9 Best Vitamin B12 Supplements in 2024, According to Dietitians

• Best overall: Thorne Vitamin B12 | Skip to review
• Best customized subscription: Care/of Vitamin B12 | Skip to review
• Best multivitamin with vitamin B12: mindbodygreen multivitamin+| Skip to review
• Best vegan: HUM B12 Turbo | Skip to review
• Best liquid: Pure Encapsulations B12 Liquid | Skip to review
• Best gummy: OLLY Daily Energy Gummy | Skip to review
• Best whole-food B12: Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw B12 | Skip to review
• Best affordable: Nature Made B12 | Skip to review
• Best B-complex: Nordic Naturals Vitamin B Complex | Skip to review

Vitamin B12 is an essential dietary nutrient necessary for energy production and proper functioning of your nervous system, among other important roles.

It’s abundant in animal-based foods, including beef, salmon, and dairy products. Some other foods may be fortified with it.

Still, vitamin B12 deficiencies are fairly common, particularly among older adults, people who follow a vegan diet, and those who take certain medications.

Serious deficiencies require medical injections. However, taking B12 supplements can help with minor deficiencies and help ensure adequate intake.

Here we review the best B12 supplements on the market and discuss the importance of this nutrient, for everything from blood and nerve health to your DNA creation.

Best overall

Thorne Vitamin B12

• Price range: $$
• Form: capsule
• Dose: 1,000 mcg
• % of the Daily Value (DV): 41,667%

Thorne is our top pick for vitamin B12 because of the company’s commitment to high quality ingredients and supplement formulations that are designed for optimal absorption.

Each 1-capsule serving provides 1,000 mcg of methylcobalamin. The supplement can be taken up to 3 times per day for individuals who need an even higher dose.

Thorne supplements are manufactured in a facility that is certified by third-party organizations such as NSF International and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia’s regulatory agency responsible for evaluating the safety of supplements.

According to the company, all products are thoroughly tested, either in-house or by third-party labs, multiple times throughout manufacturing to ensure label accuracy.

Learn more about Thorne in our comprehensive review.

Best customized subscription

Care/of Vitamin B12

• Price range: $$
• Form: capsule
• Dose: 250 mcg
• % of the Daily Value (DV): 10,417%

If you need to take multiple supplements a day, Care/of Vitamin B12 is worth considering.

Care/of is a vitamin subscription service that creates personalized supplement routines and packages your vitamins in convenient daily packs.

Care/of Vitamin B12 is vegan-friendly, non-GMO, and gluten-free.

Additionally, according to the company, all Care/of products are third-party tested for purity, heavy metals, and contaminants.

Learn more in our comprehensive review of Care/of.

Best multivitamin with vitamin B12

mindbodygreen multivitamin+

• Price range: $$$
• Form: capsule
• Dose: 240 mcg
• % of the DV: 10,000%

If you’re looking for a comprehensive multivitamin that’s high in vitamin B12, mindbodygreen multivitamin+ is a good option.

Each 2-capsule serving contains 10,000% of the DV for vitamin B12, along with 32 additional vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and plant compounds.

Mindbodygreen supplements undergo rigorous testing throughout the manufacturing process at International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-certified third-party labs to ensure purity and potency.

See what our experts and testers had to say about mindbodygreen in our comprehensive review.

Best vegan

HUM Nutrition B12 Turbo

• Price range: $$
• Form: tablet
• Dose: 1,000 mcg
• % of the DV: 41,667%

HUM Nutrition B12 Turbo is formulated specifically with vegan diets in mind.

In addition to vitamin B12, the supplement provides a small amount of calcium, another nutrient that can be difficult to consume in adequate amounts on a plant-based diet. However, as it only provides 3% of the DV, the supplement shouldn’t be the sole source of calcium in your diet.

HUM Nutrition B12 Turbo is third-party tested, non-GMO, and free from gluten and artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

If you purchase it as part of a subscription, you’ll also have access to a registered dietitian who can provide personalized advice.

Learn more about HUM Nutrition in our expert review.

