For most of its history, maeng da kratom has been consumed in powders that are then put into capsules or beverages or in teas, made with either finely ground powder or the loose leaves themselves.

As kratom edges more and more into the mainstream of alternative plant medicines, kratom brands are innovating new ways to enjoy its spectrum of benefits that range from energetic to deep, relaxing chronic pain relief.

Extract from the kratom plant, kratom extract (aka mitragynine extract), is a potent, concentrated way to enjoy all the benefits of this wonder plant from the temperate jungles of the Far East.

We tried over a dozen kratom extract products to determine the highest quality kratom brand according to effects, quality, value, and safety. Here's what we came up with:

 

Top 4 Kratom Extracts

1. Best Overall - Super Speciosa Watermelon Kratom Tincture 
2. Best Kratom Shot - Kratom Country Slingshot Liquid Kratom Extract
3. Best Kratom Softgels - KTropix Kratom Softgels
4. Most Affordable - Kingdom Kratom Xtreme Kratom Extract Gummies

 

What is Kratom?

Kratom, scientific name mitragyna speciosa, is a lush, leafy tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves are harvested, dried (and sometimes fermented), and then processed into kratom powder, kratom extracts, kratom capsules, and other supplements.

Historically, traditional kratom powders have been used as natural plant medicine by locals for centuries. It's prized for the versatile effects of different kratom strains, which range from heightened energy and a mood boost in low doses to pain relief and sedation when taken in higher amounts.

Indigenous peoples in Southeast Asia traditionally use kratom as a stimulant, chewing the raw leaves or drinking kratom tea to help sustain energy levels throughout the day. It's also used for pain relief and even to treat diarrhea.

Kratom leaves contain live alkaloids, which are the phytochemicals that are responsible for its therapeutic effects. The primary active alkaloid in kratom is called mitragynine, which is why when you buy a kratom extract product, the ingredient will often read as 'pure mitragynine.'

Interestingly, mitragynine binds with opioid receptors in the human system the same way in which opiates do. For this reason, kratom may offer powerful pain-relieving effects and is reported to deliver a sensation of mental calm.

Kratom is currently not approved or regulated by the FDA and is, by and large, considered an alternative plant-based medicine. That said, the kratom industry is growing exponentially each year, with a growing number of online kratom vendors entering the market as more and more people seek out natural solutions for energy, pain, and mood.

 

Best Kratom Extracts

1. Best Overall - Super Speciosa Watermelon Kratom Tincture

This kratom extract is the only tincture on our list, and it's also the fastest-acting.

Why we love it:

They're fast-acting, accessible, affordable, and they even taste great, which is why Super Speciosa's surprisingly palatable kratom tinctures rank #1 among all the kratom extracts we tried.

On the feel-better-fast front, number one, this is the fastest-acting kratom extract out of over a dozen kratom products to create this review. The reason why is the delivery method: it's a tincture. Unlike a kratom gummy or capsule, it starts getting absorbed immediately by mucous membranes in the saliva.

This put the onset of effects more in the 10-to-20 minute range versus the half-hour-plus you need to feel a kratom edible kick in.

The mitragynine concentration in each serving is also high: 60mg total in five dropperfuls. We appreciate that this gives us more value per milligram of kratom extract, aka you get more with less.

If you're a new user, start with just a couple of dropperfuls until you know how much kratom produces your desired effects. Also, remember that lower doses of kratom produce more energetic effects, while higher doses are sedating.  

In addition to the high concentration, Super Speciosa offers a variety of ways to save, including a 20% off subscription (which also includes free shipping on every order) and bulk discounts.

Super Speciosa is a member of the American Kratom Association, an organization that helps set quality standards for the domestic kratom industry. Affiliation is usually a sign of legitimacy for kratom brands, and Super Speciosa is no exception, with a clean record and clearly transparent processes.

The fact that these affordable, potent kratom tinctures actually taste good is the icing on the cake. The only qualm we had was with the inclusion of propylene glycol (PG) in the ingredients. Although it could negatively impact the taste, there are cleaner, healthier alternatives, such as MCT oil.

