9 Best otc cold medicines of 2026

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1

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Vicks
VICKS DayQuil & NyQuil SEVERE Co-Pack, Cold & Flu Medicine, Powerful Relief for Headache, Fever, Sore Throat, Minor Aches & Pains, Congestion, Sinus Pressure, Stuffy Nose, and Cough, 48 LiquiCaps

14% Off
Main highlights

Powerful 9-Symptom Relief
Vicks DayQuil and NyQuil Severe provide maximum strength relief for 9 common cold and flu symptoms.

Day and Night Use
Ideal for daytime use with DayQuil's non-drowsy formula and nighttime relief with NyQuil for restful sleep.

Quick Symptom Relief
Customers praise the fast-acting nature, clearing congestion in 10-15 minutes.
9.7

Exceptional

Our Rating

8.9
Flavor

8.7
simple to consume

8.2
worth the money
How do we rank?

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Careful review Our team ensures quality, value, and fit based on real user feedback

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Based on millions of stores and reviews

Shoppers influence our rankings
Analyzing top stores
2

Mucinex
Mucinex Fast-Max Maximum Strength Day & Night Cold and Flu Medicine for Adults, Powerful Over-The-Counter Medication for Cold & Flu Symptoms, Fast Dissolving Liquid Gels, 24 Count
Main highlights

Powerful Relief for Cold and Flu
Mucinex Fast-Max provides effective relief for headaches, sore throat, body pain, fever, cough, and runny nose.

Day and Night Use
Ideal for managing cold and flu symptoms around the clock with separate daytime and nighttime liquid gels.

Doctor Trusted Brand
Mucinex is highly recommended by doctors for cold and cough relief.
9.5

Excellent

Our Rating
3

Tylenol
Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Day & Night Caplets Combo Pack for Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu Symptom Relief, Cough, Sore Throat, and Headache Relief, Acetaminophen Pain Reliever, 24 ct

28% Off
Main highlights

Comprehensive Cold Flu Relief
24-count pack offers multi-symptom relief for cold and flu.

Day Night Usage
Ideal for day and night relief with separate formulas.

Highly Praised Value
Customers appreciate the value and effectiveness of the product.
Key specs
- features:Cold & flu relief
- product dimensions:4.52 x 0.78 x 2.95 inches
- active ingredients:Acetaminophen, Phenylephrine HCl
- decongestant:Phenylephrine HCl
- saline solution:N/A
9.3

Excellent

Our Rating
4

Amazon Basic Care
Amazon Basic Care Vapor Ice Day and Night Severe Cold and Flu Relief Caplets, Maximum Strength Medicine, Combo Pack, 48 Count

13% Off
Main highlights

Maximum Strength Multi-Symptom Relief
Provides around-the-clock relief for cold and flu symptoms with a combination of daytime and nighttime caplets.

Ideal for Families and Busy Individuals
Perfect for those needing effective relief during the day and restful sleep at night.

Highly Praised Nighttime Formula
Customers appreciate the nighttime caplets for aiding sleep and symptom relief.
Key specs
- flavor:Vapor Ice
- form:Coated caplets
- active ingredient:Compare to Vicks DayQuil/NyQuil
- package type:Combination pack
- symptom relief:Cold and flu symptoms
9.1

Excellent

Our Rating

9.3
simple to consume

9.1
worth the money

8.7
Flavor
5

Amazon Basic Care
Amazon Basic Care Vapor Ice Day and Night Severe Cold and Flu Relief Caplets, Maximum Strength Medicine, Combo Pack, 48 Count

18% Off
Main highlights

Maximum Strength Multi-Symptom Relief
Provides around-the-clock relief for cold and flu symptoms with a combination of daytime and nighttime caplets.

Ideal for Families and Busy Individuals
Perfect for those needing effective relief during the day and restful sleep at night.

Highly Praised Nighttime Formula
Customers appreciate the nighttime caplets for aiding sleep and symptom relief.
Key specs
- flavor:Vapor Ice
- form:Coated caplets
- active ingredient:Compare to Vicks DayQuil/NyQuil
- package type:Combination pack
- symptom relief:Cold and flu symptoms
8.9

Very Good

Our Rating

9.3
simple to consume

9.1
worth the money

8.7
Flavor
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6

HealthA2Z
HealthA2Z® Daytime and Nighttime | Cold & Flu Medicine | Powerful Multi-Symptom Daytime and Nighttime Relief (24 Daytime & 12 Nighttime Softgels) (Daytime & Nighttime Combo (36 Count Pack of 1))

16% Off
Main highlights

Powerful Multi-Symptom Relief
HealthA2Z Daytime and Nighttime Cold & Flu Medicine offers effective relief for various symptoms, similar to leading brands, at a great value.

