Whether you’re an experienced keto dieter or new to the movement, a ketogenic supplement can make adhering to this diet much easier.
Our number-one pick for dependable quality is Perfect Keto Exogenous Ketone Base, which has 3.8 grams of three different ketones and is chock-full of electrolytes to help you feel your best. This supplement comes in six different naturally sweetened flavors.
Supplements can be hit or miss when you don’t know exactly what you’re trying to achieve and what you need in a particular formulation. On the other hand, when you take a high-quality supplement and are strictly following your diet, things just seem to go more smoothly, and you tend to feel better.
This list of the ten best keto supplements tells you precisely what you should be taking to optimize your ketogenic diet. Remember that supplements are not meant to replace a well-designed ketogenic diet, but to supplement your nutrition so you feel your best.
Before we get into the actual ranking of the best ketogenic supplements, we want to explain some of the most important ingredients you should look for when shopping for a high-quality ketogenic supplement. We’ve also explained the reason for each element, so you can choose a keto supplement with only the ingredients you need to achieve your desired goals.
Also, be sure to check out our ranking of the overall top supplements and top pre-workout supplements.
Ketogenic Supplement Ingredients
Keto supplements contain a lot of ingredients, so let’s examine a few common categories before we talk about our top ten best keto supplements.
It’s worth noting that many of these ingredients have synergistic actions, which means that they work better in combination. While you may only be looking for a supplement with a particular ingredient that may provide a specific action, choosing a supplement with combined high-quality ingredients may be the better option. Consider that it is also hard to predict what you will want to improve mentally and physically in the future, and a product with a combination of ingredients may address a need before you even realize you want or need improvement in a particular area.
Ketones
Let’s start with the star of the show: ketones. If you’re new to the ketogenic diet, then you may not even know what ketones are or how they are made. Our body uses three macronutrients for energy: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. When carbohydrates and protein are restricted, such as when you follow a ketogenic diet, your body switches to using fat for energy.
While most of your body can use fat for energy, your brain is only able to use two sources of energy, carbohydrates and ketone bodies. The liver produces ketone bodies by breaking down fat.
In nature, ketosis only happens in humans during times of starvation. Ketone formation was one way in which nature protected our brains when carbohydrates and proteins were scarce, and we had to survive off our body’s fat stores.
Exogenous Ketones
Exogenous ketones are simply ketones that are not made inside your body, such as the ones you may take in a supplement. At this point, you may be wondering why you would want to take exogenous ketones when you are already performing a ketogenic diet. The answer to your question is two-fold.
One reason that you may want to take an exogenous ketone supplement early on in the ketogenic diet is to kickstart the ketosis process. Taking an exogenous ketone supplement may enhance the benefits of a natural ketosis state in the body, such as increased mental clarity and increased energy levels. Additionally, at least one study has shown that supplementing with exogenous ketones decreased feelings of hunger for up to four hours after the supplement was ingested.
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are another common ingredient added to keto supplements. Electrolytes are minerals such as sodium or potassium that perform a variety of functions in the body, ranging from helping catalyze chemical reactions to balancing blood pH.
Have you ever started a diet only to feel worse in the first few days than you felt beforehand? This is what people are describing when they talk about having the “keto flu” after starting a ketogenic diet. The keto flu is a collection of symptoms that can mimic the symptoms of influenza, such as headache, fatigue, brain fog, and nausea, among others.
We are still unsure what exactly causes keto flu symptoms, besides the obvious change of starting a ketogenic diet, but many people report that electrolytes tend to help decrease the severity of keto flu. The good news is that the keto flu is not actually influenza, which means it should go away within a few days.
Nootropics
Nootropics are supplements containing herbs, vitamins, and other ingredients that improve cognitive performance, giving you that competitive edge you need. Who doesn’t want that?
People go on a ketogenic diet for a variety of reasons, one of which is the mental clarity and sharpness that many people experience in ketosis. Imagine you could boost your cognitive performance even further by taking nootropic supplements. That’s why these cognitive enhancers are added to ketogenic supplements, and why you may want to consider a keto supplement with nootropics.
Methodology
No one wants to feel like they are being deceived, so we want to take a moment to explain how we chose these as the best keto supplements and ranked them in this order. We know the importance of transparency, honesty, and mental closure, so we’re here to give you the lowdown. Here are some of the questions that we asked ourselves while searching through dozens of ketogenic supplements. Some criteria were given more weight than others, which largely dependended on what we found customers were looking for in customer reviews.
