After decades of pop culture and media attention on its cousin THC, CBD is finally getting its time in the spotlight.
If you want to avoid products with THC because you’re sensitive to it, uncomfy by the idea of it, or have to undergo regular drug testing, skip full-spectrum CBD, which contains small amounts of the stuff (though it’s always less than 0.3 percent).
For a THC-free experience, go with products labeled isolate or broad-spectrum instead.
If you’re looking to reap all the popular benefits of CBD oil without a drop of THC, you’re in luck! There are plenty of THC-free CBD oils to choose from and we did alll the research to find the highest quality picks out there.
Best THC-Free CBD Oils
- Best flavored: Charlotte’s Web THC FREE CBD Oil
- Most potent: Zatural Broad-Spectrum CBD Oils
- Best unflavored: Extract Labs Daily Support CBD tincture
- Best organic: R&R Medicinals THC-Free Tincture
- Best alcohol-free: Joy Organics Unflavored Organic CBD Tincture
- Best Isolate: CBDistillery THC-Free Pure CBD Oil Tincture
Hold the THC, please: What is THC-free CBD oil?
Cannabis and hemp plants are complicated Bs. They contain over 500 separate compounds — including:
- Cannabinoids. The two most popular (and researched) kids being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
- Terpenes. These are aromatic compounds and they’re known for having therapeutic benefits of their own (think: the calming effects of lavender essential oil).
- Flavonoids. These are also found in fruits, veggies, wine, tea, and chocolate — they’re also supposed to have therapeutic benefits.
CBD products by definition will never have more than 0.3 percent THC — so they won’t get you high — but some products will have *some* THC in them depending on what type of CBD it is. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Full-spectrum. This type of CBD contains all the compounds naturally found in the cannabis plant — including THC. Research shows that keeping all these bad boys together enhances CBD’s benefits, which is known as the “entourage effect.”
- Broad-spectrum. This type contains CBD, terpenes, and flavonoids — but 0 THC.
- Isolate. This type is 100 percent CBD. Nothing else.
While the research around CBD is constantly evolving, it has quite the resumé of impressive benefits, including promising results when it comes to relieving pain, anxiety, and even epilepsy.
Pros and cons of taking THC-free CBD
There are def some pros and cons to taking THC-free CBD. Here’s a quick rundown:
Pros
- No THC. This is an obvious pro if you’re looking to avoid THC for any reason — including drug testing.
- Less intense flavor. A lot of THC-free products are flavorless and have very little of that pungent skunk-like flavor. For some — especially those new to cannabis products — that’s an advantage.
- Cheaper. Isolates and broad-spectrum products are often cheaper than full-spectrum ones.
Cons
- Less effective. Because THC-free oils (especially isolates) don’t contain alllllll the cannabis compounds, they may be less effective because you’re missing out on the entourage effect.
- More refined. Keep in mind that because CBD isolate is a pure CBD product, it’s more refined than broad or full-spectrum CBD. And while most companies use safe extraction processes that leave behind no nasty chemicals, you should check the COA just to be sure there’s nothing lurking around in your CBD oil.
So many oils, so little time: How we chose the best
The CBD oil market is saturated (pun intended), and it can be hard to make heads or tails of what to buy and why, especially if you’re a newbie. To streamline your search, we’ve chosen products according to factors we see as indicators of safety, quality, and brand transparency.
To get the Greatist seal of approval for the best THC-free CBD oils, each of the products listed below has met the following criteria:
- It’s made by a company that provides up-to-date proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab.
- It’s made from U.S.-grown hemp.
- It passes testing for pesticides, heavy metals, or molds, according to the COA (certificate of analysis).
- It does NOT contain THC or any other cannabinoids other than CBD.
We also check out:
- whether a company has any special manufacturing processes or impressive certifications
- product potency
- quality ingredients
- brand reputation, with our primary indicators of trust being stellar customer reviews, a lack of FDA warning letters, and zero health claims like “this product can cure you!”
The 6 best THC-free CBD oil products
Only the best of the best made it onto our list of top picks for THC-free CBD oils. Whether you’re looking for a reliable, budget-friendly option or something special to splurge on, we’ve got you covered.
Best flavored THC-free CBD oil
Charlotte’s Web THC FREE CBD Oil
- Price: $59.99
- CBD per serving: 25 milligrams (mg)
- Total CBD: 750 mg
- Type: broad-spectrum
- COA: available online
Charlotte’s Web might not be your first option if you’re pinching pennies, but if you’ve got some wiggle room in your budget, this well-known brand is worth a try. The majority of the brand’s products are full-spectrum, but it does have a few THC-free products — including this refreshing mint chocolate flavor. It’s def a nice alternative to earthier-tasting CBD oils (mmm, could really go for a box of Frangos rn).
