Your ultimate guide to the fat burners that really work in 2022
Want to cut fast faster? Well, who doesn’t?
Whether you want to achieve a rippling set of stacked abs or just fight the bulge, it’s so satisfying when you have a body that turns heads. You feel like a new person, you walk taller and you’re more confident than ever before.
But that’s easier said than done. Maybe you’re too busy to spend a lot of time in the gym, or maybe you’ve had disappointing results from the fat burners you’ve tried in the past.
Or perhaps you’ve heard some horror stories about the side effects caused by some low-quality fat burners out there.
You’re not alone.
The best fat burners work fast, are safe to use and help you:
- Cut down on belly fat – Reveal the flat, washboard stomach beneath.
- Reduce food cravings – Feel fuller and keep your diet on track.
- Boost motivation and drive – Replace the energy you lose on a low-calorie diet.
- Lose fat without losing muscle – Maintain your manly frame.
What we look for in a fat burner
Buzz around the product
Fat burners have changed beyond recognition in the last few years. And as the supplement industry grows, fat burners will continue to change and improve. For this reason, our favorite fat burners can change every few months.
To help you stay up to date with the latest developments, we keep a close eye on industry news, read other reviews and check the forums to find new products to test.
We’re also keen to hear our readers’ suggestions – so get in touch if you find any fat burners you’d like us to review.
Company reputation
When we review any product, we take the company’s history, size, industry standing, product line and existing reviews into account.
While large or well-known companies don’t always make great products, they’re perhaps a little easier to trust than a new company without a website.
Performance
When you hand over your hard-earned cash for a fat burner, you have a right to expect positive results – and nothing is more important.
Having tested hundreds of fat burners, we’re able to cut through the hype and separate the substance from the nonsense. Our reviews mix our own experiences with the products and the knowledge we glean from the very latest research in scientific journals.
Side effects and safety
Does the fat burner contain any ingredients that could cause side effects or risks to your health? While the quality of the fat burners out there is improving, some still contain potentially harmful ingredients. All products on this list are safe to use and are highly unlikely to cause side effects.
Hybrid products
We’re not fans of fat burners that also claim to be pre-workouts, testosterone boosters or anything else.
Fat burners that also contain pre-workout ingredients do so at the expense of important fat-burning ingredients – and they tend to be weaker than their dedicated counterparts. With this in mind, all the products on this list are dedicated fat burners that do one main job – help you burn fat.
Proprietary blends
Proprietary blends are sub-formulas that manufacturers use to disclose ingredients, but not their exact doses. The use of these hidden formulas are a hollow marketing trick that brands use to hide ineffective blends.
We don’t like proprietary blends because they give you no way of knowing what you’re paying for, which also increases the risk of side effects.
With this in mind, all the fat burners on this page use honest formulas that show you exactly what you’re putting in your body.
Value for money
Has the maker of a fat burner taken shortcuts to cut costs, or have they pulled out all the stops to create a genuinely great product? To find out, we consider everything from our personal experience with the fat burner, to the quality of the ingredients and the strength of the formula.
1. Instant Knockout Cut – Best all around fat burner for men and women
Official website: www.instantknockout.com
Instant Knockout Cut is a “thermogenic” fat burner designed with – and for – MMA fighters. Its purpose is to help users burn fat quickly.
Instant Knockout’s users include MMA fighters Diego Sanchez and John Dodson III and is recommended by the top MMA coach in the world Greg Jackson.
Sanchez used Instant Knockout Cut to help him lose 45lb to drop a weight class after an injury. He says that after three weeks of using the fat burner, he lost 15lb. And after five weeks on Instant Knockout, he says he lost 25lb.
Why you’ll like Instant Knockout Cut:
- Shred stubborn fat – Achieve shredded abs and a sculpted body faster.
- Cut fat without losing energy – Stay motivated to train on a cut.
- Avoid the triggers of overeating – Stick to your diet and keep your cutting goals in sight.
- Maintain muscle mass – Lose weight AND put on more muscle.
How does Instant Knockout Cut work – and is it safe?
Instant Knockout Cut is designed to help MMA fighters drop weight or fat fast. As a result, the guys at Roar Ambition have taken great care to create a safe, natural formula that elite athletes are happy to put in their bodies, without fear of side effects. This is surely a sign of great product.
