What Brand Has the Best Krill Oil? A Comprehensive 2025 Guide

According to a 2022 study, krill oil was found to be as effective at lowering triglycerides as fish oil, a key indicator for heart health. For those seeking to answer the question, "What brand has the best krill oil?" the answer depends on balancing cost, potency, and sustainability.

Quick Summary

This guide compares leading krill oil brands by evaluating potency, cost, transparency, and sustainability practices. Learn what factors matter most in choosing a high-quality krill oil supplement for your needs. Detailed analysis and a comparison table help readers make an informed decision.

Key Points

• NatureMyst is Best Overall: Offers an excellent balance of high potency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability, with enteric-coated capsules to prevent fishy burps.

• Kori is Most Transparent and Sustainable: Features top-tier sustainability ratings, uses Superba 2 krill, and provides batch-level traceability via QR code.

• 1MD Nutrition KrillMD is Most Potent: Delivers a high concentration of krill oil per serving, ideal for those seeking maximum omega-3 intake.

• Kirkland Signature is the Budget Pick: Offers the lowest cost per serving, but with a lower potency that may require multiple capsules daily for desired effects.

• Sports Research Features Clinically Researched Krill: Uses the well-documented Superba2™ Krill Oil source, providing a high-quality, pure supplement.

• Focus on Certifications for Quality: Look for third-party testing and certifications like MSC, Friends of the Sea, or USP to verify product quality and environmental claims.

• Krill Oil Offers High Bioavailability: Its omega-3s are bound to phospholipids, potentially offering better absorption and fewer side effects like fishy aftertaste compared to fish oil.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Quality Krill Oil

Before diving into specific brand comparisons, it's essential to understand what makes a krill oil supplement high-quality. Krill oil contains omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) bound to phospholipids, which is believed to enhance absorption compared to fish oil, where omegas are typically bound to triglycerides. Quality indicators go beyond just the amount of EPA and DHA and include the presence of astaxanthin, third-party certifications, and sustainable harvesting practices.

Key Components of Krill Oil

• Phospholipids: A high phospholipid content is a hallmark of superior krill oil, indicating its purity and natural state. Phospholipids are crucial for delivering omega-3s to your cells efficiently.
• Astaxanthin: This potent antioxidant gives krill oil its natural red color and helps protect the oil from oxidation, ensuring freshness and potency.
• Sourcing and Sustainability: Krill are harvested from the pristine waters of Antarctica. Brands that prioritize sustainable practices, like those certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Friends of the Sea, help protect the delicate marine ecosystem.
• Third-Party Testing: Since supplements are not heavily regulated by the FDA, independent third-party testing for purity, potency, and contaminants like heavy metals is vital for consumer safety.

Leading Krill Oil Brands: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Several brands stand out in the competitive krill oil market. Our evaluation focuses on key factors to help you determine which one best fits your needs.

NatureMyst Krill Oil

Praised as a top overall pick by Innerbody Research, NatureMyst offers a potent and cost-effective option. Offering a significant amount of krill oil per serving, it provides notable levels of total omega-3s, phospholipids, and astaxanthin.

• Pros: Excellent potency-to-price ratio, enteric-coated capsules to prevent fishy burps, and sustainable sourcing certifications.
• Cons: The company does not publicly disclose third-party testing results, which can be a point of concern for some consumers.

Kori Krill Oil

For those prioritizing environmental responsibility, Kori is a leader in transparency and sustainability. It uses Superba 2 krill, sourced from one of the world's most sustainable fisheries, and provides batch-level traceability.

• Pros: Exceptional transparency with QR code traceability, excellent sustainability credentials (A-rating from SFP), and multiple softgel sizes.
• Cons: Omega-3 levels are slightly lower than competitors in its standard softgel.

Kirkland Signature Krill Oil

Costco's house brand offers a budget-friendly alternative for bulk buyers. While the cost per serving is low, the amount of active ingredients is also lower, which may require taking more capsules to achieve desired levels.

• Pros: Very low cost per serving, large bottle size, and USP verified.
• Cons: Significantly lower omega-3 levels per capsule, may contain artificial vanilla flavor, and requires a higher serving size for optimal intake.

Sports Research Krill Oil

This brand is another popular choice, featuring the clinically proven Superba2™ Krill Oil. It emphasizes purity and potency, providing a reliable source of omega-3s with no fillers or additives.

• Pros: Utilizes Superba2™ Krill Oil, MSC certified sustainable, and offers good potency.
• Cons: Some customers have reported potential issues with softgel leakage.

