Need an extra boost of energy in the middle of a long workday? Caffeine pills may be the best solution for you — they can help recharge your mind and body when all you want to do is take a nap.
However, there are several caffeine pills on the market, and you undoubtedly want to pick the best option for you and your health!
Continue reading to learn about some of the best caffeine pills on the market!
Best Caffeine Tablets: Quick Picks
- Caffeine Bullet Editor’s Choice
- Freak Athletics Caffeine Plus+
- Mutant Core Series Caffeine
- Healthspan Kick-Start Caffeine
- Peak Supps Caffeine
- FS Caffeine Pills & L Theanine
Note: There’s a lot more information below but clicking the above links will take you to current prices, further information and customer reviews on Amazon.
Contents
What is Caffeine?
Caffeine is one of the most widely used stimulants in the world. You can find the ingredient in coffee, tea, and most sports and soft drinks. Though it’s a naturally occurring substance, it has gotten a bad rap for being bad for your body.
However, some studies state the contrary and assert that caffeine is actually good for the body in small doses. It may even improve your health.
Caffeine’s Effect on the Body
When you consume caffeine, whether in pill or liquid form, the body absorbs it and releases it into the bloodstream. The substance travels to the liver, where it is broken down and sent to various organs — notably, the brain.
Once these compounds hit the brain, they block the effect of adenosine, the neurotransmitter responsible for making you feel sluggish and sleepy. The caffeine helps you stay awake, promoting an energised and focused state, allowing you to get more work done and feel ready to take on the world!
How Long Does a Caffeine High Last?
Caffeine can take up to 20 minutes to reach the bloodstream. However, it can take up to an hour for you to feel that ‘energy high’ typically associated with caffeine. The effects can last anywhere between 5 to 6 hours on average.
What are the Benefits of Caffeine
There are several benefits of caffeine — and we aren’t just talking about that significant boost of energy it can give you.
Appetite and Weightloss
Caffeine can help you lose weight by suppressing your appetite. Many weight loss pills and products contain the ingredient, as it’s also thermogenic. It enables the body to generate heat as you’re digesting food, which allows you to burn more calories throughout the day.
Lowered Risk of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are common and can appear when there is too much calcium and protein in the blood. A study showed that caffeine intake actually helped decrease the likelihood of these stones forming.
Mental Alertness and Energy
Caffeine is a great short term solution to sleepiness. Keep in mind, supplementing with caffeine is not a suitable replacement for a proper diet and sleep schedule. Think of it as an enhancer!
It May Prevent Certain Cancers
A study found that there may be a correlation between everyday coffee consumption and cancer. People who drank four cups of coffee a day were at a lesser risk of developing certain cancers, namely mouth and throat cancer, compared to individuals who never drank coffee or only had an occasional cup.
Why Would You want to take Caffeine Supplements?
Caffeine can increase your endurance, therefore optimising your sports performance. They can also decrease your appetite, making it easier to lose weight if you struggle with food addiction or binge eating.
Any athlete or avid weightlifter should consider adding caffeine into their rotation if they need a healthy and natural boost of energy before tackling an intense workout.
When is the Best Time to Take Them?
Ensure you’re not taking too much caffeine before bed, as this can disrupt your sleep schedule and make it harder to fall asleep at night! Time your caffeine consumption, so you’re taking the supplements an hour before you need a significant boost of energy. This may be an hour before a workout — or in the middle of the day when the afternoon starts dragging on.
You can also consume the recommended dose of caffeine in the morning to increase your focus and alertness before your day officially starts. Most people across the globe start their day with a cup of coffee, as this gives them a jolt of energy first thing in the morning.
Risks and Side Effects – Are Caffeine Pills Safe?
Make yourself aware of the side effects and risks before taking caffeine pills — there are a few you should know about, especially if you have a pre-existing condition or are sensitive to caffeine.
WARNING: Do check with your doctor before taking a caffeine supplement if you’ve had bad reactions to caffeine in the past.You should not take a caffeine supplement if you:
- have an arrhythmia
- have intense anxiety
- are pregnant
- are breastfeeding
Caffeine and caffeine derived supplements may make certain symptoms worse.
