Top Brands for Soothing Cough Drops You Should Try

Cough drops are a popular remedy for soothing sore throats and alleviating cough symptoms. With a wide array of brands on the market, choosing the right cough drop can significantly enhance your comfort and recovery process. From traditional natural options to innovative flavors, there's a choice for everyone looking for relief. To help you navigate the choices, we've compiled a list of the best brands for cough drops below.

Illustration of cough drops

Best brands of cough drops in 2025

Ricola

Ricola is a leading producer of cough drops, renowned for its high-quality herbal products and innovative manufacturing processes. In 2023, Ricola achieved a record-breaking year with double-digit sales growth, solidifying its position as the market leader in the U.S. cough-drop segment and maintaining its dominance in Europe, particularly in Germany. The company exports its products to 45 countries and is committed to sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices, working with around 85 contract farmers in the Swiss mountain regions. Ricola's success is also driven by its strategic product launches and effective marketing campaigns, contributing to its strong market presence globally. The global sore throat lozenges market, in which Ricola is a key player, is projected to reach USD 7.5 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.6%.

Halls

Halls is a leading brand in the cough drops market, maintaining a significant presence despite a 25% year-over-year decline in market share from November 2023 to February 2024. The brand still holds 16% of the market share, with its honey lemon cough drops being a long-standing consumer favorite, seeing a 7% revenue increase over the same period. Halls is known for its "A Pep Talk in Every Drop" campaign, which includes motivational messages on the wrappers of their cough drops. The global sore throat lozenges market, which includes cough drops, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, reaching a valuation of USD 7.5 billion by 2034. Halls' products are widely available, contributing to the market's overall growth driven by frequent cold and cough incidents.

Fisherman's Friend

Fisherman's Friend is a renowned brand that has been a leading manufacturer of cough and throat lozenges worldwide since 1865, producing over 5 billion lozenges annually, with 96% of its production exported to 100 countries. The brand, which remains a family business, is known for its iconic packaging and high-quality ingredients, including menthol, eucalyptus, and liquorice. Its products are manufactured according to stringent pharmaceutical standards, exceeding those of the food industry. Germany is its largest market, while Thailand is its second largest, with different flavor preferences in each region. Fisherman's Friend lozenges provide effective relief for sore throats and coughs, making them a trusted choice globally. For more on their Original Extra Strong flavor, visit their website.

Luden's

Luden's is a prominent brand in the cough drop market, known for its deliciously soothing and relieving throat drops. Over the period from November 27, 2023, to February 24, 2024, Luden's saw a 19% year-over-year increase in market share for its cough drops on Amazon. The brand offers a variety of flavors, including sugar-free options like Wild Cherry and Honey Lemon, which are popular among consumers. Luden's products are favored for their effectiveness in soothing minor, everyday throat irritation. The brand's growth reflects the overall trend of increasing demand for throat lozenges, with the global market expected to reach $9.8 billion by 2034. For more information, you can visit their official website.

Zarbee's Naturals

Zarbee's Naturals is a renowned brand in the cough syrup market, particularly known for its natural and effective products. Despite a 25% year-over-year decline in market share for cough syrups on Amazon, Zarbee's remains a popular choice, especially for its pediatric formulations. The brand, acquired by Johnson and Johnson in July 2018, is favored for its use of natural ingredients and absence of drugs, alcohol, and artificial additives. Zarbee's Baby Cough Syrup + Immune with Honey & Zinc is a top product, recommended by pediatricians and well-regarded by consumers. The brand's commitment to natural ingredients and scientific backing has maintained its strong presence in the market. To explore more about their offerings, visit their official website.

Cepacol

Cepacol is a leading brand in the throat lozenges market, renowned for its fast-acting and maximum-numbing sore throat pain relief. Launched over 80 years ago in 1939, Cepacol is the No. 1 doctor-recommended and pharmacist-recommended OTC sore throat lozenge in the U.S., as per the IQVIA ProVoice Survey in 2022. Their products, such as Cepacol Extra Strength Sore Throat Lozenges, provide relief lasting up to 2 hours and are powered by ingredients like Benzocaine and Menthol. Cepacol's offerings include various flavors and formulations, such as Cherry, Honey Lemon, and Mixed Berry, catering to different needs like sore throats, coughs, and mouth pain. The brand's commitment to effective and immediate relief has made it a trusted name in the industry. For more detailed information, visit their official website.

Burt's Bees

Burt's Bees is renowned as one of the top producers of cough drops, particularly known for its natural and herbal formulations. The brand's throat lozenges, often infused with ingredients like honey, menthol, and eucalyptus oil, are popular for their soothing effects on sore throats. In the throat lozenges market, which is forecasted to reach $9.8 billion by 2034 with a CAGR of 5.1%, Burt's Bees stands out for its commitment to natural ingredients and effective relief. Hard candy lozenges, a segment dominated by brands like Burt's Bees, account for a significant market share, with a projected value of $6.23 billion by 2034. The rising demand for herbal formulations further solidifies Burt's Bees' position in the market. For more information, visit Burt's Bees' official website.

Smith Brothers

Smith Brothers, founded in 1847 by William and Andrew Smith, is the original and one of the most renowned producers of cough drops in the United States. The brand, known for its iconic bearded brothers logo, was the first to produce and advertise cough drops in America and dominated the market for over a century. Despite facing significant declines, the brand has undergone several revivals, including a notable comeback attempt in 2013 aimed at reaching $50 million in annual sales. Acquired by Lanes Brands in 2016, Smith Brothers continues to offer a range of flavors such as wild cherry, warm apple pie, and black licorice, catering to generations seeking soothing relief for coughs and sore throats. The brand's legacy is marked by its enduring presence in the U.S. cough drop market, which reached $688 million in sales as of 2013. To learn more about their rich history and diverse flavors, visit the Smith Brothers website.

Chloraseptic

Chloraseptic is a leading brand in the sore throat lozenges market, known for its fast-acting and effective relief products. Their lozenges, such as the Total Wild Cherry Sore Throat Lozenges, contain benzocaine, dextromethorphan, and menthol to provide temporary relief from minor irritation, pain, and cough associated with the common cold. Chloraseptic products are part of a market expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, reaching a valuation of approximately USD 7.5 billion by 2034. The brand's popularity is evident in its inclusion among key market players in the throat lozenges and sprays industry. Retail pharmacies, which hold a 36.7% market share, are a significant distribution channel for Chloraseptic products.

Strepsils

Strepsils is a leading brand in the throat lozenges market, known for providing clinically proven relief for sore throats. The brand offers a range of medicated lozenges that target throat pain effectively, with products such as Strepsils Plus Lozenges and Strepfen Intensive Orange lozenges. These lozenges are trusted by consumers and pharmacists alike, and they are available in various flavors, including sugar-free options. Strepsils lozenges are designed to provide long-lasting relief, making them a preferred choice for treating sore throats, coughs, and colds. The brand's products are widely available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores. For more information on their offerings, visit the Strepsils FAQ page.