Top Kratom Vendors For 2023
Kona Kratom holds firm to the number one spot. People come first for Kona; this is evident by how it builds relationships with its farmers and customers.
Star Kratom can’t be beaten when it comes to shipping and affordability — but this doesn’t mean it cuts corners. The quality is still some of the best we’ve seen.
If you don’t mind paying a little more for top-shelf kratom powder, check out the premium strains at VIP Kratom. You won’t be disappointed.
Curious about who else made our list this year? Here are the top ten of our favorite kratom vendors.
1. Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom
Kona Kratom is our top brand for 2023 for three reasons:
- Products are extensively tested by a third-party lab & AKA-approved
- They have some of the best prices considering the high quality
- They’re dedicated to sourcing kratom ethically
This brand is a powerhouse in the industry. The founder maintains a strong relationship with farmers all over Indonesia, Thailand, Borneo, and Vietnam to secure some of the earth’s rarest and highest quality kratom powder.
They’re so confident you’ll love their kratom that they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you aren’t happy, you’ll get a full refund, no questions asked.
2. Star Kratom
Star Kratom
Star Kratom is a newer vendor to enter the market but has differentiated itself throughout 2020 with its incredibly fast turnaround times. If you need kratom fast, Star Kratom is hard to beat — they ship orders throughout the day and use same-day or next-day shipping whenever available.
Their pricing remains competitive with other brands in this space despite the notably higher quality.
To maintain this, the sourcing team sustains a very high threshold for the quality of the kratom leaves they sell. Everything is tested twice and shipped back to the source if it isn’t up to their standards. Their satisfaction guarantee means you won’t be stuck with something you don’t love.
3. VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom
VIP Kratom specializes in high-end kratom. They aren’t the cheapest brand online, but they’re reliable in providing very strong kratom.
Nothing on this vendor’s website can be considered average or mediocre. It’s all top-shelf premium kratom for people who prefer the best.
It’s wise to start with a lower dose of this stuff when trying it for the first time. Premium kratom tends to be more potent and may have more impact than you’re expecting.
All orders are backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
4. The Golden Monk
Golden Monk Kratom
The Golden Monk (not to be confused with the 2017 Chinese film) is one of the oldest kratom suppliers on the market. They offer plenty of deals and discounts to get you started — just make sure to sign up for their newsletter to receive discounts throughout the year.
Combined with delivery perks and a money-back guarantee, The Golden Monk is great if you’re looking to save a little bit on your kratom without sacrificing quality.
This brand is also a member of the American Kratom Association.
5. Kats Botanicals
Kats Botanicals
With thousands of positive reviews, Kat’s Botanicals offers more than just kratom powder. The company sells kratom capsules, CBD oils, CBD vape pens, and so much more.
This is a good brand to consider if you prefer using kratom as a capsule — rather than a powder.
Capsules are the best way of avoiding the harsh, bitter flavor inherent to kratom powders and tinctures.
Kat’s Botanicals offers several different strains of kratom in capsule form, including a few rare or premium strains not found on most other vendor sites.
6. Laughing Lion Herbs
Laughing Lion Herbs
Laughing Lion Herbs is AKA-certified, posts lab results online, and offers plenty of unique products. You’ll find the most popular strains, along with plenty of unique blends to spice things up. It also has liquid extracts and — perhaps most interestingly — an aerosol kratom tincture. Yes, you read that right.
The prices are average, the shipping is fast, and customer service is determined to make your experience a good one.
7. Christopher’s Organic Botanicals
Christopher’s Organic Botanicals
Christopher’s Organic Botanicals is a family-owned business dedicated to kratom and its customers. They understand how life-saving kratom is for some people and offer special discounts to those in need. Their incredible rewards program makes their already competitive prices even better, and the selection of strains and unique products (including Kratomade Lemonade, flavored extracts, and soaps) ensure you’ll find what you need.
Lab results are posted online, and they’re certified by the American Kratom Association.
