Best Vitamins for Energy

Whether it’s a groggy morning or a mid-afternoon slump, just about everyone feels the need for an energy boost now and then. Many people reach for coffee or energy drinks to stay alert and awake throughout the day. But are there alternatives to these costly and generally unhealthy energy boosters?

Luckily, the answer is yes. Many vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements can help boost energy by filling in nutrition gaps or helping your body produce more energy. Many of these products are all-natural and safe — and may be a better long-term solution for your fatigue than that daily espresso.

We found the best energy-boosting vitamins on the market, and this guide provides you with information about their price, ingredients, effectiveness, and more.

If you don’t have time to read the whole guide, check out our top six recommendations below.

When evaluating our top contenders, we kept five essential criteria in mind: cost, ingredients, effectiveness, safety, and convenience. Read about our top considerations to discover how each product performed.

Ingredients

Winners: Ritual and Ancient Nutrition

It’s important to pay attention to what a vitamin includes and what it leaves out. Both Ritual and Ancient Nutrition won our ingredients category because their vitamins contain a blend of potent ingredients that have been shown to impact energy levels. Ritual’s multivitamins contain B12, iron, magnesium, and omega-3s. Ancient Nutrition’s capsules also contain B12 with added superfoods like bone broth, licorice root, and ginseng.

Cost

Winner: NOW

When shopping for energy vitamins, it’s important to balance cost with effectiveness. The most expensive supplement is not necessarily the most effective, and inexpensive vitamins may not always provide the necessary ingredients. NOW’s Energy Veg Capsules are our winner for cost because they sell a 45-day supply for only $21.99, which is about $0.24 per capsule. In addition to being affordable, the supplement also contains a wide range of ingredients known to boost energy, including B vitamins, CoQ10, and rhodiola.

Effectiveness

Winner: Nootropics Depot

You can measure the effectiveness of an energy-boosting vitamin based on its ingredients and how scientifically sound its formulation seems. Nootropics Depot offers a unique product that combines caffeine and L-theanine for enhanced focus and alertness without the negative side effects of caffeine alone. Many studies show that caffeine and L-theanine are a winning combination.

Safety

Winners: Garden of Life and Ritual

A diligent company will take steps to demonstrate that their ingredients are pure and high-quality. Both Garden of Life and Ritual third-party test their vitamins for safety. Garden of Life’s vitamin is also certified vegan and kosher. Ritual is committed to using traceable ingredients, so they provide detailed info on their website about each ingredient’s source, supplier, and clinical studies. With these companies, you can rest assured you’re getting a clean and safe product.

Convenience

Winner: OLLY

Adding a new daily vitamin to your routine must be simple. That way, you’re more likely to stay consistent with it and see long-term results. OLLY is our winner for convenience because they offer an energy gummy that you take just once daily with or without food and water. You don’t need to remember complex dosing instructions — just enjoy two delicious tropical passion-flavored gummies to feel the energy-boosting benefits.

There are many vitamins you can take to boost energy levels. When we use the term “vitamins,” we don’t strictly mean substances labeled as vitamins (like vitamin C or vitamin K). Instead, we mean any nutrient, mineral, herb, or other substance that may appear in a dietary supplement to help boost your energy levels.

It’s also important to note that vitamins and minerals themselves don’t produce energy. Energy comes from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. But some vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements can influence, support, or bolster body functions that do yield energy.

Some of the most common components in energy-boosting vitamins are the B-vitamin complex and CoQ10. Some supplements include caffeine for added energy, while others include all-natural ingredients like beetroot or omega-3s.

Knowing how each vitamin functions in the body to boost energy levels is important. That way, you can decide which supplement is best for your health needs. This can also help you decide if you need a multivitamin (that includes many energy-boosting components) or a supplement that highlights a single ingredient.

Each product designed to increase energy achieves this goal differently — some fill in deficiencies that make you feel more alert, while others repair cognitive issues that help you combat brain fog or fatigue.

Here are some standard components you may see in energy-boosting supplements and how vitamins containing these elements help increase your energy levels:

A few other components you may find in energy-boosting vitamins are:

• Rhodiola
• Creatine
• Citrulline
• Omega-3
• Tyrosine
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B2
• Vitamin C

Vitamins that boost energy are a good choice if you don’t get enough nutrients in your diet to yield high energy levels. If you have a vitamin deficiency or are malnourished, taking dietary supplements may be a good choice for you in general, not just to bolster your energy.

For example, if you have a nutrient deficiency because you follow a restrictive diet, you may have low energy levels that could benefit from energy-boosting vitamins. While getting the daily recommended nutrients from your diet is ideal, this is not always possible for all, so supplementation is necessary.

You may also benefit from energy-boosting vitamins if you live with digestive issues that don’t allow your body to absorb enough nutrients from food. If you have a condition like Crohn’s disease or colitis, you may notice low energy levels that could be improved by taking a daily vitamin.

