7 Best Amino Acid Supplements in 2024

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and whether they come in the form of BCAAs or EAAs, they’re very popular supplements. This is why we’ve made this list of the best amino acid supplements available today. 

It’s worth noting that standard whey protein is a more complete supplement than amino acid supplementation, although AAs may be beneficial in certain cases, such as with endurance athletes or vegans. 

Our team of certified nutritionists and professional athletes has reviewed 20 products and 7 of the best ones made it to this list. We’ve based our evaluations on 5 key factors and we have spent 4 weeks testing most of these products out.

Additionally, we have also analyzed hundreds of online user reviews. Feel free to share your experiences in the comments section because our list is regularly updat7 Best Amino Acid Supplements Reviewed

Top 7 Best Amino Acid Supplements Reviewed

1. INTRA by Transparent Labs – Top-Pick
2. XTEND vc® Original BCAA – Best-Tasting
3. Dymatize All9 Amino – Best with Vitamins
4. PROSUPPS HydroBCAA
5. EAA by BulkSupplements – Budget Pick
6. GNC Pro Performance Essential Amino
7. Naked EAAs

Product	Total	EAAs per Serving	Taste/ Flavor	Nutrition Label Transparency	Third Party Testing	Value for Money
Transparent Labs	48.5	9	9.5	10	10	10
XTEND	48	9	9.5	10	10	9.5
Dymatize	48	10	9	9.5	10	9.5
PROSUPPS	47.5	10	9	9.5	9	10
BulkSupplements	47	10	8.5	9.5	9	10
GNC	47	10	9	9.5	9	9.5
Naked	45.5	9.5	8	9.5	9	9.5

Starting our list is one of the most popular supplement brands around in Transparent Labs. On top of providing a solid dose of EAAs and BCAAs, their Intra supplement also delivers a good amount of additional active ingredients. In our opinion, this makes Intra the best amino acids for muscle growth available. 

Each serving of this supplement contains 6,700mg of EAAs, which is mostly BCAAs, dosed at 5,000mg at an effective 2:1:1 ratio. 

Beyond this, Intra contains 3 additional active ingredients worth considering: citrulline malate, taurine, and betaine. As we’ll cover below, Taurine and Betaine are beneficial inclusions, although the low dose of Citrulline Malate here is largely pointless. 

Citrulline Malate has been shown to help with endurance performance, although the 2g dose included here is likely too low to make any meaningful difference. Taurine is also beneficial for endurance performance, with 2g likely being a sufficient dose.

Finally, Betaine is likely best used for improving recovery, with 1.25g being sufficient for these effects as well, making these some of the best amino acids for muscle recovery on our list. 

Like all Transparent Labs products, this is made with an all-natural formula, not containing any artificial sweeteners or preservatives. It also has a fairly limited flavor variety, with only 2 options to choose from. 

Finally, at ~1.47 per serving, this does work out to be the most expensive option on our list. However, because of the solid dose of AAs, the high-quality formula, and additional active ingredients, we believe this is still the best pick available.

The next amino acid powder on our list is XTEND BCAAs from Cellucor, a brand likely better known for its C4 pre-workout. However, as this product shows, Cellucor also delivers a very high-quality BCAA supplement, which is also our pick for the best-tasting amino acids available today. 

Each serving contains a solid 7,000mg of BCAAs, which is one of the highest serving sizes on our list. Note that this isn’t an EAA supplement, so you won’t be getting any of the 6 other essential amino acids here. 

While you don’t get any EAAs, you will get some Glutamine, which is an amino acid. There is no evidence to suggest it may be beneficial for performance and use in sports. Similar to Transparent Labs, you’ll also be getting some Citrulline Malate, although it’s once again dosed ineffectively at only 1g per serving. 

In terms of formula and flavor variety, XTEND is also quite different from our top pick. First, XTEND is made with several artificial sweeteners and dyes in case this is something you’d prefer to avoid. However, it has the best flavor variety on our whole list with 15 unique flavors to choose from, including 3 Airheads candy flavors. 

