As a personal fitness coach, I believe that all amateur athletes and fitness enthusiasts can gain a lot from taking pre-workouts before each training session.
And there is one ingredient that many people look for in order to gain that mental focus and motivation. With added caffeine, some pre-workout products can give you a significant advantage, but there are other focus-enhancing ingredients to look for as well.
So our team got together with 15 clients to research and test some of the best pre-workout supplements with caffeine. Here’s what we found after seven weeks of testing.
Our Top Pre-Workout Supplements with Caffeine (September 2023)
1 - Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout Supplement (Editor's Choice)
Based on the detailed test results we gathered from all products, the best pre-workout supplement we can recommend is Gorilla Mode. It’s ideal for intense training sessions where you want maximum motivation.
Our entire test group highlighted that they struggled less with fatigue and were able to stay laser-focused on their sets and reps.
We also liked that it’s not one of the strongest pre-workouts when it comes to caffeine. When you get an extremely high dose, it can cause jitters and mess up your recovery as well [1].
Check out our full review for Gorilla Mode pre-workout.
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 175 mg
- Creatine : 2500 mg
- Betaine Anhydrous : 1250 mg
- L-Tyrosine : 750 mg
- Contains a moderate amount of caffeine anhydrous that shouldn’t cause jitters
- Fast-acting formula that provides benefits within 20 minutes
- The powder mixes easily with water and doesn’t get clumpy
- The flavor is great and doesn’t taste artificial or overly sweet
- Free shipping is only available when you spend $100
2 - Pre Lab Pro
Pre Lab Pro is another great brand for sports supplements that many fitness enthusiasts rely on.
The reason we picked this one is that it has a lower dose of caffeine. But by combining it with L-theanine, you get a better mental focus effect without the jitters [2].
You could also take this if you’re training in the afternoon without it having much of an impact on your sleep.
I personally tried taking this for a 6 pm training session, and I didn’t have issues with sleep when I went to bed at 10:30 pm.
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 80 mg
- L-Theanine : 160 mg
- L-Tyrosine : 400 mg
- Red Beet Powder : 1500 mg
- Ideal for a lower dosage of caffeine to suit afternoon workouts
- Added L-theanine can help further improve the effectiveness of the caffeine
- Ordering in bulk will allow you to save a lot of money with a big supply
- There are limited flavor options that you might get tired of
3 - Transparent Labs
Transparent Labs is another top pre-workout supplement from a company that is known for fully transparent formulas and high-quality, proven ingredients.
I tested Transparent Labs pre-workout for ten days and thought it worked great for intense training sessions.
It doesn’t have too much caffeine, and the added l-citrulline in this pre-workout provides smooth energy and impressive pumps during strength training [3].
I also really enjoyed the flavor, which is very natural and not overpoweringly sweet.
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 180 mg
- Citrulline : 6000 mg
- Taurine : 1300 mg
- Beta-Alanine : 4000 mg
- Comes with a high dose of beta-alanine for improved stamina and endurance
- The powder mixes easily with water and provides a nice flavor
- Available with great subscription discounts for significant savings
- Free shipping is only available on orders over $149
4 - C4 Original
Unlike other pre-workouts, Cellular C4 has a slightly lower dosage of ingredients, and that can help to not overstimulate your body and mind.
Many athletes don’t need high doses all the time, and if you do need the extra boost, then you can always take a second scoop.
I also think that this company has come up with the widest range of flavors to choose from, which can help you avoid getting tired of the same product all the time.
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 150 mg
- Beta-Alanine : 1.6 g
- L-Citrulline : 1 g
- Creatine : 1 g
- The combination with creatine seems to give you a smooth energy boost
- Excellent choice of flavors that are natural and not too sweet
- Ordering through a subscription helps you keep your stock levels up at a great price
- I’d like to see slightly more citrulline for muscle pumps
5 - NitroSurge Pre-Workout
The NitroSurge pre-workout supplement might sound like it’s some sort of energy drink, but it has a good formula of proven ingredients.
While some of them are mainly for boosting nitric oxide for better pumps, our test results also show that it has a good effect on strength levels.
We also noticed that the powder mixes very fast and easily with water and that it has a natural, tasty flavor.
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 180 mg
- Betaine : 1.25 g
- Theobromine : 50 mg
- L-Theanine : 90 mg
- Seems to have an ideal caffeine amount for focus and motivation without jitters
- Proven active ingredients provide a great energy and endurance boost
- Comes in very tasty flavor choices, and powder mixes easily
- There are no bulk order offers or subscription discounts
6 - Pre-KAGED Elite Pre-workout
Pre-KAGED Elite pre-workout is aimed at athletes heading into intense training sessions, as it has quite a high dose of all ingredients.
That can be helpful, but my dietitian pointed out that the caffeine dose in Pre-Kaged Elite is almost the recommended daily intake in one go, which could make you jittery [4].
It certainly isn’t the kind of smooth energy for the brain and body that the above products deliver, so take Pre-Kaged Elite with caution.
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 388 mg
- Betaine Anhydrous : 2500 mg
- Creatine : 5000 mg
- Taurine : 2000 mg
- Pre-Kaged Elite has a wide range of ingredients in higher-than-average doses
- Added taurine can help to further provide mental stamina
- We liked the strawberry lemonade flavor the best as it’s not too sweet
- Pre-Kaged Elite can make you jittery due to the high disease of stimulants
7 - REDCON1 Total War Pre Workout
What stood out the most for this REDCON1 pre-workout supplement is that our testing team highlighted that they found the active ingredients kicked in after about 10-15 minutes.
