Wild Planet Foods holds a clear lead as the primary recommendation for sustainable sourcing and rich flavor. While Bumble Bee is frequently cited for consistent texture and widespread grocery availability, Wild Planet Foods remains the central choice overall.
The best brand of tuna depends on whether you want the best taste, healthiest everyday option, or best value. For most people buying canned tuna in the U.S., I'd prioritize good flavor, low mercury, responsible sourcing, and whether it's packed in water or olive oil.
Here’s how I’d narrow it down:
Best overall: A brand with consistently good texture, flavor, and transparent sourcing.
Best for health: Light tuna, particularly skipjack, is generally lower in mercury than albacore (white tuna).
Best for salads and sandwiches: Solid or chunk tuna that stays moist without being mushy.
Best premium choice: Tuna packed in quality olive oil, especially for eating straight from the can.
My top 3 canned tuna brands
1. Wild Planet — Best overall
A strong choice for everyday tuna, with firm texture and a focus on responsible fishing. Its skipjack variety is especially appealing if you want a lower-mercury option.
2. Safe Catch — Best for mercury-conscious shoppers
Tests every tuna for mercury and sets a strict internal limit. A good option if mercury exposure is a major consideration.
Best for: people who eat tuna regularly and want extra mercury testing.
Safe Catch Elite Pure Wild Tuna
3. Genova — Best flavor for the money
Its yellowfin tuna packed in olive oil has a rich, savory flavor that works particularly well in pasta and Mediterranean-style salads.
Best for: flavor, pasta dishes and eating straight from the can.
Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil
Which should you buy?
My recommendation is Wild Planet Skipjack Tuna for a good balance of quality, sustainability and lower mercury relative to albacore. If you care most about taste, try Genova in olive oil.
One important health note: canned light tuna is generally lower in mercury than albacore, but mercury varies by fish. The FDA advises pregnant people and children to follow its specific fish-consumption guidance.
What matters most to you? I can narrow it down to the single best brand for your needs.
Comparing canned tuna comes down to what you value most: flavor and texture, sustainability and fishing method , or mercury safety testing.
Top Canned Tuna Brands by Category
Wild Planet(Best for Sustainability & Clean Flavor)
Why buy: Widely praised by environmental groups like Greenpeace and top food publications. They use 100% pole-and-line caught methods (no destructive nets or bycatch) and cook the fish just once in the can to lock in natural omega-3s and moisture.
Taste/Texture: Clean, meaty, and less watery than mainstream commercial brands.
Safe Catch(Best for Strict Mercury Testing)
Why buy: This brand tests every single individual fish for mercury to a limit well below FDA standards. It is a favorite for pregnant individuals, athletes, or anyone eating tuna multiple times a week.
Taste/Texture: The Safe Catch Elite Skipjack/Yellowfin or Albacore options pack a firm, clean protein punch without a metallic or overly fishy aftertaste.
American Tuna(Best Craft/Water-Packed Quality)
Why buy: Highlighted by culinary experts like America's Test Kitchen as a top-tier water-packed albacore. It’s pole-and-line caught by American fishermen and packed raw-cooked in the can once.
Why buy: If you prefer your tuna packed in olive oil rather than water, Genova (Yellowfin) and Tonnino (Yellowfin or jarred Ventresca belly fillets) deliver a rich, savory profile.
Taste/Texture: Soft, flaky, and rich—great for eating straight from the jar, tossing into a Niçoise salad, or mixing into artisan pasta.
Ortiz(Best Imported Spanish Bonito)
Why buy:Ortiz Bonito del Norte is line-caught in the Cantabrian Sea and packed in high-quality olive oil. It uses Thunnus alalunga (white tuna/bonito), which has a more delicate texture.
Taste/Texture: Steak-like, tender, and luxurious. It's more expensive, but ideal if you want the tuna to be the star of the dish rather than hidden under mayonnaise.[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa-G76mwmP4)
Key Decision Factors to Keep in Mind
Albacore ("White") vs. Skipjack ("Light"): Albacore has a milder flavor and firmer texture, making it ideal for standard sandwiches and casseroles. Skipjack is smaller, lower on the food chain (meaning naturally lower mercury), has a stronger "fishy" taste, and is great for bold recipes.[](https://www.americastestkitchen.com/taste_tests/2124-canned-tuna-in-water)
Packed in Water vs. Oil: Water-packed keeps calories lower and lets the pure fish flavor shine. Oil-packed (ideally extra virgin olive oil) provides significantly better moisture, a richer mouthfeel, and tastier oil to repurpose in dressings.[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa-G76mwmP4)
Fishing Practice: Look for labels that explicitly state pole-and-line caught or troll-caught to ensure dolphin-safe and sustainable ocean habitats.[](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa-G76mwmP4)
To help narrow this down, tell me:
Are you planning to make tuna salad/sandwiches or eat it plain/in a recipe where the tuna flavor stands alone?
