Best brand of e-liquid in the UK – 2026 Guide

Jakub Olszewski
 

As of February 2026 the best e-liquid available in the UK is Ultimate Nerd Salts. These e-liquids have proven massively popular with customers, selling a whopping 21,049 bottles since the start of the year. Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, pointing out Nerd Salts offer “Excellent flavour” and “Great Value”.

But these liquids form just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fantastic e-liquid options. Other popular brands with similar performance include: Bar Juice 5000, Elfliq, Elux Legend and Ultimate V2.

Let’s go over each of these brands in detail so you can get a better idea as to why these e-liquid brands are the best in the UK. Additionally I will share with you what makes each of these brands stand out so you can find the best option for you.

At a glance: best e-liquid brands in the UK (2026)

A quick comparison of type, strengths, VG/PG and flavour range, based on the details covered below.

Brand
Type
Strength options
VG/PG
Flavour range
Nic salt
5mg, 10mg, 20mg
50% VG / 50% PG
51 flavours
Nic salt
5mg, 10mg, 20mg
50% VG / 50% PG
40 flavours
Nic salt
5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg
50% VG / 50% PG
52 flavours
Nic salt
5mg, 10mg, 20mg
50% VG / 50% PG
50 flavours
Freebase
0mg, 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, 18mg
50% VG / 50% PG
42 flavours

Ultimate Nerd Salts

Nic Salt • 50/50 • 5mg/10mg/20mg

The primary and by far the most popular choice in the ‘Ultimate’ range, Nerd Salts have garnered a loyal customer base that deem these to be the best e-liquids. To understand why this is, let’s first look at where these liquids are produced.

Made locally in Manchester, Ultimate Nerd Salts are well and truly a British brand, being produced to British quality standards. Each bottle must adhere to OLC’s (the producer of these liquids) strict quality guidelines which ensures consistency from each unit to the next.

Nerd Salts as the name suggests are nic salt e-liquids which produce a smooth vape even at higher strengths. Speaking of strengths, Nerd Salts come in a range of three options (5mg, 10mg and 20mg) which is enough to cover most preferences.

In terms of flavour, customers are spoiled for choice, with 51 unique flavour options. All variants use a 50% VG/50% PG ratio designed to work best with MTL devices. Nerd Salts are best paired with devices like the Oxva Xlim Pro 3 for optimal performance.

Flavour Profile and Performance

I will taste test a few of the most popular flavours across each range and give you an understanding of the flavour profile and how they perform when vaped. For the purposes of these tests I will be using a Vaporesso Xros 5 kit, which should give all brands the best chance to shine.

Ultimate Nerd Salts Blue Sour Raspberry Ice e-liquid bottle

First up, by far the best seller in this range: ‘Blue Sour Raspberry Ice’. Up front you get a tart hit of raspberry that does give you a hit of that ‘sour’ flavour. The aftertaste gives you a sweet and layered berry flavour that contrasts nicely with the initial sourness. You also get a cooling hit of icy menthol making this liquid rather refreshing.

Ultimate Nerd Salts Cherry Cola e-liquid bottle

Next we will be trying another fan favourite ‘Cherry Cola’. This flavour should stand as an example of how ‘cola’ flavours should be executed. Up front you get that sweet cola flavour which doesn’t taste weird and artificial like some other brands. On the exhale you get to taste that crisp cherry flavour adding another layer of depth that’s quite moreish.

Ultimate Nerd Salts Watermelon Ice e-liquid bottle

Finally let’s try the third most popular flavour ‘Watermelon Ice’. Straight away you get hit with a clean watermelon flavour that’s sweet and simple. It’s quite a strong flavour, reminiscent of watermelon sweets. Another, perhaps odd thing to note: it smells really nice. I’ve noticed it myself and had people around me comment on the tasty smell emanating while I fill my vape with this liquid.

When vaped Nerd Salts give off thick vapour despite their relatively low viscosity. Unlike a lot of other sweet nic salts, they don’t clog up your coils which extends the life of your pod/coil.

Elfliq Nic Salts

Nic Salt • 50/50 • 5mg/10mg/20mg

A close second for the best brand of e-liquid in 2026 are Elfliq Nic Salts by Elfbar. These juices have been making waves across the vape community since their launch in 2022. Backed by industry giants Elfbar, Elfliq liquids are designed to mimic the same flavours made popular by Elfbar disposables.