Pros: 

• Potent, fast-acting effects
• American Kratom Association qualified vendor
• Produced in cGMP qualified, FDA-registered facility
• Trusted by scientists in clinical trials
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons: 

• Contains propylene glycol (PG)

Strain: Pure mitragynine extract

Size: 1 fl oz bottle

Strength: 60mg mitragynine per serving/360mg mitragynine total

Learn more about Super Speciosa Watermelon Kratom Extract Tincture today

 

2. Best Kratom Shot - Kratom Country 120mg Kratom Shot

This kratom extract gives you the energy shot experience, except without the crash, jitters, and sketchy ingredients of your local gas station's options.

Why we love it:

There's nothing like an all-natural energy shot to put a little pep in your step. This is the best kratom shot that we've tried from Kratom Country for a smooth boost to help you focus and maintain stamina.

One thing we really dig is that Kratom Country doesn't add too many extra ingredients to this shot: it's straight-up kratom extract with just a little bit of flavoring and other natural, inactive ingredients.

Many kratom energy drinks on the market also contain vitamins, caffeine, and other stimulants, which is fine, but they don't give users that pure kratom experience.

One small bottle contains two servings of kratom extract, with a total of 120mg of extract per bottle. We recommend taking the extract in place of coffee in the morning, before a workout, or to help you sail through the afternoon slump. You'll notice the vibe is pleasant, with the same amount of energy as a stimulant but a calmer state of mind.

You'll notice that these kratom energy shots are more expensive per serving than other options, like gummies. To get the price down, be sure to take advantage of the cancel-anytime subscription for 20% off plus free shipping for orders over $125. You'll also save an additional 20% or so if you buy the 12-pack.

Kratom Country has been in business since 2009, making it an OG of the US kratom market. It also have a lucrative rewards program and are known to sometimes include free kratom samples in its orders.

Pros: 

• Great for sustained focus & workouts
• Subscribe & save 20% off + free shipping on orders over $125
• All-natural ingredients
• 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons: 

• More expensive per dose than other delivery methods

Strain: Pure mitragynine extract

Size: 60ml bottle (2 servings each); buy individually or in 12-pack

Strength: 60mg kratom extract per serving

Learn more about Kratom Country Slingshot Liquid Kratom Extract today

 

3. Best Kratom Softgels - KTropix Kratom Softgels

These kratom capsules eliminate all the fuss: no powders, tinctures, or teas to make. Perfect for travel and taking on the go.

Why we love it:

Many purists out there love the ritual of making kratom tea or including a scoop of kratom powder in their daily juice or smoothie. But most of us want the benefits of kratom without the hassle.

KTropix kratom extract softgels are 100% hassle-free, with pure, powerful mitragynine extract conveniently encapsulated in a tiny supplement. They're also great for people who are turned off by the naturally bitter taste of kratom.

You can keep them in your bag, take them with you when you travel, and lump them in with your other supplements in the morning so you don't miss a dose.

Each capsule contains 30mg pure kratom extract, which is the perfect serving size for people who take kratom for energy. Remember that lower doses have more stimulating effects, while higher amounts provide more sedation and pain relief.

The energy from these potent capsules lasts for hours, but the peaceful mental clarity means there are no jitters and no comedown.

KTropix is a reputable member of the American Kratom Association and meets all our standards for transparent sourcing and lab results. Our only con is that, as of writing, the brand does not offer subscription ordering or a loyalty program to help regular customers save on their kratom products.

Pros: 

• Tasteless

• American Kratom Association qualified vendor 
• Long-lasting energy
• Convenient & discreet

Cons: 

• No subscribe & save or rewards program

Strain: Pure mitragynine kratom extract

Size: 25 soft gels per bag 

Strength: 30mg mitragynine per softgel

Learn more about KTropix Kratom Softgels today

 

4. Most Affordable Kratom Extract - Kingdom Kratom Xtreme Kratom Extract Gummies

One small bag of these affordable kratom gummies is under $20, and their potent effects last a long time.

