Did you know over 150 protein powders were tested for purity and accuracy by Ellipse Analytics? Gaining weight can be tough, especially for active people who can’t eat enough to keep up with their energy needs. Luckily, studies show that calorie-rich supplements like the best protein powder for weight gain help with muscle gain when used with weight training.
Mass gainers are meant to add extra calories and nutrients to your diet, not replace whole foods. The products listed here are among the top 50% in purity and accuracy. Whether you want to build lean muscle, eat more calories, or find new high-protein snacks, this guide has you covered.
What is a Mass Gainer Protein Powder?
Mass gainer protein powders are special supplements for athletes and weightlifters who want to gain muscle. They offer a lot of calories from proteins, fats, and carbs. This makes it easy to eat more without eating a lot of food. They also help keep your energy up and aid in recovery.
Bodybuilders and athletes use these shakes to gain muscle. These products have protein, carbs, and fats to help you gain weight by giving you more calories. To gain muscle, you should eat 300-500 more calories than you burn each day. There’s a method called ‘dirty bulking’ where you eat anything to gain weight, but it might add more fat. Mass gainer protein powder is great for those who find it hard to eat big meals.
For a Lean Bulk
For a ‘lean bulk’, you need a little more calories than you burn, and these supplements help track your nutrition. It’s best to take them in the morning or after working out to help with muscle repair and growth. You need to keep training hard to use the calories in these products for muscle gain and not fat2.
Product | Calories per Serving |
---|---|
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Powder | 1268 calories per 334g serving3 |
Whole Supp Nourishing Superfood Shake | 400 calories per serving3 |
Bulk Mass Gainer | 520 calories per 135g serving3 |
Protein Works Total Mass Matrix Extreme | 962 calories per 256g serving3 |
Myprotein Impact Weight Gainer | 388 calories per 100g serving3 |
PhD Nutrition Advanced Mass Gainer | 1146 calories per 300g serving3 |
Protein Works Vegan Mass Gainer Extreme | 746 calories per 200g serving3 |
Bulk Vegan Mass Gainer | 369 calories per 100g serving3 |
Most mass gainers have 30-50g of protein. Vegan options vary in calories, with some having 746 calories and others 369 calories. The calories you gain daily can depend on the mass gainer you use.
Mass gainers have 500 to 1,200 calories per serving, much more than whey protein powders. Whey protein isolate has over 90% protein, while whey protein concentrate has 70-80%. Hydrolyzed whey protein is quickly absorbed and easy to digest. Mass gainers have less protein per gram than whey protein powders, with more carbs and fats. Whey protein supplements help with muscle growth by providing essential amino acids. Mass gainers are for gaining muscle weight, while whey protein powders support muscle growth and recovery without extra calories.
Both mass gainers and whey protein powders are popular for improving muscle mass and fitness levels. The choice depends on your goals.
Best Overall Protein Powder for Weight Gain
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is a top choice for gaining weight. It offers a clean source of protein powder for muscle gain and weight gain. This supplement is all about quality and transparency, with no artificial stuff.
It includes creatine monohydrate to boost strength and power with exercise. Plus, it has high-quality protein powder from grass-fed whey. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a best overall protein powder for weight gain.
This supplement is a bit pricey, but it’s worth it for its quality and transparency. It’s a smart choice for anyone wanting to gain weight in a healthy way.
Best Natural Protein Powder for Weight Gain
Want to get bigger naturally? Legion Whey+ is a great pick for those wanting a clean, natural protein powder to help with weight gain. It has 22-25 grams of protein per scoop, depending on the flavor. Milk from grass-fed cows has more antioxidants and better fatty acid balance than milk from grain-fed cows.
Legion Whey+ comes from Truly Grass Fed cows, which means they live outside eating grass. This protein powder is all-natural and perfect for anyone looking for a high-quality supplement to gain weight. Protein powder helps with weight gain by adding more calories and is also good after workouts for muscle repair and growth.
Grass-Fed Whey Protein for Optimal Nutrition
Legion Whey+ also has superfoods like chia seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and almonds. These ingredients add fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals for better health and wellness. Casein protein, which takes longer to digest, is great before bed to help muscles repair and grow.
If you’re aiming to add muscle or just want a natural protein powder for your diet, Legion Whey+ is a top choice. Its quality ingredients and nutritional benefits make it a top pick among all-natural protein powders.
Best Casein Protein Powder for Weight Gain
Looking for a protein powder to help with weight gain and muscle recovery? Legion Casein+ Protein Powder is a great pick. Casein protein makes up about 80% of cow’s milk’s protein. It’s slow to digest, giving your muscles a steady flow of amino acids for a long time.
