CBD capsules are a popular food supplement used to improve overall health and wellbeing. Thanks to their convenience and ease of use, many people opt for capsules over CBD oil drops.
But with so many available product options, it can be difficult to choose the right one for you. That’s why we did the research and compared dozens of brands based on quality, third-party testing, and other factors.
Read on for our top 5 picks for the best CBD capsules, pills and tablets including a detailed guide to choosing the right product.
What are CBD capsules?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural compound found in cannabis. It’s one of over 133 cannabinoids, which are the main active ingredients in the plant. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid most people are familiar with, CBD is non-intoxicating.
CBD capsules including pills and tablets are made by extracting cannabidiol from hemp, a variety of cannabis with low THC levels. This extract can contain pure CBD or a blend of CBD and other beneficial hemp compounds, including other cannabinoids and terpenes.
The extract is then dissolved in a carrier oil such as olive oil to improve its absorption and encapsulated in a shell made out of gelatin or vegetarian-friendly plant cellulose.
Are CBD capsules legal in the UK?
Yes, CBD capsules are legal in the UK as long as they meet certain requirements. Most importantly, CBD products cannot contain more than 1 mg of THC per container.
As we noted above, THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid that’s largely responsible for the “high” experienced by cannabis users. The small amount of THC present in hemp and finished CBD products is not enough to cause intoxication.
Best CBD Capsules
CBD Shopy Capsules
As one of the best-rated CBD brands in the UK with a Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of 5-stars from over 728 verified customer reviews, you can rest assured CBD shopy delivers on results.
These CBD capsules are made from full-spectrum CBD and are infused with coconut oil to increase the absorption rate of CBD within the body. The hemp used is sourced from Germany and grown organically.
CBD Shopy make regular visits to their UK ISO-certified manufacturing partner and third-party testing is done to confirm no pesticides, artificial fertilisers or other harmful substances are used. The final product is also coated in a vegan-friendly coating, rather than gelatine.
A CO2 extraction process is used in the manufacturing of their capsules. Working with the plant in these low temperature and low heat settings preserve many of its natural compounds to deliver the full extract CBD.
Each bottle of CBD shopy capsules contains 60 capsules each with a potent dose of 10mg CBD+CBDa and at only £32.99 they are the best-priced CBD capsules on our list.
Buy it here.
Love CBD Entourage Capsules
Love CBD’s Entourage capsules are a high-quality, full-spectrum CBD option with a unique twist – high cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) content. CBDa is another type of cannabinoid that has its own health and wellness benefits. The Love CBD entourage range comes in three strengths 600mg, 1200mg and 1800mg.
As a full-spectrum product, you will find these capsules contain various amounts of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids all working together to magnify the effects of each other. In this way, these CBD capsules are specifically designed to make the most of the entourage effect – the fact that cannabinoid compounds work better when taken together rather than CBD taken on its own.
The hemp used for these capsules is sourced from hemp plants grown in the Netherlands, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, so you know exactly where your product came from. These plants are grown organically, without the use of any pesticides, herbicides, or artificial fertilisers.
Each batch of Love CBD capsules is tested by a third-party lab with the results available on their website. These tests ensure the safety and potency of the capsules and prove that they contain high levels of not just CBD but also CBDA.
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CbdMD CBD Oil Capsules
The CBD oil capsules from cbdMD are a great way to introduce CBD into your daily health regimen. These capsules contain broad-spectrum hemp extract which includes all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial phytochemicals but with zero THC. As such, they’re more effective than capsules made with pure CBD isolate.
Better yet, cbdMD’s capsules are available in not one but four capsule potencies 15mg, 16.6mg, 25mg & 50mg CBD per capsule, with each bottle containing 450mg to 3000mg of CBD.
This makes it easier to find the CBD strength that suits your dosage needs best. Aside from CBD, these vegan-friendly capsules also contain coconut MCT oil as a carrier oil ingredient.
