8 Best Tasting Pre-Workouts in 2024

There are days when we all need the motivation to follow our fitness plan. And pre-workouts can help us do that. They’re formulated to restock energy levels, letting you hit the ground running.

The supplement industry has evolved a lot. Shelves are jam-packed with varieties of all forms and budgets. But finding the best tasting pre workout hasn’t become any easier. Would you like to have a drink while pinching your nose and approach training with a bloated stomach? Luckily, you won’t have to!

Our team of nutritionists has invested over 200 hours over a period of 6 months to conduct detailed testing of 18 different pre-workouts to help determine the 8 best-tasting ones. All 18 products were ranked on the following criteria: stimulation, taste/ flavor, nutrition label transparency, ingredients quality, and value for money so that when you buy one of the 8 suggested, you’re not getting only one of the best tasting ones, but also an overall high-quality pre-workout. The list of 8 best tasting pre-workouts will be continuously updated by our team of experts.

Top 8 Best Tasting Pre-Workouts Reviewed

1. Transparent Labs BULK Advanced Formula – Top Pick
2. Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged Primer – Runner-up
3. 4 GAUGE Pre-Workout
4. Huge Supplements Wrecked Pre-Workout
5. Cellucor C4 Original Pre-Workout Powder
6. Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout
7. Naked Energy Fruit Punch Pre-Workout
8. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout

Product	Total	Stimulation	Taste/ Flavor	Nutrition Label Transparency	Ingredients Quality	Value for Money
Transparent labs BULK	49.5	9.5	10	10	10	10
Pre-Kaged	49	9.5	10	10	10	9.5
4 Gauge	48.5	9	10	10	10	9.5
Huge Supplements Wrecked	48	10	10	10	9.5	8.5
Cellucor C4 Original	47.5	9.5	10	9	9	10
Gorilla Mode	47	8.5	10	10	8.5	10
Naked Nutrition	45.5	8	8.5	10	9.5	9.5
Optimum Nutrition	45	8	9.5	9.5	8.5	9.5

1. Transparent Labs BULK Advanced Formula – Top Pick

BULK is easily the top choice for gym-goers seeking a natural dose of pump and power before nerve-racking workouts.

• Item Form: Powder
• Diet Type (Best for): Muscle Building and Weight Loss
• Flavor: Pina Colada 
• Caffeine: 180 mg
• Special Ingredients: Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, Betaine, Taurine, Tyrosine, Theanine
• Package Information: 30 servings per tub
• Serving: 20.6 grams (1 scoop)
• Company Founded: 2015
• Recommended by: Hafthor Björnsson, Paulina Andrade, Paul Sklar 

TL ditches shaky ingredients and gimmicky marketing. It explicitly lists the blend’s composition and achieves third-party certificates of analysis. There are two pre-workout formulas: Lean and BULK. The latter is your best bet for muscle building. 

It includes a slew of evidence-based ingredients, sure to amp up your endurance. One serving of BULK serves the same amount of caffeine as a brewed cup of Starbucks coffee. Alertness – Yes! Anxiety – Not at all! Besides, you’ll get a whopping 4 grams of BCAAs. These essential amino acids help with protein synthesis, thus a good (if not the best) addition in pre/mid/post training drinks. However, you won’t find creatine, a pre-workout staple.

Micros put a cherry on the cake. You’ll get loads of vitamins and minerals like zinc and boron. Their quantity varies with the flavor. In combination with caffeine, these might increase T-count. And you’ll be ready to ace your heaviest deadlift to date.

This pre-workout is available in various flavors. Our personal favorite is Pina Colada – a treat for taste buds. The good thing is these are absolutely free of artificial preservatives and sweeteners. TL powder is slightly expensive. Not all athletes choose it as their first, but it always becomes the last and forever.

2. Kaged Muscle Pre-Kaged

Another rare formula, comprising an array of stimulants and antioxidants, is ready to fuel your muscles.

• Item Form: Powder
• Diet Type (Best for): Muscle Building and Weight Loss
• Flavor: Krisp Apple
• Caffeine: 274 mg
• Special Ingredients: Citrulline, Creatine, BCAAs, Beta-Alanine, Betaine, Tyrosine, Taurine
• Package Information: 20 servings per tub
• Serving: 28 grams (1 scoop)
• Company Founded: 2014
• Recommended by: Kris Gethin

Kaged is a premium nutrition brand. You should expect high quality at not really high prices. If we don't factor in the value, it might emerge as the best of all time.

