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The Top 5 Result-Driven Omega-3s
Stop settling for fishy burps and low-potency Omega-3 labels—we've researched and ranked the top 5 fish oil supplements to find the ones that actually work
Written by Brilliant Staff
Fish oil has been "making waves" for years, consistently ranking as a top-three most-purchased supplement with experts highlighting heart health support, enhanced cognitive function health, and a multitude of overall wellness benefits.
But popularity has a price: the market is now flooded with overhyped claims and flashy labels that make it nearly impossible to tell which brands actually work and which are a waste of money.
If you feel like you're just guessing in the supplement aisle, we're here to help. We've analyzed the standards of top Omega-3 supplements to give you the tools to determine if a fish oil is truly worth your money or if it's just hype.
Understanding the truth starts with the Science of "Good Fats." These essential nutrients are the foundational building blocks for supporting everything from the clarity of your mind to the steady beat of your heart.
Benefits of Omega-3
Omega-3s, specifically EPA and DHA, help maintain healthy triglyceride levels and contribute to normal blood pressure already within the healthy range.
DHA is a structural building block for your brain. By supporting cell membrane fluidity, it helps keep your memory sharp and your focus clear.
These essential fatty acids provide foundational support at the cellular level to promote comfort and flexibility, so you can keep moving through life's complexity with ease.
Since the body cannot produce omega-3s on its own, it is important to include dietary sources of omega-3s, whether it is through the consumption of fish, nuts, plant oils, or from a high-quality supplement.
So, before diving into the world of omega-3 supplements, there are a few essential things you need to know. Not all omega-3 supplements are created equal, which is why we curated a list of some key features to look for and what to avoid.
Key Features
Don't be fooled by labels that hide behind a generic 1,000mg Fish Oil headline, you need to look for the specific breakdown of EPA and DHA.
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are potent types of omega-3 fatty acids. When it comes to the health benefits of omega-3s (heart, brain, immune function, etc.) these two types of fats are crucial.
Experts recommend taking at least 1,000 mg of combined EPA and DHA daily.
Fish oil supplements tend to have a strong fishy taste and odor. This can be unpleasant and result in a lingering aftertaste.
We prioritize formulas with natural lemon oil or enteric coating. This delivery protects the softgel until it reaches the gut, ensuring maximum absorption and prevents fishy burps.
Watch out for
Fish oil and omega-3 are commonly used interchangeably, but it's important to note they're not exactly the same.
For example, a supplement with 1,000 mg of fish oil might look like a lot, but it doesn't specify the omega-3 content. Products with EPA and DHA omega-3 content will specify the amounts on the label.
Size matters when it comes to your fish source. Large fish sit higher on the food chain, acting as a biological magnifying glass for environmental toxins and heavy metals. We recommend oils derived from small, sustainable fish like anchovies or sardines, which are naturally lower in contaminants.
If a brand isn't willing to let an independent organization check its work, it's a major red flag. Third-party testing is the only way to ensure that what's on the label is exactly what's in the bottle, guaranteeing quality, safety, purity, and potency of the supplements.
We've compiled a list of what we've found to be the top five products in this category on the market today.
2025's Must-Have Omega-3 Supplements
What We Like:
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2,000 mg of fish oil
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800 mg EPA, 600 mg DHA
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Enteric coating
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Sustainably sourced
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Gluten Free
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Non-GMO
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Great subscribe & save discounts
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Third-party tested
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Made in USA with local & global ingredients
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365-day return policy
Room to Improve:
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Frequently sold out
Frequently sold out
Final Thoughts
OmegaWell™ is formulated with 2,000 mg of fish oil, including 800 mg of heart-healthy EPA and 600 mg of brain-nourishing DHA.
It also uses ethically sourced anchovies and covers the softgel with an enteric coating to combat any fishy aftertaste.
All products are third-party tested, backed with a 365-day money-back guarantee, and manufactured in the USA with local & global ingredients.
They also offer amazing discounts when you subscribe and save through Amazon, which helps you lock in the best price.
Product Specs:
60 capsules per bottle (30 servings)
Fish oil (2,000 mg), EPA (800 mg), DHA (600 mg)
Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Soy Free, Shellfish Free
Price: $$
What We Like:
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2,000 mg of fish oil
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800 mg EPA, 600 mg DHA
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Lemon oil
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Sustainably sourced
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Gluten Free
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Non-GMO
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Third-party tested
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Made in USA with local & global ingredients
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365-day return policy
Room to Improve:
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Exclusively sold online
Final Thoughts
Omega-3 Fish Oil by Essential elements® is loaded with a potent dose of high-quality fish oil from anchovies, including a total of 2,000 mg of fish oil, with 800 mg EPA and 600 mg DHA.
The high-quality ingredients are packed into easy-to-swallow, lemon-coated softgels (so no more fishy taste).
Omega-3 is crafted from sustainably sourced fish. It is made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients and backed with a solid 365-day money-back guarantee!
Product Specs:
60 capsules per bottle (30 servings)
Fish oil (2,000 mg), EPA (800 mg), DHA (600 mg)
Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Soy Free, Shellfish Free
Price: $$
What We Like:
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2,200 mg of fish oil
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1,400 mg EPA, 480 mg DHA
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Sustainably sourced
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Gluten Free
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Non-GMO
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Third-party tested
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90-day return policy
Room to Improve:
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No lemon oil or enteric coating
Final Thoughts
Viva Naturals Omega-3 Fish Oil contains an impressive 2,200 mg of fish oil, accompanied by 1,400 mg of EPA and 480 mg of DHA.
