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Article updated on January 25, 2024 at 1:00 PM PST

Best Creatine Supplements of 2024

The best creatine supplements can enhance your workout and help you build strength more effectively. Here are the top seven choices I found during my search.

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Written by 
Taylor Leamey
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.
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Our Picks

$42 at Amazon
Bottle of Thorne Creatine Powder
Best overall creatine supplement
Thorne Creatine
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$33 at Amazon
Tub of Klean Athlete creatine powder
Best pure creatine supplement
Klean Athlete Klean Creatine
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$33 at Amazon
Pouch of creatine monohydrate from bulksupplements.com
Best budget creatine supplement
BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate Powder
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$35 at Amazon
Tub of Bare Nutrition creatine powder
Best creatine supplement for muscle growth
Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate
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$51 at Amazon
Pouch of Gnarly Nutrition Vegan Creatine Powder
Best vegan creatine supplement
Gnarly Nutrition Creatine Supplement
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$40 at Amazon
Tub of Proven4 Sport Creatine Powder
Best preworkout creatine supplement
Proven4 Sport Pre-workout Powder
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$24 at Amazon
Tub of Optimum Nutrition creatine powder
Best creatine powder supplement
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder
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If you're looking to boost your workout, consider taking a creatine supplement. Creatine is favored by athletes and bodybuilders, thanks to its ability to improve physical performance. Plus, it's easy to get your hands on, and it's one of the most scientifically researched supplements you can get. 

Still, not just any creatine supplement will do. The best creatine supplements can vary in creatine type, form and price. I've researched dozens of supplements across the industry, gaining a familiarity with what actually makes a good product. That's why I curated a list of the best creatine supplements so you can find your ideal match.

What is the best creatine supplement? 

I researched and evaluated many brands while making this best creatine supplement list, plenty of which were really good. However, I determined the best creatine supplement is Thorne Creatine. Throne is one of the most well-known and trusted brands in the supplement industry. That's because of their high-quality ingredients and third-party testing that vouches for its purity. 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

$42 at Amazon

Best overall creatine supplement

Thorne Creatine

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.  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. 

$33 at Amazon

Best pure creatine supplement

Klean Athlete Klean Creatine

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 $30 for around 60 servings. Customer reviews of this creatine product, though some note that the in liquids. To combat this, many people add it to smoothies or oats. 

$33 at Amazon

Best budget creatine supplement

BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate Powder

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 that 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, though 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. However, many value the simplicity of having a scoop already in the container.

$35 at Amazon

Best creatine supplement for muscle growth

Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate

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.

$51 at Amazon

Best vegan creatine supplement

Gnarly Nutrition Creatine Supplement

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. 

$40 at Amazon

Best preworkout creatine supplement

Proven4 Sport Pre-workout Powder

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

Because it's not only a creatine supplement, there are other nutrients in this pre-workout 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 prew-orkout powder. Studies have shown that caffeine helps improve athletic performance

This creatine supplement has a robust nutritional content; however, 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.

$24 at Amazon

Best creatine powder supplement

Optimum Nutrition Micronized 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 nearly

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

Factors to consider when choosing a creatine supplement

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 friendly 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. Pre-workout supplements can also contain creatine, though 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. 

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How we chose the best creatine supplements

Supplements are subjective, and performance varies by person. That's why I did not test the best creatine 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 best creatine 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 the best creatine 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. 

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What are the benefits of creatine?

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. However, 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? 

The best 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. 

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

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Creatine supplement FAQs

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. 

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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 you can take. Additionally, we think it's very affordable as far as supplements are concerned.

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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.

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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 pre or post-workout. Some people choose to split the dose, half before and half after. 

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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. 

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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.