Creapure Creatine: This is a type of branded creatine monohydrate produced in Germany and distributed by a handful of partners including Proteinfactory and BPN. It is touted to be high-quality, but there seemingly isn’t anything special about this product versus another micronized creatine monohydrate. Both testers also scored this a 3.5 out of 5 when it came to solubility. “I got chunks and it settles if you don’t drink it all in one go,” Amanda says. Flavors:Grape, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry Kiwi, Unflavored, Watermelon, Strawberry Lemonade Compared to creatine monohydrate powder, creatine HCL has a higher rate of bioavailability. It’s more soluble and easier to absorb. Another benefit of creatine HCL is that you don’t need to go through a loading phase. You shouldn’t take creatine monohydrate without loading. What Is the Recommended Daily Dosage of Creatine HCL? According to Dr. Krissy Kendall, Ph.D., to maximize the benefits of creatine, you need to saturate your body’s stores of creatine, and there are two ways to do this:

In general, any athlete looking to maximize their high-intensity exercise performance should consider taking creatine as it's well-researched and safe. That's not to say it's a necessary supplement for everyone, as many high-level athletes do not take it, and they still achieve remarkable feats. Creatine use for adolescents is likely safe though data in this area is still limited, thus use caution for supplementing with those under the age of 18.( 6) In addition, people with low meat and seafood intakes, such as vegetarians and vegans, would especially benefit from supplementing with creatine.( 7) How We Chose the Best Creatine Supplements Our in-depth testing process has resulted in the list below of the best creatine supplements on the market.Low-dose protocol: The alternative method is to simply take 5 grams of creatine every day, without a loading phase. This approach will eventually get your muscle’s creatine stores maximally saturated, it just takes a bit longer—about four weeks compared to one week with a loading protocol. With a great price and even better flavor options (try Blue Raspberry or Lemon Lime), Creactor is one of the best tasting creatine HCL powders out there.

Folks who are looking for a cost-effective creatine supplement may want to find a plain monohydrate. Creatine monohydrate is the most researched and well-known form of creatine that most people refer to when supplementing. That said, it also comes in several other forms that are occasionally found in supplements. These other common forms of creatine include creatine ethyl ester, creatine HCl, creatine nitrate, and buffered creatine. These alternative forms of creatine are said to potentially promote better absorption, prevent digestive issues, or improve functionality. How to TakeYou’re not going to find any stimulants, flavors, or other add-ons in this creatine — if you’re looking for something plain and simple that will get the job done, this is the one. This product is also dairy-free, non-GMO, and made in the USA, so you know exactly what you’re putting into your body. What makes it great for mixing is the simplicity of the product — it’s just creatine monohydrate and nothing else which means you can mix it with any other shake or drink without issue. This comes in an unflavored option, making it extra accessible for mixing in with any beverage of choice. Xwerks Lift Micronized Creatine Monohydrate