8. Happy Hippo
Happy Hippo
If you can look past this vendor’s incredibly crazy website, Happy Hippo offers great deals and an astonishingly extensive selection for being one of the smaller kratom vendors. Their specials help offset the high prices.
The owner of this site clearly takes his kratom seriously and has managed to accrue an impressive selection of products.
They sort their products based on the onset of effects, which is different from how 99% of the other vendors organize their selection. You can find strains listed as either slow or fast.
9. Super Speciosa
Super Speciosa
This kratom giant has been around for years, and it shows. It has a decent selection to choose from and plenty of satisfied customers. Whether you want capsules, tea bags, tablets, or powder, it has you covered. You can also grab a small sample pack or buy up to five kilos. Discount codes and extra savings are usually available.
Super Speciosa is certified by the American Kratom Association and even posts in-depth information on its processing methods.
10. SLO Kratom
Slo Kratom
SLO Kratom is newer to the scene but already a force to be reckoned with. It offers seventy-eight strains and has a guaranteed potency of at least 1.4% mitragynine in each of them.
Lab results are available online, and a satisfaction guarantee means there’s no risk in trying them out. In a rush? SLO Kratom isn’t slow to deliver — all orders placed before 3 PM PST are shipped out that day.
What to Consider When Choosing a Kratom Vendor
Kratom vendors are graded based on a specific set of criteria.
Vendors are graded by reputation, the consistency and quality of their products, shipping times, pricing, and product selection.
Vendor Reputation
When in doubt, look toward the biggest names on the market.
Usually, the most popular and top kratom vendors are well-known for a reason. A vendor won’t last long if it isn’t keeping its customers happy. The online kratom community is well-connected on forums like Reddit. It doesn’t take long for news to spread about the brands that ship low-quality products or otherwise rip their customers off.
There’s also a serious problem with adulteration in the kratom space, so finding a brand with a good reputation is the best way to avoid this issue.
This doesn’t mean that you should count smaller brands out. Sure, they may not be as well-known, but plenty of small kratom vendors are perfectly reputable, and many even offer products not offered by the larger brands due to unique connections formed by the founders with local farmers in Southeast Asia.
Product Quality & Consistency
No matter what reputation or fame the kratom vendor has, the most important question you need to ask is whether or not they test their products.
Of course, chances are if they’re relatively well-known, they already test their products, as it’s industry standard at this point. You can never be too sure, so check their website to see if they explicitly state whether they test samples of their products or not.
The gold standard for testing is to use third-party testing — which means the company ships a sample to an unrelated facility for analysis. This is the only way to ensure the testing is completely unbiased and accurate.
It should be obvious at this point, but you should probably stay away from vendors that don’t test their products. Testing is the only way to prove the products you’re buying are free from contaminants, offer the level of potency advertised, and don’t contain dangerous adulterants.
Strain Selection
Product selection is important to consider when shopping for a vendor as well. There are many different types of kratom, so it’s helpful to be able to find vendors with unique product options to choose from that can help tailor your experience.
There are dozens of different kratom strains to choose from. A quality vendor should offer a couple of different strains — including red vein, green vein, and white vein strains. They should also offer a detailed breakdown of what you can expect to feel from each strain.
Larger vendors offer other product types as well, such as capsules, tinctures, or resin extracts.
Don’t Get Scammed! 4 Types of Kratom Scams
As with any unregulated health product, there are plenty of scams or unethical companies operating in the kratom space.
There are several different types of scams in the kratom space to watch out for:
1. Fake Vendor Scams
This is the most obvious type of scam in the kratom space. These companies claim to sell kratom, but after you place your order, you’ll either never receive your product at all or what you get isn’t kratom.
The best way to avoid this scam is to stick to reputable, well-known brands only. These scams will usually target you through social media or email and often list prices that are way below average.
If you’re unsure about a brand, type the name into Google. You should be able to find lots of reviews and information about the brand as well as their homepage very easily. If companies are reported as being a scam, Google will remove them from the search listings. So if you enter the name and can’t find the company’s homepage, it could be a sign the brand isn’t legit.
