Best Shortfill E-Liquids UK 2026

Shortfill e-liquids are the format of choice for sub-ohm vapers — those who use higher-powered box mods or mesh coil kits to produce bigger clouds and more intense flavour. Unlike the 10ml nic salts used in pod kits, shortfills come in 50ml and 100ml bottles, are nicotine-free by law, and are designed for you to add your own nicotine shot to reach your preferred strength.

If you've just upgraded from a starter pod kit to a proper sub-ohm setup, or you're a seasoned cloud chaser looking to refresh your flavour rotation, this guide has you covered. Here are our top 10 best shortfill picks for 2026, plus everything you need to know about choosing and using them.

What to Look for in a Shortfill

Before you buy, three things matter most in a shortfill e-liquid:

VG Content

Shortfills typically run from 70VG/30PG up to Max VG (virtually no PG). Higher VG content means thicker liquid, bigger clouds, and a smoother throat hit — but requires a powerful enough device to heat the thicker consistency properly. Most sub-ohm kits work well with 70/30 or 80/20. Max VG is really for advanced rebuildable setups.

Flavour Quality

Because you're vaping a larger volume over multiple sessions, flavour depth and longevity matter more with shortfills than with 10ml nic salts. Look for brands known for consistent, complex flavour that doesn't become monotonous after the first day.

Value for Money

Shortfills cost more upfront than a 10ml bottle, but the cost per ml is significantly lower. A 50ml shortfill + nic shot gives you 60ml for the price of what would otherwise be six 10ml bottles. For regular sub-ohm vapers, shortfills represent a substantial saving over time.

Best Shortfill E-Liquids 2026 — Our Top 10

Name	Size	VG/PG	Flavour	Verdict
Dinner Lady — Lemon Tart	50ml	70/30	Buttery pastry, sharp lemon curd	All-time UK classic. A must-try for any sub-ohm vaper.
Nasty Juice — Trap Queen	50ml	70/30	Peach, raspberry	Complex tropical fruit, excellent cloud production.
Pukka Juice — Doughnut	50ml	70/30	Fried doughnut, sugar dusting	Best bakery shortfill for all-day vaping without fatigue.
IVG — Custard Tobacco	50ml	70/30	Vanilla custard, gentle tobacco	Bridge between tobacco and dessert. Deeply satisfying.
Dinner Lady — Apple Pie	50ml	70/30	Spiced apple, shortcrust pastry	Autumn in a bottle. Outstanding layered flavour.
Nasty Juice — Vanilla Custard	60ml	75/25	Thick vanilla custard	Benchmark custard shortfill. Smooth, creamy, consistent.
Pukka Juice — Mango Pineapple	50ml	70/30	Sweet mango, sharp pineapple	Best tropical fruit shortfill for sub-ohm setups.
IVG — Heisenberg	50ml	70/30	Berry, menthol, aniseed	Cult UK shortfill. Divisive but uniquely addictive.
Dinner Lady — Strawberry Macaroon	50ml	70/30	Strawberry jam, almond biscuit	Elegant dessert-fruit crossover with real sophistication.
Nasty Juice — Wicked Haze	50ml	70/30	Grape, passion fruit, candy	Complex candy-fruit shortfill. Great for cloud chasers.

50ml vs 100ml Shortfills — Which to Choose?

Shortfills come in two standard sizes, and the right one depends on how much you vape and how confident you are in the flavour.

50ml Shortfills

A 50ml shortfill bottle is filled to 50ml, with space for one 10ml nic shot. After adding the shot, you have 60ml of e-liquid at approximately 3mg/ml (using a standard 18mg/ml nicotine shot). This is the most popular size — it's a good commitment without going overboard on a new flavour.

100ml Shortfills

A 100ml shortfill is filled to 80ml, leaving room for two 10ml nic shots. After mixing, you have 100ml at approximately 3–4mg/ml. These bottles offer the best value per ml and are ideal if you've found a flavour you love and vape regularly throughout the day. Don't buy 100ml of an untested flavour — try a 50ml first.

Size	Liquid in Bottle	Nic Shots Needed	Total After Mixing	Best For
50ml Shortfill	50ml	1 × 10ml	60ml	Trying new flavours, regular vaping
100ml Shortfill	80ml	2 × 10ml	100ml	Known favourites, heavy vapers, best value

How to Add a Nic Shot to a Shortfill

Adding a nic shot is straightforward, but there's a right way to do it to ensure proper mixing and consistent flavour.

1. Check your bottle — confirm the shortfill is 50ml or 100ml and note how much space is left in the bottle. A 50ml shortfill should have roughly 10ml of air space; a 100ml shortfill around 20ml.
2. Open the shortfill nozzle — most shortfills have a child-resistant cap with a nozzle insert. Remove the cap and the nozzle plug.
3. Add your nic shot — squeeze the 10ml nic shot bottle directly into the shortfill. For 100ml shortfills, add two shots.
4. Replace the cap — secure the lid tightly.
5. Shake for 30–60 seconds — shake the bottle vigorously to ensure the nicotine and base liquid are thoroughly blended.
6. Leave to steep (optional) — for complex flavours like custards and desserts, leaving the mixed bottle for 24–48 hours allows the flavour molecules to fully combine. You can vape immediately, but steeping often improves the depth of flavour.
7. Fill your tank — you're ready to vape.

Frequently Asked Questions

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