Best Creatine for Men of 2025

Creatine is a well-liked muscle-building complement, and for good cause. It’s one of many most research-backed supplements for muscle growth and recovery. Whereas some individuals affiliate creatine with weightlifters or bodybuilders, it’s an incredible complement for anybody trying to construct muscle.

There are tons of creatine dietary supplements, together with powders, drugs, and gummies. These dietary supplements use numerous types of creatine and a few comprise different substances that purpose that can assist you develop muscle. It may be a problem to determine which is best for you.

Our testers tried dozens of creatine dietary supplements to seek out the perfect choices. We appeared for creatine dietary supplements that style good, combine properly, use high quality substances, comprise sufficient creatine per serving, and are reasonably priced. Alongside the way in which, we spoke with private trainers and nutritionists for steerage. Under are our picks for the perfect creatine dietary supplements for males.

Medical disclaimer: This text is meant for academic and informational functions solely. It isn’t meant as an alternative choice to medical recommendation. For well being recommendation, contact a licensed healthcare supplier.

How We Selected the Finest Creatine Dietary supplements

Our staff tried greater than 43 creatine dietary supplements in complete. We evaluated every complement for the next components:

• Style: If the creatine was flavored, did we benefit from the style and assume it was true to the marketed taste? If it was unflavored, did we discover any bitter or disagreeable style?
• Mixability: We combined every creatine with the beneficial quantity of water. We famous whether or not or not it stayed combined or settled to the underside of the glass. We thought of how lengthy it took to combine and the way lengthy it stayed combined.
• Dosage: Though dose might fluctuate by consumer, we appeared for dietary supplements with the overall sports activities diet suggestion of three–5 grams of creatine per serving.
• Type of Creatine: Virtually each possibility on this record makes use of creatine monohydrate, which is probably the most extensively researched type of creatine. 
• Worth: We selected dietary supplements that ship outcomes at an reasonably priced value.
• Certifications: We appeared for dietary supplements with certifications like NSF-Licensed Secure for Sport or Banned Substance free. We additionally appeared for certifications like gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan to swimsuit a spread of diets and preferences.

The Finest Creatine for Males in 2025:

Finest Creatine Monohydrate: Clear Labs Creatine HMB

Clear Labs Creatine HMB is our decide for the perfect creatine monohydrate as a result of it accommodates 5 grams of it per serving, which is the researched-backed dose for improved athletic efficiency. “This dose is a superb suggestion for the overall inhabitants, however some sports activities diet suggestions suggest a dosage based mostly on kilograms of physique weight, so some people might require greater than 5 grams to see a profit,” says Anna Marie Clear, M.S., R.D., C.P.T.

This complement accommodates β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB), which the body naturally produces when it breaks down the amino acid leucine. Though extra research are wanted, some research suggests HMB promotes muscle growth. “Leucine is the first amino acid that triggers muscle protein synthesis. HMB and leucine are very comparable, and research shows HMB has no higher impact than leucine alone,” says Clear.

Clear Labs additionally consists of BioPerine, a derivative of black pepper that studies show increases nutrient bioavailability. “Bioperine might assist improve absorption of some vitamins, however analysis is proscribed on its impression alongside HMB and creatine,” says Clear.

Clear Labs Creatine HMB is available in 14 flavors, together with an unflavored model. It is a lot extra taste choices than you’ll discover in most creatine dietary supplements and probably the most of any on our record. Pete Nastasi, C.P.T., C.S.N.C., tried this complement. “I’ve tried each the Blue Raspberry and Strawberry Lemonade flavors, that are sweetened with stevia extract, and each tasted nice,” he says. “I like having a flavored creatine complement within the morning earlier than my morning exercise.” Nevertheless, whereas Nastasi appreciated the flavour, different testers say this complement has a barely bitter style, which they attribute to the BioPerine. 

Finest Creatine for Athletes: Sports activities Analysis Creatine Monohydrate 

Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate

4.9

• Worth per serving: $0.28 (100 servings)
• Creatine per serving: 5g
• Components: Micronized creatine monohydrate 
• Certifications: Knowledgeable Sport Licensed, non-GMO, gluten-free
• Finest For: Individuals after the best beneficial dose of creatine, those that desire a pure creatine complement, finances consumers

Check Price

We selected Sports activities Analysis Creatine Monohydrate as our high decide for athletes as a result of it accommodates 5 grams of creatine per serving, which research shows is an optimum dose for muscle acquire, restoration, and total improved athletic efficiency. This creatine can also be an incredible alternative for athletes as a result of it’s Knowledgeable Sport Licensed—this third get together exams for purity and banned substances. So for those who’re planning on competing in any occasions, you’ll be able to really feel good understanding this product is licensed banned substance-free.

