Whether or not you develop clinically low testosterone (hypogonadism), your testosterone levels will decline steadily as you age. After 40, the average male loses about 1% of his testosterone production every year, affecting muscle mass, body hair, and even mental health. Test Boost Max offers a nutritional supplement that aims to treat or prevent the unpleasant symptoms accompanying low testosterone levels.1 Our research team dove into the science to let you know if it's right for you.
Test Boost Max is a reasonable option for men who want a testosterone booster with a streamlined ingredient profile that revolves around ashwagandha root. We’d like to see at least one more ingredient present in a clinically significant dose, but that might be why Test Boost Max is so inexpensive compared to others. Its lifetime money-back guarantee is easily the best feature, even if it doesn't cover return shipping costs for any unopened product.
Our team has spent more than 300 hours evaluating and testing supplements like Test Boost Max and researching the individual ingredients found in them.
Like all health-related content on this website, this review was thoroughly vetted by one or more members of our Medical Review Board for accuracy. As always, we’ll keep an eye on Test Boost Max and the greater men’s sexual wellness landscape to keep this review current. For the past two decades, Innerbody Research has helped tens of millions of readers find solutions in their pursuit of better health.
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To figure out the value Test Boost Max offers customers, we applied the same criteria we use to rate other testosterone boosters and male enhancement supplements. We’ve come to believe that these four categories represent the top interests of the average consumer looking into T boosters:
If a product isn’t going to work, the rest of the criteria are moot points. In many cases, we use clinical research into a supplement's individual ingredients to determine its potential, comparing doses used in successful studies with those employed by the supplement manufacturer. There are a few drawbacks to this approach — mostly when a supplement uses a poorly studied ingredient or dramatically underdoses compared to studies.
If a supplement shows enough promise that people might actually use it, we have to turn next to safety. We make this determination with a similar approach to our efficacy investigations, using available research to catalog and compare potential adverse effects or contraindications.
In other product and service categories, these criteria might carry a bit more weight. But male sexual wellness supplements tend to land in a pretty limited price range and offer similar customer experiences. Still, there are some noteworthy differences among them, and those just might tip the scale to someone unconvinced by safety and efficacy alone.
There are other considerations, to be sure, but they don’t have a heavy enough influence to warrant an explanation here. Let’s take a close look at each criterion for a clearer picture of what Test Boost Max can offer.
Test Boost Max contains a total of nine ingredients, only one of which appears in a dose that meets what’s been used in related clinical research. Of the other eight, a few appear in subpar but not altogether meaningless doses, while the remaining five are dosed so lightly that we have a hard time believing they make a difference to the formula. With no studies specific to Test Boost Max’s formula, we can’t be sure that these smaller-dosed ingredients are useless; they may lend some synergistic effect as yet unstudied. But we have to work with what we can verify.
One main ingredient whose dose we can verify as potentially sufficient to raise testosterone levels is ashwagandha. In studies, ashwagandha has been shown to improve testosterone levels and quell anxiety.2 Test Boost Max uses 600mg of ashwagandha, which is right in line with multiple studies looking at the botanical extract’s potential.
Test Boost Max also contains moderate doses of Tribulus terrestris, 3,3′-Diindolylmethane, and eleuthero root, but each of these doses is still a bit less than what appears in the few studies linking the ingredients to testosterone.
Typically, we apply an approach to our safety evaluation similar to our methods for establishing efficacy. This includes comparing the doses of specific ingredients used in studies with those used in supplements. But a similar difficulty arises in the question of their combination. No study exists looking at Test Boost Max’s specific ingredient profile.
Still, we have a good sense of the product’s safety profile thanks to the fact that so few of the ingredients match the high doses used in studies. We can look mostly to ashwagandha and tribulus to determine the most likely adverse reactions or contraindications that could arise from Test Boost Max’s use.
For most men, ashwagandha should be safe at the dose you’ll find in Test Boost Max. Like many supplement ingredients, it can cause some gastrointestinal discomfort, especially at first. But men with any thyroid issues should be careful with ashwagandha and should have a very detailed conversation with their doctor before taking it. That’s because ashwagandha has successfully been shown to elevate thyroid hormone levels in people with hypothyroidism.3 The implication here is that it could elevate thyroid hormone levels in people with normal thyroid function or in people with hyperthyroidism, leading to various complications, including thyrotoxicosis.
Tribulus terrestris is also a comparatively safe ingredient, with most studies reporting no significant adverse effects. One study of 180 men taking 750mg/day saw no difference in adverse effects reported between tribulus and placebo groups.4
The other ingredients used in Test Boost Max appear in doses lower — often significantly lower — than those used in studies.
