At Herb Reviews, we have been testing cannabidiol (CBD) since 2019; here you will find the best CBD capsules that we have personally found to be the most effective.
CBD is available in many forms, there are sprays, drops, tinctures, pastes, balms, capsules and edibles. Each one is designed to suit the diverse needs of people who are utilising cannabidiol.
When CBD arrived on the UK market, drops and tinctures came first, but capsules soon followed. Why? because of their convenience and versatility. Today, they are a popular choice and a staple of many people’s regimes.
With wildly varying prices, an abundance of unproven claims and new complex terms to learn, purchasing can be a confusing experience. However, buying CBD capsules needn’t be a risk if you’re armed with the correct information.
To find the right capsules for you, we have carefully formed a list of the best available in the UK and measured them against our own rigorous criteria.
When you buy through links on Herb Reviews, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more here.
Contents
Why Trust Herb Reviews?
With so much misleading and incorrect information on the internet, why should you trust Herb Reviews? Unlike many sites that only post sponsored content paid for by brands, we’ve actually tried every CBD capsule we recommend. We’ve held all of these products in our hands and used them for at least two weeks.
Not only do we get to know every item inside and out, but we’ve been trialling CBD products since 2019. That’s a lot of hours, a lot of capsules and lots of experience!
This experience helps us to find the best capsules and cut through the ‘marketing speak’ that isn’t as honest as it should be.
How We Test CBD Capsules
To ensure that we give every product the same review treatment, we always follow a set process. When it arrives, we familiarise ourselves with the information on the packaging and the website, before recording our first impressions.
Next, we tried it by taking a 20mg (2 x 10mg capsules) measure twice each day, once in the morning and once in the evening, writing down how we felt. We aim to use each product for at least two weeks or until the bottle runs out, whichever comes first.
The best CBD capsules presented here all perform highly in the following areas:
Third-party Lab Results
All selected capsules have third-party lab results that are easy to access, detailed and simple to understand. The certificates match the claims and specifications made on the packaging. For example, if it’s labelled as ‘THC-free’ the analysis showed 0% THC or ‘none detected’.
Potency/ Effectiveness
All featured capsules produced noticeable potent effects when we tried them. If it didn’t work for us, it probably won’t work for you either, so we won’t recommend it.
Value for Money
They all offer the best value when compared to similarly performing products. Most come in at around 7p per mg of CBD.
Where we’ve included higher-priced capsules, it’s because the lab results, ease of use and potency make them worth the extra money.
Our Favourite CBD Capsules
So, you can quickly find a product that matches your needs, we’ve highlighted the best in three categories.
We’ve also included some other notable products, they are capsules we rated highly, but they didn’t quite make it to the top of their type when we reviewed them.
The categories are:
Full spectrum – This is our overall top choice because we’ve found that full-spectrum products have the most beneficial ingredients and were the most potent when we reviewed them.
THC free – Ideal if you’re concerned about THC intake, or are required to be drug tested at work.
Isolate – Containing only CBD and no other cannabinoids, isolate capsules are free from THC, have a milder taste and are usually more affordable. They don’t provide the same range of benefits as those with additional cannabinoids but offer a useful alternative if on a tight budget.
Best CBD Capsules in the UK
These are the best capsules that we have found for sale in the UK. Each one meets our strict quality standards and is among the top CBD products available today.
Best Full Spectrum – Love CBD Entourage Capsules
Love CBD 10mg Capsules
How Good Are Love CBD Capsules?
These capsules contain Love CBD’s highly regarded ‘Entourage Oil’ which provides 10mg of CBD alongside CBG and CBDa. The lab tests show the range of cannabinoids and safe levels of heavy metals. They also contain a blend of terpenes, but this isn’t clear on the certificates of analysis.
The capsules are completely vegan and made entirely from plant material. They contain only hemp extract and coconut oil.
