7 Best Caffeine Pills (2024 Updated) Tried & Tested 

Supplements Considered 18
Supplements
Considered
Hours of Research 10
Hours
of Research
Experts Interviewed 10
Experts
Interviewed
Reviews Analyzed 10
Reviews
Analyzed
Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC
Published by Benedict Ang, CPT, PN1-NC | Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Last updated: December 13, 2023
We personally test every product featured in our reviews and guides. By ordering products anonymously and getting a group of independent testers, we are able to get first-hand experience and provide data-driven recommendations. Learn more.

From my personal experience, the best caffeine pills have been a game-changer. They've helped me significantly improve my performance by stimulating my brain and increasing its efficiency without making me jittery and restless. It's a smooth, steady energy boost that I've come to rely on.

Caffeine has been a staple in my life for many years, as it has been for the athletes with whom I have worked. However, with so many options available today, I conducted thorough study and testing on caffeine pills to identify which ones provide a more sustained boost to our focus and mental alertness.

In this review, I will discuss the findings of my analysis, including the benefits and possible adverse effects of caffeine pills, and I will conclude by revealing which of the seven supplements had the best results.

Let’s begin.

The Best Caffeine Pills

Editor's Choice
Performance Lab® Caffeine+
Performance Lab
Caffeine per Serving
50mg
Ingredients
5.0
Price
5.0
Overall Score 5.0
5.0
Click For Best Price
2nd Best Choice
Genius Caffeine Extended Release
Genius
Caffeine per Serving
100mg
Ingredients
4.6
Price
4.8
Overall Score 4.7
4.7
Check Current Price
3rd Best Choice
Zhou Nutrition
Zhou
Caffeine per Serving
100mg
Ingredients
4.3
Price
4.4
Overall Score 4.4
4.4
Check Current Price

Our Top Caffeine Pills (March 2024)

1 - Performance Lab® Caffeine+ (Best Overall)Editor's Choice

Performance Lab® Caffeine+
Caffeine per Serving
50mg
5.0
Ingredients
5.0
Price
Overall Score 5.0
Click For Best Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Calm, controlled caffeine kick
  • No jitters or crashes
  • 100% clean and vegan friendly
  • Counterbalanced with nutrients to protect against burnout

Cons

  • Only available on their website

Imagine a caffeine pill without the downsides… That’s what Performance Lab® did when they came up with Stim.

The result is a perfectly balanced, performance-enhanced, all-natural caffeine pill formula, delivering a cleaner, calmer energy with no jitters, jolts or crashes, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a balanced energy supplement.

Each capsule packs a 50 g caffeine kick. But the genius of Performance Lab® Stim is in the supporting stack of L-Theanine (100 mg), L-Tyrosine (250 mg) and B-Vitamins (B2, B6, B9 and B12).

I remember the first time I tried Performance Lab® Stim; I was dubious. But to my surprise, the calm, controlled energy it delivered was unlike anything I’d experienced.

2 - Genius Caffeine Extended Release (Best All-Natural)

Genius Caffeine Extended Release
Caffeine per Serving
100mg
4.6
Ingredients
4.8
Price
Overall Score 4.7
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Provides effective, time released energy
  • Can be stacked with other products to enhance weight loss
  • Enables you to finish important tasks on time

Cons

  • Don’t expect an immediate jolt

I've personally tried the Genius Caffeine Extended Release, and based on my observations, it's marketed as the only time release caffeine pill on the market. It kept me energized throughout the day without any sudden crashes.

While that’s not exactly accurate, it is true that Genius will help you sustain a higher level of energy throughout the day, allowing you to power through your tasks with ease and efficiency. It can also be an effective aid in a comprehensive weight loss program.

The microencapsulated design of Genius Caffeine pill is effective in spreading out the caffeine kick which helps prevent jitters and rushes.

3 - Zhou Nutrition (Best for Energy Boost)

Zhou Nutrition
Caffeine per Serving
100mg
4.3
Ingredients
4.4
Price
Overall Score 4.4
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • All-natural caffeine for energy, ashwagandha for mood
  • Ingredients are naturally sourced
  • No artificial flavors or colors

Cons

  • Relatively pricey

I've been a fan of Zhou Energy + Focus for a while now. They take a holistic view of energy enhancers. When I took their caffeine capsules, which provide 100mg of caffeine combined with 200mg of theanine and other ingredients like Ashwagantha, I felt a balanced boost in my energy and focus [1].

