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In its stable state, CBD is an opaque crystal that can be dispensed in almost any medium. Drinks, food, salves, suppositories — you name it, and someone's produced a version with CBD in it. Given the recent massive surge in consumer demand, a litany of unreputable and dishonest vendors have rushed into the market, hawking their wares. Since the CBD oil market is 100% federally unregulated, this piece is designed to help shed light on who produces the very best in CBD oils.
Quick Look: The Best CBD Oil Companies
- Best Overall: Bluebird Botanicals Hemp Complete
- Best for Pain Management: Nuleaf Full Spectrum CBD Oil
- Best for Anxiety: Charlotte’s Web Original Formula CBD Oil
- Best for Post-Workout: PureKana CBD Muscle Menthol Roll-on Gel
- Best for Natural Migraine Relief: Premium Jane Natural CBD Oil (Full Spectrum)
- Best for Arthritis and Inflammation: IrieCBD CBD Oil Pain Cream with Celadrin
- Best for Luxury Products: Endoca Hemp Oil CBD Drops
- Best for Cost-Effective Product: Lazarus Naturals High Potency CBD Tincture
- Best for Mental Wellness: Receptra Naturals Prime CBD Oil
- Best for Cartridge: Bluebird Botanicals CBD Vape Oil
What's CBD Oil?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabis compound with significant medical utility found within the cannabis plant. Currently, only one cannabidiol-based medication, Epidiolex, has received FDA approval.
However, emerging research from around the world points to the potential of CBD to treat broad classes of medical conditions, ranging from chronic pain to PTSD. Acting on the endocannabinoid system, CBD helps regulate homeostasis in the human body and has peer-reviewed evidence of functioning as a neuroprotectant.
What to Look for in a CBD Oil Company
Given the popularity of CBD products, one can easily be overwhelmed by the scores of offerings available. For those dipping their toes into the industry, the easiest way to begin is to focus on the purest offerings.
CBD oils often contain just 3 to 5 ingredients and are typically the least contaminated and most consistent way to consume CBD for the majority of consumers. At the end of the day, all industries have dirty sellers. These four characteristics of a CBD oil company are vital to identifying a reliable, honest vendor.
Source Transparency
Any company worth considering in the CBD oil market has to have publicly-available information about where it’s sourcing CBD, whether from an in-house grow operation or a supply partnership.
In an industry riddled with fraudsters looking to manipulate uninformed consumers, companies that choose to post photos and videos of their fields, farms and facilities can cut through the uncertainty and deliver a product that consumers can believe in. If you can't easily find information about where a product's CBD is coming from, consider why the company wouldn't want you to know.
Laboratory-Tested
The most important feature to look for from any CBD oil producer is readily available and up-to-date lab tests for each of its products. In-house testing can be sufficient for companies that have an established track record, but the true gold standard is a third-party International Organization for Standardization (ISO-17025)-compliant testing facility.
ISO-17025 is an international standard for technical competence of a given lab. Tests for phytocannabinoid spectrums, residual solvents, microbiologic, heavy metals and pesticides/herbicides should all be pieces of the testing process. Seeing testing results from compliant labs such as Eurofins, ProVerde, Steep Hill and SC Global provides confidence in the quality and consistency of the product that you are consuming.
Facility Type
While ISO has standards for best practices in manufacturing, this does not mean that all producers are acting in compliance or even acting in good faith. Reputable companies will have detailed explanations on their website regarding the processes and steps they took to extract the CBD and to create the oil itself.
The CO2 total extraction process, in which a two-stage sub and then supercritical extraction processes are employed in tandem, is considered to be the purest and most consistent form of creating full-spectrum extracts. However, solely supercritical or subcritical CO2 extraction methods are still considered to be more than sufficient to produce high-quality extracts.
As a general rule of thumb, be wary of most companies that use solvent-based extract processes. In low-grade manufacturing facilities, this method of extraction can lead to harmful chemicals that contaminate the end product, such as butane and ethanol. The easiest way to approach this is through the company's own website. Always look for videos or photos of their production facilities. If a company has something to be proud of, it will show it.
