You probably know that cannabis plants contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – it is the material that creates the “high” associated with cannabis products.
But did you know that cannabis plants also contain several other cannabinoids? Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid with therapeutic benefits and does not have the same effects as THC. And while some CBD products have some THC in them, the trace amounts are likely not enough to keep you feeling high.
There are a ton of CBD products out there, including oils. But not all of them are created equal. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently approve or regulate CBD products like pharmaceuticals.
This means that CBD products vary significantly in terms of effectiveness, quality, and safety.
It also means that pricing is ubiquitous. So how do you know if an inexpensive product is worth it? Below is how to determine if a CBD oil is safe, how to buy inexpensive CBD oils, and some of our favorite products.
CBD glossary
- Full spectrum CBD. This contains every cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. As these products contain the full spectrum of chemicals, it is believed that they create the “entourage effect” and make them more effective.
- Broad spectrum CBD. This contains all cannabinoids, but no THC.
- Isolate. This is a purified form of CBD that does not contain THC or other cannabinoids. CBD isolate may also be less effective than other types of CBD because of this quality. Inexpensive CBD oils often contain CBD isolate.
Because CBD products are not regulated like prescription drugs, there is no guarantee that what you buy is made from safe, high-quality ingredients.
With CBD, you usually get what you pay for. A lower price can mean a product is less effective.
If you are new to CBD products, it can be helpful to try a low-dose oil. But if you’ve been using CBD for a while, it may be worth spending more on a higher potency oil.
When buying cheap CBD oil, you should be extra vigilant. Research why one product is cheaper than another. Is it less strong? Is the company saving in some areas in order to offer a cost-effective product?
Find out more about the company and read the following labels carefully.
CBD type
Because of the “entourage effect”, oils containing CBD and THC are likely to be more effective than products containing one or the other.
This means that full-spectrum CBD may have greater therapeutic benefits than broad-spectrum CBD or isolate.
Third party testing
The FDA does not guarantee the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter CBD oils and other products. Since CBD products are not regulated like drugs, companies can mislabel their products or make unproven claims.
The FDA can send warning letters to companies making wild, unsubstantiated health claims.
A current certificate of analysis (COA) from a reputable third-party laboratory confirms that a product is free of impurities and that the amounts of CBD and THC are precisely stated on the label.
If a CBD oil doesn’t have a Certificate of Authenticity, it’s a sign to skip the product and look elsewhere. We have included COAs for every product we recommend.
ingredients
Companies should be transparent about where they grow or source hemp. If a company doesn’t provide transparent information about how and where it makes its products, that’s a red flag. Go for organic cannabis products grown organically in the USA.
Some CBD oils may also contain additional ingredients such as essential oils or flavorings. However, additional ingredients can add to the cost of a particular oil.
We selected these products based on criteria that we believe are good indicators of safety, quality and transparency. Each product in this article:
- is manufactured by a company that provides evidence of third party testing by an ISO 17025 compliant laboratory
- is made from hemp grown in the USA
- According to the COA, it does not contain more than 0.3 percent THC
- Passes tests for pesticides, heavy metals, and mold, according to COA
As part of our selection process, we also took the following into account:
- the company’s certifications and manufacturing processes
- Product strength
- Total ingredients
- User trust and brand reputation indicators such as:
- Customer ratings
- if the company has been subjected to an FDA warning letter
- if the company makes unsupported health claims
- Pricing with the aim of including high quality and affordable options
Price leader
Our goal was to make a list of affordable CBD oils, but prices still vary from product to product.
Pricing is based on the potency in US dollars per milligram (mg).
- $ = under $ 0.10 per mg
- $$ = $ 0.10 to $ 0.25 per mg
Zatural cannabis broad spectrum CBD drops
Use the code “healthline20” for a 20% discount. One use per customer.
- Price: $
- CBD type: Broad spectrum
- CBD potency: 300 mg per 30 ml bottle
- COA: Available on the product page
These CBD oil drops are made from hemp grown in the USA. Because the oil has a broad spectrum, it does not contain THC. While the 300 mg variant is the cheapest, the oil is also available in different potencies, up to 6,000 mg.
Zatural uses the same oil for each product and tests it for contamination, but the final products are not tested.
The brand accepts returns within 60 days of purchase.
CBDistillery full spectrum CBD oil tincture
Use the code “healthline” for a 15% discount on the entire website or choose the subscription option for a 20% discount on the first 2 subscription orders and 25% discount on the 3rd order.