Crafted from sustainably sourced anchovy, sardine, and mackerel, this formula is not only gluten-free and non-GMO but is also third-party tested to ensure exceptional quality.
One downside is that it lacks ingredients that can help prevent a fishy aftertaste.
For first-time buyers, they offer a 90-day return policy in case the product isn't a good fit.
Product Specs:
90 capsules per bottle (45 servings)
Fish oil (2,200 mg), EPA (1,400 mg), DHA (480 mg)
Gluten Free, Non-GMO
Price: $
What We Like:
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1,280 omega-3s per serving
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650 mg EPA, 450 mg DHA
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Lemon oil
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Sustainably sourced
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Gluten Free
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Non-GMO
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Third-party tested
Room to Improve:
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30-day return policy
Final Thoughts
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega contains 1,280 mg of omega-3s, including 650 mg of EPA and 450 mg of DHA sourced from anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and herring. It also has a natural lemon flavor to ensure a more pleasant taste.
Their formula is also non-GMO, sustainably sourced, and third-party tested for purity and potency but has a shorter return policy of only 30 days.
Product Specs:
90 capsules per bottle (45 servings)
Omega-3s (1,280 mg), EPA (650 mg), DHA (450 mg)
Gluten Free, Non-GMO
Price: $$
What We Like:
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Sustainably sourced
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Gluten Free
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Non-GMO
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Third-party tested
Room to Improve:
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Only 300 mg blend
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Unspecified EPA/DHA amounts
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No lemon oil or enteric coating
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30-day return policy
Final Thoughts
OmegaXL by Great HealthWorks is crafted from a proprietary blend of sustainably sourced green-lipped mussels, omega-3 oils, virgin and extra virgin olive oil, along with vitamin E.
There isn't a specified amount of EPA and DHA. With the total ingredient amount lying at 300 mg, this means their formula falls short of our recommended daily levels of 1,000 mg of DHA and EPA.
We also didn't see any lemon oil or enteric coating, but OmegaXL does say there shouldn't be any fishy burps when taking this product.
OmegaXL does have a higher price point at $49, but with a subscription you can save 10%.
Product Specs:
60 capsules per bottle (30 servings)
Proprietary blend — Green-lipped mussel, oil extract containing omega-3 fatty acids, extra virgin olive oil, pure olive oil, d-alpha tocopherol (300 mg)
Gluten Free, Non-GMO, Shellfish Free
Price: $$$
The Brilliant Process
Like you, we're picky about products — and serious about quality.
Whether we're featuring an award-winning product from one of our five beauty and wellness brands — or somebody else's — a Brilliant recommendation doesn't see the light of day until it has been medically reviewed by our Fact Checkers for accuracy and has fulfilled our Brilliant Criteria.
At Brilliant, although we often feature products that we sell, we're not afraid to highlight and celebrate other brands who are doing things right.
We take great care in handpicking high-quality products to feature on Brilliant. Here's how we choose them:
- High-Quality Ingredients: We dig deep into the latest research and look for products that contain comprehensive ingredients for optimal impact.
- Pure, Holistic Formulas: We prioritize products that contain clean, wholesome ingredients. A product should only contain what it needs and nothing else—period.
- Brand credibility: Each product on our list is produced by a company with trusted credibility. We've also verified that each brand adheres to labeling requirements set forth under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
- Value: We evaluate products based on industry averages and price per serving or application. We also consider quantity and return policy.
As veteran leaders in the wellness space with an award-winning brand portfolio of 100+ health and beauty products, we are committed to honesty and transparency, providing thoughtful insights into the benefits and limitations of the information and products we evaluate — including our own. Every Brilliant Buying Guide is thoroughly vetted for medical accuracy by our Fact Checkers prior to publication.
With our discerning selection process, you can feel confident that the products we recommend meet the highest benchmarks of quality, transparency, and efficacy. If we wouldn't use a product ourselves, it's not Brilliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Omega-3 fatty acids help support heart health, cognitive function, the maintenance of healthy cholesterol, healthy blood pressure, and various other health benefits.
Yes! Incorporating omega-3s into your daily routine is recommended, with a target intake of around 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA each day.
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- Zhang, Bo, et al. Nutrients, vol. 12, no. 8, 29 July 2020, p. 2278, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468748/, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082278
- DiNicolantonio, James J., and James H. O'Keefe. Nutrients, vol. 12, no. 8, 4 Aug. 2020, p. 2333, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7468918/, https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082333
- Fereidoon, Shahidi, and Priyatharini Ambigaipalan. Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, 25 Mar. 2018, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29350557/
- Oelrich, B., et al. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, vol. 23, no. 4, Apr. 2013, pp. 350–357, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21924882/, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2011.06.003
- Zhang, Xin, et al. American Heart Association, 1 June 2022, newsroom.heart.org/news/about-3-grams-a-day-of-omega-3-fatty-acids-may-lower-blood-pressure-more-research-needed
- Fotuhi, Majid, et al. Nature Reviews Neurology, vol. 5, no. 3, Mar. 2009, pp. 140–152, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19262590/, https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpneuro1044
- National Institute of Health. Nih.gov, 2017, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/
- Rusu, Nicoleta, and Aurelia Meghea. Bull., Series B, vol. 77, no. 2, 2015, www.scientificbulletin.upb.ro/rev_docs_arhiva/full51b_740292.pdf
