4 Best Essential Amino Acid Supplements [Full Comparison]

I’ve tried my fair share of amino acid supplements over the years, and honestly, most of them blur together—chalky, overly sweet, or barely effective. But Momentous Vital Aminos stand out in a way I didn’t expect.

What pulled me in was the formula: not just your standard EAAs and BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids), but a thoughtful blend that also supports nitric oxide production, antioxidant defense, and neurotransmitter health. It’s a more holistic approach, and in my experience, that’s made a noticeable difference.

I started taking Vital Aminos to support recovery during a higher training volume phase. Within a couple of weeks, I felt like my energy post-workout rebounded faster, and muscle soreness wasn’t lingering nearly as long. It's hard to pin these things down to one variable, but I’ve used enough amino products to know when something’s actually working well.

What really gives me peace of mind, though, is that it holds the NSF Certified for Sport certification (meaning it doesn’t contain any banned substances and that what’s on the label is actually in the product). Like me, you might dislike it when you have to second-guess what’s in a supplement—especially if you care about what you’re putting into your body. With Momentous, I know I’m not taking in anything sketchy, and that matters.

The only downside is the price as it's one of the more expensive options. If price is your top concern, there are definitely more budget-friendly alternatives. But with supplements—especially ones you take consistently—I care more about transparency, quality, and whether it actually supports my goals. Vital Aminos checks those boxes better than most.

In my view, this product suits anyone who takes their training and recovery seriously—from weekend warriors to elite athletes. If you’re someone who wants more than just the basics in your aminos and want to trust that what’s on the label is what you’re consuming then I highly recommend checking out Vital Aminos for yourself.

Key Things to Know About This Product

• Third-Party Tested: Yes, Informed Choice

• Money-Back Guarantee: Yes

• Gluten Free: Yes

• GMO Free: Yes

Product Details:

• Price: $44.99

• Number of Servings: 30

• Amount of EAAs per serving:

  • L-Leucine – 2,669 mg

  • L-Lysine HCl – 1,267 mg

  • L-Isoleucine – 585 mg

  • L-Valine – 553 mg

  • L-Arginine – not stated

  • Alpha Ketoglutaric Acid – not stated

  • L-Threonine – 712 mg

  • L-Phenylalanine – 378 mg

  • L-Histidine HCl – 227 mg

  • L-Cystine – not stated

  • L-Methionine – 269 mg

  • L-Tyrosine – 1,000 mg

  • L-Tryptophan – 40 mg

• Serving Size: 1 scoop (18.7g)

• Subscription: Yes - save 10%

• Free shipping: Yes - on subscriptions + orders $99+

Pros:

• Third-party certification from Informed Choice

• High-dose aminos

• Includes electrolytes

• No artificial ingredients

Cons:

• Price

• Flavors

Transparent Labs Intra Workout EAA is a well-dosed formula that supports performance while you’re training. It includes all nine EAAs, which means you’re getting full-spectrum support for muscle protein synthesis, not just a partial fix. Plus, ingredients like L-Citrulline and BetaPure™ (Betaine Anhydrous) help drive nitric oxide and performance, which can definitely help during more demanding lifting sessions.

The fact it includes electrolytes is a great bonus—coconut water powder and taurine can help you feel less depleted mid-workout, especially during longer sessions. It’s available in two flavors—strawberry lemonade and blue raspberry—which some customers aren’t huge fans of, but finding a great-tasting aminos drink isn’t easy.

It’s a bit pricier than your average aminos product, but similar to the Momentous product, you’re paying for a clean, evidence-based formula with no artificial sweeteners, colors, or fillers—which, for many people, makes the cost worthwhile. The fact it carries the Informed Choice certification also means you’re getting a product that has been rigorously tested, which gives huge peace of mind. If you want an intra-workout that works as hard as you do, this one’s worth checking out.

