Scivation isn’t new to the supplement industry, and neither are their Xtend branch chain amino acids. Founded back in 2004, Scivation was one of the first brands to offer a power-packed and pure BCAA product. One which gained massive appeal and really didn’t even need to change for many years.
Flash forward to the present, and Nutrabolt (1), subsidiary of Woodbolt Distribution (2)(3), has revitalized the Scivation brand by completely focusing on one wing – Xtend.
This is so drastic, that the Scivation website no longer even exists. Now, we have the Official Xtend store in its place. But its not just one product anymore… Xtend now represents a total of 9 BCAA variations plus protein.
Here, we are going to share our review of each Xtend BCAA supplement, ordered from best to least good. After reading this review, you will know which Xtend BCAA is made specifically for you.
Scivation Xtend Review Ranking (1 to 10)
This is our overall ranking for all of Scivations Xtend BCAA supplements. Remember, each product is designed for a different person / situation – read each review carefully.
#1 Xtend Elite – ultimate power and endurance
- Retail Price: $39.99
- Price Difference vs standard Xtend: + $10.00
- Flavor Options: Island Punch and Sour Gummy
- Servings per container: 30
Xtend Elite represents the most loaded version of Xtend available. At first, we were hesitant to place this version of Xtend in first place. However, it just made sense given the added value to the base-Xtend formula… All for an extra $10 bucks.
What’s in Xtend Elite:
- 7 grams Xtend BCAA 2:1:1 Keystone
- 3 grams l-citrulline malate
- 2 grams PEAKO2 performance blend
- 6 grams beta-alanine
- 14 grams electrolytes
- 125 mg Sensoril ashwagandha
That’s a pretty extensive ingredient list for a BCAA supplement. For comparison, the standard version of Xtend only contains the first 7 grams of BCAAs and costs $29.99 per 30 servings. With Xtend Elite, you are getting 5 additional ingredients for an extra $10 per 30 servings.
Elite Vs Perform
Elite is the newest addition to the Xtend line, effectively replacing the former Xtend Perform. The main difference between the previous Xtend Perform and Xtend Elite is new flavor releases, a stabilization of 30 servings per container, 2 grams more l-citrulline malate, and 1.6 grams beta-alanine.
#2 & #3 Xtend BCAA and Xtend ‘the original’
- Retail Price: $29.99
- Standard Variation (base price)
- Flavor Options: 15
- Servings per container: 30
This represents the base-line Xtend BCAA powder. Advertised as both ‘Xtend BCAA’ and Xtend BCAA Original’, each serving provides 7 grams of 2:1:1 branch chain amino acids, 2,500 mg l-glutamine, 1,000 mg l-citrulline malate, and electrolytes.
What’s in Xtend BCAA:
- 7 gram Xtend BCAA 2:1:1 Keystone
- 2,500 mg l-glutamine
- 1,000 mg l-citrulline malate
- Electrolytes
Considering that this is a $29.99 per 30 serving product, you’re getting quite a lot of value here.
Xtend BCAA vs Xtend Original
While Xtend Elite was superior to the former Xtend Perform, Xtend BCAA and Xtend Original are identical. There aren’t any noticeable changes between the two, except for a wider range of flavors. Over time, we expect the branding for each of these to become one singular product.
#4 Xtend Ripped – non-stimulant cutting formula + BCAA
- Retail Price: $37.99
- Price Difference vs standard Xtend: + $8.00
- Flavor Options: 4
- Servings per container: 30
Excess weight on your mind? Scivation may have a solution for you if you are already enjoying BCAAs in your routine. Xtend Ripped combines all the standard ingredients found in regular Xtend with a fat burning matrix. Its not crazy expensive either. The extra Ripped formula is an extra $8 to the base Xtend per 30 servings.
What’s in Xtend Ripped:
- 7 gram Xtend BCAA 2:1:1 Keystone
- 2,500 mg l-glutamine
- 1,000 mg l-citrulline malate
- 1140 mg electrolyte blend
- 850 mg CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)
- 500 mg l-carnitine
- 50 mg Capsimax cayenne extract
This is essentially the same original Xtend, just with CLA, l-carnitine, and Capsimax for $8 extra. Will it help you burn loads of excess fat? Not likely. But it will help you mobilize more fat for energy while you workout, and, for the price that’s not too bad.
#5 Xtend Energy – time released caffeine + BCAA
- Retail Price: $29.99
- Price Difference vs standard Xtend: same
- Flavor Options: 3
- Servings per container: 30
There are several BCAAs currently on market that include an energy blend, so it is no surprise that Xtend sought out to dominate it. Xtend Energy isn’t just a copy cat to other BCAA and energy blends. Instead, Xtend packs their full 7 gram BCAA dosage alongside a 125 mg caffeine complex. This makes us wide eyed, considering most other BCAA energy supplements contain less than 5 grams BCAAs.
What’s in Xtend Energy:
- 7 gram Xtend BCAA 2:1:1 Keystone
- 1,140 mg electrolytes
- 1,000 mg l-citrulline malate
- 125 mg caffeine + delayed release caffeine microspheres
The primary value proposition for Xtend Energy is that you’re getting a complete-dosed BCAA and caffeine. The competition simply doesn’t deliver a true-dosed BCAA and that gives Xtend Energy a massive edge considering its economical $29.99 per 30 servings price.
