Are you trying to find protein drinks among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!
We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling protein drinks on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 17 hours of research and did 66 protein drinks tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!
An overview of our top picks
Table of contents
The best protein drinks you can buy today
- Chocolately goodness: Smooth and creamy, rich chocolate flavored shake; Winner of American Masters of Taste Gold Medal for SUPERIOR TASTING ready-to-drink protein beverages.
- 30g of protein to help curb your hunger as a mid-day snack or for post workout recovery; includes all essential amino acids
- 24 Vitamins and Minerals: Support a healthy immune system as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle (Antioxidants Vitamins C and E plus Zinc), 50 percent daily value of calcium and 30 percent daily value of Vitamin D to help maintain healthy bones
- Guilt free indulgence: 1g Sugar, 5g Carbs, 160 Calories and Low Fat; Gluten Free, Keto and Bariatric Friendly, Kosher
- Try all eleven (11) delicious smooth and creamy flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel, Cookies & Cream, Cafe Latte, Strawberries & Cream, Peaches & Cream, Bananas & Cream, Cinnamon Roll, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Cake Batter Delight
- HIGH PROTEIN, LOW SUGAR(1), GREAT TASTE. Enjoy this delicious low-fat, non-GMO shake with 30g of complete protein per serving to support your muscle strength; gluten-free and just 140 calories, these RTDs include 24 added vitamins and minerals—including vitamins A, C, D, and E plus Zinc to support immune health—but less than 1g of sugar
- 30G OF COMPLETE PROTEIN. Not all protein sources are complete protein; Pure Protein’s 30g of quality protein per serving help you achieve your fitness goals by providing the building blocks your muscle tissue needs to grow and recover
- MADE WITH MILK PROTEIN ISOLATE, HIGHLY DIGESTIBLE AND SUITABLE FOR THOSE WITH LACTOSE INTOLERANCE.(2) A complete protein with all nine essential amino acids for optimal muscle support; Milk Protein Isolate is also ultra-filtered, which means you get more protein with fewer calories and less sugar. Note: Do not use in diets supplying less than 400 calories per day without medical supervision
- KETO-FRIENDLY FOR A HEALTHY LIFE.(3) Pure Protein shakes are formulated for women and men on a mission to get fit; whether you're focused on muscle gain or getting lean, Pure Protein RTD shakes give you sustained energy to go for the gold
- STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE FLAVOR. Shake up your pre- or post-workout with a delicious, easy protein shake; any time of day is right for a convenient, creamy way to fuel your fitness regimen
- GREAT ON THE GO. Pressed for time but want to stay on-track. Combined with a healthy snack like a fruit or vegetable, Pure Protein Strawberry Shakes help feed your body with the nutrients and all 9 essential amino acids from protein it needs to power through your day
- NO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: which makes each bottle low carb and keto friendly. With only 2g net carbs, 70 calories, and 0g of sugar
- WHEY PROTEIN: 15g of whey protein isolate rich in BCAAs that fuels muscle recovery, helps curb appetite, and helps you power through your day
- HYDRATION: Ultra filtered water hydrates and refreshes. Ditch chalky shakes and sugar packed sports drinks
- REFRESHING: flavors that are certified OU-D kosher, gluten free, lactose free, no artificial flavors, and BPA-free
- AMINO ACIDS: Provides all 9 essential amino acids and has a Protein Digestibility Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) of 1.0, the highest quality score a food protein can have.
- 11.5-oz. 12 Pack for on-the-go convenience
- This Drink is Lactose free and Gluten free
- Shelf stable; Great for pantry storage
- Lactose free - Enjoy the taste without the hassle of a milk allergy! Fairlife Protein Shakes are lactose-free and packed with high protein for a nutritious snack
- Enjoy Fairlife protein drink wonderful flavors of chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and salted caramel protein shake. Enjoy low sugar and high protein and calcium.
- Each shake is made with Fairlife ultra-filtered milk. Drink for a meal replacement or energy boost. They are smooth and delicious, shelf stable and only require refrigeration after opening.
