8 Best CBD Oils: Reviews & Buying Guide

Everyone has a different reason to incorporate CBD into their lives. Whether they use CBD to help tackle a difficult health issue like chronic pain, or simply want to take it to help reduce stress and anxiety, CBD offers a natural way to help manage a number of problems.

One issue for anyone new to CBD is figuring out the best brands, deciding which product will work better for them, and how much CBD oil they should take.

The good news is we’ve done all of the hard work for you. Our guide to the best CBD oils will point you to some of the best CBD brands on the market and will highlight some of their specific products. We’ve also included helpful information about the benefits of CBD oil.

Here are our choices for best CBD oils.

The Best CBD Oils

Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission.

• FAB CBD – Top Rated
• Spruce – Strongest CBD Oil
• CBDistillery – Best Value
• cbdMD – Best Broad Spectrum
• NuLeaf Naturals – Best All Natural
• Medterra – Best THC-free
• Charlotte’s Web – Best for Sleep
• Naternal – Least Expensive

How We Chose the Best CBD Oils

To create our list of best CBD oils, we evaluated each brand and product on six specific categories.

• Value — Is the brand’s CBD oil affordable and does it work?
• Strength — How many total milligrams of CBD does each dose of CBD oil contain?
• Source — Does the company use all-natural hemp grown in the USA?
• Flavor — Does the oil come in multiple flavors? Is it flavored using natural ingredients?
• Transparency — Does the brand offer accessible third-party lab test results and information about their extraction process?
• Customer Experience — What do actual customers say about the product and the buying experience?

Spruce CBD – Strongest

Spruce wants to help people find real relief, and they make a point to listen to customers about what they need. Their lab grade CBD oil is made from a consistent, quality supply of hemp extract grown here in the US. Customers can trust that this product is organic, vegan, and gluten-free. The Spruce website is full of customer reviews from real people talking about how the this oil worked for them.

Flavor: Peppermint

Hemp source: Kentucky and North Carolina

Why buy: A strong, full spectrum, lab-grade CBD oil; includes organic hemp seed oil and natural flavors, no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives; Spruce also offers an Extra Strength option that contains 80 mg of CBD per 1 mL dropper.

CBDistillery – Best Value

With quality CBD oils starting at $20, CBDistillery offers good products at a great price. This affordability and their extremely potent CBD oils (like the 2500mg and 5000mg options) have made CBDistillery one of the fastest growing companies in the hemp space. Their Colorado-grown non-GMO industrial hemp provides for a variety of CBD oil products.

Flavor: Natural

Hemp source: Colorado

Why buy: They offer full-spectrum and broad-spectrum oils, as well as CBD isolate; affordable pricing for higher-strength oils; U.S. Hemp Authority Certified; non-GMO; third-party lab tested; 60-day money back guarantee.

cbdMD CBD Tinctures – Best Broad Spectrum

cbdMD has a diverse line of American-made, high-quality broad spectrum CBD oil products. This CBD company has also made an effort to reach out into the sports world to expand the reach of hemp derivatives. Their quality CBD tinctures have a light taste, various flavors, THC-free options, and are a great starting place for people who want to try CBD for recovery after workouts.

Flavors: Natural, Berry, Orange, Mint

Hemp source: USA

Why buy: Wide variety of broad spectrum CBD options and flavors —all THC free; third-party tested by ISO-certified labs; 60-day 100% satisfaction guarantee or you can get a full refund.

NuLeaf Naturals – Best All Natural

NuLeaf Naturals makes strong, concentrated CBD oils that are all around 50mg CBD per mL. We like that the concentration is the same across the product line because you just have to decide how much you want to buy. Plus, these products are made using a Co2 extraction process that removes the CBD from 100% organic hemp plants. Anecdotal feedback from customers suggests that people who want something strong and consistent for pain relief are buying NuLeaf and getting results.

