Ask any buff guy at the gym what his secret to mass is.
A small percentage will get weirdly defensive and say, “Who’s asking?” But the majority of guys will talk about the wonders of supplementing with whey protein and creatine.
And they’d be right … especially about creatine!
Studies show that creatine can help athletes double “normal” gains in 4-12 weeks and boost 1RMs on the bench press by 15 pounds in a month.
If you’re ready to bulk right now, you can’t go wrong with EFX Sports Kre-Alkalyn.
Otherwise, keep reading to learn about the seven best creatine pills and capsules for muscle mass (and what to look for before you buy!).
In a Rush? Here’s Our Top Pick!
EFX Sports Kre-Alkalyn
- Appears to work exactly as described — creatine shows in blood tests
- Add a few reps per set with far less exhaustion
- Can possibly double as pre-workout (half the supplements!)
- Some guys have used it for 10+ years
Things to Consider When Buying Creatine Pills & Capsules
Creatine is creatine, right?
Technically, yes, but it seems like not all supplement manufacturers received the same memo. So don’t just buy the first creatine pills you see on the shelves and assume they’re all the same.
Let’s quickly review a few things to keep in mind.
Capsule vs. Powders
Creatine supplements typically come in two forms: Capsules (pills) and powders. Both will supply you with the 2-10g maintenance dose of creatine, but in different ways.
Capsules are much easier to stash in your gym bag for a post-workout refuel.
And you won’t have trouble remembering to take your creatine capsules if you add them to your morning or nightly routine (i.e., Multivitamins or fish oil dosing).
The downside: Each pill usually has 2.5g of creatine. Taking up to four capsules a day will leave that 120-pill stock lasting only 30 days.
Powders are much more easily absorbed by the digestive system and the bloodstream.
And since a single scoop of the powder usually has 5g of creatine, that 120-serving container can last 60 days (double that of capsules).
The downside: Some creatine powders don’t dissolve well in water and have a grainy texture. Plus, there’s the hassle of measuring out each scoop (which is hard to do on the go).
Grams Per Serving & Serving Sizes
It’s time to take a trip back to elementary school health class — turn the bottle around and take a gander at the “Nutrition Facts” label.
Just how long will this bottle last?
Well, if you’re shooting for 2-10 grams (or 200-1000 milligrams) per day to keep your levels stable, and there are 2.5g per pill (which is generally the norm), do the math.
Here’s how many days a container of creatine capsules will last you:
- 120 capsules: 30+ days
- 240 capsules: 60+ days
- 300 capsules: 75 days
- 500 capsules: 125 days
Pay close attention to the number of capsules per bottle and the amount of creatine per pill.
Pay less attention to how many “servings” there are per bottle. After all, some bottles will boast 150 servings per container, but then recommend you take two servings a day.
Type of Creatine
As it turns out, there’s more than one type of creatine. And no, we’re not talking about pills, powders, tablets, and capsules.
When you read studies about how creatine amplifies gains both in the gym and on the scale, they’re usually studying the effects of creatine monohydrate.
In other words, monohydrate should be your #1 choice.
Creatine HCl (hydrochloride), magnesium chelate, citrate, and pyruvate are all largely understudied and don’t seem to show as much promise as monohydrate.
At least not yet or on a wide enough scale.
Pill or Capsule Size
You can be sure that your creatine pills have everything they need inside of them.
AKA: Creatine.
The problem is that some creatine pills are far larger than others.
And when you’re gulping down 4-6 of these horse pills a day, supplementing could be your least favorite part of hitting the gym and bulking.
Try to look for pills or capsules that go down easy, have a smoother texture that won’t get caught in your throat, and are smaller than the width of a nickel (preferably).
There’s no need for a pill to be the size of a quarter when it has just 2.5g of creatine in it.
Quick Summary View
| Rank | Name | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  EFX Sports Kre-Alkalyn |
| https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001181M16/?tag=noobgains-20&ref=as_li_ss_tl |
| #2 |  BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate |
| https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E9M4XEE/?tag=noobgains-20&ref=as_li_ss_tl |
| #3 |  Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Capsules |
| https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GIQS0W/?tag=noobgains-20&ref=as_li_ss_tl |
| #4 |  Muscle Feast Creapure Creatine Monohydrate Capsules |
| https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DN56X5Z/?tag=noobgains-20&ref=as_li_ss_tl |
| #5 |  Kaged Muscle Creatine HCl Pills |
| https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01NAZE469/?tag=noobgains-20&ref=as_li_ss_tl |
| #6 |  MET-Rx Creatine 4200 Supplement |
| https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0RPGC/?tag=noobgains-20&ref=as_li_ss_tl |
| #7 |  Six Star Elite Creatine X3 Post Workout Recovery Pills |
| https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DKV9SE/?tag=noobgains-20&ref=as_li_ss_tl |
[no_toc]
7 Best Creatine Pills & Capsules
1. EFX Sports Kre-Alkalyn
Whoever coined the phrase, “Don’t reinvent the wheel,” probably settled for regular old creatine monohydrate while mindlessly shunning the innovative EFX Sports Kre-Alkalyn.
