustion, no sugar, no oil. An e-liquid is infinitely simpler in composition than a conventional cigarette, which contains more than 4,000 substances produced by burning tobacco.

Does liquid for electronic cigarettes contain water?

Very little, if any at all. The bases are 99% pure PG and VG. Some formulas include a small percentage of water (1-5%) to thin them out, but e-liquid is not "flavoured water", as people sometimes assume.

What is the difference between an e-liquid and a flavour concentrate?

A ready-to-vape e-liquid is a finished product: base + flavouring + nicotine where required, ready to be vaped. A flavour concentrate is the flavouring alone, which has to be diluted in a neutral base before it can be vaped. Concentrates are meant for DIY.

Which liquid for electronic cigarettes should you choose as a beginner?

Start with a 50/50 in 10ml, in a flavour you like and at the nicotine strength that matches how much you smoke. A good example: the Unicorn 10ml range at €1.90 a bottle, ideal for trying several flavours before committing to a large size. Our beginner's guide to vaping walks you through it step by step.

Can you vape a liquid without nicotine?

Absolutely. Plenty of vapers do, either because they have never smoked or because they have weaned themselves off completely. The large 200ml, 500ml and 1 litre sizes are in fact sold nicotine-free by default — you only add nicotine if you feel the need.

How long does an unopened e-liquid keep?

Usually 2 years from the date of manufacture, which is normally printed on the back of the bottle. Once opened, finish it within 6 to 12 months to keep the flavours at their best.

Can you mix two e-liquids?

Yes, and it is common practice when you want to adjust a flavour (sweeter, fresher, less intense). The only requirement: both liquids should have the same PG/VG ratio, otherwise the mix will be unstable.

In short

Liquid for an electronic cigarette is a simple mix of four ingredients: PG, VG, flavourings and (optionally) nicotine. But behind that apparent simplicity sit dozens of decisions: ratio, strength, flavour, bottle size, manufacturing quality. Understanding those choices is how you land a vape you will enjoy for the long run.

The rules to remember:

• A 50/50 or 30/70 ratio for 95% of uses
• A nicotine strength matched to how much you smoke
• A French or European brand for traceability
• 10ml to try, large sizes to save
• Storage away from light and heat

A question about an ingredient, a ratio or which liquid to pick? The Unicorn Vape team is here to help — just ask.