Choosing vape flavours: criteria, tips and mistakes

In short:

The PG/VG ratio, nicotine strength and quality of the flavourings determine how a liquid tastes.

Knowing your own preferences and keeping notes helps you find the right flavour faster.

Test in a structured way and be patient instead of buying lots of flavours at once.

Anyone facing the huge range of vape flavours for the first time knows the feeling: hundreds of flavours, many brands and no clear idea where to start. A bad buy costs money and spoils the enjoyment. If you go about it systematically, you will find your favourite flavour faster. This guide shows you which criteria matter, how to identify your own preferences and which typical mistakes to avoid.

Key criteria for choosing vape flavours

PG and VG: the basis of every liquid

Before looking at flavours, it is worth checking the ratio of propylene glycol (PG) to vegetable glycerine (VG). These two base liquids affect the amount of vapour and how intensely a flavour is perceived. PG carries flavour more strongly, VG produces more vapour and a smoother feel. If you like an intense flavour, go for a higher PG share. If you prefer big clouds and a softer feel, choose more VG.

A typical liquid for pod systems is 50/50, while sub-ohm vapers often prefer 70/30 VG/PG. This directly affects how a fruit or menthol flavour comes across on the tongue.

Criterion	PG-heavy	VG-heavy
Flavour intensity	High	Medium to low
Vapour volume	Low	High
Mouthfeel	Strong	Smooth
Device type	Pods, MTL tanks	Sub-ohm tanks

Choosing nicotine strength deliberately

Nicotine content is another key criterion. Common levels range from 0 mg through 3, 6 and 12 mg up to 20 mg per millilitre. At the same strength, nicotine salt liquids often feel smoother on the throat and are therefore mainly used in pod systems. Important: nicotine is addictive. If you do not smoke or vape, do not start. And nicotine-free liquids are not risk-free either, as flavourings and base liquids are inhaled too.

Read more about quality and ingredients in the article Vape liquids: quality, effects and trends. General advice on batteries, storage and risks can be found in Vape safety: understanding the risks.

Quality of the flavourings

Not every liquid that promises "strawberry" actually tastes like strawberry. Basic products often taste overly sweet or artificial, while quality liquids use more balanced flavour blends. Look for brands with clear ingredient lists and read other customers' reviews carefully.

Checklist for choosing a liquid:

Choose a PG/VG ratio that suits your device
Set your nicotine strength deliberately
Take known intolerances to ingredients into account
Match vapour volume and flavour intensity
Only buy products with clear labelling

Tip: Start with a 50/50 liquid if you are not sure yet. It gives you a good middle ground between flavour and vapour.

Identifying your own taste preferences

The main flavour categories

Vape flavours can roughly be divided into five categories:

Fruit: fresh, sweet notes such as watermelon, mango, berries or citrus.
Menthol and mint: cool and fresh, often combined with fruit ("Ice").
Dessert: vanilla, caramel, pastry or ice cream for a creamy taste experience.
Drinks: coffee, cola, lemonade or cocktail flavours.
Tobacco: for anyone who likes a robust, tobacco-like taste.

You will find an overview of popular flavours in the articles Popular vape flavours and Discovering different vape flavours. They are a guide, but should not have the final say.

Time of day, mood and habits

Context is an often underestimated factor. Many people like a fresh menthol flavour in the morning, something fruity in the afternoon and a warmer dessert or tobacco flavour in the evening. Also note any intolerances. The flavouring diacetyl, formerly used in butter flavours, is suspected of irritating the airways. Reputable manufacturers avoid it, but checking the label is still worthwhile.

Flavour category	Examples	Typical time of day
Fruit	Mango, berry, citrus	Afternoon
Menthol/mint	Ice mint, Cool Mint	Morning, summer
Dessert	Vanilla, caramel	Evening
Drinks	Coffee, cola	Flexible
Tobacco	Virginia, Burley	All day

Keeping tasting notes

Record each liquid you test in a simple table or on your phone: brand, flavour, PG/VG, nicotine strength and your rating from 1 to 10. After five to ten entries you will see patterns: do you prefer sweet or fresh notes? Little vapour with lots of flavour, or the other way round? These notes are worth more than any recommendation list.

Step by step to the right flavour

Pick a flavour category: first decide on a main category, for example fruit.
Read reviews: ratings on product pages help you get your bearings. Look for opinions from people with similar tastes.
Choose small quantities: 10 ml bottles or single pods are ideal for avoiding bad buys. The article Switching vape flavours explains how to make a change.
Test a flavour properly: give a liquid two to three days before judging. First impressions are often misleading.
Note your impressions: record how your opinion changes over the days.
Vary step by step: once you have found a base flavour, try variations, for example from mango to mango ice.

Tip: If you vape nicotine-free, pay particular attention to flavour quality: without nicotine there is no typical throat hit, so the taste matters even more.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Trying flavours too quickly

The most common mistake is so-called "flavour chasing": buying many liquids at once and trying everything in a short time. The result is an overwhelmed sense of taste. This temporary dulling is often called "vaper's tongue". A break, enough water and one or two flavours per week help.

Blindly trusting reviews

Taste is subjective. What is the "perfect strawberry" for others may be too sweet for you. Use reviews as a guide and combine them with your own tests.

Typical mistakes at a glance:

Buying too many liquids at the same time
Ignoring intolerances to ingredients
Choosing a nicotine strength that does not suit your device and habits
Mixing liquids yourself without know-how
Buying cheap products without clear labelling

Be careful when mixing

If you create your own combinations, you should know which liquids go together. If in doubt, use ready-made products with clear labelling.

Our view: enjoyment over overload

New flavours and combinations appear every month. Chasing every trend makes it easy to lose track. Our experience: the most satisfied people usually know their favourite flavour and enjoy it consciously. One liquid you really like is worth more than twenty flavours that are "quite okay".

Find your flavour at Snustrend

At Snustrend you will find liquids, pod systems and disposable vapes in many flavour categories, from fruity to fresh to tobacco-like. Filters let you search by nicotine strength, flavour and brand. A note on prices: in Switzerland, a tax on e-cigarettes has applied since 1 October 2024, more in the article Vape tax in Switzerland.

Frequently asked questions

How do fruit, menthol and tobacco flavours differ in vapes?

Fruit flavours offer fresh and sweet notes, menthol provides coolness and freshness, and tobacco flavours are reminiscent of a robust, tobacco-like taste. Which direction suits you depends entirely on your preferences.

What should I bear in mind when mixing vape flavours?

Only mix compatible liquids in small quantities and test with a small amount first. If in doubt, rely on ready-made products with clear labelling.

Are nicotine-free vape flavours risk-free?

No. Even without nicotine, flavourings and base liquids are inhaled, and possible long-term effects are still being researched. In Switzerland, even nicotine-free e-cigarettes may only be sold to people aged 18 and over.