5 Best Cheap CBD Capsules: Reviews & Guide (Feb. 2022)

By | last updated March 14, 2023

Medically reviewed by
Saira Zulfiqar, PharmD

Evidence Based 7

Finding affordable, high-quality CBD capsules isn’t easy. Many cheap CBD capsules are of low quality and contain less CBD and other cannabinoids than advertised. Besides, it’s often difficult to tell the difference between reputable and subpar CBD brands.

To find the best, most affordable options, we looked at over 40 products and compared their third-party test reports, hemp source, potency customer reviews, price, and more.

Read on for our reviews of the best affordable CBD capsules.

CBD Terminology

  • Hemp: cannabis variety with high CBD and low THC levels (no more than 0.3%).
  • Terpenes: aromatic plant compounds with a wide variety of beneficial properties (1).
  • Minor cannabinoids: CBN, CBG, CBC, and other beneficial cannabinoids found in smaller amounts in hemp. They may work in synergy with CBD.
  • Full-spectrum: whole-plant hemp extract containing multiple cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. This form of CBD may be about 4 times more potent than pure CBD (2).
  • Broad-spectrum: whole-plant hemp extract similar to full-spectrum CBD, but with THC removed (may contain trace amounts).
  • CBD isolate: pure CBD with all other hemp compounds removed.

Our Top Five Picks Compared

Product NamePotencyCapsule CountTotal CBDTypeCost per mg CBD
Lazarus Naturals Capsules50 mg10-200500-10,000 mgFull-spectrum$0.02-0.04
R&R30 mg341020 mgBroad-spectrum$0.05
Upstate Elevator Supply Co. Capsules30-100 mg30900-3000 mgFull-spectrum$0.03-0.05
Lazarus Naturals High-Potency Capsules100-200 mg40-1004000-20,000 mgFull-spectrum$0.01-0.02
CBDfx Night Capsules15 mg CBD60900 mg CBD/75 mg CBNBroad-spectrum$0.06

The capsules we reviewed below offer top-notch quality at a low price. You may be able to find cheaper capsules from other brands but we doubt they’ll have the same stellar reputation as the brands we looked at.

The CBD industry is not regulated, so it’s worth paying slightly more to make sure that you’re getting a high-quality product that’s safe and contains as much CBD and other cannabinoids as advertised.

Lazarus Naturals Full Spectrum CBD Softgels (Best Overall)

lazarus naturals full-spectrum cbd softgels

5/5

CBD Potency50 mg
Capsule Count10-200
Total CBD500-10,000 mg
Cost per mg CBD$0.02-0.04
TypeFull-spectrum
Third-Party TestsView report

Pros: 

  • Exceptionally low price
  • Full-spectrum CBD
  • High-quality organic Oregon hemp source

Cons:

  • None

The full-spectrum capsules from Lazarus Naturals cost only 2-4 cents per mg of CBD, depending on which size you choose. It’s hard to find full-spectrum CBD capsules of high quality at such a low price.

On top of that, Lazarus Naturals has an assistance program and you can qualify for free shipping on orders over $50.

The softgels contain 50 mg of full-spectrum CBD sourced from organic hemp grown on the Lazarus Naturals farm in Central Oregon. They’re comprehensively tested at a third-party lab for potency and contaminants.

Lazarus Naturals is a popular employee-owned company with some of the lowest prices in the CBD industry.

My experience: I took 2 softgels after eating and felt them kick in after an hour. I felt a subtle relaxed and uplifted feeling that lasted for several hours.

R&R Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules (Best THC-Free)

r&r broad-spectrum CBD softgels

5/5

CBD Potency30 mg
Capsule Count34
Total CBD1020 mg
Cost per mg CBD$0.05
TypeBroad-spectrum
Third-Party TestView report

Use coupon code CBDTHINKER for 20% off

Pros: 

  • U.S. Hemp Authority certified
  • USDA-certified organic Colorado hemp source

Cons:

  • Only one potency and bottle size

Broad-spectrum CBD capsules are ideal if you need to avoid THC. R&R’s softgels are not only affordable but also contain a high amount of minor hemp cannabinoids and terpenes that work in synergy with CBD.

They’re sourced from USDA-certified organic hemp cultivated in Colorado and tested at a third-party lab to ensure they’re safe and potent.

R&R is an employee and veteran-owned brand that’s certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority — a sign of strict quality standards.

Upstate Elevator Supply Co. Full Spectrum Capsules (Best Full-Spectrum)

upstate elevator supply co full spectrum cbd capsules

5/5

CBD Potency30-100 mg
Capsule Count30
Total CBD900-3000 mg
Cost per mg CBD $0.03-0.08
TypeFull-spectrum
Third-Party TestsView report

Use coupon code cbdthinker15 for 15% off

Pros: 

  • Multiple strengths
  • USDA-organic certified
  • High-quality Vermont hemp source

Cons:

  • Only one container size

If you’re looking for the most effective & affordable full-spectrum CBD capsules, you won’t be disappointed by Upstate Elevator Supply Co.

Its full-spectrum CBD capsules contain high levels of beneficial minor cannabinoids. You can choose from 30 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg strengths. There’s also a special raw formula with 100 mg CBD and its parent molecule cannabidiolic acid (CBDa). Better yet, these capsules are certified organic by the USDA.

They cost only 3 to 5 cents per mg of CBD, depending on the strength and type you choose. You also get free shipping on orders over $49.

Upstate Elevator Supply Co. is a CBD company that developed its own hemp cultivars specifically for Vermont.

