10 Best Creatine Supplements of 2026, Tested by Us
Boost your workouts and build muscle with these dietitian-approved picks.
CREATINE SUPPLEMENTS CAN be an effective way to tap into more power during explosive exercise and build strength. Aside from protein powder, the best creatine supplements are the only supplements that can actually help you improve your fitness.
When you consume creatine (by way of supplements or real food), it turns into creatine phosphate in your muscles. This process helps make a key energy source called adenosine triphosphate, which is what your body uses for quick bursts of energy during intense workouts. In short, consuming creatine helps your muscles produce energy faster, and that extra energy lets you do more intense exercises, helping your muscles to grow bigger and stronger.
Best Creatine Supplements
- Best Overall: Thorne Creatine Powder
- Best Small Container: Onnit Creatine Monohydrate
- Best Premium: Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
- Most Affordable: Muscle Milk Pro Series Creatine
- Best Non-GMO: Sports Research Creatine
- Best Value: Momentous Creatine
Sure, you could eat meat daily, but not everyone wants to devour massive portions of steak or salmon every day. (A two-pound steak has 5 grams of creatine, for reference.) That's where creatine supplements come in. Creatine is one of the most extensively researched supplements on the market, and its benefits are well-documented, but only a handful of creatine supplements are worth your money.
In collaboration with creatine expert Jose Antonio, PhD, C.S.C.S., a professor in the Department of of Exercise and Sport Science at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fl., Men's Health fitness editors evaluated more than two dozen creatine products. Here's what we've found: Look for supplements certified by NSF or Informed Choice, and choose pure creatine monohydrate with five grams per serving—no fillers or extra ingredients.
To keep things simple, we did the hard work of calculating the price per standard five gram serving for each supplement we ranked. Our guide starts with the most budget-friendly options, followed by the pricier ones, because that's the most important factor for you to know.
Ready to take your gains to the next level? Keep scrolling to explore our top picks of the best creatine supplements to shop this year.
What to Consider
Dosage
Research suggests that a daily dosage of 3 to 5 grams of creatine monohydrate is effective for most individuals. Stick to this recommended dosage to maximize the benefits without overdoing it.
Type of Creatine
Look for a supplement that contains micronized creatine. This means the creatine particles are finely ground, making it easier for your body to absorb and utilize. This enhanced absorption can lead to better results and reduced stomach discomfort.
Ingredients
Creatine monohydrate should always be the key ingredient, but some supplements may include other additives. Opt for a single-ingredient, pure creatine whenever possible.
Certification
It's important to choose a creatine supplement that undergoes third-party testing to ensure its quality, purity, and safety. Look for certifications from reputable organizations such as NSF International or Informed Sport. These certifications provide an extra layer of confidence in the product's reliability and integrity. Remember, consistency is key when taking creatine. Stick to a creatine that you don't hate, so that you'll actually take it. And of course, consult with a healthcare professional if you have any specific concerns or medical conditions.
How We Selected
As the Fitness and Commerce Editor at Men's Health, it's my job to be familiar with the best products available in the world of wellness. For this story, I collaborated with Men's Health Deputy Editor Paul Kita, who heads our Food and Nutrition coverage. On top of that, our team has spent hours interviewing registered dietitians, medical doctors, and fitness professionals, as well as researching the top-rated and best-selling creatine supplements on the market.
The products that made it onto this list undergo third-party testing, hold an NSF, USP, or Informed Sport certification, and contain standardized forms of creatine in clinically studied, safe amounts. We paid close attention to evaluate the most important features, such as ingredients, dosage, price, and quality. The below guide represents our carefully chosen picks of the best creatine supplements worth buying right now.
Thorne Creatine Powder
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Dissolves quickly and with minimal mixing
- Will last you at least 3 months
- Stackable container
- Great price
Cons
- Only comes in one size
Thorne Creatine provides 5 grams of easily mixable micronized creatine monohydrate and nothing else. It's NSF Certified for Sport and cost-effective at under 50 cents per serving, making it an excellent choice for nearly anyone looking to put on muscle. This is one of the brands most commonly used by athletes and is officially partnered with the UFC Performance Institute, being used by a lot of MMA fighters.
