Need help picking the best creatine supplements?
After you’ve bought a decent protein powder, I often recommend your second supplement to be a high quality, top creatine supplement.
However, there are so many to choose from.
How do you know what is the best out of all of them?
Worry not. I’m going to clear everything up for you.
We’re going to take a look at the best type, the best brand and a whole bunch of reviews to find out what is the best creatine on the market.
I’ve got a list of the top 10 supplements especially for you. So let’s dive right in!
Types Of Creatine
There many different kinds of creatine on the market and, with different names, it can be confusing to know which one to choose.
But is it just marketing? Is there actually a difference types? And which type is the best type?
Well, it’s not just marketing hype. There certainly is a difference between the types.
Types Differ In Effectiveness
Creatine types differ in effectiveness and this is often due to their solubility and whether or not they include chemicals that increase the rate of absorption into the muscles.
What supplement you choose will determine how much muscle mass you will gain, how much strength you will gain, and how much explosive energy you will gain.
So let’s take a look at the different types of creatine available. I’ll give you a rundown of the three most common types and then an overview of the other kinds available.
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine monohydrate is the most common form and the one you’re most likely to see again and again.
Athletes have been using monohydrate for decades. Purity will differ from product to product depending on which company produced it.
Scientific studies that cite the effectiveness of creatine in increasing strength, explosive energy, and muscle mass all typically use this type.
The Most Effective
It is not without its downsides though.
It’s not very water-soluble and it’s not super easy to absorb into your muscles. You also have to make sure you’re using from a reputable company (don’t worry, I’ll recommend the best) otherwise you might get some dodgy stuff loaded with impurities.
In addition to all this, side effects like bloating and diarrhea are quite common (been there, done that).
Micronized
You’ll see micronized creatine everywhere when you shop for creatine too. It’s basically the same as monohydrate but in micronized form.
This means that its rate of absorption is vastly superior to normal creatine monohydrate and you are less likely to suffer from the stomach issues that monohydrate typically cause.
I prefer this to normal creatine monohydrate because you are likely to see better results in strength, explosive energy, and muscle volume but without the horrible stomach-related side effects.
If you can afford it (it’s a little bit more pricey), I recommend this kind.
Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE)
CEE is my personal top recommendation. It’s vastly superior to the market favorite and only a little more expensive. It doesn’t give you the horrible side effects like cramping and diarrhea that are way too common with monohydrate.
And its absorption is 99% more effective. 1 in 5 people who take creatine monohydrate will not respond to it. But that’s not the case with CEE. For those reasons, I believe CEE to be the best creatine on the market.
Other Types
In addition to the 3 mentioned above, you also have a wide choice of other different types of creatine. However, I wouldn’t personally recommend any of these, at least to start with. I recommend you get CEE. If you can’t get that, grab some micronized.
Other types include a serum (which I think is useless), effervescent creatine (which requires simple sugars and isn’t that effective), citrate (again, not that effective), tri and di creatine malate (lacking scientific studies), kre-alkalyn (again, lacking studies), orate (no studies), and creatine that is mixed with other supplements like protein powder, glutamine, and nitric oxide. There’s also creatine hydrochloride, which is lacking scientific studies but is actually very effective and has minimal side effects.
Best Creatine Brands
After testing many different brands over the years, I believe that the following three brands supply the best creatine supplements.
Optimum Nutrition
Optimum Nutrition has some of the best fitness supplements on the market. Their monohydrate, just like their protein powders, is a great place for beginners to start.
It is 99.9% pure and has been rigorously tested for quality. If you’re on a budget, Optimum Nutrition also provides the best bang for your buck. If creatine monohydrate is what you want, go for Optimum Nutrition.
Bulk Supplements
I’ve been using Bulk Supplements regularly for years now. They are reliable and their products are always the best of the best. Nothing fancy. Just stuff that works, plain and simple. If you want to go for my top recommendation of Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE) and you need to keep costs low, go for the Bulk Supplements version.
MuscleTech
If CEE or creatine monohydrate isn’t for you, go for my third top recommendation and grab yourself a high quality micronized creatine powder. The company that produces the best micronized creatine is MuscleTech. Just like with all of their products, MuscleTech’s creatine won’t let you down.
Now let’s check out the top 10 creatine supplements available. Remember, every one is different. What might work well for me might not be the best one for you. But after years of experimentation and seeing how these supplements effect people I recommend them to, I’m confident that this top-10 list will provide a great starting point for anyone looking for the best creatine supplement.
Top 10 Creatine Supplements
1. Bulk Supplements Pure Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE)
This supplement doesn’t have nearly the same amount of creatine reviews as Bulk Supplements’ micronized creatine supplement. However, that has nothing to do with one being superior quality to the other. They are both outstanding supplements but I personally prefer this one, the one with less reviews. That is because I think this type of creatine is more effective and I haven’t experienced any side effects with it. No unpleasant bloating, no cramps, no pain, and no rushing to the toilet 30 minutes after ingesting it. In addition to not getting any of these nasty side effects, my muscles also feel fuller than with any other creatine supplement. I noticed a gain in muscle mass quicker and I feel full of explosive energy in the gym (try doing a power clean and snatch after taking this creatine). This is 100% pure power and it’s super easy to mix into water or your favorite beverage. On top of all this, it’s a fantastic price and a bargain.
You can buy direct from BulkSupplements.com
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2. Bulk Supplements Pure Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder
This is a close second for the best product and another winner from Bulk Supplements. If you have any doubt as to the efficacy of this supplement, just take a look at this creatine supplement’s reviews on Amazon. It has thousands of positive reviews.
The thing I personally love about this product is in addition to it being effective and light on the side effects, is how fine the powder is.
