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Caroline Igo
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Caroline Igo Editor, Sleep
Caroline Igo (she/her/hers) is a wellness editor and holds Sleep Science Coach and Stress Management certificates from the Spencer Institute. She received her bachelor's degree in creative writing from Miami University and continues to further her craft in her free time. Before joining CNET, Caroline wrote for past CNN anchor, Daryn Kagan.
Expertise Sleep, mattress accessories, vitamins and supplements, nutrition & personal care Credentials
- Carl R. Greer/Andrew D. Hepburn Award for Best Nonfiction Essay (Miami University, 2020)
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What to consider
Our Picks
Best overall vitamin for energy
Nature's Bounty Super B Complex
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Best budget vitamin for energy
One a Day Energy Multivitamin
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Best caffeine-free vitamin for energy
Nature Made Super B Complex
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Best vegan vitamin for energy
Garden of Life Raw B-Complex
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Best gummy vitamin for energy
Vitafusion Extra Strength B12
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A lot of things can lead to extreme fatigue, including overworking, lack of sleep, or not having balanced meals. But if you're constantly fatigued throughout the day, or have noticed shortness of breath, pale or yellowish skin, mental fog, muscle weakness or personality changes, you may have a vitamin B deficiency.
B vitamins are vital for our energy throughout the day and are often included in energy supplements. Though ideally you should get enough B vitamins in your diet, you may be facing a deficiency, or missing other essential energy vitamins. It's important to speak with a doctor about your symptoms first so they can get to the root cause, or recommend a specific supplement of their own if a vitamin deficiency is at play, but supplementing a healthy diet helps some people. Our experts reviewed a variety of supplements with these key vitamins for energy, considering things like ingredients, brand, price, and consumer reviews. Here are our five picks for the best energy vitamins.
What are the best vitamins for energy?
In addition to coffee, tea or energy drinks, certain vitamins can help boost energy. The best supplements to boost your energy are B vitamins. These essential B vitamins include thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9) and cobalamin (B12). All eight B vitamins are responsible for helping the body process energy from food.
Other vitamins that boost energy include vitamin C, which aids in energy production in the mitochondria of our cells.Magnesiumaids in the production and use of energy molecules, or ATP, and ironis essential in the production of hemoglobin and the transportation of oxygen.
If your diet lacks these vitamins and you are experiencing fatigue, you may benefit from an added supplement. Always consult a doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
Best vitamins for energy in 2024
Pros
- Contains folic acid and vitamin C in addition to eight types of vitamin B
- Not expensive, great price for its high potency
- One bottle lasts 150 days
Cons
- B vitamins are known for not tasting great
- Due to high potency, speak with doctor before starting
Price
$
Form Tablet
Serving size 1 tablet with meal
Supply 150 days
Nature's Bounty has over 50 years of experience in the vitamin industry and is a brand that we consistently choose and trust. Its products are non-GMO and contain no artificial colors, flavors, sugar, starch, milk, lactose, soy, gluten, yeast or fish. One tablet of its Super B Complex supplements contains 60 mg of vitamin C, 25 mg of thiamin (vitamin B1), 20 mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2), 25 mg of niacin (vitamin B3), 5 mg of vitamin B6, 400 mcg of folic acid (vitamin B9), 100 mcg of vitamin B12, 1,000 mcg of biotin (vitamin B7) and 5.5 mg of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5).
These supplements contain high percentages of your daily value of B vitamins. Speak with your doctor before adding any vitamins to your daily routine, as you may already be getting enough vitamin B in your diet.
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Pros
- Has 23 different vitamins and nutrients
- Low price point
- One a Day is a reputable brand
Cons
- A bottle only contains 50 tablets
- One tablet contains 90 mg of caffeine
Price
Form Tablet
Serving size 1 tablet
Supply 50 days
One a Day refers to its serving suggestion. One tablet of its energy multivitamin contains 1,050 mcg of vitamin A, 60 mg of vitamin C, 10 mcg of vitamin D, 10.1 mg of vitamin E, 25 mcg of vitamin K, 3 mg of thiamin (vitamin B1), 3.4 mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2), 40 mg of niacin (vitamin B3), 4 mg of vitamin B6, 400 mcg of folic acid (vitamin B9), 12 mcg of vitamin B12, 300 mcg of biotin (vitamin B7), 10 mg of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), 250 mg of calcium, 9 mg of iron, 150 mcg of iodine, 40 mg of magnesium, 15 mg of zinc, 45 mcg of selenium, 2 mg of copper, 2 mg of manganese, 100 mcg of chromium, 25 mcg of molybdenum and 90 mg of caffeine.
