Amino acid supplements are a terrific place to start if you’re looking to build lean muscle mass, boost your sports performance, or simply enhance your general health.
With so many options, it can be hard to choose which ones are worthwhile to try, which is why we’ve put together a list of the best amino acid supplements, taking into account factors like their amino acid profile, potency, cost, and more.
You’ll find something here to help you in your search whether you’re a seasoned veteran or brand-new to the supplement world.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What Are the Best Amino Acid Supplements?
The best amino acid supplements usually include a well-balanced mix of essential amino acids (EAAs), which are amino acids that the body cannot make on its own and must get through food or supplementation.
Examples include BCAA supplements, which are frequently used to ease muscle soreness and aid in recovery, and essential amino acid supplements (EAAs), which generally include all nine necessary amino acids needed to build lean muscle mass. Electrolytes and glutamine, which are popular among endurance athletes, are also included in some amino acid supplements.
A healthcare practitioner should always be consulted before beginning any supplement program as individual requirements and dietary limitations might differ.
A Quick Look at the Best Amino Acid Supplements
- Best overall amino acid supplement: Thorne Amino Complex
- Best amino acid supplement for recovery: Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine
- Best amino acid supplement with electrolytes: Vital Proteins Vital Performance Recover
- Best amino acid supplement for energy: Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy
- Best unflavored amino acid supplement: Now Sports Amino-9 Essentials Powder
- Best affordable amino acid supplement: Double Woods Essential Amino Acids
- Best vegan BCAA supplement: Naked BCAAs
- Best vegan EAA supplement: Naked EAAs
- Best amino acid capsules: Optimum Nutrition Superior Amino 2222
Thorne Amino Complex – Best Overall
Overview
Thorne Amino Complex is a clinically-validated formula that contains all essential amino acids (EAAs) and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) to promote muscle growth and enhance energy production. Additionally, it’s NSF Certified for Sport® which verifies that it’s free from over 270 substances banned by major athletic organizations. It’s available in lemon and berry flavors and is gluten, dairy, and soy free as well as vegan.
Highlights
- Servings per container: 30
- Amino acid profile:
- EAAs: 3.85g of all 9 essential amino acids including BCAAs
- BCAAs: 2.5g in a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine
- Non-essential amino acids: 150mg per serving of cystine
- Other ingredients: flavor, citric acid, stevia extract (leaf), fruit and vegetable juice (color)
- Available flavors: lemon, berry
- Certifications: NSF Certified For Sport, TGA Rated, CGMP Certified
- Vegan: yes
- Gluten-free: yes
Price
$45.00
Bottom Line
Thorne Amino Complex is one of the best essential amino acid supplements on the market. It’s an excellent choice for athletes or anyone looking for a rigorously tested, great-tasting amino acid powder that includes all 9 essential amino acids.
Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine – Best For Muscle Recovery
Overview
CoreSeries BCAA Glutamine is a recovery supplement made by Transparent Labs that contains clinically effective dosages of leucine, isoleucine, valine, and glutamine which has been shown to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue. It’s made with premium fermented vegan BCAAs and contains no colored dyes, unnecessary fillers, or harmful additives. Each serving provides a large dose of 8g of BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio and 5g of L-glutamine.
Highlights
- Servings per container: 30
- Amino acid profile:
- BCAAs: 8g per serving of premium fermented BCAAs in a 2:1:1 ratio
- L-glutamine: 5g per serving
- Other ingredients: vitamin c (as ascorbic acid), coconut water powder, citric acid, natural flavor, stevia, tartaric acid, calcium silicate, silicon dioxide
- Available flavors: sour green apple, tropical punch, strawberry lemonade, blue raspberry, orange
- Vegan-friendly: yes
- Gluten-free: not stated
Price
$39.99
Bottom Line
Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine powder is an excellent option for anyone seeking an intra-workout BCAA supplement to enhance longer sessions, as it includes glutamine and additional electrolytes. It’s also a good value option due to its large dose of branched chain amino acids and glutamine per serving.
Vital Proteins Vital Performance Recovery Powder – Best With Electrolytes
Overview
Vital Performance Recovery Powder contains branched chain amino acids, collagen, all nine essential amino acids, electrolytes, vitamin C, B vitamins, L-glutamine, and taurine. It’s designed to help with hydration, endurance, amino acid breakdown and muscle fatigue. It’s also NSF Certified for Sport and free of artificial sweeteners, dairy, gluten, and soy.
