The 7 Best BCAAs of 2020

From ramping up your recovery post-workout to helping you overcome a plateau, exercise enthusiasts give this BCAA supplement high marks all around. Easy to mix, one serving contains 5 grams of BCAA and just 10 calories. It also boasts Wellmune for immunity, Rhodiola for endurance, and electrolytes for performance. It’s designed for use before, during, or after your workout. It comes in four flavors, including watermelon, strawberry kiwi, fruit punch, and cranberry lemonade. 

Powder formulas are not for everyone. Fortunately, BCAA’s also come in a capsule, like this one from Sheer Strength Labs. Packed full of 1,950 milligrams of BCAA, these easy-to-swallow veggie capsules only contain the big three: leucine, valine, and isoleucine. Plus, they have a 100 percent money-back guarantee. No questions asked. Three capsules equal one serving. And they’re a great alternative for anyone who doesn’t like the taste of the BCAA powder.

Whether you hit the gym in the evening or like to avoid a jolt of caffeine before you workout, this caffeine-free formula from BSN will give you all the BCAAs you need without keeping you up at night. Amino X has 10 grams of BCAA per serving, with a 2:1:1 ratio, and comes in a variety of flavors including grape, blue raspberry, and green apple. For optimum results, they recommend two servings (1 scoop in 6-8 ounces of the beverage of your choice) per day.

If you’re not a fan of all the fruity flavors of other BCAA powders, this 100-percent pure, unflavored version from NOW Sports may be more your taste. Not to mention, it only has BCAAs in it. No artificial colors, flavors, or other ingredients often added to sports supplements. The recommended dosage is 1-3 teaspoons per day, which you can mix into a beverage of your choice—anything from juice to protein shakes.

If you want a BCAA that not only works well but tastes great, then Evlution Nutrition is the way to go. Packed with 5 grams of BCAA, it also has green tea, green coffee bean, and vitamin C. And with zero carbs and zero sugar, this gluten-free BCAA powder is worth considering. Choose from a variety of flavors, including blue raz, cherry limeade, pineapple, pink star blast, lemon-lime, and so many more. A serving is two scoops and can be taken up to four times a day, before, during, or after a workout.

While most BCAA powders are appropriate for both men and women, IdealLean is formulated specifically for women. Each serving delivers 5 grams of BCAAs but zero calories and zero carbs. It also contains green tea extract, CLA, glutamine, and a few B-vitamins, among other ingredients. 

One scoop equals a serving, which you combine with water and drink during your workouts. You can also drink throughout the day on days you’re not training. It comes in five flavors, including green apple, orange paradise, and peach lemonade.

This vegan-friendly, 100 percent plant-based BCAA powder from Truth Nutrition is free from milk and many other non-vegan friendly ingredients. Their formula is also non-GMO, gluten-free, and all-natural. Plus, it’s full of ingredients that can help you increase strength, speed, endurance, and reduce recovery time. It comes in a variety of flavors, including red raspberry, watermelon, blood orange, and pink lemonade, which are all flavored with Stevia. Each serving contains 5 grams of BCAAs, which you can take up to three times a day: before, during, or after a workout.