Best Creatine Supplements of 2024 [CNET]

View Article on CNET

Article updated on August 9, 2024 at 2:30 PM PDT

Boost your post-workout recovery with the best creatine supplements on the market.

Our Experts

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.

Reviews ethics statement

Taylor Leamey Senior Writer

Taylor Leamey writes about all things wellness, specializing in mental health, sleep and nutrition coverage. She has invested hundreds of hours into studying and researching sleep and holds a Certified Sleep Science Coach certification from the Spencer Institute. Not to mention the years she spent studying mental health fundamentals while earning her bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Sociology. She is also a Certified Stress Management Coach.

Expertise Sleep, Mental Health, Nutrition and Supplements Credentials

  • Certified Sleep Science Coach, Certified Stress Management Coach

$42 at Amazon

Bottle of Thorne Creatine Powder

Best overall creatine supplement

Thorne Creatine

View details

$33 at Amazon

Tub of Klean Athlete creatine powder

Best pure creatine supplement

Klean Athlete Klean Creatine

View details

$33 at Amazon

Pouch of creatine monohydrate from bulksupplements.com

Best budget creatine supplement

BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate Powder

View details

$35 at Amazon

Tub of Bare Nutrition creatine powder

Best creatine supplement for muscle growth

Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate

View details

$55 at Amazon

Pouch of Gnarly Nutrition Vegan Creatine Powder

Best vegan creatine supplement

Gnarly Nutrition Creatine Supplement

View details

If you exercise regularly and have hit a performance plateau or faced delays in muscle recovery, taking creatine may help enhance your training regimen. Creatine is an amino acid that can enhance exercise performance (and therefore muscle mass) and promote brain health. Harvard Health notes there’s some evidence that creatine supplementation can even speed up muscle recovery after strenuous workouts when used in conjunction with proper nutrition.

This scientifically backed supplement is offered in a variety of forms, including powders, capsules and chews. Not all creatine supplements are the same and you’ll want to know how much creatine you should take. Whether you want to gain lean body mass or boost your recovery, we found the best creatine supplements on the market

What is the best creatine supplement? 

I researched and evaluated many brands while making this list, plenty of which impressed me. I found that the best creatine supplement is Thorne Creatine. Throne is one of the most well-known and trusted brands in the supplement industry, thanks to its high-quality ingredients and third-party testing. The only thing you get in Thorne Creatine is 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving, with no additives to worry about. 

Reviews support that Thorne doesn’t have a taste and mixes easily into drinks. Thorne is a little more expensive than other brands, but you’re paying for the quality and reliability of the ingredients.

Best creatine supplements of 2024

TGA. That’s why Thorne is my pick for the best overall creatine supplement.

It contains only creatine monohydrate, the most well-researched and effective form of creatine on the market. Creatine monohydrate sounds complicated, but it’s just a creatinine molecule matched up with a water molecule. Thorne Creatine contains no gluten, dairy, soy and other major allergens. Reviews for this creatine supplement vouch for the powder’s ability to mix easily into liquids. When dealing with powder supplements, many brands are known to clump, but not Thorne.

” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ NSF Certified for Sport ~ Free of major allergens like gluten, soy, yeast and dairy” dislike=”~ Not a budget option ~ There are no flavor varieties available” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”4d66267e-424e-4602-b8be-d47863729e75″,”slug”:”thorne-creatine-creatine-monohydrate-amino-acid-powder-support-muscles-cellular-energy-and-cognitive-function”,”name”:”Thorne Creatine – Creatine Monohydrate, Amino Acid Powder – Support Muscles, Cellular Energy and Cognitive Function – Gluten-Free, Keto – NSF Certified for Sport – 16 Oz – 90 Servings”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1723067202514}” overridecredit=”Thorne” overridecaption=”

” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”78a143e1-6933-42b9-94b6-c67e39db9a36″,”alt”:”Bottle of Thorne Creatine Powder”,”caption”:”

