A multivitamin can help fill the nutritional gaps when it’s difficult to meet your vitamin and mineral needs through food alone. You may want to consider a multivitamin if you follow a restrictive diet, only eat certain food groups, have a diagnosed deficiency or a medical condition, or take medications that interfere with nutrient absorption. Additionally, taking multivitamins designed for specific stages of life that require increased vitamin and mineral needs may be beneficial, such as before and during pregnancy.
When selecting our top picks of multivitamins, we prioritized third-party tested, research-backed products containing quality ingredients, including the most absorbable forms of certain vitamins and minerals. We also selected formulas that do not exceed the established Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for any individual nutrient. In addition to our extensive research, we asked over 60 adults for their feedback on taste, texture, convenience, and general experience with various multivitamins on the market. We also tested 19 multivitamins in our lab for their size, smell, and texture.
What Registered Dietitians Want You to Know
- What to expect from a multivitamin: Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDN, CLEC, CPT suggests that if you take a multivitamin as a safety net, you should be cautious of not over-supplementing certain nutrients. Research has shown that multivitamins effectively reduce the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency, particularly when your diet is limited or if you have certain digestive issues. The research on the health benefits of multivitamins is mixed. People who take multivitamins usually eat a well-balanced diet, exercise, and do not smoke. Therefore, it’s difficult to conclude that multivitamins are a factor in improving health.
- Best time to take a multivitamin: The best time of day to take a multivitamin is when you can remember to take it consistently. However, there are benefits to taking it with food or shortly after a meal. Many vitamins and minerals—specifically fat-soluble—are best absorbed with food. In addition, some people find that taking a vitamin on an empty stomach can lead to nausea or other digestive upset.
- How to choose a multivitamin: Multivitamins typically contain essential vitamins and minerals; however, some can have additional herbs, probiotics, and enzymes. These ingredients have limited research or may not be best for everyone. Manaker suggests choosing a third-party tested multivitamin free from fillers. She also suggests multivitamin bottles should be dark or completely blocked from sunlight, which can alter nutrient levels.
- Do you need to take a multivitamin every day: Nutrient needs vary by individual and will depend on your specific diet, nutrient deficiencies, and reasons for taking a multivitamin. Some nutrients, such as vitamin D, folic acid, calcium, and iron, can take longer to reach optimal levels, so those with deficiencies may benefit from taking them daily.
Editor’s Note
Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology. From there, a registered dietitian on our Medical Expert Board reviews each article for scientific accuracy. Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take.
Key Specs:
Form: Capsule | Serving Size: 2 capsules daily | Servings per Container: 30
Who’s It For
Best for anyone who wants a comprehensive multivitamin with strong third-party testing.
Why We Recommend It
We are big fans of many of Thorne’s products since they prioritize quality and often have third-party certifications. The Basic Nutrients 2/Day is no exception—it includes all the essentials you want to see in a multivitamin without unnecessary extra herbs or enzymes found in many multivitamins on the market. It’s also NSF Certified for Sport, a robust credential that verifies supplement contents and ensures it is free of unsafe levels of contaminants and substances banned for athletes.
It contains the active form of folate, which may help your body absorb and utilize this nutrient. It also contains vitamin K2, which is difficult for many people to obtain through diet (it’s primarily found in fermented dairy). Emerging research suggests K2, along with vitamin D, plays a role in bone health and cardiovascular disease.
Although it contains more B vitamins than needed, our bodies can easily eliminate excess B vitamins, and these nutrients are not known to be harmful in high doses. Since absorption rates vary from person to person, the higher dose this multivitamin provides might be beneficial for some people.
Keep In Mind
- It is a two-capsule dose. You can take it at different times of the day or both capsules simultaneously.
- We noticed this vitamin has a chalky taste and medicinal smell.
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Third-party tested for ingredient accuracy
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Higher doses for those needing more vitamins and minerals
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Nutrients in most absorbable forms
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Dose can be halved for lower amount
Key Specs:
Form: Capsule | Serving Size: 2 capsules daily | Servings per Container: 120
Who’s It For
Best for those who need high amounts of multiple vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin D, B12, and other B vitamins.
Why We Recommend It
The Life Extension Two-Per-Day Multivitamin provides more nutrients, more than 100% DV, of many vitamins and minerals. Some of the higher amounts include vitamin D, B12, and other B vitamins. If you have a known B12 deficiency, you can split up the dose, as some research shows that we can only absorb small amounts of B12 at a time.
