Athletes often use creatine to help improve strength, performance, and recovery, but finding the best creatine supplement can take some time.

Creatine supplements come in various forms including powders and capsules. Some brands make flavored creatine supplements, and others make unflavored powders designed to be added to shakes or sports drinks.

Whether you’re trying creatine for the first time or looking for a new and improved product, we encourage you to consider the brands listed below.

We read countless reviews and product descriptions, put products to the test, and are quite confident that these five best creatine supplements are top-of-the-line.

5 Best Creatine Supplements – Quick Summary

1. Best Overall — Promix Non-GMO Creatine

2. Best for Endurance Athletes — BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate

3. Best for Bodybuilders — Double Wood Supplements Creatine Powder

4. Best for First-Timers — Naked Creatine

5. Best for Power Athletes — Onnit Creatine Monohydrate

Top 5 Best Creatine Supplement Products

As we began to look into various creatine brands, it became clear we would not be able to pick just one top product. There were simply too many great brands out there. So, we instead chose five top brands of creatine across five different categories. 

Whether you’ve been using creatine for years or are a first-time user, we’re confident one of these products will be the perfect fit.

1. Best Overall: Promix Non-GMO Creatine

What we love:

We chose Promix Non-GMO Creatine for our top spot because of its simple formula and mixability. We were also impressed by the brand’s dedication to sustainability.

This supplement is a micronized creatine monohydrate powder, which helps ensure excellent absorption and utilization. It’s specially formulated to muscle building and improving exercise performance.

This unflavored powder is non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free. Plus it’s pure creatine monohydrate, so it does not contain any fillers, artificial flavors, or artificial colorings.

Whether you have allergies or are just very careful what you put into your body, you can feel good about this pure, safe formula.

This supplement is micronized creatine monohydrate, which means it is processed into tiny particles so it can be easily mixed into water or your favorite beverage.

It dissolves well, so you can just stir or shake it in — there’s no need to use a blender. The company recommends using ½ to 1 scoop of creatine powder per serving and mixing into 8 to 12 ounces of liquid.

You can vary the dose based on your specific needs. One scoop of this micronized creatine powder is 5 grams.

About Promix:

Promix was founded in 2011 by Albert Matheny, a former USA Triathlon athlete and dietitian who has worked with Olympians. The company creates products that are backed by science, made to fit athletes’ lifestyles, and recognized by the NSF Certified for Sport program.

Promix keeps sustainability in mind when making their products. They are certified by 1% For the Planet, an organization that helps fund environmental causes. The company seeks to minimize their carbon footprint by using North American ingredients and plastic-free packaging.

Promix offers a 90-day guarantee on their creatine supplements and other products. Customers can save by signing up for regular deliveries through their Subscribe & Save program. Military members and first responders are eligible for additional discounts.

Reviews:

Customers love how easily this micronized creatine monohydrate powder mixes into their drinks. They say that, as an unflavored powder, it does not cause any bloating or digestive discomfort.

Most people noticed gains in strength and fitness after a few weeks of using this powder consistently. It receives glowing reviews from athletes in a wide range of sports including boxing, soccer, basketball, and volleyball.

Pros:

• Micronized for improved dissolvability and absorption
• Non-GMO and free from additives
• Produced and packaged sustainably
• Tested for heavy metal contamination

Cons:

• Only comes in one size

Specs:

• Container size: 900 g
• Serving size: 5 g per serving

Learn more about Promix Non-GMO Creatine today

2. Best for Endurance Athletes: BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate

What we love:

BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate is a good choice for endurance athletes because the company promises it can help provide energy while also improving muscle recovery time. We also saw lots of positive reviews from cyclists and other endurance athletes.

This creatine powder is vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free, so it’s suitable for a wide range of diets. 

This micronized creatine monohydrate will not only promote muscle growth and physical recovery, but also help support cognitive function and brain health. The recommended dosage is 5 grams per serving — which equates to two teaspoons of powder — before a workout.

About BulkSupplements.com:

BulkSupplements.com is a Nevada-based company that operates a manufacturing facility that’s NSF Certified for Sport and FDA-registered. They make more than 500 nutritional supplements, all of which are tested in a third-party lab before distribution.