We take a little more than just the sticker price into account when we evaluate cost, though that price bears the most weight in our consideration. We also look at things like subscription or bulk savings opportunities, shipping costs, and money-back guarantees. Test Boost Max has one of the best prices in its class, with most other T boosters and male enhancement pills starting at $60 for a one-month supply compared to the $50 you’ll pay for Test Boost Max. And only two other notable competitors offer a lifetime money-back guarantee.
Let’s look at some directly comparable competitors that offer similar bulk-purchasing discounts to see how Test Boost Max stacks up:
Cost per month | Cost per month at highest bulk or subscription level | Money-back guarantee | |
---|---|---|---|
Test Boost Max | $49 | $32.50 | Lifetime |
Prime Male | $75 | $56 | None |
Performer 8 | $65 | $39 | Lifetime |
TestoPrime | $60 | $30 | Lifetime |
Roman Testosterone Support | $35 | $29 | None |
Testogen capsules | $60 | $36 | 100 days |
Nugenix Ultimate | $89 | $89 | 30 days |
Nugenix Total T Maxx | $169 | $169 | 30 days |
As you can see, only Roman rivals Test Boost Max for pricing, and since Roman offers a supplement with the same amount of ashwagandha and a handful of well-researched, appropriately dosed ingredients alongside it, we often steer budget-conscious men in that direction.
We take a few factors into account, including customer service and support, website design, purchasing process, and dosage. Categorically, most testosterone boosters and male enhancement pills have mediocre websites, often consisting of just a few pages that make overzealous claims about their products and push you toward a purchase at every turn. Test Boost Max is no different in this regard.
However, Test Boost Max offers something that very few of its competitors do: subscriptions. Most other T boosters let you save money by buying in bulk, but they make reordering a hassle by not implementing any automatic shipping option. Test Boost Max has a monthly shipping option, and in addition to helping ensure you never run out of the product, it knocks the price per month down from $49 to $41. You still stand to save more per month buying in bulk, but if you don’t have that kind of capital to spend up-front, you can still save some money and add convenience to your experience.
There are some downsides to Test Boost Max in customer service. The company has only an email form you can use to get in touch. There’s no phone number listed and no live chat feature on the site. That means any questions you have will take at least 24 hours to answer. A few other testosterone boosters have the same customer service problem, but some — like Roman — provide outstanding and fast-acting service.
Test Boost Max is a daily supplement designed to help men recover and maintain healthy testosterone levels. It contains nine ingredients that have varying results in studies and two of which seem to be the basis for most of the product’s potential.
Test Boost Max is produced by Sculpt Nation, a fitness brand offering various supplements for weight loss, muscle gain, and general wellness. The company offers a lifetime guarantee on all of its supplements, though that guarantee doesn’t cover things like return shipping costs.
Test Boost Max is the only supplement from Sculpt Nation that targets testosterone levels as a means to increase fat burning and improve muscle growth.
Here's a look at the Test Boost Max's ingredients:
Having low testosterone isn't just a problem for men who want to get huge in the gym or be animals in the bedroom. Testosterone is a hormone vital to several bodily systems.5 Symptoms of low testosterone include:
One of the easiest and least expensive ways to determine if you have low testosterone levels is to take an at-home test. These test kits utilize the same labs preferred by clinics and medical facilities around the country. Their results are reliable, and they can let you start a meaningful conversation with your doctor about testosterone.
There are a handful of providers we can recommend from extensive testing experience. We cover them all in our comprehensive guide to the best at-home testosterone test.
Test Boost Max isn’t going to turn every guy into the Hulk. Many men might not notice any real difference in their energy levels, performance in the gym, or sexual health. Ultimately, Test Boost Max and most testosterone boosters are mainly effective for men with clinically low testosterone levels, and often only among those whose low T is linked with some kind of nutrient deficit or other underlying condition that certain supplement ingredients can help address.
If your diet is healthy and your T levels are normal, you might not see much benefit from Test Boost Max. If you get your testosterone levels checked and your measurements reveal low testosterone, then supplements can be a useful place to start. Typically, low testosterone is defined as anything below 300ng/dL.6 If your tests come in around the high 200s, supplements and a few lifestyle adjustments might be sufficient to address the problem. But if that measurement is much lower, you might seek the kind of prescription assistance we go over below in our Alternatives section.