As indicated by our tests, the result is a less severe type of energy boost and one the enables you to come down easy rather than crashing, providing a more natural and comfortable energy experience.

The formula is well thought out, draws from all-natural sources and is mindful of your mental and emotional, as well as your physical needs.

4 - Jet Alert (Best for Focus)

Jet Alert
Caffeine per Serving
100mg
4.3
Ingredients
4.3
Price
Overall Score 4.3
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Works fast & effective when you need to be alert
  • Uncomplicated supplement
  • 100 mg caffeine per capsule

Cons

  • Wears off fairly quick

I remember the first time I popped a Jet Alert tablet. With 100mg of caffeine in every tablet, it was a no-nonsense approach to getting that energy boost. It quickly became my go-to on days when I needed that extra push.

Caffeine pills are longer lasting than coffee so you’ll get the energy boost and increased focus you need to get and stay on task and get the job done, making them a reliable choice for those with demanding schedules.

5 - Time Release Caffeine (Best for All-Day Alertness)

Time Release Caffeine
Caffeine per Serving
100mg
4.3
Ingredients
4.2
Price
Overall Score 4.3
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Pure caffeine released over an 8-hour period
  • Helps boost your metabolism
  • Enhances cognitive performance and mental alertness to focus better

Cons

  • Don’t take it too late in the day

I've tried a fair share of caffeine pills, and one common issue I found was the short-lived energy boost. But when I switched to Time Release Caffeine Pills, the game changed. The energy was consistent and lasted much longer.

Our analysis of this product revealed that they are designed to be absorbed slowly so that the caffeine is released over most of the day, ensuring a steady stream of energy without any sudden spikes or crashes.

This way, you avoid the unpleasant sudden jolt and have a more natural-feeling elevation in your energy levels that ramps up and dissipates slowly at the end of the day.

6 - Prolab Caffeine Tablets (Best Pure Caffeine)

Prolab Caffeine Tablets
Caffeine per Serving
200mg
4.2
Ingredients
4.3
Price
Overall Score 4.3
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Enhances energy and focus without jitters
  • Provides quick energy, feel energized in
  • Contains no calorie, perfect for fat loss, unlike energy drinks

Cons

  • Too many will upset your stomach

Each Prolab Caffeine tablet provides 200mg of caffeine that will help provide an extra energy boost to get you through the day.

Unlike energy drinks that, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), rely on sugar to provide an energy boost, Prolab uses only calorie-free, sugar-free, caffeine [2].

Through our trial and error, we discovered that there's also no indication of blood sugar level spike and no crash afterward. In as little as 15 minutes, you'll start to feel your energy levels rise and your focus sharpen.

7 - Nutricost Caffeine Pills (Cheapest Option)

Nutricost Caffeine Pills
Caffeine per Serving
100mg
4.2
Ingredients
4.2
Price
Overall Score 4.2
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • No fillers or useless additives
  • No sugar or calories
  • 100mg of caffeine per capsule

Cons

  • Pure caffeine may upset sensitive stomachs

The last entry on our list of best caffeine pills is from Nutricost.

Their 100mg caffeine pills are a straightforward infusion ofpure caffeine powder aimed in helping you focus and keep up with your daily activities.

Our research indicates that there is no hidden sugar to overwhelm your system and no calories. In fact, this product works with only just caffeine.

If you're looking for an reliable, affordable, fast-acting alternative to coffee, then you should consider Nutricost Caffeine Pills.

How We Tested the Best Caffeine Pills

We established a set of criteria to evaluate each product effectively. These included:
Ingredient Quality: The purity and effectiveness of the caffeine source.

  • Dosage: The amount of caffeine per serving and its alignment with recommended daily intake.
  • Additional Ingredients: The presence of other beneficial ingredients that enhance the effects of caffeine.
  • Customer Reviews: Real user feedback on effectiveness, side effects, and overall experience.
  • Brand Reputation: The credibility and reliability of the brand.

