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If you're a woman trying to lose weight, you may have been facing an onslaught of advice from social media, podcasts, friends, magazines, and morning shows. The journey to weight loss can feel like an uphill climb, but you're not alone; nearly half of U.S. adults are also trying to lose weight.(1) According to recent research, diet, and exercise are still the most effective weight loss approach compared to fat burners, so that should always be the first-line approach.(2) That said, fat burners may help fire up your weight loss or shed that stubborn lingering body fat. Many fat burners exist in the supplement market today, making it a challenging decision on which to pick. If you're seeking a fat burner that's best for women, always talk with your doctor first.
The Best Fat Burner for Women - Our Top Picks
- Best Pre-Workout Fat Burner for Women: Legion Forge
- Best Belly Fat Burner for Women: PhenQ
- Best Fat Burner Capsules for Women: Hourglass Fit
- Best Fat Burner for Women Bodybuilding: Huge Supplements Shredded Stack
- Best Nighttime Fat Burner For Women: PhenQ PM
- Best Non Stim Fat Burner for Women: Kaged Clean Burn
- Best Fat Burner for Appetite Suppression: Phen24
- Best Fat Burning Pills For Women: Transparent Labs Fat Burner
- Best Vegan Fat Burner for Women: Capsiplex Trim
- Best Natural Fat Burner for Women: Kaged L-Carnitine
- Best Fat Burner for Women Over 40: LeanBean
- Best Fat Burner for Women Over 50: Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
To help you on this journey, the ACTIVE Reviews Team has done the research and compiled our own list of the best fat burners for women and all of the details you need to make an informed decision in one place. We consider the essential factors in supplement purchasing, like cost, ingredients, and dosage. Read on to find out what you should know about the 12 best fat burners or women.
Why Trust Us?
The health and safety of ACTIVE's readers is of the utmost importance to us. To ensure your well-being when consuming dietary supplements, the ACTIVE.com editorial team prioritizes products that are independently tested by a third party. We've consulted with a team of nutritionists and dietitians to ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. This helps us create the most accurate, authentic review content for our readers.
Disclaimer: Exercise caution when taking supplements. Always make sure to consult with your doctor before trying a new supplement or pill. Weight-loss supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet and regular exercise. Any supplements taken should be used in accordance with a healthy lifestyle. Any weight loss of more than one pound per week over a long period of time is unusual and should be monitored by a doctor.
Best Pre-Workout Fat Burner for Women - Legion Forge
SPECS
- Ingredients: Calcium, calcium HMB, citicoline, yohimbine
- Dosage: 4 veggie capsules
- Cost per serving: Approximately $1.10
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Servings per container: 45
Legion Forge is one of our favorite fat burners, and it especially lends itself to pre-workout use. It doesn’t work quite like other fat burners do: It makes no claim to turbocharge your energy level or to kickstart your metabolism. What it does do is help you preserve muscle mass during your workouts, while actively eliminating some of that “stubborn fat” that compromises your figure. It also provides improved mental focus, allowing you to really zero in on your fitness goals during each and every workout. A transparent ingredient list and robust money-back guarantee make this a product that’s easy to recommend.
What We Like
- Transparent ingredient list
- Just a few ingredients
- Great for improving physical performance and mental focus
- Strong money-back guarantee
What We Don't Like
- Not the most cost-effective option
- Not recommended if you’re looking for a more direct energy boost
Best Belly Fat Burner for Women - PhenQ
SPECS
- Ingredients: Capsimax powder, chromium picolinate, caffeine, nopal cactus, L-carnitine fumarate
- Dosage: 2 capsules
- Cost per serving: Approximately $2.30
-
Servings per container: 30
PhenQ fat burner approaches belly fat weight loss holistically. The brand claims to promote weight loss in five ways: helping you burn fat for energy, preventing food cravings, boosting energy, balancing mood, and hindering fat accumulation. PhenQ sets itself apart with its clean list of natural ingredients that appeal to many women. Its key ingredient is a-Lacy's Reset, a proprietary blend that includes science-backed compounds to help target fat for energy production and oxidation, promoting weight loss. The good news is there aren't any artificial sweeteners, though the amount of caffeine per serving is something to consider. Taking two pills twice daily is recommended, giving you 300mg of caffeine, the equivalent of drinking three cups of coffee. If the product isn't a good fit for you, the company makes it easy to return with its 60-day money-back guarantee.