Elfliq e-liquids hail from China, destined for export, their flavours cater to the western palette, hence their broad expectance over here in the UK. Another reason these liquids are so popular is thanks to their superb quality, setting them apart from the competition.

Elfliq Nic Salts come in a range of 40 flavours and a choice between three nicotine strengths: (5mg, 10mg and 20mg). They have a VG/PG ratio of 50%/50%.

Flavour Profile and Performance

Elfliq Nic Salts Blueberry Sour Raspberry e-liquid bottle

Let’s go ahead and taste test some of the most popular flavours in the Elfliq range. Starting off with yet another ‘Blueberry Sour Raspberry’ (I’ve got a feeling this is going to become a trend). Up front you get that same tart Raspberry flavour, followed by a rich berry aftertaste that lingers on your tongue. Overall it’s less sweet than the Nerd Salts which could be preferable for some.

Elfliq Nic Salts Blue Razz Lemonade e-liquid bottle

Next up we’re trying Elfliq ‘Blue Razz Lemonade’. Immediately you get the same sort of sour notes as the blueberry sour raspberry but this time stronger and more lemon focused. On the exhale you get to taste the blueberry together with the lemon which makes for a great combination.

Elfliq Nic Salts Spearmint e-liquid bottle

Finally we’ll try out the ‘Spearmint’ flavour. Up front you get hit with a wave of coolness that puts your mouth straight into the Arctic. This is followed by a beautiful minty flavour that’s mellowed out by the sweetness.

These liquids perform well with pod kits like the Xros 5 I tested it with. Elfliq is easy on pods, not causing premature burnout and doesn’t tend to discolour as easily when left for prolonged periods of time.

Bar Juice 5000 Nic Salts

Nic Salt • 50/50 • 5mg/10mg/15mg/20mg

In third place we have Bar Juice. This liquid is somewhat of a pioneer for the ‘bar salt’ e-liquid type that look to re-imagine popular disposable ‘bar’ flavours into a refillable format. Bar salts are known for their sweet fruity flavours that vape well at high nicotine strengths.

Bar Juice 5000 are another UK based e-liquid company that produce their liquids locally. They have maintained a high standard of production since 2022 which has set them apart from the competition.

Bar Juice 5000 comes in a range of 52 flavours and a choice of four nicotine strengths: (5mg, 10mg, 15mg and 20mg). They have a VG/PG ratio of 50%/50%.

Flavour Profile and Performance

Bar Juice 5000 Strawberry Cherry Raspberry e-liquid bottle

Starting off with a very popular Bar Juice 5000 flavour ‘Strawberry Cherry Raspberry’. Up front you get a rich hit of mixed fruits, though it’s hard to pick out distinctive flavours. On the exhale this liquid is quite cherry focused and leaves a pleasant aftertaste. Overall I think this is a lovely e-liquid that really isn’t too sweet like I would have expected.

Bar Juice 5000 Gummy Bear e-liquid bottle

Next up we have Bar Juice 5000 ‘Gummy Bear’. Another hugely popular flavour in this range, this liquid hits you with a wave of nostalgia thanks to that specific gummy flavour that’s hard to describe but will be immediately recognisable for anyone who’s had it before. I personally quite like this flavour but for some it could be a tad too sweet.

Bar Juice 5000 Blueberry Cherry Cranberry e-liquid bottle

Finally let’s try the ‘Blueberry Cherry Cranberry’. First you get hit with a lovely tart berry flavour with well-balanced sweetness. It’s a lot less cherry forward compared to the ‘Strawberry Cherry Raspberry’ and it puts more emphasis on the cranberry flavour. Overall a pleasant flavour that I could see myself vaping all day.

Bar Juice 5000 liquids perform well in pod kits. Like those previously tested they tend to be easy on coils/pods. I noticed the vapour production is quite substantial for a 50/50 liquid which can preferable for some.

Elux Legend Nic Salts

Nic Salt • 50/50 • 5mg/10mg/20mg

A Chinese brand that has cemented itself in the world of vaping, Elux are no rookies when it comes to the vaping industry, having established themselves as leaders of the disposable vape revolution in 2020. Their popular ‘Legend 3500’ disposable device introduced great flavours like ‘Tiger Blood’ which became beloved by many.

As a response to the popularity of other ‘bar salts’ Elux decided to make their own. Elux Legend Nic Salts as you might imagine sport the same flavours of their now banned disposable counterparts. A lot of people swear by these liquids so let’s determine exactly why.

