Best Creatine supplements of 2024

About Thorne creatine monohydrate

Thorne is a top supplement brand that extensively tests for contaminants and is trusted by athletes. Creatine monohydrate is the only ingredient, free of toxic metals, banned substances and other harmful ingredients and manufactured in the U.S.

One scoop is a serving containing 5 grams of pure creatine monohydrate. The micronized form of creatine monohydrate is said to be more soluble and easy to dissolve, although the powdered sugar-like texture is a common complaint in customer reviews.

Why we like it

• Trusted brand that conducts four rounds of testing
• Thorne tests for 760 contaminants
• Has cGMP, NSF and NSF Certified for Sport certifications

What to consider

• $40 for 90 scoops is pricey
• 5-gram dose may not be right for everyone
• Powder doesn’t dissolve as well as others

Best for quality: Klean creatine

About Klean creatine

Klean Athlete was founded “by athletes for athletes.” The supplement company maintains high testing standards including testing all raw materials for identity. The complete product line is non-GMO and formulated without wheat, gluten, artificial coloring, flavoring or sweeteners. The company holds several certifications and the manufacturing facilities in the U.S. are NSF-GMP certified.  

Klean Creatine is GMP-certified and NSF Certified for Sport. Like Thorne creatine, the focus is on purity and quality. For that reason, both brands are a favorite of competitive and professional athletes, according to the websites. One scoop is a serving containing 5 grams of creatine monohydrate.

Why we like it

• NSF Certified for Sport, cGMP and NSF-GMP certified
• Tests raw materials to ensure the quality of ingredients
• Flavorless

What to consider

• $32.80 for 60 servings is expensive
• Some reviewers noted the powder didn’t dissolve
• 5-gram dose may not be right for everyone.

Best for budget: Nutricost creatine monohydrate micronized powder

About Nutricost creatine monohydrate micronized powder

Nutricost creatine is available in a few flavors for those who would like an alternative to the taste and smell of unflavored creatine. The micronized form is designed for easy mixing and better absorbability. Compared to other brands, this creatine supplement stands out as one of the most affordable, with a cost of 33 cents per serving. 

This brand shows a commitment to quality through third-party testing and manufacturing products in GMP-compliant facilities. It’s important to note that despite undergoing third-party testing, the supplement is not certified for sports. This brand is a good option for fitness enthusiasts who want to level up their workouts and gain muscle.

Why we like it

• Third-party tested and manufactured in GMP-compliant facilities
• $32.95 for 100 servings is quite affordable
• Non-GMO and gluten-free

What to consider

• Flavored powder contains sucralose and other additives
• Not NSF Certified for Sport
• Complaints about the way it dissolves

Best for vegan: Naked Nutrition pure creatine monohydrate 

About Naked Nutrition pure creatine monohydrate

This brand makes sports supplements with clean ingredients and no artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners or mixing agents. Compared to other unflavored creatine powders, the taste and flavor of Naked creatine receive positive feedback in reviews. Naked simplifies the purchasing experience with a website tool that helps you select the right supplements based on goals and restrictions or allergies and the creatine is conveniently sold in 1.1 pounds and 2.2 pounds.

Naked products are manufactured in the U.S. in a GMP-certified facility. This brand opted to have the Informed Choice Trusted by Sport certification. While both NSF and Informed Sport test for banned ingredients, the US Anti-Doping Agency only recognizes NSF Certified for Sport.

Why we like it

• $21.99 for 100 servings is very affordable
• Third-party tested for heavy metals
• Facilities are GMP certified and Informed Choice Trusted by Sport certification.

What to consider

• Not NSF Certified for Sport.
• Measurement may be inaccurate, dispensing less than the 5-gram serving size
• Insolubility is a common criticism

Best for performance boost: Transparent Labs Creatine HMB

About Transparent Labs Creatine HMB

The combination of 5 grams of creatine, Transparent Labs Creatine contains HMB, BioPerine and vitamin D may have added benefits. HMB helps build muscle, but creatine and HMB combined may not mean extra gains at the gym, according to a recent study. 

Instead, evidence supports that HMB and vitamin D paired together may prevent muscle loss or even improve gains. BioPerine, an extract from black pepper (dried fruits of Piper nigrum), may help increase the absorption of other nutrients and supplements.

This product is third-party tested for banned substances and the Informed Choice certification. The biggest downside is the price. But if a creatine supplement with potential extra health benefits from a trusted brand is a top priority, the $1.67 per serving may not be a factor.

Why we like it

• Tested for banned substances and Informed Choice certified
• Unflavored has no artificial sweeteners, colored dyes or fillers
• Contains vitamin D and Bioperine

What to consider

• $49.99 for 30 servings is really pricey
• Flavored options contain natural flavorings, additives and stevia
• Combination of creatine and HMB may not increase muscle growth

How to choose a creatine supplement

When you’re shopping for supplements, focus on brands that have been third-party tested by an independent company. While we get creatine primarily from animal proteins, dietary sources might not provide enough creatine for optimal results. According to JJ Virgin, triple-board certified nutrition expert and Fitness Hall of Famer, “the amount you need to get all of its benefits is almost impossible to get from diet alone, so I recommend a daily supplement.”

Creatine supplements are available in a few different forms, but “creatine monohydrate is the most effective and affordable form,” says Ashley Castleberry, a NASM-certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach. Micronized creatine monohydrate is the more absorbable form. 

