Best Creatine Powder for 2023
Updated: Jan 8
A quick overview of the top scoring creatine powder supplements:
Best overall creatine: Sunwarrior Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Best creatine for women: MyProtein - Creatine Monohydrate
Best creatine for men: Animal Creatine XL Powder
Best creatine pre-workout: Legion Recharge Pre Workout Supplment
Best creatine post-workout: Legion Recharge Post Workout Supplment
Best creatine for weight loss: PEScience TruCreatine
Best creatine for muscle growth: Forzagen Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Best cheap creatine: MuscleTech Cell-Tech Creatine Powder
Best creatine for beginners: Promix Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Best vegan creatine: Sunwarrior Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Best creatine for recovery: BSN Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder
What is creatine?
Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in the body, primarily in the muscles. It is also found in foods such as red meat and fish. Creatine is popular as a dietary supplement because it has been shown to increase muscle mass and strength, as well as improve exercise performance.
Creatine is converted into a molecule called phosphocreatine in the body, which is used to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate). ATP is the primary energy source for the body, and it is used to fuel many different physiological processes, including muscle contractions. When you take creatine as a supplement, it can increase the stores of phosphocreatine in the muscles, which can then be used to produce more ATP during exercise, leading to improved exercise performance.
There is a significant amount of scientific research demonstrating the effectiveness of creatine supplementation for increasing muscle mass and strength, as well as improving exercise performance. However, it is important to note that individual results may vary and that more research is needed to fully understand the potential long-term effects of creatine supplementation.
How does creatine work?
Creatine is a compound that is naturally produced in the body and is also found in certain foods, such as meat and fish. When it is consumed, it is converted into phosphocreatine, which is stored in the muscles. During exercise, phosphocreatine is used to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary source of energy for muscle contractions.
Supplementing with creatine can increase the body's phosphocreatine stores, which can then be used to produce ATP during exercise. This may help to improve exercise performance and increase muscle mass.
Creatine is most commonly taken in the form of a powder, which can be mixed with water or another beverage and consumed. It can also be found in capsule form. It is generally considered safe when taken in recommended doses, although it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before adding any supplement to your routine.
What are the benefits of creatine?
Creatine is commonly taken as a dietary supplement because it has been shown to have a number of potential benefits, including:
1. Increased muscle strength and power: Creatine has been shown to improve muscle strength and power, which can be especially beneficial for athletes and bodybuilders.
2. Enhanced muscle mass: Creatine has been shown to increase muscle mass when combined with resistance training.
3. Improved exercise performance: Creatine may improve exercise performance, particularly during high-intensity activities such as weight lifting and sprinting.
4. Improved brain function: Some studies have suggested that creatine may improve brain function, including memory and intelligence.
5. Improved heart health: Creatine has been shown to have a number of potential benefits for heart health, including reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow.
6. Improved bone health: Creatine may improve bone health by increasing bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
It's important to note that while these are some of the potential benefits of creatine, more research is needed to fully understand its effects and potential risks. If you are considering taking creatine, it is always a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.
What are the risks of taking creatine?
Creatine is generally considered safe when taken in recommended doses and is widely used as a dietary supplement to improve athletic performance and increase muscle mass. However, as with any supplement, there are some potential side effects and risks to be aware of. Some people may experience gastrointestinal issues, such as bloating, nausea, or diarrhea, when taking high doses of creatine. There is also some concern that long-term use of high doses of creatine could lead to kidney damage, although the evidence for this is mixed and more research is needed.
Additionally, people with certain medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease, should be cautious about using creatine, as it can exacerbate these conditions. It is also not recommended for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It is always a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, including creatine, to discuss any potential risks or contraindications.
How much creatine should I take?
The recommended dosage for creatine varies depending on the individual and the specific form of creatine being taken. In general, it is recommended to start with a lower dosage and gradually increase it to the desired level. Here are some general guidelines for creatine dosage:
· For initial loading phase (first week): 20-25 grams per day, divided into 4-5 smaller servings
· For maintenance phase (after the first week): 2-10 grams per day
It is important to note that these recommendations are just general guidelines, and the optimal dosage may vary depending on factors such as body weight, age, and physical activity level.