1MD Nutrition KrillMD

Targeting users who need maximum potency, KrillMD provides a high-concentration formula with a strong balance of EPA and DHA. It is notably expensive but offers robust discounts for subscriptions.

• Pros: Offers a high level of krill oil per serving, high astaxanthin content, and strong refund policy.
• Cons: Expensive at full price and less detailed information on sustainability practices compared to Kori.

Comparison of Top Krill Oil Brands (2025)

Feature	NatureMyst	Kori	Kirkland Signature	Sports Research	1MD Nutrition KrillMD
Total Krill Oil	1,000mg	1,200mg	500mg	1,000mg	1,600mg
Total Omega-3s	340mg	250mg	120mg	240mg	320mg
Astaxanthin	1,500mcg	120mcg	150mcg	Not specified	2,000mcg
Sustainability	Friends of the Sea	A-rated SFP, Superba 2	Friends of the Sea, USP	MSC Certified, Superba2™	Not highly detailed
Third-Party Test	Yes (results not public)	Yes (public COAs)	Yes (USP verified)	Yes (MSC)	Not specified
Cost per Serving	~$0.67	~$0.67	~$0.16 (at 1x)	~$0.52	~$1.67

How to Make Your Decision

Choosing the best krill oil brand depends on your personal priorities. Consider the following steps:

1. Prioritize Potency vs. Price: If getting a good amount of omega-3s per dollar is your goal, NatureMyst or a higher intake of Kirkland offers value, though the latter's potency per pill is low. For maximum potency without price as a primary concern, 1MD Nutrition is a top contender.
2. Evaluate Sustainability and Transparency: If environmental impact is a significant factor, Kori stands out with its superior transparency and top-tier sustainability ratings. Sports Research, using the Superba2™ source, is another strong choice in this area.
3. Check for Certifications: Ensure the product is third-party tested. Look for certifications like MSC, Friends of the Sea, or USP to verify quality and sustainability claims.
4. Consider Other Factors: If you have a sensitive stomach or dislike the fishy aftertaste often associated with supplements, the phospholipid-rich krill oil is often better absorbed and less likely to cause burps. For the most comprehensive overview, review independent consumer reports from trusted sources like ConsumerLab, which often test products and provide detailed comparisons.

Conclusion: Which Brand is Best?

There is no single "best" krill oil brand, as the ideal choice depends on your specific needs. For a strong balance of potency and value, NatureMyst Krill Oil is an excellent option. For those who prioritize maximum transparency and top-tier sustainability, Kori Krill Oil is the leader. Meanwhile, 1MD Nutrition KrillMD serves the high-potency market, and Kirkland Signature is the clear winner for budget-conscious consumers. By using the criteria outlined in this guide, you can make an informed decision and find the best krill oil supplement for your health goals.

Authoritative Link

For more detailed information on krill oil research and its health benefits, the National Institutes of Health provides a comprehensive resource: NIH: Comparison of bioavailability of krill oil versus fish oil and health effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is krill oil sometimes considered better than fish oil?

Krill oil contains omega-3 fatty acids bound to phospholipids, whereas fish oil's omega-3s are in triglyceride form. The phospholipid-bound form is believed to be more bioavailable and is associated with fewer side effects like fishy burps.

What is astaxanthin, and why is it important in krill oil?

Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant that gives krill oil its natural reddish color. It protects the oil from oxidation, which keeps the supplement fresh and potent. It may also offer its own health benefits.

How can I check if a krill oil supplement is sustainably sourced?

Look for products certified by organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or Friends of the Sea. Some brands, like Kori, also provide batch-specific traceability via a QR code.

Is a higher-dose krill oil always better?

Not necessarily. While higher levels offer more EPA and DHA, bioavailability and purity are just as important. A well-absorbed, lower-amount formula can be more effective than a high-amount, low-quality one. You should also consider cost and serving size.

Can I take krill oil if I have a seafood allergy?

No, if you have a shellfish or seafood allergy, you should avoid krill oil. Krill are tiny crustaceans, and there is a high risk of an allergic reaction.

How much krill oil should I take daily?

The amount you should take daily can vary based on individual needs and the product's concentration. Always consult with a doctor before starting any new supplement.

Does krill oil interact with any medications?

Yes, krill oil can slow blood clotting. If you are taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, such as warfarin or aspirin, you should speak with your healthcare provider before taking krill oil.