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CBD roll-ons are all about ease of application. While creams and balms also pack CBD and other pain-relieving ingredients, they have to be applied by hand and often leave greasy residue. Roll-ons solve both of these problems in style.
But with the hemp industry still lacking clear federal regulations, it can be hard to know which products are safe and effective. That’s why we worked with experts to create our Cannabinoid Product Quality Evaluation Framework: it uses objective metrics to help you find the best options on the market today. Here’s what we found when we applied it to roll-ons.
What makes a CBD roll-on effective for pain?
Full spectrum
THC is a big hitter when it comes to pain relief, and other cannabinoids can help due to the “entourage effect.” Full spectrum products are best, but broad spectrum options– with everything but CBD – or isolates can also work if you can’t have THC.
Permeation enhancers
Getting the cannabinoids to work beyond skin-level is crucial for tackling pain. This isn’t easy without some type of permeation enhancer, so every product in this list includes a permeation enhancer such as menthol or vitamin E.
Terpene therapy
Products with beta-caryophyllene, linalool and myrcene were prioritized for their anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Other pain relievers:
These aren’t necessary, but any additional pain reliever like camphor gave a product a big bonus.
From an initial list of 56 CBD roll-ons marketed for pain relief, we narrowed it down to these 6 options based on our Product Quality Evaluation Framework.
R&R CBD Pain Roll-On
- CBD Type: Full spectrum
- Potency: 2,500 mg CBD, 500 mg CBG
- CBD:THC Ratio: ~82:1
- Top Terpenes: Menthol, linalool, eucalyptol and beta-caryophyllene
- Price: $59.50 sale/$85 regular for 2.95 fl oz. ($0.024 sale/$0.034 regular per mg CBD)
- Coupon: “LEAF15” for 15% off
R&R is one of the best hemp brands in the industry, and they have seed-to-sale control over the entire process.
They use USDA certified organic hemp in all of their products, and always test for terpenes in addition to the expected full panel of potency and safety. The reason they do this is simple: they know their products are hard to beat.
Their CBD Pain Roll-On offers substantial doses of CBD and CBG, with THC in the mix too, and two pain-relieving terpenes in the mix too. Finally, the menthol offers a cooling sensation and boosts absorption through the skin.
With a solid price per mg of CBD to top it off, the R&R option is hard to fault.
- USDA organic hemp
- Pain-relieving terpenes
- True full spectrum: 9 cannabinoids and over 15 terpenes
- Solid price of $0.03 per mg of CBD
- Permeation enhancement from menthol
- Seed to sale brand
- Contains unregulated supplements
- Not much THC
Medterra Pain Relief Roll-On
- CBD Type: Isolate
- Potency: 1000 mg
- CBD:THC Ratio: THC-free
- Top Terpenes: Menthol, eucalyptol, alpha-terpineol, beta-caryophyllene
- Price: $64.99 for 2 fl. oz. ($0.065 per mg CBD)
- Coupon: “THANKS30” for 30% off
Although Medterra’s Pain Relief Roll On uses CBD isolate, it packs in a huge 12 terpenes and keeps the quality high enough to earn it a recommendation.
Those terpenes include beta-caryophyllene and linalool, which work alongside the permeation-enhancing properties of menthol to make the roll-on much more effective than other THC-free options.
The mix also includes camphor, which has proven pain-relieving qualities even used alone.
Medterra also ticks a lot of other boxes, controlling the process from seed to sale and using organically-grown, US-sourced hemp.
We’d have liked to see other cannabinoids, but the other ingredients more than make up for it. It isn’t perfect, but it’s about as good as you can get without THC.
- THC-free pain relief
- 12 terpenes, including two pain relievers
- Includes camphor
- Menthol to aid absorption
- Seed to sale brand
- A little expensive
- Other cannabinoids would be beneficial
- Organically-grown, but not USDA-certified organic
cbdMD Broad Spectrum Freeze Roller
- CBD Type: Broad spectrum
- Potency: 750, 1,500 or 3,000 mg CBD
- CBD:THC Ratio: No THC
- Top Terpenes: Menthol, camphor, isopulegol, terpineol
- Price: $44.99 – $84.99 for 3 fl. oz. ($0.028 – $0.060 per mg CBD)
- Coupon: “WECARE40” for 40% off
cbdMD’s Broad Spectrum Freeze Roller is another great option if you can’t have THC, with CBG, CBN and CBDV also in the mix alongside a handful of terpenes.
Even without THC, this means you benefit from the entourage effect, and with the added camphor and menthol, the result is excellent.
Although it’s missing some of the anti-inflammatory and pain relieving terpenes we mentioned, the blend of ingredients was pretty effective in first-hand testing.
cbdMD has also been in the industry since the early days, and their reputation is nothing short of exceptional. With cGMP and FDA-registered manufacturing facilities, and full panel safety testing on every product, you can be confident of the quality.
