The 10 Best Melatonin Supplements of 2024

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Find out which melatonin supplements are best for a better night’s sleep

In This Article

Health / Marcus Millan

If you've created a calming bedtime routine but still struggle to get the sleep you need, melatonin might be worth a try. It’s a hormone your brain produces that signals it’s time to sleep once it gets dark. Normally, our bodies increase melatonin production in the evening to help us fall asleep. However, artificial light exposure from lamps, overhead lighting and electronic devices can interrupt melatonin production. According to Robin Foroutan, MS, RDN, an integrative and functional dietitian, melatonin can be a helpful supplement for those occasional nights when you have trouble falling, can’t stay asleep, or are dealing with jet lag. Although, Foroutan suggests it’s a good idea to first look into why sleep disturbances may be happening in the first place.

There are no standard dosing recommendations for melatonin, so we consulted experts to identify the best melatonin supplements on the market in various doses. Our dietitians reviewed the latest research and considered the quality of ingredients, dosage, form, cost, and third-party testing to bring you our top picks.

So many health-related issues, including mental health, are tied to a lack of quality sleep. To make things worse, as we age, we produce less melatonin, which can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep and lead to problems like daytime drowsiness. This is where melatonin can be helpful as a sleep aid. While melatonin is generally considered safe, we recommend opting for the lowest effective dose and avoiding supplements that mix melatonin with multiple other ingredients.

If you’re new to melatonin, a good place to start would be our Best Low-Dose pick, Pure Encapsulations Melatonin, or our Best Gummies, OLLY Kids Sleep, which is intended for children but also serves as a good low-dose choice for adults.

-Amy Fischer, MS, RD, CDN, senior nutrition editor for Health.com

Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. They also may interact with other supplements or medications you are taking. Our team of medical experts reviews supplements according to our rigorous dietary supplement methodology. We also had a registered dietitian review this page for its scientific accuracy. Please always speak with a healthcare provider to discuss any supplements you plan on taking.

Nature’s Bounty Melatonin hits all the marks; it's expert-recommended while being affordable, widely available, and vegetarian. The 1mg dose per tablet makes it a great option for people who have never taken melatonin before and want to find their ideal dose without taking more than they need. The tablet form also allows these to be cut in half or quarters with a pill cutter to provide even smaller dosing increments.

Even with the high cost of testing, Nature’s Bounty keeps its melatonin affordable while maintaining high quality. This product is third-party tested for purity and label accuracy by USP, one of the most trusted testing organizations. Plus, these tablets are free from common allergens, animal products, and added colors, flavors, or sweeteners.

Keep in mind that since this product is a tablet that needs to be swallowed, it may be challenging for individuals who have difficulty swallowing pills. While the tablets can be crushed, this may not be as convenient as using a powder or liquid.

The Olly Kids Sleep gummies are colored with fruit juice and flavored with natural flavors, and they contain only 1 gram of sugar per gummy. NSF, one of the most respected third-party testing agencies, also tests and certifies them for contents and contaminants.

Even though Olly markets these gummies for kids, they’re an excellent option for adults due to the lower dosage. Each gummy has 0.5 milligrams of melatonin, so you can start with a lower dose and see how your body responds. If you need more, you can increase the dose by 0.5 milligrams, helping you find the right amount without taking more than necessary. Olly also offers gummies with 3 mg of melatonin and up to 10 mg.

In addition to melatonin and l-theanine, these gummies contain a mixture of three botanical sleep aids—chamomile extract, passionflower extract, and lemon balm extract. While there is some evidence these botanical aids may help some people with sleep, more research is needed.

These gummies contain pork gelatin and would not be appropriate for anyone who follows a vegetarian or vegan diet. Additionally, they contain botanical extracts and l-theanine, which may interact with other medications.

Be aware that kids may confuse gummy supplements for candy, so keep them out of reach of children.

You might think that a low price means lower quality, but the Swanson Low Dose Melatonin keeps the value high and the price low. It also checks all the boxes for dosage, quality, and capsule size while still coming in at the most affordable price we’ve seen.

