Like the best greens powders, for instance, multivitamin supplements are diverse in their ingredient lists, dosages, and formations, which can make it seem like a daunting task to try and pick the one that is best for you. You may have age, gender, or health-related reasons that you want to start supplementing with a multivitamin, but even those indicators may make it difficult to pick your best option. Across the market, you’ll find multivitamins that cover the entire complex of B vitamins, include added adaptogens, contain probiotics for gut health, or have specific ingredients to help your performance in the gym.
Whatever your reasoning may be for wanting to add a multivitamin supplement to your routine, this list of the best multivitamins has something for just about everyone. It contains options for capsules, powders, and gummies, as well as a customizable multivitamin pick. A multivitamin may improve your quality of life, boost your immune system, help regulate body functions (like generating cells), and prevent various diseases. If any of this sounds potentially beneficial to you, we’ve got you covered below with an array of the best multivitamins to suit almost every lifestyle.
Best Multivitamins of 2024
- Best Multivitamin Overall: Transparent Labs Multi
- Best Budget Multivitamin: Nutricost Multi
- Best Multivitamin for Men: Ritual Essential for Men 18+
- Best Multivitamin for Women: Legion Women’s Triumph
- Best Greens Powder Multivitamin: AG1
- Best Night and Day Multivitamin: Onnit Total Human
- Best Customizable Multivitamin: Ritual
- Best Vegan Multivitamin: FutureKind Essential for Vegans
- Best Multivitamin for Athletes: Momentous Essential Multi
- Best Multivitamin Gummy: Smarty Pants Multivitamin
- Best Multivitamin for Women Over 50: Ritual Essential 50+
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. None of these supplements are meant to treat or cure any disease. If you feel you may be deficient in a particular nutrient or nutrients, please seek out a medical professional.
Best Multivitamin Overall: Transparent Labs Multi
Transparent Labs Multivitamin is an advanced micronutrient complex that includes 23 minerals, vitamins, and adaptogens to bring you a full spectrum of micronutrients. This contains 100% or more of your daily needs for 11 of the established daily values, while four supplements are extra and don't have a basic daily value requirement. Transparent Labs is also offering 25% off sitewide from November 28 through December 3, and all orders over $150 will receive a free gift bundle including a gym bag, shaker bottle, and free samples of popular products.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 133% vitamin A, 111% vitamin C, 310% vitamin D, 417% vitamin K, 8333% vitamin B12, 1000% vitamin B6, organic ashwagandha extract, coenzyme Q10
- Serving Size: Four capsules
- Price per Serving: $0.99
This pick has high doses of vitamins and minerals, comes in a vegetarian capsule, includes extra bonus ingredients like ashwagandha extract, and has a reasonable price per serving — all of this makes it a top pick in our book.
This multivitamin has a variety of vitamins and minerals along with some extras. You’ll find a hearty dose of over 100 percent of your daily needs for vitamins A, C, D, and K as well as a blend of B vitamins. Transparent Labs also included a host of minerals, which are dosed strongly with at least 70 percent of your daily needs.
“Each serving provides an impressive array of vitamins and minerals, but the 4 capsule serving size is less than ideal for some,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who gave the formulation a 4 out of 5 score. Our team also loves that this product is Informed Choice certified, meaning its been tested by a third-party lab to guarantee the formulation is accurate.
As Bourgeois points out, some folks may not like that this isn’t a one-pill serving — each dose is four capsules. Plus, the pills are not small. “I usually don’t have any problems with swallowing capsules, but these are very big. Especially having to take four, it gets pretty uncomfortable,” one of our testers says, giving the dosage convenience a 2 out of 5.
The good news? None of our testers experienced an aftertaste or any negative side effects. So, where flavor is concerned, we gave this one a solid 5 out of 5 rating.
The combination of solid ingredients, high dosages, and a reasonable price point make this our top multivitamin pick overall. Just be aware that the daily dose does require you to take four pills.