One other good thing about this complement is that it makes use of micronized creatine. Micronized creatine is floor into finer particles than non-micronized so it dissolves rather more simply in water. Nevertheless, in response to Nastasi, “micronized creatine is a little bit of a advertising and marketing gimmick—isn’t digested any higher than customary creatine monohydrate.” Analysis helps Nastasi: this 2022 study says there may be “no proof” that micronized creatine is extra bioavailable than non-micronized creatine.  

Amazon reviewers gave this complement 4.7/5 stars. “It really works nice. I can really feel the extra energy and power with each session even throughout a chopping section,” says one reviewer. Others admire how properly this creatine mixes and that it’s completely tasteless. 

One factor to contemplate about this creatine complement is that it solely is available in a powdered, unflavored possibility. So for those who’re searching for flavors or for a creatine capsule, you’ll wish to look elsewhere. 

Associated: The Best Pre-Workouts

Finest Worth Creatine: Nutricost Micronized Creatine Monohydrate

Nutricost Micronized Creatine Monohydrate

4.3

• Worth per serving: $0.20 (100 servings)
• Creatine per serving: 5g
• Components: Micronized creatine monohydrate
• Certifications: Third-party examined, gluten-free, non-GMO
• Finest For: Those that need flavors, finances consumers

Check Price

When you’re searching for a budget-friendly creatine complement, you’ll be able to’t do significantly better than Nutricost. At simply $0.20 per serving, this complement is the most cost effective on our record. However low-cost doesn’t equate to low high quality—Nutricost creatine is third-party examined, which is one thing you usually solely discover in costlier dietary supplements. Nevertheless, Clear says: “This firm doesn’t elaborate on its third-party testing. It’s laborious to find out the model’s security with no detailed clarification of its testing course of.”

One other good thing about this creatine complement is that it is available in 5 taste choices, which is greater than most manufacturers provide for creatine dietary supplements. Flavors embody Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Pineapple Mango, Watermelon, and Unflavored. Nevertheless, these flavors are sweetened with sucralose, which research shows might trigger intestine points when consumed in excessive doses.

Amazon reviewers are happy with this product, giving it 4.6/5 stars total. Many reward its lack of further substances and efficient method. “It has made a big constructive impression on my exercise efficiency and restoration,” says Amazon reviewer Kurt. Nevertheless, a number of reviewers point out discovering items of plastic of their containers, which is one thing to be careful for. 

Finest Creatine Gummies: Swoly Creatine Mono Gummies

SWOLY Creatine Mono Gummies

4.3

• Worth per serving: $1 (30 servings)
• Creatine per serving: 4g
• Components: Creatine monohydrate 4g, sucrose, dextrose, pectin, maltodextrin, pure and synthetic flavors, fruit and vegetable juice, stearic acid, citric acid, carnauba wax 
• Certifications: Third-party examined, gluten-free
• Finest For: Individuals who desire a creatine gummy

Check Price

When you don’t like measuring out and mixing powders, take a look at Swoly Creatine Mono Gummies. These strawberry-flavored gummies are perfect for athletes on the go who don’t wish to carry round a further shaker bottle for his or her creatine. A serving is 5 gummies, which is so much, however in response to tester Jenny Kelpe, “the flavour is gentle so it’s straightforward to take them.”

These gummies comprise 4 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving, which is inside the research-backed range for improved athletic efficiency. Kelpe skilled the advantages firsthand. “I used Swoly gummies for a few leg days on the health club and I used to be actually impressed—I didn’t really feel sore in any respect after my exercise, and I usually do,” she says. 

Clear notes that “bigger people might have to take extra of those gummies to get their research-backed dose of 0.1 grams of creatine per kilogram of physique weight.” If that’s you, chances are you’ll wish to go for a unique possibility, since taking greater than 5 gummies may “result in GI signs due to the added sugar and gums,” she says.

In contrast to another dietary supplements on our record, Swoly gummies comprise various added substances, together with synthetic substances. In addition they have 2.5 grams of added sugar per serving. When you’re searching for a pure creatine complement, go for Sports activities Analysis or Nutricost.