Instant Knockout contains powerful thermogenics like cayenne pepper and green tea, which ramp up your metabolism and speed up weight/fat loss. Meanwhile, glucomannan is on hand to reduce your appetite, prevent overeating and halt weight gain.
Each Instant Knockout Cut capsule also contains a small amount of caffeine to help replace the energy you lose on a cut.
The Instant Knockout formula is 100% natural, which also means that users will pass a drugs test for competitions. It’s also made in the US and UK to strict FDA and cGMP standards. This ensures the fat burner is free of toxins, which in turn helps guard your safety and comfort.
How to take to Instant Knockout Cut
Each bottle contains 120 capsules, which works out at four capsules a day per month. The directions say you should “take one capsule with a glass of water, four times per day”.
For the most part, we followed the instructions closely and got great results. However, we suggest making sure you get plenty of water with each dose. This is because we neglected to do this a couple of times and got heartburn (we suspect this is the cayenne pepper).
Ingredients
Green tea extract: Contains polyphenols called catechins which block the fatty acid synthase enzyme [9] to speed up your metabolism and help you shred fat.
Cayenne powder: Rich in capsaicin, cayenne powder heats up your body and forces it to burn more calories to cool back down [10]. This speeds up your metabolism and helps you achieve faster weight/fat loss.
Glucomannan: A dietary fiber, glucomannan is rich in polysaccharides which your system can’t break down. This allows it to pass through to your stomach unchanged, where it expands to make you feel fuller [11].
Caffeine: A popular stimulant that replaces the energy you lose when you cut down your calorie intake [12]. With 75mg caffeine per capsule, Instant Knockout gives you just enough to boost your energy throughout the day, without making you crash. This in turn gives you enough motivation to hit the gym, even when you’re on a cut.
What Instant Knockout Cut helped its users achieve
Instant Knockout helped Gavin lose 70lb (5 stone) in 12 months…
Instant Knockout helped a military man and football player cut 3% body fat:
And Kevin lost 42lb in just 79 days with Instant Knockout…
Price
Instant Knockout is available in four different currencies:
US dollars ($ – USD):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – $59
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – $118 (free US and UK shipping)
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – $185 (with free worldwide shipping)
GB pounds sterling (£ – GBP):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – £35
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – £70 (free UK and US shipping)
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – £110 (with free worldwide shipping)
Australian dollars ($ – AUD):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – $75
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – $150
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – $225 (with free worldwide shipping)
Euros (€ – EUR):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – €40
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – €80
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – €140 (with free worldwide shipping)
Value for money
At $59, Instant Knockout is a premium priced product but looking at the ingredients and comparing it to similar products, we think that the price is about right, you are getting really quality here.
We’re big fans of Instant Knockout Cut – but are there any downsides?
- Premium priced – At the higher end of the price range for fat burners
- Limited availability – Only available from instantknockout.com
Final word on Instant Knockout Cut
We have reviewed hundreds of fat burners and diet pills on the website for many years, this is by far the best product that we have ever seen.
The unique powerful formula contains everything that your body needs to burn fat and it is in the correct dose.
It’s recommended by the number one MMA coach in the world, Greg Jackson and is actually used by MMA fighters. It also has amazing customer reviews around the web.
Instant Knockout has been around since 2014 and is still the top product on the market, it’s easy to see why – because it works. We highly recommend buying it.
Our score: 5/5
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Read our Instant Knockout review
2. Burn by Hunter Evolve – Best premium priced
Official website: Hunter Evolve
Burn by Hunter Evolve is a high-grade fat burner that promises to help you “burn fat” and “beat hunger” without losing muscle.
The product is one of a “suite” of supplements from Hunter Evolve – a premium brand. It’s other products are Test (testosterone booster) and Focus (pre-made nootropic).
The Hunter Evolve customer-service rep we spoke to told us that focusing on just three products allows the people behind the brand to focus on quality over quantity.
And it worked – Burn is a superior product in every respect. Judging from the buzz about this fat burner on forums and in user reviews, we’re not the only ones who believe Hunter Burn is the best fat burner we’ve ever tried.