Best Budget Multivitamin: Nutricost Multi
This cost-effective multivitamin features 60 servings per container, and costs just 25 cents per serving. Additionally, the formulation includes plenty of vital vitamins and minerals, with many doses beyond the recommended daily value to give you a fighting chance to replenish any deficiencies.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 200% vitamin A, 139% vitamin C, 375% vitamin D, 133% vitamin E, 67% vitamin K, 2,500% thiamin
- Serving Size: Two capsules
- Price per Serving: $0.23
There are plenty of great things to say about Nutricost’s multivitamin. But perhaps the most unique is the incredibly budget-friendly price. One bottle of 60 servings costs $15.97, which is only about $0.23 per serving, making it among the most budget-friendly multivitamins on this list.
“The Nutricost Multivitamin with Probiotics scores a 4 out of 5 for its formulation,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “It contains an impressive amount of essential vitamins and minerals, but the probiotics may not compare to a true probiotic supplement.”
We also love the dosage convenience with this product, giving it a 4.5 out of 5 rating in that category. The serving size is only two capsules, which is pretty standard. “You only need to take two pills per serving,” our tester says. “However, I think that the individual pills are a little larger than the average, which is something to keep in mind.”
For the flavor, our tester gives this one a 4.5 out of 5, too. According to our tester, there is no taste in this product, though it has a slightly bitter aftertaste. “It wasn’t bad at all, though,” our tester says.
Our team does wish that this product were third-party tested. Many of Nutricost’s other supplements are third-party tested, so we wish a third-party tester had also tested this one.
Best Multivitamin for Men: Ritual Essential for Men 18+
A handsome multivitamin that delivers a range of nutrients men tend to fall short on.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 20% vitamin A, 250% vitamin D, 45% vitamin E, 50% folate, 333% vitamin B12, 7% magnesium, 22% zinc, 330mg omega-3 fatty acids, 0.7mg boron, 90mcg vitamin K2
- Serving Size: Two capsules
- Price per Serving: $0.66
Most multivitamins can work for all folks, regardless of gender. But if you’re a cis man (that is, you aren’t trans) and want a multivitamin that’s tailored a little more to your body and hormones, we recommend trying Ritual Essential for Men 18+. Each individual body is different, though, so if you want something to support hormone health, for instance, it’s best to speak with your doctor.
“The delayed-release capsule can be a game changer for those who find multivitamins hard to digest, and the list of clinically dosed and traceable ingredients is impressive,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who rates the formula 4 out of 5. “The score deductions stem from the shorter list of ingredients at its price point.” Our team does wish the formula included vitamin C, though, which you’ll find with most multivitamins.
When it comes to the flavor, we give this product a 5 out of 5. Typically, multivitamins don’t have flavor but seeing as this one has fish oil, too, some unpleasant aftertaste is pretty common. Ritual’s multivitamin has a minty essence, which completely blocks any fish flavor, according to our tester. “It may be a bit strong if you take these first thing in the morning, though,” they say.
Our team is pretty impressed with the price point, too, especially given the solid formula. One 30-serving bottle costs $19.80, which is only about $0.66 per serving, earning this product a 5 out of 5 for value.
[Related: Best Multivitamins for Men]
Best Multivitamin for Women: Legion Women’s Triumph
Legion Triumph includes 10mg of iron per serving, which is 60 percent of your RDI. On top of that, you’ll find 22 key vitamins and minerals, like vitamin A, C, D, and E, vitamins K1 and K2, B vitamins, as well as calcium, magnesium, biotin, zinc, and iron.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 50% vitamin A, 100% vitamin C, 250% vitamin D, 112% vitamin E, 417% vitamin K, 882% vitamin B6, 56% iron
- Serving Size: Eight capsules
- Price per Serving: $1.66
People assigned female at birth (AFAB) have a unique set of needs to address when it comes to supplementing with a multivitamin. Legion Women’s Triumph is an all-natural multivitamin created for women and aimed toward providing energy and vitality, reducing stress and fatigue, and improving immune health and longevity. That being said, everyone’s body is different, so we recommend consulting your personal physician before you try any new supplements.
This pick has some staples for women that other multivitamins may be lacking. This has almost 60 percent of your daily iron needs, which is especially important for adults who menstruate. It has 63mg of chasteberry, which has been suggested in studies to be beneficial for those who suffer from irregular periods, infertility, premenstrual cramps and pain, and cyclical breast pain. (4)
“Legion Triumph covers many of your vitamin and mineral needs in full, all sourced from natural ingredients like grape seed, olive, and marigold extracts. You even get other impressive compounds, like ashwagandha, in research-backed doses,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who rated the formula 4.5 out of 5 stars. “The primary reason behind the score deductions is the number of capsules required per dose and the excessive amount of vitamin B12 included.”