Consistency in Dosage, Price and Availability.
Given the aforementioned surge in consumer demand, hundreds of CBD companies have launched, offering products ranging from CBD makeup to CBD suppositories. CBD oil is no exception.
A reputable company should consistently pass testing, hold enough inventory to meet demand and generally have stable prices over time. The presence of those 3 factors points towards a secure supply chain or a company with backward vertical integration.
If a product's price, quality and availability have remained mostly static for longer than 6 months, you can be fairly confident that the CBD oil advertised will be the same as the CBD oil you receive.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
When you’re buying a product like this, there are some red flags to watch for.
If You Can Find it on Amazon, Run!
Most people turn to platforms like Amazon to learn more about the differences between products. There is one snag, though. Amazon forbids the sale of CBD oil.
Without exception. Purchasing CBD oil on Amazon leads to 1 of 2 outcomes: Either you have purchased a willfully misrepresented product or you have purchased an unregulated product from a vendor with demonstrated dishonesty. Depending on the vendor, you'll end up with a bottle of counterfeit CBD oil, a bottle of hemp oil sold as CBD oil or merely a product containing no CBD at all. None of those outcomes inspires too much faith.
If the Price is too Good to be True...
CBD oil is expensive to produce and process. If you see a company that offers a gram of CBD isolate or an equivalently-dosed bottle of CBD oil for less than $20, approach this seller with caution. Unless you’re buying in bulk, quality CBD oil cannot be sold at $3 per 1,000 mg, as seen in some blatantly false advertisements. One notable exception to this rule that made this list is Lazarus Naturals, but it’s a unique company in its production methods and capabilities.
The key takeaway is this: If you see prices that seem too good to be true, think about the reasons why. Impure production? Mislabeling of CBD contents? It's a mystery that you shouldn’t have to solve.
Brand-New Entrants
Consumer demand for CBD has exploded over the last year, driving hundreds of new companies into the market. As a result, be apprehensive toward any brand new company that lacks an established digital presence.
A company younger than 6 months can game the system by bulk-purchasing clean CBD and then switching to cheaper sources after passing lab tests. Some companies use it as a cover for not regularly testing products or revealing their production capabilities. A sharp brand image can mask critical failures, and in an unregulated industry, this risk is amplified.
Our Top Picks for the Best CBD Oil Companies
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by seemingly endless varieties, so we did the legwork for you. After scouring the market, we identified 10 that stood above the rest.
Best Overall: Bluebird Botanicals Hemp Complete
Who it’s for: People who want to dip their toes into the CBD oil market
Price: $29.95 for a 1 ounce, 250+ milligram bottle of CBD. $89.95 for a 4-ounce bottle containing 1,000+ milligrams of CBD
Bluebird Botanicals, one of the longest-running CBD companies in the world, is unrivaled in safety, reliability and reputation. Sourced in the U.S., Bluebird Botanicals Hemp Complete oil is designed to be an entry-level, no-frills approach to CBD oil.
Each batch comes with public third-party testing supplemented by Bluebird's impeccable track record for quality control. The Winner of #1 Hemp Company/Product from the Cannabis Business Awards in 2018 and the #1 Hemp-CBD Company at the 2016 Cannabist Awards, Bluebird has repeatedly demonstrated its excellence in oil production and distribution.
Additionally, Bluebird offers discounts to veterans, differently-abled and low-income individuals, ensuring that everyone has access to its products.
Best for Pain Management: Nuleaf Full Spectrum CBD Oil
Who it’s for: People who need a potent pain reliever
Price: $38.50 for 240 milligrams; can get a trial size
For those who have tried other CBD painkillers to no avail, consider the Nuleaf Full Spectrum CBD oil. Lab-tested both pre- and post-production by famed lab Steep Hill, Full Spectrum CBD Oil is a highly potent CBD oil designed to deliver maximum pain relief.