- Ketone amount: How many ketones are found in each supplement?
- Electrolytes: Are there electrolytes in the supplement?
- Artificial color, ingredients, flavors: Is the supplement free of these ingredients?
- Fillers and binders: Are there unnecessary fillers and binders included in the supplement?
- Price: Is the supplement reasonably priced for the ingredients included?
- Customer reviews: What do people that use this supplement daily have to say?
- Quantity: How many servings are in each container of the supplement?
The Best Keto Supplements
Perfect Keto Exogenous Ketone Base
When starting a keto diet, you have to stick to strict dietary guidelines to get into ketosis—eating ultra-low carbs and high fat. But keto supplements may be able to help accelerate weight loss and help you feel your best as you get started. The Perfect Keto Exogenous Ketone Base is our pick for the best keto supplement, as it provides not only ketones but electrolytes as well.
Each scoop has a whopping 3,800 mg of three ketones: sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate, magnesium beta-hydroxybutyrate, and calcium beta-hydroxybutyrate. Plus, there are added electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, and sodium) to help keep you hydrated and feeling your best. This powder is the perfect keto supplement to take before workouts and during intermittent fasting, as well as for people who are just easing their way into (or back into) ketosis. The combination of ketones and electrolytes can help with increasing energy, preventing keto flu symptoms, and curbing hunger.
Six different flavors are available, including peach, vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, coffee and, of course, good old unflavored. But don’t worry, the flavors are all all-natural, and there is no sugar here—the powder is sweetened with monk fruit and stevia. The price of $56.99 per container, which has 15 servings, is a bit expensive, but you do get what you pay for. With over 3,000 reviews and a 4.5-star average, this popular keto supplement seems to make people pretty happy.
Pros
- Supplies ketones and electrolytes
- Free of sugar, binders, fillers, and artificial ingredients
- 3,000 reviews and a 4.5-star average
Cons
- Expensive ($56.99 per 1- serving container)
Keto AF Ketogenic Nootropic
You may have heard about the wonders ketones can do for memory and brain health. In fact, you may be eating keto for that very reason! With Keto AF Ketogenic Nootropic, you can advance the brain-boosting perks of your keto diet. This keto supplement is packed full of herbs and healthy fats to support memory, mood, and mental stamina. It’s bound to make you feel mentally sharper than a razor blade.
The star ingredient for memory in this supplement is Lion’s Mane. This mushroom has been used for thousands of years in China to support optimal mental functioning, and is becoming one of the most popular nootropics today. Plus there is L-theanine, which creates a feeling of calm alertness, along with ashwagandha, which is known for its stress-relieving properties and its ability to promote stable, long-lasting energy. One thing to note is there aren’t any exogenous ketones in this supplement.
We also love the addition of MCT oil and coconut oil, which are both easily and quickly absorbed in the digestive tract and can be used immediately for energy. Since keto dieters have trained their metabolisms to use fat for fuel, these quick sources of fat are a keto-er’s best friend. As you can see, the ingredients in this keto supplement benefit more than just memory and cognition—it supports sustained energy as well as elevated mood. A bottle sells for $27.99 and has 30 servings, so it’s quite affordable compared to some of the other best keto supplements.
Pros
- Herbs for cognition and energy
- Reasonably priced ($27.99 for 30 servings)
- Includes the healthy fats MCT oil and coconut oil
Cons
- No exogenous ketones
- Large servings size (four capsules per serving)
Keto Logic BHB Exogenous Ketones
Keto Logic’s exogenous ketones contain a balance of exogenous ketones, as well as electrolytes, making it a well-rounded and affordable keto supplement. A container has 30 servings and sells for $59.99, which is cheaper than some similar products. Also, if you subscribe, you can save 15% of each bottle—not too shabby.
What stands out to us are the five funky flavors this keto supplement is available in: apple-pear, orange-mango, patriot pop, chocolate, and vanilla. Don’t worry, all the flavors are totally natural. There are no synthetic colors or sweeteners, either. However, it does contain some silicon dioxide, which, when inhaled, can have adverse effects on the lungs.
