# Solaray vs NOW Magnesium Glycinate: Capsules, Tablets and Comparable Cost

Canonical: https://supplementexplained.com/compare/solaray-vs-now-magnesium-glycinate/
Last modified: 2026-10-03T14:43:30+00:00
Indexing: noindex, follow. This markdown file is a machine-readable alternate of the canonical HTML page.
Publisher: Supplement Explained
Review model: Editorial evidence review, not medical review unless explicitly stated on the canonical page.

Solaray vs NOW Magnesium Glycinate: Capsules, Tablets and Comparable CostSolaray and NOW magnesium glycinate should not be compared as if their full servings supplied the same amount. The reviewed Solaray formula provides 350 mg across four capsules; NOW provides 200 mg across two tablets. Solaray adds BioPerine, while NOW’s reviewed tablet formula uses a different set of tablet and coating ingredients. [1] [2] The practical choice is therefore about format, amount per unit, and ingredients—not a universal brand winner. This comparison uses the Solaray 120-VegCap formula and NOW’s glycinate tablets, not Solaray’s Extra Strength products or NOW’s separate BioPerine capsules. The exact products side by side Detail Solaray 120 VegCaps NOW 90 Tablets Full label serving Four capsules Two tablets Elemental magnesium per serving 350 mg 200 mg Arithmetic amount per unit 87.5 mg 100 mg Full servings per bottle 30 45 Total declared magnesium per bottle 10,500 mg 9,000 mg Added BioPerine 5 mg per full serving Not listed in this tablet formula Physical format Capsules Tablets NOW also offers 180 tablets, which provide 90 full servings and 18,000 mg declared magnesium. Those larger-bottle numbers must not be assigned to the 90-tablet bottle. [1] [2] Fewer tablets does not mean an equivalent serving Two NOW tablets and four Solaray capsules are the respective full label servings, but they contain 200 mg and 350 mg magnesium. Comparing those unit counts without the nutrient amounts would imply an equivalence that is not present. [1] [2] The per-unit arithmetic can help a shopper understand the labels, but it is not a personal dose plan. It also does not authorize dividing a capsule, crushing a tablet, or converting a prescribed amount without appropriate advice. A bottle of 120 capsules is not automatically more magnesium than every 90-tablet bottle, nor is the larger number necessarily more useful. The total declared quantity and the amount appropriate to the individual are separate questions. BioPerine versus tablet ingredients Solaray’s reviewed panel includes 5 mg BioPerine black-pepper fruit extract across four capsules, plus its capsule and excipients. NOW’s tablet record lists ingredients including hydroxypropyl cellulose, stearic acid, silicon dioxide, and a vegetarian coating. [1] [2] A shopper specifically avoiding black-pepper extract has a concrete reason to examine the NOW tablet formula or another product without it. A shopper who prefers capsules rather than tablets may view the formats differently. Neither distinction automatically establishes better absorption or tolerance. We did not establish a direct clinical trial proving that the added BioPerine produces a specific magnesium advantage for this finished Solaray product over these NOW tablets. A longer or shorter inactive-ingredient list also is not a validated overall quality score. Tablet and capsule comfort needs real evidence We have not measured these units or conducted swallowing tests. Four capsules versus two tablets may sound decisive, but their size, shape, and the user’s actual needs matter. Neither product is called “small” or “easy to swallow” on the basis of an unverified photograph in this comparison. Opening capsules and crushing tablets are separate formulation questions. Manufacturer permission for another brand’s two-piece capsule does not answer either question for these exact products. When intact units are the problem, a purpose-made powder is a separate format to investigate—not a reason to improvise product alterations. A fair cost comparison needs current, matched prices On September 27, 2026, Solaray lists 120 capsules at $18.39: about $0.61 per full serving or $0.175 per 100 mg magnesium. NOW lists promotional prices of $13.49 for 90 tablets ($0.30 per full serving; $0.150 per 100 mg) and $23.99 for 180 tablets ($0.27 per full serving; $0.133 per 100 mg). NOW therefore costs less per equal magnesium quantity at these manufacturer prices, but sale prices, seller prices, tax, and shipping can change the comparison. These are manufacturer prices, not the linked HerbsPro price. [3] [2] The reproducible calculations are: Exact bottle Cost per full serving Cost per 100 mg magnesium Solaray 120 capsules Bottle price ÷ 30 Bottle price ÷ 105 NOW 90 tablets Bottle price ÷ 45 Bottle price ÷ 90 NOW 180 tablets Bottle price ÷ 90 Bottle price ÷ 180 The divisors in the last column represent the number of 100 mg quantities in the bottle. They normalize quantity purchased, not clinical effectiveness. Use the same seller conditions and date, with tax, shipping, subscriptions, and coupons identified separately. This makes a future comparison straightforward without confusing two unequal full servings. It also prevents the cheapest displayed price on a multi-variant page from being assigned to the wrong bottle. What the testing statements can establish Brand-level manufacturing controls and ingredient trade names should not be turned into exact-product sport certification or a batch report. Solaray’s quality policy describes its processes; NOW’s product page describes its formula and manufacturing information. Those should be read for their stated scope. [4] [2] We have not independently assayed either product or verified a sport-certification listing for these two specific products. That is a limit on this comparison, not evidence that the products are untested or inferior. Safety applies to both forms The US adult upper limit for magnesium from supplements and medications is 350 mg daily, excluding naturally occurring food magnesium. A full Solaray serving reaches that amount. Two full NOW servings would provide 400 mg. Neither observation determines what an individual should take. [5] [1] [2] Other supplements, magnesium-containing medicines, kidney function, and drug interactions also matter. Glycinate terminology does not guarantee the absence of diarrhea, and changing the brand while increasing the total amount is not automatically a solution to symptoms. [5] Choose based on the difference you actually need Solaray is a capsule option with a four-capsule serving and BioPerine. NOW is a tablet option with a two-tablet serving and a different magnesium amount. A preference about black-pepper extract, tablet versus capsule, or unit amount can therefore guide the comparison without declaring a universal winner. For more detail on the individual products, read the Solaray capsule review and the NOW tablet review. The next useful step is a matched current price and an appropriate intake plan—not a generic claim that one brand is always better. Related reading To compare different magnesium formats and labeled amounts, use our magnesium glycinate supplement comparison. ReferencesSolaray Magnesium Glycinate: 120-capsule Supplement Facts.NOW Magnesium Glycinate Tablets.Solaray Magnesium Glycinate product page.Solaray quality and testing policy.NIH ODS: Magnesium, Health Professional Fact Sheet.