Cannabidiol oil, more commonly known as CBD oil, is just one of 104 chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. But unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), it doesn’t give you that feeling of getting “high.” What it does is provide treatment for a host of medical problems, not the least of which is pain.
However, not all CBD products in the market are made the same. As it is a relatively new health and wellness product, it is currently not regulated by the FDA. What that means is that not all CBD products will have the same amount of CBD. In fact, some may not even contain CBD.
If you’re looking for top-quality CBD oil, then you’ve got your work cut out for you. Fortunately, we’ve got just the list for you – the best CBD oil in the market today.
Top 8 CBD Oil Brands Of 2020 Reviewed
1. Populum
Populum is easily one of the most trusted brands in CBD products. Whenever you receive a box from Populum, it includes the lab results from the specific batch used in your CBD oil. How cool is that? Additionally, it sources its CBD oil from hemp grown on ethical farms in Colorado.
The Full Spectrum Hemp Oil is available in various quantities, including 250 mg, 500 mg, and 1,000mg of CBD. It is also mixed with all-natural ingredients, including grapeseed oil, orange oil, virgin coconut oil, hempseed oil, and stevia extract. This is, by far, the best-tasting CBD oil we’ve ever come across. Plus, the company offers a “subscribe and save” option, where you enjoy 5% off all products and receive a monthly shipment of your favorites. Also, they offer a 30-day risk-free trial. However, this only applies to one item per customer, so choose wisely. However, Populum’s CBD oil is a little more expensive than other brands.
Pros:
- Independent lab testing
- 30-day risk-free trial
- All natural ingredients
Cons:
- A little pricey
2. NuLeaf Naturals
If you’re looking for organic CBD oil, NuLeaf Naturals is the brand for you. The CBD oil comes from 100% organic hemp, grown and cultivated on Colorado farms. Not only that, the company employs CO2 extraction methods that are the leading industry standard, as it doesn’t use chemicals or harsh solvents to extract the CBD. The product has no additives or flavoring, which means it might not have a pleasant taste like other brands.
Additionally, unlike other brands, NuLeaf Naturals offers a wide range of concentrations – 240mg, 725mg, 1,450mg, 2,425mg, and 4,850mg – ensuring that most users can find the strength that works for them. The main drawback to using this CBD oil is, aside from the taste, its high price, which is quite expensive.
Pros:
- 100% organic
- Industry standard extraction method
- Wide range of concentrations
Cons:
- Expensive
- Taste is not pleasant for some
3. Charlotte’s Web
Charlotte’s Web is another trusted brand in the market. It offers a Premium Hemp Extract Supplement with minimal trace of THC (at or less than 0.3%). The CBD oil comes in two flavors – mint chocolate and olive oil, both of which are quite tasty. The Hemp Oil comes in four kinds – Full Strength CBD Oil, Extra Strength CBD Oil, Original Formula, and Maximum Strength Hemp Extract.
Each of these has different amounts of CBD that you can choose from, the lowest being 6.65mg per ml serving in the Full Strength CBD Oil. The Hemp Extract oils don’t just contain CBD, it also contains over 80 other cannabinoids that are beneficial to your health. And if you want to get the third party lab results on the oil, the manufacturer allows you to download batch records from their website. However, the bottle is so dark that it can be hard to see how much oil is left in it. Also, the droppers have no markers so it’s hard to estimate how much you’re getting.
Pros:
- Varying CBD levels
- Full spectrum
- 2 flavors
Cons:
- Dark bottle
- Dropper has no markers
4. Green Roads
Green Roads offers a unique CBD oil, a combination of full-spectrum oil and crystalline isolate CBD, all extracted from certified organic hemp grown in Colorado. What does that mean? It has the best of both worlds since you get all the health benefits of other cannabinoids plus 99% pure CBD mixed together. Unlike other oils which is typically clear or gold/dark brown, this one is murky white.
This is because the oil also contains kosher grade vegetable glycerin which allows you to vaporize the oil using a device. The main drawback with buying CBD oil from this manufacturer is the unpleasant taste. In addition, shipping takes more than a week.
Pros:
- Full spectrum CBD oil + isolate CBD
- Can be vaporized in a device
- Certified organic
Cons:
- Unpleasant taste
- Shipping takes more than a week
5. CBDistillery Cannabis Oil
The CBDistillery offers several CBD oils to suit most consumers. It has full spectrum oils and pure CBD oils of varying concentrations, ranging from 250 to 5000mg in 30ml bottles. The prices of these oils are below average, making them one of the most affordable high-quality oils in the market. As a bonus, veterans and active-duty military personnel are eligible for a 10% discount on every purchase.