Flavor: Natural

Hemp source: Colorado

Why buy: Consistent concentration across bottle sizes makes dosing easier; full spectrum CBD made with organic hemp; third-party lab tested with easily-accessible test results through their website.

Medterra – Best THC-free

f you want to access the wellness potential of CBD but also want to completely avoid any chance of ingesting THC, Medterra is the brand for you. These quality THC-free CBD oil products are great for employees who are regularly drug tested, as they won’t trigger a bad result. Their oil tinctures have a neutral taste, because they are isolates, which makes them easier to swallow for people new to CBD. Medterra’s also has a nighttime line that has been especially popular with those looking for a natural sleep aid.

Flavor: Neutral (unflavored)

Hemp source: Kentucky

Why buy: Great online shopping experience, quick and easy service; THC-free; organic, non-GMO; U.S. Hemp Authority Certified; Co2 extraction method.

Charlotte’s Web – Best for Sleep

Charlotte’s Web has some of our favorite CBD oils for sleep. They also have a long history of sourcing American hemp. I would buy Charlotte’s Web CBD oils if I was looking for help supporting calm for focus, the management of everyday stress, and healthy sleep cycles. This product is best if taken regularly, and kept in your system.

Flavors: Mint Chocolate, Olive Oil (natural), Orange Blossom, Lemon Twist

Hemp source: Colorado

Why buy: Established brand with track record of testing and innovative quality control; U.S. Hemp Authority Certified; small batch alcohol extraction method; 30-day satisfaction guarantee; third-party lab testing results available online.

Naternal – Least Expensive

Naternal offers both broad and full spectrum CBD oils, so customers can choose if they want a completely THC-free extract or a fuller range of beneficial cannabinoids and plant terpenes. Thanks to the quality, taste, and affordable price, this product is a great place to start for those who want to see if CBD is right for them.

Flavor: Natural

Hemp source: North Carolina

Why buy: Strong products with helpful dosing information on bottle and in packaging; both broad and full spectrum CBD options; affordable pricing; ethanol extraction process.

Frequently Asked Questions

For those new to CBD, here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about CBD.

What is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound that comes from the marijuana and hemp strains of cannabis. If you purchase CBD products that are crafted solely from the hemp plant, then there will be less than 0.3 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, in them. THC is a very well-known compound of the cannabis plant that causes people to feel a euphoric high when smoked or ingested.

While hemp is a part of the cannabis plant family, it contains less than 0.3 percent of THC. Marijuana is a variety of cannabis that has well over 0.3 percent of THC.

Unlike THC, CBD will not cause users to feel high in any way. Products that are crafted from the cannabis plant will contain both CBD and THC in them. However, all full-spectrum CBD products that are sold within the United States must legally contain less than 0.3 percent THC.

CBD carries its own therapeutic and medical benefits as it interacts with the endocannabinoid system of the body.

What conditions can be treated with CBD?

CBD is used for a great many reasons. CBD can be used to help manage a number of health issues.

There are multiple studies that show CBD can be helpful in managing the following conditions:

• Pain
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Epilepsy
• Symptoms Related to Cancer
• Headaches
• Sleep Issues
• High Blood Pressure

In light of these findings, more people are seeking CBD as a natural, safe, and effective way to help them deal with painful and sometimes debilitating health conditions.

Which strength is the best?

CBD oils come in many different strengths and flavors. And while flavor is purely a matter of preference, strength is another story. Typically, if you are new to CBD, it’s recommended for you to begin with the lowest potency first until you can gauge how your body will react to the oil.

Low Potency CBD Oils — 300mg

This low potency oil option is great for people who are just beginning to take CBD and who are concerned about how their body will react to it. Everyone has an endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The body’s endocannabinoid system is located in the brain, nervous system, organs, connective tissues, glands, immune cells, and other areas of the body. The two internal receptors, CB1 and CB2, that influence the brain and the immune system interact with endocannabinoids to help the body regain balance or homeostasis.