Also, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option compared to our top pick, XTEND may be for you. At only ~$0.72 per serving, this is just about half the price of Transparent Labs Intra.

Next on our list is another EAA supplement, similar to Transparent Labs. With a high total dose of EAAs and BCAAs, let’s see how Dymatize’s AA supplement stacks up. 

First, at 10g total of EAAs, being partially made up of 7.2g of BCAAs, this is one of the highest-dosed essential amino acid supplements on our list. This makes Dymatize a good choice for those looking to maximize their AA intake.

Despite the high AA doses, keep in mind that this is the first supplement on our list not to contain any active ingredients like betaine or citrulline. However, it does contain a solid dose of several vitamins, including Vitamin C, and several B Vitamins. 

Similar to XTEND, Dymatize’s product is made with several artificial ingredients, including sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Also, it has a relatively low amount of flavor variety with only 3 different options to choose from. 

Finally, at ~$1.33, Dymatize has a similarly high price point to Transparent Labs, being one of the most expensive options on our list. However, this may still be worth it to you, especially if you’re looking to maximize total AA intake.

Although this next amino acid complex is listed as a BCAA supplement, it contains additional EAAs as well. PROSUPPS delivers a high dose of its amino acids, although it does fall short on additional active ingredients. 

PROSUPPS has a similarly high dose of its amino acids when compared to Dymatize. It contains 7g of total BCAAs with 3g of the other 6 EAAs for 10g total. 

Also similar to Dymatize, PROSUPPS doesn’t contain any additional active ingredients. It also doesn’t have any additional vitamins, making for the most basic supplement we’ve covered so far. 

Like most other options we’ve covered, this formula also contains several artificial ingredients in case this is something you prefer to avoid. However, with 5 flavors on offer, PROSUPPS offers decent variety, although it doesn’t quite rival XTEND. 

Finally, at ~$1.00 per serving, PROSUPPS is far from the most expensive option on our list, although it’s far from the cheapest option as well. Similar to Dymatize, this is a highly-dosed basic AA supplement, so the price may still be worth it for some.

Next on our list is easily the most basic supplement we’ll be covering from BulkSupplements. Although it’s nothing fancy, this will be your best option if you’re looking to save as much money as possible. 

In terms of dosage, BulkSupplements is somewhat unclear. Although it contains 10g of EAAs, the package has no information about how much of this comes from BCAAs. As a result, it’s impossible to say how much of any specific amino acid you’re getting. This is something that BulkSupplements will hopefully fix at some point to give customers more info on their product.

As mentioned, this is the most basic supplement on our list, so don’t expect any additional active ingredients. You also won’t be getting any flavoring, as this supplement only comes unflavored. However, this is also one of the only options on our list not to be made with an all-natural formula, similar to Transparent Labs. 

Of course, one of the major pros of this supplement is its price. At only ~$0.33 per serving, this is easily the cheapest option on our list. Keep in mind that this is for the 1kg bag, with smaller options being significantly more expensive, and larger options being somewhat cheaper as well.

Next on our list is GNC’s Pro Performance EAA supplement. Although this is a fairly basic supplement, it’s worth noting that there is a certain flavor that includes caffeine, making this more of a pre-workout supplement. 

In terms of amino acid doses, GNC is fairly standard for our list, containing 10g total of EAAs, which includes 5g of BCAAs. 

In terms of active ingredients, GNC doesn’t offer much, with most flavors just being made up of the included aminos. However, if you opt for the Raspberry Iced Tea flavor, you will also get a solid boost of caffeine at 100mg per serving, making these the best amino acids for energy on our list. Just keep in mind this will be slightly more expensive than the standard supplement. 

As with most options on our list, GNC does contain several artificial ingredients including dyes and sweeteners. However, they do also offer a good amount of flavor variety, with 5 different options to choose from. 