Manufactured through a two-stage, subcritical then supercritical extraction process, Nuleaf can have a unique blend of terpenes and cannabinoids within its CBD oil. This unique blend delivers incredibly powerful pain relief through the complex interactions found within its full-spectrum CBD oil.
For those who’ve had mixed experiences with CBD’s painkilling potential, look no further.
Best for Anxiety: Charlotte’s Web Original Formula CBD Oil
Who it’s for: Those looking for daily anxiety management
Price: $149.99 for a 30-milliliter bottle, $274.99 for a 100-milliliter bottle
Charlotte's Web is the most recognizable name in the CBD oil Industry. Founded by the Stanley Brothers when they created Charlotte's Web, a strain with a THC content of less than 0.3%.
The namesake is a tribute to Charlotte Figi, the girl whose epileptic seizures were only remedied after the Stanley Brothers introduced CBD into her diet.
Continuing to spread that healing potential, CW released its original formula for the mass market. Don't let the price point fool you: Charlotte's Web offers some of the most potent CBD oil on the market. Most people who deal with long-term anxiety know how difficult it can be to manage it. Offered in both an unflavored olive oil and organic mint chocolate, the range in both flavor and dosages make it an ideal product for both children and teens.
The CBD oil that CW creates is a whole-plant extract and contains more than 80 phytocannabinoids. Using its full-spectrum extraction system rather than CBD isolate, CW can continue the life-changing impact its flower had on Charlotte Figi across all states in the U.S.
Best for Post-Workout: PureKana CBD Muscle Menthol Roll-on Gel
Who it’s for: Those who live an active lifestyle
Price: $80 for a 600-milligram roll-on
PureKana's CBD Muscle Menthol Roll-On Gel is a post-workout roll-on gel specifically engineered to deliver the very best in muscle recovery. The CBD works as an anti-inflammatory and a painkiller while menthol cools and numbs the skin immediately.
A full-spectrum, third party-tested roll-on, the ability to target just a single area of the body makes it the perfect product for any gym rat.
Through combining menthol to cool the muscles and CBD to reduce swelling and pain, MMROG has the perfect synergy of ingredients to ensure that you're optimizing your gym time.
Best for Natural Migraine Relief: Premium Jane Natural CBD Oil (Full Spectrum)
Who it’s for: Those who suffer from chronic migraines/headaches
Price: $54 for a 300-milligram bottle, $139 for the 1,000-milligram bottle
Premium Jane is a full-spectrum CBD oil company specialized in creating the most environmentally-friendly CBD oils. Reliable and consistently lab-tested, its Naturals CBD oil is a minimally-processed oil designed to deliver CBD and only CBD.
Premium Jane's Natural CBD Oil is also organic, vegan and non-GMO, making it the perfect oil for those who are sensitive to any additives.
One caveat, the flavor is somewhat earthy as a result of the subcritical CO2 extraction it employs. It’s offered in both mint and citrus flavors.
Best for Arthritis and Inflammation: IrieCBD CBD Oil Pain Cream with Celadrin
Who it’s for: People suffering from arthritic pain and inflammation
Price: $39.97 for 100 milligrams CBD salve, $99.97 for 500 milligrams CBD salve
IrieCBD's Pain Cream combines lab-tested organic Colorado CBD and Celadrin, a novel but research-backed blend of fatty acids (Omega 3, 6 and 9), engineered to deliver precise inflammation relief through its topical application.
This salve was created specifically for arthritis and joint pain. Immediately absorbed by the skin, it leaves no trace on the body or clothing.
To dispel any doubt in the purity of its salve, IrieCBD offers a two-stage third party lab-testing process, publicly posted and verified. If you need targeted inflammation relief, IrieCBD has your back.