Sunwarrior Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars
Sunwarrior creatine monohydrate is one of the best supplements on the market. It's a powerful performance enhancing product that helps you gain strength, enhance your energy levels, and increase muscle mass.
This supplement is made from a proprietary blend of ingredients. Some of the ingredients include BioPerine, BioPerine Alpha-Lipoic Acid, L-Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, L-Arginine, and HMB. Adding a scoop of this to your daily diet is an excellent way to help boost your performance.
Sunwarrior has been producing plant-based, eco-friendly products since 1999. The company operates in 65 countries around the world. Many of their products are vegan and soy-free. They also follow the Informed Choice program, which is a global quality assurance program for sports nutrition products.
As a result, Sunwarrior products are free of contaminants such as pesticides, GMOs, and soy. Most of their products are gluten and dairy free.
MyProtein - Creatine Monohydrate
Price: $$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars
MyProtein Creatine Monohydrate is a highly effective supplement that is a must for any athlete looking to build muscle. Its unique formula delivers results that are proven to improve strength, performance, and lean mass.
MyProtein Creatine Monohydrate uses a well-researched ingredient. It's a powerful source of energy and works quickly. It's ideal for athletes engaged in any type of anaerobic sport.
The company is based in England. They are part of the Hut Group and have a wide range of products to offer. From creatine to vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and more, they're sure to have something to suit your fitness goals.
The company has a strong reputation for delivering its products at scale. A great example of this is their range of workout gear.
Promix Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars
Promix Creatine Monohydrate Powder is a high-quality creatine supplement that meets all the safety standards and testing criteria. It's ideal for anyone looking to increase their strength, power, and endurance.
It is made from 100% non-GMO micronized creatine monohydrate. That means it is 20 times smaller than regular creatine. This makes it more water-soluble, helping to improve the absorption of creatine in the body's circulatory system.
Animal Creatine XL Powder
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars
Animal has a solid reputation as a reliable brand. They've also released several new products in the last few years. Among them is Animal TNT and Animal Beef Biltong.
Animal Creatine XL Powder is an effective and safe supplement. It contains creatine monohydrate, betaine, and NuLiv Science's Senactiv. All these ingredients are designed to enhance the effects of creatine.
PEScience TruCreatine
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars
TruCreatine is a new form of creatine that will help you build muscle, strength, and improve your endurance. This supplement will increase your energy levels without causing water retention. It's also an excellent way to reduce fatigue, which will allow you to train harder.
The best thing about this product is that it's easy to use and it's a great way to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just trying to stay fit, you'll be able to benefit from its powerful ingredients. While you may not notice an improvement in your performance right away, you'll see a noticeable difference in a couple weeks.
In addition to the usual suspects, you'll also find ElevATP in this formula. This ingredient helps boost your body's production of ATP, which is used for a variety of things, from chemical synthesis to nerve impulses. Taking this supplement will also help you prevent lactic acid build up in your muscles, which can lead to cramping.
In addition to the usual suspects, PEScience has put together a new version of their popular TruCreatine. You'll find a few new improvements in this newer formula, including an upgraded Creapure Creatine monohydrate.
Bulksupplments.com Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Price: $$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars
BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate is a popular creatine product. They make an extremely pure form of creatine monohydrate and are known for their low prices. The company also offers a micronized form, which is preferred by athletes because it helps maximize muscle growth.
BulkSupplements' Creatine Powder comes in a variety of sizes and flavors. The powder is yeast free, soy free, and sugar free. Plus, it mixes easily with water or any other beverage. This is perfect for those who don't like the taste of creatine in their shake.
Aside from being inexpensive and easy to use, BulkSupplements' Creatine Monohydrate is gluten-free and has been proven to increase strength, stamina, and overall performance.
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate is a solid choice if you're looking to add some extra creatine to your diet. The micronized form is said to be less gritty and more absorbable.