Basically, the ECS interacts with naturally occurring compounds in the body as well as with the compounds found within the cannabis plant to help relieve issues stemming from various health conditions. The endocannabinoid system has a very large impact on the brain, nervous system, and our emotional and psychological well-being.

Therefore, a low potency oil is a perfect way to introduce CBD into your system to see how your endocannabinoid system will react to it.

Mid-Potency CBD Oils — 600mg

Mid-potency oils are a great way to slowly increase or step-up your strength if you feel that the low-potency oil is not effective for you. This option is perfect for people who need to take larger or multiple doses of low-potency oil a day. People who use mid-potency oils are commonly doing so to help alleviate anxiety as well as daily pain.

High-Potency CBD Oil — 1,000mg+

This strength of oil is commonly used by those who are struggling with various sleep issues, muscle aches and pains, migraine headaches, daily stress, and frequent anxiety.

What is the best dose?

A great rule to live by when it comes to CBD is to start low and go slow. You should never start with the highest dose right away. Likewise, you should never initially take CBD oil more than once a day when you are just starting out.

Typically, what you should do is begin by taking 5mg of oil once a day for a week. That dose will equal about a half a dropper full of oil. After a week has elapsed, check to see how you are feeling. If you feel that you are not getting the relief that you seek, then increase the dose to another half dropper full twice a day. This will now equal a total of 10mg of CBD oil a day. Stay with this dose for another week before doing a check-in to gauge how you are feeling.

Repeat these steps until you achieve your desired results. Likewise, go slow with the different oil potencies until you find the strength that works best for your needs.

Are there any negative side effects to be concerned about?

Just like with any natural supplement or treatment method, there can be some mild side effects associated with CBD oil. Some of the more common side effects that people have reported include:

• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Nausea

CBD can also negatively interact with prescription medications. A good way to check if it will potentially negatively mix with your current prescription is to go by the grapefruit warning rule. If you cannot eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice or other citruses while on your medication, then you should not mix CBD with it.

Grapefruit contains compounds called furanocoumarins that bind with specialized enzymes located within the gut. When these compounds bind with the enzymes, they lower the body’s ability to break down and eliminate drugs from the system. Therefore, too much of the drug will be in the bloodstream which can lead to toxic levels over time.

CBD is very similar to grapefruit in that it also binds with those same enzymes and can therefore cause the very same issues. Once the enzyme is neutralized, it can take days for its function to return back to normal.

Can you get high off of CBD?

No, the compound CBD, or cannabidiol, does not have any psychoactive properties to it. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, however, will get you high when taken in high doses. All full spectrum CBD oils are required by law to have less than 0.3% THC in them, so they will not get you high.

The theory behind full spectrum products is that the low levels of THC work in a synergistic manner with CBD, terpenes, and other compounds to bring about a healing effect as well as boost each other’s therapeutic benefits. CBD is known to have a relaxing effect, making it a wonderful natural supplement to help combat insomnia.

What is the difference between full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate?

There are quite a few differences between full spectrum CBD oil and broad spectrum CBD, as well as CBD isolates. Full spectrum CBD contains all of the phytochemicals naturally found in the cannabis plant. This means that full spectrum CBD contains CBD, THC, trace cannabinoids, terpenes, and essential oils. By law, all full-spectrum products must contain less than 0.3% THC.

Broad spectrum CBD contains the cannabinoids and CBD but does not have any THC in it. Any THC is completely removed after the initial extraction process. A good way to think about broad spectrum products is that they are somewhere in between full spectrum oils and CBD isolates.

Lastly, CBD isolates are exactly what the name implies. In CBD isolate products, CBD is separated away from all of the other compounds. When you purchase CBD isolate products, you are getting the purest form of CBD in the highest concentration per serving. People who choose to use CBD isolate benefit solely from the effects of CBD, or cannabidiol.