Each small, easy-to-swallow capsule contains 1 milligram of melatonin. If you have trouble swallowing capsules, you can even open them and add them to liquids. Plus, it's third-party tested by USP to ensure both purity and label accuracy, so you know you're getting exactly what is stated on the label.

These capsules are made of pig and cow gelatin and would not be appropriate for vegetarians or anyone following a vegan diet.

Designs for Health Sleep Complex offers a well-researched blend of melatonin, vitamins, and herbs known for their sleep-promoting benefits. This thoughtful mix includes some of the most studied herbs for sleep in like valerian root, passionflower, lemon balm, and chamomile, in doses used in research studies. It also contains GABA, an amino acid shown to help support sleep. Most of the herbs in this blend work quickly, so you don't have to take them for long periods to experience their benefits.

Each two-capsule serving provides 3 milligrams of melatonin, but you can take one capsule for a milder 1.5 milligram dose. If swallowing capsules is difficult, you can open them up and mix the contents with liquid. The capsule is made from a vegetarian source; all ingredients are vegan and gluten-free.

This is third party certified by NSF for contents and contaminants, one of the most thorough and reputable testing organizations. This helps ensure that each ingredient amount is accurate, which is important for a product with multiple active ingredients.

Since this supplement contains a complex of herbs and supplements, you should check with your healthcare provider to avoid medication interactions. Keep in mind that while ingredients such as L-theanine and 5-HTP have some research backing their benefits for better sleep, most studies focus on long-term use. The occasional use intended for melatonin might not provide the same benefits from these ingredients as consistent, long-term use.

The Klean Athlete Klean Melatonin stands out because it is a convenient liquid spray that can be kept bedside or for on-the-go use. The spray is also a great choice if you find it difficult to swallow pills. Each spray uses natural fruit juice extract and flavors to give you a burst of raspberry lemonade flavor and a 1.5-milligram dose of melatonin.

The spray form allows melatonin to be absorbed by the mouth, and some initial research has found that oral absorption of melatonin may be faster than pills and capsules. It's also third-party tested by NSF and certified for sport; this is important if you’re an athlete because it doesn’t contain any of the 290 substances banned by major athletic organizations.

This spray contains stevia, which may leave an aftertaste for some people. Additionally, it contains xylitol, a sugar alcohol, which can cause digestive upset in some people.

Planning your dose of extended-release melatonin can get complicated, as it can help you stay asleep but might also leave you groggy in the morning. Life Extension Melatonin IR/XR offers one of the lowest combined doses of immediate and extended-release melatonin – with 0.75 milligrams each. This lower dose of extended-release helps to minimize the risk of morning drowsiness while still giving you a good night’s sleep.

This product is third party tested for purity as well as label accuracy. Additionally, the company offers a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each product batch. This is an additional layer of transparency that allows consumers to see the testing results of each batch of products.

The gelatin capsules are made from bovine (cow) gelatin, which is not suitable for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet. While the capsules can technically be broken open and added to liquid, they are not designed to be used this way, and it may affect the way the extended-release melatonin works.

Mommy’s Bliss Kids Sleep Liquid comes in a kid-friendly grape flavor, making it more enjoyable for kids to take a melatonin supplement. However, unlike gummies, it doesn’t look like candy, so kids are less likely to confuse it for candy.

The liquid form allows for precise dosing and can be taken on its own or mixed into another liquid or soft food. The liquid measure also allows for flexible dosing, which is helpful for finding the smallest dose that works for a child.

This melatonin's color comes from fruits and vegetables. Only natural flavors are used, and it's alcohol-free. This product is also third-party tested for contents and contaminants by NSF.

This formula contains herbal extracts, including chamomile, passionflower, and lemon balm. Since most herbs are not recommended for consistent use in children, you should consult a healthcare provider before giving this supplement to your child.

