Meet the experts
behind the rubrics
The experts
Learn how we chose
our 2026 winners
The awards
Explore our product
testing process
The testing
Science made the short list.
Real life made the final call.
Brands provided the products for testing. We chose winning products based on objective criteria and tester experiences. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.
HOW WE chose the winners
The experts who helped us
how we tested the products
After receiving 193 product submissions spanning supplements, CBD, recovery devices, health trackers, and household health, we got to work. First, our editorial and medical integrity teams carefully vetted every brand and product for medical credibility and business standards.
The nonnegotiable and precursor to crowning any product a Healthline Award Winner is meeting objective criteria for safety, effectiveness, and quality — not hype, not gimmicks, not overblown medical claims touted on TikTok.
We selected 99 products for real-world, hands-on testing. We matched testers by lifestyle, existing expertise, and relevant conditions and concerns.
After carefully picking apart their candid feedback, we chose the products deemed most effective, cross-referencing with practical criteria such as cost, serving size, and usability.
Debra Sullivan, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, COI, has spent over 20 years
as a registered nurse and nurse educator. She has focused on
cardiology, dermatology, complementary medicine, and more.
It’s affordable, third-party tested, and Informed Sport certified. Our tester, who regularly uses creatine, experienced results consistent with more expensive products. It supported endurance, energy, and focus. It dissolves well and is truly unflavored.
Now Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine
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Creatine
Explore the winners
featured favorites
recovery devices
cbd topicals
cbd ingestibles
prenatals
probiotics
Multivitamins
Creatine
workout supplements
protein powder
health trackers
I’ve been able to train harder and get
in a few extra reps while on this product, and it’s definitely helped
me get a little stronger.”
If you prefer flavor, Thorne’s creatine is delicious without
an overpowering or artificial taste. It’s NSF Certified for Sport,
and it helped our tester with muscle recovery, energy, and focus. There was no clumping or powder settling at the bottom.
Thorne Creatine
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I was genuinely impressed with how well the powder mixed into my drinks on a daily basis.”
The main thing I noticed was more energy, both a lift in my day and more endurance on my runs.”
Multivitamins
For the one who hates swallowing pills, this multivitamin is
a mixable powder. It’s easy to mix into water or smoothies — we even tried it in coffee with success. It’s truly flavorless and scentless. It helped our testers with bloating, digestion, energy, hair, and skin.
EllaOla Essentials Tasteless
Multivitamin
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[It] produced noticeable improvements
to sleep and energy levels after 2 weeks of consistent usage.”
If gummies are your thing, First Day’s multis are free from 9 top allergens and contain extra superfood ingredients. Testers described the citrus flavor as enjoyable, sweet, and a little tart. They noticed improvements in sleep, energy, nails, and skin.
First Day No Junk Multivitamins
Multivitamins
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Using this probiotic made the quality
of my life better throughout the month of using it. I used my anti-nauseas
much less and overall had less pain
and discomfort than is usual.”
Probiotics
Our tester has gastroparesis, and her flare-ups made vomiting and nausea all too common. Taking one pill a day improved
her quality of life over the month of testing, improving her digestion, bowel movements, and gut discomfort. It contains some organic ingredients.
Biocidin Botanicals Proflora4R
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I feel my digestion improved, and I felt less bloating and heartburn than if
I were not taking them.”
Ritual’s Synbiotic+ prides itself on traceable ingredients.
It’s Clean Label Project certified and third-party tested. Our tester called it the best probiotic he’s had (taste included).
It improved his digestion and bloating. At one pill a day, it’s
a manageable dose.
Ritual Synbiotic+
Probiotics
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I believe a prenatal should fill the gaps of a healthy lifestyle and not replace eating the actual nutrients. Needed does just that.”
Prenatals
These prenatals are B Corp certified, Clean Label Project certified, and third-party tested for purity and potency. It’s best for someone who doesn't need iron, which can cause stomach upset. It’s also available in a powder or a pill.
Needed Prenatal Multi Capsules
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I love that the supplements are tailored to the trimester you’re in to really support the overall health and growth of both mom and baby during pregnancy.”