Since the dosages are higher, you could take one capsule daily instead of two for a lower-dose multivitamin.
We like that this supplement contains the methylated or active form of the B vitamin folate and has added antioxidants quercetin and lycopene, which aren’t usually in a multivitamin. We also appreciate that this supplement is third-party tested for ingredient accuracy and lack of contaminants. In fact, a certificate of analysis is available for each product.
Keep In Mind
- These capsules are also fairly large and have a chalky smell.
- In our testing, we noticed the capsules were fragile. One capsule broke inside the bottle, causing a layer of powder to form inside the bottle.
- This multi has some extra ingredients like marigold extract. This may interfere with some medications and is not recommended for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Check with a healthcare provider before taking it, especially if you are on any medication.
Key Specs:
Form: Tablet | Serving Size: 1 tablet with water and a meal | Servings per Container: 130
Who’s It For
It’s best for anyone who wants a quality vitamin without spending a lot, and for women ages 19 to 50 who are not pregnant or lactating.
Why We Recommend It
Nature Made Multi is great for people looking for a quality vitamin at an affordable price. It contains a wide variety of essential nutrients, including an adequate dose of vitamin D for most people, particularly those with limited sun exposure. We like that this product is third-party certified by USP, one of the most reputable certification organizations, and is just a single-pill dose. When we tested this multivitamin, we appreciated it had no unpleasant smell or taste.
This supplement contains 18 milligrams of iron, which is 100% of the recommended daily amount of iron for women ages 19 to 50 years old (who aren’t pregnant or lactating). The amount of iron in this supplement may not be needed for men and postmenopausal women, both with an RDA of 8 milligrams, unless they have a diagnosed deficiency or a diet low in iron. Additionally, some people find that supplementing with iron can lead to gastrointestinal distress, including nausea and constipation. However, those side effects are typically associated with higher doses of 45 milligrams per day or more.
Keep In Mind
- The amount of iron in this supplement may not be needed for some people, depending on your age, gender, and diet. Check with a healthcare provider to see what amount of iron supplementation (if any) is right for your individual needs. The Upper Tolerable Intake Level for both men and women over the age of 14 is 45 milligrams per day from both food and supplements.
- It does not contain the methylated forms of B vitamins, which are the active forms that are more easily absorbed.
Key Specs
Form: Capsule | Serving Size: 1 capsule daily with food | Servings per Container: 30
Who It’s For
This is a great choice if you want a single capsule multivitamin, have food allergies, or want additional antioxidants.
Why We Recommend It
Pure Encapsulations is one of our favorite supplement brands, especially if you have food allergies. We like their ONE Multivitamin because it’s a single capsule to take daily, has the most active forms of vitamins, and has added antioxidants that may benefit brain, heart, and eye health. For example, this capsule has 500 micrograms (mcg) of zeaxanthin—an antioxidant that protects eyes from damage. It also has the antioxidant lycopene and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which may benefit heart, brain, and fertility health.
You can see through the capsule, and we like that they are flexible and not in a fragile coating. They held up to slightly denting the capsule and not breaking open.
Keep In Mind
- These capsules have a pretty strong medicinal, metallic smell that can be off-putting.
- Some of the amounts of added antioxidants need more research for the best dose and may interact with some medications.
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NSF Certified
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Free of common food allergens
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Contains omega-3s
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B vitamins in most absorbable forms
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Has specific formulas for life stages
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Contains added sugar
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Large serving size
Key Specs:
Form: Gummy | Serving Size: 6 gummies | Servings per Container: 30
Who’s It For
This is a good option if you don’t like swallowing pills, want something that is like candy, and want a boost of omega-3s.
Why We Recommend It
The SmartyPants Adult Formula is a good option if you’re looking for a versatile multivitamin that can work for men and women of all ages. It contains vitamins A, C, D, E, and K and B vitamins, including the active, methylated forms of B12 and folate, and key minerals zinc and iodine. We also like that it contains fish oil with EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s help support heart health, the immune system, and more.
These gummies are free of the major eight allergens and don’t contain artificial flavors or synthetic colors. They are third-party tested and NSF Certified, ensuring no harmful contaminants, such as pesticides and heavy metals. Plus, the bottles are made from recycled materials. One serving is six gummies, which may feel like a lot to take daily, but since they are in a tasty gummy form, people may enjoy them. In fact, the smell, look, feel, and taste of these gummies are more like candy. They smell and taste quite sweet, which not all may want.