Ingredients fall into six categories, designed to do particular tasks and conveniently named for us to understand. Overall, they can help you push boundaries and plunge plateaus. 

1. The PUMP consists of citrulline (6500 mg)
2. The Muscle Fuel Matrix is a 2:1:1 blend of BCAAs (3500 mg)
3. The Anabolic Activator adds more leucine, a BCAA (3000 mg)
4. Strength & Power Matrix has creatine HCL (1500 mg), betaine (2000 mg), and beta-alanine (1600 mg)
5. Hydrate & Defend, on the other hand, is a mixture of coconut water powder (500 mg) and veggie-packed Spectra (100 mg)
6. Lastly, the NeuroFocus Matrix brings caffeine from green coffee beans and tyrosine from two sources (1850 mg).

Reasons why this is a solid pre-workout we recommend are high caffeine content which will be most likely mostly responsible for a stimulation and acute training effect. All clean ingredients certified and free from banned substances which means a lot. Aside from beta-alanine, betaine and citrulline, you get a bit of BCAA, Taurine and Tyrosine which may help with your workout. All of that for a very reasonable price. Only downside is that some of the ingredients should be in higher doses.

It comes in some of the best pre-workout flavors. We stirred a Krisp Apple slushy with crushed ice. It left a little sour aftertaste. It only attests to originality because branch-chained amino acids will have that effect. Admittedly, Fruit Punch is a more famous choice.

3. 4 GAUGE Pre-Workout

A tasty pre-workout that delivers? Thanks to the 4 Gauge clean and clinically dosed formula, it’s not a dream anymore.

• Item Form: Powder
• Diet Type (Best for): Muscle Building and Weight Loss
• Flavor: Fruit Blast 
• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Special Ingredients: Citrulline, Creatine, Carnitine, Theanine
• Package Information: 20 servings per round
• Serving: 14 grams (2 scoops)
• Company Founded: 2014
• Recommended by: Ricochet

This Roar Ambitions brand doesn’t sell a typical pre-workout. The packaging, mimicking the appearance of a shotgun shell, makes sure you understand that. It supplies explosive and consistent energy. Relying on multiple small studies, it combines the power of caffeine and l-theanine. Together, they can boost your mental focus.

Pop the lid open – you’ll find 6000 mg citrulline, 1000 mg creatine monohydrate, and 500 mg carnitine. It brings rhodiola and red beetroot extracts for a herbal boost in athletic performance. Don’t forget about coconut water powder, a natural energizer. A small quantity of potassium, sodium, and calcium also accents each serving. 

This simple and sensible mix avoids harmful effects while not compromising on effectiveness. The brand is approved by FDA and GMP. Like Transparent Labs, it doesn’t use any proprietary blend to evade scrutiny. But it uses more sweeteners along with stevia leaves, such as erythritol and dextrose. They're natural and low on calories. Most people won’t feel any side effects. But everyone will relish the pleasant taste. 

Recently, the company has added two more flavors: Pina colada and Frozen lemonade. You can order twins or a full crate in order to obtain free shipping and up to a 40% discount.

4. Huge Supplements Wrecked Pre-Workout

It hosts a group of premium ingredients, ending your search for the most effective and best tasting pre-workout.

• Item Form: Powder
• Diet Type (Best for): Muscle Building and Weight Loss
• Flavor: Raspberry Mojito
• Caffeine: 350 mg
• Special Ingredients: Citrulline, Beta-Alanine, Betaine, Malic Acid Tyrosine, Alpha-GPC
• Package Information: 20 servings per tub
• Serving: 30.2 grams (1 scoop)
• Company Founded: 2019
• Recommended by: Joe Shulk, Oliver Froslin

How can an unknown brand dominate the market in its first year of business? By providing quality, of course! Fitness fanatics seek supplements that work and don’t make ‘em say yuck! Enter Huge Supplements. 

Wrecked is made of 17 top-quality ingredients that can (synergistically and potentially) extend your anaerobic capacity. There are four unique flavors to try out. Tangy and sweet Raspberry Mojito is the best-selling. But Peach Rings, Rainbow Brust, and Bomb Popsicle are no less memorable.

Primary elements are easily recognizable. They’re present in above-average doses: 8000 mg citrulline, 3500 mg beta-alanine, 3000 mg betaine, and 1500 mg tyrosine. Also, caffeine is derived from both dehydrated and buffered sources, putting the toll at 350mg. Enough for that guilt-free morning kick? 