“,”credits”:”Thorne”,”imageData”:{“id”:”78a143e1-6933-42b9-94b6-c67e39db9a36″,”filename”:”thorne-creatine.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/be62bb148385cab133bdef9be775f3086eb6e71a/hub/2022/11/23/78a143e1-6933-42b9-94b6-c67e39db9a36/thorne-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-11-23 17:42:42.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/be62bb148385cab133bdef9be775f3086eb6e71a/hub/2022/11/23/78a143e1-6933-42b9-94b6-c67e39db9a36/thorne-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”Thorne”,”imageAltText”:”Bottle of Thorne Creatine Powder”,”imageFilename”:”thorne-creatine.jpg”,”imageWidth”:756,”imageHeight”:425,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-11-23″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”wc7fgxfvz89xk7n”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__30dd0e36-03e4-4b8d-85b4-8cb155450379″ index=”1″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”gap-project,hv60,freelance-update” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Thorne” imagealttext=”Bottle of Thorne Creatine Powder”>

Thorne is a popular supplement brand known for the research and development it puts into its products. With Thorne, you know the product is high quality, thanks to the rigorous third-party testing by bodies such as NSF and TGA. That’s why Thorne is my pick for the best overall creatine supplement.

It contains only creatine monohydrate, the most well-researched and effective form of creatine on the market. Creatine monohydrate sounds complicated, but it’s just a creatinine molecule matched up with a water molecule. Thorne Creatine contains no gluten, dairy, soy and other major allergens. Reviews for this creatine supplement vouch for the powder’s ability to mix easily into liquids. When dealing with powder supplements, many brands are known to clump, but not Thorne.

Bottle of Thorne Creatine Powder

Photo Gallery 1/1

praise the performance of this creatine product, although some note that the texture can be grainy in liquids. To combat this, many people add it to smoothies or oats. 

” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ NSF Certified for Sport  ~ It has no artificial additives and is GMO-free” dislike=”~ No additional flavors ~ Some customers report a grainy texture in liquids” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”354f6dae-79e1-4681-8fcf-066e0380eb9f”,”slug”:”klean-athlete-klean-creatine-amino-acid-supplement-for-muscle-gain-and-building-and-workout-recovery-11-1-ounces”,”name”:”Klean ATHLETE Klean Creatine | Amino Acid Supplement for Muscle Gain and Building, and Workout Recovery | 11.1 Ounces | Unflavored”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1723067204396}” overridecredit=”Klean Athlete” overridecaption=”

” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”b6efd742-d412-4775-bded-6825b5f933a7″,”alt”:”Tub of Klean Athlete creatine powder”,”caption”:”

“,”credits”:”Klean Athlete”,”imageData”:{“id”:”b6efd742-d412-4775-bded-6825b5f933a7″,”filename”:”klean-athlete-creatine.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/cf605c9fa02738197f6b8b0f9fd776939748e5ae/hub/2022/11/23/b6efd742-d412-4775-bded-6825b5f933a7/klean-athlete-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-11-23 17:44:56.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/cf605c9fa02738197f6b8b0f9fd776939748e5ae/hub/2022/11/23/b6efd742-d412-4775-bded-6825b5f933a7/klean-athlete-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”Klean Athlete”,”imageAltText”:”Tub of Klean Athlete creatine powder”,”imageFilename”:”klean-athlete-creatine.jpg”,”imageWidth”:756,”imageHeight”:425,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-11-23″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”xpgvd6zx7lnipoq”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__c4131e2f-48be-4c63-b202-2ddd53e33745″ index=”2″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”gap-project,hv60,freelance-update” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Klean Athlete” imagealttext=”Tub of Klean Athlete creatine powder”>

If you’re looking for a non-additive creatine monohydrate powder with a solid dosage, consider Klean Athlete’s Klean Creatine supplement. This best creatine supplement contains only creatine monohydrate, making it a straightforward option if you want high creatine content with no additives. 

This best creatine supplement is also NSF Certified for Sport, so it’s a trustworthy choice for competitive athletes. It’s also pretty affordable at under $33 for around 60 servings. Customer reviews praise the performance of this creatine product, although some note that the texture can be grainy in liquids. To combat this, many people add it to smoothies or oats. 

been micronized, which means the particles are smaller, allowing easier mixing into liquids. 