Xtend Original vs Xtend Energy
While Xtend Ripped and Xtend Elite both contained the complete Xtend base blend plus their specializations, Xtend Energy isn’t so cut and paste. For Xtend Energy, the full dosage BCAA, electrolyte, and l-citrulline malate exists. However, the 2,500 mg l-glutamine has been deleted. We’re not sure why, perhaps it will come back in the future.
#6 Xtend HydraSport – Hydration + BCAA
- Retail Price: $29.99
- Price Difference vs standard Xtend: same
- Flavor Options: 2
- Servings per container: 30
Xtend HydraSport is an interesting take on BCAA supplements. The goal of this product is to improve your electrolyte balance and hydration while delivering 7 grams of BCAAs. To do this, Scivation has made a few changes besides just stacking additional electrolytes on top of the standard Xtend BCAA formula.
What’s in Xtend HydraSport:
- 7 gram Xtend BCAA 2:1:1 Keystone
- 1,890 electrolyte blend (larger)
For Xtend HydraSport, the electrolyte blend has been expanded to include betaine anhydrous, magnesium citrate, and coconut extract. This expands the electrolyte blend from 1,140 mg to 1,890 mg.
Xtend BCAA vs Xtend HydraSport
While the new HydraSport contains additional ingredients in the electrolyte blend, there are even more deletions from the standard Xtend formula. For instance, l-citrulline malate and l-glutamine are completely gone. This may be in an effort to increase hydration by minimizing powder (influencing osmotic flow). However we’re honestly not sure.
#7 Xtend Perform – Elite’s predecessor
- Retail Price: $36.99
- Price Difference vs standard Xtend: + $7.00
- Flavor Options: 1
- Servings per container: 44
As we discussed above, Xtend Perform appears to be Scivations first attempt at Xtend Elite. Now, Perform can be found in stores and is still listed on the Xtend website, however its currently out of stock and we believe that it is phasing out.
What’s in Xtend Perform:
- 7 gram Xtend BCAA 2:1:1 Keystone
- 2,500 mg l-glutamine
- 2,000 mg PEAK O2
- 1,170 mg electrolyte blend
- 1,000 mg l-citrulline malate
Essentially, this is the standard Xtend formula plus 2,000 mg PEAK O2. Its interesting to see that with the newer editions, Scivation has not only improved Xtend Elite, but the base Xtend formula as well.
#8 Xtend Still – non-carbonated Xtend RTD
- Retail Price: $29.99
- Price Difference vs standard Xtend: different serving size options
- Flavor Options: 2
- Servings per container: 12 bottles per case
Can’t stand mixing your own powders? Scivation has you covered not just once, but twice. Xtend now comes in both bottles and cans, the difference being that one version is carbonated and the other is flat. So, what makes up the Xtend Still (flat) bottles?
What’s in Xtend Still:
- 7 gram Xtend BCAA 2:1:1 Keystone
- 1,140 electrolyte blend
- 1,000 mg l-citrulline malate
In Xtend Still, you’re going to find all the same active ingredients as Xtend, just without l-glutamine. Even the additional ingredients section is similar, where we do not see any of the typical harsh preservatives that you typically find in RTD beverages.
#9 Xtend Carbonated – Xtend in a can
- Retail Price: $29.99
- Price Difference vs standard Xtend: different serving size options
- Flavor Options: 4
- Servings per container: 12 bottles per case
As alluded to above, Scivation also makes a canned version of Xtend rightly named “Xtend Carbonated”. Like Xtend Still, this version contains all of the standard ingredients you’d expect, without the l-glutamine.
What’s in Xtend Carbonated:
- 7 gram Xtend BCAA 2:1:1 Keystone
- 1,140 electrolyte blend
- 1,000 mg l-citrulline malate
This formula is identical to Xtend Still, and the ‘other ingredients’ are almost as good with the exception of sodium benzoate found in canned form. For us, that’s not to be admired. However, its completely standard in soda-can style drinks and can’t be avoided.
#10 Xtend PRO Whey Isolate: 100% Whey Protein isolate
- Retail Price: $27.99
- Price Difference vs standard Xtend: not applicable
- Flavor Options: 4
- Servings per container: 23
Scivation adds to the Xtend line with a protein powder that touts 7 grams of BCAAs per serving. The price is spot on, several flavors exist, and it seems like an overall great deal. However the one thing that we didn’t like, is that of those 7 grams of BCAAS – an undisclosed amount is actually derived from natural quantities in the whey protein itself.
What’s in Xtend Pro Whey Isolate:
- 120 calories
- 25 grams protein
- 4 grams carbohydrates
- 1 gram of fat
While below the standard nutrition facts, Xtend Protein lists 7 grams of BCAAs, there are asterisks galore and the first ingredient is ‘from whey protein isolate’. This makes us not actually trust what we’re being sold.
Final Verdict: Is Xtend the recovery brand of champions?
After reviewing every single Xtend BCAA product in canned, bottled, powdered, and protein form – we can say confidently that the Scivation brand has done their homework. They are clearly and concisely dominating the BCAA arena with cheaper prices and more value. The only thing that could turn off potential buyers is the use of artificial sweeteners, colors, and sometimes flavors.