If you're like me, you're probably a little older and wondering 'Am I actually vitamin-deficient? Are all these claims about getting more energy in just a few weeks are true?' Which one in the market even has the right formulation to make that happen? So I tried 5 of the best multivitamins on the market over the course of monthsand ranked them based on the differences I noticed after 8 weeks using each.
But... first some background on what what makes a good multivitamin and how they can improve your energy, skin, hair and joints.
Written by: Eliza Huntington Jan 22, 2026
Expert Tested
95%
of Americans have vitamin D intakes below recommended levels [1]
Over 50%
of people worldwide have inadequate intake of iron, riboflavin, folate, or vitamin C [2]
Approx. 65%
of adults do not regularly use a Multivitamin. [3]
What are vitamins? Simply put, vitamins are essential micronutrients your body needs to function properly. They don’t provide energy like calories do, but they make energy, repair, and regulation possible. Vitamins are involved in everything from turning food into fuel, to building cells, supporting immunity, and keeping your brain and nervous system running smoothly.
Why your body needs vitamins? Your body can’t make most vitamins on its own, which means you must get them from food or supplements. Vitamins like A, C, D, E, and the B-complex each play specific roles - some help with vision and skin, others with metabolism, hormone signaling, red blood cell production, and cellular repair.
That’s why vitamins are so critical. Think of your body like a factory full of machines. Food is the raw material - but vitamins are the lubricants, switches, and instruction manuals. Without them, the machines don’t stop instantly… they just start running inefficiently. Over time, things break down, slow down, or stop working as well as they should.In short: vitamins don’t do the work - but without them, the work can’t get done.
What Can Multivitamin Supplements Do?
Taking a daily multivitamin is a convenient way to replenish the essential vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients your body relies on every single day. While many of these nutrients do exist in food, getting optimal amounts consistently would require eating a perfectly balanced, nutrient-dense diet - every day, without exception. For most people, that’s simply not realistic.Modern farming practices, food processing, stress, and lifestyle factors all contribute to nutrient gaps. A multivitamin helps fill those gaps, acting as nutritional insurance when diet alone falls short.
“Once your body begins running low on key vitamins and minerals, energy, skin, hair, and overall health can slowly decline.”
When it comes to supporting energy, immune health, skin, hair, and overall vitality, consistency is everything. A multivitamin isn’t a miracle pill - and results won’t appear overnight. Benefits build gradually when your body is supplied with essential nutrients daily, over months, allowing it to function the way it was designed to.
5 Types of Multivitamins
Whole-food Multivitamin: Made from concentrated fruits and vegetables, these include natural cofactors like phytonutrients and enzymes that support absorption.
Methylated Multivitamin: Use active forms of B vitamins (like methylated B12 and folate) that are easier for the body to use, especially for people with absorption or genetic issues.
Gummy Multivitamin: Chewable and great-tasting, but often lower in potency and higher in sugars compared to capsule or tablet forms.
Once A Day Multivitamin: Designed for convenience, combining essential vitamins and minerals into a single daily serving.
Targeted Multivitamin: Formulated for specific groups or goals, such as men, women, seniors, athletes, or prenatal support.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF MULTIVITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION* 1. Support daily energy and metabolism* 2. Help maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails* 3. Support immune system function* 4. Aid nutrient absorption and cellular health* 5. Support overall wellness and an active lifestyle*
Note: Individual results may vary. The benefits stated are based on the roles of vitamins and minerals in the body and may differ from person to person.
What Are the Best Types of Multivitamins 1. Whole-Food Multivitamins Naturally sourced from fruits, vegetables, and plant-based ingredients, whole-food multivitamins provide vitamins and minerals alongside phytonutrients and enzymes. Because they come from real food sources, they’re often easier for the body to recognize and absorb, making them popular for overall wellness, energy, and skin health. 2. Once-a-Day Multivitamins Designed for convenience, once-a-day multivitamins combine a broad range of essential vitamins and minerals into a single daily serving. They’re easy to take; although sometimes can be a larger capsule, nutrients are often compressed into higher doses, which can limit absorption for some people compared to formulas spread across multiple servings. 3. Methylated Multivitamins Formulated with active forms of B vitamins - such as methylated B12 and folate - these multivitamins are designed for improved absorption and utilization, especially for individuals who may have difficulty converting standard vitamin forms.
