Many people prefer CBD capsules over oils. Capsules are easy to use, tasteless, portable, provide exact doses, and tend to have longer-lasting effects than CBD oil tinctures.
It should be noted that CBD capsules are often sold as softgels, which means they have a soft shell that’s usually made of gelatin. Although softgels contain CBD in a liquid form whereas capsules have solid, dry ingredients, there isn’t much difference between them and the two terms are used interchangeably.
But with so many CBD capsule products available, how do you find the best one for yourself? That’s why we did the research and compared dozens of brands. Read on to see our recommendations for the best CBD capsules, broken down by convenient categories.
Our Score | 84 /100Read Review | 71 /100Read Review | 90 /100Read Review | 90 /100Read Review | 83 /100Read Review | 81 /100Read Review | 85 /100Read Review | 78 /100Read Review |
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CBD Concentration | 15 mg - 600 mg | 200 mg - 3000 mg | 100 mg - 1500 mg | 200 mg - 6000 mg | 500 mg - 5000 mg | 350 mg - 1500 mg | 50 mg - 1500 mg | 100 mg - 7500 mg |
Price Range | $6.99 - $174.99 | $24.99 - $199.99 | $7 - $134.95 | $12 - $2400 | $35 - $240 | $39.99 - $119.99 | $11.95 - $145.95 | $9.99 - $339.99 |
Price Per Mg CBD | $0.09 - $0.21 | $0.06 - $0.19 | $0.12 - $0.28 | $0.03 - $0.06 | $0.07 - $0.04 | $0.08 - $0.14 | $0.06 - $0.2 | $0.04 - $0.1 |
THC Concentration | < 0.3% | < 0.3% | < 0.3% | < 0.3% | < 0.30% | < 0.29% | < 0.3% | < 0.3% |
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CBD capsules and softgels buying guide – Learn all about the benefits of CBD capsules
Our Editor’s Pick goes to the CBD gel capsules from CBDfx. Made by one of America’s most popular CBD brands, these high-quality softgels provide everything you need.
Each capsule contains a 25 mg dose of CBD, a potency high enough to meet the needs of new users and those who prefer higher dosages. They’re made with full-spectrum hemp extract dissolved in MCT oil inside a gelatin shell: a simple yet effective formula.
Like all of CBDfx’s products, these capsules are sourced from organic, non-GMO hemp plants cultivated in Kentucky and extracted with the industry-leading supercritical CO2 method. The capsules also undergo third-party testing for potency, pesticides, and other contaminants. You can easily look up the test results on CBDfx’s website.
CBDfx’s capsules are sold in an 8-count pouch or 30-count bottle and have an affordable price of $19.99 or $59.99. This translates to about $0.08–0.1 per mg, a price that’s below average for CBD capsules.
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Watch our CBDfx Interview and Tour at Their HQ offices in Los Angeles:
If you’re looking for CBD capsules with other beneficial ingredients, the curcumin softgels from California’s Nanocraft CBD are a solid choice.
Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory substance derived from turmeric, a medicinal herb with a long history of use. Similar to CBD, curcumin appears to have a wide range of beneficial effects that have been documented by thousands of research studies.
These gelatin softgels contain 25 mg of broad-spectrum CBD dissolved in MCT oil alongside 10 mg of curcumin. True to the company’s name, they’re made with nanoemulsion technology that breaks down CBD oil into tiny particles, which may boost its absorption.
The hemp used in these capsules comes from high-quality, organic plants cultivated in Colorado, the leading hemp industry state. Nanocraft also utilizes third-party potency and pesticide testing and you can look up the results on its site.
Each bottle contains 30 softgels and costs $84.99 or $0.11 per mg. Relative to similar capsules, this price is about average.
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Watch our inteview with Nanocraft CBD at their HQ in San Diego:
Joy Organics is one of the few brands offering melatonin-infused CBD capsules. Like all of the company’s products, these softgels are made with THC-free broad-spectrum hemp extract.
Each gelatin capsule contains 25 mg of CBD dissolved in MCT oil alongside 1 mg of melatonin, a hormone that helps our bodies maintain a healthy sleep cycle. Melatonin is one of the most popular, research-backed sleep aids, making it an excellent addition to CBD.
The 25 mg dosage works great for most people and you can take more capsules if you desire a stronger effect. Additionally, these capsules are made with proprietary nanoemulsion technology that may boost their absorption, further improving their efficacy.
Like most reputable companies, Joy Organics uses only organic, American hemp that is extracted with CO2 to formulate its capsules. It also provides detailed third-party test reports for your convenience.
