Kaged Pre-Workout Elite
21 premium ingredients including 10g L-Citrulline, 5g Creatine, 388mg organic caffeine, Alpha-GPC, and electrolytes. Informed Sport certified. ~$2.99/serving. The most complete pre-workout on the market.
- Full clinical doses of every key ingredient
- 10 patented, research-backed compounds
- Comprehensive all-in-one formula (energy, pumps, focus, power)
- Informed Sport certified with fully transparent label
- Premium price at ~$2.99/serving
- 388mg caffeine is very high for some users
Quick Verdict
Kaged Pre-Workout Elite is the most comprehensively dosed pre-workout we’ve tested. With 21 active ingredients — including 10g of L-Citrulline, 5g of creatine (two forms), 388mg of organic caffeine, and Alpha-GPC for focus — every ingredient is dosed at or above clinical levels. No proprietary blends, no pixie dusting, no guesswork. If you want the best pre-workout money can buy and you don’t mind paying for it, this is the one. 4.8/5.
What Is Kaged Pre-Workout Elite?
Kaged (formerly Kaged Muscle) has built a reputation as one of the most transparent, science-driven supplement brands in the industry. Their Pre-Workout Elite — originally launched as Pre-Kaged Elite before a brand-wide naming simplification — sits at the top of their three-tier pre-workout lineup. Where Kaged Original provides a solid mid-range formula and Kaged Sport offers a lighter option for cardio athletes, Elite is designed for lifters and athletes who want maximum performance from a single scoop.
The philosophy behind Elite is straightforward: include every ingredient that has strong research support, dose each one at the clinically studied level, use patented and tested forms, and leave nothing out. The result is a massive 36-gram scoop packed with 21 active ingredients spanning energy, focus, pumps, strength, power, endurance, and hydration. It’s effectively a pre-workout, creatine supplement, pump formula, and nootropic stack rolled into one product.
Like all Kaged products, Pre-Workout Elite is Informed Sport certified, meaning every batch is tested for over 250 banned substances. The formula contains no colors or flavors from artificial sources, no proprietary blends, and every ingredient dose is clearly listed on the label. This level of transparency is rare in the pre-workout category, where many brands hide behind proprietary blends to mask underdosed ingredients.
Key Features & Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Active Ingredients | 21 |
| Serving Size | 36g (1 scoop) |
| Calories | 25 |
| Caffeine | 388mg (PurCaf® organic + AmaTea® guayusa) |
| L-Citrulline | 10g (fermented) |
| Beta-Alanine (CarnoSyn®) | 3.2g |
| L-Tyrosine | 2.5g |
| Creatine (total) | 5g (3g monohydrate + 2g NO3-T® creatine nitrate) |
| AlphaSize® Alpha-GPC | 300mg |
| Taurine | 2g |
| elevATP® | 150mg |
| Huperzine A | 10mg (1%) |
| MAXCatalyst™ | Black pepper extract (absorption enhancer) |
| Servings Per Container | 20 |
| Price Per Serving | ~$2.99 ($2.40–$2.70 with sales/subscription) |
| Flavors Available | 5 (Cherry Limeade, Fruit Punch, Strawberry Lemonade, Orange Mango, Caribbean Sunrise) |
| Certifications | Informed Sport, Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten-Free |
Ingredient Breakdown: Why This Formula Stands Out
The headline number is 10g of L-Citrulline per scoop. Most pre-workouts include 4–6g, which is within the clinical range for nitric oxide production, but 10g puts Elite well above typical doses. Research suggests a dose-response relationship with citrulline, meaning more can equal better pumps, improved blood flow, and enhanced endurance — particularly during high-volume training. Kaged uses fermented, plant-based L-Citrulline rather than the cheaper citrulline malate blend many brands opt for.
The 5g total creatine dose is split between 3g of creatine monohydrate (the most studied form) and 2g of NO3-T® creatine nitrate, which adds a nitrate component to further support blood flow. This means you don’t need a separate creatine supplement if you’re taking Elite daily, though the 5g dose assumes daily use to maintain saturation.
Beta-Alanine is dosed at 3.2g of CarnoSyn®, the exact dose used in most clinical research showing improved muscular endurance. This will cause the characteristic tingling sensation (paresthesia) that some users love and others find distracting. There’s no way around it at this dose.
