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Nordic Naturals, Pure Encapsulations, and Thorne offer quality supplements if you require more B than your diet provides. See what else our nutritionists recommend, and learn what to look for in a B complex vitamin.

There are eight B vitamins that support metabolism, nerve function, and energy production, among other bodily processes. Abundant in food sources like animal products, legumes, leafy greens, and fortified foods, many people get the B they need from their diet.

But if you eat vegetarian or vegan, have increased nutrient needs, or have a medical condition that affects your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, you may benefit from taking a B complex that provides all eight vitamins. Here are the products our dietitians recommend most.

A note on price

Prices for vitamin B complex supplements generally range from $0.35–1.33 per serving or $13–42 per container. Liquid formulations tend to cost more. Serving sizes vary by product.

  • $ = under $0.50 per serving
  • $$ = $0.50–$1 per serving
  • $$$ = over $1 per serving
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Best overall

Nordic Naturals Vitamin B Complex

  • Price: $$
  • Type: capsule
  • Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid

While Nordic Naturals is known for its omega-3 supplements — which tops our list as the best fish oil supplement on the market — the company also makes an excellent vitamin B complex supplement.

It’s our pick for the best overall vitamin B complex, thanks to its rigorous testing methods and comprehensive formulations that are designed to maximize absorption.

Nordic Naturals Vitamin B Complex contains all eight B vitamins in absorbable forms, including methylcobalamin, which is the active form of B12, and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), which is the biologically active form of folate.

All Nordic Naturals supplements are non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, and free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.

The company also offers customers a certificate of analysis (COA) to verify that its products have undergone specified testing and adhere to product specifications and standards.

Pros

  • contains all eight B vitamins
  • third-party tested
  • COA is easily accessible online
  • gluten- and dairy-free
  • certified vegan

Cons

  • none
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Best for athletes

Klean Athlete B-Complex

  • Price: $
  • Type: capsule
  • Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline, inositol, Benfopure benfotiamine

Several B vitamins are used by the body during physical activity for energy production, tissue regeneration, and more. This makes it especially important for athletes and anyone active to meet their vitamin B needs through foods or supplements.

Klean Athlete’s B-Complex stands out as a strong choice for athletes because it’s NSF Certified for Sport — a certification that ensures products are free of more than 280 substances banned by major athletics organizations.

Plus, it’s formulated with well-absorbed forms of all eight B vitamins, including 5-MTHF and methylcobalamin, along with Benfopure benfotiamine, a compound similar to thiamine believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Klean Athlete manufactures its supplements in a CGMP-audited facility and uses both in-house and third-party testing to ensure supplement quality.

Pros

  • contains all eight B vitamins
  • also includes choline and inositol
  • third-party tested
  • NSF Certified for Sport
  • dairy- and gluten-free
  • vegan-friendly

Cons

  • some complaints that the capsules have an unpleasant chalky taste
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Best affordable

Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus

  • Price: $
  • Type: capsule
  • Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid

Pure Encapsulations packs all eight B vitamins into its vitamin B complex — including 5-MTHF and methylcobalamin — and comes with a lower price tag per serving than other comparable brands.

Pure Encapsulations exceeds standards set by United States Pharmacopeia (USP), a nonprofit organization that sets strict product-specific standards for the quality, purity, and identity of supplements.

Plus, it’s tested by third-party labs and is certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, making it a good choice if you have a gluten-related disorder.

Pros

  • contains all eight B vitamins
  • affordable
  • certified gluten-free
  • third-party tested ingredients
  • vegan-friendly

Cons

  • can be difficult to find in local stores
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Best subscription

Care/of B-Complex Vitamin

  • Price: $
  • Type: capsule
  • Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline, inositol

Care/of is a vitamin subscription service that provides non-GMO, sugar-free, gluten-free vitamins that don’t contain unnecessary fillers.

Each capsule of the brand’s vitamin B complex includes 10 milligrams (mg) of riboflavin, 15 mg of vitamin B6, and 120 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin B12. These nutrients are essential for supporting the nervous system and metabolism while also preventing mental and physical fatigue.

