Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate
5g creatine monohydrate per serving. Micronized for superior mixability. Creapure quality, ~99.9% purity. Unflavored. ~$0.20/serving. One of the best-selling creatine supplements in the world.
- Exceptional value at ~$0.20 per serving
- Micronized for smooth, clump-free mixing
- Creapure-grade purity (~99.9%)
- Unflavored — mixes into anything
- Unflavored only — no flavored options
- No additional performance ingredients
Quick Verdict
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate is the creatine supplement we recommend to most men, and it’s the one we keep coming back to ourselves. It delivers a full 5g dose of pure creatine monohydrate per serving, uses Creapure-grade raw material at ~99.9% purity, and costs roughly $0.20 per serving — making it one of the most cost-effective legal performance supplements you can buy. No gimmicks, no proprietary blends, no unnecessary additions. Just creatine monohydrate that works. 4.7/5.
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What Is ON Micronized Creatine?
Optimum Nutrition (ON) is one of the most established sports nutrition brands on the planet, owned by Glanbia plc. While their Gold Standard Whey dominates the protein category, their Micronized Creatine Monohydrate has quietly become one of the best-selling creatine products worldwide — and for good reason.
The formula is about as simple as it gets: 5g of creatine monohydrate per serving, micronized (mechanically processed into finer particles) for better solubility and mixability. That’s it. No fillers, no flavoring, no additional amino acids or stimulants. The creatine used is Creapure, which is manufactured in Germany by AlzChem Trostberg GmbH and is widely regarded as the gold standard for creatine purity.
Creatine monohydrate is the most-researched sports supplement in history, with over 500 peer-reviewed studies confirming its benefits for strength, power output, muscle mass, and exercise performance. The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has stated that creatine monohydrate is the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement currently available for increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass during training. ON’s version simply delivers this proven compound in a reliable, well-manufactured format.
Key Features & Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Creatine Per Serving | 5g (creatine monohydrate) |
| Serving Size | 5g (approx. 1 rounded teaspoon) |
| Calories | 0 |
| Creatine Source | Creapure creatine monohydrate |
| Purity | ~99.9% |
| Processing | Micronized (finer particle size) |
| Servings Per Container | 60 (300g), 120 (600g), or 400 (2000g) |
| Price Per Serving | ~$0.20 (varies by size) |
| Flavor | Unflavored only |
| Certifications | Informed Choice, cGMP |
| Form | Powder |
What Micronized Actually Means
The term “micronized” isn’t marketing fluff — it refers to a mechanical process that reduces the particle size of the creatine powder. Standard creatine monohydrate has relatively large, coarse particles that can feel gritty and tend to settle quickly in liquid. Micronized creatine has particles roughly 20 times smaller, which dramatically improves how the powder suspends in water, juice, or your protein shake.
To be clear, micronization doesn’t change the chemical structure of creatine or improve absorption in any meaningful way. Your body absorbs creatine monohydrate efficiently regardless of particle size. The benefit is purely practical: it mixes better, dissolves faster, and doesn’t leave a gritty residue at the bottom of your glass. For a supplement you’ll take every single day, that practical convenience matters more than you’d think.
The Creapure Difference
ON uses Creapure as its creatine source, which is worth understanding. Creapure is manufactured in Germany using a chemical synthesis process (as opposed to extraction from animal by-products, which some cheaper creatine sources use). The result is creatine monohydrate with a purity of approximately 99.9%, with negligible levels of impurities like creatinine, dicyandiamide (DCD), and dihydrotriazine (DHT).
Does this purity difference matter for performance? Probably not in any noticeable way. But it does matter for peace of mind, especially if you’re taking creatine daily for years. Cheaper creatine from less regulated sources has occasionally been found to contain higher levels of contaminants. Creapure is essentially the assurance that what you’re putting in your body is exactly what the label says.
Pros & Cons
What We Like
- Unbeatable value: At roughly $0.20 per serving, ON Micronized Creatine is one of the cheapest effective supplements you can buy. A 300g tub lasts two months; the 2kg tub can last over a year. Dollar-for-dollar, it’s hard to find a better investment in your training.
- Micronized mixability: This dissolves cleanly in water, juice, or a protein shake with just a few stirs or shakes. No gritty residue, no clumps sitting at the bottom. For daily use, this convenience is a genuine advantage over non-micronized creatine.
- Creapure purity: Using Creapure-grade creatine means ~99.9% purity with minimal impurities. Independent lab testing has consistently confirmed ON’s label accuracy. You’re getting exactly what’s listed on the tub — nothing more, nothing less.
- Simplicity: No proprietary blends, no unnecessary additives, no stimulants. Just creatine monohydrate. This makes it easy to stack with other supplements without worrying about ingredient overlap or unwanted interactions.
What Could Be Better
- Unflavored only: ON only offers this in unflavored form. While it’s largely tasteless when mixed into a shake or juice, some people prefer flavored creatine for standalone mixing with water. If flavor matters to you, consider Transparent Labs Creatine HMB, which comes in several flavors.
