Best Creatine Supplements on Amazon 2023
Creatine, a highly sought-after sports and exercise supplement, has taken the fitness world by storm. Its unparalleled ability to increase strength and boost exercise performance has helped many fitness buffs reach their goals.
With research showing the effectiveness of creatine, it’s no wonder this powerhouse supplement has become a staple for athletes and gym enthusiasts alike. Available on platforms like Amazon, creatine supplements rake in a whopping $400 million in sales worldwide each year.
But finding the best creatine monohydrate supplements can feel like a daunting challenge. The market is flooded with options, and not all are created equal.
Some creatine supplements go the extra mile. They combine the power of creatine monohydrate with additional compounds like hydrochloride, magnesium, malic acid, or citric acid to enhance performance and improve absorption.
As you embark on your fitness journey, don’t let the long-term benefits of increased strength and potential weight gain slip through your fingers. Choose a high-quality creatine supplement that truly delivers.
In this article, we’ll dive into creatine and sports nutrition. We’ll explore its benefits, different types of creatine, how to use it effectively to maximize your gains, and the top picks on Amazon. We’ll also discuss the importance of selecting a high-quality creatine supplement and guide you to what to look for when purchasing creatine.
What Is Creatine?
Creatine is a natural compound your body produces. You can find it in foods like seafood, milk, and meat.
Creatine monohydrate supplement comprises a creatine molecule combined with a water molecule. This popular workout supplement is the best-researched of all creatine supplements.
Benefits of Creatine Supplements
Discover the numerous advantages of incorporating creatine supplements into your fitness routine. From boosting exercise performance and increasing strength to promoting muscle growth and enhancing recovery, creatine offers a range of benefits to help you achieve your fitness goals faster and more effectively.
Here are some potential advantages of taking creatine supplements:
Stimulates Muscle Cells to Generate More Energy
Creatine supplements boost the muscles’ phosphocreatine stores, and phosphocreatine helps the creation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP is the primary molecule used by your cells for energy and general life functions. During workouts or exercise, this molecule disintegrates to manufacture energy for your body.
The rate of ATP resynthesis can hamper your capacity to perform at maximal levels consistently. This is because you use up ATP quicker than your body reproduces it. Creatine monohydrate supplements help by boosting your phosphocreatine stores. These stores let your body generate higher levels of ATP energy to support your muscles during heavy-intensity workouts or exercises.
Boosts Performance During High-Intensity Exercises
Creatine increases your ATP energy levels, significantly boosting your ability to engage in high-intensity workout sessions. Furthermore, creatine enhances muscle endurance, muscle recovery, brain performance, fatigue resistance, sprint ability, ballistic power, and overall strength. No matter your fitness capacity or level, creatine can prove beneficial to your routine.
Assist Other Muscular-Related Functions
Creatine is a common and efficient supplement used for building muscle mass. It can modify several cellular passages that accelerate muscle growth. For instance, it enhances the production of proteins that make muscle fibers. It can additionally increase the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) hormone levels that help muscle mass increase.
Moreover, creatine supplements can improve the water content in your muscles. This process is medically called cell volumization and can swiftly increase your muscle size.
Some studies have also shown that creatine reduces myostatin levels. Myostatin is a molecule that hinders muscle growth. Lowered myostatin levels help you expand and build muscle quicker.
Can Enhance Brain Function
Creatine significantly impacts your brain health and general functionality. Research has shown that your brain needs a substantial amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) when engaging in challenging tasks. Furthermore, creatine supplements can heighten phosphocreatine within your brain to generate more ATP. Additionally, creatine may boost brain function by improving mitochondrial function and dopamine levels.
