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The CBD market is crowded, and not every company is trustworthy. We’ve evaluated and tried dozens of CBD brands, and we feel these are the best when it comes to safety, quality, and transparency.

Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.

Once you’ve decided to try cannabidiol (CBD), picking a brand is the logical next step. But with countless CBD brands on the market today, you may be wondering where to even begin.

To get you started, we’re sharing our picks of the top CBD brands in multiple categories, including tester feedback about multiple products by each brand.

We chose these brands based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. Each brand in this article:

  • provides proof of third-party testing
  • demonstrates transparency about where its hemp is grown
  • sells products with no more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), according to the certificate of analysis (COA)
  • tests its products for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds

As a part of our selection process, we also considered:

  • the experience and feedback from testers who’ve tried products by these brands
  • certifications and manufacturing processes
  • whether the products are certified organic
  • indicators of user trust and brand reputation, like:
    • customer reviews
    • whether the company has been subject to a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter
    • whether the company makes any unsupported health claims

Pricing guide

Each brand sells multiple products that vary in price. We based this pricing guide on the average price of products across each brand’s products.

  • $ = under $30
  • $$ = $30–$50
  • $$$ = over $50
CBD brandPrice rangeCBD types available
Cornbread Hemp$$$full-spectrum
CBDfx$$–$$$broad-spectrum, isolate, full-spectrum
Joy Organics$$broad-spectrum
Medterra$–$$broad-spectrum, isolate, full-spectrum
Aspen Green$$$full-spectrum
cbdMD$–$$$broad-spectrum, full-spectrum
Soul CBD$$–$$$isolate
PlusCBD$$–$$$full-spectrum
BATCH CBD$$-$$$full-spectrum
Sunmed CBD$-$$$broad-spectrum, full-spectrum

While anecdotal evidence is easy to find, clinical evidence about the effectiveness of CBD is limited. Still, there is research linking CBD to:

It’s important to note that CBD isn’t a cure-all, and we’re still only beginning to explore how exactly it works to help these and other conditions.

Additionally, there’s more animal research on CBD than there are human studies. Experts need more human studies to confirm its effectiveness.

Understanding indicators of a quality CBD brand helps you avoid companies that cut corners. As you navigate the CBD market, here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Third-party testing: Look for current, comprehensive COAs from third-party labs that confirm cannabinoid potency and confirm a given product has passed contaminant testing.
  • Transparency about hemp cultivation and manufacturing processes: Reputable CBD companies are often exceedingly proud of the sources of their hemp and their cultivation methods. If a company isn’t upfront about where it gets its hemp or how it manufactures its products, make sure to do some digging to figure out why.
  • Company reputation: It’s simple to search online to confirm whether a CBD brand has received an FDA warning letter or been involved in any lawsuits. You can also get an idea of what real customers and reviewers think about a company and its products. Spend some time browsing reviews and poking around a brand’s website before buying. If you see unverified health claims or lots of bad reviews, it’s worth exploring other brands.

Pro tip: If you’re shopping on Amazon, don’t be fooled by any products that claim to contain CBD. At this time, CBD isn’t for sale on Amazon, so any “CBD” products you see there are likely just hempseed oil.

Since CBD comes in different forms, taking it correctly depends on the product you’re using. These include:

  • Oils and tinctures: CBD oils and tinctures are used sublingually, or beneath the tongue, but can also be added to foods and drinks. Effects from sublingual consumption can be felt all over the body and usually come on quickly.
  • Pills and capsules: CBD pills and capsules are swallowed whole. This option also offers a full-body effect, but because absorption happens via the digestive system, it takes longer to feel the effects.
  • Edibles: You can find CBD in products like gummies, teas, and more. They’re easy to dose and discreet to carry with you.
  • Topicals: These products are massaged directly into the skin for localized effects.

Studies have shown that CBD is generally safe to use. However, it’s important for people who are pregnant or nursing to avoid CBD. Children shouldn’t take CBD either unless it’s in the form of Epidiolex and a doctor or healthcare professional prescribes it to treat seizures.

Some people may experience side effects when taking CBD. These include:

  • fatigue
  • diarrhea
  • changes in appetite and weight

It’s a good idea to speak with a doctor or healthcare professional before trying CBD, especially if you’re already taking any medications. CBD can interact with certain medications, particularly medications with a grapefruit warning.

It’s also important to be mindful about ingesting CBD products alongside high fat meals, which a small 2020 study suggested can dramatically increase CBD blood concentrations and put you at a higher risk of side effects.

If you’re trying a topical CBD product for the first time, apply a small test patch first to gauge your reaction before using it widely.

Proper dosage varies, depending on the product, and it’s often a process of trial and error. Our dosage guide is a good place to start, and it’s also wise to check the packaging for a suggested dose.

Keep in mind that body weight, body chemistry, product type, and potency will all influence the appropriate dose. In general, it’s best to begin with the lowest dose you can and build from there.

The “high” that’s associated with cannabis comes from THC. This cannabinoid causes psychoactive effects characterized by pleasure, euphoria, or heightened sensory perception.

CBD doesn’t cause the same kind of effects, but it can help you feel more relaxed or reduce anxiety, which may make you feel more uplifted. Still, it doesn’t mean you’re “high.”

Keep in mind that full-spectrum products contain some THC. If you take a large enough dose of a potent enough product, you could be ingesting enough THC to cause an intoxicating effect.

No. While both are derived from the cannabis plant, hempseed oil is made from the hemp seeds themselves, which contain no CBD. CBD comes from the flowers, leaves, and stems of the hemp plant.

No. CBD itself doesn’t show up on drug tests. But taking large enough amounts of full-spectrum CBD products, which contain small amounts of THC, could lead to a positive drug test.

At this time, the FDA has approved only one CBD product, Epidiolex, which is used to treat seizures. Over-the-counter CBD products aren’t FDA approved.

Finding a reputable CBD brand takes a little effort. It’s important to research your options and opt for companies that are committed to safety, purity, and quality. If you’re interested in trying CBD, the brands outlined in this article have earned our recommendation for exactly that.

Be sure to consult a doctor or healthcare professional before trying CBD.

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 legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so 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.