The 5 Best Pre-Workout Supplements On A Budget in 2025: Our Tested No B.S. Reviews
Honest Review Guarantee from Fitness Informant:
Our product testing team uses the full 30 day serving amount in container before reviewing. Learn more about our review process here.
We get it all the time: what is the best pre-workout supplement for under $40? Well, we got tired of consistently answering that question, so we put together a guide that gives you the top 5 rated pre-workout supplements that are less than $40. More specific, these are the 5 best pre-workout supplements on the market that are less than $2 per serving.
We understand that some people cannot afford a $50+ version of a pre-workout. Is there a difference between of $50 pre-workout and an economical pre-workout at $40? Sure there is, but we wanted to make sure that if all you had was $40 in your pocket, you are getting the best pre-workout that money can buy.
We did not just take a list of pre-workouts that had a list price of $40 or under to make this list. We looked at a plethora of items to ensure this is the most comprehensive list available online that lays out, from 1 to 5, the best, cheapest pre-workout supplements on the market.
What Did We Look For When Making Our Best, Cheapest Pre-Workout Supplements List
We looked at several things when creating this comprehensive list of the cheapest pre-workout supplements that work. The word "cheap" can be taken negatively, and we do not want that with this list. We made sure we kept quality at the base of every pre-workout we included in this list of best pre-workout supplements on a budget.
Price
The first thing we looked at was price. We wanted to create a list of pre-workout supplements that were under $40 per container. The $40 mark seems like a good threshold to ensure you can still can a quality, effective pre-workout, while not breaking the bank.
Servings
We also looked at servings. We did not want to give you a $40 pre-workout that only had 15-servings...that doesn't help you while you're on a budget. The pre-workout supplement had to at least have 20 servings per container. We took price and divided that by servings to ensure that we were only including pre-workout powders that was $2 or less per serving. We accomplished that. In fact, none of the pre-workouts on this list are over $1.75 a serving
Quality
There are A LOT of pre-workout supplements on the market that are under $40. The issue: they are complete trash. It was our goal to ensure that not only are you being cognizant of your budget by providing pre-workouts under $40, but that it would also help you in the gym.
We looked at ingredients used and efficacious dosages. It is nice to "window dress" the product with pretty ingredients, but if you are going to under dose them we won't consider them. So not only did we look at the type of ingredient, we looked at the dosages to ensure that you were getting a full efficacious dosage of that ingredient.
Effectiveness
We only selected pre-workout supplements that work. Having efficacious dosages is great, but if that doesn't translate to in gym performance, then the product isn't considered for this list.
Only the best pre-workout supplements under $40 were selected for this guide. They must contain 20 servings or more. They must work. Let's GOOOOO!
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The following products on our top pre-workout for pump ranking list were used by Fitness Informant personally for this guide.
We used each of these pre-workout supplements through the duration of a full container. Sample packs were not used in determining the rankings.
Stop relying on faulty information that is influenced by outside writers and money. This best pre-workout supplements on a budget list is the real deal.
Here at Fitness Informant, we don’t steer you wrong. If you're looking for the best pre-workout supplements under $40 option that you can trust, look no further than our top 5 picks below.
A Comparison of the Pre-Workout Supplements for Value
Here's the top 5 picks for the best pre-workout supplements for value that money can buy:
Product Name | Highlights | Rating |
|---|---|---|
#1 GHOST Legend V4 Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20% | Best Overall Pre-Workout for Value Highlights:
| Our #1 Rated  9.1 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#2 Hosstile Hosstility Foundation Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10% | Best for Energy Highlights:
| Our #2 Rated 8.7 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#3 Muscletech Shatter Pre-Workout Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20% | Best for Pumps Highlights:
| Our #3 Rated 8.6 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#4 RYSE Loaded Pre Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15% | Best for Flavors Highlights:
| Our #4 Rated 8.2 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
#5 ProSupps Mr. Hyde Signature | Best for Bang For Your Buck Highlights: | Our #5 Rated 8.0 out of 10 in the Pre-Workout Category |
There are hundreds of different brands and variations of pre-workout supplements out there.
How did these 5 make Fitness Informant's top 5 list? Read on and we'll tell you:
#1 GHOST Legend V4
- Rating: 9.1 out of 10
- Servings: 30 servings
- Best For: Overall
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
Pros
Cons
GHOST has been around for quite some time, and every couple of years they seem to revamp their pre-workout every couple of years. While Legend V3 was a bit lacking when compared to all of the “loaded” formulas you see today, however V4 changes that completely, and is one of the most impressive mainstream formulas we have seen.
