We Tried 10 Throat Lozenges So You Don’t Have To: Here’s the Best One

We coughed, we crunched, and tested our taste buds for the greater good.

Let’s be honest—when you have a sore throat, all you want is fast relief. But walk down the cold and flu aisle at any pharmacy, and suddenly you’re faced with 20+ lozenge options all promising to soothe, coat, numb, cool, and cure.

So how do you choose?

To help you out, our team did a full-blown throat lozenge taste test—trying 10 of the most popular options you'll find on pharmacy shelves. Some were pleasantly soothing. Others... not so much.

We ranked each one based on:

• 👅 Flavor

• 🌬️ Soothing power

• 🤒 Overall relief

• 🍭 Would we use it again?
  

Best Overall: Ricola Original Herb

Tastes like: A smooth herbal tea with a gentle mint finish Relief rating: 9.5/10 Why we love it: Ricola delivers classic throat comfort with its signature blend of alpine herbs. It doesn’t try too hard to be “medicinal,” but still soothes effectively. Perfect for mild to moderate throat irritation. Would we use again? Absolutely—and we already have.

Most Powerful Relief: Cepacol Extra Strength

Tastes like: Minty anesthesia Relief rating: 9/10 Why we love it: Cepacol isn’t messing around. With a numbing ingredient (benzocaine), it offers fast, targeted relief for sore throats that feel like they’re on fire. Would we use again? Yes—for those “I can barely swallow” days.

Strongest Cooling Sensation: Fisherman’s Friend (Original)

Tastes like: Menthol with a side of arctic wind Relief rating: 8/10 Why we love it: This lozenge is not for beginners. The intense menthol blast clears your throat and nose like a charm. Some of us loved it; others needed a palate cleanser. Would we use again? Yes—but with a warning label for first-timers.

Best Candy-Like Option: Luden’s Wild Cherry

Tastes like: Cherry hard candy Relief rating: 6.5/10 Why we love it: Let’s be honest—Luden’s is more about flavor than function. But if your throat is just scratchy and you want something gentle (especially for kids), this is a tasty pick. Would we use again? Sure—for light relief or sore-throat snacking.

Best Natural Option: Zarbee’s Naturals Soothing Lozenges

Tastes like: Honey lemon tea in candy form Relief rating: 8.5/10 Why we love it: Made with honey, elderberry, and no artificial sweeteners or dyes, this one’s great if you want something clean and gentle. Would we use again? Absolutely—especially with a mug of warm tea.

Quick Takes on the Rest:

• Halls Mentho-Lyptus: A classic. Strong menthol flavor, fast-acting, but a little harsh for some.

• Chloraseptic Max: Extra numbing power, but flavor is intense. Ideal for bad flare-ups.

• Burt’s Bees Natural Lozenges: Pleasant and mild, but not super long-lasting.

• Vicks VapoCOOL Severe: Like a mint bomb in your mouth—some testers found it too aggressive.

• Luden’s Honey Licorice: Great for licorice lovers. The rest of us... not so much.
  

Which One Should You Choose?

It all depends on your sore throat situation:

Need relief fast?	Cepacol, Chloraseptic
Mild or early symptoms?	Ricola, Zarbee’s, Luden’s Cherry
Natural ingredients?	Zarbee’s, Burt’s Bees
Strong flavor tolerance?	Fisherman’s Friend, Vicks VapoCOOL
Kid-friendly?	Luden’s Wild Cherry

Final Thoughts

Not every lozenge works for everyone—but that’s where your local pharmacy team comes in! We can help you:

• Pick the best product for your specific symptoms

• Understand the difference between numbing vs. soothing

• Avoid ingredients that may conflict with your other medications
  

Sore throats are no fun, but picking the right lozenge shouldn’t be painful too.

Stop by your local pharmacy and we’ll help you find the right relief—with less trial and error (and weird aftertastes).

P.S. What’s your favorite lozenge? Let us know the one you swear by—we’re always up for a Round 2!