Improving gut health has become one of the biggest talking points in the wellness world, and a growing body of research suggests there may be good reason for the attention. Studies have linked a healthy gut microbiome to benefits across multiple areas of health, from supporting mood and digestion to potentially improving skin health.

On top of a diverse and nutritious diet, probiotics are among the best supplements you can use to support gut health. To better understand the role probiotics can play in supporting gut health, I spoke to leading experts in the field.

Dr Megan Rossi, a gut health expert with a PhD in probiotics, highlights the far-reaching role of the gut microbiome: “Our gut microbiome has been linked to the health of pretty much every organ in our body – there is the gut hormone connection, gut skin connection, gut metabolism connection [and more].”

“Technology has allowed us to understand exactly how powerful our gut microbes are [...] our gut health uncovers how we can look better, feel better and live longer, happier lives.”

With guidance from leading experts, I tested a range of probiotics to find out which ones are worth adding to your daily routine.

Read more: Best vitamin B12 supplements to take, according to an expert

The best probiotics for 2026 are:

  • Best overall– Nutravita 60 billion CFU pro bio cultures complex: £16.99, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best budget buy– Bio-Kult everyday gut, 60 capsules: £20, Boots.com
  • Best for women– Vida Glow gut pro: £24, Spacenk.com
  • Best duo cap– Epetōme: £54.99 a month, Epetome.com
  • Best liquid supplement– Symprove: £39.99 a month, Symprove.com
  • Best multivitamin with a probiotic– You’re Looking Well day pill: £40.50, Healf.com

Read more: Best multivitamins for women, men and children, according to experts

  • Bestoverall probiotic
  • Why we love it- Excellent value for money

  • Diverse strains and high potency

  • Take note- Plastic bottle

Packed with an impressive 21 different strains of bacteria and delivering an enormous 60 billion CFU (colony-forming units) per daily dose, this potent probiotic supplement is a big hitter, and at a reasonable price. The capsules themselves are easy to swallow, and the pill bottle can be stored in a cupboard without refrigeration.

This supplement contains clinically studied bacteria strains, such as bacillus coagulans, lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium infantis. Plus, it’s gluten-free and suitable for vegans, making it a good choice for most people looking to care for their gut health.

I took the recommended two pills a day and felt my digestion became noticeably more efficient within days. That manifested as more frequent and easier bowel movements, with no wind or stomach bloating. The positive results meant I was keen to carry on taking the supplement.

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Capsules
  • Number of days’ supply:30
  • Vegan:Yes
  • CFU count:60 billion

  • Number of bacteria strains:21

  • Bestbudget probiotic

  • Why we love it- Can be taken with antibiotics

  • Suitable for all the family

  • Take note- Not suitable for vegans

As with most things in life, consistency is key when taking care of your gut health. For this reason, you’ll need a supplement that fits in with your monthly budget – there’s little point in just taking a supplement for a month and then stopping. Enter: Bio-Kult everyday gut supplement, a more budget-friendly probiotic compared with other brands.

Adults can take up to four capsules each day, while children can take up to two. However, I found there were benefits even when taking just one capsule a day. This is likely because this award-winning supplement contains 14 different live bacteria strains, with each capsule containing 2 billion live bacterial micro-organisms for your gut.

If you’re taking Bio-Kult while travelling or you’re on a course of antibiotics, a higher dose of four capsules is likely to be more effective for a short while.

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Capsules
  • Number of days’ supply:60
  • Vegan:No
  • CFU count:2 billion

  • Number of bacteria strains:14

  • Bestprobiotic for women

  • Why we love it- Designed specifically for women

  • Contains medicinal herbs to promote digestion

  • Take note- Best taken 30 minutes before your first meal of the day

  • Not suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women or people with a corn allergy

We are all aware of the friendly bacteria in the gut, but did you know that women also have a vaginal microbiome? A healthy vaginal microbiome is dominated by lactobacillus. These bacteria are known to create the optimal antimicrobial environment, but when levels drop, this can lead to conditions such as bacterial vaginosis, thrush and other infections caused by bacterial imbalance and overgrowth.

Vida Glow’s gut pro has been specifically developed with women’s health in mind. Each one-a-day capsule holds 6 billion CFU of three lactobacillus species – lactobacillus plantarum, lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactobacillus reuteri– to nourish gut flora and support intimate health.