Why you’ll like Burn:
- Shrink your waistline, but not your muscles – Build and maintain your frame.
- Wipe out stubborn fat – “Become leaner, faster”.
- Power through your toughest days with ease – Avoid energy crashes, even when cutting calories.
- Beat hunger cravings – Dodge the temptation to over eat.
- Avoid side effects – All-natural formula with safe and effective ingredients.
How does it work?
What truly sets Burn apart from other fat burners? Its ability to help you burn fat without losing muscle.
The formula contains D3 – which is unusual in this type of product. This is important because Vitamin D is shown to help users build and maintain lean mass [1]. The steroid sex hormone works alongside a host of proven fat burners and appetite suppressants to deliver exactly what it promises.
Hunter Burn is also stronger and more powerful than other products of this type. Each bottle contains a monthly supply of 180 capsules, which is 60 more than you’ll find in standard fat burners. This gives you six capsules per day, rather than the average four.
Why does this matter?
Because as a more potent product, it could help you burn fat faster and keep hunger cravings at bay for longer.
Is Burn by Hunter Evolve safe – and will it cause side effects?
Every one of Burn’s six ingredients are natural and safe.
Whereas some fat burners (even natural ones) contain ineffective or potentially harmful ingredients, Hunter Burn uses a formula that’s backed by science. Check out the research on these ingredients for yourself and you’ll see what we mean.
Unless you’re allergic to any of its ingredients, Hunter Burn is highly unlikely to cause side effects.
Burn also contains the highest-quality versions of its six ingredients. For example, matcha green tea is more sought after than the more common types due to its strength and superiority. Meanwhile, konjac root is the only appetite suppressant approved by the FDA [2].
It’s also good to see Burn isn’t loaded with caffeine and won’t give you jitters. Plus, the addition of L-theanine has a calming effect and works with the green tea to boost your energy levels without any crashes.
In addition, Burn is prepared to strict cGMP standards in FDA-approved facilities in the USA and UK. This prevents contamination and helps users stay safe and comfortable.
Key details like these highlight Hunter Burn’s sheer quality, safety and lack of side effects.
How should I take Burn?
The directions for use suggest that users “swallow two capsules with a large glass of water, three times per day”. We took each dose half an hour before each main meal.
Ingredients
Vitamin D3: Actually more of a hormone than a vitamin, D3 doesn’t just reduce fat mass [3]. Research shows D3 supplementation also helps users build and maintain muscle mass [4]. For this reason, D3 is a key ingredient in Hunter Burn’s promise to help you cut fat without losing muscle.
Konjac root: Also known as glucomannan, konjac root is a dietary fiber and appetite suppressant approved by the FDA [5]. It expands in the stomach to help you feel fuller, which reduces hunger, ensures you’re less likely to overeat and helps keep your diet on track.
White kidney bean: This carbohydrate blocker stops your body absorbing more energy than it needs [6]. For this reason, it helps you stay trim when you give into temptation and eat too many cakes or other carb-heavy treats.
Matcha green tea: Three times stronger than more common forms of green tea, matcha is a potent form of this awesome thermogenic. It contains catechins, which have been shown to speed up users’ metabolism by as much as 35% [7].
L-theanine: L-theanine lowers fat cell levels in your body [8]. It’s also shown to induce a calm alertness [9] that helps prevent comfort eating. This amino acid is also a great alternative to harsher stimulants. This is because it helps increase energy levels without any crashes, even when you’re cutting calories.
Price
Hunter Burn is available in four currencies:
US dollars ($ – USD):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – $75
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – $150 (free US shipping)
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – $225 (with free US and UK shipping)
GB pounds sterling (£ – GBP):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – £55
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – £110 (free UK shipping)
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – £165 (with free US and UK shipping)
Australian dollars ($ – AUD):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – $100
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – $200
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – $300
Euros (€ – EUR):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – €60
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – €120
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – €180
Are there any promotions?
They currently have a buy 3 get 1 free offer on.
There’s no doubt we love Burn – but are there any downsides?
- Higher price – At $75 per bottle, this is a very premium product
- Limited places to buy – You can only buy Hunter Burn from the official Hunter site: www.hunterevolve.com/hunter-burn
The final word on Burn by Hunter Evolve
The people behind Burn clearly thought of (almost) everything – right down to the smallest detail.
