High-VG vs. High-PG E-Liquids: What’s the Difference and Which Should You Choose?

When it comes to e-liquids, most vaping enthusiasts care about flavor and nicotine content, overlooking two less talked about but equally important ingredients: PG and VG. If you’re starting out as a vaper, you may not know what they are, what “high PG” and “high VG” mean, or the difference is between them. But as you gain experience, these terms usually become a regular part of your vaping vocabulary. In this blog, we’ll delve into all the interesting details about PG and VG you might want to know about, as well as the differences between them.

What Are VG and PG in E-Liquids?

VG is vegetable glycerine, and PG is propylene glycol. VG has a sweet flavor to it and a thicker consistency than PG. PG is a thin, odorless, and flavorless liquid. Both PG and VG are the main ingredients in your vape’s e-liquid or e-juice. Their quantity and composition in the e-liquid determine the strength of the throat hit, carry the flavor, and create vapor. 

What Does “High VG” vs. “High PG” Mean?

The terms “high VG” and “high PG” denote the ratio of VG to PG in an e-liquid. If a vape e-liquid is marked “high VG,” it means it has more VG than PG. For example, many e-liquids have a 60 VG/40 PG ratio. A high PG ratio means the e-liquid contains more PG than VG, and similarly for VG. E-liquids can even have pure VG or PG. 

Pros and Cons of High VG

There are pros and cons of using a high-VG e-liquid. Some common advantages of using a high-VG e-liquid include the following.

• Better vapor production:High-VG e-liquid produces more vapor and creates large, dense clouds. 
• Sweet flavor pairings: High-VG vape juices are naturally sweet on their own, so they complement dessert flavors, such as custard, better than PG.
• Smoother throat hit: Being sweeter also makes high-VG juices give vapers less of a throat hit compared to PG. This is better for direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping.

There are also a few drawbacks to using a high-VG e-liquid, depending on user preference.

• Lower nicotine strength: High-VG e-liquids usually have lower nicotine levels, usually capped at 6 mg. That’s because VG liquids are heated at a higher temperature to produce more clouds, which can be too intense and harsh with high nicotine levels.
• Less intense throat hits: Since high-VG vape juices produce denser clouds faster, the throat hits they deliver are typically less harsh, leading to a milder vaping experience. 
• Coil gunk: Because VG is thick, the higher its content, the more the e-liquid is caramelized. The result is residue on the vape’s coil, which can cause it to break sooner and lead to less flavor, a burnt taste, and smaller clouds.

Pros and Cons of High PG

Using a high-PG e-liquid has its share of pros and cons, too. Here are some of the benefits.

• More intense throat hits: High-PG vape juices are thinner than VG, draw moisture out of the throat due to their chemical properties, carry flavor better, and produce less substantial clouds. Therefore, they deliver stronger throat hits.
• Smoking-like sensation: Since high-PG e-liquids carry flavor better and offer harsher throat hits, they mimic the sensation of smoking a cigarette, which ex-smokers or people quitting smoking often like. 
• Discreet vaping: High-PG vape juices produce fewer clouds, making them ideal for those who don’t want to draw too much attention. 
• Varied nicotine strengths: High-PG e-liquids come in low to high nicotine strengths, allowing a more personalized vaping experience. 

And here are some common disadvantages of using high-PG e-liquid.

• Less cloud production: High-PG vape juices produce smaller, less dense clouds. If you’re a cloud chaser, you’re better off with a high-VG e-liquid.
• Dryness and irritation: More PG can lead to harsher throat hits, a sore throat, and a dry mouth. Some users also cough or even have an allergic reaction.
• Formaldehyde formation: When overheated, PG not only tastes burnt, but can also break down into dangerous chemicals.

Side-By-Side Comparison: High-VG vs. High-PG E-Liquids

If you’re new to vaping or confused about high-VG vs. high-PG e-liquids, here’s a detailed comparison and overview:

Which Is Better for You?