If you are sensitive to caffeine, be aware that one multivitamin tablet has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
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Pros
- Contains all eight B vitamins
- Small pill size and easy to swallow
- One bottle lasts 160 days
Cons
- One of the more expensive on this list
- Not truly vegan
Price
$$
Form Softgel
Serving size 1 softgel with a meal
Supply 160 days
Nature Made is another trusted vitamin brand. Its ingredients are gluten-free and free of artificial flavors, dyes and preservatives. One soft gel of Nature Made's Super B Complex supplements contains 1.5 mg of thiamin (vitamin B1), 1.7 mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2), 20 mg of niacin (vitamin B3), 2 mg of vitamin B6, 665 mcg of folic acid (vitamin B9), 6 mcg of vitamin B12, 300 mcg of biotin (vitamin B7) and 10 mg of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Other ingredients include soybean oil, gelatin, dibasic calcium phosphate, glycerin, yellow beeswax, rapeseed lecithin, and added colors.
These supplements contain beeswax and therefore, are not suitable for those following a vegan diet.
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Pros
- Raw organic fruit and vegetable blend
- Raw probiotic and enzyme blend
- Contains all eight B vitamins
Cons
- The most expensive on this list
- Supplements are not shipped cold, therefore probiotic blend is not as potent
Price
$$$
Form Capsule
Serving size 2 capsules
Supply 60 days
Two capsules of its Raw B-Complex supplements contain 5 mg of thiamin (vitamin B1), 10 mg of riboflavin (vitamin B2), 45 mg of niacin (vitamin B3), 10 mg of vitamin B6, 450 mcg of folate (vitamin B9), 133 mcg of vitamin B12, 325 mcg of biotin (vitamin B7) and 45 mg of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). What makes Garden of Life supplements unique is that they often include raw blends of organic materials. The B-Complex supplements contain two: a 360 mg of raw organic fruit and vegetable blend and a 60 mg raw probiotic and enzyme blend.
Keep in mind that the two strains of probiotics included in the enzyme blend are Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus plantarum. Those two specific strains are not the most well-known or used for gut health. If you are looking to help your gut, consider a supplement that is solely a probiotic.
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Pros
- Great if you hate swallowing pills and they taste great
- Doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup
- Least expensive
Cons
- Contains 3 g of added sugar per serving
- Only has vitamin B12
Price
$
Form Gummy
Serving size 2 gummies
Supply 45 days
The cherry-flavored Vitafusion Extra Strength B12 vitamins are the simplest on this list. The supplements only contain B12. In addition to being gluten-free, dairy-free and free of artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup or synthetic dyes, the vitamins won a 2022 ChefsBest Excellence award for its taste. Two gummy vitamins contain 3,000 mcg of vitamin B12, as well as tapioca syrup, sugar, water, gelatin and two percent or less of a blend of oils (coconut and palm) with beeswax, citric acid, lactic acid, natural flavor, pectin and sodium citrate.
If you have a nut allergy, be aware that these vitamins contain tree nuts (coconut). Also, they're processed in a facility with products that contain egg, fish, shellfish, soy and tree nuts.
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Factors to consider when buying vitamins for energy
When looking for vitamins for energy, keep these factors in mind.
Daily vitamin recommendations
Vitamins for energy work best if you aren't currently hitting your daily recommendations of B vitamins. Filling this nutritional gap can make a huge difference on your daily amount of energy. Pay attention to how much vitamin B is in your supplements. If you are already getting enough in your diet, you don't need a huge amount.
Always contact your doctor with your concerns before starting any type of vitamin supplement.
Dietary restrictions
Vitamins will specify if they are vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free. If you have any of these dietary preferences or restrictions, look for vitamins that are made without gluten, dairy or animal products.
Verifications
While dietary supplements aren't regulated by the FDA, there are a few verifications you can check for that ensure the product you're buying is safe to use.
Those verifications include:
- United States Pharmacopeia: A nonprofit that sets standards for dietary supplements.
- National Sanitation Foundation: This ensures standards set for the facility are met.
- Consumer Lab: Private company tests supplements for accuracy of ingredient identity, content and purity.
- Dietary Supplement Verification: Program that ensures any product with a USP-verified label contains accurate, pure ingredients and has been manufactured using Good Manufacturing Practices.
How we chose the best vitamins for energy
The vitamin supplements for this list were selected based on price, accessibility, quality, and vitamin and mineral quantities. We also took into account third-party verifications, dosage and customer reviews. The vitamins that made this list are the best of the best out there right now.
Vitamins for energy FAQs
What vitamin provides the most energy?
The eight B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, B6, biotin, folate and B12) provide the most energy, as they aid in cell metabolism, help the body transform carbohydrates and fats into energy and carry energy-nutrients around the body.
Is it better to take B12 or B complex?
B12 and B complex are both very important. With B12 supplements, you are only getting one B vitamin, and with B complex supplements, you are taking all eight B vitamins. If you lack B vitamins from your diet, consider a B complex vitamin. If you are B12 deficient, a B12 supplement may be better for you.
