The term “Thermogenic” can sound confusing and highly scientific. However, the term is actually relatively simple, and most users already know intuitively what it means. Thermo means heat and genic means generating, so all this term refers to the processes by which the body generates heat by burning energy. Without thermogenic supplements, it can be difficult to naturally increase the effectiveness of the body’s thermogenesis. To complicate matters, even more, increasing thermogenic efficiency by too much can be harmful to your health. Balance is key.
Ephedra supplements were found to over-stimulate the thermogenic process about fifteen years ago; it was promptly taken off of shelves in the United States after consumers began to report side effects. If a supplement like ephedra is too effective at facilitating thermogenesis, it can put the body into a dangerous state that is unhealthy. But users should avoid discarding the supplement because of the failure of a few brands to adequately help their users. Many thermogenic supplements can offer a wide array of benefits to users, especially when used in moderation.
Top Thermogenics 2024
Luckily, we have taken a look at the most popular thermogenics on the market and have ranked the top ten for you so that you can determine for yourself which product may be right for you. Our research team did the work and compared the best thermogenic fat burners you can buy in 2024, combining expert research with targeted analysis to provide users a complete guide to thermogenic supplements.
Contents
1. RSP Quadralean
Quadralean relies entirely on stimulants to facilitate thermogenics and burn fat. It contains high doses of synephrine and caffeine, the combination of which I simply too strong for many users. One of these compounds alone would probably be just right, but combining the two seems a bit excessive.
Some users have had great results when using this supplement, but if you’re concerned with safety then you can definitely find other supplements out there that are effective and take a bit more care with their formulas. Even many stimulant-based supplements do a better job of not overdoing it on the dosage.
2. Naturewise Thermo Blend
Thermo Blend from Naturewise is a simple and effective thermogenic, although it may be in some need of an update. It contains some ingredients that are not very common, such as rhodiola extract and cocoa, which gives it a unique formula.
However, it also contains synephrine, which is derived from bitter orange extract. This ingredient has been recently renounced by most of the health and fitness market because it has been linked to negative side effects in many users.
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3. Animal Cuts Thermogenic
The Animal Cuts Thermogenic is a pretty popular supplement overall, but when looking at the list of ingredients we have to wonder why that is. Every class of supplements has at least one product that seems to try to cram in every possible ingredient without much of a design philosophy, and this seems to be that product when it comes to thermogenics.
To be fair, the product does contain a number of ingredients that have been proven to be effective, like green tea extract and coffee bean extract, but it also contains a number of other ingredients that seem unnecessary and excessive. Overall, you can probably find something better that doesn’t put as much extra junk into your system.
With all of these ingredients supposedly working to help you achieve thermogenesis, you would think that this supplement doesn’t have to rely too heavily on stimulants, but the dosage of caffeine in each serving is pretty high.
Unfortunately, it impossible to say how much caffeine there really is, or how much there is of any other ingredient for that matter since the product wraps most of its formula up into a proprietary blend that they call a stimulant complex.
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4. Team Six Star6urn PM
Most thermogenics rely on stimulants to achieve fat-burning, which means that you can’t take them in the evening or late afternoon without having to worry about them keeping you up late into the night. Team Six recognized this problem and decided to go a different route when they created Star6urn PM. This product is specifically designed not only to avoid keeping you up late but to specifically work its magic while you are sleeping.
There are a number of common ingredients included that are found in many thermogenic supplements, such as acetyl-L-carnitine and green tea extract. However, Star6urn PM doesn’t utilize the synergy that is available between green tea and caffeine because caffeine is too strong of a stimulant to be included in the formula.
The best use for this product is as a secondary supplement that you take at night to increase the effectiveness of another thermogenic that you might take during the daytime.
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5. Genius Burn
Genius Burn is made by a brand that is well-known for adopting the newest and most innovative ingredients in a way that is both unique and effective. In this case, they opt out of caffeine use and instead feature uncommon ingredients like capsaicin, ashwagandha extract, theacrine, and paradoxine seed extract.