- Refrigerate after opening
- Shake well before enjoying
- 30g PROTEIN & 1g SUGAR: Each Ensure Max Protein shake has 30g protein to help build muscle and manage hunger
- 25 VITAMINS & MINERALS: Formulated with nutrients to support immune, bone, and brain health, as well as energy metabolism
- SUPPORTS DIGESTIVE HEALTH: Contains 4g fiber blend with 1g prebiotic fiber to support digestive health
- IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT: An excellent source of zinc, vitamins A & D, and antioxidants (vitamins C & E and selenium) for immune system support
- GREAT TASTE: Enjoy the flavor of vanilla in a protein shake that can be enjoyed as a meal supplement, or as a snack.
- #1 DOCTOR-RECOMMENDED BRAND: Ensure, the brand for strength and energy, is also the brand recommended most by doctors who suggest nutritional drinks to their patients
- BOOST High Protein with Fiber: BOOST High Protein with Fiber nutritional shakes have 20 grams of protein for muscle health, 3 grams of fiber for digestive health plus 27 vitamins & minerals with 240 nutrient-rich calories for energy.
- High Protein Shake: BOOST High Protein with Fiber Nutritional Shakes can help you get the protein, fiber and nutrients you need to support your active and healthy lifestyle.
- Nutritional Support: BOOST Nutritional drinks give your body nutrient-rich calories for energy, plus protein, and essential vitamins & minerals you need each day. Enhance your nutrition with protein shakes & drinks in chocolate, vanilla, & fruit flavors.
- BOOST Nutritional Drinks: BOOST Drinks have nutrition you need & taste you love. BOOST High Protein has no artificial colors or sweeteners and is gluten-free.
- BOOST Family of Nutritional Shakes: Whether you want extra protein, less sugars, more calories, fewer calories, or simply great nutrition for everyday living, there’s a BOOST Nutritional Shake that fits your needs.
- Why settle for 1 when you can try all 8 of Premier Protein flavors in one box? All of the flavors are winners of American masters of taste Gold Medal, so there's bound to be a few you'll enjoy (if not all of them).
- 30g of protein to help curb your hunger, as a mid-day snack or as your post workout recovery support; includes all essential amino acids
- 24 Vitamins and Minerals: Support a healthy immune system as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle (Antioxidants Vitamins C and E plus Zinc), 50 percent daily value of calcium and 30 percent daily value of Vitamin D
- Guilt Free Indulgence: 1g Sugar, 160 Calories and low fat; Gluten free, Keto and friendly, Kosher
- Try all eight (8) delicious smooth and creamy flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Caramel, Cookies & Cream, Cafe Latte, Strawberries & Cream, Peaches & Cream and Bananas & Cream
- OPTIMUM NUTRITION GOLD STANDARD PROTEIN SHAKE - Offers 24 grams of premium protein in two delicious-tasting flavors – Chocolate and Vanilla
- GOLD STANDARD PROTEIN SHAKE - Tastes great while supporting muscle building* and recovery; 1G of sugar and zero added sugars; 24 vitamins and minerals, plus vitamins A, C, D, E and zinc, support a healthy immune system
- VITAMINS A,C, AND E - For antioxidant support and B vitamins to help convert food to cellular energy/support cellular energy metabolism; 9 essential amino acids
- FROM THE MOST TRUSTED BRAND IN PROTEIN - Optimum Nutrition; Calcium to support healthy teeth and bones; Helps fill nutrient gaps and reach daily protein goals
- Optimum Nutrition is the World's #1 Sports Nutrition Brand. Banned substance tested - Highest quality control measures so you feel comfortable and safe consuming the product
- AT HOME OR ON-THE-GO. Atkins Milk Chocolate Delight Protein Shakes. Enjoy delicious shakes that fit right into your busy schedule, with 15g of protein, 2g of net carbs and 1g of sugar per serving*. This is Today’s Atkins.
- YOUR APPROACH. Help give your body the nutrients it needs without sacrificing your favorite flavors.
- AMAZING RECIPES. Delight in the nutrients and satisfying flavors of great foods made with quality ingredients.
- Offered in 12ct cartons containing individually bottled 11 fl oz shakes.
- TASTE WHAT’S GOOD. Stay true to your low carb lifestyle with these delicious protein shakes.
- Brighten your day with our NEW zesty and fun lemon-flavored Premier Protein Limited Edition Lemon Bar Protein Shake!
- 30g of protein to help curb your hunger, as a mid-day snack or for post workout recovery; includes all essential amino acids.
