What Creatine Should I Buy? A Guide to Choosing the Right Type for You

Last Updated : February 16, 2026 Matt Weik

Four different container sizes of NutraBio Creatine Monohydrate are neatly lined up against a plain gray background.

You want bigger muscles and better workouts, but the insane number of supplements on the shelf is paralyzing. What creatine should I buy? It’s the single most common question I hear from my athletes and clients who just want something that works.

From what I’ve seen in my 20+ years in the industry, this industry loves to confuse you with “advanced” formulas that cost three times as much but do half the work.

You need a clear direction, not marketing hype, to make a smart buying decision.

I’m going to break down the actual data behind the different forms, why the “boring” option is usually the best, and how to spot a label that’s lying to you.

In this article, I’m going to unpack everything you need to know about creatine supplementation.

You will learn why pure creatine monohydrate stands out as the winner when compared to other forms like creatine hydrochloride or ethyl ester. We’ll look at the data, the costs, and the specific red flags you need to avoid when looking at creatine supplements.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used to treat or diagnose any condition. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before starting any exercise program, making changes to your nutrition plan, or adding any new supplements into your current regimen.

Why Creatine Monohydrate Should Be Your First Choice
How Do Other Creatine Forms Compare to Monohydrate?
What Quality Markers Identify the Best Creatine to Buy?
Should You Choose Flavored or Unflavored Creatine?
How Much Should You Expect to Pay for Quality Creatine?

Why Creatine Monohydrate Should Be Your First Choice

So, you asked the question: What creatine should I buy? And I’ve already made it clear that the best creatine supplements still remain creatine monohydrate.

If you’re looking for muscle growth and muscle recovery, you can’t beat pure creatine monohydrate. It’s a tried-and-true form that has a ton of research backing it.

Creatine monohydrate is the gold standard for a reason. It isn’t just the most popular, but also the most scientifically validated supplement in history.

The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has repeatedly stated that monohydrate is the most effective nutritional supplement currently available to athletes for increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass.

While other forms claim to be “new and improved,” they simply don’t have the decades of data to back them up, unlike creatine monohydrate, which has 1,000+ studies supporting its safety and effectiveness.

So, when it comes to what I recommend to my athletes (and you), words talk, but numbers scream. And the numbers in the research on creatine supplements are screaming from the mountain top.

A basketball player dribbles on an indoor court while a tub of NutraBio Creatine Monohydrate and a Wilson basketball sit in the foreground.

Recent research has even expanded the list of benefits beyond just muscle mass and recovery.

Studies now suggest that creatine monohydrate can support cognitive function, specifically helping with short-term memory and reducing mental fatigue during stressful tasks.

This means you aren’t just fueling your biceps… you’re fueling your brain for those grinding final reps and tackling the day head-on (no matter what life throws at you).

The Saturation Fact: Despite what you’ve heard back in the day, you don’t need a complex “loading phase” to see results. Taking 5 grams of creatine monohydrate daily can fully saturate your muscles within about 28 days . This steady approach avoids the digestive upset that comes from rushing the process.

When people are crushing it in the gym, many report faster gains with micronized creatine monohydrate than with other forms.

Something like NutraBio unflavored creatine monohydrate mixes well in smoothies or pre-workout drinks without artificial sweeteners or unnecessary additives. You could even add it to your post-workout protein shake for a one-two punch for muscle recovery.

You also can’t be mad at the fact that creatine monohydrate supplements have a much better overall cost-to-benefit ratio. When you compare the various forms, you’re going to pay 2-3x more for the alternatives than you would with something like a micronized creatine monohydrate.

How Do Other Creatine Forms Compare to Monohydrate?

You will often see expensive bottles claiming to have “superior absorption” or “30x solubility.”

But here is the catch: solubility (how well it mixes in water) is not the same as bioavailability (how well your muscles use it).

I’ve analyzed the best creatine supplements and forms to show you exactly where your money goes.