Love CBD is a UK company that uses a range of legal hemp strains from different European regions. These create an incredible blend of extracts that work in synergy to provide a mild yet powerful oil. For £34.99 you get 60 capsules at 58p each. 1mg of CBD costs only 6p.
These full-spectrum capsules have trace amounts of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, plant nutrients with added Limonene and Beta-Caryophyllene. Each capsule delivers 10mg of CBD in a gelatine shell.
The lab test results are available and show the ingredients that are present in large amounts. Some elements are in such small amounts that they aren’t noted on the certificates.
Love Hemp is a UK company who create their products from US hemp, farmed in Colorado by Folium Biosciences. The plants are grown in organically certified conditions and the CBD is extracted using supercritical CO2 extraction techniques.
A bottle of 60 capsules will cost you £29.99 making one capsule cost 50p and 1mg of CBD is 5p. Love Hemp have a history of producing potent oils with great attention to detail, these are worth a look.
Each of these potent, soft gel capsules from Medterra contains either 25mg or 50mg of CBD isolate suspended in fractionated coconut oil. The third-party lab results can be quickly found on the product page. In both cases, they show slightly more than the advertised level of CBD and verify that no contaminants or THC has been detected.
Despite containing CBD isolate instead of broad or full-spectrum extract, I found these to be surprisingly beneficial and with the added bonus of affordability. Unfortunately, they contain gelatine, so they aren’t suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
Medterra is the only company to produce a range of well-made, premium isolate products that we’re happy to recommend. By using isolate, they’re able to cut costs that can be passed on to their customers. However, they still meet impressive standards and are verified by the US Hemp Authority. Also, they offer a generous 30-day moneyback guarantee, so if you’re not entirely happy, they’ll provide you with a refund.
If you choose the 25mg capsules; for £45 you get 30 gel caps at £1.50 each. 1mg of CBD costs only 6p.
With the 50mg capsules; for £69.99 you get 30 gel caps at £2.33 each. 1mg of CBD costs only 5p.
Endoca’s 10mg and 50mg CBD capsules are filled with a terpene-rich full-spectrum extract in hemp seed oil. They also hold a range of natural plant nutrients, including fatty acids and vitamin E. Each soft gel capsule is easy to swallow and has only a mild, sweet flavour with no hint of hempy bitterness.
Lab results for every batch, of each strength, are on the Endoca website and can be accessed via the ‘support’ drop-down menu and are labelled as ‘Quality Report’. Each certificate shows a full cannabinoid and terpene profile alongside the results of screening for over 200 toxins.
Endoca use organically farmed hemp to create products of the highest safety and quality standards. They’ve spent time and money developing their analysis and quality assurance procedures to great effect. These capsules are suitable for vegans and vegetarians and contain no preservatives, artificial colours, gluten or GMO.
For £26 you can get a bottle of thirty 10mg capsules, each one costs about 87p, and 1mg of CBD costs 9p. For £119 you can get a bottle of thirty 50mg capsules, each one costs about £3.97, and 1mg of CBD costs 8p. They also offer a version that contains raw hemp oil.
These affordable 10mg capsules contain finely ground, full-spectrum hemp. In one packet you get 30 capsules in a handy blister sheet. When I tried them for two weeks, I was surprised that, despite their low strength, they were particularly effective.
The lab certificates for every batch are available via the product page. They only display a cannabinoid profile which verifies the amount of CBD and shows that no THC was detected. Several other cannabinoids are also present in trace amounts.
Hempura grows their hemp on EU regulation-compliant European farms. The raw hemp is carefully tested, then imported to the UK.
The hemp powder contained in these capsules has been decarboxylated to convert any CBDa into its active CBD form. Because no extraction has taken place, they still contain a range of beneficial substances like terpenes, flavonoids and plant nutrients.
The capsules themselves are made from Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, which is a vegetarian alternative to gelatine. Inside you’ll find no nuts, dairy, gluten or artificial flavours. They’re nearly completely flavourless, but they’re quite large, so they may not be for you if you prefer smaller tablets and capsules.