What We Like
- Clean, natural ingredients
- No artificial sweeteners
- 60-day money-back guarantee
- Package discounts
What We Don't Like
- High amount of caffeine
- High dosage per day
- Buying a single bottle is pretty expensive
Best Fat Burner Capsules for Women - Hourglass Fit
SPECS
- Ingredients: Glucomannan, 5-HTP, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Chromium, Zinc, Capsimax, Bioperine
- Dosage: 4 capsules
- Cost per serving: Approximately $2
-
Servings per container: 30
Hourglass Fit is an incredible little capsule, packed with all-natural ingredients to provide scientifically-backed results. These capsules are specially designed to align with female biology, providing clinically sound ways to regulate hormones, control cravings, and enjoy heightened energy during each workout. We also love that these capsules are vegan-friendly, caffeine-free, and do not contain any unnatural additives or fillers.
What We Like
- Clean, natural ingredients
- Caffeine-free
- Provides hormonal support that’s specifically designed for women
What We Don't Like
- High daily dosage
- Buying a single bottle is pretty expensive
Best Fat Burner for Women Bodybuilding - Huge Supplements Shredded Stack
SPECS
- Ingredients: Varies between Eliminate and Exterminate bottles
- Dosage: 3 capsules
- Cost per serving: Approximately $1.58
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Servings per container: 30
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Though its outer appearance is intimidating, its inner contents are chock-full of beneficial ingredients, promising to help with fat-burning and appetite suppression while boosting metabolism and offering loads of energy. The product comes in a duo with an “exterminate” bottle and an "eliminate bottle," which claim to work together to help you shed pounds, enhance your body composition, and retain energy. High in caffeine and equal to drinking two cups of coffee, the supplement doesn't fail to stimulate but also cautions customers to avoid taking other stimulants while using their product. The biggest drawback to this fat burner is that the dosage is six pills, and that's a lot to take in.
What We Like
- Made in an FDA-Registered facility
- GMP-certified
- Well-reviewed and users say it does help control appetite
What We Don't Like
- Very high dosage
- High in caffeine
- Contains yohimbine which may cause some adverse side effects(3)
BUY: Huge Supplements Shredded Stack
Best Nighttime Fat Burner for Women Bodybuilding - PhenQ PM
SPECS
- Ingredients: L-arginine, L-lysine HCL, L-theanine, 5-HTP, Chromium, Biotin, molybdenum, Vitamin C, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B5, Choline
- Dosage: 4 capsules per day
- Cost per serving: $2.16
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Servings per container: 30
Looking for a way to burn fat as you slumber? PhenQ PM is a great option, allowing you to fight hunger cravings, jumpstart your metabolism, and support natural weight loss… even if you don’t have time to make it to the gym every day like you might want to. You may also experience more energy throughout the day, and less reliance on sugar and calories. This vitamin-rich supplement is made of all-natural ingredients in GMP-certified facilities and comes backed by a robust money-back guarantee.
What We Like
- All-natural ingredients
- Perfect for busy parents and others who have a hard time making it to the gym
- May help with energy, metabolism, and craving control
What We Don't Like
- Not as recommended for boosting athletic performance
Best Non-Stim Fat Burner for Women - Kaged Clean Burn
SPECS
- Ingredients: Chromium, Carnipure, green tea leaf extract, Capsimax
- Dosage: 2 capsules per day
- Cost per serving: Approximately $0.34
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Servings per container: 90
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Some of the best fat burners for women rely heavily on caffeine and other stimulants to produce a natural energy high. If you’re worried about side effects such as jitteriness or sleep disruptions, you may want to look into a stim-free option. Kaged Clean Burn is a great option, providing athletic performance enhancement with just a handful of stim-free ingredients. Potentially burn fat and calories, and boost your metabolism with this affordable supplement, fully backed by third-party clinical research.
What We Like
- No caffeine or stimulants
- Very affordable
- Great for improving metabolism and energy level
What We Don't Like
- May be most effective when added to a supplement stack
- Doesn’t offer craving control benefits
Best Fat Burner for Appetite Suppression - Phen24
SPECS
- Ingredients: Varies between day and night formulas
- Dosage: 3 capsules per day
- Cost per serving: Approximately $2.30
-
Servings per container: One-month supply in each container
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In order to lose weight, you need to do more than just burn belly fat. Sometimes it’s helpful to control your cravings, too, limiting your caloric consumption throughout the day. Phen24 is a great option because it offers both nighttime and daytime formulas, allowing you to enjoy 24-hour effects. The daytime formula relies on caffeine and other natural ingredients to boost metabolism, burn fat, and banish your hunger. The nighttime formula works even as you slumber, storing energy for your busy day and helping to further crush cravings. Managing two different daily supplements may be a little challenging for some, and the price point is steep, but for 24-hour appetite control, this product is hard to beat.