- No additional ingredients: Some newer creatine products bundle extras like HMB, BioPerine, or electrolytes. ON’s formula is pure creatine only. Whether this is a pro or a con depends on your perspective — purists will appreciate the simplicity, but if you want a multi-ingredient formula, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
How It Compares
Against THORNE Creatine, ON offers a very similar product at a significantly lower price point. Both deliver 5g of pure creatine monohydrate, and both are manufactured to high purity standards. The key difference is certification: THORNE carries NSF Certified for Sport, which is the gold standard for drug-tested athletes. If you’re competing in a sport with drug testing, THORNE’s NSF certification provides an extra layer of assurance worth the premium (~$0.50/serving vs. ~$0.20/serving). For everyone else, ON delivers the same functional benefit at less than half the cost.
Compared to Transparent Labs Creatine HMB, the difference is formula complexity. Transparent Labs adds 1.5g of HMB (for muscle preservation) and 5mg BioPerine (for absorption), plus offers flavored options. That formula is genuinely interesting for men who want creatine and anti-catabolic support in one scoop — but it comes at ~$1.33/serving, which is roughly 6.5x the cost of ON. For most men, the research-proven benefits of creatine monohydrate alone are the primary driver, and ON delivers those at the best value.
See our full Best Creatine Supplements for Men 2026 guide for a complete comparison of all our top picks.
Who Should Buy ON Micronized Creatine
- Men who want a proven, effective creatine supplement at the best possible price
- Anyone new to creatine who wants a straightforward, no-nonsense starting point
- Lifters and athletes who prefer unflavored supplements they can mix into existing shakes
- Anyone who values Creapure purity and a brand with decades of third-party testing behind it
- Men who stack multiple supplements and want a clean creatine source with no extra ingredients
Who Should Skip It
- Drug-tested athletes who need NSF Certified for Sport — consider THORNE Creatine instead
- Men who want flavored creatine for standalone mixing with water
- Those looking for a multi-ingredient formula with added HMB or absorption enhancers — consider Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
- If you have pre-existing kidney disease (consult your doctor before starting creatine, though research in healthy individuals shows no kidney risk)
Where to Buy
ON Micronized Creatine is widely available on Amazon (typically the best price on larger tubs), at GNC, Walmart, Bodybuilding.com, and directly from optimumnutrition.com. Amazon Subscribe & Save usually offers an additional 5–15% discount, which brings the per-serving cost even lower.
Check Current Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to do a creatine loading phase?
No. Loading (20g/day for 5–7 days) saturates your muscles faster, but 5g per day will reach the same saturation levels within 3–4 weeks. Most people don’t need or want to load — it can cause temporary bloating and stomach discomfort. Just take 5g daily, consistently, and let saturation build naturally.
When should I take creatine?
Timing doesn’t matter nearly as much as consistency. Take it at the same time each day — with your post-workout shake, with breakfast, or whenever works for your routine. Research suggests a slight benefit to post-workout timing, but the difference is minor compared to simply taking it every day without missing doses.
Does creatine cause bloating or water retention?
Creatine draws water into muscle cells (intracellular water retention), which can increase body weight by 2–4 lbs during the first few weeks. This is not subcutaneous bloating or fat gain — it’s water stored inside the muscle tissue, which actually makes your muscles look fuller. Most men adapt within a few weeks, and the slight weight increase is a feature, not a bug, for those seeking muscle growth.
Is creatine safe for long-term use?
Yes. Creatine monohydrate has been studied extensively for over 30 years, including long-term studies lasting up to 5 years. The ISSN, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the European Food Safety Authority have all concluded that creatine supplementation at recommended doses (3–5g/day) is safe for healthy adults. There is no credible evidence linking creatine to kidney damage in healthy individuals.
Is ON’s creatine third-party tested?
Yes. ON’s Micronized Creatine is Informed Choice certified, meaning it’s tested for banned substances and contaminants by an independent lab (LGC). It is also manufactured in cGMP-certified facilities. Independent testing by Labdoor and ConsumerLab has consistently verified label accuracy.
Can I mix it with my protein shake?
Absolutely. This is the most common way to take unflavored creatine. Add one scoop (5g) to your post-workout protein shake, stir or shake, and you won’t taste a difference. It also mixes well with juice, pre-workout, or plain water.
Is Creapure really better than other creatine sources?
For purity and quality control, yes. Creapure is manufactured in Germany under strict pharmaceutical-grade standards and tests at ~99.9% purity. Cheaper creatine sources, particularly from China, can have higher impurity levels. For a supplement you’ll take daily for years, the small cost difference for Creapure is worth it. That said, many reputable brands use non-Creapure creatine that also tests clean — Creapure is an assurance, not the only acceptable option.
Final Rating: 4.7/5
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate is the creatine supplement we recommend to the majority of men, and it earns our #1 Pick designation. It’s not the most exciting product — there are no flashy ingredients or proprietary formulas. But that’s exactly the point. Creatine monohydrate is the most proven sports supplement in existence, and ON delivers it in its purest, most reliable, and most affordable form. Creapure purity, micronized mixability, Informed Choice certification, and a per-serving cost that’s almost negligible. For most men, there’s simply no reason to spend more on creatine than this.
See Today's Price on AmazonLast updated: February 2026. We re-evaluate our reviews regularly based on formula changes, pricing, and reader feedback.
