Written by Steve Theunissen | ISSA: CPT & Fitness Nutrition
Fact checked by Robert Iafelice, MS, RD, LDN
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Caffeine's benefits for physical performance, energy enhancement, and mental alertness are well established. That's why it is the most popular stimulant on the planet, billions of people drink coffee or energy drinks to get their daily dose. But there are more ways than that to get your caffeine.
Caffeine pills provide a convenient, on-the-go form of caffeine supplementation. They are ideal for people who are not coffee drinkers and those who don't want all the other ingredients in a pre-workout when taking their caffeine.
There's a lot of competition in the caffeine pill space, so finding the right product to meet your needs can be challenging. That's why we've investigated the market for you and narrowed it down to the best seven caffeine pills currently available. We've broken them down by category to make your shopping experience easier.
7 Best Caffeine Pills
- Overall Best Caffeine Pills: Nootropics Depot Caffeine and L-Theanine
- Best Budget Caffeine Pills: BulkSupplements Caffeine Pills
- Best Organic Caffeine Pills: Kaged Purcaf®
- Best Extended Release Caffeine Pills: Genius Caffeine
- Best Caffeine Blend Pills: ProLab Advanced Caffeine
- Best Mood-Boosting Caffeine Pills: Zhou Energy + Focus
- Best Keto Caffeine Pills: Smarter Vitamins Caffeine with MCT Oil
SFS Pick
Nootropics Depot
SFS Budget Pick
BulkSupplements
SFS Organic Pick
Kaged
1. Overall Best Caffeine Pills: Nootropics Depot Caffeine and L-Theanine
Nootropics Depot Caffeine and L-Theanine combines two of the most research-attested cognitive enhancing ingredients to improve brain power and boost energy levels. Theanine can stimulate certain neurotransmitters in the brain that improve mental focus and produce a calming effect on the body.
Theanine has also been shown to moderate the high-dose side effects of caffeine, such as jitteriness and the dreaded caffeine crash. That makes this product ideal for people who may have a intolerance to caffeine.
Studies have shown that the combination of caffeine and l-theanine may be able to:
- improve reaction time
- increase agility
- boost mental focus
- improve memory
- increase attention
This product is marketed more for its nootropic properties than its physical performance-enhancing benefits. Each capsule contains 200mg of caffeine and 100mg of l-theanine or 100mg of caffeine and 200mg of l-theanine, depending on which version of the product is chosen. The serving size is one capsule per day.
Nootropics Depot Caffeine + L-Theanine is 3rd party tested for potency and purity.
Pros
- Combines caffeine with l-theanine for greater nootropic benefits
- Well dosed
- Only requires taking one capsule per day
Cons
- Some caffeine-sensitive reviewers reported having a jittery effect
Nootropics Depot has combined caffeine + l-theanine for a nootropic stack, offering a variety of potential benefits to your physical health and mental abilities...
2. Best Budget Caffeine Pills: BulkSupplements Caffeine Pills
BulkSupplements can generally be relied upon to provide the best no-frills budget option when buying gym-related supplements. They come to the party once again with their budget caffeine pills.
Each container of BulkSupplements Caffeine Pills provides 120 capsules, dosed at 200mg of caffeine anhydrous per capsule. With a daily dose of a single capsule, there is enough to last four months. If you work that out, you'll find that you're paying less than five cents per capsule. That represents excellent value for money!
Caffeine anhydrous is the only ingredient in this product. The anhydrous form of caffeine is dried out to make it more potent. You will not find any fillers or preservatives in this or other BulkSupplements products. It is also free of sugar, soy, dairy, yeast, and gluten. However, the capsule contains gelatin, so vegans will want to avoid this product.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Well-dosed at 200 mg per capsule
- Four month supply
- Pure caffeine pills
Cons
- The capsule contains gelatin, so it is not vegan friendly
BulkSupplements Caffeine pills provide an almost instantaneous increase to general alertness and are useful in many situations in which one may need to temporarily give their own energy levels a quick boost...
