Non-stim fat burners are supplements that may help you increase your fat burn without any stimulant ingredients, like caffeine. The best fat burners can potentially help in a fat loss journey when used judiciously — and we emphasize the word ‘judiciously,’ meaning consumed alongside a calorie deficit and exercise routine.
Most fat burner products contain stimulants, like caffeine. But plenty of people are a little sensitive to these ingredients, or they want to take their pills at night without messing up their sleep. Non-stimulant fat burners are out there, but they can be hard to find. Not to worry — we’ve put together a list of the best non-stimulant fat burners on the market to help support all of your fat-burning needs without any of the added stimulants.
The 6 Best Non-Stim Fat Burners of 2024
- Best Non-Stim Fat Burner Overall: Transparent Labs Recomp Stim-Free
- Best Non-Stim Fat Burner for Bodybuilding: Jacked Factory Lean PM
- Best Research-Backed Non-Stim Fat Burner: Legion Phoenix Stim Free
- Best L-Carnitine: 1st Phorm L-Carnitine
- Best Berberine: Bulk Supplements Berberine HCL Powder
- Best Green Tea Extract: Thorne Green Tea Extract
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended to diagnose, prevent, and/or treat health problems. Speak with your physician before undertaking any new weight loss regimen.
Best Overall Non-Stim Fat Burner: Transparent Labs Recomp Stim-Free
Transparent Labs Recomp Stim-Free is a fat burning supplement that's totally free of stimulants, so you can take it in the evening without staying up. Transparent Labs' ingredients are third-party tested and free of artificial ingredients, too.
Specs
- Active Ingredients: Green tea leaf extract, forslean, l-theanine, capsimax
- Price: $54.99
- Capsules: 60
- Serving Size: 2 capsules
Finding the best fat burners for women or the best fat burners for men with zero stimulants can be tricky. But with its simple, yet effective ingredient list, Transparent Labs Stim-Free gets the job done — that’s why we named it the best non-stim fat burner overall.
“Recomp Stim-Free uses research-backed ingredients,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who gave the formulation a 3.5 out of 5. “Nevertheless, that doesn’t eliminate the risks associated with fat burners. Fat burners aren’t appropriate for everyone but I appreciate that this has been tested by a third-party lab.”
One serving of this non-stim fat burner packs 50 milligrams of capsimax (red pepper extract), which may help provide a thermogenic effect, meaning it can help your body burn more calories, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Nevertheless, no single ingredient can outweigh the importance of your overall diet quality.
We also like that one serving only involves two capsules. However, the brand does recommend that you take two capsules twice daily, which can be challenging for athletes who are constantly on-the-go. For that reason, we had to give the dosage convenience a 3 out of 5.
When it comes to cost, this is a pricier fat burner than some others on this list. One 60-serving bottle costs $54.99. That amounts to about $0.91, earning Transparent Labs a 3.5 out of 5 in this category. The serving size may be less than $1 but since you do need to take two servings per day, it drives the price up.
Read our full Transparent Labs Stim-Free Fat Burner Review.
Best Non-Stim Fat Burner for Bodybuilding: Jacked Factory Lean PM
This non-stimulant fat burner includes ingredients like melatonin and l-theanine, which may be able to support improved sleep. We also like that you only need to take two capsules once a day, making it more convenient than others.
Specs
- Active Ingredients: L-theanine, green tea extract, melatonin, vitamin B6, magnesium, bioperine
- Price: $34.99
- Capsules: 60
- Serving Size: 2 capsules
Even when taking the best protein powders, retaining muscle while losing fat is tricky. Thankfully, the ingredients of Jacked Factory Lean PM may help you keep your hard-earned gains. In one dose, you get 200 milligrams of l-theanine, which can help promote mental clarity and focus — a must for bodybuilding workouts, which tend to include long high-rep sets, per the Cleveland Clinic.
“Lean PM contains evidence-based ingredients in small amounts,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who gave the formulation a 3 out of 5. “Also, sleep aids aren’t suitable for everyone in the long term, which is good to know.”
This formula has a variety of ingredients with zero fillers or dyes, including 300mg of green tea extract, which can help promote weight loss, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Paired with five milligrams of melatonin and 150mg of magnesium — two ingredients that may help promote good sleep, according to the National Sleep Foundation — this non-stim fat burner is ideal before bed.
You only have to take two capsules per serving once daily right before bed, making it easy to consistently take this supplement. Our team gave the dosage convenience a 5 out of 5, as many other fat burners involve multiple servings daily.
When it comes to cost, this isn’t the most budget-friendly pick. One 30-serving bottle costs $34.99, which is about $1.16 per serving. Our team gave the value category a 3 out of 5, as you can find cheaper products on this list.
