The best caffeine pills for a powerful pre-workout boost

Give yourself that extra kick of energy with our favourite caffeine pills and supplements

The best caffeine pills and supplements

by Ryan Houghton |
Updated on

When you're in that afternoon slump and need a little something to get you fired up for a great workout, there aren't many gym supplement solutions that work as well as the best caffeine pills.

The best caffeine pills at a glance:

• Best caffeine pills: Urban Fuel Caffeine Tablets - View now on Amazon.co.uk
• Best natural caffeine pills: Guarana 4800mg Vegan Capsules - View now on Amazon.co.uk
• Best year supply caffeine pills: Oxford Vitality Caffeine 200mg Tablets - View now on Amazon.co.uk

What's The Best has compiled the ultimate sources of quick-acting, high-quality caffeine pills and supplements - with options for those who need that huge hit of energy with a large dose, or even those who are fairly sensitive and don't want the jitters.

Not a fan of pills, capsules or tablets? We've found some terrific chews and gels that are not only potent pre-workout energisers - they're also tasty.

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The best caffeine pills and supplements

Best caffeine pills

For those looking for the strongest hit of caffeine at the best price, Urban Fuel has practically decimated the competition.

Containing 100 tablets, each at 200mg, you can stay well and truly caffeinated for over three months. Perfect for vegetarians, vegans and those who love high-intensity workouts: for the value, and the sheer effectiveness - this is exactly what you need.

Of course, 200mg is no meagre dose of caffeine - it's just over two coffee drinks worth - and for those not accustomed to such a high dose, caution is advised - such an amount may cause anxiety and jitteriness.

Pros

  • Huge 200mg dose of caffeine
  • Very affordable
  • Easy to swallow

Cons

  • High dose may trigger anxiety
Number of Servings:100
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving:200mg
Additional Nutrients:N/A
Suitable For:Vegans and vegetarians
  • Customer review: "Got myself a pack thinking it was just some mediocre supplement but turned out great. I usually break the tablets in half and take only half at a time. Took them while doing revision and it managed to keep my focused, its also a great alternative to normal coffee because I didn’t seem to have the jittery effects that usually come about."

Best natural caffeine pills

Perfect for those looking for naturally sourced caffeine supplements to boost their gym game - Weightworld's pure guarana caffeine capsules are perfect for a vitamin-filled, healthy boost to your energy without the typical side effects of inorganic caffeine.

Packed with vitamin C, vitamin B, antioxidants and minerals - Weightworld's pure guarana is a wonderful, jitter-free alternative to standard caffeine pills that don't cost an arm and a leg.

Pros

  • Fantastic natural caffeine source
  • Great nutritional benefits
  • Non-GMO

Cons

  • Not as high-dose as other caffeine pills
Number of Servings: 180
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving: 132mg
Additional Nutrients: Vitamin B, vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals
Suitable For: Vegans, vegetarians
  • Customer review: "The Guarana Capsules are easy to take and within around 20 minutes, you will feel ready to take on the days challenges."

Best year supply caffeine pills

Solid, reliable, simple - while Oxford Vitality's 200mg caffeine tablets aren't made from organic ingredients, they're certainly potent.

At 200mg per tablet, simply swallow a single tablet and feel the sudden rush of energy throughout the day - or even take one prior to a workout and get your pump on. And with over 500 servings, it's great value.

Just be wary when taking huge doses of caffeine - know your limits, as being overly caffeinated just isn't going to do much for your gym goals.

Pros

  • Powerful caffeine dose
  • Very affordable
  • Can buy one year's supply

Cons

  • Not organic
  • A high dose might be too strong for some users
Number of Servings: 500
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving: 200mg
Additional Nutrients: N/A
Suitable For: Vegans and vegetarians
  • Customer review: "I never normally leave reviews but I feel compelled, to. If you're considering buying these Oxford Caffeine Tablets, you already know that trying to find 100mg caffeine tabs is hard to do. Nobody sells them! So pleased I found these. I order them regularly and now. They're small, round and have a centre line down one side meaning that you can snap them in half."

Recommended

Bulk's pure caffeine tablets are an excellent way of energising yourself before an exceptionally tough workout - take a single 200mg pill and feel an immediate rush of potent enthusiasm.

And with over 100 tablets, you'll have plenty of caffeine for many workouts - all for less than £10. What's more, Bulk is a trusted brand that makes hundreds of various high-quality supplements for intense exercise, so there's really no concern about quality.

As for the number of caffeine tablets inside - there's a supply of about three months worth, which is plenty, but some competitors certainly offer a good deal more at not so different a price.