Besides probiotics, the supplement also includes the medicinal herbs ginger and gentiana lutea to improve digestion and relieve bloating, making this a good all-rounder for women. I found it maintained a happy gut and didn’t experience any issues like thrush or BV while taking it.

It is, however, among the pricier options included in this round-up, working out at £1 a day.

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Capsules
  • Number of days’ supply:30
  • Vegan:Yes
  • CFU count:2 billion

  • Number of bacteria strains:14

  • Bestvegan probiotic

  • Why we love it- Clinically studied bacteria strains
  • Proven to allow bacteria to reach gut alive

  • Contains zinc

  • Take note- Costly but better value for money with a subscription

Claims about the bacteria in probiotics reaching the gut alive are not new, but Heights has backed up the claim with a study. The results of its third-party research found that most of the bacteria in its smart probiotic do indeed reach the colon alive, where they can do their job. That’s said to be because of its delayed-release capsule that breaks down nine times more slowly than those from some of its competitors. Impressive stuff.

Besides the scientific backing, l liked that the supplement – which contains seven strains of gut-friendly bacteria – was convenient to take, because there’s no particular time it should be taken. Plus, it can be taken with or without food.

I was thrilled that this vegan supplement is suitable for all, regardless of diet and lifestyle choices. Plus, I noticed an almost immediate reduction in bloating, which can be a common issue for some following a plant-based diet.

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Capsules
  • Number of days’ supply:30
  • Vegan:Yes
  • CFU count:20 billion

  • Number of bacteria strains:7

  • Bestprobiotics for use with antibiotics

  • Why we love it- Combines prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes
  • Can be taken with antibiotics to replenish gut bacteria

  • Refillable to reduce carbon footprint

  • Take note- Only suitable for over-16s

Taking antibiotics can help the body fend off infections, but they can also decimate the friendly bacteria living in our gut. Luckily, Artah enhanced synbiotic is safe for use with antibiotics – just take the supplement two hours either side of your prescribed medication to give your gut microbiota a fighting chance.

Included in the 11 strains of clinically studied bacteria strains are those that are said to boost mental, sexual, metabolic, immune, skin and digestive health, while added digestive enzymes, such as amylase and lipase, help our bodies break down and absorb nutrients in the food we eat.

I started off with a one-a-day dose of Artah enhanced synbiotic, then upped that to two capsules a day. Before long, I noticed a reduction in bloating and a more comfortable feeling in my stomach.

This is one of the more expensive options on this list, but you can save when you subscribe and receive regular deliveries to keep you topped up.

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Capsules
  • Number of days’ supply:30-60
  • Vegan:Yes
  • CFU count:8 billion if taking one a day

  • Number of bacteria strains:11

  • Bestsynbiotic probiotic

  • Why we love it- Combines probiotics and prebiotics

  • Refillable to reduce carbon footprint

  • Take note- Pricey but better value with a subscription

Jules Miller, one of The Nue Co’s co-founders, has described her own issues with IBS, so it’s hardly surprising the brand knows its stuff when it comes to gut health. This supplement, which delivers probiotics and prebiotic inulin fibre from Jerusalem artichoke root, was developed specifically for people with IBS but is also a good all-rounder for those without specific gut problems.

It’s slightly unusual because it contains spores instead of the typical live bacteria, and that means the 15 billion spores per dose don’t start working until they reach your small intestine.

This is meant to give them a better chance of survival as they move through your body – the contents of many supplements can be destroyed by stomach acid before they can do any good, depending on how they’re formulated.

I have become a regular user of prebiotics and probiotics since taking these supplements, thanks to improved digestion and generally feeling more comfortable.

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Capsules
  • Number of days’ supply:30
  • Vegan:Yes
  • CFU count:100 billion

  • Number of bacteria strains:1

  • Bestall rounder probiotic

  • Why we love it- Contains a blend of nutrients
  • Improves skin and gut health

  • One capsule a day instead of several

  • Take note- Expensive

It might be the most expensive probiotic in this guide, but the day pill from You’re Looking Well also offers your daily dose of vitamin D and 10 other essential nutrients to support skin, gut health and immunity in a 90-day supply.