Unlike other brands, you have a wider portion range, so you can buy as much as you need. You also can buy creatine capsules, although the serving size is much higher at seven capsules. One thing to consider is that this creatine supplement doesn’t come with a scoop, which is standard in the creatine market, given that’s how serving size is determined. Instead, the serving size is measured as teaspoons (a serving size is 2 teaspoons). It might not be that big of a deal for some people. Many value the simplicity of having a scoop already in the container.

” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ Budget-friendly option  ~ Third-party tested  ~ Choice of powder and capsule ~ Upon request, an analysis is available for this creatine powder ” dislike=”~ It’s not NSF Certified for Sport ~ It’s only available as an unflavored powder ~ No scoop included” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”10bd152d-3ce8-4cd6-b582-ba0244973efd”,”slug”:”bulksupplements-com-creatine-monohydrate-powder-micronized-creatine-creatine-powder-for-pre-workout-and-post”,”name”:”BULKSUPPLEMENTS.COM Creatine Monohydrate Powder (Micronized Creatine) – Creatine Powder for Pre-Workout and Post Workout – 5g (5000mg) per Serving (1 Kilogram – 2.2 lbs)”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1723067203486}” overridecredit=”Bulksupplements.com” overridecaption=”

” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”1b00bb65-eab7-44ad-a54b-1787c9df1eed”,”alt”:”Pouch of creatine monohydrate from bulksupplements.com”,”caption”:”

“,”credits”:”Bulksupplements.com”,”imageData”:{“id”:”1b00bb65-eab7-44ad-a54b-1787c9df1eed”,”filename”:”bulksupplies-com-creatine.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/3775448af71a8174048bcaab4c24a74e71a5ee34/hub/2022/11/23/1b00bb65-eab7-44ad-a54b-1787c9df1eed/bulksupplies-com-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-11-23 17:52:15.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/3775448af71a8174048bcaab4c24a74e71a5ee34/hub/2022/11/23/1b00bb65-eab7-44ad-a54b-1787c9df1eed/bulksupplies-com-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”Bulksupplements.com”,”imageAltText”:”Pouch of creatine monohydrate from bulksupplements.com”,”imageFilename”:”bulksupplies-com-creatine.jpg”,”imageWidth”:756,”imageHeight”:425,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-11-23″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”3ecuzfq5m08468n”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__59209969-f77d-4f4f-ac82-680bfbb2963e” index=”3″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”gap-project,hv60,freelance-update” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Bulksupplements.com” imagealttext=”Pouch of creatine monohydrate from bulksupplements.com”>

Budget creatine supplement shoppers should consider BulkSupplements.com’s Creatine Monohydrate Powder. It’s an unflavored, budget-friendly creatine powder that’s free of additives. This best creatine powder has been micronized, which means the particles are smaller, allowing easier mixing into liquids. 

Unlike other brands, you have a wider portion range, so you can buy as much as you need. You also can buy creatine capsules, although the serving size is much higher at seven capsules. One thing to consider is that this creatine supplement doesn’t come with a scoop, which is standard in the creatine market, given that’s how serving size is determined. Instead, the serving size is measured as teaspoons (a serving size is 2 teaspoons). It might not be that big of a deal for some people. Many value the simplicity of having a scoop already in the container.

Creapure, a purified form of creatine with a higher concentration and faster absorption. Serious athletes often favor it. In line with its purified form, this creatine powder has no additives or fillers. It’s also third-party tested to ensure that what’s advertised is actually in the product. Since it uses the highly purified form of creatine, this creatine powder is on the higher side of the market. It’s about $10 more than most brands.

” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ Third-party tested for purity and safety  ~ Informed-Sport certified ~ Bare Performance’s creatine powder is Creapure” dislike=”~ Not a budget option” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”d1a6d54b-0c38-4bd7-81cf-afc7a75b90c6″,”slug”:”bare-performance-nutrition-creatine-trademark-creapure-formula-5g-of-creapure-per-serving-improve-performance”,”name”:”Bare Performance Nutrition, Creatine, Trademark Creapure Formula, 5g of Creapure per Serving, Improve Performance & Strength (60 Servings, Unflavored)”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1723067204063}” overridecredit=”Barer Performance” overridecaption=”

” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”ddf6550f-450c-4719-88d9-3c588e3c3588″,”alt”:”Tub of Bare Nutrition creatine powder”,”caption”:”

“,”credits”:”Barer Performance”,”imageData”:{“id”:”ddf6550f-450c-4719-88d9-3c588e3c3588″,”filename”:”bare-nutrition-creatine.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/d1590a0d8f00bae452e3c7eb893f87054f980122/hub/2022/11/23/ddf6550f-450c-4719-88d9-3c588e3c3588/bare-nutrition-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-11-23 17:55:58.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/d1590a0d8f00bae452e3c7eb893f87054f980122/hub/2022/11/23/ddf6550f-450c-4719-88d9-3c588e3c3588/bare-nutrition-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”Barer Performance”,”imageAltText”:”Tub of Bare Nutrition creatine powder”,”imageFilename”:”bare-nutrition-creatine.jpg”,”imageWidth”:756,”imageHeight”:425,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-11-23″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”xlpzx2i038qxbls”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__6e367db3-ddf0-44fb-b728-6c6aa4564fb9″ index=”4″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”gap-project,hv60,freelance-update” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Barer Performance” imagealttext=”Tub of Bare Nutrition creatine powder”>

If your main goal is adding muscle mass, you’ll like Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate. We think it’s the best creatine supplement for muscle growth. 

Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate contains Creapure, a purified form of creatine with a higher concentration and faster absorption. Serious athletes often favor it. In line with its purified form, this creatine powder has no additives or fillers. It’s also third-party tested to ensure that what’s advertised is actually in the product. Since it uses the highly purified form of creatine, this creatine powder is on the higher side of the market. It’s about $10 more than most brands.

vegan or vegetarian lifestyle may have lower creatinine levels in the body. Gnarly Nutrition Creatine Supplement is one of the best vegan creatine supplements you can buy. There’s only one ingredient — Creapure creatine monohydrate derived from non-animal byproducts. As a bonus, it’s also halal and kosher too. 

This best creatine powder has also been third-party tested for banned substances, heavy metals and pesticides. The downside of this product is the price. For 90 servings, you’ll pay around $55. The sourcing and the extra-pure Creapure creatine content are likely driving up that cost. 

” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ Great choice for vegans ~ Kosher and halal ~ NSF Certified for Sport” dislike=”~ No flavor options ~ It’s significantly more pricey than other options on the list” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”1a92ad59-c29f-49d1-b367-fd328d88ed8c”,”slug”:”gnarly-nutrition-creatine-unflavored”,”name”:”Gnarly Nutrition, Creatine, Unflavored”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1723067203745}” overridecredit=”Gnarly Sports Nutrition” overridecaption=”

” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”6ef726d8-2e12-4c6c-b7f5-a0dc8d42b1e1″,”alt”:”Pouch of Gnarly Nutrition Vegan Creatine Powder”,”caption”:”

“,”credits”:”Gnarly Sports Nutrition”,”imageData”:{“id”:”6ef726d8-2e12-4c6c-b7f5-a0dc8d42b1e1″,”filename”:”gnarly-nutrition-creatine.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/4618a6c82f9ec762cb63ac69976b75bacdfdd60e/hub/2022/11/23/6ef726d8-2e12-4c6c-b7f5-a0dc8d42b1e1/gnarly-nutrition-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-11-23 17:58:40.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/4618a6c82f9ec762cb63ac69976b75bacdfdd60e/hub/2022/11/23/6ef726d8-2e12-4c6c-b7f5-a0dc8d42b1e1/gnarly-nutrition-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”Gnarly Sports Nutrition”,”imageAltText”:”Pouch of Gnarly Nutrition Vegan Creatine Powder”,”imageFilename”:”gnarly-nutrition-creatine.jpg”,”imageWidth”:756,”imageHeight”:425,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-11-23″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”8g76droxfaw29kg”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__5d0f1596-eeef-4a63-8c38-b55fd7627a99″ index=”5″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”gap-project,hv60,freelance-update” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Gnarly Sports Nutrition” imagealttext=”Pouch of Gnarly Nutrition Vegan Creatine Powder”>

