You've probably heard of the benefits of fish oil. It has omega-3 fatty acids that can improve your brain and heart health, and it can also support healthy skin, hair, and bones. It comes in a variety of forms, from pills to tinctures. But is it the only way to get omega-3s? No!
Let us introduce you to krill oil. Krill is a shrimp-like animal that lives deep in cold waters. Krill oil has all of the same benefits as fish oil, but generally contains a higher concentration of omega-3s like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It also has a naturally occurring antioxidant called astaxanthin, which may give you an immune boost. The best krill oil supplements are pure and more sustainable than common fish oils. Below, the ACTIVE Reviews Team has identified some of the best krill oil supplements on the market.
Why Trust Us?
The health and safety of ACTIVE's readers is of the utmost importance to us. To ensure your well-being when consuming dietary supplements, the ACTIVE.com editorial team prioritizes products that are independently tested by a third party. We've consulted with a team of nutritionists and dieticians to ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. This helps us create the most accurate, authentic review content for our readers.
The Best Krill Oil Supplements - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Krill Oil Supplement: Transparent Labs Pure Krill Oil
- Best Budget Krill Oil Supplement: Sports Research Krill Oil Supplement
- Best Sustainable Krill Oil Supplement: Vitamin Shoppe Extra Strength Krill Oil
- Best Tasting Krill Oil Supplement: DailyNutra Neptune Krill Oil
- Best Krill Oil Supplement for Athletes: ONNIT Krill Oil
- Most Potent Krill Oil Supplement: Mom Nutrix Antarctic Krill Oil
Best Overall Krill Oil Supplement - Transparent Labs Core Series Pure Krill Oil
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Dosage: 2 liquid softgels
- Type: Liquid softgels
- Ingredients: Krill oil (1,000mg)
- Certifications: MSC Certified, SFP ‘A' rating
This product is made of Superba krill oil, a patented blend sourced from one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world. When you take two of these liquid softgels, you'll get 120 milligrams of EPA and 55 milligrams of DHA, two omega-3 fatty acids that can improve brain health and are used to treat a variety of diseases, including arthritis, Crohn's disease, ADHD, and depression.
Transparent Labs goes above and beyond when it comes to testing its supplements. With this brand, you can trust you're getting high-quality, well-studied, sustainably sourced krill oil.
What We Like
- Pure krill oil, no additives or fillers
- Sustainably sourced
- Reasonably priced
What We Don't Like
- Not as concentrated as some supplements
- Possibly produced on the same equipment as common allergens
BUY: Transparent Labs Pure Krill Oil
Best Budget Krill Oil Supplement - Sports Research Krill Oil Supplement
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: 1 softgel
- Type: Softgel
- Ingredients: Krill oil (500mg)
- Certifications: MSC-certified, gluten-free, soy-free, lactose-free, non-GMO
Sports Research is one of the most trustworthy, affordable supplement brands. Their krill oil supplement is less potent than the other brands on our list, but their Superba2 krill oil formula is spectacular and sustainably sourced.
Each softgel has 500 milligrams of krill oil, but you can double the dose and still save money. If budget is one of your main concerns, Sports Research is your best option.
What We Like
- Inexpensive
- Very high-quality ingredients
- Free of gluten, soy, dairy, and tree nuts
What We Don't Like
- Small amount of krill oil per softgel
- Some reviews say the capsules leak
BUY: Sports Research Krill Oil Supplement
Best Sustainable Krill Oil Supplement - Vitamin Shoppe Extra Strength Krill Oil
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: 1 softgel
- Type: Softgel
- Ingredients: Krill Oil (1,000mg)
- Certifications: Gluten-free, Soy-free, Non-GMO, MSC Certified Sustainable
The Vitamin Shoppe Extra Strength is our pick for the best sustainable krill oil supplement. This krill oil is a patented blend from the same company as Transparent Labs and Sports Research, but this product features the SuperbaBoost formulation. It is packed full of EPA and DHA to maximize potential benefits.
In terms of sustainability, this brand uses eco-harvesting technology to control the growth process from hatch to harvest, which guarantees the krill population grows at the optimal rate.
What We Like
- Highly concentrated pure krill oil
- Small capsule size
- Very eco-friendly
What We Don't Like
- No reviews on Amazon
- Odd color
BUY: Vitamin Shoppe Extra Strength Krill Oil
Best Tasting Krill Oil Supplement - DailyNutra Neptune Krill Oil
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: 2 softgels
- Type: Softgel
- Ingredients: Krill oil (1,000mg), sorbitol
- Certifications: Friend of the Sea Certified
We make it a point to avoid krill oil supplements with unnecessary fillers like regular fish oil or corn starch. The one exception is for easy-to-swallow pills. If you have trouble swallowing tasteless pills, we recommend DailyNutra Neptune krill oil.