Pros

  • Powerful pre-workout
  • High quality
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Not as many tablets as competing brands
Number of Servings: 100
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving: 200mg
Additional Nutrients: N/A
Suitable For: Vegans, vegetarians, halal
  • Customer review: "Very good for cardio and weight training sessions. Only take one Bulk tablet on a morning with fasted cardio... really gives you a good boost. I am on heavy meds for a spine injury and this helps to get you going on a morning. Definitely would recommend. I work as an account manager and this keeps me going through the day."

Best caffeine tablets for caffeine-sensitive people

If you're not a massive coffee drinker or find yourself being a little more sensitive to caffeine than most - Healthspan's 50mg caffeine tablets are a fantastic alternative to avoid the gym jitters.

With 120 tablets included, get a ferocious workout for months on end without ever running out or getting needless caffeine anxiety.

Of course, if you're fairly immune to the effects of caffeine, you're definitely going to want a higher dose.

Pros

  • Great quality
  • Plenty of tablets
  • Excellent for caffeine-sensitive users

Cons

  • A weaker caffeine dose might not be for everyone
Number of Servings:120
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving:50mg
Additional Nutrients:N/A
Suitable For:vegetarians/vegans
  • Customer review: "Healthspan's 50mg tabs allow for dosing the caffeine as you need. Slow releasing helps to keep your boost for several hours. Definitely will order again!"

Best caffeine gel

HIGH5 Energy Gel Quick Release Energy
Price: $43.17

Pick yourself up from the low-energy blues whether you're at the gym, midway up a mountainside, or fighting the urge to catch some air during a marathon - HIGH5's energy gel is a high-octane instant energising method of getting yourself back in the game, without digesting potentially harmful chemicals.

Made of natural fruit juice, completely vegan and delicious - supply your body not only with a nice hit of caffeine but also a good amount of carbs to keep you burning.

HIGH5's energy gel, unfortunately, doesn't have an enormous concentration of caffeine, and there aren't a ton of gels inside the box to justify repeated purchasing of HIGH5's energy gel - but if you're prepping for a huge hike or long distance run, they're absolutely perfect.

Pros

  • A great alternative to pills
  • Perfect for long-distance exercise
  • Made with real fruit juice

Cons

  • Not a ton of caffeine
Number of Servings:20
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving:30mg
Additional Nutrients:Carbohydrates, real fruit juice
Suitable For:Vegans, vegetarians
  • Customer review: "I use this HIGH5 Energy Gel when going to the gym, on the occasion I feel extra tired during a set or before. Also great for if your feeling slumped after a workout and need something to keep you awake! I like that it’s got not much caffeine in as I try to avoid caffeine where possible. The taste is so similar to the juicy pops I used to have as a child."

Best caffeine chews

Caffeine Bullet Energy Chews - Mint
Price: $29.99

For faster energy in a delicious chew, Caffeine Bullet mint chews are perfect for that quick flash of motivation before a heavy pump.

Caffeine Bullet chews have a good amount of caffeine without becoming overpowering - giving you just enough of a burst of power to crush your PBs and conquer the post-work yawns.

If you're not particularly sensitive to caffeine, you may need to double your dose - or maybe stick to tablets, they're not the most caffeinated, but for most people, it's definitely enough.

Pros

  • Great taste
  • Quick release caffeine
  • No jitters

Cons

  • Higher caffeine content available elsewhere
  • No vegan option
Number of Servings: 40
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving: 100mg
Additional Nutrients: Electrolytes
Suitable For: Vegetarian
  • Customer review: "I am not a big fan of coffee and only have small amounts a few times a week especially as I don't need much caffeine for a burst of energy. I really wanted to start doing morning workouts but didn't want to drink a whole cup of coffee every morning.

    "I have been taking 1 of these every morning for a week and I love it. I personally only need 1 chew (100mg) to wake me up and during my workouts I am working much harder than usual. I started with the small pack and have already ordered more. Very happy with these Energy Chews and happy I didn't need to purchase a pre-workout with any weird side effects instead."

Best caffeine pills for an all-round boost

Ultra-strong caffeine doses and plenty of tablets for day-to-day exercise (or even for getting you through a busy day in the office), Peak Supps caffeine tablets are great for driving you towards fitness goals with ease and getting the best pump possible.

Just take some caution if you're not used to a strong hit of caffeine - it can trigger anxiety and jitteriness, neither of which are great for a workout.