Relatively lesser-known components deserve credit as well. You’ll find malic acid, nootropic Alpha-GPC, and the traditional elixir of lion's mane. Each serving packs 10mg of black pepper extracts to aid in absorbing other stimulants. 

Any two formulas are distinct, each suitable for different individuals with separate needs. Similarly, Wrecked pushes its ingredients to the ultimate safe limit. You won’t need that much pump and tingle if you only sweat over a treadmill after office hours.

5. Cellucor C4 Original Pre-Workout Powder

https://gem-3910432.netA blend of specialized energizers, recovery snacks, and performance boosters can help you " just get on with it."

• Item Form: Powder
• Diet Type (Best for): Muscle Building and Weight Loss
• Flavor: Frozen Bombsicle
• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Special Ingredients: Beta-Alanine, Creatine, Citrulline, Theacrine, Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AAKG)
• Package Information: 30 and 60 servings of tubs
• Serving: 6 grams (1 scoop)
• Company Founded: 2002
• Recommended by: Janet Layug, Erin Stern, Arya Saffaaie

C4 Original first appeared in 2011. Today, it’s available in Sports, Energy, and Extreme variants too. They pledge to take your muscular endurance and energy up a notch, giving you the drive to lift heavy and train hard every day. 

We'll see the truth in it but not before appreciating the best pre workout flavors. They refresh your soul with just a sniff. The Bombsicle lets you enjoy ice pops without violating your calorie budget. There are infinite sugar-free options, ranging from lemonade to strawberry. You can get a pack of 30 as well as 60 servings at unmatched value for money.

Okay, so it mainly depends on beta-alanine, creatine nitrate, and AAKG. All of these have at least 1 gram presence. The earlier two specimens are known and widely used for increasing lean mass, strength, and duration of muscle breakdown. The last tongue twister allegedly improves blood flow and nitric oxide production. Nonetheless, we’re yet to come across any remarkable evidence. 

Afterward, it includes a 425 mg patented blend. There is a caffeine and tyrosine combo. Another critical ingredient that meets the eye is theacrine. It's a stimulant, elevating mood and will without coffee jitters. On the downside, we don't know the exact quantity of these compounds.

6. Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout

This unique formula is the brainchild of the company's founder, Derek – from More Plates More Dates on YouTube.

• Item Form: Powder
• Diet Type (Best for): Muscle Building and Weight Loss
• Flavor: Jungle Juice
• Caffeine: 175 mg
• Special Ingredients: Citrulline, Creatine, GlycerPump, Malic Acid, Betaine, Tyrosine, N–Phenethyl Dimethylamine Citrate
• Package Information: 40 servings per tub
• Serving: 15.425 grams (1 scoop)
• Company Founded: 2017
• Recommended by: Lex Little, Vigorous Steve

Gorilla Mode offers the best flavored pre workouts to hook everyone. Are you looking for something sweet? Tigers Blood! You may want a somewhat citrus but minty flavor. Mojo Mojito! Or, if you prefer a light sensation that doesn’t punish your taste buds, it’s got Jungle Juice!

It comes in a big tub with over 40 scoops of powder and an affordable price tag. You can shake down two scoops ahead of a tough session, maxing out the caffeine dose. However, the usual serving will warm you up enough. It has 4500 mg citrulline, 2500 mg creatine, 1250 mg betaine, and 750 mg tyrosine. Some unique ingredients are as follows:

The concentrated glycerol powder in the form of GlycerPump is used for hyper-hydration. Next, we have the South African herb Kanna and Huperzine A to amplify mental sharpness. It includes another trademark formula, Bioperine, for bringing the anti-inflammatory properties of black pepper to the table. Last but not the least, the primal ecstasy of N-Phenethyl may rush dopamine and adrenaline.

There are so many under-researched things jumping up. The good thing about them is that they're naturally-occurring compounds with next to no side effects. Beating Gorilla Mode in the price-performance ratio is a workout on its own.  

7. Naked Energy Fruit Punch Pre-Workout

Naked Nutrition takes pride in producing a simple yet sufficient pre-workout that’s vegan and natural.

