Top 7 Best Omega-3 Supplement Brands Reviewed by Dr. Aditi

Omega-3 fatty acids are well-studied for their role in supporting natural inflammatory responses, cardiovascular health, and mental health. Fatty fish such as salmon, anchovies, mackerel, herring, sardines, bluefin tuna, mussels, and oysters are rich in omega-3, and the American Heart Association recommends eating at least 2 servings of fish per week. But, the modern diet consists of more ultra-processed foods and people don’t get enough omega-3 from their diet alone. So, omega-3 supplements turn out to be a simple option to get the necessary omega-3 fatty acids. 

Fish oil capsules contain omega-3, but not every supplement contains this nutrient in a way that’s easily absorbed by the body. Different brands have a different approach to omega-3 supplements and for vegans, plant-based omega-3 supplements are available. Matching your needs with the right omega-3 supplement brand enables you to find a supplement that can easily fit into your daily routine. We give our top picks for the best omega-3 supplement brands in this guide. 

Marine Vs Vegan Sources: Which Omega-3 Sourcing is Best?

The major differences between omega-3 supplements come from the sourcing itself. 

• Fish oil: Marine sources such as salmon, mackerel, anchovies, and sardines are widely studied sources for providing EPA and DHA. The oils from these fish contain a dense matrix of these compounds, which are further concentrated by the distillation process used in manufacturing, a standard strictly maintained by professional brands on our list, like Metagenics and Thorne. Due to the popularity of omega-3 supplements, the need for fishing has also increased, which can result in overfishing. This creates a risk for environmental sustainability. Some brands use sustainable practices to carefully minimize overfishing. Having a Friend of the Sea (FOS) certification matters for such companies, which is why Nordic Naturals explicitly has this verification for all of its omega-3 supplements. 
• Algal oil: The fish eat microalgae, which play a major role in the composition of omega-3 fatty acids. Vegan omega-3 supplements contain algal oil extracted from microalgae. Some algal oil supplements, based on their formulation, provide EPA and DHA equivalent to fish oil. But algal oil is naturally rich in DHA. So the supplement must contain targeted and specific algal strain blends to get high-yield EPA. 
• Plant-based oil: You can also find omega-3 supplements from seed oils like flaxseed. While it’s a plant-based option, it has a different type of omega-3: Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA). It must be converted by the body into EPA and DHA, forms that are studied to be beneficial for brain health and cardiovascular health. Published studies suggest that less than 5-10% is converted to EPA and around 2-5% to DHA, although conversion efficiency varies between individuals. This conversion rate is generally considered inefficient compared to the EPA and DHA composition provided by marine oil. Many brands offering vegan omega-3 options, like Pure Encapsulations, combine flaxseed oil with borage seed oil for broader support. 

If you are vegan, then you can go for algal oil supplements containing vegan softgel casings to get EPA and DHA without fish sources. For general support, flaxseed oil supplements can help. Those without dietary restrictions end up choosing marine fish oil-based supplements to get the necessary omega-3. In case you eat a diet rich in fish, you can consult with a healthcare professional if you need additional supplements for omega-3. 

Why Omega-3 Form Matters?

Once you are clear about which source you want in your omega-3 supplement, there is another factor you must consider before picking your supplement. The form of omega-3 also matters. 

• Natural Triglyceride Form: It’s the unadulterated natural form of omega-3 found in wild fish. As it matches the molecular profile of real food, it’s highly bioavailable and has been studied to be absorbed well. When you take supplements in this form, you are less likely to experience fishy burps or digestive distress. Brands like Nordic Naturals and New Chapter create supplements using TG matrix from wild-caught fish. 
• Ethyl Ester: Industrial molecular distillation strips out contaminants like heavy metals and PCBs and concentrates active EPA and DHA using ethanol. The oil’s natural glycerol backbone gets replaced with al alcohol backbone to arrive at ethyl ester forms of omega-3 fatty acids. This process helps manufacturers to highly concentrate EPA and DHA into a single capsule. They are highly stable. These supplements are absorbed well when you take them with a meal containing healthy fats. Brands like Thorne and Now Foods have supplement options containing EE to concentrate EPA and DHA. 
• Re-esterified Triglyceride Form (rTG): High-quality supplements contain rTG form, using modern fish oil engineering. The raw oil is converted into ethyl ester to concentrate and purity the contents. Then, enzymatic processes are applied to get pure omega-3 fatty acids. It is studied to be one of the most absorbable forms of omega-3. Brands like Pure Encapsulations and Metagenics include rTG matrix in their supplements. Due to the additional processes, supplements containing these forms have a premium price tag. 
• Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs): Along with standard EPA and DHA, some formulations contain SPMs. The body naturally converts EPA an DHA to SPMs and taking this form directly in the form of supplements may support natural inflammatory responses. Metagenics, Pure Encapsulations, and Nutritional Frontiers offer SPM supplements for those who want targeted supplements. 

