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The Best Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements Of 2024

Heart, brain, cholesterol, & joints—learn how omega-3 fish oil can support them all. Find out which fish oil supplements made it to the top of our list.

Benefits Checklist Top 5

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In the world of health supplements, omega-3 fish oil reigns supreme. Its success isn't a mystery either. Nutritional experts and health care professionals have been preaching about omega-3s for decades, and for good reason—it has a ton of health benefits! 

Your Top Omega-3 Questions Answered

What are Omega-3s?
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Omega-3s are fatty acids found in seafood and plants. These fats are essential nutrients that support important functions in your body like heart health, cognitive function, and more!

Why are Omega-3s good for you?

Supports healthy blood pressure

Encourages cognitive function

Helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered “good fats” that have a ton of health benefits. Adding a fish oil supplement to your daily routine provides essential nutrients, helping to support heart, skin, and brain health. 

What do I look for in an Omega-3 supplement?

Contains EPA and DHA

Sourced from smaller, fatty fish

A good omega-3 supplement contains both EPA and DHA, and is sourced from smaller, fatty fish (like anchovies) that contain fewer toxins than their larger counterparts (salmon, cod).
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Benefits of Omega-3 Fish Oil

Heart Health

Decades ago, researchers discovered that in communities where fish consumption was high, health flourished. Researchers have since linked this to omega-3 consumption. 1

Additional research suggests that omega-3 can help to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. For example, getting more EPA and DHA—two types of omega-3 fatty acids—has been shown to help with this maintenance. 2, 3

Maintain Healthy Cholesterol 

Fish oil is shown to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.

Everyday Oxidative Stress

Omega-3 fatty acids have properties that allow them to help fight against everyday oxidative stress within the body.

Brain Function

One study links higher omega-3 intake to decreased age-related mental decline. 8 Some research shows that people who consume more omega-3s may have a lower risk of developing problems with cognitive function, although research is limited. 9

Joint Support

EPA and DHA found in fish oil supplements are known to help with inflammation associated with exercise exertion, while promoting joint lubrication.

Unfortunately, the market has become inundated with omega-3 fish oils of varying quality and from dubious sources. While it's easy to assume a one-size-fits-all mentality, the truth is that even something as simple as the kind of fish—anchovy,  salmon, or cod—can have a dramatic effect on the quality and effectiveness of the ingredients in your supplement.

So, at Smarter Reviews we've analyzed dozens of the top-selling omega-3 fish oil supplements on the market.

Based on our analysis, we put together a simple guide to show you what to look for and what to avoid in a top-notch supplement. Plus, we share our top 5 favorite picks of 2023.

Choosing the Best Omega-3 Supplement For You

Really, it all starts with the fish. Anchovies and other small, fatty fish, lower on the food chain accumulate fewer toxins than larger species like salmon and tend to result in a purer product. But that's just the beginning of the discussion.

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The best omega-3 fish oil supplements are always processed and manufactured by reputable companies using naturally-occurring and sustainable sources and tested thoroughly for unnecessary or undesirable contaminants within the ingredients. 

Unfortunately, many brands don't live up to these standards, and shoppers don't realize they're buying a substandard product. With that in mind, we listed some common mistakes made when purchasing an omega-3 supplement.

What To Look For In A Quality Fish Oil

EPA and DHA

It's important to check your fish oil's specific EPA and DHA levels. EPA and DHA are the most potent types of omega-3 fatty acids. When it comes to health benefits—heart, brain, immune function, etc.—these two do most of the heavy lifting.

Most experts recommend between 600–1000 mg of EPA and 400-800 mg DHA for healthy adults.

GMP Compliant

Companies that follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) adhere to strict safety and handling protocols to ensure batch-to-batch consistency. Most trusted brands clearly label GMP compliance on their bottle or website.

Lemon Oil

Lemon oil helps neutralize the strong odor that comes from fish oil, the culprit behind the infamous "fish burp." Avoid the fishy aftertaste by finding a product that includes lemon flavoring or lemon oil in its formula.

What Dosage Should I Take?

Higher dosages of omega-3s (EPA and DHA) have better improvements in joint, cardiovascular, and mental health. That means, while a supplement should have a high fish oil dosage, it's important to look for a ratio of DHA and EPA, as well.

For best results, we recommend at least 600 mg of EPA and at least 400 mg of DHA daily for adults.

What to Avoid

As our oceans become more polluted, certain heavy metals are starting to contaminate our fish supply. When larger fish eat other, smaller fish, they accumulate higher levels of contamination. Since small, fatty fish like anchovies and sardines are lower on the marine food chain, they don't contain the following pollutants often found in larger fish like salmon.

Mercury

Experts warn that long-term exposure to this highly reactive metal may cause health concerns.

PCBs

PCBs—or polychlorinated biphenyls—are a group of manufactured organic chemicals. PCBs account for 209 individually chlorinated chemicals. PCBs typically have a higher concentration in fish.

Misleading Labels

"Fish oil" and "omega-3s" are often used interchangeably, however, they're not exactly the same. While all fish oils contain EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids, their exact concentrations vary by product.

