Most people who work out regularly try using creatine supplements at some point. However, not all of them know what they should look for and how to find the best products out there.
The best creatine is not that easy to get your hands on because the market is oversaturated, and a great number of products are actually not about quality at all. If you’re in the process of searching, allow us to give you a helping hand with our carefully tailored list of reliables.
Our Top 8 Best Creatine Choices
We may earn a commission when you buy certain products through the links on this page. Note that this does not influence the content created by our team. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure. MuscleTech Platinum 100% Creatine
Highest Rated Creatine Supplement
- 100% pure, unflavored creatine for maximum effectiveness
- Affordable price + free shipping
- Plenty of positive user reviews
- Reputable brand
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder
Most Affordable Creatine Supplement
- Optimal dose of creatine per serving
- Unflavored for easier mixing with beverages
- Excellent price-to-quality ratio
- Plenty of positive user reviews
Legion Athletics Recharge Post-Workout
Best Creatine With Natural Sweeteners
- Completely natural, science-backed ingredients
- Flavored and unflavored options available
- 10% auto-delivery discount
- 100% money-back guarantee
Muscle Feast Creapure Creatine Monohydrate
Widest Range of Flavors
- 6 flavors + unflavored version
- Also available as capsules
- Numerous positive user reviews
- OU-D kosher, vegan, gluten-free
BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate (Micronized)
Widest Range of Flavors
- 6 flavors + unflavored version
- Also available as capsules
- Numerous positive user reviews
- OU-D kosher, vegan, gluten-free
Naked Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Best Creatine for Athletes
- Fantastic price-to-quality ratio
- Only one ingredient
- Loyalty perks
- Vegan & non-GMO, dairy-, soy-, and gluten-free
Myprotein Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Best Monohydrate Creatine for Increasing Overall Power
- Very effective in boosting overall performance
- Multiple discounts and reward programs
- Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free
- Plenty of highly satisfied users
AllMax Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate
Best Pharmaceutical Grade Creatine
- Vegan, kosher, and tested for banned substances
- Improves muscle growth and strength
- Unflavored micronized powder
- Dissolves quickly and mixes well with drinks
Best Creatine Review – A Closer Look at Our Top Choices
MuscleTech Platinum 100% Creatine
Highest Rated Creatine Supplement
- Type: Creatine monohydrate
- Shipping: Free on $9.99+ orders
The MuscleTech Platinum 100% Creatine is definitely a well-known name among those who try to remain updated on top rated creatine supplements. This HPLC-tested product comes in the form of micronized powder. Moreover, it’s 100% pure and has no flavor, so it can easily be mixed with flavored drinks in case you prefer it that way.
This best quality creatine is sold in a 400-gram container, which means you get 80 servings of the perfect dose (5 grams). The instructions say that you should take one heaping scoop of the MuscleTech Platinum creatine with eight ounces of water. If you’re looking for top results, they recommend replacing water with sports drinks or carbohydrate beverages.
MuscleTech’s dietary supplement has received lots of praise from its users, but don’t just take our word for it. Visit the brand’s official website and you’ll see what we’re talking about. Plenty of their customers claim to have noticed significant differences when comparing their shape and strength levels before and after creatine supplementation.
Finally, the brand’s clientele gets free shipping on orders over $9.99. If we also take into account the product’s reasonable price, it’s not hard to see this is an excellent offer.
Pros
- + 100% pure, unflavored creatine for maximum effectiveness
- + Affordable price + free shipping
- + Plenty of positive user reviews
- + Reputable brand
Cons
- − Some users would like a flavored version too
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder
Most Affordable Creatine Supplement
- Type: Creatine monohydrate
- Shipping: Free on orders over $40
Optimum Nutrition is true to its name. It provides the optimal dosage of creatine per serving—five grams of 100% pure creatine monohydrate. It contains no calories or carbohydrates, and it helps with ATP recycling and generating explosive movement, which are some of the main creatine monohydrate benefits.
Optimal Nutrition recommends taking their product with a protein shake or a favorite beverage like a smoothie or juice. Just stir a teaspoonful of the supplement into your drink and you’re all set.
The powder’s unflavored, so it’ll be much easier to combine it with different drinks. Furthermore, creatine reviews written by customers say it dissolves very well and doesn’t leave clumps.
Unlike some of the competition, Optimum Nutrition lets you choose the size of the container. It ranges from as little as 150 grams to 2 kilograms (6oz to 70oz)—from 30 to 400 servings.
