How we score supplements
Each product gets a score from 0 to 10 built from five checks: the dose per serving, independent testing, cost per dose, how clearly the label states its amounts, and recalls. Dose and testing count most. Our picks come from these checks.
By Erin Rose Updated October 11, 2026 Who writes this
- 552 products scored
- 5 testing lists checked
- 5 checks per product
Not sure you need a supplement at all? Start with how to decide what you actually need.
How we score products
Each check earns 0, 1 or 2 points. Each check also has a weight. Dose and testing count most, because a cheap product that may not contain what it says is not a good buy. Every point on a page comes with the reason for it.
- Dose (weight 3). 2 points: one serving gives the dose used in studies. 1 point: one serving gives 50 to 99% of the low end of that dose. 0 points: under 50%, or the dose is not stated.
- Testing (weight 3). 2 points: this exact product is listed by NSF, USP or Informed, or the brand publishes a lab report for the batch. 1 point: the brand says it tests, but there is no public listing or report. 0 points: no testing claim.
- Cost per dose (weight 2). 2 points: within 1.25 times the cheapest product in the category. 1 point: within 2 times. 0 points: more than 2 times.
- Label (weight 1). 2 points: the form and amount of every active ingredient are stated. 1 point: a blend, but the key amount is stated. 0 points: a blend that hides the amount.
- Recalls (weight 1). 2 points: no FDA recall naming this brand in the last 24 months. 1 point: a recall of another product from this brand. 0 points: a recall of this product.
How it adds up: each check’s points are divided by 2 and multiplied by its weight. The weights add up to 10, so a product that earns 2 points on every check scores 10. Cost is judged on the cost per dose the page prints. FDA adverse-event report counts are not part of the score, because they mostly track how much a brand sells.
The testing lists we check are: NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport, Informed Choice, NSF/ANSI 173, USP Verified. For fish oil we also check IFOS.
Worked example: two EAA powders
Here is how the same rules give two products very different scores. Dark teal bars earned full points, amber earned half, and red earned none.
- Dose (weight 3)3 of 3
10 g per serving (we count 6 g or more)
- Testing (weight 3)3 of 3
NSF/ANSI 173
- Cost per dose (weight 2)2 of 2
$0.54 per 10 g
- Label (weight 1)0.5 of 1
Blend, key amount stated
- Recalls (weight 1)1 of 1
No recall in 24 months
Each bar shows the points it earned on one check, out of that check's weight. Source: Verified Supplement Data scores, built October 16, 2026.
- Dose (weight 3)1.5 of 3
5.5 g per serving (we count 6 g or more)
- Testing (weight 3)1.5 of 3
Brand claim, not on a list
- Cost per dose (weight 2)0 of 2
$2.72 per 10 g (3.0x the cheapest)
- Label (weight 1)1 of 1
Amount stated, no blend
- Recalls (weight 1)1 of 1
No recall in 24 months
Each bar shows the points it earned on one check, out of that check's weight. Source: Verified Supplement Data scores, built October 16, 2026.
See both products, and the rest we score, in our best EAA supplement guide.
Cost per dose
Serving sizes differ from brand to brand, so cost per serving can mislead. We work out the cost of the dose used in studies instead:
Cost per dose = (price ÷ servings in the pack) × (studied dose ÷ amount per serving)
Example: BulkSupplements EAA costs $26.97 for 50 servings of 10 g. We count 10 g as the dose. So the cost is $26.97 ÷ 50 × (10 g ÷ 10 g) = $0.54 per 10 g.
We use the standard list price, not Subscribe & Save or a sale price, so products compare fairly.
Where the data comes from
- Research. We search PubMed for reviews that pool randomized trials, then single trials when no review exists. We record the form and dose studied, who was studied and what was found. Clinical claims link to their source, usually a PubMed ID.
- Labels. Dose per serving comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and the product’s own label. We count the active amount (for example, elemental magnesium, not the weight of magnesium glycinate).
- Testing. We look for the exact product in each tester’s public list and record the date. A seal on the bottle alone does not count. Not being listed does not mean a product is unsafe, only that no tester lists it.
- Recalls. FDA recall records for the last 24 months.
- Prices. Amazon and brand websites. The price at checkout always wins.
How fresh the data is
Our product catalog (prices, testing listings and label data) was last reviewed on October 29, 2026. Scores were last built on October 16, 2026. We print the real review date rather than today’s date. If you find an outdated price, a changed listing or a claim that no longer holds, tell us. Fixes are logged on our corrections page.
Limits
- Label data is what the maker reports.
- Prices change often. The live price at checkout is the one that counts.
- Supplement research is usually weaker than drug research. We say when results are mixed or unclear.
- This is information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicine, are pregnant or have kidney disease.
How we stay independent and how AI is used: editorial standards. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. No brand pays for a pick.