9 Best Fat Burners for Men of 2024

Fat loss isn’t a simple process. To burn body fat while maintaining muscle, you need to eat in a caloric deficit and keep a consistent workout routine. The results won’t happen overnight but if you want a leaner physique, there’s no way around hard work.

Once your diet and training schedule are dialed in, though, you may decide to try a fat burner to help speed up and optimize your efforts. These supplements are packed with ingredients, like l-carnitine, cayenne pepper, and caffeine, that can help you shed that last little bit of lingering fat. Our team of Barbend experts has gathered all the best fat burners for men, no matter your fitness goal. Keep reading to find the ideal supplement for your needs.

Best Fat Burners for Men

• Best Fat Burner for Men Overall: Jacked Factory Burn XT
• Best Belly Fat Burner for Men: PhenQ
• Best Pre-Workout Fat Burner for Men: Transparent Labs Lean
• Best Fat Burner for Men’s Bodybuilding: Transparent Labs Recomp
• Best Natural Fat Burner for Men: Legion Phoenix Fat Burner
• Best Stimulant-Free Fat Burner for Men: Transparent Labs Stim-Free Fat Burner
• Best Premium Fat Burner for Men: PhenQ
• Best Fat Burner Powder for Men: Jacked Factory Burn XT Powder

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. 

Best Men’s Fat Burners Video Review

Be sure to check out our video review of these top picks. This video provides an even more in-depth analysis of the best fat burners for men. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fgdbVQK8GQ0

How We Chose The Best Men’s Fat Burners

Fat burners are a relatively straightforward product. They contain a handful of ingredients aimed towards increasing thermogenesis and lipolysis while also suppressing appetite and increasing energy and focus — all to aid your diet.

We focused on three main areas: ingredients — namely, the quality and quantity — how much the product costs, and then the serving size.

Ingredients

We dive into this a bit more below, but there’s a shortlist of fat-burning ingredients linked to fat loss and thermogenesis. The supps on this list all contain at least one scientifically-backed supplement that is shown to aid in either thermogenesis or lipolysis. 

Also, seeing as these picks are for men, we identified three ingredients that have been linked to increased testosterone production. Testosterone is the hormone that helps build muscle and bone mass, and it’s especially prominent in men. We elaborate on those three ingredients below and ensure that each of our picks contain at least one. 

Price

The fat burners on this list vary in price, but we made sure that there’s an option for all budgets. Equally as important, we ensure that “affordable” and “cheap” aren’t synonymous. Even our lower-priced picks offer solid ingredients. 

Serving Size

Some fat burners require that you take multiple pills two times a day. We’ll admit that there’s a pick or two on this list with a heftier serving size. But we also selected brands that offer a more modest dose for the pill-averse. 

The Best Overall Fat Burner: Jacked Factory Burn XT

Different fat burners take different approaches in their formulas. Some focus on appetite control and others may increase your body temperature to burn more calories (aka thermogenesis). For our best product overall, we wanted a pick that does all of the above. Plus, this one is straightforward and reasonably priced. 

Jacked Factory includes a potent combination of thermogenics and appetite suppressants in their formulation of Burn XT. Jacked Factory Burn XT contains 450mg of green tea extract, which may help with weight loss and blood sugar regulation, and 270mg of total caffeine, which may help with thermogenesis and appetite control, while providing energy. Customers definitely seem to notice some of these benefits, according to the many five-star reviews. 

“BURN-XT has been a game-changer for me,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “I’ve noticed increased energy levels during workouts, and the results speak for themselves. The appetite control is a fantastic bonus, making it easier to stick to my fitness goals. Highly recommend this product for anyone looking to enhance their workout routine and see real, positive changes!”

This formula includes 700mg of l-carnitine as well, which may help improve your body’s ability to metabolize fat, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). However, this is probably most beneficial for people with larger amounts of body fat, according to Kubala. Plus, the dosage of l-carnitine in this supplement is lower than most research considers effective. 