If you are currently cutting calories to lose weight or following a new diet plan, you may also notice that your energy levels have taken a nosedive. Keeping track of what you eat and what vitamins and minerals you may be lacking can help you decide which type of energy-boosting supplement may be best for you.

Who should avoid them

You should avoid an energy-boosting supplement if you already get the daily recommended amount of that vitamin or mineral in your daily diet. Some common ingredients in these products can cause side effects if over-consumed.

Some energy-boosting vitamins include caffeine, so avoiding these products is important if you have caffeine sensitivity. In addition, some components may interfere with the efficacy of certain prescription medications. Consult your doctor before beginning any new vitamin or supplement to ensure it’s safe for you to consume.

Generally, most energy-boosting vitamins are safe for healthy adults when taken as directed. Most of these products are made with natural ingredients and include low doses of vitamins and minerals that should gently supplement your diet.

However, some energy-boosting supplements include ingredients that could cause severe side effects if not taken in moderation. For example, taking too much iron can lead to digestive issues like nausea or vomiting and may even lead to more severe consequences like organ damage or internal bleeding. Make sure you’re taking only the amount necessary of each ingredient to avoid these issues, and consult your doctor before beginning any new supplement.

Over-consuming caffeine — a common ingredient in some energy boosters — can also lead to negative consequences like headaches, quick heart rate, or dehydration. If you live with a chronic condition, take daily prescription or over-the-counter medication, or are nursing or pregnant, it’s a good idea to avoid energy-boosting vitamins until you speak with a healthcare provider.

Best for most people

We chose Ritual Multivitamins as best for most people because this company offers a wide variety of multivitamin options based on age, gender, and other factors that include many ingredients known to provide an energy boost. In addition, the company is committed to using traceable ingredients in all of their products, meaning Ritual provides the source and suppliers of each ingredient and any clinical studies showing their efficacy. These vegan multivitamins are also third-party tested for safety and quality and don’t contain GMOs or artificial colors.

As an example of energy-boosting ingredients, we’ll take a closer look at Ritual’s Essential for Women Multivitamin 18+. In addition to several other all-natural ingredients, this vitamin includes many components known for energy production, including:

• Vitamin B12 (8mcg)
• Iron (8mg)
• Magnesium (30mg)
• Omega-3 (330mg)

In a clinical trial, Ritual’s multivitamin for women significantly increased vitamin D and omega-3 levels in 94 adult women over 12 weeks.

Ritual also provides a wide array of other products. Here is a list of their other multivitamin options:

• Essential for Women Multivitamin 50+
• Essential for Women Prenatal Multivitamin
• Essential for Women Postnatal Multivitamin
• Essential for Men Multivitamin 18+
• Essential for Men Multivitamin 50+
• Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Her
• Essential for Teens Multivitamin for Him
• Essential for Kids Multivitamin 4+

Price

All of Ritual’s multivitamin products cost between $30-$35. When you purchase a Ritual product, you are automatically enrolled in a subscription service that auto-delivers every 30 days. It includes free shipping and the ability to set your delivery date and pause or delay shipments as needed.

Your order is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, which Ritual considers a trial period. If you don’t enjoy the product during that time, return it for a refund and cancel your subscription with no questions asked.

Ritual also has one retail location in Venice, CA, where you can purchase products or get more information about their offerings.

Best B12 supplement

Ancient Nutrition's Vitamin B-12 capsules combine a potent dose of B12 (20mcg) with a proprietary blend of over a dozen superfoods, like mushrooms, ginseng, and bone broth. So, not only does this supplement assist with providing energy, but its formulation also helps with a variety of other health benefits, including:

• Improving sleep quality
• Enhancing cardiovascular health
• Boosting cognition
• Supporting eye health

If you’re using this vitamin in combination with exercise, it can also help with muscle recovery and boost energy during physical activity.

The Ancient Nutrients TCM Blend (489mg) includes a bevy of foods known to contribute nourishing vitamins and minerals like zinc, omega-3s, magnesium, vitamin A, and others. Here is a list of some of the ingredients in the proprietary blend:

• Bovine liver
• Chicken and beef bone broth
• Reishi mushroom
• Licorice root
• Ginseng
• Wild hake roe

It’s evident from this list that this vitamin is not vegan- or vegetarian-friendly. However, it is appropriate for those on the paleo or keto diets and is free from gluten, nuts, and dairy. You should take one capsule daily with 8oz of liquid, with or without food.

Price

Each jar of Ancient Nutrition contains 30 capsules, a one-month supply. You can choose between a one-time purchase or a subscription to save 15% and receive a shipment every 1-3 months. The company also offers free shipping on orders over $49 and a 60-day money-back guarantee. Shipping costs for orders under $49 depend on order size and location.

A one-time purchase of one jar costs $29.95. The chart below breaks down the cost for bulk and subscription orders.