This product also contains choline — another key nutrient for brain health — and inositol, a type of sugar that may be beneficial for certain mental health conditions, including panic disorder.

Care/of B-Complex Vitamin is vegan. Additionally, all final products are third-party tested.

Pros

  • contains all eight B vitamins
  • also includes choline and inositol
  • third-party tested
  • monthly packs automatically shipped to your door
  • gluten-free
  • non-GMO
  • vegan-friendly

Cons

  • none
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Best liquid

Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Liquid

  • Price: $$$
  • Type: liquid
  • Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid

Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Liquid is a good option for people who don’t like to or can’t swallow pills. It contains six B vitamins: vitamin B12, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and pantothenic acid.

However, this supplement does not contain biotin or folate. If you have increased folate needs, such as during pregnancy, or if you have a genetic variation that impacts folate metabolism, you’ll need to supplement separately with folate.

Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Liquid is sweetened with juice concentrates and stevia.

Pros

  • convenient liquid formulation
  • third-party tested ingredients
  • certified gluten-free
  • vegetarian-friendly
  • no added sugar

Cons

  • doesn’t contain folate or biotin
  • expensive
  • not vegan-friendly
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Best vegan

Thorne B-Complex #12

  • Price: $
  • Type: capsule
  • Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline

People who eat a vegan diet have a greater risk of developing a deficiency in certain B vitamins, including vitamin B12, as these nutrients are most concentrated in animal-based foods.

Thorne B-Complex #12 is a vegan vitamin B complex supplement that contains all eight B vitamins in active, absorbable forms. Plus, it doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients.

Thorne adheres to the FDA’s CGMP standards and boasts an “A” rating from the Therapeutic Goods Association, a regulatory agency run by the Australian Department of Health.

What’s more, Thorne supplements undergo four rounds of in-house testing to ensure quality and purity.

Pros

  • provides all eight B vitamins
  • also includes choline
  • third-party verified
  • gluten-free
  • vegan-friendly

Cons

  • can be difficult to find in local stores
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Best to take on an empty stomach

MegaFood Balanced B Complex

  • Price: $$
  • Type: capsule
  • Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, organic food blend

MegaFood Balanced B Complex is a high quality supplement that’s designed to be gentle on the stomach, so you can take it with or without food.

The supplement contains highly absorbable forms of all eight B vitamins. It also contains a blend of organic brown rice, kale, and broccoli, which are rich in B vitamins and other nutrients.

While it isn’t third-party tested for purity and potency, all MegaFood supplements are tested for more than 125 pesticides and herbicides.

Pros

  • contains all eight B vitamins
  • can be taken with or without food
  • gluten-free
  • vegan

Cons

  • not third-party tested
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Best without B12 and folate

Seeking Health B-Minus

  • Price: $
  • Type: capsule
  • Active ingredients: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, biotin, pantothenic acid

Seeking Health B-Minus contains thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, and biotin but not folate or vitamin B12.

This is a good choice for people who cannot tolerate active forms of folate or vitamin B12 and need to supplement separately with these nutrients.

Plus, vitamin B complex supplements without folate and vitamin B12 are ideal for those who need to customize their dosages and forms of these vitamins, such as people with certain genetic variations, including a methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutation.

Seeking Health adheres to the FDA’s CGMP standards and offers COAs for its products by request.