Does the extraction process matter?

Whenever you set out to buy a CBD product, you should absolutely take the time and effort to how that product was made. In particular, you should pay close attention to how the extracts were taken from the plants. If CBD was extracted using a heat method, then most of the health benefits will have been lost.

There are three primary methods of extraction: steam distillation; Co2 extraction; and solvent extraction.

In steam distillation, steam is used to separate the CBD oil from the hemp plant. This method is less preferred over the Co2 extraction method. In order to properly perform steam distillation, more of the hemp plant is needed and it is harder to obtain exact amounts of CBD concentrations. If the steam becomes too hot it can both damage extracts as well as change the cannabinoids’ chemical makeup.

The Co2 extraction process is both the cleanest and industry preferred extraction method. The Co2 extraction method uses carbon dioxide to separate the oil from the plant. During this method, pressurized chambers and pumps expose Co2 to low temperatures and high pressure. The end results are oils that have very high concentrations of CBD. Scientific analysis shows that this extraction process results in a 92 percent concentration of CBD.

Lastly, there is the less-preferred solvent extraction process. This method uses a solvent instead of heated water to separate CBD oil from the plant. The downside to this method is that it creates a mixture of CBD oil and solvent. Eventually, the solvent evaporates, leaving only the CBD oil. The solvents that are used can include naphtha, petroleum, butane, or propane, are very concerning as they have been linked to cancer risks. In order to avoid toxic residue, some brands use olive oil or ethanol in the solvent process. But, even with natural solvents, chlorophyll can also be extracted that will give the oil a bad taste. Also, natural solvents do not evaporate that well, meaning the CBD extract will contain a much lower concentration of CBD.

What is the best way to use CBD?

CBD products come in many different options. There are oils, sprays, creams, gummies, capsules, vapes, and much more. Typically, sublingual options are the best. These will be oils or sprays. However, depending on what you are using the CBD for, another option might be better for you. For example, if you have muscle aches and pains, then a topical cream will be your best option. If you have an active lifestyle and need to take your CBD on the go, then gummies will work the best for you. The choice is completely up to you.

Is CBD Legal?

In 2014, the Agricultural Act, or Farm Bill, was passed that allowed the legalization of cultivation activities of hemp. Because of this, the hemp industry was able to explore many new and innovative ways of growing hemp.

The House and the Senate then passed the 2018 Farm Act that removed hemp, which is defined as a cannabis plant that contain less than 0.3% THC, off of the Schedule 1 Controlled Substances list from Congress.

CBD that comes from marijuana plants is still subject to individual state laws. However, CBD products that are sourced from hemp can be both purchased and consumed in all 50 states as long as the hemp has been cultivated according to the Farm Act.

Typically, all full spectrum CBD products must legally contain less than 0.3% THC in them in order to be sold and purchased within the United States.

Will you get a positive drug test result from using CBD?

Most drug tests specifically screen for illegal drugs and prescription medications in urine, blood, and saliva. Since some CBD cannabis oils and CBD hemp oils contain less than 0.3% THC, it can cause a positive drug screening. If you are in a job that requires any drug testing, you are advised to use caution and take CBD at your own discretion.

How long will it take before you feel the effects of CBD?

Everyone’s body is different, which means how quickly one person feels the effects of CBD will differ from how long it takes another person to feel the effects.

Also, the CBD product you use, whether a cream, vape, oil, gummy, capsule, etc., will dictate how slow or how fast you feel the effects of CBD. The fastest way to feel the effects of CBD is through vaping. Topical creams take effect pretty quickly as well. The second fastest route is through sublingual administration, which is accomplished by taking oils. Finally, the slowest way to absorb CBD is through oral ingestion with products such as capsules, gummies, and other edibles.

Putting questions into perspective

Remember, if you still have questions regarding CBD then you might want to schedule a consultation appointment with your primary care physician or healthcare provider for further guidance.