Minor quibbles
Burn’s only real downside is the price, this is an expensive product but for your money you are getting a high dose, 180 capsules in a bottle, where as most fat burners will usually have 60, 90 or 120 capsules. Burn is for people who want the absolute best and are willing to pay for it.
“Backed by science”
So many brands claim their products are “backed by science” – but this fat burner really is. Like all supplements in the Hunter Evolve “suite”, Burn uses some of the highest-quality ingredients we’ve ever seen in a supplement.
Matcha green tea is a shining example of this – it’s both more sought after and three times stronger than the strongest version of the more common forms of green tea.
The addition of vitamin D3 is also a masterstroke. Having tested more fat burners than we can count in our time, we can say it’s very rare to find this steroid sex hormone in a fat burner.
This is because, despite its ability to reduce fat mass, D3 is more associated with testosterone boosters. But as research shows, D3 also helps users build and maintain muscle [9]. And as Hunter Burn promises to help you cut fat without losing your masculine frame, this makes the use of D3 a perfect example of Hunter’s attention to detail.
We highly recommend Burn and all the Hunter Evolve products (if you have the money to buy them).
Our score: 4.5/5
Buy Burn from Hunter Evolve
or
3. Hourglass Fit – Best for women
Official website: www.hourglassfit.com
Hourglass Fit is billed as “the intelligent, hype-free fat burner” by its maker.
Hourglass Fit is the only product on this list marketed specifically to women, to help them get a sexy and fit Hourglass physique.
What you’ll like about Hourglass Fit
- Helps you to lose fat quickly and safely – Especially belly fat
- Feel less tired and more motivated – Reach your “figure goals” with less stress on a calorie-controlled diet.
- Look and feel wonderful – Feel proud of your body every time you look in the mirror.
- Stick to your diet – It’s less likely that you’ll be tempted to raid the fridge.
How does Hourglass Fit work – and is it safe?
Hourglass Fit is the only fat burner on this list designed with women in mind. Although most fat burners are aimed at women, many use weak ingredients or dosages – which render them ineffective. And this is why you won’t see any other ‘female’ fat burners on this list – we’re only interested in products that get results.
But unlike those ineffective products, Hourglass Fit uses a number of other ingredients that you’ll also find in our #1 and #2 picks.
The Hourglass Fit website doesn’t patronize you by pretending to sell a miracle formula. Instead, the people at Hourglass Fit have designed a formula that has enough power to help you strip fat, while also keeping you safe and comfortable – without messing with your hormones.
It achieves this with all-natural ingredients, most of which are backed by research. It’s also free from caffeine and other stimulants – and you won’t find any soy, gluten, GMO, egg, nuts, or artificial ingredients either.
Hourglass Fit is manufactured to exacting GMP standards in the UK and USA.
How to take Hourglass Fit
Each bottle of Hourglass contains a 30-day supply of 120 capsules, which gives you four capsules per day. For best results, you should use the product every day and take each capsule with food.
Ingredients
Glucomannan: A dietary fiber that expands in your tummy to make you feel full [13] and help keep your figure goals in sight.
Green tea extract: Contains bioactive catechins which speed up your metabolism [14] and help strip stubborn fat faster.
Cayenne pepper: This thermogenic heats up your body, which must then burn more calories to return to normal temperature [15]. The result? You strip the fat faster.
Guarana: A stimulant that contains more caffeine than coffee beans, guarana may help replace the energy you lose when reducing your calorie intake [16]. Research also suggests guarana increases fat oxidation [17].
Hourglass Fit is available in three different currencies:
US dollars ($ – USD):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – $50
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – $100 (free US and UK shipping)
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – $150 (with free worldwide shipping)
GB pounds sterling (£ – GBP):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – £30
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – £60 (free UK and US shipping)
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – £90 (with free worldwide shipping)
Euros (€ – EUR):
- One bottle (one month’s supply) – €35
- Two bottles (two months’ supply) – €70
- Three bottles + one free bottle (four months’ supply) – €105 (with free worldwide shipping)
Are there any guarantees or promotions?
They have buy 3 get 1 free deal available.
