Transparent Labs Fat Burner Stim-FreevsHydroxycut Hardcore Elite (MuscleTech)

It combines four plant-derived compounds that may nudge metabolism and appetite without stimulants. Green tea catechins (EGCG) and Capsimax (capsaicin) have been shown to modestly raise energy expenditure and fat oxidation; Paradoxine (grains of paradise, standardized to 6-paradol) is thought to activate brown adipose tissue to burn calories as heat; ForsLean (Coleus forskohlii, standardized to forskolin) raises cyclic AMP, which is linked to fat mobilization. Capsaicin and grains of paradise may also blunt appetite, which can make a calorie deficit easier to maintain. The formula contains no caffeine or other stimulants.

The engine here is caffeine anhydrous at 270 mg per the brand's label, which raises alertness, can modestly increase energy expenditure, and slightly blunts appetite. Green coffee extract supplies chlorogenic acids that may have a small effect on glucose handling and weight, and green tea and other sensory ingredients round out the stimulant 'fat-burner' feel. The dominant, reliable effect users notice is the caffeine energy spike, not a distinct fat-melting action.

No trial tests this exact blend, so evidence comes from each ingredient and several of the studies are small. A 2005 Obesity Research study (Godard et al.) found 250 mg of 10% forskolin twice daily for 12 weeks significantly reduced body fat percentage and fat mass in 15 overweight and obese men, though total body weight did not differ from placebo. A 2014 trial in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology found 30 mg/day of grains of paradise extract increased whole-body energy expenditure and reduced visceral fat versus placebo in a small group of women. Capsaicin and green tea catechins have been shown to modestly raise energy expenditure and fat oxidation, but a 2010 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition meta-analysis put green tea's weight effect at roughly 1 kg or less, which the authors call clinically modest at best. Net: real but small, deficit-dependent effects.

MuscleTech cites a 60-day study on the key ingredient C. canephora robusta (green coffee) reporting about 10.95 lb lost versus 5.4 lb on placebo. Independent meta-analyses, including Onakpoya et al. (2011), found green coffee extract may produce a small weight reduction but flagged poor study quality, short durations, and small samples, and one prominent underlying green-coffee trial was later retracted. Caffeine's thermogenic effect is real but modest. Net: expect a small, diet-dependent assist driven largely by stimulants.

Because it has no stimulants, most users report no jitters, anxiety, or sleep disruption. The most common complaint is mild gastrointestinal upset, nausea, warmth, or a "hot" sensation from the Capsimax and Paradoxine pepper extracts, especially on an empty stomach; taking the capsules with food and water tends to reduce this. Rare but more serious concerns relate to the ingredients themselves: high-dose green tea extract has been associated with uncommon, idiosyncratic cases of liver injury (documented in the NIH LiverTox database), and forskolin can lower blood pressure and may interact with anticoagulants and antihypertensives. Stop use and seek medical care if you notice yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine, severe abdominal pain, or signs of very low blood pressure such as dizziness or fainting.

Because of the 270 mg caffeine dose, jitters, anxiety, racing heart, elevated blood pressure, and insomnia are the most common complaints, especially when starting or dosing late in the day. Begin with a reduced dose to assess tolerance. Stop and seek care if you experience chest pain or palpitations. This is educational information, not medical advice.

As of 2026, Transparent Labs lists this product at about $54.99, often discounted to around $49.99, for a 120-capsule bottle that delivers 60 servings, or roughly a 30-day supply at the full 4-capsule daily dose. That works out to about $0.83-$0.92 per 2-capsule serving, or roughly $1.65-$1.83 per day. Third-party retailers sometimes price it lower (around $45) or higher. Subscribe-and-save and periodic sitewide promo codes can trim the price further. As a dietary supplement it is paid out of pocket and is generally not covered by insurance, and typically not HSA/FSA eligible without a documented medical need. It is occasionally out of stock or branded as "Body Recomp," so verify you are buying the stim-free version.

As of early-to-mid 2026, a 100-capsule bottle runs about $29.99 on Amazon and at major retailers, with occasional 2-for sale pricing at supplement discounters. That makes the per-serving cost low. There is no insurance coverage for OTC supplements.

Best for adults who want appetite and metabolic support but are caffeine-sensitive, train in the evening, or already use a separate stimulant pre-workout, and who already have a genuine diet and exercise plan and want a marginal edge. Avoid it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 18; if you take blood pressure, blood thinner, or diabetes medications (forskolin can lower blood pressure and may interact with anticoagulants and antihypertensives, and green tea can affect some drugs); if you have liver disease (high-dose green tea extract has rare liver-injury reports); or if you have an active ulcer or significant reflux, since the pepper and ginger-family extracts can irritate the gut. This is general information, not medical advice; check with your doctor before starting any supplement.

Intended for healthy adults who tolerate stimulants. Not for people under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or anyone with high blood pressure, heart conditions, anxiety disorders, or stimulant sensitivity. Do not combine with other caffeine sources or stimulant supplements.