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Mass gainers can be very useful for gaining muscle and even minimizing fat gain. If you’ve ever had difficulty gaining muscle, you’ve probably heard that “struggling to eat enough” isn’t a valid complaint — but it most certainly is. Gaining the right weight deliberately and methodically can be as much of a challenge as losing weight. Indeed, there’s a lot more work to do when you’re eating an extraordinary number of calories.
For many people who fall into the “hard gainer” category, it’s only a matter of time until you start looking to mass gainer supplements for help. They may seem strange at first glance, sure — can you really drink hundreds and hundreds of calories without any ill effects? The answer is yes, but only when done properly and intentionally. We considered digestion, along with other big hitters like taste, natural ingredients, and macro breakdowns to track down the best mass gainers on the market. If you’re ready to bulk up, we have you covered.
Best Mass Gainers
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t take the place of advice and/or supervision from a medical professional. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended to diagnose, prevent, and/or treat health problems. Speak with your physician if you have any concerns or before beginning any new diet or workout regimen.
Best Mass Gainer Supplements Video Review
Be sure to check out our best mass gainers video for an even more in-depth analysis of this performance supplement.
[Related: The Real Pros and Cons of Mass Gainers]
Best Overall Mass Gainer
To take the top spot, we selected a product that’s simple, effective, and tasty. It’s surprisingly hard to find a mass gainer with all three qualities, but Transparent Labs has pulled it off.
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
The actual calorie and macronutrient content of mass gainers vary wildly, and there’s a lot of debate as to whether or not a one-to-one ratio of protein to carbs is best or if you should go as high as one-to-four or one-to-five. Most industry leaders lean closer to one-to-two, and Transparent Labs has gone that route — with some fine-tuned details included.
Along with its protein-to-carb ratio of one-to-two, TL’s mass gainer has 740 calories per serving. Its 53 grams of protein, 109 grams of carbs, eight grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of fat make it a pretty well-rounded mass gainer, particularly since that’s more fat and fiber than you typically see in products like this. And with sought after, all-natural ingredients like grass-fed whey concentrate, coconut milk powder, and MCT oils, this is considerably more robust than some of the competing maltodextrin-plus-whey products on the market.
10% Off
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
With nothing artificial, whey from New Zealand, a good amount of fiber, and little sugar, this mass gainer will satisfy most athletes. It's a clean mass gainer that focuses on simplicity over added bells and whistles.
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
[Related: Could Baking Soda Be The Best Workout Supplement You’ve Never Tried?]
Best Mass Gainer Protein Powder
Whey protein is an essential macro when it comes to building muscle, and whey isolate is one of the most concentrated whey proteins. This particular powder takes the cake in the protein department, though it does lack a little in calories.
Micropure Whey Protein Isolate
This protein powder is packed with 25 grams of whey isolate protein — whey isolate is processed more than whey concentrate, and therefore, typically contains over 90 percent protein and fewer carbs and fat than whey concentrate. When it comes to lean muscle gain, a whey isolate is ideal. However, if you’re looking to bulk, this supplement only contains 130 calories per serving on its own, so you won’t be getting an enormous amount of calories, carbs, or fat in your protein shake like you might with other mass gainers.
You can use this supplement as an add-on with other mass gaining supplements — like carb supplements — if you are looking for more calories, or do what we do in the BarBend office: double or triple scoop it to hit the numbers you’re looking for.
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Micropure Whey Protein Isolate
Kaged Muscle's whey protein isolate formula boasts a high 25 grams of protein, one gram of fat, and just four grams of carbs. It also contains an enzyme that breaks down the protein for optimal digestion.
Who Should Buy Micropure Whey Protein Isolate
Best Vegan Mass Gainer
Eliminating animal products from your diet can make it more difficult to put on weight, so if you’re looking to gain muscle mass, this plant-based pick might be able to help get you there.
Vegan Naked Mass
Vegan Naked Mass is filled with calories and protein — all of which are plant-based. It’s made of pea protein and brown rice protein, and is a solid blend of proteins and complex carbohydrates that can help aid in muscle growth and weight gain. With 1,280 calories, 236 carbs, and 50 grams of protein per serving, this supplement packs well over the typical numbers you see in both protein powders and mass gainers. However, it does only come in chocolate or vanilla, so if you’re looking for more flavor options, you’ll have to opt for another product.
Vegan Naked Mass
Vegan Naked Mass is made of pea protein and brown rice protein, and is a solid blend of proteins and complex carbohydrates — per serving, you'll get 1,280 calories, 236 carbs, and 50 grams of protein.
Who Should Buy Vegan Naked Mass
Best Mass Gainer for Bodybuilding
Since bodybuilders are consistently looking to build their muscle mass, a mass gainer is an ideal supplement to implement into their lifestyle — and this pick makes for a well-rounded choice.
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
While many mass gainers may have a one-to-four or one-to-five ratio of protein to carbs, Transparent Labs keeps it at one-to-two. It has 740 calories per serving with 53 grams of protein, 109 grams of carbs, eight grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of fat. While the calorie count and protein content is about average as far as mass gainers go, the fiber content is higher than normal.
