Eating iron-rich foods is a key part of managing low iron levels but if you’re advised by your GP or healthcare practitioner to consider an iron supplement, we’ve tested some of the leading products to find the most appropriate for a number of circumstances.

Read on to discover the best iron supplements, how to use iron supplements safely and who might benefit from an iron supplement and how to choose an iron supplement below...

Find out more about a high-iron diet.

Best iron supplements at a glance

Best iron tablets:

  • Best iron supplement overall: Vitabright Gentle Iron Bisglycinate 28mg, £12.99
  • Best iron supplement for vegans: JS Health Iron+, £16.99

Best iron capsules:

  • Best value iron supplement: Holland & Barrett Gentle Iron 20mg, £8.99
  • Best capsule iron supplement: Iron Zooki capsules, £22.49

Best iron liquid:

  • Best liquid iron supplement: California Gold Liquid Iron, £10.19
  • Best iron supplement for vegetarians: Floradix liquid iron & vitamin formula, £11.84
  • Best iron supplement for convenience: Zooki Iron sachets, £24 - two week supply
  • Best iron supplement for female health: Spatone Original, £9.10

Best iron sprays:

  • Best iron supplement for digestive issues: BetterYou Iron 10mg Oral Spray, £7.79

Best iron gummies:

  • Best chewable iron supplement: Novomins – Iron Gummies, £11.99

Jump to section:

Best iron supplements 2024

Best iron tablets

Vitabright Gentle Iron Bisglycinate 28mg

Available from Amazon (£8.99), Vitabright (£12.99), Superdrug (£12.99)

Vitabright Gentle Iron Bisglycinate 28mg

Best iron supplement overall

Price per day: 14p

Star rating: 4.5/5

Providing 200% of your NRV from the suggested two tablets a day, this product offers the flexibility to reduce the dose as and when needed. Iron is provided in an easy to absorb form. Our testers found this product easy to take, gentle on the stomach and excellent value for money.

Available from:

JS Health Iron+

Available from JSHealth (£16.99)

JS Health Iron+

Best iron supplement for vegans

Price per day: 57p

Star rating: 4/5

With iron levels exceeding the NRV (171%), B vitamins including folate, as well as vitamin C this is a good all-rounder. The easy-to-absorb form of iron is gentle on the digestive system and the additional nutrients help support energy levels and enhance iron absorption. However, testers reported the smell of the product ‘a little off-putting’.

Available from:

Best iron capsules

Holland & Barrett Gentle Iron 20mg

Available from Holland & Barrett (£8.99)

Holland & Barrett Gentle Iron 20mg

Best value iron supplement

Price per day: 10p

Star rating: 4.5/5

One of the most cost-effective of the products we sampled. This product provides iron at levels exceeding the NRV (143%) and in an easy to absorb form that is gentle on the stomach.

Available from:

Iron Zooki capsules

Available from Healf (£22.49), Zooki (£24.99), Amazon (£24.99), Bodykind (£24.99)

Iron Zooki capsules

Best capsule iron supplement

Price per day: 83p

Star rating: 3.5/5

These easy-to-swallow capsules had no aftertaste, supplied iron in excess of the NRV (143%), delivered in a liposomal form that the manufacturers claim enhances absorption.

Available from:

Best iron liquid

California Gold Liquid Iron

Available from iHerb (£10.19)

California Gold Liquid Iron

Best liquid iron supplement

Price per day: 52p

Star rating: 4/5

Our testers liked the taste of this liquid iron and found the 1 teaspoon a day easy to fit into their day. Suitable for vegans, the product contains no additives or preservatives. It supplies an easy-to-absorb form of iron and was more palatable than some of the other liquid products we trialled.

Available from:

Floradix liquid iron & vitamin formula (250ml)

Available from Healf (£11.84), Superdrug (£14.49), Boots (£14.50), Holland & Barrett (£14.99)

Floradix liquid iron & vitamin formula (250ml)

Best iron supplement for vegetarians

Price per day: £1.04

Star rating: 3.5/5

With herbal extracts, this liquid iron is combined with B vitamins and vitamin C to provide an all-round energy tonic. Being a natural product, without preservatives and additives, it must be refrigerated once opened and used within the specified time. Our testers liked the aromatic smell but were less keen on the taste and flavour.

Available from:

Zooki Iron sachets

Available from QVC (£24 - two week supply), Zooki (£24.99 - two week supply), Victoria Health (£24.99 - two week supply), Selfridges (£49.99 - 30 day supply), Bodykind (£49.99 - 30 day supply)

Zooki Iron sachets

Best iron supplement for convenience

Price per day: 83p

Star rating: 3.5/5

Supplied in a portable sachet – the contents of which can be consumed in a multitude of ways – our testers found this a convenient alternative to tablets or capsules. With vitamin C included in the formulation, iron absorption may be enhanced. Our testers were divided on taste concluding that if intense fruity, sweet flavours are to your liking this innovative form of supplementation may be for you.

