Two of the UK’s most popular pre workouts go head-to-head. ABE by Applied Nutrition and C4 Original by Cellucor are staples in gym bags across the country, but which one actually delivers better results? We’ve tested both extensively to give you a definitive answer.

ABE Overview

ABE (All Black Everything) by Applied Nutrition is one of the best-selling pre workouts in the UK. With 200mg of caffeine, 6g of citrulline, and 3.2g of beta-alanine per serving, it hits clinical doses on the ingredients that matter most. Priced at around £24.99 for 30 servings, it offers exceptional value at approximately 83p per serving.

C4 Original Overview

C4 Original is Cellucor’s entry-level pre workout and one of the most recognisable supplement brands globally. It contains 150mg of caffeine, 1.6g of beta-alanine, and 1g of creatine per serving. While the doses are more conservative than ABE, it’s designed as a beginner-friendly option with a wide range of flavours.

Ingredients Compared

Caffeine & Energy

ABE delivers 200mg of caffeine per serving, providing strong but manageable energy for most users. C4 Original is milder at 150mg, making it a better choice for those sensitive to stimulants or training in the evening. Both avoid secondary stimulants, keeping the energy profile clean and predictable.

Taste & Mixability

Both products mix well with minimal clumping. ABE’s flavour range includes popular options like Baddy Berry, Drumstick, and Candy Ice Blast. C4 offers classics like Cherry Limeade, Watermelon, and Frozen Bombsicle. In our blind taste tests, ABE scored slightly higher overall, though C4’s Cherry Limeade is one of the best individual flavours we’ve tried.

Value for Money

While C4 is marginally cheaper per serving, ABE delivers significantly more active ingredient per pound spent. The citrulline dose alone — 6g vs roughly 0.5g of pure citrulline from C4’s citrulline malate — makes ABE the clear value winner for anyone who cares about clinical dosing.

Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

Choose ABE If…

You want a fully-dosed pre workout with clinical levels of citrulline, beta-alanine, and creatine. ABE is the better product for experienced gym-goers who want genuine performance benefits. Read our full ABE review.

Choose C4 Original If…

You’re new to pre workouts and want a gentle introduction, or you prefer lower caffeine for evening training. C4 is a solid starter product with great flavours. Read our full C4 review.

Our pick: ABE wins this comparison. It delivers better ingredient doses across the board at a similar price point. See how it ranks in our overall best pre workout UK list.