Capsaicin is the one ingredient among these that is the most popular and the most recognizable for most users. It has been proven to provide powerful thermogenic ability. The rest of these ingredients, however, are new and trendy supplements and extracts that are still on the cutting-edge of thermogenic supplementation.
This means that there is a clear tradeoff involved for anyone who chooses to use Genius Burn for weight loss. While there is a great opportunity to lose weight through these newer ingredients that not many other products are using yet, there is also a chance of failure or unforeseen side effects due to the use of ingredients that have not yet been scientifically tested or proven on the level of more common components.
6. Cellucor SuperHD
Cellucor SuperHD seems to want to include the best of both worlds, and their formula includes common classics like green tea extract and caffeine right alongside some rare and uncommon herbal extracts. They also add in a hefty dose of B complex vitamins just for good measure.
Just like any other supplements that use unproven or lesser-known ingredients, these herbal extracts may prove to be highly effective or they may turn out to be duds. This is a risk that any user will have to take if they want to try something new in their thermogenic formula. It is entirely up to you whether you want to trust the scientists, researchers, and nutritionists who developed this formula.
The ingredients included here are even more obscure than in many other trendy formulas, and the ingredients list features components like toothed clubmoss extract and blue whiting protein hydrolysate. None of these products have any conclusive studies that show they are effective in facilitating thermogenesis or weight loss. That being said, there are many reviews from happy customers claiming that this product works wonderfully.
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7. BURNZ
BURNZ is another one of those thermogenics that relies mostly on stimulants to get the job done, and it features heavy doses of capsaicin and caffeine to this end. There are a few other ingredients like amino acids and huperzine A to help the effects along, but the capsaicin and caffeine are pulling all the real weight here.
If a stimulant-based product is what you’re after, this one is a good choice. However, if you are sensitive to caffeine or you want a thermogenic that uses a different approach, there are plenty of other options out there.
8. Old School Labs Vintage Burn
At first glance, Vintage Burn is another product that seems to want to throw in everything but the kitchen sink, but upon further inspection, it becomes clear that they are a bit more careful in designing their formula than that. Vintage Burn has only the best components of a thermogenic and none of the filler or additives commonly found.
So while their ingredients list is a bit long, it’s certainly not put together thoughtlessly. You can find garcinia cambogia, forskolin, bacopa, caffeine, raspberry ketones, green coffee bean extract, and green tea extract all on one easy dose. If you’re looking for a thermogenic that utilizes all of the best-proven ingredients without a bunch of unnecessary junk, Vintage Burn is a good place to look.
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9. Evlution Trans4orm
Leanmode and Trans4orm are both high-quality fat loss supplements designed by Evlution, and when it comes to thermogenesis Trans4orm is the superior of the two. It uses a very smart formula that combines caffeine that is harvested from coffee beans with EGCG that is found in green tea extract, and it boosts this combination’s effects using some supporting ingredients like huperzine A and forskolin.
They boost the effectiveness even further by including amino acids and B vitamins, which all come together to make an excellent formula that provides safe and effective results.
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10. BurnXT
BurnXT is a great thermogenic supplement that gets the job done with a shortlist of components. With only 5 active ingredients, this product takes minimalism and purity seriously. It contains capsaicin, caffeine, green tea extract, acetyl-L-carnitine, and black pepper extract to boost the effectiveness of the other 4 ingredients.
Despite having only 5 active ingredients, BurnXT was careful to include only those components that have been proven to be the most effective thermogenics available. There is plenty of research backing up every ingredient that was chosen, as well as research that supports the synergy of certain ingredients. This product really is the best all-around choice for fat-burning.
Thermogenics Benefits And Side Effects
We should all know by now that, as difficult as weight loss can seem to be, it’s really just a simple equation of calorie intake vs. calorie burning. If you burn more calories than you take it, you with inevitably lose weight. What most of us forget, though, is there is more to this formula than just limiting calories in, and exercise isn’t the only way to increase the number of calories your burn.
