A new wellness trend we're keen to embrace? Supplementing our diet with the right nutritional extras — including the best iron supplements — in a bid to supercharge our wellbeing. But knowing what to take, when and how it might interact with everything else we're consuming can be a little (read: a lot) overwhelming.
Thankfully, we — a team of wellness-obsessed GLAMOUR editors — are keen to make it clear. Hence why we've put together this extensive guide on the best iron supplements, including answers to what they are, their benefits and, of course, the very best worth investing in.
But first, a quick return to secondary school biology: Iron (also known as hemoglobin) is an essential mineral for your day-to-day health, playing a key role in producing red blood cells, which carry oxygen around our bodies. Having lower levels of iron for an extended period can cause feelings of tiredness and fatigue or, in extreme cases, iron deficiency and anaemia.
However, iron deficiencies are more common than you might think: “Often females who menstruate are more likely to have lower iron, as are those who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet," details clinical nutritionist and founder of JSHealth, Jessica Sepel.
So, to help you make an informed decision on the best iron tablets, capsules or gummies to incorporate into your balanced diet, we've taken the time to consult professionals for answers to your FAQs, before road-testing a host of the best supplementary sources of iron to find our top-rated.
Protect your bones, muscles and teeth with one daily dose ☀️
Best iron supplements at a glance:
- Best iron supplement overall: JSHealth Iron+ Formula
- Best iron supplement with vitamin B: Vitabiotics Feroglobin Capsules
- Best liquid iron supplement: Floradix Formula Liquid Iron & Vitamins Formula
- Best iron supplement for treating iron deficiency: NaturesPlus HemaPlex Capsules
Disclaimer: Keep in mind that this article isn't a substitute for professional medical advice, and our recommendations won't replace a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.
| Jessica Sepel | Clinical nutritionist and founder of JSHealth. |
| Roxane Bakker | Obesity specialist dietitian and head dietician at Vitl. |
Since 2023, the GLAMOUR team has trialled countless iron supplements — as well as sleep supplements, vitamin D supplements and collagen supplements — in a bid to only recommend the very best. We've tested one formulation each for a minimum of six weeks, making sure that everyone who participated in the reviewing process varied in terms of age, skin type and hair type.
At the end of their trial period, they were asked to rate it against the following criteria:
- Ease of use — Were the capsules easy to swallow? Did the powder mix well with water?
- Efficacy — How long into the four weeks did they notice a difference, if any?
- Taste — On a scale of one to five, how pleasurable was the taste?
- Value for money — Would they be happy to commit to the weekly, monthly or bi-monthly spend?
Ahead, the best iron supplements for 2025, approved by GLAMOUR editors:
Recommended dose: One tablet a day.
Why we love it: Carefully designed for high absorption, this vegan-friendly iron supplement also contains folate, vitamin B2, B6 and B12. This helps it promote healthy red blood cell production within your body.
Pros: Vegan-friendly, gluten-free and non-GMO.
Cons: Large tablets can be difficult to swallow.
Save when you shop the best iron supplements with these JSHealth discount codes.
Recommended dose: One capsule a day.
Why we love it: These Feroglobin capsules release vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid and zinc, as well as a gentle, slow-release dose of iron that works without upsetting your stomach. It’s perfect for reducing tiredness and fatigue and minimising the chance of iron deficiency.
Pros: Affordable and gentle on the stomach.
Cons: Tablets are quite large and can be difficult to swallow.
Save when you shop the best iron supplements with these health & beauty discount codes.
Recommended dose: 10ml dose twice a day.
Why we love it: If you’re not a fan of pills, you can replace your traditional supplements with this liquid iron supplement.
Pros: Great for people who can’t or don’t like to swallow pills.
Cons: May be slightly more inconvenient for those with a busy or active lifestyle.
Save when you shop the best iron supplements with these Boots discount codes.
Recommended dose: One capsule a day.
Why we love it: If you're on a plant-based diet or just trying to limit how much red meat, give this iron supplement a go. It contains iron bisglycinate, which is a gentler form of iron that won't cause any unwanted side effects such as bloating or digestive issues.
Pros: Non-constipating, perfect for sensitive stomachs and those following a vegan diet.
Cons: Only contains iron without any additional supplements.
Save when you shop the best iron supplements with these Holland & Barrett discount codes.
Recommended dose: One tablet a day.
Why we love it: One slow-release tablet a day? Yes please. This product from Vitabiotics contains vitamin C, which aids iron absorption in the body. This product is suitable for athletes and pregnant women, and can also be taken during menstruation.
