Pre-Workout · head-to-head
Total War vs Bucked Up
Pre-Workout head-to-head, graded on doses and price
by Redcon1
B
A+
Formula · Deal
Our pick
by Bucked Up
C
A+
Formula · Deal
Our pick: Total War — better formula on the numbers.
Side by side
| Total War | Bucked Up |
|---|
| Formula grade | B | C |
|---|
| Deal grade | A+ | A+ |
|---|
| Price | $42.99 / 30 srv | $44.99 / 30 srv |
|---|
| Per serving | $1.43 | $1.50 |
|---|
| DIY bulk cost/serving | $0.80 | $0.92 |
|---|
| Markup over DIY | 1.8× | 1.6× |
|---|
| Ingredients at clinical dose | 3 of 4 | 1 of 4 |
|---|
| Bottom line | Worth it | Worth it |
|---|
Total War verdict
Clinically dosed and transparent — beta-alanine and caffeine are on point. The citrulline is listed as malate (6g of the malate blend is ~3.9g actual citrulline), so it's a touch lighter than the number suggests. Still a solid formula that's cheap to replicate in bulk.
Bucked Up verdict
Transparent, but a step below the leaders: beta-alanine and alpha-GPC are both underdosed, and the deer-antler-velvet "IGF-1" angle is marketing, not science. Citrulline and caffeine are fine. The real actives cost a fraction in bulk.
Full Total War review →
Full Bucked Up review →
More Pre-Workout grades
Educational only — not medical advice. Grades and clinical doses are computed from public labels against sourced research (citations on the main site); prices last verified 2026-07-21. Expensive Powder has no sponsors; bulk links may earn an affiliate commission, which never affects a grade. Talk to a clinician before starting any supplement.