What are Poppers?

What are Poppers?

Welcome to the world of poppers. Whether you've heard the name floating around in queer nightlife or seen those little bottles on a friend's shelf and thought, "What exactly are those?", you've come to the right place.

Poppers have long been a part of LGBTQ+ culture, especially among gay men. In this guide we'll cover what they are, the different types and formulas, the brands worth knowing, the law, and where to buy well.

Want to know more? The History of Poppers might surprise you.

So, let's dive in.

What Are Poppers?

Poppers are the street name for a group of chemicals called alkyl nitrites, usually amyl nitrite or isopropyl nitrite. They're typically sold in small bottles and marketed as "room odorisers", "aromas" or "leather cleaners", and are not intended for human consumption. First developed in the 1800s and later a fixture of club culture, they remain one of the most recognisable names in the adult room-aroma market.

What Kinds of Poppers Are There?

There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to poppers. They're all alkyl nitrites, but the different formulas vary in grade, strength and the character of the aroma. The main types are:

Amyl Nitrite - the classic, and the smoothest, most refined grade. Often called the original or the "champagne of poppers", it's a common recommendation for newcomers. Browse amyl nitrite.

Pentyl Nitrite - a premium step up from amyl: still smooth and well-rounded, but a more potent grade. One of our most popular categories. Browse pentyl poppers.

Isopropyl Nitrite - a sharper, more chemical grade and a long-time club-scene staple. Rush and Jungle Juice are the classic names here.

Mixed and Butanol Blends - middle-ground formulas that sit between the smoothness of amyl and the sharpness of isopropyl.

Our Guide to Different Types of Poppers breaks them down in more detail.

Popular Poppers Brands

A handful of brands have become household names in the poppers world:

  • Liquid Gold - a British classic, around for decades and trusted for its consistency.
  • Rush - arguably the most recognised name globally, trusted since the 1970s.
  • Jungle Juice - one of the longest-standing and best-known names around.
  • Double Scorpio - a premium, precisely made brand known for its quality.
  • Amsterdam - widely available, including in smaller 10ml bottles ideal for newcomers.

New to Poppers?

If you're curious but cautious, you're not alone. Our Beginner's Guide to Poppers covers the different formulas and how to choose one.

Where to Buy Poppers?

If you're after a wider selection of quality brands at cheaper prices, then buying UK poppers online is the best option.

Two online stores we recommend are:

Best Poppers

As there are so many different brands on the market, knowing which poppers are best can be difficult to figure out. Every customer is different and has personal preferences, so reviews are a good way to gauge which products are the most popular. Quality is one of the most important things to look for.

Below we have curated a list of some of our best-selling poppers:

The Laws on Poppers

Poppers are legal to sell, but only as products not for human consumption. These products must not be sold to persons under the age of 18.

In fact, the UK government and the Home Office use the word 'poppers' when referring to this type of alkyl nitrite, and specifically isopropyl nitrite products, as seen in a letter to the ACMD confirming that the product is legal in the UK and not included in the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. To quote Karen Bradley MP: "Your assessment of the harms of 'poppers' including the latest formulation isopropyl nitrite, will no doubt inform the regulatory authorities responsible for the General Products Safety Regulations 2005."

We go into more detail in our Legal Status of Poppers in the UK guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are poppers made of?
They're alkyl nitrites, most commonly amyl, pentyl or isopropyl nitrite.

What's the difference between the formulas?
Mostly grade and aroma character: amyl is the smoothest, pentyl is a premium step up, and isopropyl is sharper. See our types of poppers guide.

Are poppers legal in the UK?
Yes, sold as room aromas and leather cleaners, not for human consumption, and not for sale to under-18s.

What size bottles do they come in?
Commonly 10ml, 24ml and 30ml. A 10ml is a low-cost way to try a formula before committing to a larger bottle.

How should I store them?
Cap on, somewhere cool and dark. See our safety page.

For independent information about poppers and health, see Talk to Frank.

Safety Information

Our poppers are aromas or room odourisers only and are not for direct inhalation! This product is sometimes used as a leather cleaner also and in such cases should be used for the treatment of leather products only and end use is as leather cleaner only, not for direct inhalation!

All our poppers style aromas are UK legal Alkyl Nitrites sold in the correct child-proof and tamper-evident bottles. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES.

Contains Alkyl Nitrites Flammable. Do not use near fire or flame Eye irritants. For eye contact flush with water. Harmful if swallowed, if swallowed call emergency services. Avoid contact with skin. Do not inhale contents directly from the bottle.

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