The 11 Best Protein Shakes of 2024

Protein shakes can be a convenient way to get protein on the go and can be especially helpful if you have higher protein needs, or struggle to get enough protein in your diet. This can include athletes, people who are on a vegan diet, have a medical condition that lowers appetite, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. However, if you follow a low-protein diet (for kidney disease, for instance), you should be cautious when using protein shakes.

Keep in mind that while protein shakes are helpful for filling gaps or for when you're short on time, they are not meant to replace meals regularly. If you rely on them too heavily, you could miss out on other important nutrients. Pairing a protein shake with a piece of fruit can be a nutritionally balanced snack or light meal on the go.

When choosing the best protein shakes, our dietitians considered recommendations from experts, including sports and prenatal dietitians. We also taste-tested 19 shakes in our testing lab and rated them for taste and consistency. Other criteria to help make recommendations include protein content, sugar or alternative sweeteners, and other added nutrients. We also had a registered dietitian on our Medical Expert Board review this article for medical and scientific accuracy. When making a selection, be sure to consider your individual needs and health goals.

Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. They also may interact with other supplements or medications you are taking. Our team of registered dietitians reviews supplements according to our rigorous dietary supplement methodology. We also had a registered dietitian review this page for its scientific accuracy. Please always speak with a healthcare provider to discuss any supplements you plan on taking.

Amazon

Why We Like It

The OWYN Plant-Based Protein Shake is our top choice because of its winning combination of quality nutrition and tasty flavor. It has 20 grams of plant-based protein to help you meet your total daily protein goal. There are a few different flavors to pick from, but we really liked the dark chocolate and "cookies & creamless" flavor and enjoyed its creamy texture.

This shake can also be a good option for pregnant people who have a tough time reaching their higher protein needs. It contains all essential amino acids as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for a baby's brain and eye development. Omega-3s are also beneficial for heart health, inflammation, and brain health.

The pea and pumpkin seed protein provides 20% of the Daily Value (DV) of iron. If you are iron deficient, an athlete, currently pregnant, or following a vegan diet, you may especially benefit from the iron in this shake. OWYN's shakes are also low in added sugar (4 grams), making them a good choice for anyone managing their blood sugar.

Like many other bottled protein shakes, OWYN protein shakes don't need to be refrigerated until after opening, so you can keep one with you at your desk or in your gym bag for when you need it. These shakes are vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-friendly.

It's Worth Noting

With 180 calories, this shake is not enough to replace a meal, and it lacks the carbohydrates required for post-workout recovery. We recommend pairing it with a banana or toast with nut butter for a balanced recovery option or a quick and easy meal. 

Keep in mind that this shake includes a blend of broccoli, spinach, and kale that may interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners. If this concerns you, it's best to speak to a healthcare provider before deciding to add this shake to your diet.

Product Details:

Protein: 20 grams
Protein source: Pea, pumpkin seed, and flax oil
Calories: 180
Sugar: 5 grams (4 grams added sugar)
Fiber: 5 grams
Sweetener: Cane sugar and monk fruit extract
Dietary considerations: vegan, gluten-free, and top 8 allergen-free

Amazon

Why We Like It

Premier Protein Shakes are one of the most popular shakes on the market, and for good reason. Not only do these shakes taste great, but they also provide 30 grams of protein, which is more than most other shakes. You may think you would be paying extra for the higher protein content, but we love that these are budget-friendly. We like the creaminess and the variety of flavors this shake comes in, including Caramel, Strawberries & Cream, Cookie Dough, and more.

This convenient option is great if you're in a rush and need a solid source of protein after a workout or as part of a balanced meal. The protein source is a blend of whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and milk protein concentrate, which all support muscle recovery and growth. Note this shake is low in carbohydrates, at only five grams per serving.

Premier Protein also includes a blend of vitamins and minerals, making it a great addition to your diet if you lack variety and may need additional nutrients. Because of the higher protein amount, people who have low appetites due to illness, GLP-1 use, or bariatric surgery may also find this to be a good option.

It's Worth Noting

The taste of this shake is pretty mild, with a somewhat artificial aftertaste. This could be due to the sweeteners used (sucralose and acesulfame potassium). However, it doesn't have any added sugars, which some may appreciate.

Because of the additional vitamins and minerals, be mindful that you're not getting too much of a vitamin or mineral if you are also taking other vitamin supplements.

If you are using this as a meal replacement, remember that the carbohydrate content is very low; we like pairing it with fruit and some nuts to help you feel full.

