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Our independent multivitamin reviews reveal the best supplements to buy, and explain who needs them and what to look out for.
Our experts, including a registered dietitian and nutritionist, analysed the contents of 26 popular multivitamins, available widely on the high street and online, and rated each one for the quality and quantity of nutrients it contained, based on an assessment of what's most important in a multivitamin.
We then lab tested the products that did best to make sure they contained what they claim to.
Our thorough, independent research means you can be confident in our recommendations.
What might surprise you is that the most expensive multivitamin isn't necessarily the best - in fact, our research reveals that cost doesn't always reflect quality.
How we assessed multivitamins
Bioavailability
Our panel rated how easily absorbed the nutrients used are. Many come in multiple formats and some are more readily absorbed by the body than others.
Dose
We assessed the dose levels of each nutrient and deducted points for doses that were too low to be effective, any that were excessively high, or products that were missing key nutrients
Additives
Based on the latest research and insights, our experts created a ratings system for each additive and scored each product depending on which additives it contains.
Lab testing
Potential Best Buys were tested in an independent lab to ensure they contained the claimed levels of nutrients
The biggest brands and most popular multivitamins are listed in the table below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our multivitamin supplement test results. Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below, and reveal the Great Value multi-vitamin worth snapping up.
Multivitamin | Score | Cost per day | Bioavailability of nutrients | Dose | Quality of ingredients |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableFull Access first month £5, then £11.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? Log in | 88% | 95% | 83% | 78% | |
85% | 85% | 84% | 88% | ||
77% | 63% | 94% | 75% | ||
76% | 66% | 89% | 68% | ||
76% | 84% | 76% | 40% | ||
76% | 67% | 89% | 65% | ||
75% | 62% | 94% | 63% | ||
74% | 67% | 91% | 38% | ||
73% | 58% | 92% | 68% | ||
73% | 60% | 93% | 60% | ||
72% | 62% | 93% | 30% | ||
70% | 62% | 81% | 68% | ||
69% | 52% | 86% | 85% | ||
65% | 85% | 43% | 55% | ||
55% | 47% | 63% | 60% |
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Date tested: June 2025. Page last checked: June 2025.
A selection of the popular multivitamin supplements we assessed are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best multivitamins and see our full reviews and results.
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Available from Asda (£4.87 for 90)
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Cost per daily dose 5p
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Available from Boots (£6.20 for 90)
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Cost per daily dose 7p
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Available from Amazon (£11.20 for 100), Boots (£15.90 for 100), and Superdrug (£13.99 for 100)
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Cost per daily dose 11p
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Available from Amazon (£9.89 for 90), Healthspan (£9.99 for 90)
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Cost per daily dose 11p
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Available from Holland & Barrett (£7.75 for 120), Ocado (£7.50 for 120)
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Cost per day 6p
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Available from Amazon (£26.99 for 60), Inessa (£29.99 for 60)
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Cost per daily dose 45p
Read more about the supplements you do and don't need
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Available from Sainsbury's (£3.30 for 60)
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Cost per daily dose 6p
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Available from Sainsbury's (£5.80 for 30), Ocado (£5.80 for 30)
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Cost per daily dose 19p
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Available from Amazon (£4.49 for 28), Sainsbury's (£6 for 28) and Superdrug (£4.99 for 28)
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Cost per daily dose 16p
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Available from Superdrug (£6.99 for 180)
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Cost per daily dose 4p
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Available from Tesco (£4.95 for 90)
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Cost per daily dose 6p
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Available from Boots (£6.55 for 30), Holland & Barrett (£6.55 for 30) and Vitabiotics (£8.85 for 30)
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Cost per daily dose 22p
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Available from Boots (£6.55 for 30), Holland & Barrett (£6.49 for 30) and Vitabiotics (£8.55 for 30)
Form Capsule
Cost per daily dose 22p
Find out how to supplement safety and read a supplement label
Here, we've listed the rest of the multivitamins we've reviewed, in alphabetical order.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best multivitamins from our assessment.
Join Which? to get instant access to our full results and recommendations below.
