Most people think muscle-building supplements start and end with the usual suspects. Whey. Casein. Maybe some BCAAs if they’re feeling fancy. But here’s the curveball—one of the sneakiest performance boosters out there comes from a tiny creature floating in the cold waters of Antarctica.
Krill oil doesn’t get the flashy hype of pre-workouts or protein powders, but it’s loaded with omega-3s, phospholipids, and antioxidants that can help your joints feel better, keep your brain sharper, and even improve how your body recovers after training. The right one can make a noticeable difference.
I’ve gone through the big players on the market—looked at the dosages, purity, sourcing, and the stuff most labels try to hide. This list has the nine best krill oil supplements worth your money and exactly why each one made the cut.
We Know Supplements
We’ve been around the block when it comes to fitness and nutrition. Our team isn’t just made up of certified nutrition coaches, trainers, and athletes—we’re people who’ve spent years actually testing this stuff in real workouts, through heavy lifts, long runs, and everything in between.
We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the overhyped. We know what works because we’ve tried it, tracked it, and paid attention to how it feels and performs in the real world. That’s why every recommendation here comes from research backed up by experience, not just reading a label.
Transparent Labs has a habit of putting out supplements that actually live up to the hype, and their krill oil is no exception. A lot of brands cut corners with fillers or artificial junk to keep costs down. This one keeps it clean. You’re looking at pure krill oil and the natural ingredients needed for the softgel, and that’s it.
Each bottle gives you 30 servings with 1,000 mg of Superba krill oil in every single one. This stuff comes from Antarctic krill, the Euphausia Superba species, which is pretty much the gold standard. It’s loaded with long-chain omega-3s—EPA and DHA—that can help with everything from inflammation and joint pain to mood, heart health, and even how well your body manages fat and blood sugar.
Because it’s bound to phospholipids, your body actually absorbs these omega-3s better than the ones in regular fish oil. That means it works faster and hits harder. You’re not just swallowing a capsule and hoping for the best—you’re getting something your body knows how to use.
People take it for heart health, sharper thinking, and smoother-moving joints. Others like it for the metabolism boost and overall recovery. Whatever your goal, the purity here is the main selling point. No preservatives, no GMOs, no mercury, no artificial anything. Just clean, potent krill oil that does what it’s supposed to do.
Selling Points
Coupon Code TL10 Saves you 10% At Checkout
Offers 1,000mg Of Krill Oil Per Serving
Is Entirely Synthetic, GMO, Preservative, and Mercury-Free
Swolverine might not take the crown, but it’s a strong contender for the silver medal. You’re getting 500 mg of omega-3s in each serving, backed by a clean ingredient list with zero artificial flavors or fillers. They even swap the usual pork-based gelatin for bovine gelatin, which some people consider a healthier choice.
The numbers are solid. You’ve got 100 mg of phospholipids along with 100 mg of EPA and DHA combined. Sure, it’s not as heavy-hitting as Transparent Labs, but here’s the perk—you only need one capsule per serving, not two. With 60 capsules in a bottle, it’ll last you just as long as the top pick.
If there’s a knock, it’s the vanilla flavor. It’s noticeable, not bad, just… there. As for mercury concerns, they don’t make a big statement either way, but based on their focus on quality, it’s hard to imagine they’d let that slip. For anyone after a clean, effective krill oil that’s easy to take and well put together, this is a smart choice.
Selling Points
Has 500 Mg Of Omega-3s
The Serving Size Is Only One Pill (Instead Of Two)
Gelatin Is Bovine-Based Rather Than Pork-Based
Detractors
Vanilla Taste Is More Noticeable Than Transparent Labs (Still Good Though)
No Clear Determination On The Amount Of Astaxanthin
Kori Krill Oil lands in the third spot, and it earns it by keeping things simple, clean, and affordable. This brand doesn’t dabble in a dozen different supplements. They’re all in on krill oil, and you can tell. From the start, their mission has been about giving people legit quality without jacking up the price. They’re transparent about where they source their krill, and they put a lot of weight on sustainability so the oceans don’t get stripped bare.
