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EFX Sports Kre-Alkalyn Hardcore
Kre-Alkalyn is EFX Sports' pH-buffered creatine, and the Hardcore version adds a focus and intensity element on top — a creatine capsule aimed at the pre-workout slot rather than just the daily dose.
The buffering is the point of Kre-Alkalyn: standard creatine monohydrate can convert to creatinine in stomach acid before it's absorbed, and a pH-correct form is designed to survive that trip intact. In practice that means smaller doses, no loading phase, and less of the bloating some people get with monohydrate.
Capsules keep it simple — no mixing, no grit, no flavour to tolerate. Take them before training.
120 capsules.
At a glance
£1.46
per 5g buffered creatine
Limited
evidence for buffered creatine
Our honest take
This is a stimulant pre-workout capsule as much as a creatine. Three capsules give 2 g of buffered creatine, below the 3 g a day the authorised claim is based on, plus about 264 mg of caffeine with other stimulants. That is more than a strong coffee in one go. The label we found is the US version and lists raspberry ketone and artificial colours, which we are checking against UK rules.
- You want a stimulant pre-workout and accept a modest creatine dose
- You are sensitive to caffeine, train late in the day or already drink coffee
- You want creatine for daily use: the dose is low and you would not take stimulants every day
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18
The science
Buffered creatine· evidence: Limited
Buffered creatine is creatine monohydrate mixed with an alkaline powder such as sodium carbonate. It is marketed as more stable in the stomach and so more effective. A controlled study that compared Kre-Alkalyn with plain monohydrate found no advantage in muscle creatine levels, strength or body composition, and plain monohydrate is already stable in the stomach.
It still provides creatine, so the authorised creatine claim applies when you get 3 g of creatine a day. You are usually paying more per gram for the buffer.
Creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high intensity exercise. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 3 g of creatine.
Typical dose: Enough to provide 3 g of creatine a day; check the label
Safety: Same general precautions as creatine monohydrate. Contains a small amount of sodium from the buffer. Speak to your GP first if you have a kidney condition.
Research we looked at:
Jagim AR et al. (2012). A buffered form of creatine does not promote greater changes in muscle creatine content, body composition, or training adaptations than creatine monohydrate. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 9:43.
Kreider RB et al. (2017). ISSN position stand. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 14:18.
Caffeine· evidence: Strong
Caffeine is one of the best-supported performance aids, with consistent research showing it can improve endurance, strength and alertness. The doses used in research are usually 3–6 mg per kg of body weight, taken about an hour before exercise.
The catch is the dose: it adds to any coffee, tea or energy drinks you already have, and it can disrupt sleep if taken later in the day. There is no authorised health claim for caffeine and sports performance in the UK.
Typical dose: Research doses are 3–6 mg per kg of body weight
Safety: High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women. Healthy adults should keep total caffeine from all sources to no more than 400 mg a day and 200 mg at a time. Avoid late in the day and do not combine with other caffeine products.
Research we looked at:
Guest NS et al. (2021). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: caffeine and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 18:1.
EFSA NDA Panel (2015). Scientific opinion on the safety of caffeine. EFSA Journal 13(5):4102.
Ingredients & nutrition
Always check the pack you receive, as manufacturers sometimes update recipes.
How to use
What buyers are saying
Rated reasonably well on Amazon UK. Buyers most often say they feel stronger and train harder, which is what you would expect from the caffeine. We found no recurring complaints in the small number of reviews.
Our own summary of the Amazon UK listing for this product (about 26 ratings), read 9 October 2026. These are not SupplementHQ customer reviews, and we include the complaints as well as the praise.
Price per dose & how it compares
| Product | Size | Price | Per 5g buffered creatine |
|---|---|---|---|
| This product | 120 caps | £23.33 | £1.46 |
| Applied Nutrition Creatine Monohydrate Micronized | from £11.48 | £0.18 | |
| Applied Nutrition Creatine HCL | from £15.99 | £0.89 | |
| EFX Sports Kre-Alkalyn | from £21.27 | £0.97 |
Cost per 5g lets you compare different sizes and formats fairly.Worked out from our current prices.
Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. General information, not medical advice. Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medication.
Kre-Alkalyn is EFX Sports' pH-buffered creatine, and the Hardcore version adds a focus and intensity element on top — a creatine capsule aimed at the pre-workout slot rather than just the daily dose.
The buffering is the point of Kre-Alkalyn: standard creatine monohydrate can convert to creatinine in stomach acid before it's absorbed, and a pH-correct form is designed to survive that trip intact. In practice that means smaller doses, no loading phase, and less of the bloating some people get with monohydrate.
Capsules keep it simple — no mixing, no grit, no flavour to tolerate. Take them before training.
120 capsules.
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