As for the best way to take it, Optimum Nutrition recommends taking one rounded teaspoon per day after loading up with a multi-vitamin and a protein shake. This will provide you with the essential nutrients needed to help you achieve your fitness goals.
One of the more popular forms of Optimum Nutrition Creatine is the powdered version, which can be mixed into a glass of milk, juice or water to create a supercharged creatine boost. Optimum Nutrition also makes an unflavored version that is great for keto dieters. In fact, a small serving of this supplement can actually increase your body's ability to burn fat, thereby boosting your metabolism.
Thorne Creatine
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars
If you are looking for a high quality creatine supplement, Thorne is a name you can trust. This company has been manufacturing high quality supplements for decades, with a dedication to producing only GMO free products.
The first thing you should know about Thorne's Creatine is that it is a bio-available version of creatine. You can easily blend this nutrient into any liquid and reap its benefits.
The best part is that Thorne offers a range of options to fit your needs. There are two different types of Creatine: micronized and pure. Micronized Creatine has enhanced solubility and is colorless. On the other hand, pure creatine monohydrate is the gold standard in this category.
Thorne's Creatine is not only effective, but also safe. It is made in a third party certified facility that meets stringent quality assurance standards. It is also free of common allergens.
MuscleTech Cell-Tech Creatine Powder
Price: $
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars
Cell-Tech claims to the world's most advanced creatine formula. It combines two highly pure forms of creatine. This creatine formula is designed to provide the athlete with an intense muscle-expansion effect.
Cell-Tech uses a multi-stage blend of carbohydrates to deliver creatine to your muscles. It has been clinically validated to optimize nutrient transport and to maximize creatine uptake over a long period of time.
CELL-TECH delivers a clinically dosed and scientifically studied combination of carbohydrates, creatine, and amino acids. It also features alpha lipoic acid, an antioxidant that improves the absorption of carbs and creatine. Alpha lipoic acid also enhances receptor sensitivity on the surface of cells.
The creatine found in Cell-Tech is HPLC certified, which means it is ultra-pure. In addition, it contains a high concentration of alanine, the most abundant amino acid in muscle. Branched chain amino acids, like alanine, are quickly absorbed by the bloodstream.
Cellucor Cor-Performance Creatine Monohydrate
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars
The Cellucor Cor-Performance Creatine Monohydrate is a high quality supplement with a slew of scientifically backed benefits. It contains five grams of micronized Creatine, which should deliver on its promise. Plus, it isn't too hard to mix with most beverages. For the best results, you should take it at least 30 minutes prior to training.
The most popular and effective way to consume it is to mix it with a beverage. Mixing it with a pre-workout drink is even better. To maximize the benefit, pair it with a C4 Extreme or Cellucor COR-Performance Whey Protein.
BSN Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars
BSN Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder is a creatine supplement that is made from 100% pure, high-quality Creatine Monohydrate. It supports lean muscle mass growth, strength, power, and endurance.
It is also good for post-workout recovery. Adding it to your favorite beverage helps to give you a boost of energy and strength.
Forzagen Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Price: $$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 Stars
Forzagen Creatine Monohydrate is an essential dietary supplement for anyone interested in fitness and muscle development. Using this powder has several benefits, most notably, it promotes post-workout muscle development. It also increases energy reserves of ATP at a muscular level.
Forzagen makes a number of products in the vitamin, mineral, and supplement category. Some of their offerings include sports nutrition L-carnitine supplements, amino acid powders, and powder collagen supplements. This particular supplement is one of the most effective for promoting muscle growth and retention.
Legion Recharge Pre/Post Workout Supplement
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
The Legion Athletics line of sports supplements is all natural. Each product features an ingredient that is supported by a peer reviewed scientific study.
There are two main categories of products: pre-workout and post-workout. Pre-workout powders are available in 24 gram packets. Post-workout powders come in either a liquid or powder form. Unlike most creatine powder brands, they don't offer additional accessories such as shakers and ice cube trays.