• Item Form: Powder
• Diet Type (Best for): Muscle Building and Weight Loss
• Flavor: Fruit Punch
• Caffeine: 200 mg
• Special Ingredients: Creatine, Beta-Alanine, Arginine
• Package Information: 30 servings per tub
• Serving: 16 grams (2 scoops)
• Company Founded: 2015
• Recommended by: Erika Dawn, Marni Sumbal

With the philosophy of only making clean and pure supplements, Naked Energy has returned with a plant-based flavor. Now it tastes fantastic. However, unflavored powder used to have 50 servings at the same price. Also, it includes 9 grams of added sugar, so diabetic athletes better look elsewhere.

This best tasting pre-workout formula consists of a handful of active ingredients. For example, you’ll have 2000 mg beta-alanine and 1000 mg creatine monohydrate. A light serving is filled with 200 mg of caffeine, sourced from 100% organic green coffee beans. A distinguished ingredient is l-arginine. It is taken chiefly for muscular recovery as it may help with protein synthesis and blood circulation to some extent. But having it here isn't bad, either. 

Is this enough to recharge? You decide.

Naked Nutrition could’ve added citrulline into the mix. This would assist creatine in nitric oxide regulation. Or pairing theanine with caffeine is a proven and safe method to sharpen cognitive results.

Perhaps, an extended micronutrient profile can offset these downsides. It heavily relies on the B-complex for energy metabolism. You’ll get almost 2000% RDI of Vitamin B12 with a huge chunk of Vitamin C, B3, B6, B9, and Calcium. Since vegans have a hard time getting these minerals from their diet, supplementing is a good idea.

8. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout

Optimum Nutrition sets forth a multipronged approach to intensifying endurance and energy levels among athletes.

• Item Form: Powder
• Diet Type (Best for): Muscle Building and Weight Loss
• Flavor: Watermelon Candy
• Caffeine: 175 mg
• Special Ingredients: Citrulline, Creatine, Carnitine HCL, Beta-Alanine, Tyrosine
• Package Information: 30 servings per tub
• Serving: 10 grams (1 scoop)
• Company Founded: 1986
• Recommended by: Clay Harbor, Tunde Oyeneyin

The Gold Standard is one of the most successful sports nutrition lineups. And it really has set the bar for newcomers in the industry, especially Whey Protein and BCAA supplements. Truth be told, its pre-workout lags in comparison. But if you're after a pre workout that tastes good more than anything, you must consider it.

One scoop fills you with 175 mg of caffeine, 2 grams of carbs, and ten calories. They're right on point – no supercharge, no jitteriness! Going forward, 3000 mg creatine monohydrate, 1500 mg beta-alanine, and 750 mg l-citrulline assist naturally-sourced caffeine for a healthy performance composite. In fact, Optimum Nutrition has also categorized all ingredients like Pre-Kaged.

Moreover, you’ll see AstraGIN – a blend of astragalus and panax root extracts. It can trigger nitric oxide levels by increasing the bioavailability of citrulline and other stimulants. However, it's only 25 mg of content per serving. We doubt this can be an X-factor in your workouts. 

Finally, there is a footnote listing natural and artificial flavors, gums, sweeteners, and anti-caking agents. Thanks to these 'Other Ingredients,' you'll love the taste, regardless of which four fruity flavors you pick up. 

What Are the Best Flavors of Pre-workouts?

Taste is a highly subjective matter. Someone may get depressed for not finding a flavor you hate. And this is where pre-workouts pose another complication. You won’t find typical OG ones like peanut butter, vanilla, or chocolate. So it’s a trial-and-error thing!

• Similar flavors may taste differently, depending on the brand
• Some powders taste synthetic, while others carry a more natural touch
• A lot of people savor subtle flavors; others – intense
• The aftertaste, temperature, and grittiness affect the overall experience

We can group the best flavored pre-workouts into two categories: sweet (sugary and fruity) and sour (tangy and citric). 

Pick your favorite from the following matrix.

	Intense	Subtle
Sweet	Berries and cherry Ice cream, popsicles, and candies	Fruit Punch Mint
Sour	Lime, Lemon, Orange, Grapes Apple, Pineapple, Mango, Peach	Watermelon Pina Colada and Tropical drinks

What to Mix Pre-workout With?

Pre-workout supplements are generally administered as a drink. You can add other products to prepare a pre-workout that tastes good. But know the nutritional value and dominant flavor beforehand.

1. An Instant Power Shot

Mix one serving of your pre-workout with 4-6 oz of water. It'll allow you to dash into the gym with full strength as quickly as possible. But make sure you’re sufficiently hydrated. 

2. A Tasty Energy Drink

If you’re willing to upgrade simple shots, replace water. For instance, you can go with coconut water or almond milk. Alternatively, you can squeeze fresh citruses into a bland or overly sweet pick-me-up.  

