Head to head · Vitamins & Minerals
Pure Encapsulations Magnesium (Glycinate) vs Thorne Zinc Picolinate 15 mg
Thorne scores higher overall (8.5 vs 7.9 out of 10), mainly on quality & purity and value.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
Amazon's No. 1 magnesium: 120 mg of magnesium glycinate per capsule in a minimal, allergen-free formula that is gentle on the gut but pricey per milligram.
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A small, NSF-certified 15 mg zinc picolinate capsule dosed near the RDA; TikTok-famous for skin anecdotes, and best paired with copper for long-term use.
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We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money
The short answer
Choose Pure Encapsulations if…
- People with sensitive stomachs
- Allergy-conscious buyers who want a minimal formula
- Anyone who wants to adjust dose in 120 mg steps
Choose Thorne if…
- People with low zinc intake, including those eating mostly plant foods
- Athletes and label-conscious buyers who want NSF-certified products
- Anyone who wants single-nutrient zinc at a modest dose
- You care most about quality & purity, value
Side by side
| Magnesium (Glycinate) | Zinc Picolinate 15 mg | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.9 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 8.2 | 9.2 |
| Value (20%) | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| Experience (15%) | 8.6 | 8.8 |
| Transparency (10%) | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| Form | Capsule | Capsule |
| Serving | 1 capsule90 servings per container | 1 capsule60 servings per container |
| Testing & certifications | Certified Gluten-FreeThird-party testedcGMP facility | NSF Contents Certified |
| Dietary | Vegan, Gluten-free, Non-GMO, Soy-free, Dairy-free | Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Soy-free |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | — | — |
| Creator video reviews | 5 | 5 |
Pros and cons
Magnesium (Glycinate)
- Minimal formula: magnesium glycinate, a cellulose capsule and ascorbyl palmitate
- GFCO certified gluten-free, vegan and free of common allergens
- Flexible 120 mg capsules make dosing easy
- Detailed in-house and outside lab testing disclosures
- About $0.30 per 120 mg capsule, pricier than many glycinates
- The four-capsule maximum (480 mg) exceeds the supplemental magnesium upper limit
- No USP or NSF certification
- Capsules are fairly long at 0.905 inches
Zinc Picolinate 15 mg
- 15 mg dose close to the RDA and well under the 40 mg upper limit
- Minimal excipients; gluten-, dairy- and soy-free
- Listed in NSF's certification database; Amazon listing says NSF Contents Certified
- Small 18 mm capsules
- No copper included for long-term use
- Picolinate's absorption advantage is a brand claim NIH does not confirm
- About $0.25 per day, pricier than drugstore zinc
- Two capsules a day plus diet can approach the upper limit
Our verdicts
Magnesium (Glycinate)
This is the cleanest, most allergy-friendly magnesium glycinate you can easily buy, with unusually detailed testing disclosures and a formula that is kind to sensitive stomachs. You pay a premium for that, so budget buyers can get similar magnesium for less, but for people who react to fillers or other forms it is worth the money.
Full review
Zinc Picolinate 15 mg
A clean, well-dosed zinc supplement from a manufacturer with a strong testing record. The 15 mg dose covers daily needs without crowding the upper limit; add copper if you take it for months, and do not expect the dramatic skin results shared on TikTok to be typical.
Full review