Key Things to Know About This Product

• Third-Party Tested: Yes, cGMP and NSF-Certified Facilities

• Money-Back Guarantee: Yes

• Gluten Free: Yes

• GMO Free: Yes

Product Details:

• Price: $49.95

• Number of Servings: 30

• Amount of EAAs per serving:

  • L-Leucine – 2,000 mg

  • L-Lysine HCl – 850 mg

  • L-Isoleucine – 550 mg

  • L-Valine – 500 mg

  • L-Arginine – not stated

  • Alpha Ketoglutaric Acid – not stated

  • L-Threonine – 475 mg

  • L-Phenylalanine – 350 mg

  • L-Histidine HCl – 71.5 mg

  • L-Cystine – not stated

  • L-Methionine – 200 mg

  • L-Tyrosine – not stated

  • L-Tryptophan – 3.5 mg

• Serving Size:  1 scoop (6.58 g)

• Subscription: Yes - save 10%

• Free shipping: Yes - on orders $100+

Pros:

• Available in 4 flavors

• Manufactured in cGMP/NSF facilities

Cons:

• Price  

• Not NSF Certified for Sport

Kion Aminos Powder is a premium blend of essential amino acids designed to support muscle recovery, energy, and overall wellness. Formulated in cGMP and NSF-certified facilities, it ensures high-quality manufacturing standards.

Each serving delivers a clinically studied ratio of all nine EAAs, including 2,000 mg of L-Leucine, 850 mg of L-Lysine HCl, and 550 mg of L-Isoleucine, among others. It's also gluten-free, GMO-free, and sugar-free, catering to various dietary preferences.

Customer feedback highlights its effectiveness in reducing muscle soreness and enhancing workout recovery. It’s available in four flavors—Mango, Cool Lime, Mixed Berry, and Watermelon, which is more variety than most aminos products offer. However, personal preference will definitely dictate which flavor best suits your palate with some customers reporting them tasting overly sweet and struggling with easy mixability.

Priced at $49.95 for 30 servings, it's certainly on the higher end of the market, especially as it lacks a NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport certification, but the cGMP/NSF-certified facilities are still reassuring for those prioritizing ingredient quality and manufacturing transparency.

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

Product Details:

• Price: $49

• Number of Servings: 30

• Amount of EAAs per serving:

  • L-Leucine – 1,250 mg

  • L-Lysine HCl – 650 mg

  • L-Isoleucine – 625 mg

  • L-Valine – 625 mg

  • L-Arginine – Not stated

  • Alpha Ketoglutaric Acid – Not stated

  • L-Threonine – 350 mg

  • L-Phenylalanine – 100 mg

  • L-Histidine HCl – 150 mg

  • L-Cystine – Not stated

  • L-Methionine – 50 mg

  • L-Tyrosine – Not stated

  • L-Tryptophan – 20 mg

• Serving Size: 1 scoop (7.6 g)

• Subscription: Yes - save 20%

• Free shipping: Yes - on all orders

Pros:

• Third-party tested, NSF Certified for Sport

• Used and trusted by elite athletes

Cons:

• Price

• Slightly lower dosage

• Only available in two flavors

Thorne Amino Complex stands out for its comprehensive EAA profile, clean ingredients, and NSF Certified for Sport certification, making it a reliable choice for those seeking to enhance muscle recovery and energy. It provides all nine EAAs, including 2.5 grams of BCAAs per serving, to support muscle protein synthesis. Trusted and used by elite athletes, it is formulated to reduce muscle soreness and promote cellular energy production, aiding in quicker recovery post-exercise.

The NSF Certified for Sport certification means its safety, purity, and potency are guaranteed and it’s free from banned substances. It’s also free from gluten, soy, dairy, and artificial additives. It’s sweetened with stevia, which some customers aren’t fond of and/or are sensitive to the taste.

While it comes at a premium price and has limited flavor options (it’s available in Berry and Lemon flavors), its quality and efficacy may justify the investment for serious athletes and fitness enthusiasts.