Unlike some of the best pre-workout supplements, fat burners aren’t the most ubiquitous part of every athlete’s supplement cabinet. However, as Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD states, “Even in a calorie deficit, weight loss can be a stubborn opponent.” The best fat burners can act as a final push over the finish line toward your weight loss goals, providing effective assistance to your metabolic rate, energy levels, appetite control, and more.
With the help of Jillian Kubala, RDN, we’ve tested and examined a variety of fat-burning pills, powders, and compounds to curate this guide to the best fat burner supplements on the market today. Using our supplement testing methodology, we critiqued and rated each product across multiple factors, including:
- Listed ingredients: What are the primary ingredients in each formulation, and how can they influence fat loss?
- Dosages: Are the included ingredients dosed adequately to promote positive effects?
- Third-party testing: Has the product been tested by an independent lab to ensure its label accuracy?
- Value: Do the effects and included serving sizes warrant the listed price tag of each supplement?
The BarBend team has helped connect over 1.6 million athletes with high-quality nutritional supplements to support their fitness and wellness goals. If you’re considering adding a fat burner to your regimen, we’re here to help you evaluate how the product aligns with your personal health goals and needs.
The 6 Best Fat Burners of 2026
- Best Fat Burner Overall : 1st Phorm 1-Db Overdrive & Thyro-drive
- Best Natural Fat Burner : Transparent Labs Body Recomp Fat Burner
- Best Fat Burner for Women : Legion Phoenix Fat Burner without Stimulants
- Best Fat Burner for Men : Jacked Factory Burn XT
- Best Non-Stim Fat Burner : Transparent Labs Body Recomp Stim-Free
- Best Thermogenic Fat Burner : PhenQ
Top Deals
- Legion – BOGO 50% off sitewide
Medical Disclaimer About Fat Burners
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 for the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine.
Best Fat Burners Video Review
Be sure to check out our best fat burners video for an even more in-depth analysis of this supplement.
Best Fat Burner Overall: 1st Phorm 1-Db Overdrive & Thryo-Drive
1st Phorm 1-Db Overdrive & Thyro-Drive has a well-researched core of ingredients and supplement blend, making it a solid pick for anyone without underlying health concerns who wants extra weight-loss support during a calorie deficit. At $99.99 for a four-week supply of both products, it’s an investment, but for a structured two-product fat burner stack.
Best Natural Fat Burner: Transparent Labs Recomp
Best Fat Burner for Women: Legion Phoenix Fat Burner Without Stimulants
Why We Like It
As mentioned before, there’s no one fat burner supplement that’s biologically engineered for women more than men — most ingredients work the same across genders. However, we do recommend Legion Phoenix Fat Burner Without Stimulants as the best fat burner for women, thanks to its blend of appetite-suppressing and metabolism-boosting ingredients, which may align with common women’s fat-loss goals. Still, this product can be just as effective for men, too.
This is a pretty complete fat burner, earning a 3.75 out of 5 for formula, according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “Legion Phoenix supplies the body with many important nutrients, many of which can help support weight management efforts,” she says.
It’s got 5-HTP, caralluma fimbriata, and forskolin, which all may help increase your metabolism, suppress your appetite, and burn body fat. 5-HTP may not be safe for everyone, though, according to Jillian Kubala, RDN. People taking certain medications (like SSRIs, MAOIs, or tricyclic antidepressants) should check with a doctor before taking this supplement.
“While they may offer some benefits, herbal natural ingredients aren’t appropriate for everyone,” Kubala adds. So, if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking other medications, you may want to chat with a doctor or steer clear of this product.
In addition to these less common ingredients, this fat burner also contains 200 milligrams of caffeine and a dose of B vitamins, which are more common in fat burning supplements. Plus, you’ll find a kick of L-DOPA, which can help increase focus and reduce brain fog — a great asset if you are hitting your workouts hard in the gym. Plus, we score the versatility a 4 out of 5 since you can purchase Legion Phoenix in a stim-free formulation, perfect for avoiding any jitters while also dealing with evening workout struggles.
One 30-serving bottle is $49.99, which is about $1.67 per serving, earning Phoenix a 3.75 out of 5 for price. Plus, this one is available on Amazon Prime, so you can get it in a matter of days. We appreciate that each serving is three capsules, too, which allows this fat burner to be more portable than a powder. However, “if you don’t like swallowing pills, that could be a deal breaker,” adds Bourgeois.