Perelel’s prenatal packs are third-party tested, formulated
with input from OB-GYNs, and include all of the vitamins
experts suggest during pregnancy. It’s broken up by trimester
to support each phase of pregnancy. The daily packs are also travel-friendly.
Perelel Prenatal Packs
Prenatals
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It smells really good; the taste on its own isn’t too sweet.”
Protein powder
This provides collagen and a complete amino acid profile. It may be easier to digest for some people compared to whey formulas. While it’s not overly sweet, it makes a great hot chocolate sweetened with honey. It’s sugar-free and sourced from grass-fed cows.
Designs for Health Bone Broth
Protein Powder
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I was pleased with how filling the
dose was.”
Thorne’s Whey Isolate Protein is NSF Certified for Sport and rigorously tested. Our tester called it “basically chocolate milk” when shaken with milk, with a natural flavor that’s not too sweet. It mixed well with water and smoothies without a gritty texture.
Thorne Whey Protein Isolate
Protein powder
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I did notice a modest improvement in soreness and muscle definition. I liked that it was simple to fit into my routine since it’s meal-based.”
This workout supplement is Informed Sport certified and affordable. It can offer extra support for muscle recovery.
Our tester noticed improvement in muscle soreness and definition after about a week. The tablets were a little large
but manageable.
NOW Foods Double Strength
HMB Tablets
Workout supplements
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I'm starting to notice my muscles feel more firm and toned.”
Aside from being NSF Certified for Sport and rigorously tested, this supplement produced better effects for our tester compared to creatine alone. Her muscles felt toned and firm with consistent use. It mixes decently, and the flavor is like a peach gummy.
Thorne Creatine + BCAAs
Workout supplements
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I expected CBD to make me feel calmer; I didn’t expect it to make my neck feel this much better.”
These softgels helped our tester feel better in a “barely-
there” way, calling it a subtle, warm, calm feeling. Consistent use also improved neck and shoulder pain, headaches, and sleep without causing mental fogginess. They’re tasteless
and scentless.
Joy Organics THC-Free
CBD Softgels
CBD ingestibles
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I felt normal in the first few days of using it. The second week I started noticing
my mood was better. I can tell that I am feeling a little more relaxed, lighter.”
Our tester started feeling more relaxed and less foggy, and
she noticed her sleep was better 2 weeks into testing. The tincture is vegan, organic, and non-GMO with a subtle citrus scent and taste. It’s easy to take by mouth, but you can also
add it to beverages.
Medterra Enhanced Relief Citrus
CBD Tincure
CBD ingestibles
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I did notice some relief after massaging it into a really sore muscle or trigger point.”
“Like Icy Hot, but better” is how our tester described this salve. It lasted longer than 4 weeks with almost daily use, and helped with sore muscles. The lavender eucalyptus smell was very pleasant, and it’s certified USDA organic.
Joy Organics CBD Salve
CBD topicals
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I’ve noticed that my foot pain and cramps have decreased in frequency since I started using it every day.”
Our tester applied this gel consistently over 5 weeks.
It decreased foot pain and cramps with consistent use.
It offered quick pain relief for about an hour, along with gradual improvement long term. The roll-on stick means you don’t have to get your hands dirty.
Joy Organics CBD Muscle
& Joint Gel
CBD topicals
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The Theragun Mini has become an integral part of my routine to support recovery and injury prevention. I always bring it when I travel!”
The Mini Plus comes with the same amps as the Relief, but
its size makes it a must-pack travel companion. It also has
a heat feature, and you can purchase an additional cooling attachment. It’s slightly more expensive than the Relief, but
the portability is worth it.
TheraBody Theragun Mini Plus
Recovery devices
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I found this especially useful, compared to another massage gun, to target my shoulders and hamstrings.”
The design allows you to hold the massage gun at three angles to target various sore spots. Our tester experienced less muscle soreness and found it was easier to hold than other guns. It provides enough force to support most active adults without spending a fortune.
TheraBody Theragun Relief
Recovery devices
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[Using the Oura Ring] has been a
great way to prioritize my well-being
and health without feeling like I
needed to derail my life and make it
my only priority.”