Creatine is most often found in animal products. Because of this, those who live a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle may have lower creatinine levels in the body. Gnarly Nutrition Creatine Supplement is one of the best vegan creatine supplements you can buy. There’s only one ingredient — Creapure creatine monohydrate derived from non-animal byproducts. As a bonus, it’s also halal and kosher too. 

This best creatine powder has also been third-party tested for banned substances, heavy metals and pesticides. The downside of this product is the price. For 90 servings, you’ll pay around $55. The sourcing and the extra-pure Creapure creatine content are likely driving up that cost. 

preworkout supplement and creatine, then try Proven4 Sport Pre-Workout Powder, which contains creatine. We think it’s the best preworkout creatine supplement you can get. 

Because it’s not only a creatine supplement, there are other nutrients in this preworkout powder. Per one scoop, you get 3 mg of vitamin B1 and B2, 15 mg of vitamin B5 and 1 mcg of vitamin B12. Additionally, there are 150 mg of caffeine in this creatine preworkout powder. Studies have shown that caffeine helps improve athletic performance

This creatine supplement has a robust nutritional content, but it doesn’t have the most creatine on the list. There are only 2 grams of creatine per serving, while other brands average 5 grams.

” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ Offered in blue raspberry, cherry limeade and fruit punch ~ NSF Certified for Sport product ~ Both a pre-workout and creatine supplement ” dislike=”~ Contains less creatine than other products on this list ~ Not a pure creatine supplement” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”fd1760db-5e56-452e-8ea5-cce9cd0d425f”,”slug”:”proven4-sport-pre-workout-powder-for-men-and-women-cherry-limeade”,”name”:”Proven4 Sport Pre Workout Powder for Men and Women (Cherry Limeade)”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1723067203203}” overridecredit=”Proven4 Sport” overridecaption=”

” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”9c92bbb6-3ac4-4de8-97e5-279b85ab72b7″,”alt”:”Tub of Proven4 Sport Creatine Powder”,”caption”:”

“,”credits”:”Proven4 Sport”,”imageData”:{“id”:”9c92bbb6-3ac4-4de8-97e5-279b85ab72b7″,”filename”:”proven4sport-creatine.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/080c8415a34fcf533e39c89316c6484e12bf19fa/hub/2022/11/23/9c92bbb6-3ac4-4de8-97e5-279b85ab72b7/proven4sport-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-11-23 18:01:39.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/080c8415a34fcf533e39c89316c6484e12bf19fa/hub/2022/11/23/9c92bbb6-3ac4-4de8-97e5-279b85ab72b7/proven4sport-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”Proven4 Sport”,”imageAltText”:”Tub of Proven4 Sport Creatine Powder”,”imageFilename”:”proven4sport-creatine.jpg”,”imageWidth”:756,”imageHeight”:425,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-11-23″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”1d35rzq85y281t4″,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__448195fa-22b1-46f9-963a-005018206896″ index=”6″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”gap-project,hv60,freelance-update” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Proven4 Sport” imagealttext=”Tub of Proven4 Sport Creatine Powder”>

If you are looking for simplicity and don’t want to take a preworkout supplement and creatine, then try Proven4 Sport Pre-Workout Powder, which contains creatine. We think it’s the best preworkout creatine supplement you can get. 

Because it’s not only a creatine supplement, there are other nutrients in this preworkout powder. Per one scoop, you get 3 mg of vitamin B1 and B2, 15 mg of vitamin B5 and 1 mcg of vitamin B12. Additionally, there are 150 mg of caffeine in this creatine preworkout powder. Studies have shown that caffeine helps improve athletic performance

This creatine supplement has a robust nutritional content, but it doesn’t have the most creatine on the list. There are only 2 grams of creatine per serving, while other brands average 5 grams.

