Mass Gainers: 10 Best Protein Powders For Weight Gain
Have you been looking for a weight gain supplement that can help you gain mass quickly and safely? If so, then you’re in the right place!
In this guide, we’re going to share our top picks for best protein powders for weight gain in different categories, as well as our pick for the overall best option under 1,000 calories and the best option over 1,000 calories.
#1 Best Selling Protein
Here are our quick answers:
- Overall Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain Under 1,000 Calories Per Serving: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
- Overall Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain 1,000 Calories Per Serving: Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
- Best Affordable Protein Powder For Weight Gain Under 1,000 Calories Per Serving: CytoSport Muscle Milk Gainer
- Best Affordable Protein Powder For Weight Gain Over 1,000 Calories Per Serving: Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
- Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain For Competitive Sports: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Gainer
- Top-Rated Protein Powder For Weight Gain By Customers: MuscleTech Mass-Tech Extreme 2000
- Best Vegan Protein Powder For Weight Gain: Vegan Naked Mass
- Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain With Lower Carbs: Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer
- Protein Powder For Weight Gain With The Most Flavor Options: ALLMAX Nutrition QuickMass
- Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain With Creatine: MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass Beef Protein
Now let’s get into the details about our picks and why. Stay to the end if you want to learn a bit more about mass gainers and using protein powder for weight gain – and see some frequently asked questions!
Note: Pricing is subject to change or may vary based on where you purchase and current sales.
Overall Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain Under 1,000 Calories Per Serving
1. Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
- Calories per serving: 760
- Carbs: 109g
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 53g
- Protein source: Grass-Fed Whey Protein
- Flavors: Sweet Vanilla, Chocolate Glazed Donut
- Largest tub size: 6.18 lbs (2.8 kg)
- Servings per container: 15
- Cost per serving: $4.67
Transparent Lab’s Mass Gainer is our top pick for a few reasons. First, the supplement is sweetened with stevia and monk fruit, so you don’t have the fake sugars that many mass gainers and protein powders contain. The carbohydrate sources are oats, sweet potatoes, and organic tapioca, which are also more natural.
Additionally, there are no artificial preservatives or coloring, and it’s gluten-free and non-GMO, making it a healthier option for your bulk.
The company itself is also reputable. Transparent Labs is a well-known brand for health supplements and bases its products on science, hard evidence, and unbiased studies.
Their independent advisory board includes personal trainers, clinical physiologists, medical doctors, and registered dieticians, so you know you’re getting a product with experts behind it.
Add in their 60-day money-back guarantee, and you can see why this is Fitness Mentors’ top choice!
Overall Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain Over 1,000 Calories Per Serving
2. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
- Calories per serving: 1,250
- Carbs: ~254g
- Fat: ~4g
- Protein: 50g
- Protein source: Whey, Calcium Caseinate & Egg Whites
- Flavors: Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry, Vanilla
- Largest tub size: 12 lbs (5.44kg)
- Servings per container: 16
- Cost per serving: $4.75
Optimum Nutrition is a brand built on using the highest quality raw ingredients in a state-of-the-art approach. Each product is tested and retested to ensure you know what’s going into your body.
The company’s Serious Mass product is our top choice overall for over 1,000 calories per serving protein powder because of the quality of what’s in it, including the addition of 25 vitamins and essential minerals.
The powder is also great mixed with other foods and liquids to add more flavor and calories, like fruits, milk, and nut butters – giving you endless options for a great meal replacement and workout fueler.
Best Affordable Protein Powder For Weight Gain Under 1,000 Calories Per Serving
3. CytoSport Muscle Milk Gainer
- Calories per serving: 650
- Carbs: 109g
- Fat: 9g
- Protein: 32g
- Protein source: Milk protein isolate, caseins, whey protein
- Flavors: Cookies & Creme, Vanilla Creme, Chocolate
- Largest tub size: 5 lb (2.27 kg)
- Servings per container: 14
- Cost per serving: $2.78
Despite proteins derived from dairy, this gainer is actually lactose-free and includes 20 vitamins and minerals, including calcium and electrolytes.
Muscle Milk Gainer contains a special Protein System that combines proteins from multiple sources to deliver them to your body over an extended period. These include faster-acting whey proteins and slower acting casein proteins to provide longer term gaining potential.
If you’re not looking to break the bank, this is a great choice for your gaining goals.
Best Affordable Protein Powder For Weight Gain Over 1,000 Calories Per Serving
4. Dymatize Super Mass Gainer
- Calories per serving: 1280
- Carbs: 252g
- Fat: 4.5g
- Protein: 50g
- Protein source: Whey, casein, egg
- Flavors: Rich Chocolate, Gourmet Vanilla, Cookies & Cream
- Largest tub size: 6 lbs (2.7kg)
- Servings per container: 16
- Cost per serving: $2.68
Dymatize focuses on a special high-quality blend of complex carbohydrates to help build mass and keep your energy up.