6 Best Creatine on Amazon 2023
Creatine monohydrate supplement is typically available in powder or capsule form. Here are the top creatine supplements on Amazon in 2023:
- Our top pick for 2023: Bucked Up Creatine Monohydrate
- Best pre-workout creatine: Proven4 Sport Pre-Game Formula
- Best post-workout creatine: Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Powder
- Best creatine for muscle growth: Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate
- Best creatine for vegans: Naked Creatine
- Overall best creatine for strength training: Thorne Creatine
Our Top Pick for 2023
Bucked Up Creatine Monohydrate
Flavors: Unflavored
Ingredients: Pure micronized creatine monohydrate
Per Serving: 5 grams Creatine Monohydrate per scoop (5-gram) serving (50)
As an industry leader in sports nutrition, Bucked Up is known for its commitment to quality, and this Creatine Monohydrate powder is no exception. This micronized powder offers a pure, unflavored creatine supplement that dissolves easily into your favorite drink.
The Bucked Up Creatine Monohydrate is our top pick for 2023 because it exemplifies simplicity and effectiveness. It’s made from 100% pure Creatine Monohydrate, providing you with a potent dose of this essential compound to help you smash your PRs in the gym.
Pros
- GMP-compliant
- Versatile unflavored option is easy to combine with your beverage of choice
- Micronized creatine means it mixes with all beverages
- Accessible price
Cons
- Some users might find the lack of flavor options limiting
Buy now on Amazon or Buckedup.com
Best Pre-workout Creatine
Proven4 Sport Pre-Game Formula
Price: $37.99
Flavors: Watermelon, Cherry Limeade, Fruit Punch, and Blue Raspberry
Ingredients: Arginine alpha keto glutarate, Caffeine anhydrous, Calcium, CarnoSyn beta-alanine, Creatine monohydrate, L-tyrosine, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Riboflavin, Taurine, Thiamine, Vitamin B6 and also Vitamin B12.
Per Serving: 2 grams Creatine per 1-scoop (10-gram) serving
The best creatine monohydrate supplement for pre-workout is this supplement made by Proven4 Sport. Plus, you can safely combine this supplement with your other pre-workout supplements. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a regular gym lover, this supplement gives your muscles a tremendous pre-exercise boost.
A single serving contains 2 grams of creatine monohydrate carefully fused with ingredients such as amino acid, caffeine, and vitamin B.
Furthermore, the Proven4 Sport pre-workout supplement comes in four unique flavors: Watermelon, Cherry Limeade, Fruit Punch, and Blue Raspberry. It is also certified by National Sanitation Foundation (NSF Certified for Sport).
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Available in 4 flavors
- Made with vitamins and amino acid
Cons
- Has less Creatine
- It also has caffeine (which may not work well for some people)
- Quite pricey
Best Post-workout Creatine
Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Price: see price
Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, and Unflavored
Ingredients: Micronized Creatine Monohydrate
Per Serving: 5 grams of Creatine per 1-scoop (7-gram) serving (11)
The best creatine supplement for post-workout is Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Powder. It also contains micronized creatine monohydrate and is free of preservatives, fillers, or additives.
It’s gluten-free, GMO-free, and produced in a CGMP-certified facility. A CGMP-certified facility strictly follows the FDA quality and safety standards. In addition, this supplement has also undergone third-party quality testing at an ISO-accredited lab.
The Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Powder supplement comes in 2 flavors – Blue Raspberry and Fruit Punch. Furthermore, You can easily add it to your preferred post-workout drink.
Pros
- ISO-accredited lab tested
- CGMP-certified facility produced
- Available in a variety of flavors
Cons
- Some users find the taste quite bland
- Might not dissolve smoothly
- 500g size might be too small for some
- No information on NSF Certification for Sport
Best Creatine for Muscle Growth
Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate
Price: $34.99
Flavors: Unflavored
Ingredients: Creapure creatine monohydrate
Per Serving: 5 grams of creatine per 1-scoop (5-gram) serving
Bare Performance Nutrition supplement is the best creatine monohydrate choice for people who want to expand their muscle mass.
Moreover, it’s made from a purified kind of creatine monohydrate called Creapure and has 5 grams of Creatine per serving.
Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate supplement is filler-free. In addition, every ingredient used in its formulation goes through third-party lab testing. That way, they can guarantee potency, safety, and the highest purity levels.
