Compare moderate-stimulant pre-workouts on the caffeine in one full-strength serving and the cost per serving. They contain less caffeine than our high-stimulant (higher-caffeine) range, but moderate still means caffeine, so the label figure and your daily total are what to check.
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What is a low-caffeine pre-workout?
It's a pre-workout with less caffeine per serving than the high-stim end of the category. There's no legal definition of "low" or "moderate", so read the caffeine figure: supplements with added caffeine must state it per daily portion, under the warning "Contains caffeine. Not recommended for children or pregnant women".
For comparison, the NHS gives about 100mg for a cup of instant coffee and 75mg for a cup of tea.
How much caffeine is safe with a pre-workout?
EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) says single doses up to 200mg, and up to 400mg a day spread through the day, do not raise safety concerns for healthy adults, apart from pregnant women, for whom the NHS limit is 200mg a day. EFSA also notes 100mg close to bedtime may affect sleep in some adults.
The UK government says to consider the cumulative amount from all caffeinated products. If you have a medical condition or take medication, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
How do you compare moderate-stim pre-workouts?
Compare the caffeine and the cost per full-strength serving, not the servings printed on the tub. "A tub advertised as 40 servings might only provide 20 servings when using the manufacturer's recommended full-strength dose. That can make a product appear better value than it actually is," says Andy Arshad, who runs SupplementHQ.
How to compare value (example figures, not real products): a £24 tub of 30 one-scoop servings costs 80p a serving. A £20 tub labelled 40 servings that needs two scoops for a full dose gives 20 servings at £1 each. Compare across the range in our pre-workout guide.
We sell the products on this page. That's our commercial interest, and it's why we show the evidence alongside them. This page is general information for adults, not personalised medical advice. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet.
Written by Andy Arshad, SupplementHQ. Last reviewed 11 October 2026.