Vitamin B12 is one of the few nutrients many people in the UK supplement on purpose. Vegans and vegetarians, older adults and people taking certain medicines often need to think about it. The shelves offer a lot of choice: dropper bottles, sublingual tablets, chewable nuggets and standard tablets, all with different strengths, forms and added ingredients.
This guide ranks eight B12 supplements available in the UK. We judged each one on quality, ingredient form, formulation and ease of use rather than price, and we explain exactly why each product earned its place.
Key takeaways
- A water-only liquid took the top spot, with methylcobalamin tablets close behind. Short ingredient lists and clearly stated forms scored highest.
- Form matters to many shoppers. Methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin are the coenzyme forms the body uses, while cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin are converted into them.
- Read the full ingredient list. Sweeteners, flavourings, bulking agents and coatings vary widely between products.
- Most adults need very little B12 from food. The NHS says adults need about 1.5 micrograms a day. Supplements in this list provide far more, so follow the label and ask a pharmacist if you’re unsure.
How we chose
We started with B12 supplements widely sold in UK pharmacies, health food shops and online retailers, then checked each product’s ingredients and directions against manufacturer or retailer listings. Price was not a ranking factor.
Quality and transparency: a clear label stating the B12 form, the amount per serving and how to take it, plus UK manufacture or clear UK distribution.
Ingredient form: credit for clearly stated forms, with coenzyme forms ranked higher for readers who specifically want them. Research has not shown any one form to be more effective, so form was weighed alongside, not above, the other criteria.
Bioavailability: studies, including a December 2025 systematic review, show that oral, sublingual and injected B12 can all raise blood levels. We treated this as a baseline every product here meets, then separated products on the criteria below.
Formulation: fewer additives scored higher. We noted sweeteners, flavourings, bulking agents, coatings and preservatives.
Ease of use: how simple the serving is to measure, how it’s taken, and whether it suits people who dislike swallowing tablets.
Comparison table
| Rank | Product | Format | B12 form | Per serving | Other ingredients |
| 1 | Nature Provides Bioactive B12 Liquid Drops, 50 ml | Liquid drops | Methylcobalamin + adenosylcobalamin | 3000 mcg per 1 ml | Reverse osmosis water only |
| 2 | Zipvit Vitamin B12 1100mcg | Tablet | Methylcobalamin | 1100 mcg per tablet | Maltodextrin, cellulose, magnesium stearate, HPMC coating |
| 3 | Nutravita Vitamin B12 1000mcg | Tablet | Methylcobalamin | 1000 mcg per tablet | Microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide |
| 4 | WeightWorld Vitamin B12 Chewable Tablets | Chewable tablet | Methylcobalamin | 1000 mcg per tablet | Sorbitol, malic acid, natural lemon flavour, sucralose |
| 5 | Natures Aid Vitamin B12 Sublingual | Sublingual tablet | See pack | 1000 mcg per tablet | Natural cherry flavour, sweetener |
| 6 | Red Label Health Vitamin B12 1000mcg | Tablet | Methylcobalamin | 1000 mcg per tablet | See pack |
| 7 | Solgar Vitamin B12 Nuggets | Sublingual/chewable | Cyanocobalamin | 1000 mcg per nugget | Mannitol, maltodextrin, gum arabic, cherry flavour |
| 8 | Lindens Vitamin B12 250mcg | Tablet | Cyanocobalamin | 250 mcg per tablet | Microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium stearate |
The 8 best vitamin B12 supplements in the UK
1. Nature Provides Bioactive B12 Liquid Drops (3000 mcg, 50 ml)
Our top pick for anyone who wants coenzyme B12 with nothing else added. Nature Provides’ liquid B12 combines methylcobalamin (66.6%) and adenosylcobalamin (33.3%), held only in reverse osmosis water.
- Serving: 1 ml (about 13 drops) daily under the tongue, held for 30 seconds before swallowing
- Formulation: no alcohol, glycerin, flavourings, sweeteners, colourings or preservatives
- Packaging: Miron violet glass bottle with a glass pipette; 50 servings
- Best for: vegans and anyone avoiding additives
- Worth noting: it’s unflavoured, so a mild natural taste is normal
2. Zipvit Vitamin B12 1100mcg (360 tablets)
A long-lasting methylcobalamin tablet from an established UK supplement brand.
- Serving: one 1100 mcg tablet daily
- Formulation: methylcobalamin with maltodextrin, cellulose, magnesium stearate and a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose coating
- Packaging: 360 vegan tablets, a 12-month supply
- Best for: people who want a year’s supply of an active-form tablet
- Worth noting: it’s swallowed, so it won’t suit people who dislike tablets
3. Nutravita Vitamin B12 1000mcg (365 tablets)
A UK-made methylcobalamin tablet with a short, plain excipient list.