3. Best Organic Caffeine Pills: Kaged Purcaf®
Kaged Purcaf® from Kaged Muscle is marketed as a pre-workout supplement to get you psyched mentally and energy-enhanced physically for your gym sessions. You get 200mg of organic caffeine with every serving. In addition, this product is completely organic, gluten-free, chemical-free, and vegetarian-friendly.
The caffeine has been water extracted from unroasted green coffee beans to deliver a clean rush of energy. Green coffee beans have been shown to provide more health benefits than roasted coffee beans. That is because the heating of the beans tends to lose some of their nutrient value, including antioxidants.
Kaged Purcaf® is contained in vegetarian-friendly capsules that, unlike most products on the market, do not contain gelatin.
Pros
- Vegan friendly
- 200mg of caffeine per serving
- Uses green coffee beans for more energy
Cons
- On the pricey side
Kaged PurCaf® organic caffeine delivers a powerful boost in energy, mental alertness and performance. Each serving contains 200 mg of pure organic caffeine that is water extracted...
4. Best Extended Release Caffeine Pills: Genius Caffeine
Genius Caffeine capsules are marketed as a nootropic to improve brain function, as well as boost performance in the gym. This supplement's point of difference comes from its patented Vitashure™ form of caffeine. This ultra-pure, sustained-release micro-encapsulated caffeine delivers a burst of caffeine and then maintains a slow release to provide consistent energy and avoid the crash.
As a result of the slow-release nature of this form of caffeine, its effects will last for as long as six hours. Every capsule of Genius Caffeine provides you with 167mg of Vitashure™, which contains 100mg of caffeine.
The label of this product states a daily dose of one capsule. However, the website recommends taking one capsule up to three times daily. This is because the dosage would be too low for a single capsule to have any real effect, being about the same as a strong cup of coffee.
Genius Caffeine capsules are free of gelatin, making them suitable for vegans. It does not contain artificial flavors, sweeteners, banned substances, or fillers.
Pros
- A slow-release form of caffeine
- The effect lasts for up to six hours
- Vegan friendly
Cons
- Single capsule dosage is too low
With Genius Caffeine’s sustained-release technology, there is no crash, just smooth energy that lasts up to 6 hours. This Genius Brand supplement provides the extra energy, focus, and motivation...
5. Best Caffeine Blend Pills: ProLab Advanced Caffeine
ProLab Advanced Caffeine is a blend of several ingredients designed to act as a pre-workout. Here is what's contained inside:
-
White Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract (leaf)
-
Guarana (Paullina cupana) Extract (seed)
-
Kola Nut (Cola acuminata) Extract (seed)
-
Green Coffee (Coffea arabica) Extract (beans)
-
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Extract (leaf)
-
Chocamine® Plus [Cocoa Extract (Theobroma cacao seed), Caffeine]
-
Calcium
The first five ingredients are part of a proprietary blend of 200mg. Unfortunately, the individual ingredient dosages are not listed on the product label. There is 60mg of calcium and another 60mg of Chocamine® Plus, a blend of cocoa extract and caffeine.
ProLab is a popular bodybuilding supplement manufacturer. Their marketing claims that their Advanced Caffeine supplement will boost energy, improve mental focus and delay the onset of fatigue during a workout.
Each bottle of ProLab Advanced Caffeine contains 60 soft gel capsules. A daily dosage of one capsule provides you with a two-month supply.
Pros
- Blend of ingredients to boost potency
- Calcium enhanced
- Softgel capsules
Cons
- Proprietary blend
ProLab Advanced contains 6 all-natural and botanical caffeine sources to provide ultimate energy, focus, and stamina to help get you through even the most grueling of workouts...
6. Best Mood-Boosting Caffeine Pills: Zhou Energy + Focus
Zhou Energy + Focus combines caffeine and theanine to enhance the cognitive and physical effects you get from the supplement. The caffeine boost increases your body's natural production of serotonin and dopamine, while the theanine can smooth the harsher effects of caffeine; the result is a smooth, clean form of energy increase. That means you won't experience the jitters, energy crashes, or nausea common with people who cannot tolerate caffeine very well.
You get 100mg of caffeine and 200mg of theanine in every dose of Zhou Energy + Focus. In addition, there is 10mg of leucine, which is a well-attested workout recovery aid. It will also support anabolism and protein synthesis after a workout to help build muscle.