Charlotte’s Web formulates its THC-free CBD oil with Monk Fruit, a zero-calorie, plant-based sweetener that doesn’t leave behind a nasty bitter aftertaste.
One reviewer says they like the taste of chocolate because it’s a nice way to satisfy a nighttime sweets craving before bed.
Psst! We checked out the COA and even though it’s THC-free, some was detected during testing: about 0.004 percent. This shouldn’t cause any issues, but we def wanted to call it out.
Best broad-spectrum THC-free CBD oil
Zatural Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil
- Price: $27.50–$360
- CBD per serving: 10–100 mg depending on the bottle size selected
- Total CBD: 300–12,000 mg depending on the bottle size selected
- Type: broad-spectrum
- COA: available online
Zatural offers several CBD strengths so you can find the perfect dose that works for you — whether you’re a CBD newbie or seasoned pro. There’s even one option that offers a whopping 12,000 mg of CBD per bottle!
Zatural’s THC-free CBD oil is formulated with hemp seed oil and flavored with stevia and natural essential oils, like peppermint and coffee, so you don’t have to worry about ingesting anything artificial. The natural sweet or minty flavors make a great addition to desserts and smoothies, too.
Reviewers say that the oil is both affordable and effective. People with chronic pain love that there are highly potent options available.
Check out our full Zatural review here.
Best unflavored THC-free CBD oil
Extract Labs Daily Support CBD Tincture
- Price: $85
- CBD per serving: 66 mg
- Total CBD: 2,000 mg
- Type: isolate
- COA: available online
Made without artificial colors, preservatives, and fillers, Extract Lab’s Daily Support CBD unflavored tincture goes down smooth with organic coconut oil. The carrier oil gives it a slight hint of coconut flavor, but there aren’t any added ingredients for taste.
We like how easy Extract Lab makes it to access each product’s COA — they post new versions often to keep you updated. A+ for transparency.
We’re impressed with the quality of this oil at this price point. Reviewers say it helps with anxiety, sleep, and pain. They also note that it has virtually no flavor, which is great news if the earthy taste of most unflavored oils leaves you gagging. One even says they use it to make homemade candies. Yum.
Best organic THC-free CBD oil
R&R Medicinals THC-Free Tincture
- Price: $49.99
- CBD per serving: 33.33 mg
- Total CBD: 1,000 mg
- Type: broad-spectrum
- COA: available online
This 100 percent organic option is surprisingly affordable and contains a total of 1,000 mg of CBD per bottle and 2 mg of minor cannabinoids — CBC, CBN, CBG, etc. — per serving.
Plus, the organic hemp R&R derives its organic CBD from is all grown in Colorado. It’s also THC-free (we checked and 0 THC was detected) and minty fresh.
Some people call it the best CBD they’ve ever tried. One customer says they like the strong minty flavor and all natural formula.
Best vegan THC-free CBD oil
Joy Organics Unflavored Organic CBD Tincture
- Price: $44.95–$129.95
- CBD per serving: 15–75 mg
- Total CBD: 450–2,250 mg
- Type: broad-spectrum
- COA: available online
The unflavored Joy Organics THC-free CBD oil uses EVOO as a carrier oil. The lack of flavor is a plus if you plan to use it at bedtime — no gross aftertaste that forces you to brush your teeth again to get it out. It’s vegan and available in multiple potencies.
It’s also organic and alcohol-free, so you can feel good about putting it in your body. We love that Joy Organics products are cruelty-free (yay!) and that the brand offers free carbon neutral shipping.
Many customers appreciate the top-notch customer service. Several customers also say the CBD oil helps them hit the hay.
One thing we didn’t like? It’s kinda hard to navigate the Joy Organics lab test page. The products aren’t labeled the same as they are on their individual product pages — so it took some digging to find the COA. But we found it and everything checks out, so we’re def glad about that.
Best isolate CBD oil
CBDistillery THC-Free Pure CBD Oil Tincture
- Price: $65
- CBD per serving: 33 mg
- Total CBD: 1,000 mg
- Type: isolate
- COA: Available online
The uncomplicated formula for this CBD oil includes coconut oil and CBD. It’s not organic but CBDistillery does use U.S. Hemp Authority certified hemp. And FIY: this isolate is legit THC-free (again, we checked!).
This pretty potent tincture gets rave reviews from customers who say it leaves them feeling relaxed and ready for bed. But if this potency isn’t right for you, the same product comes in different strengths including 8, 17, 83, and 167 mg per serving.
Reviewers say the product is reasonably priced and doesn’t leave behind a yucky aftertaste.
