Best Full Spectrum CBD Oil – Top Brands Reviewed of 2023
A survey conducted by OnePoll doesn’t leave any doubts — CBD has gone mainstream.
It turns out that 60% of U.S. adults have tried CBD oils. They do it for various reasons, from pain to sleep, anxiety, autoimmune conditions, and more.
Full-spectrum CBD oils are the most wholesome, therapeutic form of CBD of all. It contains the entire range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from hemp, creating a unique synergy between these compounds called the entourage effect.
That’s why CBD users generally prefer full-spectrum extracts over isolate-based products.
To select the best full-spectrum CBD oils, our editorial team analyzed over 30 brands and their selection of whole-plant extracts. From there, we narrowed our picks to the top 10 full-spectrum CBD products that provide the best value for money and are remarkably transparent regarding their manufacturing and lab testing practices.
Read on to learn about the best full-spectrum CBD oils, the benefits of whole-plant CBD, and how to shop for CBD supplements online.
This article will save you more than 60 hours of research.
Best Full-Spectrum CBD Oils: A Quick Summary
- Area52 – Best Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Overall (Editor’s Pick)
- Royal CBD – Strongest Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
- Gold Bee – Best Organic Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
- CBDistillery – Good Price
- Charlotte’s Web – Most Popular CBD Oil Brand
- PlusCBD Oil – Best Variety
- NuLeaf Naturals Full-Spectrum CBD Oil – Best Full-Spectrum CBD Oil for Beginners
- CBDfx Calming Tincture – Best for Evening Use
- cbdMD Full-Spectrum CBD Oil, Mint Chocolate – Best Flavored Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
- Green Roads – Easy Dosage
If you’ve been using CBD oil for its health benefits, you may have come across full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, or CBD isolates. They all come from hemp, but that doesn’t make them the same in terms of their therapeutic qualities.
Before we explain why full-spectrum CBD is different and what makes it a more desired format among CBD users, let’s take a closer look into our most favorite brands for this year.
Best Full-Spectrum CBD Oils in 2023
1. Area 52
Get 15% off all Area 52 products. Use code “CFAH” at checkout.
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Area 52 is a brand specializing in the extraction of minor cannabinoids, such as delta 8 THC, CBC, CBG, CBC, and CBN. After succeeding with its line of delta 8 extracts, the company jumped on CBD oils to create its “real full-spectrum” formulas known as the UFO collection.
The Area 52 UFO CBD oil offers 3100 mg of phytocannabinoids, including:
- 2400 mg CBD
- 600 mg CBG
- 150 mg THC
One serving contains 40 mg CBD, 10 mg CBC, and 2.5 mg THC while maintaining delta 9 concentrations below 0.3% as required by the 2018 Farm Bill.
You can expect a calming sensation followed by a jolt of energy and enhanced focus when you take this tincture. The effects last up to 6 hours, contributing to higher productivity and less stress daily.
The oil has a natural strawberry flavor that doesn’t leave that nasty, sweet aftertaste associated with artificial flavorings and sweeteners.
There are some bitter notes when you swallow it, but they’re not as strong as with unflavored CBD oils.
Area 52 provides batch-specific certificates of analysis (CoAs) with results for potency and purity, which you can access upon request with your order.
2. Royal CBD
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Royal CBD has quickly made it to the top of the ladder since 2018, when the brand was first introduced to the hemp market. The company offers a wide range of full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD extracts in various forms, including oils, capsules, edibles, topicals, and products for pets.
The Royal CBD full-spectrum CBD oil is available in three strengths:
- 500 mg
- 1000 mg
- 2500 mg
The first two options come in three flavored variants: Berry, Mint, and Vanilla. The 2500 mg bottle doesn’t have any flavored options because adding flavorings could compromise its original potency.
The 500 mg CBD oil is good for entry-level users who want to figure out their optimal dosage. From there, you can try the other two potencies to find the most affordable option for your supplementation.
If you weigh more than average, or your symptoms call for higher doses of CBD daily, the 2500 mg bottle will last you the most. However, you may need to wash it down with some juice after swallowing because high concentrations of full-spectrum CBD make the oil taste harsh and earthy.
Royal CBD is a bit more expensive than competitor brands, but fortunately, you can take advantage of regular discounts, subscription pricing, and reward programs to save more on these premium extracts.