In 2020, melatonin became the most frequently ingested substance among children reported to national poison control centers. Keep this out of reach of children and be the one to provide them with the accurate dose.

Now Liquid Melatonin is a great option if you have trouble swallowing pills or capsules since it can be taken on its own or added to other liquids or soft foods. The dosage has an estimated drop count, so adjusting the dosage in smaller increments is easy. Each drop provides about 0.15 milligrams of melatonin, allowing you to adjust your dose to find the smallest amount that works for you.

It's lightly sweetened and flavored with lemon oil and natural flavors and is completely free of animal products, making it suitable for those following vegetarian and vegan diets. Plus, it's been third-party tested for labeling accuracy and product purity.

This product contains xylitol, which can cause digestive upset in some people.

If you’re looking for a melatonin supplement that provides more than one milligram, the Thorne Melaton-3 contains three milligrams in a single capsule. For people requiring larger melatonin doses, these three-milligram capsules reduce the number of pills needed to reach a higher dose. We also appreciate that this product is NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it is tested for purity and potency and to ensure that it provides the dosage the label indicates.

These capsules can be taken as is or broken open and added to liquids or soft foods. This can be helpful for people who cannot swallow capsules or pills or prefer to add a supplement to a drink or food. They are also vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free.

If you haven’t tried a melatonin supplement, this high dose is not ideal unless recommended by a healthcare provider. Instead, you’ll want to start with a low dose and work your way up if necessary.

While a liquid form is generally the easiest way to get a lower dose of melatonin, they aren’t always as convenient for travel. The Pure Encapsulations Melatonin 0.5mg offers a lower dose of melatonin in a capsule form that is easy to stash in a travel bag. If you prefer to add melatonin to a liquid, these capsules can be opened and emptied into a liquid or soft food. This brand is Foroutan’s go-to, because of the high purity standards and minimal added ingredients.

These capsules are small, making them easier to swallow. They are also vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free. Besides melatonin, these capsules contain only two ingredients – cellulose (plant fiber) and the vegetarian capsule. The limited ingredient list also means this product may not be a good option for someone with dietary restrictions, food allergies, or food intolerances.

If you want a dose smaller than 0.5 mg, these capsules may not be your best bet since one capsule provides the full 0.5mg dose, and it would be difficult to measure out a smaller dose.

Our experts agreed that it is important to only use the supplement occasionally and opt for the smallest effective dose. Melatonin peaks in 40-60 minutes, and you may start to feel the effects before this. The larger the dose, the longer some melatonin will stay in your system.

Dr. Kreps suggests starting with a low dose—0.5mg or less—and adjusting, if needed, from there. This applies to both regular melatonin and extended-release melatonin. You want to achieve your intended effect while minimizing side effects like morning and daytime drowsiness. Foroutan suggests working closely with your healthcare team before considering larger doses or regular use.

Ultimately, the decision to take melatonin is up to you and your healthcare provider. The following conditions currently have the most robust research on melatonin and may be especially helpful for the following groups:

Like other supplements, melatonin can pose particular safety concerns for certain groups. Alexandra Kreps, MD, Internal Medicine Physician, and Health Tech Consultant, suggests that because this supplement can potentially interact with many medications and conditions, you must speak with your healthcare provider before taking it. Because it is a hormone, the ways that melatonin works with and affects various systems in our bodies are very complex and still being studied. Since drowsiness can be an effect of melatonin use, it’s important to time ingestion to give yourself plenty of time before doing anything where drowsiness would be an issue. The following groups may want to be especially cautious with melatonin use.

Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.

We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products. We prioritize products that are third-party tested and certified by independent, third-party certifiers like USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab.com.

It's important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend and gives more details on what we specifically look for in supplements.

We looked for products that offered 1 mg or less melatonin, were third-party tested for purity, and that didn’t contain additional active ingredients. Brands that offered transparent looks at testing results and shared where testing was done were prioritized. Clinical trials and peer-reviewed research reviews were used to gather information on safety, efficacy, and gaps in research. In addition to scientific research, we spoke to doctors and dietitians about melatonin, who offered clinical insights on real-life use cases, dosing recommendations, and perspectives on longer-term use.