The krill comes from Antarctic waters, and you get three size options depending on what you can handle. The standard size is one big 1,200 mg softgel. It’s not small—think quarter-sized—but it gets the job done in one shot. The small size is two capsules at 600 mg each, and the mini size is three capsules at 400 mg each. No matter which you pick, you still get 1,200 mg total, and every bottle covers 30 days. And here’s the kicker—they don’t charge extra for one size over another, which is rare.
Now, it’s not perfect. If you’re outside the US, getting your hands on it can be a pain. The actual EPA and DHA content is only about 250 mg, which feels low considering how much krill you’re getting. Plus, there’s sorbitol in the mix, a sugar alcohol usually made from corn syrup. But if you can look past that, Kori is a solid option for anyone who wants decent krill oil without draining their bank account.
Selling Points
Variety Of Size Options
Very Affordable
Offers 1,200 Mg Of Krill
Detractors
EPA & DHA Aren’t Too High In Relation To Kill Amount
We’ve already talked about Transparent Labs, but honestly, it’s worth bringing them up again. Their krill oil isn’t just the top choice for most people, it’s a go-to if inflammation keeps slowing you down.
Here’s why. This formula packs in Astaxanthin, one of the most powerful antioxidants out there. It’s not just stable—it’s the most stable carotenoid known. That matters because it helps improve blood flow, fights oxidative stress, keeps lipid peroxidation in check, and even supports healthier LDL cholesterol levels. Basically, it works on the stuff that makes you feel beat up from the inside out.
What really sets it apart is the balance. Some brands overload you in one area and leave you short somewhere else. Transparent Labs keeps the Astaxanthin level right where it should be for the amount of EPA and DHA you’re getting. You’re not just getting “a lot” of something, you’re getting the right amount.
And like I mentioned earlier, they’re using Superba krill oil, which is bound to phospholipids. That’s a big deal because it makes the omega-3s over 40 times more bioavailable than regular fish oil. You absorb it faster, it hits harder, and you actually feel it working instead of wondering if your supplement’s just expensive placebo.
Selling Points
Astaxanthin Is Perfectly Proportioned For Inflammation
If you’re looking to stretch your dollar as far as it can go, Bulk Supplements Krill Oil is tough to beat. Kori might be a solid budget pick, but this one is the definition of getting the most for your money. You can order anywhere from 100 to a ridiculous 1,000 softgels at a time, which is perfect if you’ve got a big household to supply or just want to stock up and forget about it for a while.
Each serving gives you around 300 mg of omega-3s, and the formula is stripped down to the essentials—just the krill oil, gelatin, and glycerin. No extras, no weird additives. The most popular sizes are the 100 and 300-count bottles. Keep in mind, it’s two softgels per serving, so if you’re trying to match something like Transparent Labs’ 1,000 mg omega-3 punch, you’ll be taking a few extra capsules each day.
Even if you stick with one or two servings, you’re still getting solid benefits. Better heart health, sharper thinking, healthier joints, and the faster absorption you get from krill oil’s phospholipids. Plus, you’re getting extra protection from free radicals, which never hurts.
Bottom line—this isn’t the flashiest krill oil on the market, and it’s not going to beat the heavy hitters on potency. But for the price, it’s a smart buy that’ll keep a family stocked up and feeling the benefits without wrecking the budget.
Selling Points
Great Value With Options As High As 300 & 1,000 Softgels
The Formula Is Very Clean With No Added Sugars Or Artificial Ingredients
Protects Against Free Radicals & Cell Damage While Being Great For Multiple People
For those that are especially interested in improving their physical athleticism, you’ll likely be familiar with the brand Onnit. They are known for producing some very high-quality supplements around the board and their krill oil is no different. Taking the standard krill oil formula and cranking it up to 11, the Onnit Antarctic krill oil supplement adds a stronger emphasis on the number of phospholipids and omega-3s than many other options out there. It includes 1,000 mg of krill oil, with 240 mg of omega-3s. Included in that are 130 mg of EPA and another 60 mg of DHA.
