RCVR vs AG1: Targeted Recovery vs Nutritional Insurance
Quick Verdict
These are different products solving different problems. RCVR is a recovery drink with 3 ingredients at clinical doses - you know exactly what you're getting and why. AG1 is a nutritional insurance policy with 75 ingredients in proprietary blends - you can't verify individual doses. Choose based on what you're actually trying to solve.
Choose RCVR if
- You want post-workout or post-activity recovery specifically
- You care about knowing the exact dose of each ingredient
- You prefer a ready-to-drink format with zero prep
- You want sleep support alongside recovery
- You're tired of proprietary blends hiding underdosed ingredients
Choose AG1 if
- You want broad-spectrum nutritional coverage across vitamins, minerals, and probiotics
- Your diet has significant gaps and you want a daily multivitamin replacement
- You don't have a specific recovery need - you want general wellness
- You prefer powder format and don't mind mixing
Feature Comparison
| Feature | RCVR | AG1 |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Ready-to-drink sparkling can (12oz) | Powder (mix with 8oz water) |
| Price per serving | $3.50 ($2.80 subscription) | $2.63 (subscription only) |
| Active ingredients | 3 (all individually dosed) | 75 (proprietary blends) |
| Sugar | 0g (monk fruit) | 0g (stevia) |
| Primary purpose | Recovery + sleep support | Nutritional insurance / daily greens |
| Dose transparency | Full - exact mg for each ingredient | Partial - proprietary blend totals only |
| Taste | Sparkling tart cherry | Green, earthy (varies by batch) |
| Clinical dosing verified | Yes - 200mg L-theanine, 200mg mag bisglycinate, 40 cherry equivalent | Unknown - individual ingredient amounts not disclosed |
Ingredient Breakdown
This is where the comparison gets uncomfortable for AG1. Their "proprietary blend" model means you see the total weight of each blend category, but not the individual ingredient doses. With 75 ingredients packed into a single scoop, basic math suggests many are present at sub-clinical amounts. If an ingredient needs 200mg to work and there are 15 ingredients sharing a 2.5g blend, the average per ingredient is 166mg - below threshold. RCVR takes the opposite approach: 3 ingredients, each at a clinically studied dose, each printed on the label. Montmorency tart cherry equivalent to 40 cherries. L-Theanine at 200mg. Magnesium bisglycinate at 200mg. No blends. No guessing. You can look up the studies and verify the dose matches. AG1 may contain effective doses of some ingredients - but the proprietary blend structure makes it impossible to confirm.
Price Analysis
On a pure per-serving basis, AG1 is cheaper at $2.63 vs RCVR's $3.50 ($2.80 on subscription). But per-serving price comparison between these products is misleading - they serve fundamentally different purposes. AG1 is a daily multivitamin replacement. RCVR is a targeted recovery drink. A more honest comparison: RCVR costs roughly the same as a post-workout smoothie or recovery shake, but delivers clinically dosed recovery ingredients without the sugar, prep time, or cleanup. The format premium (ready-to-drink vs powder) accounts for some of the price difference. If you're using both, they complement rather than compete - AG1 in the morning for nutritional coverage, RCVR post-workout or evening for recovery and sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take RCVR and AG1 together?+
Yes. They serve different functions with minimal ingredient overlap. AG1 covers broad nutritional gaps (vitamins, probiotics, greens). RCVR targets recovery and sleep (tart cherry, L-theanine, magnesium bisglycinate). The only overlap is magnesium, and the combined amount stays within safe daily intake levels.
Why does AG1 have 75 ingredients and RCVR only has 3?+
Different philosophies. AG1 aims to be a comprehensive daily supplement - casting a wide net across vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and adaptogens. RCVR is purpose-built for recovery - three ingredients at doses high enough to actually work. More ingredients isn't inherently better, especially when proprietary blends make it impossible to verify individual doses.
Is AG1 better for athletes than RCVR?+
Depends on the need. AG1 provides broad nutritional coverage that any active person might benefit from. RCVR specifically targets post-exercise recovery - reducing inflammation, lowering cortisol, supporting muscle repair, and improving sleep quality. For athletes, both can play a role: AG1 for daily nutrition, RCVR for recovery windows.
Does AG1 help with recovery?+
AG1 contains some ingredients associated with recovery (ashwagandha, rhodiola, magnesium) but in undisclosed amounts within proprietary blends. RCVR delivers recovery-specific ingredients at published clinical doses. If recovery is your primary goal, the transparent dosing in RCVR gives you more confidence that you're getting an effective amount.
Related Reading
3 Ingredients. Clinical Doses. No BS.
RCVR is a sparkling tart cherry recovery drink with 3 clinically-dosed active ingredients. Try it risk-free with our 30-day guarantee.