- Price: $
- CBD type: The whole spectrum
- CBD potency: 500-5,000 mg per 30 ml bottle
- COA: Available upon request
This CBD oil tincture is the most popular product from CBDistillery and is highly praised by customers.
CBDistillery uses US Hemp Authority certified hemp to make its CBD oil. The tincture only contains MCT oil, hemp extract, and full-spectrum CBD.
Some reviewers mention shipping delays and problems.
Get free shipping when you spend more than $ 75. The company also offers a veteran’s discount and money-back guarantee.
Plant People Drops + Mind + Body
- Price: $$
- CBD type: The whole spectrum
- CBD potency: 315, 630 or 1,260 mg per 30 ml bottle
- COA: Available on the product page
Plant People’s CBD drops are made with full-spectrum hemp extract. They contain several cannabinoids, including limonene, A-bisabolol, and gamma-terpinene, as well as medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT) and hemp seed oil.
The drops are vegan, certified organic, GMO-free and gluten-free. They are also not said to be flavored, although some customers can still try them.
You can subscribe to get recurring shows at a discount. The brand also accepts returns within 30 days of purchase.
Plant People’s products are made from recycled, plastic-free materials.
Envy CBD Focus Essential Oil Roll-On
- Price: $$
- CBD type: The whole spectrum
- CBD potency: 100 mg per 10 ml bottle
- COA: Available on the product page
This little roll-on from Envy is designed to be applied topically. This makes it an excellent choice for people looking to try CBD to help with arthritis or other site-specific types of pain such as migraines.
In addition to CBD, this oil contains rose essential oil for a pleasant scent.
Envy CBD is a member of the National Hemp Association and offers discounts to military and frontline workers, including teachers and first responders.
Liftmode Hemp Calm CBD Oil
- Price: $
- CBD type: The whole spectrum
- CBD potency: 1,500 mg per 30 ml bottle
- COA: Available online
Liftmode Hemp’s CBD oil is the cheapest high-potency product on our list. In addition to relaxing essential oils like lavender and chamomile, it contains melatonin to promote calmness and induce drowsiness.
It’s also GMO and gluten free. However, not all COAs contain results for pesticides, molds, and heavy metals.
The brand offers free shipping and a 90-day return policy. Liftmode Hemp is also committed to environmentally friendly practices.
Moon Mother full spectrum hemp oil, cinnamon
- Price: $
- CBD type: The whole spectrum
- CBD potency: 500 mg per 30 ml bottle
- COA: Available on the product page
This cinnamon-flavored oil is made from organic hemp grown in Boulder, Colorado. Both the MCT and the cinnamon oil are also from organic farming. Research suggests that cinnamon oil can help fight inflammation.
The women-owned company is committed to environmentally sound farming practices.
The brand accepts returns and exchanges within 15 days of delivery. However, you will have to pay the return shipping cost if you are not satisfied with your purchase.
Most CBD oils come with a dropper for easy use. Use the dropper to put the oil under your tongue.
The products come with recommended dosage instructions. However, you can also speak to your doctor for instructions on how to take it.
In general, starting with the lowest dose possible is the right way to go. You can gradually increase the amount over time to find out how much is right for you. If you don’t feel the effects of the oil right away, wait a few hours before taking any more.
For more information on CBD dosage, see our dosage guide.
It is generally accepted that CBD is safe and has minimal side effects. Some people have digestive problems and fatigue, but nothing else serious.
If you have a medical condition or are on prescription medication, speak to your doctor before trying CBD oil. CBD can interact with certain drugs, especially those with a grapefruit warning.
There is also research that shows that if you take CBD with foods rich in fat, blood levels of CBD can increase. This can increase the likelihood of unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea or tiredness.
Research into the many potential benefits of CBD is promising. However, it can be difficult to find safe, high-quality CBD products because the FDA doesn’t regulate them like drugs and supplements.
Sometimes a product is cheap because the ingredients are of poor quality and come from shady sources.
To make sure you’re buying a high quality, affordable CBD oil, do a search for a Certificate of Authenticity and do some digging to learn more about the company you’re looking to buy from.
Is CBD Legal? Hemp-derived CBD products (containing less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal at the federal level, but are still illegal under some state laws. Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal at the federal level, but legal under some state laws. Check the laws of your state and those of every place you travel. Note that non-prescription CBD products are not FDA approved and may be inaccurately labeled.
Steph Coelho is a freelance chronic migraine writer with a special interest in health and wellbeing. If she’s not clattering on her keyboard, she’s probably deep in a good book.
