8 best vitamin D supplements for health and immunity – tried and tested

They say good things come in small packages, and the best vitamin D supplement, from Nutrition Geeks, proves that. Inside this compact, letterbox-friendly foil bag – which uses less plastic than conventional pill bottles – are 180 tiny tablets measuring 6mm, each delivering a high-quality 1,000IU vitamin D hit.

The tablets are incredibly easy to swallow, and leave no aftertaste, so they are perfect for anyone who struggles to take pills. Perhaps best of all, though, is the price: this bag will easily get you through autumn and winter.

Gel-capsule supplements tend to be among the easiest to swallow but they often contain gelatine, meaning they are not suitable for vegans. However, that isn’t the case with these Myvitamins vitamin D3 softgels. Each high-strength supplement is easy to swallow and made using lichen algae, helping you to get your daily vitamin D needs while on a plant-based diet.

The one-a-day dosage means a 180-capsule bottle provides almost six months’ worth of vitamin D, making these excellent value for money, and our pick of the best budget vitamin D supplements. We also like that the pot is made from recycled materials, so it’s fully recyclable again when it’s empty.

Many supplements contain milk, come in gelatine capsules or have been tested on animals, but we wanted to include the best vegan vitamin D supplements, too. The Nature’s Own vitamin D3 is cruelty-free and takes the nutrient from lichen extract.

Our tester found the one-a-day tablets easy to swallow and liked that they are free from GMO, gluten and yeast. There are 60 pills in each bottle, giving you a two-month supply.

The NHS recommends that all children under five years of age take a daily vitamin D supplement throughout the year. But getting your child to take capsules is another matter entirely. That is unless you can give it to them in sweet form – these gummies from Boots will undoubtedly do the trick.

One of these chewy orange-flavoured bears a day provides little ones with the recommended 10 micrograms of vitamin D, plus they’ll look forward to taking them – our young tester tells us that they are yummy.

If you’re looking for the best high-strength vitamin D supplements, consider this option from Bettervits. It combines high-potency D3 with vitamin K2, which aids in maximising D3 absorption in the body.

With 4000IU of vegetarian-friendly D3 available via two capsules a day, this is one of the strongest formulas available. Do not exceed this dose by combining with other supplements or taking more than two. Always be mindful of your personal needs and deficiencies, and if you’re unsure about what dose you should be taking, get your vitamin D levels tested or consult a professional.

Vitamin K2 is another fat-soluble vitamin that helps maintain a strong heart and bones. Beyond this, it helps your body absorb the D3 more efficiently.

This high-strength formula is a little more expensive than the others but you can make a saving by subscribing for repeat deliveries.

If you’re not a fan of taking tablets, consider this product, which is our pick of the best vitamin D oral sprays. Just two sprays of this liquid into the mouth daily provides 2000IU of vitamin D3.

The vitamin D in this supplement is preserved in MCT oil from coconuts and flavoured with natural orange oil. It contains no artificial additives or preservatives so it’s a great option if you’re worried about fillers, binding agents or capsule shells upsetting your gut. It also tastes delicious.

The bottle is made from glass, making it a more sustainable option, too. Each bottle contains at least 70 doses, with a daily dose being one to two sprays.

Taking a daily supplement can generate a lot of plastic waste over the years, but Dr Vegan has a solution to help limit your impact on the planet. These plant-based vitamins come in plastic-free, compostable packaging and can be stored in your special refillable Dr Vegan pill tin to keep them fresh. If you’re looking for the best sustainable vitamin D supplements, this product is a great choice.

The daily supplement itself is vegan, easy to swallow and halal, as well as being gluten-, dairy- and lactose-free, making them suitable for pretty much everyone.

This is a high-dose vitamin D, with 2,500IU per pill, so please check with your clinician that it is suitable for you. It is already a reasonable option, but a subscription service saves you up to 20 per cent.

Infused with 360mg of fernblock, the Heliocare capsules provide your daily dose of vitamin D while also protecting the skin against the full spectrum of daylight, including UVA, UVB, visible light and infrared-A.

If you happen to see the sun or if you’re on holiday, it can be tempting to try and get as much sun exposure as possible – this obviously puts your skin at risk if it’s not properly protected.

Ideal for daily use alongside your favourite sunscreen, these supplements are suitable for all skin types, offering an additional antioxidant boost to help ensure your skin stays protected and healthy while topping up your vitamin D levels safely.