Top 7 Best Omega 3 Supplement Brands 

Our team evaluated each brand using criteria including ingredient sourcing, omega-3 form (TG/rTG/EE), EPA and DHA concentration, third-party testing, manufacturing certifications, sustainability practices, transparency of certificates of analysis, formulation quality, and practitioner reputation. We reviewed publicly available manufacturer documentation and product specifications rather than relying solely on marketing claims.Here are the top 7 brands we represent for people looking for omega-3 supplement brands:

Pure Encapsulations

Pure Encapsulations is a highly-regarded practitioner-channel brand. It’s known for its commitment to exceptional purity and minimal ingredients. The brand creates hypoallergenic formulations and doesn’t include common allergens. They are free from GMO, gluten, dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame. The company avoids using magnesium stearate and trans fats. Many practitioners suggest Pure Encapsulations for people who have known sensitivities. 

For the Omega-3 supplements, Pure Encapsulations uses marine lipids sourced from small, wild-caught fish like anchovies, sardines, and mackerel. The company maintains strict quality control processes to reduce environmental toxins. Through state-of-the-art molecular distillation, the oils are processed to prevent cross-contamination and minimize oxidation. 

Every batch of supplements from Pure Encapsulations goes through independent third-party testing. While comparing the best brands for omega-3 supplements, third-party testing is one of our key criteria here at Nutriessential.  

Generally, omega-3 supplement servings contain 2-3 pills to provide the necessary amount of omega-3 throughout the day. Pure Encapsulations minimizes pill burden with its O.N.E. Omega, which provides 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA in a single softgel. Our Nutriessential experts noted the absence of fishy-smelling burps with these pills during our product evaluations. If you are looking for maintenance support, the brand offers a lower 500 mg EPA and DHA dosage.  

The brand also offers a unique blend of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs) and DPA omega-3 formulation using the supercritical CO2 extraction method. When you consume fish oil supplements, your body must convert them into inflammation-fighting compounds. One study in the Journal of Functional Foods indicates that supplementing directly with SPMs provides a more targeted approach at a lower dose compared to generic fish oil. 

Pros

• Contains natural triglycerides
• Free from allergens
• Doesn’t contain artificial colors, sweeteners, or unnecessary fillers
• Contains a single-pill formulation 
• Provides options with different strengths 

Cons

• No vegan option 
• Softgel size may be larger
• Premium pricing 

User Reviews: Some users appreciate the fact that they don’t get fishy aftertaste, odor, or gas burps with Pure Encapsulations omega-3 supplements. They are willing to pay the premium price for the single-pill formulation that’s easy to manage. 

Nordic Naturals

The Norwegian diet is centered around local, fresh, and sustainable foods. In fact, taking a spoonful of tran (liquid cod liver oil) is a cultural practice in Norway. The founders of Nordic Naturals missed the pure fish oils, and that motivated Joar Opheim to start their own Nordic Naturals brand. The company processes its products in an MSC-certified facility in Arctic Norway and uses traditional, high-quality sourcing. The liquids and softgels are bottled and encapsulated in Southern California. They manufacture their gummy supplements in the USA in NSF-certified, cGMP-certified facilities. 

Nordic Naturals earned its place in our list of top omega-3 supplement brands with its transparency. We were able to view the certificate of analysis of the raw materials simply by using the lot number. Primarily, the brand uses sardines, mackerel, anchovies, and herring for fish oil products. Cod liver oil supplements are sourced from Arctic Cod. They also have Friend of the Sea (FOS) certification, which is a testament to their commitment not to overfish. Instead of using large trawling vessels, they partner with independent fishermen. 

At every stage of manufacturing, the company uses nitrogen to minimize oxidation and decomposition. Third-party testing of Nordic Naturals cod liver oil show lower anisidine values (AV) and total oxidation score (TOTOX), much lower than the industry average. 

Multiple omega-3 supplement options with different dosages are available from this brand. High potency formulations provide as much as 1,125 mg EPA and 875 mg DHA per serving. There is also a plant-based vegan option sourced from microalgae. Our experts liked that the brand offers flavored fish-oil softgels, and the lemon oil addition makes them more palatable for those who don’t like to take fish oil capsules. 