Joy Organics’ melatonin CBD softgels cost $89.95 or $0.12 per mg. This price is considered about average for melatonin-infused capsules.
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Watch our Joy Organics unboxing video:
Nanocraft CBD is another great brand offering melatonin-infused CBD capsules. These capsules provide 25 mg of broad-spectrum CBD and 1 mg of melatonin dissolved in MCT oil.
The broad-spectrum extract is sourced from organic Colorado hemp and backed by third-party potency and pesticide test results. Like Nanocraft’s other products, these softgel capsules contain hemp oil that’s been broken down into nano-sized emulsions believed to improve its bioavailability (absorption).
Nanocraft’s melatonin softgels are sold in a 30-count bottle. They cost $84.99 or $0.11 per mg, a price that’s about average for sleep-focused CBD capsules.
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Watch our inteview with Nanocraft CBD at their HQ in San Diego:
The relaxation blend CBD capsules from Lazarus Naturals are designed to promote calm and relaxation. Each capsule contains 25 mg of pure CBD alongside five ingredients with research-backed, calming properties:
These vegan-friendly capsules come with a detailed third-party test report. They’re sold in bottles of 10 or 40 for $15 or $50. Relative to other CBD capsules designed for sleep, Lazarus Naturals’ relaxation blend capsules are quite cheap at only $0.05–0.06 per mg.
Better yet, they’re made by one of the most trusted, respectable CBD companies in the world.
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Colorado’s CBDistillery is known for its amazing combination of affordability, transparency, and high quality, and its CBD softgels are no exception. These capsules offer incredible value with a cost of only $0.06–0.07 per mg.
Each gelatin capsule contains 30 mg of CBD, which is strong enough to meet the dosage requirements of most CBD users.
They’re sold in 30 and 60-count bottles and are available in both full-spectrum and CBD isolate (THC-free) versions. People who want the full effects of hemp can opt for the full-spectrum variation, whereas those who need to avoid THC can go with CBD isolate.
CBDistillery uses organic, non-GMO hemp grown in Colorado for its capsules and other products. It also utilizes the two safest, most effective CBD extraction methods: CO2 for full-spectrum products and ethanol for CBD isolate.
CBDistillery’s capsules come with third-party lab test results directly on each product page to confirm their safety and potency.
As a bonus, CBDistillery is one of the few companies with U.S. Hemp Authority certification, which highlights compliance with strict regulatory standards. Its capsules cost $60 for the 30-count bottle and $115 for the 60-count variant.
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Watch our video review of CBDistillery
Farmacy Bliss is a reputable American CBD brand and their capsules are another great choice for the value-oriented buyer. These full-spectrum softgels cost about $0.07 per mg, and you can get further savings by buying a pack of two or three bottles.
Thanks to a strong potency of 30 mg per softgel, both new and experienced CBD users can meet their dosage needs. Farmacy Bliss’ capsules use a standard formula containing full-spectrum hemp extract encapsulated in a gelatin shell.
Like the company’s other products, these capsules are sourced from organic, non-GMO hemp grown in the Netherlands and the United States. They come with detailed third-party lab reports so you can confirm their quality for yourself.
Farmacy Bliss’ capsules cost $12.99–178.99 and are available in 4, 15, and 30-count bottles. You can also buy the 30-capsule bottles in packs of two or three.
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If you’re after high-potency capsules, you won’t find many products that can match Lazarus Naturals’ Cycling Frog softgels. These full-spectrum capsules contain 100 mg of CBD, one of the highest potencies we’ve come across. In comparison, most competitor capsules contain 10–30 mg.
More importantly, they’re made by one of the most trusted, ethical companies in America. Lazarus Naturals offers consistently low prices without sacrificing quality to support its mission of making CBD products available to everyone, regardless of income.
Its Cycling Frog softgels cost only $0.05–0.06 per mg of CBD, a price that’s well below average. There’s also a 60% discount for veterans, low-income families, and people with disabilities. Better yet, Lazarus Naturals is one of the only employee-owned CBD companies.
These capsules are made from organic, non-GMO hemp that’s primarily sourced from Lazarus Naturals’ own farm in central Oregon — a rare case for CBD brands. They’re backed by detailed third-party test results you can view directly on the product page.
The Cycling Frog softgels from Lazarus Naturals cost $25 for a bottle of 4 or $90 for a bottle of 20 capsules.
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PlusCBD Oil’s full-spectrum capsules are formulated with the best science has to offer. One of the pioneers of the American CBD industry, PlusCBD was established in 2012 and continues to stand out for its exceptional quality.
