Magnesium Glycinate 400mg vs Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets
Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Magnesium Glycinate 400mg and Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets.
Last verified: 07 Apr 2026 · Based on 141 reviews
Magnesium Glycinate 400mg scores 80.0/100 vs Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets at 77.0/100. Magnesium Glycinate 400mg wins on ingredient quality, value for money, certifications. Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets is stronger on effectiveness and side effects.
Which is better: Magnesium Glycinate 400mg or Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets?
Solgar Magnesium Glycinate edges ahead with an 80 vs 77 overall score, largely thanks to better value (70 vs 64) despite a near-identical price. Its glycinate form is gentler on digestion and better suited for those with sensitive stomachs or anxiety. Choose the Citrate if you prioritise raw effectiveness (82 vs 79) or are managing perimenopausal symptoms where citrate absorption may be preferable.
— AIScored Editorial Team
How Do the Scores Compare?
Magnesium Glycinate 400mg
Solgar
|
Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets
Solgar
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 80.0 | 77.0 |
| Effectiveness | 79.0/100 |
82.0/100
Best
|
| Ingredient Quality |
88.0/100
Best
|
86.0/100 |
| Value for Money |
70.0/100
Best
|
64.0/100 |
| Side Effects | 76.0/100 |
91.0/100
Best
|
| Certifications |
84.0/100
Best
|
58.0/100 |
| Best Price | £12.25 Amazon UK → |
£12.00
Amazon UK →
Cheapest
|
| Price per Serving | N/A | £0.40 30 servings |
| Form | N/A | Tablet |
| Dose | N/A | 400mg (2 tablets) |
| Third-Party Tested | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Reviews Analysed | 76 | 65 |
Magnesium Glycinate 400mg
Pros
- ✓Strong user-reported improvement in sleep quality — faster onset and fewer nighttime awakenings
- ✓Effective at reducing leg cramps, muscle tension, and post-exercise soreness
- ✓Glycinate chelate offers high bioavailability and is generally gentle on the digestive system
- ✓Clean, minimal formula — gluten-free, dairy-free, non-GMO, kosher-certified; trusted Solgar brand
Cons
- ✗Paradoxical insomnia or restless sleep in a subset of users, possibly linked to MTHFR mutations or glycine sensitivity — magnesium threonate may suit these individuals better
- ✗Large tablet/capsule size noted as inconvenient by multiple reviewers
- ✗Premium brand pricing is higher than comparable chelated magnesium products
- ✗High doses may disrupt calcium balance, contributing to eye twitching or muscle symptoms in some users
Best For
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
What does the data say about Magnesium Glycinate 400mg vs Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets?
Both products come from Solgar and sit at a similar price point — £12.25 for the Glycinate and £12.00 for the Citrate — but the magnesium form and daily serving structure set them apart in meaningful ways. Glycinate is a chelated form where magnesium is bound to the amino acid glycine, giving it a reputation for being particularly gentle on the gut and well-suited to evening use. Citrate, bound to citric acid, has a slightly higher effectiveness score (82 versus 79) and is generally regarded as one of the most bioavailable forms available without prescription. The Citrate requires two tablets to reach its 400mg dose, which means the 60-tablet bottle provides just 30 servings — a practical limitation that contributes to its lower value score of 64 compared to the Glycinate's 70.
If sleep is your primary concern and you're sensitive to digestive upset from supplements, the Glycinate (80/100 overall) is worth trying first. Its glycine content may have an additional calming effect that users report helps with sleep onset. That said, a minority of people experience paradoxical restlessness with glycinate — possibly tied to glycine sensitivity — and for them the Citrate may be a better fit. The Citrate also appears frequently recommended for women managing perimenopausal symptoms, where magnesium's role in muscle relaxation and mood regulation is particularly relevant. The Glycinate's large tablet or capsule size has drawn complaints, so if swallowing pills is already a challenge, check the serving format before committing. At these prices, the Citrate's short supply per bottle means you'll be reordering more frequently — factor that into the true monthly cost.
Solgar Magnesium Glycinate 400mg is a premium chelated magnesium supplement widely praised by reviewers for improving sleep quality, reducing muscle cramps, and easing nervous tension.
What are the key differences?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Magnesium Glycinate 400mg or Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets? ▼
Is Magnesium Glycinate 400mg worth the price compared to Magnesium Citrate 60 Tablets? ▼
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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