This company accepts returns of unopened products up to 30 days after the invoice date. They often offer free shipping on orders that meet a minimum cost. Customers can save on repeat shipments through their Subscribe & Save program.

Reviews:

Reviewers find both the capsules and powders to be quite effective. Several people mentioned making a breakthrough in fitness a few weeks after starting this creatine supplement. Not only does it boost athletic performance, but it helps keep them focused and on-task during their workouts.

Pros:

• Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free
• Supports physical and mental functions
• Available in multiple sizes

Cons:

• Bag does not always reseal well

Specs:

• Container size: 100 g, 250 g, 500 g, 1 kg, 5 kg
• Serving size: 5 g per serving

Learn more about BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate today

3. Best for Bodybuilders: Double Wood Supplements Creatine Powder

What we love:

Double Wood Supplements Creatine Powder is a great choice for bodybuilders because it is promised to help promote power output and strength.

This micronized creatine monohydrate supplement can support both physical and mental endurance. It is made in the USA and lab-tested for purity, making it a good choice for athletes who are drug tested.

This unflavored powder is soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO, and it’s micronized for better absorption. You can add it to water or your favorite pre-workout beverage without worrying that the flavor will change.

You get 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per serving, and the company recommends taking one serving daily, either with or without food.

They say that a loading dose is not necessary with this product as 5 grams per day is enough to achieve muscle saturation over time. 

About Double Wood Supplements:

Founded in 2013, Double Wood Supplements is a Pennsylvania-based supplement company that makes transparency and trust a priority. They rely on third-party labs to test their products, and they share the results of those tests on their website. The company has a helpful, educated customer service team that can answer any questions you might have about your creatine product.

Double Wood Supplements get orders out quickly — their typical handling time is one day. The company provides discounts through their Subscribe & Save program and also offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

Reviews:

This creatine supplement receives positive reviews from both serious bodybuilders and more casual weightlifters. Customers at all fitness levels report that they’re building muscle mass faster because of it.

Some also say Double Wood Supplements’ creatine monohydrate powder helped reduce their recovery time. They say they feel fresh sooner after a hard workout and are able to get back in the gym with fewer rest days.

Some customers say they initially feel a bit bloated when they start taking this creatine powder, but that effect dissipates in time.

A few reviewers mix this product into plain water, but most add it to their pre-workout smoothie for an extra kick. It reportedly blends well and does not clump.

Pros:

• Micronized for easy absorption
• Made in a facility that’s GMP- and NSF Certified for Sport
• Third-party lab tested for purity
• Soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO

Cons:

• Only comes in one package size

Specs:

• Container size: 500 g
• Serving size: 5 g per serving

Learn more about Double Wood Supplements Creatine Powder today

4. Best for First-Timers: Naked Creatine Monohydrate Powder

What we love:

If you’re thinking of trying creatine monohydrate for the first time, you’ll probably want a product with a simple formula and clear instructions. Naked Creatine Monohydrate Powder fits the bill.

This is undoubtedly one of the best creatine supplements for first-timers because it contains only pure creatine monohydrate – no other additives, flavors, chemicals, or ingredients. 

Naked Creatine Monohydrate Powder dissolves quickly in water, so there is no grit or goop to worry about. It has been lab-tested for heavy metal contamination. The company says this supplement will help increase muscle mass and improve exercise performance, whether you work out in the gym or outdoors.

It is also suitable for those on many specialized diets. Naked Creatine Monohydrate Powder is a keto-friendly supplement and is free from dairy, soy, and gluten. It’s also vegan, so you can feel ethically good about your purchase.

Naked Nutrition promises that this micronized creatine absorbs more easily than most creatine supplements, so it is less likely to lead to digestive distress or an upset stomach. You get 5 grams of powder per serving, and mixing it up is easy. Just add one scoop to 14 to 16 ounces of water, shake, and drink.

About Naked Nutrition:

Naked Nutrition aims to make simple, limited-ingredient supplements. They want customers to know exactly what they are putting into their bodies. The company’s website even features a handy tool to help you figure out which supplements best suit your needs.

Customers who join Naked Nutrition’s Rewards Program earn points with every purchase and can redeem those points for vouchers and discounts. Unused and unopened products can be returned for a refund or exchange within 14 days of purchase.

