MCT oil is a popular and effective tool for keto dieters. Not only is the oil a source of healthy fats but using MCT oil for keto may help promote the production of ketones, making it easier to stay in ketosis.
This aspect alone makes MCT worth using. The oil is also easy to include in your diet, especially if you drink keto coffee every morning.
Even so, you need to make your choices carefully. MCT oils are not all the same. The biggest difference is their specific MCT oil composition. Some oils are high in lauric acid. This compound has potential health benefits, but it’s less powerful for ketosis.
With this list, we’ve done all the hard work for you. You can check out our recommended brand below or keep scrolling to read about other good products.
Our Top MCT Oil: Sports Research Organic
MCT Distribution: 59% C8, 41% C10
Sports Research oil might seem like a surprising recommendation, as it contains both C8 and C10. However, the functional difference between this and a C8-only oil is likely to be minimal.
The product is also USDA certified organic. Some other brands mention using organic coconuts, but few products have the certification. As a result, you can be certain that you’re getting a high-quality product that is sustainably produced.
The oil also sells well and receives many positive reviews on Amazon. Sports Research Organic isn’t the cheapest MCT oil option, but it is reasonably priced for what you receive.
PROS
- USDA Organic Certified and Non-GMO Project Verified
- Comes from a reliable brand
- The product is popular on Amazon and receives consistently positive reviews
- Is reasonably priced and readily available
CONS
- Contains C10 MCTs, rather than just C8
Other Good MCT Oil Brands
These additional brands are also good choices for MCT oil. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. You may find that one of them is a better choice for your needs.
Viva Organics
MCT Distribution: 61.4% C8, 38.6% C10, 0.7% C12 (rounded)
This is a second product with USDA Organic certification. The ratio of C8 to C10 MCTs is very similar to the Sports Research product. But, in this case, there is a very small amount of lauric acid present too. Because this amount is so tiny, the two oils should behave in a similar manner.
The brand is also well-known, with a tendency to produce reliable and reasonably priced products. The reviews on Amazon highlight this fact too, as the product sells well and receives a good rating.
PROS
- Is Non-GMO Verified and USDA Organic Certified
- Is reasonably priced
- A reliable brand
- An extremely popular and well-reviewed product
- Third party tested
CONS
- Contains C10 MCTs and a small amount of C12 MCTs
Brain Octane Oil
MCT Distribution: 100% C8
Brain Octane Oil is often promoted as the most powerful MCT oil, as it only contains C8 MCTs. This is the official product recommended when making Bulletproof coffee (although many people just rely on keto coffee instead).
Because of their small size, C8 MCTs are processed faster in the body, which potentially leads to better ketosis outcomes. However, the differences between C8 MCT oils and C8/C10 MCT oils have not been studied in depth. As such, the functional difference may not be dramatic.
Even if C8 MCT oil is more powerful, Brain Octane Oil isn’t the only option. Other brands produce C8-only MCT oil too. The most common size for Bulletproof’s version is 16 fl. oz, which is roughly half the size of competing products.
PROS
- The brand is well-known and has a strong focus on quality.
- Steam distillation is used, which avoids any chemical solvents.
CONS
- The oil is fairly expensive. A 16 oz. bottle costs a little less than competing brands, despite being half the size.
- While reviews are positive, they aren’t as good as they should be for all the product hype.
Perfect Keto
MCT Distribution: 100% C8
Perfect Keto is one of the most well-known brands in the keto sphere. They offer multiple MCT products, including MCT oil powder, exogenous ketones, keto testing strips and a C8/C10 MCT oil.
As with the other brands, all of the MCTs are sourced from coconuts (rather than vegetable or palm oil). The product receives good reviews on Amazon, although most customers buy it through the Perfect Keto site instead.
PROS
- A reliable brand
- Just contains C8 MCTs
- Reasonably priced for the amount of oil
CONS
- The product has few reviews on Amazon
Nuton Brainfood
MCT Distribution: 100% C8
Nuton is another brand that offers C8 MCT oil. The company is less well-known, which is an immediate disadvantage. However, the oil does receive positive reviews, with a better average rating than Brain Octane Oil.
The packaging is also designed differently than most other MCT oils. It comes in a 1-liter container (33.8 fl. oz) with a spill-resistant lid. The bottle is also transparent, making it easier to see how much you have left.
PROS
- Spill-resistant lid and more visually appealing packaging
- An inexpensive C8 choice
- Only contains C8, no other MCTs
- Neutral flavor
Final Thoughts
While we recommend Sports Research Organic, any of the MCT oils on this list would be effective for a keto diet. It’s often a matter of trying one product at a time to see which brand is the best for you. That’s why we’ve included multiple high-quality MCT oils on the list.
If you want more options – check out our Best MCT Oil, Powders and Capsules guide. This piece goes into greater detail about the benefits that MCT oil offers and the differences between brands. It also highlights MCT powder and softgel supplements. These are alternatives to MCT oil that some people find easier to use.