Last updated: October 2026
Choose CBD oil if you want to fine-tune your amount drop by drop or take a higher strength. Choose CBD capsules if you want a tasteless, pre-measured dose that is easy to carry. Neither format is stronger: in a UK head-to-head study, blood CBD levels were the same. Taking either with food matters more.
Ready to choose? See best CBD capsules UK or best CBD oil UK. Below: how each works, what the research really says about absorption and speed, how many drops or capsules make 10mg, value per serving, and which suits your routine.
Quick answer: CBD oil or capsules?
| If… | Choose |
|---|---|
| You want to fine-tune your amount | Oil: adjust drop by drop |
| You hate the taste of CBD | Capsules: tasteless |
| You want the most CBD per bottle for your money | Oil: a higher strength gives more 10mg servings |
| You want the same dose every day, on the go | Capsules: pre-measured |
| Either way | Take it with food, at the same time each day |
Our range: Broad Spectrum CBD Oil (500mg, 1000mg or 2000mg, in organic MCT oil) if you want to adjust drop by drop, or Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules (10mg or 25mg in vegan plant capsules, 30 per jar) if you want a fixed daily amount. Still not sure? Take the 4-question quiz.
Quick comparison: CBD oil vs capsules
| Factor | CBD oil | CBD capsules |
|---|---|---|
| How you take it | Drops under the tongue, held for about 60 seconds | Swallowed with water, like a vitamin |
| Onset | Many people say they notice it sooner | Often described as slower |
| Blood levels (absorption) | Similar in the one head-to-head study: peak about 4 hours after both | |
| Dose accuracy | Good, but drops vary a little in size | Exact: 10mg or 25mg per capsule |
| Flexibility | Any amount, drop by drop, or stirred into food | Fixed steps of one capsule |
| Taste | Earthy, or flavoured | None |
| Convenience and travel | Glass bottle and dropper | Easy to carry and take anywhere |
| 10mg servings per pack (ours) | 50 to 200, by strength | 30 per jar (10mg capsules) |
| Fits the FSA’s 10mg a day | Yes: 1 to 4 drops, by strength | Yes: one 10mg capsule |
| Best for | Finding your amount, higher strengths, value | Simple routines, people who dislike the taste |
What is CBD oil?
CBD oil is a hemp extract mixed into a carrier oil, usually MCT oil from coconut, which CBD dissolves in. You place drops under your tongue, hold them for about a minute, then swallow. Some CBD may be absorbed through the lining of the mouth, but most is swallowed and digested. Oils come in different strengths, measured in mg of CBD per bottle. See CBD oil strength explained, how to take CBD oil and why we use MCT in MCT vs hemp seed vs olive oil.
Our Broad Spectrum CBD Oil has just two ingredients: broad spectrum CBD and organic MCT oil. If you’d rather a flavour, our Evolabs oils come in orange, cherry, mint (with vegan vitamin D3) and natural, in 30ml bottles.
What are CBD capsules?
CBD capsules hold a fixed amount of CBD in a capsule or softgel shell, often 10mg or 25mg. You swallow them like any other supplement, so there’s no taste and no measuring. All the CBD is digested, which is how most of the CBD in an oil ends up being absorbed too.
Our Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules contain broad spectrum CBD (10mg or 25mg) with inulin, a plant fibre, in a size 3 HPMC capsule. HPMC is a plant cellulose shell, so there’s no gelatin and the capsules are vegan. Each jar holds 30. More on checking labels in is CBD oil vegan?
Absorption and speed: what the research shows
Bioavailability is the share of CBD that reaches your bloodstream. You’ll often see confident claims that oil absorbs two or three times better than capsules. The evidence doesn’t back that up. A 2018 systematic review of human studies found too little data to pin down CBD’s bioavailability when taken by mouth or under the tongue.
The best direct comparison comes from Loughborough University. Researchers gave eight healthy men the same CBD oil, once as drops under the tongue and once inside swallowed capsules. Blood CBD levels, the peak level and the time to peak (about 4 hours) were the same with both. The authors concluded that oil held under the tongue is mostly swallowed before much can be absorbed through the mouth.
What that means for you:
- Speed: many people say they notice oil sooner, and holding it under the tongue for a full minute gives the mouth the best chance to absorb some CBD. But on blood tests, the difference is small or absent. See how long CBD takes to work.
- First-pass metabolism: swallowed CBD passes through the liver, which breaks some of it down before it reaches the rest of the body. This affects swallowed oil and capsules alike.
- Consistency beats format: CBD builds up with regular use. In a trial in healthy adults, blood levels reached a steady state after about 2 days of twice-daily dosing.
- Small study, open question: eight people is a small group, so a modest difference in some people can’t be ruled out.