Available from:

Spatone Original

Available from Amazon (£9.10), Holland & Barrett (£15), Boots (£28.35 - three month supply)

Spatone Original

Best iron supplement for female health

Price per day: 55p

Star rating: 3.5/5

This iron-rich water offers a natural solution. Supplied in a convenient single-serve sachet, the product can be taken straight or mixed with juice or water. At 36% NRV, levels were the lowest of the products we trialled, making it most suited for maintaining iron levels.

Available from:

Best iron sprays

BetterYou Iron 10mg Oral Spray

Available from Amazon (£7.79), BetterYou (£14.95), Victoria Health (£14.95), Boots (£15)

BetterYou Iron 10mg Oral Spray

Best iron supplement for digestive issues

Price per day: 47p

Star rating: 4/5

Designed to bypass the digestive system, just four sprays into the inner cheek delivers 10mg of iron (71% NRV) to the bloodstream. Our testers found the product convenient and portable but reported mixed views on the sweet taste and flavour.

Available from:

Best iron gummies

Novomins – Iron Gummies

Available from Novomins (£11.99), Amazon (£13.49), Superdrug (£14.99)

Novomins – Iron Gummies

Best chewable iron supplement

Price per day: 33p

Star rating: 4/5

‘Pleasant tasting, sweet flavour’ were comments made by our testers about this sugar-free product. Two gummies a day supply in excess of the NRV (143%) from a bio-available form of iron. While gummies are inevitably higher in additives, they are a useful alternative if you struggle to take tablets or capsules.

Available from:

Why do we need iron?

Iron is important for making red blood cells, these cells carry oxygen around the body and help keep us energised. Iron is also needed for growth and development and for making hormones. Low levels of iron may lead to iron-deficiency anaemia, however, the majority of us should be able to get the iron we need from a varied, balanced diet.

How much iron do I need?

This depends on your age, gender, life stage, and any health or dietary issues you might have. The Nutrient Reference Value or NRV (average recommended daily amount) of iron is 14mg for women and girls of reproductive age, with lower levels (8.7mg) needed for men and post-menopausal women.

What should I look for on the label?

Make sure you’re checking the amount of ‘elemental iron’ on the product label – this figure represents the amount of iron on its own and not when it is combined with another ingredient.

If you’ve been advised to take an iron supplement check with your GP or a pharmacist about the daily dose you should be taking, although 17mg or less per day is unlikely to cause harm.

What we looked for in iron supplements

All supplements were tested over a similar time period, with notes made according to the testing criteria. We included samples from a range of manufacturers offering a variety of formats including tablets, capsules, gummies, liquids and sprays and with a range of price points to accommodate a variety of budgets. The key areas we assessed were as follows:

  • Taste and flavour: is the taste and flavour pleasant?
  • Form of iron: is iron provided in a form that is easy to absorb and less likely to cause side effects, such as gastric upset? Is the iron combined with other nutrients that may support its absorption?
  • Nutrient profile: how much iron per daily dose? How does this compare to the NRV?
  • Additives: does the product contain additives such as preservatives, artificial sweeteners or colourings?
  • Dietary requirements: does the product meet any specific dietary needs– is it vegetarian, vegan?
  • Value for money: how does it compare to other products on a cost-per-day basis

How to use iron supplements safely

Speak to your GP or a registered dietician to assess your need for an iron supplement. This is important because signs of iron overload are very similar to those of low levels.

Who might benefit from using an iron supplement?

Those most at risk of low iron levels include menstruating women, mums-to-be, those with a gastric disease or on a limited diet as well as children who are growing rapidly.

Who shouldn’t take iron supplements?

There are a number of reasons why an iron supplement may be inappropriate these include, but are not limited to:

  • If you have another type of anaemia that is not affected by iron
  • Have a condition called haemochromatosis
  • Have a condition that affects red blood cells such as sickle cell anaemia or thalassemia
  • Have a stomach ulcer or irritable bowel disease
  • Are having repeated blood transfusions

Is it possible to take too much iron?

Yes - very high doses can be fatal, especially for children so always keep iron supplements out of their reach – this is especially relevant for products that taste nice, such as gummies.

How to choose an iron supplement

  • Source wisely and buy from a reputable company.
  • Choose a formulation suitable for your age and gender.
  • Check the product delivers an effective dose - you can check recommended daily intake (NRV) together with the safe upper levels for most nutrients at hsis.org.
  • Check the product carries a batch number and expiry date.
  • Take only as directed on the label.

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Related content:

How to get the most out of supplements
Do supplements work?
What supplements should I take?
Five nutrients every woman needs
Iron-rich recipes

If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.

All health content on goodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other healthcare professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.

Always keep supplements out of the reach of children.
Unless otherwise stated we tested products available in the UK market and suitable for adults.

Check the product label and ingredients before purchase to ensure it is appropriate for your individual circumstances.

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Kerry Torrens
Registered Nutritionist

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