Which type of e-liquid, high VG or high PG, is better suited for you depends on your vaping experience, your vaping likes and dislikes, and what kind of experience you’re looking for. You might find it helpful to make a decision based on the following factors.

Choose High VG If:

• You enjoy big vapor clouds
• You prefer smooth inhales
• You use a sub-ohm vape mod
• You vape low nicotine 

Choose High PG If: 

• You want a strong throat hit
• You use nicotine salts or higher nic
• You're using a pod system or an MTL device
• You're a recent ex-smoker 

Device Compatibility and Coil Matching

Keep in mind that you can’t choose between high-PG or high VG e-liquids before selecting your vaping device or pod kit first. The wattage and coil your device uses play a significant role in determining which e-liquid is better suited to you.

High VG

For high-VG e-liquids, you need coils with larger wicking holes because the wick takes time to absorb high-VG e-liquids because of their higher density. The high viscosity of VG also makes coils more susceptible to collecting residue, potentially making them fail sooner. Since the wick takes time to soak up high-VG e-liquids, you need a device with high wattage. 

High PG

High-PG e-liquids are best suited for use with high-resistance coils and MTL vapes. Using a high-PG e-liquid with a DTL device can lead to faster coil burnout. Since high-PG vape juices vaporize at lower temperatures, they require vaping devices with low wattage for an enjoyable experience.

Nicotine Strength Considerations for High VG and High PG 

Nicotine is an important ingredient in many e-liquids. The VG/PG ratio in e-liquid determines how well the flavor masks the nicotine and delivers a satisfying hit. 

High PG

High-PG e-liquids often have high nicotine strengths. They also work best with nicotine salts. As a result, high-PG e-liquids can provide more intense throat hits.

High VG

High-VG e-liquids have low nicotine strengths. Because of this, they deliver a mild throat hit. However, they offer better cloud production.

Final Thoughts 

VG and PG are two of the main ingredients in e-liquids. That’s why these ingredients are a key part of your vaping experience. The VG/PG ratio plays a big role in cloud production, throat hit intensity, and flavor consistency. If you’re a newbie, you can purchase a 50:50 VG/PG ratio with a beginner vape kit. However, if you know what you like in your vaping experience, you can select between high-VG vs. high-PG e-liquids and pair them with a compatible device. If you want to explore your options in high-PG or high-VG e-liquids and appropriate vape devices, browse top-of-the-line products at PerfectVape.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I mix VG and PG myself?

It’s not recommended for beginners because the ratio and the consistency can make or break your vaping experience. However, if you have some experience and use proper ingredients and tools in a well-ventilated environment, you can safely mix VG and PG yourself.

Is high VG or high PG better for beginners?

High VG is better for beginners because it produces a better cloud, offers less intense nicotine hits, and provides a smoother inhale. However, if you’re a beginner who recently quit smoking and is looking for an alternative, you should go for high-PG e-liquids since they imitate the experience of smoking. You can also choose a 50:50 VG/PG ratio if you’re not sure, since it’s a balanced option.

Can I use high-VG juice in my pod system?

You can do this only if you use a sub-ohm vape mod with high wattage and larger wicking holes, because otherwise the liquid will burn and clog the coil. 

Does VG or PG affect coil life more?

Both VG and PG can affect coil life in different ways. Since VG is thicker, the wick takes longer to absorb it, which can lead to coil blockage. VG is better for sub-ohm DTL vapes. PG is thinner, so it’s better suited to MTL devices and higher-resistance coils. Using a DTL device with high-PG vape juice burns the wick, causing the coil to burn too.

Is PG or VG better for flavor?

PG is a more efficient flavor carrier because of its lower density. But VG e-liquids often come in a wider variety of flavors because they complement sweeter flavors well. 

What VG/PG ratio is best for nic salts? 

E-liquids with a 50:50 VG/PG ratio work best for nicotine salts because they’re compatible with most pod systems, including MTL devices. This mix also provides a balanced experience, because it’s a good combination of flavor, throat hit, and vapor.