Jacked Factory provides supplement facts for both one capsule and two, so beginners can start with a half dose first, which is wise if you’re new to fat burners. Jacked Factory Burn XT also comes at a pretty reasonable price (about $1.16 per serving if you’re taking two pills), which is more than we can say for some other fat burners on the market.

While caffeine can be helpful for increasing your energy during a workout, this one does pack quite a bit (270mg per serving). This is more than half your daily recommended intake of 400mg, according to the FDA. So, if you’re a coffee drinker or just sensitive to caffeine, it may not be a great option.

[Related: The 12 Best Fat Burners for Women of 2024]

Best Belly Fat Burner for Men: PhenQ

It can’t be said enough: Spot reduction is a myth. You can’t target the fat around your belly with any supplement, diet, or exercise. But if you’re hoping to trim a few pounds from your midsection, losing total body fat can certainly help. For anyone who’s trying to get rid of stubborn body fat, this product may be your best bet. 

While PhenQ includes most major fat burning ingredients, it also throws in some extra components to potentially help your cravings and energy levels. Unlike many other fat burners, PhenQ includes nopal cactus, an ingredient that’s naturally high in fiber to help increase your satiety and stave off cravings, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

This supp also packs B vitamins, which your body uses to help produce energy. However, you’ll really only feel the effects of these ingredients if you’re already deficient, according to Kubala. So, if your multivitamin has plenty of B vitamins, you might not get much benefit from the vitamins here.

While you’ll find that the label is fully transparent with its ingredients and their amounts, you’ll also see that PhenQ uses veggie capsules, so they’re okay for those looking to avoid animal products.

If you’re targeting stubborn fat, it’s beneficial to have added ingredients in your fat burner that may help boost your overall satiety and better your workouts while sticking to your calorie deficit and resistance training plan. With that said, PhenQ can’t help you target belly fat (no supplement can). So, make sure to manage your expectations and lean on your diet and training plan.

Best Pre-Workout Fat Burner for Men: Transparent Labs LEAN

If you’re trying to consolidate your supplement stack, you may prefer to take your fat burner within your pre-workout — this pre-workout contains both l-carnitine and caffeine. 

A product doesn’t need to be labeled as a “fat burner” to have fat burning properties. While this pre-workout does contain the typical pre-workout ingredients, like citrulline malate, beta-alanine, betaine, and branched-chain amino acids, it also includes l-carnitine, which may help turn fat into usable energy, and caffeine, which — though great for energy — has also been linked to fat burn.

“I had tried a pre-workout before and did not see any real results,” says one five-star customer review, among many others. “TL’s gives me a substantial boost and really gets my workout started well. I am 57 and in the best shape I have been since my thirties. No peak and no crash — just focused intensity for my lift. I recommend this highly.”

Transparent Labs LEAN contains no artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives, and is gluten-free and non-GMO. This is a powder supplement that comes in six flavors though, so for those who want a fat burner pill you can take for convenience, this may not be the best pick for you.

While our personal testers did like the flavor options, they noticed some floaties in their bottle after shaking up a scoop. If you’re on the market for a pre-workout for weight loss, there are definitely better-mixing options out there. But luckily, these won’t get in the way of ingredients doing their job.

For those who are already taking a pre-workout, taking Transparent Labs LEAN can combine your need for a pre-workout and a fat burner — so long as you’re not looking for a super robust fat burner ingredient list, as this product only contains a few. 

Read our full Transparent Labs LEAN Review.

Best Fat Burner for Men’s Bodybuilding: Transparent Labs Recomp

Transparent Labs’ Recomp combines l-theanine and caffeine for focus and energy in the gym, ideal for bodybuilders who want to stay muscular while losing weight. After all, keeping focus during a hard training session while on a diet is no walk in the park (pun intended).

