UK's 5 Best CBD Capsules & Tablets of 2022

March 18, 2022

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Written by Luke Langfield

Best CBD Capsules and Best CBD Tablets 2022

March 18, 2022

·

Written by Luke Langfield

CBD capsules and tablets 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 & tablets including a detailed guide to choosing the right product. Here’s what you’re going to learn:

Let's get started.

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 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 & Tablets for 2022

All CBD capsules listed below have met CBD Shopy’s quality assessment criteria, formulated in consultation with medical cannabis expert Prof. Michael Barnes. None of the brands paid or offered any other incentive for placement on our list.

Love CBD Entourage Capsules

Love CBD’s Entourage capsules are another 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 two strengths, 1200mg and 600mg and sit on our best list 2 and 3 respectively. We’ve given preference to the 1200mg capsules as they offer the strongest capsule in our list at a very reasonable per mg CBD price.

For the 1200mg capsules, there are 60 capsules and each capsule contain 20mg of CBD and CBDa. The 600mg capsules contain half the CBD and CBDa content at 10mg per capsule. Both are accompanied by smaller amounts of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

In this way, these CBD oil 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.

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.

Buyer’s guide to choosing the right CBD capsules for you

There are many factors to keep in mind when choosing the right CBD capsules. Most notably, you’ll want to make sure you’re buying a safe, high-quality product that matches your CBD dosage requirements and other preferences.

We put together a quick buyer’s guide to help you choose the best CBD capsules.

What types of CBD capsules are there?

CBD capsules come in various types including regular capsules, tablets, pills & softgels. Like all CBD products, they’re available in three possible formulas: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate.

Full-Spectrum CBD capsules

Full-spectrum hemp extract contains not only CBD but all of hemp’s cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, and other beneficial natural compounds. This includes a small amount of THC (less than 1mg maximum in the UK).

All of these compounds work together in synergy (the “entourage effect”), which is why full-spectrum CBD capsules are more effective than those containing pure CBD on its lonesome.

Broad-Spectrum CBD Capsules

Broad-spectrum hemp extract is the same as full-spectrum, but with one key difference: all traces of THC are completely removed.

This whole-plant extract allows you to reap all the benefits of full-spectrum CBD but without any THC. It’s ideal for people who want to avoid THC completely due to drug testing or other reasons.

CBD Isolate Capsules

CBD isolate is a powder that contains >99% pure cannabidiol and nothing else. It’s made by removing all other compounds from whole-plant hemp extract.

CBD isolate products do not benefit from the entourage effect because they’re missing all of the additional cannabinoids and other hemp phytochemicals. However, they’re easier to formulate and can be used in a wider range of products.

Capsules vs softgels

Regular capsules have a hard shell and contain dry ingredients, whereas softgels have a soft shell and contain liquid ingredients. Most CBD products come in softgel form because this allows the CBD to be dissolved in oil, which improves its absorption. For this reason, it’s best to choose softgels over regular capsules.

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.

Are you vegan or vegetarian?

Most CBD capsule shells are made out of gelatin, which is an animal product. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, look for products made out of plant cellulose.

Do you want the entourage effect?

As we noted above, full and broad-spectrum hemp products are said to be more effective to those made with pure, isolated CBD because of the entourage effect. If you want to get the most benefits out of CBD capsules, you should choose products made with these whole-plant extracts.

Important factors to consider for safety & quality

The UK’s CBD industry is largely unregulated and there are many low-quality products. That’s why we consulted with medical cannabis expert Prof. Michael Barnes to create our quality assessment criteria for selecting the best CBD capsules.

Here are the key factors we look for in a top CBD product:

Lab reports

First and foremost, a reputable CBD brand will always have its products tested by a third-party lab. These tests confirm that the product contains the correct levels of CBD and other cannabinoids and is free of pesticides and other contaminants.

Third-party tests should be readily available on the company’s website. They’re the only way to confirm that you’re getting what you paid for.

Organic hemp

Since CBD comes from hemp, the quality of the source plants is also important. That’s why we only offer products made from organically grown plants cultivated in highly-regulated jurisdictions.

The capsules in our list come from brands that have direct relationships with their farmers and can validate the hemp is grown in an organic environment.

Extraction method

The quality of CBD capsules is also influenced by the way CBD is extracted from hemp. The two best methods of hemp extraction are ethanol and CO2.

Manufacturing standards

We only work with brands certified by international bodies such as ISO and GMP. This verifies that their CBD products are manufactured according to industry standards for quality and consistency.

Customer satisfaction

Customer feedback is another important factor that separates an okay brand from a great one. That’s why we examine customer reviews of CBD brands, particularly on independent review sites such as Trustpilot, to find reputable companies with satisfied customers.

Industry association

Another great sign of a high-quality CBD brand is partnerships with cannabis authorities such as industry associations, researchers & doctors. This highlights that a company is taking additional steps to protect customers and raise the industry’s quality standards.

Price

Although the price of CBD products varies, it’s also an important point to consider. The easiest way to compare prices between brands is to figure out the average price per 10mg serving of CBD.

For example, capsules that cost £36.99 for a total of 500 mg CBD cost £36.99 / 50 = £0.73 per 10 MG serving of CBD. The acceptable market range in the UK averages between £0.60 - £1.1 per 10 MG serving of CBD, and you can expect to pay the higher end for better-quality products.

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.

If you need more information to help you decide between the two, check out this article.

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.