4 Best Zinc Supplements for Athletes [2025 Comparison]

If you’re an athlete who takes recovery and performance seriously, Momentous Zinc is a supplement worth paying attention to. Your zinc intake might not be something you think about a lot, and zinc may not get as much spotlight as protein or creatine, but it plays a crucial role in everything from immune health to hormone balance and muscle repair. For athletes who train hard and sweat often, zinc depletion is common, and that’s where a high quality supplement like this one really makes a difference.

What immediately stands out about Momentous Zinc is its NSF Certified for Sport status. This certification isn’t just a nice-to-have: it’s the gold standard for athletes who want complete confidence that what they’re taking is free from banned substances and contaminants. Whether you’re competing at the collegiate, professional, or recreational level, that seal of approval provides real peace of mind.

It’s also worth remembering that not all zinc products are created equally. There are different forms of zinc supplements, with the most affordable being zinc oxide, zinc citrate, and zinc gluconate.

Momentous uses zinc picolinate, one of the most bioavailable forms of zinc available. This means your body actually absorbs and uses it efficiently, something that can’t be said for cheaper zinc formulations. In my experience, that translates to better recovery between intense sessions, less muscle soreness and fatigue, fewer mid-season colds, and more stable energy during training cycles. The 15 mg dosage per capsule is right in the optimal range for athletes, helping replenish what’s lost through sweat and ensuring you get enough zinc without overdoing it.

Momentous Zinc is slightly pricier than generic options ($0.31 per serving), but you’re paying for quality, consistency, and verified safety. For athletes who hold their nutrition to the same standards as their training, it’s a small investment with meaningful returns.

If you’re looking to strengthen your recovery, immunity, and performance from the ground up, Momentous Zinc Picolinate delivers exactly what your body needs—no unnecessary fillers, no guessing, just clean, effective support you can trust.

Key Things to Know About This Product

• Third-Party Tested: No

• Money-Back Guarantee: Yes

• Gluten Free: Yes

• GMO Free: Yes

• Vegan: Yes

Product Details:

• Price: $5.99

• Number of Servings: 30

• Amount of zinc per serving: 50 mg

• Serving Size: 1 capsule

• Subscription: Not available

• Free shipping: On orders $50+

Pros:

• Price ($0.08 per serving)

• Produced in GMP facilities

• Uses zinc picolinate, one of the most bioavailable forms

Cons:

• No third-party testing

• No subscription discount

• High dosage per capsule (50 mg)

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly zinc supplement, NOW Zinc Picolinate is a solid option. At just $5.99 for 30 servings (before $6.95 flat rate shipping fee on orders less than $50), it’s one of the more affordable choices on the market. It's also produced in GMP-certified facilities, so you can feel confident about its manufacturing standards. Each capsule delivers a high 50 mg dose of zinc, which is well above typical daily requirements and could appeal to athletes looking to quickly replenish zinc lost through sweat or intense exercise.

That said, there are a few considerations. NOW Zinc Picolinate has not been third-party tested, meaning there’s no independent verification of purity or absence of contaminants—a factor that may matter if you compete in drug-tested sports. Additionally, the high dosage may be more than some athletes need, and there’s no subscription option to help save on repeat purchases.

Overall, NOW Zinc Picolinate is a cost-effective, accessible option for casual athletes or anyone wanting to reap the benefits of zinc, but those seeking certified, sport-tested assurance might prefer other brands.

Key Things to Know About This Product

• Third-Party Tested: Yes, NSF Certified for Sport

• Money-Back Guarantee: Yes

• Gluten Free: Yes

• GMO Free: Yes

• Vegan: Not stated

Product Details:

• Price: $21

• Number of Servings: 60

• Amount of zinc per serving: 30 mg

• Serving Size: 1 capsule

• Subscription: Yes, save 20%

• Free shipping: Yes, on all orders

Pros:

• NSF Certified for Sport

• Uses zinc picolinate, one of the most bioavailable forms

• Good subscription discount

• Free shipping on all orders

Cons:

• Price (highest cost per serving)

For athletes who want a high-quality, trusted zinc supplement, Thorne Zinc Picolinate is a strong contender. As with Momentous, one of the biggest selling points is its NSF Certified for Sport status, providing peace of mind that it’s free from banned substances and safe for competitive use.

Thorne uses zinc picolinate, a highly bioavailable form that your body can absorb and utilize efficiently. With 30 mg per capsule, it’s a higher dosage than the Momentous product but might be well-suited for athletes who may have higher zinc needs due to increased losses from sweat and intense training. The capsules are convenient, and with 60 servings per bottle, you’re set for a full two-month supply.

At $21 per bottle, Thorne Zinc is the most expensive zinc supplement reviewed in this guide ($0.35 per serving). That said, the brand offsets this with a subscription option for 20% savings and free shipping on all orders, making it easier to maintain consistent use. Overall, Thorne Zinc Picolinate is ideal for athletes seeking safety, reliability, and effectiveness, even if it comes at a premium.

Key Things to Know About This Product

• Third-Party Tested: Yes, NSF Certified for Sport

• Money-Back Guarantee: Yes

• Gluten Free: Yes

• GMO Free: Yes

• Vegan: Yes

Product Details:

• Price: $20

• Number of Servings: 100

• Amount of zinc per serving: 10 mg (as zinc citrate)

• Serving Size: 1 chewable tablet

• Subscription: Not available

• Free shipping: Yes, on orders $100+

Pros:

• NSF Certified for Sport

• Cost effective ($0.20 per serving)

Cons:

• Contains zinc citrate, not picolinate

• Contains xylitol and mannitol, which are sugar alcohols

Klean Athlete Zinc is a budget-friendly, sport-focused option for athletes looking to support recovery, immune health, and overall performance. Each chewable tablet provides 10 mg of zinc as zinc citrate, and with 100 servings per bottle, it’s extremely cost-effective at just $0.20 per serving, one of the lowest per-serving prices for a certified sports supplement.

One of the standout features is its NSF Certified for Sport status, which ensures the product is free from banned substances and contaminants, an important consideration for competitive athletes. The chewable format makes it convenient for those who don’t like swallowing capsules, and it’s also gluten-free, vegan, and GMO-free.

On the downside, it uses zinc citrate rather than the more bioavailable zinc picolinate, and it contains xylitol and mannitol, sugar alcohols that can cause digestive upset in some people if taken in larger quantities.

Overall, Klean Athlete Zinc is a safe, affordable, and convenient option for athletes who want reliable, certified zinc support without breaking the bank.