A scoop has 6 g of goBHB (beta-hydroxybutyrate), as well as a modest dose of electrolytes—calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium—which help control water balance and hydration in the body. Ensuring you have enough electrolytes on board can help prevent dehydration symptoms like headaches, nausea, and muscle cramps. People on keto diets often enjoy adding extra ketones to their diet to help with cravings, hunger, and energy levels.
Pros
- Contains both electrolytes and ketones
- Free of synthetic colors, flavors, sweeteners
- Comes in five tasty flavors
Cons
- Fewer ketones per scoop than some similar products
- Contains silicon dioxide
Adapted Nutrition Keto K 1000
As a person on a keto diet, you are probably familiar with the term keto flu. Headache, brain fog, fatigue, and nausea are common symptoms to experience when starting a keto diet. Right now, no one knows for sure what causes keto flu, but some people find that staying hydrated helps prevent these symptoms. Staying hydrated means having both enough water and electrolytes in your system. That’s why Adapted Nutrition Keto K 1000 is one of our top keto supplements.
This electrolyte supplement has the basics: magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium. But the special sauce to this electrolyte powder is the ConcenTrace, a patented ingredient that contains trace minerals from The Great Salt Lake. This means you are getting a blend of minerals that are needed in small amounts to keep the body’s hydration levels balanced.
Aside from being a kick-butt electrolyte drink, this powder also tastes awesome. It comes in naturally flavored lemon-raspberry, orange-lemon, and watermelon varieties that are sure to leave your tastebuds happy. (A few reviewers mentioned it is a tad too sweet for their liking). Let’s talk price: for a whopping 50 servings, Keto K 1000 costs only $34.95. That works out to around $0.70 per serving. With over 1,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.5-star average rating, it’s safe to say that people have given this electrolyte drink two thumbs up.
Pros
- Contains trace minerals in addition to standard electrolytes
- No sugar, fillers, or artificial colors
- Affordably priced ($34.95 per 50 servings)
Cons
- Some find the powder too sweet
- Is not third-party tested
Zhou Keto Drive BHB Salts
With close to 12 g of exogenous ketones per scoop, Zhou Keto Drive BHB Salts is one of the most potent ketone supplements we have reviewed. Plus, its price of $38.98 for 16 servings is fairly inexpensive if you’re just getting started. If you have the attitude of “go big or go home” and are looking for a ketone supplement that delivers a big dose of beta-hydroxybutyrate to support your energy, workouts, and weight loss, then (drumroll please) this is the one for you.
The powder itself is completely sugar- and carb-free (a must for those on a keto diet), and it is made without synthetic colors, flavors, sweeteners, or any fillers. Let’s talk about taste. Zhou’s Keto Drive BHB Salts come in three different flavors: orange-mango, black-cherry, and matcha-lemonade. These unique taste combinations help set this product apart from other ketone supplements.
Zhou creates its powder in an FDA-certified facility, which lets us know they care about bringing high-quality, safe products to their customers. On Amazon, they have a 4-star average. Many people love the taste of the product and feel like the product delivers results. However, some find the taste a bit too “fake” tasting, and others feel like this ketone supplement doesn’t pack the same punch as other brands. But from our standpoint, this ketone powder checks all the boxes for a high-quality keto supplement.
Pros
- Created in an FDA-certified facility
- Mega-dose of ketones
- No added sugar and completely carb-free
Cons
- A modest 4-star average on Amazon
- Some find the taste too “fake tasting”
Sports Research Keto Plus
Want a keto supplement that helps you stay energized, reduces cravings and hunger, and helps regulate your sugar levels? Who says you can’t have it all. Sports Research’s Keto Plus is a popular ketone and electrolyte supplement. Every scoop has 6 g of ketones, a decent dose of electrolytes, and some other ingredients to support blood sugar balance and weight loss.
Aside from exogenous ketones, there’s also chromium, a mineral involved in insulin and blood sugar regulation. As you probably already know, keeping blood sugar in a normal range is essential on a keto diet. Plus, there is acetyl-L-carnitine, an amino acid that is involved in fat metabolism. This combination of ingredients makes for a well-rounded keto supplement. Online, a month’s worth sells for $39.95—very reasonable in our books.
Reviewers on Amazon have given this product a 4.5-star average rating, which is pretty impressive. Many people find that this product supports their energy and mixes well into water. However, some say the taste is not very pleasant, and they do not find it changes their ketone levels on a urine strip. Overall, this keto powder is reasonably priced and contains a fair amount of ketones per scoop. There are certainly other ketone supplements that are more potent, although we do like the addition of chromium for blood sugar balance.
