Solgar Gentle Iron vs Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C

Q: Which is better, Solgar Gentle Iron or Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C?

Solgar Gentle Iron scores 77/100 while Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C scores 70/100 in our analysis. Solgar Gentle Iron is the higher-rated product overall.

Q: Is Solgar Gentle Iron worth the price compared to Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C?

Solgar Gentle Iron scores 66.0/100 for value, while Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C scores 70.0/100. Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C delivers better value overall.

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Solgar Gentle Iron and Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C.

Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Based on 66 reviews

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77.0

Score Summary

Solgar Gentle Iron scores 77.0/100 vs Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C at 70.0/100. Solgar Gentle Iron wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, side effects. Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C is stronger on value for money.

Solgar Gentle Iron vs Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C: What Does the Data Say?

Gentle Iron 20mg 90 Vegi Capsules from Solgar uses iron bisglycinate at 20mg per capsule while SmartKids Iron with Vitamin C 30 Strawberry Flavour Gummies from Bioglan delivers just 2.5mg iron per gummy alongside vitamin C. One comes as easy-to-swallow capsules. The other takes the form of chewable strawberry-flavoured gummies that kids actually like. Solgar scores higher overall at 77/100 against Bioglan's 70/100 and leads on effectiveness with 76/100 versus 70/100 plus ingredient quality at 86/100 compared to 60/100. Bioglan wins on value for money though at 70/100 against Solgar's 66/100 and costs less at £8.00 versus £12.64.

People dealing with heavy periods or mild-to-moderate iron deficiency should pick Gentle Iron 20mg 90 Vegi Capsules especially if they get constipation or nausea from standard tablets. Pregnant or postpartum women needing gentle low-risk iron support will find it works well too with blood test improvements reported by many users. Families with children aged 4 and over who have mild iron needs or are picky eaters will do better with SmartKids Iron with Vitamin C 30 Strawberry Flavour Gummies as the taste makes daily use simple and the added vitamin C helps absorption.

Practical points matter here. The gummies taste like strawberries yet contain sugar glucose syrup and malt syrup as main ingredients. Capsules avoid any flavour issues but some may prefer not swallowing pills. Both suit their specific groups without crossover appeal.

How Do the Scores Compare?

Gentle Iron 20mg 90 Vegi Capsules

SmartKids Iron with Vitamin...

	Gentle Iron 20mg 90 Vegi Capsules Solgar	SmartKids Iron with Vitamin... Bioglan
Overall Score	77.0	70.0
Effectiveness	76.0/100 Best	70.0/100
Ingredient Quality	86.0/100 Best	60.0/100
Value for Money	66.0/100	70.0/100 Best
Side Effects	91.0/100 Best	80.0/100
Certifications	60.0/100 Best	30.0/100
Best Price	£12.64 Amazon UK →	£8.00 Holland & Barrett → Cheapest
Form	capsule	chewables
Dose	None	None
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	62	4

Gentle Iron 20mg 90 Vegi Capsules

Pros

✓Iron bisglycinate is among the most stomach-gentle and bioavailable forms of iron available
✓Overwhelming reviewer consensus: no constipation, nausea, or digestive discomfort
✓Effective at raising ferritin and haemoglobin levels, with multiple users citing confirmed blood test improvements
✓Well-tolerated by sensitive groups including pregnant women and those with IBS or autoimmune conditions

Cons

✗20mg single daily dose may be insufficient for correcting significant iron deficiency without medical guidance to increase dosage
✗No confirmed third-party purity or potency testing (e.g. NSF, Informed Sport)
✗Premium Solgar pricing makes it considerably more expensive than generic iron supplements
✗Rare but present reports of GI discomfort, indicating bisglycinate does not suit every individual

Best For

Women with heavy periods or mild-to-moderate iron deficiency Pregnant or postpartum women needing gentle, low-risk iron support People who experience constipation or nausea from standard ferrous sulfate tablets Those with IBS, IBD, SIBO, or other GI sensitivities requiring careful supplementation Vegetarians and vegans prone to lower dietary iron intake Maintenance supplementation after completing a course of prescribed iron treatment

Amazon UK £12.64 Holland & Barrett £12.88

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SmartKids Iron with Vitamin C 30...

Pros

✓Highly palatable strawberry flavour that children enjoy and request
✓Easy compliance—makes supplementing iron simple for picky eaters
✓Vitamin C inclusion enhances iron absorption and supports immune function
✓Convenient once-daily gummy format suitable from age 4

Cons

✗Low iron dose (2.5 mg per gummy, only 18% NRV) may be insufficient for treating diagnosed iron deficiency
✗Contains sugar, glucose syrup, and malt syrup as primary ingredients
✗Includes palm oil and multiple additives (glazing agents, colours)
✗No third-party testing verification or quality certifications mentioned

Best For

Children aged 4+ with mild iron needs or as preventative supplementation Picky eaters who refuse traditional iron supplements Families seeking palatable daily iron maintenance for growing children Children with slightly increased iron requirements (growth spurts, limited meat intake)

Holland & Barrett £8.00

View full review →

Score Breakdown: Solgar Gentle Iron vs Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C

Solgar Gentle Iron Winner 77.0/100

Solgar Gentle Iron delivers 20mg of ferrous bisglycinate per capsule, a chelated form of iron widely regarded as among the most bioavailable and stomach-friendly options available.

Effectiveness

Gentle Iron 20mg..

76.0/100

SmartKids Iron w..

70.0/100

Ingredient Quality

Gentle Iron 20mg..

86.0/100

SmartKids Iron w..

60.0/100

Value for Money

Gentle Iron 20mg..

66.0/100

SmartKids Iron w..

70.0/100

Side Effects

Gentle Iron 20mg..

91.0/100

SmartKids Iron w..

80.0/100

Certifications

Gentle Iron 20mg..

60.0/100

SmartKids Iron w..

30.0/100

What are the key differences?

Solgar Gentle Iron is best for: Women with heavy periods or mild-to-moderate iron deficiency, Pregnant or postpartum women needing gentle, low-risk iron support

Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C is best for: Children aged 4+ with mild iron needs or as preventative supplementation, Picky eaters who refuse traditional iron supplements

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Solgar Gentle Iron or Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C? ▼

Solgar Gentle Iron scores 77.0/100 overall while Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C scores 70.0/100. Solgar Gentle Iron comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (76.0 vs 70.0). Solgar Gentle Iron is best suited for Women with heavy periods or mild-to-moderate iron deficiency and Pregnant or postpartum women needing gentle, low-risk iron support. Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C is better for Children aged 4+ with mild iron needs or as preventative supplementation and Picky eaters who refuse traditional iron supplements.

Is Solgar Gentle Iron worth the price compared to Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C? ▼

Solgar Gentle Iron costs £12.64 while Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C is £8.00. For value, Solgar Gentle Iron scores 66.0/100 vs Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C's 70.0/100. Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C delivers better value relative to its quality. Note that Solgar Gentle Iron comes as capsule while Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C is chewables, which may affect your preference.

Which has fewer side effects? ▼

Solgar Gentle Iron scores 91.0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C scores 80.0/100. Reviewers report fewer side effects with Solgar Gentle Iron. For certification and testing, Solgar Gentle Iron scores 60.0/100 vs Bioglan SmartKids Iron + Vitamin C's 30.0/100. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.