2. False Claims Scams
This type of scam isn’t as obvious because they may actually be selling kratom powder online. We still consider this a scam because it’s dishonest, and you won’t be getting the results you’re expecting.
It’s illegal for a kratom brand to make any health claims about its products. Kratom is not approved for treating or preventing any illness by the FDA, so making such claims is unethical. If you find a brand that’s making claims without evidence, it’s likely a scam.
3. Subscription Scams
Subscription scams work by enticing users to sign up for a “free trial.” Usually, they’ll either charge you for the cost of shipping or provide 50% off the cost of the first order. The company usually claims you can cancel the subscription for free within 30 days.
Here’s how the scam works.
Once you sign up for the subscription, you’ll be charged shipping or a small fee. This is to confirm your credit card works. Once you’re on the subscription list, you’ll be charged every month for another order. This is usually somewhere between $45 and $100.
While the company claims you can cancel the subscription, you will never be able to get through to customer service to cancel the order. The phone lines will bring you through an endless loop of automated menus, and nobody answers the emails.
The only way out of this scam is to cancel your credit card and submit a chargeback request from your credit card company.
4. Adulterated Products
This is the most dangerous type of scam — which is all too common in the kratom space.
With this scam, a company will sell you “extra strong kratom” that’s been adulterated with more powerful synthetic drugs or concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine — both very dangerous. Some vendors add stimulants similar to Ritalin or Adderall, while others add opiates or benzodiazepines instead.
There has never been a death from kratom alone — most hospitalizations or deaths come from products that are adulterated with harmful substances or from polydrug use (taking kratom with other medications).
The only way to avoid this issue is to order from reputable brands that are members of the American Kratom Association (more on this in the next section).
Also see: How to Avoid Fake Kratom.
IMPORTANT: Is the Vendor Verified With the American Kratom Association?
If there’s one authority that you should trust when it comes to kratom, it’s the American Kratom Association (AKA).
Founded in 2014, they’ve quickly become the standard for assessing kratom quality in the United States.
For a vendor to be approved, they need to apply to the association by sending samples of their products. The association checks up on the brand periodically to ensure they’re adhering to the strict guidelines. Any vendor caught not following these guidelines is removed from the association.
Ordering Online vs. In-Store
There are two ways to order kratom — you can shop online from one of the vendors mentioned above, or you can stop in with a local headshop of kratom shop and pick some up in person.
Both have pros and cons, but in general, the best way to get kratom is to order it online and have it delivered. Here’s why:
- The cost of products online is almost always cheaper than in-store (there are fewer operational costs & no middle-men)
- The selection online is much better (products ship from warehouses full of kratom rather than small storefronts)
- Ordering online is easier (you don’t even need to leave your house)
- The quality tends to be better (it comes fresh from the manufacturer)
Related: Kratom Near Me: Where to Find High-Grade Where You Live.
Is Kratom Safe?
Despite what the FDA and some popular health websites suggest, kratom is not a dangerous plant. It’s been used for thousands of years by people living in Southeast Asia, and millions of people use the plant consistently in the United States.
Kratom has gotten a bad rap over the years. But it’s no surprise the FDA and the federal government has historically had a vendetta against natural products — regardless of how safe or effective they may be.
In the early 2000s, a campaign went on to position kratom as a dangerous health supplement. This campaign continues to this day through influential websites like Mayo Clinic and Web MD — both of which are notorious for regurgitating unsubstantiated negative sentiment provided by the FDA, DEA, or other government agencies.
The very source of this information that suggests kratom is highly addictive or dangerous is fundamentally incorrect to begin with.
It all started when the FDA reported that kratom was the cause of death in at least 37 cases. This report nearly led to the complete banning of kratom in the US until a group of kratom advocates contested the report. They pointed out that every one of the reported deaths in this report couldn’t be linked directly to kratom.
