Best Creatine Monohydrate Powders (2026)

Creatine monohydrate is the most researched and effective sports supplement available, proven to increase strength, power output, and lean muscle mass. As a powder, it offers the best value per serving and the flexibility to mix into any drink, protein shake, or smoothie. These are the top creatine monohydrate powders worth buying in 2026.

Quick Comparison

Product	Key Feature	Servings	Best For	Rating
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine	Micronized, #1 Selling Brand	120	Best Overall	9.5/10
Thorne Creatine	NSF Certified for Sport	90	Best for Athletes	9.4/10
Momentous Creatine	Creapure German-Sourced	90	Best Premium	9.3/10
Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate	100 Servings, Budget-Friendly	100	Best Value	9.2/10
BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate	Pure Single Ingredient, 100 Servings	100	Best Budget Pick	9.1/10
Naked Creatine	Zero Additives, 200 Servings	200	Best for Bulk Buying	9.0/10
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB	Creatine + HMB + Vitamin D	30	Best Formula Stack	9.0/10

1. Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate – Best Overall

Optimum Nutrition is the number-one selling creatine brand in the United States, and its Micronized Creatine Monohydrate powder delivers exactly what serious lifters need — pure creatine with zero filler.

Each serving provides 5g of micronized creatine monohydrate that dissolves quickly in water, protein shakes, or juice. The 120-serving container (600g) offers outstanding value, lasting four months at the standard daily dose. Optimum Nutrition manufactures in GMP-certified facilities and uses a micronization process that reduces particle size for better mixability and absorption. The unflavored formula has no added sugars, calories, or artificial ingredients.

• Pros:
• 120 servings per container — exceptional long-term value
• Micronized for smooth mixing with minimal grit or clumping
• From the most trusted brand in sports nutrition with decades of reputation

• Cons:
• Unflavored only — no flavor options available
• Fine powder texture can create static and minor mess during scooping

Best for: Anyone looking for a proven, high-volume creatine powder from the most recognized brand in sports nutrition

2. Thorne Creatine – Best for Athletes

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Thorne Creatine is NSF Certified for Sport, making it one of the few creatine powders that has been third-party tested for over 200 banned substances — a requirement for competitive and professional athletes.

Each scoop delivers 5g of micronized creatine monohydrate with no additional ingredients. Thorne partners with the UFC Performance Institute, U.S. Olympic teams, and Mayo Clinic, lending significant credibility to its testing and manufacturing standards. The 90-serving container provides a three-month supply at the recommended daily dose. The powder mixes cleanly with no gritty residue and is truly tasteless, making it easy to add to any beverage without altering the flavor.

• Pros:
• NSF Certified for Sport — tested for 200+ banned substances
• Trusted by professional athletes, UFC fighters, and Olympic teams
• Completely tasteless and mixes smoothly without clumping

• Cons:
• Higher price per serving than budget options
• Only available in unflavored variety

Best for: Competitive athletes, tested professionals, and anyone who prioritizes third-party certification and clinical-grade purity

3. Momentous Creatine – Best Premium

Momentous sources its creatine exclusively from Creapure, a German-manufactured creatine monohydrate widely considered the gold standard in purity and quality.

Each serving provides 5g of micronized Creapure creatine monohydrate with no fillers, additives, or artificial ingredients. The formula is NSF Certified for Sport and trusted by over 150 professional and collegiate sports teams as well as the U.S. Military. Momentous uses a single-source supply chain from Germany rather than sourcing from China like most competitors. The 90-serving container lasts three months and the fine powder has excellent solubility with virtually no taste.

• Pros:
• Creapure sourced from Germany — premium single-origin supply chain
• NSF Certified for Sport with transparent manufacturing
• Used by 150+ professional and collegiate teams plus U.S. Military

• Cons:
• Premium price point — significantly more expensive per serving than budget brands
• Smaller container size than some competitors

Best for: Lifters and athletes who want the highest-quality German-sourced creatine with elite-level certification

4. Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate – Best Value

Nutricost delivers 100 servings of micronized creatine monohydrate at one of the lowest prices per serving on Amazon, without cutting corners on purity or quality.