71,000 reviews on Amazon. 

Products from Optimum Nutrition are made in CGMP-certified facilities, where they are tested for purity and banned substances. The micronized creatine powder has 5 grams of pure creatine monohydrate per serving and nothing else. The packaging instructs the user to use a rounded teaspoon for serving size, which indicates there probably isn’t an included scoop.

” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~ Only one ingredient ~ Made in CGMP-certified facilities ~ Has been tested for banned substances ~ Also available in capsule form ” dislike=”~ One of the most expensive options ~ There isn’t a scoop included in the container” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”746af088-6480-4eec-88dd-5df38d8f86ab”,”slug”:”optimum-nutrition-micronized-creatine-monohydrate-powder-unflavored-keto-friendly-120-servings-packaging-may-vary”,”name”:”Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder, Unflavored, Keto Friendly, 120 Servings (Packaging May Vary)”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”EZMONEY”,”mod”:1723067202896}” overridecredit=”Optimum Nutriton” overridecaption=”

” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”217bed3a-2ebf-4ad4-b20c-2a2f0ef99250″,”alt”:”Tub of Optimum Nutrition creatine powder”,”caption”:”

“,”credits”:”Optimum Nutriton”,”imageData”:{“id”:”217bed3a-2ebf-4ad4-b20c-2a2f0ef99250″,”filename”:”optimum-nutrition-creatine.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/4ffcfbbcd679813323349aad17178f4d237eaaab/hub/2022/11/23/217bed3a-2ebf-4ad4-b20c-2a2f0ef99250/optimum-nutrition-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-11-23 18:03:11.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/4ffcfbbcd679813323349aad17178f4d237eaaab/hub/2022/11/23/217bed3a-2ebf-4ad4-b20c-2a2f0ef99250/optimum-nutrition-creatine.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”Optimum Nutriton”,”imageAltText”:”Tub of Optimum Nutrition creatine powder”,”imageFilename”:”optimum-nutrition-creatine.jpg”,”imageWidth”:756,”imageHeight”:425,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-11-23″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”tgyo737foyeh5cd”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__3b5f1617-51fd-4232-9659-3a94ee354754″ index=”7″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”gap-project,hv60,freelance-update” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Optimum Nutriton” imagealttext=”Tub of Optimum Nutrition creatine powder”>

Optimum Nutrition Creatine Powder is the best creatine powder because it’s micronized for faster absorption and efficiency. It’s also easier to mix as it won’t clump up when you add it to liquid. It’s one of the most popular creatine powders on the list, with more than 71,000 reviews on Amazon

Products from Optimum Nutrition are made in CGMP-certified facilities, where they are tested for purity and banned substances. The micronized creatine powder has 5 grams of pure creatine monohydrate per serving and nothing else. The packaging instructs the user to use a rounded teaspoon for serving size, which indicates there probably isn’t an included scoop.

Like the rest of the supplement market, there are many creatine products out there. All of which vary by price, form and effectiveness. Not all creatine products are created equal, so there are things you should keep in mind when shopping so you find the ultimate creatine supplement for you.

Form

The best creatine supplements can come in various forms, the most popular being powder, capsules and chews. Powders are the most common for athletes but aren’t the most on-the-go option. Capsules and chews are often more favored in that case. Additionally, powders typically have a lower serving size. Some creatine capsule supplements have a serving size of as high as seven capsules at once. Many of the capsules or chews do contain gelatin, which makes them unsuitable for vegans or vegetarians. 

Flavor

The majority of creatine powders on our list are unflavored, as they are typically added to drinks or food. However, if you’re adding it to water, you might want a flavor. Always look through customer reviews to get an idea of the flavor before buying. 

Dosage

Depending on your goals, you may want more or less creatine. If you are trying to build muscle, add more creatine to your diet. Most pure creatine supplements average around 5 grams. Preworkout supplements can also contain creatine, although at a lower dose.