Pros
- Contains ketones and electrolytes
- Money-back guarantee
- Contains chromium to support blood sugar balance
Cons
- A modest amount of ketones per scoop (6 g)
- Is not third-party tested
- Some reviews complain about the taste
Key Nutrients Electrolyte Recovery Plus
For people following a keto diet, making sure you are hydrated is essential, especially if you are also intermittent fasting or working out. There is more to hydration than just water—electrolytes are needed to hold water in the body (and in the right places). Key Nutrients Electrolyte Recovery Plus is an all-star electrolyte drink powder that really did earn the “plus” in its name.
This electrolyte recovery drink has so much more than just a few minerals. It contains 12 vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and B vitamins, to restore and replenish your hydration as well as vitamin status. It also contains calcium and magnesium, which are important for proper muscle contractions. This super-affordable electrolyte drink comes in a container with 90 servings and costs under $30. It is an easy-to-mix powder, which means you can add it to water or in with a keto smoothie—hello, versatility.
One downside is that there is only one flavor option: lemonade. So if you are looking for a jazzy flavor like cherry-strawberry punch, you are out of luck here. Plus, some reviews mention the flavor is too artificial tasting. However, overall this keto supplement has a 4.5-star average on Amazon, which means customers like it.
Pros
- Mix of electrolytes as well as trace minerals
- Easy to mix powder
- Affordably priced ($29.94 for 90 servings)
Cons
- Only one flavor available
- Is not third-party tested
- Some complaints about the taste
Genius Blood Sugar Support Pills
Starting a keto diet means saying goodbye to carbs, hello to fat, and, most importantly, keeping your blood sugar balanced. While diet is key to achieving this, a little help never hurt anyone, right? Genius Blood Sugar Support Pills do what their name says: support your blood sugar. The best part is, all you’ll need to take is one capsule to reap all the blood sugar-lowering benefits. Easy peasy.
The formula is simple: two herbal ingredients known for their blood-sugar-lowering abilities, cinnamon bark and berberine. In fact, berberine may lower blood sugar as well as the most common medication for type 2 diabetes, metformin. Cinnamon bark may be able to manage blood sugar by helping with insulin sensitivity. Plus, berberine may also increase your metabolism and fat-burning potential.
The capsules are vegan; however, there is some corn maltodextrin (a corn-derived starch), which is typically not an ingredient people eating keto want to consume. Keep in mind it is in a very small amount. This supplement can be taken solo or combined with ketone supplements to take your keto diet to a new level. This keto supplement costs $29.95 for a 30-day supply, which is very affordable.
Pros
- Potent, researched blood-sugar-lowering herbal extracts
- Only one capsule per serving
- Inexpensive ($29.95 for a 30-day supply)
Cons
- Contains corn maltodextrin (a corn-derived starch)
- Is not third-party tested
- Does not contain any ketones
MD Life Lepticore
MD Life Lepticore was formulated to help people feel fuller for longer, which means they can successfully avoid reaching for carbs on their keto diet or easily intermittent fast without feeling hungry. This supplement is a wonderful addition to a keto diet.
This supplement was designed by a medical doctor (hence the “MD” in the name). It contains ingredients aimed to increase leptin, a hormone our bodies naturally create that tells us we are full. Plus, it is full of antioxidants that are important for overall health, including heart health. The key ingredient is a proprietary formula—Lepticore is a combination of plant fibers, polyphenols (antioxidants), and fatty acids. Research has shown that it helps people to lose body fat as well as decrease their inflammation levels.
This keto supplement also has white kidney bean extract, which may help to reduce carbohydrate absorption. A 30-serving bottle costs $28.95. They also offer a smaller bottle with 14 servings for $14.95. Currently, there are only a handful of reviews on Amazon, so it’s hard to know what people are thinking about this product, but time will tell.
Pros
- Formulated by a doctor
- Ingredients to help you lose fat
- Ingredients to block carb absorption
Cons
- Contains fillers and binders
- No third-party testing
- Not currently many reviews on Amazon
Lux Supplements Keto Shred
If there was a keto supplement that could increase your fat-burning potential, decrease your appetite, and suppress food cravings with just a few drops of a liquid, would you be interested? Well, Lux Supplements Keto Shred has formulated a liquid supplement aimed at doing just that.
