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Fish Oil, Krill Oil, and Algal Oil Omega-3 (DHA & EPA) Supplements Review

See Our Omega-3 Top Picks and Avoid Rancid Fish Oils.

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Calanus Oil for Memory?

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated November 16, 2023 ⓘ Published September 28, 2023

Fish Oil and Other Marine Oil Supplements Reviewed by ConsumerLab.com

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In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:

Summary

What are the benefits of fish oil?
Taking a supplement with EPA and DHA from fish oil (or another marine source, such as krill oil or algae) offers a wide range of potential benefits for mental health, treating inflammatory disease, maintaining muscle, and even cancer prevention (see What It Does).

In people with high triglyceride levels (which contributes to high cholesterol) high-dose, high-concentration fish oil, such as from prescription fish oils, may lower triglycerides. However, as far as any other cardiovascular benefit, or cognitive and memory benefits, eating fish at least twice each week may do you more good than taking a fish oil supplement. (If you do eat fish, be aware that some types can be high in mercury -- see Getting EPA and DHA from Food and our Tuna, Salmon, Sardines & Herring Review).
Which fish, krill, and algal oils are the best?
Choose a supplement listed as Approved by ConsumerLab.com in the Results table, because some products may be rancid (including three products in this Review), contaminated, or fail to contain their listed amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Compare prices to save money (see comparison graph and 5th column of the Results table). To save time, see our Top Picks, - these are Approved products that offer exceptional value compared to other products in their categories, including fishoils in softgels, enteric-coated capsules, bottled liquids, as a prenatal supplement, for children, and for pets, as well as our Top Picks for krill oil and vegetarian algal oil (from algae). We also have Top Picks for getting DPA (the "other omega-3") and omega-7 fatty acids. You'll see that you can get high-quality supplements for just pennies a day. Be mindful of any added ingredients (see the last column of the Results table), like vitamins, so you don't unintentionally exceed tolerable intake limits for these.
How much fish oil should you take?
Different amounts of EPA and DHA have been used for different purposes. A general daily dose is about 300 to 500 mg of EPA and DHA, while some treatments (such as for high triglycerides) involve doses as high as 4,000 mg per day (see What to Consider When Using - Dosage). Focus on the amounts of EPA and DHA in a product rather than the amount of total oil, since the concentration of EPA and DHA in oils ranges from about 33% to 85% and, for some uses, you may want more EPA or more DHA (see the comparison graph and second column of the Results table below for amounts of EPA and DHA and concentration levels, as well as amounts of "the other omega-3" DPA, and omega-7 fatty acids). (Be aware that fish oils highly concentrated for omega-3s tend to have low levels of omega-7s.)
When is the best time to take fish oil?
Taking fish oil with a meal containing other fats may improve absorption. If you need a high daily dose, dividing the dose over the course of the day may reduce any unpleasant aftertaste and "fishy burps." Enteric-coated capsules can also reduce these effects but may possibly reduce absorption.
What is the best form of fish oil?
Fish oil in supplements is generally first processed to purify it. This often involves modifying its chemical form. While all forms can help raise EPA and DHA levels and do so equally well if taken with a high-fat meal, if not taken with a high-fat meal the "re-esterified triglyceride" (or just "triglyceride") form may be the best absorbed, with up to 76% greater absorption than from the more common "ethyl ester" form (see ConsumerTips -- Forms of Fish Oil). You can check the form of each product in the 4th column of the Results table.

If you need a high dose, it may be more convenient to pick a product with a higher concentration (see the 4th column of the Results table) so that you can take fewer and/or smaller pills or other units.
How should fish oil be stored?
Store oils out of heat and light — refrigeration is a good idea, particularly for opened bottles of liquid fish oil (see Keep It Fresh).
Which fish oil supplements are most like prescription omega-3 drugs?
Some supplements have similarly high amounts and concentrations of EPA and DHA as found in prescription omega-3 drugs like Vascepa and Lovaza, but at lower cost than these brand-name medications. See how fish oil supplements compare to prescription omega-3 drugs.
Is fish oil safe? What are fish oil's side effects?
Although generally safe, high amounts of EPA and DHA may suppress the immune system and increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation). It's best to limit daily intake of EPA and DHA from supplements to no more than 2 grams, unless medically indicated. Fish oil may also thin the blood and slightly lower blood pressure. See Concerns and Cautions for more information. As mentioned, take fish oil with food to reduce fishy burps, a common side effect.

