We Researched Over 20 Fish Oil Supplements — These Are the Best Ones

Fish oil supplements are some of the most popular nutritional aids on the market, and with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the healthiest one. To make life easier for you, we researched over 20 fish oil supplements and asked five registered dietitians to share their top picks.

Fish oil supplements should provide the highest quality omega-3 fatty acids in a dosage that meets your needs. Omega-3 fatty acids are found naturally in plant oils like flaxseed, soybean, and canola oil, as well as in walnuts and chia seeds. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel are also excellent sources of omega-3s.

Omega-3s support your health by reducing inflammation in the body and lowering the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

They are essential for brain and eye health, hormone production, joint mobility, and infant development. Omega-3s may also ease arthritis symptoms and stave off dementia.

Your body cannot produce these essential fatty acids on its own. People need to include omega-3s in their diet by choosing foods rich in omega-3s or by taking an omega-3 supplement. A study found that most adults and children in the United States have suboptimal levels of omega-3s.

Since most people don’t get enough from their diet alone, a supplement may help support your body and mind.

This comprehensive list of the best fish oil supplements will help you make an informed decision on which one is best for your overall health.

Best Overall: Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Best for Sustainability: Garden of Life Minami Omega-3 Fish Oil
Best Vegan: MegaFood Omega 3-6-9
Most Budget-Friendly: Nature Made Burp-Less Fish Oil
Best Small Serving: Now Foods Ultra Omega-3 Fish Oil
Best for Pregnancy: Mother's Promise Prenatal DHA
Best for Kids: L'il Critters Omega-3 Gummy
Best Multivitamin: SmartyPants Women's Multi & Omegas
Most Cost-Effective: Carlson Maximum Omega 2000
Best Liquid: Thorne Omega Superb
Easiest to Swallow Pill: Carlyle Mini Omega-3 Fish Oil

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega supplements rate the best overall because four of the five dietitians we talked to recommended Nordic Naturals as their go-to brand for omega-3 supplements, both for themselves and their clients. One reason is that the company posts third-party testing results directly on its website for transparency.

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega also has an ideal dose of omega-3s, according to some dietitians. One supplement delivers 1,280 milligrams (mg) of total omega-3s, 650 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and 450 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Jen Scheinman, RD, the owner of Next Jen Health, says, “I like taking about 1 to 2 grams of combined EPA and DHA in a fish oil supplement,” making the Ultimate Omega supplement a good choice for getting a dose in this range from a trusted brand.

Garden of Life focuses on sustainability and processes its products in LEED- and Green-e-Energy–certified facilities that use renewable energy. The company supports both the health of the environment and the health of its consumers. Garden of Life fish oil supplements are certified organic, non-GMO, and carbon neutral.

The Minami Omega-3 Fish Oil supplement costs $32.89 for a bottle with 60 servings. One soft gel provides 850 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids, 590 mg of EPA, and 130 mg of DHA.

MegaFood Omega 3-6-9 supplement is made from algae oil and ahiflower, making it a fish-free alternative for vegans and vegetarians. Not all plant-based omega-3s are easily absorbed, but MegaFood uses an algal DHA to provide an easier-to-absorb plant-based omega-3 supplement.

More people on plant-based diets lack omega-3s compared with people who eat fish and meat, and vegan omega-3 supplements can help them get the nutrients they need.

Choosing a vegan supplement could also help combat overfishing, and since the demand for omega-3s is higher than the supply of fish, this is a marine life-friendly option.

One bottle provides 60 vegan capsules, with 30 servings per bottle, costing $24.29. Each serving of MegaFood Omega 3-6-9 provides 120 mg of omega-6, 44 mg of omega-9, and 600 mg of total omega-3s, with 285 mg of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), 150 mg of DHA, and 125 mg of SDA.

Of the 20-plus supplements considered for this review, Nature Made Burp-Less Fish Oil supplements are the most affordable. Nature Made is a trusted brand that produces a wide range of third-party tested products. This budget-friendly supplement is purified to remove mercury and other potential contaminants, and is free of gluten, dairy, and artificial colors and flavors. One Nature Made Burp Less Fish Oil bottle contains 30 servings of softgels for $5.99. One serving provides 720 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids, with 600 mg of EPA and DHA.

Many fish oil supplements recommend a serving size of two softgels, but Now Ultra Omega-3 Fish Oil’s serving size is just one softgel. One serving provides 500 mg of EPA and 250 mg of DHA. Each bottle contains 180 servings for $26.03.

