Best magnesium supplements UK 2024, tried and tested by health experts

In our search for the best magnesium supplements we tried a range of capsules, bath salts, body oils and drinks. We tested them for taste and flavour as well as evaluating the nutrient profile, number of additives and whether they're suitable for vegans, coeliacs and other dietary requirements.

If you're looking for more information, our friends at Good Food have a guide to the health benefits of magnesium, plus a guide to the vital vitamins you need.

Jump to:

• Best magnesium supplements at a glance
• Best UK magnesium supplement
• What form of magnesium should I choose?
• How much magnesium do I need?

Best magnesium supplements at a glance

• Best all-round magnesium product: Nutrition Geeks Magnesium Glycinate 3-in-1, £13.99
• Best magnesium for bone health: Vitabright magnesium citrate, £18.99
• Best magnesium for sleep: Heights Magnesium+, £30
• Best magnesium for reducing anxiety: Trip magnesium gummies, £18
• Best magnesium for digestion: Holland & Barrett magnesium, £8.99

Best magnesium supplements to buy in the UK 2024

Nutrition Geeks Magnesium Glycinate 3-in-1

• Available from Freedom Clinics (£9.99), Nutrition Geeks (£13.99), Amazon (£13.99),

Best all-round product

Star rating: 5/5

Primarily magnesium glycinate (advised for sleep), these capsules also contain the compounds magnesium citrate (for bone health to reduce anxiety) and magnesium malate (to reduce muscle tension) – hopefully bringing you the range of benefits! All in all, they provide your complete daily requirement of magnesium at just 16p a day.

Available from:
Freedom Clinics (£9.99)
Nutrition Geeks (£13.99)
Amazon (£13.99)

Vitabright magnesium citrate

• Available from Vitabright (£18.99), Superdrug (£18.99), Amazon (£18.99)

Best for bone health

Star rating: 4.5/5

This form of magnesium is easily absorbed by the body, and helps support healthy bones. With 118% of your recommended daily dose of this mineral, these capsules don’t contain bulking agents or allergens.

Available from:
Vitabright (£18.99)
Superdrug (£18.99)
Amazon (£18.99)

Heights Magnesium+

• Available from Heights (£30)

Best for sleep

Star rating: 4.5/5

Take two of these filler-free capsules before bed to help your sleep. They contain 80% of your recommended allowance of magnesium glycinate. Sign up to the easily cancellable subscription service for discounts and automated delivery to ensure you never run out.

Available from:
Heights (£30)

Trip magnesium gummies

• Available from Amazon (£18), Trip (£28)

Best for reducing anxiety

Star rating: 3.5/5

The active ingredients here are magnesium citrate (half your daily requirement) and L-theanine (an amino acid found in tea) – both of which are believed to help with anxiety and mood. These gummies are free from sugars (but contain sweeteners) and have a very pleasant strong berry flavour but a slight chalkiness of texture.

Available from:
Amazon (£18)
Trip (£28)

Holland & Barrett magnesium

• Available from Holland & Barrett (£8.99)

Best for digestion

Star rating: 3.5/5

Among the lesser known attributes of magnesium are its digestive benefits. Magnesium oxide (of which these capsules contain 375mg), can help with constipation, heartburn and general digestion. These 1-a-day tablets are great value at 7p a day, but do contain some bulking agents and additives.

Available from:
Holland & Barrett (£8.99)

What form of magnesium should I choose?

Magnesium comes in a number of different forms, which can be chosen depending on individual health needs. It is usually provided in compound form in supplements, and sometimes the partner element can bring health benefits of its own.

Forms and uses include:

• For energy: Magnesium malate / orortate
• For anxiety or mood: Magnesium citrate / lactate / l-threonate / glycinate / chloride
• For digestion, including constipation: Magnesium citrate / lactate / oxide / sulfate
• For heartburn: Magnesium oxide / chloride / carbonate
• For sleep: Magnesium glycinate / chloride
• For heart health: Magnesium taurate / orotate
• For bone health: Magnesium citrate
• For muscle tension: Magnesium malate / sulfate

Supplements come in capsules and gummies, in drinks, and via the skin in bath salts, body oils and sprays. However, there’s limited quality research on how much magnesium can be absorbed via the skin so it’s impossible to gauge whether bath and oil products can help you reach your Nutrient Reference Value (NRV). Capsules and drinks are usually a more accurate way to ensure you’re getting the benefits of the added magnesium.

How much magnesium do I need?

The Nutrient Reference Value (average recommended daily amount) of magnesium is 375mg, however how much magnesium you should be looking to include will depend on individual factors including age, gender, life stage and any health or dietary issues you might have.

Make sure you’re checking the ‘elemental magnesium’ amount on the label, as a compound (for instance, magnesium oxide) won’t contain as much magnesium as the pure form.

Related content

6 supplements experts take
5 most talked about supplements – which to take and which to avoid
8 natural energy boosters to try
20 foods that give you energy
'Why am I always tired?' An expert explains
Best probiotics UK
Best protein powder
Best vitamin D supplement UK
Best greens powder
Best mushroom supplements