Guide
Vitamin B12 tested: the best products (2026)
Last updated: 5 August 2026
Written by
Health Tested Editorial Team
We've compared the most popular vitamin B12 supplements on the form of the active ingredient, bioavailability, purity and value for money. Here are our results, based on six evaluation criteria.
The best vitamin B12 supplements compared
Finding the right vitamin B12 isn't easy. We tested the most popular products on six criteria.
| Melinava B12 | B12 Ankermann | Nature Love B12 | Vitasprint B12 | dm Mivolis B12 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 9.3 / 10 | 7.8 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 | 7.3 / 10 | 6.4 / 10 |
| Result | Winner | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| B12 form | Methylcobalamin ✓ | Cyanocobalamin | Methylcobalamin ✓ | Cyanocobalamin | Cyanocobalamin |
| Form | Liposomal (liquid) | Tablets | Drops | Drinkable vials | Tablets |
| Bioavailability | High | Medium | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Additives | None | Titanium dioxide, lactose | None | Various | Various |
| Vegan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Price/month | From 249 kr | ~289 kr | ~269 kr | ~689 kr | ~58 kr |
| Price/day | From 8 kr | ~10 kr | ~9 kr | ~23 kr | ~2 kr |
| Money-back | 30 days ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Order our winner | Order | Order | Order | Order |
Other brands we are often asked about: B12 Loges, Björkovit, Vivo and InnoNature. We did not include them in our current 2026 test, because it covers the five most requested products.
Note: what counts is not the dose but what reaches the blood. Many B12 supplements come in very high doses because your body absorbs only a fraction from conventional forms, and the rest is lost in stomach acid. Technologies such as liposomes protect the active ingredient, so even a moderate dose is effective.
product review
TESTED
our quality criteria
MELINAVA Vitamin B12
by MELINAVA
Pros
- Liposome technology
- High bioavailability thanks to liposomes
- Contains bioactive vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin
- 25 µg of high-quality B12 sourced in the EU
- Protected from stomach acid by the liposomal coating
- Vegan
- Made in Europe
- Free from soya, gluten and lactose
- No added preservatives
- No added allergens
- GMO-free
Cons
- Only available online
- Often sold out
Verdict
The vitamin B12 in this product comes in its active form, methylcobalamin. This form stands out for its particularly high bioavailability.
Melinava is one of the strongest over-the-counter vitamin B12 products on the European market.
The formula and dose are carefully balanced to prevent and relieve a wide range of symptoms.
The innovative liposome technology ensures the vitamin is absorbed optimally in the gut and passed on into the bloodstream. Melinava is also high-strength in the sense that matters: thanks to the liposomal encapsulation, a particularly high proportion of the active ingredient actually reaches the blood. A moderate dose therefore delivers more usable vitamin B12 than many conventional products with far higher doses on the label.
Satisfied users and the many positive customer reviews of Melinava Vitamin B12 reflect the product's success. Melinava comes first in our test (as of January 2026). The manufacturer takes product tolerability very seriously, which is why the product is completely free from unwanted additives.
More information is available on the manufacturer's website.
How we test: our 6 evaluation criteria
We rate every product on the six criteria below. The weighting reflects what matters most for how well a product actually works.
How is the vitamin B12 supplement formulated?
Are there any study or test results?
How high is the dosage of the vitamins? (neither too high nor too low)
Does the product contain allergens?
How good is the value for money?
Is there anything special about the formula or manufacturing?
Note: Health Tested is not a consumer protection organisation and is no substitute for the German consumer testing organisations Stiftung Warentest or Öko-Test. Our ratings are based on publicly available product data, customer reviews and scientific studies.
Why liposomal B12 performs best in our test
Most B12 supplements have a fundamental problem with bioavailability. A high-dose product isn't automatically the more effective one: what counts is how much vitamin B12 your body actually absorbs in the end.