Legion Casein+ gives you 25 grams of protein per 110-calorie serving, all from Truly Grass Fed™ milk. It uses micellar casein, the least processed type, for natural benefits. This slow protein powder is perfect for those wanting to bulk up and gain weight.
Legion Casein+ is a top choice with its clean ingredients and great value. It’s soy-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free, coming from Truly Grass Fed® cows that care for clean-label and animal welfare. At $2.00 per serving and a Fortune Score of 4.4/5, it’s both quality and affordable.
For those aiming to gain weight and support muscle recovery, Legion Casein+ is a game-changer. Its slow digestion ensures a steady amino acid supply to your muscles, aiding in growth and repair. Plus, it’s full of calcium, vital for bone health and muscle function.
If you’re an athlete, bodybuilder, or just want to gain muscle, Legion Casein+ is a smart choice. With its clean ingredients, top quality, and good price, it’s clear why it’s a favorite for gaining weight and building muscle.
High-Calorie Mass Gainer for Competitive Athletes
For athletes wanting to bulk up, a high-calorie mass gainer protein powder is key. These supplements pack a lot of calories from proteins, carbs, and fats. They help athletes eat more and grow their muscles.
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder is a top choice. It has 1,250 calories and 50 grams of protein per scoop. This mix of nutrients fuels performance and helps with recovery. It also has carbs that release energy slowly, keeping athletes going during tough workouts.
This product is also easy on the wallet, costing $5.25 per scoop. It’s great for athletes looking to save money but still want to gain muscle. It’s perfect for many athletes, from bodybuilders to those in endurance sports, who need to eat more to build muscle.
For athletes, a high-calorie mass gainer like Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is a must-have. It gives athletes the nutrients they need to gain weight and support their training.
Best Mass Gainer Under 1,000 Calories
For those wanting a mass gainer that boosts calories without too much, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pro Gainer is a top pick. It offers 650 calories per serving, perfect for gaining weight without eating too much.
This supplement gives 60 grams of protein per serving, crucial for muscle growth. It keeps calories under 1,000, ideal for those with smaller appetites or gradual weight gain plans.
It uses high-quality whey, micellar casein, and other proteins for muscle building and recovery. Carbs from organic tapioca maltodextrin and rolled oats give steady energy for workouts and daily life.
Unlike gainers with over 1,000 or 2,000 calories, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pro Gainer is a smart choice for a high-protein, low-calorie option. It suits those with smaller appetites or those wanting to slowly up their calorie intake for muscle growth and weight gain.
Best Vegan Mass Gainer Under 1,000 Calories
For athletes and fitness lovers on a plant-based diet, finding a vegan mass gainer is tough. But Iron Vegan Athlete’s Gainer is a top pick. It has 680 calories and 30 grams of plant-based protein per serving. This makes it great for vegans and vegetarians wanting to bulk up without giving up their diet.
The protein mix in Iron Vegan Athlete’s Gainer includes pea, hemp, and pumpkin seed proteins. These provide all the amino acids needed for muscle growth and recovery. The formula also has oats, tapioca, and coconut for carbs and healthy fats. This mix is key for those wanting to gain weight and build muscle on a plant-based diet.
This gainer is packed with vitamins and minerals like vitamin B12 and iron, which vegans often lack. It’s a full package for meeting nutritional needs and hitting fitness goals without dietary or ethical issues.
Iron Vegan Athlete’s Gainer costs between $0.87 and $5.33 per serving. It’s a budget-friendly option for those looking for a quality vegan mass gainer under 1,000 calories. It’s perfect for athletes, fitness fans, or anyone wanting to gain weight healthily and sustainably.
Best Vegan Mass Gainer Over 1,000 Calories
Naked Mass Vegan Protein Powder is a top pick for vegans wanting to gain weight and muscle. It’s a high-calorie, plant-based protein powder Each serving gives you 1,230 calories and 50 grams of complete protein from organic pea, brown rice, and sacha inchi. It also has 252 grams of complex carbs and 21 grams of healthy fats, making it great for weight gain.
This mass gainer doesn’t just focus on simple sugars for calories. It’s made to give you energy that lasts and help you build lean muscle. The blend of three proteins gives you all the amino acids you need for muscle repair and recovery. Plus, it has 15% of your daily vitamins and minerals, like Calcium and Vitamin D, for your overall health.
