We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
Here’s how to determine if a CBD oil is safe and how to shop for inexpensive CBD oils. Based on Healthline’s vigorous vetting standards, our pick for best overall is Plant People Drops+, Mind + Body.
Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It’s not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
You’re probably aware that cannabis plants contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It’s the stuff that produces the “high” associated with cannabis products.
But did you know that cannabis plants also contain several other cannabinoids? Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid with therapeutic benefits, and it doesn’t have the same effects as THC. And even though some CBD products contain a little THC, the trace amounts likely aren’t enough to make you feel “high.”
There are a ton of CBD products on the market, oils included, but not all of them are created equal. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t currently approve and regulate CBD products in the same way it does pharmaceuticals.
That means that CBD products vary significantly in terms of effectiveness, quality, and safety.
It also means that pricing is all over the place. So how can you tell if a low cost product is worth it? Below, we discuss how to know if a CBD oil is safe and how to shop for inexpensive CBD oils. We also list a few of our favorite products.
- Best overall oil: Plant People Drops+, Mind + Body
- Best full-spectrum oil: CBDistillery Relief + Relax Full Spectrum CBD Oil, 500 mg
- Best flavorless organic oil: Cornbread Hemp Distilled CBD Oil
- Best broad-spectrum oil: Zatural Broad Spectrum CBD Drops
- Best high potency oil: FAB CBD Full Spectrum CBD Oil
- Best THC-free oil: R & R Organic Broad Spectrum CBD Tincture
- Best CBD isolate oil: Medterra Isolate CBD Oil
- Best oil for beginners: cbdMD Broad Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture
- Best flavored organic oil: Joy Organics Organic Full Spectrum CBD Oil, Tropical Sunrise
- Best full-spectrum high potency CBD oil: Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture
CBD is a cannabinoid compound found in the cannabis plant. However, unlike THC, it’s not psychoactive when consumed. CBD is considered a phytocannabinoid, meaning it’s a cannabinoid found in plants. Our bodies also produce cannabinoids naturally, and they’re known as endocannabinoids.
CBD is linked to a handful of potential health benefits, including pain relief, improved mental health, lower blood pressure levels, and more. This is due to the way it interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, binding to what’s known as our CB1 and CB2 receptors.
The endocannabinoid system helps regulate many of our core processes, including pain, immunity, stress, and more, and CBD is thought to help support our endocannabinoid system.
Because of the rise in popularity, manufacturers have created an onslaught of CBD products in various forms. CBD oil — in which CBD extract is combined with a carrier oil to be taken under the tongue — is one of the most popular.
CBD glossary
- Full-spectrum CBD: This contains every cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. Because these products contain the full spectrum of chemicals, it’s thought that they produce the entourage effect, making them more effective.
- Broad-spectrum CBD: This contains all cannabinoids, but no THC.
- Isolate: This is a purified form of CBD that contains no THC and no other cannabinoids. CBD isolate may also be less effective than other types of CBD because of this. Inexpensive CBD oils often contain CBD isolate.
Because CBD products aren’t regulated like prescription medications, there’s no guarantee that what you’re buying is made with safe, quality ingredients. With CBD, you tend to get what you pay for. A lower price can also mean that a product is less potent. It’s important to research the brands you’re buying from.
Even brands selling cheap CBD oils should make certificates of analysis (COAs) readily available to prove there are no pesticides, heavy metals, and other harmful ingredients that can show up in lab reports.
If a company doesn’t conduct third-party testing, that’s a red flag. Those products may contain more CBD and sometimes THC than what’s being marketed, as well as other heavy metals and contaminants.
That all said, we’ve created this list of more affordable CBD oils that pass our medical and brand vetting standards, which includes evaluating the COAs, third-party test results, and list of product ingredients.
We also look for brands that make their products with hemp grown in the United States and that work with compliant third-party labs.
When shopping for a cheap CBD oil, be extra vigilant. Do your research on why a product is more affordable than others. Is it less potent? Is the company skimping in some areas to provide a low cost product?
Research the company, and carefully read labels for the following.
CBD type
Because of the entourage effect, oils with CBD and THC are likely more effective than products with one or the other.
This means that full-spectrum CBD may have greater therapeutic benefits than broad-spectrum or isolate.
Third-party testing
The FDA doesn’t guarantee the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter CBD oils and other products. Because CBD products aren’t regulated like medications, companies may mislabel their products or make unproven claims.
The FDA can send warning letters to companies that make wild, unfounded health claims.
An up-to-date COA from a reputable third-party lab confirms that a product is free of contaminants and that the amounts of CBD and THC are accurately reflected on the label.
If a CBD oil doesn’t come with a COA, that’s a sign to skip the product and look elsewhere. We included COAs for every product we recommended.
Ingredients
Companies should be transparent about where they grow or source their hemp. If a company doesn’t provide transparent information about how and where they make their products, that’s a red flag. Opt for products made from certified organic, U.S.-grown cannabis.
Some CBD oils may also contain additional ingredients, like essential oils or flavoring. However, additional ingredients may increase the cost of a particular oil.