All Multivitamins Are NOT Created Equal With hundreds of multivitamin options on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Formulas vary widely in ingredient quality, nutrient forms, sourcing, and absorption. When choosing a multivitamin, always read labels carefully, verify ingredient sources, and research how nutrients are delivered - not just how much is listed on the label - before making your decision:
What to Look for in a Multivitamin
QUALITY & SOURCING: Choose a multivitamin made with high-quality, responsibly sourced vitamins and minerals. Whole-food or food-based ingredients can provide natural cofactors that support better absorption.*
BIOAVAILABLE NUTRIENT FORMS: Look for vitamins and minerals in forms your body can readily use - such as active or bioavailable forms - so nutrients are absorbed efficiently rather than wasted.*
BALANCED NUTRIENT PROFILE: A well-formulated multivitamin should include a thoughtful combination of essential vitamins and minerals designed to support energy, immune health, skin, and overall wellness.*
DOSAGE & TRANSPARENCY: Always check the label for nutrient amounts and daily values. Quality brands clearly disclose ingredient forms, dosages, and sourcing so you know exactly what you’re taking.*
EASE OF USE & TOLERABILITY: Some multivitamins can be hard on the stomach or inconvenient to take. Look for a formula you’ll actually enjoy taking daily - because consistency matters.*
What To Try To Avoid In A Multivitamin
Poorly Absorbed Nutrient Forms: Some multivitamins use vitamin and mineral forms that the body struggles to absorb or convert. Look for formulas that prioritize bioavailable forms so nutrients can actually be used.*
Unnecessary Fillers & Additives: Avoid multivitamins packed with artificial colors, sweeteners, excessive binders, or other unnecessary ingredients that don’t contribute to your health goals.*
Lack of Third-Party Testing: Always check that a multivitamin has been third-party lab tested. Independent testing helps verify ingredient quality, potency, and safety - so you know exactly what you’re putting into your body.*
Our Choice: Multivitamin Supplements in 2026
What to Look For
Full Spectrum Vitamins
Bioavailability
Formulated Energy Support
Fruit & Vegetable Superfood Blend
One Daily Capsule Dosage
Designed for Hair, Skin, Nails
What to Avoid
No Sweeteners
No Colorants & Additives
No Ingredient Transparency
Important Criteria
90 Day Money Back Guarantee
Third Party Tested
Auto Delivery Service
How we rated the Top 5 Multivitamin Supplements
Each of our reviews is based on a factual analysis and comparison. We examine the ingredients, dosages and manufacturing processes to understand the quality of the product. In addition, we evaluate customer reviews, value for money and customer service to protect our readers from negative buying experiences. Although we may receive compensation for these reviews, we strive to provide objective comparisons based on facts.
Note* This was easily my favorite multivitamin - and the one where I genuinely noticed a difference. Call it placebo if you want, but I started getting comments from people who had no idea I was even taking part in this challenge.
Envitamin Ultimate Multivitamin is a thoughtfully formulated, whole-food–based multivitamin designed to support daily energy, immunity, and overall wellness. Unlike standard multis that rely solely on isolated nutrients, this formula includes vitamins and minerals paired with real fruit and vegetable compounds to support absorption and utilization.*
It’s easy to take daily and gentle on the stomach, making it simple to stay consistent -whether you take it with breakfast or as part of your regular routine. Each serving delivers a comprehensive blend of essential vitamins and minerals to help fill common nutrient gaps, without unnecessary fillers or artificial ingredients.
Envitamin Ultimate Multivitamin is third-party lab tested and made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients, giving you confidence in both quality and safety. The brand also offers a convenient Subscribe & Save option, making it easy to stay consistent while saving on every order.
All in all, this multivitamin delivers strong value, clean formulation, and noticeable day-to-day support at a reasonable price point. To make it even easier to try, Envitamin backs their products with a money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free.
PROS
Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
Premium, whole-food–based multivitamin formula
Full spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals
Includes real fruit & vegetable compounds for enhanced nutrient utilization*
Easy-to-take once daily capsule, gentle on the stomach
Designed for absorption and everyday consistency
Envitamin offers a hassle-free Subscribe & Save option for convenient reordering
Note* This one was fine, but it wasn’t my favorite - and I didn’t personally notice much of a difference while using it. That doesn’t mean it won’t work for others, but compared to other multivitamins I tried, the results felt more subtle and less noticeable.
MaryRuth’s Liquid Multivitamin is a liquid-based formula designed for people who prefer not to swallow capsules. The liquid format may appeal to those with digestion or pill-swallowing issues, though it also requires refrigeration after opening and more careful dosing.
The formula provides a range of essential vitamins, but like many liquid multivitamins, it relies on a narrower nutrient profile and lower individual dosages compared to more comprehensive formulas. Taste can also be a factor - while flavored, it may not be ideal for everyone on a daily basis.
MaryRuth’s products are made in the USA and the brand offers subscription options for convenience. However, between the liquid format, storage requirements, and less robust formulation, this option may be better suited for those prioritizing ease of consumption over a more comprehensive daily multivitamin.