Logically, the price increases with size, but you can actually save money by buying larger amounts. With the smallest container, a gram will cost you $0.06, while purchasing 2kg will get the price of this micronized creatine powder down to $0.02/g.
The decision is totally up to you, but simple math shows that larger containers are a better deal. Don’t forget that every order worth at least $40 also gets free shipping, so there’s an extra financial perk.
Pros
- + Optimal dose of creatine per serving
- + Unflavored for easier mixing with beverages
- + Excellent price-to-quality ratio
- + Plenty of positive user reviews
Cons
- − Measuring scoop not included
Legion Athletics Recharge Post-Workout
Best Creatine With Natural Sweeteners
- Type: Creatine monohydrate
- Shipping: Free on all US orders
Legion Athletics offers creatine in a more specific, post-workout-oriented form. Don’t get us wrong, every creatine here is beneficial for exercising. However, this one has extra benefits.
There are 60 servings per container, and with each serving, you get 5g of micronized creatine monohydrate. Science shows this amount is optimal for the benefits of creatine to kick in.
You also get 2.1 grams of L-carnitine L-tartrate, which is excellent for muscle repair, insulin sensitivity, and reducing muscle damage and soreness. Finally, each serving has 10.8 milligrams of corosolic acid derived from Banaba leaf extract, which boosts post-workout glucose and amino acid absorption.
Best creatine product reviews stress that this powder doesn’t contain artificial flavoring, coloring, or sweeteners. Instead, it relies on natural sweeteners like stevia and erythritol, which can actually have several health benefits.
You can choose between three flavored versions of Recharge: fruit punch, strawberry lemonade, and watermelon. There’s also an unflavored version for those who prefer it. The shipping is free in the US, and there’s a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
Pros
- + Completely natural, science-backed ingredients
- + Flavored and unflavored options available
- + 10% auto-delivery discount
- + 100% money-back guarantee
Cons
- − Facility also processes ingredients with wheat, milk, fish, soybeans, and tree nuts
Muscle Feast Creapure Creatine Monohydrate
Widest Range of Flavors
- Type: Creatine monohydrate
- Shipping: Free within the US
Muscle Feast doesn’t lie—its creatine really is pure. Moreover, it’s certified by the American Vegetarian Association, Orthodox Union Kosher Dairy certified, and gluten-free certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization.
This high quality creatine comes in both flavored and unflavored versions. If you prefer adding supplement powder to your favorite drinks, you’ll probably want to opt for the unflavored kind. You can also choose one of their six delicious flavors: green apple, tangerine, blue ice pop, fruit punch, grape, and watermelon.
However, creatine reviews stress an important difference here. A 300g container of the unflavored powder provides you with 55 servings of creatine, while the flavored version will give you 41 servings. This is because with the latter, you need to use 7.3g of the powder to get the same amount of creatine you get in a single serving of the unflavored kind—5.4 grams.
Some users have complained about the shipping taking too long, but it’s a very small number of customers. The greatest majority of users that leave creatine supplement reviews are very happy with the quality of the product and recommend it to others.
Pros
- + 6 flavors + unflavored version
- + Also available as capsules
- + Numerous positive user reviews
- + OU-D kosher, vegan, gluten-free
Cons
- − Flavored versions contain an artificial sweetener
BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate (Micronized)
Widest Range of Flavors
- Type: Creatine monohydrate
- Shipping: Free within the US
Muscle Feast doesn’t lie—its creatine really is pure. Moreover, it’s certified by the American Vegetarian Association, Orthodox Union Kosher Dairy certified, and gluten-free certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization.
This high quality creatine comes in both flavored and unflavored versions. If you prefer adding supplement powder to your favorite drinks, you’ll probably want to opt for the unflavored kind. You can also choose one of their six delicious flavors: green apple, tangerine, blue ice pop, fruit punch, grape, and watermelon.
However, creatine reviews stress an important difference here. A 300g container of the unflavored powder provides you with 55 servings of creatine, while the flavored version will give you 41 servings. This is because with the latter, you need to use 7.3g of the powder to get the same amount of creatine you get in a single serving of the unflavored kind—5.4 grams.
Some users have complained about the shipping taking too long, but it’s a very small number of customers. The greatest majority of users that leave creatine supplement reviews are very happy with the quality of the product and recommend it to others.