If you can increase your body’s thermogenesis, which is the act of burning calories simply to produce heat and stay warm, then you can increase your ability to lose weight. This is how thermogenic supplements can help you. Your body has a “set point”, which is the amount of energy your body burns while resting just to sustain itself.
You can use thermogenic supplements to increase this set point and burn more calories both while you are exercising and when you are not. If you turn up the temperature in your home, your heater has to work harder to keep up, and this is essentially how thermogenic supplements work in your body as well.
Thermogenic Supplement Health Benefits
Thermogenesis does affect the number of calories that you burn through exercise, but its effects are most profound on the amount you burn when you are resting. Because your body usually burns mostly fat when it is in a resting state, this also means that increasing your thermogenesis is also an excellent way to target fat loss specifically.
Any thermogenic supplement is only going to be able to provide the results that can be achieved using the combination of its particular ingredients, so the best thermogenics are those that include multiple ingredients that have all be proven to be effective. This is especially true if those ingredients have also been proven to synergize well together.
One great example of this type of synergy that makes thermogenic ingredients more effective is the relationship between caffeine and green tea extract. Green tea contains a compound called EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate, and it also contains some small amounts of caffeine.
What’s cool about these two components is that they have been proven to perform better when they are present together in any supplement. The combination of caffeine and green tea extract can provide benefits that are significantly higher than you can achieve with one or the other on its own, even in higher doses.
One study that proved this was published in the International Journal of Obesity. Researchers studied a group of lab rats that were given a regular diet and then also given EGCG, caffeine, or both. They were able to examine the fat cells of these rats, and they discovered that when given both compounds together, they were able to interact uniquely with a chemical mechanism within the cells to increase the fat oxidation rate of the animals.
This means that while green tea extract and caffeine are both effective for fat burning, it is only when they are taken together that this chemical mechanism can be achieved. It was also shown that this mechanism allowed for much higher fat loss than what could be achieved without it.
Capsaicin is another compound that has been proven to be an effective thermogenic, and it is becoming increasingly popular. Capsaicin is also the ingredient that makes chili peppers taste hot and spicy. The same reaction that makes capsaicin pricy actually appears to have some real heat to it, and it can pretty much literally burn away fat cells, although not in the exact same way as it might burn the roof of your mouth.
One study published in the Journal of Nutrition Science and Vitaminology as far back as 1988 was able to discover that capsaicin could get inside fat cells and activate the pathways responsible for burning energy. This study, which was performed on lab rats, found that those who were given a supplement containing capsaicin showed a marked increase in the activity within fat cells.
Scientific studies were performed later on humans, and they found very similar results. One such study that was published in a scientific journal called Chemical Sense took a closer look at several small studies and trials that all researched the effects of capsaicin. It found that there was a minor but noticeable trend throughout all of the studies which could suggest that capsaicin has significant thermogenic abilities.
These are the most significant and well-known thermogenic compounds, but that certainly doesn’t mean they are the only ones. There are also a few other proven thermogenics that you may want to look out for when selecting the right supplement for your needs. Robert B. Saper and other scientists at Harvard Medical School were able to create a review article that showed the effectiveness of a number of thermogenic ingredients, including conjugated linoleic acid, B vitamins, garcinia cambogia, and acetyl-L-carnitine.
Thermogenic Supplement Side Effects
The precise side effects possible when taking a thermogenic supplement will vary depending on what its ingredients are, but there is one concern that you should be vigilant about across the board. Because of the nature of thermogenic, especially those that are stimulant-based, there is a significant risk of serious side effects if you overdose on the supplement.
