The Most Effective Creatine Supplements in 2024 – A Buyer’s Guide
Discover which creatine supplements are worth buying, and which ones to watch out for.
Choosing the right supplements to boost your workouts can be complicated, especially when there are so many options available. Creatine has become one of the top supplements for improving gym performance, and is even beneficial in other aspects of maintaining health.
Creatine is a natural substance that helps your muscles produce energy during high-intensity exercise. Athletes and bodybuilders often take creatine supplements to enhance strength and improve performance. Older adults and vegetarians may also take creatine to support brain health and quality of life.[1,2]
In order to truly benefit from the many benefits that creatine supplements have to offer, it’s important to choose the right one. We’re here to help! Keep reading to find out what you should look for and what to watch out for when choosing your creatine supplements.
What to Look for in a Creatine Supplement
Pure Creatine Monohydrate - This is the most common and best-researched type of creatine supplement. And since creatine monohydrate is so widely researched, it has been deemed one of the safest forms, as well. It consists of a creatinine molecule combined with a water molecule.
Powdered Micronized Creatine - Since creatine doesn’t exactly dissolve easily, we recommend buying a product that contains micronized creatine. This type has been broken down into smaller crystals
What should I avoid?
Sceptical Potency
Be sure to read the label on creatine supplements so you know exactly what you’re getting. Try to avoid creatine supplements with dosing in excess, as high doses can be harmful.
Beware of online reviews (especially on Amazon)
Before purchasing any product, one of the first things we do when researching is to check its online reviews. Unfortunately, these are not always a trustworthy way to measure the quality and effectiveness of a product. Companies often pay for reviews on popular online retailers, like Amazon, to try to trick their way to a five-star rating. While you should definitely consult these reviews before purchasing, do your own research as well.
Filler ingredients
Many companies opt for filler ingredients that aren’t backed by data, don’t offer any healthful benefits, and can make the supplement less effective. Look for patented ingredients that are clinically proven to provide helpful results.
Your Final Checklist
Now that you know what ingredients to look for and what to avoid, it’s also important to keep the following criteria in mind when purchasing your creatine supplement.
Quality Ingredients Recommended by Professionals
One of the most important things to look out for when choosing a supplement is that it’s recommended by professionals, as they are more likely to align themselves with products that are made with high-quality ingredients that truly work.
Money-Back Guarantee
Make sure that the product you buy has a clear money-back guarantee on all product purchases. This is a tell-tale sign that a company knows they’re selling you a great product, so they aren’t afraid to offer you a sort of “insurance” on it.
How we evaluated the top 5
More and more creatine supplements have popped up on the market. There are so many brands producing different variations of supplements, and while this means you have an abundance of choices, it also makes it challenging to differentiate between good supplements and poor-quality ones that won’t provide you with the benefits you’re looking for. So, we’ve made it easy for you.
We searched the internet for the most popular creatine supplements available on the market today and ranked them for you in our top 5 list.
Here are Our Top 5 Creatine Supplement Picks for 2024
1. Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Total Ranking
830 votes
9.7/10
A+
Overall GradePROS
- Pure Creatine Monohydrate
- Unflavoured
- No added sugars, sweeteners, flavourings, or colourants
- 100% Money Back Guarantee
- Made in the UK
CONS
- Only available online
- Not Micronised
The Bottom Line
Of the creatine powders that we tested, Xellerate Nutrition’s Creatine Powder is by far the highest quality product that delivered the best results.
This Creatine Monohydrate Powder from Xellerate Nutrition is impressive in terms of all the amazing features and benefits. It’s high strength, premium grade, allergen free, and 100% natural, making this powder suitable for everyone regardless of dietary restrictions or preferences. It’s also expertly formulated, quality-assured, and GMP-compliant, so you know you can trust the brand.
While we love that it contains no artificial flavours or synthetic fillers, we were on the fence about the powder not being micronised, and therefore having a gritty texture. For some, that may be overpowering and unappealing. However, consumers have stated that they haven’t had many issues with dissolvability.