The Oura Ring has a sleek, screenless design. It’s lightweight and easy to integrate into routines (and wardrobes). Activity tracking is automatic, but the ring can take time to learn certain exercise types. It’s great for anyone who wants to track metrics without being distracted by them.
Oura Ring
Health trackers
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The tracking capabilities go far beyond what I was accustomed to with my
Apple Watch.”
The Garmin Venu costs more upfront, but it doesn’t require
a subscription. It’s sleek and durable. Its 12-day battery life is impressive and supported our tester training for a 50-kilometer race. It’s comfortable and provides info on stress, rest, and training progress.
Garmin Venu 4
Health trackers
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Vagus nerve stimulation has become a part of my daily routine, and really helps me with my overall ability to handle stress and anxiety, and sleep deeper.”
If vagus nerve stimulation hasn’t entered your algorithm, get ready. It can help with stress, anxiety, mood, and sleep. This device is easier to use and wear than all the others we’ve tried. It’s backed by more extensive research and doesn’t require a phone app.
Nuropod
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I will continue to use it because it’s
easy to use, pretty affordable, and
gives valuable feedback for gut health and hydration.”
If you’re ready to go beyond probiotics, Throne One gives
you guidance that can be helpful for battling gut-related conditions. Our tester has managed gut issues for years and found it valuable. You can also use it while traveling by snapping photos with the app.
Throne One
Featured favorites
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Better moods and less grogginess
in the mornings were the best overarching effects.”
If you’re looking for a sleep supplement without the dreaded melatonin hangover, our tester found that these mushroom gummies took about 15 minutes to kick in. It was easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Energy levels were slightly better in the mornings as a result.
Cornbread Mushroom
Sleep Gummies
Featured favorites
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It has been an excellent tool to have around to loosen up tension in my shoulder blades, neck, and lower back.”
For anyone facing daily aches and pains in their neck, back,
and shoulders, this massage table puts massage chairs to shame. It offers deep-tissue pressure and helps our tester
with knots and chronic tension. It includes a heat setting,
and it’s programmable.
Chirp Decompression and
Massage Table
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I liked the taste of this product and
that it worked. [It] actually felt easier
to sleep!”
Ritual’s magnesium powder boasts the brand’s reputation for traceable ingredients. Our tester found it easier to fall asleep, and the powder helped calm her state of mind before bed.
Tart cherry offers extra sleep support and subtle sweetness.
Ritual Magnesium+
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I really appreciated the ease of use.”
These trendy superfood gummies are little treats that contain extra minerals and nutrients. Like a multivitamin, Grüns can help fill nutritional gaps, and because they are gummies, many find it’s easier to stay consistent. They’re also travel-friendly.
Grüns Superfood Gummies
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I think this is a good choice for folks who prioritize sustainability or who may have sensitivities to the ingredients in big brand detergents.”
This laundry detergent is a bio-based and sustainable alternative to the big-name brands out there. We found the enzyme-based formula still helps dissolve most stains.
Scented and unscented options are available for sensitive skin.
Dirty Labs BioEnzyme Laundry Detergent
Featured favorites
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The instructions they provided were super specific and helpful.”
A reverse osmosis filter, but so much more. The system not
only filters but also remineralizes your water. It requires a smidge of manual installation, but the clear picture of drinking water quality is worth it. And it wastes less water than other traditional RO filters.
Cloud RO Water Filter
Featured favorites
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Prior to testing, we collaborated with medical experts to establish
rigorous evaluation rubrics and standardized testing protocols for each product category.
We matched 90+ testers by lifestyle, existing expertise, and any relevant health conditions and concerns they manage, and they got started.
We set clear expectations for their feedback: be honest, even when it hurts.
We requested the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Testers tracked their experiences throughout the process, answered our questions, which were also developed alongside medical experts, and delivered a clear final verdict: effective or not.
Gregory Minnis, DPT, is a physical therapist with experience in orthopedic physical therapy, sports medicine, neurological rehab, running injuries, and treating the pelvic complex, spine, and limbs.
Philip Ngo, PharmD, has over a decade of experience as a practicing pharmacist.
Dr. Jared Meacham, PhD, RD, CSCS, is a registered dietitian and fitness professional who continuously educates around nutrition and dietetics.