DailyNutra’s quality is comparable to top brands, but their softgel formula has sorbitol, a sugar alcohol. It does not change the nutrient profile, but it does create a subtly sweet taste that can help you swallow.
What We Like
- Subtle flavor
- Third-party tested for quality
- Softgels are smaller than others
What We Don't Like
- 2 softgels per serving
- Perishable
BUY: DailyNutra Neptune Krill Oil
Best Krill Oil Supplement for Athletes - ONNIT Krill Oil
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: 2 softgels
- Type: Softgels
- Ingredients: Krill Oil (1,000mg)
- Certifications: Gluten-free, Soy-free, non-GMO, certified sustainable
Many athletes know about ONNIT. The company produces high-quality, clean supplements from mostly natural sources. Their krill oil supplement is 100% pure, sustainably sourced, and packed with a premium amount of omega-3s.
It has 130 milligrams of EPA and 60mg of DHA fatty acids, plus 150mg of astaxanthin, the potent antioxidant found in the best krill oil supplements. ONNIT is also fairly affordable, so athletes on a budget will get serious returns for their buck.
What We Like
- Received a certificate of sustainability by Friend of the Sea
- Easy-to-swallow capsules
- The dark bottle keeps the product fresh for longer
What We Don't Like
- Reviews say the capsules smell like fish
- Lower antioxidant levels than other competitors
BUY: ONNIT Krill Oil
Most Potent Krill Oil Supplement - Mom Nutrix Antarctic Krill Oil
SPECS
- Price: $
- Dosage: Two (2) softgels
- Type: Softgel
- Ingredients: Krill Oil (3,000mg)
- Certifications: Gluten free, non-GMO, tested for heavy metals, 3rd-party certified
Mom Nutrix krill oil is triple the potency of other supplements on the list. It has 3,000 milligrams of krill oil, 380 milligrams of EPA, and 180 milligrams of DHA. This product is independently tested for heavy metals like mercury, which can sometimes appear in seafood.
This is one of the most potent krill oils you'll be able to find. The average person doesn't necessarily need this many omega-3s, but if you've consulted your doctor they recommend an extra boost, Mom Nutrix is the way to go.
What We Like
- Triple potency
- Formula encourages maximum nutrient absorption
- Affordable
What We Don't Like
- Not sourced from the Antarctic waters
- Most don't need this high-potency formula
BUY: Mom Nutrix Antarctic Krill Oil
How to Choose a Krill Oil Supplement
Transparency
As with any supplement, you want to avoid ingredients with unclear sourcing. The best krill oil supplements will have full ingredient lists, third-party certifications, and no outrageous health claims.
Ingredients
When it comes to krill oil supplements, simple is better. That’s why we only included supplements with no added oils or fillers. If you're shopping in the wild and see any ingredients beyond the actual krill oil and the ingredients that make up the capsule, we recommend choosing a different supplement.
Sourcing
Krill oil comes from krill, a shrimp-like animal often sourced from cold waters near Antarctica. Overfishing is a persistent threat to krill populations, so look out for sustainably sourced krill oil supplements to reduce demand for unsustainable practices.
Benefits of Krill Oil Supplements
- It's good for your heart. Krill oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can decrease your blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease.
- It can reduce gut inflammation. Krill oil can also help reduce inflammation in your intestines, the root cause of upset stomach and irritable bowel syndrome.
- It could reduce joint pain. Researchers studied the effects of Neptune Krill Oil in patients that suffer from joint pain related to arthritis. In that study, the krill oil reduced pain and stiffness by up to 20% compared to a group that took a placebo.
FAQs About Krill Oil
Do doctors recommend krill oil?
Doctors generally recommend omega-3 fatty acids to help lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Krill oil is an easy-to-consume natural source of omega-3s.
Should I take a krill oil supplement with food?
You don't have to take krill oil supplements with food, but a high-fat meal or snack can help your body absorb it while lowering the risk of an upset stomach.
Is it safe to take krill oil every day?
Generally speaking, it is safe to take krill oil every day. However, if you take blood thinners or have a seafood allergy, you should avoid krill oil until you talk to your doctor.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
About the Author
Cory is a certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition coach. After spending six years as an educator and coach, Cory joined the ACTIVE team as a staff writer turning his passion for education toward helping ACTIVE readers live their best, healthiest lives.
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