One very common main ingredient of thermogenics is caffeine, and it is a prime example of a stimulant that you need to be vigilant about and carefully limit your dosage. Everyone knows that too much caffeine can cause you to experience nausea, nervousness, and jitters. In some severe cases, medical reports have also cited caffeine overdose as a possible cause of cardiac arrhythmias and other heart health concerns.
This same risk of overdose is true of most thermogenic compounds, and the once-popular ephedra is only one example of how a thermogenic supplement might simply work too well to be safe for use.
Ephedra was once a very common thermogenic supplement, but multiple studies were released which linked it to dangerous side effects. One such study was conducted by the Mayo Clinic, and it identified nearly 1,000 different negative side effects and possible adverse reactions that could be caused by ephedra. After these studies came to light, ephedra was pulled from the market completely.
Today, there are similar concerns about a thermogenic ingredient called synephrine, which is made from bitter orange extract. The Canadian Medical Association put out one report which referenced a number of cardiac cases in which adverse side effects were believed to have been caused by the patients taking supplements that were made using synephrine.
While these studies don’t show results that are anywhere near the severity of ephedra, they have been enough to cause many thermogenic supplement makers to rethink their formulas.
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dosage for each thermogenic supplement will be different because they each contain a different set of ingredients at different levels. You should be careful to double-check the amounts of certain ingredients that each serving contains to ensure that you don’t overdo it.
The recommended dosage for green tea extract is no more than 600 mg a day, and you should also be careful not to exceed 200 mg a day of caffeine. Remember that coffee, sodas, and many other common beverages also contain caffeine and you will need to include these amounts when determining your daily intake.
Capsaicin does not have a dosage that is well-established because human trials on the compound are fairly recent. Most studies have used doses anywhere between 30 mg and 150 mg a day.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thermogenics
Thermogenic supplements can be difficult to understand. Oftentimes, these supplements work in unique ways to promote the thermogenesis process in the body. This section will include answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about thermogenics and thermogenic supplements.
Q: What is a thermogenic fat burner?
A: Thermogenic fat burners are supplements that increase internal core temperature using specific ingredients. Ingredients vary widely from product to product, and the success of any thermogenic supplement is primarily dependent on the quality of its ingredients.
Q: What’s in a thermogenic?
A: Thermogenics contain a variety of ingredients, including caffeine, cayenne pepper, niacin, theobromine, and yohimbine, among other ingredients. Full ingredient lists depend on specific products, so consumers should consult their website of their chosen supplement to guarantee they have a good grasp on the composition of their new products.
Q: What does thermogenic mean?
A: Thermogenic is a scientific term that means ‘to produce heat’. Thermogenesis is the process of heat production in organisms. It occurs in all warm-blooded animals. Thermogenic supplements produce heat within the body to stimulate fat burning. For this reason, thermogenic supplements can be essential to weight loss and general wellness for consumers.
Q: Are thermogenics effective?
A: Thermogenics can complement a weight-loss routine when paired with diet and exercise. We’ve witnessed the effects of weight loss ingredients like caffeine in numerous studies. However, users should be aware that the effects of some thermogenic supplements are extremely limited. To really reap the benefits of thermogenics, users should pair their supplement usage with a good workout routine and an effective diet.
Q: Are thermogenics good for weight loss?
A: Many thermogenics have been studied for their weight loss effects, and their weight loss benefits have been confirmed in multiple studies. Ultimately, though, users should use thermogenics in-conjunction with other weight loss strategies, rather than a standalone solution.
Q: Do thermogenic creams work?
A: Thermogenic creams claim to increase fat-burning in specific areas of your skin by increasing blood flow. However, there’s limited evidence that thermogenic creams work to reduce fat in specific parts of your body. Caffeine absorbed through your skin could enhance thermogenic effects overall.
Q: Do thermogenics burn muscle?
A: Thermogenics can encourage weight loss. If you are losing weight while taking a thermogenic, then you will also burn (at least a small amount) of muscle. To offset muscle loss, users should pair thermogenic supplementation with weight-lifting exercise.