From the phospholipid side of things, there are well over 450 mg, making it a great choice for individuals interested in professional sports as well as keeping their energy levels up even through the more exhaustive workouts [2].
Where things do slightly go south is in the supplement’s use of ethyl vanillin, an artificial vanilla extract. Other krill oil supplements use a vanilla flavoring to help with the taste, though the fact that the majority of these (on this list) are natural flavorings does severely detract from Onnit, at least in this area. That said, the rest of its ingredients are all above board, and the amount of krill you’re getting at the price you’re paying makes this a great option for anyone looking to improve their fitness.
Selling Points
Has 450 Mg Of Phospholipids, Making It Great For Athletes
Uses Sustainable Sourcing & Harvesting Methods
Offers A Full Refund After Trying For Two Weeks
Detractors
Includes Artificial Flavorings & Corn-Based Sugar Alcohols
EPAs & DHAs Aren’t On The Same Level As Others On This List
If you want a krill oil that’s loaded to the max, Source Naturals Arctic Pure is the heavyweight champ. This is the one you reach for when you care less about the price tag and more about packing your body with omega-3s, phospholipids, and astaxanthin in serious amounts. It’s a premium pick, but you can feel why as soon as it starts working. The absorption is fast, the effects hit quicker, and you know you’re not getting some watered-down version of the real thing.
They give you two ways to go. There’s the 500 mg option and the 1,000 mg option, each with its own bottle sizes so you can stock up however you want. The smaller 500 mg comes in 30, 60, or 120 softgels, but you’ll take two at a time. The bigger 1,000 mg version is one capsule per serving, with either 30 or 60 in a bottle.
Both hit the same big numbers—over 420 mg of phospholipids, 300 mg of omega-3s, 150 mg of EPA, 90 mg of DHA, and 1.5 mg of astaxanthin. There aren’t many supplements that can match those stats across the board. If you’re after total body benefits instead of just targeting one thing, this one is built for you.
The difference comes down to purity. The 500 mg version gets its extra punch from added ingredients like fish oil, medium-chain triglycerides, vitamin E, and ascorbyl palmitate. The 1,000 mg version skips all that and keeps it strictly krill oil and capsule ingredients. So if you want it pure, go for the bigger one. If you’re okay with a few extras and smaller capsules, the 500 mg still hits just as hard.
Selling Points
Has Two Krill Oil Options, 500 MGs & 1,000 MGs, With Both Having The Same Amount Of Benefit
Includes 420 MGs of Phospholipids & 300 MGs Of Omega-3s
A Great Option For Those That Want A High Amount Universally
Detractors
Smaller Option Includes Soy & Fish Oil
Both Still Have A Fishy Aftertaste (Though The 1,000 MG Option Is Stronger)
Not only is Swolverine’s krill oil a great supplemental option overall, but it also excels particularly well when it comes to phospholipid delivery into the body. This is important as phospholipids have been shown to greatly lower LDL cholesterol while raising HDL cholesterol, improving cardio health [3]. It’s also been shown to reduce inflammation in the body as well as lower one’s risk of heart disease and certain cancers [4].
Krill oil has specifically been shown to be a great provider of phospholipids, with krill itself offering upwards of 40% phospholipids compared to fish which only offers around 1.5% [5]. Swolverine stands out amongst other krill oil providers as, in addition to offering over 500 mg of Omega-3s, each serving includes 100 mg of phospholipids. As mentioned previously, this is made even more impressive when you consider that they are able to pack all of their power into a single gelatin softgel capsule rather than spread it out in two or more capsule servings.
If you’re interested in fast absorption into the body, Swolverine is an ideal option. It may not quite offer the same omega-3 amount as others, but what it does offer is delivered into the body virtually faster than any other choice out there.
