Whether you’re a first-time user of CBD oil or have been exploring CBD for a while, you’re probably astounded by the variety of brands and products out there. The options are mind-boggling, and it can be hard to know where to begin.
Given the warp-speed pace at which this industry has been growing, and the number of new and largely unknown companies out there, many customers struggle to identify which brands offer the best CBD products. It probably doesn’t come as a shock that not all CBD brands are alike. However, like most things in life, there isn’t always a one-size-fits all answer because what makes a brand right for you may depend on several factors.
Some important things to consider when buying CBD include potency, purity, value and quality, as well as the source of the CBD. The best brands get high marks in all these areas, but also go the extra mile in other ways, such as customer service and trying to be good stewards of the environment.
With all this in mind, we’ve put together a concise buying guide for the top 12 CBD oil brands available on the market.
When it comes to creating the best all-around product, Penguin CBD clearly comes in first. They offer a superior product line in terms of potency and purity, beginning with their broad-spectrum CBD oil. The oil comes in three different strengths and three refreshing flavors, so you can find the right potency and flavoring to fit your needs and tastes.
Penguin’s CBD comes from USDA-certified hemp farmed in Oregon, and the quality of their products is backed up with independent lab testing. Whether you’re discreetly taking Penguin’s CBD capsules or using their CBD topical cream, you can be assured that that their products have zero pesticides or other harmful chemicals.
Penguin’s products are completely THC-free, so you can maintain peak mental performance even if you eat one too many of their delicious CBD gummies. Their website is easy to navigate and offers comprehensive information on each product. Furthermore, all orders ship for free (a big plus in our book). We’re not the only ones to notice this brand — Observer recently named Penguin the best CBD oil available on the market.
- PureKana
PureKana is the type of company that tends to fly under the radar and relies mostly on word of mouth. However, it’s a solid brand that has earned a good reputation. Although their high-potency oils are a little pricey, they offer a top-quality, full-spectrum CBD oil that has less than 0.02 percent THC, with no pesticides, solvents or chemical fertilizers. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, PureKana harvests their organically grown hemp in Kentucky.
- Charlotte’s Web
It’s safe to say that Charlotte’s Web is one of the most recognized CBD brands out there, thanks in part to their origin story. Their high-CBD, low-THC strain was cultivated to help a family treat their daughter, Charlotte, who had a severe seizure condition.
Charlotte’s story has profoundly impacted the cannabis industry, and the company is still popular and beloved today. They are sometimes dinged for being more expensive than other comparable products, and for having customer service that’s a little on the slow side. However, when they do respond, their answers are always friendly, helpful and thorough.
- Lazarus Naturals
Lazarus Naturals is one of the oldest and most reliable CBD brands out there, and they consistently produce a quality product. The Oregon-based company doesn’t sell a great variety of CBD products, but they do offer reasonable prices. They also offer testing and quality control on their products. One thing to note: The flavor of their French vanilla oil can be a bit strong for some.
- CBDistillery
CBDistillery has a loyal following, and plenty of people swear by their CBD oil. They offer a 99 percent pure CBD isolate that customers have used to address a number of chronic conditions. CBDistillery employees seem passionate and knowledgeable, and they offer a low-price option for first-time CBD users. The only big strike against them is they don’t state where their hemp is sourced from, just that it’s grown in the U.S.
- Fab CBD
Fab CBD tends to emphasize their appeal as a lifestyle brand, using labels that scream modern and hip. However, they have established themselves as a trustworthy brand with a quality product. Fab CBD reviewers have noted that their citrus flavor can be a little overwhelming, and their oils aren’t always as potent as they could be, but their products are affordable and they get the job done. Their CBD oil is sourced from organically grown Colorado hemp.
- CBD Pure
CBD Pure is so far relatively unknown. Though they may not receive the high-profile accolades some of the other brands do, they offer a great full-spectrum product. Some customers complain that they have a limited range of potencies and their products aren’t always as long-lasting as those of other brands. However, they are affordable and they offer great customer service. Their CBD is manufactured from organic hemp fields in Colorado.
8. Hemp Bombs
While most CBD oil products offer 5 to 7 mg of CBD per serving (or less), Hemp Bombs’ maximum-strength tincture provides a colossal 60 mg dose in a single dropper. Naturally, this comes at a colossal price.
For many people, Hemp Bombs’ products will be more than sufficient to help relieve symptoms like generalized anxiety and pain. They are also one of the few companies that has a commercialization agreement with hemp farms under the Kentucky Pilot Research Program.
- Medterra
Medterra is a top-rated brand, using CBD isolate to create products that are 99 percent pure. Their oil has a distinctive lack of color, flavor or scent, which can be a plus for users seeking a minimal sensory experience.
Their oil has a neutral taste, which can make it easier for some people to swallow. Reviewers say their tinctures help with anxiety and sleep issues, although they may not be as potent for chronic pain.
- Spruce
Spruce CBD puts the quality of their product over all else as they have eschewed added flavors. They claim that the “bitter stuff is the effective stuff.” They also stress the importance of building good relationships with their farmers in order to provide a consistent, quality supply of hemp extract. If you want to go all-natural, this is the product for you.
- Populum
Populum is an Arizona-based CBD brand. They are a higher-end option, and their products don’t come cheap, although the company does offer a monthly subscription so you won’t forget to reorder. Reviewers approve of the product’s orange flavor and the solid customer service. Populum CBD is sourced from organic, Colorado-grown hemp.
- NuLeaf Naturals
Nuleaf Naturals likes to keep things simple. While their website and bottles are more functional than pretty, their tincture checks all the boxes when it comes to quality and transparency.
This Colorado-based company grows their own organic hemp and they offer CBD oil with just two ingredients.
They also make one of the most potent products on the market, at 1,450 mg. This may not be your go-to oil all the time, but when you need something strong, you’ll be glad to have it.
On a final note, before making any purchases, we recommend speaking to your doctor to see if these products are right for you.
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