The Best Micronized Creatine
The best micronized creatine is Naked Creatine, at $0.18 a 5 g scoop. Its only ingredient is micronized creatine monohydrate, and it is on NSF/ANSI 173, so an outside lab checks that the tub holds what the label says. Micronized means ground finer, so it mixes faster.
By Erin Rose Updated October 31, 2026 How we score
Our pick for: Most people
- Per 5 g scoop
- $0.18The lowest of the tested tubs here
- A tub
- $35.991 kg, 200 scoops, on Amazon
- Testing list
- NSF/ANSI 173Checks the label and contaminants
- Ingredients
- Creatine onlyNo flavor, sweetener or filler
Why we pick it It is plain micronized creatine monohydrate, the form studied most. NSF lists Naked Creatine on NSF/ANSI 173, which checks that each tub holds what the label says and stays within limits for contaminants such as heavy metals. It also costs the least a scoop of the tested tubs here.
What you give up NSF/ANSI 173 does not screen for drugs banned in sport. BulkSupplements is on both NSF lists, so it does, for $0.03 more a scoop. If you want that stricter testing, buy one of the two below.
The best micronized creatine for your needs
Naked suits most people. If you are tested for drugs in sport, buy one of these. Both are on NSF Certified for Sport.
Drug-tested, lowest cost: BulkSupplements
BulkSupplements is micronized creatine monohydrate on NSF Certified for Sport. That list also screens each certified lot for drugs banned in sport. It costs about 17% more than Naked a scoop. Check that your tub's lot number is on NSF's listing.
BulkSupplements
$0.21 a 5 g scoop · $20.97 a tub (500 g, 100 scoops)
Drug-tested, most lots tested: Thorne
Thorne Creatine is micronized creatine monohydrate on NSF Certified for Sport. NSF lists 77 certified Thorne lots, against 10 for BulkSupplements. Check your tub's lot number on NSF's listing either way. It costs about 2.7 times as much as Naked a scoop.
Thorne
$0.49 a 5 g scoop · $44.00 a tub (90 scoops)
What "micronized" means
Micronized creatine is creatine monohydrate ground into much smaller grains. Smaller grains dissolve faster, so the drink is less gritty. It is the same creatine, so it does the same job in your muscles. A 2026 review of ways to make creatine dissolve faster lists micronizing as one of them.
Creatine does not dissolve well in any form. About 13 g dissolves in a liter of room-temperature water. A 5 g scoop needs about 385 mL (13 oz) of water to dissolve all the way. In a small glass, some will sink. That is normal. Stir and drink the rest.
How to choose micronized creatine
Buy plain creatine monohydrate
It is the most studied form. Newer forms cost more, and a 2011 review found little to no evidence that they work better. Skip blends that hide the creatine dose.
Buy a tub on a testing list
"Micronized" is about grain size, not quality. A testing list checks the tub. NSF/ANSI 173 checks the label and contaminants. NSF Certified for Sport also screens for banned drugs. See which creatine is third-party tested.
Compare the cost of a 5 g scoop
Tubs differ in size, so compare the cost of one daily scoop. The table does the math.
4 micronized creatine powders compared
Cheapest per 5 g scoop first, at Amazon prices checked November 4, 2026. Amazon prices change, so the order can too.
| Powder | Cost per 5 g | Why it is or is not the pick |
|---|---|---|
| Naked CreatineNSF/ANSI 173 | $0.18 | Our pick: one ingredient, NSF/ANSI 173, lowest cost of the tested tubs |
| BulkSupplementsNSF Certified for Sport and NSF/ANSI 173 | $0.21 | Screens for banned drugs too (NSF Certified for Sport) |
| NutricostNo testing list | $0.21 | Not on a testing list we check |
| ThorneNSF Certified for Sport and NSF/ANSI 173 | $0.49 | Screens for banned drugs; the most certified lots |
The proof for our pick
Here is the NSF listing behind the pick, as we saw it.
The NSF/ANSI 173 listing
Questions people ask
Is micronized creatine better than regular creatine?
It works the same, because it is still creatine monohydrate. A 2011 review found little to no evidence that any newer form of creatine beats plain monohydrate. Buy micronized if you want a smoother drink.
How much should I take?
Most people take 3 to 5 g a day, which is one scoop. See our creatine dosage guide.
How we picked
We looked for creatine monohydrate powders sold on Amazon whose listing says micronized. We searched 4 testing lists for each one. We ranked on three things, in this order: a testing list for the tub, nothing added, and the cost of a 5 g scoop. Want Creapure, a German-made creatine? See the best Creapure creatine. Prefer pills? See the best creatine capsules. Or see the best creatine overall and the creatine guide.
Sources
- Amazon listings for Naked Creatine, BulkSupplements, Thorne and Nutricost creatine (each says micronized), read October 31, 2026.
- NSF/ANSI 173 company listing for Naked Whey, Inc. (NAKED CREATINE), read October 31, 2026: info.nsf.org.
- NSF Certified for Sport listings for BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate and Thorne Creatine: nsfsport.com.
- Albagachiev SA, et al. State of the art and development trends in obtaining fast-dissolving forms of creatine monohydrate. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2026. Solubility 13 g/L at 25 C; micronization is one way to speed dissolving.
- Jäger R, et al. Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of novel forms of creatine. Amino Acids. 2011. Little to no evidence that newer forms beat creatine monohydrate.