7 Best Gold ETFs for 2026 and How to Invest

VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ +1.90%) offers the greatest upside potential because it focuses on smaller mining companies, known as junior gold miners, many of which are still exploration-stage companies. These smaller miners could expand production faster and deliver higher returns than their larger rivals.

However, the higher reward potential comes with greater risk, as they lack the scale and financial resources of their larger rivals. A misstep, such as cost overruns in a mine development, could be more costly for investors.

VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF is reasonably large (nearly $7.8 billion in AUM as of early August 2026) and has a relatively low expense ratio (0.52%). The gold ETF has 119 holdings. Its five largest are:

• Equinox Gold (EQX +3.39%) at 6.8% of its net assets
• Evolution Mining (OTCMKTS:CAHPF) at 6.2%
• Alamos Gold (AGI +1.55%) at 5.8%
• Endeavour Mining (OTCMKTS:EDVMF) at 5.1%
• Coeur Mining (CDE +1.95%) at 5.0%

These mining companies are smaller than those held by VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF. The largest holding on the list has a market cap of about $18.2 billion (Evolution Mining). The ETF’s top 10 holdings make up over 40% of its assets. The fund provides investors with broad exposure to several up-and-coming gold and silver mining stocks. Additionally, it provides a little bit of passive dividend income (0.4% yield as of August 2026).