What makes PlusCBD’s capsules unique is that they come in three distinct full-spectrum hemp formulas: raw, total plant complex, and gold. They’re also available in both capsule and softgel forms.
The raw formula provides unprocessed, unheated hemp extract with high levels of CBDA, the natural form of CBD produced by the plant. Meanwhile, the total plant complex is a standard formula where the CBDA has been heated to convert it into CBD. Lastly, the gold formula removes chlorophyll and other plant material to concentrate hemp’s main active ingredients: cannabinoids, terpenes, and fatty acids.
The raw softgels contain 5 mg of CBD, while the plant complex formula is available in both softgels (10 mg) and capsules (15 mg). Meanwhile, the gold formula softgels contain 15 mg each.
Both the capsules and softgels are made with a vegan-friendly vegetable cellulose shell, with 10, 30, or 60 capsules per bottle.
Unlike most American companies, PlusCBD uses Dutch hemp to make its softgels and other products due to the maturity of the European hemp industry. This hemp is processed using CO2 extraction, the most advanced method of CBD extraction.
PlusCBD tests its capsules in-house for cannabinoid content, pesticides, heavy metals, and other contaminants and these tests are then repeated by a third-party lab. All test reports are available via QR code and the company’s website.
PlusCBD also has the distinction of being the first company to attain the FDA’s self-affirmed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status, which requires its hemp extract to undergo rigorous studies done by an expert panel to confirm its safety.
In addition, it’s one of the few brands to pass the U.S. Hemp Authority’s certification program, which highlights high production standards. PlusCBD’s capsules cost $69.95 or $0.08 per mg of CBD, which is cheaper than the average cost for CBD capsules.
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For those interested in THC-free capsules, cbdMD is a trusted, popular choice.
These capsules contain broad-spectrum CBD, which maintains all of hemp’s cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds except THC. This way, you’re getting the complete benefits of the hemp plant with zero THC.
Similar to cbdMD’s other products, these capsules come in a wide variety of potencies: 15 mg, 16.6 mg, 25 mg, 33.3 mg, and 50 mg. As a result, it’s easy to find a low, medium, or high potency that suits your dosage preferences.
Unlike most competitor products, these capsules use a vegan-friendly shell containing a mixture of CBD oil and MCT oil. They’re made from non-GMO, organic, American hemp that’s been extracted with CO2, the most advanced method of CBD extraction. The resulting CBD extracts are tested by a third-party lab to verify the absence of THC.
CbdMD’s capsules are sold in 30 and 60-count bottles ranging in price from $35.99 to $149.99. This is equivalent to $0.05–0.08, which is significantly cheaper than most CBD capsules.
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Joy Organics is another top-tier option for THC-free CBD capsules. These gelatin softgels contain a mixture of broad-spectrum CBD and MCT oil.
There are two potency options: low (10 mg) and medium (25 mg), with 30 capsules per bottle. Beginners can opt for the lower dose, whereas those needing a higher dosage can go with the higher potency.
Another standout feature of these capsules is the use of nano-emulsion technology which may improve CBD’s absorption. Meanwhile, the hemp used to make Joy Organics’ capsules is grown organically in the United States and extracted with supercritical CO2.
This reputable, family-run company also works with a third-party lab to extensively test its capsules and other products. The tests verify the lack of THC and contaminants and can be easily accessed online.
The CBD softgels from Joy Organics cost $44.95–$74.95. Compared to other CBD capsules on the market, they cost close to average at $0.1–0.15 per mg.
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Watch our Joy Organics unboxing video:
Many people are more familiar with CBD topicals—those CBD products you can use on the skin to help with aches, pains and sore joints. Fewer people are familiar with CBD taken as capsules or softgels; how much to take, when to take them and how well do they work?
But first, to make sure there is no confusion, let’s take a look at the differences between hemp derived CBD and marijuana.
CBD is the abbreviation for cannabidiol. THC is the abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol, the substance that causes marijuana’s “high”.
Cannabidiol is one of hundreds of substances called cannabinoids (including THC) that are found in species of the cannabis plant. Industrial hemp is a member of the cannabis family, but the hemp strain from which CBD is purified was developed to have high fiber content first, and by coincidence, the plant breeders ended up developing plants with high CBD content and low THC content. Think of hemp as a cousin of the marijuana plant in the same way that tomatoes and eggplants are members of the nightshade family. They are in the same family but are pretty clearly different plants.
Importantly, by law in the US, hemp-derived CBD must contain less than 0.3% THC. It is also important to understand that there are some major and important differences between THC and CBD.