We spoke with experts who use melatonin in their practices and are well-versed in determining whether the supplement is the right fit.

The vast majority of melatonin supplements on the market today use synthetic melatonin. This is melatonin created in a lab to match the melatonin made by our bodies. Some labels will simply call this “melatonin,” while others list the chemical structure of melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine. They are essentially the same thing.

Although the synthetic (lab-made) form is the most widely used, melatonin can also be obtained from plants. Melatonin produced in plants is called phytomelatonin and is used in very few supplements. However, this is a growing area of research.

It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to determine which ingredients are included and how much of each ingredient is included relative to its recommended daily value. Please bring the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you are taking.

Since melatonin supplements are often purchased to benefit sleep, herbs and other potential ingredients related to relaxation and sleep are commonly added to these supplements. In some cases, these additional components are most effective when taken regularly. For example, l-theanine and 5-HTP typically need to be taken for longer periods of time to be effective and, therefore, do not offer much help in a melatonin product meant to be taken occasionally.

While melatonin appears to be a very safe supplement when used occasionally in low doses, there is still a lot we do not know about taking this supplemental hormone.

Important note to parents and caregivers of kids and teens: In 2020, melatonin became the most frequently ingested substance among children reported to national poison control centers. Pediatric melatonin ingestion reported to poison control increased 530% from 2012 to 2021. It is imperative to keep melatonin supplements in childproof containers and to only offer them under adult supervision and the recommendation of a healthcare provider.

There is not enough research in pregnancy and nursing to say that melatonin is safe during these times. The same goes for giving melatonin to children and teens. Additionally, there are many potential medication interactions with melatonin as well as conditions and stages of life that may affect how a body responds to melatonin supplementation. Dr Kreps notes that the list is exhaustive, and the nuances are very complex, regarding who shouldn’t take melatonin. She recommends everyone speak to their healthcare providers before considering this supplement to ensure it is safe.

There isn’t enough research on long-term use to safely recommend this to the average person. While certain conditions may merit long-term use, this would need to be specifically decided with a healthcare team, weighing the risks versus benefits. For the average person seeking help falling asleep or staying asleep, the occasional use of melatonin is the recommendation.

Melatonin effectively prevents or decreases jet lag from flights crossing five or more time zones. It appears most effective when taken close to the intended bedtime, and the faster-acting melatonin seems more effective (versus extended-release). Regarding shift work, the data is less conclusive, and more clinical studies are needed. Research indicates that melatonin use might help with daytime alertness, decreasing the time it takes to fall asleep and increasing total time asleep. However, more research is needed to know if the effects are significant enough to make a meaningful impact.

At this time, there isn’t evidence that a physical dependence will develop from short-term use of melatonin, notes Dr. Kreps. Additionally, short-term use doesn’t affect how much melatonin the body produces. However, more long term research is needed to provide a more accurate picture concerning daily use of melatonin for longer periods of time.

Yes, plants, many animals, algae, and microorganisms all have the potential to produce melatonin and these would be considered naturally occurring sources. However, the only naturally occurring melatonin used in supplements is from plants. We can also obtain small amounts of melatonin from eating melatonin-rich foods, including plant-based foods and meat. The foods most rich in melatonin are eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, legumes, cereal grains, and mushrooms. While foods contain much smaller quantities of melatonin than supplements, some research has indicated that eating melatonin-rich foods does increase the amount of melatonin in the body.

Willow Jarosh, MS, RD, CIEC is an NYC-based dietitian specializing in helping clients improve and strengthen their relationships with their bodies and food as well as supporting medical nutrition therapy. Willow helps clients navigate supplements and is well-versed in researching supplements, not just from a claims standpoint but also with regard to safety and efficacy for individuals. She spent many hours researching melatonin, speaking with experts, and investigating the best products to recommend.

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