Why we love it:

Not everyone has an extra $50 in their account to spend this week on kratom extract. But you can get a bag of Kingdom Kratom's kratom gummies for under 20 bucks, and because they're so potent, you can get away with taking just one or even one half to get the effects.

Hands down, these are some of the best-tasting kratom gummies we've ever tried. Perhaps the reason why is because there are artificial flavors inside, which admittedly aren't the healthiest option, but they do an amazing job at actually making kratom extract taste good.

You'll notice a palpable energy boost, mood enhancement, and mental clarity that lasts for hours. The kratom dosage is on the higher end of the mid-range at 35mg mitragynine per gummy. While we ate them during the day, we noticed quite a few verified users who take them in the evening for relaxation and a good night's rest, usually at higher doses than one gummy.

Speaking of verified users, as of the time of writing, these Kingdom Kratom gummies have 390 verified 5-star reviews. This makes them the most well-reviewed product on our list.

There are two flavors, blueberry and strawberry, both with a sweet, tangy taste that makes taking kratom feel like a treat. You can purchase them in bags of five or 10, and Kingdom Kratom offers same-day shipping, so you'll receive them as soon as possible.

Pros: 

• Tasty and fun to take
• Hundreds of verified 5-star reviews
• Potent
• Same-day shipping

Cons: 

• Contains artificial flavors

Strain: Pure kratom extract

Size: 5 or 10 gummies per bag 

Strength: 35mg mitragynine per gummy

Learn more about Kingdom Kratom Xtreme Kratom Extract Gummies today

 

How We Picked the Best Kratom Extracts

To find the best kratom extracts out there today, we tried over a dozen products from many a leading kratom brand. In addition to experiencing them ourselves, we did our homework on manufacturing processes, customer reviews, and other details about the kratom brands themselves. Here's how we arrived at the top 5:

Quality

How do you know if kratom extracts are high quality? Number one, it's a good idea to follow up on each brand’s sourcing. Where do they get their kratom? What country/countries does it come from? Legit kratom brands will be 100% transparent about this.

Another quality indicator is, of course, ingredients. Many kratom products contain additional active ingredients like green tea or B12 to enhance their stimulating effects. Because we wanted to review results from pure kratom extract, we did not accept kratom products with additives.

Finally, mission-driven organizations and kratom brands that are members of the American Kratom Association were awarded bonus points, as these indicators also signify quality in the space.

Effects

Remember that kratom is a plant medicine, so that it will affect people differently. That said, most people should be able to experience a palpable effect with legit kratom products. We only included kratom extracts in our top 5 that gave us something we could feel.

On top of that, we took a look at verified reviews for each of the different extracts to see what other users have experienced. Those with red flags, especially when it comes to value for the price, bad customer service, or ineffectiveness, were not considered.

Value

Plant-based supplements, especially when they're imported like kratom, can quickly burn a hole in your wallet if you take them every day. We were sensitive to budget and overall value, focusing on the cost per serving. We also considered brands that offered additional perks to help save money, such as subscriptions and rewards programs.

Lab Testing

Finally, no matter what type of product you choose, from kratom capsules to kratom drinks or kratom powder, you want to make sure it comes with a lab test for contaminants. To make our top 5 list, kratom brands had to provide a third-party potency test for mitragynine content. This test verifies that the potency listed by the manufacturer matches what is actually inside.

 

Types of Kratom Strains 

The use of the term 'kratom strain' is, in fact, a misnomer, as different kratom strains refer simply to different colors of kratom veins, like Green Malay Kratom, that arise at different stages of production. White veins in kratom leaves are found on the youngest plants, and reddish-brown veins are harvested at their most mature stage.

Here are the different types of kratom strains that are used in kratom extract and other popular kratom products:

White vein kratom strains - Harvested from the youngest plants, white vein kratom is renowned for its potent energetic qualities and coffee-like properties.

