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HEALTH & WELLNESS
2025's Fat Burners That Actually Work
In this article we’ve developed a list of fat burner supplements that we think are actually worth your money
By Jonathan Webber
Last Updated January 18, 2025
When it comes to weight loss, you may have heard about trendy GLP-1 drugs that expedite weight loss. These are a class of medications called GLP-1 antagonists, which help manage blood sugar levels, and in some cases, treat obesity. GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone that we all have, and it plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels, appetite, and metabolism.(1)
The problem with these GLP-1 antagonists is that they come with a laundry list of some very severe side effects, from pancreatitis to medullary thyroid cancer. It’s because of this myriad of side effects that we sought out the best alternatives on the market, and in our research found that there are actually natural ingredients out there that can increase naturally occurring GLP-1 without all the nasty side effects.
Unfortunately in the fat loss supplement industry, nearly 90% of the market is flooded with products that won’t do anything at all. That is why in selecting our top 5 products, we made sure that each product matched a very specific criteria, the first being GLP-1 producing ingredients.
Ingredients In a High Quality Fat Burner
Acetyl L-Carnitine is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body that plays a critical role in the production of energy. It also has many other benefits such as improving exercise performance, heart health, and brain health.(2) The problem is that we can only get small amounts of it through our diet, making supplementation a necessity in any good fat burner. A 2020 review of 37 studies showed that Acetyl L-Carnitine supplementation significantly reduced body weight, body mass index (BMI), and fat mass. (3)
In 2015, a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in order to determine the effects of green tea extract on weight loss. The study found that after 12 weeks of consuming a daily dosage of green tea extract, it resulted in significant weight loss, reduced waist circumference, and a consistent decrease in total cholesterol and LDL plasma levels. (4)
The power of red chili pepper has been shown to boost metabolism, help burn fat, and curb appetite, but you shouldn’t just look for any product that has red chili pepper. Capsimax® is a trademarked form of chili pepper. In two clinical trials, Capsimax® has shown to burn up to 6% more calories in a 4 hour period.(5) This unique ingredient offers a controlled release technology that delivers clinically studied dosages of red chili pepper without the stomach discomfort that may result from unprotected extracts of red chili pepper.
Research indicates that caffeine may support weight loss by enhancing fat burning. Studies have demonstrated that caffeine boosts the rate of fat oxidation—the process of breaking down fat for energy—during exercise, potentially leading to greater weight loss over time. Furthermore, caffeine has been shown to slightly elevate the body’s metabolic rate, helping to burn more calories even when at rest.(6)
So you found a product that checks all the boxes on ingredients, but different brands are making different bold claims and you’re not sure what to believe. Here is a list of other things you need to be sure to look out for when shopping for a fat burning supplement.
What To Look For
A money-back guarantee allows consumers to make an informed decision with confidence, knowing they can receive a refund if the supplement doesn’t meet their needs or expectations. This transparency not only builds trust between the consumer and the brand but also demonstrates a commitment to product quality and customer satisfaction.
When it comes to the manufacturing of a supplement, each batch of product goes through testing to obtain what is called a Certificate of Analysis (CoA). This is a formal document that verifies a product’s quality, safety, and purity (the product actually contains the amount of the ingredients they say it does). We confirmed for you that all brands on our list have obtained a Certificate of Analysis.
What To Avoid
If you’re not careful some ingredients that are commonly used in fat burners can pose risks including but not limited to: liver toxicity, digestive issues, and blood pressure complications. For this reason, we recommend staying away from some popular weight loss ingredients such as Garcinia Cambogia, Raspberry Ketones, & Bitter Orange Extract (Synephrine).
The products on our list are considered because they are all certified with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices). GMP is the assurance standards for the production of medicines, supplements, food, and other products such as cosmetics.
It’s often times rare that you find a clinical study on a supplement formula’s effectiveness. But the products you consider should at least contain ingredients that have data backing their effectiveness. As mentioned above in our ingredients section, we looked for products that have clinically studied ingredients.
The Reviews Digest Ranking System
We employ a comprehensive ranking system to analyze and measure the full value of products, by looking at the clinical studies, safety, projected effectiveness, return policies, and overall customer satisfaction.
By Trucell Supplements
TOTAL RANK
A+
OVERALL GRADE
Pros
100% Money-Back Guarantee
Made in a cGMP (certified Good Manufacturing Process) Facility
Contains Ingredients That Have Studies Backing Them
No Proprietary Blends
Cons
Sells Out Often Due To Popularity
Bottom Line
Sculpt Matrix is our top pick because its clean ingredient profile. It contains Capsimax which is a trademarked ingredient with significant studies backing its effectiveness.
In addition to offering the supplement facts that we look for, Sculpt Matrix is receiving great feedback from real customers, which is an important factor in deciding our rankings.
* Results are based on our Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
By Jacked Factory
TOTAL RANK
A
OVERALL GRADE
Pros
Good Bang For Your Buck
Has Clinical Studies
Amazon Best Seller
Offers A Money-Back Guarantee
Cons
Users Sensitive To Caffeine Reported Side Effects
Bottom Line
BurnXT is one of Amazon Best Sellers for 3 years running now and it’s for good reason. It’s one of our more affordable options, and still contains clinically studied ingredients.
* Results are based on our Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
By Cellucor
TOTAL RANK
B+
OVERALL GRADE
Pros
Great brand reputation
Good option for preworkout. Contains Focus ingredients
Contains our "Ingredients to Look For"
Cons
Proprietary Blends. Ingredient Dosages Unkown
Money-Back Guarantee is only offered on cellucor.com and not Amazon
Bottom Line
Cellucor is one of the most well known brands on our list and has a long standing reputation. SuperHD has a great ingredient profile, and has received great reviews from people who use the product as a pre workout.
Some of our other options might be a better pick if you want to know for sure that you are getting the clinically recommended dosages, since this product contains proprietary blends.
* Results are based on our Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
By InnoSupps
TOTAL RANK
B-
OVERALL GRADE
Pros
Offers a subscribe & save option
Strong Dosage of Clinically studied Capsimax (Cayenne Pepper Extract)
Vegan Friendly & Gluten Free
Cons
Missing Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Our Priciest Option
Bottom Line
Inno Shred makes our top 5 because it contains several, potent natural ingredients.
It offers a strong dose of the trademarked, clinically studied ingredient Capsimax. Innosupps prides themselves on this and states that “Capsimax and Grains of Paradise are responsible for 95% of the around-the-clock fat burning”.
If price is not a concern, this is a great option from our top 5 list.
* Results are based on our Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
By Purely Optimal
TOTAL RANK
C+
OVERALL GRADE
Pros
Most affordable option
Contains all "Ingredients to look for"
Made in a cGMP (certified Good Manufacturing Process) Facility
Cons
Proprietary Blends. Ingredient Dosages Unkown
No Money-Back Guarantee
Bottom Line
We love Purely Optimal’s Thermogenic Burner for its value. It contains all the top ingredients that make for a good thermogenic fat burner, at a good price.
Some of our other options might be a better pick if you want to know for sure that you are getting the clinically recommended dosages, since this product contains proprietary blends.
* Results are based on our Ranking System and do not necessarily reflect typical results from the use of these products. Please visit product websites for more information.