Reviews:

This creatine powder receives great reviews from first-time users. Some customers can’t believe how much more energized they feel during their workouts after adding Naked Creatine Monohydrate Powder to their routine.

They’re also impressed how quickly their fitness seems to improve. We saw glowing reviews from soccer players who say their athletic performance skyrocketed when using creatine before practices. Cyclists report gains in power and focus on Naked Creatine Monohydrate Powder, too.

Customers also love how easy it is to digest this micronized creatine supplement and praise the fact that it does not make their stomachs upset (even if they don’t eat a snack with it).

Pros:

• Free from all artificial additives
• Micronized creatine for fast-dissolving formula that’s easily absorbed
• Third-party lab tested for heavy metals
• Vegan, keto-friendly, gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO

Cons:

• Scoop sometimes comes buried deep within the product

Specs:

• Container size: 500 g, 1 kg
• Serving size: 5 g per serving

Learn more about Naked Creatine Monohydrate Powder today

5. Best for Power Athletes: Onnit Creatine Monohydrate

What we love:

Power athletes, like sprinters, jumpers, and martial artists, sometimes use creatine supplementation to help them get a boost during short spurts of anaerobic activity.

So If you’re a power athlete looking for a performance boost, we recommend trying Onnit Creatine Monohydrate.

The company says that this supplement supports lean muscle gain, aids with body composition changes, and promotes strength and power – all things you probably desire as a power athlete.

Onnit Creatine Monohydrate is backed by science and has a vegan, dairy-free, and soy-free formula that’s suitable for many athletes. The product is certified by Informed Sport, a third-party testing program that ensures products are free from all banned substances.

Onnit recommends taking two scoops of this creatine monohydrate per serving and mixing it into 8 ounces of water or another beverage.

About Onnit:

Onnit has a mission: to empower people with a holistic approach to mental and physical health.

They make products for athletes at all levels, from professional to recreational. Onnit chooses their ingredients based on clinical research, and they use earth-grown nutrients whenever possible. Their products are lab-tested for purity and to ensure they are free from all banned substances.

Onnit offers a 90-day money back guarantee. They also have a discount program for military members, teachers, first responders, and medical professionals.

Reviews:

Reviewers say this supplement helps improve the quality of their strength training workouts. They can lift heavier weights, perform more sets, and take fewer days off, which leads to improvements in exercise performance.

We also saw positive reviews from sprinters and jumpers. Several martial artists report taking this creatine monohydrate supplement before fights because they find it helps improve their power during tough moments.

Customers also say they experience enhanced mental clarity on this supplement. They find it helps them focus and keep their eye on the prize.

Pros:

• Informed Sport Certified
• Vegan, soy-free, and dairy-free
• Dissolves well in water
• Unflavored powder

Cons:

• Powder may make a mess the first time you open the canister

Specs:

• Container size: 150 g
• Serving size: 5 g per serving

Learn more about Onnit Creatine Monohydrate today

How We Picked The Best Creatine Supplement

In order to decide on our favorite creatine monohydrate supplements, we went through an extensive vetting process to ensure we were only recommending the very best products:

Learning about creatine supplementation

We read a wide range of articles and spoke with athletic professionals to get a good grasp on what creatine supplements do, how creatine supplementation works, and what customers look for in a creatine monohydrate supplement.

Reviewing product descriptions

We looked for products made with pure creatine monohydrate. We also favored those that were lab tested for purity, and those that came with detailed labels and instructions. The simpler the ingredient list, the better.

Examining customer reviews

This is when our list of creatine monohydrate options really began to shorten and the best supplements started to emerge. There were a few dozen products that reviewers seemed to absolutely love.

We gave preference to those that were reviewed by athletes in a wide range of sports. We also looked for products that customers said dissolved well and tasted good.

Firsthand product testing

Our testers were athletes with backgrounds in many different sports, from cycling to martial arts. We had them try these creatine supplements and tell us what they thought. They had some clear favorites, and based on their feedback, we were able to select five best creatine supplement products to recommend here.

What Is Creatine?

Creatine is an amino acid. Your body produces a certain amount of creatine on its own. You also consume creatine when you eat certain foods, such as red meat, milk, and seafood. You store creatine in your muscles, and your muscles use it when you are physically active.