The vegetable capsule makes Zhou Energy + Focus suitable for vegans. This product is made in China. Your purchase comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Theanine and Leucine enhanced
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Vegan friendly
Cons
- Lower dose of caffeine vs theanine
Coffee and energy drinks come with a lot of baggage—sugar, jitters, and of course, the imminent crash. Bypass the negative and harness the power of smooth, long-lasting energy with...
7. Best Keto Caffeine Pills: Smarter Vitamins Caffeine with MCT Oil
Smarter Vitamins Caffeine with MCT Oil is a keto and paleo-friendly form of a caffeine supplement. It is enhanced with l-theanine to boost the nootropic effects of caffeine while lessening the unwanted effects that may come with caffeine supplementation, such as nausea and a wired, jittery effect. MCT oil is also added to provide the benefits of healthy fats.
The natural caffeine used here is sourced from green coffee beans. This provides a higher nutrient source than you get from roasted coffee beans. In addition, the MCT oil enhances your energy supply and boosts metabolism for more effective fat burning.
Every serving of Smarter Vitamins Caffeine with MCT Oil contains 200mg of caffeine, 500mg of MCT oil, and 100mg of theanine. The strawberry-flavored soft gels provide a tasty way to take this supplement.
There are 50 capsules in each bottle, with a daily dosage of one capsule per day.
Pros
- Enhanced with theanine and MCT oil
- Strawberry flavored
- Keto friendly
Cons
- Expensive
A Smarter caffeine supplement enhanced with L-theanine and MCT Oil. Clean, smooth mental focus, energy, and heightened mental alertness without the jittery feeling...
Benefits of Caffeine Pills:
Caffeine pills provide all of the benefits of caffeine without any distractions from other ingredients. They are also free of the calories, carbs, and fats you're most likely ingesting if you get your caffeine via coffee and energy drinks. Here are the five main benefits of taking caffeine tablets or pills.
1. Improve Focus
Caffeine can cross the blood-brain barrier, a defense mechanism that prevents harmful compounds from reaching the brain. It counters the action of a compound called adenosine, which blunts central nervous system activity (CNS). Caffeine binds itself to adenosine to prevent it from slowing down the CNS.¹
Caffeine also stimulates the release of three key neurotransmitters:
-
Dopamine
-
Serotonin
-
Epinephrine
These caffeine effects on the brain are increased focus, clarity, alertness, and mood. That means you'll be more dialed into your workout rather than easily distracted while in the gym.
2. Enhanced Athletic Ability
The ability of caffeine to help break down fat as a source of energy means that the body doesn't have to exhaust its glycogen supplies during your workout. As a result, you'll be able to train well beyond an hour without losing your mojo.
A 2009 study by researchers at the University of Arkansas Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation published a systematic review of 21 studies of caffeine in timed performance. The studies involved cycling, running, rowing, and cross country. Consistent improvements were seen across the board, with the average being 3%.
A 3% performance improvement is significant. For a recreational athlete doing a 10K race, it equates to shaving nearly a minute and a half off your time. Lead researcher of the 2009 study, Matthew Ganio, said, 'Caffeine is a very unique drug in that it has effects on almost every part of the body. The consensus right now is that a lot of it is going on in the brain, or central nervous system'.² ³
Recent studies have shown that caffeine supplementation can result in workout strength increases. For example, in one study with male athletes, significant strength increases in the chest press were seen after caffeine supplementation.⁴ Researchers aren't sure what causes this but believe it may be a result of caffeine's ability to enhance calcium mobilization in muscle cells.
3. Improved Fat Burning
The best way to describe caffeine for shedding pounds is as a "weight loss booster." By itself, it's unlikely that caffeine would make you lose weight, but research has shown that it can boost the slimming effects of your current diet and exercise plan, at least in the short run.
It's important to note that no studies show long-term weight loss and fat reduction as a direct result of caffeine, but there are several studies on its effects that we could assume would lead to weight loss if used properly. That means combining caffeine supplementation with regular calorie-burning exercise and a diet that puts you in a daily state of negative calorie balance.