Highlights
- Servings per container: 21
- Amino acid profile:
- EAAs: 8g per serving of all 9 essential amino acids
- L-glutamine: 970mg per serving
- Other ingredients: collagen peptides, taurine, coconut water powder, malic acid, citric acid, magnesium citrate, natural flavors, Himalayan pink salt, potassium citrate, fruit and vegetable juice powder (for color), monk fruit extract, sodium ascorbate (vitamin C), zinc sulfate, niacinamide (vitamin B3), d-calcium pantothenate (pantothenic acid), folic acid, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), thiamine hydrochloride (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), sodium selenite (selenium)
- Available flavors: watermelon blueberry, guava lime
- Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport
- Vegan-friendly: no
- Gluten-free: yes
Price
$35.99
Bottom Line
Vital Performance Recovery Powder contains all 9 essential amino acids with additional non-essential and conditionally essential amino acids from collagen. If you’re looking for a supplement that combines EAAs with electrolytes for hydration, this is a great option.
Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy – Best for Energy
Overview
Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy is designed to enhance your energy, focus and muscle recovery. Each serving contains 100mg of caffeine from natural sources and 5 grams of amino acids for muscle protein synthesis. Low-calorie and sugar-free, it’s the perfect anytime supplement for active individuals.
Highlights
- Servings per container: 6, 20, 30, 65
- Amino acid profile:
- Amino blend: 5g per serving of EAAs with L-glutamine
- Caffeine: 100mg per serving from coffee bean and/or tea leaf
- Other ingredients: taurine, green tea leaf extract, green coffee bean extract, citric acid, natural and artificial flavor, malic acid, tartaric acid, silicon dioxide, calcium silicate, sucralose, gum blend (cellulose gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, sunflower and/or soy lecithin, blue 2, inulin
- Available flavors: blue raspberry, blue lemonade, blueberry mojito, concord grape, cotton candy, fruit fusion, green apple, juicy strawberry, lemon-lime, orange, peach lemonade, pineapple, strawberry lime, watermelon, wild berry
- Vegan-friendly: no
- Gluten-free: no
Price
$11.99 (6 servings)
$27.99 (30 servings)
$49.99 (65 servings)
Bottom Line
Optimum Nutrition Essential Amino Energy is an amino acid supplement with all 9 EAAs and 100mg of caffeine. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a new pre-workout supplement with a lot of different flavor options.
Now Sports Amino-9 Essentials Powder – Best Unflavored
Overview
NOW® Sports Amino-9 Essentials™ is a dietary supplement that contains all 9 essential amino acids required for building muscle. It’s designed to optimize muscle protein synthesis and tissue repair and is dairy, egg, GMO, nut, and soy free. It’s also halal, keto-friendly and kosher.
Highlights
- Servings per container: 59
- Amino acid profile:
- EAAs: 4.9g per serving including all 9 essential amino acids
- BCAAs: 1.9g per serving of branched-chain amino acids
- EAAs: 4.9g per serving including all 9 essential amino acids
- Other ingredients: none
- Available flavors: n/a
- Certifications: UL® National Brand Certification Program (NBCP)
- Vegan-friendly: no
- Gluten-free: made without gluten
Price
$45.99
Bottom Line
Now Sports Amino-9 Essentials Powder is a great choice for anyone looking for an unflavored amino acid powder with no added ingredients.
Double Woods Essential Amino Acids – Best Affordable
Overview
Double Wood’s Essential Amino Acid supplement is a high-quality amino acid capsule that provides all 9 essential amino acids. It’s manufactured in the USA, tested for purity and potency, and is soy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
Highlights
- Servings per container: 75
- Amino acid profile:
- EAAs: 968mg per serving of all 9 essential amino acids
- BCAAs: 461mg per serving of branched chain amino acids
- EAAs: 968mg per serving of all 9 essential amino acids
- Other ingredients: gelatin (capsule), cellulose, magnesium stearate
- Available flavors: n/a
- Vegan-friendly: no
- Gluten-free: yes
Price
$19.95
Bottom Line
Double Woods Essential Amino Acid is an excellent choice for anyone looking to build muscle mass as it contains all 9 essential amino acids. It’s relatively inexpensive and convenient to take on the go.
Naked BCAAs – Best BCAA for Vegans
Overview
Naked BCAAs powder is a clean, unadulterated supplement that contains only the 3 BCAAs and sunflower lecithin – that’s it. It’s certified vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and free from GMOs, and has been tested by a third-party lab in the US.
Highlights
- Servings per container: 100
- Amino acid profile:
- BCAAs: 5g per serving of l-leucine, l-Isoleucine, and l-valine in a 2:1:1 ratio
- Other ingredients: sunflower lecithin
- Available flavors: unflavored
- Certifications: Certified Gluten Free, Certified Vegan
- Vegan-friendly: yes
- Gluten-free: yes
Price
$34.99
Bottom Line
If you follow a vegan diet and are looking for a BCAA supplement with minimal ingredients, this is for you. Although it doesn’t contain all of the essential amino acids, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a BCAA supplement to help alleviate muscle fatigue and soreness.