For example, one individual in the report died of gunshot wounds — but had some kratom in his system (among other substances) at the time of death. In this case, kratom was not the cause of death, yet the FDA lists this as a kratom-related death.
There are many other examples in this report, too — including a series of 12 deaths reported in Europe that were discovered to be the result of an adulterant (tramadol) in a certain kratom product called Krypton — again, not from the kratom plant itself.
Is Kratom Addictive?
Technically, kratom can become addictive (behaviorally).
Kratom is not addictive as prescription painkillers, benzodiazepines, or alcohol are — each of which produces physiological changes within the body that lead to withdrawal symptoms when the drug is no longer used. In the case of alcohol or benzodiazepines, withdrawal can even prove lethal.
Kratom is not addictive in this way. It’s what experts consider “behavioral addiction” — it’s the same sort of addiction you can have to gambling, sex, or marijuana.
The root of addiction comes from an attempt to release the body and mind from discomfort or pain. People who suffer physical pain can be addicted to any action or substance that temporarily removes the pain. People who are depressed may become addicted to actions or substances that alleviate some of this deeply rooted sadness.
Kratom does both of these things. It acts as a temporary release from physical and emotional pain, leading people to continue using it to find relief.
Anything can become addictive in this way. People become addicted to shopping, sex, masturbation, gambling, working, and much more. All of it comes from a desire to escape an uncomfortable reality — be it from physical pain, past trauma, or depression.
Does Kratom Cause Withdrawals?
Withdrawals are the symptoms that appear when someone is dependent on a substance and stops using it.
When someone takes a substance for an extended period, it causes a change in specific receptors. The body makes these changes to offset the effects of the drug. For example, opiates activate opioid receptors. To combat the changes this causes, the body will “hide” some of the opioid receptors, so the drug has less effect.
If the user stops taking the opioids suddenly, they will fall out of balance in the other direction. There suddenly isn’t enough opioid receptors to maintain balance, which leads to the effects of withdrawal.
Withdrawal stops when the body reverses these changes and restores the hidden receptors. This can take up to a week or two.
Kratom can lead to withdrawal symptoms in people who use high doses consistently. These symptoms are mild compared to the withdrawal induced by alcohol or opiate painkillers.
When people stop using kratom after a long time, they may feel more tired than usual, pain can return, and they may desire more kratom. This is a form of withdrawal, but it’s a far cry from the profuse sweating, fever, anxiety, and heart palpitations that appear during withdrawals from alcohol or opiate pain medications.
Withdrawal symptoms usually clear up within about a week after quitting kratom.
Related: Learn how to quit kratom.
Potential Side Effects of Kratom
Any health supplement that exerts a change in our physiology has the potential to cause side effects — kratom is no different.
The best way to avoid side effects is to take your kratom with food and take the time to identify your optimal dose. Start with a low dose and increase gradually over several sessions.
Side effects of kratom may include:
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Frequent urination
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- High blood pressure
- Liver damage (with long-term use)
- Low libido
- Nausea and vomiting
- Numbness
- Sedation and prolonged sleepiness
- The Wobbles
Kratom Drug Interactions
While kratom is safe, mixing it with other substances or medications can be extremely dangerous. You should never take kratom without first discussing it with your doctor if you have any underlying medical disorders or are taking prescription medications.
Herb-drug interactions with kratom are unpredictable. Some interactions lead to an increased risk of side effects; others might cause the medication to become ineffective and no longer protect you from the symptoms of your condition.
It’s also especially dangerous to combine kratom with alcohol.
Substances to avoid or speak with your doctor about before taking kratom:
- Alcohol
- Anticonvulsants
- Antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
- Caffeine
- Erectile dysfunction medications
- Grapefruit juice or extract
- Opiate painkillers
- Stimulants or ADHD medications
Types of Kratom Products
Kratom comes in many different forms. The most common, by far, is raw kratom powder. However, capsules, tinctures, and resin extracts are also popular.
