Solgar Magnesium Citrate vs Solgar Calcium Magnesium + Zinc
Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Solgar Magnesium Citrate and Solgar Calcium Magnesium + Zinc.
Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Based on 119 reviews
Our Verdict: Solgar Magnesium Citrate or Solgar Calcium Magnesium + Zinc?
Solgar Magnesium Citrate wins with a higher score (77 vs 74) and superior ingredient quality (86 vs 66), thanks to its more bioavailable citrate form. The Calcium Magnesium plus Zinc is worth considering for those who need bone support alongside magnesium, or are watching spending — it costs £2.78 less and offers 250 tablets.
— AIScored Editorial Team
Solgar Magnesium Citrate scores 77.0/100 vs Solgar Calcium Magnesium + Zinc at 74.0/100. Solgar Magnesium Citrate wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, side effects. Solgar Calcium Magnesium + Zinc is stronger on value for money.
Solgar Magnesium Citrate vs Solgar Calcium Magnesium + Zinc: What Does the Data Say?
The clearest difference between these two products is the form of magnesium used. Solgar's Magnesium Citrate uses magnesium citrate exclusively, which scores 86/100 for ingredient quality — well above the Calcium Magnesium plus Zinc's 66/100, largely because the latter blends in magnesium oxide, the least bioavailable form available. You're paying for a more absorbable mineral in the citrate-only product, and the scores reflect that gap clearly.
Who should buy which comes down to what you actually need. If your main concern is sleep quality, leg cramps, or restless legs, the Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets at £12.00 is the more targeted option — it scores 82/100 for effectiveness and 77/100 overall. If you want calcium and zinc alongside your magnesium, particularly for bone and dental support, the Calcium Magnesium plus Zinc 250 Tablets at £9.22 makes sense. It scores lower overall at 74/100, but it does win on value at 73/100 versus 64/100, and 250 tablets is a much longer supply for the price.
Practically, the Calcium Magnesium plus Zinc tablets are frequently flagged by users as notably large, which puts some people off. The Magnesium Citrate bottle only contains 30 servings — two tablets per day burns through it quickly at that price. Neither product discloses a dose per serving for the combination formula, which makes direct milligram comparison difficult.
How Do the Scores Compare?
Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets
Solgar
|
Calcium Magnesium plus Zinc...
Solgar
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 77.0 | 74.0 |
| Effectiveness |
82.0/100
Best
|
80.0/100 |
| Ingredient Quality |
86.0/100
Best
|
66.0/100 |
| Value for Money | 64.0/100 |
73.0/100
Best
|
| Side Effects |
91.0/100
Best
|
87.0/100 |
| Certifications |
58.0/100
Best
|
55.0/100 |
| Best Price |
£15.60
£10.99
Amazon UK →
-30% deal
|
£9.12
Amazon UK →
Cheapest
|
| Price per Serving | £0.37 30 servings | N/A |
| Form | Tablet | tablet |
| Dose | 400mg (2 tablets) | None |
| Third-Party Tested | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Reviews Analysed | 65 | 54 |
Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets
Pros
- ✓Magnesium citrate form offers superior bioavailability versus cheaper oxide or carbonate alternatives
- ✓Strong user-reported improvements in sleep quality and depth
- ✓Effective for muscle cramps, restless legs, and leg spasms
- ✓Clean formulation — free from gluten, wheat, dairy, soy; vegan and Kosher certified
Cons
- ✗Only 30 servings per bottle (60 tablets at 2/day) — relatively short supply for the price
- ✗No third-party testing (NSF, Informed Sport, USP) to verify label accuracy
- ✗Some iHerb reviews appear cross-contaminated from Solgar's Calcium+Magnesium product, reducing review signal clarity
- ✗Large tablet size flagged by a minority of users as difficult to swallow
Best For
Calcium Magnesium plus Zinc 250 Tablets
Pros
- ✓Consistently reported reduction in muscle cramps and nighttime leg spasms
- ✓Multiple reviewers note improved sleep depth and relaxation
- ✓Premium glass jar packaging widely praised as eco-friendly and quality-signalling
- ✓Clean label — no artificial additives, non-GMO, vegan, soy and wheat free
Cons
- ✗Tablets are notably large; frequently mentioned as a usability downside
- ✗Magnesium oxide included in the blend is the least bioavailable magnesium form
- ✗Calcium partially as carbonate — less well absorbed than citrate, especially without food
- ✗No independent third-party testing (e.g. NSF, Informed Sport)
Best For
Score Breakdown: Solgar Magnesium Citrate vs Solgar Calcium Magnesium + Zinc
Solgar Magnesium Citrate delivers 400mg elemental magnesium per two-tablet serving in the bioavailable citrate form, backed by Solgar's 75-year reputation as a premium supplement brand.
What are the key differences?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Solgar Magnesium Citrate or Solgar Calcium Magnesium + Zinc? ▼
Is Solgar Magnesium Citrate worth the price compared to Solgar Calcium Magnesium + Zinc? ▼
Which has fewer side effects? ▼
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What the Data Says
Why is magnesium oxide less effective than glycinate?
Oxide scores 21 points lower than glycinate in our testing — and it's not close on ingredient quality either. Across 17 magnesium products in our database, glycinate averages 74.3/100 overall. Oxide sits at 53/100. That's a gap you can feel.
The ingredient quality difference is even starker: 83.3 for glycinate vs 37.0 for oxide. A 46.3-point gap. The best glycinate in our database, Solgar Magnesium Glycinate 400mg, scores 80/100 overall with 88/100 on ingredient quality. The oxide product (Nature Made) manages just 52 on effectiveness and 37 on ingredient quality.
The reason is bioavailability. Magnesium oxide has roughly 4% absorption — most of it passes straight through your gut unused. Glycinate is chelated (bound to the amino acid glycine), which your intestines absorb much more efficiently. You also get fewer digestive side effects, since unabsorbed magnesium in the gut is what causes the laxative effect oxide is known for.
Oxide is cheap, which is why it's still everywhere. But cheap per pill means nothing if your body can't use it. Glycinate or citrate (avg 74.5/100) are both better choices.
Which form of magnesium is best for sleep, anxiety, or muscle cramps?
Glycinate for sleep and anxiety. Citrate for cramps. L-threonate for brain function. Each form has a different strength, and our scores back this up.
Sleep and anxiety → Glycinate. Averaging 74.3/100 across our database, with the best (Solgar Glycinate 400mg) hitting 80/100. Glycine, the amino acid it's bound to, acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter — it calms your nervous system on its own. That's a two-for-one benefit you don't get from other forms. Thorne Bisglycinate (74/100) is another solid option at a lower dose.
Muscle cramps → Citrate. Averaging 74.5/100 overall with 85.0 on ingredient quality. Citrate absorbs well and is gentler on your wallet than glycinate. Solgar Citrate leads the pack at 77/100. If cramps are your main issue, this is the practical choice.
Brain function → L-Threonate. Life Extension Neuro-Mag scores 73/100. This is the only form shown to meaningfully raise magnesium levels in the brain by crossing the blood-brain barrier. It's pricier, but nothing else does what it does.
All-round absorption → Doctor's Best High Absorption tops our entire magnesium database at 82/100 overall (83 effectiveness, 88 ingredient quality) using chelated magnesium.
The one form to skip? Oxide at 53/100. Its 4% absorption rate makes it a poor choice no matter what you're taking it for.
Disclaimer: AIScored provides data-driven comparisons based on publicly available reviews. This is not medical advice. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
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