This supp attacks fat loss from different angles, thanks to its combination of ingredients. In one dose, you get 250mg of forslean, which contains forskolin, an ingredient that may help promote weight loss, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 

You also get l-theanine, which can help support mental clarity and focus for a distraction-free workout, per the Cleveland Clinic. This ingredient is also ideal for bodybuilders, as it may help improve sleep quality (getting good sleep in a deficit can be tough).

One customer even noticed some appetite suppression, potentially from the caffeine here. “Working great so far,” the five-star reviewer says. “Seeing results and a decreased appetite.” However, this fat burner doesn’t have many customer reviews, one downside, so if you like the security of a widely-used supplement, you may want to opt for another product.

TL recommends taking two capsules twice a day, 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Though, new users should probably start with just one capsule to assess tolerance and increase gradually as needed. The ingredients in this supplement make it a great choice for bodybuilders looking to increase their fat burn while maintaining clarity and focus during tough training sessions. 

Best Natural Fat Burner for Men: Legion Phoenix Fat Burner

If you’re looking to potentially burn excess fat without harsh stimulants or harmful chemicals, a natural fat burner is the way to go — this one is one of our favorites.

This product is a 100 percent natural, stimulant-free fat burner. Legion Phoenix Fat Burner contains no artificial sweeteners, food dyes, or unwanted fillers. We also like that Legion includes information on every ingredient in this supplement, including the best dosing and science behind the ingredients. 

These include Thai ginseng, 5-HTP, caralluma fimbriata, and forskolin, which all can help burn fat, suppress appetite, and regulate metabolism. (2) Plus, Legion has included an added dose of B vitamins, which can help with focus.

Although the ingredients are intentional, this fat burner won’t do the work for you. “As a personal trainer and following Legion for over five years, I have recommended this product to all my clients and it gives them results faster for sure,” one five-star reviewer writes. “This supplement is a boost and not a way out! I repeat, not a WAY OUT! With a proper diet plan and exercise regimen, you will always end up to the weight you have and get exhausted during the process.”

While Legion is transparent in their ingredient-listing, they also keep it all-natural, avoiding artificial sweeteners, food dyes, and fillers, and focusing on high quality ingredients. However, for athletes taking other medications and supplements, herbal products may not be the way to go, Kubala says. Herbal ingredients can negatively interact with other medications or negatively affect other conditions. So, be sure to double check with your physician. 

Read our full Legion Phoenix Fat Burner Review.

Best Stimulant-Free Fat Burner for Men: Transparent Labs Stim-Free Fat Burner

Sometimes a non-stimulant fat burner is more ideal if you’re looking to avoid caffeine. Maybe you want to exercise later in the evening, or if you just want to stick to coffee for your dose of caffeine in the morning. If you fall into either of these categories, this pick is for you. 

If you’re looking to avoid stimulants, Transparent Labs offers a stim-free fat burner. This formula has zero added caffeine but you do still get some of the much-loved fat burner ingredients, like forskolin, cayenne pepper, and l-theanine.

This formula includes 250mg of forskolin, which may help promote some fat loss. You also get 300mg of green tea leaf extract, which may have some weight-loss properties but more research is definitely needed. Although it probably won’t hurt, green tea can have a little bit of natural caffeine, which may not work for athletes looking to ingest zero caffeine.

Though caffeine can be an effective fat-burning ingredient, those who exercise late at night or are sensitive to caffeine may prefer Transparent Labs Stim-Free Fat Burner. This product can be taken at any time without interfering with sleep or making you jittery.

Best Premium Fat Burner for Men: PhenQ

If you’re willing to spend a little more, some fat burners offer both high quality dosing and ingredients. We like this pick for its thermogenic properties and its ability to ease hunger pangs. 

We were very impressed with the ingredient quality in PhenQ’s formula. It includes capsimax powder, which can help boost thermogenesis (or temperature-induced calorie burn). You also get nopal cactus, a unique ingredient, which is high in fiber and may be able to help boost your satiety levels. Another uncommon ingredient, the chromium picolinate may also help keep cravings at bay. 