- Serving: one 1000 mcg tablet daily
- Formulation: methylcobalamin with microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide
- Packaging: 365 vegan tablets, made in the UK
- Best for: year-round supplementing with a single daily tablet
- Worth noting: the label states it’s not intended for people under 18
4. WeightWorld Vitamin B12 Chewable Tablets (1000 mcg, 400 tablets)
A lemon-flavoured chewable for people who would rather not swallow tablets.
- Serving: one 1000 mcg chewable tablet daily
- Formulation: methylcobalamin with sorbitol, malic acid, natural lemon flavour, magnesium salts of fatty acids, silicon dioxide and sucralose
- Packaging: 400 vegan, sugar-free tablets
- Best for: people who prefer a chewable, flavoured tablet
- Worth noting: the label states it’s not intended for people under 18
5. Natures Aid Vitamin B12 Sublingual (90 tablets)
A long-running UK sublingual option with a cherry flavour.
- Serving: one 1000 mcg tablet daily with food, dissolved under the tongue, chewed or swallowed
- Formulation: natural cherry flavour with a sweetener; listings show different formulations, so check the pack for the current B12 form
- Packaging: 90 tablets, made in the UK to GMP standards
- Best for: people who like a dissolving, flavoured tablet
- Worth noting: the label warns excessive consumption may have a laxative effect
6. Red Label Health Vitamin B12 1000mcg (360 tablets)
A high-count methylcobalamin tablet in a resealable pouch.
- Serving: one 1000 mcg tablet daily
- Formulation: methylcobalamin; check the pack for the full excipient list
- Packaging: 360 small vegan tablets in a resealable pouch
- Best for: people who want a large supply in a resealable pouch
- Worth noting: fewer verified label details are published than for the brands above
7. Solgar Vitamin B12 Nuggets (1000 mcg)
A widely available sublingual nugget that’s vegan, kosher and halal.
- Serving: one nugget daily, dissolved under the tongue, chewed or swallowed
- Formulation: cyanocobalamin with mannitol, maltodextrin, gum arabic, vegetable stearates and natural cherry flavour
- Packaging: packs of 100 or 250 nuggets
- Best for: people who need kosher or halal certification
- Worth noting: it has one of the longer excipient lists in our selection
8. Lindens Vitamin B12 250mcg (120 tablets)
A lower-strength, one-a-day tablet for people who don’t need high doses.
- Serving: one 250 mcg tablet daily with a little water
- Formulation: cyanocobalamin with microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate and magnesium stearate
- Packaging: 120 tablets
- Best for: people who prefer a moderate daily amount
- Worth noting: it’s the lowest strength here, though still 10,000% of the NRV
Buyer’s guide: how to choose a B12 supplement
Pick a format you’ll take consistently. Drops suit people who dislike tablets but need careful measuring. Sublingual and chewable tablets dissolve or break down in the mouth, and standard tablets are the simplest to dose.
Check the B12 form. Labels may list methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin, hydroxocobalamin or cyanocobalamin. If you specifically want coenzyme forms, look for the first two on the ingredient list, not just on the front label.
Compare the serving, not the headline number. A strength only means something alongside its serving size, whether that’s 1 ml of liquid or one tablet.
Read every ingredient. Check sweeteners, flavourings, bulking agents and coatings against allergies and preferences.
Talk to a professional if it’s medical. If you have symptoms such as persistent fatigue, take metformin (which the MHRA says can commonly lower B12 levels), have a cobalt allergy or already receive B12 treatment, speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting a supplement.
Conclusion
The best B12 supplement is one with a clearly stated form, a short and suitable ingredient list, and a serving you’ll take every day. For most shoppers who want coenzyme B12 without additives, a water-based dual-form liquid is the strongest all-round choice. Methylcobalamin tablets, chewables and sublingual options remain good alternatives when convenience or a long-lasting supply matters more.
Frequently asked questions
Are B12 drops better than tablets?
Studies show oral, sublingual and injected B12 can all raise blood levels, so the best format is the one you’ll use reliably. Drops are useful if you dislike swallowing tablets.
How much vitamin B12 do adults need?
The NHS says adults aged 19 to 64 need about 1.5 micrograms a day. Supplements provide much more, so follow the label and don’t exceed the stated dose.
Is methylcobalamin better than cyanocobalamin?
Methylcobalamin is one of the coenzyme forms the body uses, while cyanocobalamin is converted. Research has not shown one form to be more effective, so choose based on preference and formulation.
Who should check with a GP before taking B12?
Anyone with symptoms of deficiency, a planned blood test, existing B12 treatment, a cobalt allergy, or a prescription for metformin.