Convenient Day and Night Use
Includes both daytime and nighttime formulas in one package, perfect for around-the-clock symptom management.

Easy to Swallow Softgels
Customers appreciate the easy-to-swallow softgel capsules with no aftertaste, enhancing user experience.
8.6

Very Good

Our Rating
7

HealthA2Z
HealthA2Z® Daytime and Nighttime | Cold & Flu Medicine | Powerful Multi-Symptom Daytime and Nighttime Relief (24 Daytime & 12 Nighttime Softgels) (Daytime & Nighttime Combo (36 Count Pack of 1))

29% Off
Main highlights

Powerful Multi-Symptom Relief
HealthA2Z Daytime and Nighttime Cold & Flu Medicine offers effective relief for various symptoms, similar to leading brands, at a great value.

Convenient Day and Night Use
Includes both daytime and nighttime formulas in one package, perfect for around-the-clock symptom management.

Easy to Swallow Softgels
Customers appreciate the easy-to-swallow softgel capsules with no aftertaste, enhancing user experience.
8.3

Good

Our Rating
8

Tylenol
Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Medicine Caplets for Cold & Flu Symptom Relief, Fever Reducer, Pain Reliever, Cough Suppressant, Nasal Decongestant & Expectorant with Acetaminophen, 24 ct.

28% Off
Main highlights

Comprehensive Symptom Relief
Relieves fever, pain, congestion, cough, and loosens mucus.

Ideal for Cold and Flu
Perfect for adults and children 12+ with cold and flu symptoms.

Praised Effectiveness
Customers appreciate its superior efficacy over generic alternatives.
8.2

Good

Our Rating

9.9
pain management

9.3
worth the money

8.7
simple to consume
9

Tylenol
Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Medicine Caplets for Cold & Flu Symptom Relief, Fever Reducer, Pain Reliever, Cough Suppressant, Nasal Decongestant & Expectorant with Acetaminophen, 24 ct.

28% Off
Main highlights

Comprehensive Symptom Relief
Relieves fever, pain, congestion, cough, and loosens mucus.

Ideal for Cold and Flu
Perfect for adults and children 12+ with cold and flu symptoms.

Praised Effectiveness
Customers appreciate its superior efficacy over generic alternatives.
8.1

Good

Our Rating

9.9
pain management

9.3
worth the money

8.7
simple to consume

9 Best otc cold medicines of 2026

1

VICKS DayQuil & NyQuil SEVERE Co-Pack, Cold & Flu Medicine, Powerful Relief for Headache, Fever, Sore Throat, Minor Aches & Pains, Congestion, Sinus Pressure, Stuffy Nose, and Cough, 48 LiquiCaps

8.9

8.7

8.2

How do we rank?

How do we rank?

Analyzing top stores

2

Mucinex Fast-Max Maximum Strength Day & Night Cold and Flu Medicine for Adults, Powerful Over-The-Counter Medication for Cold & Flu Symptoms, Fast Dissolving Liquid Gels, 24 Count

3

Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Day & Night Caplets Combo Pack for Multi-Symptom Cold & Flu Symptom Relief, Cough, Sore Throat, and Headache Relief, Acetaminophen Pain Reliever, 24 ct

4

Amazon Basic Care Vapor Ice Day and Night Severe Cold and Flu Relief Caplets, Maximum Strength Medicine, Combo Pack, 48 Count

9.3

9.1

8.7

5

Amazon Basic Care Vapor Ice Day and Night Severe Cold and Flu Relief Caplets, Maximum Strength Medicine, Combo Pack, 48 Count

9.3

9.1

8.7

6

HealthA2Z® Daytime and Nighttime | Cold & Flu Medicine | Powerful Multi-Symptom Daytime and Nighttime Relief (24 Daytime & 12 Nighttime Softgels) (Daytime & Nighttime Combo (36 Count Pack of 1))

7

HealthA2Z® Daytime and Nighttime | Cold & Flu Medicine | Powerful Multi-Symptom Daytime and Nighttime Relief (24 Daytime & 12 Nighttime Softgels) (Daytime & Nighttime Combo (36 Count Pack of 1))

8

Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Medicine Caplets for Cold & Flu Symptom Relief, Fever Reducer, Pain Reliever, Cough Suppressant, Nasal Decongestant & Expectorant with Acetaminophen, 24 ct.

9.9

9.3

8.7

9

Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Medicine Caplets for Cold & Flu Symptom Relief, Fever Reducer, Pain Reliever, Cough Suppressant, Nasal Decongestant & Expectorant with Acetaminophen, 24 ct.

9.9

9.3

8.7

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