Green vein kratom strains - Harvested from adult kratom plants, known as the most balanced strains that offer a combination of energy with mental stillness.

Red vein kratom strains - Harvested from the most mature adult plants, products from these kratom leaves are known for being more sedative with pain-relieving properties.

Yellow kratom - Yellow kratom does not refer to the color of the kratom leaf veins, as is the case with all the other strains. Instead, yellow kratom is simply a blend of two or more of the strains above that often renders a yellowish color. Like green vein kratom, yellow kratom is known for its balanced effects.

 

Other Types of Kratom Products

Here are other popular types of kratom products that you didn't see on this list:

• Kratom powder
• Looseleaf kratom
• Kratom teas
• Kratom drinks
• Kratom capsules
• Kratom topicals
• Other kratom edibles

 

Potential Benefits of Kratom 

Pain relief - Globally, most users report taking kratom specifically for pain relief, and this is particularly pronounced in the Asian market, where kratom historically isn't considered an alternative supplement. Mitragynine in kratom binds with opioid receptors to deliver powerful relief and analgesic effects.

Energy boost - Aside from pain, energy is one of the most common reasons people flock to kratom, oftentimes to replace coffee or unhealthy options like energy drinks and sugary snacks. Kratom's stimulant properties are well documented, and its energetic effects can last for hours.

Anxiety - Kratom is known for its mood-boosting effects that many users swear by for anxiety. The currently available research on kratom for anxiety is promising, but more exploration is needed to verify the appropriate dosage.

Harm reduction - Kratom shows a tremendous amount of promise as a harm reduction tool for people who are addicted to opioids, but again, more clinical research is needed to establish dosage protocols.

Sleep - When taken in higher amounts, kratom (especially red vein kratom) offers deeply relaxing effects to help ease the mind and body for a good night's rest.

Cognitive focus - Kratom is, by and large, considered a nootropic, meaning it has a positive impact on cognitive function. Green vein kratom and white strains, in particular, are known to help focus the mind and motivate productivity, often for hours on end.

 

Potential Side Effects of Kratom 

As with many plant medicines, kratom isn't for everyone and comes with its own list of potential side effects, including nausea, sweating, dry mouth, gastrointestinal distress, increased urination, tachycardia, vomiting, drowsiness, and loss of appetite.

Kratom use is not considered safe for pregnant or nursing mothers and those under the age of 21.

Additionally, kratom can trigger potentially dangerous interactions with certain medications and substances. For example, kratom cannot be mixed with opiates, barbiturates, or even alcohol.

If you take prescription medications, it is best to err on the side of caution. Don't try kratom until you have cleared it for safety with your physician.

 

FAQs

Is kratom legal?

Kratom is federally legal but has been banned in various states. You can check your state laws before ordering, but never fear; a legit kratom brand will not ship to any state where kratom is legally banned or restricted. You'll simply get denied at checkout when you go to enter your shipping information.

How much kratom should I take?

A good starting point is between 10mg to 30mg per serving for new users. From there, you can slowly scale up and down to experience nuances of effects and find the sweet spot that's best for you.

Remember that kratom's therapeutic effects are dose-dependent: lower doses are more associated with an energetic boost, and higher doses with physical relaxation and pain relief.

The type of kratom strain can also be a factor, as red vein kratom will be more relaxing at lower doses than white vein kratom and green strains.

Does kratom interact with any medications?

Kratom interacts with a laundry list of prescription medications and should not be taken with alcohol or other illicit substances. You must check with your doctor first before beginning a new health regimen with kratom.

Is kratom extract right for you?

In our experience, kratom offers real, long-lasting energy that feels clean and healthy. To experience this feel-good effect, along with pain relief and more, kratom extract offers potency and versatility.

While our #1 product is a kratom tincture, you can also take kratom extract in the form of gummies, capsules, drinks, and more.

To close, we highly recommend the different kratom products that survived our evaluation and made it into the top 5. If you think kratom's right for you, take them for a spin and see what all the buzz is about.