We also like that SmartyPants has specific multivitamins for different life stages. For example, they have a prenatal vitamin, formula for those over 50 years, and a kid’s gummy with added omega-3s.
Keep In Mind
- As with most gummies, they do contain added sugar (eight grams per serving), so be mindful of how this fits into your total added sugar intake for the day.
- They contain gelatin and fish oil, so they are not vegetarian or vegan-friendly.
Key Specs:
Form: Gummy | Serving Size: 2 gummies | Servings per Container: 35
Who’s It For
Another great option for those who prefer gummies over swallowing pills, especially those who want fewer gummies per serving and want a probiotic with a multivitamin.
Why We Recommend It
The Olly Adult + Probiotic has a smaller serving size—only two daily gummies compared to six. The smaller serving size also means less sugar, with two grams of added sugar compared to six.
This option is a great choice if you want a multivitamin with an added probiotic, which may be convenient to take in one supplement instead of two separate supplements. They offer a moderate dose of vitamins and some minerals, but the B vitamins are not in the most absorbable form like SmartyPants.
These gummies are free of artificial flavors, dyes, and sweeteners. We appreciate that they are gluten-free and third-party tested for ingredients, potency, and manufacturing processes.
These gummies have a sweet, tropical smell and taste like candy.
Keep In Mind
- The texture of these are softer and squishier than other gummies, and they can leave a sticky-like texture on your hands.
- They contain gelatin, so they are not vegetarian or vegan-friendly.
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Vegan
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Sugar-free
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Appropriate for all ages
Key Specs:
Form: Liquid | Serving Size: ½ teaspoon to 2 tablespoons in the morning with or without food | Servings per Container: 32–378
Who’s It For
This is the best option if you want one supplement that can serve the entire family, including children as young as one.
Why We Recommend It
Buying multiple multivitamins to meet the needs of each family member can be annoying and expensive. If this sounds familiar, you may like Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning Vitamin, formulated for the whole family. It’s also Clean Label Project Certified, which means it is third-party tested and checked for over 200 potential contaminants. This supplement includes most of the major vitamins and minerals, including the active form of folate and vitamin D.
The packaging recommends different serving sizes based on age to meet different dietary needs. If you prefer to take less than the recommended amount for your age, the liquid form allows you more room for customization. However, we found that pouring can be messy since the liquid is really thick.
Remember that this fruit-flavored supplement has no added sugar, but not everyone may love the taste. Mixing it into water, juice, or smoothies masks the flavor.
Keep In Mind
- Note that this supplement does not include iron.
- We wish this supplement came with a serving cup for accurate dosing.
- It needs to be refrigerated before and after opening.
Key Specs:
Form: Powder | Serving Size: one scoop | Servings per Container: 30
Who’s It For
Best for those who want a multivitamin in the form of a greens powder form, and for people who enjoy the convenience of a subscription.
Why We Recommend It
We like Athletic Greens (AG1) for the variety of vitamins and minerals it provides from 75 different whole-food ingredients. While a greens powder doesn’t replace fruits and vegetables in the diet, we like that it can help fill in nutrient gaps.
Aside from the multivitamins that meet or exceed 100% of daily recommendations, this supplement also includes probiotics, digestive enzymes, and adaptogens, which not everyone may want. AG1 has two of the most researched probiotic strains—Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Lactobacillus acidophilus may help lower total and LDL cholesterol and reduce diarrhea.
We appreciate that AG1 provides a subscription service that gives you a discount and removes the burden of remembering to order your supplement each month.
We found that it dissolves easily and has a fruitier, pleasant flavor than some other greens powders. It is NSF Certified for Sport, a strong third-party certification that ensures the ingredient label is accurate and free from contaminants. It is also vegan and contains no artificial ingredients or gluten.
Keep In Mind
- Some evidence shows adaptogens may help the body adapt to stress. The two adaptogens in AG1 are Rhodiola rosea and ashwagandha. However, be sure to speak to your healthcare provider before taking, as these may interact with certain medications, including those for diabetes, immunosuppressants, and anticonvulsants.
- AG1 is pricier compared to other multivitamins.
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Low in iron for a women’s multivitamin
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Strong, earthy smell but no discernable flavor
Key Specs:
Form: Tablet | Serving Size: 1 tablet daily with food | Servings per Container: 60
Who’s It For
Best for women who want to round out a balanced diet—it’s also suitable for vegans.