Compared to other pre-workouts, it is very fast and can be worth the extra cost for the pre-workout.
The caffeine dose is high, but not too much to make you jittery, but I’d still be careful taking this for evening training sessions.
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 250 mg
- Taurine : 1 g
- Citrulline Malate : 6 g
- Green Tea Leaves : 45 mg
- Ingredients seem to work fast, showing effects within 15 minutes
- Available in larger tubs with 50 servings to keep you going for months
- Vegan-certified option for athletes on a plant-based diet
- Some of the flavors are a bit too sweet and artificial
8 - Huge Supplements Wrecked Pre-Workout
Next on our list of best pre-workouts is this one from Huge Supplements, and I’ve used some of the company’s other products with good success. Our test results for this one showed that Wrecked pre-workout delivers clean energy without feeling jittery or overstimulated.
We also noticed that you get some impressive pumps from the citrulline malate, which could make it a good choice for many bodybuilders [5].
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 250 mg
- L-Tyrosine : 1500 mg
- Citrulline Malate : 6000 mg
- Beta-Alanine : 3500 mg
- The caffeine anhydrous dose seems to be ideal for better focus
- Contains a large dose of citrulline for improved blood flow to muscles
- This supplement seems to absorb fast due to added black pepper extract
- Contains artificial flavors, and you can tell that in the taste
9 - Beyond Raw LIT
What our testing team liked about this pre-workout supplement from Beyond Raw is that you have a great range of flavors to choose from.
I personally make this a priority as I tend to get tired of taking the same pre-workout flavor all the time.
This one also has a good dose of beta-alanine, which scientists have shown to have a positive impact on workout performance [6].
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 250 mg
- Creatine : 1.5 g
- L-Citrulline : 3g
- Beta-Alanine : 3.2 g
- Wide range of notable ingredients with scientific evidence to support them
- Comes in large bulk-order tubs as well to avoid an extra cost
- There are a lot of great flavors to choose from
- Some of the strength-related ingredients should have a higher dose
10 - MyoBlox LOCO® Pre-Workout
The final one of our recommendations is from MyoBlox, and this is another one for those looking for a maximum caffeine dose. For some athletes, that’s what gets through a tough strength or cardio session.
Our testing also showed that this pre-workout seems to work well for great muscle pumps, and that could be a priority for a lot of bodybuilders.
Quick Facts:
- Caffeine : 400 mg
- L-Theanine : Proprietary Blend
- Citrulline : 6000 mg
- L-Taurine : 2000 mg
- Contains ingredients with added benefits for mental focus
- Delivers great muscle pumps during strength training
- Measured improvements in stamina and endurance for all workout sessions
- The company uses a partial proprietary blend to hide the exact dose of ingredients
Buyer’s Guide
When you’re trying to choose between different pre-workouts, take the time to consider these important factors.
Who Should Take Pre-Workout With Caffeine?
Athletes who are looking for boosted focus, motivation, and fat-burning for their training should consider taking pre-workout with caffeine.
These types of pre-workouts can have a significant effect on your ability to stay on target while at the same time pushing your body that bit further.
And you shouldn’t mistake such a pre-workout as a type of energy drink.
These products don’t deliver a huge sugar rush but instead focus on supporting your body’s ability to increase energy and lower fatigue naturally.
Caffeine Dose In Pre-Workouts
Pre-workout supplements will come in varying doses, and I believe that most people should look for a dose of about 180 mg as you get with Gorilla Mode. It’s enough for the mental and physical boost without making you feel jittery.
“Most adults don't experience the effects of caffeine intoxication when drinking less than 250 milligrams of caffeine (about 2.5 cups of coffee) per day.”
- Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD
The strongest pre-workouts we saw were over 350 mg, like Pre-Kaged. I’d be cautious with such high doses and only recommend them if you know you can handle that amount in one go.
Related: How Much Caffeine is in Pre-workout?
Other Stimulating Ingredients
During our testing and research for the best pre-workout options, we also looked for other focus-enhancing ingredients like green tea leaves and taurine [7].
For some athletes, that’s going to be a good thing, but you want to make sure that you don’t end up overstimulated and jittery. That can end up ruining a training session rather than helping.
FAQs
Which Caffeine Is Best For Pre-Workout?
Caffeine anhydrous is best for pre-workout as it tends to be fast to absorb. It also helps to provide a more standard dose and effect, allowing you to get an ideal dosage for your needs.
Is 300 mg Of Caffeine A Lot In Pre-Workout?
Yes, 300 mg of caffeine is a lot in pre-workout. It’s about the same as three cups of coffee all in one go, and that could make you feel jittery and impact your sleep as well.
Which Pre-Workout Should You Choose?
Out of all the best pre-workout supplements that we tested, we got peak performance results with Gorilla Mode. It seems to deliver an ideal dose of caffeine that provides focus and motivation without the jitters.
The overall formula also has a great selection of proven ingredients that will deliver more workout energy and reduce your fatigue.
Order your first bottle today and find out how much of a difference it will make in your next high-intensity workout.
Our #1 Recommendation
Gorilla Mode Pre-Workout Supplement
- Contains a moderate amount of caffeine anhydrous that shouldn’t cause jitters
- Fast-acting formula that provides benefits within 20 minutes
- The powder mixes easily with water and doesn’t get clumpy
- The flavor is great and doesn’t taste artificial or overly sweet
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
- Free shipping is only available when you spend $100
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