The problem with conventional tablets
Conventional tablets run into several problems:
- up to 99% of the active ingredient is destroyed by stomach acid
- intrinsic factor limits absorption to around 2 µg per dose
- without intrinsic factor, only around 1% is absorbed passively
- of 1,000 µg, only around 10 µg reaches the blood
- that's why conventional supplements come in extremely high doses
How liposomes solve the problem
- B12 is packed into tiny fat bubbles (liposomes)
- liposomes protect the active ingredient from stomach acid and enzymes
- the vitamin is transported directly through the gut wall into the blood
- absorption doesn't depend on intrinsic factor
- up to 64 times higher bioavailability at a lower dose
Vitamin B12 in genuinely liposomal form
Thanks to their tiny size, just nanometres across, and their fat-rich structure, liposomes protect the vitamin B12 they contain from being broken down by enzymes, such as those in saliva and gastric juice. They deliver the vitamin B12 directly into the bloodstream, which considerably improves absorption of the vitamin.
Liposomes are tiny lipid bubbles made of the same material as human cell membranes. In liposome technology, nutrients (such as vitamin B12) are encapsulated, so your body doesn't treat the enclosed active ingredient as a 'foreign body'. This lets your body absorb the active ingredients directly into the bloodstream, with nothing lost along the way.
The liposomal coating is an innovative solution that lets your body absorb active ingredients in large amounts and use them optimally.
Because the vitamins are directly available, much lower doses are needed than with conventional supplements. Studies have found that liposomal vitamin B12 can be absorbed by the body up to 64 times better.
Methylcobalamin vs cyanocobalamin
It isn't only the dosage form that counts: the form of B12 itself makes an enormous difference too.
| Methylcobalamin (bioactive) | Cyanocobalamin (synthetic) | |
|---|---|---|
| Use by the body | Ready to use straight away | Has to be converted first |
| Bioavailability | Higher | Lower |
| Nervous system | Particularly effective | Standard |
| Manufacturing | More complex, more expensive | Cheap, synthetic |
| Used in | Melinava | Ankermann, Vitasprint, Mivolis |
⚠️ Important: not all liquid products or drops are automatically liposomal. Look for genuine, laboratory-tested liposome technology.
A simple model of a liposome, with a fatty layer on the outside and a watery chamber inside. Liposomes are an innovative technology for releasing active ingredients precisely and efficiently. That's why they've earned a firm place in medicine and cosmetics, where they have a wide range of uses.
More about MelinavaOur winner 2026
Melinava Vitamin B12
9.3 / 10 · Grade: 1.2
#1
Pros
- ✓ Liposome technology
- ✓ Methylcobalamin (bioactive form)
- ✓ Vegan, no additives
- ✓ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- ✗ Only available online
- ✗ Often sold out
Winner of our test, with the highest bioavailability of all the products compared. Liposomal vitamin B12 in the bioactive methylcobalamin form, protected from stomach acid and delivered straight into the blood. No additives, vegan, laboratory-tested in Germany.
From 249 kr (8 kr/day)
Free delivery · 30-day money-back guarantee
Order our winnerB12 Ankermann
7.8 / 10 · Grade: 2.3
#2
Pros
- ✓ High-strength (1,000 µg)
- ✓ Available in pharmacies
- ✓ Made in Germany
- ✓ Established pharmacy brand
Cons
- ✗ Cyanocobalamin (inactive form)
- ✗ Contains titanium dioxide and lactose
- ✗ Not vegan
- ✗ No money-back guarantee
B12 Ankermann is a long-standing pharmacy staple for vitamin B12. It is high-strength (1,000 µg), but it uses cyanocobalamin, the synthetic form that has to be converted first. It contains titanium dioxide and lactose. As it is a conventional tablet, its bioavailability is considerably lower than that of a liposomal product.