This makes it super easy to mix into your favorite beverage. If you’ve never taken creatine before, don’t underestimate how important it is to be able to mix it effortlessly into liquid. It’s a great price at under twenty bucks, you’re unlikely to have side effects, it doesn’t taste bad (the CEE supplement above tastes slightly bitter), and you’ll notice the difference in your body composition within the first week.
The only downside is that it doesn’t come with its own scooper. Take note, Bulk Supplements. Your products are perfect but we just need a little scooper!
You can buy direct from BulkSupplements.com
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
3. Optimum Nutrition Creatine Powder
If you want another decent micronized powder, Optimum Nutrition has the best one. It’s made with CreaPure creatine, which is the purest kind around.
One teaspoon will give you 5g of 99.9% pure monohydrate.
Optimum Nutrition is the most cost effective option.
I’m not confident buying powder around the same price from other companies because I’m scared it will be full of impurities. But if you’ve been around the fitness scene for a little while, you’ll know that Optimum Nutrition is a trustworthy company.
This powder is super easy to mix and light on the side effects. In fact, if you make sure to drink lots of water, you probably won’t experience any bloating or cramps at all.
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4. MuscleTech Platinum 100%
MuscleTech are another great source of micronized creatine. You have probably noticed a trend here in my coverage of the best supplements: so far, there hasn’t been a monohydrate in its normal form.
That’s because with the great options you have in the form of micronized creatine and CEE, I need to recommend the ones that are least likely to give you nasty side effects.
Creatine is a great supplement and one of my favorites for explosive energy and muscle mass. I want to make sure you can comfortably stick to a dosing regime. MuscleTech Platinum 100% will make it easy to stick to such a routine because you will see quick gains without the stomach distress (remember: drink lots of water).
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
5. Optimum Nutrition 2500mg Capsules
So far, all of the recommended products on this list have been powders.
Powders are great because you can mix them into any supplement you want.
However, I actually personally prefer to take this in capsule form. This means you won’t get any bitter taste and you can get it inside you quicker this way.
They are also great if you are on the go. Just chuck a couple of capsules into your workout bag and hit the gym. Simple! If creatine monohydrate is what you want, then this one by Optimum Nutrition offers the best pills.
It’s the same CreaPure formula that the company uses for their powder except it now comes in easy to swallow pills.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
6. MET-Rx 4200
MET-Rx supplements used to be all the rage. Is it just me or have people been using the company less and less recently?
I don’t know why. MET-Rx is awesome and they also have a fantastic creatine supplement.
They have one of the best monohydrate supplements around and one of the best pills.
For the budget-conscious, I think this is one of the best around as it is so cheap.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
7. Musclepharm
This one isn’t for the creatine virgins. I just recommend this one because I love Musclepharm and, if you’ve already tried the others on this list, you might want to mix things up.
This creatine has five different kinds of creatine with monohydrate having the biggest amount.
Is this necessary? Not really. And it can cause side effects if you don’t drink enough water (and even if you do). But this is for those people who feel like they need to throw a lot of things at the wall to see if something sticks. It’s cheap, mixes easily, and is effective.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
8. Hard Rhino Creatine Monohydrate Micronized 200 Mesh Powder
Still need to mix things up and fancy a micronized powder? I’ve had good results and mild/non-existent side effects from the Hard Rhino brand.
And, judging by the reviews for this supplement, many others have loved this too.
Others have noted, just as I have, that this product is easy to mix, you can’t taste it, it doesn’t hurt your stomach, and it will make your muscles noticeably fuller.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
9. VINTAGE BUILD 3-in-1 Muscle Builder
A lot of people hate blends. They just want one supplement and one supplement only. I can totally understand that.
However, I’ve always had some of my best gains when my supplement was blended with other goodies like BCAAs and L-glutamine.
The one I’ve had the most success with is VINTAGE BUILD 3-in-1, which has exactly that. You get monohydrate mixed with branched chain amino acids and L-glutamine, which all help with recovery and making your muscles feel and look fuller. You might get a little bloating but honestly I think it’s worth it. Check out the before and after pictures on the Amazon page.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
10. Universal Nutrition Chews
I’m going to make a completely unconventional recommendation here but it has served me well on a number of occasions: grape flavored chews.
These are little chewable blocks of CreaPure mixed with carbohydrates.
I love these chewies because they actually taste delicious. I use them whenever I need to be strict on my diet and I fancy a candy. This way, I get to indulge my sweet tooth and also get my creatine for the day. Win win!
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Buying Guide
Here’s a quick checklist for you when you are deciding what is the best for you:
Are You Looking For The All-Round Best Creatine?
You want an effective supplement that will give you explosive energy, fuller muscles, and improved endurance without the side effects? Choose Bulk Supplements CEE.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
Are You Looking For Creatine Pills That Are Easy To Take While On The Go?
I recommend Optimum Nutrition Capsules.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
Are You Looking For Something With Multiple Goodies To Help Improve Your Recovery And Fuel Your Muscle Gain?
VINTAGE BUILD 3-in-1 is for you.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
Are You Looking For Super Fine Creatine That Is Easy To Mix And Hard To Taste?
Bulk Supplements Micronized is for you.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
Are You Looking For Something Novel That Will Help Curb Your Carb Cravings?
Then try Universal Nutrition Chews.
CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT PRICING
If you want to know more about creatine, check out this video:
Wrapping Up
There you have it! The 10 best creatine supplements. Obviously, you don’t need all 10. Just pick one that seems right for you and experiment to see how your body responds. I currently have three of those in my supplement cupboard and use them on a regular basis. I’ve seen great results from all of these supplements and I’m positive you will too.
Good luck and happy lifting. I hope you have fun “creatine” your perfect body (sorry, had to do it).
Product Images Sourced On Amazon.com