Elux Legends come in a range of 50 flavours and three nicotine options: (5mg, 10mg and 20mg). They have a VG/PG ratio of 50%/50%.

Flavour Profile and Performance

Elux Legend Nic Salts Blueberry Sour Raspberry e-liquid bottle

First let’s try Elux Legends ‘Blueberry Sour Raspberry’. The most popular flavour in this range, by a landslide. Despite this flavour cropping up time and time again across many e-liquid ranges I think it’s important to discuss how it was executed here. This might be the best blueberry sour raspberry flavour I have ever tried. The berry flavours are well mixed and it has the perfect ratio of tartness and sweetness which keeps it fresh when vaped throughout the day.

Elux Legend Nic Salts Lemon Lime e-liquid bottle

Next let’s give ‘Lemon & Lime’ a go. Up front you get a rich tangy hit of citrus that reminds me of ‘Sprite’ or ‘7-Up’. The aftertaste is very lemon forward, and the sweetness is there but it’s a lot less prominent than other flavours Ive tried in this range.

Elux Legend Nic Salts Mr Blue e-liquid bottle

Lastly let’s test the mysteriously named ‘Mr Blue’. This flavour should taste familiar to you if you’ve ever had a blue slush drink, it’s that same sort of vaguely artificial berry flavour. I don’t mind this liquid although it’s certainly not my favourite.

Elux Legend nic salts perform well, I never had any issues with my pods burning out quickly even with the sweeter flavours. Vapour production is about what you’d expect from a 50/50 liquid.

Ultimate V2

Freebase • 0mg–18mg • 40+ flavours

Our first and only ‘freebase’ nicotine option in this list. Ultimate V2 have managed to stay relevant in a sea of nicotine salt e-liquids thanks to their superb quality and variety of options available.

For those who don’t know, the difference in ‘freebase’ and ‘nic salt’ liquids is in the way each incorporates nicotine. Freebase suspends pure nicotine directly into the e-liquid, giving it a harsher throat hit that’s akin to smoking. Nic salts on the other hand combine nicotine with a natural acid to neutralise the solution, making them smoother to vape even at higher strengths.

So for those who prefer this sort of harsher hit, Ultimate V2 are a great choice. Just like Nerd Salts, these liquids are made locally in Manchester and adhere to the same quality standards that sets those liquids apart. Ultimate V2 gives you over 40 flavours to choose from and nicotine strengths ranging from 0mg to 18mg.

Flavour Profile and Performance.

Ultimate V2 Virginia Tobacco e-liquid bottle

The most popular flavour in this range is ‘Virginia Tobacco’. Flavoured after classic American cigarettes like lucky strikes, it’s earthy and savoury. I must admit tobacco flavours don’t fall under my preference but for those who want a seamless transition away from smoking to vaping, this is about as close as it gets.

Ultimate V2 Double Menthol e-liquid bottle

Next up ‘Double Menthol’ or as I like to call it “brain freeze in a bottle”. If you want a powerful menthol flavour to vape on, look no further. The level of mint this liquid possesses is unmatched, with just a slight touch of sweetness to take the edge off.

Ultimate V2 Forest Fruits e-liquid bottle

Finally let’s have a look at ‘Forest Fruits’. Up front you get a rich hit of berry flavours that remind me of certain cordial flavours. On the exhale you get a distinct cranberry hit and not a whole lot of sweetness.

Summary

So there you have it, a list of the best e-liquids for 2026. I hope this guide can help you decide which one is right for you, and allow you to better understand the different kinds of e-liquids available on the market. If you still have further questions and want one of our expert team to assist you, please feel free to get in touch via our contact us form.

Author: Jakub Olszewski
Lead Content Writer

Hi, I'm Jakub, the lead content writer here at UK Vape Scene. I'm relatively new to the vaping industry, having joined the company in early 2023.

That being said, I've been a vaping enthusiast for much longer (around 7 years) which has allowed me to pick up a lot of expertise and product knowledge along the way.

Like so many others, vaping has helped me kick smoking — a nasty habit I picked up as a teenager. Currently, I'm using the Caliburn G4 Pro with our very own Ultimate Nerd Salts (Pineapple Ice is the best!)

Outside of work I enjoy going to the gym, playing PC games and DIY. At the moment I'm also getting into brewing mead, so who knows - maybe "UK Mead Scene" is coming soon?!

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