Unlike others we’ve tested, the CBD oils from CBDistillery are unflavored so it might not be pleasant tasting to some users. Additionally, CBDistillery does not disclose the type of extraction method used to obtain CBD. Because of this, we have no idea how the plant was handled, whether chemicals were used, how filtered the oil is, or what possible residue may be in the final product.
Pros:
- The wide variety of CBD oils
- Affordable
- 10% discount to veterans and soldiers
Cons:
- Unflavored; may not taste great
- Does not disclose their extraction method
6. cbdMD
Compared to other CBD oil brands, cbdMD’s offerings are more budget-friendly. The CBD oil from this company is verified as gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and non-GMO. Aside from all that, their full-spectrum oil is extracted using the CO2 method, which is the industry standard. You have four flavors to choose from – natural, mint, orange, and berry. Along with the natural flavoring, the oil contains an MCT coconut oil carrier.
There is a wide variety of concentrations (300 mg-500 mg) and sizes, available in 30ml and 60ml. In case you’re curious, the hemp used by CBDMD originates from Kentucky as part of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Industrial Hemp Pilot Program, ensuring it is 100% organic. However, some report that they seem to need a larger dosage when taking CBDMD tinctures than other brands.
Pros:
- Subtle flavors
- Zero THC
- 100% organic
Cons:
- May need to take a larger dosage
7. Koi CBD
The Koi Naturals CBD Oil is a full-spectrum, vegan-certified oil. It comes in natural, spearmint, orange, and lemon-lime. You can choose between two sizes and five levels of strength. The company uses the CO2 extraction method, which is the industry standard. The oil has zero THC, which makes it ideal for those who are wary of getting a false positive on a drug test. The full-spectrum CBD oil contains CBD, CBN, CBDV, and CBG, as well as coconut oil.
Examining the oil, it’s very clear, which speaks to its quality. And if that doesn’t convince you, you’ll be pleased to know that third-party labs test the oil, and you can view the test results on the lab’s website, which adds another level of authenticity. One thing we do note is that the CBD oils are slightly more expensive than those of other brands.
Pros:
- Third-party tested; results available online
- Zero THC
- Uses the CO2 extraction method
Cons:
- Little pricey
8. Plus CBD Oil
Plus CBD Oil stands out from all the other brands on our list. Their hemp is imported from Europe, and the oil is extracted using advanced supercritical CO2 extraction. The product is gluten-free, non-GMO, vegetarian, and grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. The CBD oil is available in two sizes – 1oz and 2oz bottles.
There are two concentrations – 250mg and 750mg – as well as three flavors – natural, goji blueberry, and peppermint. Aside from the tincture, Plus CBD Oil is also available in a spray bottle, which comes in 100mg, 250mg, and 500mg strengths. Unlike the tincture, you spray this in your mouth. You can choose from three flavors: natural, peppermint, and vanilla. Also, it contains nutrients and Vitamin E. One thing we did notice about Plus Oil is that the vanilla flavor really doesn’t taste good. The oil is also more expensive than other brands. And the lab testing should be more transparent.
Pros:
- Advanced supercritical CO2 extraction
- Comes in oil drops and sprays
- Gluten-free, vegetarian, and non-GMO
Cons:
- More expensive
- Vanilla flavor tastes awful
- More transparency about third-party testing
How to Choose the Best CBD Oil: The Ultimate Buying Guide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci96MlZHu04
CBD oil is quite popular nowadays, and it’s quite easy to see why. The numerous health benefits, both medicinal and recreational, are proof of that. Of course, its booming popularity doesn’t mean that all CBD oils are good for you. In fact, because the FDA does not regulate these, some brands may not contain any CBD.
And then some contain less than what is advertised on the label. In short, buying CBD isn’t going to be as easy as you think. Because it is unregulated, you will have to regulate it yourself to ensure that the CBD oil you receive is safe, high-quality, and effective. You know – just like the concentrates.
Our buying guide should help you achieve just that.
Types of CBD Oils
Raw
Raw CBD oil is just that – raw. The oil is extracted from the hemp and undergoes no further processing or filtration. The color of raw oil is typically green or dark due to the presence of phytochemicals, chlorophyll, and raw plant material. One thing to note about this type of oil is that it contains impurities left by the extraction process.
Decarboxylated
Decarboxylation occurs when the CBD oil is heated up, which changes the chemical components of the oil and “activates” the CBD. This makes the oil more effective and potent. The color of decarboxylated oil is dark brown.
Filtered
CBD oil that has been filtered is the most processed. In general, this type of oil has already undergone decarboxylation and then refined by filtering out the plant materials and phytochemicals. The color of filtered oil is gold, which is why it is often referred to as “gold” CBD oil. Compared to the other types, filtered oil has the highest quality and is generally the most expensive.