Buckle up … this one’s about to get science-y.
EFX Sports markets these nickel-sized capsules as “pH-corrected.” In other words, they added a buffer to the formula to convert normally acidic creatine into a more alkaline substance.
Translation #2: The digestive side effects like bloating and cramping may very well go out the window, while the potency (and gains) potentially skyrocket.
Does it make that big of a difference? Well, the jury’s still out on that one.
What we do know is that a 240-capsule bottle will last you a good 60-120 days of creatine. That means your stock won’t always seem concerningly low or like you’re always ordering more.
Just pop a capsule before and after a sweaty hour in the squat rack. And within the next few days, you may hit the bench a bit more energized and able to crank out a few extra reps per set.
Pros:
- Appears to work exactly as described — creatine shows in blood tests
- Add a few reps per set with far less exhaustion
- Can possibly double as pre-workout (half the supplements!)
- Some guys have used it for 10+ years
Cons:
- It’s a little tough to choke these pills down
- There’s a decent chance you’ll feel the cramping and bloating
2. BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate
The thing about supplements is that, sometimes, simpler really is better. If you’re looking for creatine without the bells and whistles, go for BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate.
It’s everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Oddly enough, swallowing these small gelatin-coated capsules is the most talked-about feature. The smooth exterior allows each to go down easily without the cliche “horse pill” gagging.
And since you’ll chug up to 8 a day, you don’t have to sneak off to the gym locker room to take these mass-building capsules in complete privacy.
Yes, one-hundred capsules per bag is a bit of a bummer.
But given the enhanced “pump” you’ll notice on chest day, the possibility of adding a few reps to your bicep curl quickly, and a third-party tested formula, we’d say it’s worth that drawback.
Plus, you might be able to get away with 2 capsules a day if you’re in a maintenance phase.
Pros:
- Seems to do wonders for definition, tone, and vascularity
- Gelatin exterior makes them less tough to swallow
- Possible to see results with 2 pills rather than 4
- At least it doesn’t have the taste of their powders
Cons:
- Reports of the gelatin capsules coming broken or damaged
- Will last you a maximum of 25 days (but might be as low as 12.5)
3. Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Capsules
Very few guys are fans of these quarter-sized capsules. But when a reputable brand ranks high for you, Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Capsules will get the job done.
And they’ll last longer than any other option on our list.
Each massive container of these creatine capsules has 300 pills. Sure, remembering to take 4-8 of ‘em a day is slightly annoying, but this whole supply can reasonably last you 75 days.
That’s nearly on par with creatine powders.
In other words, if you’re looking for a creatine supplement that’ll get you the most bang for your buck without the gross, grainy powders, this is probably your best bet.
FYI: Optimum Nutrition recommends taking this with carbs to boost the effects.
Pair two of these capsules with your morning cereal and another two with your post-workout pasta to see the stereotypical creatine gains in a matter of weeks.
Pros:
- Despite the abnormal size, it goes down pretty easy
- The supply will last about 75 days for a long-term solution
- Can last nearly have a year if you dose low
- Contains no banned substances
Cons:
- The pills are absurdly large — about the size of a quarter
4. Muscle Feast Creapure Creatine Monohydrate Capsules
We’ve already gone over regular creatine monohydrate. Now we’re shifting gears a bit to the unique Muscle Feast Creapure Creatine Monohydrate Capsules.
These 3000mg capsules take your standard creatine capsules and add a healthy twist. That’s because each pill contains no GMOs, no soy, no gluten, and is 100% vegan.
Creatine should help you sculpt your physique and bring out definition in your biceps & triceps.
It shouldn’t come with any secret caveats like stomachaches, bloating, or unexpected hormonal changes. And that’s especially true when you’re downing 4-8 of these capsules every day.
The purity, however, is where these pills shine brightest.