All of the ingredients and their amounts are listed clearly on the label. But one drawback is this supplement is a little pricier ($69.99 per bottle). With this level of quality comes a higher price tag compared to other picks on this list. 

While you may have to dish out a little extra cash for this fat burner, its ingredient list is impressive and more comprehensive than most others on this list. Plus, it’s 100 percent natural.

Best Fat Burner Powder for Men: Jacked Factory Burn-XT Powder

Some pill or capsule-based fat burners have a serving size of four, six, or even eight pills. For the pill-averse, there are still fat burner options for you on the market. This pick comes in powder form and packs a potent punch. 

If you prefer a powder over a pill, Jacked Factory has a box of 15 sticks of powdered fat burner. A benefit of a powder supplement is that your body does not have to digest a capsule to get to the fat burner — you drink it mixed with water, which allows your body to absorb it more quickly. However, some customers noted needing to dilute this powder quite a bit, so you may want to mix with more than 8 ounces of water.

The nice thing about this product is that it lists the exact amount of each ingredient, whereas some fat burners use proprietary blends. Jacked Factory sells this fat burner powder in three flavors — Strawberry Lemonade, Pineapple Punch, and Watermelon Lime. Each 30-serving container is only about $19.99 (around $0.67 per serving), making it one of the more affordable products on this list.

While this fat burner powder comes in individual sticks and three great flavors, it still isn’t the most robust fat burner on this list. But if you’re just looking for a solid powder with the big-hitter fat burning ingredients, this pick is the way to go. 

What Are the Benefits of a Fat Burner?

Every human being has what’s called a basal metabolic rate, or BMR. Your BMR measures how many calories your body burns by simply existing (with no added activity). Essentially, how many calories would you burn lying still? How much you weigh, your age, height, and body fat percentage all play a factor in determining your BMR. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=GONVixwHAR0

To lose weight, you must burn more calories (which acts as energy for your body) than you take in. Sound simple but tracking your intake while also training (and holding down a job, possibly raising a family, managing a roster of friends, and making time for Netflix) is tough. Nail your time management, training, and diet, however, and you can get lean. It just takes time. 

That said, supplements can help if everything else is in place. Here are the ways that a fat burner can help decrease your body fat and potentially aid in weight loss.

Thermogenesis

We’ve tossed this word around a few times in the article, so let’s dig into this a bit. By definition, “Thermogenesis is the dissipation of energy through the production of heat and occurs in specialized tissues including brown adipose tissue [fat] and skeletal muscle,” according to Science Direct. More simply put: Your body burns more calories — extracted from fat and muscle — to warm up. (3)

And because working out in a walk-in freezer is both weird and not feasible, most fat-burning supps include ingredients (cayenne pepper extract and caffeine, to name two) that raise your body’s temperature while at rest. Because consuming fewer calories is the goal, inducing thermogenesis may help you lose more weight.

Lipolysis

Lipolysis is the breakdown (or oxidation) of fat cells in the body. Some supplements can improve your body’s ability to oxidize fat, specifically. One study showed that caffeine and green tea extract may enhance fat metabolism, improve endurance, and enhance fat oxidation in athletes. (4)

Appetite Suppression

Fat burners sometimes include ingredients that can curb your hunger pangs. Fenugreek, green tea extract, and 5-HTP — some of these should sound familiar — have been shown to make you feel less hungry. This is particularly helpful since eating fewer calories than you burn can cause your stomach to grumble. 

When Should Men Take A Fat Burner?

Since your metabolism slows overnight as you sleep, taking a fat burner on an empty stomach, 30 min before you eat breakfast in the morning can help increase your metabolism to start the day. You can also take your fat burner about 30 minutes before your workout as fat burners contain a lot of ingredients that can help supply energy (like caffeine). However, these times are simply suggested — there’s no right or wrong time to take a fat burner. (5)(6)

How Much Do Fat Burners Cost?