Each serving also includes 17g of BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids), which get depleted when you’re working out, as well as 7.7g of L-Leucine, an amino acid that helps activate protein synthesis in your muscles.
The flavors are delicious (our favorite is the Rich Chocolate), and the product mixes very well with both milk and water. In fact, mixing it with 32 ounces of whole milk will increase your calorie count to 1900 per serving if you are in need of a bit extra.So if you’re looking for some hefty calories and carbs, but want the lower cost, Dymatize Super Mass Gainer is a great choice.
Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain For Competitive Sports
5. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Gainer
- Calories per serving: 750-770
- Carbs: 109-116g
- Fat: 9-10g
- Protein: 55g
- Protein source: Whey and isolates
- Flavors: Colossal Chocolate, Vanilla Ice Cream
- Largest tub size: 10.29 lb (4.67 kg)
- Servings per container: 23
- Cost per serving: $3.91
When it comes to competitive sports, it’s especially important to know what’s going into your body.
Gold Standard Gainer is banned substance tested, so you can be assured it’s acceptable to take if you’re involved in competition.
This powder contains complete dairy proteins from mainly isolates and oat, pea and potato carbohydrates. Included fats come from flax, chia & MCTs for added benefits.
If you need a protein powder for weight gain that gives you a good source of carbs and proteins, but is tested to ensure you can use it in competitive sports, this is a great pick.
Top-Rated Protein Powder For Weight Gain By Customers
6. MuscleTech Mass-Tech Extreme 2000
- Calories per serving: 2050
- Carbs: 440g
- Fat: 6g
- Protein: 60g
- Protein source: Whey
- Flavors: Delicious Strawberry, Triple Chocolate Brownie, Vanilla Milkshake
- Largest tub size: 22 lbs (9.98 kg)
- Servings per container: 20
- Cost per serving: $4.80
With thousands of verified 5-star ratings across multiple sites, MuscleTech Mass-Tech Extreme 2000 packs a ton of nutrients into a serving.
Not only is it high in calories, carbs and protein, it also includes 10g of creatine and 20 vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal macronutrient profile for bulking up.
Some of the reviews boast “The most complete weight gainer on the market, very good flavor. Muscletech is one of my favorite brands” as well as “Mixes great, easy to digest, no grit, and great flavor”.
So if you’re looking for a weight gaining protein powder that has the backing of tons of people, this one might be the choice for you.
Best Vegan Protein Powder For Weight Gain
7. Vegan Naked Mass
- Calories per serving: 1,230
- Carbs: 248g
- Fat: 4g
- Protein: 50g
- Protein source: Pea protein and brown rice protein
- Flavors: Chocolate and Vanilla
- Largest tub size: 8 lb (3.63 kg)
- Servings per container: 11
- Cost per serving: $5.91
Naked Nutrition’s Vegan Naked Mass combines pea protein and brown rice protein to give you a completely plant-based blend for your bulking goals.
We like this product because in addition to being vegan, it’s also free of artificial ingredients. You can count the ingredients on one hand, and they’re all recognizable – while still including all 9 essential amino acids.
In addition, if you’re environmentally conscientious, the farming practices used to create the product are sustainable, which sets it apart from other vegan protein powders.
Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain With Lower Carbs
8. Optimum Nutrition Pro Gainer
- Calories per serving: 1,010
- Carbs: 170g
- Fat: 8g
- Protein: 64g
- Protein source: Whey and isolates
- Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry Banana, Cookies & Cream and Chocolate Peanut Butter
- Largest tub size: 6 lbs (2.72kg)
- Servings per container: 10
- Cost per serving: $5.99
Most gainer powders have triple-digit carb content, so if you’re looking to bulk up with a lower ratio, this may be the option for you.
With a 65:85 protein to carb ratio and low added sugars, these shakes are a great supplement to a balanced diet. They even include a lot of extra vitamins and minerals to make the calories count!
Protein Powder For Weight Gain With The Most Flavor Options
9. ALLMAX Nutrition QuickMass
- Calories per serving: 650
- Carbs: 85g
- Fat: 9g
- Protein: 60g
- Protein source: Whey and casein
- Flavors: Double Chocolate and Vanilla Custard
- Largest tub size: 10 lb
- Servings per container: 28
- Cost per serving: $3.68
Shakes can get boring after a while, especially with the size of them when you’re intending to bulk up.
ALLMAX Nutrition QuickMass has a great variety of flavor options you can mix and match and boasts a popular 3-to-1 carb to protein ratio.
