Best Fish Oil Supplements (2025): A Dietitian Explains What to Look For

Why We Like It

Legion’s Triton Fish Oil landed our best overall spot due to its exceptional dosage of omega-3s, including both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are both a critical part of a good fish oil supplement, according to registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois. 

With 4,000 total milligrams of fish oil per serving — encompassing 1,440 milligrams of EPA and 960 milligrams of DHA — this supplement provides well over the recommended daily intake for fish oil and earns a 4.5-out-of-5 rating for its formula. 

That makes it great for athletes and active individuals, Bourgeois says, especially those who don’t already get enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diet. “EPA and DHA have many health-promoting effects, such as maintaining muscle mass, controlling inflammation, supporting nervous system function, and improving training adaptation,” Bourgeois notes. 

On the other hand, Bourgeois points out that, “While such a large dose may be right on target for some athletes, it could be too much for others.” As such, the product didn’t earn a perfect 5-out-of-5 score for the formula. Still, “In such cases, it’s super convenient that each serving is four capsules, allowing you to tailor the dose to better fit your individualized needs,” Bourgeois says.

Our product tester rates the taste as slightly above average, awarding the capsules a score of 3.5 out of 5. “Definitely fishy!” they remark, “But not bad. It’s what you would expect from fish oil gels.”

The main downside to Triton Fish Oil? Its price. At $1.67 per serving, it earns just 2 out of 5 stars for value. “You’re definitely paying a bit more per serving than your standard fish oil supplement, so it may be beneficial to work with a registered dietitian to understand your supplement needs long-term,” Bourgeois says. For a cheaper alternative, consider Nutricost Fish Oil that comes in at roughly $0.12 per serving.

Why We Like It

Transparent Labs Krill Oil isn’t your standard fish oil supplement, says Chelsea Bourgeois, MS, RD, LDN. “There’s still a need for more research regarding the potential health benefits of krill oil supplements, but current studies suggest it can support skin health, promote wound healing, and help fight inflammation.” (2)

These softgels contain 120 milligrams of EPA and 54 milligrams of DHA per dose, which is certainly on the low side compared to other options we’ve analyzed. “If your diet falls short of these important omega-3 fatty acids, you might need something a little more nutrient-dense,” Bourgeois says. For reference, Legion Triton Fish Oil can deliver 960 milligrams of DHA and 1,440 milligrams of EHA per serving.

That said, this krill oil still earns a 4-out-of-5 rating for its formula thanks to the inclusion of choline — a nutrient important in the synthesis of neurotransmitters — and the antioxidant known as astaxanthin. Each dose contains 50 milligrams of choline and 100 milligrams of astaxanthin. “Choline is linked to improved cognitive function, while astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant,” Bourgeois says.

On the upside, our product tester rates both taste and swallowability — how easy it is to get the supplement down — at 5 out of 5. Of the fish oil supplements our team analyzed, Transparent Labs’ Krill Oil was one of the easiest to take, which plays a role in long-term adherence to the supplement. 

For price, our testers rate this supplement with 3 out of 5 stars, as it falls in line with the industry average price per serving. Of course, though, you can take advantage of some Transparent Labs discount codes for potential savings prior to checkout.

Why We Like It

Sports Research Omega-3 Fish Oil is a high-quality source of clinically-dosed omega fatty acids, says registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois. Plus, it earns a 4-out-of-5 rating for its formulation thanks to its high doses of both EPA and DHA. 

“The latest research indicates that at least 1,000 milligrams of DHA and EPA combined is ideal, and this Omega-3 Fish Oil supplement from Sports Research gets pretty close to that,” Bourgeois says. It provides 950 milligrams of DHA and EPA, in total. It’s also made from single-source wild Alaskan pollock and undergoes significant third-party testing, so you can be confident in the quality of this supplement. 

Unfortunately, our tester notes there’s a somewhat potent smell upon opening the canister, but still rates the taste with 5 out of 5 points. “There’s no fishy taste when taking these, so that’s positive — but they do smell fishy, so be aware of that,” they add. 

These softgels earn a rating of 3 out of 5 for swallowability, too, with our tester noting, “They’re a little big, but shouldn’t be a problem for most.” For those with aversions to pills and capsules, it may be best to consider a liquid fish oil supplement such as Nordic Naturals Omega-3.

The price is good, to boot! With a near-perfect dose that can help you better receive all the benefits omega-3s have to offer, you might expect Sports Research Omega-3 Fish Oil to come at a high price. Not so — these ring up at just over $0.30 per serving, earning a 5-out-of-5 rating for value.

Why We Like It

Nordic Naturals liquid fish oil is a lemon-infused omega-3 supplement with EPA and DHA sourced from anchovies and sardines. The serving size is just 1 teaspoon, and — yes, much to their own surprise — our product tester rates the taste of this liquid fish oil with a perfect 5-out-of-5 score. “It’s lemon-y, but there’s also a hint of ocean in there, if you can imagine. It’s truly not bad,” they remark, noting that its lemon flavor masks the fishiness.

It goes down easy, too, our tester says, awarding the supplement a 5-out-of-5 rating for swallowability. As they put it, “One serving is only a teaspoon so this is a breeze, especially if you don’t like pills.” 

Nordic Naturals Omega-3 liquid fish oil earns high remarks for its formula, too. Our tester gives it 4.5 out of 5 points. This supplement is, as registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois says, “A convenient and efficient way to get 100% of your daily omega-3 needs.” Each teaspoon provides 1,560 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids (500 DHA and 745 EPA). 

