Contributor, Benzinga
April 30, 2020

Quick Look: Best CBD Softgels Right Now

  • Most Affordable: Medterra
  • Best Overall: Floyd’s of Leadville
  • Best for Sleep: Green Roads
  • Best Vegan Products: Charlotte’s Web
  • Highest Quality: Kanibi

CBD, or cannabidiol, is all the buzz. The chemical compound drawn from marijuana plants can ease chronic pain or even anxiety, but it’s not psychoactive like THC. 

You can test the hype without dripping oil under your tongue or buying a pricey vape pen. CBD softgels are flavorless, convenient and widely available online.

Best CBD Softgels 

Check out our top picks for the best CBD softgels available online.

Medterra
securely through Medterra's website

1. Medterra

Medterra works to provide 99% pure CBD products at an affordable price. 

You’ll get 30 softgels per bottle, and 2 strengths are available — 25 mg and 50 mg. Medterra’s hemp is grown in Kentucky, and the CBD is extracted in the U.S. All of its products are 3rd-party tested. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Softgels and all Medterra CBD products are guaranteed THC free and can be shipped to all 50 states. Medterra is U.S. Hemp Authority certified, which means the company is committed to the industry’s standard of the highest quality product and customer service. 

Floyd’s of Leadville
securely through Floyd’s of Leadville's website

2. Floyd’s of Leadville

Floyd’s of Leadville is based in Leadville, Colorado — a town just shy of 3,000 residents. You’ll get small storefront service with online ordering convenience when you choose its CBD oil softgels.

They’re available as both isolate and full spectrum softgels. Isolate means just 1 pure type of cannabinoid is extracted, while full-spectrum, or whole-plant, contains a wider array of cannabinoids with less than 0.3% THC. You can buy 25 or 50 mg capsules in a range of 15 to 60 count bottles. 

Floyd’s of Leadville ships to all 50 states in 2 business days and shipping is free for orders over $50. 

Green Roads
securely through Green Roads's website

3. Green Roads

Green Roads offers 3 different 25 mg CBD softgel options — Relax, Sleep and basic CBD. All Green Roads products are soy-free, gluten-free and vegan.

Green Roads Relax are designed to provide a feeling of relief from the mental and physical stresses of everyday life. The Relax formula includes 500 mg GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) — a supplement used to treat high blood pressure, stress and anxiety. The Sleep option has 5 mg melatonin added and the softgel option is simply CBD. All Green Roads CBD softgels have 30 capsules per bottle.

Green Roads products are tested by an independent laboratory. Scan the QR code on your package to view the results. 

Charlotte’s Web
securely through Charlotte’s Web's website

4. Charlotte’s Web

Charlotte’s Web extracts contain hemp extract plus other naturally-occurring phytocannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and essential fatty acids. Beyond the hemp extract, the only thing Charlotte’s Web adds to its CBD softgels is organic extra virgin olive oil. The capsule shell is vegan.

Both 15 and 25 mg capsules can be purchased in 30-count bottles individually or by subscription. 

With the Charlotte's Web Love Reward program, you’ll receive 1 reward point for every $1 spent. Every 100 points is equal to a $5 store credit. The company also offers savings for veterans.

Kanibi
securely through Kanibi's website

5. Kanibi

Kanibi is working to raise the bar in the CBD industry — all products are double 3rd-party tested. The Kanibi Full Spectrum CBD Softgels are made with just 2 ingredients: high-quality full-spectrum CBD and MCT oil. You won’t encounter fillers, preservatives or added ingredients. 

The 25 mg capsules are sold in 30-count bottles. Free shipping is available on orders over $100. Returns are accepted even for opened products — just contact customer support. Kanibi also offers a 100% money-back guarantee. 

Benefits of Using CBD Softgels

Softgels give you the CBD oil benefits — you’ll avoid the taste of hemp and added sugar of other CBD products. Capsules are also a discreet way to add CBD to your regimen. No one will know the difference from another over-the-counter supplement or vitamin. This is a good way to start your CBD journey, and it allows you to maintain a routine that lasts throughout the day.

CBD is touted to ease a long list of chronic conditions. Back pain, osteoarthritis, cancer and even anxiety have been treated with CBD. CBD is also thought to have a general calming effect on the body. CBD is new to the market, so there is a serious lack of clinical research proving benefits. Most evidence is still anecdotal. However, you can try these products and learn what they can do for you. You never know until you try, and you may be able to treat ailments that have always bothered you.

Like all medications or supplements, CBD is not meant to be a cure-all — CBD is most effective when combined with other healthy practices like exercise and a balanced diet. Plus, you should reach out to your doctor if you have questions about drug interactions with other medications you may have been prescribed.

How to Take CBD Softgels

Softgels are premeasured, so taking CBD in this form is as easy as swallowing the pill with a big glass of water. Some producers recommend taking softgels with food to aid absorption. 

It’s best to start with a small dosage of 10 to 25 mg per day and slowly increase until you find your ideal dosage. It can take a softgel 45 minutes to work its way through your system, and the effects should last several hours.

Additionally, readers who have issues swallowing pills should wait for their softgels to completely pass through their system before taking another to prevent any stoppages in the esophagus.

Considerations as You Shop for CBD Softgels

Not all CBD products are created equal. Look for high-quality CBD and accurate labeling. Keep your eyes open for additional ingredients, and do some research to weigh the difference between isolate or full-spectrum hemp extracts. A good producer is transparent about its hemp source and how the CBD products are created.

Begin purchasing CBD softgels in small 10 to 25 mg dosages ‒ you can always increase dosage or frequency incrementally. If you take too much, you could be put off these products right away. You want to ease your body and mind into a routine that works well for your medical situation.

Be sure you’re buying your CBD softgels from an online storefront you trust. The internet offers unsurpassed convenience, but you do miss out on the trusted, personal relationship a mom-and-pop shop offers. Look into purchasing from a local, small business that also operates online. You may have questions about the product and the option to call an educated retailer is second-to-none.

You can get CBD softgels from the big box names online as well. Your final choice may simply boil down to the brand and dosage that works for you.

Get into the Cannabis Industry

The CBD buzz isn’t going to end anytime soon. CBD softgels offer a slew of health benefits, and the cannabis industry is booming from all angles.

Benzinga can help you learn how to invest in marijuana stocks or find the best cannabis ETFs. There’s a market for producing hemp and distributing cannabis-related products — take a look at the best cannabis insurance companies to protect your investment no matter how you interact with this new industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take to feel the effects of CBD softgels?

A: You can expect to feel the effects after an hour or 2 after oral ingestion. Effects then last 4 to 12 hours, depending on your personal metabolism. Again, because of the lack of clinical trials, results are largely anecdotal. 

Q: What is the difference between hemp and cannabis?

A: The key difference between hemp and marijuana is the amount of THC in each and whether the cannabinoid will cause a euphoric effect. Hemp produces no high and has less than 0.03% THC on dry weight. Cannabis contains THC levels generally ranging from 0.03% to 4% and will produce a high. Note that cannabis THC levels can and do vary.