On the focus side, 300mg of AlphaSize® Alpha-GPC supports acetylcholine production — the neurotransmitter tied to focus and the mind-muscle connection. This is paired with 10mg of Huperzine A, which inhibits acetylcholine breakdown, extending the focus effects. Add 2.5g of L-Tyrosine for dopamine and norepinephrine support, and Elite’s cognitive stack is as serious as its pump formula.
The caffeine is substantial at 388mg total, combining PurCaf® organic caffeine from green coffee beans with 100mg of AmaTea® guayusa leaf extract. AmaTea® provides a slower-releasing caffeine source, which helps avoid the sharp crash that high-caffeine pre-workouts often cause. Still, 388mg is a lot — roughly equivalent to four cups of coffee. If you’re caffeine-sensitive, this product is not for you.
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- Clinical doses across the board: Every ingredient in Elite is dosed at or above the levels used in published research. There’s no pixie-dusting or label decoration. You’re getting a real dose of everything listed.
- 10 patented ingredients: Kaged uses branded, quality-verified forms like CarnoSyn®, PurCaf®, NO3-T®, AlphaSize®, BetaPower®, elevATP®, and MAXCatalyst™. These patented ingredients undergo their own quality testing beyond what generic ingredients receive.
- True all-in-one formula: Elite covers energy, focus, pumps, strength, endurance, and hydration in a single scoop. For men who currently stack separate creatine, pump, and nootropic supplements alongside their pre-workout, Elite consolidates everything.
- Informed Sport certified: Every batch is third-party tested for banned substances. This matters for competitive athletes but also signals a commitment to quality control that benefits everyone.
- Clean label: No artificial colors or flavors, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free. The ingredient list reads like a supplement science textbook, not a chemistry experiment.
What Could Be Better
- Price is steep: At ~$2.99 per serving ($59.99 for 20 servings), Elite costs roughly double what most mid-range pre-workouts charge. The subscription option brings it to ~$2.70, and sales can drop it to ~$2.40, but it’s still a premium investment. If you train 5 days a week, that’s $60–$65 per month on pre-workout alone.
- 388mg caffeine is too high for many users: There’s no getting around this. If you train in the afternoon or evening, if you weigh under 180 lbs, or if you’re sensitive to stimulants, 388mg will likely cause jitters, anxiety, or sleep disruption. You could use a half scoop, but then you’re halving every other ingredient too. For a lower-stim option from the same brand, consider Kaged Sport (188mg caffeine) or Kaged Original (274mg).
- Only 20 servings per tub: Most competitors offer 30-serving tubs at lower price points. Twenty servings means you’re buying a new tub every month if you train 5x/week.
- Beta-alanine tingles: The 3.2g CarnoSyn® dose will cause paresthesia (skin tingling) in most users. Some love it; others find it uncomfortable. There’s no reduced-tingling option at this dose.
How It Compares
Within Kaged’s own lineup, Elite is the flagship. Kaged Original (formerly Pre-Kaged) offers a solid formula with 6.5g citrulline, 274mg caffeine, and 1.5g creatine HCl at ~$2.25/serving — it’s the right choice if you want clinical-quality ingredients without the maximum doses or the maximum price. Kaged Sport brings it down further with 3.5g citrulline, 188mg caffeine, and added electrolytes at ~$1.00/serving — ideal for cardio athletes or evening trainers.
Against competitors like Transparent Labs BULK or Gorilla Mode, Elite holds its own on ingredient quality and dosing. Transparent Labs BULK offers similar citrulline and beta-alanine doses at a lower price (~$1.67/serving) but lacks the breadth of Elite’s formula (no Alpha-GPC, no creatine nitrate, no elevATP). Gorilla Mode packs high doses of several ingredients but uses some generic ingredient forms and isn’t third-party certified. Elite’s combination of dose quality, ingredient quality, and certification is unmatched in the category.
See our full Best Pre-Workout Supplements for Men 2026 guide for a complete comparison of all our top picks.