Why We Recommend It
If you’re shopping for a multivitamin for women, Garden of Life mykind Organics Women’s Once Daily Multi checks many boxes for what you may want in a supplement. Our survey respondents also report that it has no flavor and is easy to swallow. However, during our testing, we found it has a strong, earthy smell that can be off-putting. It is made from only organic whole foods and provides adequate amounts of essential vitamins and minerals for women, including vitamin D and vitamin K2.
This multi provides 100% Daily Value (DV) of many vitamins and minerals and an organic food blend. The organic whole-food blend is listed on the label, so be sure to check all of the ingredients if you have any food allergies or if you are taking medications that can potentially interact with certain herbal ingredients.
This supplement is USDA Organic, NSF Certified, gluten-free certified, vegan, and kosher. Garden of Life is a Certified B Corporation committed to sustainability, certified by Carbonfund, and awarded LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Keep In Mind
- It does not contain calcium or magnesium and contains just 14% of the daily value of iron for women ages 19 to 50, so it is important to consider if a healthcare provider recommends supplementing with these nutrients or if your diet is limited in these nutrients.
Key Specs:
Form: Tablet | Serving Size: 1 tablet | Servings per Container: 30
Who’s It For
Best for men who want a multivitamin that has strong third-party testing and nutrients to support prostate health.
Why We Recommend It
If you’re looking for a multivitamin for men, we recommend Nordic Naturals Men’s Multivitamin One Daily. It’s third-party tested, and you can scan the QR code on the bottle to see the testing results. So, you can rest assured that this supplement contains what the label says without harmful contaminants. It contains adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals in the most absorbable forms. It also includes saw palmetto and nettle extract for prostate health.
If you’re wondering why this supplement contains very little iron, note that men need less iron, with an RDA of eight milligrams per day (compared to menstruating and pregnant women, who need 18–27 milligrams per day), so iron supplementation is usually not needed for most men.
These one-a-day tablets are also non-GMO tested and vegetarian.
Keep In Mind
- These tablets are on the larger end, and in our testing, we noticed a moderate smell like sawdust.
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Developed by a registered dietitian
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Provides methylated B vitamins and choline
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Dosages supported by the latest research
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Third-party tested for purity and potency
Key Specs:
Form: Capsule | Serving Size: 8 capsules | Servings per Container: 30
Who’s It For
Best for those looking to get pregnant or who are pregnant, to help support both mother and baby.
Why We Recommend It
FullWell is dedicated to producing science-backed supplements to support women’s pre- and postnatal nutritional needs. They also offer a men’s multivitamin to support men’s reproductive and sperm health. We love that each batch is third-party tested and provides dosages based on the latest research.
This prenatal vitamin includes methylated forms of B12 and folate, readily available forms of two key nutrients during pregnancy. Additionally, it contains 300 milligrams of choline, over 50% of the Adequate Intake Level for pregnant and lactating women. Choline is an important nutrient for fetal development that many prenatal supplements lack.
Also of note is the high dose of 4,000 IU vitamin D, which experts agree is safe and may help to prevent and correct vitamin D deficiencies in pregnant women. However, the optimal vitamin D dosage for pregnant women is still an emerging area of research, and this supplement is at the high end of the established Upper Tolerable Intake Level. We recommend speaking to a healthcare professional to discuss which prenatal supplement is best suited to your individual needs.
Keep In Mind
- This prenatal vitamin does not contain iron or omega-3s, which you may want to consider taking separately, depending on your diet and nutritional status. FullWell does offer a fish-oil supplement to complement their multivitamin as well as separate iron supplement.
Benefits of a Multivitamin
While a multivitamin isn’t a magic bullet that will ward off diseases or guarantee you will live longer, it can help in the following ways.
- Filling in gaps in your diet. Those following vegan or vegetarian diets, a restricted diet due to a health condition, or those who have difficulty eating a wide range of foods may benefit from supplementing with individual vitamins or minerals or taking a multivitamin.
- Reducing the risk of negative birth outcomes. Multivitamins during pregnancy are effective in helping reduce the risk of birth defects and other negative birth outcomes and help lactating women achieve their higher nutrient needs while breastfeeding. Needs during pregnancy and while breastfeeding differ from other adults, so choosing a prenatal-specific multivitamin is best.