With the lack of pointless additives, you’ll know exactly what you’re putting into your body and can be 100% sure that you’ll see your true mass potential from your new PPL routine.
Pros:
- All-around pretty healthy — no soy, gluten, or GMOs
- Meets the standard for “vegan”
- Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
- See results without the stomach cramping and bloating
Cons:
- Only lasts about two weeks before you need to restock
- Far pricier than the standard creatine pills
5. Kaged Muscle Creatine HCl Pills
Creatine HCl may not have the same reputation (or scientific backing) as monohydrate. However, Kaged Muscle Creatine HCl Pills are one of the few exceptions worth making.
And for a few rock-solid reasons, too.
#1 is the faster absorption rate.
Since HCl seeps into the bloodstream far quicker than monohydrate, this supplement doesn’t sit around in your gut before it starts to work.
In other words, you kick the nasty bloating and cramps to the curb. And if those side effects typically stick around, you can go into your training sessions feeling 100% and crank out PRs.
But that’s only scraping the surface.
On top of being more efficient, these capsules don’t have artificial flavors & colors, don’t require those dreaded loading phases, and will give you a confidence-boosting pump in the gym.
Pros:
- Doesn’t usually cause stomach upset or bloating
- Get a good pump and improve your vascularity
- It’s as pure as creatine can possibly get
- Absorbs quickly into your system for more efficient results
Cons:
- Likely won’t last you a month if you follow the dosage recommendations
- Comes in an oddly small container
- It’s not creatine monohydrate — it might be a lot of hype
6. MET-Rx Creatine 4200 Supplement
What’s the sense in buying fancy creatine supplements when you aren’t even sure they’ll work for you? Stick to the basics — go for MET-Rx Creatine 4200 Supplement instead.
Seriously, these are as barebones as they come!
Six capsules per serving are definitely more than you probably had in mind.
But six capsules is all it takes to load up on 4200mg of creatine in one shot. Crush through a tough HIIT workout, pop a few of these alongside your protein shake, and go on with your day.
And with 240 capsules per serving, a single bottle will last you 40 days. Yet, it’s the results that keep the serious lifters like yourself coming back for more.
Many guys report seeing a noticeable energy increase, bulkier muscles, and heavier lifts, all in a matter of a few days. So get the most out of your program and achieve your maximum results.
Pros:
- The pills seem to go down easy
- Get an unexpected energy boost in a few days
- Doesn’t seem to cause standard creatine GI issues
- Add more reps and help your muscles look fuller
Cons:
- Six pills a day is a little much
- Some folks claim it tastes bad (or leaves an aftertaste)
7. Six Star Elite Creatine X3 Post Workout Recovery Pills
Each supplement we’ve gone over thus far has been standard creatine pills. Let’s quickly switch over to the post-workout world with Six Star Elite Creatine X3 Post Workout Recovery Pills.
Regular creatine pills, step aside.
What makes these capsules worth giving a second look is that they’re not only monohydrate.
These pills also infuse two other types of creatine — though the science makes these hype for now — as well as a decent BCAA formula.
Translation: Taking this supplement won’t only help you rebuild your muscles bigger, faster, and stronger. It’ll also enhance your growth and decrease your soreness after PR-busting sessions.
The downside? At six capsules a day, this container will only last you 20 days.
The upside? Since studies show that it’s possible to increase strength by 18.6% after ten days of creatine use, these capsules are a solid test drive to see how creatine works for you.
It’s not our #1 option, but it’s a good alternative if no other creatine supplements seem to work.
Pros:
- The six daily pills may not be necessary
- Infuses BCAAs & taurine — enhance your growth even more!
- Six Star is one of the most popular supplement brands
Cons:
- Lasts for only ten days if you use the recommended dosage
- Isn’t pure creatine monohydrate (hit or miss)
Top Picks for the Best Creatine Pills & Capsules for Muscle Mass
EFX Sports Kre-Alkalyn
- Appears to work exactly as described — creatine shows in blood tests
- Add a few reps per set with far less exhaustion
- Can possibly double as pre-workout (half the supplements!)
- Some guys have used it for 10+ years
If you’re looking to narrow down your choices even further, the top three creatine pills and capsules for muscle mass that we’d steer you toward are:
- EFX Sports Kre-Alkalyn
- BulkSupplements.com Creatine Monohydrate
- Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Capsules
All three of these creatine pills and capsules earn crazed reviews, come from reputable brands in the fitness industry, and deliver results as advertised.
