Getting the device-juice match wrong is the most common — and most dangerous — mistake vapers make. Here's the definitive guide:
| Nicotine Type | Strength Range | Compatible Devices | Incompatible Devices | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Nic | 20-50mg/mL | Pod systems, MTL, disposables, closed pods (10-25W, coil ≥0.6Ω) | Sub-ohm tanks, RDAs, high-wattage devices (40W+) | High-wattage devices produce too much vapor; 50mg salt at high wattage causes nicotine overload |
| Freebase | 0-12mg/mL | Sub-ohm tanks, RDAs, DTL devices (40-200W, coil <0.5Ω) | Pod systems (too harsh, weak vapor) | Low-wattage pods can't vaporize 70/30 freebase efficiently; throat hit too harsh for small devices |
| Freebase (low) | 0-3mg/mL | All devices (if VG/PG matches) | None | At very low strength, freebase can work in any device with matching VG/PG ratio |
Critical safety warning: NEVER use high-strength salt nicotine (above 12mg/mL) in a sub-ohm tank or high-wattage device. The rapid nicotine delivery at high wattage can cause nausea, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or nicotine overdose. Salt nic above 20mg is exclusively for low-power pod systems (10-25W). See our vape juice buying guide for a complete VG/PG and device matching reference.