Caffeine's effect on the central nervous system may help augment your metabolism and burn more calories. It also can increase the breakdown of stored body fat to be released into the bloodstream.
Caffeine has been shown to reduce the rate of 'perceived exertion' during a workout. That means that when you take caffeine anhydrous as part of your pre-workout, your workout won't feel as hard,⁵ and that means that you can push even harder for greater muscle gains. You'll also be able to take your cardio to the next level to get ripped to the bone.
There are plenty of caffeine supplements that claim to make you less hungry. However, the science behind it proves caffeine only has a small, transient effect on appetite.
Studies have found that caffeinated juice made people eat less during breakfast, only by about 10% (70 calories), but their overall caloric intake throughout the day didn't change. In other words, they easily compensate for it by eating more later.
Many who anecdotally claim caffeine suppresses their appetite are usually referring to when they don't feel as hungry after drinking coffee. Coffee (including decaffeinated coffee) contains substances that significantly increase your levels of PYY - a hormone that makes you feel full when released.
4. Energy Boost
A cup of coffee takes roughly twenty minutes to reach your brain after consumption. Once there, caffeine prevents adenosine, a neurotransmitter, from being taken in. Caffeine's capacity to suppress adenosine, which the brain uses to signal drowsiness, makes us more alert and provides an energy boost.
Caffeine's ability to stimulate the central nervous improves focus, quickens reflexes, and raises alertness. Additionally, it will slightly raise blood pressure.
Additionally, caffeine can speed up the heartbeat. This results from the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine increasing the force the heart is contracting due to the blockage of adenosine in the brain.⁶
Side Effects of Caffeine Pills
Caffeine side effects are quite common when the dose is excessive. People's tolerance to caffeine differs, but safe use for most people is less than 400mg daily. The following effects may be experienced if you take more than this:
1. Increased Acidity
Caffeine has a very high acidity. Therefore, your pH balance will be affected if you drink too much coffee. The more acidic your body is, the more likely you are to experience mood swings and unneeded food cravings. Additionally, an acidic system will increase your susceptibility to stress and raise your cortisol levels. Abdominal fat has been directly linked to cortisol.
2. Serotonin Disruption
Your brain, your emotions, and your psychological health can all be negatively impacted by caffeine. Your serotonin levels are disrupted, which is the main cause. Your mood, sleep patterns, and hunger are all controlled by serotonin. Additionally, caffeine inhibits the brain's adenosine receptors. This hinders your body from absorbing GABA, a neurotransmitter that improves relaxation without making you sleepy.⁷
3. Sleep disruption
Too much caffeine reduces the effectiveness of our sleep. Coffee can shorten the time we spend in Stage Four deep sleep during the night. This is the stage that allows us to feel rested when we wake.
What to look for when buying Caffeine Pills:
Use the following guidelines to help you make the best choice when buying your caffeine pill supplements.
1. Ingredients
Obviously, the key ingredient is caffeine. Caffeine anhydrous is caffeine without water. It is the concentrated, dried form of the stimulant. This greatly increases the concentration and potency of caffeine.
Look for caffeine pills that provide between 100-200mg of caffeine.
Most caffeine pills may include other ingredients that have been shown to work synergistically with caffeine to enhance the effect. The three most well-attested supplementary ingredients are:
-
L-Theanine - this amino acid is found in green tea leaves. It has been shown to can calm the mind without making people drowsy. L-theanine is regarded as a nootropic anxiolytic or anxiety reliever. It will improve both the quantity and quality of sleep will improve. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to lower the signs and symptoms of stress, promote tranquility, and lower the heart rate and blood pressure.
-
L-Tyrosine - this amino acid increases concentration and eases training stress by lowering cortisol production. Tyrosine is a precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine, which controls sensations of well-being, and norepinephrine and epinephrine, which give you energy when the body produces it. Additionally, research indicates that taking tyrosine supplements may help reduce fatigue.
-
B-Complex vitamins - The B complex vitamins comprise eight essential vitamins to the body's energy production. They have also been shown to enhance cognitive ability and cell functioning.