Final word on Hourglass
While other ‘female’ fat burners tend to contain weak and ineffective ingredients, the makers of Hourglass Fit refuse to patronize you with fanciful claims that have no scientific basis.
It has a large dose of glucomannan, which is the number 1 appetite suppressant ingredient. Cayenne pepper is a very safe and effective stimulant.
If you are female and looking for a female focused diet pill then Hourglass Fit is the best product that we recommend. It’s been formulated for women and it’s been designed to help you lose weight safely.
Score: 4/5
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Summary
All the fat burners on this list are great products. Each one is 100% natural and contains a number of awesome fat-burning ingredients.
Hourglass Fit is a refreshing take on a ‘female’ fat burner that doesn’t patronize or make fanciful claims.
Likewise, Instant Knockout Cut is an effective, safe fat burner. While clearly marketed (for the most part) at men looking to get shredded, it works well for both men and women.
Instant Knockout Cut contains just enough caffeine in each capsule to keep you motivated all day – and it’s particularly good for sports-minded people. In fact, Instant Knockout Cut was designed with (and for) MMA fighters and counts the likes of Diego Sanchez (UFC) among its famous users.
You can’t go wrong with any of the fat burners on this list. Our top pick is Instant Knockout Cut.
References
- Carrillo, A.E. et al. Impact of vitamin D supplementation during a resistance training intervention on body composition, muscle function, and glucose tolerance in overweight and obese adults. Clin Nutr. 2013 Jun;32(3):375-81.
- Ods.od.nih.gov. (2018). Office of Dietary Supplements – Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WeightLoss-HealthProfessional/ [Accessed 30 Oct. 2018].
- Vitamin D Council. (2018). New study suggests vitamin D supplementation helps weight loss in obese and overweight people. [online] Available at: https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/new-study-suggests-vitamin-d-supplementation-helps-weight-loss-in-obese-and-overweight-people/ [Accessed 25 Sep. 2018].
- Carrillo, A.E. et al. Impact of vitamin D supplementation during a resistance training intervention on body composition, muscle function, and glucose tolerance in overweight and obese adults. Clin Nutr. 2013 Jun;32(3):375-81.
- Ods.od.nih.gov. (2018). Office of Dietary Supplements – Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WeightLoss-HealthProfessional/ [Accessed 30 Oct. 2018].
- Barrett, M.L. and Udani, J.K. A proprietary alpha-amylase inhibitor from white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): A review of clinical studies on weight loss and glycemic control. Nutr J. 2011; 10: 24. Published online 2011 Mar 17.
- Dulloo, A.G. et al. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Dec;70(6):1040-5.
- Zheng, G. et al. Anti-obesity effects of three major components of green tea, catechins, caffeine and theanine, in mice. In Vivo. 2004 Jan-Feb;18(1):55-62.
- Puig T, et al. (2018). Green tea catechin inhibits fatty acid synthase without stimulating carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 or inducing weight loss in experimental animals. – PubMed – NCBI. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19189648 [Accessed 25 Sep. 2018].
- Janssens, P.L. et al. Acute effects of capsaicin on energy expenditure and fat oxidation in negative energy balance. PLoS One. 2013 Jul 2;8(7):e67786.
- Ods.od.nih.gov. (2018). Office of Dietary Supplements – Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WeightLoss-HealthProfessional/ [Accessed 22 Oct. 2018].
- Duncan, M. and Oxford, S. (2011). The Effect of Caffeine Ingestion on Mood State and Bench Press Performance to Failure. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(1), pp.178-185.
- Ods.od.nih.gov. (2018). Office of Dietary Supplements – Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/WeightLoss-HealthProfessional/ [Accessed 30 Oct. 2018].
- Dulloo, A.G. et al. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Dec;70(6):1040-5.
- Janssens, P.L. et al. Acute effects of capsaicin on energy expenditure and fat oxidation in negative energy balance. PLoS One. 2013 Jul 2;8(7):e67786.
- Moustakas, D. et al (2015). Guarana Provides Additional Stimulation over Caffeine Alone in the Planarian Model. PLOS ONE, 10(4), p.e0123310.
- Da Silva Lima, N. et al (2018). Guarana (Paullinia cupana) Stimulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Mice Fed High-Fat Diet. Nutrients, 10(2), p.165.