All Royal CBD products come from organic hemp, are extracted with CO2, and are triple-tested in a third-party laboratory — from seeds to packaging.
3. Gold Bee
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Gold Bee is a company with a strong background in the superfoods industry. The guys at Gold Bee use two of their famous superfoods in their line of CBD products: raw honey from Brazillian rainforests as a sweetener and organic MCT oil that boosts the absorption of cannabinoids.
The Gold Bee CBD oil is available in two potencies: 1200 mg and 2400 mg, both of which contain the full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. You can choose from two flavored options (Kiwi and Lychee).
Gold Bee has partnered with local farmers in California to produce their proprietary hemp strains. These plants are known for their high-terpene content, making the aroma and flavor profiles superior while evoking the entourage effect. These are some of the best-tasting full-spectrum CBD oils we’ve ever tried.
4. CBDistillery
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CBDistillery is one of the largest suppliers of CBD products in the United States. The company makes it easy to browse through its full-spectrum CBD oils, including many targeted formulas, such as sleep, energy, stress, and immunity.
What we love about CBDistillery’s product selection is the potency range that caters to both beginners and seasoned users alike. They start at 500 mg to a whopping 5000 mg of CBD per bottle.
Besides the classic formulas, CBDistillery offers tinctures infused with other cannabinoids, such as CBG, CBN, and THC, in different ratios to address various health needs.
On the one hand, that’s great because few companies offer such great product diversity. But on the other hand, this can be too much to handle for new users who don’t even know where to start.
Another caveat with CBDistillery is that its hemp isn’t certified organic. However, we can turn a blind eye to that, considering the price of these products. These are some of the best full-spectrum CBD oils in their price range.
5. Charlotte’s Web
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Charlotte’s Web is one of the most popular names on the hemp market. The brand coined a reputation as a high-quality manufacturer when its founders, the Stanley Brothers, helped a young girl Charlotte Figi reduce the severity and frequency of her epileptic seizures from several attacks a day to one-two episodes per month. Since then, the company has become a true CBD powerhouse, offering a broad selection of full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products.
The Charlotte’s Web CBD oil comes in two concentrations: 500 mg and 1800 mg. You can choose from four flavor options, including Mint Chocolate, Orange Blossom, Lemon Twist, and Mint Chocolate.
Each potency and flavor are available in 30 mL and 100 mL bottles.
The quality and transparency of Charlotte’s Web are proven by hundreds of customer reviews, and Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) are available online. However, you’ll need to know the batch number, which comes at the bottom of the product box, to check the certificate. If you want to see the lab reports before you buy, you’ll have to contact Charlotte’s Web.
6. PlusCBD Oil
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The PlusCBD oil is available in different strengths, from 250 mg to 1500 mg of CBD per bottle. The amount of CBD per serving ranges between 5 and 50 mg, which is a decent range for those looking to address mild and moderate symptoms of pain, anxiety, and sleep.
You can choose from four flavors: Unflavored, Lemon Ginger, Peppermint, and Dark Mint Chocolate. Other ingredients include monk fruit (sweetener and flavoring), extra virgin olive oil, and capric triglyceride that occurs in MCT oil.
If you live in a state that has legalized cannabis with higher levels of THC, you can try out PlusCBD Oil’s CBD+THC formulas that come in a 10:1 or 20:1 ratio between CBD and THC.
7. NuLeaf Naturals Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
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NuLeaf Naturals focuses on making full-spectrum CBD oil for humans and pets. The formulas are simple to the bone, including a whole-plant hemp extract and MCT carrier oil.
These CBD oils come in different sizes, but the potency remains the same regardless of your bottle size. Each version provides 2.4 mg of CBD from a single drop, translating into 60 mg per mL.
You can choose from the following sizes:
- 300 mg – 5 mL
- 900 mg – 10 mL
- 1800 mg – 30 mL
- 3000 mg – 50 mL
- 6000 mg – 100 mL
The NuLeaf Naturals CBD oils are made from 100% organic hemp and are available only in the unflavored variant. You can expect them to have a nutty and earthy taste that may feel harsh upon swallowing.
8. CBDfx Calming Tincture
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CBDfx offers an impressive selection of CBD oils, including full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD, and CBD isolate. However, the company’s focus is on full-spectrum products.