Pros
- + 6 flavors + unflavored version
- + Also available as capsules
- + Numerous positive user reviews
- + OU-D kosher, vegan, gluten-free
Cons
- − Flavored versions contain an artificial sweetener
Naked Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Best Creatine for Athletes
- Type: Creatine monohydrate
- Shipping: Free for orders over $49
If you’re an (aspiring) athlete and physical activity is a crucial part of your life, you may want to turn to Naked Nutrition. According to numerous user reviews, this brand has the very best creatine supplement.
Firstly, Naked Nutrition’s powder contains a single ingredient—pure creatine monohydrate. It dissolves fast, it’s quickly absorbed, and has zero calories. Also, it’s unflavored, so it mixes well with any beverage—without that chalky aftertaste or clumps! Unsurprisingly, users are thrilled with the results they get with this supplement, from faster recovery time to significantly better performance.
This product comes in one-kilo (2.2lb) containers. The recommended serving size is 5 grams, so you get approximately 200 servings for as little as $20.95. Furthermore, many creatine powder reviews show that Naked Nutrition’s customers are also very appreciative of the company’s rewards program. It’s especially convenient for frequent buyers who enjoy loyalty perks.
Let’s not forget to mention that this product is also third-party tested for heavy metals, free of additives, GMO, gluten, dairy, and soy, and completely vegan. All in all, it’s easy to see why Naked Nutrition is such a reputable and trusted brand.
Pros
- + Fantastic price-to-quality ratio
- + Only one ingredient
- + Loyalty perks
- + Vegan & non-GMO, dairy-, soy-, and gluten-free
Cons
- − Only one container size
Myprotein Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Best Monohydrate Creatine for Increasing Overall Power
- Type: Creatine monohydrate
- Shipping: Free on orders over $49
Myprotein offers customers micronized creatine powder in its purest form. The supplement is vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. You can choose between 0.5lb and 1.1lb options (0.22kg and 0.45kg) for $13.99 and $17.99.
Buying in bulk pays off, too, especially because that way you can also avail of free tracked shipping anywhere in the US. Additionally, you can save money with special promo codes, friend referrals, and more. But that’s not all: if you purchase these top creatine supplements through the brand’s app, you could get even more special offers and deals. You’ll find all the necessary info at the bottom of the brand’s homepage.
Myprotein’s powder mixes and dissolves easily and quickly, leaving no clumps. It’s unflavored, though the brand used to offer 4 flavored versions as well, which many users miss, according to creatine reviews.
The recommended serving is 3 grams after a workout with a protein shake, but you can mix it with other beverages as well. To sum up, for a very fair price, Myprotein gives you quality creatine to boost your gains and improve your athletic performance.
Pros
- + Very effective in boosting overall performance
- + Multiple discounts and reward programs
- + Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free
- + Plenty of highly satisfied users
Cons
- − Flavored options are no longer available
AllMax Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate
Best Pharmaceutical Grade Creatine
- Type: Creatine monohydrate
- Shipping: Free on $75+ orders (US only)
We finish our list of the best creatine supplements with AllMax Nutrition’s fruits of labor. Its pharmaceutical-grade creatine is available in the form of micronized powder, and in three sizes: 100g (0.22lb), 400g (0.88lb), and 1kg (2.2lb).
Furthermore, this high-quality product is produced in a cGMP facility and tested for banned substances. It’s also kosher-certified, vegan, extremely pure and easily dissolved. The powder doesn’t affect the flavor of the beverage you add it to because it’s entirely tasteless. We must stress that there are no fillers or additives in this dietary supplement—CreaSyn is the only ingredient here.
The manufacturer states that on the days when you work out, the best way to use this creatine is to mix it with juice or water upon waking up and after workouts. This should help you increase your strength, build muscle mass, and significantly speed up recovery.
Lastly, AllMax Nutrition’s product reviews are excellent. Many customers state that, in their opinion, it’s the best creatine for muscle growth.
Pros
- + Vegan, kosher, and tested for banned substances
- + Improves muscle growth and strength
- + Unflavored micronized powder
- + Dissolves quickly and mixes well with drinks
Cons
- − High min. order value for free shipping
How to Choose the Best Creatine
Reading our product reviews can help you narrow down your choices, but this section will be useful in guiding you to the product that will work for you. Read on to find out what factors you should bear in mind when purchasing your creatine.
