Best Vitamin B12 Supplement UK for Vegans and Vegetarians

About the author...

Will founded Supermushrooms after digging into the research behind mushroom and nootropic supplements. Every pick is checked against clinical dosing, extract standardisation, and real buyer reviews, and each star rating starts from a product's real Amazon score before being adjusted for formulation quality. Read more about how ratings are calculated.

The best vitamin B12 supplement in the UK is currently Nutravita Vitamin B12 1000mcg, 365 Vegan Tablets, praised for offering the best value with a full year's supply. See the comparison below for how five other well-reviewed alternatives stack up depending on your priorities.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin the body needs to make red blood cells, maintain the myelin sheath around nerves, and synthesise DNA. It's essentially absent from plant foods in any meaningful amount, which is why it sits in a different category to almost every other nutrient a vegan diet needs to think about. Meat, fish, eggs and dairy supply it naturally because animals absorb it from bacteria in soil and their own gut flora; a diet built entirely around plants has no reliable route to it unless the food has been fortified or a supplement is added.

The numbers reflect that gap. Roughly 6% of under-60s in the general UK and US population run low on B12, but the figure climbs sharply once meat and dairy are removed from the plate, and even vegetarians who still eat eggs and dairy aren't fully protected.¹ Left unchecked for long enough, low B12 doesn't just mean feeling a bit tired: it can cause genuine nerve damage, memory problems, and mood changes that are only sometimes reversible once treated. For anyone following a vegan or largely plant-based diet, a B12 supplement isn't an optional extra in the way many other vitamins are. It's the one nutrient gap that supplementation exists specifically to close.

When choosing a B12 supplement, the two things worth understanding are the chemical form (methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, or a blend with adenosylcobalamin) and the dose format (a modest daily amount versus a much larger daily or weekly dose designed to push enough B12 through passive absorption). Neither choice is really wrong, but they suit different people, and we've picked six UK products that between them cover sprays, sublingual tablets, capsules, liquid drops and gummies so there's a sensible option whichever way you'd rather take it.

Key Takeaways (TL;DR)

• Check the cobalamin form — methylcobalamin is the bioactive form most vegan-focused products use.
• Match the dose format to your need: modest daily maintenance versus a larger dose for correcting an existing deficiency.
• B12 is essentially absent from plant foods, so supplementing isn't optional on a vegan diet the way other vitamins can be.
• Choose a format you'll actually take consistently — spray, sublingual tablet, capsule, liquid or gummy all work equally well.
• Around 6% of the general UK population runs low on B12, rising sharply once meat and dairy are removed from the diet.

How We Choose

We prioritised products with a clearly stated cobalamin form and dose per serving, a track record of genuine Amazon UK reviews, and manufacturing that's either UK-based or backed by recognised quality certifications. We looked for a spread of formats (spray, tablet, liquid, capsule, gummy) and dose strengths so buyers who've struggled with pills, or who want a higher therapeutic dose, both have a genuine option. Products with vague labelling or unstated cobalamin forms were passed over in favour of ones that spell out exactly what's in each serving.

Quick Comparison

Each product's overall rating starts from its real Amazon UK customer rating, then gets adjusted (up to ±0.5) for dose versus clinical research, cobalamin form, manufacturing quality, and value. Click a product name to jump straight to its full review below.

Nutravita Vitamin B12 1000mcg, 365 Vegan Tablets

Best Overall — Best Value, Full Year's Supply

based on 9030 Amazon UK reviews (4.7★), adjusted for formulation quality

What We Love About the Full-Year Value Pick

Nutravita's B12 tablet earns the top spot for a simple reason: it does the fundamentals well and covers an entire year for one purchase. Each tablet delivers 1,000mcg of methylcobalamin, comfortably within the range used in oral high-dose B12 protocols, and 365 tablets means daily supplementation without reordering every few months. Nearly 10,000 UK reviews and a 4.7 average is a genuinely large sample size to lean on, which matters more for a daily-use vitamin than for almost any other supplement category.