Ready to shop? Here’s how to pick a THC-free CBD oil
Shopping for a quality THC-free CBD oil can be overwhelming, especially if you’re new to the cannabis and hemp scene. There are a few key things to consider in order to narrow down your options and cut through the hype.
CBD type: Broad-spectrum vs. isolate
So obvi if we’re looking for THC-free oil, we can’t choose full-spectrum products. But what about broad-spectrum vs. isolate?
- Broad-spectrum CBD has no THC but still contains some cannabinoid buds and other compounds like terpenes and flavonoids. Because of the entourage effect, it might provide more benefits than CBD isolate — even without THC.
- CBD Isolate should be your go-to if you want a totally flavorless product and want to take high doses for something like chronic pain.
Whatever you choose, make sure you’re taking a peek at the product’s COA to see if there are any traces of THC left in a product.
Carrier oil
Make sure the product uses a high quality carrier oil. Carrier oils are used to dilute the CBD which makes it easier for using and dosing. Since this is a product that’s going inside of you, safety is important. A lot of quality brands use some kind of MCT or coconut oil, but hempseed oil is also common.
Potency
Take note of the concentration of the product, especially if you’ve never taken CBD before. A lot of brands have different potency options — so if you’re new to the world of CBD, it might be a good idea to start with the lowest potency to see how it affects you.
Third-party testing
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for third-party testing. This means that an independent lab has tested the product. Check the company’s website for an up-to-date (read: unexpired or from the last year) certificate of analysis (COA) that proves the ingredients are accurate *and* free of contaminants.
How to use THC-free CBD oil
CBD oils are typically consumed sublingually (under the tongue) before swallowing.
This allows the product to be absorbed quickly by the membranes in your mouth. However, some manufacturers say you can add their products to other drinks and recipes, like coffee, smoothies, and even ice cream (CBD mint chocolate chip, anyone?).
There isn’t much research on whether doing so is a good or bad thing, so proceed with caution.
Easy dose it
When it comes to dosing, start low and go slow. CBD oils tend to be more concentrated than their alcohol-based tincture cousins, and tend to absorb rather quickly, so — for your own sake — go easy there, tiger.
You can start with less than the recommended dose, just to see how it makes you feel. For CBD isolate, a “normal dose” can be anywhere between 10 milligrams and 50 milligrams per day.
Frequently asked CBD questions
Does THC-free CBD oil work?
Research suggests that all compounds in the cannabis plant work better together, which is a compelling case for using full-spectrum CBD. But if you’re not comfortable with any amount of THC, animal research suggests that CBD is still beneficial on its own.
Ultimately, it comes down to what you’re comfortable with.
Is THC-free CBD oil safe?
The science of CBD is relatively new, and there’s not enough research for the FDA to give its official seal of approval when it comes to product safety, quality, and effectiveness. That being said, CBD is generally considered safe.
Can full-spectrum CBD be THC-free?
Nope. By definition full-spectrum products contain up to 0.3 percent THC, so they’re a no-go if you’re looking for THC-free products.
Is THC-free CBD safer than full-spectrum CBD?
No. All types of CBD products from a reputable company that have been tested in a 3rd party lab should be A-OK to ingest without issue — that includes broad-spectrum, full-spectrum, and isolate.
How do I know a product is THC-free?
Most reputable brands will make it clear that a product contains zero THC. Double check the COA to make sure what’s on the label is accurate.
Can I use THC-free CBD while breastfeeding?
Research on how CBD affects a growing fetus is super limited, but the FDA issued a warning advising pregnant and breastfeeding people to avoid using CBD due to the potential for CBD and contaminants to pass to the fetus or baby.
So, though there isn’t proof that it’s definitely not good for your little one, it’s best to avoid it for now — even if it’s THC-free.
What are the side effects of CBD?
In one animal study, the only notable side effects of CBD were changes in weight or appetite, tiredness, and diarrhea. The good news? The same study also suggested CBD had fewer side effects than other mainstream drugs used to treat similar medical conditions.
More research is needed to understand potential side effects and how CBD may interact with other kinds of medication, so in the meantime it’s best to reach out to your doctor before taking CBD to get their recommendation.
The bottom line
Compared to other types of legal hemp and cannabis products out there, THC-free CBD oils are a great place to start. If you’re curious about trying THC-free CBD oil, practice moderation and invest only in quality products from well-known and respected brands — like the ones we recommended above. 🙂
Is CBD Legal? Marijuana-derived CBD products are illegal on the federal level, but are legal under some state laws. Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level, but are still illegal under some state laws. Check your state’s laws and those of anywhere you travel. Keep in mind that nonprescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled.
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