Bourgeois points out, too, that this specific formula may be particularly beneficial for individuals with heart health concerns because it contains more EPA than DHA. “While both fatty acids offer evidence-based health benefits, EPA has been a strong focus for cardiovascular benefits,” she notes. “If your healthcare provider suggested taking fish oil for your heart health, it may be worth asking if this ratio benefits your unique medical needs.” (3)

The only big downside we can tease out is that, because it’s a liquid, it requires refrigeration after opening. As Bourgeois states, “It’s not an omega-3 supplement that’s easy to travel with or tote around in your gym bag.” Other options, like Nutricost Fish Oil, may be more suitable for on-the-go athletes.

Why We Like It

Athletes following a vegan diet need not miss out on the health-boosting effects of omega-3 supplements. Ora Organic Head & Heart Plant-Based Omega-3 is a completely plant-based supplement sourced from oceanic algae. With 500 milligrams of DHA per serving, you can achieve your entire day’s worth of this beneficial fatty acid by taking just two convenient softgels. (4)

Our testers did dock points for its formulation — it earns a 3-out-of-5 rating in the category — considering it doesn’t contain any EPA, which registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois says isn’t ideal. “Research suggests EPA and DHA may have synergistic effects, so this may be a dealbreaker for those who don’t get much EPA in their diet,” she adds. But if you tend to get enough EPA through whole-food sources, this supplement can still work for you. 

Environmentally-conscious individuals will appreciate Ora Organic’s commitment to sustainability, as Bourgeois does. “Ora Organic sources its DHA from Schizochytrium algae, which research shows is an eco-friendly and sustainable source for omega-3 supplements,” she says. (5)

Unfortunately, sustainability efforts and clean, traceable sourcing comes at a cost. Ora Organic Head & Heart Plant-Based Omega 3 earns just 2 out of 5 points for value, at a price per serving of more than $2. This is expensive in any case, but particularly so in this profile because of the lack of EPA, which research highlights works in conjunction with DHA for improved muscle recovery, endurance, and performance. (6) For a lower cost, albeit in a non-plant-based makeup, consider a fish oil supplement like Nutricost Fish Oil.

Why We Like It

For women who already prioritize a healthy diet rich in a variety of nutrients, Performance Lab’s Omega-3 supplement can be an excellent way to bridge any gaps in fatty acid intake. Our testers rate the formula with 4 out of 5 points, stating, “Performance Lab Omega-3 offers a 2:1 ratio of DHA to EPA, but it doesn’t cover 100% of your daily omega fatty acid needs.”

Bourgeois says Performance Lab’s formula piques her interest as a registered dietitian. “It provides a good portion of your recommended daily intake, leaving room for you to get the rest through whole foods,” she says. “Plus, it has a 2:1 ratio of DHA to EPA, which research shows can be beneficial.” (7)

Bourgeois also appreciates that the three-capsule serving size gives you flexibility in your dosing, helping you prioritize whole foods first — but you’re still coming close to the recommended total of 1,000 milligrams of combined DHA and EPA even on low-nutrition days. Between both, Performance Lab softgels provide just under 800 milligrams. 

The drawbacks? if you don’t like taking pills, three daily just for your fish oil can be a dealbreaker. For a more “swallowable” fish oil option, consider Nordic Naturals Omega-3 and its lemon-infused format.

Additionally, as Bourgeois notes, “While this dose can be perfectly fine for those looking to close the gap on their dietary intake, it may not be as influential for athletes trying to improve their exercise recovery.” Research also shows that much higher doses are needed to enhance post-exercise recovery. (8) 

Also, cost-conscious folks may want to skip this fish oil supplement. At a price per serving of about $1.63, it earns just 2 out of 5 points for value.

Why We Like It

With a cost of less than $0.20 per serving on Amazon, Nutricost Fish Oil is the omega-3 supplement we recommend for those who are watching their wellness and their wallet. As registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois points out, “It’s a pretty affordable fish oil supplement, providing around half of what research says is effective for a mere $0.12 per softgel.” Accordingly, it earns 5 out of 5 points for value, per our testers.

Not only is it affordable (especially when combined with Nutricost discount codes) but it contains about half of the research-indicated effective dose for omega-3 fatty acids. Its 220-milligram DHA dose and 340-milligram EPA dose provide enough to help close fatty acid nutrient gaps you might have in your diet. 

“While that may be less than what research says is effective, it can be a great addition to a well-balanced diet,” Bourgeois says. “Including these omega-3 fatty acids can help support cognitive, immune, and cardiovascular function.” Of course, for those looking for a more fulfilling supplement in terms of dosages, we recommend heartier profiles like Sports Research Omega-3.

Our testers rate the formula with 4 out of 5 points, lowering the score for its lower dose but saying that they like the simplicity of this product and the fact that you can take multiple doses, if needed, as approved by your medical doctor.

Nutricost Fish Oil scores highly for taste, too. Our tester awards it 5 out of 5 points, saying, “No fishy taste but there is a fishy smell — whoa! Just don’t breathe through your nose and you’ll be good.” The softgels didn’t score quite as highly for swallowability, though. “I have trouble swallowing pills and these are pretty large, so they’re not my favorite,” our tester says, giving them a 3-out-of-5 rating for the category.