Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Review: Would Buyers Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test this powder in person or in a lab. This verdict is based on our analysis of expert reviews, retailer ratings and published research summaries, all listed at the end of this article. We did not find a public independent lab test of this exact tub, and we say so below. Our method.
A simple, research-backed creatine most buyers reorder
Creatine monohydrate is one of the best-studied sports supplements, and the International Society of Sports Nutrition found no serious side effects at studied doses. Optimum Nutrition's version is plain micronized creatine at 5 g per serving. Garage Gym Reviews scored it 4.65 out of 5 and Walmart buyers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across thousands of ratings. Gripes are small: slight grit if you do not stir, an unflavored taste some find sour or salty, and no scoop in some tubs. If you want plain creatine from a well-known brand, this is an easy rebuy.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- do regular strength or high-intensity training
- want plain, single-ingredient creatine to add to any drink
- prefer a large, well-known sports nutrition brand
Skip it if you…
- want a flavored or ready-to-drink product
- have kidney disease or take medicines that affect the kidneys (ask a doctor first)
- need a specific sport-certification logo on the tub (check the current label)
This review summarizes buyer experiences and published research and is not medical advice. Dietary supplements are not evaluated by the FDA to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before starting a supplement, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take medication, have kidney problems or another health condition, or are under 18.
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate is an unflavored powder. Each serving is 5 g of creatine monohydrate, about one rounded teaspoon. "Micronized" means the particles are ground finer so the powder mixes more easily.
We looked at hands-on expert reviews, retailer ratings and research summaries to see what buyers say after months of use.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key details
| Form | Unflavored micronized powder |
|---|---|
| Serving | 5 g creatine monohydrate (about one rounded teaspoon) |
| Ingredients | Creatine monohydrate only |
| Scoop | Not always included, per reviewers |
| Supply | 120-serving tub lasts about four months at 5 g a day |
What buyers love
What buyers complain about
What the research says
Creatine monohydrate has strong research behind it. In its 2017 position stand, the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) said creatine provides performance benefits across groups from adolescents to older adults, with no clinically significant or serious side effects reported, including in studies lasting several years. The authors found no compelling evidence that it harms kidney function in healthy people, though anyone with kidney disease should talk to a doctor first.
Creatine works best alongside regular training. It is not a shortcut, and results vary from person to person. Expect a small gain in scale weight from water held in muscle.
Testing and quality
Garage Gym Reviews says the product is tested for banned substances, and Adam Kemp Fitness notes NSF- and ISO-certified manufacturing facilities. Neither names a specific sport certification program, so competitive athletes should check the current label for the logo their sport requires.
Tips from buyers
- Take 3 to 5 g a day. Reviewers say a loading phase is optional.
- Split big doses if you load, since 10 g or more at once can upset the stomach.
- Stir well or use a shaker to avoid grit.
- Use a flavored drink if you dislike the plain taste.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Creatine is one of the best-researched supplements
- Single ingredient, no fillers
- Mixes fairly easily
- High expert and retailer ratings
- A tub lasts months
What owners complain about
- Unflavored only, can taste sour or salty
- Slight grit if not stirred well
- Scoop not always included
- Some users report bloating
Other creatine powders buyers compare
These are popular plain creatine monohydrate powders.
| Product | Style | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine (this review) | Unflavored micronized powder | You want plain creatine from a big sports brand | See on Amazon |
| Thorne Creatine | Unflavored powder | You prefer a premium supplement brand | See on Amazon |
| Nutricost Micronized Creatine | Unflavored micronized powder | You want a budget bulk option | See on Amazon |
Adding creatine to your training?
Check current tub sizes on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I take?
The serving is 5 g. Reviewers suggest 3 to 5 g a day, with an optional short loading phase. Ask a doctor if you have a health condition.
Do I need to load creatine?
No. Loading is optional; a steady daily dose also works over a few weeks.
Is creatine bad for your kidneys?
The ISSN found no compelling evidence of harm to kidney function in healthy people. People with kidney disease should check with a doctor.
Will it make me gain weight?
Creatine draws water into muscle, so a small rise in scale weight is common.
Does it come with a scoop?
Not always. Reviewers say to measure one rounded teaspoon for about 5 g.
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Sources we analyzed
- Garage Gym Reviews: Optimum Nutrition Creatine review — scores, mixability, taste, testing, side effects
- Adam Kemp Fitness: Optimum Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate review — long-term use, grit, scoop, manufacturing
- Walmart: Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine, 120 servings — rating
- NutraIngredients: Experts confirm safety and efficacy of creatine — ISSN position stand on safety and kidneys
Figures reflect each source as of October 13, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.