This powder has been my creatine supplement of choice for nearly two years, and I've been impressed with how it performs. It mixes easily, is truly tasteless, and doesn't have any of that gritty texture creatine powders can sometimes have. If you're new to performance supplements, Thorne's products are a reliable starting point, designed with a focus on minimal, clean, and transparent ingredients backed by clinical research for safety and efficacy.
Read More: Best Whey Protein Powders
Features at a Glance
| Servings | 90 |
| Price Per 5g Serving | $0.44 |
| Ingredients | Micronized creatine monohydrate |
| Form | Powder |
Onnit Creatine Monohydrate
Pros
- Informed Sport Certified
- Reasonable price
- Doesn't clump
Cons
- Requires frequent re-upping (only 30 servings per container)
Onnit's unflavored creatine provides 5 grams of micronized creatine monohydrate, straightforward, and sugar-free. No fancy flavors or frills here, just the good stuff. The small container allows you to try out this creatine without the obligation of buying a whole tub like other brands. This also makes it incredibly easy to fit into your gym bag, for those post-workout smoothies.
When mixing it into coffee, water, or juice, it never clumps. And it blends into a shake or smoothie perfectly, too. It's also Informed Sport certified, so you can trust it's been rigorously tested for banned substances and contaminants.
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Features at a Glance
| Servings | 30 |
| Price Per 5g Serving | $0.50 |
| Ingredients | Micronized creatine monohydrate |
| Form | Powder |
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
Pros
- Informed Sport certified
- No artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives
- Dissolves easily
Cons
- Expensive
Transparent Labs' Creatine HMB offers a clean and effective 5-gram serving, devoid of any hidden ingredients. In my experience, it effortlessly dissolves, often requiring no additional mixing effort. Simply add a scoop to water or juice, and it seamlessly blends with the liquid, delivering a silky, trouble-free mix to enhance your workouts.
For added nutritional benefits after a workout, I like to mix this creatine into my protein smoothies. It's backed by Informed Sport certification, assuring that this powder delivers precisely what's promised and is safe for athletes at all levels.
Read More: Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss
Features at a Glance
| Servings | 30 |
| Price Per 5g Serving | $1.67 |
| Ingredients | Creatine monohydrate, Bioperine, vitamin D,β-Hydroxy β-methylbutyric (HMB) |
| Form | Powder |
Muscle Milk Pro Series Creatine
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Stackable container
- The most affordable option
Cons
- Not micronized (may be more likely to clump)
This creatine from CytoSport, parent company of Muscle Milk, is the new iteration of Muscle Milk's Pro Series Creatine. The sleek, newly designed packaging is nice, but what we love most is that this version maintains its reputation with a familiar and NSF-certified formula. Each serving delivers a solid 5 grams of creatine monohydrate, making it a consistent choice for those seeking muscle-building benefits.
Beyond its no-frills formulation, a whopping 100 servings per container adds the perks of convenience and cost-efficiency. This means it'll last at least three months for a single user. It's also the cheapest creatine that has satisfied our testing criteria over the years.
Plus, we love the easily stackable, mess-free tub packaging. The cap is well-designed to keep the powder fresh and prevent the frustrating scenario of spillage.
Read More: Best Ashwagandha Supplements
Features at a Glance
| Servings | 100 |
| Price per 5g Serving | $0.17 |
| Ingredients | Creatine monohydrate |
| Form | Powder |
Sports Research Creatine
Pros
- High-quality creatine from Creapure
- Informed Sport certified
- Low cost per serving
Cons
- Only available online
If avoiding GMOs is important to you when it comes to your food, there's no good reason your supplements should be the exception. This Non-GMO Project- verified offering is made from Creapure, known as a high-purity micronized creatine produced in Germany (which is why it says “German Creatine” on the container). The serving of the standard 5-gram dose dissolves effortlessly in every liquid we tested, with no clumping issues that can plague other powders.
In terms of purity and quality, Sport Research has secured an Informed Sport certification, meaning what's on the label is precisely what you're getting in each serving. For individuals seeking a creatine supplement to accommodate their preferences and take out the guesswork out of dosing, this option is worth exploring. On the Sports Research site you can sign up for a subscription or add additional products to get free shipping on your order.