Multivitamin | Cost | Score | Bioavailability | Dose | Additives | Tech spec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aldi Activ Max A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals | Aldi (£1.69 for 60) | |||||
Co-op Total Multivitamins & Minerals | Co-op (£4.80 for 60) | |||||
Dr. Vegan Daily Multi-vitamin | Amazon (£19.99 for 60), Dr. Vegan (£19.99 for 60) and Superdrug (£19.99 for 60) | |||||
Just Vitamins A-Zinc Multivitamin | Just Vitamins (£11.95 for 90) | |||||
Lamberts A-Z Multivitamins & Minerals | Amazon (£11.11 for 60), Lamberts (£9.50 for 60) and Victoria Health (£9.50 for 60) | |||||
Lidl Minavit A-Z Multivitamin & Mineral tablets | Not available online, only in-store | |||||
Morrisons A-Z Multivitamins | Morrisons (£3.25 for 60) |
Date tested: June 2025. Page last checked: June 2025. We are not able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available.
Most people don't need multivitamins, and it's important to remember that supplements aren't a substitute for a healthy, varied and balanced diet. A supplement, for example, can't provide fibre or polyphenols and other beneficial compounds that you can get from food.
But, taking a multivitamin might be beneficial for certain people. For example, if you have an inconsistent, restricted or limited diet, you might be missing certain nutrients. This might be due to an allergy or intolerance or irregular working patterns that make it hard for you to eat balanced meals.
Older people may benefit too, as your ability to absorb nutrients from food decreases with age, or those with malabsorption issues (eg people with Coeliac or Crohn's disease). Some medications affect nutrient absorption as do certain types of surgery on your gastrointestinal tract.
In these cases, and others, a multivitamin can offer you a 'safety net', although it's worth checking with your GP if you're on medication in case of possible interactions or contraindications.
If you're concerned about a particular nutrient, check the label to make sure the supplement you're choosing contains it and it has it in a correct dose.
If your diet is restricted and you don't eat certain foods or food groups, then a multivitamin can act as a safeguard and supply some of nutrients you might be missing.
Dietitian Sophie Medlin, who is part of our expert supplement assessment panel, says: 'Multivitamins work in terms of raising your body's levels of the nutrients they contain (although this depends on bioavailability). But if you're expecting them to "fix" a poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle, then no, they don't work.'
It's important to appreciate that multivitamins aren't replacements for a healthy diet or lifestyle - while they supply vitamins and minerals, they don't provide the additional beneficial nutrients you get from eating whole foods such as fibre, antioxidants and polyphenols.
Multivitamins can help top up missing nutrients in your diet but they don't make you healthy or compensate for a poor diet.
There have been many research studies looking into the benefits of taking multivitamins. The findings are a mixed bag.
In June 2024, a study was published in the US where researchers analysed the data of almost 400,000 adults collected over 20 years to see if multivitamin use affected their risk of death.
The study found that taking multivitamins didn't help people live longer. In fact, those who regularly took multivitamins had a marginally higher risk of dying during the study period.
However, there is evidence from a 2024 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that multivitamins can help to reduce cognitive decline.
Doctors don't generally recommend multivitamins for healthy adults who eat a varied and balanced diet.
The exception to this is:
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Most of the multivitamins we assessed in this project are suitable for adults and children aged 12 and above.
However it's important to always read the label to make sure. Check it contains the nutrients that you are concerned about - we were surprised to find some big brand supplements missing key nutrients.
For example, iron is an important nutrient and one that many people (especially women) don't get enough of. If you don't eat red meat and are concerned about your iron intake and are opting for a multivitamin, make sure it contains enough iron - one of the supplements we looked at didn't contain any. Others had some but not in sufficient doses.
None of the multivitamins we looked at contained your daily NRV of calcium or magnesium - most have between a quarter and a third of what you need in a day. This is because the daily NRV is relatively high and it's not feasible for manufacturers to include these into one tablet or capsule. If you're especially concerned about calcium or magnesium, you're better off buying a targeted supplement.
If you're choosing a multivitamin as a bit of an 'insurance policy', choose one of our higher scorers, which offer a good range and dose of the necessary nutrients.
Multivitamins are, by their nature, not targeted, and most good choices have a broad range of nutrients in doses that should prevent deficiencies.
However, we are all different and our diets are different, so one person might need more of one nutrient than another.
Men can have higher needs for protein, zinc, magnesium, vitamin D and certain B vitamins. Zinc and folate are especially important for testosterone and healthy sperm.