We do have to give the dosage convenience a 2 out of 5, though. One serving of this multivitamin is eight capsules, which is more than the standard two-capsule-serving. Even for those who don’t mind pills, this can still be pretty inconvenient.
If you want a multivitamin specifically catered towards your needs as a woman, Legion Women’s Triumph has your bases covered, and does it with an all-natural and vegetarian-friendly formula.
Best Greens Powder Multivitamin: AG1
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 62% vitamin A, 467% vitamin C, 553% vitamin E, 176% vitamin B6, 15mg zinc
- Serving Size: One scoop
- Price per Serving: $2.63
Greens powders are a pretty popular way to get your vitamins, especially if you don’t enjoy taking capsules or pills. For those who want a greens powder that will pack more than 20 essential vitamins and minerals, we recommend AG1.
While we love the nutrient density in this formula, it does have a few shortcomings. “AG1 Athletic Greens gets a 3 out of 5 for its formulation, with major deductions for its proprietary blends and cost,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “For many, the cost doesn’t match the purported benefits.”
Where cost is concerned, AG1 does sit on the pricier side at about $2.63. Our team rated this product a 3 out of 5 for cost, as you can certainly find more budget-friendly multivitamins or greens powders.
Having gone through an entire container of AG1 myself, I can definitely speak on the flavor. Personally, I’d give the taste a 4 out of 5, especially compared to other greens powder. This one has a light vanilla pineapple flavor that’s refreshing. The taste doesn’t completely cover the earthiness of the powder but I actually didn’t mind the green flavor at all.
I do wish the formula had a better solubility, though. Even with an electric stirrer, the powder does settle to the bottom of my glass, which is a bit frustrating. I recommend sipping AG1 with a straw so you can stir continuously. Nevertheless, I’d give the solubility a 3 out of 5 rating.
Best Night and Day Multivitamin: Onnit Total Human
Onnit Total Human is a multivitamin supplement that comes in individual packets of supplements for each day and night. Each packet includes an array of supps, from a B complex to antioxidants and even spirulina.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 150% vitamin E, 290% vitamin B6, 130% thiamine, 7,790% vitamin B12, 140% chromium, krill oil, omega-3 fatty acids
- Serving Size: One packet (~8 capsules)
- Price per Serving: $3.44
If you’re looking to really make the most of your multivitamin supplementation, a day and night pack may be just what you need. Onnit’s Total Human provides separate supplements for daytime and nighttime to ensure you’re maximizing your potential.
Onnit Total Human comes with two packs — one for daytime and one for nighttime — that contain several Onnit supplements in one pack to deliver a full-scale multivitamin for all of your needs. They come in separate packets, which makes them easy to take and bring with you wherever you’re headed.
Their daytime pack includes Alpha Brain, Shroom Tech Sport, Stron Bone, Active B Complex, Shroom Tech Immune, Krill Oil, and their Spirulina and Chlorella supplements. The nighttime pack includes their New Mood, Virutech, Key Minerals, Spirulina and Chlorella, Krill Oil, and Shroom Tech Immune supplements.
“I slept through the night without waking each night I took these, and waking up was a lot easier,” one of our testers said, rating the overall experience a 4 out of 5. “When I took the daytime pills, too, I was noticeably less foggy during the day.”
While we like that these provide support in the day and night, we think the formulation could use some work. “Onnit Total Human contains many important nutrients that support overall health, but several ingredients are part of proprietary blends,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who rated the formula a 3 out of 5. “Unfortunately, to get the full dose of nutrients you have to take 16 capsules daily. I wish it were a little more efficient.”
Both the day and night packs require eight pills each, so if you’re not great about taking pills, this pick may not be ideal for you. While the convenient packs work on-the-go, we still had to give the dosage convenience a 1 out of 5 rating.
As this is a fully robust day and night supplement, it is definitely reflected in the price. A one-month supply will cost you around $3.44 a day, making this one of the most pricey supplements on this list. If you’re shopping on a budget, you can definitely find some cheaper alternatives.
Read our full Onnit Total Human Review.
