Best Caffeine Pills for Survival Alertness
When energy is fading or headaches are taking you out of commission, a boost of energy could help you out. Caffeine pills make it easy to precisely and accurately tackle these, so you aren’t held back. There are plenty of brands, types, and dosages to consider.
I first took caffeine pills in the military to help get through 24-hour shifts and night exercises. I had to manage my intake carefully, since I am caffeine-sensitive, so getting high-quality caffeine tablets that were effective was a priority. Two decades later, and I’m still hunting and testing the best caffeine solutions on the market.
My top recommendation is for ProLab, a compact max-dose tablet that is a good value.
If you want to avoid a caffeine crash, I suggest Genius Sustained Release, which can help you manage your caffeine levels expertly with lower-dose extended release microencapsulation. I also share a solution that is the best value for stockpiling.
Contents (Jump to a Section)
Our latest update of the best caffeine pills adds more pictures and the latest testing data. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Disclosure»
Best Caffeine Pills
ProLab Caffeine Tablets
Fast, Inexpensive, and Effective
Tablets of fast-acting caffeine for simple and effective max-dose energy get the job done consistently.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
ProLab, known for its supplements, makes a simple max-dose caffeine pill with added calcium so it doesn’t upset your stomach. They advise against taking more than three per day, for a total of 600mg of caffeine, spaced at least 3 hours apart.
Specifications
- Quantity: 100 capsules
- Strength: 200mg caffeine
- Features: Dicalcium phosphate for stomach settling
- Package Size: 2.5″ x 2.5″ x 3.9″
- Package Weight: 2.5 ounces
The quality, price, and effectiveness make this the reliable caffeine pill to beat. The tablet form makes it lightweight, compact, and easy to swallow. You can also use a pill cutter on it easily to break it into smaller doses.
The packaging includes the tamper seal, of course, but also a dessicant pouch and cotton roll to extend the shelf life and reduce pill rattle/breaking. The printed shelf life on the bottle I tested was a massive 34 months, but it should last longer if you store the bottle in a cool, dry space. The dessicant is better than an oxygen absorber, because it continues to work even if the bottle is opened for a long time or frequently.
With a fast-acting blend that is potent but smooth on the stomach, it’s easy to see why the ProLab Caffeine Tablets top the rest.
Best Extended Release
Genius Sustained-Release
Slow Release, All Natural, and Effective
Extended-release lower-dose capsules work great for sustained energy and alertness to avoid the caffeine crash.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
The extended-release gives the Genius capsules a boost for prolonged energy without a crash. The dose is half of the maximum dosage, but can be easily controlled with the time-release capsules. Because of the long release, they advise not to take them 6 hours before sleep, about a 4-hour shift ahead of typical caffeine guidance.
Specifications
- Quantity: 100 capsules
- Strength: 100mg caffeine (slow-release)
- Features: Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Vegan
- Package Size: 3″ x 3″ x 4″
- Package Weight: 3.2 ounces
Genius also advised that you can stack a maximum of 6 capsules in a day for some of the best sustained energy you can find.
One downside is that the printed expiration date was on the lower end of all of the brands I tested, at just 15 months. If you store the capsules in a cool, dry area like medication, you shouldn’t have any issues.
If you are looking for energy and alertness for long periods, the Genius Sustained-Release Caffeine Pills are the best option with their sustained release.
Best to Stockpile
Nutricost Caffeine Capsules
Basic, Efficient, and High Value
At less than 5 cents per pill, these bottles are easy to stockpile and store for long-term emergencies.
*Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales.
With a dosage limit of two per day, you couldn’t go through these in half a year if you tried. Stockpiling enough caffeine for a lifetime doesn’t take up much room or cost very much when you do it with efficiently packed high-dose bottles.
Specifications
- Quantity: 500 capsules
- Strength: 200mg caffeine
- Features: Non-GMO, Gluten Free
- Package Size: 2.75″ x 2.75″ x 5.1″
- Package Weight: 11.0 ounces
Thirty bottles would get a crowd through a few decades. The printed expiration date on the bottle I tested was 29 months from its arrival date. With caffeine being a stable cyclic alkaloid, you don’t need to worry much about expiration dates.
That could be considered a downside, though- these capsules do not contain any stomach-settling ingredients. They are purely anhydrous caffeine mixed with rice flour in a gelatin capsule.
If you are looking to stockpile some caffeine, the Nutricost Caffeine Capsules are the best option.
Comparison Table
| Caffeine Pill | Recommendation | Price* | Strength | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prolab | Best Overall | $8 | 200mg | 100 |
| Genius | Best for Extended Alertness | $15 | 100mg | 100 |
| Nutricost | Best for Stockpiling | $18 | 200mg | 500 |
| Vivarin | $8 | 200mg | 40 | |
| Best Naturals | $8 | 200mg | 120 | |
| Allmax Nutrition | $9 | 200mg | 100 | |
| Horbäach | $10 | 100mg | 250 | |
| NoDoz | $11 | 200mg | 60 | |
| Vali Time Release | $19 | 100 | 120 |
The Pills We Compared
Our research narrowed the field down to several brands of caffeine pills that we compared: Nutricost, ProLab, NoDoz, Genius, Vivarin, Vali, Allmax, and more.