Additionally, this creatine supplement by Bare Performance is certified by Informed Sport. This also means it doesn’t contain any banned substances.
Pros
- Formulated for high-performance enhancement
- Third-party tested
- Has Creapure – a purified form of creatine monohydrate
- Available in both flavored and unflavored variations
Cons
- Expensive
- Has fewer servings
- No information on NSF Certification for Sport
Best Creatine for Vegans
Naked Nutrition Creatine
Price: $36.99
Flavors: Unflavored
Ingredient: Creatine Monohydrate
Per Serving: 5 grams of Creatine per 1-scoop (5-gram) serving
This product is free of artificial sweeteners, colors, and flavors. It is GMO-free and contains just one ingredient. Moreover, it’s also independently third-party tested for any heavy metals.
For vegans who work out, Naked Creatine is the best creatine monohydrate supplement available. It’s also free from GMOs, sweeteners, artificial flavors, and colors. In addition, it’s made from just one ingredient and is completely free from heavy metals.
Moreover, it’s third-party lab-tested, certified vegan, and gluten-free. This makes it an excellent choice for people with dietary limitations and restrictions or food allergies.
Each Naked Creatine serving has 5 grams of creatine monohydrate. You can also mix it with your preferred post or pre-workout drink, including sports beverages.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Certified gluten-free and vegan approved
- Third-party tested
Cons
- No flavored options
- Some customers reported packaging and scoop issues
Overall Best Creatine for Strength Training
Thorne Creatine
Price: $39.91
Flavors: Unflavored
Ingredients: Creatine Monohydrate
Per Serving: 5 grams of Creatine per 1-scoop (5-gram) serving
On an overall scale, Thorne Creatine wins the spot as the best creatine monohydrate supplement. It is made by Thorne Research, which produces ethically sourced premium quality supplements.
Thorne Creatine is inexpensive, contains premium creatine monohydrate, and is NSF Certified for Sport. This product has also been third-party tested to guarantee it’s free from banned substances and toxic ingredients. Furthermore, it’s gluten-free, yeast-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. It also doesn’t have any significant allergens.
Pros
- Affordable
- Gluten and soy free
- Third-party tested
- NSF Certified for Sport
Cons
- Only unflavored options
Different Types of Creatine
In addition to the popular creatine monohydrate, there are several other types of creatine available on the market. Each has its unique characteristics and potential benefits. And most importantly, understanding the differences between these types can help you choose the right creatine supplement for your needs. In this section, let’s look at some of the most common types of creatine.
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate is the most widely researched and commonly used form of creatine. It consists of a creatine molecule combined with a water molecule, which provides excellent solubility and absorption. This form of creatine is known for its proven effectiveness in improving athletic performance, muscle growth, and recovery.
Creatine Nitrate
Creatine nitrate is a newer form of creatine that combines a creatine molecule with a nitrate molecule. This combination is believed to offer enhanced solubility and absorption compared to creatine monohydrate.
The addition of nitrate may also provide benefits related to increased blood flow and improved oxygen delivery to the muscles. Better blood flow may potentially boost workout performance and muscle pump. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects and compare them to those of creatine monohydrate.
Creatine Hydrochloride (HCL)
Creatine hydrochloride is created by attaching a hydrochloride group to a creatine molecule. This form of creatine is more soluble in water. This high water solubility may lead to better absorption and reduced gastrointestinal side effects for some users. However, research comparing creatine HCL to creatine monohydrate is limited, so it’s unclear if it offers significant advantages.
Creatine Ethyl Ester
Creatine ethyl ester is a form of creatine that has an ester group attached to the creatine molecule. This modification should help improve the molecule’s ability to pass through cell membranes, potentially increasing absorption and effectiveness. However, studies comparing creatine ethyl ester to creatine monohydrate have not found significant differences in performance benefits.