What We Like
- Provides appetite control throughout the day and night
- 24-hour effects
- Affects mood, energy level, cravings, and more
What We Don't Like
- A lot of pills to deal with each day
- On the pricey side
- Does include caffeine
Best Fat Burning Pills for Women - Transparent Labs Fat Burner
SPECS
- Ingredients: Forslean, green tea, 5-HTP, L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, caffeine anhydrous, white willow, cayenne pepper, synephrine HCI
- Dosage: 2 capsules per day
- Cost Per Serving: Approximately $.92
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Servings Per Container: 60
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Transparent Labs Fat Burner is formulated to help rev up your metabolism, curb cravings, and lower inflammation which may help combat stubborn belly fat. Its main ingredient is Forslean, an Ayurvedic herb commonly used in weight management and to help fight inflammation. It also has green tea extract, which functions as an anti-inflammatory antioxidant and enhances brain health. The brand promotes a healthy lifestyle approach and encourages exercise, healthy eating, and supplementing with its product instead of relying solely on it as a "magic pill." They recommend taking two capsules twice daily, 30-60 minutes before eating, but if you're new to the product, it's encouraged to start with one capsule twice a day.
What We Like
- Clean list of ingredients with product transparency
- No artificial sweeteners
- Raving reviews
- Lower caffeine compared to other brands
- Subscribe-and-save program
What We Don't Like
- High dosage
- The recommended daily dosage means the bottle won't last long.
BUY: Transparent Labs Fat Burner
Best Vegan Fat Burner for Women - Capsiplex Trim
SPECS
- Ingredients: Capsimax, innoslim, caffeine, arginine, iodine, chromium, black pepper
- Dosage: N/A
- Cost Per Serving: Approximately $2.16
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Servings Per Container: 30
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For a vegan-friendly option, look no further than Capsiplex Trim, which boasts an all-natural ingredient list that’s chock full of essential vitamins and minerals. Together these ingredients unite to promote robust athletic performance, attacking fat, fighting fatigue, and helping you combat cravings. Additionally, you’ll find that your energy levels rev up while your ability to preserve muscle mass increases. Backed with a strong money-back guarantee, this is an excellent option for athletes in particular, and for those who have stringent dietary guidelines that they want to follow.
What We Like
- Vegan
- All-natural, vitamin-fortified ingredient list
- Excellent choice for athletes
What We Don't Like
- Does include caffeine
- Not recommended if you’re not fairly active
Best Natural Fat Burner for Women - Kaged L-Carnitine
SPECS
- Ingredients: L-Carnitine
- Dosage: 1 capsule
- Cost Per Serving: Approximately $0.20
-
Servings Per Container: 250
CHECK PRICEThere’s a lot to love about Kaged L-Carnitine, starting with the incredibly basic ingredient list. In fact, this is just L-Carnitine, a natural nutrient that helps you avoid stiffness and soreness, promoting recovery and allowing you to get the most out of each workout. You just need to take one capsule a day, and there’s no need to worry about artificial additives or fillers. Factor in an incredibly low price point and large, multi-month supplies in each bottle and you have an invaluable addition to any fitness stack.
What We Like
- Single ingredient
- Promotes athletic recovery
- Very cost-effective
- Huge supplies in each bottle
What We Don't Like
- Not recommended if you want more focused effects such as metabolism boost, craving control, etc.
- Most effective when added to an existing fitness stack
Best Fat Burner for Women Over 40 - LeanBean
SPECS
- Ingredients: Glucomannan, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, choline, green coffee, acai berry
- Dosage: 6 capsules per day
- Cost Per Serving: Approximately $1.99
-
Servings Per Container: 30 servings
CHECK PRICE
LeanBean is specially designed to help women, including those who are in their forties, to enjoy more energy, improved toning, and a better experience with each workout. The natural ingredient list is specifically formulated for the female body and works best when supplementing a healthy diet and consistent exercise. A low-stimulant formula, LeanBean may help you feel more confident and healthy overall.