For £19.99 you get 300mg of CBD shared between 30 capsules. This works out at about 67p per 10mg capsule and 7p for 1mg of CBD.
These are terpene rich soft gel capsules containing 16mg of CBD extract. There are traces of other cannabinoids but what makes these stand out is the impressive terpene profile of the enriched oil.
The lab results are available and show CBD, traces of CBDa and THC (within legal limits) alongside a blend of over twenty terpenes. The gel case is made from bovine gelatine and contains CBD extract mixed into an olive oil carrier.
Cibdol are a Swiss company who use steam distilled Swiss hemp to create a terpene-rich product. Their oils are fully decarboxylated which keeps the CBD levels high and makes them even more potent. Their approach focuses on using the best natural raw materials combined with state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques to produce some of the purest products available.
They are one of the less expensive capsules this list at £67.45 for 60 capsules. That means that each serving is £1.12 and 1mg of CBD costs 7p.
CannabiGold’s capsules contain a full spectrum oil with 10mg of CBD and traces of five other cannabinoids including CBDV, CBG and CBC. While this doesn’t sound like the best cannabinoid profile so far, they are present in amounts greater than any other product.
The certificates of analysis are comprehensive and show a safe and fairly potent oil. The capsules are made from gelatine and the CBD extract is blended with a hemp seed carrier oil.
Cannabigold is a Polish CBD brand created by hemp pioneers HemPoland. They are well known for their product and packaging innovations as well as their high quality, organic, golden coloured oils.
For such a high-quality product they are incredible value at £26.90 for 30 capsules. Each capsule costs 90p and 1mg of CBD is 9p.
When you buy a CBD capsules for the first time it can be overwhelming. The language used is usually quite technical and all the products are slightly different. Here I will explain what these terms mean and give an overview of what you need to know to make an informed choice. This will cover:
What is CBD
Why people use CBD
The legality of CBD capsules in the UK
Facts and precautions
The difference between an isolate, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum extract.
Types of CBD capsule
What bioavailability means
What strength you should choose
How to take your CBD capsules
What is CBD?
CBD is one of over 60 naturally occurring plant compounds, called cannabinoids, found in the cannabis plant. When eaten, inhaled or applied to the skin, it interacts with several body systems via chemical receptors. These interactions improve your body’s ability to restore various organs and systems to a state of healthy balance.
Whilst there is emerging evidence to suggest that CBD can help with some of these conditions, much of it is anecdotal and not proven by peer-reviewed studies. Don’t buy CBD expecting a miracle cure-all. It isn’t, and the studies carried out often use much higher servings of CBD than is available in the food supplements sold here in the UK.
Are CBD Capsules Legal?
Yes, CBD capsules are legal in the UK, but there are some rules and regulations in place to ensure that it is safe and to prevent rogue retailers from making unproven claims. There are four criteria a capsule must meet to be sold legally:
Interacts with medications – CBD can interact with some medications causing unwanted effects. If you are taking any medication, you should consult with your pharmacist or doctor before trying CBD. If your medication has a grapefruit warning, then you must consult a medical professional first.
Not addictive – According to the World Health Organization; “In humans, CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential”.
CBD won’t show on a drug test – However, if you chose capsules containing too much THC, the levels can build up over time causing a failed test. If you’re expecting to be drug tested, we recommend choosing a THC-free option.
Extract Type
There are 3 main types of extracts/ raw materials used to make CBD capsules; isolate, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum. Each one has its own pros and cons; a better understanding of these will help you find a product that provides value for money and is best suited to your needs. You will sometimes see other names used by retailers, these will also be covered below.
Full Spectrum
A full-spectrum extract contains all the naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. CBD will be the most abundant, but you can also expect to find traces of THC, CBN, THCV, CBG and more.
Full-spectrum CBD can sometimes be referred to as “whole-plant”. A whole-plant extract is one that contains all the naturally occurring cannabinoids as well as any plant lipids and nutrients. Not all full-spectrum capsules are ‘whole plant’, some brands prefer to filter their products to remove these plant nutrients leaving only the cannabinoids and terpenes.