It’s a mix of several, all-natural herbal ingredients like African mango and garcinia, which reduce your appetite and food cravings. You should know that there has been some concern about the safety of garcinia, a popular weight-loss herb, in the medical community. This is because garcinia may have an adverse effect on your liver, but it’s too soon to say for sure. This supplement also includes ginseng, eleuthero, glycyrrhizin, and maca, four adaptogenic powerhouse herbs that may be able to help your body and brain better manage stress and maintain energy levels.
Although there is a lot to like about this supplement, one part may be a bit misleading to customers: the ingredient “raspberry ketones.” Some may confuse this ingredient with exogenous ketones, like the ones we see in many of the other supplements. Raspberry ketones are said to help increase a hormone called adiponectin, which is involved in fat burning. However, most of the research has been done in test tubes and on mice, so we don’t know for sure if it works in humans. This supplement is reasonably priced at $19.95 for 40 servings, and on Amazon, it has a 4.5-star average.
Pros
- Adaptogenic herbs for energy and stress management
- Appetite-suppressant herbs
- The 4.5-star average on Amazon
Cons
- Does not contain exogenous ketones
- Potential safety concerns with garcinia
- Unknown efficacy of raspberry ketones
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Do I need to take supplements on a keto diet?
A lot of people tell others that they have to do this or they have to do that to be successful on a particular diet. So, how is someone supposed to really know what to do when it comes to supplements? The truth is that it’s hard to know what to do unless you are a trained dietitian or have a biochemistry background—or unless you can talk to one of these people.
Supplements are generally not needed in a well-thought-out diet, with a few notable exceptions. Supplements are designed to do exactly what the name suggests, supplement your dietary regime to ensure there are no nutrient deficiencies and to optimize your current and future mental and physical state. Some people have a tendency to go to extremes with supplementation, almost to the point of subsisting entirely on supplements, which can lead to a whole host of problems.
That said, supplements can be a valuable tool in a ketogenic diet. Ketogenic supplements can help combat some of the adverse physical and mental feelings that can crop up when starting a new diet. They can help ensure you have the energy you need when life gets hectic, and you don’t have the time to prepare a complete ketogenic meal. You don’t need to go out and buy hundreds of dollars in supplements; you just have to be strategic about the supplements you do decide to purchase. Ask yourself, what am I trying to accomplish by taking a certain supplement?
What should I watch out for and avoid when choosing keto supplements?
While there are definitely things you want in a keto supplement, there are also other things that you should avoid. We did our best to break down the pros and cons of the supplements reviewed above, but if you’re searching for something different, here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting your keto supplement.
One of the most obvious things to look out for when selecting a keto supplement is sugar, as well as other high-carbohydrate sweeteners like high-fructose corn syrup. It sounds obvious, right? The ketogenic diet is based on a low-carbohydrate foundation, so you may think that keto supplements have low to zero carbohydrates. But you’d be surprised to realize that some keto supplements have a fair amount of carbohydrates, which can really damage your ketosis state unless you pay attention.
Secondly, you need to watch out for binders and fillers that are sometimes added to supplements. Binders and fillers help give bulk to the supplement you’re taking and make the consumer feel like they are getting their money’s worth. Who needs this facade? Buy from a company that has enough respect for you and your body not to include a lot of binders and fillers.
Lastly, make sure you choose a supplement that is free from artificial colors, sweeteners, and flavors. There are experts on both sides of the artificial sweetener and coloring debate. But when it comes right down to it, why take the risk? Just choose a supplement without these added ingredients.
What are the best keto supplements?
Did you skim this article to get to a summary of the best keto supplements? The best overall keto supplement is Perfect Keto Exogenous Ketone Base, which has 3.8 grams of three ketones, lots of electrolytes, and six different flavors to choose between. This supplement company made sure that there were no artificial flavors or sweeteners added to their product, so you can rest easy when dishing out the nearly $57 per 15 servings for this product.
The best ketogenic nootropic supplement is Keto AF Ketogenic Nootropic, which is packed with cognitive-enhancing ingredients and fats minus the exogenous ketones. Optimize your brain performance with this supplement for under $30 for 30 servings. Our best, highest dose keto supplement is Zhou Keto Drive BHB Salts, which is loaded with 12 grams of ketones. This supplement is entirely free from artificial colors, sweeteners, and has no fillers.