Selling Points
Offers 100 mg Of Phospholipids
Is Very Cost Effective
Uses Bovine For Capsules, Making Them Kosher
Detractors
Vanilla Flavor Is More Noticeable Than Other Options
While High In Phospholipids, It Is Slightly Lacking In Other Krill Oil Aspects
Last on the list is Live Conscious’ KrillWell krill oil supplement. While simplistic, this krill oil makes a point of having an incredibly potent formula that makes a point of offering a ton of krill oil alongside its more standard softgel ingredient list. Coming with the most krill oil of any on this list (or in general), KrillWell has over 1,500 mg of krill oil, 180 mg of that being omega-3s. The supplement also has 90 mg of EPA, 60 mg of DHA, and over 285 mg of Phospholipids. It also has over 600 mcg (0.6 mg) of Astaxanthin.
Unlike any of the other options, you’re going to need to take three softgel capsules per serving, though they are much smaller and more easily consumed when compared to the other options on this list.
From a pricing perspective, they are fairly standard, sitting closer to the upper middle of the pack with $30, per bottle. You can get the price to drop by upwards of 13% if you buy six bottles at a time. They also have a 365-day money-back guarantee, meaning it’s pretty much risk-free after you get it.
Selling Points
Very High Amounts Of Krill Oil
Has A Small But Potent Ingredient List
Comes With A 365-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Detractors
Fishy Aftertaste Is Slightly There
While Krill Oil Is High, Omega-3s & Astaxanthin Are Pretty Low
What Is Krill Oil?
While not technically a muscle-building supplement in and of itself, krill oil has a plethora of useful benefits that make your time in the gym infinitely more productive, getting more out of your reps while also allowing you to push even further.
Krill oil itself comes from microscopic crustaceans that dwell in the ocean. These crustaceans are tiny versions of things like prawns, lobsters, and crabs. They are spawned in the billions and are fed on by virtually all fish, with whales being their largest predator. When it comes to humans, they are mostly harvested from the Atlantic krill.
What makes krill and krill oil so useful is that it’s a much more sustainable alternative to fish oil supplements, providing many of the same benefits, the most apparent of which is the high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Some studies argue that the omega-3s from krill are actually superior to those from regular fish oil, and able to be delivered more efficiently into the body [1].
There are many benefits to krill oil, however, like most other supplements, the sourcing practices, and additional ingredients can have a huge impact on each brand’s overall quality. It’s because of this, unfortunately, that many krill oil supplements don’t absorb nearly as well as they could into the body, resulting in much of the benefits essentially being wasted.
Below, we’ve curated a list of the 9 best krill oil supplements on the market to date and why they succeed where many other options fail. If you’re serious about transforming yourself this 2023, you’ll not only want to consider taking a krill oil supplement, but you’ll want to consider taking a quality krill oil supplement.
How We Decide The Best Krill Oil
As you can see, even amongst the included options on this list, there are a lot of things that can go into quality krill oil. Depending on what producers are focusing on, the amount of one substance may be focused on more than another. This isn’t even to say about the potential for artificial and synthetic ingredients that may show up in your supplement if you aren’t careful.
We make a concerted effort to find quality, potent krill oil supplements for a variety of different individuals based on price point, overall effectiveness, as well as specific areas of focus. Just a few of these considerations include the following:
#1. Sustainability
The first area we pay attention to is if the supplement is harvested sustainably. Because wild-caught krill can potentially be overfished, it’s very important to support producers that harvest sustainably. This ensures that there is as little negative impact on the environment while also letting you know that you’re getting a generally higher quality product.
Interestingly, we’ve also noticed that supplements that stress their sustainability practices tend to often have products that are better overall when compared to supplements that ignore sustainability.
#2. Third-Party Purity Testing
After sustainability, we make sure to review whether or not there is third-party purity testing. A krill oil supplement that hasn’t been purity tested by an impartial third party leaves you open to consuming various synthetic ingredients or even taking on krill oil from impure sources, often from farmed locations rather than wild-caught. You want to make sure that what you’re taking on is as healthy and as quality as possible.
#3. Omega-3s
The omega-3 content is, quite frankly, the most important part of krill oil supplementation, and should be looked at first when seriously considering its overall quality. While we take a look at EPA, DHA, phospholipids, and astaxanthin, the largest area of focus will always be omega-3s. Even if the focus of the manufacturer is to produce something that emphasizes one of these other substances, there should still be a relatively high amount of omega-3s per serving.