The profile starts off with 6g of Citrulline, which helps with blood flow and pumps. You also get the clinical dose of Beta-Alanine at 3.2g, which can help with endurance. Following this comes 2.5g of Betaine Anhydrous, which helps with power output. Finally, you get 100mg of Senactiv. Senactiv can help with endurance and recovery, and while most companies use 50mg, GHOST has decided to go with 100mg, which very few other brands have done!
Now we get to the “Smart Energy” blend, which starts off with 2g of Tyrosine. Tyrosine helps with dopamine production, and can help with focus in stressful situations. 1g of Taurine is in here to aid with blood flow and hydration.
Another focus ingredient comes in the form of VitaCholine. This is a form of Choline Bitratrate, and you get 1g of it in Legend V4. It converts to Acetylcholine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter. This is then followed by everyone’s favorite energy enhancer… Caffeine. You get 300mg of Natural Caffeine in GHOST Legend V4, which is a standard yet high dose in our eyes. This is roughly the same amount of Caffeine as 3 cups of coffee. To add to the energy, you also get 100mg of Theobromine, which is similar to Caffeine structurally, however won’t give you the same energy as Caffeine.
Finally, you get Neurofactor at 100mg, which helps with BDNF levels, and AstraGin at 50mg to aid with absorption.
Certainly a solid formula, especially for a mainstream brand. While the formula looks similar to other “loaded” products out there, with the exception of Senactiv at 100mg, it is great to see GHOST launch something like this while keeping it at an amazing price point at barely over a $1 per serving. (After using coupon code INFORMANT)
Who Makes It?
GHOST has taken over the sports nutrition industry since launching the brand. They combine a lifestyle approach culture with pretty labels and great formulas. Many brands do one or the other great but GHOST happens to hit on everything very well. GHOST won our Brand of the Year award in 2019, 2020 and 2021 (we did not do one in 2022 or 2023).
What's In It?
One serving (1 scoop) contains:
- 6g L-Citrulline - combined of pure Citrulline and Citrulline Nitrate improving blood flow
- 3.2g Beta Alanine - improved muscular endurance
- 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous - more strength and power output
- 100mg Senactiv - energizes the muscles, longer workouts
- 2g Tyrosine - improved focus
- 1g Taurine - Aids in hydration and output
- 1g VitaCholine - improved focus and memory
- 300mg Natural Caffeine - fast acting energy
- 195mgPureWay-C - Source of VItamin C
- 100mg Theobromine - similar to caffeine, can increase body temperature
- 100mg NeuroFactor - cognition improvement
- 50mg AstraGin® - may help with absorption
Bottom Line:
GHOST Legend V4 is on this list, simply because it is a great pre-workout that delivers on all aspects (pump, energy, performance, endurance), and comes at a GREAT value. At just above $1/serving after using coupon code INFORMANT, this is something you cannot go wrong with.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
#2 Hosstile Hosstility Foundation
- Rating: 8.9 out of 10
- Servings: 30 Servings
- Best For: Energy
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
Pros
Cons
Straight-forward pre-workouts are getting more and more popular. With overloaded formulas becoming more popular and the prices on those exceeding $70 at 20 servings, it’s nice to have some options that aren’t $3+ per serving. This is where Hosstile Supps Hosstility Foundation comes in.
Hosstility Foundation makes this list, as it comes in at a price of $42 on the site. Now this is technically above the rules for this guide, however if you use our coupon code INFORMANT you can get it for under $39 with 30 servings. That is quite a solid price considering the profile!
The profile is quite impressive. Typically these basic pre-workouts use the bare minimum for dosages. This one starts off with 6g of Citrulline, which is comparable to many more higher priced pre-workouts on the market. This is then followed by 3.2g of Beta-Alanine and 2.5 of Betaine Anhydrous. Both are proven ingredients that aid performance, and they are both dosed well.
Following this you get 2g of Tyrosine. Tyrosine helps with dopamine production and focus in stressful situations. At 2g you are getting a solid dose. Following this comes Taurine at 2g. Taurine helps with hydration and blood flow, and at 2g is nice to see in here as well.
The last three ingredients are Pink Himalayan Salt, which helps with hydration and muscle function, Caffeine Anhydrous which helps with energy, and Infinergy™ which is a timed-release Caffeine so you have longer lasting energy. You get a total of 300mg of combined Caffeine in here, which is a standard dose for pre-workouts.
While Hosstility Foundation is a simple pre-workout, we argue that it will work just as well as some of the more expensive pre-workouts out there, and for the price, it is a pre-workout for almost anybody.
Who Makes It?
