We tested more than 15 of the best CBD brands. These are 8 of the best brands that rely on third-party testing to verify the purity and quantity of ingredients, use natural ingredients, and provide products for various uses and budgets.
The best CBD brands have a positive reputation; all their products undergo third-party testing. They also offer a wide range of products and are very clear about dosage and ingredients.
We tested more than 15 brands that passed our rigorous vetting standards and narrowed the list down to eight of the best options.
Below, we have highlighted a product from each brand.
Medical News Today has tested some of the products from the brands featured below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
The following table compares the brands in this article for CBD type, product range, price, and more.
| CBD type | Products available | CBD content | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| full-spectrum | • oils • capsules • gummies • topicals • pet products | • Oils: 25 to 50 mg/mL • Capsules: 25 mg each • Gummies: 25 to 100 mg each • Topicals: 750 mg per container | $34.99 to $69.99 | |
| • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum • isolate | • oils • capsules • gummies • topicals • pet products | • Oils: 50 to 100 mg/mL • Capsules: 50 mg each • Gummies: 25 to 100 mg each • Topicals: 200 to 1,000 mg per container | $9.99 to $89.99 | |
Joy Organics | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum | • oils • softgels • gummies • topicals • bath products • pet products | • Oils: 30 to 75 mg/mL • Softgels: 10 to 100 mg each • Gummies: 10 to 25 mg each • Topicals: 500 to 1,000 mg per container | $39.95 to $79.95 |
CBDistillery | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum • isolate | • oils • capsules • softgels • gummies • topicals • powders • pet products | • Oils: 15 to 170 mg/mL • Capsules: 30 mg each • Gummies: 15 to 75 mg each • Topicals: 500 to 1,000 mg per container | $35 to $260 |
Lazarus Naturals | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum • isolate | • oils • capsules • softgels • gummies • topicals • concentrates • pet products | • Oils: 25 to 300 mg/mL • Capsules: 25 mg each • Softgels: 25 to 200 mg each • Topicals: 1,500 to 3,600 mg per container | $12 to $110 |
PlusCBD | full-spectrum | • oils • topicals • softgels • gummies | • Oils: 10 to 25 mg/mL • Softgels: 15 to 100 mg each • Gummies: 10 to 25 mg each • Topicals: 100 to 2,000 mg per container | $29.99 to $89.99 |
Charlotte’s Web | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum | • oils • capsules • gummies • topicals • pet products | • Oils: 17 to 60 mg/mL • Capsules: 25 mg each • Gummies: 10 to 15 mg each • Topicals: 300 to 1,000 mg per container | $14.99 to $119.99 |
Medterra | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum • isolate | • oils • capsules • gummies • topicals • pet products | • Oils: 33 to 100 mg/mL • Capsules: 25 to 100 mg each • Gummies: 25 mg each • Topicals: 125 to 1,000 mg per container | $29.99 to $150.97 |
We selected these CBD products and brands according to criteria we think are reliable indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
- the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
- any third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business practices
- any lab test results
- marketing claims
When looking for a CBD product, a person might consider:
- Hemp source: Some companies source hemp responsibly. People may wish to consider the environmental effects of a company’s harvesting and manufacturing process. Plus, not all CBD brands use United States-grown hemp — instead, they import it from other countries.
- Speed: Some products may work more quickly than others. How quickly a person would like to feel the effects of their CBD product may influence the type of product they choose.
- THC content: People who wish to avoid THC can choose isolate or broad-spectrum products over full-spectrum products.
- Legality: CBD and THC regulations vary by state, so ensure a product is legal before purchasing it.
- Dosage: People should only buy products with clear dosage instructions. They need to avoid CBD products that do not state how much CBD a serving contains.
- Unsupported health claims: Some CBD brands make health claims regarding their products. Currently, the
-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved one CBD product for medical use. A person should not buy products that claim to cure serious diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, or mental health conditions. Anyone with concerns about their health needs to speak with a doctor.
Scientific data on the safest and most effective ways to use CBD is limited. However,
Still, more research is necessary before health experts can draw firm conclusions.
Ingestible products, such as CBD oils, capsules, and gummies, may work better for relaxation and easing stress than topicals. Topicals are typically more suitable for treating minor aches and pains and soothing the skin.
People interested in using CBD need to start slowly, using small doses and slowly working up until they find the dose that works for their needs. Buyers should always discuss CBD with a doctor before they try it.
The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) lists the following reported side effects of CBD:
Moreover, some animal studies suggest CBD may
The
Efficacy
Epidiolex, a prescription medication containing CBD, has approval to treat rare forms of epilepsy. The
A
The authors of the review also reported that researchers should conduct more extensive clinical trials to confirm the effectiveness of CBD for:
- ulcerative colitis
- cholesterol abnormalities
- Crohn’s disease
There are a handful, but Cornbread Hemp and CBDfx are two of our top picks. The most reputable CBD brands offer products that are safe to use.
The safety of these products may depend on the company’s quality control processes and commitment to third-party testing. Other contributing factors include the potency of CBD and any additional ingredients that may be allergens for some people.
According to research from 2020, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD may be more effective due to the entourage effect of all the compounds working together in the body.
The entourage effect refers to enhanced effects a person may feel when using a combination of compounds or ingredients as opposed to the compound’s individual effects.
Full-spectrum CBD products tend to be the strongest form available. These products contain CBD, other cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and THC.
No, not all CBD products are the same quality. People need to prioritize buying CBD from brands that send their products to third-party labs for testing. The FDA does not guarantee the safety and efficacy of over-the-counter CBD products.
Some of the best brands for CBD gummies include Cornbread Hemp and CBDistillery. These brands send their products for third-party lab testing, use organic hemp, and offer products in a range of CBD spectrums.
Top cannabidiol (CBD) brands test their products for pesticides and other impurities and ensure that the amount of CBD on the label is accurate.
While some studies suggest that CBD may help with various health issues, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved one prescription CBD product to treat seizures.
Due to safety concerns around using CBD products, a person needs to contact a healthcare professional before using any products.
Medical News Today has sole editorial control over this article. The uses that we suggest for these listed products are not based on any of the manufacturers’ health claims.
The information in this article is intended to be general, and it should not be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. MNT encourages people to make treatment decisions with their doctors.
Is CBD legal?The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.