- 24 Vitamins and Minerals: Supports a healthy immune system*
- Sunny, zestfully joyful enjoyment: 1g Sugar, 5g Carbs, 160 Calories and Low Fat; Gluten Free, Keto and Bariatric Friendly, Kosher.
- antioxidants vitamins C&E. Enjoy as part of a healthy diet & lifestyle.
- High-quality protein source for muscle gain and weight management
- Lactose-free: protein shakes are lactose-free, making them a great option for those who are lactose intolerant.
- 150 calories per bottle: Each shake contains only 150 calories, making them a great option for those who are watching their calorie intake throughout the day.
- Delicious taste: Above all, protein shakes are known for their delicious taste and creamy texture.
- DESERVEDLY DECADENT. The Quest Vanilla Protein Shake is the irresistibly-creamy, vanilla-flavored shake you can enjoy anytime with 30g of protein, 3g carbs and 1g of sugar per serving.
- GRAB AND GO. Take Quest vanilla-flavored Protein Shakes with you to work, the gym, the mall, the park - they’re made to go everywhere life’s adventures take you.
- ON A QUEST. Enjoy the refreshing taste of a vanilla-flavored high protein shake that’s low carb and low sugar.
- SIP DELICIOUSLY. Get truly satisfying flavor AND athlete-worthy nutrition. Only from Quest.
- Offered in 4ct packs containing individually-bottled 11 fl oz shakes.
- See Nutrition Facts for Calorie Content. Low Carb: 3g Total Carbohydrates per serving. Low Sugar: 1g Sugar per serving. Not a low-calorie food.
- +ENERGY: 125mg of caffeine per bottle, naturally sourced from green coffee beans
- WHEY PROTEIN: Fuels muscle recovery, helps curb appetite, and helps you power through your day. 15g of whey protein isolate rich in BCAAs
- HYDRATION: Ultra filtered water hydrates and refreshes. Ditch chalky shakes and sugar packed energy drinks
- REFRESHING: flavors that are certified OU-D kosher, gluten free, lactose free, and BPA-free
- PROTEIN-PACKED DECADENCE. Enjoy a deliciously smooth, milk chocolate flavored Atkins Strong High Protein Shake packed with 30g of protein to help satisfy your hunger and your sweet tooth. The flavor you love, without a ton of sugar or carbs.
- MUSCLE + GUT HEALTH SUPPORT COMPLEX. Sustained absorption protein helps maintain lean muscle and support muscle health**, while prebiotic f iber helps support healthy digestion. Together, they work to keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day.
- WHOLE BODY SCIENCE. 30g of protein, 7g of prebiotic fiber, 2g of net carbs, 23 vitamins and minerals, and 1g of sugar per serving— to help provide beneficial nutrients your body needs for overall wellbeing.
- READY WHEN YOU ARE. Quick and easy, ready-to-drink shakes that help you reach your nutrition goals anytime, anywhere. Just right for enjoying at home, or as grab & go satisfaction that tastes great wherever your busy day takes you.
- Offered in 3packs of 4ct cartons containing individually bottled 11 fl oz (325 mL) shakes.
- NEW: The Ready-to-Drink Performance Protein Shake from Dymatize is science-backed formula to support your fitness, strength, and health goals.
- HIGH-QUALITY PROTEIN: 30g of science-backed high-quality protein. Dymatize Performance Protein Shakes is formulated with a blend of fast and slow-absorbing proteins, providing steady protein delivery.
- RECOVERY: With 6.2g of BCAAs and 30g of science-backed protein, Dymatize Performance Protein Shakes support muscle recovery and growth maintenance. Formulated with a blend of fast- and slow-absorbing proteins, they provide steady protein delivery.
- ON-THE-GO: Enjoy delicious shakes that fit right into your busy schedule. The high-quality protein shakes are great for on-the-go, pre and post-workout, and as a quick mid-day snack.
- HEALTHY: Enjoy a delicious and nutritious gluten-free protein shake that supports your active lifestyle! With no added sugar, this protein shake makes it a healthy option for those looking to fuel their day with high-quality protein.
- TASTY: Available in 2 delicious PEBBLES flavors: Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles.
- With Fitness or Weight Training Program
- Contains twelve (12) 11.16 Fl Oz Bottles of Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shakes. Packaging may vary.