All in all, Xellerate Nutrition seems to have the highest quality, pure formula of all the supplements we came across in our research. The fewer unnecessary ingredients, the better.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn About Our Top Pick2. Micronised Creatine Powder
Total Ranking
312 votes
8.6/10
B
Overall GradePROS
- 100% Pure Creatine Monohydrate
- Micronised
- Does not have any synthetic or unnecessary additives
- Product is reasonably priced
- Tested and retested for quality
- Make in the UK
CONS
- No money-back guarantee
The Bottom Line
This creatine powder from Optimum Nutrition contains 100% pure creatine monohydrate to help increase physical performance during high-intensity workouts. This micronised and unflavoured powder mixes easily and doesn’t have a gritty taste or texture. It’s designed to be either a pre-workout or post-workout supplement for both amateurs and professionals.
Also, there are absolutely no unnecessary ingredients in their supplements. You know you’re getting simple, all-natural ingredients, which is what you want in your supplement.
This was a very close second, but we just wished for a money-back guarantee.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More3. 100% Creatine
Total Ranking
269 votes
8.5/10
B
Overall GradePROS
- 100% Creatine Monohydrate
- Vegan-friendly and gluten-free
- Batch tested
- WADA compliant and Informed Sport approved
CONS
- Not micronised
The Bottom Line
Kinetica’s 100% Creatine is a great, basic powder without any frills or fillers. What made it land its spot on our list is that this company batch tests to comply with WADA standards under the Informed Sport testing regime. This means you can have peace of mind taking this product.
We wish this creatine powder was micronised for easier mixing, but overall seems like a high-quality product.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More4. Micronised Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Total Ranking
301 votes
8.4/10
B-
Overall GradePROS
- Pure Creatine Monohydrate
- Micronised
- Affordable option
- Free from GMO, dairy, wheat, and gluten
- Made in the UK
CONS
- Packaging
- No Money-Back Guarantee
The Bottom Line
Peak Supps’ Creatine Powder is a great affordable option for someone looking to try creatine powder on a budget. It’s micronised, so it dissolves and doesn’t leave that gritty texture, however, you must mix well. We also love that it is sustainably sourced and suitable for those on plant-based diets.
We would have liked to see this company offer a money-back guarantee. Additionally, consumers have made note that they aren’t big fans of the packaging. There is no scoop to measure, and the bag has issues closing. This can be a turn-off for some shoppers.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn More5. Essentials Creatine Powder
Total Ranking
207 votes
7.9/10
C
Overall GradePROS
- 100% Micronised Creatine
- Available in flavours
- Made in the UK
CONS
- Flavour options contain artificial ingredients
- Fewer servings than others
- No money-back guarantee
The Bottom Line
Warrior’s Creatine Powder is another great affordable option for the budget-conscious shopper. It features 100% micronised creatine and comes in an unflavoured option, as well as berry, strawberry, and raspberry options. We like the idea of the flavoured options, they have additional ingredients such as colouring and sweeteners.
While it is an affordable option, it does come with fewer servings than the others on our list. So in the long run, you may be buying this more often.
*Results are based on the HeyLiving Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
Learn MoreFinal Thoughts
The Bottom Line
When it comes to choosing the right creatine supplements, it is essential to choose a product that is made with high-quality ingredients delivered in optimal doses from a brand you can trust.
After searching the internet to find the best creatine products and evaluating them based on their customer service, ingredients and pricing, we believe Xellerate Nutrition’s Creatine Powder is the best on the market.
Xellerate Nutrition provides a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back.
Take advantage of this Offer while supplies last.
CITATIONS
- Kreider, R. B., Kalman, D. S., Antonio, J., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Wildman, R., Collins, R., Candow, D. G., Kleiner, S. M., Almada, A. L., & Lopez, H. L. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z
- Rae, C., Digney, A. L., McEwan, S. R., & Bates, T. C. (2003). Oral creatine monohydrate supplementation improves brain performance: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Proceedings. Biological sciences, 270(1529), 2147–2150. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2003.2492
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* The information contained within this site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have, expect to have, or suspect you may have any medical condition, you are urged to consult with a healthcare provider. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or the European Food Safety Authority. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. Results are based on the opinion of the author and their own rankings and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Trademarks used on our website belong to their respective owners and no implied or expressed endorsement of our website or services is intended. Rankings can be affected by the relationship or ownership interest we have in various products featured.
MARKETING DISCLOSURE: This website is a blog. As such you should know that we have a monetary connection and the same ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) as some of the products we recommend on this site, including the #1 pick/partner on this blog post (Hey Nutrition). We may receive payments from direct sales of these products or commissions whenever a qualified sale occurs on any of featured sites, including sales from properties owned by the same UBO's, along with other partners through the Amazon Associates program.
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