Mixture of vape juices including Nyx Shortfill, Vuse Pods, Ske Crystal Salts and Riot Squad on a decorative background
If you’ve switched from cigarettes or disposable vapes to a refillable kit this year, you’re in the perfect spot. It is a unique time for UK vapers: flavours are better dialled-in, nicotine salt formulas are smoother, and Shortfills for Sub-Ohm cloud chasing are punchier than ever.
Below you’ll find our deep-dive review of ten standout options, hand-picked for price-savvy UK vapers who like big flavour (and, when the mood strikes, big clouds). We cover what each brand does best, which devices they pair with, how they taste and who they suit.
Covered in this guide:
- Hayati Pro Max Nic Salts
- SKE Crystal Nic Salts
- Elux Legend Nic Salts
- Dinner Lady Nic Salts
- Riot Squad Nic Salts
- Vuse Extra Intense Pods
- Nasty Juice Shortfills
- NYX Shortfills
- Vsavi Platinum E-liquids
- Vaporesso Deliciu
Quick note: Nicotine is an addictive substance. Vape responsibly and choose strengths that match your needs. UK TPD rules cap nicotine at 20mg/ml in 10ml bottles.
How We Chose the Best Vape Juices of 2025
- Flavour consistency: Not just the first tank or pod. Does the flavour keep its character right through the bottle?
- Smoothness & satisfaction: Especially tailored for nic salts. A good salt is smooth at 10–20mg and delivers a quick, cigarette-like satisfaction.
- Coil-friendliness: Some sweet juices can be coil-killers. We looked for recipes that balance sweetness with prolonged coil life.
- Availability & choice: UK-friendly strengths, sensible pricing and enough flavours to keep things interesting.
- User-experience fit: Either salts or high PG freebase for MTL pods (tight draw, ex-smoker friendly). Shortfills or high VG for DTL/Sub-Ohm (big clouds, lower nicotine).
1) Hayati Pro Max Nic Salts
Who it’s for: Fans of bright, sweet, disposable-style flavours who’ve moved to refillable pod kits. Ideal if you want that instant impact, without the waste and ongoing cost of previous single-use kits, with only 600 puffs.
Hayati’s nic salts carry over the brand’s bouncy, candy-fruit energy into 10ml bottles. Expect layered sweetness and brisk cooling finishes on popular blends like Blue Razz Lemonade, Mr Blue, and Mango Peach Pineapple.
They’re typically 50/50 VG/PG, so they wick well in compact pods (think 0.6–1.2 Ohm coils). Throat hit is notably smooth for 10–20mg and the sweetness feels intentional rather than trying too hard. This is ideal when you want an all-day, affordable replacement for disposables.
Very sweet recipes can shorten coil life in any brand; Hayati does better than most but keep spare pods and vape coils handy if you vape frequently throughout the day.
Flavour notes to try:
- Blue Razz Lemonade: Zesty sparkle on the inhale, synthetic blue razz on the exhale; still crisp with five refills per bottle.
- Mr Blue: Dark berry base with a clean ice finish; surprisingly coil-friendly for a sweet berry.
Best with: The Uwell Caliburn series, Vaporesso XROS collection, or the Oxva Xlim series. Start around 12–16W if your chosen device allows.
2) SKE Crystal Nic Salts
Who it’s for: Vapers who loved the previous “Crystal” disposable vibe and want that same sweet fruit or cooling ice profile in refillable form.
SKE Crystal nic salts nail the sweet-but-spritzy corner of the market. Flavours lean bright, with that familiar “lemonade fizz” many UK vapers chase. Nic delivery is on point in 10mg and 20mg. The line is broad, which is perfect if you rotate through fruits and chilled blends to keep your palate awake.
Flavour notes to try:
- Blueberry Sour Raspberry: Tart top note with a sweet finish; a classic Ske “Crystal” crowd-pleaser.
- Watermelon Ice: Juicy, light, and clean rather than syrupy.
- Cherry Ice / Fizzy Cherry: Cherry is tough to get right; this stays in the “sweets aisle” rather than “cough syrup” vibes.
Best with: 50/50-friendly MTL pods. Coils around 0.8–1.2 Ohm. If you enjoy cooler vapes, half-close the airflow to concentrate flavour.
3) Elux Legend Nic Salts
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants maximum flavour intensity with a polished finish. Elux’s blends sit confidently at the bold, cold and sweet end of the spectrum.