Best Customizable Multivitamin: Ritual
Ritual lists the full dose and the location from which each ingredient was sourced for those who value ingredient transparency.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: Varies depending on which you choose
- Serving Size: Two capsules
- Price per Serving: Starting at $0.66
Multivitamins vary in their ingredient list, dosages, and the vitamins and minerals that are present. If you’re having trouble finding exactly what you need for your gender/age group, look no further than Ritual, which offers an array of curated options.
Ritual offers a multivitamin for just about everyone. Instead of making a “one size fits all” multi, they made several different formulas for various needs based on age, gender, and pre- and postnatal care. Their lineup includes multivitamins for nine groups: Multivitamin 18+ Women , Multivitamin 50+ Women, Prenatal Multivitamin, Postnatal Multivitamin, Multivitamin 18+ Men, Multivitamin 50+ Men, Multivitamin for Him (13-17), Multivitamin for Her (13-17), and Multivitamin 4+ for children.
“The delayed-release capsule can be a game changer for those who find multivitamins hard to digest, and the list of clinically dosed and traceable ingredients is impressive,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who rated the formula 4 out of 5. “The score deductions stem from the shorter list of ingredients at its price point.”
Our team gave the flavor a 4 out of 5 flavor, too. “I’ve used Ritual vitamins on and off for months. I’m not great at remembering to take pills, but these are easy to swallow. I can take two at a time. The slight mint flavoring in one of my bottles and the citrus tint of my other is nice. It’s a cute, bougie touch,” one of our testers said.
Each multivitamin supplement contains ingredients specifically designed to support nutritional gaps and provide essential nutrients, but Ritual leaves out any ingredients that may not be suitable for the age or gender of the person taking the multivitamin.
All of their multivitamins are non-GMO, gluten, and major allergen free, and made without artificial colorants. Make sure to read the ingredients label online instead of on the bottle, though. Our tester says: “It’s impossible to read the label on the bottle. It’s white writing on a clear bottle with gold pills inside. I really don’t like that in terms of accessibility. And the writing is TINY.”
Read our full review of Ritual Essential Multivitamin for Men.
Best Vegan Multivitamin: Future Kind Essential for Vegans
FutureKind's essential multivitamin has a totally vegan formula and you can even buy this product in bulk to get a discounted rate.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 250% vitamin D3, 16667% vitamin B12, 900mg algal omega-3 oil
- Serving Size: Two softgels
- Price per Serving: $0.97
For those who want a fully vegan multivitamin, we recommend Future Kind’s Essential Vegan Multivitamin. These softgels are made of tapioca starch and their omega-3 is made with a vegan source.
Not only is this formula completely vegan but it packs high doses of essential vitamins, including vitamin D3, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. However, we do wish the formula had a little more variety, like vitamin C or iron, which is especially important for plant-based focus to consume.
“I definitely think these supplements had a flavor,” one of our testers says, giving the taste a 3 out of 5 rating. “It was a little bit like a greens powder, though it did have a mineral flavor, too. I didn’t think it was bad at all.”
Unlike some other picks on this list, we like that you only need to take two capsules per serving, earning the dosage convenience a 5 out of 5. Our team also likes that you can buy this product in bulk for a discount.
This multivitamin isn’t the most expensive but it’s also not the most budget-friendly either, earning the value a 4 out of 5. One serving costs about $0.97, though you can either subscribe to recurring purchases or buy in bulk to save some money.
Best Multivitamin for Athletes: Momentous Essential Multi
This multivitamin provides all the daily essentials, including vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, and folate, among others. You can even subscribe to monthly deliveries.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 1500mcg vitamin A, 400mg vitamin C, 50mcg vitamin D, 450mcg vitamin K, 6.7mg vitamin B6, 50mg calcium
- Serving Size: Four capsules
- Price per Serving: $1.83
Athletes have different needs nutritionally than non-athletes and even different needs from recreational lifters. This multi has a variety of well-dosed vitamins and minerals along with extra ingredients specifically designed to support athletes.
Sporting a complete formula of 34 vitamins and minerals, Momentous cuts no corners with this multi. “Momentous Essential Multivitamin scores a 4.75 out of 5 for its formulation,” Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, says. “There really isn’t much missing from his formula. It’s just unfortunate that you have to take 4 capsules daily to get the full dose.”