Best Research-Backed Non-Stim Fat Burner: Legion Phoenix Stim-Free
Legion's Phoenix comes with an extra absorbable form of synephrine and a high dosage of EGCG to promote its fat-burning properties. Each five-capsule serving provides 834 milligrams of Citrus Aurantium.
Specs
- Active Ingredients: 5-HTP, caralluma fimbriata, l-dopa, forskolin
- Price: $49.97
- Capsules: 90
- Serving Size: 3 capsules
If you’re putting something in your body and spending your hard-earned money on a supplement, you probably want to ensure that the ingredients are backed by research. That’s why we really like Legion Phoenix Stim Free.
“The caffeine-free version of Legion Phoenix scores a 3.75 out of 5,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “For a fat burner, it contains an impressive list of ingredients with science-backed doses.”
For anyone wondering how to burn fat, this option from Legion is about as good as it gets for a product that is supported by the literature. The combination of ingredients is supported by somewhat promising peer-reviewed studies and features seven ingredients with clinically effective doses. There are ingredients meant to reduce appetite like caralluma fimbriata (1,000mg) and 5-HTP (150mg).
You’ll also find ingredients to potentially aid in calorie burning — 50mg of forskolin, 100mg of black ginger, and 153mg of manuca pruriens. Phoenix is free of caffeine, so you don’t have to worry about becoming jittery or disturbing your sleep. If you want to read the research, Legion has it readily available on their website. And here’s good news for vegetarians — they’re vegetable capsules, so they’re acceptable for people avoiding animal products.
When it comes to dosage, though, we had to give this product a 3 out of 5, as it’s not the most convenient. You need to take three capsules per serving, which can be a lot of pills to take at once, especially if you’re taking other supplements.
If you won’t settle for just any fat burner and want only ingredients that are supported by the research then you will like Legion Phoenix Stim Free. Its seven clinically dosed ingredients are supported by emerging peer-reviewed studies and priced well to boot.
[Related: Nutrition For Bulking: 10 Tips For Intelligent Muscle Gain]
Best L-Carnitine: 1st Phorm L-Carnitine
1st Phorm packs 1,500 milligrams of L-carnitine in this supplement. Unlike most other fat burners, this is actually a powder, so you can mix it with your other powdered supplements. It also has a pretty budget-friendly price per serving.
Specs
- Active Ingredients: l-carnitine l-tartrate, green tea leaf extract, fucoxanthin
- Price: $42.99
- Servings: 60
- Serving Size: One scoop
1st Phorm’s L-Carnitine isn’t solely a fat burner-focused supplement, though, with a caloric deficit and exercise routine, it may be able to help promote fat loss. Larger studies are still needed to directly associate carnitine with weight loss, though, according to the NIH. That being said, the 1,500-milligram serving does meet the clinically-supported dose.
“The 1,500 milligrams of l-carnitine is very close to the researched recommendation of 2,000 milligrams daily,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who gave the formulation a 3.5 out of 5. “However, it may be overdoing it, as l-carnitine is found in various food sources. Plus, it contains artificial sweeteners that many people cannot tolerate.”
Unlike the other products on this list, 1st Phorm’s L-Carnitine is a powder, which comes in five different flavors, including Grape, Berry Lemonade, Strawberry Mango, Orange Sunrise, and Pineapple Coconut. We gave the convenience a 4 out of 5, as you can combine it with other powders.
The price point for this product is budget-friendly. One 60-serving container costs $42.99, which is about $0.71 per serving. Our team gave this one a 4.5 out of 5 for cost per serving, though it is recommended to take two scoops per day.
Best Berberine: BulkSupplements Berberine HCL Powder
BulkSupplements Berberine HCL powder only has one ingredient — berberine HCL. You can buy this product in bulk sizes to save money but at only $0.21 per serving for the smallest container, we still think this one is extremely budget-friendly.
Specs
- Active Ingredients: Berberine HCl
- Price: $21.96
- Servings: 100
- Serving Size: About ⅕ tsp
This product contains only one ingredient with zero additives: berberine. BulkSupplements keeps this product simple without any artificial ingredients or sweeteners. Berberine is found in a variety of plants and has been thought to have weight-loss-benefit properties, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“There’s still so much to learn about berberine and its effects on fat loss,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who gave the formulation a 2.5 out of 5. “In addition to the limited research, the potential for medication interactions really gives me pause. Plus, it’s not third-party tested.”
Our team gave the dosage convenience a 3.5 out of 5, though, as this doesn’t come with a scooper. And considering the serving size is one fifth of a teaspoon, a food scale may be needed. However, as its an unflavored supplement, it can mix well with others.
When it comes to cost, this product earned a 5 out of 5. One 50-gram container contains 100 servings and only costs $21.96. That’s about $0.21 per serving, which is probably manageable for most athletes.