We chose these products based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency. Each product in this article:
- is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab
- is made with hemp grown in the United States
- contains no more than 0.3% THC, according to the COA
- passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and molds, according to the COA
As a part of our selection process, we also considered:
- the company’s certifications and manufacturing processes
- product potency
- overall ingredients
- indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:
- customer reviews
- if the company has been subject to an
FDA warning letter - if the company makes any unsupported health claims
- pricing, aiming to include quality, affordable options
| Product name | Price | Type and potency | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant People Drops+, Mind + Body | $68.99 | – full-spectrum – 315–1,500 mg per 30-mL bottle | – vegan – certified organic – ships with recycled, eco-friendly materials | subscription only available for higher potency option |
| CBDistillery Relief + Relax Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture, 500 mg | $45 | – full-spectrum – 500 mg per 30-mL bottle | – positive reviews – limited ingredients – free shipping over $75 | reports of shipping issues |
| Cornbread Hemp Distilled CBD Oil | $39.99 | – full-spectrum – 375–1,500 mg per 30-mL bottle | – organic ingredients – three strengths – 30-day guarantee | no flavored options |
| Zatural Broad Spectrum CBD Drops | $27.50 | – broad-spectrum – 300–12,000 mg per 30-mL bottle | – THC-free – affordable – 60-day return policy | – no testing for final products – products not organic |
| FAB CBD Full Spectrum CBD Oil | $39 | – full-spectrum – 300–2,400 mg per 30-mL bottle | – organic ingredients – various flavors | higher potency options are pricey |
| R & R Organic Broad Spectrum CBD Tincture | $55 | – broad-spectrum – 1,000 mg per 30-mL bottle | – THC-free – organic ingredients – minty flavor | – may contain traces of THC – only one flavor |
| Medterra Isolate CBD Oil | $39.99 | – isolate – 500–6,000 mg per 30-mL bottle | – positive customer reviews – THC-free – affordable | – not CGMP certified – earthy taste |
| cbdMD Broad Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture | $59.99 | – broad-spectrum – 300–7,500 mg per 30-mL bottle | – low dose great for beginners – vegan | – not clear about hemp source – reports of poor customer service |
| Joy Organics Organic Full-Spectrum CBD Oil, Tropical Sunrise | $44.95 | – full-spectrum – 450–2,250 mg per 30-mL bottle | – natural flavors – organic ingredients – effective, according to reviewers | no isolate oil option |
| Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture | $39.99 | – full-spectrum – 50 mg per mL | – high potency – affordable – easy to use | distinct earthy taste |
Most CBD oils come with a dropper for easy dosing. Use the dropper to place the oil under your tongue.
Products will come with a recommended dosage guide, but you can also talk with a doctor to get guidance on how much to take.
Generally, starting with the lowest dose possible is the way to go. You can gradually increase the amount over time to find out how much is right for you. If you don’t feel the oil’s effects right away, wait several hours before taking more.
You can find more information about CBD dosage by reading our dosage guide.
It’s generally accepted that CBD is
If you have a medical condition, or if you take prescription medications, talk with a doctor before trying CBD oil. CBD may interact with certain medications, particularly those with a grapefruit warning.
There’s also some
What makes some CBD oils more expensive?
Everything from where the hemp is sourced to how CBD is extracted can influence the price of CBD oil. Hemp grown domestically and organically tends to cost manufacturers more and drives up the price of the final consumer product. However, this also means that hemp is more traceable and regulated and is a safer bet.
Third-party testing can also affect the price for consumers, as it’s something CBD manufacturers have to consider in their costs. However, we don’t advise buying CBD oil from a company that doesn’t take this step. It’s worth it to know that what you’re consuming contains no harmful contaminants.
Potency can also drive the price of CBD oil higher. CBD potency is measured in milligrams per dose. A higher potency oil may seem expensive until you do the math on what it costs you per milligram.
What’s the average cost of CBD oil?
CBD oil drops range in price from $0.04 and $0.05 per mg up to $0.20 per mg. Most bottles contain between 250 and 2,500 mg per bottle — with 2,500 being a very high potency.
Is there a downside to taking CBD oil?
In general, CBD is considered safe for consumption, but some studies have discovered possible side effects that include diarrhea, fatigue, and appetite changes. Additionally, if you’re taking other medications, always ask a doctor how CBD may affect and interact with them.
When shopping for an inexpensive CBD oil, it’s still important to put quality first. While the oils on this list are more affordable than many higher priced oils, they don’t cut corners in their sourcing or testing.
Another downside is the potential to test positive for THC, particularly after consuming full-spectrum products. If you’re concerned with testing positive on a drug test, choose a broad-spectrum or isolate product, or avoid CBD completely.
What’s the cheapest CBD oil on the market?
You might find cheaper CBD oils on the market, but that doesn’t mean they’re high quality. The cheapest on our list is the Lazarus Naturals full-spectrum tincture. It’s one of the most affordable high potency options out there, and it’s been vetted by our team.
Where can I get cheap CBD oil?
Most CBD brands have online storefronts that allow you to buy online and get products shipped right to your door. Just beware of low quality options. If it doesn’t have a comprehensive COA, find a different retailer.
Research into CBD’s many potential benefits is promising. However, it can be hard to find safe, quality CBD products, as the FDA doesn’t regulate them like medications and supplements.
Sometimes, a product is cheap because the ingredients are low quality and come from shady sources.
To be sure that you’re buying a quality, affordable CBD oil, look for a COA and do some digging to find out more about the company you plan to buy from.
Is CBD legal? The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC legal at the federal level. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them illegal at the federal level. Some states have legalized CBD, so be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.
Steph Coelho is a freelance writer with chronic migraine who has a particular interest in health and wellness. When she’s not click-clacking away on her keyboard, she’s probably nose-deep in a good book.