Basically, creatine allows your muscles to use a form of cellular energy called ATP. The creatine stored in your muscles is in a form called phosphocreatine. A molecule of phosphocreatine transfers a phosphate group to an ADP molecule, which turns that ADP into an ATP that your muscle cells can use for energy.

Creatine supplementation can increase the amount of phosphocreatine stored in your muscles. This, in turn, can allow your muscles to better utilize energy during workouts.

What Are the Different Types of Creatine?

Most creatine supplements can come in a liquid, capsule, or powder form. There are also several different chemical forms of creatine you may see in these supplements.

Creatine Monohydrate

The best creatine supplements are typically formulated with creatine monohydrate. Chemically, this form of creatine consists of a creatinine molecule bound to one water molecule.

Creatine monohydrate has been widely studied, and the consensus is that it is both safe and effective as a supplement for athletic and exercise performance.

A systematic review published in the Journal of Athletic Training found no reports of adverse effects from creatine monohydrate supplementation in athletes, even when they exercised in heat.

To improve its solubility and ability to be absorbed by the digestive tract, many supplement companies micronize their creatine. This means that they break the creatine monohydrate into smaller particles.

Creatine Ethyl Ester

Creatine ethyl ester is a form of creatine that some manufacturers claim is more bioavailable. However, not all studies seem to support these claims, and most experts agree that creatine monohydrate is still the most easily absorbed form.

Creatine Hydrochloride

Creatine hydrochloride may dissolve better in water than creatine monohydrate. However, it has not been as widely studied, so researchers do not know very much about its safety or effectiveness. The way creatine hydrochloride works is by bonding creatine with hydrochloric acid, which allows it to be so easily absorbed by your muscles.

Creatine Magnesium Chelate

Creatine magnesium chelate consists of creatine bonded with magnesium. It seems this form of creatine does help enhance athletic performance, but not significantly better than the more popular creatine monohydrate. 

Creatine nitrate

Creatine nitrate is created by combining nitric acid and creatine. Some studies say this supplement boosts physical performance.

Benefits of Creatine

Creatine is a common supplement among athletes, but not all of its benefits are strictly associated with athletic performance. Some benefits of creatine supplementation simply improve or promote everyday health and well being.

Increased Muscle Power

Creatine allows your muscle cells to better utilize energy during workouts. As such, it can help improve power, performance, and muscle function during short spurts of high-intensity physical exertion. In one study, participants who were given creatine were better able to maintain power output during a 10-second bout of intense exercise.

This benefit can be useful in many different sports. If you’re a cyclist, creatine may give you more power to get up a steep hill. If you’re a martial artist, the increase in power may help you break free from a headlock or deliver a match-winning kick.

Faster Recovery Time

Taking creatine supplements may help you recover faster after hard workouts. It is thought to do so by reducing muscle damage. The faster you are able to recover from workouts, the sooner you can work out again. This benefit can come in handy when you’re training for a competition and want to fit in as many sessions as possible.

Increased Muscle Mass

This benefit of creatine makes it quite popular for muscle building among bodybuilders and weight lifters. If your goal is muscle gain, supplementing with creatine may allow you to do so faster.

In one study, participants were randomly assigned to either a placebo group or a creatine group. They were given either creatine or a placebo daily over a 9-week period. Those who were given creatine experienced an average of 2 kilograms increase in muscle mass. No change in body mass was observed in the placebo group.

Better Focus

Creatine supplementation can also have a positive effect on the user’s mental state and cognitive function. In a review published in Experimental Gerontology, the authors reported that micronized creatine supplements helped improve short-term memory and reasoning ability among study participants.

If you’re an athlete, being able to focus more intently during workouts may allow you to train harder and see greater results. Improved focus may help you give your all during games and competitions, too.

Slowed Progression of Huntington’s Disease

Creatine supplementation may help slow the progression of Huntington’s Disease. Increasing the level of creatine in the body may help protect cells and cell membranes from the damage associated with this disease.

Reduced Fatigue

While more research needs to be done, early studies indicate that creatine supplements may help fight or reduce fatigue. Patients with concussions who are given creatine supplements may experience less fatigue and dizziness.