Each selected caffeine pill underwent a series of tests conducted by our team of experts, including nutritionists and fitness enthusiasts. We assessed the immediate and long-term effects of the pills and their impact on energy levels, focus, and physical performance.

  • Energy Boost: We measured the increase in energy levels post-consumption over a specified period.
  • Focus and Clarity: We evaluated the enhancement in focus and mental clarity.
  • Physical Performance: We tested the pills’ impact on workout intensity and endurance.

What to Look For in a Caffeine Pill?

a person holding caffeine pills in a cap

When looking for a caffeine pill, you must pay attention to its ingredients, value, and caffeine content. Let's get into the details below.

  • Caffeine content - The average healthy adult will want anywhere from 100 to 200 mg of caffeine in their caffeine pill. Too much caffeine may lead to jitters and trouble getting to sleep. According to NIH, any less is not likely to produce the type of jolt you’re after [3].
  • Value/price - With a cup of coffee at Starbucks costing upwards of $5, caffeine pills are a far better value proposition. Of course, with caffeine pills, you don't get to enjoy the bland corporate furniture and soulless atmosphere of SBs, but you do get the pick-me-up you need. And over the course of a week, you'll save enough for a nice dinner.
  • Other ingredients - You buy caffeine tablets for caffeine, not vitamin C. Some manufacturers pad their caffeine pills with fillers to make them appeal to a broader audience. Whether you appreciate a lot of extras in your caffeine pills is up to you.

Caffeine Pills vs Coffee

Comparison image of caffeine pills and coffee
  • With a cup of coffee or espresso, it can be darn near impossible to determine just what kind of caffeine jolt you're getting until your pupils are pegged, and you're ready to climb a rock wall using only your fingernails. With caffeine pills, you know exactly how much caffeine you're getting.
  • Many people do not like the taste of coffee no matter how you dress it up and so they don’t get to enjoy caffeine’s many health benefits. Caffeine supplements alleviate this problem and allow those not enamored of coffee to still enjoy a caffeine boost.
  • Often times getting a cup of coffee when you hit the afternoon energy wall can be nearly impossible. With caffeine pills, however, you simply take one and get back to work without skipping a beat.
  • Even if you can drum up a cup of coffee in the afternoon, chances are it will only provide a fraction of the energy boost you’ll get from caffeine pills. And it will take longer to kick in.
  • Regular coffee drinkers also tend to suffer from yellow teeth. There is no such embarrassing development with caffeine pills.

Check out our article on the differences between caffeine pills and coffee.

What are the Benefits of Caffeine Tablets?

A man with enhanced athletic and physical performance after taking caffeine pills

The benefits of taking caffeine tablets are:

  • Quick energy boost - As we have seen, caffeine capsules will provide you with a quicker, sometimes a good jolt of energy than you’ll usually get from a cup of coffee. While there’s plenty to be said for the ritual of preparing and drinking coffee, sometimes you just don’t have time for the ritual.
  • Sharper mental focus - There’s little doubt that as the caffeine from your caffeine pill begins to increase your metabolism more blood will be pumping through your veins into your brain where it will deliver more oxygen and provide a higher level of mental alertness, focus, and awareness [4].
  • Enhanced athletic and physical performance - Few are the people who work out without first either drinking a strong cup of coffee or taking caffeine pills. According to NIH, the boost you get from a caffeine pill can make the difference between achieving your physical performance goals and coming up short [5].

Related Article: Best Energy Pills

Are There Any Side Effects?

A man sitting in the gym experiencing headache as a side effect

Caffeine pills cause no side effects when taken as directed, which means caffeine pills are as safe as any other supplement. However, keep in mind that any supplement taken excessively is bound to generate side effects, and caffeine is no exception.

Even the best caffeine pill can ruin your system.

Too much caffeine can typically cause insomnia, headaches, rapid heart rate, irritability, jitters, and possibly gastric distress or acid reflux [6].

This is particularly important for people with caffeine sensitivity since these effects could hinder your daily life.

But as we've mentioned, you can avoid most of these effects by using caffeine supplements as directed. A good way to determine the right dosage for your best caffeine supplements is to ask your nutritionist or physician.

Caffeine and Exercise Performance

Caffeine metabolism plays a significant role in exercise performance. Fast caffeine metabolizers experience a notable boost in performance due to caffeine's stimulant effects.