Hosstile Supps is a brand we are happy to see back on our ranking guides. Before the pandemic, Hosstile was making some noise with their formulas. As many brands during the pandemic, they got a little quiet as the world was a bit different. Now they are officially back! Not only with Fouad, but with some really popular influencers. We expect to see them makes waves in the industry in the coming years!
What's In It?
What's in it?
One serving contains:
- 6g Citrulline – promotes blood flow
- 3.2g Beta-Alanine - improves muscular endurance
- 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous – improves strength, power & endurance giving you more time to achieve the pump
- 2g Tyrosine - helps with focus and dopamine
- 2g Taurine - regulates electrolytes which may lead to strength increases
- 250mg Pink Himalayan Salt - helps with hydration and muscle function
- 200mg Caffeine Anhydrous - pure caffeine to increase energy
- 133mg Di-Caffeine Malate - form of caffeine that contains approximately 75% but is a longer lasting energy to avoid crash
Bottom Line:
Hosstility Foundation is a great pre-workout for those who still want hefty doses of ergogenic ingredients, but don't want to pay extra for the added nootropic or pumps ingredients. With everything dosed as well as some of the best pre-workouts out there and coming in at a much nicer price point. While it won't be the most mind-blowing pump you've ever had or give you that "walking on water" feeling, it will certainly get the job done and feel like you're getting a loaded pre-workout!
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
#3 Muscletech Shatter Pre-Workout
- Rating: 8.8 out of 10
- Servings: 20
- Best For: Pumps
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
Pros
Cons
Muscletech used to get a lot of hate for some of the crazy claims they used to make back in the 2000s. Well now they are one of the top brands when it comes to a variety of categories, and we must say that we are impressed with what they have been able to come up with in recent years.
Shatter makes this list, as it is a budget friendly pre-workout that gives you the essentials that every pre-workout has on this list, but also has some extras that give it a slight edge over pre-workouts that also could have been added.
Shatter starts off with Beta-Alanine, Betaine Anhydrous, and Taurine. These are 3 common pre-workout ingredients, and each one is dosed well. Beta-Alanine for endurance, Betaine for power output, and Taurine for hydration and blood flow.
Next comes the Pump blend, which starts off with a nice 4g of Citrulline. This helps with blood flow and is the most common ingredient in pre-workouts next to Caffeine and Beta-Alanine. 4g is a good dose! Following this you get Red Spinach extract (as NO3-T®), which is a source of Nitrates. Nitrates help with blood flow through a different pathway than Citrulline, and we like that it actually shows you the standardization. Next up comes CitraPeak™, which is an antioxidant that helps with pumps. At 200mg it is dosed well. You also get some Hawthorn, which has been used for a long time to aid with blood flow.
We love our stim/nootropic blends. Shatter has a solid one which starts off with Choline Bitartrate at 472mg. Choline converts to Acetylcholine in the brain, and is a neurotransmitter. You get 350mg of Caffeine, which of course helps with energy. This is actually quite high, especially for a budget friendly pre-workout. Muscletech kind of takes the hype away, as this is followed by 125mg of Theanine. Theanine is an anxiolytic, and is used to help stave off the less enjoyable side effects of Caffeine.
Shatter also has some Japanese Raisin Tree extract, which is typically used for hangovers. Not a common ingredient for sure. Finally, you get some Alpha GPC at a small 50mg dose. This is a good form of Choline, however quite low.
The profile is solid, and gives you some good doses of the essentials, while also providing some extracts that give it a slight edge. You can get this for $35 directly from the Muscletech website. If you use coupon code INFORMANT, you get an extra 20% off, which is an absolutely greta deal for this pre-workout.
Who Makes It?
MuscleTech is the one brand on this list that has been around the longest. They are what we call a "legacy" brand. When you think of that term you typically think the brand has lost focus. MuscleTech is not that brand. They are putting emphasis back on science and effective formulas. MuscleTech has informed us that they will continue down this path featuring more innovative products and formulas.
What's in it?
One serving contains:
- 3.2g Beta-Alanine - improves muscular endurance
- 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous - may improve power output
- 1g Taurine - Regulates electrolytes which may lead to strength increases
- 4g Citrulline – transports blood into the muscle
- 600mg Red Spinach Extract - Source of Nitrates that help with pumps
- 200mg CitraPeak - Helps with pumps
- 200mg Hawthorn Extract - Helps with blood flow
- 472mg Choline Bitartrate - helps with focus
- 350mg Caffeine Anhydrous - pure caffeine to increase energy
- 125mg L-Theanine - Reduces stress and anxiety
- 100mg Japanese Raisin Tree Extract - helps with long lasting clean energy.