Q: Do thermogenics really work?
A: Certain ingredients in thermogenics, including caffeine, have been linked to weight loss in multiple studies. Other ingredients may not be backed by as much scientific evidence. Overall, thermogenic effectiveness varies widely between supplements. Results can vary, so users should carefully manage their expectations and conduct research for themselves before beginning their thermogenic treatment regimen.
Q: What do thermogenics do?
A: Thermogenic supplements contain ingredients that raise heat within the body to stimulate fat burning. More scientifically speaking, thermogenics raise metabolism and boost energy, helping your body burn more calories from food and exercise.
Q: How do thermogenics work?
A: Thermogenics work by enhancing two complementary processes. First, they accelerate metabolism. Second, they boost energy, helping you work out at a more intense level. These benefits can influence a number of factors in general wellness, so consumers can expect to see improvements in a number of areas when they use thermogenic supplements.
Q: Are thermogenic fat burners safe?
A: Thermogenic supplements are generally safe for adults to take when used in the recommended dosages. However, some thermogenics contain excessive amounts of caffeine per serving (400mg or more), which could make them a problem for caffeine-sensitive individuals.
Q: What is the best thermogenic fat burner?
A: The best thermogenic fat burners vary depending on your physiology. For some people, a cup of black coffee taken just before a workout is the best thermogenic. For others, the best thermogenic is a $50 diet pill.
Q: What is the best fat burning supplement on the market?
A: There are many popular fat burning supplements on the market. Pick the one that works best for your unique needs.
Q: How long should you take thermogenics?
A: You should take thermogenics until you reach your target weight, or until your doctor advises that you quit taking the supplements. Users should continue to take these supplements for a sustained period of time.
Q: Are thermogenics bad for your heart?
A: Thermogenics can contain ingredients that raise blood pressure and heart rate – including caffeine. Generally, caffeine and other thermogenic ingredients are safe for your heart when taken in moderate dosages.
Q: What burns fat naturally?
A: Caffeine is proven to burn fat naturally. Green tea extract, fiber, protein, and other ingredients can also encourage weight loss. Most thermogenics contain natural ingredients.
Q: Do thermogenics make you sweat?
A: Most thermogenics make you sweat more. The ingredients in thermogenics cause a metabolic reaction, raising your body temperature, making it more likely you’ll sweat.
Q: Can you die from fat burners?
A: There are lethal doses of caffeine and certain other thermogenic ingredients. However, it’s unlikely for healthy adults to die from fat burners when used in recommended doses. Nevertheless, the FDA has previously banned certain fat burner ingredients, including ephedra, because of concerns about safety.
Q: Are fat burners worth it?
A: Good fat burners that are scientifically proven to work may be worth it, although other fat burners based on junk science with over-hyped weight loss promises may not be worth it.
Q: How can I lose my belly fat overnight?
A: There are few ways to lose belly fat overnight. However, you can lose weight in a short period by sweating, doing cardio, and avoiding food or water.
Q: Are thermogenic fat burners bad?
A: Thermogenic fat burners are generally fine to take when taken by healthy adults in normal doses. However, thermogenic fat burners can be bad if based on junk science or if they contain dangerous doses of certain ingredients.
Q: How can I lose my gut in 30 days?
A: Cardio, dieting, and strength training can all help you lose your gut in a short period of time. Realistically, though, users should be reluctant to accept claims of significant weight loss in thirty days. Weight loss takes time, and physicians generally recommend that consumers lose an average of one or two pounds per week for the best results.
Q: What can I drink to burn fat overnight?
A: Certain teas or detox beverages may claim to burn fat overnight. However, the best way to burn fat overnight is through careful diet and exercise. You may also want to avoid eating anything before bed. Burning significant amounts of fat overnight is generally not possible, even with perfect diet and exercise.
Q: How can I lose tummy fat fast?
A: You can lose tummy fat fast with careful diet and exercise. Certain supplements may help you lose weight overall, although few supplements have been specifically proven to reduce tummy fat.