The supplement has been designed to replace your existing probiotic and multivitamin supplements, placing everything you need in a single capsule to be taken once a day. While the price is high, it could save you money on all those other supplements and simplify your routine.

With vitamin K, B12, B6, folate, zinc and a host of other nutrients, as well as three strains of probiotic bacteria (lactobacillus paracasei, bifidobacterium lactis and bifidobacterium lactis), I found issues with bloating improved after a month of taking the day pill. It also worked well at healing my sore, break-out-prone skin, particularly when combined with the brand’s gentle probiotic day cream.

Claudia Winkleman says she swears by the supplement, and it’s also gluten-free and non-GMO, so if you’re looking for a solid all-rounder, this could well be worth the investment.

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Capsules
  • Number of days’ supply:90
  • Vegan:Yes
  • CFU count:21 billion

  • Number of bacteria strains:3

  • Bestduo cap probiotic

  • Why we love it- Effective release capsule
  • Highest CFU

  • Added biotin, zinc and vitamin D3

  • Take note- Expensive

Epetōme is the creation of nutritionist Emily English and offers something called “duo cap” technology. The capsule contains an outer and an inner core to make sure that the 50 billion live probiotic strains in the inner core reach your gut alive, unmarred by stomach acid.

English says this technology has been proven to be 30 times more effective at making sure the bacteria survive, compared to standard capsules. But the outer core does some heavy lifting too, releasing prebiotic FOS, vitamin D, zinc and biotin to top up your levels of these gut-balancing nutrients.

After four weeks of taking the Epetōme supplements, I was feeling great. My body had fully adjusted to the duo caps, and I was eating all the foods I usually enjoy with no complaints from my stomach. I didn’t feel any more or less tired than usual, and my mood was pretty stable and positive throughout the month.

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Capsules
  • Number of days’ supply:30
  • Vegan:Yes
  • CFU count:50 billion

  • Number of bacteria strains:11

  • BestLiquid supplement

  • Why we love it- Reaches the gut alive
  • Tastes great

  • Four flavours available

  • Take note- Has to be kept in the fridge

Symprove is a water-based formula containing live gut-friendly bacteria. Though the brand doesn’t specifically refer to it as a probiotic, it has probiotic qualities that can help keep your gut microbiome happy and balanced.

There are a range of flavours to choose from, including original, strawberry and raspberry, and mango and passionfruit. The formula is designed to withstand the stomach’s acidity, meaning the live bacteria can reach the gut and it’s a great gut health supplement for anyone who struggles to swallow capsules and pills.

I took my 70ml shot every morning and started looking forward to the strawberry and raspberry-flavoured drink each morning. The formula is gluten free, dairy free, and vegan, with no added colours or flavours. It needs to be kept in the fridge, however, the brand also offers a travel option that doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

If you’re thinking about starting to take Symprove, now is a good time to do so. We’ve managed to secure an exclusive offer that saves you 25 per cent (discount applied at checkout) on your first three-week supply.

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Liquid
  • Number of days’ supply:28
  • Vegan:Yes
  • CFU count:10 billion

  • Number of bacteria strains:4

  • Bestprobiotics for clearing skin

  • Why we love it- Eco-friendly packaging
  • Said to balance hormones and support skin health
  • Packed with other vitamins and minerals

Skin Diligent’s skin and biotics is the result of four years of research and has been designed to support gut health, hormone balance and skin health. The supplement combines four strains of lactobacillus bacteria with a host of other vitamins and minerals – including vitamins D3, C, E and Bs, magnesium and zinc – for a robust daily microbiome-balancing treatment.

I recruited a 60-year-old to test these capsules. They took two capsules each morning, but the need to avoid tea or coffee for up to 40 minutes was a little harder. They reported feeling “brighter”, with a general sense of wellbeing, and better sleep with daily use – likely due to the added magnesium and D3. However, they also noted they’d need to take the supplement longer to notice a real difference in the condition of their skin.

Skin Diligent recommends a three-month course of the supplement, then a one- to two-month break before resuming the treatment for another three months. You can also buy a single month’s supply (£43, Skindiligent.com).

Key specifications

  • Supplement type:Capsules
  • Number of days’ supply:30
  • Vegan:Yes
  • CFU count:8 billion
  • Number of bacteria strains:4