Let’s take a closer look at Test Boost Max’s ingredients so you can see how it attempts to recover testosterone levels in men:
Several studies support ashwagandha's testosterone-boosting and strength-building effects.2 Other trials show potency as a stress reliever and cortisol reducer.7 That means it may simultaneously treat the root problem (low testosterone) and some of low T's symptoms (stress and anxiety). There is a specific subset of men who should be wary of ashwagandha — namely, those with thyroid issues.
You'll occasionally find this ingredient in testosterone boosters, but it's a bit more controversial than others. This systematic review concurs with other studies’ findings regarding tribulus’ potential as a sexual performance enhancer, but it stops short of agreeing that it can help with testosterone levels.8
Epimedium is the scientific name for an ingredient commonly known as horny goat weed. Like several ingredients in Test Boost Max, epimedium seems to be here as a sexual additive. It has shown some promise in increasing libido. But more recent studies conclude that the herb can raise testosterone levels, at least in rats.9 Common doses range from 100-1,000mg of icariin (horny goat weed’s beneficial extract). But Test Boost Max uses just 160mg of the whole leaf, which might yield around 1.6mg of icariin.
Despite a name that makes you wonder whether some scientists don’t want us to understand nutrition, 3,3’-Diindolylmethane is a beneficial compound commonly found in cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and broccoli. Several studies have looked at its potential to modulate estrogen metabolism and even fight some estrogen-related cancers,10 including breast and prostate cancers.11 Test Boost Max’s dose is a little light, though, coming in at just 100mg compared to the 200-500mg seen in most studies.
While one study looking at a high-doses of eleuthero root and ginseng (6g and 4g, respectively) found an increase in stress-related hormones like cortisol, it showed no meaningful change in testosterone.12 And with Test Boost Max’s 100mg dose paling in comparison to the study’s 6,000mg, it’s hard to imagine this ingredient making a difference here.
Experiments in rats appear to show an increase in testosterone from ginseng consumption, but these experiments have not been successfully recreated in humans.13 And even if there was a connection in human models, the low dose included in Test Boost Max would likely be insufficient.
Cordyceps may offer various health benefits, but its ability to address testosterone levels may be limited.14 Like ginseng, most successful studies have occurred in rats and mice, and with 20mg of cordyceps extract in its formula, Test Boost Max’s effect isn’t predicated on the mushroom’s efficacy.
This is an ingredient purported to improve blood flow. One study found a reduction in blood pressure among diabetics,15 but another looking into hawthorn as a treatment for patients who’d had heart failure found no benefit.16 From what we can tell, it provides no discernible benefit to users' testosterone levels.
Studies often associate this root with erectile dysfunction, but one study found a significant increase in testosterone levels among men with late-onset hypogonadism.17 And a meta-analysis of studies showed relatively consistent successes with doses ranging from 100-600mg. Test Boost Max’s 20mg dose may be insufficient, however.
Test Boost Max ships in one-, three-, and six-month supplies. The more you buy at once, the more you stand to save. Here's how it breaks down:
You can also opt for automatic delivery of a one-month supply every 30 days for $41/month. These are all pretty low prices among testosterone boosters. For example, our top-rated testosterone booster, TestoPrime, costs $60 for a one-month supply.
Test Boost Max accepts major credit cards, but they don't take online forms of payment like PayPal. And as far as shipping costs go, Test Boost Max used to charge flat rates for standard or expedited shipping, but the company has since begun to offer free shipping on all orders without any price increase since we last reviewed it.
If you can afford the investment, it might be wise to buy more than one bottle of Test Boost Max at a time. That's because bulk orders save money, and the company has a lifetime money-back guarantee. At any point, if you feel the supplement is not working for you, you can get a full refund minus any shipping costs for the unopened product.
Test Boost Max is one of the few men’s sexual health supplements to come with a lifetime guarantee. It’s more typical to see somewhere between two and three months of coverage.
Test Boost Max should be safe for most men, but there are some noteworthy issues that you should be aware of before taking it. For many interested in the supplement, these won’t be deal breakers, but you’ll want to talk to your doctor if you take anticoagulants or have any thyroid issues.
Men with thyroid issues should take extra care, as ashwagandha is the ingredient in Test Boost Max associated with increased thyroid hormone levels. And it’s the ingredient that’s present in the most significant dose.
Men on anticoagulants would be concerned about the presence of ginseng and hawthorn, both of which have been shown to reduce clotting activity.18 If you’re already on anticoagulants, this reduction could prove dangerous. Of course, the doses of ginseng and hawthorn in Test Boost Max are pretty inconsequential, so the likelihood of an interaction is extremely low.
