September 13, 2025

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10 Best otc cold medicines of 2025

Save up to 28% off

Best Choice

1

Vicks
Vicks DayQuil & NyQuil Co-Pack, Cold & Flu Medicine, Powerful Multi-Symptom Daytime & Nighttime Relief for Headache, Fever, Sore Throat, Minor Aches & Pains, & Cough, 72ct
Main highlights

Fast Multi-Symptom Relief
Vicks DayQuil and NyQuil provide rapid relief from cold and flu symptoms, including headache, fever, sore throat, and cough.

Daytime and Nighttime Use
DayQuil is ideal for daytime activities, while NyQuil ensures restful sleep at night, offering 24-hour symptom management.

Customer Satisfaction
Customers praise the effectiveness of NyQuil for sleep and DayQuil for maintaining productivity while sick.
Key specs
- symptom relief:Cold & flu symptoms
- flavor:N/A
- dosage:One dose
- form:N/A
- active ingredient:N/A
9.8

Exceptional

Our Rating

9.1
Flavor

9.1
worth the money
How do we rank?

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Based on millions of stores and reviews

Shoppers influence our rankings
Analyzing top stores
Value for Money

2

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
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.
9.6

Exceptional

Our Rating

8.9
Flavor

8.7
simple to consume

8.2
worth the money
3

Tylenol
Tylenol Cold + Head Congestion Severe Medicine Caplets for Fever, Pain, and Congestion, Acetaminophen Pain Reliever, Fever Reducer, 24 Count
Main highlights

Comprehensive Relief
24-count caplets relieve headache, congestion, sore throat, and fever.

Ideal for Cold and Flu
Best for adults and children 12+ with severe symptoms.

Customer Praised Clarity
Highly rated for keeping head clear and improving breathing.
9.5

Excellent

Our Rating

9.5
pain management

8.2
For teething

8.0
worth the money
4

Amazon Basic Care
Amazon Basic Care Cold and Flu Relief, Daytime and Nighttime Combo Pack Softgels, Powerful Cold Medicine for Day and Night Multi-Symptom Relief, 48 Count(Pack of 1)
Main highlights

Multi-Symptom Relief
Provides effective relief from headache, fever, sore throat, and more.

Day and Night Use
Ideal for continuous relief of cold and flu symptoms.

Quick Action
Praised for fast-acting relief within a few hours.
9.4

Excellent

Our Rating

9.3
simple to consume

9.3
Flavor

9.1
worth the money
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

10% 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
- symptom relief:Cold and flu symptoms
- flavor:Vapor Ice
- dosage:N/A
- form:Coated caplets
- active ingredient:Compare to Vicks DayQuil/NyQuil
9.2

Excellent

Our Rating

9.3
simple to consume

9.1
worth the money

8.7
Flavor
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6

Tylenol
Tylenol Sinus Severe Daytime Cold & Flu Relief Medicine Caplets, Non-Drowsy Pain Reliever, Fever Reducer Expectorant & Decongestant, Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin & Phenylephrine HCl, 24 ct

28% Off
Main highlights

Non-Drowsy Symptom Relief
Provides non-drowsy relief from sinus headache, nasal congestion, and chest congestion.

Daytime Use for Adults and Teens
Ideal for adults and children 12+ needing daytime sinus relief.

Quick Decongestion Effect
Customers praise its fast-acting decongestion for stuffy head relief.
8.9

Very Good

Our Rating
7

Sudafed
Sudafed PE Sinus Pressure + Pain Relief Tablets, Maximum Strength, Non-Drowsy, OTC Sinus Relief Medicine with Acetaminophen Pain Reliever & Phenylephrine HCl Nasal Decongestant, 24 ct
Main highlights

Fast Powerful Relief
Provides maximum strength, non-drowsy relief for sinus congestion and pain.

Ideal for Allergy Season
Perfect for relieving nasal congestion from allergies and colds.

Customer Praised Effectiveness
Highly rated for its effective relief during allergy season.
8.8

Very Good

Our Rating

9.1
simple to consume

8.4
worth the money

8.0
Comfort
8

Zicam
Zicam Cold Remedy Zinc Medicated Fruit Drops, Assorted Flavors, Homeopathic, Cold Shortening Medicine, Shortens Cold Duration, 25 Count
Main highlights

Cold Shortening Benefit
Zicam Zinc Medicated Fruit Drops are designed to shorten cold duration when taken at the first sign of symptoms.

Ideal for Early Symptoms
Best used at the onset of a cold, such as first sniffle or sore throat.

Zinc Content Praised
Customers appreciate the zinc content for its effectiveness in managing cold symptoms.
8.6

Very Good

Our Rating

9.5
Flavor

9.1
worth the money
9

Vicks
Vicks NyQuil SEVERE Cold, Flu, and Congestion Medicine, 2x12 fl oz Twin Pack, Berry Flavor, Maximum Strength, Nighttime Relief
Main highlights

Maximum Strength 9-Symptom Relief
NyQuil SEVERE provides fast relief for 9 cold and flu symptoms, including cough, fever, and congestion.

Ideal for Nighttime Cold Relief
Designed to help you sleep by alleviating symptoms that keep you awake.

Praised for Effective Symptom Relief
Customers love NyQuil SEVERE for its reliable and quick symptom relief.
8.4

Good

Our Rating

9.3
worth the money

9.1
Flavor
10

Tylenol
Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Medicine Caplets for Fever, Pain, Cough & Congestion, 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.
8.3

Good

Our Rating

9.9
pain management

9.3
worth the money

8.7
simple to consume

10 Best otc cold medicines of 2025

1

Vicks DayQuil & NyQuil Co-Pack, Cold & Flu Medicine, Powerful Multi-Symptom Daytime & Nighttime Relief for Headache, Fever, Sore Throat, Minor Aches & Pains, & Cough, 72ct

9.1

9.1

How do we rank?

How do we rank?

Analyzing top stores

2

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

3

Tylenol Cold + Head Congestion Severe Medicine Caplets for Fever, Pain, and Congestion, Acetaminophen Pain Reliever, Fever Reducer, 24 Count

9.5

8.2

8.0

4

Amazon Basic Care Cold and Flu Relief, Daytime and Nighttime Combo Pack Softgels, Powerful Cold Medicine for Day and Night Multi-Symptom Relief, 48 Count(Pack of 1)

9.3

9.3

9.1

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

Tylenol Sinus Severe Daytime Cold & Flu Relief Medicine Caplets, Non-Drowsy Pain Reliever, Fever Reducer Expectorant & Decongestant, Acetaminophen, Guaifenesin & Phenylephrine HCl, 24 ct

7

Sudafed PE Sinus Pressure + Pain Relief Tablets, Maximum Strength, Non-Drowsy, OTC Sinus Relief Medicine with Acetaminophen Pain Reliever & Phenylephrine HCl Nasal Decongestant, 24 ct

9.1

8.4

8.0

8

Zicam Cold Remedy Zinc Medicated Fruit Drops, Assorted Flavors, Homeopathic, Cold Shortening Medicine, Shortens Cold Duration, 25 Count

9.5

9.1

9

Vicks NyQuil SEVERE Cold, Flu, and Congestion Medicine, 2x12 fl oz Twin Pack, Berry Flavor, Maximum Strength, Nighttime Relief

9.3

9.1

10

Tylenol Cold + Flu Severe Medicine Caplets for Fever, Pain, Cough & Congestion, 24 ct.

9.9

9.3

8.7

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