As a fan of discovery sets, I’ve noticed that pretty much all samples that come in spray vials fall under one of these two types, pictured above. One has a hard edge on the part you press and a gap between the nozzle piece and the part that seals the vial. The other looks and feels a bit rounder and has a nozzle piece that presses directly into the part that (usually barely) seals the vial.
I’ve found the latter much easier to use. The mist tends to be more predictable, the nozzle far less likely to get stuck or clogged, and the whole sample far more likely to get used up. For some reason, vials paired with the former type of spray pump also tend to have thinner and shorter straws that don’t reach the bottom of the vial, and a visible amount of liquid is left after you’ve exhausted your sprays. One could argue that the purpose of a sample vial is to provide enough to try so that you can decide if you want to buy a larger size or not, rather than to enable you to use every last drop, but it seems a bit silly to me.
Do you have opinions on this? Or do you prefer dabber vials instead of sprays?
Happy sampling, whichever way!
Nose Prose 
I am a minority: I prefer dabbed samples.
I rarely wear perfumes from samples, and I don’t like most perfumes I test. So, it is much safer to apply a controlled small amount to the designated spot on my wrist from a dab vial. If I like a perfume and am considering buying it, I would transfer the remaining portion into a spray vial to wear it.
LikeLike
You are one of the most disciplined perfume testers that I know! 🙂
LikeLike
You’ve put my thoughts into elegant words. Often it feels like samples are given the super-cheap treatment. Part of the reason they can be so frustrating and unsatisfying to use.
LikeLike
Agree… although I haven’t seen a reliable correlation between the prestige of a brand and the quality of the sample packaging including the vials, either.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like a spray sample but have never noticed a difference in the spritzers.
There is one house whose travel & sample sprays drive me insane! The straw vacuums itself to the bottom of the vial & all I get is a dribble down the side of the outside of the vial & my fingers & hand.
Annoying to say the least if you’ve paid between £40 & £60 for a travel spray
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds defective! Did you try getting a replacement or your money back? I do like when the straw is at the edge so it doesn’t leave liquid behind that it can’t reach, but this sounds like it went wrong.
LikeLike
Didn’t happen immediately but after I’d used them a few times. I’ve tried hot water to try to unscrew the tops.
I have a Travelo so will have to try to transfer the travel spray into that. The samples may have to be written off
LikeLike
Samples shouldn’t have to be so much work. Hope the travel spray can be rescued!
LikeLike
It’s been over a year & hot water, players & DH have all failed. I will try the Travelo & report
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you, Nose Prose. The type on the right is less likely to be problematic, and the straw usually goes to the bottom of the vile. I usually prefer spray samples, and If I get a non-spray type sample, I will put the perfume into one of these type spray vial, which are readily available online.
LikeLike
Well, you’re more dedicated than me in that regard! It’s probably a more accurate experience of the perfume when it’s meant to be sprayed.
LikeLike
To put it simply, I hate dabbing. 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m the same as you, prefer the one on the right side of your photo. It just seems to work better/be more consistent.
LikeLike
I wonder if their costs are much different.
LikeLiked by 1 person