50/50 vs 70/30 E-Liquid: Which Should You Choose?

If you are new to vaping, or even if you have been vaping for a while, you may have seen the numbers "50/50" or "70/30" written on e-liquid bottles. Maybe you scratched your head and wondered what these numbers actually mean. Don't worry, you are not alone. Many vapers ask this same question every day.

In this blog, we will break it down in a simple way. No hard words. No confusing science talk. Just plain and easy English, so you can understand what these ratios mean and pick the right e-liquid for you.

What Do 50/50 and 70/30 Actually Mean?

Every e-liquid is made up of two main liquids: PG (Propylene Glycol) and VG (Vegetable Glycerin). These two liquids are mixed together in different amounts, and that mix is what gives you the numbers on the bottle.

• 50/50 e-liquid means the bottle has 50% PG and 50% VG. Equal amounts of both.
• 70/30 e-liquid means the bottle has 70% VG and 30% PG. More VG than PG.

That's really it. The rest of this blog is just explaining what that mix actually does when you vape it.

What Does PG Do?

PG is a thin, watery liquid. It carries flavour really well, so e-liquids with more PG usually taste stronger and sharper. It also gives you that "throat hit" feeling, which many ex-smokers like because it feels a bit like smoking a real cigarette.

PG also flows easily, which is why it works well in small, simple vape devices.

What Does VG Do?

VG is thicker, almost like a light syrup. It is naturally a little sweet. VG is famous for making big, thick clouds of vapour. If you have ever seen someone blow out a huge cloud at a vape shop or vape meet, there's a good chance they were using an e-liquid with a lot of VG in it.

Because VG is thick, it needs a device that can handle thicker liquid. That's an important point we will come back to.

50/50 E-Liquid: The Balanced Choice

A 50/50 e-liquid gives you a balance of both worlds. You get a good throat hit from the PG, and a decent amount of vapour from the VG. It is not too thick, so it works well in simple, low-power devices like vape pens and pod kits.

Who Should Choose 50/50?

• New vapers who are just starting and want something simple.
• Ex-smokers who want a strong throat hit that feels close to smoking.
• People who use mouth to lung vaping, where you draw the vapour into your mouth first, then breathe it into your lungs, just like smoking a cigarette.
• Anyone using a starter vape kit or a small pod system, since these devices are built for thinner liquid.
• People who like nic salts, since nic salt e-liquids are almost always made in a 50/50 mix. Nic salts are smoother on the throat even at higher nicotine strengths, which is why so many ex-smokers use them.

If you are just switching from smoking to vaping, a 50/50 e-liquid paired with a good beginner kit is usually the easiest and most comfortable place to start.

70/30 E-Liquid: The Cloud Chaser's Choice

A 70/30 e-liquid has more VG, so it makes bigger clouds and feels smoother on the throat. It is sweeter and softer to inhale, but because it is thicker, it needs a more powerful device to work properly, something built for sub-ohm vaping or direct lung vaping, where you breathe the vapour straight into your lungs.

Who Should Choose 70/30?

• Experienced vapers who already know how to use bigger, more powerful devices.
• People who enjoy cloud chasing and like watching thick vapour clouds.
• Vapers using sub ohm tanks or box mods, since these devices are made to handle thicker e-liquid.
• People who prefer a direct lung vaping style rather than mouth to lung.
• Fans of shortfill e-liquids, since most shortfills are made with a higher VG mix, often 70/30 or even higher, to suit sub ohm devices.

If you have already been vaping for some time and you have moved on to a bigger device, a 70/30 e-liquid can give you a smoother, cloudier experience.

Throat Hit vs Cloud Production

Here is a simple way to remember the difference:

• More PG = stronger throat hit, thinner liquid, better for small devices.
• More VG = bigger clouds, smoother feel, needs a bigger device.

Think of it like a see-saw. As one side goes up, the other side goes down. A 50/50 e-liquid keeps the see-saw balanced. A 70/30 e-liquid tips it towards clouds and smoothness.

Here is a quick side-by-side look to make things even clearer:

Does the Device Matter?

Yes, and this is one of the most important points in this whole blog. The e-liquid you choose must match the device you are using.

• Small vape pens, pod kits, and starter kits work best with 50/50 e-liquid because it is thinner and flows easily through the small coil.
• Bigger sub ohm kits, box mods, and tanks with low-resistance coils work best with 70/30 e-liquid because these devices are built to handle thicker liquid and turn it into bigger clouds.

If you put a thick 70/30 e-liquid into a small pod device, it may not soak into the coil properly, and you could end up with a dry, burnt taste. On the other hand, if you use a thin 50/50 e-liquid in a big sub ohm tank, you might not get the thick clouds you were hoping for, and it can leak more easily.

This is why it always helps to check your device details, or ask a member of staff, before picking your e-liquid.

What About Flavour?

Some vapers say that PG carries flavour better, so 50/50 e-liquids can taste a bit sharper and truer to the flavour name on the bottle. VG is naturally a little sweet, so 70/30 e-liquids can taste smoother and slightly sweeter, even with the same flavour.

Neither one is "better" for flavour. It really comes down to personal taste. Some people love the sharp, clear taste of a 50/50 mix. Others prefer the soft, sweet feel of a 70/30 mix. The only way to know what you like is to try a few and see.

Can You Switch Between the Two?

Yes, absolutely. Many vapers actually use both. Some people vape a 50/50 nic salt e-liquid in a pod kit during the day for convenience, then switch to a 70/30 e-liquid in a sub-ohm kit at home for bigger clouds and a more relaxed vaping session. No rule says you have to stick to just one type.

Final Thoughts

So, 50/50 vs 70/30, which one should you choose? It really depends on three things: your device, your vaping style, and your personal taste.

• If you are new to vaping: want a strong throat hit, or use a small pod kit, go for 50/50 e-liquid.
• If you already have a sub-ohm device: enjoy big clouds, and prefer direct lung vaping, go for 70/30 e-liquid.

There is no wrong answer here. Vaping is about finding what feels right for you. If you are still not sure which one suits your setup, take a look at the full range of e-liquids and vape kits available at FogFathers, or get in touch with our friendly team. At FogFathers, we are always happy to help you find the perfect match for your device and your taste.