Q: Does drinking hot water with lemon burn belly fat?
A: Most scientific studies have not connected hot water and lemon with weight loss results. However, there’s some evidence that lemon water can promote fullness, boost metabolism, and support hydration. The best way to remove belly fat is to practice a combination of diet, exercise, and strategic supplement use.
Q: Why is my belly so fat?
A: Poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress can all cause belly fat buildup. For serious inquiries about starting a new weight loss regimen, we recommend that you speak to your physician or dietitian.
Q: Why does all my fat go to my stomach?
A: People have different physiologies, and some people naturally collect fat in their stomachs. Some research has shown that cortisol, the ‘stress hormone', can promote fat storage in the belly more than, say, weight gained through overeating.
Q: When should I take a thermogenic?
A: Some thermogenics are pre-workout supplements. They’re designed to be taken immediately before a workout. Others are daily support supplements. They’re designed to be taken at the start of each day. Users should consult the packaging and website of their chosen supplement to ensure that they're taking the supplement correctly.
Q: Do all thermogenics contain caffeine?
A: Most thermogenics contain caffeine. Caffeine is the most proven thermogenic ingredient available today. For users who can't handle caffeine, it might be helpful to look for alternative thermogenic supplements that don't contain any.
Q: How does capsaicin burn fat?
A: Capsaicin molecules are the reason why chili peppers are spicy. Capsaicin has similar effects on caffeine. It stimulates the release of adrenaline that increases the body’s metabolism, causing your body to burn more calories and fat. Some research also shows that capsaicin suppresses appetite, encouraging you to eat less.
Q: How does yohimbine work?
A: Yohimbine is a bark extract of the yohimbe tree from Africa. The compound appears to work by increasing the activity of three hormones, including adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine. More large scale human trials are needed to verify the weight loss benefits of yohimbine.
Q: Is garcinia cambogia a thermogenic?
A: Garcinia cambogia contains an ingredient called hydroxycitric acid, or HCA, which blocks the activity of a fat-forming enzyme. However, it would not traditionally be considered a thermogenic. Garcinia cambogia comes with its own list of benefits and potential side effects, so consumers interested in this substance should research it individually.
Q: What are the side effects of a thermogenic fat burner?
A: Thermogenic fat burners are linked to a variety of side effects, including restlessness, headaches, trouble sleeping, diarrhea, upset stomach, elevated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, and agitation.
Q: Do thermogenic supplements work better for men or women?
A: Most studies show that thermogenic supplements work equally as well for men or women. However, some studies have shown that it’s easier for men to lose weight overall compared to women.
Q: Are thermogenics legal?
A: Any thermogenics sold by reputable retailers are legal. The vast majority of thermogenics contain safe, legal ingredients. However, the FDA has banned certain thermogenic ingredients, including ephedra, due to safety concerns. Legal thermogenics should be easy to find, but users should always refer to their own jurisdiction's laws to ensure that they're not breaking any rules.
Final Words Best Thermogenics 2024
Thermogenic supplements have been proven to be able to assist in weight loss and target fat so that you do not lose muscle mass. They do this by increasing the amount of energy that you use throughout the day, even when resting. However, it is important to note that thermogenesis is a delicate process that much be kept in balance, and this means that it is very easy to overdose on thermogenic compounds. Doing so can cause severe adverse side effects, so you should always be very careful when using thermogenic supplements.
The highest quality thermogenics include ingredients that have been scientifically proven to be effective and which synergize well together to burn fat more effectively than they could on their own. The key ingredients to look for are garcinia cambogia, conjugated linoleic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, capsaicin, caffeine, and green tea extract.
As always, remember to consult your doctor before you begin taking thermogenic supplements. It is possible that you have an underlying condition or are taking other medications that would affect this decision, and your doctor is the best person to help you determine the safest and most effective product for your needs.