Best for Luxury Products: Endoca Hemp Oil CBD Drops
Who it’s for: The discerning CBD enthusiast
Price: $129 for a 10-milliliter bottle
Looking for an all-natural CBD worth saving for a special occasion? Endoca has you covered. Want a health-conscious CBD Oil? Endoca's Hemp Oil CBD Drops are organic, vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO; those benefits only scratch the surface on all the perks Endoca's Hemp Oil CBD Drops have to offer.
Each CBD bottle is accompanied by a complete listing of every terpene, phytocannabinoid and organic molecule present. Additionally, Endoca's Hemp Oil CBD Drops have a 1:3 ratio of Omega 3s and 6s. Standing out as one of the few vendors with international shipping, its bottles come with 0% certified GMP, third-party lab testing and a guaranteed percentage of CBD contained within.
Best for Cost-Effective Product: Lazarus Naturals High Potency CBD Tincture
Who it’s for: Consumers who find most CBD oils to be too cost prohibitive
Price: $32 for a 750-milligram bottle, $200 for a 6,000-milligram bottle
The only solvent-based CBD extract to make this list, Lazarus Naturals utilizes a lower manufacturing process to offer a product unmatched in price point. While ethanol-based extraction is normally less clean than CO2-based systems, Lazarus Naturals challenges this stereotype by offering updated third-party lab tests for potency, pesticides, residual solvents and heavy metals.
Due to this low cost, they can pass off the savings to the customer. Lazarus Natural’s High Potency CBD Tincture is one of the most cost-effective products for lab-tested CBD oil. LN's high Potency CBD is a full-spectrum oil derived from in-house grown plants, further ensuring the reliability of its product.
Offered in unflavored coconut oil, French vanilla and chocolate mint, even the pickiest person can find the right aroma.
Best for Mental Wellness: Receptra Naturals Prime CBD Oil
Who it’s for: Those who want to maintain mental wellness
Price: $39.95 for a 15 milliliter, 375-milligram bottle
Receptra Naturals is one of the more research-driven CBD companies, featuring interactive testing results, detailed and precise extraction techniques and an MMA partnership. Prime CBD oil furthers the natural neuroprotective qualities of CBD by blending it with proven medicinal herbs and spices.
The key aspect of Naturals Prime is its blend of other ingredients designed to function in tandem with the mental well-being properties of CBD.
The inclusion of turmeric and avocado oil, among other ingredients, is engineered to promote harmony between the body and mind and to serve as a natural defense for all of life's daily stresses.
Best for Cartridge: Bluebird Botanicals CBD Vape Oil
Who it’s for: CBD oil users who need a fast-acting product
Price: $19.95 for a 333 milligram, ⅓ ounce bottle
The only brand to make this list twice, Bluebird Botanicals struck gold with its release of the simply named "CBD Vape Oil." Created using the same award-winning CBD found in its Hemp Complete, Vape Oil offers a pleasantly smooth, unflavored vape juice designed for the ultimate mobile CBD experience.
For compatibility, any vaporizer designed to handle PG/VG juice will be able to utilize Vape Oil. One especially handy feature of CBD Vape Oil is the ratio of CBD to juice, kept at an exact 1,000 milligram of CBD per 1 ounce of liquid.
Find the CBD Oil for You
It’s easy to find yourself lost when you’re searching for CBD oil. Whether you’re consuming CBD oil for pain relief, mental wellness or after a hard workout, any of the products above can fit your lifestyle.
Want to learn more about cannabis? Check out Benzinga's guides to cannabis stocks and cannabis penny stocks.
About Luke Jacobi
Luke Jacobi is a distinguished professional known for his role as President at Benzinga, a renowned financial media outlet. With a background in business operations and management, Luke brings valuable expertise to his position, overseeing various aspects of Benzinga’s operations. His contributions play a crucial role in the company’s success, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness across different departments. Prior to his role at Benzinga, Luke has held positions that have honed his skills in leadership and strategic decision-making. With a keen understanding of the financial industry and a commitment to driving innovation, Luke continues to make significant contributions to Benzinga’s mission of providing high-quality financial news and analysis.