- 50mg AlphaSize - Helps with focus
Bottom Line:
Muscletech Shatter Pre-Workout is a great pre-workout supplement at a great price. Not only does it have an impressive profile, it also delivers on effectiveness and of course... value. This is certainly a pre-workout that is worth trying or having around. It does well enough on its own and doesn't even really need to be stacked.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
#4 Ryse Loaded Pre
- Rating: 8.7 out of 10
- Servings: 30
- Best For: Flavors
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
Pros
Cons
Ryse Loaded Pre is one of the most popular pre-workouts on the market, and there are plenty of reasons why. Not only does it have several great flavor collabs as well as a solid profile… it also comes at a very fair pricepoint.
Ryse Loaded Pre makes for an easy choice for many gym-goers, as it is simply inviting. Not some overloaded profile with every ingredient under the sun. You get a formula that hits with pumps, endurance, energy, and focus.
The profile starts off with 4.5g of Citrulline, which helps with pumps and performance. 4.5g is a solid dose and while not the most by today's standards, still more than enough to give you a noticeable pump. Following this you get 3.5g of Beta-Alanine. This ingredient helps with endurance and at 3.5 is dosed well.
Now we come to everyone’s favorite ingredient, Caffeine. Caffeine needs no introduction, but for those who are living under a rock on Venus, Caffeine helps with energy. You get 300mg of Caffeine Anhydrous. You also get zumXR, which is a delayed release Caffeine. This helps with longer lasting energy and may help prevent a crash. This adds an extra 90mg of Caffeine, getting this close to a stim bomb. Also thought we would note, you get 100mg of Theobromine, which is a metabolite of Caffeine and may also help with energy.
Finally we have Citicholine and Theanine. Citicholine (as Cognizin) is a high-quality form of Choline. This converts to Acetylcholine in the brain, which is a neurotransmitter. This helps with focus and alertness, and at 250mg is a good dose. Theanine is in here to help combat the potential side effects of Caffeine. You get 50mg, which is nice because some brands seme to add too much.
Now the profile is nothing we haven’t seen before and it is quite simple. This is fine, however it makes this list due to the fair price. You get 30 servings in a tub for under $40. So not only is it budget friendly, you have plenty of flavor options! Kool-Aid, Sour Punch Sour Apple and Blue Raspberry, Bazooka Classic Grape, Ring Pop, and even Countrytime Lemonade (this one has added CitraPeak to aid with pumps)! This is the type of pre-workout to grab several tubs of as they all taste great and won’t hurt your wallet.
Who Makes It?
RYSE Supplements is a booming brand due to their soft approach to bodybuilding building loyalty through culture. RYSE Supplements also does a great job of formulating products including pre-workouts, proteins and other products like pump formulas. RYSE Supplements also launched RYSE Fuel, the brand's energy drink which is getting the brand into more households.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 4.5g L-Citrulline – improves blood flow for pumps
- 3.5g Beta-Alanine - improve muscular endurance
- 300mg Caffeine Anhydrous - good for energy
- 250mg Citicholine (Cognizin) - High quality source of Choline that helps with focus
- 120mg zumXR - Delayed release Caffeine that can help with longer lasting energy
- 100mg Theobromine - similar to caffeine, can aid in energy production, may smooth blood vessels for more blood flow
- 50mg L-Theanine - reduces stress and anxiety
Bottom Line:
Ryse Loaded Pre is a solid option for a pre-workout if you are on a budget. You get 30 servings, all for under $1.30. The flavors are awesome, and the added availability of Loaded Pre is nice too. The amount of Caffeine is quite high which may be a turn off for some, but for the seasoned stim veteran it should be business as usual. Great choice for those trying to save yet still get an effective pre-workout.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
#5 ProSupps Mr. Hyde Signature
- Rating: 8.0 out of 10
- Servings: 72/36
- Best For: Bang For Your Buck
Pros
Cons
At this point, ProSupps is a legacy brand, and just about a decade ago, they hit the scene HARD with their pre-workouts. Well now, we have their new pre-workout Mr. Hyde Signature Pre-Workout. This makes the list, due to its great price point and SOLID formula.
The formula starts off with Citrulline at 6 grams. This helps with blood flow/pumps and is a staple in pre-workouts. This is followed by Creatine Monohydrate. Creatine is the most studied sports nutrition ingredient, and is backed by thousands of studies. You get a great dose at 5 grams.
Next up comes Beta-Alanine. This is also extremely common in pre-workouts, as it helps with endurance, and is widely known to be effective. At 4 grams., you are getting higher than the usual 3.2 gram dosage we recommend. Now we come to Betaine Anhydrous. This can help with power output, and at 2 grams, is dosed well.
