As the popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) products continues to soar, our readers are increasingly seeking reliable information about product quality and efficacy.

Healthline’s group of CBD testers thoroughly try each product and provide honest feedback. Our vetting team helps research the brands and industry best practices so we can make sure the product quality is already screened. Vetting helps us inform you for any future purchases.

When testing CBD products, industry standards are the baseline for our criteria.

Finding transparent information available about CBD — like the company’s reputation, business practices, lab test results, third-party certifications, and other key information — is important.

We also factor in our testers’ hands-on reviews to make sure the user is having a good experience with the product and that there are no negative side effects.

We are also continuously monitoring the latest scientific research and industry developments related to CBD. This helps make sure that the testing criteria remain up to date and aligned with the most recent advancements in cannabinoid science and regulatory standards.

How our team vets CBD products

Some of the traits our vetting team looks for are:

  • the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
  • marketing claims
  • the CBD dosage labeling
  • certificate of analysis (COA) online availability
  • brands and companies adhering to Third Party Certification practices, quality control measures, and overall business and production standards

We test each CBD product thoroughly, trying it for at least 2 to 4 weeks to get a full picture of what it’s like and how it works. Using the tester’s feedback and notes, we created a scoring system that can objectively rate each CBD product.

However, there are nuances that we detail in the following discussion, especially when it comes to scent, texture, taste, and more.

Here are some of the aspects we look at while testing:

Costs

One of the first traits people look for when searching for CBD products is the price. We broke down the pricing from the list price to the price per milligram of CBD. We also asked our testers to check if they could save any money by subscribing to a CBD product, and if there’s a return policy.

Shipping is another factor used for determining cost. We ask readers to consider whether the product ships free, whether you need to add more products to get free shipping, or whether there’s a cost associated with it, no matter what.

Packaging and shipping

For this category, we consider the shipping time it takes for the product to arrive. We also look at whether the product offers child-resistant packaging, especially for gummies, oils, and capsules.

Making sure the product comes in packaging that helps keep it fresh — whether the product itself keeps the gummies or capsules fresh and whether the box was packed safely enough so the product doesn’t break or move around during shipping — is another point we ask our testers to keep an eye out for.

CBD dosage and information

Looking for CBD products as a new user can be difficult, especially if you don’t know how to dose or the types of available CBD varieties.

That’s why we ask users to share how clear it was to them how much CBD is in each dose (i.e., how many milligrams of CBD is in one gummy, one oil drop, etc.), and whether there are clear instructions available on how to dose and take the product.

If someone ends up loving the product but needs a stronger dose, or whether someone needs a lower dose, having additional strengths available can be helpful for people to figure out which dose works best for them.

Certificate of analysis (COA) for CBD products

The COA is a record of any and all lab results the company has performed on the product, its contents, the CBD type, and the amount of CBD. Ideally, this record should be readily available online for users to view if they need confirmation. However, not all CBD brands offer it.

All the CBD products and brands Healthline writes about have a COA available online, and they are all third-party tested. However, when and where they are available can vary. Some brands require you to make a purchase to access the COA information, while others have it readily available. We ask testers to check, to the best of their ability, where they can be found.

Another trait we ask users to look for is whether the brand shares where they source their hemp from. Not all companies offer it, but if they do, we consider it a plus.

Real-world user experience | CBD oils, gummies, topicals, and capsules

We actively engage with a diverse group of individuals who try the CBD products under evaluation. This qualitative aspect of testing involves collecting feedback on how users feel after taking the product, how easy the product is to use, and more.

Real-world user experiences provide valuable insights into the practical and subjective aspects of using CBD products. Testers also include feedback on flavor, scent, texture, and potency.

Because the experience varies so differently by user, especially when it comes to flavor, note that the score of products in this category can vary from person to person.

For example, one tester may find a CBD gummy too sweet, but another may love sweet things and love the taste of the same gummy. How CBD affects a person can also vary from tester to tester.

In our articles, make sure to read the product description or tester’s experience to learn their point of view when they were scoring products.

Aside from the nuance of personal experiences, we ask the testers to also consider any aftertastes and whether the product lists any allergens.

We have a group of different people with various experiences with CBD who test CBD products for us. Here is some information about some of them.

Our most frequent tester | Christy Snyder

Christy Snyder is one Healthline employee who regularly tests CBD products. Snyder joins a large group of Healthline employees, freelancers, friends, and family members who regularly try new CBD products and share their real feedback and experiences in our articles.

Kristin has tested 8 CBD products for us, including CBD topicals, gummies, and capsules. She prefers to test broad-spectrum or isolate products — products without THC.

Kristin has had muscle stiffness, pain, spasms, and migraine for over 10 years due to fibromyalgia, occipital neuralgia, and myofascial syndrome. She uses CBD products for pain management and sleep.

Marie Rosales

Marie Rosales has tried a variety of CBD products, including gummies, capsules, and topicals, for anxiety and back pain.

She’s been using CBD for about 2 years and prefers the full-spectrum products that include THC. She has also tried CBD gummies for anxiety and insomnia.

Connor Rice

Connor Rice is another tester who prefers full-spectrum CBD products. He’s used them on and off for the past few years, mostly for anxiety and minor pains and soreness.

Conner has also tested a variety of CBD products like gummies and oils.

We recognize the evolving nature of the CBD industry. The testing process is not a one-time event but an ongoing effort.

We conduct regular updates and reevaluations to incorporate new information, research findings, and changes in the CBD market. This helps make sure our readers receive the most accurate and relevant recommendations.

By meticulously following these testing steps, we aim to provide our readers with comprehensive and reliable information about CBD products, fostering trust and empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and wellness.