Type	The Marketing Claim	The Scientific Reality	Est. Cost Per Serving
Creatine Monohydrate (Regular & Micronized)	The “Basic” Option Boosts strength & power	Gold Standard: 99% absorption rate. Proven to increase cycling performance by 10% (2004). Supports cognitive health (2024 data).	$0.20 - $0.40
Creatine Hydrochloride (HCl)	“No Bloat” Dissolves instantly	It is more soluble, but studies show no performance advantage over monohydrate. You pay for mixability, not muscle.	$0.30 - $0.80
Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE)	“Superior Absorption” Rapid gains	Failed: A landmark study by Spillane et al. (2009) showed that it degrades into creatinine (waste) faster than it reaches your muscles. Often worse than a placebo.	$0.20 - $0.70
Buffered Creatine (Alkaline)	“Stomach Friendly” pH Balanced	Research from 2012 confirmed that it is no more effective than standard monohydrate. The buffering does not improve muscle uptake.	$0.70 - $1.50

At the end of the day, pure creatine monohydrate still beats out creatine hydrochloride and creatine ethyl ester supplementation every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

So, when you’re looking for the best creatine supplements and asking yourself, “What creatine should I buy,” you really shouldn’t look past micronized creatine monohydrate.

The “Solubility Myth” of Creatine HCl

When training a new client or athlete, I get the same question asked to me: “Matt, what creatine should I buy?” When I tell them plain old creatine monohydrate, some of them question why they shouldn’t take creatine HCl because it’s a “more soluble creatine.”

It is true that creatine hydrochloride dissolves roughly 38 times better in water.

However, once that fluid hits your stomach acid, your body processes the creatine molecule almost exactly the same way.

If you have the budget, creatine HCl is a fine choice, but don’t expect it to build muscle faster than creatine monohydrate.

That said, if you find that you’re a “non-responder” to creatine monohydrate, I would recommend switching to creatine hydrochloride or creatine ethyl ester supplementation.

What Quality Markers Identify the Best Creatine to Buy?

Quality matters for creatine, especially if your goal is to support muscle protein synthesis and exercise performance.

A terrifying 2011 review of supplement contaminants found that 44% of tested samples contained high levels of creatinine (a useless waste product) and other impurities.

You need to be able to not only trust but also verify the supplements you put into your body. You shouldn’t need to be a detective when reading labels to ensure you aren’t drinking heavy metals or fillers.

Some things for you to look for include:

Demand Third-Party Verification: Never trust a brand that only tests itself. Look for third-party testing badges from organizations like Informed Sport or CheckMySupps. NutraBio, for instance, lets you go to CheckMySupps.com and enter the lot number on your bottle to view the actual lab results for that specific batch.
Check for Trademarked PharmaPure™: This form is the industry benchmark. It means the creatine monohydrate is pharmaceutical-grade and manufactured using the strictest purity standards.
Look for GMP Certification: Choose GMP-certified manufacturing. This ensures the facility follows “Good Manufacturing Practices,” meaning your creatine powder isn’t being mixed in a dirty warehouse.
Avoid “Proprietary Blends”: Scan the label closely. Good brands display clear 5g serving sizes of creatine. If you see “Creatine Blend” with no specific amounts listed, the company is likely underdosing the expensive ingredients and filling the rest with cheap sugars.
Prioritize Solubility: Seek out micronized forms. Micronization breaks the powder into smaller particles, making it easier to dissolve in water or pre-workouts without clumping.

Should You Choose Flavored or Unflavored Creatine?

I would recommend you use whatever you prefer. But again, so long as it’s a creatine monohydrate.

That said, if you want convenience and plan to put your creatine supplements in a flavored beverage (such as a pre-workout or post-workout protein powder), unflavored creatine simplifies things.

Unflavored creatine blends well with your shakes, juices, or water, and does not change the taste of your other drinks, making it extremely versatile.