Pros

• Provides boat-to-bottle tracking
• Uses consistent natural triglyceride forms
• Transparent public batch COA access
• Excellent flavor profile
• No fishy aftertaste 

Cons

• Premium pricing
• Must store liquid formulations inside a fridge

User reviews: Those who have tried generic fish oil supplements noticed a huge difference when they switched to Nordic Naturals brand. They experienced no fishy burps or aftertaste. Many users say that their healthcare providers keep recommending the same brand.  

Thorne

Throne focuses on creating formulas for high-performance optimization. The elite and clinical grade formulations are known for manufacturing purity and athletic safety testing. Many professional athletes use Thorne supplements in their daily routine. Products from this brand are used in clinical trials. 

All products are manufactured in a GMP-certified facility in South Carolina. We have included Thorne in our list of best brands for omega-3 supplements as the company conducts 4 rounds of testing on raw materials, in-process testing, finished product, and stability testing with two in-house laboratories. It has a No List of fillers, additives, and allergens that should not be included in the supplements. 

The company uses a variety of cold-water fatty fish off the coasts of Peru and Chile to extract EPA and DHA. The company uses non-solvent methods for extracting omega-3 components to result in clean and concentrated products. The company uses molecular distillation. In the case of Super EPA Pro, supercritical CO2 extraction is used. Advanced formulations contain ethyl ester to provide concentrated EPA and DHA content with fewer capsules while other formulations use triglyceride forms. There is also one supplement option providing Pro-Resolving Mediators along with EPA and DHA. If you are an athlete who wants to use a supplement that doesn’t contain banned substances, Throne offers an NSF Certified for Sport omega-3 supplement. Liquid fish oil comes in lemon-berry flavor. 

Pros

• Contains NSF Certified for Sport formulation 
• Solvent-free extraction method
• 4 rounds of testing ensures quality 
• Offers concentrated dosage options
• Has vegan and liquid formulation option 

Cons

• Premium pricing
• No dedicated vegan omega-3 supplement

User reviews: Some users find Thorne softgels to be easier to swallow. Even though they are not flavored, users point out that Thorne omega-3 supplements don’t have a fishy aftertaste. 

Now Foods

Now Foods prioritizes accessibility of supplements along with a professional-grade formulation philosophy. You can find different product tiers from this brand suitable for different users. Even though the brand is known for it’s budget-friendly options, the company doesn’t compromise on the infrastructure for manufacturing and testing. 

The internal laboratories of the company has advanced analytical instruments like gas chromatography and ICP-MS, making it possible to screen incoming marine oils for heavy metals, mercury, PCBs, and dioxins. It has a consistent class A compliance rating under NPA good manufacturing practices. Also, it has a permanent UL (Underwriters Laboratories) National Brand Certification. The internal labs have ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. 

Now Foods is one of the best omega-3 supplement brands with its different options for omega-3 supplements, suiting different user needs with different concentrations of EPA and DHA. If you prefer an alternative to fish oil, the krill oil supplement from this brand uses krill oil from Antarctica. Krill oil is different in that it contains phospholipids and astaxanthin. Those who don’t like swallowing fish oil softgels may prefer the gummy chews or liquid supplement from this brand. Many omega-3 supplements from this brand are halal certified and keto-friendly. 

The company uses molecular distillation. They don’t use harsh chemicals or solvents to preserve the vital nutritional components in the raw materials. Vegan omega-3 supplements are made from flaxseed oil and microalgae. 

Pros

• Offers budget-friendly supplement options with no compromise on quality 
• Offers bottles with a higher count of omega-3 softgels
• Sources fish oil sustainably
• Sources krill oil only from Neptune Technologies (NKO)
• Uses molecular distillation 

Cons

• Some omega-3 formulations contain ethyl ester forms
• Multiple product options can be confusing for first-time users

User reviews: Users note that Now Foods offers economy-size bottles with 180 or 200 count softgels, which makes it convenient for the entire family to take omega-3 supplements easily. 

New Chapter 

New Chapter takes a whole food approach to formulate supplements. This company manufactures omega-3 supplements differently. It’s a common practice to use high-heat distillation to concentrate EPA and DHA in omega-3 supplements. But, the Whole Chapter uses extra virgin extraction methods. Bleaching, chemical isolation, or high-heat sterilization. So, the supplement contains not just omega-3, but all types of omega fatty acids like 5,67, and 9, and astaxanthin as they are naturally present in fish oil. 

As the company is a Certified B-Corporation, it follows sustainable practices. The brand follows a transparent supply chain and it’s also committed to social responsibility standards. 

