What is the best brand of collagen peptides to buy?

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2025 review by Treeline Review, Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein is considered one of the best overall collagen powders on the market. When deciding what is the best brand of collagen peptides to buy, it's crucial to consider specific needs, ingredients, and independent testing.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of top collagen peptide brands, detailing their benefits, sources, and certifications. Key factors like ingredients, absorbability, and customer reviews are examined to help you make an informed choice. Comparisons cover brands best for overall health, skin, joints, and athletes.

Key Points

Ancient Nutrition Offers Multi-Sourced Benefits: Combines five types of collagen from various sources (bovine, chicken, fish, eggshell) for comprehensive support, including skin, joint, and gut health.
Vital Proteins is a Versatile, Accessible Choice: Known for its grass-fed bovine collagen (Type I and III) that's mostly tasteless and dissolves well in hot liquids, making it easy to incorporate into daily routines.
Sports Research Prioritizes Third-Party Testing: Ideal for skin, hair, and nails with its Type I and III collagen, validated by Informed-Choice and IGEN certifications for quality and purity.
Gnarly Collagen Pro is Formulated for Athletes: This NSF Certified for Sport product includes Type I and III collagen with added vitamins and minerals to support joint health and recovery in athletes.
Look for Added Nutrients for Enhanced Efficacy: Collagen supplements that include vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, like Vital Proteins Advanced, can boost your body's natural collagen production and improve hydration.
Consider Your Dietary Needs and Source: Choose between bovine, marine, or multi-sourced options based on diet, with marine collagen often offering higher bioavailability for pescatarians.
Determine the Right Supplement Form for Your Lifestyle: Select from powders for higher dosage and versatility, or capsules for convenience and travel.

Collagen peptides have become a staple in the wellness routines of many seeking to support their skin, joint, and hair health. But with a market saturated with options, figuring out what is the best brand of collagen peptides to buy can be a challenge. The ideal choice depends on individual goals, whether that's targeting skin elasticity, supporting joint function, or finding a multi-sourced formula for overall wellness. Key considerations include the source of the collagen, its form (powder, capsule, or liquid), and third-party certifications that ensure purity and potency.

Top Brands for Overall Health and Versatility

For those looking for an all-around robust supplement, a multi-sourced option is often the best route. These products combine several types of collagen to offer a broader range of benefits, supporting everything from gut health to joint mobility.

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein

Ancient Nutrition is consistently cited as a top contender for its comprehensive formula. This product combines collagen from bovine, chicken, fish, and eggshell membrane sources, delivering a powerful blend of multiple collagen types (I, II, III, V, and X).

Benefits: Supports a wide range of functions, including skin and nail strength, joint health, and gut repair.
Additional features: Includes vitamin C and probiotics to enhance absorption and gut health.
Testing: Third-party tested for safety and offers a certificate of analysis (COA) on its website.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Vital Proteins is a widely popular and accessible brand known for its straightforward and effective formula. Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine, its unflavored powder is a versatile addition to any beverage or food.

Benefits: Targets skin, hair, nails, and joint health with its blend of Type I and III collagen.
Additional features: The 'Advanced' version includes hyaluronic acid and vitamin C for enhanced skin hydration and collagen production.
Dissolvability: Praised for its excellent solubility in hot liquids, although it can be less seamless in cold beverages.

Leading Brands for Targeted Benefits

Some users have specific goals and may prefer a brand that focuses on a particular area, such as skin elasticity or joint repair.

For Skin, Hair, and Nails: Sports Research Collagen Peptides

Sports Research provides a potent dose of Type I and III collagen, the primary types responsible for skin and hair health.

Benefits: Supports skin elasticity, reduces wrinkles, and strengthens hair and nails.
Testing: Informed-Choice and IGEN certified, offering high transparency and peace of mind.
Notes: While testers report great taste and decent solubility in hot liquids, some have experienced clumping in cold drinks.

For Joints: NOW Supplements Multi Collagen Protein

While Ancient Nutrition offers a multi-collagen formula, NOW Supplements also provides a well-regarded multi-source option with Type II collagen, specifically beneficial for joint health.

Benefits: Contains Types I, II, and III, making it a good choice for both joint repair and skin health.
Additional features: A reliable option for those who prefer the convenience of a multi-type formula.

For Athletes: Gnarly Collagen Pro

Athletes often need specialized support for their joints and connective tissues, which Gnarly Collagen Pro provides.