Best Green Tea Extract: Thorne Green Tea Extract
Thorne packs 250 milligrams of green tea extract in just one capsule of this supplement to help potentially increase your body fat burn. Our team also loves that this supplement is available on Amazon Prime for quick delivery.
Specs
- Active Ingredients: Green tea phytosome
- Price: $30
- Servings: 60
- Serving Size: Once capsule
Green tea extract is probably one of the most popular fat-burner ingredients and this one is actually decaffeinated, making it suitable for all times of the day. For athletes who want a non-stim product without diving into a full-on fat burner, Thorne’s green tea extract may be a good first step.
“The research has shown that green tea may offer many benefits for the average healthy adult,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RND, who gave the formulation a 4 out of 5. “However, it doesn’t come without risks and should be discussed with your doctor before adding it to your supplement routine.”
While consuming green tea for weight loss is safe for most, some experts warn that green tea extracts can have negative effects on the liver for some individuals, Bourgeois says. So, if you’re taking any other medications or have any concerns, it’s best to first consult your doctor.
When it comes to dosage convenience, we gave this product a 3.5 out of 5. Although the serving size is only one capsule, Thorne does recommend taking multiple servings, which isn’t the most convenient.
One bottle of 60 servings only costs $30, which is only $0.50 per serving. However, seeing as you need to take up to three servings per day, that’s really more like $1.50 per day. So, in this category, our team gave Thorne a 3.5 out of 5.
How We Tested and Chose the Best Non-Stim Fat Burners
When selecting the best non-stim fat burners for this list, our team applied BarBend‘s supplement testing methodology to consider a number of factors, including ingredients and dosing. Fat burners are not a crucial supplement to add to your supplement stack and for some athletes, they’re not suitable at all. But if you want to give them a try, we’re here to help you make the most educated (and effective) purchase.
- Dosage: Although some fat burners may have solid ingredients, it doesn’t matter if the dosage is lower than what’s clinically effective. Our team looked closely at ingredients but also the amount of each ingredient that’s provided.
- Proprietary Blends: When fat burners have proprietary blends, it’s hard to know how much of each ingredient you’re getting. Our team favored non-stim fat burners that rely on precise and transparent information over options with proprietary blends.
- Price: Some fat burners can be extremely pricey, as they contain more ingredients and higher doses. Yet, that may not fit into everyone’s budget. So, we made a conscious effort to provide variety.
- Third-Party Testing: We tried our best to prioritize third-party tested products. This helps ensure that the supplement actually reflects what’s on the ingredient label.
The Benefits of Non-Stim Fat Burners
While there are many potential benefits to supplementing with a fat burner, non-stim fat burners offer their own unique benefits. Whether you’re looking to increase thermogenesis, boost fat oxidation, achieve a higher metabolic rate, decrease appetite, or just avoid the poor sleep that may occur when you take stimulants, we detail each potential benefit below.
- Decreased Appetite: Although counting macros for weight loss can be a good strategy, a supplement that may help decrease your appetite can be a helpful tool, as well.
- Non-Stimulant: There are many potential benefits to choosing the non-stim route, and it may be the best choice for you if you enjoy getting your stimulants from a caffeine source like coffee, or if you’re on medications that are already loaded with stimulants.
- Increased Dietary Thermogenesis: A thermogenic aid may increase thermogenesis, and therefore, potentially increase calories burned. This includes energy expenditure from ingesting, digesting, and processing the food we eat. (13)
- Increased Fat Oxidation: Fat oxidation is the process that breaks down fat stores in the body (triglycerides). In order for the body to target fat oxidation over other types of energy, you need to work out at moderate intensity (or 45-65% VO2max) endurance training that lasts less than two hours or longer. (1) Fat oxidation may also be supported by some fat-burning supplements.
What to Avoid in Non-Stim Fat Burners
As with the best pre-workout supplements, sometimes, even non-stim fat burners can contain ingredients you may want to avoid. For example, some non-stimulant fat burners have mild doses of caffeine, which can have a negative effect on people who are very caffeine-sensitive. Also, keep an eye out for substances you might be allergic to, since ingredient lists don’t always contain an ingredient’s common name. Finally, athletes should keep an eye out for banned substances.
Small Doses of Stimulants
Occasionally, you’ll find smaller amounts of caffeine even in non-stim fat burners. They’re included to help provide a boost of energy, however small, to the mix. While 50 to 80mg may not affect most people, those who are sensitive to caffeine should keep an eye out for it when shopping for a fat burner.
Allergens
Two common ingredients in fat burners are cayenne pepper and black pepper extracts. Both of these ingredients can help speed up metabolism; black pepper has the added benefit of potentially helping the body’s digestion and absorption.
However, some people are allergic to one or both of these ingredients, and should look for fat burners that don’t contain them. Be careful when reading ingredient lists, because often, they’ll be listed as the ingredients’ brand names or active chemicals like bioperine or capsaicin.
