Have you ever gone to Costco and been overwhelmed by the different kinds of fish oil? It can be confusing trying to find the best fish oil at Costco with all the options.
We all go to Costco looking for a deal. But the last thing you want to do is waste your money on fish oil that will only give you subpar results. Some fish oils also give you heartburn or the dreaded “fish burps”… that make you stop taking them!
Here I’m breaking down all the fish oils at my local Costco to determine the best one. So keep going to discover the best fish oil at Costco that’s worth getting.
What to Look for in Fish Oil Supplements
Before picking the best Costco fish oil, we have to first know what to look for. Fish oil with the right ingredients will give you much better results.
Triglyceride Form
You’ll want to pick a fish oil supplement in triglyceride form. This form is easier for your body to absorb, allowing you to get more of its nutrients.
Triglyceride-form fish oil is much closer to the natural form of fats found in food. This causes the fish oil to have a much higher bioavailability of omega-3 fatty acids.
This also gives the fish oil greater stability, making it less likely to become oxidized. Compared to other forms, you’ll get longer-lasting freshness and potency.
Ethyl ester fish oil needs an extra step in the digestive process before the body can convert it to triglyceride form. This can reduce the bioavailability of the omega-3s in fish oil, giving you less results.
You have to take an ethyl ester fish oil with a high-fat meal so your body can break it down for absorption. The high-fat meal also increases the absorption of omega-3s from the ethyl ester fish oil.
While ethyl ester fish oil is necessarily horrible, if you can’t absorb the fish, then you’ll literally be flushing your money down the toilet. And if the fish oil has become oxidized and rancid then ingesting it could cause health issues.
Low Oxidation Status
Fish oil is more prone to oxidation since it is a polyunsaturated fat. The chemical structure of polyunsaturated fats contains multiple double bonds that are weaker and more unstable.
These double bonds react easily with oxygen, heat, and light, causing many fish oil supplements to become partially oxidized or rancid.
This can happen due to:
- Poor manufacturing and/or storage: Exposure to air, light, or heat during fish oil production, shipping, or storage.
- Lack of antioxidants: Some fish oils don’t contain added antioxidants (like vitamin E) that are used to stabilize them.
- Long Shelf Life: Even high-quality fish oil supplements can degrade if not properly stored.
So, how do you avoid getting rancid fish oil?
Choose brands with third-party testing for freshness. International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS) does a good job of determining freshness and testing for PCBs and mercury.
Look for fish oil supplements stored in dark, airtight containers with added antioxidants. After opening, store the fish oil in the refrigerator (or another cool, dark place).
High Concentrations of EPA & DHA
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil that have all the benefits.
These omega-3 fatty acids support heart, brain, and joint health. EPA helps lower inflammation, and DHA is essential for brain function and development. DHA is more abundant in the human body, including the brain, eyes, heart, and cellular membranes.
Fish oil made from fatty fish like sardines, anchovies, or mackerel usually has higher natural levels of these omega-3s. The purity and concentration of the omega-3s in fish oil can provide higher levels of EPA and DHA.
Be sure to check the fish oil supplement label for the total EPA and DHA content per serving, not just the total amount of omega-3s.
Finding the Best Fish Oil (Omega-3) Supplement at Costco
I examined Costco’s 7 kinds of fish oil and omega-3 supplements. After breaking down each one, I’ve determined the best.
Kirkland Signature Fish Oil
Kirkland Signature is Costco’s private-label brand. This fish oil is budget-friendly, provides a hearty amount of omega-3s, is sustainably sourced, and is USP verified.
USP verified means it has been independently tested in the USA and meets the quality, purity, and potency standards established by the USP.
The supplement facts label on the back of the bottle says it contains 1000mg of fish oil with a total omega-3 fatty acid count of 300mg. 250mg of these omega-3s are in EPA and DHA form.
Ingredients include fish oil, gelatin (porcine), glycerin, water, and tocopherols. Tocopherols are a blend of different forms of vitamin E that are used as a natural antioxidant.
The label doesn’t say if this fish oil is in natural triglyceride form or synthetic ethyl ester form (and I couldn’t find anything in my research). But I can only assume it is in ethyl ester form since their other Wild Alaskan Fish Oil does say it’s in triglyceride form.
And for that, I can’t give it a recommendation. But if you’re really pinching pennies, then it’s not a horrible fish oil. Just make sure you consume it with a high-fat meal or food like avocados.
The fish come from different countries of origin: Peru, Chile, Iceland, Norway, Morocco, and Turkey.
While the label doesn’t say, after some digging, I found that they source their fish from anchovies, herring, salmon, sardines, and sprats.
My local Costco has Kirkland Signature Fish Oil for $16.99 for 400 soft gels. This brings the price of each soft gel to $0.042.
Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Fish Oil
Kirkland Signature’s other fish oil is this wild Alaskan fish oil. It’s a little more expensive than their other fish oil but has additional benefits.
This wild Alaskan fish oil is also sustainably sourced, USP verified and contains more fish oil per serving. The fish oil is in triglyceride form, making it more bioavailable for absorption.
Wild Alaskan salmon oil is known for its higher nutritional content than other fish. It contains higher levels of EPA and DHA and powerful antioxidants like astaxanthin.
The label says this fish oil has been cold pressed, which helps preserve its nutrients. Cold pressing also reduces the risk of oxidation and gives it a higher purity.
This fish oil also says it is “extra virgin,” meaning it has undergone minimal processing. This usually means the oil is better quality, has been extracted from fresh fish, is in natural triglyceride form, and has low oxidation levels.
The supplement facts label on the back of the bottle says each soft gel contains 1,400mg of fish oil, with 330mg of fish oil. Each soft gel also contains 230mg of EPA and DHA fatty acids.
It also includes 670mg of other omega fatty acids, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11. Omega 5, 7, and 9 are naturally occurring in fish. Omega-6 and omega-11 fatty acids are naturally found in some fatty fish like salmon but are typically much lower than omega-3s.
If Kirkland is marketing this fish oil as a natural source of a handful of different essential fatty acids, then you should also let you know how much of each is in the bottle. But I’d assume the omega-6 content is quite low since nothing is added to the ingredients list to increase its content.
The fish oil was sourced from Alaskan pollock and salmon as naturally formed triglycerides. Additional ingredients include the soft gel (gelatin (bovine), glycerine, water) and vitamin E (as a mixed tocopherol).
My local Costco has Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Fish Oil for $21.99 for 230 softgels, which is $0.096 per softgel.
Nature Made Fish Oil
Nature Made is an American supplement brand established in 1971. This fish oil is USP certified, and the label says it uses a purification process to remove mercury, PCBs, dioxins, and furans.
The supplement facts label on the back of the bottle says each soft gel contains 1,200mg of fish oil and 360mg of omega-3s. Unlike Kirkland Signature fish oil, which recommends only taking one, Nature Made recommends taking two soft gels per serving.
Going by their 2 soft gels per serving recommendation, you’ll get 2,400mg of fish oil and 720 mg of omega-3s, including 600mg of EPA and DHA (360mg of DHA, 240mg of EPA).
The countries of origin for fish oil include Peru, Chile, Iceland, Norway, Morocco, and Turkey. Nature’s Made makes it clear on its website that these fish are wild-caught ocean fish and not farm-raised.
While the label doesn’t mention it, Nature Made sources fish oil from anchovies, sardines, mackerel, menhaden, and/or herring.
And the label doesn’t directly say it, but after some digging, the omega-3s are in synthetic ethyl ester form. So based on that I can’t recommend this fish oil.
My local Costco has Nature Made Fish Oil for $15.79 a bottle for 300 softgels, which comes to $0.053 a soft gel. However, the soft gel pricing is double since Nature Made recommends taking two per serving.
Pure Alaska Omega Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
Pure Alaska Omega is a brand that specializes in fish oil supplements. This company emphasizes sustainability and quality in its production process.
This Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil is USP verified for purity. It’s also cold-pressed and extra virgin. It comes in a UV-protected bottle, helping to reduce oxidation.
The label says it’s 100% natural, which usually means this salmon oil is made directly from the fish without a lot of chemicals or synthetic additives. The omega-3s should be in triglyceride form and not converted into synthetic ethyl ester form.
Fish oil from Alaska is usually higher in purity and low in contaminants. Alaska’s cold, pristine water means low toxins like mercury and PCBs. Salmon oil from Alaska usually contains natural antioxidants like astaxanthin, too.
The supplement facts on the back of the bottle recommend taking 2 soft gels per serving. This amounts to 2,000mg of salmon oil and 600mg of omega-3 fatty acids, including 220mg of DHA and 180mg of EPA.
The ingredients include wild Alaskan salmon oil (as naturally formed triglycerides), a soft gel (gelatin (bovine), glycerin, water), and vitamin E (as mixed tocopherols).
My local Costco has Pure Alaska Omega Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for $18.99 a bottle for 210 softgels. This comes to $0.090 per soft gel, but the total price per serving is doubled since they recommend taking 2 softgels.
Sports Research Omega-3 Fish Oil Triple Strength
Sports Research is a family-owned company founded in 1980 in the United States. This high-quality fish oil contains a higher concentration of omega-3s.
This is the only fish oil at Costco tested and certified by the gold standard IFOS. The label says the fish sourced are certified non-GMO, sustainably, and wild-caught.