Read more: CBD bioavailability: how much you absorb, does water-soluble CBD absorb better? and why isn’t CBD working for me?
Which is stronger, CBD oil or capsules?
Neither. Strength is the mg of CBD in each dose, not the format. A 10mg capsule and 10mg of oil contain the same amount of CBD, and the head-to-head study above found similar blood levels from each.
Where oil does differ is range. Our oils go up to 2000mg in 10ml, about 10mg per drop, so you can take a little or a lot without swallowing several capsules. Our capsules come in 10mg and 25mg. The type of extract matters more than the format: all Evopure oils and capsules are broad spectrum with 0% THC. See full spectrum vs broad spectrum vs isolate.
Take CBD with food: the tip most people miss
CBD dissolves in fat, and taking it with a meal makes a far bigger difference than oil versus capsules. In a controlled trial in healthy adults, a high-fat meal raised total CBD in the blood about 4.2 times and the peak level about 4.85 times compared with fasting. A separate study of CBD capsules found total exposure about 4 times higher, and the peak about 14 times higher, after a high-fat breakfast.
Both studies used much larger doses than a food supplement, so the exact numbers may not carry over, but the direction is clear. In practice, take your oil or capsules with or just after a meal that contains some fat, such as breakfast with eggs, yoghurt or avocado, or your evening meal. Do it the same way each day so your results are consistent. For ideas, see cooking with CBD oil.
How many drops or capsules make 10mg?
A standard dropper gives roughly 20 drops per ml. Divide the bottle’s mg by its ml, then by 20, to get mg per drop. Here is how our products work out:
| Product | Strength | CBD per drop or capsule | For about 10mg | 10mg servings per pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broad Spectrum, Flow, Sleep or Relief oil (10ml) | 500mg (5%) | about 2.5mg per drop | 4 drops | about 50 |
| Broad Spectrum, Flow, Sleep or Relief oil (10ml) | 1000mg (10%) | about 5mg per drop | 2 drops | about 100 |
| Broad Spectrum oil (10ml) | 2000mg (20%) | about 10mg per drop | 1 drop | about 200 |
| Evolabs flavoured oils (30ml) | 500mg | about 0.8mg per drop | 12 drops | about 50 |
| Evolabs flavoured oils (30ml) | 1000mg | about 1.7mg per drop | 6 drops | about 100 |
| Evolabs flavoured oils (30ml) | 2000mg | about 3.3mg per drop | 3 drops | about 200 |
| Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules (30 per jar) | 10mg | 10mg per capsule | 1 capsule | 30 |
| Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules (30 per jar) | 25mg | 25mg per capsule | not split: 1 capsule is 25mg | 30 servings of 25mg |
Drop sizes vary a little between droppers, so treat these as close estimates. For the full chart and starting amounts, see our CBD dosage guide.
Which is better value?
Compare the cost per 10mg serving rather than per bottle or jar: divide the price by the number of servings in the table above. Because a 2000mg oil holds about 200 servings of 10mg and a jar of 10mg capsules holds 30, higher-strength oils almost always work out cheaper per mg. Capsules cost a little more for the convenience of a pre-measured dose.
Across our range, the Evolabs 2000mg oils are the lowest price per mg. If you prefer capsules, our Evolabs 1500mg capsules (50 x 30mg) are the value option. For more on pricing, see why CBD oil costs what it does.
Which is best for you?
Choose CBD oil if…
- You’re new to CBD and want to find your amount slowly
- You want a higher strength, or more than 25mg at a time
- You want the best value per mg
- You’d like to add CBD to food or drinks
- You like the ritual of drops under the tongue
Choose CBD capsules if…
- You dislike the taste of hemp
- You want exactly the same amount every day
- You travel or take it at work
- You already take other supplements and want one routine
- You want a vegan capsule with no gelatin
All Evopure oils and capsules are broad spectrum with 0% THC and third-party lab tested. Not keen on the taste but want an oil? Our Evolabs flavoured oils come in orange, cherry and mint. See also what CBD oil tastes like and CBD oil vs gummies.
Oil or capsules for evenings, busy days and daily use
- For an evening routine: oil or a capsule with your evening meal works well, since CBD is best taken with food. Our Sleep CBD Oil adds passion flower and a myrcene-led terpene blend. CBD isn’t a treatment for sleep problems; for what the research shows, see CBD for sleep.
- For busy days: capsules are easy to take at your desk or on the go. If you like to vary your amount from day to day, oil is easier. See CBD oil and anxiety: how to choose.
- For steady daily use: capsules with breakfast make it easy to stay consistent, and consistency matters more than format.
- For travel: capsules are simplest. Check the rules for your destination in can you take CBD oil on a plane?
Read more about timing in when to take CBD oil.