If you’re looking for a vegan mass gainer over 1,000 calories, Naked Mass is a great option. It’s packed with calories and protein, and it doesn’t contain any dairy. This makes it perfect for vegans and plant-based athletes wanting to gain lean muscle mass.
Most Flavor Options for Weight Gain Protein Powder
Rival Nutrition’s Clean Gainer is a top pick for those looking for a protein powder with many flavors. It comes in 11 different flavors, from classic chocolate and vanilla to unique ones like Cinnamon Toast and Peanut Butter Cup. This variety makes it easy to find a flavor you like, helping you stick to your diet.
Clean Gainer is not just about taste; it’s also packed with nutrition. Each serving has 50 grams of protein and 650 calories. It combines whey, casein, and plant-based proteins for muscle growth and weight gain.
A Customizable Mass Gainer
Choosing from many flavors is a big plus of Rival Nutrition’s Clean Gainer. It lets you match your supplement to your taste, making it easier to use every day. Whether you like traditional flavors or want something new, there’s a flavor for you.
Rival Nutrition’s Clean Gainer is a great choice for those wanting a quality weight gain protein powder. Its wide flavor selection and balanced nutrition make it a great option. It makes gaining weight enjoyable and sustainable.
Best Protein Powder for Weight Gain
Looking for the best protein powder for weight gain means focusing on a few key things. The powder should have lots of calories and protein to help muscles grow. Aim for 500-1,000 calories and 30-50 grams of protein per serving. It’s also important to choose powders with clean, high-quality ingredients without artificial stuff. Mass gainers with a mix of fast and slow proteins can help muscles build up quickly and lastingly. Adding complex carbs and healthy fats can also help you gain weight.
When picking the top protein powders for bulking, make sure they’re tested and approved. Over 150 protein powders were checked by Ellipse Analytics, and the best ones made it to the list1. This means the high-calorie protein supplements we recommend are top-notch in quality and purity.
Product | Calories per Serving | Protein per Serving | Price per Serving |
---|---|---|---|
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer | 790 | 54g | $5.33 |
Legion Whey+ | 17g | 17g | $1.99 |
Legion Casein+ | 110 | 25g | N/A |
The Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is a great choice for those wanting a lot of calories to gain weight, costing $5.33 per serving with 790 calories. The Legion Whey+ protein powder, priced at $1.99 per serving, comes in 17 flavors and scored well in tests, making it a top choice. For casein lovers, the Legion Casein+ has 25 grams of protein per 110 calories, with just 130 calories total. A study found that 40 to 48 grams of casein before bed can help with muscle recovery and performance.
By looking at the calorie, protein, and ingredient content of best protein powder for weight gain, you can find the right supplement for your goals. Adding quality protein powders to a healthy diet and workout plan can help you gain lean muscle effectively.
Tips for Gaining Weight with Protein Powders
Protein powders can help those wanting to gain weight, but using them right is key. It’s important to mix protein powders with a balanced diet, not just eat them alone. Eating protein shakes with meals and snacks helps you get all the calories and nutrients you need. Also, spreading out your protein powder intake during the day is better than getting all your protein from it. This approach helps with muscle growth.
Look for protein powders that come with carbs and healthy fats, like blends or mass gainers. Amino acid-rich powders are great for muscle growth and recovery. But, watch out for protein shakes with lots of sugar and additives. They might not help with gaining weight or staying healthy.
To gain weight with protein powders, mix them with milk for more calories. Protein shakes work best with a workout plan that includes weight and strength training. This helps with muscle repair and growth after exercising. Remember, gaining muscle takes time, so be patient and keep at it. Slowly up your calorie intake and increase the weight you lift in your workouts for lasting results.
Conclusion
There are many great best protein powders for weight gain and top mass gainers out there. They can help people gain weight and build muscle. When picking the right protein powder for weight gain, think about the calories, protein, and other nutrients it has. Look for supplements like Transparent Labs Mass Gainer, Legion Whey+, and Naked Mass Vegan Protein Powder. They offer lots of calories, proteins, carbs, and healthy fats to help muscles grow.
Also, try spreading out when you take your protein powder, eat whole foods with it, and stick to a good strength training program. This can make the most of the weight gain benefits from these supplements. By choosing the right protein powder and adding it to a good diet and exercise plan, you can effectively bulk up and meet your muscle-building goals.
The best protein powders for weight gain and top mass gainers can really help in the quest to bulk up with supplements and change your body. With the right strategy and hard work, you can use these supplements to support your muscle-building dreams and improve your fitness journey.