The most recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey, published in June 2025, shows that only 17% of adults meet the five-a-day target for fruit and veg. The Health England Survey published in June 2022 shows that men generally consume lower levels of fruit and veg than women.
So men may be missing some key nutrients, which can be topped up with a multivitamin.
If you're menstruating, you will have higher iron needs.
Calcium and vitamin D are also important, because women are at increased risk of osteoporosis in later life.
What you need to know about botanical and herbal supplements before taking them
Supplements have instructions on their labels on how they should be taken - do check these as they will differ and are important to get the best from the product.
Most multivitamin supplements advise taking them at mealtimes with a drink of water. This is because the fat in your meal will help you absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E.
Don't take them with tea or coffee - the tannins and caffeine can interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, including iron and vitamin D.
Dietitian Sophie Medlin says: 'Some people find that B vitamins, which are in most multivitamins, make them feel mentally energised. If you find this, you might prefer taking them in the morning rather than the evening or bedtime'.
Other than that, the best time to take a supplement is the one that works for you. If it fits into your schedule, you're more likely to remember and it will become habit.
Over-the-counter multivitamin supplements are relatively low risk and should be safe for most people. However, there are exceptions.
If you're pregnant or trying to conceive, it's important you don't take a general multivitamin but instead choose a targeted pregnancy supplement. Vitamin A is important during pregnancy and is key in developing the baby's eyes, immune system and lungs. However, in high doses (including those found in supplements) it can cause harm to an unborn baby.
There are certain nutrients that can interfere with medications so if you regularly take medicines, you should speak to a doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional before starting a supplement. For example, vitamin K is important for blood clotting and so can interfere with blood thinning medications such as warfarin.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
To find the best multivitamin and mineral supplements we selected a range of popular products sold in-store and online. This includes cheaper own-brand multivitamins from big-name pharmacies, health stores and supermarkets, and more pricey products from big brands.
We've focused on the main category of tablets and capsules (as opposed to gummies etc) for now, as it's the most popular and ensures we're comparing like-for-like products.
Our in-house nutritionist and principal food and health research expert Shefalee Loth, along with registered dietitian Sophie Medlin, analysed the ingredients contained in each product, assessing them against set criteria for what multivitamins should ideally contain.
Our assessment considered three key factors:
To qualify as a Best Buy recommendation, a multivitamin had to contain all 23 key nutrients identified by Which? experts as essential for a multivitamin, and at least 10mcg vitamin D.
We then test any top-scoring products that are eligible to be Best Buys in an independent lab to ensure what they contain matches what's on the label, so we can be fully confident in our recommendations.
Analysing multivitamins was a complex and time-consuming project, but we're confident in our Best Buy recommendation. It was the only top-scoring multivitamin we were happy you could pick off the shelf without having to scrutinise the label to check it covers everything you'd expect.
A multivitamin can't make up for a poor diet, but it can help fill in nutrient gaps. A good multivitamin is one that contains a wide range of key vitamins and minerals in appropriate doses so that it works for most people.
Use our expert advice and recommendations to live your best life every day.
Get startedOur multivitamins research was conducted by Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth and Sophie Medlin, consultant dietitian.
Shefalee Loth, Which? principal researcher and nutritionist
Shefalee is a public health nutritionist with 20 years' experience, and has worked for the NHS, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and World Cancer Research Fund.
At Which?, Shefalee is a principal researcher, researching and writing food and nutrition content for our magazine and website and is a media spokesperson. She is also the research lead for our health and wellbeing reviews. She is a trustee at Sustain, the food and farming alliance.
Shefalee focuses on cutting through the hype to explain what you need to know about nutrition and healthy eating. From 'How bad is ultra-processed food?' to the 'Top gut health myths you need to know about' and 'What really works to cut cholesterol', Shefalee gives no-nonsense advice to help you make healthier choices and save money.
Sophie Medlin, consultant dietitian and founder of CityDietitians
Sophie Medlin is a well-recognised consultant dietitian with nearly 20 years experience working across the NHS and academia and within her own private practice at CityDietitians.
Sophie is Chair of the British Dietetic Association for London.
With her in-depth knowledge of nutrition - both theoretical and applied - Sophie has helped formulate supplements, giving her insight into the strengths and weaknesses of products and the manufacturing process.
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