Supplements support a healthy diet, but “like any supplement, creatine should be used responsibly and not as a substitute for a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle,” says Dr. Praveen Guntipalli, owner of Sanjiva Medical Spa and double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine.

While creatine is a well-studied supplement considered safe for most people, it may not be safe if you have diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always talk to your doctor before taking supplements to make sure they’re right for your health goals and won’t negatively interact with other medications.

Methodology

To compile this list, our writers and editors reviewed top products on the market, compared specs and features and created a short list of the top supplements. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews and user ratings to find the best creatine supplements for each category. Note that we do not test every product but base our lists on our research, user reviews and expert opinions.

FAQ

Is creatine worth using?

Yes. Through experience as a NASM-certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, Ashley Castleberry has seen “how creatine provides muscles extra energy, allowing you to lift more weight and train harder.”  

“Think of creatine as a turbocharge for your body's 'energy engine' ATP, giving you that extra oomph when you're pushing the limits,” says Dr. Praveen Guntipalli. However, supplementation alone won’t build muscles. To see optimal results, creatine supplements should be combined with consistent workouts and good nutrition.

Can you take creatine every day?

Yes. According to the International of Sports and Nutrition, 3 - 5 grams daily can maintain creatine saturation stores, although athletes may need more. It’s important to note that customer reviews of several creatine products in this review reported nausea, bloating, cramps, and, in some cases, vomiting after taking creatine. Gastrointestinal issues are a common side effect of creatine, according to a 2020 review.

How much creatine you should take daily depends on your goals, body size and whether you’re in the loading phase. Castleberry of tgffitness.com says to “start with a loading phase, then maintain with 3-5 grams daily.” For example, women should “aim for 3-5 grams per day depending on their body weight (under 120 pounds should start with 3 grams),” says JJ Virgin.

When is the best time of day to take a creatine supplement?

The best time to take creatine is up to 1 hour before a workout or immediately after a workout. In addition to optimal timing for results, combining creatine with carbohydrates may increase strength and muscle mass and improve endurance.

JJ Virgin says, “As you're working up tissue stores and getting your tissues saturated with creatine, I would recommend taking it before a workout, but once you've got good tissue stores, the most important thing is consistency and to make sure you're taking it every day.” 

References

Center for Drug Evaluation, & Research. (2023, October 25). Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations. U.S. Food and Drug Administration; FDA. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/current-good-manufacturing-practice-cgmp-regulations

de Guingand, D. L., Palmer, K. R., Snow, R. J., Davies-Tuck, M. L., & Ellery, S. J. (2020). Risk of Adverse Outcomes in Females Taking Oral Creatine Monohydrate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061780. PMCID: PMC7353222. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353222/.

Fairfield, W. D., Minton, D. M., Elliehausen, C. J., Nichol, A. D., Cook, T. L., Rathmacher, J. A., Pitchford, L. M., Paluska, S. A., Kuchnia, A. J., Allen, J. M., & Konopka, A. R. (2022). Small-Scale Randomized Controlled Trial to Explore the Impact of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate Plus Vitamin D3 on Skeletal Muscle Health in Middle Aged Women. Nutrients, 14(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214674. PMCID: PMC9658601. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9658601/. 

Fernández-Lázaro, D., Mielgo-Ayuso, J., Martínez, A. C., & Seco-Calvo, J. (2020). Iron and Physical Activity: Bioavailability Enhancers, Properties of Black Pepper (Bioperine®) and Potential Applications. Nutrients, 12(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12061886. PMCID: PMC7353321. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7353321/. 

Forbes, S. C., Candow, D. G., Neto, J. H. F., Kennedy, M. D., Forbes, J. L., Machado, M., Bustillo, E., Gomez-Lopez, J., Zapata, A., & Antonio, J. (2023). Creatine supplementation and endurance performance: surges and sprints to win the race. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2023.2204071. PMCID: PMC10132248. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10132248/.

Infront, G. (2019, May 14). Reduce Your Supplement Risk with NSF Certified for Sport. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Retrieved from https://www.usada.org/athletes/substances/supplement-connect/reduce-risk-testing-positive-experiencing-adverse-health-effects/

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(1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z. PMCID: PMC5469049. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5469049/.

Mangine, G. T., VanDusseldorp, T. A., Hester, G. M., Julian, J. M., & Feito, Y. (2020). The addition of β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) to creatine monohydrate supplementation does not improve anthropometric and performance maintenance across a collegiate rugby season. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-020-00359-4. PMCID: PMC7254750. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7254750/. 

Office of the Commissioner. (2023, May 16). Facts about Dietary Supplements. U.S. Food and Drug Administration; FDA. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/rumor-control/facts-about-dietary-supplements

Ribeiro, F., Longobardi, I., Perim, P., Duarte, B., Ferreira, P., Gualano, B., Roschel, H., & Saunders, B. (2021). Timing of Creatine Supplementation around Exercise: A Real Concern? Nutrients, 13(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082844. PMCID: PMC8401986. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8401986/.

Wax, B., Kerksick, C. M., Jagim, A. R., Mayo, J. J., Lyons, B. C., & Kreider, R. B. (2021). Creatine for Exercise and Sports Performance, with Recovery Considerations for Healthy Populations. Nutrients, 13(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061915. PMCID: PMC8228369. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8228369/.