The CBDfx full-spectrum calming tincture combines CBD with CBN oil for an extra touch of relaxation. CBN is rumored to enhance sleep, but many experts argue that instead of being a sedative on its own, it potentiates the calming effects of CBD and terpenes, providing complete relaxation without getting you high.
Whether you’re a new or experienced user, CBDfx has got you covered with a broad range of potency options, from 500 mg up to 600 mg of full-spectrum CBD and CBN.
This is an ultra-relaxing blend for people who need to take the edge off of their daily stresses and support healthy sleep.
However, the cannabinoid profile limits its use to the evening. Taking this blend in the morning can make you feel tired, undermining your productivity throughout the day.
9. cbdMD Full-Spectrum CBD Oil, Mint Chocolate
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This full-spectrum CBD oil is one of the best-tasting products out there — one that can compete with the flavor quality of Gold Bee CBD oils.
You can order the cbdMD Mint Chocolate tincture in one of the three potency options:
- 750 mg
- 1500 mg
- 3000 mg
All variants are suspended in MCT oil to neutralize the natural flavor of full-spectrum CBD and increase its bioavailability.
Unlike many companies out there, cbdMD uses natural mint flavoring and chocolate extract. However, the quality of ingredients and high potency makes cbdMD tinctures more expensive than the competition.
10. Green Roads
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Green Roads has an established reputation as a premium manufacturer with several award-winning CBD products. The company has over 30,000 5-star reviews and continues to release new formulas with its team of pharmacists who have over 20 years of experience in formulating hemp extracts.
The Green Roads CBD oil comes in three strengths:
- 300 mg
- 750 mg
- 1500 mg
The strongest bottle provides 50 mg of full-spectrum CBD in every milliliter. However, the full-spectrum CBD oils are available only in the unflavored version, leaving a botanical aftertaste upon consumption.
Full-spectrum CBD vs. CBD Isolate
Both full-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate are extracted from the hemp plant.
Full-spectrum CBD products reflect the original phytochemical profile of the plant, including minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and trace amounts of THC (the cannabinoid that gets you high).
Hemp contains 0.3% THC or less, which isn’t enough to make you feel high, but these amounts are sufficient to enhance the therapeutic effects of CBD, along with other cannabinoids and terpenes.
This phenomenon is called the entourage effect.
CBD isolate, on the other hand, is just pure CBD that comes with no other compounds from the plant.
Purified CBD can be a good pick for people who want to avoid THC completely. Such products won’t create the entourage effect, but there’s research pointing to isolates as beneficial for epilepsy, autism, and viral infections.
Important Terms
- Full-spectrum CBD – this type of CBD includes all cannabinoids and terpenes in hemp, with trace amounts of THC.
- CBD isolate – pure CBD that comes without all other plant compounds.
- Cannabinoids – naturally occurring molecules from cannabis. The most popular cannabinoids include CBD, THC, CBG, CBC, and CBN. They mimic the actions of endocannabinoids, which are similar compounds produced by the endocannabinoid system (ECS).
- Terpenes – these natural compounds give plants their aromas, flavors, and colors. Terpenes are found in all kinds of plants, but cannabis is particularly abundant in them.
- The Entourage Effect – a biological phenomenon in which cannabinoids and terpenes work synergistically to create a stronger effect together than each of them in isolation.
How We Chose the Best Full-Spectrum CBD Oils
Selecting the best full-spectrum CBD oils takes several hours of extensive research because you need to weed out all the mediocre stuff that’s being churned out on the market these days.
Hopefully, we were able to speed up this process and come up with a decent evaluation of these products by using the following criteria:
- Hemp Source – hemp plants are known for their ability to absorb and accumulate all substances from their environment, including nutrients and toxins. The goal is to maximize the number of nutrients and avoid toxins. Organic hemp yields the best sourcing material because it’s grown in clean soil and without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. All products on our list of the best full-spectrum CBD oils come from organic U.S. farms.
- Quality of Ingredients – this is our second priority when combing through CBD products. If the manufacturer isn’t open about the ingredients in its products, the brand is likely trying to make a quick buck. We left no stone unturned to confirm that you’re getting the top-shelf ingredients and well-thought-out formulas.
