The Best Cheap CBD Capsules: Reviews & Guide (2024)

By | Updated on March 7, 2024

Medically reviewed by
Saira Zulfiqar

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, I looked at and tested over 40 products and compared their effects, third-party test reports, hemp source, potency customer reviews, price, and more.

5 Best Cheap CBD Capsules

Check out my top picks for the best affordable CBD capsules and softgels below, broken down into helpful categories.

CategoryProductReviewPrice$ per mg CBD
Best OverallLazarus Naturals Full Spectrum SoftgelsFull review$18-200$0.02-0.04
Best THC-FreeR&R Broad Spectrum CapsulesFull review$55$0.05
Best Full-SpectrumUpstate Elevator Full Spectrum CapsulesFull review$44.99-99.99$0.03-0.08
StrongestLazarus Naturals High-Potency CapsulesFull review$110-220$0.01-0.02
Best for SleepCBDfx Night CapsulesFull review$64.99$0.04

CBD Glossary

  • Hemp: cannabis variety with high CBD and low THC levels (no more than 0.3%).
  • Terpenes: aromatic plant compounds with various 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 is about four 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 without any other hemp compounds.

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 your chosen size. 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 uplifting feeling lasting for 4+ 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 affordable and rich in minor hemp cannabinoids and terpenes that synergize 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.

My experience: I took two capsules during the day. The effects kicked in about an hour later, with noticeable relaxation and an improved mood that lasted for several hours.

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

upstate elevator raw 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 THINKER 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 and 75 mg strengths. There’s also a unique raw formula with 100 mg CBD and its parent molecule cannabidiolic acid (CBDa). Better yet, these capsules are certified organic by the USDA.

Depending on the strength and type you choose, they cost only 3 to 5 cents per mg of CBD. 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.

My experience: I tried out the 100 mg raw formula, which were some of the strongest CBD capsules I’ve tested. One capsule had potent relaxing effects and felt more uplifting than standard CBD capsules.

Lazarus Naturals High-Potency CBD Capsules (Strongest)

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 most potent CBD capsules, I 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 I’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/CBN Potency30 mg
Capsule Count60
Total CBD/CBN1800 mg
Cost per mg CBD $0.04
TypeBroad-spectrum
Third-Party TestsView report

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, I recommend CBDfx. Its Night capsules provide 15 mg of broad-spectrum CBD with 15 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 $0.04 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.

My experience: I took six capsules before bed and slept better that night, waking up less and feeling rested the next morning. They had a noticeable herbal smell. But I also got diarrhea from the magnesium, so I don’t recommend taking that many capsules at a time.

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 determine 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 your price 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

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

The CBD industry is not strongly 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.

I used the following criteria to find high-quality CBD capsules are an affordable price:

  • Effects (comparing the effectiveness of different products and choosing the best ones)
  • 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 to 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 to look at the test results to ensure they match up with the product label (I do this for all products I review). 

Consider the Type of CBD

As I 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 I 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 I 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 and New York are also good. European countries such as Denmark and the Netherlands are also solid 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 readily available third-party lab test results. I 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 9-10 cents per mg of CBD. Since you’re looking for cheap capsules, you should look for products that cost less than that per mg. The products I recommend are well below this price, especially if you buy the higher strength options.

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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