Can you take CBD oil and capsules together?
Yes. Many people take a capsule in the morning and oil in the evening, or keep capsules for days out. Just add up your total CBD across both: a 10mg capsule plus 2 drops of a 1000mg oil is about 20mg. The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication. See what the FSA’s 10mg advice really means, and try both formats together in our bundle builder.
Decided on capsules? See best CBD capsules UK: how to choose.
Who shouldn’t take CBD oil or capsules
The same safety advice applies to both formats. Our CBD products are for adults (18+) only. We don’t recommend our products during pregnancy or breastfeeding; see CBD in pregnancy. The FSA also advises people taking prescription medication to avoid CBD without medical advice, because CBD can interact with some medicines; see can CBD interact with medication? If you notice side effects, lower the amount or stop. More in CBD side effects.
Related guides
- Thinking about a vape instead? Read CBD vape vs oil vs capsules first.
- Tested at work? See whether CBD shows up on a drug test and which formats carry the least THC risk.
- Is CBD oil halal? for what to check in capsule shells and flavourings.
FAQs
Is CBD oil or capsules better?
Neither is clearly stronger. Oil lets you adjust your amount and is usually better value per mg; capsules are tasteless and pre-measured. Choose the one you’ll take consistently, ideally with food.
Does CBD oil work faster than capsules?
Many people say they notice oil sooner. But in a UK study comparing the same CBD oil as drops or in capsules, blood levels peaked at about the same time, around 4 hours, so any difference is likely small.
Is CBD oil absorbed better than capsules?
It’s often claimed, but the evidence doesn’t show it. A head-to-head study found similar blood levels from drops and capsules. Taking either with a meal containing fat has a much bigger effect, increasing absorption around fourfold in studies.
Do CBD capsules last longer than oil?
Not on current evidence. Blood levels followed a similar pattern after drops and capsules in a head-to-head study. With daily use, CBD builds up to a steady level whichever format you take.
Should I take CBD capsules with food?
Yes. CBD is fat-soluble, and studies show a fatty meal can raise absorption about four times compared with an empty stomach.
How many mg are in a CBD capsule?
Commonly 10mg or 25mg, though some contain more. Our Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules come in 10mg and 25mg, and Evolabs capsules contain 30mg each.
Can I take CBD oil and capsules on the same day?
Yes. Many people use capsules by day and oil in the evening. Add up your total daily CBD across both.
Are CBD capsules good for sleep?
CBD isn’t a treatment for sleep problems. If you use CBD as part of an evening routine, a capsule with your evening meal is easy to remember, and taking it with food helps absorption.
Are CBD capsules stronger than oil?
No. A 25mg capsule and 25mg of oil contain the same CBD. Strength depends on the mg per dose, not the format.
How many drops of CBD oil equal a 10mg capsule?
In our 10ml oils, about 4 drops of 500mg, 2 drops of 1000mg or 1 drop of 2000mg. In our 30ml Evolabs oils, about 12 drops of 500mg, 6 drops of 1000mg or 3 drops of 2000mg.
Are Evopure CBD capsules vegan?
Yes. Our Broad Spectrum CBD Capsules use a plant-based HPMC capsule, not gelatin, and contain only broad spectrum CBD and inulin, a plant fibre.
Which is better for beginners, CBD oil or capsules?
Oil if you want to start low and adjust slowly, a drop at a time. Capsules if you want a simple fixed amount: a 10mg capsule is a sensible starting point.
Is CBD oil or capsules better value?
Oil, usually. A 2000mg oil holds about 200 servings of 10mg, while a jar of 30 capsules holds 30. Compare the price per 10mg serving rather than per pack.
Final thoughts on CBD oil vs capsules
It comes down to your routine. Choose oil if you want to find your amount, use a higher strength or get the best value per mg; choose capsules if you want simplicity and no taste. Whichever you pick, take it with food, at the same time each day, and give it a few weeks.
Sources
- Johnson DA et al (2023). Cannabidiol oil ingested as sublingual drops or within gelatin capsules shows similar pharmacokinetic profiles in healthy males. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. PMID 37733294.
- Millar SA et al (2018). A systematic review on the pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in humans. Frontiers in Pharmacology. PMID 30534073.
- Taylor L et al (2018). A phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single ascending dose, multiple dose, and food effect trial of the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of highly purified cannabidiol in healthy subjects. CNS Drugs. PMID 30374683.
- Birnbaum AK et al (2019). Food effect on pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol oral capsules in adult patients with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia. PMID 31247132.
- Food Standards Agency. Cannabidiol (CBD) guidance for businesses.
- Food Standards Agency. Provisional cannabidiol (CBD) acceptable daily intake: lay summary.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Evopure makes CBD oils and capsules.