Best CoQ10 supplement

Each capsule of Garden of Life’s Raw CoQ10 vitamin contains cold-pressed chia seed oil, raw CoQ10, probiotics, and a fruit and vegetable complex that deliver antioxidants, omega-3s, and other nutrients for various health benefits. The term “raw” means that the vitamin doesn’t include any synthetic ingredients like sweeteners, fillers, colors, or additives. And we selected this as the best CoQ10 supplement because it delivers pure ingredients that can help with energy production and:

• Cardiovascular function
• Heart health
• Antioxidant support
• Cellular growth
• Healthy aging

The supplement does not contain GMOs, dairy, or gluten and is certified vegan and kosher. For best results, take one capsule per day with food.

Price

Garden of Life is a bit pricier than the other vitamins in this guide, with one jar of capsules costing $45.59. But each jar includes 60 capsules, which is a two-month supply. Your purchase on the Garden of Life site is covered by a 30-day return policy, and the company offers free shipping on purchases over $25. Orders under $25 pay standard ground shipping fees.

The company doesn’t offer subscription or bulk purchase discounts, but you can find the supplement in your local grocery store or pharmacy. Use the “Find in Store” tool to locate a retail location near you.

Best caffeine + L-theanine Supplement

Almost everyone knows the energy-boosting benefits of caffeine, but many people also experience its drawbacks: irritability, anxiety, jitteriness, insomnia, and the inevitable energy crash. Products like Nootropics Depot’s Caffeine + L-Theanine Capsules combine caffeine with the amino acid L-theanine, which is another energy booster like caffeine that also counteracts caffeine’s harmful effects. These two ingredients work in synergy to improve your focus and alertness without making you feel restless or jumpy.

We chose Nootropics Depot’s product as the best supplement that combines these ingredients because the company tests all of their products for quality and purity, and they allow you to choose your dosage. They test their products in an in-house laboratory and partner with seven third-party labs to double-check the quality and purity of all supplements. In addition, you can choose which combination of caffeine and L-theanine works best for you when making a purchase. Choose from:

• Caffeine (100mg) + L-theanine (200mg)
• Caffeine (200mg) + L-theanine (100mg)

This is helpful for people who are sensitive to caffeine and would benefit from a lower dose, and it also helps people who need an extra boost of caffeine for energy production. The company warns that the product contains pure caffeine, and abusing it can cause severe side effects. Make sure to take the supplement as directed, which is one capsule once or twice a day.

Price

Nootropics Depot offers free shipping on domestic orders over $50 and international orders over $200. A 30-day return policy covers unopened products, but the company does not provide refunds for opened or used vitamins.

You can choose from a 60-count or 180-count bottle of capsules, and prices vary depending on the caffeine and L-theanine levels. Here is the price breakdown.

• 100mg Caffeine + 200mg L-theanine (60 count): $13.99
• 100mg Caffeine + 200mg L-theanine (180 count): $27.99
• 200mg Caffeine + 100mg L-theanine (60 count): $14.99
• 200mg Caffeine + 100mg L-theanine (180 count): $29.99

Best gummy

OLLY Daily Energy Gummy is our top pick for best gummy because it includes two of the most well-known energy-boosting ingredients: vitamin B12 (300mcg) and CoQ10 (30mg). But this product takes it a step further by adding goji berry (100mg), a superfood known for promoting energy production. In addition to its powerful formulation, the gummy is also NSF-certified for purity, quality, and safety.

The product is gluten-free without artificial colors or flavors. Take two of the tropical passion-flavored gummies each day for best results.

Price

OLLY offers free shipping on orders over $59 and a flat rate of $6.99 for shipping orders under $59. The company also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and subscription savings.

Purchase one 30-serving jar of gummies for $13.99 or a 60-serving pouch for $24.99. If you opt for a subscription, you’ll save 15% on the 30-serving jar, paying $35.97 for a three-month supply. OLLY does not offer a subscription discount on the 60-serving pouch.

Best budget pick

NOW Energy Veg Capsules are our best budget pick because you can purchase 90 capsules (a 45-day supply) for only $21.99. But just because the capsules are inexpensive does not mean you have to sacrifice quality. In fact, this product contains one of the most diverse ingredient lists in this guide, including:

• B vitamins
• Ginseng
• Green tea
• Rhodiola
• Guarana
• Yerba mate
• Vitamin E
• Potassium
• Licorice
• CoQ10

Each capsule contains about 64mg of natural caffeine, which is equal to a half cup of coffee. And it also contains niacin, which can cause side effects in some people, including skin flushing, tingling, or redness. The supplement is free from dairy, gluten, GMOs, and nuts and is certified kosher, vegan, and vegetarian. Take two capsules a day with 8-12oz of water.

Price

NOW does not offer subscription options, but you can purchase one 90-capsule jar for $21.99 on their website or click the “Find in Store” button to find a retailer near you.

The company provides free shipping on orders placed in the contiguous U.S. over $50. Purchases under $50 and orders to Alaska and Hawaii incur a $6.95 shipping charge. A 30-day return policy covers unopened items.

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