Features at a Glance
| Servings | 60 |
| Price Per 5g Serving | $0.30 |
| Ingredients | Micronized creatine monohydrate |
| Form | Powder |
Momentous Creatine
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Easy to store
- Great price
- Will last you at least 3 months
- Informed Sport certified
Cons
- Not micronized (may be more likely to clump)
Momentous Creatine goes above and beyond, boasting both NSF and Informed Sport certifications. This guarantees its pure and legit nature. And 41 cents per serving, this creatine strikes the sweet spot at the intersection of price and quality. "I use this creatine as my go-to, because it's simple and effective," says Men's Health Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S. "I put it in everything from smoothies to protein shakes to water."
While the brand recommends a 10-gram dose in the first week, research exploring the need for a creatine loading phase isn't convincing enough to burn through several additional servings. The one downside we observed about this powder is that, while not micronized, a bit more mixing may be needed to dissolve fully. But hey, that's a small price to pay for the other wins.
Read More: Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain
Features at a Glance
| Servings | 90 |
| Price Per 5g Serving | $0.41 |
| Ingredients | Creatine monohydrate |
| Form | Powder |
Gnarly Nutrition Creatine (Unflavored)
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Easy to store
- Will last you at least 3 months
Cons
- Pricey
Gnarly's Creapure unflavored creatine delivers 5 grams per serving, contains no additional ingredients, and is NSF Certified for Sport. Creapure is a patent-protected, micronized creatine monohydrate known for its rigorous research, focusing on purity and safety. While the research comparing it to other certified forms of creatine monohydrate is inconclusive, products featuring Creapure often come with a higher price tag.
Despite its higher price, I conducted my own test after three months creatine-free, taking this powder twice daily for the first two weeks as recommended by the brand. Within that timeframe, I observed a roughly 10-20% increase in the reps of exercises like burpees, squat jumps, and overhead presses during AMRAP workouts.
Read More: Best Vegan Protein Powders
Features at a Glance
| Servings | 90 |
| Price Per 5g Serving | $0.61 |
| Ingredients | Creapure creatine monohydrate |
| Form | Powder |
Promix Creatine
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport
- One of the most affordable options
- Brand offers a subscription program (with discounts!)
- Easy to store
- Dissolves quickly
Cons
- Massive serving size may be too much for some folks to get through before it expires
With 180 servings per container, you'll have months of fuel for your intense workouts for just 33 cents per day. This is an excellent athlete-approved option for those who take creatine everyday and might even want to experiment with super-dosing. However, if you use creatine infrequently, you may want to consider the 30-serving stick option. At 96 cents per servings, it's considerably pricer, but the large container might be too much for some to consume before reaching its expiry date. (We've experienced the discomfort of using creatine past its best-by date and would love to save you from it.)
We appreciate how Promix posts its third-party testing results right on its website for the public to see to increase transparency around what's in each product. The brand also offers a subscription program, providing automatic shipments every 1, 2, or 3 months. This not only saves you time and ensures you never run out, but also offers a 10% discount on each order.
Read More: Best-Tasting Protein Powders
Features at a Glance
| Servings | 180 |
| Price Per 5g Serving | $0.33 |
| Ingredients | Micronized creatine monohydrate |
| Form | Powder |
Bare Performance Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate
Pros
- Informed Sport certified
- Stackable container
- Dissolves quickly
Cons
- More expensive than other optioins
Bare Performance Nutrition's creatine is Informed Sport certified, containing a single ingredient: micronized creatine monohydrate from Creapure. Army veteran and hybrid-athlete Nick Bare created his company to design the best supplements for performance, and he's succeeded in that here.
The container conveniently stacks with standard-size powder tubs, ensuring an organized approach to your gains. We've tested this powder in water, juice, smoothies, and even coffee, and it mixes effortlessly every time. No added sugar, no chalky texture, and no unpleasant aftertaste.