The approach to the fish oil source is also different for New Chapter. It uses Upcycle Certified® wild Alaskan salmon oil. It doesn’t use farmed salmon or modified salmon. It’s one of the first supplements containing Upcycle Certified®. Instead of catching fish exclusively for a fish oil supplement, the company uses nutrient-rich parts of the fish that are leftover after the primary fillets are removed in the seafood industry. This usage of upcycled salmon trim reduces overfishing and waste. 

Pros

• Uses extra-virgin extraction 
• Contains full spectrum profile of fish oil, including different omega fatty acids
• Uses eco-friendly and upcycled sources of wild Alaskan salmon 

Cons

• Lower concentration of EPA and DHA because fish oil is used in its natural state 
• Premium price

User reviews: Some users commented that the supplement feels fresh. The brand offers a tiny capsule formulation in which the size of the softgel is smaller and that’s liked by some users. 

Metagenics

Metagenics is one of the trusted omega 3 supplement by healthcare practitioners. At Nutriessential, we vet brands based on how transparent they are with respect to ingredients, sourcing quality, and testing standards. Metagenics has a TruQuality transparency program. We can get detailed analytical results covering heavy metals, purity, and active ingredient potency. 

The company sources omega-3 fatty acids from wild-caught cold-water fish. The oil is then purified using molecular distillation to meet or exceed. Users can enter any batch lot number directly into the Metagenics database to view detailed analytical results covering heavy metals, purity, and exact active ingredient potency. Their raw material sourcing prioritizes sustainable, wild-caught cold-water fish, which are purified via molecular distillation to meet or exceed Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED) standards.

Metagenics manufactures its supplements in a facility that has earned a USP GMP audit certificate and follows current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). It’s a leader in lipid innovation. Unique formulations from this brand contain Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs). For everyday wellness, you can choose omega-3 supplements in varying strengths from this brand. There is also a high-potency liquid formula from this brand offering 2,400 mg of EPA and DHA from anchovies, sardines, and mackerel in a single teaspoon. The lemon flavor makes the liquid supplement more pleasant to consume. 

Vegan omega-3 supplements from this brand are sourced from microalgae. Parents choosing omega-3 supplements for their kids prefer the chewable softgel option from this brand that has zero sugar and natural fruit flavor. 

Pros

• One of the trusted practitioner-recommended brands
• Offers SPM formulations 
• Transparent sourcing information is readily available
• USP verified ingredients

Cons

• Premium pricing
• Not known as a lifestyle brand

User reviews: Those who follow practitioner-recommended protocols say that Metagenics is the brand they commonly recommend. 

Nutritional Frontiers

Allen James Dorley and Dr. James Winer came together to form the brand Nutritional Frontiers. They wanted to create supplements with therapeutic concentrations of ingredients to optimize patient outcomes. The family-owned company makes all its supplements in cGMP-certified facilities in the USA. 

The brand is centered around an advisory team consisting of experts, healthcare professionals, and practitioners. They focus on creating evidence-based formulations with meaningful ingredients and dosages. Along with in-house testing, the brand also conducts independent third-party testing. 

For manufacturing omega-3 supplements, the company uses a molecular distillation process for the raw fish oil. This process helps with the removal of heavy metals, dioxins, and PCBs. Then, the ingredients are stabilized using an antioxidant blend of natural tocopherols and rosemary extract. Only natural triglyceride forms are used. They are combined with high-dose vitamin D3. Another formulation from this brand provides Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators directly from marine lipids. 

Pros

• Contains high triglyceride potency
• Synergistic formulation using vitamin D3
• Independent third-party testing

Cons

• No vegetarian formulation 
• Premium pricing

User reviews: Some users note that the softgels are larger. At the same time, they point out that it reduces pill burden as they get omega-3 as well as vitamin D3 from a single supplement. Inclusion of natural lemon oil reduces the fishy aftertaste often experienced with other omega-3 pills. 

Conclusion 

Balance your supplement choice with your personal health objectives and manufacturing transparency, omega-3 forms, and sources. When you have sensitivities, opt for brands like Pure Encapsulations that offer hypoallergenic supplements. Brands like Metagenics provide therapeutic dosage, which can be useful if your healthcare provider has recommended protocols for you to follow. High-performance individuals and athletes who get tested must ensure NSF Certified for Sport validation. Many people also look for sustainability practices adopted by the brand and Nordic Naturals completely understands it. Vegan algal oil or plant-based oils are more suited for those with dietary restrictions and general support. 

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information is based on publicly available data and brand disclosures, which may change over time. Individual responses to supplements vary, and outcomes are not guaranteed. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take medication.