As for price, the standard amino acid supplement will cost you about ~$1.17 per serving, although the caffeinated option will be slightly more expensive at ~$1.33 per serving. In our opinion, the additional boost of caffeine makes this a more unique amino acid supplement, making it well worth the extra bit of money.

Closing out our list is Naked’s EAAs, which is another one of the simplest, and most budget-friendly options available on our list. 

Each serving of Naked’s EAAs contains 9,250mg of total AAs, with 4,800mg total of BCAAs. Naked also gets bonus points for accurately listing the dose of each individual amino included in its formula. 

As mentioned, this is a very basic supplement so it doesn’t contain any additional active ingredients. Of course, similar to BulkSupplements, this means it doesn’t contain any artificial filler either. However, you also shouldn’t expect any flavoring here either. 

In terms of price, Naked is on the lower end of our list at around ~$0.64. However, keep in mind that this is still a very basic, unflavored supplement, with BulkSupplements offering a very similar formula for significantly cheaper.

Who May Benefit From Amino Acid Supplementation?

It’s worth noting that amino acid supplements are not necessary for everybody. For most people, if you’re getting enough high-quality protein in your diet, amino acid supplements likely won’t have any major effect.

With that being said, certain people will benefit from BCAAs or EAAs. Mainly people who struggle with protein intake like older folks and vegans, or those who need amino acids for specific exercise-related goals like endurance athletes.

1. Older Individuals

First, EAAs are thought to be beneficial for older people who struggle with adequate protein intake. Protein intake is especially important when aging because it will help manage losses in strength, muscle mass, and overall bodily function. EAAs are a convenient way for older folks to get protein in through a palatable and easy-to-consume source.

However, the same could be said of whey protein or a meal replacement drink. It’s highly unlikely that EAAs have any advantages over these 2 supplements instead. While EAAs will likely provide many of the same benefits, we believe whey will provide more overall benefits.

2. Vegans

Another group that may struggle with protein intake is vegans. Especially when it comes to complete protein intake, vegans need to be conscious of where their protein is being sourced from to ensure they’re getting an adequate intake of all 9 essential amino acids. 

This is where amino acid supplementation comes in, as it can help you ensure you’re getting adequate total AA intake. BCAAs should be of special concern to vegans because of their use in muscle-building and athletic performance. 

Overall, while it’s best to prioritize protein intake from whole foods, amino acid supplementation – either with BCAAs or EAAs – may be a good idea for vegans to ensure adequate intake of complete proteins. We just want to stress that AA supplements do not serve as a replacement for dietary protein intake.

3. Endurance Athletes

Finally, one of the groups that will likely benefit most from amino acid supplementation is endurance and ultra-endurance athletes. One reason is that endurance athletes often stay in a caloric deficit during intense training cycles. AA supplementation can help them ensure they’re maintaining optimal performance, and not becoming protein deficient. 

Also, amino acid supplements may be beneficial for endurance athletes as an intra-workout supplement alongside carbs and electrolytes to maintain optimal performance – especially during ultra-endurance events. 

Especially if you’re a competitive endurance athlete, it’s a good idea to consult with a sports nutritionist about things like amino acids and electrolyte supplements. They will be able to give you more tailored advice on how to use these supplements for optimal performance.

How to Choose the Best Amino Acid Supplements?

As we’ve mentioned several times already, amino acid supplements aren’t for everybody. While most people will benefit more from something like whey protein, certain individuals may still want to include amino acids in their supplement stack. If this is the case, there are several things you’ll want to keep an eye out for.

1. Look For EAAs per Serving

First, consider whether or not EAAs are included in your supplement, and what the dosage is. Most of the supplements on our list are EAA supplements, meaning they include BCAAs and the other 6 EAAs. The only supplement we featured without additional EAAs is XTEND, which only contains the 3 BCAAs – leucine, valine, and isoleucine. 

While the EAAs necessary to supplement your diet will vary from person to person, most of the doses included in our list should be adequate to optimize your amino acid intake – especially if you’re also working on including more protein-rich foods in your diet.