Cyclists who take creatine monohydrate supplements report less fatigue during intense activities and efforts, and other athletes are likely to experience similar benefits.

Can Creatine Cause Any Side Effects?

In most studies where participants are given creatine supplements, no significant side effects are reported. Even athletes who take creatine consistently over long periods tend to tolerate it well.

Gastrointestinal and other physical effects

People do occasionally experience mild side effects such as diarrhea, muscle cramps, and dizziness when taking creatine.

Dehydration, bloating, and weight gain are sometimes reported as side effects, too. These side effects may go away if you reduce your dose of creatine or take it with a snack.

Allergic reactions

Very rarely, people may experience an allergic reaction to a creatine supplement. Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, trouble breathing, and swelling of the lips and face. If you develop these symptoms, seek emergency medical care.

Kidney issues

In rare cases, creatine is associated with kidney damage. This risk is higher when creatine is used in combination with antiviral medications, antibiotics, some injectable osteoporosis medications, and medicines to prevent organ rejection.

If you take any other medications, check with your doctor before adding creatine supplements to your regimen.

FAQs

Will taking a creatine supplement make you bloated?

Some people do experience bloating when taking creatine supplements. This can happen even with pure creatine monohydrate.

The bloating is usually most pronounced during the loading phase – the initial period when you’re taking a higher dose of creatine. Once you get past the loading phase and are only taking a maintenance dose of creatine, the bloating is likely to dissipate.

Bloating with creatine supplementation can be annoying, but it’s considered normal and is not a reason for alarm. As your muscles take up the creatine, they also tend to hold on to more water.

If you are bothered by bloating, consider skipping the loading phase and starting off with the recommended daily maintenance dose of 3 to 5 grams per serving. It may take you longer to see an improvement in athletic performance, but long-term, the benefits should be the same.

Can women take creatine supplements?

Yes, people of all genders can take creatine supplements. Creatine has been found effective in helping women improve strength and exercise performance before menopause, and retain skeletal muscle after menopause. Creatine could have some mood and cognition-related benefits for women.

How much creatine should you take?

Most experts recommend one dosage of 3 and 5 grams per serving of creatine monohydrate per day for best results.

When you first start taking creatine, you can take a 5 gram dose four times per day, for a total of 20 grams per day.

This is known as a loading period and allows the level of creatine in your muscles to increase faster. Keep it up for a few days to a week, and then decrease your dose to the usual 3 to 5 grams once per day.

Can distance runners benefit from creatine?

Creatine monohydrate supplements are popular with weight lifters and other power athletes, but distance running is a sport that relies less on power and more on endurance.

As such, creatine may not have as dramatic an effect on a distance runner’s performance. But that does not mean it does not have its benefits.

Creatine may help give distance runners more power to sprint to the finish in a big race. It may also help them perform better in interval workouts during a training program.

On the flip side, creatine can cause the muscles to hold on to more water, which may be deleterious to a distance runner’s performance.

More science needs to be done to determine if the benefits of creatine outweigh the drawbacks for runners, but it may be worth a try as it's a generally safe and widely available supplement.

Is creatine a prohibited substance?

No, creatine is not a prohibited substance under the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s regulations.

Athletes are allowed to use creatine monohydrate prior to and during competition. The USADA notes that while creatine can impact performance, the effects are not guaranteed.

The organization does, however, advise competitive athletes to choose their creatine supplements carefully and buy from brands that use third-party lab testing to ensure their supplements are free from contaminants and banned substances.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to add muscle mass, speed recovery, or simply get more out of your workouts, you may want to consider creatine supplementation.

Creatine monohydrate supplements are widely available, rarely cause side effects, and are easy to integrate into your lifestyle. We recommend buying creatine monohydrate from companies that lab-test their products and provide detailed dosing instructions.

Any of the top five supplements we recommended would be an excellent choice. Good luck with those gains and we’ll see you at the gym.

Summary of the Best Creatine Supplements

1. Best Overall — Promix Non-GMO Creatine

2. Best for Endurance Athletes — BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate

3. Best for Bodybuilders — Double Wood Supplements Creatine Powder

4. Best for First-Timers — Naked Creatine

5. Best for Power Athletes — Onnit Creatine Monohydrate