Best Cod Liver Oil Supplement in 2026: Top 5 for Omega-3 & Vitamin A

Cod liver oil has been a staple in American households for generations, and for good reason: a single serving provides EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids along with vitamin A and vitamin D, nutrients that many diets come up short on. The oil comes from the livers of cod, where those fat-soluble vitamins concentrate. Because vitamin A can build up in the body, dose matters more with cod liver oil than with plain fish oil. Choosing a trustworthy brand, the right form, and a sensible serving size is the key to using it well.

Who should consider cod liver oil? People who rarely eat fatty fish, those who want vitamin A and vitamin D alongside omega-3s in one serving, and families looking for a traditional supplement with a long history of use are the most common candidates. It is a practical fit for the winter months, when sun exposure and fish intake both tend to drop. Because of the vitamin A content, pregnant women should get specific guidance from their healthcare provider before taking it.

How We Evaluated

To find the best cod liver oil on HerbsPro, a major US supplement retailer, we screened each product on five criteria. We checked the source and freshness of the oil, preferring Norwegian or similarly cold-water cod and brands that disclose their EPA and DHA levels. We compared vitamin A and vitamin D content per serving, since these fat-soluble vitamins determine how much you can safely take each day. We weighed the form, liquid versus softgels, and the flavoring used in liquid products. We considered brand history and quality testing, then compared cost per serving.

We also reviewed the evidence for the nutrients involved. Research on omega-3 fatty acids has linked higher intakes of EPA and DHA with cardiovascular health, and a population study of older adults found cod liver oil intake associated with lower blood pressure. Vitamin A and vitamin D are both reviewed in detail by the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, and their recommended intakes shaped our serving-size guidance. As with all supplements, cod liver oil is meant to support, not replace, a balanced diet.

• PubMed: Cod liver oil intake and blood pressure in older adults
• PubMed: Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease — effects on risk factors and clinical events
• PMC: Nutritional supplements and upper respiratory tract illnesses in young children

Top 5 Cod Liver Oil Supplements of 2026

After working through the cod liver oil selection at HerbsPro, these five products earned top marks for quality, dose, and value.

1. Solgar Cod Liver Oil 250 Softgels

Editor’s Choice

Rating: 9.6/10

Solgar is one of the most trusted names in supplements, and its 250-softgel bottle of cod liver oil is an excellent everyday choice. Each softgel provides a concentrated serving of cod liver oil with vitamins A and D, and the suggested serving is one softgel daily with a meal. The large count means a single bottle lasts for months, and the softgel format sidesteps the fishy taste that keeps many people away from liquid versions. It is a simple, dependable formula for omega-3 and vitamin A support.

• Pros: Reputable brand; one-softgel daily serving; 250-count bottle lasts months
• Cons: Moderate vitamin A level means you should mind other vitamin A sources; softgels only, no liquid option

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2. Garden of Life Alaskan Cod Liver Oil, 6.76 fl oz

Best Quality

Rating: 9.5/10

Garden of Life’s Dr. Formulated Alaskan Cod Liver Oil is a liquid flavored with natural lemon, which makes it noticeably easier to take than unflavored oils. The formula is built around wild Alaskan cod liver oil with a short, clean ingredient list. Liquid cod liver oil allows flexible dosing, and a spoonful a day is a traditional way to get EPA, DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D. For purists who prefer a natural liquid, this is a standout formula, and kept refrigerated, the clean flavor lasts for weeks.

• Pros: Clean ingredient list; natural lemon and peppermint flavor; flexible liquid dosing
• Cons: Liquid must be refrigerated after opening; smaller 6.76 oz bottle for the price

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3. Sonne Cod Liver Oil No. 5, 16 fl oz

Best High-Potency

Rating: 9.4/10

Sonne has produced traditional cod liver oil for decades, and its No. 5 formula comes in a generous 16-ounce bottle that delivers a long supply. The brand highlights the EPA and DHA omega-3s found in cold-water fish, which support a healthy cardiovascular system, and notes that cod liver oil helps cover vitamin needs during the winter months when sun exposure is low. As a liquid, it allows you to adjust the serving to your needs, making it a high-supply, high-flexibility option for daily use.

• Pros: Traditional brand; 16 oz bottle provides a long supply; adjustable liquid serving
• Cons: Strong, unflavored taste; larger bottle can be hard to finish before the oil ages

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4. Sundance Norwegian Cod Liver Oil with EPA-DHA, Quick Release Softgels

Best Value

Rating: 9.3/10

Sundance brings Norwegian cod liver oil to the table in quick-release softgels, combining the traditional nutrients of cod liver oil with the convenience of a capsule. The brand suggests one softgel daily with a meal, and the quick-release design is intended to break down fast in the stomach. This format delivers omega-3s with vitamins A and D while avoiding the strong taste of liquid oils, and the oil is sourced from cold Norwegian waters, all at a value-friendly price point that competes well with premium fish oil brands.

• Pros: Norwegian-sourced oil; convenient quick-release softgels; competitive price
• Cons: Serving size and nutrient details are less detailed than some competitors; softgel count varies by bottle

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5. Puritan’s Pride Flaxseed & Cod Liver Oil, Omega 3, 6 & 9 Softgels

Budget Pick

Rating: 9.1/10

Puritan’s Pride blends cod liver oil with flaxseed oil to cover omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids in one softgel, along with vitamins A and D. Flaxseed contributes plant-based ALA, while the cod liver oil provides marine EPA and DHA, giving a broader fatty-acid profile in a single serving. With this brand’s long history of value pricing, it is the most economical way on our list to add cod liver oil’s nutrients to a daily routine, and it suits anyone who wants both plant and marine omega-3s in one capsule.