What We Like
- Low-stimulant formula
- Emphasis on natural ingredients
- Designed specifically for active women
What We Don't Like
- Several daily pills
- Not the most cost-effective solution
Best Fat Burner for Women Over 50 - Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-Free
SPECS
- Ingredients: Vitamin B12, Acetyl L-carnitine, Forslean, 5-HTP, Rhodiola rosea, cayenne pepper
- Dosage: 2 capsules per day
- Cost Per Serving: Approximately $0.91
-
Servings Per Container: 60 servings
CHECK PRICE
For women past 50, we endorse products that come with clean, simple ingredient lists, minimizing stimulant content. The Transparent Labs Fat-Burner Stim-Free is an outstanding option, providing fat-burning effects that are gentle yet powerful. Reasons to choose this non-stim supplement include the lack of artificial colors, sweeteners, and preservatives; the very reasonable price point; and the absence of any disruptive caffeine or similar stimulants.
What We Like
- No stimulants
- Very affordable
- Great for women of all levels of activity
What We Don't Like
- Not the top option for energy optimization
- May not work as well for controlling cravings
BUY: Transparent Labs Fat-Burner Stim-Free
How We Chose the Best Fat Burners for Women
There are a good number of fat burners for women out there, and not all of them are created equal. To curate the products featured in this article, we meticulously considered a range of crucial factors.
- Dosage. We made sure to choose supplements that came with dosages that are actually effective at helping women burn through unwanted flab and fat.
- Simplicity. Generally speaking, we have a preference for ingredient lists that are short, clear, and focused on natural/clean substances.
- Price point. Fat burners can be expensive, especially when you use them with each daily workout. We tried to focus on fat burners for women that offer real value.
What is a Fat Burner?
A fat burner is a nutrition supplement available on the market that claims to promote weight loss in myriad ways.(4) Some fat burners may promise to increase fat breakdown, weight loss, calorie burn, or fat oxidation during exercise, while others say they help prevent fat absorption or help your body adapt to changes that promote fat breakdown. Fat burners come in liquid, capsule, powder, tablets, gummies, and more. Recent research discusses a lack of knowledge of the safety and efficacy of fat burner supplements, so use them with caution to avoid compromising your health.(5)
How Do Fat Burners for Women Work
Different fat burners work in different ways, but some of the most common mechanisms include:
- Boosting your energy level, with caffeine or natural vitamin dosages, allowing you to get more out of each workout without succumbing to fatigue.
- Triggering thermogenesis, a bodily process that actually helps you burn fat from the inside out.
- Increasing your metabolism, allowing you to convert food into energy and even to burn through some of the fat stored in your body.
- Promoting digestive health, allowing you to more effectively use nutrients rather than storing them as excess flab or tissue.
How to Choose the Best Fat Burner for Women
Cost
Supplements can be expensive, and you want to ensure your purchase aligns with your budget. Our rating scale is $-$$$. $ = under $1 per serving, $$ = $1-2 per serving, and $$$ = over $2 per serving.
Serving Size, Dosage, and Form
The nutrition content of a particular supplement is crucial; however, if it takes three to four doses to deliver that nutrition in one serving size, it may be hard to reap the product's benefits. It can be cumbersome to swallow up to two capsules at a time or remember to take your dosage twice a day. Supplement form also matters. If swallowing is difficult, you may choose a powder supplement over a capsule. You might feel like mixing a powder into your food isn't ideal for your on-the-go life, so you may just want to swallow a pill and move along with your day.
Calories
If burning fat is your goal, your body needs a calorie deficit or negative balance. High-calorie supplements can potentially sabotage your weight loss efforts depending on what else you eat or how active you are throughout your day.
Sweeteners
Much of the supplement industry produces products without added sugar; however, some continue to use artificial sugars. According to recent research, it helps to be aware of what makes a product sweet because artificial sweeteners, though generally recognized as safe, may increase cancer risk. Consider choosing natural products sweetened with fruit extracts such as monk fruit or Stevia extract.
Stimulants
Most fat burners contain some stimulant to increase your metabolic rate, promoting weight loss. Caffeine is the most common stimulant, so be sure to read the label to see how much is in the product and consider how much caffeine you already consume in your everyday life.
Fat Burner Ingredients
Many brands choose fat-burning ingredients that work synergistically to accelerate fat loss.(4) Here are some common components and their functions.
- Caffeine may show thermogenic benefits, promote fat breakdown, and increase nervous system activity.
- L-carnitine may lower fat mass, increase muscle, and promote fat oxidation.