Kratom Powders
Dried, powdered, and pulverized kratom leaf is the most common form on kratom vendor sites. There’s a good reason for this — it’s the most cost effective and the easiest form of the product to use.
Kratom doesn’t taste great, so we’d all be using capsules in a perfect world. The problem is simply the dose. You need anywhere from 2 to 12 grams of dried powder per dose — which means you might need to take 10 caps at a time.
You can take as little or as much as you want with the powder in one quick gulp. The best method for using it is the “toss and wash.” You knock back a quick dose of kratom powder and wash it down with water or juice. It tastes bad, but only for a minute.
Related: How to use kratom powder.
Kratom Capsules
Capsules are the second-best option. As mentioned, you’ll likely need to take several caps at a time for a given dose. They’re best for people taking low doses or microdoses of kratom — rather than a full dose.
The other downside of capsules is that there isn’t as much selection as there is for kratom powder. Most vendors will have a wide variety of kratom strains available but only one or two different capsules.
As long as you aren’t planning on taking a large dose or aren’t concerned with which kratom strain you’re using, capsules are an excellent option.
Kratom Tinctures
Kratom tinctures are harder to find, but most of the vendors on this list sell at least one tincture product.
The best kratom tinctures are made from a vegetable glycerine base (rather than alcohol) and use high-grade kratom as the source (with lab tests to confirm the purity of the extract).
Tinctures are great because they’re fast-acting, allow precision dosing, and have a very long shelf-life.
Kratom Vendors Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kratom Legal Where I Live?
Kratom is legal in most US states, Canada, most of Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia.
On a federal level in the US, kratom is considered legal after several years of dispute among the general population and the FDA (who have been trying to ban it for decades).
Currently, kratom is legal in all US states except:
Where Can I Buy Kratom Potentiators?
A potentiator is a substance that boosts the effects of another substance. Kratom potentiators, therefore, act to enhance the effects of kratom or prolong its duration of action.
We don’t recommend using kratom potentiators because they can dramatically increase the risk of side effects.
With that said, many people choose to use kratom potentiators, so it’s worth mentioning.
Most kratom vendors do not sell potentiators because of the risks associated with this practice. The most common potentiators are herbs like grapefruit, CBD, turmeric, watercress, or pharmaceutical agents.
Is Stronger Kratom Always Better?
Kratom comes in many different potencies. The potency of a particular strain depends on where it was grown, how old the plant was, the conditions of the most recent growing season, processing techniques, and storage conditions.
Virtually every vendor will claim to have the “strongest kratom leaf” on the market. While potent kratom is certainly a good thing, it isn’t the be-all-end-all. In fact, sometimes you may even want to opt for a weaker kratom instead.
Strong kratom is the most likely to lead to adverse reactions and may be too much for sensitive people, and is the most likely to contain adulterants. Unethical vendors will often buy cheap, impotent kratom powder and boost it by adding pharmaceutical drugs.
That said, the most potent kratom is reserved for the Maeng Da strains, which come in a few different varieties — Green Maeng Da, Red Maeng Da, and White Maeng Da.
How Much Does Kratom Cost?
The cost of kratom depends on factors like the quality of the powder, the availability of a particular strain (rare strains are more expensive), and the size of the vendor (larger vendors have the lowest prices).
Most kratom costs between $1.30 and $2.00 per 10 grams of powder. More rare strains can cost up to $3.00/10 grams, and the cheapest kratom is around $1.00/10 grams.
Kratom capsules are more expensive, usually around 38 cents per capsule — which works out to around $3.00 per 10 grams of powder equivalent.
Summary: What’s the Best Kratom Vendor Online?
Many excellent vendors sell kratom to customers in the U.S. and internationally.
The market has changed a lot — so we thought it was important to highlight the top vendors for this year. Many older sources you’ve relied on are no longer viable.
Always look for brands that have a good reputation, offer a variety of unique product types, prioritize quality, and are certified members of the American Kratom Association.
Our top three vendors for 2023 are Kona Kratom, Star Kratom, and VIP Kratom.