Who Should Buy Kaged Pre-Workout Elite
- Serious lifters who want the most complete, clinically dosed pre-workout available
- Men who currently stack multiple supplements (creatine, pump formula, nootropic) and want to consolidate into one product
- Competitive athletes who need Informed Sport certification for banned substance testing
- High caffeine-tolerant individuals who train in the morning or early afternoon
- Anyone willing to pay a premium for the best formula with no compromises
Who Should Skip It
- Men who are caffeine-sensitive or train in the evening — 388mg of caffeine will disrupt sleep for most people if taken after 2 PM
- Budget-conscious buyers — at ~$3/serving, there are excellent options at half the price (including Kaged Original from the same brand)
- Beginners who haven’t established a tolerance to pre-workout ingredients — start with Kaged Sport or a lower-dosed product first
- Those who dislike beta-alanine tingling — the 3.2g dose makes paresthesia nearly guaranteed
Where to Buy
Kaged Pre-Workout Elite is available on Amazon, at GNC, Bodybuilding.com, Vitamin Shoppe, and directly from kaged.com. Amazon typically offers competitive pricing, especially with Subscribe & Save (additional 5–15% off). Kaged’s own site offers a 10% subscription discount and occasionally runs larger sales. GNC sometimes carries exclusive flavors or bundle deals.
Check Current Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
How much caffeine is in Kaged Pre-Workout Elite?
Elite contains 388mg of total caffeine per scoop, sourced from two forms: PurCaf® organic caffeine from green coffee beans and AmaTea® guayusa leaf extract. The dual-source approach provides immediate energy from PurCaf with sustained energy from AmaTea, reducing the likelihood of a sharp crash. However, 388mg is roughly equivalent to four cups of coffee and is not suitable for caffeine-sensitive individuals.
Can I take a half scoop to reduce the caffeine?
Yes, but keep in mind that a half scoop reduces every ingredient by 50%. You’d get ~194mg caffeine (still moderate), 5g citrulline, 1.6g beta-alanine, and 2.5g creatine. That’s still a decent pre-workout, but at that point you’re paying ~$1.50/serving for a formula similar to what Kaged Original delivers at full dose. If you consistently need a lower stim dose, consider Original or Kaged Sport instead.
Does it replace a daily creatine supplement?
If you take it daily, the 5g of creatine (3g monohydrate + 2g creatine nitrate) meets the standard 3–5g maintenance dose recommended by research. However, most people don’t take pre-workout every day — they use it only on training days. If you train 4–5 days a week, you may want to supplement with additional creatine monohydrate on rest days to maintain saturation levels.
What does the beta-alanine tingling feel like?
At 3.2g of CarnoSyn®, most users will experience paresthesia — a harmless tingling or prickling sensation, usually in the face, ears, and hands. It typically begins 15–20 minutes after consumption and lasts 30–60 minutes. It’s a normal physiological response and not a sign of an allergic reaction. Some lifters enjoy the sensation as a signal their pre-workout is “kicking in.” Others find it annoying. The intensity decreases somewhat with regular use.
Is it safe for competitive athletes?
Yes. Pre-Workout Elite is Informed Sport certified, meaning every batch is tested for over 250 substances prohibited in sport by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency). This makes it one of the safest pre-workout options for drug-tested athletes. The certification logo and batch-specific test results are verifiable on the Informed Sport website.
What’s the best flavor?
Cherry Limeade and Orange Mango are the most popular and consistently well-reviewed flavors. Orange Mango has been compared to Fanta soda in taste. Fruit Punch is a safe, familiar option if you’re unsure. Caribbean Sunrise is tropical and refreshing but divisive — some love it, others find it too sweet. All flavors mix well in 12–16oz of water.
How does Pre-Workout Elite compare to the old Pre-Kaged Elite?
They’re essentially the same product. Kaged simplified their naming across the entire product line, dropping “Pre-Kaged” in favor of “Pre-Workout.” The only notable change is the addition of MAXCatalyst™ (black pepper extract) to improve ingredient absorption. All other key ingredients and doses remain the same.
Final Rating: 4.8/5
Kaged Pre-Workout Elite is the best-formulated pre-workout we’ve reviewed. Every ingredient is clinically dosed, every key compound uses a patented form, the label is fully transparent, and the product is third-party certified for banned substances. The only reasons it doesn’t score a perfect 5.0 are the high price point (~$3/serving is tough to justify for many budgets) and the very high caffeine content (388mg will be too much for a significant portion of users). If those two factors don’t concern you, this is the pre-workout to buy. If they do, Kaged Original delivers 80% of the formula at 75% of the cost — and that’s a smart alternative.
See Today's Price on AmazonLast updated: February 2026. We re-evaluate our reviews regularly based on formula changes, pricing, and reader feedback.