- Green tea extract may increase fat oxidation with its catechin constituents.
- Conjugated linoleic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid compound that may reduce energy intake, lower fat production, increase calorie burn, and fat breakdown.
- Forskolin is a plant ingredient that may promote fat breakdown and lower body weight.
- Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid in brown seaweed that may suppress fat accumulation and reduce fat tissue.
Our Final Takeaway
Sometimes, even rigorous exercise and a consistent diet are insufficient for burning through unwanted fat. By offsetting your healthy lifestyle with natural supplements, you may be able to achieve the fat-burning effects you desire. We hope our recommendations provide a good starting point.
FAQs About Fat Burners for Women
Do fat burners work?
With hundreds of fat burner supplements available online, it's not easy to know if any of their claims are trustworthy. The FDA monitors supplements but doesn't test or evaluate dietary supplement claims. The truth is, there's no guarantee the ingredients in fat burners will be effective, though many of them are using ingredients that may help promote weight loss as long as you're also eating well and exercising.
Which fat burner is most effective?
The most effective fat burner isn't easy to say because not every burner is guaranteed to be effective. Our pick for the overall best fat burner for women is PhenQ because of its clean, science-backed ingredients and potent formula that hits weight loss from five angles. PhenQ is highly reputable, and popular, and may be effective for many, according to reviews. Lastly, besides a particular fat-burning brand, generally, fat-burners are most effective when added to a healthy eating and exercise regimen.
Do fat burners work without exercise?
A 2016 study showed that the ingredients in fat burners effectively increase resting metabolic rate (RMR), which is your body's ability to burn calories at rest, and can lead to weight loss over time if you eat a healthy diet.(6) Though it's crucial to maintain a caloric deficit diet alongside an active lifestyle to reduce your body weight, you may still be able to lose weight by taking fat burners without exercise and diet.
What is the best time to take fat burners?
Since most fat burners contain stimulating ingredients such as caffeine, it would be best to take them when you need the most energy. Many people are looking for an energy lift in the morning or early afternoon, which would be the best time to take a fat burner supplement.
Who should not take fat burners?
Always talk with your medical provider before starting a new supplement. You shouldn't take fat burners if you have liver problems, high blood pressure, a BMI less than 18.5, or are under 18.(7)
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
- Crescent B. Martin, M.P.H., M.A., Kirsten A. Herrick, Ph.D., M.Sc., Neda Sarafrazi, Ph.D., and Cynthia L. Ogden, Ph.D., M.R.P. Attempts to Lose Weight Among Adults in the United States, 2013–2016. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. NCHS Data Brief No. 313, July 2018.
- Clark, J. E., & Welch, S. (2021). Comparing the effectiveness of fat burners and thermogenic supplements to diet and exercise for weight loss and cardiometabolic health: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrition and health, 27(4), 445–459. https://doi.org/10.1177/0260106020982362
- Kearney, T., Tu, N., & Haller, C. (2010). Adverse drug events associated with yohimbine-containing products: a retrospective review of the California Poison Control System reported cases. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy, 44(6), 1022–1029. https://doi.org/10.1345/aph.1P060
- Jeukendrup, A. E., & Randell, R. (2011). Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism. Obesity reviews: an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 12(10), 841–851. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00908.x
- Jakopin Ž. (2019). Risks associated with fat burners: A toxicological perspective. Food and chemical toxicology: an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association, 123, 205–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fct.2018.10.051
- Campbell, B. I., Colquhoun, R. J., Zito, G., Martinez, N., Kendall, K., Buchanan, L., Lehn, M., Johnson, M., St Louis, C., Smith, Y., & Cloer, B. (2016). The effects of a fat loss supplement on resting metabolic rate and hemodynamic variables in resistance-trained males: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 13, 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-016-0125-z
- Ferreira, G. S. A., Watanabe, A. L. C., Trevizoli, N. C., Jorge, F. M. F., Diaz, L. G. G., Couto, C. F., Lima, L. V., Raupp, D. R. L., & Araujo, B. E. (2020). Acute Liver Failure Caused by Use of Fat Burner: A Case Report. Transplantation proceedings, 52(5), 1409–1412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.transproceed.2020.01.072
About the Author
Gaby is a registered dietitian and nutritionist who works as a full-time freelance writer, specializing in evidence-based health and nutrition articles. She’s written for publications like Healthline, Ovia Health, Happiest Baby, Once Upon a Farm, EatingWell, and more.
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