Personally, we find whole plant and full-spectrum products to be the most effective and this is why we recommend them above all others.
Pros
The most effective CBD capsules are whole-plant or full-spectrum.
A range of cannabinoids, including THC is needed, to achieve what is known as the entourage effect.
Cons
They can taste bitter and earthy
They are more expensive than isolates
Broad Spectrum
Broad-spectrum refers to an extract that has had the THC removed. The process most commonly used is chromatography, which is both complex and expensive and even then, some traces may remain.
These expensive processes mean a good quality broad-spectrum costs more than a full-spectrum oil. This price increases again if there are good lab reports to show how thorough the removal process was.
Lab reports for broad-spectrum products will test THC to ensure it comes in below a level of quantification (LOQ). The LOQ is the smallest amount of the substance that can be detected by their equipment. Products with no detectable THC are then sold as “THC-free”.
THC-free products will still contain tiny traces of THC, but not enough to be found by the analysis. When choosing broad-spectrum capsules, look at the value of the LOQ. It can range from 0.001% to as high as 0.2% and refers to the amount of any substance that could be present without being detected.
A ‘THC-free’ product that’s been tested to a LOQ of 0.001% will contain very low levels of THC and is unlikely to cause you to fail a drug test. A product with a LOQ of 0.2% won’t get you high, but it could still have enough THC to be considered full-spectrum and could possibly cause you to fail a drug test if taken regularly.
Pros
Gives piece of mind if you are drug tested at work.
Suitable for those who are sensitive to the effects of THC.
Cons
A good quality broad-spectrum extract is more expensive
Doesn’t contain THC that contributes to the entourage effect
Not all broad-spectrum capsules are truly “THC-free”.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is exactly what it says it is. The CBD has been separated from all the other cannabinoids, plant nutrients and terpenes to create a product that is almost pure. Usually testing at around 99% purity, isolate comes in the form of a powder or crystals that can be added to a carrier to create capsules.
Isolate is by far the cheapest form of CBD as most people find it to be the least effective. As it is so cheap, it is often used to produce lower-quality products or increase profit margins.
Pros
Flavourless and odourless
Cheaper than other types of CBD
Perfect for those who are sensitive to the effects of THC.
Cons
Doesn’t contain the other cannabinoids and terpenes that contribute to the entourage effect.
Often found in lower-quality products.
Different Types of CBD Capsules
Both hard and soft gel CBD capsules are made from gelatine or from plant-based cellulose. Gelatine is an animal product making some CBD capsules unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans.
However, there are a growing number of capsules that are made with shells created from polymers produced from plant cellulose. These are great for vegans and vegetarians. Inside the shell is the CBD extract suspended in a carrier oil. The oil could be either MCT oil or olive oil.
The final type is a CBD tablet. Tablets are pretty rare and are usually produced using isolate as this is readily available in powder form.
Bioavailability
Bioavailability refers to how much of the active ingredient makes it to your bloodstream to be utilised. It’s not unreasonable to assume that taking a serving of 40mg would see 100% of the CBD make it. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.
Depending on how you take your CBD, this number is actually much lower. This is because some get broken down or destroyed along the way. The only way to get 100% bioavailability is to inject it directly into a blood vessel (DO NOT INJECT CBD).
There are two main methods of ingestion; taking it sublingually (under the tongue) or swallowing it. Taking CBD under the tongue is the most effective of the two because it’s absorbed across the thin membranes in your mouth into your blood.
The different methods of CBD have varying rates of bioavailability, looking at numerous studies it is generally accepted that:
Method
Percentage
Speed of Effects
Effect Duration
Sublingual Application
Up to 35%
15 – 25 mins
4 – 6 hours
Swallowed/ Eaten
4-20%
30 mins – 2 hours
6 – 8 hours
Inhaled/ Vaporised
Up to 56%
10 mins
2 – 3 hours
Rectally
8-50%
20 mins – 1 hour
Unknown
It is clear that the most efficient method is vaping your CBD (if this is of interest, these are our selections for the best CBD e-liquids) but taking an oil under the tongue comes close.