Each serving provides 5g of micronized creatine monohydrate in an unflavored powder that is non-GMO, gluten-free, and free of artificial additives, fillers, or preservatives. Nutricost also offers flavored varieties for those who prefer a tastier option. The product is third-party tested for quality and manufactured in a GMP-compliant facility. At its price point, it consistently outperforms competitors on cost per serving while maintaining solid mixability.

• Pros:
• One of the lowest costs per serving among reputable creatine brands
• Available in both unflavored and flavored options
• Third-party tested, non-GMO, and free of artificial additives

• Cons:
• Not NSF Certified for Sport — may not meet competitive athlete testing requirements
• Mixability is slightly grittier than premium options

Best for: Budget-conscious lifters who want a clean, effective creatine powder without paying premium prices

5. BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate – Best Budget Pick

BulkSupplements offers one of the most stripped-down, no-frills creatine powders on the market — a single ingredient in a resealable pouch at a rock-bottom price.

Each serving delivers 5g of micronized creatine monohydrate with absolutely nothing else added. The 500g pouch provides 100 servings, and BulkSupplements also offers 1kg and 5kg options for those who want even greater value. The brand is known for its lab-verified, single-ingredient supplements and cGMP-compliant manufacturing. The powder is gluten-free, soy-free, sugar-free, and vegan-friendly.

• Pros:
• Rock-bottom pricing with bulk-buy options up to 5kg
• Pure single ingredient with zero additives or fillers
• Lab-verified for purity and manufactured in cGMP facility

• Cons:
• Resealable pouch packaging is less convenient than screw-top tubs
• Powder can be clumpy and requires vigorous mixing

Best for: Cost-conscious buyers who want the most creatine for their money with zero extras

6. Naked Creatine – Best for Bulk Buying

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Naked Nutrition’s Creatine Monohydrate powder delivers 200 servings of pure, micronized creatine in a single container — a six-month-plus supply from one purchase.

True to its brand name, the formula contains only one ingredient: 5g of creatine monohydrate per serving with zero additives, sweeteners, colors, or flavors. Naked Nutrition emphasizes transparency and clean sourcing, and the product is vegan, non-GMO, soy-free, and gluten-free. The 1kg container is one of the best-value options available for long-term creatine users who want to buy once and not worry about restocking for months.

• Pros:
• 200 servings per container — one of the longest-lasting options available
• Completely transparent single-ingredient formula
• Vegan, non-GMO, and free of all common allergens

• Cons:
• Unflavored only — no flavor variety
• Some users report slightly coarser texture compared to premium brands

Best for: Long-term creatine users who want maximum servings per container and a clean, transparent formula

7. Transparent Labs Creatine HMB – Best Formula Stack

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Transparent Labs combines 5g of creatine monohydrate with 1.5g of HMB and Vitamin D3 in a single scoop, creating an all-in-one muscle-building and recovery formula.

This is the only product on the list that goes beyond pure creatine monohydrate. HMB (beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate) has clinical research supporting its role in reducing muscle protein breakdown and supporting lean muscle gains, while Vitamin D3 supports bone health and overall recovery. The powder is available in multiple flavors including unflavored, and uses no artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives. Each container provides 30 servings.

• Pros:
• Combines creatine with clinically studied HMB and Vitamin D3
• Available in multiple flavors with no artificial sweeteners
• Fully transparent label with exact dosages listed

• Cons:
• Only 30 servings per container — runs out quickly
• Higher cost per serving due to added ingredients

Best for: Lifters who want an all-in-one creatine stack with added recovery and muscle-preservation benefits

8. Jacked Factory Creatine Monohydrate – Best Compact Option

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Jacked Factory delivers a clean, no-nonsense creatine monohydrate powder that is third-party tested for purity and comes in a compact, travel-friendly container.

Each serving provides 5g of vegan-friendly creatine monohydrate with no fillers, dyes, or artificial ingredients. The 30-serving container is compact enough to toss in a gym bag, making it a solid choice for lifters who train at different locations. Jacked Factory uses independent third-party testing and manufactures in a cGMP-certified facility. The unflavored powder mixes well in shakes or water.

• Pros:
• Third-party tested for purity and potency
• Compact container — easy to travel with or keep in a gym bag
• Vegan-friendly with no artificial ingredients

• Cons:
• Only 30 servings — small container for the price
• Limited flavor options

Best for: Lifters who want a travel-friendly, third-party tested creatine from a trusted sports nutrition brand

9. Orgain Creatine Monohydrate – Best Clean Label

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Orgain brings its reputation for clean, simple ingredients to the creatine category with a micronized powder that delivers 100 servings per container with no artificial additives.