Product Details:

Protein: 30 grams
Protein source: Whey protein
Calories: 160
Sugar: 1 gram
Fiber: 3 grams
Sweetener: Sucralose and acesulfame potassium
Dietary considerations: gluten-free

Kate Farms Organic Vanilla Nutrition Shake

Amazon

Why We Like it

Kate Farms Nutrition Shake is one of the higher-calorie shakes on the market and provides a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat; each bottle contains 16 grams of protein, 38 grams of carbohydrates, and 12 grams of fat. It may be enough for a light meal on the go or pair well with some fruit. It's also a great option to refuel after a long, hard workout to jumpstart recovery when you're short on time or don't have the appetite for a meal. This is also a good option if you're experiencing low appetite, such as during illness or when taking a GLP-1 medication.

This shake contains a vitamin and mineral blend, which provides a significant amount of 27 different nutrients, including vitamin D, calcium, and iron. These nutrients may help fill gaps in your diet, and the shake could also potentially take the place of a multivitamin on the days you drink it, depending on your individual needs. Kate Farms also adds a phytonutrient blend from fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and other "superfoods." One that stands out is tart cherry, which has some research to support its use for recovery by reducing inflammation. However, the exact amount of tart cherry in this shake isn't listed.

Kate Farms Nutrition Shake is USDA Organic, vegan, gluten-free, and Kosher, and is available in coffee, chocolate, and vanilla.

It's Worth Noting

While it is great that this shake includes so many vitamins and minerals, it is important to avoid overconsuming these nutrients, especially if you're taking supplements or have certain medical conditions, such as hemochromatosis (too much iron build-up in the body).

Kate Farms doesn't use any artificial sweeteners, but it is relatively high in added sugar (18 grams per shake) from agave and brown rice syrups. It's important to consider how this fits into your daily intake, as it may not be the best choice if you have diabetes or other blood sugar concerns. During taste-testing, we liked the vanilla flavor and creamy texture, but it was too sweet for some people.

Product Details:

Protein: 16 grams
Protein source: Pea protein
Calories: 330
Sugar: 20 grams (18 grams added sugar)
Fiber: 5 grams
Sweetener: Agave and brown rice syrup solids
Dietary considerations: vegan, gluten-free and top 8 allergen-free

Amazon

Why We Like It

We love the Ripple protein shake for its great flavor, strong nutrition profile, and relatively simple ingredient list. It has a smooth and creamy consistency without the chalkiness that you sometimes expect from a vegan protein shake. It has 20 grams of plant-based protein that also comes with over 500 milligrams of calcium (around 45 percent of your daily needs) and 4 milligrams of iron (around 25 percent of your daily needs)—two nutrients that may be difficult to get enough of on a vegan diet. Calcium is important for bone health, muscle movement, and nerve signaling.

If you're drinking this after a workout, you'll want to pair it with some carbohydrates like a banana, raisins, or oatmeal to help replenish your glycogen stores. With 200 calories per bottle, it's perfect for a snack but not quite enough to replace a meal. 

When it comes to taste, this shake was a winner. It's delicious and tastes like chocolate milk without the milk. There was no artificial taste whatsoever, and the smell matched the taste.

It's Worth Noting

The biggest drawback is that it contains both 9 grams of added sugar (cane sugar) and monk fruit extract, which gives it a sweeter flavor that may not be suitable for everyone. Some shakes are higher in fiber—this shake only provides two grams.

This shake is available in chocolate, vanilla, and coffee flavors. However, the coffee flavor contains 75 milligrams of caffeine, which is about 75 percent of the caffeine found in a cup of coffee. Therefore, if you are avoiding or limiting your caffeine intake, be mindful of this.

Product Details:

Protein: 20 grams
Protein source: Pea protein
Calories: 200
Sugar: 9 grams (9 grams added sugar)
Fiber: 2 grams
Sweetener: Cane sugar and monk fruit extract
Dietary considerations: vegan, gluten-free, and top 8 allergen-free

The Feed

Why We Like It

While not technically a shake, Fuel for Fire Protein Smoothies are a great alternative if you prefer a smoothie-like protein drink that's ready-to-go. It has 10 grams of protein from whey protein isolate, which is on the lower end for a protein shake. Whey protein is considered to be a top protein choice for athletes—though it's a great option for anyone who wants to increase their protein intake.

The 15 grams of carbohydrates come from fruits, and some flavors even include vegetables. This makes Fuel for Fire work well as a pre-workout snack when you want something light. We also like that these don't contain any added sugar or alternative sweeteners since the fruits provide enough sweetness.

If you like a thicker texture, you'll enjoy these smoothies. Our testers found it easier to drink them from the squeeze pouch rather than drinking them out into a glass.

