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BCAA drinks are among the most widely used fitness supplements for a couple of important reasons. A big one is that they make it easier and more delicious to stay hydrated!

Of course, they also isolate the most important amino acids for building and maintaining lean muscle—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—in thirst-quenching drink powders that happen to taste like the sugary drinks that you might be craving anyway.

See what all the fuss is about and become a BCAA devotee with the best amino blends, recommended by discerning lifters and athletes.

How We Choose the Best BCAAs

BCAAs are so common these days that it's important to make sure the ones you choose have a good nutrient profile and aren't just glorified, sugar-filled sports drinks—and have flavors that make you excited to reach for them every day. We chose these specific products based on the following criteria:

  • Ingredients: Do the amino acids and other ingredients come from quality sources? Are the formulas well-balanced and transparent?
  • Customer Feedback: We know that the people in our fitness community are true connoisseurs of BCAAs and swap flavors and formulas like fine wines.
  • Flavor: These are the ones that lifters order over and over again—not the ones that end up sitting there collecting dust.
  • Value: Are these products giving you the best bang for your buck? Do they deserve a spot in your fitness budget?
Drink BCAAs daily? You'll want this.
Drink BCAAs daily? You'll want this.
With Subscribe and Gain's convenient subscription service, you'll never run out of your favorite BCAAs again. And delivery is on us!

Best Value: Bodybuilding.com Signature BCAA

Signature BCAA
  • Rating: 4.1 out of 5 
  • Main ingredients: L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine (3:1:1 ratio), electrolytes 

Bodybuilding.com Signature Signature BCAA Amino Acids helps you recover after intense workouts with 5g of amino acids that prevent muscle breakdown. This great-tasting supplement is a refreshing drink, whether you sip on it before, during, or after exercising. You won’t find it hard to meet your hydration goals with this product. The price is right, too.

Flavors: Rocket Pop, Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Cotton Candy, Sour Gummy

Flavor That Packs a Punch!
Flavor That Packs a Punch!
These amino acids are the key to preventing muscle breakdown after intense workouts.

Best Overall BCAA Product: Xtend Original BCAA

XTEND Original BCAA
  • Rating: 4.4 out of 5
  • Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ratio), citrulline malate, electrolytes

The first BCAA blend to really explode on the lifting scene, Xtend continues to rule the roost. Its top-selling formula contains 7 grams of combined BCAAs plus electrolytes and vitamin B6 for energy and hydration. With a rainbow of innovative flavors—including some that go great in mocktails—you can choose something different for every gym day so you never grow bored.*



Flavors: Blue Raspberry Ice (7.2), Glacial Grape (7.9), Italian Blood Orange (7.1), Lemon-Lime Squeeze (9.0), Strawberry Kiwi Splash (7.7), Tropic Thunder (7.2)

Better Workouts, Better Taste, Better BCAAs
Better Workouts, Better Taste, Better BCAAs

Best BCAA Blend: Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy

Amino Energyy
  • Rating: 4.5 out of 5 
  • Main ingredients: Proprietary Amino Acid Blend, Energy Blend with Caffeine from Green Tea, electrolytes 

Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy provides the energy and the focus you need to blast through your workouts with 100 mg of caffeine and 5 mg of amino acids to support your muscle recovery afterward without crashing. It has only 2 g of carbs, 10 calories, and zero sugar. You also have 15 tasty flavors from which to choose.

Flavors: Concord Grape, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, Fruit Fusion, Simply Raspberry Lemonade, Simply Watermelon, Green Apple, Pineapple, Blueberry Mojito, Strawberry Lime, Cotton Candy, Peach Lemonade, Orange Cooler, Juicy Strawberry Burst, Lemon Lime

Essential AmiN.O. Energy, 30 Servings
Essential AmiN.O. Energy, 30 Servings
Train Longer and Harder with Intense Energy and Focus*

Best BCAA Product for Recovery: JYM Supplement Science JYM BCAAs

JYM BCAAs
  • Rating: 9.8 out of 10
  • Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ratio)

Jim Stoppani's scientifically rigorous JYM BCAAs blend is dosed specifically to help you recover effectively from the toughest lifting sessions. The transparent ingredient profile is formulated to support muscle protein synthesis between meals and workouts, thereby promoting recovery and growth. Sip it post-workout and on rest days to blast into your next session fully charged.*

Flavors: Green Apple Candy (7.5), Peach Rings (10)

JYM BCAAs: Effective Recovery, Serious Results
JYM BCAAs: Effective Recovery, Serious Results
Our community loves JYM's nostalgic candy flavors and how easily JYM BCAAs stack with other JYM products.

