Best Preworkout Supplements of 2026

Yup, a good ol' cup of joe can make for a decent preworkout. Coffee offers plenty of caffeine for that jolt you're looking for before a workout. After all, it does the same thing preworkout does, it's cheaper, and as long as you know your body can handle coffee, it's a good and easy-to-find choice. You should avoid drinking coffee as a preworkout if you have caffeine or gastrointestinal sensitivities or if it's close to your bedtime since sleep can be disrupted.

If you opt for coffee as a preworkout, all you need to do is drink a cup 45 minutes to an hour before your workout so you give your body time to absorb it. This is also a safe option for those who aren't ready to commit to an actual preworkout supplement. 

What I love about Nuun is that these tablets dissolve easily and can be consumed before, during and after your run. They contain electrolytes, which are essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium that are found in our blood, urine and sweat. When you sweat you lose many of these minerals, which is why sometimes drinking water isn't enough. I used Nuun consistently during my peak training runs and found they helped keep me going, no matter the distance. Nuun comes in a tube with 10 dissolvable tablets in flavors such as Berry Blast, Citrus Fruit, Fruit Punch and Lemon Line to name a few. These can be easily mixed with water and dissolve in less than two minutes. One tube costs about $8, which is on the cheaper end of the preworkout on this list.

Although it's technically not marketed as a preworkout, Nuun serves a similar purpose because it keeps your body hydrated and replenishes any electrolytes lost during your workout to prevent you from bonking out. I personally like that the brand offers caffeinated and non-caffeinated options, so there's something for any active individual. I've tried both the non-caffeinated and caffeinated tablets without any issues and found the caffeinated tablets work well as a preworkout because they give me the boost I need before hitting the pavement. 

Another electrolyte preworkout that has helped me with half-marathon training is Cure Hydration. Cure Hydration is a caffeine-free electrolyte powder that comes in individual packets and just needs to be mixed with water. It is made up of organic coconut water and Himalayan salt, and it's free of artificial sugars and sweeteners. It's also low in calories at 25 calories a packet.

According to the website, Cure has four times the electrolytes of sports drinks and comes in various flavors such as Berry Pomegranate, Lemon, Grapefruit and Watermelon. My favorites were the Watermelon and Berry Pomegranate flavors. I take Cure before my runs and post-run to help with recovery. After I started using it, I never crashed after a tough run like I used to because I was keeping my electrolytes leveled before and after running with this drink.

This is a good choice for those who want a boost without caffeine or artificial sugars. You can purchase a pack with eight individual packets for $14, which is a good place to start if you're new to the brand. If you've established that you're a fan, the Cure website also offers a variety pack with 28 individual packets for $47 or a single flavor with 14 packets for $24. 

UCAN takes a unique approach to its products because it doesn't use traditional stimulants. Instead, it uses SuperStarch, which is a low-glycemic, complex carbohydrate made by a patented cooking method applied to a specific strain of non-GMO corn. The purpose behind SuperStarch is to provide athletes with steady, long-lasting energy without the sugar or carb crash. 

I tried UCAN's energy powder in the Cran-raz flavor before my strength training workout and initially followed the directions on the tub which said to mix one scoop of powder with 8 to 12 ounces of water. Similar to other preworkouts I've tried, I found one scoop to be too sweet and a half scoop was a better alternative. Even though I shook it up using a water bottle, you'd benefit from either blending it or using a shaker ball for a smoother consistency. Otherwise, you'll end up with some powder settled at the bottom, which is what happened to me.

Despite that mishap, the preworkout stayed true to its word and gave me the energy I needed to get through my workout. I also felt like my energy levels remained steady even after the fact. UCAN didn't affect my stomach, and that probably is because of the formula, which the brand says is made to be slowly released and absorbed by the body. At about $70 a tub, UCAN is the most expensive preworkout on the list, but I can see how it can appeal to all types of athletes looking for the right amount of boost without the crash or stimulants. 

I've found that fruit-flavored preworkouts can sometimes be filled with lots of artificial flavorings, which can taste too sweet. This Beachbody preworkout passed with flying colors. It doesn't have artificial flavors or sweeteners, which is helpful to know if you aren't a fan of most of the artificial sweeteners in preworkouts. 

I tried this in the fruit punch flavor, and it was sweet without an unpleasant aftertaste. I had the individual packets, but Beachbody also sells 9.2-ounce tubs as an alternative. At about $52, this preworkout is in the higher price range compared to other preworkouts on this list. This preworkout consists of quercetin, which is a plant-based antioxidant that helps delay exercise-induced muscle fatigue to keep you going. It also contains 100 mg of caffeine per serving and it should be noted that the directions say not to exceed two packets a day. 

Shifted is a preworkout brand that prides itself on using science to back and develop its powder. It is available in a Maximum Formula Preworkout and Premium Formula Preworkout. Key ingredients include L-citrulline, beetroot extract, creatine monohydrate and alpha-GPC, intended to give you energy and keep you focused during your workout. It also has 250 mg of caffeine. Additionally, the powders are sugar-free, gluten-free and soy-free. I tried Shifted's Very Berry flavor in its Premium Formula preworkout and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor. 

I mixed two-thirds of a scoop with water and took it about 30 to 45 minutes before my workout. I appreciated that the drink had a pleasant berry flavor without the bad aftertaste. It also provided me with an adequate amount of energy that didn't leave me feeling jittery after the workout or give me any negative side effects. At $50 for a jar, it's on the pricier side, but if you're looking for a preworkout formula that does the job without any questionable additives, Shifted is a great choice.

I tend to gravitate towards berry-flavored preworkouts and Ascent's Blueberry Raspberry hit the spot. It reminded me of the blue raspberry Jolly Rancher flavor, which was a favorite of mine as a kid. Now that I'm older, I can only handle so much sweetness. I followed the directions on Ascent's preworkout bag and mixed one scoop of preworkout with 10 ounces of water 20 to 30 minutes before my workout. I found the flavor to be super sweet, but it didn't leave a bad aftertaste or upset my stomach. Next time I would do half a scoop to cut back on the sweetness. 

This preworkout has 150 mg of caffeine, which gave me enough energy to complete my tough strength training workout and left me focused even afterward. It also has 250 mg of electrolytes, which is important to keep you hydrated as you sweat during your workout. At $27.30 for a 12.7-ounce bag, it's priced fairly for those looking for a middle-of-the-road option. I was happy that Ascent gave me the adequate amount of energy I needed to charge up my morning and workout.