3. A Yabadaba Delicious Shake

Need more? How about blending a scoop of powder with water and half a cup of frozen fruit? You can also top off a tasty pre workout with black pepper, cocoa powder, or vanilla extracts.

How to Find the Best Tasting Pre-workouts?

A pre-workout supplement is supposed to amp you up before you hit your weightlifting or weight loss program. It achieves that by optimizing muscular endurance, stamina, alertness, and power. But the outcome depends upon the quality and quantity of ingredients used. Thus, wading through the label will never go in vain.

What to Avoid?

Make sure there are no mysterious proprietary blends, and all ingredients are listed. Better yet, search for NSF, USP, Informed Choice, or Banned Substances approval seal. 

For example, the National Collegiate Athletic Association bans synephrine (an otherwise legal drug) for athletes. 

Know what you’re putting in your body. Sugar alcohols are generally safe and tasty. But the excessive amount can upset the stomach. Consult your doctor. For doing self-research, Examine.com is a good resource website.

What to Seek?

Following are the research-based components of a pre-workout, ranked according to their proven efficacy.

• Caffeine is an established stimulant to sharpen mental focus. Several studies attest to its performance-enhancing results. Some people may experience jitteriness, headaches, and difficulty sleeping. 400 mg is the safe limit for adults, including all sources throughout the day.
• Creatine (monohydrate) is an intensively-researched component of supplements geared toward power athletes. It doesn't only improve exercise performance but also helps in recovery. Target for about 3000 mg of dose for effective results in the gym.
• Beta-Alanine is a fatigue-fighting amino acid. It delays lactic acid buildup and lengthens muscular endurance. However, its consumption is associated with a tingling sensation you may not like. A minimum of 2000 mg should be sufficient for pre-workout pumps. 
• Vitamins are often overshadowed by the myriad of novel compounds. But Vitamin D and especially B-complex can help in energy management, DNA repair, and overall cardiovascular fitness. Ensure you’re getting the required dose from your diet and supp combined. 
• Citrulline is an NO2 booster. It expands your veins and arteries, regulating blood flow and nutrient transport. Beetroot extracts and l-arginine carry out the same task. Research indicates that Arginine nonetheless fails to make much of a difference in exercise performance.

FAQ

Is Pre-Workout Supposed To Taste Good?

Pre-workouts are multi-ingredient supplements, where each one of them carries a separate profile. For example, BCCAs, creatine, and caffeine are tasteless at best and gross at worst. Thus, manufacturers rely on various flavors and sweeteners to make tasty pre-workouts. 

Why Do People Eat Pre-Workout Dry?

Dry scooping pre-workouts emerged as a TikTok trend. It suggests you’ll get speedy stimulation. But the claim isn’t rooted in science. Besides, there are plenty of possible drawbacks of taking undiluted powders, such as choking, aspiration pneumonia, or even a heart attack. Stick to the package guidelines.

Conclusion

The best tasting pre-workout will help you turn up to the gym with 100% motivation and crush the routine. Hopefully, you have selected one for yourself by now. We recommend Transparent Labs BULK.

Remember, supplements are to assist, not to hijack, your nutrition plan. Have you ever taken a pre-workout? Or do you just rely on a banana and a cup of coffee? Let us know in the comments below!

Also read:

• Best Pre Workout For Beginners
• Best Cheap Pre Workout
• How To Get Rid Of Pre Workout Sickness
• Pre Workout Before Cardio
• Best Total War Pre Workout Flavor
• Strongest Pre Workouts Reviewed
• How Much Caffeine in Pre Workout
• Best Pre Workout Powder With Creatine
• When to Take Pre Workout
• Strongest Pre Workout 
• Best Creatine for Women

References:

1. The combined effects of L-theanine and caffeine on cognitive performance and mood // National Library of Medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18681988/
2. Cognitive Performance and Mood Following Ingestion of a Theacrine-Containing Dietary Supplement, Caffeine, or Placebo by Young Men and Women // National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4663612/
3. Caffeine and Exercise: What Next? // National Library of Medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30977054/
4. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine // National Library of Medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28615996/
5. International society of sports nutrition position stand: Beta-Alanine // Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition: https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-015-0090-y
6. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence // National Library of Medicine: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7019700/
7. Acute l-arginine supplementation increases muscle blood volume but not strength performance // National Library of Medicine: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22251130/