#4. Dosages
In addition to the number of omega-3s found, we make a point of determining which options will have the ideal dosages for their respective formulas. For example, just because one may have high omega-3s, if the astaxanthin or phospholipids aren’t at a reasonable level, you may actually be absorbing and using less than one that is a bit more balanced out. This is true for all of the major substances noted.
Ideally, you’ll want a combined total of at least 250 – 500 mg of omega-3s, EPAs, and DHAs per respective serving [6].
#5. Ingredient Purity
Lastly, we make a point of being on the lookout for krill oil options that have as few artificial ingredients as possible. While some of the options on this list may include an artificial flavoring, the benefits far outweigh the minor drawbacks, especially when you consider the fact that many other krill oil options on the market contain a variety of synthetic ingredients that, at best, mislead you into thinking the supplement is healthier for you than it actually is, or worse, actually prove detrimental to your overall health.
You ideally want to make sure your krill oil has virtually no fillers or outside ingredients beyond a natural flavoring and the contents for the softgel capsule itself. Anything else should be viewed more cautiously.
FAQs
#1. Which Is Better – Fish Oil Or Krill Oil?
Both fish oil and krill oil are very potent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Generally, fish oil is more prevalent when compared to krill oil. However, while there are a lot of benefits to fish oil, krill oil is shown to absorb faster into the body due to its higher amounts of phospholipids [7] [8].
In addition, krill oil has been shown to include more antioxidants as well as more effectively lower blood sugar and LDL cholesterol when compared to fish oil, even at lower dosage amounts [7].
#2. Should I Take Krill Oil?
Krill oil, while not necessary, has a ton of proven health benefits for virtually all parts of the body. If you are someone that suffers from inflammation, heart issues, mental or emotional challenges, depression & anxiety, it may be worth it to take a look at krill oil and what it can do to help your situation [9].
#3. Are There Negative Impacts Of Harvesting Krill?
Despite being a microscopic organism, krill plays a vital role in our aquatic ecosystem, feeding numerous fish as well as various undersea creatures like whales. As such, harvesting can potentially be a serious issue if done aggressively without tempering one’s fishing habits. This can result in overfishing the krill population, not only losing out on krill oil but also negatively impacting the world.
To overcome these negative issues, it’s important to support and buy from companies that sustainably source their krill and are ocean-safe. These companies should ideally be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the International Krill Oil Standard (IKOS), or even the Friend of the Sea.
#4. Are There Any Negative Side Effects To Krill Oil?
While the side effects are rare and minimal, some people have reported suffering digestive issues such as bloating, nausea, or diarrhea. Others have noticed a shift in their mood as well as an increased sense of tiredness. As such, even though krill oil has a lot of benefits, you may not want to take it every single day.
Ideally, you should speak with a doctor to confirm the amount of krill oil you should ideally have per day to feel the optimal effects without any of the potential side effects.
#5. Should I Be Taking Krill Oil?
With rare exceptions, there’s little reason why anyone shouldn’t take krill oil. It has been shown to help improve things like hair growth, offering fuller and thicker hair. It’s also been shown to improve brain, skin, and heart health while also being a great option for those with arthritis and other joint pain [10].
Those that may want to steer clear of krill oil are primarily those that may have a shellfish allergy as well as women that are either pregnant or breastfeeding. You should also consider avoiding krill oil if you plan to go into surgery within the next two weeks or have a bleeding disorder. This is primarily due to the fact that krill oil has been shown to slow blood clotting and thus increase the risk of continued bleeding.
#6. Can Krill Oil Be Used To Lose Weight?
Because krill oil contains high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, they are a great way to reduce hunger and lose weight. In addition, omega-3s have been shown to improve one’s metabolism [11] as well as increase energy levels, and reduce inflammation.
Many who take krill oil have noticed a feeling of satiety and fullness after taking a meal due to the fatty acids. This makes it a great supplement to take alongside exercise and a healthy balanced diet.
