Best vitamin D supplements UK 2024, tried and tested by health experts

In our search for the best vitamin D supplements we tried a range of capsules, sprays, gummies and liquids. 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 vital vitamins that you need.

Jump to:

• Best UK vitamin D supplement at a glance
• Best UK vitamin D supplement
• What strength of vitamin D should I take in the UK
• What form of Vitamin D is the most beneficial?

Best UK vitamin D supplement at a glance

• Best vitamin D for those requiring a high dose: Vitabright Vitamin D3, £16.99
• Best liquid vitamin D: Zooki Vitamin D, £24.99
• Best spray vitamin D: BetterYou D3000+K2, £8.90
• Best affordable vitamin D capsule: JS Health Vegan Vitamin D, £19.99
• Best blowout vitamin D capsule: Zooki Vitamin D3+K2, £23.49
• Best vitamin D for taking on the go: Vitl Vitamin D3, £5.95
• Best easy-to-take vitamin D capsule: VitamoreD D3, £12.99
• Best vitamin D for buying in bulk: Performance Lab D3+K2, £57
• Best vitamin D gummy: Nutrigums Delicious Vitamin D3 Gummies, £7.99
• Best soluble vitamin D: Holland & Barrett High Strength Effervescent Vitamin D3, £3.99

Best UK vitamin D supplement

Vitabright Vitamin D3

• Available from Amazon (£16.99)

Best vitamin D for those recommended a high dose

Star rating: 4.5/5

If you've had your vitamin D levels checked and have been recommended to take a high does, this supplement would be well suited to you as it has the maximum dose of 100mcg (2000% NRV) vitamin D3. In one bottle you get 425 capsules, which are a one-a-day dose, which amounts to a 14-month supply — great if you want to shop once.

Here the Vitamin D3 is combined with sunflower oil for better absorption, although not vitamin K. The capsules are gluten- and lactose-free, although they aren't vegetarian as the shells contain gelatine.

Zooki Vitamin D

• Available from Zooki (£24.99)

Best liquid vitamin D

Star rating: 4.5/5

This supplement comes in the form of a liquid which, on test, we found tasted similar to a mixed berry yogurt. It can be drunk straight from the sachet or added to a smoothie or yogurt bowl and would work well if you struggle taking capsules.

Each sachet contains 75mcg (1500% NRV) of vitamin D3 plus vitamin K2 in an oil base, and is suitable for vegans.

BetterYou D3000+K2

• Available from Amazon (£7.44)

Best spray vitamin D

Star rating: 4.5/5

This supplement comes in the form of a spray which makes it another good option if you prefer to avoid capsules. Three sprays makes up a single dose which needs to be applied to the inside of your cheek and has a pleasant peppermint oil flavour.

A single dose (three sprays) contains 75mcg (1500% NRV) of vitamin D3, and the supplement also contains vitamin K. It's worth noting that this supplement isn't suitable for vegans as it is extracted from lanolin.

JS Health Vegan Vitamin D

• Available from JS Health (£19.99)

Best affordable vitamin D capsule

Star rating: 4/5

At 33p per dose this is one of the more affordable supplements we tested, and you can buy it on a subscription which takes the daily cost down to 28p. These capsules contain the recommended daily dose of 25mcg (500% NRV) of vitamin D3, which we were impressed by given their small size.

This supplement is suitable for vegans since it's combined with bran oil which helps the body to absorb the vitamin.

Zooki Vitamin D3+K2

• Available from Healf (£22.49)

Best blowout vitamin D capsule

Star rating: 4/5

The second entry from Zooki in this list, this supplement comes in the form of capsules. It's one of the more expensive we tested at 83p per dose.

Each capsule contains a generous dose of 75mcg (1500% NRV) of vitamin D3 along with vitamin K. It is suitable for vegans and those on a gluten-free diet but should be avoided if you're on blood thinners, due to the vitamin K.

Vitl Vitamin D3

• Available from Vitl (£5.95)

Best vitamin D for taking on the go

Star rating: 4/5

With this supplement you get a monthly dose which comes in a nifty tin which is ideal for taking on the go. The softgel capsules are small which we found made them very comfortable to swallow, and are also vegan.

Each capsule contains 25mcg (500% NRV) of vitamin D3, which is an optimum serving, and they also contain sunflower oil to help your body absorb the vitamin.

VitamoreD D3

• Available from VitamoreD (£12.99)

Best easy-to-take vitamin D capsule

Star rating: 4/5

Each of these capsules contains 50mcg (1000% NRV) of vitamin D3, and the vitamin D is made from calcifediol, which is the form of vitamin D we make in the liver. The manufacturer claims that this form is better absorbed than cholecalciferol, which is widely used in other vitamin D supplements, and means that this supplement doesn't contain any oil.

The capsules are very small and on test we found them easy to swallow.

Performance Lab D3+K2

• Available from Performance Lab (£57)

Best vitamin D for buying in bulk

Star rating: 3.5/5

Although the initial cost of these supplements may seem high compared to others in this list, you get a four-month supply, which could work well if you have lots of storage space and don't want to worry about running out of vitamin D supplement.

Each capsule contains 25mcg (500% NRV) as well as vitamin K. You'll need to take this supplement with some fat-containing food as they don't contain any oil themselves. The vitamin D3 in this supplement is from freeze-dried algae, which makes it suitable for those on a vegan diet.

Nutrigums Delicious Vitamin D3 Gummies

• Available from Nutrigums (£7.99)

Best vitamin D gummy

Star rating: 3.5/5

A gummy can be an easy way to fit a supplement into your routine if you don't favour capsules. Each daily dose contains 25mcg (500% NRV) of vitamin D3, as well as coconut oil to help absorption. Something to be aware of is that gummies aren't generally considered as efficient a delivery mechanism as capsules, and these are higher in additives than some other supplements in this list.

Holland & Barrett High Strength Effervescent Vitamin D3

• Available from Holland and Barrett (£8.49)

Best soluble vitamin D

Star rating: 3.5/5

These effervescent tablets are designed to be dissolved in 200ml of water, making a drink that contains 75mcg (1500% NRV) of vitamin D3. On test, we liked the raspberry flavour although it was probably too sweet to enjoy first thing in the morning.

Each tube contains 20 daily doses of the supplement and these are also suitable for vegans.

What strength of vitamin D should I take in the UK?

The daily dose of vitamin D you need will vary depending on a range of individual requirements. These include age, skin colour, whether you're pregnant or breastfeeding and how much time you spend outdoors (with exposed skin).

Broadly, the NHS advises a daily dose of 10 micrograms (or 400 International Units or IU) for most adults and children over the age of one, and that adults should take no more than 100mcg (4000 IU) a day.

Our expert nutritionist suggests that for most people living in the UK a daily dose of 10-25mcg per day should be sufficient.

The nutrient reference value (NRV) or recommended daily amount that you will see on labels is 5mcg. This is the amount set by the European Union for food labelling purposes and this figure has been retained and now forms part of our UK food law.

What form of Vitamin D is the most beneficial?

To help with a deficiency, vitamin D2 and D3 are the most beneficial. Generally though vitamin D3 is considered to be more active and longer lasting, and is naturally produced in our skin.

For a vitamin D3 supplement to be the most effective it'll need to contain (or be taken with) oil, as the vitamin D3 is fat-soluble. Look for oil-based capsules or sprays which bypass the gut for a more direct delivery mechanism.

Some vitamin D supplements contain vitamin K which can help the body to use calcium appropriately, but won't be suitable for everyone, including those on blood thinners.

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