Best liquid

Pure Encapsulations B12 Liquid

• Price range: $$
• Form: liquid
• Dose: 1,000 mcg
• % of the DV: 41,667%

If you do not enjoy taking pills, a liquid vitamin can be a better option.

Pure Encapsulations B12 Liquid is vegetarian-friendly and free from major allergens, artificial flavors and sweeteners, and hydrogenated oils.

Unflavored and lightly sweetened with stevia, you can consume it as is or mix it into any food or beverage. The company suggests taking it with a meal.

Pure Encapsulations supplements are third-party tested and produced in NSF-registered facilities.

Best gummy

OLLY Daily Energy Gummy

• Price range: $$
• Form: gummy
• Dose: 300 mcg
• % of the DV: 12,500%

OLLY Daily Energy Gummy is a highly rated B12 supplement that also contains goji berry extract and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).

According to reviews from 2019 and 2022, both goji berry extract and CoQ10 are thought to help prevent fatigue, though more research is needed.

Unlike most other supplements on our list, this product contains cyanocobalamin, a synthetic form of vitamin B12 that is commonly used to treat vitamin B12 deficiencies.

OLLY Daily Energy Gummy is third-party certified by NSF and certified gluten-free. The gummies come in a Tropical Passion flavor and are sweetened with glucose syrup, beet sugar, and orange juice.

Best whole-foods supplement

Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw B-12

• Price range: $$
• Form: capsule
• Dose: 1,000 mcg
• % of the DV: 41,667%

Garden of Life is a trusted brand that stands out for offering supplements made from whole-food ingredients.

In particular, its Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw B12 is a great option for people who prefer natural ingredients. It contains vitamin B12 derived from cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a yeast that is naturally occurring in some foods and is also known as brewer’s or baker’s yeast.

In addition to vitamin B12, this product contains a probiotic and enzyme blend and a fruit and vegetable blend.

While the blends are made up of whole-food ingredients, they are proprietary, which means that the brand does not disclose the amount of each ingredient. If you’re unsure about any of the ingredients or sensitive to any of them, this may not be the best product for you.

Additionally, because probiotics are not appropriate for everyone, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before taking this supplement.

Vitamin Code Raw B12 is certified vegan and gluten-free. It’s also third-party tested for purity and potency, though the name of the testing organization is not disclosed.

What our tester says

Healthline Manager Sydney Hanan started taking these vitamins after being diagnosed with a B12 deficiency. According to Hanan, “I received a B12 injection and was told to start taking oral supplements.

“After taking these supplements for a few weeks, I started to notice my energy levels improve. I’ve now been taking them for almost 6 months and plan to continue doing so for the foreseeable future.”

Best affordable

Nature Made B12 Softgels

• Price range: $
• Form: softgel
• Dose: 1,000 mcg
• % of the DV: 41,667%

Nature Made B12 Softgels are one of the most affordable options on our list. They’re also USP-verified for quality and purity.

These softgels are gluten-free and provide 10% of the DV for calcium. As the ingredients include gelatin and beeswax, the supplement isn’t suitable for people following vegan or vegetarian diets.

The company also offers an even more affordable B12 supplement, though that supplement is not USP-verified.

Best allergen-free

Pure Encapsulations Methylcobalamin

• Price range: $$
• Form: capsule
• Vitamin B12 type: methylcobalamin
• Dose: 1,000 mcg
• % of the DV: 41,667%

Pure Encapsulations Methycobalamin is hypoallergenic and certified gluten-free, which means it’s a good option for people with allergies or gluten-related disorders.

It also offers a convenient one-a-day formulation, though, according to the label, you can take up to 3 capsules per day if a healthcare professional recommends a higher dose.

Pure Encapsulations products are third-party tested for purity and potency.

Best B complex

Nordic Naturals Vitamin B Complex

• Price range: $$
• Form: capsule
• Dose: 250 mcg
• % of the DV: 10,417%

This product from Nordic Naturals provides 250 mcg of vitamin B12 in each capsule, along with an assortment of other essential B vitamins like niacin, folate, and biotin.