It's Worth Noting

Fuel for Fire's original smoothies come in six different flavors, including one that contains caffeine. If you are watching your caffeine intake, be mindful of this.

They're all gluten-free but not suitable for a vegan diet. We don't love the fact that these contain 0 grams of fiber, which is important to help keep you full. However, if you are using this as a pre-workout, this shake may help avoid any digestive upset.

Product Details:

Protein: 10 grams
Protein source: Whey protein
Calories: 110
Sugar: 16 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Sweetener: None (sugar comes from fruit)
Dietary considerations: gluten-free

Amazon

Why We Like It

With no added sugar, Iconic Protein Drinks are a good option if you have diabetes or for anyone else watching your sugar intake. They are made from grass-fed milk that has been filtered to be lactose-free and are low-carb and low-fat. While the filtering process removes the lactose, it actually increases the concentration of protein and calcium, providing 20 grams of protein and 40 percent of your daily calcium needs in one serving. These shakes are also soy-free and gluten-free. 

We find these to make a great addition to breakfast or a quick on-the-go snack. If you're using them as post-workout refuel, you may want to add a source of fiber-rich carbohydrates, like a piece of fruit, to replenish muscle energy stores (glycogen).

Our testers found this to be on the watery side with a subtle taste. If you don't love an overwhelming and creamy shake, this is a good option.

It's Worth Noting

Iconic protein shakes come in four flavors—cacao and greens, vanilla bean, cafe latte, and chocolate truffle (which tastes just like chocolate milk). The cacao and greens flavor contains a greens blend with broccoli, kale, and spinach, which adds vitamins and minerals to the mix. However, green powders may interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners.

All flavors are sweetened with monk fruit extract and stevia, which may not suit everyone's taste preference.

Product Details:

Protein: 20 grams
Protein source: Milk protein isolate
Calories: 140
Sugar: 0 grams
Fiber: 4 grams 
Sweetener: Monk fruit extract and Stevia 
Dietary considerations: gluten-free, lactose-free, soy-free

Chobani

Why We Like it

Chobani Complete is a great option if you are lactose intolerant or want a protein drink that also supports gut health. It's a Greek yogurt-based drink, meaning there is no added protein source, and it provides 20 grams of protein and 25 percent of your daily calcium needs per bottle.

This shake has probiotics that can promote healthy digestion by regulating our gut microbiome. While specific strains and amounts work best for different gastrointestinal issues and symptoms, a yogurt-based drink like this one can be a good option for overall digestive health.

Chobani Complete is available in strawberry cream, vanilla, mixed berry vanilla, and banana cream, all of which are sweetened with stevia and monk fruit extract. Because the protein comes from yogurt, this is one of the smoothest and creamiest options on the market. We like that it isn't overwhelmingly sweet and has a tangy undertone. All flavors are gluten-free, lactose-free (thanks to the addition of lactase), Kosher, and contain no artificial flavors.

It's Worth Noting

Unlike many of our other picks, this requires refrigeration, so it's a bit less convenient, but we think the added nutritional benefits are worth it.  Although there are 12 grams of sugar, there is no added sugar in this drink. Because of the naturally occurring carbohydrates, this would also make a good post-workout choice.

Product Details:

Protein: 20 grams
Protein source: Cultured low-fat milk
Calories: 170
Sugar: 12 grams
Fiber: 3 grams
Sweetener: Monk fruit extract and stevia 
Dietary considerations: gluten-free, lactose-free, soy-free

Target

Why We Like It

Fairlife Core Power High Protein Milk Shake is a great choice if you want something like chocolate milk. Unlike most protein shakes, the high protein in this one comes from ultra-filtered milk, giving it that chocolate milk feel and taste. We like that there's no aftertaste, unlike some other protein shakes and the texture is extremely smooth and creamy,

Fairlife Core Protein can also help you meet your daily calcium needs, as each serving provides 50% of the Daily Value (DV) of calcium. It also has 25% of the DV of vitamins A and D and 20% of the DV of potassium. This is a plus because most Americans don't get enough potassium, and it can help support healthy blood pressure.

Another ingredient in this shake is lactase enzyme, which is helpful if you are lactose intolerant. Like most other protein shakes, the Core Protein shake is shelf-stable until opened, though some recommend chilling it for a better drinking experience. If you aren't a huge chocolate fan, the shake also comes in strawberry banana, banana, and vanilla.

It's Worth Noting

While this doesn't have any added sugar, it does contain stevia, monk fruit extract, and acesulfame-K. Some people may not love the taste of these sweeteners, but we don't think it's overly sweet.

Search This Blog

Parasitic Diseases