The Best BCAA Supplements of 2022

Multivitamins | Best Test Boosters | Best Weight-Loss | Best BCAAs

BCAA drinks are among the most widely used fitness supplements for a couple of important reasons. A big one is that they make it easier and more delicious to stay hydrated!

Of course, they also isolate the most important amino acids for building and maintaining lean muscle—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—in thirst-quenching drink powders that happen to taste like the sugary drinks that you might be craving anyway.

See what all the fuss is about and become a BCAA devotee with the best amino blends, recommended by discerning lifters and athletes.

How We Choose the Best BCAAs

BCAAs are so common these days that it’s important to make sure the ones you choose have a good nutrient profile and aren’t just glorified, sugar-filled sports drinks—and have flavors that make you excited to reach for them every day. We chose these specific products based on the following criteria:

Ingredients: Do the amino acids and other ingredients come from quality sources? Are the formulas well-balanced and transparent?
Customer Feedback: We know that the people in our fitness community are true connoisseurs of BCAAs and swap flavors and formulas like fine wines.
Flavor: These are the ones that lifters order over and over again—not the ones that end up sitting there collecting dust.
Value: Are these products giving you the best bang for your buck? Do they deserve a spot in your fitness budget?

Best Value: Bodybuilding.com Signature BCAA

Rating: 4.1 out of 5
Main ingredients: L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine (3:1:1 ratio), electrolytes

Bodybuilding.com Signature Signature BCAA Amino Acids helps you recover after intense workouts with 5g of amino acids that prevent muscle breakdown. This great-tasting supplement is a refreshing drink, whether you sip on it before, during, or after exercising. You won’t find it hard to meet your hydration goals with this product. The price is right, too.

Flavors: Rocket Pop, Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Cotton Candy, Sour Gummy

Best Overall BCAA Product: Xtend Original BCAA

Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ratio), citrulline malate, electrolytes

The first BCAA blend to really explode on the lifting scene, Xtend continues to rule the roost. Its top-selling formula contains 7 grams of combined BCAAs plus electrolytes and vitamin B6 for energy and hydration. With a rainbow of innovative flavors—including some that go great in mocktails—you can choose something different for every gym day so you never grow bored.*

Flavors: Blue Raspberry Ice (7.2), Glacial Grape (7.9), Italian Blood Orange (7.1), Lemon-Lime Squeeze (9.0), Strawberry Kiwi Splash (7.7), Tropic Thunder (7.2)

Best BCAA Blend: Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Main ingredients: Proprietary Amino Acid Blend, Energy Blend with Caffeine from Green Tea, electrolytes

Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy provides the energy and the focus you need to blast through your workouts with 100 mg of caffeine and 5 mg of amino acids to support your muscle recovery afterward without crashing. It has only 2 g of carbs, 10 calories, and zero sugar. You also have 15 tasty flavors from which to choose.

Flavors: Concord Grape, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, Fruit Fusion, Simply Raspberry Lemonade, Simply Watermelon, Green Apple, Pineapple, Blueberry Mojito, Strawberry Lime, Cotton Candy, Peach Lemonade, Orange Cooler, Juicy Strawberry Burst, Lemon Lime

Best BCAA Product for Recovery: JYM Supplement Science JYM BCAAs

Rating: 9.8 out of 10
Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ratio)

Jim Stoppani’s scientifically rigorous JYM BCAAs blend is dosed specifically to help you recover effectively from the toughest lifting sessions. The transparent ingredient profile is formulated to support muscle protein synthesis between meals and workouts, thereby promoting recovery and growth. Sip it post-workout and on rest days to blast into your next session fully charged.*

Flavors: Green Apple Candy (7.5), Peach Rings (10)

Best BCAA Product for Energy: EVLUTION NUTRITION BCAA Energy

Rating: 9.4 out of 10
Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ration), beta-alanine, caffeine (110mg)

This multi-benefit powerhouse takes the place of your BCAA and pre-workout in one, making it a great supplement value that simplifies your routine. BCAA Energy‘s fully-loaded formula combines premium aminos with natural energy from green coffee and green tea, plus ingredients to maximize recovery, energy, and endurance.*

It’s a perfect afternoon pick-me-up, but also works to prime your body and mind for training.