This makes unflavored protein a smart choice if you often mix your supplements together. For instance, you can add unflavored creatine to a vanilla protein shake one day and a berry smoothie the next without clashing flavors.

But then you have flavored creatine supplements. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with them. Flavored creatine is great when you want to scoop, stir into water, and go.

The sweet flavor helps enhance the flavor of creatine and is considered one of the best creatine supplements if you want to improve muscle growth, strength, and muscle recovery.

However, this flavorful convenience comes at a cost.

This version costs a bit more thanks to flavors and extra ingredients. One thing to keep in mind is that you should always check the label for artificial colors or high amounts of sweeteners before buying. Try to keep everything flavored naturally if you can.

So, what creatine should I buy when looking at flavored and unflavored creatine? Either.

Both flavored and unflavored creatine supplements provide the same performance benefits and results. Something to consider is combining your creatine intake with carbohydrates. The natural sugars in a beverage like juice can help spike insulin slightly, potentially aiding transport into the muscle, while saving you from the artificial aftertaste of pre-flavored tubs.

NutraBio has a bunch of creatine supplements you can choose from. Everything from unflavored to flavored creatine to meet your wants and needs.

A hand holds a scoop of powder above an open container of NutraBio Creatine Monohydrate in Paradise Punch flavor, set against a bold red background.

How Much Should You Expect to Pay for Quality Creatine?

Price is often the best indicator of value, but you have to look at the “cost per serving,” not just the sticker price on the tub.

Here is a quick breakdown of what you are paying for:

Standard Creatine Monohydrate: ~$0.15+ per serving (Best Value)
Creatine HCL: ~$0.30+ per serving (Best for Mixability)
Flavored Blends: ~$0.40+ per serving (Best for Convenience)

You will notice flavored creatine versions charge extra due to added sweeteners and taste boosters, whereas unflavored creatine powders keep costs lower while giving you flexibility.

Tablets and ready-to-drink bottles may seem easy, but they often deliver less value compared to plain powder. Then you have liquid versions that can lose their effectiveness during storage. Therefore, it’s hard to beat a pure creatine monohydrate from NutraBio due to their quality and affordability.

Always check the price-per-serving math before buying any supplement brand. Third-party certifications matter, too, even if they add a few cents more per serving, as they guard against impurities that could affect your health and results.

Additionally, if you want to stretch your dollar further, buy in bulk for the best value. Something like a 300g pure creatine monohydrate is only around $23.99.

Conclusion

What started as a “What creatine should I buy?” has turned into a clear winner. The best creatine supplements are those that are a straight creatine monohydrate.

Nothing fancy. Nothing that uses marketing hype. The facts are the facts, and 1,000+ studies on creatine monohydrate have solidified it as the best of the best.

If you’re looking for creatine supplementation that is safe, affordable, and proven by years of research, you can’t go wrong with an unflavored creatine monohydrate.

Keep an eye on ingredients, price, and brand trust. NutraBio offers pure options that meet these needs.

The last thing to do is to grab a tub and get started. If you want to boost lean muscle mass and muscle recovery, check out the NutraBio creatine supplements and get ready to experience the results you’ve been waiting for.

FAQs

Is micronized creatine better than regular monohydrate?

Micronized dissolves better but offers identical effectiveness. Choose based on mixability preference, not expecting performance differences.

Do I need different creatine for bulking vs. cutting?

No, creatine monohydrate works identically for all goals. Your diet and training change, not your creatine type.

Should beginners buy different creatine than advanced athletes?

No, everyone benefits equally from quality creatine monohydrate regardless of training experience or fitness level.

Is capsule or powder creatine better?

Powder offers better value and faster absorption, while capsules provide convenience but typically cost more per serving.

Why should I buy NutraBio creatine?

NutraBio creatine provides full transparency, third-party testing, no fillers, and pharmaceutical-grade quality, ensuring maximum effectiveness and safety.