Learn how omega-3 fish oil can help your heart, brain, cholesterol, and joints. Discover which fish oil supplements ranked first on our list.
Omega-3 fish oil is the undisputed king of health supplements. Its success is also not a mystery. For decades, nutritional experts and health care professionals have been preaching about omega-3s, and for good reason: it has a plethora of health benefits!
Unfortunately, the market has been oversaturated with omega-3 fish oils of various quality and origin. While it’s tempting to think of supplements as one-size-fits-all, the truth is that even something as simple as the type of fish—anchovy, salmon, or cod—can have a significant impact on the quality and effectiveness of the substances in your supplement.
So, at Smarter Reviews, we examined hundreds of the market’s best-selling omega-3 fish oil supplements.
Based on our findings, we created a short guide to explain to you what to look for and what to avoid in a high-quality supplement. In addition, we give our top picks for 2023.
This post contains referral links for products we love. Staying Fit With Aeran earns a small commission on these links at no cost to you, and the links will always be marked with an asterisk *.
How to Choose the Best Omega-3 Supplement
It all starts with the fish, really. Anchovies and other small, fatty fish acquire fewer toxins than larger species such as salmon, resulting in a purer product. But that is only the beginning of the conversation.
The best omega-3 fish oil supplements are manufactured and made by trustworthy companies from naturally occurring and sustainable sources, and the contents are extensively screened for unneeded or undesirable impurities.
Unfortunately, many firms fail to meet these expectations, and customers are unaware they are purchasing a subpar product. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of typical mistakes people make when choosing an omega-3 supplement.
What to Look for in a Good Fish Oil
- DHA and EPA
- Lemon Oil that is GMP-compliant
How Much Should I Take?
Higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) promote musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and mental health. That is, while a supplement should have a high fish oil dosage, it is also crucial to search for a DHA/EPA ratio.
Adults should consume at least 600 mg of EPA and 400 mg of DHA daily for optimum outcomes.
What to Stay Away From
Certain heavy metals are beginning to harm our fish supplies as our oceans get increasingly polluted. When larger fish consume smaller fish, they accumulate more pollution. Because small, fatty fish such as sardines and anchovies are lower on the marine food chain, they do not contain the contaminants found in larger species such as salmon.
Misleading Labels for Mercury PCBs
The Best Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements Available
We’ve developed a list of the best 5 goods in this category on the market today based on our own rigorous analysis, combined with the data offered by our Smarter Reviews Ranking System and examination of multiple reviews by Smarter Shoppers just like you.
First, here’s a side-by-side comparison of industry-leading Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements.
Omega well by Live Conscious *
PROS
- Each serving contains 2000 milligrams of fish oil.
- 600 mg DHA, 800 mg EPA
- Formulated from natural ingredients with no fillers
- Lemon essential oil
- GMP-certified third-party testing and certification 365-day return policy
- Made in the United States with ingredients sourced from around the world
Bottom Line
OmegaWell by Live Conscious ranks first on our ranking because of its high-quality, potent mix.
Each serving of OmegaWell includes 2,000 mg of fish oil, containing 800 mg of EPA and 600 mg of DHA. It’s also third-party tested, responsibly sourced, and lightly flavored with lemon to minimize “fish burps.”
Live Conscious also provides an exceptional 365-day money-back guarantee, indicating that they stand by their product. The findings are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and may not reflect normal results from using these goods. For further information, please visit the product websites.
Omega-3 Fish Oil by Essential Elements *
PROS
- Each serving contains 2000 milligrams of fish oil.
- 600 mg DHA and 800 mg EPA
- Third-party verified and GMP-certified natural lemon oil Made in the USA using globally sourced ingredients.
Bottom Line
Omega-3 by Essential Elements is another well-executed fish oil supplement. Each serving contains a substantial amount of high-quality fish oil, including 1400 mg of EPA and DHA omega-3s. Furthermore, all elements are included in easy-to-swallow, lemon-flavored soft gels (no more “fish burps”).
Essential Elements’ Omega-3 contains sustainably derived fish oil and is manufactured in the United States using globally sourced ingredients in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices. They also provide a 365-day money-back guarantee!
Omega XL by Great HealthWorks *
PROS
- Manufactured from sustainably farmed mussels
Bottom Line
OmegaXL by Great Healthworks ranks high enough on our list to earn a respectable third place. However, it should be emphasized that OmegaXL is a mussel-sourced omega-3 supplement. It has a proprietary combination of 300 mg, and the dosages of EPA and DHA are inexplicably not disclosed.
Smarter Shoppers discovered that the product provided only has 40 mg of “fish” oil, which is far too little to be helpful in the long run. It is also not produced from the best fish oil sources available. There were numerous nasty ratings on Amazon. They do have a 90-day money-back guarantee, albeit it is quite conditional and does not include shipping costs.
Triple-Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil by Viva Naturals *
PROS
- The International Fish Oil Standards Program tested it.
- Method of CO2 Extraction
The Bottom Line
Viva Naturals Triple-Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil is a decent choice for a fish oil supplement despite some evident downsides.
Smarter Shoppers appreciated the high quantity of EPA but noted that it has less DHA than competitors.
Viva Naturals also uses a CO2 extraction technology, which eliminates the use of harsh chemicals and harmful heat.
However, some reviewers complained that the tablets were too large to swallow and left them with fishy burps.
Ultimate Omega by Nordic Natural *
PROS
- Recognized brand name
- 450 mg DHA and 650 mg EPA
- Third-party verification
- Lemon flavoring derived from sustainable sources
Bottom Line
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega complex seemed like a #5 on our ranking due to its time-tested composition. There are 650 mg of EPA and 450 mg of DHA omega-3s in each serving.
Additionally, their product is non-GMO, sourced responsibly, and third-party tested for purity and potency. This recipe has a lot of positive aspects, but it also contains some needless ingredients, such as gelatin and glycerin-based capsules.
Furthermore, when compared to our other options, Nordic Naturals’ 30-day return policy fell short of our expectations.
To Conclude
It is advisable to take these supplements with a meal that contains fat, as fat enhances omega-3 absorption. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to provide a number of health benefits, notably in terms of heart disease.
Fats appear to prevent arrhythmias by keeping the heartbeat stable, decreasing blood pressure, and enhancing blood vessel function.