Pros

  • appropriate for those who can’t tolerate active forms of vitamin B12 or folate
  • COA available by request
  • vegan-friendly
  • gluten-free

Cons

  • not third-party tested
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Price Form B vitaminsAdditional nutrientsDietary considerations
Nordic Naturals Vitamin B Complex3$$capsuleall 8none• vegan
• gluten-free
Klean Athlete B-Complex3$capsuleall 8• choline
• inositol
• benfotiamine
• vegan
• gluten-free
Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus 3$capsuleall 8none• vegan
• certified gluten-free
Care/of B-Complex Vitamin3$capsuleall 8• choline
• inositol
• vegan
• gluten-free
Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Liquid3$$$liquid6 (no folate or biotin)none• gluten-free
• vegetarian
MegaFood Balanced B Complex$$capsuleall 8organic food blend• vegan
• gluten-free
Thorne B-Complex #123$capsuleall 8cholinegluten-free
Seeking Health B-Minus$capsule6 (no B12 or folate)none• vegan
• gluten-free

3 This product has been third-party tested by an accredited lab to ensure purity and potency.

  • Vitamin formulations: We prioritized supplements that contain highly absorbable forms of B vitamins, including methylcobalamin and 5-MTHF.
  • Additional ingredients: We looked for products that contain minimal amounts of additives, such as fillers, artificial sweeteners, and colors.
  • Dietary needs: We included products to suit a variety of dietary needs and preferences, including gluten-free, major allergen-free, and vegan-friendly.
  • Price: We included supplements to suit a range of budgets.
  • Vetting: The supplements on our list have been vetted to ensure they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being.
  • Your needs: Do you need a supplement that contains all eight B vitamins? Or would you prefer a supplement that contains select B vitamins, such as B12 and folate?
  • Type of folate: Many vitamin B complexes contain folic acid, the synthetic form of folate found in food. However, research suggests that folic acid isn’t as readily absorbed as the active form of folate, 5-MTHF. When possible, look for products that contain 5-MTHF.
  • Dosage: B vitamins are water soluble, and your body excretes whatever it doesn’t need via urine — but B vitamin toxicity can still happen. Therefore, it’s best to discuss optimal doses of B vitamins with a healthcare professional and use supplements as directed.
  • Cost: Some products cost less than others, but it doesn’t mean they’re low quality. Plenty of affordable, well-formulated vitamin B complex supplements are available.

Do I need vitamin B complex?

Many people get all the vitamin B they need from their diet. If you also take a multivitamin or regularly consume fortified foods, there’s a good chance you’re getting enough and possibly more B vitamins than you need.

But some people either don’t get enough B from food sources or can’t absorb it. Certain populations may also have increased B vitamin needs, including:

  • older adults
  • people who need support with depression and to help manage stress and anxiety
  • people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • people taking certain medications, such as diabetes medications and proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec
  • people with alcohol-induced liver disease

B complex is also used to promote healthy aging.

Taking a vitamin B complex supplement can help fill these gaps.

Testing is the only way to know if you have a vitamin B deficiency. You may ask your doctor about this if you experience fatigue, tingling in your hands, or cracking at the corners of your mouth. These are possible symptoms of B vitamin deficiency or another underlying health condition.

Is it better to take B complex or individual B vitamins?

It depends. People who have a B12 deficiency or need extra folate can benefit from supplementing with single-nutrient products. But other people may benefit from taking a vitamin B complex that covers their needs for all eight B vitamins.

What is the best form of B vitamin to take?

Vitamin B complex supplements are available in several forms, including capsules and liquid. Evidence suggests there’s not a significant difference in the effectiveness of these forms.

An injection might also be recommended to treat vitamin B12 deficiency. A doctor can determine whether an injection is necessary or if over-the-counter supplementation (such as a vitamin B complex) might be more suitable.

Which vitamin B is best?

All B vitamins play an important role in maintaining overall health. For instance:

  • Vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 could be beneficial for treating or preventing depression.
  • Thiamine is essential for maintaining a healthy metabolism.
  • Folate prevents neural tube defects during pregnancy and may even protect against heart disease, cancer, and cognitive dysfunction.

If you’re not sure which vitamin B is best for your needs, Nordic Naturals Vitamin B Complex might be a good option, as it provides all eight B vitamins in highly absorbable forms.

What is the best B vitamin for anxiety?

Vitamin B6 has been shown to help ease anxiety. For instance, a 2022 study concluded that high dose vitamin B6 complex supplementation could reduce self-reported anxiety. This may be due to its ability to alter the production of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).