Over the past few years, the UK vaping landscape has evolved rapidly not just in terms of technology, but also in how vapers approach e-liquid preferences. Among the most popular trends to emerge is the growing demand for shortfill vape liquids larger bottles of flavoured e-liquid that leave room for nicotine shots (or “nic shots”).
Whether you’re transitioning from traditional 10ml nic salt bottles or simply exploring new options, understanding what shortfills are and how to use them properly can make your vaping experience smoother, safer, and far more enjoyable.
This guide unpacks everything you need to know about shortfill e-liquids: their legal background, how to use them, and what flavours UK vapers love most.
What Are Shortfill E-Liquids?
A shortfill e-liquid is a large bottle of nicotine-free vape juice that has extra space for adding a nicotine shot. Typically sold in 50ml or 100ml bottles, a shortfill will be “short filled” meaning it doesn’t come completely full, leaving room to mix in a 10ml nic shot to suit your desired nicotine strength.
The concept was introduced to work around the EU’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), which limits the sale of nicotine-containing e-liquids to 10ml bottles. By selling larger bottles without nicotine, manufacturers can still offer greater volume, and users can customise nicotine levels as they see fit.
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How Do You Use a Shortfill?
Using a shortfill bottle is easier than it sounds. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:
- Choose Your Nic Shot:
Most nic shots are 10ml bottles containing 18mg of freebase nicotine or nic salts. They’re flavourless and designed to mix seamlessly with your shortfill. - Add the Nic Shot to the Shortfill Bottle:
For a 50ml shortfill bottle, adding one 10ml 18mg nic shot results in approximately 60ml of 3mg e-liquid. For a 100ml shortfill, you’ll need two nic shots to achieve the same strength. - Shake Thoroughly:
Once you’ve added your nic shot(s), secure the cap and shake vigorously for at least 30 seconds. This ensures the nicotine is evenly mixed with the base liquid. - Let It Steep (Optional):
Some vapers prefer to let the mixed e-liquid sit for 24 hours to help the flavours fully blend with the nicotine, although this isn’t always necessary especially for fruity blends.
Why Are Shortfills So Popular in the UK?
There are several reasons why shortfill e-liquids have become a staple among UK vapers:
1. Value for Money
Shortfills are far more economical per ml than buying multiple 10ml bottles. For regular vapers, this can result in substantial savings over time.
2. Reduced Plastic Waste
Buying larger bottles means less packaging and fewer discarded 10ml bottles, an eco-friendlier choice that appeals to environmentally conscious users.
3. Custom Nicotine Strength
Not everyone wants a standard 10mg or 20mg strength. With shortfills, users have greater flexibility to fine-tune their nicotine levels or even vape zero-nicotine liquids.
4. Wide Flavour Variety
Shortfills are often where you’ll find the most creative and indulgent flavour profiles ranging from rich desserts to exotic fruit blends catered to more advanced palates.
What Types of Vapers Use Shortfills?
Shortfills are ideal for:
- Intermediate to advanced vapers who use sub-ohm or direct-to-lung (DTL) devices that consume more e-liquid.
- Ex-smokers who have reduced their nicotine intake and want more control.
- Flavour chasers who prefer large clouds and bold flavour profiles.
- Cost-conscious users looking to buy in bulk and save.
If you’re using a low-powered, mouth-to-lung pod kit, shortfills may not be ideal due to their typically high VG (vegetable glycerin) content, which is designed for higher-powered vape mods with larger coils.
Popular Shortfill Flavours in the UK
The UK market is known for its diversity in e-liquid flavours. Some of the most loved categories include:
- Fruits: Mango, raspberry, watermelon, and exotic blends dominate this space.
- Menthol/Ice: Cool, refreshing flavours often mixed with fruit.
- Desserts & Sweets: Vanilla custard, caramel, and doughnut-style flavours remain favourites for those with a sweet tooth.
- Drinks & Cocktails: Cola, lemonade, and mojito-themed juices offer a refreshing twist.
Retailers like Freesmo carry a wide selection of shortfills, catering to varied taste preferences while maintaining high manufacturing and TPD-compliance standards.
Things to Watch Out for When Buying Shortfills
1. TPD Compliance
Even though shortfills don’t contain nicotine by default, they must still adhere to safety regulations. Always ensure you’re buying from trusted UK suppliers who lab-test their e-liquids and meet TPD requirements.
2. VG/PG Ratios
Shortfills typically have a 70VG/30PG ratio, ideal for sub-ohm vaping. However, if you’re using a less powerful device, you may want to seek 50/50 blends to avoid coil issues.
3. Label Transparency
Look for brands that clearly state the flavour profile, VG/PG ratio, and mixing instructions. Poor labelling is a red flag for lower-quality liquids.
4. Steeping Time
Some complex flavours benefit from a few days of steeping after adding the nic shot, especially desserts or custards. Patience can improve your experience.
Shortfills, Big Benefits: Customise Your Vape Experience
Shortfill e-liquids offer the perfect balance of flexibility, flavour, and economy especially for seasoned vapers or those making the next step in their vaping journey. With the ability to customise nicotine strength and explore a broad flavour spectrum, shortfills empower users to fine-tune their experience while enjoying premium-quality vape juice.
That said, they do require a small learning curve. By understanding how to use them effectively and choosing products from credible, UK-based retailers, you can make an informed decision and avoid common pitfalls.
If you’re ready to explore a curated range of compliant, high-quality options, check out Freesmo’s Shortfill E-Liquid collection for everything from fruity favourites to indulgent dessert flavours—backed by expertise, safety, and satisfaction.
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