10ml Nic Salts vs. 50ml Shortfills with Nic Shots: Which Saves More Money?
If you vape regularly, cost per ml matters more than the price on the front of the bottle. Two formats come up again and again: 10ml nic salt e liquid, which already contains nicotine, and 50ml shortfills, which you top up with a nic shot. So which one saves more money? For many daily vapers on a 3mg mix, the 50ml shortfill works out cheaper per ml. The gap is smaller than most people expect, though, and nic salts still make sense for some vapers.
What Is a 10ml Nic Salt E Liquid?
A 10ml nic salt e liquid uses nicotine salt, which gives a smoother throat hit and a quick nicotine delivery. That makes it a good match for tight mouth-to-lung (MTL) pod kits and small starter devices. In the UK, nicotine e-liquid bottles are capped at 10ml, and nic salts are limited to 20mg per ml under TPD rules.
Most ranges offer 5mg, 10mg and 20mg strengths. If you are cutting back, start lower and only move up if you need more nicotine. You can compare flavours and strengths in our nic salts range.
What Is a 50ml Shortfill?
A 50ml shortfill is a large bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid. Most are sold in a 60ml bottle, which leaves about 10ml of space for a nic shot. Because the base liquid has no nicotine, you choose the final strength yourself. Many vapers settle on 3mg, while others go up to 6mg or stay at 0mg.
Shortfills also come in bigger sizes. A 100ml bottle has room for two nic shots, so you can reach 6mg without pouring much liquid away. You can browse our shortfill and e-liquid range to find a flavour that suits your device and mix.
Cost Per ml: The Real Comparison
Cost per ml is the fairest way to compare these two options. Based on the per ml figures in our comparison, a 50ml shortfill with one nic shot works out at about 17.8p per ml. A 10ml nic salt comes to about 19.9p per ml. That is a gap of roughly 2.1p per ml, which sounds small until you vape every day.
| Option | Total volume | Final nicotine | Approx. cost per ml |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml nic salt e liquid | 10ml | Nic salt strength of the bottle | 19.9p |
| 50ml shortfill plus one 18mg nic shot | 60ml | 3mg per ml | 17.8p |
Put another way, 60ml of the shortfill mix costs about £1.26 less than 60ml of nic salt at those per ml figures. Your actual saving depends on the prices on the day, so check the cost per ml on each product page before you buy. Shortfills suit anyone who wants to stretch a budget, while nic salts suit people who prefer a smaller bottle and a quicker hit.
Do Bigger Shortfills Save More?
Usually, yes. Larger shortfills tend to cost less per ml, which makes 100ml bottles a popular choice for heavy vapers. If you go through a lot of liquid, a bulk order can cut costs further. Our wholesale box deals are worth a look if you buy the same flavours again and again.
How Many Nic Shots Go in a 50ml Shortfill?
One 10ml nic shot is enough for most 50ml shortfills. An 18mg nic shot gives about 3mg per ml in the final 60ml mix. A 20mg nic shot gives roughly 3.3mg per ml. Two shots push you to around 6mg, but they need 20ml of space, so you will have to pour out 10ml of shortfill first.
How to Add Nic Shots to Shortfill
Adding a nic shot takes less than a minute, but a careful pour helps. Remove the cap and the pipette nozzle from your shortfill bottle. Take the cap off the nic shot, fit its larger nozzle over the shortfill opening and squeeze the full shot in. Replace the cap, then shake the bottle for a few minutes so the nicotine mixes evenly.
Which Nic Shots Suit Your Shortfill?
Most nic shots sold in the UK come in 10ml bottles, usually at 18mg or 20mg. Unflavoured 18mg shots are the usual pick for a 50ml shortfill, since they give a clean 3mg result. If you want a smoother hit, 20mg nic salt shots are another option. Match the VG and PG ratio of the shot to your shortfill where you can, so the mix behaves the way you expect.
Nicotine Strength: 3mg, 6mg or Nic Salt?
A 3mg shortfill is the most common starting point. Lighter smokers often begin there, and some heavier smokers move up to 6mg. A 6mg shortfill needs two nic shots in a 50ml bottle, so it takes a little more effort to mix.
Nic salts deliver nicotine quickly, which suits MTL nic salts in small pod kits. High VG shortfills suit sub ohm vape juice because the thicker liquid produces bigger clouds. Do not use nic salts in high-powered sub ohm devices, as this can lead to excessive nicotine intake.
Which Device Suits Each Option?
Your device should decide which liquid you buy. Pod kits and starter devices with tight draws pair well with 10ml nic salts. Browse our vape kits to find a device that matches your style.
If you refill your own pods, check the vape pods range for the right size and coil type. Sub ohm tanks work better with shortfills, so if you run higher wattages, look at our vape coils and tanks too.
Vaping on a Budget in the UK
Looking for the cheapest vape juice UK buyers can find? Start with the cost per ml, not the bottle price. A shortfill plus a nic shot often beats a 10ml bottle on value. Shortfill multibuy offers and nic salt deals can lower your bill further, as long as you compare the total for the same volume.
Normal bulk discounts remain allowed under the current UK rules, so bigger purchases can still help you save money vaping. Pick the bottle size that matches how much you actually use, and avoid stockpiling flavours you rarely finish.
Want Nicotine Without the Vape?
Some people want nicotine without vapour. Our nicotine pouches offer a different way to get it. This comparison focuses on e-liquid, so the cost per ml figures above do not apply to pouches.
So, Which Option Saves More Money?
For a daily vaper on a 3mg mix, a 50ml shortfill with one nic shot is the cheaper choice per ml. If you use a small pod kit, prefer a quick nicotine hit or buy smaller amounts at a time, a 10ml nic salt may suit you better. Work out how much you use each month, then compare the total cost rather than the sticker price.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Are 50ml shortfills cheaper than 10ml nic salts?
Usually, yes, on a cost per ml basis. Using the figures in this guide, a 50ml shortfill with one nic shot costs about 17.8p per ml, compared with about 19.9p per ml for a 10ml nic salt.
What is the cost per ml of a 10ml nic salt?
In this comparison, a 10ml nic salt works out at about 19.9p per ml. Always check the current price on the product page, as prices change.
What is the cost per ml of a 50ml shortfill with a nic shot?
With one 18mg nic shot, a 50ml shortfill works out at about 17.8p per ml. That gives you 60ml of 3mg e-liquid.
What is the difference between nic salts and shortfills?
Nic salts already contain nicotine and come in 10ml bottles. Shortfills are nicotine-free and come in larger bottles, so you add a nic shot to reach your chosen strength.
Are nic salts better for small vape kits?
Often, yes. The smooth, fast nicotine hit suits MTL nic salts in small pod kits and starter devices.
Are shortfills better for sub ohm vapes?
Many vapers prefer high VG shortfills for sub ohm devices, because the thicker liquid suits bigger clouds. Nic salts are not recommended for high-powered sub ohm setups.
How much vape juice do I use per month?
Track your usage for a week, then multiply your daily total by 30. This gives you a clear monthly figure, which makes it easier to choose between a 10ml nic salt and a 50ml shortfill.
Should I buy 10ml nic salts or 50ml shortfills?
Buy 50ml shortfills if you vape daily and want the lowest cost per ml. Choose 10ml nic salts if you use a small kit, want a quick nicotine hit or prefer a smaller bottle.
Do I need to be 18 to buy nic salts or shortfills?
Yes. Since 29 October 2026, you must be 18 or over to buy any vaping or nicotine product in the UK, including nic salts, shortfills and nic shots.