Flavor
If you can, we suggest that you use the unflavored kind. Firstly, it’s more convenient because you can mix it more easily with beverages. Moreover, flavored creatine tends to be pricier, and since it’s consumed fairly quickly, it doesn’t make that big a difference. Let’s not forget that with the flavored kind, you’re actually not getting 100% creatine.
Form
Most creatine powder reviews (including ours) state that this specific form has a few important advantages over pills. For instance:
- Dosing is simpler—usually, a single serving is enough for a whole day.
- It’s easily dissolved and digested.
- You can mix powder with beverages like water, juices, milk, or protein shakes.
Note that we’re talking specifically about micronized powder.
Reputation and Certification
Whatever we decide to buy, we always want top-notch products created by reliable brands, and it’s no different with creatine products either. Make sure that the creatine you’re ordering is certified and third-party tested for heavy metals and other harmful substances. Note: all the supplements on our list are made by reputable manufacturers focused on quality and customer satisfaction.
Purity
Naturally, purity was among the most important criteria for our selection of the best creatine products. In its pure form, creatine is vegetarian, vegan, soy-, dairy-, and gluten-free. These attributes are most welcome in dietary supplements.
Though some people like pre- or post-workout blends, we recommend pure (unflavored!) creatine for better results. Combine micronized creatine powder with a balanced diet and a regular exercise routine, and you’ll soon begin to see the benefits. Taking protein powder with these amino acid supplements is not a bad idea either.
Conclusion
Creatine supplements can be greatly beneficial for those who wish to take the results of their exercise to the next level. It’s especially effective with explosive workouts when it shows fantastic results. However, remember that creatine doesn’t necessarily work for everyone, and it should only be taken by healthy adults. Hopefully, you’ll find the answers you were looking for in our FAQ section below, and this review helps you find the best creatine brand for you.
FAQs
Does creatine work?
It’s said that creatine supplements can help with short-term workouts, particularly high-intensity ones. They can provide muscles with additional energy to produce contractions, therefore boosting overall performance.
However, many inexperienced fitness enthusiasts don’t know that there are people who practically don’t reap any creatine benefits. They’re called non-responders because, in their case, creatine use doesn’t lead to expected results like muscle mass gain or an increase in strength.
What does creatine do?
Some people are unaware of the fact that creatine already exists in the human body, specifically in muscle cells. This compound increases phosphocreatine stores in the muscles. These stores may increase the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which improves intense athletic activities. In simple terms, it’s a fuel that provides more energy, therefore empowering your body during workouts.
Additionally, creatine draws water into the muscle cells, which is extremely beneficial for protein synthesis. Also, when these cells are hydrated, they look bigger.
Is creatine bad for you?
Creatine is considered safe for healthy adults. You just need to make sure that your dietary supplement is created by a reliable brand that follows strict manufacturing standards.
However, in individuals with certain health issues or those who don’t use the supplement as is recommended, it can cause various side effects:
- Anxiety
- Breathing difficulty
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Kidney problems
- Nausea
- Rashes
- Stomachache
Still, if you’re unsure whether creatine supplementation is the right thing for you, it’s always best to consult a medical professional before including it in your daily routine.
How much creatine to take?
Creatine dosage can depend on your goals. If you want to load your muscle stores, you need to take 20 grams each day for up to seven days. The daily amount should be split into four servings. After the loading period, the daily intake should be lowered to 2–10g.
If you think loading is unnecessary in your case, take between three and five grams of creatine daily. It will take about four weeks to maximize creatine stores with these daily doses.
Should I take creatine?
No doubt, the best person to ask this question is a licensed medical practitioner. While many people can benefit greatly from creatine use, others can experience minor or major side effects.
People with pre-existing medical conditions, primarily kidney- and liver-related ones, should probably avoid using creatine or at least talk to their doctor about it first.
Creatine can also cause problems if used alongside some medication, such as:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen
- Aminoglycosides
- Cyclosporine
- Gentamicin
- Tobramycin, etc.
When is the best time to take creatine?
The best time to take creatine can vary depending on whether you’re using it on workout days or rest days. Lots of creatine brands suggest that on rest days, their supplement should be taken with meals. On active days, however, it’s better to take creatine shortly before or after workout sessions.
What type of creatine is best?
Creatine monohydrate (especially micronized powder) brings the greatest results for the majority of people. Moreover, its superiority over liquid, buffered, or any other kind of creatine supplement is supported by numerous studies. That’s precisely why all the products included on our best creatine list are based on this type of creatine.