Does the Brand Operate in a State Where Marijuana is Legal?
Standardized regulations can be found in states that have legalized marijuana, which means that brands that operate there will need to have infrastructure and processes in place. This also means that the states will have the necessary resources to scrutinize how the CBD oil was developed. NuLeaf Naturals, for example, operates in Denver, Colorado, right where the licensed farms are located.
Is the Brand Reputable?
Before you start investigating the quality of the CBD oil itself, as well as the dosage, cost, etc., you’ll need to figure out which brands can be trusted. And the only way to do that is to check their transparency. Reliable brands should share information on what CBD oil is, where they source the hemp, how they extract it, and what other ingredients they use. The more information a brand provides to the public, the more trustworthy it appears.
Is there a Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
A brand can say anything and put anything on its label. After all, CBD oil is not regulated. To ensure that you’ll be buying a product that is safe and effective, you’ll want to check its COA, which is proof that a third-party, independent lab has tested the oil. The brand Populum is one of the few that actually includes the COA of the product inside the box. The COA provides you with two pieces of information:
Potency
The COA will indicate the actual amount of CBD in the oil. You should check the label and see if the amount written there matches what is written in the COA. Remember, you need to match the batch number tested in the COA with the batch number of the CBD oil you’re planning on getting.
Contaminants or Pesticides
Hemp must be grown in soil free from pesticides. The COA can provide you with information on whether any pesticides are present in the CBD oil. If the CBD was extracted using solvents, the test should also provide you with information on whether any traces of the solvents remain in the product. Verification of the company’s claim that the product is free of pesticides and contaminants should not be limited to in-house testing, but also include testing by a credible third-party laboratory.
Where is the Hemp Sourced?
Hemp is a phytoremediation crop. That means it can be used to clean soil of contaminants because it absorbs everything in the surrounding soil. This includes heavy metals, toxins, pesticides, and other contaminants. What do all these mean? To ensure the quality of the CBD oil, it is essential to verify that the hemp used is sourced from a farm that employs responsible farming practices. Hemp grown domestically, specifically in Colorado, New York, Kentucky, Oregon, California, Tennessee, and Vermont, is safer compared to hemp grown overseas. Charlotte’s Web, for example, sources its hemp from its farm in Colorado.
What Extraction Method is Used?
Of all the methods used to extract CBD from hemp, there’s only one that’s non-toxic – CO2 extraction. The other methods, namely ethanol and butane-based extraction methods, use chemicals that may remain in the product. With CO2 extraction, CBD oil is extracted from hemp using carbon dioxide under high pressure in a very cold environment. While this process requires expensive equipment and expertise from the manufacturer, the purity of the CBD oil is maintained. CBDMD is one of several brands on our list that use the CO2 extraction method.
Is it Full-Spectrum, Broad-Spectrum, or CBD Isolate?
Research has shown that CBD oil is more effective when it also contains other cannabinoids from the plant, producing the “entourage effect.” This means that you should look for CBD oil that is labeled as whole-plant, full-spectrum, or broad-spectrum. CBD isolate is just what the name implies – only cannabidiol is extracted from the plant. And while it remains effective in providing health benefits, its efficacy declines as the dosage increases.
Now, if it’s a choice between broad-spectrum and full-spectrum, you might want to choose broad-spectrum because it means the manufacturer has removed some compounds, specifically THC, through distillation. Full-spectrum is defined as a whole plant extract where nothing is added or removed from the natural chemical composition of the plant. Take note that CBD oil should not have more than 0.3% THC since it is not legal in every state. Koi CBD, for example, states that its CBD oil is full-spectrum.
Before you start investigating the quality of the CBD oil itself, as well as the dosage, cost, etc., you’ll need to figure out which brands can be trusted. And the only way to do that is to check their transparency. Reliable brands like Lazarus Naturals should share information on what CBD oil is, where they source the hemp, how they extract it, and what other ingredients they use. The more information a brand provides to the public, the more trustworthy it appears.
How Do You Determine Value and Strength?
Comparing CBD oil products can be challenging due to their varying concentrations, bottle sizes, and prices. As such, you’ll need to simplify things. To determine the true value of a product, you will need to divide the price of a bottle by the number of milligrams of CBD inside. This allows you to see how much CBD you actually get for what you pay. The strength of the CBD oil can be determined by dividing the milligrams by the size of the bottle (i.e., the volume of liquid inside).
What Flavor Should I Choose?
When choosing your CBD oil, flavor is likely the least important factor. Nevertheless, it is still a factor that must be considered, especially since the oil will be taken orally. Some CBD oils come in a variety of flavors, while others, such as the Green Roads, do not.