You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section, with an explanation for each.
We’re always looking for new and better gear, so if you have caffeine pills that perform, let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested supplies annually, so we can try to get them in the next roundup and see if they will beat out our top picks.
What to Look For
The best caffeine pills have a few features to look for:
- Value
- Effectiveness
- Release Time
- Size/Weight
- Versatility
When you get the right blend of these, you can find the perfect tablets to give you an energy boost or to tackle a headache. Below, we break down what each of these features means for the brands that truly set themselves apart.
What is the Best Value?
The amount of money you spend on something like a caffeine supplement shouldn’t blow out your entire budget. They are not especially expensive and come in a wide range of prices depending on the quantity you buy.
You can also use a wide range of drinks with caffeine in them, like coffee. I recommend and store coffee myself for daily consumption and use caffeine pills just for emergencies.
You never want to spend too much money on one resource, even when it comes to first aid, energy supplements, or medication. It’s better to diversify your spending to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios.
Effectiveness
Like many other medications, dosage is the main focus when it comes to effectiveness, but it doesn’t account for the entire performance. Absorption time and specific effects can vary by individual, by the type of pill or capsule used, and by how the caffeine was derived.
Still, higher dosages get the job done consistently, so most of our picks trended toward the highly effective 200mg maximum dose.
Most caffeine pills contain some sort of filler, binding agent, or capsule to hold it all together. This can be made of rice or other ingredients, and it’s always good to know what is going into your body.
Some brands choose to add calcium or other additives to prevent a sour stomach from a large caffeine dosage.
Release Time
Extended and sustained release pills usually come in capsule form with microencapsulation. This allows the caffeine to be absorbed by your body for longer periods rather than as quickly as it can break down the tablet/capsule.
This can help ‘smooth’ your caffeine intake. This is especially helpful if you have sensitivities, side effects, or just have a rough time coming off caffeine. Extended release at lower dosages than the maximum dose can help curtail the effects of ‘caffeine crashing’.
Size + Weight
It’s not practical to pack a whole medicine cabinet in mobile survival kits, so be practical and get the solution that fits in the kit you are designing. Be aware of the size and weight and how they can affect your storage in mobile-first aid kits, especially if they are going to be carried any distance. Every ounce matters.
You can also use pill bottles to hold smaller amounts, as long as you are sure you have the medication labeled well. Storing coffee or other caffeinated beverages can take up a lot of space compared to caffeine in pill form.
Versatility
Caffeine is versatile in and of itself. You can use caffeine for energy, alertness, and focus. Many times, you’ll find caffeine bundled with painkillers to help attack headaches and migraines.
Can Caffeine be Lethal?
Yes, caffeine is a drug that affects your body and can be lethal in very large doses. The medical limit for caffeine is 80-100 micrograms in the bloodstream, reachable by ingesting 10,000 mg of caffeine (or about 50 max-dose pills).
It can also have undesired side effects well below lethal dose levels, including:
- frequent urination
- dehydration
- dizziness
- headaches
- rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
- anxiety
- irritability
I am caffeine-sensitive, so I pay special attention to my caffeine intake each day and the timing of it. Caffeine is an addictive substance, so prolonged use of high levels of caffeine can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
Who Needs Caffeine Pills?
Almost everyone can benefit from a quick energy boost on hand for emergencies or whenever alertness and attention are needed.
Caffeine pills are suggested for this kit:
First aid kits are stand-alone kits, but are also modules found in a huge variety of other survival kits. You could also use caffeine pills in place of coffee, which we list in our other survival kits.
Sources & References
All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best caffeine pills are useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical survival experience:
Liquori, A., et al. (1997). Absorption and Subjective Effects of Caffeine from Coffee, Cola, and Capsules. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior. Volume 58. Issue 3. Pages 721 – 726. (Source)
Mitchell, V., et al. (1974). Drugs and Placebos: Effects of Caffeine on Cognitive Performance. Psychological Reports. Volume 35. Issue 2. Pages 875 – 883. (Source)
Lystrup, R., et al. (2015). Caffeine Toxicity Due to Supplement Use in Caffeine—Naïve Individual: A Cautionary Tale. Military Medicine. Volume 180. Issue 8. Pages 936 – 940. (Source)
Conclusion
Caffeine pills are useful for emergencies and survival kits. When you need a burst of energy to get through a disaster or just overcome a headache, having a stash to perk up quickly can help you out.
Here are a few other gear reviews and guides our subscribers have found helpful:
- Best Survival Coffee
- The Best OTC Painkillers to Stockpile
- Survival First Aid Kit Guide, Gear List, and Checklist
See more of our expert-written guides, resources, and reviews in your search results – add TruePrepper as a preferred source.
Prepping Your Way
No judgement and no imperatives. Prepare the way you want to with the trusted source millions of modern preppers have relied on.Our newsletter fires out every Monday where you can expect:
- Practical prepping guides and tips
- Thorough survival gear reviews
- Noticeably absent spam and popups
- < 0.4% of people unsubscribe