Finest Flavored Creatine: Legion Recharge Publish-Exercise

LEGION Recharge Post-Workout Creatine

3.8

• Worth per serving: $1 (60 servings)
• Creatine per serving: 5g
• Components: Micronized creatine monohydrate 5g, L-carnitine L-tartrate 2.1g, corosolic acid 10.5g, pure flavors, stevia, calcium silicate, citric acid, crimson beet powder (for shade; discovered solely in fruit punch, watermelon, and strawberry lemonade flavors)
• Certifications: Labdoor™ examined for sport, made in an NSF-certified facility
• Finest for: Those that need flavors

Check Price

Some unflavored creatine tastes chalky and a little bit bitter. When you drink your creatine with water, a flavored possibility would possibly fit your style buds higher. Legion gives this complement in six flavors, which though not as huge as Clear Labs’ selection, style higher, in response to reviewers.

Many shoppers on Amazon point out how good Legion’s flavors are, with a number of noting that Strawberry Lemonade and Fruit Punch are significantly good. Nevertheless, some reviewers point out the Unflavored model has an disagreeable, bitter taste.

Legion Recharge has a research-backed dose of 5g of creatine per serving. The creatine is micronized, which suggests it’s been processed to be finer. Legion says this makes it simpler to mix and fewer prone to trigger an upset abdomen. Nevertheless, Clear notes, “Whereas micronized creatine monohydrate is processed to be finer, the research doesn’t assist the micronized model to be extra bioavailable.”

Legion Recharge additionally accommodates 2.1g of L-carnitine in each serving, which helps the body convert fat into energy. It additionally accommodates 10.5g of corosolic acid, which research shows helps regulate blood sugar.

Associated Publish: The Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts

Finest Creatine With CreaPure: Gnarly Creatine

Gnarly Creatine

4.4

• Worth per serving: $0.61 (90 servings)
• Creatine per serving: 5g
• Components: CreaPure® creatine monohydrate
• Certifications: NSF Licensed for Sport, NSF Content material Licensed
• Finest For: These competing in athletic competitions; individuals who need probably the most extensively studied type of creatine

Check Price

Gnarly has 5g of CreaPure® creatine monohydrate per serving. Specialists contemplate CreaPure® the gold standard for purity and effectiveness. Nastasi agrees: “It’s manufactured in Germany and is tremendous pure, so from a purity perspective it’s primary.” Gnarly is the one complement on our record with this type of creatine.

Gnarly Creatine is NSF Licensed for Sport and NSF Content material Licensed. This implies it’s third-party licensed to be pure and free from banned substances. That is nice information for athletes who compete in drug-tested athletic competitions, since testing constructive for banned substances, even when they’re consumed by chance, can result in disqualification. “NSF Licensed for Sport additionally signifies this complement has undergone label declare testing (so the label is correct) and contaminant testing for heavy metals, microbes, and pesticides,” says Clear. “This can be probably the most pure possibility on this record,” she provides.

Most reviewers like Gnarly Creatine, giving it 4.9/5 stars on Gnarly’s web site. Whereas many benefit from the check and like the truth that it makes use of CreaPure, some point out that it doesn’t combine very properly, and tends to settle.

Finest Creatine Capsules: Optimum Diet Micronized Creatine Capsules

When you don’t just like the style of creatine powder or discover it a ache to combine, Optimum Diet Micronized Creatine Capsules are a handy and tasteless various. And a bottle of those capsules will take up much less room in your health club bag than a bathtub of creatine powder. Optimum Diet gives three sizes: 100 capsules for $30 ($0.60/serving), 200 capsules for $50 ($0.50/serving), or 300 capsules for $69 ($0.46/serving). Optimum Diet recommends you’re taking two capsules twice day by day. Every two-capsule serving accommodates 2.5g of creatine, so by taking two servings per day, you hit 5g. Nevertheless, Clear notes: “A bigger athlete (ie. 100 kilograms) would want to take eight capsules (10 grams of creatine) with a purpose to meet the 1 gram per kilogram of body weight recommendation.” So for those who’re an even bigger particular person, chances are you’ll wish to go for a powder that’s simpler to take extra of. 

These capsules have a easy ingredient record: creatine monohydrate, gelatin, and magnesium stearate. Magnesium stearate and gelatin type the capsule. Gelatin is an animal product, so these dietary supplements aren’t vegan.

Nastasi tried these capsules. “They’re tasteless except for a slight gelatin taste,” he says. “And the drugs are a bit giant—about 1 inch lengthy—however I didn’t have bother swallowing them.”

What Is Creatine?