The supplement facts on the label say each soft gel contains 1250mg of fish oil, 1055mg of total omega-3s, 690mg of EPA, and 310mg of DHA. Since it is highly concentrated, you only have to take one soft gel daily.
But remember that this Sports Research Triple-Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil is different from their other similar fish oil. This is their “fish oil for Costco” that’s sourced from a few different fish instead of single-sourced wild-caught pollock like their standard version of triple-strength fish oil sold on their website.
It’s sourced from anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and/or pollock. Other ingredients include the soft gel capsule (fish gelatin (tilapia-sourced), vegetable glycerin, purified water), and mixed tocopherols.
The omega-3s are in triglyceride form. As you can see on the label, it’s marked as “TG.” I was concerned it could be in ethyl ester form since it is their Costco budget fish oil. But was happy to see it is indeed in triglyceride form, making it easier to absorb.
My local Costco has Sports Research Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil for $28.49 a bottle. Each bottle contains 150 softgels, brining each softgel to $0.19.
Nature’s Bounty Fish Oil
Nature’s Bounty was founded in 1971 in the United States and is currently owned by Nestle. This fish oil is also USP-verified for quality.
But a quick look at the back label says the omega-3s are in ethyl ester form. This is an automatic deal breaker for me.
Ethyl ester is the synthetic form of omega-3s that is harder for your body to absorb. Always try to get omega-3 fish oil in natural triglyceride form.
This fish oil also contains polysorbate 80, a synthetic emulsifier that can possibly cause gut issues, allergic reactions, and inflammation.
It also contains potassium sorbate, another synthetic ingredient. While the FDA says it’s safe for most in small amounts, it could still cause allergic reactions, digestive issues, DNA damage, and respiratory problems in some.
With that said, I would not recommend this fish oil at Costco.
The Winner: Sports Research Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil
The best fish oil at Costco is Sports Research Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil. You’ll get a high amount of EPA and DHA in one pill that’s easily absorbed, and IFOS verified for purity.
It is sourced from wild-caught fish, yet isn’t single-sourced like their standard triple-strength omega-3 fish oil they have their website. But even with that said, you’ll still get a of benefits from this fish oil but at a lower Costco price.
This fish oil is also the most expensive at Costco. But the other fish oils also recommend taking 2 pills and don’t even contain the amount of EPA and DHA as the Sports Research fish oil.
Best Value: Pure Alaska Omega Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil
If you’re looking to save a few bucks, then I’d go with Pure Alaska Omega Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil. It’s cold-pressed, extra virgin, single-sourced from wild-caught Alaskan salmon, comes in a UV-protected bottle, and triglyceride forms omega-3s.
But they do recommend taking 2 soft gel pills per serving, and even then, you won’t get even half of the EPA and DHA you’ll get with Sports Research’s fish oil. They do meet the recommendation to get at least 500mg per day total of EPA and DHA.
Kirkland Signature Wild Alaskan Fish Oil is another good budget pick. But it’s quite low in total omega-3s EPA and DHA, and it seems like they made it more of a well-rounded omega supplement rather than an omega-3 supplement.
The Omega-3 Fish Oil Supplement I Use
I prefer to use OmegaKrill since it combines both fish oil and krill oil, giving you the best of both worlds. It contains a very high amount of DHA (1040mg) as well as 200mg of EPA in natural triglyceride form, making it easy to absorb.
OmegaKrill uses a supercritical CO2 extraction process that purifies and concentrates the omega-3s, not only preserving quality and preventing oxidation but also making them more potent. This prevents the dreaded “fish burps” and has zero fishy taste.
OmegaKrill also includes a premiere form of astaxanthin (nature’s most powerful antioxidant). This anti-aging supernutrient can fight skin aging, reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and improve brain performance.
OmegaKrill is IFOS-certified for purity and freshness. It’s passed stringent testing by an independent third party, so you know you won’t be putting dangerous toxins like PCBs, dioxins, furans, or heavy metals in your body.
Fish oil + Krill oil: Pure & Potent Omega-3 Supplement
- Each serving is packed with 1040mg of DHA providing support for brain, heart, eye, joint & immune health
- Omega-3 fatty acids provided in natural triglyceride form for maximal absorption
- 3mg of AstaREAL Astaxanthin - one of nature's most powerful antioxidants
- Premium, pure & potent omega-3 fatty acids from wild, cold-water sources… no fish burps!
Josh holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition Science. He’s a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and he’s a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) by American Council on Exercise. He’s worked as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at the high school and college levels. He has over 15 years of experience as a personal trainer and nutrition coach. He strives to bring inspiration and results for people to live healthier lives through smart diet and exercise.