Benefits: Formulated with Type I and III collagen, plus additional nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and copper to enhance absorption.
Testing: NSF Certified for Sport, making it a safe choice for competitive athletes who require assurance against banned substances.

Comparison of Top Collagen Peptide Brands


Feature	Vital Proteins	Ancient Nutrition	Sports Research	Gnarly Collagen Pro
Best For	Overall Health, Skin & Nails	Overall Health, Gut Health	Skin, Hair & Nails	Athletes, Joint Support
Collagen Types	Type I & III	Multi-Source (I, II, III, V, X)	Type I & III	Type I & III
Source	Grass-fed Bovine	Multi-Source (Bovine, Chicken, Fish, Egg)	Bovine	Grass-fed Bovine
Key Additions	Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C	Probiotics, Vitamin C	-	Vitamin C, Zinc, Copper
Third-Party Testing	Yes	Yes (COA available)	Informed-Choice Certified	NSF Certified for Sport
Dissolvability	Good in hot liquids, average in cold	Seamlessly dissolves	Good in hot liquids, can clump in cold	Dissolves well
Taste	Mostly flavorless	Reportedly tasteless	Noticeable collagen flavor	Unflavored option is tasteless
Price Point	$$$	$$$	$$	$$$$

How to Choose the Right Brand

Define your goals: Are you primarily focused on skin, hair, nails, or joint health? Different collagen types and added ingredients cater to specific needs. For example, Types I and III are excellent for skin and nails, while Type II is crucial for cartilage.
Check the source: If you have dietary restrictions (e.g., pescatarian), check if the collagen is bovine, marine, or multi-sourced.
Prioritize testing: For purity and quality assurance, look for third-party certifications like Informed-Choice or NSF Certified for Sport.
Consider the form: Collagen peptides come in powder, capsule, and liquid forms. Powders offer higher doses, while capsules are convenient for travel.
Evaluate other ingredients: Look for products with synergistic ingredients like vitamin C, which is essential for collagen synthesis. Hyaluronic acid and probiotics can also offer added benefits.

Conclusion

Choosing the best brand of collagen peptides to buy is a decision that requires some research based on your personal health objectives. There is no single 'best' brand for everyone, but rather a top contender for each specific need. For comprehensive support, Ancient Nutrition's Multi Collagen Protein is a strong choice. If you are focused purely on skin and nails, Vital Proteins and Sports Research are excellent, well-tested options. For athletes prioritizing joint recovery, Gnarly Collagen Pro is specifically formulated for those needs. By considering your individual goals and researching product details like sourcing, certifications, and additional ingredients, you can find the perfect collagen supplement to support your wellness journey.

Visit Healthline for more detailed information on supplement comparisons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Multi-collagen supplements, like Ancient Nutrition, combine collagen from multiple sources (bovine, marine, chicken) to offer a broader range of collagen types (I, II, III, V, X), supporting various parts of the body such as skin, joints, and gut health. Single-source collagen, like Vital Proteins' standard product, typically focuses on specific types, most commonly I and III for skin and nails.

The 'best' source depends on your needs. Marine collagen is a great option for pescatarians and some research suggests it may have higher bioavailability due to smaller particle size, focusing mainly on Type I. Bovine collagen is a popular and potent source of Types I and III, beneficial for skin, hair, nails, and bones.

Look for brands that are third-party tested and certified by independent bodies, such as NSF Certified for Sport or Informed-Choice, to ensure purity, potency, and freedom from contaminants like heavy metals. You can also check if the company provides a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for their products.

The best form depends on your preference. Powder is the most common and versatile, allowing for higher dosages and easy mixing into beverages or food. Capsules offer convenience for those on the go but usually contain smaller doses per serving. Liquid shots are also available for maximum convenience.

Consistency is key. While some users report seeing benefits like firmer skin and stronger nails within 4 to 6 weeks, significant improvements often take three to six months of regular, daily use. Benefits for joint health can also take time to manifest.

Yes, collagen can support hair health by providing the amino acids needed to build keratin, the protein that forms hair strands. Brands focusing on Type I and III collagen, like Vital Proteins and Sports Research, are often recommended for improving hair's strength, thickness, and resistance to breakage.

It is highly recommended to take vitamin C with collagen. Vitamin C is a critical co-factor in the body's natural collagen synthesis process, helping to enhance absorption and the production of new collagen.