Price

As with anything, there is a wide range of pricing options for the best creatine supplements. Higher-concentration creatine supplements typically cost more, but that’s not always the case. Check the ingredients and dosage before a high price tag fools you. It doesn’t always mean quality. 

Certifications

Creatine is a supplement favored by athletes and bodybuilders. If you compete in athletic competitions, all supplements you take must carry sports certifications like NSF for Sport, which ensures the product contains no banned substances. 

Show more

Supplements are subjective, and performance varies by person. That’s why I did not test these supplements in-house. What works for me might not work for someone else. Instead, I used my expertise to extensively research and evaluate the ingredients, customer reviews and pricing. 

Third-party certifications

The FDA does not enforce strict regulations for products in the supplement industry. To compensate for this, I rely on third-party certifications to ensure the supplements on this list have what the label says it does. These certifications are a way to vouch for the product’s quality, purity and safety. 

Common third-party certifications I came across:

  • ConsumerLab: This is one of the highest testing standards and evaluations available. If you see a ConsumerLab certification, you know the product is high quality. 
  • NSF International: NSF is among the most respected independent product testing organizations. This certification confirms the product meets public health and safety standards. 
  • Underwriter Laboratories: This is one of the oldest third-party certification companies around. A UL certification confirms that the manufacturer meets standards and products are safe. 
  • U.S. Pharmacopeia: This nonprofit organization establishes standards for the quality and purity of dietary supplements.

Ingredients

The other factor that is top of mind when assessing supplements is ingredients. Depending on your goals and diet, you may need more or less of a supplement. It’s important to highlight the dosage per serving size and what additional ingredients you’ll get with each supplement. This is especially important for those who want products with no fillers or have dietary restrictions that rule out specific brands. 

Show more

Creatine is one of the most researched supplements on the market. A wealth of research spanning decades supports the benefits and effectiveness of creatine supplements. Creatine helps you perform better physically; you’re stronger and build both short-term and long-term muscle. There are additional benefits associated with creatine supplements that should also be noted.

Benefits of creatine supplements include:

What are the potential side effects of creatine supplements? 

Creatine supplements are generally considered safe, with no negative side effects on the body. Even for periods up to years, there is no evidence suggesting that taking creatine supplements daily has a detrimental effect on the body. 

Remember that serving sizes are there for a reason. Taking too much creatine can result in stomach discomfort, diarrhea, dizziness or muscle cramps. 

Show more

What is creatine?

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound in our body, primarily located in our muscles, with a small amount in the brain. You can get about half of your creatine supply by eating fish, meat and milk. 

Research has shown that increasing creatine intake with supplements can help you get stronger and build muscle. Overall it improves physical performance, which is why athletes or bodybuilders favor it. 

Show more

Is creatine worth using?

Yes, creatine supplements are worth taking if you’re trying to improve your gym performance. It can help you build strength and muscle more effectively while improving brain function and lowering blood sugar. 

Creatine works, and it’s considered one of the safest supplements. Additionally, we think it’s very affordable as far as supplements are concerned.

Show more

Can you take creatine every day?

Yes, you can take creatine supplements every day. There is a lot of research into supplementing creatine for athletic performance, with the consensus being that creatine doesn’t harm the body. It’s safe.

Show more

When is the best time to take creatine?

If you’re using creatine supplements to increase muscle mass and athletic performance, you’re probably wondering when the best time to take your creatine supplements is. A study investigating creatine timing showed that people who took supplements close to exercise gained the most muscle and strength.

It’s generally recommended that you take your creatine supplement before or after your workout. Some people choose to split the dose, half before and half after. Ultimately, as long as you take it daily, you will experience benefits.

Show more

Which creatine is more effective?

Several forms of creatine are available as supplements, including buffered creatine, creatine hydrochloride and creatine magnesium chelate. While all have benefits, one form of creatine is the most effective. 

Research has shown that creatine monohydrate is the best form of creatine. It’s backed by the most research supporting its effectiveness and performance. 

Show more

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.