~289 kr/month · Available in pharmacies and online
Nature Love Vitamin B12
7.5 / 10 · Grade: 2.6
#3
Pros
- ✓ Methylcobalamin (bioactive form)
- ✓ Amazon.de bestseller
- ✓ Vegan, no additives
- ✓ Made in Germany
Cons
- ✗ Drops without liposomal protection
- ✗ No protection from stomach acid
- ✗ No money-back guarantee
Nature Love uses the bioactive form methylcobalamin, which is a plus. It is an Amazon bestseller with lots of positive reviews. However, it lacks liposomal protection: the drops are exposed directly to stomach acid, which limits bioavailability.
~269 kr/month · Available online (Amazon.de)
Vitasprint B12 drinkable vials
7.3 / 10 · Grade: 3.3
#4
Pros
- ✓ High-strength (500 µg)
- ✓ Established brand (GSK)
- ✓ Available in pharmacies
- ✓ Vegan
Cons
- ✗ Cyanocobalamin (inactive form)
- ✗ By far the highest price (~689 kr/month)
- ✗ Poor value for money
Vitasprint is a well-known pharmacy product from GSK, recommended as a course taken over a longer period. It is well tolerated, but it uses cyanocobalamin and, at ~689 kr/month (~23 kr/day), it is the most expensive product in our test, with only moderate bioavailability.
~689 kr/month (plus delivery) · Available in pharmacies and online
dm Mivolis Vitamin B12
6.4 / 10 · Grade: 3.8
#5
Pros
- ✓ Very cheap (~58 kr/month)
- ✓ Available in every dm branch
- ✓ Trusted dm brand
Cons
- ✗ Cyanocobalamin (inactive form)
- ✗ Low dosage (100 µg)
- ✗ Various additives, not vegan
- ✗ Low bioavailability as a tablet
This is the budget option, with an unbeatable price and availability in every dm branch. But the dosage is low, the cyanocobalamin is synthetic and, because it is a tablet, its bioavailability is very low. If you already have a deficiency and need serious B12 supplementation, it is not the first choice.
~58 kr/month · Available in every dm branch
Vitamin B12: what you should know
The essentials of vitamin B12: why your body needs it, how a deficiency develops and how to recognise one.
Why does your body need vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that your body can't make itself. It's involved in:
- the formation of red blood cells
- the formation of DNA and RNA (cell growth and cell division)
- the absorption of folic acid into cells
- the breakdown of various fatty acids
- nervous system function
- the formation of the sheath around nerve fibres (myelin sheath)
- the body's natural detoxification processes
- energy metabolism
Vitamin B12 also plays an important role in a healthy immune system and may improve memory and cognitive performance.
B12 is found mainly in animal foods: offal (liver), fish (herring, salmon, mackerel), meat (especially beef), eggs and dairy products (cheese, yoghurt, quark). Algae, sauerkraut and mushrooms are often considered plant sources, but they mostly contain only B12-like substances that your body cannot use. For vegans, diet alone is not a reliable source of B12.
Causes of vitamin B12 deficiency
A deficiency can have various causes:
- chronic inflammation of the stomach or gut
- taking certain medicines, such as antibiotics or stomach acid blockers
- regular alcohol consumption, stress and an unhealthy lifestyle
- a poor diet or a vegan diet
- ageing, with a decline in intrinsic factor, and certain underlying conditions such as Crohn's disease
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
Physical symptoms:
- chronic tiredness and weakness, anaemia, headaches and digestive problems
- hair loss, nerve problems, muscle weakness and tingling in the arms and legs
- a burning tongue and vision problems such as blurred vision
Mental symptoms:
- attention problems, poor concentration and poor memory
- low mood, mood swings, nervousness and irritability
What does a vitamin B12 test cost?
If there is good reason to suspect a deficiency (because of symptoms, a vegan diet or pre-existing conditions), your health insurance usually pays for the test.
Otherwise you pay for it yourself, and the price varies with the type of test.
Benefits of taking vitamin B12
Taking the right B12 product can bring:
- less tiredness and exhaustion
- better concentration and memory
- a stronger immune system
- support for metabolism and the nervous system
- improved vision
Has Stiftung Warentest tested vitamin B12 supplements?