Creatine is a compound of three amino acids: arginine, glycine, and methionine. The physique produces creatine naturally in the liver, kidneys, and pancreas. “By weight loss plan, creatine is discovered primarily in crimson meat and seafood, nonetheless, to get an additional creatine enhance, a creatine powder or capsule complement will help,” says personal trainer and strength coach Will Duru.

How Does Creatine Work?

Creatine supplies energy to muscles. “Creatine helps within the manufacturing of ATP—the compound that gives power to bodily processes akin to muscle contraction,” Hobson says. “Creatine will help with the manufacturing of ATP throughout maximum-effort workout routines, akin to sprints or intense muscular effort lasting between 5 and 10 seconds. It may possibly additionally assist restoration between train bouts.” Hobson says creatine can enhance efficiency in sports activities involving repeated sprints, akin to rugby or soccer, and high-intensity bursts, like monitor or swim sprints. “Creatine may also assist you to practice more durable by means of with the ability to do extra work over a sequence of coaching units,” he provides.

Find out how to Select the Finest Creatine for You

There are some things you’ll wish to contemplate when selecting a creatine complement.

Creatine per Serving

Analysis reveals probably the most efficacious dose of creatine is between 3 and 5 grams for most people. Search for dietary supplements with servings inside this vary for those who’re searching for maximum benefits, together with elevated muscle mass, quicker restoration, and improved train capability. Keep in mind, bigger people might require extra creatine for optimum advantages—0.1 grams per kilogram of physique weight is the research-backed suggestion.

Different Components

Some dietary supplements have further substances to bolster the product’s effectiveness. Clear Labs, for instance, consists of HMB, which some research shows promotes muscle growth, although extra analysis is required. Legion consists of L-carnitine which research shows helps metabolize fat into energy. Contemplate your objectives and whether or not or not you desire a pure creatine complement or one with different athletic performance-enhancing substances. “I extremely suggest collaborating with a sports activities dietitian to seek out probably the most optimum complement for you based mostly in your private well being, athletic, or physique objectives and to make sure you are consuming an acceptable dosage from a secure and high-quality complement,” says Clear.

Fillers and Components

Some creatine dietary supplements use synthetic substances and fillers to assist enhance style and mixability. Whereas most of the merchandise on our record comprise creatine as their sole ingredient, some, like Swoly gummies, use some synthetic substances. Contemplate whether or not or not it’s necessary on your complement to be fully pure.

Third-Celebration Testing

Third-party testing is one of the best ways to make sure that your complement’s substances are pure and match what’s on the label. Dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so third-party testing offers shoppers confidence of their merchandise. “Additionally it is particularly necessary to contemplate third-party testing for sport certifications from both Knowledgeable Sport or NSF Licensed for Sport in case you are a collegiate or skilled athlete or in case you are trying to compete in a weightlifting, bodybuilding, or different health competitors to make sure you are consuming dietary supplements free from banned substances,” says Clear. 

Advantages of Taking Creatine

Might Enhance Athletic Efficiency

“Analysis reveals creatine supplementation helps muscle performance throughout a number of activities together with soccer coaching, weight coaching, plyometric coaching, and even canoe coaching,” says Duru. Apparently, this research additionally confirmed that muscle energy output and muscle energy nonetheless elevated with creatine supplementation, even when research subjects didn’t do any exercise. That is compared to topics who took a placebo complement.

“There are many research displaying how creatine supplementation can enhance energy, energy, and high-intensity train efficiency. That is because of the position it performs in power manufacturing and its means to extend ATP availability throughout quick bursts of intense exercise,” says Hobson.

Can Assist Improve Muscle Mass

Wish to construct muscle? Creatine may very well be your go-to. “Creatine supplementation is usually used to extend muscle mass. It may possibly draw extra water into your muscle cells, making a cell volumization effect which will promote muscle development,” says Hobson. “Moreover, creatine can improve the consequences of resistance coaching by rising complete muscle mass and energy beneficial properties.”

Duru says for optimum muscle-building outcomes, creatine loading will help. “The primary time you’re taking creatine, take round 20 to 25 grams of creatine day by day for as much as every week, damaged up into 5-gram servings throughout the day. Then drop to the beneficial 3 to five grams the day after this.” Clear provides: “If you’re trying to provoke creatine supplementation with a loading dose of 20 grams per day, I beneficial breaking this massive dosage into smaller servings all through the day to reduce gastrointestinal misery (i.e., diarrhea).”

Can Promote Quicker Athletic Restoration

Restoration is essential when coaching. Not solely does it assist you to keep away from harm, however a speedier restoration means we are able to get again to train, faster. Analysis reveals creatine supplementation may reduce recovery time between spurts of intense exercise by lowering muscle harm.