Banned Substances
If you’re an athlete or anyone else who may be tested for banned substances, you should know that some fat burners contain substances that could get you popped. For instance, Hordenine HCl, a chemical naturally found in barley, is a common ingredient in fat-burners, but is banned in many competitions, as well as by the Department of Defense. If you’re competing its worthwhile to check out the list of banned supplements to ensure you’re not getting disqualified.
How Much Do Non-Stim Fat Burners Cost?
Non-stim fat burners vary in their design, purpose, and ingredient list, which will affect the price point of each product. This list ranges in price from around $0.33 to $2.00 per serving, with many of the higher-priced products offering a more robust ingredient list.
| Best Non-Stim Fat Burner Overall | Transparent Labs Recomp Stim-Free | $54.99 |
| Best Non-Stim Fat Burner for Bodybuilding | Jacked Factory Lean PM | $26.99 |
| Best Research-Backed Non-Stim Fat Burner | Legion Phoenix Stim-Free | $49.99 |
| Best L-Carnitine | 1st Phorm L-Carnitine | $42.99 |
| Best Berberine | Bulk Supplements Berberine HCL Powder | $21.96 |
| Best Green Tea Extract | Thorne Green Tea Extract | $28.50 |
What To Consider Before Buying Non-Stim Fat Burners
These products are prone to exaggeration on the part of the manufacturers and wishful thinking by consumers. Make sure you’re mindful of these points.
Know Your Calories
Way too many people think adding a fat burner, with no other changes to their diet, will produce a six-pack. Fat burners might help burn some extra calories, but if you don’t know how many calories you’re burning, it’s a moot point. While any of the best macro calculators can help you pinpoint your ideal calorie consumption, adding a fat burner might give you some support.
Manage Your Expectations
It’s generally understood that a pound of fat loss per week is very fast, and you can maybe get to two pounds if you’re quite overweight or obese. Anyone who says they lost 20 pounds in a month is exaggerating — you need to be patient.
Exercise Regularly
Many of the ingredients linked to fat oxidation produce their best results with a solid exercise routine: They’re meant to increase the amount of fat burned during exercise.
In addition, exercise helps to burn more calories and improve body composition. Taking a fat burner without a workout routine may produce suboptimal results.
Speak to a Physician
This is absolutely key. It would be best if you never made any changes to your diet or exercise regimen without first speaking to a doctor. This is especially the case with easily misunderstood supplements like fat burners.
Best Non-Stim Fat Burners FAQs
What is the best non-stim fat burner?
With such a plethora of options to choose from, we’re big fans of the simple yet effective formula of Jacked Factory Lean-PM. This transparent product features ingredients intended to promote thermogenesis and help increase your calorie burn, like cayenne pepper extract. You’ll also find a dose of green tea extract, which may provide clean energy and burn fat. All that plus a cost-effective price tag make this a solid pick for anyone interested in a stim-free fat burner.
Are non-stim fat burners still effective?
Yes; although caffeine may be a helpful fat burning ingredient, there are many non-stimulant fat burning ingredients available that also have the potential to help you reduce body fat. Some of the ingredients you’ll find in these non-stim fat burners are chromium, cayenne pepper which is also called capsicum, carnitine, and choline.
Why would I choose a non-stim fat burner over one with stimulants?
There are several reasons someone may opt for a stim-free fat burner. Some people may be sensitive to stimulants and choose not to include them in their diet. Some may prefer to get their caffeine intake from coffee or a caffeinated tea. Others may not like how stimulants make them feel later in the day. There is no right or wrong answer; it just boils down to what makes the most sense for your lifestyle choices.
What are the downsides of a stim-free fat burner?
Although there are no technical “downsides” as non-stim fat burners can be just as effective as fat-burners with stimulants, the only thing you’d be missing out on is another potential avenue for fat burning, as well as the heightened sense of alertness or focus some people receive from caffeine.
How much do stim-free fat burners cost?
Stim-free fat burners can range in price, and on this list alone, you’ll find a range between around $0.33 and $2.00 per serving. The average price we found was about $1.12 per serving.
References
- Purdom, T., Kravitz, L., Dokladny, K. et al. Understanding the factors that effect maximal fat oxidation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 15, 3 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0207-1
- Himms-Hagen J. Role of thermogenesis in the regulation of energy balance in relation to obesity. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 1989 Apr;67(4):394-401. doi: 10.1139/y89-063. PMID: 2667732.
- Purdom T, Kravitz L, Dokladny K, Mermier C. Understanding the factors that effect maximal fat oxidation. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2018 Jan 12;15:3. doi: 10.1186/s12970-018-0207-1. PMID: 29344008; PMCID: PMC5766985.