Studies suggest that they benefit from increased alertness, enhanced endurance, and reduced perception of effort during exercise [7].

In contrast, slow metabolizers often do not experience the same performance benefits, as caffeine lingers longer in their system, potentially causing anxiety or jitters rather than enhancing performance.

Genetic variations in the CYP1A2 enzyme are associated with these differences, affecting the rate at which caffeine is broken down [8]. Tailoring caffeine intake to individual metabolism can optimize exercise performance and minimize potential negative effects.

FAQs

Can you chew caffeine pills?

No, you can't chew caffeine pills. None of the best caffeine pills on the market actually come in chewable form.

Furthermore, trying to chew a standard caffeine supplement is likely to produce an extremely unpleasant taste.

How long will caffeine stay in my system?

Caffeine will stay in your system for as long as a few hours, but the exact amount will depend on how much caffeine you took.

If you stick to the script and take only as directed, the caffeine should clear your system in 4 or 5 hours. If you overdid it, you could be in for a long sleepless night. It's an especially likely result when you're caffeine-sensitive or taking other dietary supplements with the same ingredient.

Can caffeine pills be used for weight loss?

Yes, caffeine pills can be used for weight loss. However, it would be best to combine them with proper exercise and diet to see results.

Can you take caffeine pills before going to bed?

Taking caffeine pills before going to bed is not advisable as doing so may disrupt your sleep. Instead, take them within six hours of your bedtime. So if you typically turn in at midnight, stop taking caffeine pills after 6 pm.

Can you overdose on caffeine pills?

No, you can't overdose on caffeine pills. While caffeine overdose is theoretically possible, the amount you'd need to consume is 5000 mg a day, making it quite impossible.

How long does it take for caffeine pills to kick in?

Caffeine pills take about 60 to 90 minutes to kick in. By that time, the caffeine levels in the blood begin to peak, rising slower if you take the supplement with a large meal.

When should you take caffeine pills?

Take caffeine pills about an hour before your designated activity. You should expect to experience the maximum benefits of caffeine, such as energy boost and improved mental focus, for a few hours.

However, you must be careful with your caffeine intake as it can hinder your ability to sleep. Make sure to take your caffeine supplement before 6 pm to get a good night's sleep, unless you want to stay up all night.

Are caffeine pills good for studying?

Yes, caffeine pills are good for studying. It is well-known for its nootropic potential and can boost your cognitive performance, memory, focus, and attention, especially if you lack sleep.

Caffeine is an excellent tool to help you improve your studying, especially late at night. However, it's best to take caffeine supplements before 6 pm to enjoy undisrupted sleep before your exams. It's crucial to have eight hours of sleep to retain the information you need to learn and recall them later.

After a deep dive and hands-on testing with a variety of caffeine pills, I've come to a verdict.

Performance Lab® Caffeine+ has emerged as my top pick. It's not just about the energy boost for me; it's the quality of the alertness and the absence of any jittery side effects that really sets it apart.

The blend of L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, and B-Vitamins in Performance Lab® Caffeine+ creates a smooth and sustained lift that powers me through workouts and workdays alike.

I've also been pleasantly surprised by the Genius Caffeine Extended Release for its all-day endurance without the crash. And when I need a quick, sharp focus, Jet Alert has been my reliable go-to. Each of these pills has its own merits, but for a balanced, all-natural, and vegan-friendly option, Performance Lab® takes the win in my book.

Our #1 Caffeine Pills

Performance Lab® Caffeine+ (Best Overall)

Performance Lab® Caffeine+
Caffeine per Serving
50mg
Ingredients
5.0
Price
5.0
Overall Score 5.0
5.0
Pros
  • Calm, controlled caffeine kick
  • No jitters or crashes
  • 100% clean and vegan friendly
  • Counterbalanced with nutrients to protect against burnout
  • Get the BEST PRICE until the end of March
Cons
  • Only available on their website
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One thought on “What are the Best Caffeine Pills?
Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

  1. I’m thinking of taking caffeine supplements instead of drinking coffee (yeah I’m that busy) but I’m afraid that these pills might not be safe. But I’ll consider this for sure.

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