The tablets are manufactured in the UK in batch-tested facilities, and Nutravita has built its reputation specifically on this kind of high-volume, no-frills vitamin format. There's no dual-cobalamin blend and no added extras here, just a clearly labelled, reliably dosed methylcobalamin tablet at a price that makes daily supplementation an easy habit rather than a cost decision.

The Full-Year Value Pick: All The Details

Each tablet provides 1,000mcg of vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin, the bioactive form the body can use directly without first converting it. The pack contains 365 tablets, one for each day of the year, and is manufactured in the UK to GMP standards with batch testing. Tablets are small, uncoated and suitable for vegans, with no animal-derived binders or gelatin shells.

Solgar Vitamin B12 1000ug Sublingual Nuggets, 250 Count

Best Trusted Brand — Sublingual Absorption, Established Since 1947

based on 14765 Amazon UK reviews (4.6★), adjusted for formulation quality

What We Love About the Sublingual Nugget Pick

Solgar has been making supplements since 1947, and this sublingual nugget format carries that heritage well. Rather than swallowing a tablet whole, you let a single nugget dissolve under the tongue, which some buyers prefer because it bypasses stomach acid and gets the B12 straight into the bloodstream through the mouth's mucous membranes. With almost 15,000 UK reviews at a 4.6 average, it's one of the most reviewed B12 products on Amazon UK full stop, across any brand.

The pleasant natural flavour is a genuine point in its favour; sublingual formats live or die on whether people actually enjoy taking them daily, and Solgar's nuggets consistently get praised for dissolving quickly without a chalky aftertaste. The 250-count bottle is a substantial supply for a premium-positioned brand, and the amber glass bottle protects the contents from light degradation.

The Sublingual Nugget Pick: All The Details

Each nugget provides 1,000ug (micrograms) of methylcobalamin designed to dissolve under the tongue rather than being swallowed. The bottle contains 250 nuggets, sugar and starch free, and suitable for vegans. Solgar packages its supplements in recyclable amber glass, and the nuggets carry a mild natural flavour that makes daily dosing straightforward.

BetterYou Boost B12 Oral Spray, 1,200mcg

Best Pill-Free Format — For Buyers Who Struggle With Tablets

based on 6969 Amazon UK reviews (4.6★), adjusted for formulation quality

What We Love About the Pill-Free Spray Pick

Some people simply don't get on with swallowing tablets, and BetterYou's spray solves that problem entirely. Three sprays deliver 1,200mcg of methylcobalamin directly onto the inside of the cheek, where it's absorbed through the oral mucosa rather than travelling through the digestive tract. The natural apricot flavour is genuinely pleasant, and reviewers frequently mention it as an easy habit to build into a morning routine.

BetterYou is a well-established UK oral spray specialist, and it shows in the manufacturing quality here. Nearly 7,000 reviews at a 4.6 average is a strong track record for a spray format specifically, which tends to see more variable customer experiences than tablets simply because dosing technique (how the spray is administered) can vary between users. This is worth a look if a bottle of pills feels like a chore, or if you've had past issues absorbing B12 through the gut.

The Pill-Free Spray Pick: All The Details

Each 25ml bottle delivers 48 daily doses of three sprays, providing 1,200mcg of methylcobalamin per dose, along with chromium and green tea extract. The spray is administered onto the inside of the cheek and held briefly before swallowing. Suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and those with dietary restrictions around gluten. Manufactured in the UK.

Nature Provides Bioactive B12 Liquid Drops, 3,000mcg

Best High-Strength Option — Dual-Form B12 for Correcting Deficiency

based on 3037 Amazon UK reviews (4.5★), adjusted for formulation quality

What We Love About the High-Strength Liquid Pick

This is the product to reach for if you suspect you're properly deficient rather than just wanting routine maintenance. Each daily serving of 13 drops provides 3,000mcg of B12, split as roughly two-thirds methylcobalamin and one-third adenosylcobalamin, the two coenzyme forms the body actually uses at the cellular level. Methylcobalamin supports nerve function and red blood cell production, while adenosylcobalamin plays a distinct role in energy metabolism, so combining them covers more physiological ground than a single-form product.