There are also some other side effects worth noting. For example, consuming too much caffeine can lead to:
- Jitters
- Anxiety
- Rapid heart rate
- Dehydration
- Dependency
- Rapid or abnormal heart rhythm
To counteract these symptoms, ensure you’re not taking more than the daily recommended amount. Experts recommend 100 to 200 mg of caffeine per day, which amounts to one to two cups of coffee.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration as well! Eight cups of water per day is the standard.
Healthy Sources of Caffeine and Energy
We don’t recommend consuming high amounts of caffeine with alcohol or sugar. Instead, try using caffeine sourced from these healthy and natural sources.
- Coffee beans
- Yerba mate leaves
- Tea leaves
- Cacao beans
Caffeine Supplements vs Energy Drinks: What’s Healthier?
Go to any supplement store or vitamin shop — you’re bound to see dozens of energy drinks lining the shelves. While these drinks contain suitable amounts of caffeine for anyone looking for a boost, they also contain loads of sugar. Some are even relatively high in calories! While they are fine every now and then, consume them in moderation.
They can be tasty as they come in flavours like fruit punch, berry, or lemonade, making them addictive to some people who enjoy and crave sugary drinks.
Some of these drinks can contain sky-high amounts of sugar, which can cause inflammation within the body.
Drinking too many sugary drinks may also lead to tooth decay and poor kidney health. Caffeine supplements are superior, as they only contain the ingredients you need. Most caffeine tablets do not contain added sugars or sweeteners.
What you see is typically what you get!
What to Look for in a Caffeine Supplement
Does it Suit Your Diet?
Some tablets are encased in a gelatin capsule, which is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians as gelatin is an animal product. Some supplements also may contain egg whites. While all of our picks contains caffeine, make sure to read the fine print before purchasing to see what other ingredients the supplement may have.
What Works Well in Tandem With Caffeine?
If you’re looking for a mellowed out boost of energy, consider purchasing a supplement with the ingredient L-Theanine. This amino acid works by decreasing certain brain chemicals associated with anxiety and stress, making for a more pleasant caffeine boost.
Caffeine Count
The caffeine count per serving can also vary, depending on which supplement you choose. This can also affect how many pills you’re taking per day. If you need a heavy dosage of caffeine, look for a 200 mg pill. If you’re looking for a tamer option, we’ve rounded up some great 50 and 100 mg supplements as well.
Fast Acting or Slow Burn?
Do you need energy right away? Or are you looking for a slow burn that disperses throughout your system during the day? We’ve made sure to include a mix of both, but think about what you’ld prefer before purchasing. Athletes and marathoners can benefit from both.
However, if you’re trying to get through a long workday, we highly recommend the latter.
Best Caffeine Pills – Reviews
Caffeine pills make it easy to utilise this energising substance. You don’t have to worry about prepping a pot of coffee. Just take your pill and go! To narrow it down and make the selection easier, we have picked some of the best caffeine supplements on the market!
1. Editor’s Choice: Caffeine Bullet
Pros
- Choose your preferred packet size of chews
- Chewy texture makes them easier to take and ingest
- Refreshing minty flavour
- Get your caffeine fix in five minutes
- Vegetarian-friendly
- Suitable for most budgets
Cons
- Contain glucose syrup as the first ingredient
- Some may not be fond of the taste or gummy texture
This fast acting chew can help you perk up QUICKLY! However, you get the best of both worlds as the hit of energy also lasts hours.
Summary
Hate swallowing pills? Try this more convenient option! We love that you can customise your pack to suit your budget. The Caffeine Bullet comes in a single, 4, and 10 pack. Put the product to the test before committing to the 40 chew package! Since this is a chew, expect a faster reaction to the caffeine. Most pills can take anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes to work. But with this option, you can feel a drastic shift in energy in as little as five minutes, making this excellent for runners or weightlifters.
This chew is vegetarian friendly, as it does not contain gelatin, like most gummies do. It is, however, not vegan friendly, as egg whites are one of the main ingredients in this unique chew.
2. Freak Athletics Caffeine Plus+
Pros
- Suitable for vegetarians and vegans
- Formulation cancels out the adverse side effects of caffeine
- Gluten-free tablet
- Free from jitters
Cons
- May not have a dramatic effect on those accustomed to caffeine
A single tablet contains 100 mg of caffeine, making this pill suitable for anyone new to caffeine or caffeine supplements. One capsule has the same amount as a single cup of coffee.