Stiftung Warentest hasn't yet published a comprehensive comparison dedicated to vitamin B12 supplements. Our independent 2026 test fills that gap and rates the most popular B12 supplements on six criteria: form of the active ingredient, bioavailability, purity, dosage, dosage form and value for money. That gives you a well-founded overview of which product really stands out.
Which is better: methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin?
Methylcobalamin is the natural, bioactive form of vitamin B12, which your body can use directly. Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic version that your body first has to convert, releasing small amounts of cyanide in the process. For the best possible absorption and tolerability, we recommend products with methylcobalamin: MELINAVA, the top-rated product in our test, uses this high-quality form exclusively.
How much vitamin B12 do you need a day?
The German Nutrition Society (DGE) gives these estimated daily intake values: 1.5 µg for children aged 1–4, 4.0 µg for teenagers and adults aged 15 and over, 4.5 µg during pregnancy, 5.5 µg while breastfeeding and 4.0 µg for older people (65+). These values apply to what you get from your diet. Supplements often contain far more (500–1,000 µg), because your body absorbs only a little from conventional forms. With liposomal B12, absorption is considerably higher, which is why moderate doses are enough.
Tablets, capsules, drops or liposomal: which form is best?
Tablets and capsules are the cheapest options but have comparatively low bioavailability. Drops and drinkable vials are absorbed more quickly but often contain cyanocobalamin instead of the better methylcobalamin form. Liposomal vitamin B12 combines both advantages: high bioavailability thanks to the liposomal encapsulation, and the high-quality methylcobalamin form. That's why the top-rated product in our test did particularly well in this category.
Which vitamin B12 is best for vegans?
Vegans and vegetarians are at particularly high risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, because B12 is found almost exclusively in animal foods. High-strength supplements with methylcobalamin in liposomal or liquid form are a good choice, because they offer better bioavailability than conventional tablets or capsules. MELINAVA Vitamin B12, the top-rated product in our test, is vegan and uses the high-quality methylcobalamin form.
Sources
- Syed, E. U., Wasay, M., & Awan, S. (2013). Vitamin B12 supplementation in treating major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. The open neurology journal, 7, 44–48. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874205X01307010044
- Köbe, T., Witte, A. V., Schnelle, A., Grittner, U., Tesky, V. A., Pantel, J., Schuchardt, J. P., Hahn, A., Bohlken, J., Rujescu, D., & Flöel, A. (2016). Vitamin B-12 concentration, memory performance, and hippocampal structure in patients with mild cognitive impairment. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 103(4), 1045–1054. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.115.116970
- Leishear, K., Ferrucci, L., Lauretani, F., Boudreau, R. M., Studenski, S. A., Rosano, C., Abbate, R., Gori, A. M., Corsi, A. M., Di Iorio, A., Guralnik, J. M., Bandinelli, S., Newman, A. B., & Strotmeyer, E. S. (2012). Vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels and 6-year change in peripheral nerve function and neurological signs. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 67(5), 537–543. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glr202
- Koury, M. J., & Ponka, P. (2004). New insights into erythropoiesis: the roles of folate, vitamin B12, and iron. Annual review of nutrition, 24, 105–131. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.012003.132306
- Paul, C., & Brady, D. M. (2017). Comparative Bioavailability and Utilization of Particular Forms of B12 Supplements With Potential to Mitigate B12-related Genetic Polymorphisms. Integrative medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 16(1), 42–49.
- Watanabe, F. (2007). Vitamin B12 sources and bioavailability. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 232(10), 1266-1274. https://doi.org/10.3181/0703-MR-67
- Clarke, R., Smith, A. D., Jobst, K. A., Refsum, H., Sutton, L., & Ueland, P. M. (1998). Folate, vitamin B12, and serum total homocysteine levels in confirmed Alzheimer disease. Archives of Neurology, 55(11), 1449-1455. https://doi.org/10.1001/archneur.55.11.1449