Elux brings that unmistakable bar-style flavour density. Cherry, blue razz, and tropical mixes are particularly vivid. Despite the punch, the nic salt base remains smooth in higher strengths. If you’re trying to move from disposables to pods without sacrificing taste, this is a low-risk first purchase.
Flavour notes to try:
- Blue Razz Lemonade: Broad, sparkling, and consistent; strikes a nice balance of tart and sweet.
- Raspberry Watermelon: Watermelon and raspberry profiles with cooling summer in a bottle.
Best with: Uwell Caliburn G and G2 pods, VOOPOO Argus PnP series or the Oxva Xros Pods. Aim at 0.8–1.0 Ohm for the best balance of flavour and coil longevity.
4) Dinner Lady Nic Salts
Who it’s for: Vapers who like dessert authenticity rather than pure candy sweetness, especially classic UK bakery profiles.
Dinner Lady’s Lemon Tart helped define UK dessert vapes. Their nic salts and Shortfills capture bakery notes with restraint; the sweetness feels baked-in rather than too artificial. If fruits with ice fatigue you by mid-afternoon, a bottle of Key Lime Tart, Pink Lemonade, or Vanilla Tobacco resets the palate beautifully.
Flavour notes to try:
- Key Lime Tart: Still the benchmark. A rich shortcrust and tangy curd in a salt format that stays smooth as either a 20mg nic salt or a shortfill option.
- Pink Lemonade: A sweet beverage flavour that hits the right spot.
- Smooth Tobacco / Caramel Tobacco: A reliable bridge for fresh ex-smokers who don’t want fruit yet.
Best with: Any MTL pod. Try 10mg for daytime, 20mg for intense cravings (this depends on your previous smoking or disposable vape habits). Works nicely at 1.0–1.2 Ohm where bakery subtleties pop.
5) Riot Squad Nic Salts
Who it’s for: Vapers who want a touch more throat hit without going back to harsher freebase. Riot’s “hybrid nicotine” blends freebase and salt for a unique feel.
Riot has built a cult following by offering a bold nic salt sensation with the smoothness to match. Try rich flavours such as blue razz, blackcurrant, menthols, plus satisfying tobacco options that don’t taste ashy.
Flavour notes to try:
- Blue Cherry Burst: Ice-cold blue cherry that’s sweet but not sticky.
- Blue Sour Raspberry: A classic tangy vape, with a gentle berry mix.
Best with: Try 60/40 PG to VG ratio e-liquids, which pair well with 0.8–1.0 Ohm Pods. If you miss a “cigarette-like” hit, Riot’s hybrid flavour can bridge the gap.
6) Vuse Extra Intense Pods
Who it’s for: Vapers who value grab-and-go convenience and consistent pods over filling bottles. Great for commuters, beginners, or anyone who doesn’t want to think about refilling.
Vuse’s “Extra Intense” lines are designed for a stronger flavour and nic delivery in a sealed pod. You sacrifice some liquid choice and cross-compatibility but you gain a low-maintenance, tidy setup. If you’re transitioning from disposables or cigarettes and want the fewest moving parts, this is practical.
Flavour notes to try:
- Berry or Apple variants: Tend to be the crowd-pleasers for all-day use.
- Mint Ice: Clean and reliable, especially if you’re trying to keep sweets for later.
Best with: The appropriate Vuse, device such as the Vuse Pro or Vuse Go Reload 1000. This device is paired with 18–20mg pods, which are aimed at heavy smokers.
Good to know: Sealed pods cost more per ml than bottles. The trade-off is convenience and consistency, no bottles, no mess and fewer coil surprises.
What are Shortfills?
7) Nasty Juice Shortfills
Who it’s for: Shortfills are larger bottles (usually 50ml with a capacity of 60ml for nic shot or 100ml in 120ml) with 0mg nicotine. Add 18 mg/ml nic shots to reach your preferred strength (e.g, one 10ml shot in a 50ml shortfill = 3mg total). These nicotine-free mixes are typically 70/30 VG/PG for Sub-Ohm coils under 0.4 Ohms.
Nasty Juice is a staple for a reason. Their line remains vivid and consistent, with bottles that seem to keep their sparkle longer than many rivals. If you like flavour you can taste across the room, Nasty delivers without tasting flat after a few tanks.
Flavour notes to try:
- Bad Blood: Iconic, tangy berries, and big on the exhale with mint flavours.
- Gold Blend: A delicious blend of tobacco and almond notes.
- Trap Queen: Tasty strawberry and mint vibes.