Read our full Legion Phoenix Fat Burner Review.
Best Fat Burner for Men: Jacked Factory Burn XT
Why We Like It
There’s no one best fat burner pill that’s biologically more suited to one gender over another — your metabolism, hormone levels, and fat-loss goals are highly individual, regardless of gender. That being said, Jacked Factory Burn XT earns our title of “best fat burner for men” not because it’s formulated only for men, but because it includes several widely-used ingredients that may align with common goals like increased energy, appetite control, and fat metabolism — which many males tend to prioritize in their training and supplement routines. That said, these same ingredients may benefit athletes of any gender.
This supplement contains a few common fat burner ingredients, like l-carnitine. Although a supplement can’t do as much as a fat-loss-focused diet and workout routine, l-carnitine may help you lose weight. (2)
“I’m generally not a fan of fat burners, but this contains fewer questionable ingredients than others on the market,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who rates the formulation at 3.5 out of 5. “They should still be included mindfully and under the guidance of a doctor, if possible.”
You also get 225 milligrams of green tea leaf extract, which may help promote your weight-loss journey and control blood sugar levels. Each serving also provides 135 milligrams of caffeine, which can increase energy levels, while 25 milligrams of cayenne pepper fruit extract is intended to help increase your calorie burn through thermogenesis.
“The research on acetyl l-carnitine and fat loss is mixed, but I like that Jacked Factory is using a compound that’s naturally made in the human body as a primary ingredient,” Bourgeois says. We also like that the bottle provides supplement facts for one- and two-capsule servings. However, you do need to take two doses per day, so we score the dosage convenience at 3 out of 5.
If you are considering doubling up your dose, you’ll want to take note of the doubled caffeine content. “If you’re sensitive to caffeine, Burn XT might give you some jitters,” says Bourgeois.
We rate the cost per serving at 5 out of 5, too. Each 60-serving bottle costs about $28.54, or around $0.48 per one-capsule serving, making this fat burner fairly affordable compared to others. However, given that you need to take multiple doses per day, this does up the cost.
Best Non-Stim Fat Burner: Transparent Labs Recomp Stim-Free
Why We Like It
Most fat burner supplements contain a pretty big dose of caffeine, which isn’t exactly ideal for athletes who are sensitive to caffeine or enjoy training in the evening. Luckily, Transparent Labs Recomp offers a stim-free version that can pair perfectly to your best non-stim pre-workout for jitter-free weight loss.
“Recomp Stim-Free uses research-backed ingredients, but that doesn’t eliminate the risks associated with fat burners,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, who scores the formulation a 3.5 out of 5. “Fat burners are not appropriate for everyone, but I appreciate that Recomp Stim-Free has been tested by a third-party lab.”
Unfortunately, the dosage isn’t the most convenient when it comes to promoting effective weight loss outright. “You have to take multiple doses of Recomp Stim-Free daily to see the purported effects,” says Bourgeois. Transparent Labs recommends taking two capsules twice daily about 30 to 60 minutes before eating. We had to give this product a 3 out of 5 for dosage convenience, as you do have to keep the supplement handy multiple times per day. For those traveling or eating on-the-go, this probably isn’t too convenient. If you’re looking for a single-dose per day, we suggest looking at a fat burner supplement like Legion Phoenix.
When it comes to cost, Recomp Stim-Free isn’t the priciest pick. One serving is only about $0.92. However, our team did give this product a 4 out of 5 for cost, as you do have to take multiple servings per day. Ultimately, this drives up the price.
Best Thermogenic Fat Burner: PhenQ
PhenQ stands out as a comprehensive thermogenic fat burner backed by a multi-mechanism formulation and patented ingredients like Capsimax®. It supports fat burning, appetite control, energy, and mood. However, some active ingredients appear underdosed compared to clinical benchmarks. Use alongside a sensible diet and training, and manage stimulant timing to avoid disruption.
How We Tested and Chose the Best Fat Burners
The BarBend team is made up of competitive athletes, certified personal trainers, nutrition coaches, and lifelong fitness enthusiasts. To curate this round-up of the best fat burners available today, we tested 14 different supplements and examined each profile regarding its formulation, side effects, ease of use, and value. We then rated each fat burner’s performance on a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) in the following categories to help make our findings more digestible.
- Dosage: If an ingredient is solid, but the dosage isn’t effective, then what’s it actually doing? We strive to choose products that offer the right ingredients in the right doses that are priced accordingly.