Considering one serving is four capsules — twice as much as the standard two-pill-dose— our team gave the dosage a 3 out of 5 convenience rating.
While most of the user reviews for Momentous Essential Multi were positive, one marathoner was particularly excited about her performance while taking them. “I’ve been able to increase my weekly mileage and I actually feel better than I did with my previous lighter workload,” she says. “I’ve also collected new PRs in multiple distances over the past two months.”
Each four-capsule serving also provides a few extras that aren’t common vitamin staples, like muscadine grape powder (100mg) and citrus bioflavonoids (100mg), which can help speed up recovery by reducing inflammation. (12)(13) There’s also 10mg of trans resveratrol, which can help reduce inflammation and speed up metabolism. (14)
Momentous costs around $54.95 for a 30-serving bottle, with each serving costing about $1.83. This isn’t the most budget-friendly product on this list, earning a 3.5 out of 5 for value.
Best Multivitamin Gummy: Smarty Pants Multivitamin
Folks looking for the added benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids in their multivitamins may want to check out Smarty Pants Daily Gummy. These small chewable gummies provide a number of vitamins and nutrients as well as fatty acids from fish oil.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 30% vitamin A, 75% vitamin C, 150% vitamin D, 66% vitamin E, 94% folate, 80% biotin, 510mg fish oil
- Serving Size: Six gummies
- Available Flavors: Lemon, Orange, Strawberry Banana
- Price per Serving: $0.83
Most multivitamins come in pill form, but for those who don’t enjoy pills or powders, Smarty Pants has made a multivitamin gummy that has 15 essential nutrients.
For those who hate taking a daily pill or who want to add a fun supplement to your stack, this multivitamin gummy may be an excellent option for you. Smarty Pants Multivitamin includes 15 essential nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, calcium, and more.
All that is packed into a reasonable size, our tester says. “The gummy is more or less dime-sized. It’s not quite as chewy as a gummy bear, and it’s got the texture of an orange slice. I didn’t have high hopes, but it tastes incredible. It’s just a little bit too sweet because of the sugar coating, but otherwise, I definitely recommend this one.”
There are no synthetic colors or flavors, their fish oil is obtained from sustainable fisheries, and the gummies are free of the top eight allergens. This is made with gelatin though, so it may not be suitable for vegans, vegetarians, or pescatarians.
“SmartyPants does a good job of providing a balance of vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids in accessible and delicious gummies,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, who rated the formula 4 out of 5. “The only major bummer with these is their added sugar content — 8 grams of added sugar in a six gummy serving could be seen as a lot.”
The serving size calls for six gummies, which may be a happy bonus for gummy-loving adults out there. However, for some, this dosage size may not be too convenient, earning this product a 3 out of 5 in this category.
Best Multivitamin for Women Over 50: Ritual Essential 50+
A subscription-based multivitamin with transparent ingredient sourcing, easy-to-take capsules, and a formula specifically designed for women over 50 years old.
Specs
- Key Ingredients: 250% vitamin D, 67% vitamin E, 50% folate, 667% vitamin B12, 14% magnesium, 330mg omega-3 fatty acid (DHA)
- Serving Size: Two capsules
- Price per Serving: $0.78
When you hit age milestones, you may need a more specified supplement to suit your changing needs. This pick is geared towards people assigned female at birth who are 50 years of age or older who may have age-related supplementation gaps to fill. This supplement should work for any gender, however, it’s best to consult your personal physician before trying a new supplement.
Our team worked with an RDN to review the formula and they gave it an overall 4 out of 5 rating. “The delayed-release capsule can be a game changer for those who find multivitamins hard to digest, and the list of clinically dosed and traceable ingredients is impressive,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN.
We also like that this formula has 330mg of omega-3 DHA, which may help older women who struggle with rheumatoid arthritis or joint pain. (6) Our tester recommends not taking this in the morning if your taste buds need time to wake up: “This has a pleasant but kind of strong minty essence that you might want to avoid first thing in the morning,” they said, rating the taste a 4 out of 5.