Summary
With its impressive list of natural ingredients, the Freak Athletics supplement is a top contender. Ingredients are routinely tested, as the brand produces their products in an ISO 9001 lab. Since these pills contain L-Theanine in addition to the caffeine, expect little to no side effects. These pills may improve blood flow to the brain, making it easier to concentrate and focus on tasks that typically require a lot of your attention!
They only contain 100 mg of caffeine per serving, so keep this in mind. You’ll need the recommended dose of two tablets to feel the jolt if you’re accustomed to caffeine.
3. Mutant Core Series Caffeine
Pros
- Bottle contains 240 pills
- Potent
- Expect few to no side effects
- The bottle can last half a year
Cons
- Easy to take more than the daily recommended amount of caffeine
The Mutant Core Tablets are potent. Coffee addicts and frequent caffeine users will get the most use out of this option, as it won’t fall flat, as some 100 mg pills might if you’re accustomed to caffeine.
Summary
This is pharmaceutical grade caffeine, so expect it to pack a punch!
One pill is all you need to get your recommended dose for the day. If you’re accustomed to caffeine and looking for something that will make a difference in your everyday routine, this pill can make all the difference. Ensure you’re taking the daily recommended dose, as not to overwhelm your body. Remember, though caffeine is a naturally occurring substance, too much of it can leave you dehydrated and jittery!
4. Healthspan Kick-Start Caffeine
Pros
- Smaller tablet size
- Great to take on runs
Cons
- Tablets expire quickly
The Healthspan Kick-Start Caffeine supplement is one of the top options for athletes. It releases into the bloodstream slowly, which means it will disperse a steady supply of energy throughout a longer period of time. It’s also suitable for vegan and vegetarian individuals.
Summary
If you’d like to try the gold standard of caffeine tablets, this is a great pick. These pills are easy to swallow due to their small size. They also supply a good energy boost. You may not feel it right away, as the caffeine releases into the bloodstream slowly. It’s not a quick fix. However, it’s a great option if you’re looking for long-term energy.
5. Peak Supps Caffeine
Pros
- Potent
- Slow burn effect
Cons
- Pills may lose effect the more your body becomes accustomed to the caffeine
This supplement contains high-quality caffeine as its main ingredient. The 200 mg serving is also bound to give you a suitable stream of energy that can last hours. The supplement is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Summary
If you’re looking for instant energy, this may not be the supplement for you. However, if you’re looking for a caffeine pill that can supply you with hours of steady energy, this option by Peak Supps can help you achieve that sustainable stream of power! Avoid the crash and curb your appetite, all with just one supplement! You can even order in bulk. Purchase the 300 count pack to ensure your stocked up for nearly an entire year.
6. FS Caffeine Pills & L Theanine
Pros
- No fillers
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Induces alpha waves in the brain
- Counteracts any negative side effects of caffeine
- Helps with focus
- Allergen-friendly
- Plant-based
Cons
- Some find it harder to swallow
Looking for a supplement that contains more than caffeine? The FS Caffeine capsule also contains L-theanine to help combat anxiety. We highly recommend this tablet for those new to supplements in general. It’s also Vegan friendly.
Summary
This option by FS has multiple purposes. It’s great before a workout for a natural energy boost. Skip the energy drinks and the pre-workout, which tend to give you jitters and that dreaded pre-workout ‘itch’.
The L-Theanine in this pill is excellent at counteracting some of the negative reactions some people can have when consuming caffeine. These capsules contain 100 mg of caffeine and 250 mg of L-Theanine.
Drink lots of water when taking these pills as they can be trickier to swallow.
Conclusion
Caffeine can be an excellent supplement for certain individuals as it has a variety of health benefits. However, it may not be the best supplement for everyone. If you are pregnant, nursing, have an irregular heartbeat or moderate to severe anxiety, speak to your doctor before taking caffeine pills or drinks containing caffeine. If you don’t handle other caffeinated drinks such as drinking coffee or cola without getting the jitters, then you are certainly not going to enjoy taking caffeine pills.
Caffeine pills can be an easy way to increase your energy levels after hitting a wall of fatigue.
If you’re stuck and don’t know which caffeine pill is the best option for you, consider one of our top picks for the best and most energising results!