Pros: Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, no artificial colours or preservatives. Small tablet that is easy to swallow.
Cons: N/A.
Save when you shop the best iron supplements with these Amazon discount codes.
Recommended dose: One tablet a day.
Why we love it: Iron? Folic acid? Copper? Riboflavin? Vitamin A? Vitamin C? These tablets from MyVitamins have everything you need to stave off tiredness and fatigue. Seriously.
Pros: This vitamin complex features a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
Cons: Not suitable if you're already taking other multivitamins.
Save when you shop the best iron supplements with these MyProtein discount codes.
Recommended dose: One capsule a day.
Why we love it: This iron complex comes in a convenient, travel-friendly and flat-edged bottle that holds two months' worth of dosages. It contains iron in the form of ferrous bisglycinate, making it effective and easy on your digestion.
Pros: High-quality formulation, vegan-friendly.
Cons: More expensive than other options on this list.
Recommended dose: One tablet a day.
Why we love it: Looking for an essential mineral supplement that's specifically designed to improve your immune system and energy? Say no more. This product has a formulation created by healthcare professionals, containing high-quality, nature-made iron.
Pros: Miniature tablets that are easy to swallow. Great value.
Cons: N/A.
Recommended dose: One tablet a day.
Why we love it: Excuse my French, but four months' worth of iron supplements for under £7 is a damn bargain. This high-strength product features 14mg of iron as well as a blend of vitamin C and folic acid, all wrapped up in tiny, easy-to-swallow tablets.
Pros: Comes in letterbox-sized, plastic-free packaging.
Cons: May be unsuitable for people with more serious iron deficiencies.
Recommended dose: One capsule a day.
Why we love it: This product is specifically designed to help target iron deficiency with a formulation that contains 43mg of elemental iron. It also contains a complex of vitamin C, vitamin B12 and zinc to help support a healthy metabolism.
Pros: Gentle on the stomach, despite offering a higher dose of iron.
Cons: A large tablet that can be more difficult to swallow.
Recommended dose: One capsule a day.
Why we love it: Derived from whey protein, this iron supplement contains a non-irritating and fast-absorbing version of ferrous sulphate. Unlike most other supplements, it's even kind enough on your digestion to be taken on an empty stomach.
Pros: Offers a much gentler version of ferrous sulphate.
Cons: Not suitable for vegans.
TikTok’s latest wellness fix could be the answer you’ve been looking for.
Iron supplement FAQs, answered:
In an ideal world, we would be able to get all the necessary vitamins and nutrients from a varied and balanced diet. According to the NHS, naturally iron-rich foods typically include red meat, beans, nuts, dried fruit and fortified breakfast cereals. However, making sure you consume all the iron your body needs is much harder said than done, particularly if you're vegan or vegetarian.
It sounds too good to be true, but is it?
"Some common symptoms of iron deficiency include extreme fatigue, weakness, headaches, shortness of breath and chest pain," shares Bakker. In more serious cases, low iron levels can result in iron deficiency anaemia, a health condition in which our bodies aren't able to produce enough healthy red blood cells. If left untreated, this can leave you at increased risk of infection and disease. Women who regularly experience heavy periods are particularly prone to anaemia.
Bakker strongly advises checking your iron levels with a blood test before taking supplements, as unnecessarily supplementing with iron in the long term can lead to gastrointestinal issues caused by iron toxicity. Consuming higher doses of iron is dangerous and can even be fatal for children under the age of 10, so always check in with your GP.
Bakker reports that iron bisglycinate is widely considered to be the form of iron that's most gentle on the stomach. Other forms, such as ferrous sulfate, can sometimes cause stomach cramps or constipation, so it's always worth checking the ingredients on your iron supplement if you have a sensitive digestion. “It's also key to look for supplements that are free from fillers, bulking agents, artificial flavourings or colourings,” she adds.
All the ways it's changed my life (and work).
The recommended daily dose of iron is 14mg — however, the amount of iron you actually need depends entirely on your blood levels. For example, those with an iron deficiency may be advised by healthcare professionals to aim for up to 40mg.
And while there's no comprehensive evidence that taking your iron supplement at any particular time of day is beneficial, you should look to avoid taking it on an empty stomach.
It depends. Some iron supplements often come paired with vitamin C, since it aids your body's ability to absorb iron. Vitamin B complexes also combine well with minerals and can be important in helping treat iron deficiencies.
On the other hand, Sepel notes that you should avoid taking iron with zinc and calcium, since they both compete with iron for absorption.
For someone who has trouble eating vegetables and suffers from bloating, this is a great option.