• Pros: Broad omega 3-6-9 profile; one softgel serving; very low price per serving
• Cons: Blend dilutes the pure cod liver oil dose; vitamin A and D levels are modest

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Comparison Table

Here is how the five finalists compare at a glance.

Product	Dose	Form	Servings	Best For
Solgar Cod Liver Oil	1 softgel daily	Softgels	250	All-around daily omega-3 + vitamin A
Garden of Life Alaskan Cod Liver Oil	1 tsp liquid daily	Liquid (6.76 fl oz)	Bottle	Naturally flavored liquid
Sonne Cod Liver Oil No. 5	1 tsp liquid daily	Liquid (16 fl oz)	Bottle	Traditional high-supply liquid
Sundance Norwegian Cod Liver Oil	1 quick-release softgel daily	Softgels	Bottle	Convenient value softgels
Puritan’s Pride Flaxseed & Cod Liver Oil	1 softgel daily	Softgels	Bottle	Omega 3-6-9 budget blend

How to Choose the Best Cod Liver Oil Supplement

Understand what you are getting first. Cod liver oil is not the same as plain fish oil: it contains vitamin A and vitamin D on top of EPA and DHA. That makes it a nutrient-dense option, but it also means you should watch your total intake of these fat-soluble vitamins, especially if you also take a multivitamin or a vitamin D supplement. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements notes that vitamin A is stored in the liver and that excessive intake over time can be harmful, so check the amount per serving and add up your daily totals.

Check the label for EPA and DHA numbers. The omega-3 content varies by brand, and reputable manufacturers list how much EPA and DHA each serving provides. Higher amounts are not automatically better, but knowing the numbers lets you compare products fairly. Also consider the form: liquids give flexible dosing and can be flavored with lemon or peppermint, while softgels are convenient and tasteless. Choose the format you will actually take consistently, because consistency is what drives results.

Pay attention to serving size and total vitamin A. A typical softgel serving provides roughly 1,000 to 2,500 IU of vitamin A, while a teaspoon of liquid delivers more, and larger servings push the total higher. Pregnant women should be especially careful with preformed vitamin A, and anyone taking additional supplements should add up their daily totals. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements’ omega-3 fact sheet and its vitamin A fact sheet are reliable references for recommended intakes.

Look for freshness and brand trust. Fish oils can oxidize, so choose established brands with transparent sourcing and store liquids in the refrigerator after opening. If you dislike the taste, flavored liquids or softgels solve the problem. Finally, compare cost per serving: premium brands often cost several times more per dose without meaningfully better quality. MedlinePlus’s page on omega-3 fatty acids explains how supplements compare with food sources like fatty fish, which is useful context before you buy. Check the harvest and bottling dates when you can, since fresher oil tastes better and retains more of its nutrients. And if you switch brands, compare the EPA, DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D numbers side by side, because two teaspoons of different oils are rarely equal.

FAQ

Is cod liver oil the same as fish oil?

No. Fish oil comes from the body of the fish and provides EPA and DHA, while cod liver oil comes from the liver and adds vitamin A and vitamin D. That extra vitamin content is why cod liver oil servings are smaller and why you should not take large amounts alongside other vitamin A or D supplements. Choose based on your goals and your total vitamin intake.

Can I take cod liver oil every day?

Yes. At a normal serving size, daily use is common and generally well tolerated. The key is keeping total vitamin A within the tolerable upper intake level, especially if you also take a multivitamin. Softgel users typically take one capsule a day with a meal, while liquid users take a teaspoon. If you are pregnant or have liver disease, check with your healthcare provider before starting.

Does cod liver oil taste fishy?

Traditional unflavored liquids can taste strongly of fish, which is why many brands add natural lemon or peppermint essences; Garden of Life’s Alaskan formula uses lemon. Softgels such as Solgar and Sundance avoid the taste issue entirely. Refrigerating liquid oils and taking them with food also reduces any fishy aftertaste. If taste is a barrier for you, softgels are the simplest answer.

Is cod liver oil safe for children?

Cod liver oil has a long history of use in children, but the vitamin A content means doses must be small and carefully measured, and pediatric guidance from a healthcare provider is important. Many families choose a flavored liquid and give a fraction of a teaspoon. Never exceed the label’s serving for children, and avoid giving it alongside other vitamin A supplements without professional advice.

The Bottom Line

Solgar Cod Liver Oil 250 Softgels is our top pick because it balances quality, dose, and value in a tasteless softgel you can take daily for months. Garden of Life Alaskan Cod Liver Oil is the best liquid for people who want natural flavor and flexible dosing, while Sonne’s 16-ounce bottle suits traditionalists who want a long supply. Sundance offers Norwegian oil in convenient softgels at a fair price, and Puritan’s Pride is the budget blend. All five can support omega-3 and vitamin A intake within a sensible daily routine.

• Related: Best Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplement
• Related: How to Choose an Omega-3 Supplement
• Shop cod liver oil at HerbsPro

Sources

1. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin A fact sheet
2. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids fact sheet
3. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin D fact sheet
4. PubMed: Cod liver oil intake and blood pressure in older adults
5. PubMed: Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease (Mozaffarian & Wu, 2011)
6. PMC: Nutritional supplements and upper respiratory tract illnesses in young children
7. MedlinePlus: Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a medical condition. Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.