- Brand Reputation and Transparency – customers, know best; they can tell right away if the product is legitimate and the customer service is engaged in their work. If the company has plenty of 5-star reviews on third-party websites and other users are praising its customer service, you can trust them with your money. But if they have no presence online or a suspiciously large number of negative reviews, that’s a red flag.
- Charity Donations – reputable CBD brands support communities, thanks to which they succeeded. We love companies that prioritize charitable initiatives and make CBD affordable to communities that struggle with low income or are unable to find a job due to their disabilities.
- Price/Quality Ratio – CBD oils can be expensive, but that’s no reason to overcharge people for a formula that doesn’t bring anything new to the table. We always analyze the price/quality ratio to ensure you’re getting the best value for your money. All of the brands mentioned in our list of the best full-spectrum CBD oils offer coupon codes and reward programs so that you can save even more money on high-quality products.
How to Shop for Full-Spectrum CBD Oils
There are three pillars of shopping for full-spectrum CBD oil. If this is your first time buying CBD oil near you, consider the following:
- Certificates of Analysis (CoA): products that have been tested in a third-party laboratory (and passed the screening for potency and purity) receive a CoA. The CoA is a lab report listing the quality parameters of the tested sample, including its phytochemical profile, THC levels, and potential contamination with pesticides, heavy metals, solvents, or mold. CoAs should be published on the company’s website or sent to customers upon request before they buy. If your vendor doesn’t list them anywhere, that’s a red flag.
- Price: having access to cost-effective products is what will ensure that you can use CBD daily for as long as you need. The most important figure here is the price per mg of CBD. Compare different products and decides which one brings you the most value for your money. Sometimes, you can use subscription pricing or reward programs to further reduce the price.
- Potency: aside from the price and lab reports, the concentration of CBD in your full-spectrum product is the most important factor. How strong your CBD oil is will affect how you feel. The reason why you’re taking CBD is equally important because some conditions require higher doses than others. Your body chemistry is also different than anybody else’s, so your experience may not mirror that of your friends. Extremely potent CBD oils are also more expensive, but they often cost less per mg of CBD, so you’ll save money in the long run.
How to Use Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
Shake the bottle well before you open it. Then, use the included dropper to measure your dose. Transfer it under your tongue and hold it there for up to 60 seconds so it can properly absorb through your capillaries. You can swish the oil around the palate and gums with your tongue to increase surface area for absorption.
Adding CBD oil to food and drinks is another option. It will mask the taste of full-spectrum CBD, but absorption occurs during digestion, so the oil may lose some of its potency on the way — not to mention that CBD will kick in with a delay (30-60 minutes).
There’s no one-size-fits-all dosage when it comes to full-spectrum CBD oil. The best way to find the optimal amount of CBD for your needs is to experiment with different dosages, starting at the lower end and making your way up to the point where you experience the health benefits without any adverse reactions.
The optimal dosage for each individual depends on their weight, metabolism, age, tolerance to CBD, body chemistry, and the potency of CBD.
Health Benefits of Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
CBD oil has a plethora of health benefits for different age groups. Research shows it can help ease anxiety and promote a healthy stress response. CBD induces feelings of calm even if you’re in situations that your body would have otherwise considered overwhelming.
60% of CBD users take full-spectrum CBD oil for pain — from inflammation to neuropathy, spasticity, and chronic pain. CBD can reduce inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory proteins (cytokines); it also improves communication between the immune cells, supporting healthy immune responses. Finally, CBD oil can mitigate pain transmission, dampening pain signals in the brain.
CBD can also serve as a mood lifter. For people who struggle with depression, CBD can help promote feelings of happiness and prevent mood from dipping too far down. CBD also improves the neuroplasticity of your brain, contributing to the formation of new neurons. This can lead to enhanced cognitive function and a stable mood.
Last but not least, CBD can improve your sleep quality, even though it isn’t a sedative or hypnotic drug.
First, CBD promotes healthy sleep by helping you manage the symptoms that prevent you from getting enough time for quality rest, such as the aforementioned pain, inflammation, and depression.
Another way CBD contributes to better sleep is through its effects on your circadian rhythm. Low doses of CBD promote alertness and enhance focus, while high doses can make you feel tired by reducing your blood pressure.