2. Consider BCAAs

As mentioned above, remember that EAA supplements will also include BCAAs. BCAAs are arguably the most important aminos for muscle-building and athletic performance, so prioritize the doses of these. If you’re just after BCAAs, you may also consider a supplement like XTEND which doesn’t contain any additional EAAs. 

It’s also worth mentioning that the ideal ratio of BCAAs is 2:1:1 leucine to isoleucine and valine. This is standard for most supplements, although there are certain options – like BulkSupplements for example – that don’t make their dosages clear.

3. Consider Additional Components and Their Dosage

Finally, whenever buying any multi-component supplement, be sure you understand the additional ingredients included. Some of the additional ingredients included on our list are Citrulline Malate, Betaine, Taurine, and Glutamine, which all have varying degrees of effectiveness. 

It’s also worth considering dosages. For example, 1.25g of Betaine will be sufficient to provide a boost to your recovery, while 1-2g of Citrulline Malate will likely have no effect. Below we’ve included a table to help you understand the additional active ingredients included on our list, and whether or not they are worth it.

Ingredient	Potential Effects	Minimum Effective Dose
Citrulline Malate	Improves endurance performance Improved recovery	8-10g
Betaine	Improves Recovery Improved force production	1.25g+
Taurine	Improves endurance performance	2g
Glutamine	No effects on performance	N/A

Hot Topic: Do BCAAs Actually Work?

This is a somewhat tricky question to answer, as it largely depends on who is taking them. As mentioned above, for older people and vegans, BCAA supplementation may make a major difference in complete protein intake. 

This in turn may lead to more muscle mass and better physical performance. However, these same effects could likely be achieved by simply incorporating more complete protein into their diets as well. 

Additionally, endurance athletes may benefit from BCAAs alongside electrolytes and carbs during competition to help them maintain optimal performance during exercise lasting longer than several hours. 

However, for the average person getting enough complete protein in through their diet, additional BCAA supplementation will have no real effect. Even if you struggle with protein intake, the vast majority of people will be better off using a whey protein supplement instead.

FAQ

Is It Ok to Drink Amino Acids All Day?

There are some dangers associated with excessive amino acid intake. As a result, if you plan on drinking amino acids every day, consider only using small servings at a time.

If you’re consuming a moderate amount (ie. 1-2 servings throughout the day) there shouldn’t be much wrong with using amino acids as a flavor enhancer to boost your daily water intake. 

What Amino Acid Should I Take?

This largely depends on your personal needs. While most people likely don’t need to include any amino acid supplements in their diet, there are certain exceptions, such as with endurance athletes. 

If you are interested in taking an amino acid supplement, our top pick is INTRA by Transparent Labs for its high-quality formula. 

What Is the Best Source of Amino Acids?

We believe the best source of amino acids is always those found in high-quality, whole-food protein sources. While amino acid supplements can provide a beneficial boost to complete protein intake, we recommend prioritizing dietary protein intake, or just using whey protein,  instead of relying on a supplement like EAAs or BCAAs.

Conclusion

As we’ve mentioned throughout this article, it’s important to remember that amino acid supplements are not necessary for everyone. For most people who get enough complete protein and are otherwise healthy, amino acid supplements will be pointless. 

With this being said, certain people in particular may benefit from amino acid supplementation. While we typically recommend prioritizing whole food protein intake, especially in the case of endurance athletes, sometimes amino acids may be ideal for improving exercise performance. 

If you believe amino acid supplements are right for you, we recommend checking out INTRA by Transparent Labs for its high-quality, all-natural formula, and the inclusion of several effective active ingredients. We hope our amino acids review can help you make a more informed choice!

Have you ever tried any amino acid supplements? Were you aware of the difference between BCAAs and EAAs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Also read:

• Should You Take Electrolytes Before or After Workout
• How Many Electrolyte Drinks per Day
• EAA vs BCAA
• BCAA vs Glutamine
• Beta Alanine vs BCAA
• Best EAA Supplement
• Kaged Bcaa Review
• Kaged Creatine Hcl Review

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