Overall, it’s a serviceable option, especially for people who strongly prefer liquids - but for those looking for a more complete, noticeable daily multivitamin, there may be stronger alternatives depending on individual needs.
PROS
Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
Premium, super flavorful mango multivitamin formula
Broad spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals
Fun & Easy to take while capsules require water to drink down
Designed for absorption and everyday consistency
Mary Ruth offers a Subscribe & Save option for convenient reordering
NATURELO One Daily Multivitamin leans heavily on its “plant-based” and “whole-food” positioning, but the once-daily format limits how much of each nutrient you’re actually getting. In practice, that means many vitamins and minerals are delivered at relatively modest levels, which may not be enough for people with higher needs, absorption issues, or nutrient gaps - you may need 3 or 4 capsules each day. This can make it feel more like a baseline maintenance supplement rather than something that delivers noticeable improvements in energy, focus, or overall vitality. If you’re already eating reasonably well, you may not feel much difference at all.
The formula is clean and allergen-friendly, but it lacks additional functional components - such as higher-potency B vitamins, meaningful mineral doses, or complementary blends - that more comprehensive multivitamins include. It also doesn’t stand out in terms of innovation or delivery, despite its premium positioning and price point.
Overall, NATURELO feels safe, but not especially effective. It may appeal to people who prioritize minimalism and plant-based sourcing, but for those looking for noticeable benefits, stronger formulations, or better value per serving, there are more compelling options on the market.
PROS
Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients
Whole-food–based multivitamin formula with 6 fruits & vegetables
Broad spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals
Includes some real fruit & vegetables for enhanced nutrient utilization*
Designed for absorption and everyday consistency
CONS
Only available online
Customer reports of upset stomach after continued use
Minimal volume of ingredient per capsule with many additives
Pure Encapsulations One Multivitamin is positioned as a gentle, “clean” multivitamin meant for people with sensitivities. That’s fine in theory, but in practice it also feels underpowered. Because the focus seems to be on minimalism and hypoallergenic ingredients, the formula ends up sparse in key nutrients compared with more comprehensive, whole-food multis. This can leave you wondering what you’re actually getting versus what you might need.
Being hypoallergenic may help a tiny subset of users, but most people won’t notice any real difference in things like energy, immunity, or daily vitality. Many of the nutrient doses are on the conservative side, which means you may still need additional supplements to reach optimal levels - especially for things like B vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that many multivitamins include more robustly.
At this price point, you might expect a more targeted or potent formula. Instead, you get a basic nutrient profile that feels closer to “bare minimum” daily support than a multivitamin designed to elevate your wellness. For users with stricter dietary needs or allergies, the purity angle may matter - but for most people, especially those looking for stronger, more noticeable support, this product feels underwhelming.
Overall, Pure Encapsulations One Multivitamin comes across as safe but not especially effective or feature-rich. It may check boxes for simplicity and sensitivity, but it lacks the nutrient density and impact that many other multivitamins deliver more convincingly.
PROS
Designed for users with extreme allergies with 'light duty' formula
A spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals
Easy-to-take once daily capsule, gentle on the stomach
Pure Encapsulations offers a Auto Fill option to click & forget
CONS
Only available online
Bare Minimum daily support
Minimal volume of ingredient per capsule with many additives
Note* This one ranked very low for me. Despite the hype and branding around purity and “traceable ingredients,” I didn’t notice any meaningful benefit while using it - and compared with the other multivitamins, it feels more like a marketing concept than a robust daily formula.
Ritual Multivitamin leans heavily on its storytelling around ingredient traceability and “essential” nutrients, but that focus seems to come at the expense of delivering a complete or impactful nutrient profile. Many key vitamins and minerals are included at relatively low doses, leaving gaps that more comprehensive formulas address much better.
The once-daily capsule format and minimal nutrient amounts make it feel like a baseline supplement, suitable perhaps for someone with an already near-perfect diet - but that’s a very specific user group. For most people who struggle to hit nutrient targets through food alone, Ritual’s formula simply doesn’t deliver enough potency to make a noticeable difference in energy, immunity, or daily wellness.
Where Ritual gets attention for its branding and packaging, the formula itself feels lightweight. It also misses out on some nutrients that are otherwise common in solid daily multis - like robust B-complex dosages, more substantial mineral support, or added antioxidant blends. If you’re paying premium pricing, you’d expect more than the bare minimum.
Overall, Ritual Multivitamin feels like style over substance. It’s clean and marketed well, but in practice it underwhelms and doesn’t stand up to more potent or better-valued alternatives. For those really focused on nutrient gaps, stronger formulations offer noticeably better support.
PROS
Strong mint flavor, masking capsule leakage
Feels good to use with strong branding & visuals
3rd party tested for heavy metals
CONS
Only available online
Not 3rd party tested for all ingredients, only heavy metals