2. Dosage
Unless a caffeine pill is adequately dosed, it will not provide the benefits you buy it for. Caffeine pills should be dosed at between 100-200mg per pill. Your caffeine intake should not be higher than 400mg per day.
Be cautious with caffeine pills that do not state the dosage of the ingredients. These are known as proprietary blends. Rather than providing individual doses, they only provide a combined total of all the ingredients.
3. Testing/Transparency
The best caffeine pill manufacturers will employ a 3rd party testing laboratory to test the product for purity and potency. This will give you the assurance that you are seeing exactly what you're paying for.
4. Price
The price of caffeine pills ranges from 11 to 25 cents per daily dose. The average cost of our seven best caffeine pills is around 17 cents per dose.
5. Reviews
By reading online reviews from verified purchasers, you can check if people have had any adverse effects and how effective the supplement has been for them.
Caffeine Pill FAQs
Do caffeine pills do anything?
Yes, caffeine pills offer all of the benefits of caffeine that you get when drinking coffee, but without the calories. They will increase alertness, improve your mood, boost your energy levels and boost your metabolism to help you burn stored body fat more effectively.
What are the risks of taking caffeine pills?
The risks of taking caffeine pills arise if you take too much caffeine in pill form. The generally accepted tolerance level is 400mg per day. So, if your caffeine pill contains 200mg, you should not take more than two daily pills. Overdosing on caffeine pills can cause anxiety, jitters, an energy crash, mood swings, and insomnia. In extreme cases, overdosing on caffeine can be fatal.
Are caffeine pills safer than coffee?
Yes, caffeine pills are generally considered to be safer than coffee. That is because you know exactly how much caffeine you get with each dose. Caffeine pills are also free of sugar, and other unhealthy additives often included in coffee.
Can you take a caffeine pill every day?
Yes, it is safe to take a caffeine pill every day. So long as you keep your daily dosage to less than 400mg, you should not have any problems. However, people who are intolerant to high levels of caffeine may have to lower that daily total.
How long do caffeine pills take to kick in?
Caffeine takes around twenty minutes to get to the brain after consumption. It is then that the energy-boosting effects will kick in. That is why, if you're taking your caffeine pill as a pre-workout, you should consume it about half an hour before going to the gym.
Summary
Caffeine pills provide a precise, concentrated form to boost your energy level, focus, and fat-burning ability. The best caffeine pill on the 2024 market is Nootropics Depot Caffeine and L-Theanine, which pairs caffeine with theanine to increase mental focus, boost energy and improve spatial awareness.
More Supplement Resources
References
- McLellan TM, Caldwell JA, Lieberman HR. A review of caffeine's effects on cognitive, physical and occupational performance. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016 Dec;71:294-312. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.001. Epub 2016 Sep 6. PMID: 27612937.
- Schubert MM, Hall S, Leveritt M, Grant G, Sabapathy S, Desbrow B. Caffeine consumption around an exercise bout: effects on energy expenditure, energy intake, and exercise enjoyment. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2014 Oct 1;117(7):745-54. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00570.2014. Epub 2014 Aug 14. PMID: 25123196.
- University of Georgia. "Caffeine Cuts Post-workout Pain By Nearly 50 Percent, Study Finds." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 January 2007
- Grgic, Jozo, et al. "Effects of Caffeine Intake on Muscle Strength and Power: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 15, no. 1, 5 Mar. 2018, 10.1186/s12970-018-0216-0
- Hawley JA. Fat burning during exercise: can ergogenics change the balance? Phys Sportsmed. 1998 Sep;26(9):56-68. doi: 10.3810/psm.1998.09.1143. PMID: 20086853.
- Harpaz E, Tamir S, Weinstein A, Weinstein Y. The effect of caffeine on energy balance. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol. 2017 Jan 1;28(1):1-10. doi: 10.1515/jbcpp-2016-0090. PMID: 27824614.
- Ohta R, Sano C. Serotonin Syndrome Triggered by Overuse of Caffeine and Complicated With Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: A Case Report. Cureus. 2022 Feb 21;14(2):e22468. doi: 10.7759/cureus.22468. PMID: 35345760; PMCID: PMC8942071.
Steve Theunissen
Author