It also contains 250 percent of your daily needs for vitamin D, which can be helpful for aging women who may want to protect their bone density to avoid falls or breaks. (7) Osteoporosis is a common condition that mostly affects people of an older demographic, but especially post-menopausal adults. This supplement contains 100mcg of vitamin K, 60mg of magnesium, and 0.7g of boron, all of which have been shown in studies to potentially reduce the risk of osteoporosis. (7)
Ritual’s dosage is two capsules per serving, which is pretty standard, earning the convenience a 5 out of 5. We also like that the price is less than a dollar per serving, which is pretty budget-friendly.
Read our full review of Ritual Essential Vitamin for Women.
Benefits of Multivitamins
Multivitamins are wildly popular, and there are formulas made for nearly everyone — like children, people over 50, men, women, and athletes, among countless others. They are a good idea for people who are picky eaters or on a restricted diet to help cover their bases for micronutrients. Taking a vitamin doesn’t replace eating a well-rounded diet, but it may help top off or round out any inconsistencies in your nutrient intake. There are numerous vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients in multivitamins, so we broke them down to talk about how each may be beneficial.
What’s in a Multivitamin?
Ingredients in multivitamin supplements will vary greatly from product to product. Making a supplement pick that is right for you will require having some insight into what each ingredient’s purpose is, allowing you to make an informed choice as to what will best suit your needs. Below, we explain some of the staple ingredients found in multivitamins to help you make your pick.
Biotin
Biotin is an ingredient found in many multivitamins as it is a helpful B vitamin. It is often used as a supplement for hair and nail health, as some studies suggest it may be quite effective for building stronger nails. (15)
Zinc
Zinc is an essential micronutrient and is depended upon for human growth and development. A zinc deficiency can have serious side effects on the reproductive, immune, and nervous systems. (16)
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient and antioxidant, which can have major effects on your vision, growth, cell health, reproductive system, and immune health. As it is an antioxidant, it may be helpful to remove free radicals from the body, potentially protecting you from heart disease and cancer. (16)
Folic Acid
Another B vitamin, folic acid — also known as folate — is found in leafy green veggies and beans, peas, and nuts, and plays an important role in red blood cell formation. It can also be an important nutrient for formation, growth, and function of the cells that make up your body. (17)
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another essential nutrient, antioxidant, and immune system supporter. One study suggests that vitamin C may be helpful for fighting off infection, and may prevent and treat respiratory conditions, as well as systemic infections. (18)
Vitamin D
If you have ever lived somewhere that doesn’t get a ton of sunlight year-round, you know the importance of supplementing with vitamin D. Although you can obtain vitamin D from food sources, one of the main ways your body produces vitamin D is through exposure to sunlight.
It’s an essential nutrient needed to help build and maintain healthy bones and regulate cell functions. It may also work as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to promote health for your immune system, mental health, and brain and muscle function. (19)
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is exclusively obtained through diet and supplementation. It is an antioxidant and may play a major role in mitigating diseases, such as cancer, cataracts, and arthritis. It may also help provide potential benefits for aging. (20)
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a vitamin found in foods like almonds and broccoli, which may have positive effects for bone health and blood clotting. It may also lower your risk of fracturing bones and developing osteoporosis. (21)
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are often obtained through fatty fish in your diet, or through a fish oil, krill oil, or omega-3 supplement. Omega-3s may have positive effects on joint health and heart health, and they may help reduce risks of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, depression, and dementia. In addition, these fatty acids may be beneficial in brain development. (22)
Iron
Iron is an important supplement for those who suffer from blood disorders like anemia, and may be extra helpful for women during menstruation cycles when there is a lot of blood loss in the body. Iron is a key mineral for producing red blood cells, and with an iron deficiency, you may feel extra tired, have trouble concentrating and performing, or experience shortness of breath. (23)
Magnesium
Magnesium is another essential mineral found fairly abundantly in the body. It is an important electrolyte that may allow for proper function in the nervous system, muscles, and enzymes. It may help with hypertension, migraines, insomnia, PMS, and mood disorders, as well. (24)
Calcium
Calcium is best known for its potential to help build and maintain strong bones. This may make it extra helpful for those who are aging, folks who suffer from osteoporosis, and anyone on a vegan diet. (25)
Coenzyme Q10
Also known as CoQ10, coenzyme Q10 is an essential compound in the body, and maintaining high levels of CoQ10 may help mitigate neurodivergent diseases (like ADHD, autism, and bipolar disorder, to name a few), diabetes, cancer, muscular diseases, and heart failure. (26)
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid, also known as ALA, can be used to help treat chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress. It is an antioxidant and may be helpful for mitigating cardiovascular disease. (27)
How Much Do Multivitamins Cost?