Lazarus Naturals High-Potency CBD Capsules (Best Potency)

lazarus naturals high potency cbd capsules

5/5

CBD Potency100-200 mg
Capsule Count40-100
Total CBD4000-20,000 mg
Cost per mg CBD $0.01-0.02
TypeFull-spectrum
Third-Party TestsView report

Pros: 

  • Very potent
  • Exceptionally low price
  • Full-spectrum CBD
  • High-quality organic Oregon hemp source

Cons:

  • None

For those who need the strongest CBD capsules, we again recommend Lazarus Naturals. Its high-potency full-spectrum capsules have an exceptionally high strength of 100-200 mg CBD per capsule. These are the strongest CBD capsules we’ve come across.

You can get them in bottles of 40 or 100. Depending on the strength and size you choose, these capsules cost only 1-2 cents per mg of CBD, a ridiculously low price for such a potent, high-quality product.

CBDfx Night Capsules (Best for Sleep)

cbdfx night capsules

4.5/5

CBD Potency15 mg
Capsule Count60
Total CBD900 mg/75 mg CBN
Cost per mg CBD$0.06
TypeBroad-spectrum
Third-Party TestsView report

Use coupon code FXSAVINGS for 15% off

Pros: 

  • Added sleep-supporting ingredients
  • Comprehensive third-party testing
  • Organic Kentucky hemp source

Cons:

  • Not full-spectrum

If you’re looking for cheap CBD capsules to help with sleep, we recommend CBDfx. Its Night capsules provide 15 mg of broad-spectrum CBD with 1.25 mg of cannabinol (CBN), a minor cannabinoid touted for its sleep benefits.

They also contain terpenes and other natural ingredients that may help with sleep, including valerian root (3), GABA (4), and magnesium (5). You get 60 capsules per bottle at a below-average price of $0.06 per mg of cannabinoids.

CBDfx is a popular brand out of California whose products are made from organic Kentucky hemp. It also provides comprehensive third-party test results.

How to Save Money On CBD Capsules

You can save big on CBD capsules and other CBD products with a little research. For starters, you need to figure out their value by dividing the product price by the total amount of CBD.

For example, $30 capsules with 500 mg CBD cost 30/500 = $0.06 per milligram (mg) of CBD. You can use this calculation to compare the value of different CBD capsules.

This also helps you see if the price you’re paying is considered cheap, average, or expensive.

The average price for CBD capsules is about $0.09 per mg of CBD. Since $0.06 per mg is significantly lower than that, it’s considered a cheap price.

Aside from that, you can also save money on CBD capsules by using coupon codes, free shipping deals, subscriptions, and discounts for larger or multiple containers.

How To Choose CBD Capsules

We use the following criteria to find high-quality CBD capsules are an affordable price:

  • Third-party test results (to verify the CBD content and lack of contaminants)
  • Type of CBD (to get the best effects)
  • Potency (to get the best effects)
  • Hemp source (to get a high-quality product)
  • Company reputation (to verify the company can be trusted)
  • Price (to get a good deal)
  • Formula (for specific benefits)

Keep reading for a full explanation of how you can use these criteria to find the best CBD capsules. 

Look for Third-Party Tested Brands

Third-party tests are done by an independent lab not associated with the CBD company. These tests verify that a CBD product is safe and accurate by checking:

  • Potency: the levels of CBD and other cannabinoids
  • Purity: measuring for pesticides, heavy metals, and other potential contaminants

Reputable CBD companies pay for these tests and post the results online so that customers can confirm they’re getting what they paid for. 

You should only buy from third-party tested brands. It’s even better if you look at the test results to make sure they match up with the product label (we do this for all products that we review). 

Consider the Type of CBD

As we mentioned earlier in the article, you’ll come across three types of CBD: isolate, full-spectrum, and broad-spectrum.

Research suggests that whole-plant extracts, like full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD, are up to four times more effective than CBD isolate (2).

That’s why we recommend using full-spectrum CBD products whenever possible. However, if you need to avoid THC, you can use broad-spectrum or isolate products.

Choose a Potency

Also known as strength, potency is the amount of CBD per capsule. Roughly speaking, CBD capsules can be divided into three potency levels:

  • Low: 5-20 mg
  • Medium: 20-50 mg
  • High: 50+ mg

Ideally, you want to match your CBD dosage to capsules with the right potency. 

However, capsules are weaker than CBD oil because CBD has low oral bioavailability (6). That’s why we usually recommend high-potency capsules for everyone except CBD beginners.

Check the Hemp Source

Since CBD is extracted from hemp, you want to be sure that hemp is of high quality and grown in the proper conditions. Look for brands that clearly explain where and how their hemp is cultivated. 

Most hemp used for CBD production is grown in Colorado, Oregon, and Kentucky, although other states such as Vermont are also good.

European countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands are also good sources because they have a long history of hemp cultivation.

The best-case scenario is companies that directly grow and extract their hemp since that gives them more control over quality. USDA organic certification is another good indicator of hemp quality. 

Company Reputation

Transparency and trustworthiness are good indicators of a high-quality CBD company. 

Look for brands with positive customer reviews and easily available third-party lab test results. We also recommend checking the website for information about the manufacturing process, the people behind the brand, and other helpful details.

Price

The average price for CBD capsules is about $0.09 per mg of CBD. Since you’re looking for cheap capsules, you should look for products that cost less than that per mg. All of the products on our list cost $0.02-0.06 per mg.

Formula

If you’re taking CBD for specific goals, you may want to consider using capsules with added ingredients. For example, some brands sell CBD capsules for sleep with added CBN and calming herbs like valerian and chamomile. 

CBD Capsules Dosage

No single CBD dosage will work for everyone. It depends on many factors, like how much you weigh and your genetics.

If you’re new to CBD, follow the “start low and go slow” recommended by medical experts (7). Start with the weakest capsule dose and see how it affects you for the next two hours. 

If you don’t notice any effects, gradually increase the dosage over time, taking more capsules or trying a product with higher potency.

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