Naked EAAs – Best EAA for Vegans
Overview
Naked EAAS is a pharmaceutical-grade blend of essential amino acids designed to support workout performance. It’s leucine-enhanced with the scientifically-backed ratio of 2:1:1 of L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine, which has been proven to be most effective for an extra boost in endurance, strength, and recovery. Just like Naked BCAAs, it’s certified vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and free from GMOs, and has been tested by a third-party lab in the US.
Highlights
- Servings per container: 100
- Amino acid profile:
- EAAs: 10g per serving of all 9 essential amino acids
- BCAAs: 4.8g per serving of l-leucine, l-Isoleucine, and l-valine in a 2:1:1 ratio
- EAAs: 10g per serving of all 9 essential amino acids
- Other ingredients: sunflower lecithin
- Available flavors: unflavored
- Certifications: Certified Gluten Free, Certified Vegan
- Vegan-friendly: yes
- Gluten-free: yes
Price
$39.99
Bottom Line
Naked EEAs is an excellent supplement that includes all 9 essential amino acids needed for muscle protein synthesis. If you’re vegan or just looking for a supplement with minimal ingredients, this is for you!
Optimum Nutrition Superior Amino 2222 – Best Capsule
Overview
SUPERIOR AMINO 2222 Tabs offer 2.2 grams of 18 various amino acids per 2-tablet serving. These tablets provide a blend of essential, conditionally essential, and non-essential amino acids from isolated, concentrated, and hydrolyzed protein sources, as well as micronized amino acids.
Highlights
- Servings per container: 80, 160
- Amino acid profile:
- EAAs: 937mg per serving including BCAAs
- BCAAs: 500mg per serving
- Conditionally essential amino acids (CAAs): 778mg per serving
- Glutamic Acid / Glutamine: 388mg per serving
- Nonessential Amino Acids (NAAs): 507mg per serving
- Other ingredients: Protein Blend, (Whey Powder, Whey Protein Concentrate, Soy Protein Isolate, Whey Peptides), Croscarmellose Sodium, Micronized Amino Acid Blend (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, L-Glutamine, L-Arginine), Silica Lecithin, Lecithin, Enzyme Complex (Amylase, Protease, Cellulase, Lactase, Lipase)
- Available flavors: n/a
- Vegan-friendly: no
- Gluten-free: no
Price
$24.98
Bottom Line
This is an excellent option if you’re looking for a convenient amino acid capsule to help promote muscle growth at a great price.
Frequently Asked Questions About Amino Acid Supplements
What Are Amino Acid Supplements?
Amino acid supplements are dietary supplements that contain individual or a combination of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. These supplements can be taken orally and are available in a number of forms, including capsules, pills, and powders. Supplements containing BCAAs and EAAs are a few typical examples. They are used for various reasons, including boosting sports performance, enhancing muscle growth and strength, enhancing post-exercise recovery, and more.
What Are Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)?
Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a group of three essential amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They are called “branched-chain” because of their chemical structure, which is characterized by a “branch” off the main chain of carbon atoms. They are commonly used by athletes, bodybuilders, and people who are looking to reduce muscle soreness and fatigue.
What Are Essential Amino Acids (EAAs)?
Essential amino acids are a group of amino acids that the body cannot produce on its own, and therefore must be obtained from dietary sources. These amino acids play an important role in many of the body’s functions, including building muscle, repairing tissues, and supporting a healthy immune system.
What Are the Nine Essential Amino Acids?
Histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
What is the Difference Between BCAAs and EAAs?
BCAAs are a subset of EAAs. BCAAs are three of the nine essential amino acids, while EAAs are all nine essential amino acids.
What is the Difference Between Essential, Non-Essential, and Conditionally Essential Amino Acids?
Essential amino acids are those that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Non-essential amino acids are those that can be synthesized by the body. Conditionally essential amino acids are those that are usually not essential, meaning the body can synthesize them, but under certain conditions, such as illness, injury, or stress, the body may not produce enough of them and they become essential, meaning they need to be obtained through diet or supplementation.
What is L-Glutamine & What Does it Do For Your Body?
L-glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid that is found in high levels in the body, particularly in muscle tissue. It plays a role in many bodily functions, including providing fuel for cells, maintaining a healthy immune system, and supporting gut health. It’s commonly found in amino acid supplements used by athletes and bodybuilders to help promote muscle growth and reduce muscle breakdown.
Additionally, it can be beneficial for people with certain medical conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, as well as those recovering from surgery or injury. It’s also used to reduce the side effects of cancer treatments. It’s considered safe to use at recommended doses, but it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting to take any supplement.
Wrap Up
It’s important to consider factors like ingredient quality, certifications, and price when deciding on the best amino acid supplement for you. It’s also important to keep in mind that these supplements might not be appropriate for everyone and you should speak with a healthcare provider or nutritionist before taking any of the above-mentioned products.
If you have questions about kicking off a healthier lifestyle, the expert personal trainers at EverFlex are here to help. Get in touch with us today!
