The classic question. The answer depends on the pod's coil resistance and wattage range, not just the device shape.

Most pod systems are designed for nicotine salts at higher strengths—20 mg and up. The higher resistance coils in those pods produce less vapor, so the nicotine concentration can be higher without overwhelming the user.

But some pod systems, especially those with adjustable wattage, can handle freebase nicotine at lower strengths. If a pod supports a 0.6 ohm coil and 25 watts, it'll behave more like a small mod, and 6–12 mg freebase might work fine.

The safest advice for a shop owner: match the nicotine strength to the coil resistance. High resistance (1.0 ohm or higher) → salts. Low resistance (0.5 ohm or lower) → freebase. The compatibility checker will flag mismatches, like a high-strength salt in a low-resistance coil, which would give a harsh throat hit.