I've found it hard to judge. Because I mainly vape tobacco flavours I had really struggled to find a vapable nic salts one - I didn't like any of the ones I'd tried, but I suspect I wouldn't have liked the 'straight' version either. It's only now I've tried the Firewater nic salts juices that I've been able to compare (ish - it's still a pod against a regular RTA, so not a level field). In my favourite flavours the nic salts does still come through, but so does most of the flavour, so as I want the nic salts for a specific stealthy purpose, I'm happy. I still prefer the regular version for everyday, but the difference isn't enough to concern me.