The variance in price for multivitamins typically ranges from around $0.60 per serving to over $4.00 per serving for more robust picks. Most of our picks fall somewhere in this range, and although there are some on the pricier end, we included many very affordable options to add to your supplement stack.
Best Multivitamin Overall | Transparent Labs Multi | $29.99
Per serving: $1.00 |
Best Night and Day Multivitamin | Onnit Total Human | $117.26
Per serving: $3.91 |
Best Greens Powder Multivitamin | AG1 | $99.00
Per serving: $3.33 |
Best Customizable Multivitamin | Ritual | From $33.00
From Per serving: $1.10 |
Best Multivitamin for Women | Legion Women’s Triumph | $49.99
Per serving: $1.67 |
Best Multivitamin Gummy | Smarty Pants Multivitamin | $32.66
Per serving: $1.09 |
Best Multivitamin for Women Over 50 | Ritual Essential 50+ | $39.00
Per serving: $1.30 |
Best Multivitamin for Athletes | Momentous Essential Multi | $54.95
Per serving: $1.83 |
To figure out the price per serving, all you have to do is take the price of the whole container, and divide it by the number of servings present in the container. Rest assured that all of the products we have included on this list are well worth their price tags.
How We Chose the Best Multivitamins
Multivitamins are diverse and abundant across the market. We tried a plethora of different multivitamin supplements to bring you our personal favorites for price, various goals, age, and gender-specific needs, as well as form. Check out our supplement testing methodology for more information.
Price
Price will always be something we take into consideration when making our picks. Although we have picks that range from less than a dollar to over four dollars, we do our best to pick supplements that are worth the price tag they hold. The ingredient list, dosages, and brand quality will all affect the prices. Typically, the longer the ingredient list and higher the dosages, the more expensive the pick is.
Less expensive picks may include proprietary blends. A proprietary blend doesn’t disclose the amount of each ingredient, and therefore might be less expensive than a multi with fully dosed individual ingredients. Most of our picks are between $1.00 and $2.00 per serving — we think there should be something that works for any budget here.
Various Goals
For some, the goal may be to fill a nutritional gap. Others may need to supplement a specific vitamin or mineral, while others could just want to improve their performance in the gym or in their sport. Regardless of why you’re supplementing with a multi, we tried to find options that would work no matter what your goals are.
We selected each supplement for a different reason, and you may find that a certain “best” works for your needs better than others. Whether you’re wanting a gummy over a pill, opting for a greens powder, need to find a simple formula, or looking for a super stacked multivitamin to meet day and nighttime needs, we have a pick to match your goals.
Age and Gender
As we age, our needs greatly change with supplementation. It may be that your red blood cell count isn’t as high as it used to be, or that you want to fight early onset osteoporosis or arthritis, or keep your brain healthy to preemptively protect yourself from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. We tried to make multivitamin selections based on various needs for different age groups, but we also considered the fact that men, women, and nonbinary folks have different needs, too.
Those who menstruate may have a greater need for iron supplementation. Whatever your age and gender identity may be, there are needs your body might have that differ, and we did our best to include appropriate picks based on age and gender criteria.
Formulation
We wanted to pick multivitamins that range in their form. Although you’ll widely see multivitamins in pill or capsule form, that isn’t the only way to get your vitamins and minerals in. We tried to make picks that would fall outside of pills for those who have trouble swallowing pills or who just prefer to take their supplements in another way. This list contains some pills (which range between requiring one and 16 pills daily), but we also included a gummy vitamin, as well as powdered multivitamins to ensure there was a diverse range of options for all customers.
What to Consider Before Buying a Multivitamin
Since multivitamins are so diverse in their formulation, we dug around for some of the best options out there for you to consider when adding a multi to your daily routine. When looking at this list and making your decision, we think you should consider the ingredients and dosage, form, and price before buying.