- Helping with decreased nutrient absorption. As we age, we can have decreased absorption of certain nutrients, which may warrant a multivitamin supplement. Certain digestive conditions, surgeries that alter the digestive tract, alcoholism, and some medications can also lower the ability to absorb nutrients.
How We Select and Test Multivitamins
Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.
We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products.
It’s important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.
We surveyed over 60 adults to get their feedback on their level of satisfaction with the multivitamins they take, including taste, texture, ingredient transparency, convenience, and value. We also tested 19 multivitamins in our Verywell Testing Lab to examine their texture, smell, and size more closely. We noted anything that stood out to us, like strong smells, anything surprising about the feel of the supplement, whether the packaging helped store the supplement properly, and whether it clearly stated how to take the multivitamin.
While we hope this serves as a guide, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements.
Why Third-Party Testing Matters
Third-party testing is important to ensure that the ingredients and dosages listed on the supplement facts label are accurate and that the multivitamin isn’t contaminated with unsafe levels of heavy metals like lead or mercury. This is especially important for gummy vitamins, as the ingredients in this form of multivitamin are more prone to error.
We prioritize third-party tested and certified products by one of three independent third-party certifiers: USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.com. However, there are other certifiers; some manufacturers do not disclose who does their third-party testing.
Pay Attention to These Ingredients
It is important to note that different multivitamins contain different combinations and doses of nutrients, which should be reviewed with a healthcare provider before beginning that supplement.
Medication interactions: Vitamin K, found in most multivitamins, interacts with warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner. If you take a blood thinner, work with your doctor or registered dietitian to determine if a multivitamin is safe for you—and if so, at what dose. Iron, found in many multivitamins, may cause constipation for some people, especially those with digestive problems. Other nutrients like potassium can be problematic for people with certain health conditions like chronic kidney disease. Review potential interactions with your healthcare provider if you take other medications or supplements.
Nutrient absorption: Some nutrients may decrease the absorption of others. Iron and calcium compete for absorption, so most quality multivitamins will have one but not both. The minerals you need will depend on your diet. High doses of iron may also inhibit zinc absorption.
Added ingredients: Many multivitamins also contain herbs, antioxidants, enzymes, and probiotics. Because the research on efficacy and safety varies significantly for each additional ingredient, it’s best to check with a healthcare professional before taking a multivitamin with these added ingredients.
How Much To Take
There is no standard dose for multivitamins, though most manufacturers use daily values (DVs), dietary reference intakes (DRIs), and adequate intakes (AIs) to determine the dosage of each vitamin or mineral included in a multivitamin.
Some manufacturers add more than the recommended amount of certain vitamins and minerals since emerging research suggests there may be additional benefits from higher doses. In addition, the nutrient bioavailability (the amount your body absorbs) from supplements varies by vitamin or mineral type and form, so higher amounts of certain nutrients may be included assuming your body won’t absorb the entire dose.
It’s important to ensure that no nutrients in your multivitamin exceed the upper limit as established by the National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Your body filters and eliminates excess water-soluble vitamins (the B vitamins and vitamin C), so it is difficult to overconsume them. However, fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, E, D, and K) can be stored in fat tissue and are dangerous when consumed in excess. The minerals iron, calcium, iodine, magnesium, selenium, copper, molybdenum, and manganese can also be damaging if consumed in excess.
Our Experts
These two dietitians helped give insight into which multivitamins are best for women and considerations for taking multivitamins.
- Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDN, CLEC, CPT, is an award-winning registered dietitian, lactation counselor, and book author with almost two decades of experience providing evidence-based information to the general public on a variety of nutrition-related topics
- Anne Cook Carroll, MS, RD, CDN, is a Registered Dietitian who works with patients to meet their health goals, and educates patients on the appropriate usage of supplements to optimize their nutritional status and overall health. She is also one of our nutrition commerce update editors.
Why Trust Verywell Health
Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDN, is a registered dietitian with her master’s degree in nutrition communication from the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She owns a private practice in the suburbs of Boston, where she helps her clients ditch diets and learn to eat foods that help them feel their best and achieve optimal health. Sarah is also a freelance writer, where she lends her expertise in translating the research on a wide variety of nutrition topics into relatable and approachable recommendations for consumers.
Shushy Rita Setrakian, MS, RDN, is a registered dietitian who works with patients to meet their health goals and educates them by converting nutrition science into meaningful dietary recommendations. She also specializes in supplement research and analysis and analyzes feedback on multivitamins for taste, texture, etc.
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