Taking a CBD capsule and swallowing it, is actually the least effective way to take your CBD. If you truly want to get the best value for money then check out our guide to the best CBD oils, these are more effective and usually a little cheaper too.
Improving Bioavailability
Some manufacturers formulate their capsules specifically to enhance bioavailability. A common way to do this is to use an MCT carrier. MCTs are smaller than most fats and allow CBD molecules to pass quickly from the digestive system into the blood. This is likely to speed up digestion and increase the amount that reaches your cells.
What Strength CBD Capsule Should I Use?
When first starting with CBD, building up slowly from a small amount is the key to finding the appropriate serving size. Start with a lower strength, 10mg per capsule is ideal, then steadily build up until you know how many mg of CBD per day works for you.
Once you know this number, you can buy a higher strength, which is normally slightly cheaper per mg. We do not recommend starting with a stronger capsule because some people find it effective in small amounts (as little as 10mg per day) and the stronger capsules can contain up to 50mg each.
Starting with the strongest capsules could see you taking more than you need and spending too much.
How Much Should I Take?
Every person is different. The right amount to take will depend entirely on you. An effective dose for one person does not necessarily suit another.
Bodyweight, metabolism and body composition can all be factors dictating how you react.
It is a good idea to start with a low, regular dose. Let your body get used to taking this small amount, then slowly increase it until you find what works.
The first few days begin with one or two 10mg capsules in the morning and one or two 10mg CBD capsules in the evening. Record how you felt each day and compare it to how you were pre-CBD. If after 3 or 4 days there’s no change, up it a little and follow the same process for a few more days. So, if you took one 10mg capsule twice a day, add in a third one at lunch time, or increase to two in the morning and two in the evening.
Don’t take too much too soon, be patient when you start out. Why?
CBD is biphasic – This means that it can cause different effects in different amounts. Alcohol is the perfect example of this in that a drink or two can make you feel happy, but in higher amounts, it is a depressant. If you take too much too soon, you may not get the desired effect and give up before you’ve even begun.
CBD takes time to make changes in your body systems and it may take a few days, or longer before you notice any improvements.
No more than 70mg of CBD should be consumed each day (seven 10mg CBD capsules).
Do not use CBD if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Do not consume CBD if you are taking any medications.
How Long Will a Bottle Last?
This will be slightly different depending on how much CBD you consume each day. Generally, CBD capsules are available in two bottle sizes containing 30 or 60 capsules.
I have based the below chart on our beginner’s recommendation of buying 10mg CBD capsules. The cost per month is based on CBD costing 7 pence per mg. This is the average price of those products we recommend.
Amount per day
30 Capsule Bottle
60 Capsule Bottle
Cost Per Month
1 capsule
30 days
60 days
£21
2 capsules
15 days
30 days
£42
3 capsules
10 days
20 days
£63
4 capsules
7.5 days
15 days
£84
5 capsules
6 days
12 days
£105
6 capsules
5 days
10 days
£126
7 capsules
4 days
8.5 days
£147
As you can see taking the highest amount of CBD capsules as recommended by the FSA gets expensive quickly. If you find you require nearer 70mg per day you will be better served by buying higher strength (20mg, 30mg etc.), a larger bottle, or signing up for a subscription. When you use a subscription, the discount can be as high as 30%.
How to Use CBD Capsules
CBD capsules are the easiest to use of all the products available. All you need to do is pop one in the mouth and swallow with some water.
If you want to get the most from your capsules you can also bite them open and hold the extract under your tongue so that it can be absorbed sublingually. This is something we often do when reviewing capsules. However, be aware that some capsules use the dried hemp plant and these must be swallowed.
Want to know more? Comment and ask questions below.