Pros

  • Fantastic dose of caffeine
  • Huge supply for months of energy
  • Great quality and affordable

Cons

  • A strong dose might not be for everyone
Number of Servings: 300
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving: 200
Additional Nutrients:N/A
Suitable For: Vegans/vegetarians
  • Customer review: "I've been using these Peak Supps Caffeine Tablets for a while. Very useful on tiring days after work or an early morning workout! The best part about the tablets is that they don't give you any side effects like an energy drink would with a big sugar crash."

Best made-in-Britain caffeine pills

Smug's fast-releasing caffeine pills are great for an instant motivational high-octane boost, whether working out or otherwise.

Manage your energy and morale throughout a tough workout session - keep your eyes on the prize and crush your PBs with ease, it's all possible with enough caffeine.

Pros

  • Powerful dose
  • Very affordable
  • Great quality

Cons

  • Not as many tablets as competitors
Number of Servings:100
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving:200mg
Additional Nutrients:N/A
Suitable For:Vegans, vegetarians
  • Customer review: "Does the trick for a boost when hitting the gym."

Best budget caffeine tablets

For a short-term supply of caffeine at a ridiculously low price, PRO PLUS caffeine tablets are a great way to quickly power up for the gym and hit the road.

Simple, powerful, and so cheap, they're worth grabbing for the sake of it - there's little surprise as to why they're an absolute best seller.

A single tablet contains 50mg, which isn't a ton - but it's plenty for a much-needed motivational boost. For those that need a little more fuel, we'd suggest going for something a little stronger.

Pros

  • Incredibly affordable
  • Great little boost

Cons

  • Weaker than other options
  • Fewer tablets included than competitors
Number of Servings:48
Amount of Caffeine Per Serving:50mg
Additional Nutrients:N/A
Suitable For:Vegans/vegetarians
  • Customer review: "What sets these tablets apart is their ability to provide a caffeine boost without the usual jittery side effects that come with regular coffee. I appreciate how they keep me alert and focused without the uncomfortable restlessness.

    "If you're looking for a convenient and effective way to stay sharp without the coffee jitters, these caffeine tablets are an excellent choice."

FAQs

What effects does caffeine have on the body?

Although caffeine tolerance may vary from person to person, generally speaking, caffeine can have several effects on the body.

Stimulation: Starting with the obvious one, caffeine stimulates the nervous system, which improves alertness, decreases the perception of fatigue, and improves concentration and focus.

Increased heart rate: Caffeine is known to lead to a temporary increase in both heart rate and blood pressure.

Mood enhancements: Some individuals have reported feeling a lifted mood and sense of well-being after consuming caffeine.

Diuretic effect: Caffeine can increase urine production, which may result in added toilet trips.

Bronchodilation: Caffeine is occasionally used to open up the airways, which is why it's sometimes used in medications for respiratory conditions.

What are the benefits of caffeine?

Caffeine is such a popular supplement for working out because of its innumerable benefits for your performance. Increased caffeine intake is proven to increase energy, motivation, alertness (making it ideal for competitive sports), and the ability to concentrate - yet another must for working out.

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What are the drawbacks of caffeine?

It's important to mention that caffeine, even the best caffeine pills, come with several drawbacks to be mindful of. Firstly, excessive caffeine consumption can lead to jitteriness, anxiety and disrupted sleep patterns, especially when taken too close to the time you usually go to sleep. Caffeine is a known stimulant that can lead to dependency, causing withdrawal symptoms like headaches and irritability when consumption is suddenly reduced. It's also known to raise blood pressure and heart rate, potentially posing risks for individuals with heart conditions.

Excessive caffeine intake may contribute towards digestive issues such as acid reflux and stomach pain. So, while moderate caffeine consumption is generally safe for most individuals, excessive amounts can lead to addiction and negatively impact your overall health and well-being.

Where does caffeine come from?

Caffeine is naturally derived from coffee beans, cacao, guarana plants and up to 60 other species of plants, but it can also be derived through non-organic means when added to specific beverages, medications and dietary supplements.

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Who shouldn't take caffeine pills?

Adolescents and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid excessive consumption of caffeine.

How much caffeine is in a cup of coffee?

There are about 40mg-50mg of caffeine in the average cup of coffee, which is absorbed by the body much more slowly than a caffeine pill - so if one cup of coffee is too much for you, be warned.

Some of the recommended caffeine pills have five times the amount of caffeine in a single pill, so needless to say they've got a kick to them.

Ryan Houghton is a tech product writer and reviewer for What's The Best, specialising in PCs, smart tech, televisions and gaming. He also writes occasionally for Empire Online.

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