Your 2024 Guide For Finding The Best Fish Oil
Learn what to look for and what to avoid in your omega-3 fish oil supplement
Updated 11/18/2024
Fish oil is one of the most in-demand supplements on the planet. And it's no surprise — it has a ton of health benefits. That's because fish oil is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to support:
- ♦ Heart & Brain Health
- ♦ Immune Function
- ♦ Muscle Recovery
- ♦ Weight Management
- ♦ Joint Health
Unfortunately, there are so many fish oils on the market that it's easy to assume a one-size-fits-all mentality and simply grab any omega-3 bottle off the shelf. But too many products fail to deliver the right nutrients in potent doses, and in some cases, may hurt more than they help.
With that in mind, we decided to investigate the top-selling fish oil supplements on the market today. Based on our research, we'll show you what to look for and what to avoid to get the most out of your supplement, plus our top 3 contenders for best omega-3 fish oil supplement.
Choosing The Best Fish Oil Supplement For Your Needs
The best omega-3 fish oil supplements are always sourced from high-quality, wild-caught fish that have not been treated with hormones and which have been tested thoroughly for harmful or undesirable contaminants.
Quality supplements will also contain effective levels of omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA.
Unfortunately, many brands don't live up to these standards, and shoppers don't realize they're buying a product that is, at best, ineffective. Here are a few tips on what to look for and what to avoid in an effective omega-3 supplement.
Tips For Finding A Quality Fish Oil
EPA and DHA
EPA and DHA are two of the most important kinds of omega-3 fatty acids. Together, they work to relieve stress placed on the immune system by oxidative damage, and aid in post-workout muscle and joint recovery. We recommend a supplement that contains at least 1200 mg of EPA and DHA.
Third-Party Tested
Not all companies use the same fish or manufacturing processes, and sometimes impurities make it into the final product unnoticed.
Fish oil that has been third-party tested has been closely vetted by independent researchers for purity and potency (and to ensure you're not getting anything in your supplement that you didn't pay for!) Don't leave your health to chance, always look for a product that's been third-party tested.
Money-Back Guarantee
It’s always a good idea to invest in a supplement that offers a money-back guarantee. This shows that a company has faith in its product and offers customers peace of mind. Look for brands that offer at least a 90-day money-back guarantee.
What To Avoid:
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Relying Solely On Amazon Reviews
Amazon is a great place to purchase products but reports have shown up to 65% of Amazon reviews are written by paid individuals, and some of them might not have tried the product.
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Fish Oils That Are Not Sustainably Sourced
Overfishing has caused several species of fish — and the marine animals that depend on them for food — to become endangered or outright extinct. We recommend looking for a brand that demonstrates a commitment to sustainability efforts, and uses only 100% sustainably sourced fish.
The Results Are In...
We took all of these factors into account, and after reviewing dozens of supplements, only a handful offered users the right combination of ingredients and purity. According to our extensive research, these are the top 3 fish oil supplements on the market today.
Top Picks are updated monthly based on testing and analyses:
Top Pick
Consumers Survey Recommended
- 2000 mg daily servings
- 800mg of EPA
- 600mg of DHA
- Third-party tested
- 100% natural
#1: OmegaWell by Live Conscious
Best Overall Omega-3 Supplement
OmegaWell by Live Conscious tops our list with a 2000 mg daily serving size of high quality, premium fish oil. It doesn't skimp on potency, either, with a hefty offering of 800 mg of EPA and 600 mg of DHA.
Its formula is 100% natural, with no artificial fillers, flavors, or synthetic ingredients. Customers also commented on its pleasant, natural lemon flavoring.
Plus, Live Conscious offers a solid, 365-day money-back guarantee, which shows that they stand by their product.
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#2: Omega-3 by Essential elements
Great Omega-3 Supplement
Omega-3 by Essential Elements is another example of a fish oil supplement done right. Each serving is loaded with a large dose of high-quality fish oil, including 1400 mg of EPA and DHA omega-3s. Plus, all ingredients are packed into easy-swallow, lemon-flavored softgels (so no more "fish" burps).
Essential Elements' Omega-3 uses sustainably sourced fish oil and is made in the USA under Good Manufacturing Practices. They offer a 365-day money-back guarantee to boot!
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#3: Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Good Omega-3 Supplement
Nordic Naturals rounds out our list with a decent 650 mg EPA and 450 mg DHA. While it's not as potent as our other top fish oils, it still offers mostly natural ingredients and a potent formula.
Customers were generally happy with their results, though some complained about the capsules' strong fishy taste. Regardless, Nordic Naturals is a popular choice among fish oil consumers and deserves its spot on our list.
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#4: Omax3 Ultra-Pure Softgels by Omax3
Omax3 Ultra-Pure by Omax3 is a solid choice for #4 fish oil supplement, even though there were some obvious drawbacks. Smarter Shoppers loved that there was a high concentration of both EPA and DHA, and that it was developed by physicians.
However, Omax3 Ultra-Pure fish oil contained bovine gelatin, which makes it impossible for vegetarians to consume. Some consumers also felt that the ingredients were not potent enough to produce any desirable results.
Cost was also ranked as an issue for consumers as well. Considering the relatively pure ingredients and its overall rank, we were disappointed that customer satisfaction was not higher.
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#5: Omega XL by Great HealthWorks
OmegaXL ranks high enough on our list to reach a decent #5 spot, however, it should be noted that OmegaXL is a mussel-sourced omega-3 product. It contains a 300 mg proprietary blend and the amounts of EPA and DHA contained are oddly not specified.
Smarter Shoppers found that the product offered only 40 mg of "fish" oil, which is far too low to be ultimately effective. It is also not derived from the highest-quality fish oil sources available. There were many negative reviews on Amazon to see. They do offer a 90-day money-back guarantee, albeit a very conditional one that does not include shipping cost.
In the end, the product did well enough to earn the #5 spot, but its disadvantages prevented it from reaching a much higher rank on our top five list.
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P.S. While OmegaWell from Live Conscious is the best fish oil we've found, we would still love to hear about any others you've tried. If you have had a great experience of your own, please send me an email to Beverly@ConsumersSurvey.org with the details.
Sincerely,
Beverly Gratson,
Senior Health Editor
What We Do
ConsumersSurvey uses a unique three-step approach to reviewing the most popular products in the online marketplace
1. Research First we conduct in-house research with a highly qualified editorial team comprised of individuals who specialize in various fields.
2. SurveyWe survey our readers who have tried the product over time in order to learn from their experiences.
3. OpinionWe monitor public opinion in the world’s most popular marketplaces, from Amazon and eBay, to Bizrate and Pricegrabber.
As a consumer herself, Beverly is extremely dedicated to gathering and collecting reports and information and always on the lookout for highly-rated supplements. She's especially passionate about educating consumers in making wise decisions when it comes to purchasing health products.