Over 3,000 UK reviews back a 4.5 average, which is a solid result given this sits at a higher price point than a basic tablet. The liquid format also suits anyone who wants to titrate their dose up or down more precisely than a fixed tablet size allows, and the sublingual delivery avoids relying entirely on the gut's limited passive-absorption pathway.

The High-Strength Liquid Pick: All The Details

Each 50ml bottle contains 50 daily servings of 13 drops (roughly 1ml), delivering 3,000mcg of B12 as a 66% methylcobalamin / 33% adenosylcobalamin blend. The liquid is taken under the tongue and held for around 30 seconds before swallowing. Produced in an ISO, GMP and FDA-registered facility in the UK, and suitable for vegans.

NATURELO Vegan B12 with Spirulina, 90 Capsules

Best Capsule Format — Easy-Swallow With Added Nutrients

based on 3533 Amazon UK reviews (4.7★), adjusted for formulation quality

What We Love About the Easy-Swallow Capsule Pick

NATURELO takes a slightly different approach by wrapping 1,000mcg of methylcobalamin in a small, easy-swallow capsule alongside organic spirulina. The capsules are noticeably smaller than many standard tablets, which matters if you find larger tablets uncomfortable but still want a solid capsule rather than a spray or liquid. Over 3,500 reviews and a 4.7 average put this near the top of the entire lineup for customer satisfaction.

The spirulina inclusion is a genuine point of difference: it's a whole-food source of additional micronutrients and antioxidants, though it's worth being clear that spirulina itself isn't a reliable B12 source (some spirulina-derived compounds are inactive B12 analogues rather than true cobalamin), so the methylcobalamin here is doing the actual heavy lifting. Think of it as a capsule-format B12 with a nutritional bonus rather than a spirulina product that happens to contain B12.

The Easy-Swallow Capsule Pick: All The Details

Each capsule contains 1,000mcg of methylcobalamin plus organic spirulina, in a small "easy swallow" vegetable capsule. The bottle holds 90 capsules, a three-month supply at one per day. Manufactured to GMP standards, non-GMO, and free from gluten, soy and dairy.

Nu U Nutrition Vitamin B12 Gummies, 90 Strawberry Gummies

Best Gummy Format — For Anyone Who Dislikes Tablets or Sprays

based on 386 Amazon UK reviews (4.5★), adjusted for formulation quality

What We Love About the Gummy Format Pick

Not everyone wants a tablet, a spray, or drops under the tongue, and that's exactly the gap this gummy fills. Each strawberry-flavoured gummy provides 1,000mcg of methylcobalamin, and reviewers consistently describe them as genuinely pleasant to take rather than merely tolerable, which is the whole point of a gummy format. A 4.5 average across nearly 400 reviews is a respectable result for a newer product category on Amazon UK.

Chewable gummies are a reasonable compromise: they're less studied as a delivery format than tablets or sublingual drops, and the pectin base means slightly more sugar and binding agents than a plain tablet, but for someone who would otherwise skip their B12 altogether because they dislike swallowing pills, a gummy they'll actually take every day is the better real-world outcome.

The Gummy Format Pick: All The Details

Each gummy provides 1,000mcg of vitamin B12 as methylcobalamin in a chewable strawberry-flavoured base. The pack contains 90 gummies, a three-month supply at one per day. Manufactured in the UK in GMP-approved facilities, and suitable for vegans.

Best Vitamin B12 Supplement FAQ

What is vitamin B12 and why is it a particular concern for vegans?

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is essential for red blood cell formation, nerve myelination and DNA synthesis. It's produced by bacteria, not plants, and reaches the human diet almost exclusively through meat, fish, eggs, dairy or foods that have been deliberately fortified. A wholly plant-based diet has no reliable natural source, so deficiency risk is meaningfully higher for vegans than for the general population, which runs at around 6% among under-60s.¹

What's the difference between methylcobalamin and cyanocobalamin?

Methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin are the two coenzyme forms the body actually uses; cyanocobalamin is a synthetic, more stable form that the liver converts into these active forms after absorption. Both approaches correct deficiency effectively in clinical use, but methylcobalamin is the form some buyers specifically seek out because it skips that conversion step and is the form directly involved in nerve function and homocysteine metabolism. Cyanocobalamin has a longer shelf life and is cheaper to produce, which is why it's common in fortified foods and budget supplements.²

Does the dose format matter — daily low dose versus weekly high dose?

Both are legitimate strategies built around the same underlying quirk of B12 absorption: the body's normal active absorption pathway can only process a small, fixed amount per meal, but a separate passive absorption route lets roughly 1% of any oral dose through regardless of size. A high daily dose (1,000mcg or more, as most products in this review use) relies on that passive route to push enough B12 through even without perfect gut function. Clinical trials comparing daily high-dose oral B12 to intramuscular injections have found the two approaches produce similar blood level improvements over three to four months, which is the basis for daily oral supplementation being considered a genuine alternative to injections for many people.³

What are the proven benefits of correcting a B12 deficiency?

Untreated B12 deficiency can cause fatigue, breathlessness and pale skin from reduced red blood cell production, alongside neurological symptoms including pins and needles, balance problems, memory difficulties and, in advanced cases, irreversible nerve damage. Psychiatric symptoms such as low mood, irritability and brain fog are also well documented. Correcting the deficiency typically improves the blood-related and early neurological symptoms substantially, though how much recovery is possible depends heavily on how long the deficiency went untreated before supplementation began.⁴

How long does it take to notice a difference?

Blood levels of B12 typically normalise within weeks of consistent supplementation, and energy-related symptoms often improve over a similar timeframe. Neurological symptoms, if present, tend to take longer to resolve and may not fully reverse if the deficiency was long-standing before treatment started. Most people supplementing simply to maintain adequate status (rather than correct an existing deficiency) won't notice a dramatic before-and-after change, since the goal is prevention rather than treatment.

Is it safe to take vitamin B12 in the high doses these supplements use?

Yes. B12 is water-soluble, and no tolerable upper intake level has been set for it because there's no established toxicity even at very high intakes; excess is simply excreted rather than stored. This is exactly why supplements routinely use doses of 1,000mcg or more even though the actual daily requirement is only a few micrograms, since the vast majority of an oral dose isn't absorbed in the first place.⁵

Does vitamin B12 pair well with mushroom or nootropic supplements?

It does, and reasonably naturally. B12 deficiency itself causes fatigue and brain fog, so correcting it is a sensible foundation before adding a nootropic on top rather than a replacement for one. Many vegans stacking Lion's Mane or a mushroom complex for cognitive support add a B12 supplement alongside it precisely because nerve health and mental clarity depend on adequate B12 status in the first place; a nootropic can't compensate for a nutrient deficiency sitting underneath it.

Do I need a blood test before starting B12 supplementation?

It isn't strictly necessary given how safe B12 is at supplemental doses, but a blood test is worthwhile if you have existing neurological symptoms, have followed a vegan diet for several years without supplementing, or want a baseline to confirm supplementation is working. For most vegans without symptoms, starting a daily supplement as a precaution is a reasonable approach without waiting for test results first.

The Best Vitamin B12 Supplement for You

If you want the simplest, most cost-effective way to close the vegan B12 gap for good, Nutravita's tablet is hard to beat: a year's supply of a properly dosed methylcobalamin tablet at a price that removes any excuse to skip it. Solgar's sublingual nuggets suit anyone who wants a proven, heritage-backed brand with a format that dissolves rather than swallows. BetterYou's spray and the strawberry gummies from Nu U Nutrition both solve the same underlying problem: getting B12 into people who genuinely struggle with tablets. Nature Provides' high-strength liquid is worth considering if you suspect an existing deficiency rather than routine maintenance, and NATURELO's small capsules are a solid middle ground between a standard tablet and something more specialised.

Whichever format fits your routine, the underlying point stands: B12 is not optional on a vegan diet, and unlike most supplement decisions, getting this one right is genuinely low-risk and high-value.