Take a final look at the bottle before you pay. Check the tamper-evident seal, the batch code, and the expiration date if there is one. If any of that is missing, choose another.

Think about your habit. If you're a cloud chaser, you already know you want high VG. If you're using a pod, you want higher PG. If you're new, stick with a balanced 50/50 to start—it's the most versatile.

One more thing: keep your liquid in a cool, dark place once you get home. Heat and sunlight degrade nicotine and affect flavor. If you're traveling, that's a whole other conversation—check out our guide on flying with a vape for the TSA rules.