Still, anyone thinking of adding Test Boost Max or any other testosterone booster to their regimen should talk to their doctor first, especially the men described here.
If you have normal thyroid function and don’t take any anticoagulants, the only side effects you might encounter are things like headache and stomach upset. If those don’t clear up in a few days, it might be worth mentioning to your doctor, but it’s no cause for immediate alarm.
Test Boost Max certainly isn't the only game in town. There are dozens of compelling products in the testosterone booster space, as well as other male enhancement products and different approaches to addressing low testosterone. Here's a quick look at some of our favorites.
Alternative testosterone boosters will have some of the same ingredients you’ll find in Test Boost Max, but several of them boast larger ingredient lists and heftier doses of component switch compelling research behind them. Only Roman can compete with Test Boost Max for pricing, though.
Roman is a full-service telehealth company offering everything from ED treatment and hair loss products to mental health services. Its testosterone program is particularly comprehensive, consisting of what may be the best at-home testosterone test on the market, access to an effective non-hormonal testosterone-boosting prescription drug, and one of the simplest yet most effective testosterone-boosting supplements on the market.
A powerful combination of D-Aspartic acid and ashwagandha makes this one of the most effective options out there. Its competitive price makes it all the more compelling, though it can’t quite compete with Test Boost Max or Roman in the final cost.
This supplement may lack ashwagandha, but it still has D-Aspartic acid and a healthy dose of zinc. The company also offers testosterone-boosting drops that are a great additive to their pills but not much of a standalone option.
For a more comprehensive breakdown, you should visit our guide page to the Best Testosterone Booster.
If you take a testosterone test, either at home or through your doctor, and it reveals you have low testosterone, you could receive a prescription for treatment. Not long ago, your prescription treatment options would have been limited to exogenous sources of testosterone, but the landscape has since expanded to include safer, non-hormonal treatment options, namely clomiphene citrate, known sometimes by its brand name Clomid.
Clomiphene citrate is a daily pill you take to trick your body into thinking it has an overabundance of estrogen.19 The result is an uptick in testosterone production. It’s a pretty straightforward approach, but it hasn’t technically been approved for such use by the FDA. Prescription clomiphene is only approved for female use as a fertility treatment and in instances of polycystic ovarian syndrome.
That said, many doctors have begun prescribing clomiphene off-label for men whose tests reveal low T. It appears to be an effective treatment, and it’s much safer than traditional testosterone replacement therapy.
Currently, the only telehealth provider offering a clomiphene prescription is Roman.
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) entails the introduction of exogenous testosterone into the body. You might take it as an injection or apply it topically as a cream or roll-on. More recently, it’s become available as a pill or sublingual lozenge.
There are a few problems with TRT, however. The biggest is that it’s significantly more dangerous than other methods. It can increase the likelihood of things like heart attack, stroke, and erythrocytosis,20 with about 10% of patients developing polycythemia — a serious blood disease — within the first year.21 There’s also a risk for topical creams to leave a residue on things like bathroom countertops, where they can become a hazard to your family members, especially children.
Ultimately, we consider TRT to be a last resort for men with low testosterone levels.
Sources
Innerbody uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Lopresti, A. L., Drummond, P. D., & Smith, S. J. (2019). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in aging, overweight males. American Journal of Men's Health, 13(2). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6438434/
Sharma, A. K., Basu, I., & Singh, S. (2018). Efficacy and safety of ashwagandha root extract in subclinical hypothyroid patients: A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (New York, N.Y.), 24(3), 243–248. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28829155/
Kamenov, Z., Fileva, S., Kalinov, K., & Jannini, E. A. (2017). Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in male sexual dysfunction-A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Maturitas, 99, 20–26. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28364864/
Nassar G.N., Leslie S.W. (2022, January 4). Physiology, Testosterone. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526128/
Sterling, J., Bernie, A. M., & Ramasamy, R. (2015). Hypogonadism: Easy to define, hard to diagnose, and controversial to treat. Canadian Urological Association Journal, 9(1-2), 65-68.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4336035/
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Munir, N., Mahmood, Z., Yameen, M., & Mustafa, G. (2020). Therapeutic response of Epimedium gandiflorum’s different doses to restore the antioxidant potential and reproductive hormones in male albino rats. Dose-Response, 18(3). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7493261/
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Ory, J., Nackeeran, S., Balaji, N. C., Hare, J. M., & Ramasamy, A. R. (2022). Secondary polycythemia in men receiving testosterone therapy increases risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and venous thromboembolism in the first year of therapy. The Journal of Urology, 207(6), 1295–1301. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35050717/