The lower-strength option can be expensive, though.
- THC-free roll-on
- Broad spectrum: CBD, CBDV, CBG and CBN
- Includes camphor for added relief
- Uses menthol to boost absorption
- Good pain relief in testing
- Multiple options for strength
- Good price for highest strength
- Lower-strength options can get expensive
- Terpene selection could be better
Mellow Fellow Wellness Roll On Gel
- CBD Type: Full spectrum
- Potency: 5,000 mg total cannabinoids (approx 2,460 mg CBD)
- CBD:THC Ratio: ~14:1
- Top Terpenes: Not tested
- Price: $59.99 for 3 fl. oz. ($0.024 per mg CBD)
- Coupon: “MFUS15OI8H” for 15% off
Mellow Fellow has been one of those brands that’s always in the running for these lists, but never quite makes it.
But their Wellness Roll-On Gel hits all the key points, offering a solid mix of cannabinoids in a convenient, easy-to-apply format for a fantastic price.
It’s genuine full spectrum, including CBC, CBG and CBN, in addition to CBD, THC, and the rarely-seen H4CBD. H4CBD is to CBD like HHC is to THC – a hydrogenated form of the same thing – and while we don’t much, it is known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
The roll-on isn’t perfect, with converted cannabinoids in the mix, but the result is hard to argue with. It’s absolutely loaded with cannabinoids, and the extract is flower-derived to maximize effectiveness.
- Genuine full spectrum: THC, CBC, CBG, CBN, and more
- Excellent price per mg of CBD
- Includes H4CBD, an anti-inflammatory cannabinoid
- Very potent roll-on: 5,000 mg total cannabinoids
- Flower-derived extract
- Contains neroli, a permeation enhancer
- Contains converted cannabinoids
- Not tested for terpenes
- Contains unregulated supplements
PlusCBD Roll-On Cooling Topical
- CBD Type: Isolate
- Potency: 2000 mg
- CBD:THC Ratio: THC-free
- Top Terpenes: Not tested
- Price: $59.99 for 1.3 oz roll-on ($0.030 per mg CBD)
- Coupon: “SAVE40” for 40% off
PlusCBD’s Cooling Topical Roll-On combines a substantial dose of CBD with the pain-relieving boost from camphor and the cooling, permeation-enhancing effect of menthol.
It’s an isolate, so you do lose out on the entourage effect, but this also means it’s a solid option for anyone who can’t have THC.
It also worked well in testing, although it didn’t offer deep relief, it cooled and soothed surface-level aches right away.
PlusCBD takes the extract from flower, which is better than a whole-plant extract, but it’s worth noting that some of the hemp comes from the Netherlands, alongside a Kentucky-based grow.
The quality is hard to fault, though, and the price is the icing on the cake.
Although there was a slight difference in CBD content between our independently-conducted lab test and the COA provided by PlusCBD, the topical was very accurate overall.
The difference in CBD was pretty small, with our test showing 68.5 mg of CBD per g, compared to 63.4 mg per g in the most recent manufacturer test.
CBDV values were pretty much the same – just a 0.01 mg difference – and our lab test also confirmed that it is completely THC-free.
- Lab confirmed THC-free
- Camphor for additional pain relief
- 2,000 mg CBD potency
- Menthol to boost absorption
- Solid price per mg of CBD
- Fast-acting
- Testing showed a slight discrepancy in CBD content
- No entourage effect
- Only surface-level relief in first-hand testing
Extract Labs Muscle & Recovery Roll On
- CBD Type: Full spectrum
- Potency: 2000 mg CBD, 50 mg THC
- CBD:THC Ratio: 40:1
- Top Terpenes: Not tested
- Price: $89.99 for 1.8 fl. oz. ($0.045 per mg CBD)
- Coupon: “CBDOILUSERS” for 25% off
Extract Labs’ Muscle & Recovery Roll On combines a full spectrum, USDA certified organic hemp extract with menthol crystals for a convenient and effective topical.
Made in a GMP-certified facility with CO2-extracted cannabinoids and organic ingredients where possible, they go the extra mile when it comes to safety and purity. The price is a little on the high side, but you can rest assured you’ll be getting what you paid for.
The cannabinoid blend varies from batch to batch, but recent batches have either just had CBD and THC, or also added CBC, CBG and CBDV.
Unfortunately they’re not tested for terpenes, so it’s hard to tell if the pain relief will get a little boost there before you buy.