It’s important to compare the cost of the container as a whole against the number of servings per container to see what you are actually getting for your money. As fat burners are fairly inexpensive, this number will usually come out somewhere between $0.50 and $1.00 per serving (though some more robust fat burners may cost around $2.00 per serving). 

Best Fat Burner for Men Overall	Jacked Factory Burn XT	$34.99 $1.17 per serving
Best Belly Fat Burner for Men	PhenQ	$69.99 $1.17 per serving
Best Pre-Workout Fat Burner for Men	Transparent Labs LEAN	$49.95 $1.66 per serving
Best Fat Burner for Men’s Bodybuilding	Transparent Labs Recomp	$54.99 $0.92 per serving
Best Natural Fat Burner for Men	Legion Phoenix Fat Burner	$49.99 $1.66 per serving
Best Stim-Free Fat Burner for Men	Transparent Labs Stim-Free Fat Burner	$54.99 $0.92 per serving
Best Premium Fat Burner	PhenQ	$69.99 $1.17 per serving
Best Fat Burner Powder for Men	Jacked Factory Burn XT Powder	$26.99 $0.90 per serving

The more robust the ingredients list on your fat burner, the more expensive it’s going to be. So, as you shop, consider which ingredients you want to prioritize.

3 Fat Burning Ingredients That May Increase Testosterone

The next time you scan an ingredient label, these ingredients should catch your eye if you’re looking to burn fat and build muscle. While other ingredients can support energy and reduce stress, which may aid your fat loss efforts, these three ingredients have a decent amount of research backing their fat burning efficacy, as well.

They also have links to supporting testosterone production, the primary hormone involved in muscle-building.

CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)

CLA is an omega-6 fatty acid found mainly in dairy. It’s a popular weight loss supplement that has a decent amount of studies backing its fat loss properties (5). CLA may also be able to synthesize testosterone. One 2013 study found that mice who took CLA experienced a higher amount of free plasma testosterone. When the mice exercised (endurance-style training), those taking CLA saw a greater uptick in testosterone biosynthesis. (7) However, more human research is needed to make any real conclusions.

Caffeine 

Caffeine’s fat-burning effects are well-researched. One study shows that caffeine increased the subject’s metabolic rate for three hours after ingestion. Coffee, the study says, has a strong effect, too. It was concluded that coffee and caffeine may help stimulate your metabolic rate and fat oxidation. (8)

As far as testosterone production is concerned, a study in the Journal of Nutrition showed a link between caffeine consumption in men (via coffee) and increased testosterone levels. (9) However, more research is needed in this connection.

Chili Pepper Extract (Capsaicin)

A review of capsaicin studies derived from chili has shown that eating could reduce energy intake by 74 calories. The thought is the extract creates a desire for more carbohydrate-rich food, not fatty foods, which tend to be twice as calorically dense as carbs at nine calories per gram. (10) Another study says that chili activates adipose tissue, or fat, and facilitates weight loss. (11)

A 2013 study on mice, had a control group eat a standard diet while the others ate some with capsacian. The capsacian group showed an increase in serum testosterone levels, which indicates that spicy food derived from chilis may up your testosterone levels. (12)

What to Consider Before Buying a Men’s Fat Burner

Your personal goals come first and foremost when it comes to deciding which supplement will suit you best. You’ll want to weigh the types of ingredients in your fat burner, as well as when you’ll be taking your supplement, and pricing before buying. 

Ingredients

Most fat burners contain ingredients that help with lipolysis, thermogenesis, or appetite suppression. And while many will include ingredients that can help with all three, some products may lean heavily on one of these three fat burning processes. So, consider which of these processes may best suit your goals.

Timing

Some people like to take their fat burner right when they wake up to jumpstart their metabolism, but others may prefer to take it right before a workout. If you are in the latter group, you’ll want to consider when you workout before choosing your fat burner. Many fat burners contain caffeine, and if you’re working out late at night, this may not suit you best — stim-free fat burners could be better for your exercise regimen. 