For example, a supplement with 1,200 mg of fish oil might seem like a lot, but it tells you nothing about the omega-3 content. Look for products that specifically label the EPA and DHA omega-3 content (~600mg EPA and ~400mg DHA).

The 5 Best Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements On The Market

Based on our own extensive analysis, combined with the metrics provided by our Smarter Reviews Ranking System, and consideration of numerous reviews by Smarter Shoppers just like you, we've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top five products in this category, on the market today.

First, here's a side-by-side comparison of how industry leading Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplements stack up against each other.

Click to see the complete list of fish oils we evaluated >>

1. OmegaWell

by Live Conscious [1]

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packaged goods

Total Ranking

9.6/10

A+

Overall Grade

PROS

  • 2000 mg of fish oil per serving
  • 800 mg EPA, 600 mg DHA
  • Naturally-sourced formula with no fillers
  • Natural lemon oil
  • Third-party tested and certified by GMP
  • 365-day return policy
  • Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients

CONS

  • Exclusively sold in the US and Canada
  • Only available online
The Bottom Line

OmegaWell by Live Conscious comes in at number 1 on our list thanks to its high-quality, powerhouse formula. 

OmegaWell's formula contains 2,000 mg of fish oil per serving, including 800 mg of EPA and 600 mg of DHA. Plus, it's third-party tested, sustainably sourced, and coated in a subtle lemon flavor to prevent "fish burps." 

Live Conscious also offers an outstanding 365-day money-back guarantee, which tells us they stand behind their product. 

*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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2. Omega-3 Fish Oil

by Essential Elements [1]

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packaged goods

Total Ranking

9.1/10

A-

Overall Grade

PROS

  • 2000 mg of fish oil per serving
  • 800 mg EPA and 600 mg DHA
  • Sustainably sourced
  • Third-party tested and G.M.P. certified
  • Natural lemon oil
  • Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
  • 365-day, money-back guarantee

CONS

  • Sold exclusively online
The Bottom Line

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 with globally sourced ingredients under Good Manufacturing Practices. Likewise, they offer a solid 365-day money-back guarantee!

*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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3. Omega XL

by Great HealthWorks

number
Nordic Naturals - Ultimate Omega, Support for a Healthy Heart, 60 Soft Gels (FFP)

Total Ranking

8.7/10

B+

Overall Grade

PROS

  • Made from sustainably farmed mussels
  • 90-day return policy

CONS

  • Only 300mg of Omega-3s
  • Unspecified EPA/DHA amounts
  • Conditional money-back guarantee
The Bottom Line

OmegaXL ranks high enough on our list to reach a decent #3 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.

*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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4. Triple-Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil

by Viva Naturals

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Omax3 Omega 3 Fish Oil Triple Strength 60 Caps

Total Ranking

8.4/10

B

Overall Grade

PROS

  • Tested by the International Fish Oil Standards Program
  • CO2 Extraction Method

CONS

  • Large pills
  • Fishy burps
The Bottom Line

Triple-Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil by Viva Naturals 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 EPA but did notice it has a lower dose of DHA than its competitors.

Viva Naturals also uses a CO2 extraction method which eliminates harsh chemicals and damaging heat.

However, some reviewers mentioned the pills were too large to swallow and were sometimes left with fishy burps. 

*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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5. Ultimate Omega

by Nordic Naturals

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OmegaXL All-Natural Omega-3 Supplement, 60 Count - All Natural Joint Pain Relief

Total Ranking

8.2/10

B-

Overall Grade


PROS

  • Well-known brand name
  • 650 mg EPA and 450 mg DHA
  • Third-party tested
  • Sustainably sourced
  • Lemon flavoring

CONS

  • Contains unnecessary additives/ingredients
  • Only 30-day return policy
The Bottom Line

With its time-tested formula, Nordic Naturals' Ultimate Omega complex felt like a #5 on our list. Each serving contains 650 mg of EPA and 450 mg of DHA omega-3s.

Their formula is also non-GMO, sustainably sourced, and third-party tested for purity and potency. There's a lot to like about this formula, unfortunately, it also includes some unnecessary additives like gelatin and glycerin-based capsules.

Additionally, Nordic Naturals' 30-day return policy fell short of our expectations, especially compared with our other choices.

*Results are based on the Smarter Reviews Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.

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Disclaimer:

Smarter Reviews is owned and operated by the same company that owns certain products featured on this website, including the products ranked number one.

In addition, we receive compensation from certain companies whose products are featured on this website when you purchase a product using the links on this website.

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Our Main Sources

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Sources used for research purposes. Smarter-Reviews.com are not officially affiliated with these sites.

What You Will Learn:

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Estimated Read Time 5 Minutes

Benefits of Fish Oil

What To Look For Inside

What Ingredients To Avoid

Top 5 Omega-3 Fish Oils

CITATIONS

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18541598/
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21924882/
  3. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/
  4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3976923/
  5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21784145/
  6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16848700/
  7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163725813002155
  8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19262590/
  9. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/
  10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18602429/
  11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19034030/
  12. https://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/FFA_summary_rec_conclusion.pdf?ua=1

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