Flavors: Blue Raz (9.1), Cherry Limeade (9.4), Furious Grape (9.2)

Best for Endurance: BSN AminoX BCAA

Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Main ingredients: L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine (2:1:1 ratio), citrulline malate, electrolytes

BSN AminoX BCAA hits it out of the park with a 10-gram Amino Acid Infusion with its Micronized BCAA Blend to support endurance and post-recovery. It is the first instantized effervescent BCAA formula that makes its four tasty flavors pop. It makes an excellent pre-workout drink that is easy to mix. Get ready for a welcome energy boost!

Flavors: Blue Raz, Grape, Watermelon, Fruit Punch

Best Muscle Building: MuscleTech Cell Tech Hyper-Build

Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Main ingredients: BCAA Matrix with leucine, isoleucine, valine, and glutamine, creatine monohydrate creatine HCl, taurine, electrolytes

MuscleTech Cell-Tech Hyper-Build has you covered with its 5-in-1 formula to carry you through pre-workout to recovery. Make the most out of your exercise with a powerful blend of BCAAs to build muscle and strength quickly. Build what you have and maintain it with the nutritional support to make it happen.

Flavors: Blue Raspberry Blast, Icy Rocket Freeze, Extreme Fruit Punch

Best Weight Management: EVL BCAA Lean Energy

Rating: 4.7 out of 5
Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ratio), beta-alanine, BCAA Lean Matrix, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, caffeine, electrolytes

EVL BCAA Lean Energy will set your weight management goals on fire with a proprietary blend of BCAAs, vitamins for recovery, and caffeine to take your endurance to the next level. It also contains 500 mg CLA and 500 mg carnitine to help you get the most out of your workouts to build lean muscle mass and sustain your energy the whole day.

Flavors: Furious Grape, Fruit Punch, Blue Raz, Cherry Limeade

Best BCAA Product for Weight Management: RSP Nutrition AminoLean Amino Acids

Rating: 9.6 out of 10
Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ration), L-carnitine, CLA, green coffee bean extract, caffeine (130mg)

One of our best-selling supplements, AminoLean is our top choice for anyone launching into a weight-loss fitness plan. Natural caffeine and tea compounds provide smooth energy and support appetite, and the amino acid blend fuels your muscles without adding calories. It all adds up to help you crush your fat-burning workouts while making it easier to stick to your nutrition plan. Over 3,000 reviewers know what they’re talking about!*

Flavors: Blackberry Pomegranate (9.4), Blue Raspberry (9.6), Fruit Punch (9.4), Pink Lemonade (9.3), Watermelon (9.3)

Best Natural: NutraBio BCAA Natural

Rating: 4.3 out of 5
Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ratio), natural flavorings

NutraBio BCAA Natural provides the nutritional support you need for muscle repair and recovery in a delicious tea flavor. Other than the BCAAs and natural flavorings, there isn’t anything else in this supplement other than stevia for sweetness. For individuals looking for a barebones product, look no further. It’s also vegan-friendly.

Flavors: Sun Tea

Best Hydration: RSP Amino Lean

Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ratio), EAA Blend, vitamin C, vitamin D3, calcium, magnesium, electrolytes

RSP Amino Lean goes the extra mile with extra nutritional support from calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, and other nutrients to fuel your workouts and speed your recovery. It has no sugar, carbs, or calories. It also contains 5 g of BCAAs and essential amino acids to support muscle growth and maintenance. The supplement mixes well and comes in three yummy flavors.

Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Blood Orange, Tropical Island Punch

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This article was originally published by Bodybuilding.com. Read the original article here.