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CBD oil vs CBD capsules - what’s the difference and which one is best?
Two of the most popular ways to take CBD is as an oil either in a tincture that is delivered in drops under the tongue via a liquid dropper bottle or in capsule form.
How you choose to take your CBD comes down to personal preference. For example, you may dislike the taste of an oil and prefer to take a capsule for its more neutral taste, or perhaps you don’t like swallowing capsules so you prefer the dropper form. There is no right or wrong when it comes to CBD but there are a few differences between the two oral methods.
In this article, we’ll outline the main differences between CBD capsules and oils via tinctures, and then we'll leave the choice up to you.
In this article we’ll cover:
CBD Capsules vs. oils – In a nutshell:
We’ve outlined the main differences between our CBII CBD oil and capsules in this handy table below. These differences just relate to CBII products, not capsules or tincture oils as a whole:
CBD OIL |
CBD CAPSULES |
| Natural, herbal taste | Neutral taste |
| Premium, full spectrum CBD | Same CBD with added nutrients |
| Quick and easy to take under the tongue, with rapid absorption | Quick and easy to take on the go with a slower release absorption |
| Vegan, gluten-free and GMO-free CBD | Gluten-free and GMO-free CBD |
| Allows for a higher daily dose of CBD that you can control | Contains an exact amount of CBD per capsule |
| Ability to tailor your strengths - 200 mg (medium) and 500 mg (strong) | Choice of five capsules with pure CBD or added vitamins and nutrients |
| SHOP OILS | SHOP CAPSULES |
Discussion: What are the main differences between CBD oil and capsules?
As there are some differences between CBD capsules and CBD oils, you can weigh up the differences between the two as well as consider what’s best for your individual lifestyle before making your choice.
You may be a die-hard convert to one method, or prefer to try both before making up your mind.
Why choose CBD oil?
Our CBII CBD oils are higher in strength than our capsules and are also suitable for vegans (our capsules are not because they contain gelatine).
With the oils in the dropper bottle, you have the freedom to experiment with different dosages to find what works for you (just be sure not to exceed 70mg of CBD per day – the maximum amount as advised by the Food Standards Authority, unless recommended by a healthcare professional).
The best part about the oils as opposed to the capsules is that you can tailor the strength to suit you. Our oils come in a choice of three strengths: 100 mg, 200 mg and 500 mg and we also have additional high-strength CBD bundles for those who are confident taking CBD.
Oils or tinctures delivered via drops under the tongue are also thought to be more readily and quickly absorbed by our bodies into the bloodstream as they aren’t processed via the digestive system like capsules are. This means it has what is called a higher bioavailability, so may be more effective in delivering all of the benefits of CBD.
Not sure where to start? Our Discovery Duo CBD starter kit includes a trial pack of our 2% and 5% oil strengths for just £19 – a great way to find your preferred strength before committing to full size.
See the below table for our CBD oil dosage guidelines:
Product |
CBD Per Drop (0.05mL) |
Daily Recommended Intake |
Max Daily Dose of CBD |
| 2% oil | 1 mg | 12 drops (12 mg) twice a day | 24 drops (24 mg) twice a day |
| 5% oil | 2.5 mg | 12 drops (12 mg) twice a day10 drops (25 mg) twice a day | 20 drops (50 mg) twice a day |
Why choose CBD capsules?
CBD capsules tend to contain less CBD than the oils delivered under the tongue but they can be more convenient if you are already used to taking supplements.
If you prefer to know exactly how much you are taking, our CBD supplements contain a fixed amount of CBD per capsule so it’s much easier to take an exact dosage and keep track of exactly how much CBD you’re taking every single time.
Another difference between the capsules and the oils is the taste. CBD capsules have a neutral taste which is often an added bonus as although some people like the natural herbal taste of the oils, it isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea.
There’s also a bit more choice when it comes to our CBD capsules if you’re looking for other health benefits in addition to CBD. You can opt for pure, full spectrum CBD in capsule form, or choose capsules containing added nutrients to support your active lifestyle, a balanced body and mind, healthy hair, skin and nails, or the immune system.
We’ve provided a side by side comparison with our recommended intake in the table below. as well as the added benefit of each additional vitamin and nutrient.
Product |
CBD per capsule |
Ingredients |
Benefits |
Daily recommended intake |
Max daily dose of CBD |
| Total Capsules | 5mg | Full spectrum CBD | Strongest dose of CBD in capsule form | 1 - 3 capsules | 15mg |
| Immune Capsules | 3mg | Full spectrum CBD Vitamin D Vitamin C Zinc Ginseng |
Supports the immune system, normal energy-yielding metabolism + boosts energy | 1 - 2 capsules | 6mg |
| Balance Capsules | 1.5mg | Full spectrum CBD Vitamin B3 Passionflower Coriander oil |
Reduction in tiredness + fatigue, supports nervous system + psychological function | 1 - 2 capsules | 3mg |
| Move Capsules | 1.5mg | Full spectrum CBD Vitamin C Turmeric Black pepper oil |
Normal energy-yielding metabolism, collagen formation for cartilage and bones + immunity | 1 - 3 capsules | 4.5mg |
| Nourish Capsules | 1.5mg | Full spectrum CBD Zinc Juniper berry oil Milk thistle |
Healthy hair, skin and nails + micronutrient metabolism | 1 - 2 capsules | 3mg |
Can I take CBD capsules and oils together?
Absolutely! You can take our oils and capsules as long as you don’t exceed the maximum daily dose of 70mg of CBD per day, unless recommended by a healthcare professional, as advised by the FSA.
To be safe, we recommend starting by taking the lower intake suggestion for both products and monitoring how you feel (e.g. 2 – 4 drops of the 200 mg oil with one capsule per day) before gradually increasing if needed. It can take a little bit of time to figure out the best strength for you so take your time and spend a few minutes each day observing how you’re feeling.
Conclusion: CBD oils or capsules - which is best?
If you’re looking for an easy way to incorporate CBD along with other vitamins and minerals into your daily routine, CBD capsules are a great choice.
However, if you’re looking to get a higher daily intake of CBD with some flexibility on your dose, or if you prefer how tinctures are absorbed by your body, then our CBD oils may be a better fit.
Which method is best for you really comes down to your own preference and what you’re looking to get out of CBD. Everyone is different. What's your favourite?