Each serving provides 5g of micronized creatine monohydrate. Orgain is known for its commitment to clean-label products, and this creatine contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The brand is doctor-founded and emphasizes transparency in sourcing and manufacturing. The unflavored powder is designed for easy mixing into smoothies, protein shakes, coffee, or water. With 100 servings per container, it offers solid long-term value.

• Pros:
• 100 servings per container from a doctor-founded brand
• Clean label with no artificial additives of any kind
• Micronized for smooth mixing without grit

• Cons:
• Not NSF Certified for Sport
• Newer to the creatine market — less track record than legacy brands

Best for: Health-conscious buyers who want a clean-label creatine from a trusted wellness brand

How to Choose the Best Creatine Monohydrate Powder

The single most important factor when choosing a creatine powder is that it contains creatine monohydrate — the most studied and validated form of creatine with decades of clinical research. Other forms like creatine HCl, buffered creatine, and creatine ethyl ester have far less evidence supporting their effectiveness. Stick with monohydrate unless you have a specific reason to try something else.

Dosage is straightforward. The research-backed daily dose is 3-5g of creatine monohydrate, and most quality products deliver exactly 5g per scoop. Loading phases (20g per day for 5-7 days) can speed up muscle saturation but are not necessary — consistent daily dosing at 5g will achieve the same results within 3-4 weeks. Look for micronized creatine, which has a smaller particle size for better solubility and fewer digestive issues.

For competitive athletes, NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport certification is essential. These programs test for banned substances and verify label accuracy. For general fitness use, third-party testing from any reputable lab is sufficient. Avoid products with proprietary blends, added sugars, or unnecessary filler ingredients — the best creatine powders contain one ingredient.

Powder is the most cost-effective form of creatine by a significant margin. Capsules and gummies cost 3-5 times more per serving for the same amount of creatine. If you can handle mixing a scoop into water or a shake, powder is the clear winner for value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is creatine monohydrate and what does it do?

Creatine monohydrate is a naturally occurring compound found in meat and fish that helps your muscles produce energy during high-intensity exercise. When supplemented, it increases phosphocreatine stores in your muscles, allowing faster regeneration of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) — the primary energy source for short, explosive movements like lifting weights or sprinting. This translates to more reps, heavier lifts, and faster muscle growth over time.

How much creatine monohydrate should I take daily?

The standard recommended dose is 3-5g per day, taken consistently. Most products provide 5g per serving, which aligns with the majority of clinical research. A loading phase of 20g per day (split into 4 doses) for 5-7 days can saturate your muscles faster, but is optional. Taking 5g daily will achieve full saturation within approximately 3-4 weeks without the potential digestive discomfort of loading.

When is the best time to take creatine monohydrate?

Timing is less important than consistency. Research shows that the benefits of creatine come from maintaining saturated muscle stores through daily supplementation, not from acute pre-workout timing. That said, taking creatine with a post-workout meal or shake may slightly improve absorption due to the insulin response from food. The most important thing is taking it every day at whatever time is easiest to remember.

Does creatine cause water retention or bloating?

Creatine draws water into muscle cells, which can cause a modest increase in body weight (typically 2-4 pounds) during the first few weeks. This is intracellular water retention within the muscles, not subcutaneous bloating. It actually contributes to a fuller, more muscular appearance. Digestive bloating is uncommon with micronized creatine at standard doses but can occur with loading phases or poor-quality products.

Can I take creatine with other supplements?

Creatine monohydrate is safe to combine with virtually all common supplements including protein powder, pre-workouts, BCAAs, multivitamins, and fish oil. It is one of the most well-studied supplements in existence with an excellent safety profile. There are no known negative interactions with standard sports nutrition or health supplements.

How long does it take for creatine to work?

Most users begin noticing performance improvements within 2-4 weeks of consistent daily supplementation at 5g per day. This is the time required to fully saturate muscle creatine stores. A loading phase can accelerate this to 5-7 days. Long-term benefits in strength and muscle mass continue to accumulate over weeks and months of consistent use combined with progressive resistance training.