Best BCAA Product for Energy: EVLUTION NUTRITION BCAA Energy

EVL BCAA Energy Amino Acids
  • Rating: 9.4 out of 10
  • Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ration), beta-alanine, caffeine (110mg)

This multi-benefit powerhouse takes the place of your BCAA and pre-workout in one, making it a great supplement value that simplifies your routine. BCAA Energy's fully-loaded formula combines premium aminos with natural energy from green coffee and green tea, plus ingredients to maximize recovery, energy, and endurance.*

It's a perfect afternoon pick-me-up, but also works to prime your body and mind for training.



Flavors: Blue Raz (9.1), Cherry Limeade (9.4), Furious Grape (9.2)

Energy + Recovery: The Best of Both Worlds!
Energy + Recovery: The Best of Both Worlds!
BCAA ENERGY is the best-selling, naturally energized Branched Chain Amino Acid drink that offers all-in-one energy, focus, muscle building and recovery support.

Best for Endurance: BSN AminoX BCAA

BSN AMINOX BCAA
  • Rating: 4.5 out of 5 
  • Main ingredients: L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-valine (2:1:1 ratio), citrulline malate, electrolytes 

BSN AminoX BCAA hits it out of the park with a 10-gram Amino Acid Infusion with its Micronized BCAA Blend to support endurance and post-recovery. It is the first instantized effervescent BCAA formula that makes its four tasty flavors pop. It makes an excellent pre-workout drink that is easy to mix. Get ready for a welcome energy boost!

Flavors: Blue Raz, Grape, Watermelon, Fruit Punch 

BSN AminoX BCAA
BSN AminoX BCAA
Offered in five refreshing flavors, AMINOx provides you with versatile, nutritional support for any type of workout regimen.

Best Weight Management: EVL BCAA Lean Energy

EVLUTION NUTRITION BCAA LEAN ENERGY
  • Rating: 4.7 out of 5 
  • Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ratio), beta-alanine, BCAA Lean Matrix, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, caffeine, electrolytes 

EVL BCAA Lean Energy will set your weight management goals on fire with a proprietary blend of BCAAs, vitamins for recovery, and caffeine to take your endurance to the next level. It also contains 500 mg CLA and 500 mg carnitine to help you get the most out of your workouts to build lean muscle mass and sustain your energy the whole day.

Flavors: Furious Grape, Fruit Punch, Blue Raz, Cherry Limeade

EVL BCAA Lean Energy
EVL BCAA Lean Energy
Make BCAA LEAN ENERGY your fuel for anytime energy, fat burning and performance.

Best BCAA Product for Weight Management: RSP Nutrition AminoLean Amino Acids

RSP Nutrition AminoLean Amino Acids
  • Rating: 9.6 out of 10
  • Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ration), L-carnitine, CLA, green coffee bean extract, caffeine (130mg)

One of our best-selling supplements, AminoLean is our top choice for anyone launching into a weight-loss fitness plan. Natural caffeine and tea compounds provide smooth energy and support appetite, and the amino acid blend fuels your muscles without adding calories. It all adds up to help you crush your fat-burning workouts while making it easier to stick to your nutrition plan. Over 3,000 reviewers know what they're talking about!*



Flavors: Blackberry Pomegranate (9.4), Blue Raspberry (9.6), Fruit Punch (9.4), Pink Lemonade (9.3), Watermelon (9.3)

Burn Fat and Recover Fast
Burn Fat and Recover Fast
This best-selling BCAA product is a fitness game-changer! Reviewers love the wide range of flavors. (The blackberry pomegranate is seriously crave-worthy.)

Best Hydration: RSP Amino Lean

RSP NUTRITION AMINOLEAN RECOVERY
  • Rating: 4.6 out of 5 
  • Main ingredients: Leucine, isoleucine, valine (2:1:1 ratio), EAA Blend, vitamin C, vitamin D3, calcium, magnesium, electrolytes 

RSP Amino Lean goes the extra mile with extra nutritional support from calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3, and other nutrients to fuel your workouts and speed your recovery. It has no sugar, carbs, or calories. It also contains 5 g of BCAAs and essential amino acids to support muscle growth and maintenance. The supplement mixes well and comes in three yummy flavors.

Flavors: Blue Raspberry, Blood Orange, Tropical Island Punch

RSP Nutrition AminoLean Amino Acids
RSP Nutrition AminoLean Amino Acids
AminoLean is an all-in-one energy, weight management, and recovery pre-workout for women & men.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author

Shoshanna Cohen

Shoshanna Cohen

Shoshanna Cohen is a Content Editor at Bodybuilding.com.

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