CbdMD’s oil capsules are made from non-GMO, organic American hemp that’s been extracted with CO2, the gold-standard CBD extraction method. They’re tested by a third-party lab to ensure their potency and safety.
Buy it here.
Cibdol CBD Softgels
Cibdol provides the finest CBD products Switzerland has to offer. Its CBD softgels contain full-spectrum hemp extract rich in all of hemp’s cannabinoids, terpenes, and other beneficial compounds.
Thanks to this, they take full advantage of the “entourage effect,” providing superior effects to capsules made with pure CBD. Cibdol’s softgels come in 60-count bottles with two available potencies: 6.4 mg or 16 mg per softgel, for a total of 384 mg or 960 mg of CBD.
The softgels themselves are made out of gelatin and contain hemp extract dissolved in olive oil, which is used to help the body absorb CBD.
Better yet, the company’s products undergo an additional filtration step to remove chlorophyll and other undesired material, resulting in a gold-coloured extract that concentrates the beneficial active ingredients.
These tablets are derived from organic European hemp and undergo both third-party and in-house testing to verify their potency and safety.
Buy it here.
Hempura Hemp CBD Capsules
Hempura’s hemp CBD capsules are among the most popular in the UK, and for good reason. It is made from organic hemp grown in Eastern Europe, which undergoes CO2 extraction to isolate CBD and all other beneficial cannabis compounds without damaging them. In addition, Hempura uses a unique ultra-filtration process to further enhance the potency of their hemp extracts.
Each Hempura hemp capsule contains 10 mg of CBD alongside the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids present in cannabis, making full use of the entourage effect. There is a total of 30 capsules per box for a total of 300 mg CBD.
The capsules contain very low levels of THC (<0.01%), making them both legal and non-intoxicating. In addition, the capsule shells themselves are made from vegetable cellulose, which means they are vegetarian-friendly.
Hempura also provides independent third-party lab results of all their products, which can be looked up by using your product batch code. These results verify the safety and potency of their capsules and other CBD products.
Quality aside, Hempura also provides a high level of customer service, demonstrated by high customer ratings and ease of refunds and re-shipping.
Buy it here.
What strength CBD capsules should I take?
CBD strength refers to the concentration of CBD in your capsules. Better known as potency, this number is usually expressed in milligrams (mg) per capsule. CBD potencies can be roughly divided into low (1–10 mg), medium (11–30 mg), and high (30+ mg).
There isn’t currently enough medical evidence to suggest the ideal dosage for capsules or any other CBD product, especially because it depends on many factors, such as your body weight, tolerance, and the type of product you’re using.
The only official recommendation comes from the FSA, which suggests a maximum daily intake of 70mg CBD. We’re not aware of any risks from exceeding this limit.
However, if you’re new to CBD, it’s always best to start as low as possible, assess how you feel, and gradually increase the dosage if needed until you begin to experience the desired effects.
CBD Capsules vs Oil
The major difference between CBD oil and capsules is in how they’re absorbed. Whereas CBD oil is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through blood vessels under the tongue, capsules have to pass through the digestive system and liver.
As a result, CBD oil has higher bioavailability (the proportion of a substance you take that is absorbed into the blood) than capsules and also takes less time to kick in.
However, capsules are more convenient: they’re tasteless, easy to take, and can be used anywhere, anytime. Plus, many people already take vitamins and other supplements in pill form, so it’s easy to add CBD to your daily regimen.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for high-quality CBD capsules, we’re sure you’ll find something in our list that suits your needs. However, here are some important tips to keep in mind.
Although CBD is considered safe, it’s always best to consult with your doctor before taking it, especially if:
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have a serious medical condition
- Take any medications
It’s also crucial to remember that CBD and medical cannabis are not the same thing. Medical cannabis can only be prescribed by licensed doctors for the treatment of specific symptoms and health conditions.
High-street CBD products, on the other hand, is sold as a food supplement, which means it’s available over-the-counter and brands are not allowed to make any claims about its medical benefits.