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Alphabetical list of fish oil, krill oil, and algal oil supplements compared in this review

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Barlean's Omega Pals - Chirpin' Slurpin' Lemonade Flavor

8389_large_Bronson_Antarctic_Krill_Oil_1000_mg-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Bronson Antarctic Krill Oil 1,000 mg

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Carlson Maximum Omega 2,000

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Carlson The Very Finest Fish Oil

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Carlson Vegetarian DHA - Natural Lemon Flavor - Liquid

Carlson Vegetarian DHA - Softgel

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DEVA Vegan Omega-3 DHA-EPA 300 mg

8374_large_Garden_of_Life_Dr_Formulated_Advanced_Omega-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Garden of Life Dr. Formulated Advanced Omega

8381_large_GNC_Triple_Strength_Fish_Oil-Fish_Oil-2023.png

GNC Triple Strength Fish Oil

8395_large_Iceland_Pure_Pharmaceutical_Human_Grade_Fish_Oils-Salmon_Oil-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Iceland Pure Pharmaceutical Human Grade Fish Oils - Salmon Oil

8382_large_Innovixlabs_Triple_Strength_Omega-3-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Innovixlabs Triple Strength Omega-3

8375_large_Jamieson_Omega-3_Complete_600_mg-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Jamieson Omega-3 Complete 600 mg

8376_large_Kirkland_Signature_Fish_Oil_1000_mg-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Kirkland Signature Fish Oil 1,000 mg

8388_large_Life_Extension_Super_Omega-3_Plus-Fish_Oil.png

Life Extension Super Omega-3 Plus

8390_large_Members_Mark_Superior_Krill_Oil_500_mg-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Member's Mark Superior Krill Oil 500 mg

8377_large_Nature_Made_Fish_Oil_Minis-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Nature Made Fish Oil Minis

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Nature's Way Super Fisol Fish Oil

8387_large_Nordic_Naturals_Ultimate_Omega-Great_Lemon_Taste-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega - Great Lemon Taste

8394_large_Now_Kids_DHA_Fish_Oil_Chewables-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Now Kids DHA Fish Oil Chewables

8378_large_Oceanblue_Professional_Omega-3_2100®-Fish_Oil.png

OceanBlue Professional Omega-3 2,100

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OmegaBrite O3

OmegaVia

Ovega-3

8396_large_Pet_Honesty_Wild_Caught_Omega-3_Fish_Oil-For Dogs_and_Cats-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Pet Honesty Wild Caught Omega-3 Fish Oil - For Dogs & Cats

Spectrum Fish Oil Omega-3

WHC_UnoCardio_1000-Natural_Orange_Flavor-Fish_Oil-2023-small.png

WHC UnoCardio 1,000 - Natural Orange Flavor

8393_large_Wileys_Finest_Wild_Alaskan_Fish_Oil_Prenatal_DHA-Fish_Oil-2023.png

Wiley's Finest Wild Alaskan Fish Oil Prenatal DHA

You must be a member to get the full test results for fish oil and other marine oil pills and liquid supplements along with ConsumerLab.com's recommendations and quality ratings. You will get results for 27 supplements, including 14 supplements selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com, and 13 others that passed the same testing through our voluntary, Quality Certification Program. In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:

Which fish, krill, and algal oil supplements failed or passed testing and why.
ConsumerLab.com's Top Picks for fish oil supplements for adults, woman who are pregnant, children and pets
The latest information on health benefits of fish, krill and algal oil, as well as what they cannot do.
Information about other sources of omega-3s, such as green lipped mussel oil and calamarine oil supplements
Direct comparisons (including amounts of EPA, DHA, and DPA, as well as palmitoleic acid and total omega-7s) and quality ratings for fish, krill and algal supplements -- including those for pregnant women, other adults, children, and pets.

Comparisons with prescription fish oils Vascepa and Lovaza.
Which products provide the best value and which are most concentrated (so you can take fewer or smaller pills) including softgels, liquids, and enteric-coated pills.
Differences in the forms of fish oil in each product: natural triglyceride, ethyl ester, re-esterified triglyceride, and phospholipid.
The dose of the omega-3s (EPA and DHA) and omega-7s (palmitoleic acid) for specific uses -- and how much is too much.
Side-effects and cautions with supplements made with fish oil, krill oil and other marine oils.

[Also see CL's Canned Tuna and Salmon Review]

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