Ingredients and Dosage
This is one of the biggest varying factors when it comes to multivitamins as the ingredients and dosages in these products are not always intuitive. As some of these picks are specifically geared towards an age range, gender, or specific need, you’ll find that the ingredients and dosages will change based on the nutrient gap each product is aiming to fill.
It’s good to think about what your needs are for a multivitamin. You may need to fill a certain nutrient gap, supplement for an illness, promote immune health, help with mental health, or take charge of your body as you enter a new decade of life. Whatever your reasoning is, you’ll want to find a supplement that has the ingredients and dosages to suit those needs.
Form
The form of a multivitamin is really user-dependent. While some people like taking pills because they’re an easy and mess-free way to get your nutrients in, some may be pill-averse and prefer a powder to stack with other supplements. If neither of those tickles your fancy, a multivitamin gummy may be the best choice for you. Whatever your reasoning, you’ll want to think of what fits your needs and lifestyle best before settling on a new multivitamin.
Price
As we know, prices tend to vary between brands. Price tends to fluctuate based on the ingredients, dosages, and quality of the product. For example, one of our more expensive picks costs over $4.00 per day, but that’s because it includes sixteen different pills that you take, split between daytime and nighttime packs. It is a far more robust multivitamin supplement than any other on our list, and that is going to jack up the cost a bit.
There are simpler formulas as well, which offer a solid price point while still delivering a robust list of ingredients. If a supplement has a proprietary blend, it may make the supplement less expensive as well, as the dosages aren’t individually listed when they’re in a proprietary blend. Reasonably, there should be a product that fits almost any budget on this list, as our range is between around $0.60 per serving to over $4.00 per serving, leaving wiggle room for price points in between.
When Should I Take Multivitamins?
Although there isn’t a straightforward or correct “one size fits all” answer to this, we highly suggest looking at your individual multivitamin supplement to see what they suggest for timing. Some may have B complexes at the forefront and want you to take it first thing in the morning. Other formulas may suggest taking it with a meal, taking it several times throughout the day, or may have you take it before bed.
Final Word
Multivitamins are not cookie-cutter supplements, but they can be extremely beneficial for anyone who is looking to fill a nutrient gap, optimize their mental or physical health, or preemptively start combatting symptoms of age and disease before they strike. Multivitamins can be an effective way to get your micronutrients in without breaking the bank or stressing about the diversity of your food choices.
It’s always best to speak with your healthcare provider when adding a multivitamin into your routine — especially if it’s to combat a disease or if you have any hesitations — but there should be a safe and effective multivitamin for you out there. On this list, we’ve included an array of picks for gender, price, specific goals, and more. When you’re looking for your perfect match, we’ve got you covered.
Best Multivitamins FAQs
Do I need to take a multivitamin to be healthy?
A multivitamin isn’t necessary in order for your body to function properly or to be at your peak health. A multivitamin supplement is meant to be a tool to help you optimize your health or help fill a nutrient gap in your diet. For example, a vegan may want to supplement with iron to offset their diet if they’re not getting enough iron from their food source. It is up to each individual as to why they use a multivitamin supplement, but it isn’t a necessity.
How do I know which multivitamin is right for me?
Multivitamins are not a one size fits all supplement. Multis are extremely diverse and each person will have a different reason or need to supplement with one. It’s best to first address the reason you may need or want to start taking a multivitamin, and then to look at the ingredients and formulas that may be best-suited to assist you with your personal goals.
How much do multivitamins cost?
Multivitamins are usually among the cheaper supplements you can purchase, though more specialized and all-encompassing multis may range higher in price. Generally, you can expect to spend around $20 to $120 on a pack of multis for the month, but the price per serving can range from $0.60 to $4.00, depending on which type of multi you choose.
What is the best multivitamin?
With such a wide variety of formulas, it can be challenging to know what the right multivitamin is for you. We’re fans of the Transparent Labs Multi thanks to its robust and comprehensive formula. It contains at least 100 percent of the recommended daily intake for all vitamins, as well as some extras like CoQ10, boron, and organic ashwagandha.
What if I have a hard time swallowing a multivitamin?
Although a distinct number of multivitamins come in pill or capsule form, there are many options on the market that come in other forms. You can find pills, capsules, powders, and gummy multivitamins widely available across the market. Rest assured that if you don’t enjoy or cannot take pills, there are other options available to you.