Now Foods provides transparency on its website, with information about ingredient sources, manufacturers, and testing.

Mother’s Promise was a clear winner for best prenatal omega-3 supplement. These ingredients are sustainably sourced from wild-caught fish and certified by the Friends of the Sea organization. The supplements are third-party tested for purity and potency. One bottle contains 60 servings for $24.25. Each serving contains 700 mg of total omega-3s and 600 mg of DHA.

Fish oil may be beneficial for expecting mothers. A study review found that DHA supports early placenta and brain development.

According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, the adequate intake during pregnancy is 1,400 mg of omega-3s.

Be sure to talk with your doctor before taking any supplements while pregnant.

Getting some kids to eat fish, let alone supplements, can be challenging. L’il Critters Omega-3 Gummy vitamins can be a good option for picky eaters. The company was awarded a 2021 ChefsBest Excellence award for its naturally sourced citrus-berry flavor. The vitamin has no artificial flavors or sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, synthetic dyes, gluten, or dairy.

Your child might want to eat this like candy, but the recommended serving size depends on their age: One gummy is recommended for 2- and 3-year-olds, and two gummies for 4-year-olds and older children. Each bottle contains 60 to 120 servings and costs $12.48. There are 50 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids, including 25 mg of DHA/EPA and 25 mg of ALA, per gummy. This supplement also provides vitamins A, C, D, and E.

This supplement differs from the others on the list because it’s not just a fish oil supplement. Smarty Pants Women’s Multi & Omegas is formulated to fill nutritional gaps in the average diet. The gummy provides over 20 nutrients, including vitamins D, B12, K, and C, plus CoQ10, biotin, folate, and omega-3s. Some find the gummy form easier to tolerate than traditional pill supplements, and they may prefer the flavor and texture to regular capsules.

Carlson Maximum Omega 2000 supplements provide a more concentrated formula to make it the most cost-effective choice.

Alexandria Hardy, RDN, the CEO of Pennsylvania Nutrition Services, calls this supplement an “excellent choice because it is highly concentrated, meaning it provides more omega-3s and less filler in each dose.”

Each bottle contains 60 softgels, with 30 servings for $33.92. There are 2,000 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids, with 1,250 mg of EPA and 500 mg of DHA, per serving. If 2,000 mg is too high a dose for you, consider taking one softgel to halve the serving.

Fish oil supplements have a bad reputation for leaving a fishy aftertaste and causing fishy burps. An oil may sound like an even fishier idea than a capsule, but Thorne Omega Superb is formulated with a lemon-berry flavor for improved taste. You can take it alone or mix it into drinks and food.

Each teaspoon provides 1,325 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids, with 700 mg EPA and 440 mg of DHA. Thorne supplements are IFOS-certified for purity, potency, and freshness.

Fish oil softgels tend to be fairly large, ranging from 1/2 to 1 inch, which can be a challenge if you have trouble swallowing large pills or just don’t like taking them. Carlyle Mini Omega-3 Fish Oil softgels could be a perfect alternative since they are smaller and easier to swallow.

Each bottle contains 200 mini softgels (66 servings) for $22.99. A serving size of three mini softgels has about 1,245 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids with 58 to 84 percent EPA and 22 to 38 percent DHA. Carlyle uses high-quality, ethically sourced ingredients. It packages and tests its supplements in the United States.

When compiling this list of the best fish oil supplements, we reviewed 21 supplements for their quality, cost, ingredient sourcing, serving size, form, dose, and third-party testing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate supplements, so for this list, we prioritized products that are third-party tested or from brands with positive reputations in the industry.

We also asked five registered dietitians for their recommendations for the best fish oil supplement, and a registered dietitian wrote this article.

When looking for a fish oil supplement, you’ll want to consider what form is best for you, whether that's a softgel, vegan capsule, gummy, or liquid.

You’ll also want to consider the company. Danielle Venhuizen, RDN, the owner of Food Sense Nutrition Counseling, says, “Omega-3s are delicate oils with potent anti-inflammatory properties. If not handled correctly, these oils can break down and go rancid.”

Third-party tested supplements help ensure that the supplements contain what they claim to and don't contain anything harmful. Some companies post third-party testing results and other information about ingredient sourcing on their websites, providing transparency about the product you’re buying. Third-party testing ensures that supplements are of better quality because an outside organization without ties to the company conducts the analysis instead of the manufacturer.

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