- HELPS SATISFY HUNGER AND BUILD MUSCLE – The Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake is an energizing protein shake that can be consumed to support post-workout recovery and muscle growth and maintenance or to satisfy hunger when you’re on-the-go in between meals.
- KEY FEATURES – Based on 1 shake, Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shakes contain 32g protein, 1g sugar, 16 vitamins and minerals and a good source of fiber.
- GREAT TASTING SHAKE – Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Ready to Drink Protein Shakes are smooth and delicious – just read our reviews. They taste great as is or added to coffee, oatmeal, pancakes, smoothies, and other foods when you’re looking for a protein boost.
- SCIENCE BEHIND PROTEIN – Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition provides a combination of slow releasing and fast releasing proteins to help increase amino acid levels. These essential amino acids play a role in muscle growth and maintenance of muscle mass.
- Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake, Knockout Chocolate, 11.16 Fl Oz Bottle, 12 Pack, 32g Protein, 1g Sugar, 16 Vitamins & Minerals, 5g Fiber, Workout Recovery, Energizing Snack, Packaging May Vary
- AT HOME OR ON-THE-GO. Atkins Creamy Vanilla Protein Shakes. Enjoy delicious shakes that fit right into your busy schedule, with 15g of protein, 2g of net carbs and 1g of sugar per serving*. This is Today’s Atkins.
- YOUR APPROACH. Help give your body the nutrients it needs without sacrificing your favorite flavors.
- AMAZING RECIPES. Delight in the nutrients and satisfying flavors of great foods made with quality ingredients.
- Offered in 12ct cartons containing individually bottled 11 fl oz shakes.
- TASTE WHAT’S GOOD. Stay true to your low carb lifestyle with these delicious protein shakes.
- NUTRITIONAL BREAKFAST DRINK: Carnation Breakfast Essentials Nutritional Drinks make it easy to start your day with key nutrients at breakfast
- HIGH-QUALITY PROTEIN: Each 8 fl oz serving is packed with 10 g of high-quality protein to help build & maintain muscle
- VITAMINS & MINERALS: Provides an excellent source of 21 vitamins & minerals to help meet daily nutritional needs and fill nutritional gaps
- KEY NUTRIENTS FOR IMMUNE SUPPORT: Carnation Breakfast Essentials Nutritional Drinks contain 100% daily value (DV) of vitamin C and 50% DV of vitamin D, key nutrients for immune support
- NO ARTIFICIAL flavors, colors or sweeteners. Also gluten free and kosher.
- AT HOME OR ON-THE-GO. Atkins Chai Tea Latte Protein Shakes. Enjoy delicious shakes that fit right into your busy schedule, with 15g of protein, 3g of net carbs, 1g of sugar per serving*, and as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. This is Today’s Atkins.
- YOUR APPROACH. Help give your body the nutrients it needs without sacrificing your favorite flavors.
- AMAZING RECIPES. Delight in the nutrients and satisfying flavors of great foods made with quality ingredients.
- Offered in 3 cartons, each containing 4 individually bottled 16.9 fl oz shakes.
- TASTE WHAT’S GOOD. Stay true to your low carb lifestyle with these delicious protein shakes.
- 15g whey protein isolate, 0g sugar, 60 calories, 1g carbs
- Ion-exchange whey protein isolate rich in BCAAs, highest Leucine content of any known protein, necessary for muscle protein synthesis
- Highest Leucine content of any known protein, necessary for muscle protein synthesis
- Certified OU-D Kosher, gluten free, lactose free, ingredients may vary, preservative free and BPA-Free
- Provides all 9 essential amino acids and has a Protein Digestibility Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) of 1.0, the highest quality score a food protein can have.
How to choose a good protein drinks
Does the idea of finding a fantastic protein drinks make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!
Your presence here indicates that you are interested in protein drinks. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top protein drinks products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?
First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top protein drinks on the market right now!
The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:
Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top protein drinks brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.
Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top protein drinks based on those.
Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.
Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.
Customer ratings: Would it be accurate to suggest that the protein drinks were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.
Customer Reviews: Like ratings, provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.
Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good protein drinks, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.
Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your protein drinks.
Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting protein drinks for months and years to come.
Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.
Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.
These are the standards by which we selected our protein drinks. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.
Why should you believe us?
There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what protein drinks should you purchase in 2022?
This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on protein drinks.
