How to Choose the Best CBD Product: A Guide to choosing high-quality CBD oil and Edibles
CBD can be a bit of a minefield to navigate. With so many options out there, knowing what to look for can make all the difference in finding something that’s actually high quality and effective. To be clear, there are plenty of good CBD companies out there. We strive to be the best, but when we first came back to the UK after living in California - where cannabis products are far more mature - we struggled to find something that met our standards. So, we created our own checklist. And once we had that, we built Unspun around it. We hope it helps you make better choices, whether you buy from us or not.
1. How Much CBD Are You Actually Getting? CBD Concentration can be confusing.
Not all CBD products make it clear how much CBD you’re consuming on the product label. Percentages can be misleading - you shouldn’t have to do mental gymnastics to work out the amount of CBD in each dose. Think of it like alcohol units; it’s not just about concentration but how much you’re actually taking in. Look for clear mg-per-serving information when you use CBD to avoid confusion.
Read more about CBD dosage here
2. Is It an Isolate, Broad-Spectrum, or Full-Spectrum CBD product?
CBD isolate undergoes a distillation process that removes many of the plant’s natural compounds, leaving only pure CBD. Broad-spectrum CBD, on the other hand, retains these beneficial compounds - flavonoids, terpenes, and minor cannabinoids - which work together in what’s known as the entourage effect.
You don't have to choose one or the other, but it's worth being aware of the differences,
Full-spectrum CBD contains some THC, but in the UK, it must remain below 0.2%. Realistically, this is such a tiny amount that ‘full spectrum’ often functions more as a marketing term than a meaningful distinction.
3. Can You See the Lab Tests? Reputable brands will have this.
Lab testing is crucial for ensuring purity, consistency, and safety. Any reputable CBD brand should have independent, third-party lab tests readily available. These reports should confirm cannabinoid content and note any impurities. If a company doesn’t provide lab reports or makes them hard to find, that’s a red flag.
Check out our Unspun CBD Lab Reports
4. How Is the CBD Extracted? This is a good indication of high-quality CBD
The best extraction method? Supercritical CO2 extraction. It’s the gold standard, using precise temperature and pressure to extract cannabinoids while avoiding harsh solvents. This ensures a cleaner product with all the beneficial compounds intact. Cheaper methods, like ethanol or hydrocarbon extraction, can leave unwanted residues.
5. Is There Traceability for the Hemp Plants?
CBD quality starts with the hemp plant itself. Where and how it’s grown matters. High-quality brands provide full traceability-meaning they can tell you where their hemp comes from and how it’s cultivated. Organic farming practices, free from synthetic pesticides and chemicals, help ensure a higher quality CBD
6. What Carrier Oil Is Used?
Carrier oils affect both absorption and overall benefits. We chose hemp seed oil because it keeps our product 100% hemp-derived and comes with additional benefits, like essential fatty acids and anti-inflammatory properties. CBD products containing Other options, like MCT oil, are popular, but we prefer the purity of sticking with hemp.
7. Do the Reviews Look Genuine?
Fake and AI-generated reviews are becoming more common. When reading reviews, ask yourself: do they sound like real people? Are they varied, with both positive and constructive feedback? A flood of overly polished, generic five-star reviews with little detail might be a sign something’s off. Trust brands that encourage honest customer feedback.
Looking for some CBD?
You can buy CBD from us (if you want)
This checklist helped us make better decisions, and we hope it helps you too. Whether you’re new to types of CBD or just want to refine your choices, these key factors will steer you towards a high-quality product that actually does what it’s supposed to - whether it's CBD oil or CBD gummies. If you’re curious, you can check out Unspun’s full range— As you might expect, every product we offer meets these standards
