10 Best Fish Oil Supplements for Heart and Brain Health, According to Dietitians

For shoppers looking to stock up, Kirkland Signature Fish Oil offers 400 softgels per bottle—enough for about 200 days at the suggested dose of two softgels daily. By far the best value pick on our list, each softgel contains 1,000 milligrams of fish oil, including 250 milligrams of EPA and DHA. Take one softgel twice daily with a full glass of water, preferably with a meal, as per the suggested usage guidelines on the packaging.

In this case, affordability doesn't mean poor quality. In fact, this supplement carries the USP Verified Mark, which indicates that the product contains the ingredients listed on the label in the declared potency and amounts and does not contain harmful levels of specific contaminants. What's more, it's been made in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's current Good Manufacturing Practices, with sanitary, well-controlled procedures. Reviewers love the value and the ability to stock up on a lot at once at a reasonable price. Our registered dietitians appreciate that this affordable choice is free from artificial colors and flavors.

If you’d rather skip another capsule, Carlson’s The Very Finest Fish Oil offers a high-dose liquid option. One teaspoon provides 1,600 milligrams of omega-3s, including 800 milligrams of EPA, 500 milligrams of DHA, and 90 milligrams of DPA. DPA (docosapentaenoic acid) is another omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, although it has been studied less extensively than EPA and DHA. Our Nutrition Lab experts liked the high omega-3 content and the flexibility of a liquid formula, which can be taken by the spoonful or mixed into yogurt, smoothies, salads, or drinks. It comes in lemon and orange flavors and in 6.7- and 16.9-fluid-ounce bottles.

The oil is made from wild-caught anchovies, sardines, and mackerel and is independently tested for freshness, potency, purity, and contaminants. It also participates in the International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) Program, a voluntary third-party certification that evaluates fish oils for potency, purity, and freshness, and has earned ConsumerLab approval. One drawback: because it’s a liquid, it requires refrigeration after opening and should be used within 100 days.

If fish oil’s biggest turnoff is the fishy aftertaste, Ritual takes a different route. Its omega-3 comes from microalgae, providing 500 milligrams of combined EPA and DHA in one vegan capsule, with twice as much DHA as EPA. The capsule is also infused with a natural citrus oil flavor and designed to minimize burp-back.

Our Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab experts liked the vegan algae source and the product’s extensive quality testing. Each lot is tested for heavy metals, microbes, and other contaminants, and the formula has earned a Clean Label Project Purity Award. It’s also sustainably sourced from microalgae and requires just one capsule daily.

The main consideration is dosage: 500 milligrams of combined EPA and DHA is a moderate amount, so those specifically looking for a higher-potency supplement may prefer another option. Because it’s algae-based, it’s also a good fit for shoppers who want DHA and EPA without a fish-derived ingredient.

SmartyPants Kids Omega-3 Brain provides 189 milligrams of total omega-3s per two-gummy serving, including 100 milligrams of DHA and 50 milligrams of EPA. The omega-3s come from algal oil rather than fish, making it a convenient option for families looking for a fish-free source.

Our nutrition experts liked the use of algal oil, along with the product’s third-party testing for more than 200 contaminants and Clean Label Project certification, which recognizes products that meet standards for ingredient safety and purity. The gummies are also free from artificial flavors and synthetic colors, and the 2 grams of added sugar per serving is relatively modest for a gummy supplement.

The main consideration is that the product provides a relatively modest amount of EPA and DHA. However, there is no established U.S. recommended daily amount for EPA and DHA for children. We’d view it as a supplemental source rather than a replacement for omega-3-rich foods, such as lower-mercury fish.

Deva Vegan Omega-3 DHA EPA is a solid fish-free option for shoppers who want a higher-dose algae-based supplement at a relatively affordable price. It provides 1,000 milligrams of omega-3s from microalgae oil, with 500 milligrams of combined EPA and DHA. Registered by the Vegan Society, this product is also free from gelatin. A serving is one vegan softgel taken with food daily.

Approved by ConsumerLab.com as part of its voluntary Quality Certification Program, this option passed tests for heavy metals, meaning it was found to be free of concerning levels of contaminants such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.

Reviewers like that it is free from carrageenan and doesn't have a bad taste either. The pills are fairly large, but you'll get a 60-day supply in each container.

Metagenics OmegaGenics 5-in-1 is a strong choice for shoppers prioritizing heart health, thanks to its 1,000 milligrams of combined EPA and DHA per one softgel serving, including a relatively high 710 milligrams of EPA. EPA and DHA are well-studied omega-3 fatty acids, with EPA in particular being associated with cardiovascular health, making this a compelling option for those looking to add more omega-3s to their routine.

The concentrated fish oil is made from wild-caught sardines, anchovies, and mackerel and is naturally lemon-flavored, which may help minimize the typical fishy aftertaste. Our Lab experts also liked the Friend of the Sea certification and testing for more than 200 contaminants, including heavy metals and environmental toxins.

The formula does contain gelatin, so it isn't suitable for vegetarians or vegans. The EPA-heavy formula also may not be the best fit for shoppers specifically looking for a higher amount of DHA. The main drawback is the price, as this formula costs more per serving than many of the other fish oil supplements we evaluated.

Formulated by registered dietitians, Hum makes this unique fish oil complex that also packs in 13.4 milligrams of vitamin E, an important fat-soluble vitamin that acts as an antioxidant in the body. In terms of fish oil, you’ll find 1,400 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids sourced from anchovies, including 800 milligrams of EPA and 400 milligrams of DHA.

All of HUM’s products are made in facilities that are certified to follow GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This supplement from Hum is also certified by the Clean Label Project, meaning it has been third-party tested for purity. The brand claims all its products are gluten-free and are tested to ensure gluten isn’t present at levels above 20 parts per million. Reviewers appreciate that the supplement has no fishy aftertaste or smell.

The recommended serving is two softgels daily, which may be a downside for people who prefer to take fewer pills or have difficulty swallowing larger capsules.

New Chapter’s Wholemega is a thoughtful option for women 50+ looking to support healthy aging, when nutrition priorities may shift toward supporting heart, brain, eye, and joint health. The formula provides omega-3s from 100% wild Alaskan salmon oil, along with naturally occurring vitamin D3 and astaxanthin, two additional nutrients that may complement a healthy-aging-focused diet.

Wholemega provides 520 milligrams of total omega-3s per two-softgel serving, including 180 milligrams of EPA and 220 milligrams of DHA. Our Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab experts liked that the formula uses wild-caught salmon and has third-party certifications, including NSF certification for mercury and other heavy metals. According to the brand, it’s also made without bleaching, chemical isolation, or high-heat sterilization, which may appeal to shoppers looking for a less refined fish oil. The product uses salmon trim that might otherwise be discarded, earning it an Upcycled Certified designation.

One consideration is that Wholemega provides less EPA and DHA than many concentrated fish oil supplements, so shoppers specifically looking for a higher dose may want to compare labels.