Opting for a B complex supplement rather than stand-alone vitamin B12 supplement might be a better option for people with increased nutrient needs or those at an increased risk of a B vitamin deficiency.

Nordic Naturals supplements are third-party tested to ensure purity and potency, with certificates of analysis (COAs) available online.

• Supplement type: We included a variety of supplement forms, such as capsules, gummies, liquids, and sprays.
• Dose: To accommodate a wide range of needs, we included products that provide varying amounts of vitamin B12. Be sure to consult a healthcare professional to find out what dose is appropriate for you.
• Testing: To ensure label accuracy, we prioritized products that are tested throughout the manufacturing process, ideally by third-party labs and organizations, like NSF International.
• Vetting: All the products on our list have been vetted to ensure they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin B12 varies by age. Additionally, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding have greater vitamin B12 needs.

The recommended amount of vitamin B12 for people who have been diagnosed with a B12 deficiency or have absorption difficulties may be higher than the RDA.

Additionally, there’s currently no established upper limit for vitamin B12 due to its low risk of toxicity. In fact, because the body doesn’t store excess vitamin B12, supplementation is generally considered safe, even at large doses.

Regardless, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional before starting supplementation, especially if you’re taking other medications.

Vitamin B12 supplements can help treat or prevent a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can be serious and may lead to anemia, fatigue, heart palpitations, dementia, and more.

Not everyone needs to take a vitamin B12 supplement, as most individuals can meet their needs through diet alone.

However, healthcare professionals may recommend vitamin B12 supplements for certain populations, including:

• people following a vegan diet
• older adults
• people who have had gastrointestinal surgery
• people who have nutrient absorption issues
• people with dietary restrictions

People taking certain long-term medications, such as metformin and proton pump inhibitors, may also benefit from a supplement, as these medications can affect absorption of vitamin B12.

However, with severe vitamin B12 deficiency or absorption issues, healthcare professionals may recommend an intramuscular injection rather than an oral supplement.

As with any supplement, it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional to determine whether a vitamin B12 supplement is necessary for you.

There are many different types of vitamin B12 available, including:

• cyanocobalamin
• methylcobalamin
• adenosylcobalamin
• hydroxycobalamin

While cyanocobalamin is the most common form found in supplements, there is no research to suggest that one specific form is more effective or readily absorbed.

Vitamin B12 supplements are available in a wide range of doses as well, including high dose supplements with 1,000–2,000 mcg per serving.

Research suggests that high dose oral supplements may be as effective as intramuscular injections at treating vitamin B12 deficiency. However, you should only use high dose supplements as directed by a healthcare professional.

In addition to capsules, vitamin B12 supplements are also available as liquid drops or a nasal spray.

Studies show that these forms have similar rates of absorption and are as effective as oral vitamin B12 supplementation. Therefore, it’s best to choose the form that works best for you based on your personal needs and preferences.

If a healthcare professional has recommended that you take a vitamin B12 supplement, there are several factors to consider when shopping:

• Supplement form: Vitamin B12 supplements are available in several forms, including capsules, sprays, gummies, liquids, lozenges, and chewable tablets. Be sure to choose a form that you can tolerate taking on a daily basis.
• Cost: The price per serving can vary widely across products, so consider how the one you choose will fit into your budget.
• Quality: It’s also best to choose a product that has been third-party tested, as this ensures that it has been tested for heavy metals, contaminants, and accuracy of the label.
• Dose: Most vitamin B12 supplements contain rather high doses. Be sure to talk with a healthcare professional to determine the right dose for you.

Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that’s found in several animal-based foods, including meats and many dairy products.

Certain populations, including older adults and people following a vegan diet, are at a higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiencies and may benefit from taking a vitamin B12 supplement.

When shopping for a B12 supplement, be sure to choose a product that’s appropriate for your dietary needs and preferences. It’s also helpful to select a product that is third-party tested for purity and potency.

Before starting any new supplement, be sure to consult a healthcare professional to help ensure that you’re choosing an appropriate product and dose.