Top Octane Booster Brands for Optimal Engine Performance

In the world of automotive enhancements, octane boosters play a crucial role in enhancing engine performance and efficiency. These specialized fuel additives are designed to increase the octane rating of gasoline, which helps prevent knocking and pinging in high-performance engines. With an array of brands available, choosing the best octane booster can significantly impact your vehicle's performance and longevity. Below, we provide insights into some of the top brands that stand out for their quality and effectiveness in the market.

Illustration of octane booster

Best brands of octane booster in 2025

Lucas Oil

Lucas Oil is renowned as one of the best producers of octane boosters, with their product tested and proven to deliver three times more boost than most other brands, equivalent to 3 full octane numbers or 30 points. It is safe for turbos, oxygen sensors, and catalytic converters, and is suitable for use in fuel injected, carbureted, throttle body, and rotary engines. The Lucas Oil Octane Booster promotes clean fuel burn for fewer emissions, eliminates spark knocks and pinging, and improves combustion efficiency. It is available in various sizes, including 2 ounce, 5.25 ounce, and 15 ounce bottles, with the 15 ounce bottle treating up to 25 gallons of fuel. This high-performance formula is especially beneficial for off-road vehicles and high-compression engines.

Royal Purple

Royal Purple is renowned as one of the best producers of octane boosters, particularly with their Max-Boost™ product, which raises the octane rating by up to 30 points or 3 numbers, optimizing horsepower and stabilizing fuel. Formulated with MMT, it helps eliminate engine-damaging detonation, pre-ignition, and pinging or knocking from low octane gasoline. It is safe for use in various fuel types, including leaded and unleaded gasolines, and alternate fuels like gasohol and all ethanol blends. Max-Boost is compatible with engines equipped with carburetors, port fuel injection, direct injection, as well as turbocharged, supercharged, and nitrous-injected engines. It also cleans deposits from fuel injectors and replaces lead additives for protection of non-hardened valve seats.

Torco

Torco is a leading manufacturer of high-quality octane boosters, known for their race fuel concentrate additives that can raise the octane of fuel up to 105 if desired. These products are designed to customize the fuel blend to fit specific engine needs, making them perfect for high compression motors. Torco's octane boosters are safe for sensitive O2 sensors and catalytic converters, ensuring optimal engine performance without any harm. With a presence in the market for over 19 years, Torco has established itself as a reliable option for performance enhancement. The global octane boosters market, which includes Torco, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030. For more information on their products, you can check out the Torco Fuel Unleaded Accelerator Octane Booster.

STP

The STP brand is renowned for its effective octane boosters, which not only increase octane ratings but also clean the fuel intake system to restore lost performance. The STP Octane Booster contains MMT + Synthetic Technology and is compatible with cap-less gas systems, treating up to 15 gallons of gasoline with a 5.25 fl. oz. bottle. It claims to boost octane by 2-5 points, although actual tests show a marginal improvement of around 0.6 RON. This two-in-one formula helps reduce knocking and pinging, and is recommended for regular use to maintain engine efficiency. Despite being one of the cheaper options, it remains a popular choice due to its dual benefits. For more details, visit the STP Octane Booster page.

Boostane

Boostane is a highly regarded brand for octane boosters, utilizing MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl) to effectively increase the octane rating of gasoline. It has been proven to raise octane levels significantly, such as increasing 93 octane to around 97 octane, and can achieve gains of up to 10whp and 7 lb-ft of torque in forced induction applications. Boostane won the 2014 SEMA Award, highlighting its credibility and effectiveness in the market. The optimal mix ratio is often around 10-12 gallons for a 50:1 mixture, resulting in octane levels close to 103. This product is safe for use with catalytic converters and oxygen sensors, making it a reliable choice for various vehicles. For more details, check out the Boostane octane booster review.

Gumout

Gumout is a prominent brand in the octane booster market, known for its effective products that raise the octane level in gas to restore proper combustion and performance. Gumout Octane Booster is part of a broader range of fuel additives and maintenance products, contributing to the brand's reputation for enhancing engine performance. The global octane booster market, which includes brands like Gumout, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% from 2024 to 2030, reaching a market size of US$ 250 million by 2030. Gumout's products are widely available and recommended by many users for their efficacy in improving fuel combustion and reducing engine knocking. The brand's presence in the market underscores its commitment to providing high-quality fuel additives.

Klotz

Klotz is renowned as one of the best producers of octane boosters, with their product capable of increasing the octane rating of gasoline by up to 9 points, according to the manufacturer's claims. It is formulated to be used at a ratio of one ounce per 5-6 gallons of gas, depending on the compression ratio of the engine. The Klotz Octane Booster does not contain MMT, making it suitable for modern engines like those in the Infiniti TT models. Users have reported positive results, such as running more timing without engine knock, even when compared to using a 95 octane blend. This concentrate also enhances upper cylinder lubricity, adding to its benefits.

NOS

The NOS brand is renowned for its high-performance octane boosters, particularly the NOS Octane Booster Racing Formula, which contains Hydrotreated Aliphatics and Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl, and is capable of increasing the octane rating by up to 7 points, achieving a significant 1.8 RON improvement in tests. NOS has a long history of innovation, having aided in significant performance milestones, including the first 200 mph and 6-second runs in the Pro Mod class in the 1980s. The brand continues to be a leader in nitrous oxide injection systems and has expanded its product line to include consumer-friendly products like the NOS Energy Drink. NOS products are designed for serious performance enthusiasts and are known for their effectiveness in enhancing engine performance and reducing engine damaging detonation. With its strong presence in the automotive performance industry, NOS remains a trusted name among racers and car enthusiasts. For more information about their products, visit the NOS product page.

VP Racing Fuels

VP Racing Fuels is a renowned brand in the motorsport industry, celebrated for its high-performance octane boosters like Octanium and Octanium Unleaded. These products can increase octane ratings by up to 7 or 8 numbers, enhancing horsepower, throttle response, and acceleration while safely working with vehicles equipped with oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. With over 50 years of experience, VP Racing Fuels has powered numerous world champions and race wins. Their octane boosters also clean fuel injectors, prevent gum and varnish buildup, and are safe for use in both 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines. An unopened container of VP Octanium Unleaded can last up to five years.

Maxima Racing Oils

Maxima Racing Oils is a renowned brand in the racing industry, particularly noted for its high-performance products like the HI-TEST octane booster. This concentrated, metal-free octane booster increases power by enhancing the octane number and combustion efficiency, effectively eliminating knocking and compatible with all fuels, including nitro and alcohol mixtures. Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Southern California, Maxima has decades of involvement in professional racing, leading to powerful technology and a full array of market-leading products used in over 50 countries. The HI-TEST octane booster is highly effective at dosages as low as 1 oz per gallon of fuel. Maxima's products are trusted by world-class racers and teams, including the Randy Meyer Racing Team, the reigning Top Alcohol Dragster World Championship team.