Buffered Creatine (Kre-Alkalyn)
Buffered creatine, also known as Kre-Alkalyn, is a patented form of creatine. Some experts claim it to be more stable at higher pH levels. This stability is supposed to reduce the conversion of creatine to the waste product creatinine, which could theoretically enhance its effectiveness. However, research comparing buffered creatine to creatine monohydrate has not shown any significant performance benefits.
While there are several types of creatine available, creatine monohydrate remains the gold standard. Other forms, such as creatine nitrate, may offer some unique benefits. Still, more research is needed to determine their relative effectiveness compared to creatine monohydrate.
How to Use Creatine
To achieve optimal results with creatine, it’s essential to follow proper usage guidelines, just like with any other supplement. People often incorporate creatine into pre-workout drinks or other sports supplements, taking it either before or after exercise.
Here are some steps to help you use creatine effectively:
Loading Phase
Many individuals who start using creatine supplements begin with a “loading phase.” This phase aims to increase creatine stores in the muscles rapidly. To load up on creatine, take 20 grams of creatine daily for 5–7 days. Divide this into four 5-gram servings spread evenly throughout the day.
Consuming protein or carb-based meals along with your creatine can enhance absorption due to the associated insulin release.
Maintenance Phase
After the loading phase, you can transition to a maintenance dose of 3–5 grams daily. This dose should sustain high creatine levels in your muscles. If you prefer to skip the loading phase, you can start with the maintenance dose of 3–5 grams per day. However, keep in mind that this approach may require 3–4 weeks to maximize your creatine stores.
Timing and Hydration
While the timing of creatine consumption is still a topic of debate, some research suggests taking creatine post-workout may offer better results. Regardless of the timing, it’s important to drink a glass of water when taking your creatine and stay adequately hydrated throughout the day.
Creatine helps draw water into muscle cells, and proper hydration is essential for both muscle function and overall health.
Cycling Creatine
Some users opt to cycle their creatine supplementation, alternating between periods of use and non-use. While this approach is not necessary for everyone, it may be beneficial for those who experience gastrointestinal discomfort or other side effects.
A typical cycling pattern might involve using creatine for 8–12 weeks, followed by a 4-week break before resuming supplementation.
Using creatine correctly can help you achieve the best results. Start with a loading phase if desired, followed by a maintenance dose, and pay attention to timing and hydration. Experiment with different approaches to find the one that works best for your unique needs and goals.
Summary
When choosing the best creatine monohydrate supplement for your needs, it pays to check the product label carefully. In addition, keep a close eye on the ingredients to ensure the supplement is free from fillers, GMOs, artificial colors, and flavors.
It is best always to buy creatine supplements that have been third-party tested and certified by organizations like Informed-Choice or NSF Certified for Sport for passing quality and safety checks.
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FAQs
What are the differences between creatine monohydrate and other forms of creatine?
Creatine monohydrate is the most researched and widely used form of creatine, known for its efficacy and cost-effectiveness. Other forms, like creatine HCL, ethyl ester, and buffered creatine, claim better absorption and fewer side effects, but the evidence is limited compared to monohydrate.
How to properly dose and use creatine monohydrate for optimal results?
For optimal results, start with a loading phase of 20g of creatine monohydrate daily (split into four doses) for 5–7 days. Then, move to a maintenance phase of 3–5g daily. Mix with water or a carbohydrate drink to improve absorption. Take it consistently, regardless of workout days.
Are there any side effects associated with creatine monohydrate supplementation?
Creatine monohydrate is generally safe, but some users may experience minor side effects like bloating, water retention, and stomach cramps. Staying hydrated and dividing the daily dose can help reduce these side effects. Consult a doctor before use if you have kidney issues.
What are the top creatine monohydrate supplements available in the market?
Our top creatine monohydrate supplements include the following:
- Bucked Up Creatine Monohydrate
- Proven4 Sport Pre-Game Formula
- Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Powder
- Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate
- Naked Creatine
- Thorne Creatine
These products are known for their purity, effectiveness, and positive customer reviews.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on Sep 2, 2022, and was updated on May 20, 2023.