To date, there have been over 5,000 studies published on PubMed regarding the effects of CBD and its potential to treat different physical and psychological conditions.
Are Full-Spectrum CBD Oils Safe?
Yes, full-spectrum CBD oil is safe and well-tolerated by humans.
According to the 2017 Update on the Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol, even doses as high as 1,500 mg administered daily for several weeks don’t have dangerous side effects.
Common adverse reactions are mostly mild and include:
- Dry mouth
- Changes in appetite
- A drop in blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea (rare)
CBD can also interact with many pharmaceutical medications because it affects your liver’s ability to metabolize them. If you take any medications, consult your doctor before you buy full-spectrum CBD oil.
Okay, so CBD is safe – but what about THC in full-spectrum products?
Don’t worry, the amount of THC there is so small it doesn’t impact your cognition. If anything, these trace levels can boost the therapeutic effects of CBD and other cannabinoids, creating the aforementioned entourage effect.
Full-Spectrum CBD Oil FAQs
Want to learn more about full-spectrum CBD oil? Here we’ve prepared the answers to the most frequently asked questions:
Will full-spectrum CBD oil make me high?
No, full-spectrum CBD oil won’t get you high because there’s not enough THC in it to induce intoxication.
Even if you consumed a whole bottle of CBD oil at once (which we don’t recommend), you won’t feel high. CBD counteracts the psychoactive effects of THC by blocking the site of CB1 receptors to which THC tries to bind.
Does full-spectrum CBD show up on a drug test?
We can’t give you a clear answer. Most of the time, full-spectrum CBD shouldn’t make you fail a drug test because these tests are designed to look for THC.
However, if you consume extremely large doses of full-spectrum CBD daily, it can trigger a false-positive result on a drug screening.
As long as you have a legitimate hemp-derived CBD oil, it should contain no more than 0.3% THC. You’d need to take more than 1,000 mg of full-spectrum CBD oil daily to fail a drug test for THC.
Can full-spectrum CBD make you feel sleepy?
Yes, at high doses, CBD oil can reduce your blood pressure, making you feel sleepy or dizzy. If you take high doses of full-spectrum CBD, you’ll be better off taking your serving in the evening — unless the formula of your CBD oil includes focus-enhancing compounds, such as pinene, 5-HTP, or GABA.
How is full-spectrum CBD different from broad-spectrum CBD?
Full-spectrum CBD contains all cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the hemp plant, including traces of THC.
Broad-spectrum extracts, on the other hand, have the THC removed after initial extraction. The crude extract can be either thinned down to get rid of THC, or the manufacturer can break it down into individual fractions and combine them in a broad-spectrum blend.
Can you get anxious when using full-spectrum CBD?
No, it’s the THC that can make you feel anxious — not CBD.
CBD can do the opposite. By interacting with the endocannabinoid system, it can act on certain receptors in the brain that regulate stress responses and sensations of fear.
CBD improves serotonin signaling, translating into feelings of happiness, a calm state of mind, and an elevated mood.
It also modulates the activity of GABA receptors, improving your stress response and making you more resistant to daily stressors and distractors.
Last but not least, CBD enhances the levels of anandamide in your bloodstream. Anandamide is one of the two major cannabinoids that plays an essential role in the regulation of homeostatic functions, such as mood, memory, stress, fear, pleasure, body temperature, fertility, appetite, etc.
As mentioned earlier, the trace amounts of THC can’t get you high, let alone induce anxiety or paranoia.
Final Verdict: What’s the Best Full-Spectrum CBD Oil?
The best full-spectrum CBD oil is the one that addresses your health needs and provides relief from your symptoms without draining your savings.
High-quality full-spectrum products offer good value for money and are thoroughly tested by independent laboratories for potency and purity. Only then can you be sure that you’re getting exactly what you’ve paid for.
It’s all the better if your CBD oil comes from organic hemp because organic plants are superior to their mass-produced counterparts in terms of resin production, which is the main ingredient in full-spectrum CBD products.
In our verdict, Area 52 and Royal CBD make the most potent full-spectrum CBD oils that combine the high quality of ingredients with unparalleled transparency and reasonable prices. If you’re looking for the best all-organic full-spectrum CBD, check out the products from Gold Bee.
We hope this article has helped you make a well-informed decision on your next purchase.
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