- Proprietary Blends: We favored fat burners that rely on transparent labeling over products with proprietary blends. We want you to know what you’re getting and exactly how much.
- Price: A pricier fat burner most likely contains more ingredients and higher doses. We aimed to showcase fat burners mostly in the middle, including premium and budget options, too.
- Customer Satisfaction: While one fat burner may work wonders for your gym buddy, it may not have the same effect on your physique — sort of like a best protein powder that doesn’t perfectly align to your macro goals. With that said, we did our best to choose popular products that customers seem to enjoy and buy consistently.
- Quality: We ran all our products by an RD to make sure that we aren’t promoting any sketchy or potentially dangerous ingredients. Always check with a medical professional but these products are likely safe for most athletes.
- Third-Party Testing: Our team always prioritizes products that have been tested and verified by a third-party lab. That way, we can help ensure that you’re getting products with accurate labels.
Are Fat Burners Safe?
According to Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, one of the best practices to support your weight loss journey is to consume a well-balanced diet. “Eating a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, helps you get essential nutrients and maintain a healthy weight.” So why, then, are fat burners a popular supplement, and are they even safe?
Like even the strongest pre-workouts, fat burners can be fine to consume for most athletes, but they may not be appropriate for everyone. If you have any pre-existing conditions or are taking other medications, it’s best to double check with your physician. Below are some potential effects that could come from adding a fat burner supplement to your normal routine.
- Fat Oxidation Having your macros dialed in and training consistently should always come first, but certain ingredients in fat burners have been shown to coax your body into using (or oxidizing) stored fat. Specifically, green tea extract — well, the compound EGCG, found in green tea — and L-carnitine.
- Thermogenesis Your body burns calories (necessary for fat loss) simply by regulating normal functions, like breathing, temperature regulation, and organ function. Most fat burners include capsaicin or capsimax (extracted from chili peppers) and caffeine to increase your internal temperature. In doing so, your body works with higher intensity to cool down and burn more calories.
- Appetite Suppression Eating at a calorie deficit can be tough, especially when you need to train at a high intensity, too. This is why many fat burners contain ingredients like 5-HTP, fiber, and psyllium husk to help you feel full. That way, you’re less likely to give in to spur-of-the-moment cravings or mindless eating.
Interested in learning more about how (and if) fat burner pills really work? This video explains more.
Potential Side Effects of Fat Burner Supplements
While the FDA takes measures to ban dangerous substances from fat burners, they may still cause some unwelcome side effects. Fat burners with stimulants like caffeine or beta-alanine, for example, can cause increased heart rate, nausea, dizziness, and irregular heartbeats. Plus, ingredients in fat burners can interact with other food, medications, or other dietary supplements you may be taking.
It’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor before starting a new fat burner pill cycle, and if you do start to experience serious side effects, stop using the product immediately. People with pre-existing medical conditions or those who are taking other medications should consult a physician before trying a fat burner.
While fat burners can speed up fat loss, remember that they are designed as a supplement to (not a replacement for) a healthy, low-calorie diet and regular exercise. “Focus on whole, unprocessed foods. Prioritize protein. Move your body regularly. Stay hydrated. Make sleep a priority. Be patient and kind to yourself — weight loss is a journey, not a sprint,” adds Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD.
How Much Do Fat Burners Cost?
Fat burners are fairly inexpensive — though you need to weigh the cost of the container against the number of servings you’re getting in that container. This number will usually come out somewhere around $0.50 to $1.00 per serving (however, the premium fat burners cost around $2.00 per serving). Below, we’ve outlined the costs per serving of each fat burner supplement featured in this guide.
| Best Overall Fat Burner | 1st Phorm 1-Db Overdrive & Thyro-drive | $2.49 per serving |
| Best Natural Fat Burner | Transparent Labs Recomp | $0.92 per serving |
| Best Fat Burner for Women | Legion Phoenix Fat Burner Without Stimulants | $1.67 per serving |
| Best Fat Burner For Men | Jacked Factory Burn XT | $0.48 per serving |
| Best Non-Stim Fat Burner | Transparent Labs Recomp Stim-Free | $0.92 per serving |
| Best Thermogenic Fat Burner | PhenQ | $2.33 per serving |
What to Consider Before Buying a Fat Burner
As with most supplements, it’s important to consider your personal fitness goals before buying a product. In this case, you’ll want to weigh the types of ingredients you’re looking for, the time at which you’ll be taking your fat burner and/or exercising, and the price you’re willing to pay.