In addition, this supplement includes NP5, a revolutionary patent-pending calorie activation technology.
Best Protein Powder For Weight Gain With Creatine
10. MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass Beef Protein
- Calories per serving: 720
- Carbs: 125g
- Fat: 2.5g
- Protein: 50g
- Protein source: Beef protein isolate
- Flavors: Chocolate Peanut Butter, Chocolate Fudge, Vanilla Caramel and Strawberry
- Largest tub size: 6 lbs (2.72 kg)
- Servings per container: 14
- Cost per serving: $3.62
Creatine is a substance that’s found naturally in the body, and it’s also available in supplement form. It’s often used by athletes and bodybuilders to improve performance and increase muscle mass.
Creatine works by supplying energy to the muscles, which can help improve strength and power. It may also help reduce fatigue during exercise.
MuscleMeds Carnivor Mass Beef Protein is loaded up with creatine as well as blocked-chain amino acids your muscles need. With four flavors to choose from, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a weight gain protein powder with creatine.
However, it’s important to note that not everyone responds to creatine supplements in the same way. Some people may see no benefit from taking it, while others may experience side effects.
What Do Protein Powder For Weight Gain / Mass Gainers Do?
Mass and weight gainers are sports nutrition products that are designed to help athletes and bodybuilders bulk up and gain weight. They usually come in powder form, and can be mixed with water or milk to create a shake.
Protein powders for weight gain typically contain high levels of protein, carbs and calories, making them ideal for those who struggle to consume enough calories and nutrients through their diet alone.
While these powders can be beneficial for those trying to bulk up, it’s important to choose one that contains quality ingredients and is appropriate for your individual goals. Not all protein powders are created equal, and some may even do more harm than good.
How To Choose A Good Protein Powder For Weight Gain For Your Needs
Here’s a look at some things to consider when selecting a protein powder for weight gain.
- Protein content: Look for a protein powder or mass gainer that contains at least 30 grams of protein per serving. Protein is essential for muscle growth and development, so you'll want to make sure you're getting enough.ake sure you're getting enough.
- Carbohydrate content: Protein powders for weight gain typically contain high levels of carbs, which can help replenish glycogen stores and promote muscle growth. However, if you're trying to gain minimal fat while gaining muscle, or are watching your carb intake, you may want to choose one with lower carb levels.
- Calorie content: Most protein powders for weight gain are high in calories, which is necessary for those trying to bulk up.
- Ingredients: Take a look at the ingredient list to see what's actually in the product. Avoid products that contain fillers, artificial flavors or sweeteners, and other unnecessary ingredients.
- Third-Party Testing: Many products do third-party testing, so you know you’re getting what you’re supposed to. Some of the more well-known organizations that do this testing include NSF International, Eurofins Scientific and USP.
- Cost: Protein powders for weight gain can be expensive, so it's important to find one that fits into your budget. There are a variety of quality products on the market, so you should be able to find one that's affordable.
FAQ's
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, and truth to be told there often isn’t a universal “best time” to drink your gainers. What’s most important is that you’re getting adequate calories, protein and nutrients in general. However, general advice often recommends drinking mass gainer early in the morning and immediately after workouts.
There is no definitive answer to this question, as mass gainers can have different effects on body weight and muscle growth. Some mass gainer supplements may help to increase muscle mass, while others may cause weight gain. The best way to find which mass gainer supplement is best for you is to speak with a nutritionist or doctor who can help you create a personalized nutrition plan.
Nutritionists and weight-loss experts generally agree that mass gainer supplements can be useful for people who are trying to gain weight or muscle mass. However, there is no definitive answer as to whether mass gainer supplements should be taken every day. Some people may find that taking mass gainer supplements regularly helps them gain weight more quickly, while others may not see any significant benefits. The best way to determine whether taking mass gainer supplements daily is best for you depends on your individual goals, schedule, and workout routine.
To gain weight, you must consume more calories than you burn. Mass gainers help you do this by simply adding calories to your diet, and they’re often the easiest way to do so, but they certainly aren’t the only option.
Takeaway
While these are our top picks, it’s always best to consult a doctor or nutritionist before taking any supplements, as they may recommend alternatives.
Whether your fitness goal is to add muscle with minimal fat or to bulk up all around, there are a lot of choices out there and we hope this guide helps you compare the multitude of products!
Read more: Survey Results: The Best In Fitness & Personal Training for 2022
Eddie Lester
Eddie Lester is a personal trainer from Los Angeles and the Founder and CEO of Fitness Mentors. With over 10 years experience and 8 different certifications and specializations, as well as multiple years teaching training at a vocational college, Lester loves sharing his knowledge of practical training experience as well as how to study for PT exams. Lester is the author of Business and Sales: The Guide to Success as a Personal Trainer.
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