Absolutely. The best canned tuna depends on what matters most to you: taste, low mercury, sustainability, nutrition, or price. Some brands are great for everyday tuna salad, while others offer firmer tuna steaks, better olive oil, or more rigorous mercury testing.
I've compared popular U.S. brands using product information, independent taste tests, and consumer testing. My starting shortlist is Safe Catch, Wild Planet, Genova, and Bumble Bee — each has a different strength.
The best canned tuna brands at a glance
Safe Catch Elite Wild Tuna
It is the only brand that tests every single fish for mercury. Highly recommended by dietitians and food editors for pure, clean protein.
Best Everyday Value
Kirkland Signature Solid White Albacore
For water-packed tuna, Costco’s house brand is praised by experts for providing large, firm, marshmallow-white chunks that are clean and briny without breaking the bank.
Best Mediterranean Style
Rio Mare Solid Light Wild Tuna in Olive Oil
An Italian favorite that keeps the oil light to let the tender, deeply savory flavor of the fish shine through. Perfect for pasta or a tuna melt.
1. Safe Catch Elite Wild Tuna
(Best for mercury-conscious shoppers)
Tests every tuna for mercury and maintains a stricter limit than the FDA action level. A strong option if you prioritize rigorous screening. It's usually more expensive than mainstream tuna.
Best for: frequent tuna eaters who want additional mercury controls.
Safe Catch ·
2. Wild Planet Skipjack Wild Tuna
(Best for sustainability)
Uses pole-and-line or troll fishing methods, depending on the product, and is known for firm, meaty tuna with little added liquid. Its flavor can be stronger than conventional canned tuna.
Best for: ingredient-conscious shoppers and tuna-forward meals.
Wild Planet ·
3. Genova Yellowfin Tuna in Olive Oil
(Best for flavor and value)
A good middle ground for rich, savory flavor and moist, tender flakes. Olive oil makes it particularly good in pasta, salads, and sandwiches.
Best for: Mediterranean-style meals without paying top-tier specialty prices.
Genova ·
4. Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna in Water
(Best budget staple)
An accessible, inexpensive choice for tuna salad, casseroles, sandwiches, and mixing with other ingredients. The texture is generally less steak-like than premium solid-packed tuna.
Best for: everyday meals and keeping grocery costs down.
Bumble Bee ·
Which type of tuna should you buy?
The species and packing liquid can matter as much as the brand itself.
Type
Taste and texture
Mercury considerations
Skipjack / light tuna
More pronounced flavor; softer flakes
Generally lower in mercury
Albacore / white tuna
Milder, firmer, meatier
Generally higher in mercury than canned light tuna
Yellowfin tuna
Savory flavor; substantial flakes
Mercury levels vary; don't assume it's equivalent to skipjack
Consumer Reports found that mercury levels can vary considerably between individual cans, even within the same brand. Choosing canned light tuna instead of albacore is a useful way to reduce exposure on average.
A few other things worth checking:
Ingredients: Look for tuna, water or olive oil, and optionally salt. Broth and other additions aren't automatically bad, but they may not fit your preferences.
Sodium: Compare nutrition labels, especially if you eat tuna regularly.
Sustainability: Look for credible certifications such as the MSC blue fish label, or specific information about fishing methods.
Price: Compare the cost per drained ounce rather than the shelf price alone.
Let's narrow it down to your best choice
1. What's most important to you?
Lowest possible mercury exposure
Best taste and texture
Sustainable fishing practices
High protein, low calories, and simple ingredients
Best quality for the price
2. How do you prefer your tuna packed?
Water
Olive oil
Either is fine
3. What's your budget per 5 oz can?
Under $2
$2–$4
$4 or more for premium quality
4. How will you usually eat it?
Tuna salad and sandwiches
Straight from the can or with crackers
Pasta, rice bowls, and cooked meals
High-protein everyday meals
5. How often do you eat canned tuna?
Occasionally, a few times a month
About once or twice a week
Three or more times a week
[Find my best tuna]
Once I know your priorities, I can give you a more decisive ranking rather than simply naming the most expensive or most popular brand.
