The Fast Facts
- The best CBD brands use high-quality ingredients, avoid sensational health or medical claims, and provide third-party testing results confirming the contents, potency, and purity of their products.
- We tested more than 15 brands that passed our rigorous medical and business standards, and narrowed our list of favorites down to eight of the best CBD brands.
- We found Joy Organics is the best overall brand for the quality of their products and positive environmental values, and Lazarus Naturals the most affordable.
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.
The brands we list were selected based on their third-party testing verifications, the quantity and quality of their ingredients, and a range of different products and dosages for all types of CBD users.
Below, we have highlighted a product from each brand and provided insights from our pool of CBD testers. First, let’s look into what makes these brands stand out.
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.
| CBD type | Products available | CBD content | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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 • Gummies: 5 to 30 mg • Topicals: 500 to 1,000 mg | $39.95 to $79.95 |
Cornbread Hemp | full-spectrum | • oils • capsules • gummies • drinks • topicals • pet products | • Oils: 25 to 50 mg/mL • Capsules: 25 mg • Gummies: 25 to 100 mg • Topicals: 750 mg | $24.99 to $99.99 |
CBDistillery | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum • isolate | • oils • capsules • softgels • gummies • topicals • powders • pet products | • Oils: 15 to 170 mg/mL • Capsules: 30 mg • Gummies: 15 to 75 mg • Topicals: 500 to 1,000 mg | $20 to $260 |
Medterra | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum • isolate | • oils • capsules • gummies • topicals • pet products | • Oils: 33 to 100 mg/mL • Capsules: 25 to 50 mg • Gummies: 25 to 50 mg • Topicals: 125 to 1,000 mg | $29.99 to $150.97 |
CBDfx | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum • isolate | • oils • capsules • gummies • topicals • pet products | • Oils: 50 to 100 mg/mL • Capsules: 50 mg • Gummies: 25 to 100 mg • Topicals: 200 to 1,000 mg | $9.99 to $89.99 |
Lazarus Naturals | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum • isolate | • oils • capsules • softgels • gummies • topicals • concentrates • pet products | • Oils: 25 to 300 mg/mL • Capsules: 25 mg • Softgels: 25 to 200 mg • Topicals: 1,500 to 3,600 mg | $12 to $110 |
R&R | • full-spectrum • broad-spectrum | • oils • softgels • gummies • topicals • pet products | • Oils: 50 to 166 mg/mL • Capsules: 30 to 90 mg • Gummies: 25 to 90 mg • Topicals: 1,000 to 5,000 mg | $44 to $130 |
PlusCBD | full-spectrum | • oils • topicals • softgels • gummies | • Oils: 10 to 25 mg/mL • Softgels: 15 to 100 mg • Gummies: 10 to 25 mg • Topicals: 100 to 2,000 mg | $29.99 to $89.99 |
Buying CBD involves more than considering the price and potency of the product. It is also about what the brand says and does, and how it aligns with your values.
Most CBD brands claim they are on the market because they want to improve the range of high-quality, effective CBD products available, and all of the brands we have featured and tested do offer third-party tested, quality products. But now that the CBD market is very saturated, it can be difficult to tell what truly sets each CBD brand apart from the rest.
This quick comparison table highlights how each brand differentiates itself to help you decide which one might be a good match for your values and goals.
For instance, if you like to support brands with a strong focus on environmental impact, Joy Organics might be the brand for you. But if getting affordably priced products is your priority, Lazarus Naturals would be your best pick.
| Brand | What makes it different? |
|---|---|
| Joy Organics | Joy Organics puts its founder and her story front and center with a focus on wellbeing and care. It positions itself as a luxury brand with strong environmental values. Read more about Joy Organics above. |
| Cornbread Hemp | Cornbread Hemp’s focus is on Kentucky’s hemp heritage and the brand’s craftsmanship, highlighting its proprietary Flower Only CBD blend. Read more about Cornbread Hemp above. |
| CBDistillery | CBDistillery leads its marketing with its botanist-formulated and doctor-recommended products that contain no unnecessary added ingredients. Read more about CBDistillery above. |
| Medterra | Medterra differentiates itself with its commitment to transparency throughout the manufacturing process and building connections between customers and its CBD wellness experts. Read more about Medterra above. |
| CBDfx | CBDfx has been selling CBD products for over 10 years and boasts a large range of products featuring unique ingredient combinations. It also has a global reach, selling products in the U.K., Mexico, and Japan. Read more about CBDfx above. |
| Lazarus Naturals | Lazarus Naturals prides itself on its affordability and generous Assistance Program for veterans, people on long-term disability, and low-income individuals. Read more about Lazarus Naturals above. |
| R&R | R&R is a veteran-founded company that focus on producing CBD products to aid pain relief, sleep, and anxiety. Read more about R&R above. |
| PlusCBD | PlusCBD is a science-led CBD brand. Their goal is to amplify physical and mental wellbeing with natural wellness products. Read more about PlusCBD above. |
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 choosing a CBD brand to buy from, consider:
- Testing: Make sure the brand you buy from puts all of its products through third-party testing at an ISO-accredited lab. Reputable brands make their test results easily accessible on their websites and product packaging.
- Hemp source: If a company is not transparent about where it gets its hemp from, you may want to look at another brand. The best brands are transparent and proud of where their hemp comes from and how they extract the CBD from it. You may wish to consider the environmental effects of a company’s harvesting and manufacturing processes, too. Not all CBD brands use United States-grown hemp—instead, they import it from other countries.
- Reputation: Look into customer reviews and business ratings from the Better Business Bureau to see what real-world customers are saying and experiencing. You can also check if the brand has been involved in any recent lawsuits or if it has received any
FDA warning letters .
When looking for a CBD product, you might consider:
- Speed: Some products may work more quickly than others. How quickly you would like to feel the effects of a CBD product may influence the type of product you 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: You should only buy products with clear dosage instructions. You 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. You 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 should speak with a doctor.
Understanding CBD terminology
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CBD | A compound within the C. sativa plant that does not create the high sensation individuals commonly associate with cannabis use. |
| THC | A compound in the C. sativa plant. It is the psychoactive compound that creates the high sensation from cannabis use. |
| Full-spectrum | A full-spectrum product will contain all of the natural compounds in the cannabis plant, including THC. However, THC levels must be no more than 0.3% to comply with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation on full-spectrum CBD products. |
| Broad-spectrum | Broad-spectrum products contain natural compounds of the cannabis plant. However, while manufacturers remove all or most of the THC in broad-spectrum CBD, it may still be present in trace amounts. |
| CBD isolate | This is the purest form of CBD and should contain 0% THC. |
| Cannabinoids | The compounds within the cannabis plant, of which there are |
| Terpenes | Another compound of the C. sativa plant, terpenes typically give plants their specific aromas. Some terpenes, such as limonene, may have specific health benefits. |
| Certificate of analysis (COA) | Reputable manufacturers of CBD products should ensure a COA is available for inspection. A COA provides information on the third-party testing that independent labs conduct on a particular product. Sometimes, products have a scannable smartphone code directing people to the COA online. |
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.
If you are interested in using CBD, start slowly, using small doses and gradually work up until you find the dose that works for your needs. You should always discuss CBD with a doctor before trying it, and do not exceed the recommended dosage on the product packaging.
The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) lists the following reported side effects of CBD:
- tiredness
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- reduced appetite
- diarrhea
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 Joy Organics, Cornbread Hemp, and CBDfx are three 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 Joy Oragnics, 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.
