If you’re looking to get the most out of your workout, you need to make sure you’re taking care of your body both during and after. One of the best ways to do that is by supplementing with branched chain amino acids, or BCAAs. BCAAs are a group of three essential amino acids – leucine, isoleucine, and valine – that are crucial for muscle growth and recovery.

There are a lot of different BCAA products on the market, so it can be tough to know which one is right for you. To help you make the best decision, we’ve put together a list of the four best BCAAs, based on price, key differentiators, and key features.

1. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard BCAA

Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard BCAA is a great all-around BCAA supplement. It’s affordably priced at $24.99 for 30 servings, and it includes a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine. It also includes 5 grams of BCAAs per serving, which is a little higher than the average.

One of the key differentiators of this product is that it’s instantized, which means that it dissolves more easily in water. This is a great feature if you don’t like the gritty texture of some BCAAs.

2. MusclePharm BCAA

MusclePharm’s BCAA supplement is a good option if you’re looking for a higher leucine content. It has a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, but it has 8 grams of leucine per serving, compared to the 5 grams in the Optimum Nutrition product. It’s also affordably priced at $24.99 for 30 servings.

One downside of this product is that it doesn’t include any other ingredients that would help with recovery, like electrolytes. So, if you’re looking for a comprehensive recovery supplement, this may not be the best option for you.

3. Cellucor Cor-Performance BCAA

Cellucor’s Cor-Performance BCAA is a good choice if you’re looking for a more comprehensive recovery supplement. It includes a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, as well as electrolytes and antioxidants. It’s priced at $34.99 for 30 servings, which is a little higher than the other options on this list.

One downside of this product is that it doesn’t have a very high leucine content. So, if you’re looking for a BCAA supplement that’s primarily for muscle growth, this may not be the best option for you.

4. Scivation Xtend

Scivation’s Xtend is a good choice if you’re looking for a BCAA supplement that’s focused on recovery. It includes a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, as well as electrolytes, glutamine, and citrulline malate. It’s priced at $34.99 for 30 servings, which is on the higher end.

One downside of this product is that it doesn’t have a very high leucine content. So, if you’re looking for a BCAA supplement that’s primarily for muscle growth, this may not be the best option for you.

Conclusion

Based on our comparison, the best BCAA supplement is Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard BCAA. It’s affordably priced, it includes a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, and it’s instantized for easy dissolution.