Conclusion
If you’re someone that is seriously considering getting in shape and transforming your body, while there are a lot of supplements out there, krill oil is a phenomenal boost with some truly remarkable benefits to the body. It is a more effective alternative to fish oil, with more easily absorbable omega-3 fatty acids while also being generally more sustainably harvested.
While it’s important to always remember that krill oil is a useful supplement rather than a magic pill, when used in connection with your workouts and proper dieting, it can be a great way to see dramatic improvements to your overall heart health, muscle & joint health, and even cognitive thinking.
If you’re not sure where to start, your best bet is to consider either the krill oil from Transparent Labs or Swolverine. Both of these options not only have high amounts of krill oil and omega-3s, but both are incredibly clean, use sustainable harvesting methods, and specialize in either reducing inflammation or increasing how much phospholipid enters your body and improves your absorption. All of the options on this list are spectacular based on what you’re looking for. However, if you don’t know where to start, Transparent Labs is definitely the top choice worth looking into.
References
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Jäger R, Purpura M, Kingsley M. Phospholipids and sports performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2007 Jul 25;4:5. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-4-5. PMID: 17908342; PMCID: PMC1997116.
Hals PA, Wang X, Xiao YF. Effects of a purified krill oil phospholipid rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular disease risk factors in non-human primates with naturally occurring diabetes type-2 and dyslipidemia. Lipids Health Dis. 2017 Jan 17;16(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12944-017-0411-z. PMID: 28095913; PMCID: PMC5240272.
Hals PA, Wang X, Xiao YF. Effects of a purified krill oil phospholipid rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular disease risk factors in non-human primates with naturally occurring diabetes type-2 and dyslipidemia. Lipids Health Dis. 2017 Jan 17;16(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12944-017-0411-z. PMID: 28095913; PMCID: PMC5240272.
Lordan, R.; Tsoupras, A.; Zabetakis, I. Phospholipids of Animal and Marine Origin: Structure, Function, and Anti-Inflammatory Properties. Molecules2017, 22, 1964. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22111964
Preston Mason R. New Insights into Mechanisms of Action for Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Atherothrombotic Cardiovascular Disease. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2019 Jan 12;21(1):2. doi: 10.1007/s11883-019-0762-1. PMID: 30637567; PMCID: PMC6330561.
Bunea R, El Farrah K, Deutsch L. Evaluation of the effects of Neptune Krill Oil on the clinical course of hyperlipidemia. Altern Med Rev. 2004 Dec;9(4):420-8. PMID: 15656713.
Köhler A, Sarkkinen E, Tapola N, Niskanen T, Bruheim I. Bioavailability of fatty acids from krill oil, krill meal and fish oil in healthy subjects–a randomized, single-dose, cross-over trial. Lipids Health Dis. 2015 Mar 15;14:19. doi: 10.1186/s12944-015-0015-4. PMID: 25884846; PMCID: PMC4374210.
Cardoso C, Afonso C, Bandarra NM. Dietary DHA and health: cognitive function ageing. Nutr Res Rev. 2016 Dec;29(2):281-294. doi: 10.1017/S0954422416000184. Epub 2016 Nov 21. PMID: 27866493.
Andraka JM, Sharma N, Marchalant Y. Can krill oil be of use for counteracting neuroinflammatory processes induced by high fat diet and aging? Neurosci Res. 2020 Aug;157:1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2019.08.001. Epub 2019 Aug 22. PMID: 31445058.
Andraka JM, Sharma N, Marchalant Y. Can krill oil be of use for counteracting neuroinflammatory processes induced by high fat diet and aging? Neurosci Res. 2020 Aug;157:1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.neures.2019.08.001. Epub 2019 Aug 22. PMID: 31445058.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic with over 25 years in the industry. He’s run half marathons, tackled mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, and coached everything from wrestling to girls’ soccer.
Along the way, he’s tested hundreds of supplements and built a deep well of supplement knowledge. His work has appeared in Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review, and more. Today, he’s the editor-in-chief of this site, still training hard and helping others reach their goals. Connect with him on LinkedIn below.