Price

While most fat burners will include cayenne pepper, caffeine, and green tea, others may also include extras like HMB or DMAE that can help with things outside of fat burn. If you’re willing to spend a little extra money, you can snag one of these products with a more robust ingredient list. If you’re sticking to a budget, just look for the products with basic fat burning ingredients, no extras. 

Final Word

It’s important to prioritize a healthy diet and exercise regimen first, but once you have those things under control, fat burners can provide extra help. If you’re trying to stay in a caloric deficit, fat burners may be able to help suppress your appetite. They may also help increase your metabolism and burn a little extra fat. Before you buy any fat burning supplement, talk to your doctor to see if this supplement could be right for you. If you get the green light, decide on your ingredients and price point and let this list help you sift through the rest. 

References

1. Hui Zhang, Yibo Tang, Ying Zhang, Shuofeng Zhang, Jing Qu, Xu Wang, Ran Kong, Chunchao Han, Zhenquan Liu, “Fucoxanthin: A Promising Medicinal and Nutritional Ingredient”, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2015, Article ID 723515, 10 pages, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/723515
2. Mullur R, Liu YY, Brent GA. Thyroid hormone regulation of metabolism. Physiol Rev. 2014;94(2):355-382. doi:10.1152/physrev.00030.2013
3. Thermogenesis. Thermogenesis – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved December 13, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/thermogenesis
4. Kim J, Park J, Lim K. Nutrition Supplements to Stimulate Lipolysis: A Review in Relation to Endurance Exercise Capacity. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2016;62(3):141-61. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.62.141. PMID: 27465721.
5. Boyett JC, Giersch GE, Womack CJ, Saunders MJ, Hughey CA, Daley HM, Luden ND. Time of Day and Training Status Both Impact the Efficacy of Caffeine for Short Duration Cycling Performance. Nutrients. 2016 Oct 14;8(10):639. doi: 10.3390/nu8100639. PMID: 27754419; PMCID: PMC5084026.
6. Tinsley, G. M., Urbina, S., Mullins, J., Outlaw, J., Hayward, S., Stone, M., Foster, C., Wilborn, C., & Taylor, L. (2017). Influence of A Thermogenic Dietary Supplement on Safety Markers, Body Composition, Energy Expenditure, Muscular Performance and Hormone Concentrations: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trial. Journal of sports science & medicine, 16(4), 459–467.
7. Barone R, Macaluso F, Catanese P, et al. Endurance exercise and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation up-regulate CYP17A1 and stimulate testosterone biosynthesis. PLoS One. 2013;8(11):e79686. Published 2013 Nov 5.
8. Acheson KJ, Zahorska-Markiewicz B, Pittet P, Anantharaman K, Jéquier E. Caffeine and coffee: their influence on metabolic rate and substrate utilization in normal weight and obese individuals. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/33.5.989. PMID: 7369170.
9. Wedick NM, Mantzoros CS, Ding EL, et al. The effects of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on sex hormone-binding globulin and endogenous sex hormone levels: a randomized controlled trial. Nutr J. 2012;11:86. Published 2012 Oct 19. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-11-86
10. Whiting, S, Derbyshire, E, Tiwari, BK. Capsaicinoids and capsinoids. A potential role for weight management? A systematic review of the evidence. Appetite. 2012;59(2):341-348. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2012.05.015
11. Sharon Varghese, Peter Kubatka, Luis Rodrigo, Katarina Gazdikova, Martin Caprnda, Julia Fedotova, Anthony Zulli, Peter Kruzliak & Dietrich Büsselberg(2017) Chili pepper as a body weight-loss food, International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 68:4, 392-401, DOI: 1080/09637486.2016.1258044
12. Ilhan T, Erdost H. Effects of capsaicin on testis ghrelin expression in mice. Biotech Histochem. 2013 Jan;88(1):10-8. doi: 10.3109/10520295.2012.724083. Epub 2012 Sep 27. PMID: 23013364.