Now we come to our mood and energy ingredients. With 2 grams of Tyrosine, you will certainly get a nice increase in focus. Tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine, and we love seeing it in pre-workouts. 2 grams is a solid dose, and it’s not common to see this high of a dose in pre-workouts you can find at CostCo! Finally we have Caffeine Anhydrous at 200mg-400mg (1-2 scoops). Caffeine of course gives you energy, and is on the higher side at 2 scoops. The formula ends with 400mg of Himalayan Rock Salt. This is an electrolyte and is important for hydration and performance.
You can get this for under $30 per tub sometimes, and it is well under $1 per serving. For the solid formula with proven ingredients, this is a great option for those who want to save some $ yet still get a quality pre-workout.
Who Makes It?
ProSupps is a legacy brand that has cemented itself as a brand that won't be going away anytime soon. They infest the shelves of big box retail stores, and always have one of the stronger options when it comes to pre-workouts. If you are looking for hard hitting, affordable, and enduring brand... ProSupps is a good option.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 6g L-Citrulline - Converts to arginine to aid in nitric oxide production
- 5g Creatine Monohydrate - A popular ingredient used to aid in overall power output
- 4g Beta-Alanine - Increases endurance
- 2g Betaine Anhydrous - may increase power output
- 2g L-Tyrosine - a well-researched amino acid with many benefits. May be good for fat loss, focus, and stress
- 400mg Caffeine Anhydrous - increased energy
- 400mg Pink Himalayan Salt - improved hydration/pumps
Bottom Line:
ProSupps Mr. Hyde Signature is a great pre-workout for those who like to grab their supps along with their groceries. This one is available at Costco, and is one of the best formulated pre-workouts you can expect from these stores.
When Should I Use A Pre-Workout Supplement
Due to the fact that you're on a budget, you need to keep in-mind that a pre-workout supplement does not need to be a daily thing. In fact, not to deter you, but a pre-workout supplement is not needed by anyone. They are nice to have. If you truly are trying to make your supplements last longer, then using them as needed, especially in the case of a pre-workout supplement is best.
On days that you need that extra boost and that extra focus/pump, use a pre-workout supplement. If you feel great and a cup of coffee may provide all the energy you need, awesome.
A pre-workout supplement is much more than caffeine. It can provide performance enhancing features like strength gains, power output, prolonged endurance, muscle recovery and more. You need to do your own financial assessment to determine if you can afford a daily pre-workout supplement.
Due to this, we made sure that each of our top 5 rated cheapest pre-workout supplements would come in at under $2 per serving.
Let's GOOOO!
Our Pre-Workout Supplement Testing Process
We examined five different areas of each pre-workout supplement when we compiled our rankings:
- Ingredients Profile
- Effectiveness
- Taste
- Mixability
- Value
Ingredients Profile
When we review each pump activating supplement on their ingredient profile, we look at the active ingredients being used and their dosages.
Many pre-workout supplements include a variety of beneficial ingredients, but under dose them proving to be non-effective.
Effectiveness
Effectiveness is an extension of ingredient profile. If the product uses proven ingredients at clinically suggested dosages, the product should be effective.
Everyone is different. Everyone takes to different ingredients differently at varying dosages. We have tried and tested each of these products throughout the full duration of their container to ensure these products are effective over their life.
Taste
We review taste on two different components. First, how close does the muscle pump supplement taste to the actual name printed on the label. For example, does Blue Raz actually taste like blue raspberry. Second, we review it on overall taste (in our opinion) versus others in the same flavor category.
Mixability
Mixability refers to how well does the product mix in 8-12oz of water. The testing process for a pump activating drink we use here is a generic Blender Bottle with the chrome spiral ball. We use regular tap water with no ice.
Value
Value is a combination of ingredient profile, effectiveness, taste, mixability and cost. We do not just look at the price tag like a lot of others do. If a product is priced at a premium, we inform you if it is worth the premium price or not based on all the categories. We look at the overall picture of the pre-workout supplement, and how it compares to other pre-workout supplements on the market.
Please Note: Many of the “top 10” lists you find online are written by content writers with no in-gym or supplement experience who are paid by the word count to write an article for a website trying to generate money.
These lists are influenced by brands who pay for placement. These lists contain pump activating supplements that are, for the lack of a better word, garbage.
The following products on our best of list were used by the author of this article. He used the pump activating supplements through the duration of a full container. Sample packs were not used in determining the rankings of the best pump producing supplements.
Stop relying on faulty information that is influenced by outside writers and money. This list is the real deal. Here at Fitness Informant, we don’t steer you wrong. Be Informed. Live Fit.