Best with: Sub-Ohm tanks like Vaporesso iTank 2, Geekvape Z Fli, or VOOPOO UForce-X with low resistance mesh coils at 55–70W. Open the airflow and let the flavour reach its potential.
8) NYX Shortfills
Who it’s for: Vapers who want value and variety in a classic 70/30 format, especially fruit and dessert profiles.
NYX sits in the sweet spot of price and performance. You’ll find plenty of “bar-style” favourites adapted for Sub-Ohm kits, often with a little extra body to keep flavours full at higher wattage.
Flavour notes to try:
- Blueberry and Raspberry: Big berry pop with just enough chill to stay fresh.
- Mango Ice: Sweet and rounded, great for weekend cloud sessions with tropical notes.
- Vanilla Custard: That nostalgic taste works well in DTL, where vapour density meets the dessert world.
Best with: 0.2–0.4 Ohm Sub-Ohm coils at 50–65W. For a smoother throat, keep the nicotine at 3mg.
9) Vsavi Platinum E-liquids
Who it’s for: Budget-minded vapers who want dependable 10ml bottles in classic flavours, such as tobacco, menthol and fruit varieties.
Vsavi Platinum is about reliable everyday juice. The range covers high PG freebase and nic salts and quietly does the basics very well, in addition to 100% VG vape juice for those with sensitivity to PG. It’s the brand we recommend to anyone who wants to keep costs down while testing which flavour families they like.
Flavour notes to try:
- Strawberry Watermelon: A cool fruit twist that stays interesting at any time of the day.
- Blue Raspberry: Clean, uncomplicated and perfect for palate resets with mild blue raspberry flavouring.
- Pure Virginia Tobacco (100% VG): An accessible tobacco e-liquid with powerful notes of familiarity.
Best with: Any MTL pod at 0.8–1.2 Ohm for freebase 3–12mg in a variety of flavours. Great starter-pack companion.
10) Vaporesso Deliciu
Who it’s for: Vapers who enjoy polished, modern flavour design, especially fruit-dessert mashups and layered profiles that feel “finished”.
Deliciu is Vaporesso’s flavour-forward line with clean, balanced recipes that complement the brand’s popular XROS pods and iTank Sub-Ohm kits. Expect smooth nic salt options for MTL and shortfill-style blends where available for DTL, with an emphasis on clarity rather than sugar bomb sweetness.
Flavour notes to try:
- Grape: Try this sweet fruit flavour in two different nicotine strengths (10mg and 20mg nic salts).
- Lemon Lime: A classic citrus twist with natural bold flavours.
- Menthol: Great if you prefer flavour first and a cooling exhale as a supporting act.
Best with: For salts, Vaporesso Xros Pods at 0.8–1.0 Ohm; for DTL, iTank mesh at 55–65W.
Final Word: The 2025 Line-Up
If you want the closest match to disposable flavour in a pod, start with Hayati Pro Max, SKE Crystal, or Elux Legend. If you prefer classic, grown-up profiles, grab Vsavi or Vaporesso Deliciu.
Need a stronger sensation without harshness? Riot Squad’s hybrid salts are a smart middle path. For no-mess commuting, Vuse Extra Intense Pods are plug-and-play. And when it’s time to open the airflow and chase clouds, Nasty Juice and NYX shortfills bring the volume!
Whichever you choose, match the juice to your device, 50/50 salts for MTL pods, 70/30 Shortfills for Sub-Ohm. From that, you’ll get better flavour, longer-lasting coils and a more satisfying vape.
FAQs
Is nic salt or freebase better in 2025?
For ex-smokers and pod users, nic salts win for smoothness and fast satisfaction at lower power. Freebase (often in 50/50) still suits those who like a sharper hit at modest strengths (6–12 mg), but salts dominate MTL.
Will sweet nic salts damage my coils?
Sweeteners can reduce coil life in any brand. Pick balanced lines (Vsavi, Deliciu, Hayati) or use slightly higher-ohm coils and lower wattage for sweet bomb flavours like Nyx, Nasty Juice and Dinner Lady.
What nicotine strength should I start with?
If you smoked regularly, 20mg nic salt in a pod kit is a common starting point; 10mg if you were a lighter smoker. For Sub-Ohm, most settle at 3 or 6mg.
Are shortfills only for cloud chasing?
Mostly, as 70/30 Shortfills shine in Sub-Ohm tanks. If you run MTL pods, stick with 50/50 nic salts and 10ml bottles.