In order to keep their customers happy, they offer a rewards program. Customers receive a discount for each purchase and can accrue reward points to redeem for free perks and swag. They also offer free shipping and a no hassle returns policy.
Legion Recharge is a top-rated supplement on the internet. It is a natural and effective post-workout recovery drink containing ingredients that help boost your energy, enhance your performance, and encourage muscle growth. It is also an excellent source of micronized creatine. This product is made in the USA and is FDA inspected, meaning you can rest easy.
If you are looking to try out a new supplement, the Legion Athletics line of products is a good place to start. They make a line of all-natural sports supplements designed to get you going.
Allmax Creatine
Price: $$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
AllMax Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate is a supplement that has been proven to promote muscle growth. Among its benefits, it is known to improve strength and endurance. It is a supplement that can be taken immediately after training. When used as part of a regular workout routine, it is said to increase maximal strength and power output by up to 30%.
The benefits of creatine can be even more substantial when you take AllMax Creatine 3000. This supplement is made from a combination of three amino acids: arginine, glycine, and methionine. These amino acids are a critical component of ATP, the primary energy source in the body. They are also involved in other functions, such as the recovery process.
CON-CRET Creatine Powder
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
Con-Cret is a creatine supplement with Micro-Dosing technology. This system lets you tailor the amount of powder you take based on your body weight. The result is an increased level of strength and endurance, along with a faster recovery time.
It contains 750 milligrams of creatine hydrochloride (HCl) per serving. Compared to creatine monohydrate, HCl is 59 times more soluble and 64 times more solvent. Therefore, it has superior plasma uptake.
In addition to improving your performance, it also helps you build lean muscle mass. Creatine HCL does not produce waste products like creatinine. Instead, it helps the body to produce ATP, the main fuel for cellular function.
CON-CRET is made in the USA, and it is cGMP-approved. This means that you can get your dose with no negative side effects.
You can take one or two scoops of CON-CRET per 100 pounds of bodyweight. It should be mixed with 180 to 240 ml of water or juice. If you're taking OTC medications, a few more scoops may be needed.
CON-CRET is a great supplement for anyone looking to increase their strength. It's a natural formula, and it's safe to use.
GNC Pro Performance Creatine
Price: $$$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
The GNC Pro Performance Creatine is a well-refined formula that fuels your body's muscles with an impressive 3 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving. It also promotes cellular hydration, which has been proven to improve skeletal muscle performance and recovery. In addition, it helps reduce muscle soreness by aiding in protein synthesis. Combined with a balanced diet, the supplement can help you achieve your fitness goals.
Creatine is a well-known supplement for athletes of all ages. It helps improve your muscular strength and endurance while boosting your power output. As a result, it can be used as a pre- or post-workout supplement to augment your existing training regimen.
GNC has been in the business of supplying consumers with a wide range of products spanning vitamins, supplements, health foods, and performance wear for over 80 years. GNC has a robust quality assurance system in place to ensure that its products are of the highest quality possible. This includes a stringent adherence to local laws and regulations and use of approved factories.
The best part about GNC's Pro Performance Creatine is that it is free from artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners. Furthermore, it has no anti-caking agents.
Six Star Creatine
Price: $$
Flavors: Unflavored
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Stars
Six Star Creatine supplements are a great way to boost your muscle building and recovery. A scientific study shows that you'll be able to build four times more lean muscle mass if you use the supplement. You'll also gain strength and a better ability to recover between sets.
The product comes in powder form, which is perfect for mixing into a protein shake. One scoop provides 19 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of sugar, and small amounts of sodium, potassium, and magnesium. It's not the cheapest of creatine supplements, but it can be a great option for explosive exercises.
Six Star claims that their X3 product will improve your body's ability to produce ATP, a key source of energy for your muscles. They also claim that you'll be able to build muscle and train harder for longer, if you take it properly.
While it's hard to say that the formula in Six Star's Creatine X3 is the best of the lot, the product does provide a mega dose of creatine. And it also has branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), which help you burn fat and build muscle.