- USDA organic hemp (and other ingredients)
- Full spectrum of cannabinoids
- Menthol to boost absorption
- Potent – 2000 mg in a small bottle
- Clean CO2 extraction
- Colorado-grown
- A little expensive
- Not tested for terpenes
- Contains unregulated supplements
Other CBD Roll-Ons We Considered
From our initial list of 56 CBD roll ons marketed for pain, only six made the final cut for this list. The full ranking is based on our Cannabinoid Product Quality Evaluation Framework, but we used some key criteria to remove some of the lower-quality offerings beforehand:
- No recent lab report: A huge 30 products either had a lab report that was over a year old or didn’t have a lab report accessible at all. While it’s understandable that a niche product type like roll-ons won’t sell as quickly as gummies, this still puts consumers in a difficult position. CBD degrades over time, and even if stored perfectly, these products will not match the report after a whole year.
- No safety testing: 17 products were not full panel safety tested. This covers pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, microbial contamination and mycotoxins. While it’s likely these products are perfectly safe, there is no confirmation of that from the consumer side, so you can’t be sure. It’s simply not worth taking this risk when so many companies get it right.
- Fails on safety tests: Three products actually did fail safety testing, though. This was just because of single results in each case, but regardless, these products shouldn’t have even been put on the shelves.
- No QR code: Two products didn’t have a QR code on their lab report, and the lab didn’t respond to our requests for confirmation.
Two notable products which passed through these basic checks but still didn’t make the final cut are the Sports Roll-On from Stirling Professional and Sunmed’s Broad Spectrum CBD Lidocaine Roll-On.
Methodology: How We Ranked the Best CBD Roll-Ons
- Expert insights: We spoke to experts in cannabis medicine and pain to find out what we should look out for in topical CBD products marketed for pain. This covered issues discussed above like terpenes, permeation enhancers and full vs. broad spectrum.
- Market research and analysis: We conducted Google searches for “CBD topicals” and “CBD topicals for pain” and then reviewed the first 15 pages of results, looking for multiple types of topicals for each brand. The search also had some additional terms to remove sites that commonly publish lists of recommended products. The resulting 98 lotions (including 56 roll ons) were then checked for disqualifying factors.
- Scoring and final ranking: We then scored the remaining products based on our Cannabinoid Product Quality Evaluation Framework. This covers cultivation, extraction, testing, quality control, ingredients, packaging and marketing. We did this for all lotions and roll-ons, combined, and then we first-hand tested and conducted independent lab analyses on the highest scoring products.
- Roll-ons only: The above analysis was published separately, covering both lotions and roll-ons. However, for this list, we re-analyzed the results for the roll-ons specifically.
Learn more about the CBD Oracle testing methodology.
Guide to Buying CBD Roll-Ons
Below, we’ve answered some of your most frequently asked questions about CBD roll-ons.
What Is a CBD Roll-On?
A CBD roll-on is a type of topical that you apply on areas of the skin that need added support. Typically, roll-ons have a massage ball or stick-like tip that makes application easy, and you do not even have to touch the product itself. You simply roll it on the skin and let it absorb.
Does a CBD Roll-On Work for Pain Relief?
Yes, a CBD roll-on can be very helpful for pain relief. CBD has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can do wonders for sore, aching muscles. Thus, many people find that pain relief is common when using a high-quality CBD roll-on, especially one with a full-spectrum extract.
RELATED: What Are the Benefits of CBD?
How Long Does CBD Roll-On Take to Work?
One of the best things about CBD roll-ons is that they work almost immediately. You should be able to feel the effects of your CBD roll-on within a few minutes, typically no longer than 15 minutes.
How to Use a CBD Roll-On
Using a CBD roll-on is super easy. All you do is remove the cap from your roll-on and apply the product directly to points of pain on your body, typically areas like the lower back, temples, or wrists. You should apply the CBD roll-on back and forth once, as a little goes a long way. However, you can re-apply the CBD as often as you feel necessary.
CBD Roll-On vs. Cream: Which Is Better?
When it comes to CBD roll-ons and CBD creams, one is not necessarily better than the other. These two products are just different; though both can be very helpful for reducing muscle pain and discomfort. While CBD creams tend to be messier than CBD roll-ons, they also tend to have higher potencies. But, CBD roll-ons are ideal for on-the-go use and easy application. So, they both have their strengths and weaknesses.
Rolling on CBD for Ultimate Pain Relief
The pain relief that CBD roll-ons can bring can be transformative for those with chronically achy, painful muscles and joints. These products are incredibly easy to use, super portable, and potent enough to tackle hard-to-manage pains. But, you do have to find the right one for you.
Thankfully, you can rely on every brand on this list to provide you with a high-quality CBD roll-on that works well and puts your wellness first. While some of these brands may be more potent or more affordable than others, there’s something for absolutely everyone, every tolerance, and every budget on this list of the best CBD roll-ons for pain relief.