When a person takes any substance by mouth, it passes through the digestive system. This, in terms of drug actions, is quite different than what happens when you put the same substance on your skin.
There are very few known adverse effects of CBD taken by capsule, especially if you Start Low and Go Slow.
The most common side effect of CBD is some drowsiness or sleepiness. The first few times you take CBD should probably be at home and in the evening when this won’t be a problem.
Other less common side effects include a dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, and lowered blood pressure.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women shouldn’t take CBD. Children under the age of 18 shouldn’t take CBD either. We simply don’t have the research available to be certain CBD is safe for such individuals.
So, what might someone take CBD capsules for?
The most common uses are for:
First, you should always consult your physician before taking any medication. Many people assume since CBD is natural, it is automatically safe. It is for the most part but you are taking it as a medication, and it can interact with other medications. This can occur when a medication you are taking is processed by a liver enzyme system known as the cytochrome P450 system. This can result in alteration to the blood levels of other medications. It all depends on the specific medication. This is another reason to Start Low and Go Slow. Taking CBD in this manner an allow you to notice any interactions before they become a problem.
While there are few adverse effects with CBD, there are some significant interactions with prescription medications that you need to know about.
CBD can interfere with the actions of about 25% of all drugs. Talk to your physician and/or pharmacist before using CBD if you are on any other medication(s).
CBD may increase the blood levels of:
Second, remember to take CBD only as recommended. You should be able to feel relief or to detect any effects within 1-2 hours after taking the recommended number of capsules. Stay on the recommended dosage for at least 1-2 weeks and talk to your physician if you feel you need to increase the dosage. Always remember to increase dosage according to the recommendations and to increase the dosage slowly. The Arthritis Foundation recommends the following approach:
Advice your physician in order to set the preferred dosage. Most CBD capsules come in doses ranging from about 5-50 mg but this can vary. Read the label carefully to determine how much CBD, just CBD, is in the product. If you are not certain, call the company to find out! Labels can be difficult to read and understand so make certain you know how much CBD you are taking.
The most important thing to find the best cbd oil product you can do is to check the brand out. Call the company to ask for the quality control sheets. You are looking for purity and quality. Third party testing is a good way to determine both. If a company is willing to have its product tested by an independent lab (third-party testing), then you can be more certain that the quality is high. See what you can find out about the company’s reputation. Buyer reviews are not necessarily reliable, so see what independent information you can find. Check that the extraction methods employ either ethanol or CO2 extraction as extraction using these solvents produce the safest and purest CBD. Read the label carefully, looking to see if they provide information about how many mg of CBD are in an individual capsule or serving. Note that some products may say “x mg of CBD per serving” and a serving is given as 2 capsules. If your bottle says 10 mg per serving and the serving is 2 capsules, then each capsule contains 5 mg of CBD.
CBD products can be found in both many different brick and mortar stores and online. One way to compare prices is to determine the cost per mg of CBD. First, take the total cost of a bottle of capsules and divide it by the number of capsules to get the cost per capsule. For example, if a bottle of 30 capsules costs $39.00 then $39.00/30= $1.30 per capsule. The label indicates that each capsule contains 10 mg CBD so $1.30/10 mg= $0.13 per mg.
Many products contain “Full-Spectrum CBD” and these dosage forms often contain a substantial number of mg, often500-1000mg. “Full spectrum” refers to the fact that the extract contains not only cannabinoids, but other, potentially beneficial plant substances such as terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids and other components. It may contain appreciable amounts of THC and this formulation may work better for some people. This represents a body of knowledge that has not been fully researched. It does NOT mean the product contains 500-1000 mg of CBD. The bottle should have a separate listing for how much CBD is in each capsule or softgel/gelcap.
Broad-spectrum formulations contain all the plant constituents but do not contain THC.
A CBD isolate contains pure CBD. These formulations are available in capsule form but tend to be significantly more expensive because of the purification process required to obtain CBD isolate. On the other hand, these products can be easier to use as you know exactly how much CBD is in each capsule, making it easier to determine exactly how much you need.
Capsules and soft gels/gel caps have some distinct advantages over, for example, an orally delivered oil or tincture of CBD.
Capsules are:
There are advantages to taking CBD in capsule form and this may be the best approach for many. Quality is important whether you take CBD as an oil, capsule or in the form of a topical application, so check for third party lab testing, how the CBD is purified and the cost per mg of the CBD. No matter which form of CBD you take, we will try to provide you with the most current information and give you guidelines about getting the highest quality product available.