Can Assist Scale back Muscle Aches

Though supplementing with creatine doesn’t fully forestall muscle harm, research present creatine reduces the immediate muscle damage that happens after resistance coaching.

Might Improve Cognition

Research present creatine can benefit brain function. “Creatine supplementation might have a useful impact on mind perform, because the mind requires a big quantity of ATP for regular operation. It might be significantly useful in duties requiring pace and fast pondering,” says Hobson.

What Is a Creatine Loading Section?

A creatine loading section includes taking a better dose of creatine, usually between 20 and 25g, for as much as every week, in response to Duru. He recommends lowering to a dose of three to 5g a day after every week.

“Lots of people do a creatine loading section to completely saturate the muscle tissues once they first begin taking creatine, and this could doubtlessly pace up the advantages by a number of days,” says Pete Nastasi, CPT, CSNC. “However for those who take greater than two to a few days off from creatine, it’s probably that your creatine shops will return all the way down to baseline and also you would possibly wish to do one other loading section,” he says. “That’s why I recommend individuals take it day by day.”

Studies show creatine loading phases (e.g. 20 grams per day for 5 to seven days) will help improve creatine storage by 10 to 30 p.c. Nevertheless, creatine loading phases aren’t crucial. Research present that long run, you can achieve the same effects without a loading phase. But when it’s pace you’re after, loading phases are a safe and effective way to quickly improve gains.

Kinds of Creatine

Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine monohydrate consists of creatine paired with a water molecule. As Hobson notes, that is probably the most research-backed type of creatine.

Micronized Creatine Monohydrate

“Micronized creatine is processed to create smaller particles than the usual creatine powder,” Hobson says. “The intention of micronized creatine is to enhance its solubility and absorption within the physique so creatine is then used up by muscle tissues extra shortly.”

Creatine Ethyl Ester

On this type, creatine is sure to ester salts, which some research present makes the creatine more easily absorbed within the body. Nevertheless, analysis reveals creatine ethyl ester is not as effective as monohydrate.

Creatine Nitrate

Creatine nitrate is derived from the identical molecule as creatine monohydrate however with a nitrate added. Some research recommend creatine nitrate is more bioavailable than monohydrate, however outcomes are combined and extra analysis is required. Presently, creatine nitrate is only approved by the FDA at a daily dose of 750 milligrams per day.

Buffered Creatine

This sort of creatine is often manufactured with added alkaline, so it has a better pH than common creatine monohydrate. Nevertheless, analysis reveals there is little difference between buffered creatine and creatine monohydrate when it comes to training gains.

Is Creatine Secure?

Research present creatine supplementation is safe in both the short and long term for wholesome people. Healthy people can safely take up to 30 grams per day for up to five years. Nevertheless, as we’ll clarify under, these with sure well being circumstances ought to keep away from creatine dietary supplements.

Precautions When Taking Creatine

“Since creatine is a secure complement, there aren’t many precautions to take past sticking to the beneficial dosage,” says Hobson. “Like all dietary supplements, determine whether it is actually crucial to fit your efficiency objectives, as there may be little level in taking it if it isn’t. If you’re coaching for a marathon then it’s probably not going to be of use to you however in case you are trying to construct extra muscle and turn out to be stronger then it’s a good selection.”

Who Ought to Keep away from Creatine

Creatine works for most individuals, however these with sure pre-existing well being circumstances ought to keep away from it. “Anybody with pre-existing kidney or liver circumstances or impaired perform ought to keep away from creatine,” says Hobson. Specialists say creatine supplements may prevent those with kidney or liver problems from producing their own creatine. “Anybody taking drugs affecting kidney perform ought to keep away from creatine or converse to their GP first. This would possibly embody blood strain medicine or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine regularly,” Hobson provides.

Hobson additionally advises towards creatine supplementation for these youthful than 18. “With adolescents, whereas the analysis suggests it might be okay for this age group, I keep away from recommending it because the long-term results aren’t totally understood but,” he says.

Ultimate Ideas

Creatine is likely one of the most researched-backed dietary supplements for improved athletic efficiency and muscle constructing. It’s finest for these trying to improve muscle beneficial properties within the health club or enhance efficiency in actions requiring quick bursts of power. And a few analysis reveals it may enhance cognition besides. We expect creatine dietary supplements are value it, however we suggest working with a dietitian to seek out the perfect dosage on your wants. 

FAQs