Read More: Best Creatine Gummies
Features at a Glance
| Servings | 60 |
| Price Per 5g Serving | $0.58 |
| Ingredients | Micronized creatine monohydrate |
| Form | Powder |
Klean Athlete Klean Creatine Dietary Supplement
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Stackable container
- Small container is good for travel or short-term use
Cons
- One of the pricier options
- Not micronized (may be more likely to clump)
This NSF for Sport certified option from Klean Athlete delivers 5 grams of pure creatine monohydrate per scoop without any artificial flavors or added ingredients. While it offers a modest 60 servings, it's a great pick if you're seeking a creatine supplement for short-term use or to leave at the gym or office.
You can enjoy free delivery regardless of your order's total amount, but while you're at it, you can also try out other Klean Athlete products. We love the Klean Isolate whey protein powder as a standalone addition or the Muscle Building Bundle, which includes the protein powder, creatine, and two additional products to support your gains.
Read More: Best Casein Protein Powder
Features at a Glance
| Servings | 60 |
| Price Per 5g Serving | $0.55 |
| Ingredients | Creatine monohydrate |
| Form | Powder |
Meet the Expert
- Jose Antonio, PhD, C.S.C.S. is a professor in the Department of of Exercise and Sport Science at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
What Is Creatine?
Creatine is a naturally occurring molecule produced by our bodies and found in foods like meat, fish, and eggs. It's also available as a popular sports nutrition supplement known as creatine monohydrate.
As a type of amino acid, creatine serves as a building block for proteins, which are essential for muscle, bone, and tissue development. Think of it as your muscles' secret fuel reserve, keeping them firing on all cylinders, particularly during intense activities.
Now, here's a cool fact: Despite its incredible performance-boosting benefits, creatine is not banned in any college or professional sports. That means you can confidently incorporate it into your training regimen without worrying about violating any rules or regulations, no matter who you are. (Although, as always, it's a good idea to consult your healthcare provider before adding new supplements into your diet.)
Benefits of Creatine
When you hit the gym and take creatine monohydrate, it supplies energy to your muscles, keeping them fueled for exercises. This leads to sustained power and endurance during workouts.
By elevating your energy levels, creatine helps you push harder during strength training. It enables you to perform more reps, resulting in increased muscle stimulation and, consequently, more gains.
Creatine is thoroughly studied, too. A 2022 analysis of 35 studies revealed that when combined with resistance training, creatine supplementation leads to a significant increase in lean body mass. Adults, regardless of age, gained over two pounds of lean body mass. Although it might seem small, it's a meaningful difference for those aiming to build lean muscle.
Does Creatine Cause Hair Loss?
Dr. Antonio is clear: "There is absolutely no evidence that creatine supplementation causes baldness."
So, what's with the rumors about creatine and side effects like hair loss? Concerns arose from a single study involving college rugby players who took high creatine doses. This study reported an increase in a testosterone metabolite linked to hair loss. However, it's vital to note that this study was short-term and on a small sample size, not replicated, and the observed variable in the creatine group remained within normal clinical limits.
Other research on creatine and testosterone levels found no significant changes. While the initial study raised questions, there's no solid proof linking creatine to hair loss. So, rest assured, creatine doesn't seem to be the culprit.
What Is the Best Creatine Supplement?
Throughout years of testing, we've found several excellent options. Yet, our standout choice for the best creatine supplement is Onnit Creatine Monohydrate. Onnit creatine holds the Informed Sport Certification, is uncomplicated, and free of sugar. With Onnit Creatine, you get 5 grams of micronized creatine monohydrate per serving, without any additives.
Years of using this supplement have confirmed that it easily mixes into coffee, water, smoothies, or juice without clumping, and it truly has no taste. At 50 cents per serving, Onnit falls in the middle of the pack in terms of price compared to other brands we tested, but you're paying for the quality and reliability of the ingredients. We also love the relatively compact packaging, which is practical enough to throw in a gym or work bag when needed on-the-go.
Charles Thorp is the Fitness and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he shares the best product recommendations in gym equipment, recovery tools, supplements, and more. Following an early life in athletics, Charles became a NASM-certified trainer and began writing programs alongside the most respected coaches in the world. Since entering the world of fitness content, Charles has had the opportunity to learn from and train alongside high performance individuals from the NFL, UFC, NBA, Formula 1, CrossFit, US Olympics, and Navy SEALs. When he’s not writing about training programs or gear, he can be seen at the gym or in the wild, putting them to the test.
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