Ingredients
First and foremost, you’ll want to consider the type of potential fat burn you are looking for. As we discussed, fat burners use ingredients that may help with fat oxidation, thermogenesis, and appetite suppression. While many fat burners include ingredients that do all three of these things, oftentimes a product will lean more heavily toward one of the three in particular. Before you decide which fat burner you want to buy, you should consider which of these processes you want to prioritize. Remember, too, that fat loss is an all-encompassing process. “Many people think exercising specific body parts will reduce fat in those areas only. However, fat loss happens all over the body, not just in one spot,” notes Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD.
You’ll also want to look out for proprietary blends of ingredients. We recommend sticking to products that disclose the dosage of every ingredient in their fat burner. If a product lists a proprietary blend without the dosage, you have no way of knowing what you’re getting in your supplement or if the dosage you’re getting can be effective.
Timing
Though you can take your fat burner when you wake up in the morning to jumpstart your metabolism and reap its potential health benefits, many people choose to take their fat burners before they work out. If you are one of these people, you’ll want to consider the stimulants — like caffeine — in your fat burner. If you’re a morning workout enthusiast, great — you’re good to go. However, if you prefer to work out late at night, you may want to opt for a fat burner that doesn’t contain any stimulants. If you take a fat burner with caffeine too late in the day, it could potentially mess with your sleep. “Getting 7 to 9 hours of good quality sleep each night supports your metabolism and helps you manage a healthy weight,” states Dr. Dasgupta. “A lack of sleep or continued bad quality sleep can disrupt your hunger hormones and lead to weight gain.”
Price
Most fat burners will include the typical big hitters — cayenne pepper, caffeine sourced from green coffee and other derivatives, and green tea — but if you’re willing to dish out a little extra cash, some fat burners may also include extras like HMB or DMAE that can help with things outside of fat burn (in this case, lean muscle retention and mood).
Best Fat Burners FAQs
Are fat burners safe?
The FDA doesn’t regulate fat burners in the same way that it does other supplements. That said, most fat burners include common ingredients in reasonable doses. What you shouldn’t do is stray from the recommended dosage and take more. That won’t get you ripped faster, but it may make you ill.
Also, before you try a fat burner, it’s best to confirm with your physician that they’re safe for your body.
Do I need a fat burner?
Nope. Following your macros, training hard, and even upping your daily step count should come first. You cannot — we repeat, cannot — take only a pill or powder and expect results. If you eat well and train a few times a week, however, a fat burner may help expedite the process a little bit.
Should I take a fat burner before my cheat meal to offset the damage?
Although we know it’s a common word, we don’t love to consider eating certain foods as ‘cheating.’ With that said, if you’re going to indulge or stray from your meal plan, enjoy it. A single meal isn’t going to offset your progress.
But if you find yourself consistently craving calorie-dense, processed foods, you may want to reevaluate your daily diet and potentially add some nutritious calories to your meals.
When should I take fat burners?
Be sure to read the packaging of the specific product you buy, as it may have different recommendations. Since fat burners contain a lot of ingredients that can help supply energy (like caffeine), it may be beneficial to take them pre-workout for an added jolt of energy. (6)(7) However, be cautious, as some fat burners may cause a spike in your heart rate, and that’s not ideal when you need stability and precision to execute a heavy lift. (8)
References
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- Pooyandjoo, M., et al. “The effect of (L-)carnitine on weight loss in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Obesity Reviews, vol. 17, no. 10, 2016, pp. 970–976, https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12436.
- Ludy, Mary-Jon, and Richard D. Mattes. “The effects of hedonically acceptable red pepper doses on thermogenesis and appetite.” Physiology & Behavior, vol. 102, no. 3–4, 2011, pp. 251–258, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2010.11.018.
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- Ilyas, Zahra, et al. “The effect of berberine on weight loss in order to prevent obesity: A systematic review.” Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, vol. 127, July 2020, p. 110137, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110137.
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- Abhijeet Morde, Muralidhara Padigaru, Shalini Srivastava, Asha More, Capsimax Increases Resting Energy Expenditure in Males Under Fasting State: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Cross-Over Study, Current Developments in Nutrition, Volume 5, Supplement 2, 2021, Page 514, ISSN 2475-2991, https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzab041_029.
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