CBD has quickly become one of the most popular natural supplements in the US because it provides a wide range of health benefits without the psychoactive properties of marijuana. CBD has been shown to:
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Relieve pain
- Fight cancer
- Protect brain and cardiovascular health
But not all CBD products are created equal, and some CBD products confer more of these benefits than others.
The main distinction you need to be aware of when choosing a type of CBD is between full-spectrum CBD and CBD powder, also called CBD isolate. These two types of CBD have different medicinal benefits and nutritional composition.
Read this article to learn about the difference between full spectrum vs. CBD powder and which brands you should buy.
Full Spectrum vs. CBD Powder: What’s the Difference?
Full spectrum CBD is extracted from all parts of the hemp plant and contains all 113 cannabinoids in the hemp plant, while CBD powder contains 99% pure, isolated CBD. So the difference is that full spectrum CBD has other cannabinoids and plant compounds found naturally in the hemp plant that are removed from CBD powder. And it turns out the presence of these compounds has a large effect on the medicinal value of the CBD.
Full Spectrum CBD: Pros and Cons
Numerous studies show that full-spectrum CBD has more medicinal value than CBD powder. Why? Because of the entourage effect.
In short, the plant compounds naturally found in hemp work synergistically. CBD works best when it’s consumed with the other compounds found in hemp. These include:
- All 20 amino acids
- Minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium
- Omega-3-6-9 fatty acids
- Vitamins C, E, and A
- 113 additional cannabinoids (like cannabidiol acid and cannabichromene)
- Over 200 natural plant terpenes
The hemp plant is a nutritional powerhouse, and full spectrum CBD confers hemp’s full range of benefits.
However, because of its greater medicinal value, full spectrum CBD is typically more expensive than CBD isolate. It also contains slightly more THC: CBD powder has 0% THC, while full spectrum CBD can have up to 0.3% CBD. These THC levels are still negligible, though, and not nearly enough to produce a psychoactive effect.
CBD Powder: Pros and Cons
CBD powder is basically full spectrum CBD with everything but the cannabidiol (CBD) compound removed. While CBD isolate is not as therapeutic as full spectrum CBD, it does hold certain advantages.
For one, it’s less expensive.
If you’re concerned about the presence of trace amounts of THC in full spectrum CBD, then CBD powder may be a better choice since it has these amounts removed. Full-spectrum CBD tends to have a slight marijuana taste and odor; CBD has no odor or taste.
Also, CBD powder lets you dose more accurately and consume more concentrated doses.
Full Spectrum vs. CBD Powder: 2025 Buyer’s Guide
The CBD boom has led to a seemingly endless selection of brands and products, and it’s important that you choose the right one. The purity, sourcing, and method of extraction used all have a huge influence on the medicinal value of the CBD.
We researched and tested a whole bunch of different brands and put together this list of the highest quality ones we found for both full spectrum and CBD isolate.
Full Spectrum Brands
#1 Nuleaf
Nuleaf sells a full-spectrum CBD oil that contains all of hemp’s natural terpenes, cannabinoids, and plant compounds. Their products have no additives or preservatives, and are extracted from USDA-certified organic hemp oil. Nuleaf offers a range of dosage strengths: the smallest 300mg bottle is $24 and the largest 6000mg bottle is $185.
#2 Cornbread Hemp
Cornbread Hemp uses so-called Bluegrass Basin hemp. Its focus is on providing high-quality products catered to customers needs. Thanks to attention to detail from the production process to the customer interactions this brand has been able to solidify itself among the very best.
A 750mg bottle of Cornbread Hemp CBD oil costs $49.99, while a 1500mg bottle is $74.99.
#3 Sabaidee
Sabaidee makes three full-spectrum products, one with 1000mg of CBD ($89.96), another with 2500mg of CBD ($149.96) and the other with 7500mg ($247.46). Sabaidee’s CBD is unique because it includes MCT oil from coconut and organic peppermint oil, which can help the absorption of some of the natural plant compounds. Like NuLeaf and PurKana, Sabaidee uses organically grown hemp and a proprietary extraction method that results in a highly pure CBD product.
CBD Isolate Brands
#1 CBDistillery
CBDistillery sells a 99+% pure CBD isolate powder derived from industrial hemp oil. A full gram container of this powder is $28. CBDistillery’s isolate powder is crystalline, odorless, and flavorless, so it’s easy perfect for cooking or mixing drinks and blends easily. Plus, they have CBD isolate oils at 1000mg for $60 and 2500mg for $120 a pop.
#2 Lazarus Naturals
Lazarus Naturals sells two flavors of CBD isolate: Strawberry Hibiscus and a flavorless version. Their products are in the moderate price-range at $60 for 300mg. What sets Lazarus Natural apart is their rigorous extraction method and testing. Their products are tested for potency and residual solvents, heavy metals, and chemical residue, so you can trust you’re getting a reliably pure, toxin-free product.
#3: Ambary Gardens
Ambary Gardens extracts their CBD isolate from organically-grown hemp that they grow themselves. Their isolate is on the pricier side, costing $60/500mg. It has a slight earthy odor and a smooth taste that’s ideal for vaping.