Different types of nicotine in vape – freebase, nicotine salt and hybrid nicotine
Not all e-liquids contain the same type of nicotine. The most common forms are freebase nicotine, nicotine salt and hybrid nicotine. Although they contain the same active substance, they differ in how the nicotine is produced and which products they are commonly used in.
In this guide, we explain what the different forms of nicotine are, what differences exist between them and why manufacturers choose different solutions for different types of e-liquids.
What is nicotine?
Nicotine is a naturally occurring alkaloid extracted from the tobacco plant. During the manufacture of e-liquids, nicotine can be treated in different ways, which affects its chemical form and the properties of the finished e-liquid.
The three most common forms of nicotine are:
- Freebase nicotine
- Nicotine salt
- Hybrid nicotine
Which form of nicotine is used often depends on the type of e-liquid and the vape device the product is intended for.
What is freebase nicotine?
Freebase is the classic form of nicotine and has been used in e-liquids since the first modern vape products were introduced.
Freebase nicotine is produced by purifying and treating nicotine so that it occurs in its free-base form. This form of nicotine is still used in many traditional 10 ml e-liquids and shortfills.
Freebase is often found in products used with more powerful vape devices where the user can adjust the wattage, coil and airflow themselves.
What is nicotine salt?
Nicotine salt is a form of nicotine in which the nicotine has been combined with an organic acid, usually benzoic acid. The result is a different chemical structure from freebase nicotine.
Nicotine salt is now used in a large proportion of the market’s pod systems and many pre-filled pods because this form of nicotine is well suited to products with lower power.
It is therefore common to find nicotine salt in smaller pod systems and other compact vape products.
What is hybrid nicotine?
Hybrid nicotine is a combination of freebase nicotine and nicotine salt in the same e-liquid. The manufacturer mixes the two forms of nicotine in different proportions depending on the product being developed.
There is no industry standard for exactly what a hybrid blend should consist of. Therefore, the contents may differ between different manufacturers and product ranges.
Hybrid nicotine has become more common in recent years, particularly in certain modern e-liquids and pod systems.
The difference between freebase, nicotine salt and hybrid nicotine
| Characteristic | Freebase | Nicotine salt | Hybrid nicotine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical form | Free base | Nicotine combined with acid | Combination of both |
| Common products | 10 ml e-liquids and shortfills | Pod systems and nicotine salt e-liquids | Selected e-liquids and pod systems |
| Common use | Higher power | Lower power | Varies between products |
| Manufacturing method | One form of nicotine | One form of nicotine | Mixture of two forms of nicotine |
Is hybrid nicotine better than nicotine salt?
It is not possible to say that one form of nicotine is generally better than another. Freebase, nicotine salt and hybrid nicotine are used for different types of products and are selected by the manufacturer based on the product’s design and intended use.
Which solution is best suited therefore depends on which e-liquid and vape device are being used.
Which products use the different forms of nicotine?
Freebase is primarily used in traditional e-liquids and many shortfills, while nicotine salt is common in pod systems and other products with lower power.
Hybrid nicotine is found in certain modern e-liquids where the manufacturer has chosen to combine both forms of nicotine. The exact contents vary between different brands.
Things to remember
Freebase, nicotine salt and hybrid nicotine contain the same active substance but differ in how the nicotine is produced and how the products are designed.
Freebase is often used in traditional e-liquids, nicotine salt is common in pod systems and hybrid nicotine combines the two forms of nicotine in one and the same e-liquid. Which form of nicotine a product contains is normally stated in the product information provided by the manufacturer.