With ingredients like grass-fed whey concentrate, coconut milk powder, MCT oils, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium, this product has a more filled-out list of ingredients than some of its competitors, making it a great pick for bodybuilders who need ample nutrition to support their exercise regimen on a daily basis.
10% Off
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
With nothing artificial, whey from New Zealand, a good amount of fiber, and little sugar, this mass gainer will satisfy most athletes. It's a clean mass gainer that focuses on simplicity over added bells and whistles.
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
Best Digesting Mass Gainer
Whether you have pre-existing digestive issues or not, an extra 390 calories always has the potential to cause stomach distress. We think this formula is the best for folks concerned with digestion.
Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
There’s no getting around it — ingesting an extra 53 grams of carbs and over 36 grams of protein may not sit well with everyone. Authentic Mass produces their formula with no added sugars or artificial ingredients. It’s made from Carb10® Pea Starch, goMCT™, sweet potato powder, whey protein, and key digestive enzymes — like proteases that may help digest protein — which can help avoid indigestion and help with optimal nutrient absorption. Plus, it’s less expensive than most mass gainers on the market.
Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
This mass gainer is manufactured in the USA in a cGMP certified facility and contains no added sugar. Each two-scoop serving provides 380 calories and 36 grams of protein.
Who Should Buy Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
[Related: The Best Types Of Supplements For Performance, Weight Loss, And Health]
Best Natural Mass Gainer
This pick is sourced from only grass-fed cows, is free from artificial hormones, is certified kosher, and is gluten-free. Additionally, it is free of GMOs, antibiotics, and soy.
Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer
A big emphasis with Muscle Feast is the digestion rate: Instead of whey and simple carbs, it offers a combination of whey and casein (casein digests far more slowly), and much of the carbohydrate count comes from the high-glycemic waxy maize.
This “real food” angle will definitely satisfy many athletes who prefer more “natural” sounding ingredients. It provides a lot of resistant starch associated with a range of health benefits like improved insulin sensitivity. (1)(2) Plus, it has a protein-to-carb ratio of nearly one-to-two, packing 101 grams of carbohydrates and 46 grams of protein per 600-calorie five-scoop serving.
Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer
This mass gainer comes in a seven-pound tub in either vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored. Each five-scoop serving packs 600 calories comprised of 101 grams of carbohydrates and 46 grams of protein.
Who Should Buy Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer
Highest Carb Mass Gainer
If you’re on a mass gaining diet, you may actually be surprised at how hard it can be to meet your carbohydrate requirements. Really high-calorie diets often require at least three or four grams of carbs for every gram of protein consumed. Since many like to put the majority of their carbs post-workout, this could be a great fit for those who are on this regimen. It has a protein-to-carb ratio of one-to-five.
Less Naked Mass
If you’re wary of artificial ingredients, soy, gum, or conventionally raised dairy, Less Naked Mass may be the product for you. They’re best known for their rigid adherence to “natural” whey: It’s grass-fed, and it’s made without acids, heat, bleach, or growth hormone.
The ingredients list is straightforward: organic tapioca maltodextrin, whey protein concentrate, micellar casein, organic coconut sugar, and organic cacao powder. The casein means it may release amino acids (BCAAs and EAAs) into the bloodstream over a longer period of time than regular whey, and it may make it a bit more filling, as well. And to this product’s award, it contains 251 grams of carbs.
Less Naked Mass
Naked Nutrition's whey is grass-fed and it’s made without acids, heat, bleach, or growth hormone. Other ingredients include organic tapioca maltodextrin, whey protein concentrate, micellar casein, organic coconut sugar, and organic cacao powder.
Who Should Buy Less Naked Mass
Best Tasting Mass Gainer
Sometimes all it takes to stick to a mass gainer is great flavor — this pick’s two flavors steal the show in that department.
Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
When you’re trying to stick to a supplement regimen, it’s important that your supplement’s flavor doesn’t turn you off if you want to stay consistent. Though Authentic Mass only comes in two flavors — chocolate and vanilla — they’re two of the best tasting on the market. On top of that, this product has no added sugars or artificial ingredients, and is made from Carb10® Pea Starch, goMCT™, sweet potato powder, whey protein, and key digestive enzymes for optimal absorption.
It has 390 calories, 53 carbs, and 34 grams of protein per serving, and is generally less expensive than other mass gainers. Though if you’re looking for a more caloric option, there are mass gainers that have over 1,000 calories out there to consider.
Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
This mass gainer is manufactured in the USA in a cGMP certified facility and contains no added sugar. Each two-scoop serving provides 380 calories and 36 grams of protein.
Who Should Buy Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
Best Cheap Mass Gainer
If you’re going to be slamming your mass gainer, it’s helpful to find an effective product at a low price point — this pick falls into both of those categories.
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass contains 1,250 calories per serving, 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of most vitamins and minerals, and 50 percent of your daily vitamin D, which is important for testosterone, but very easy to miss in the standard American diet. (3) It comes at a great price point, but its carbohydrates are derived from maltodextrin, which some may not love, since it is highly processed and can spike blood sugars.
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
This mass gainer contains 1,250 calories per serving, 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of most vitamins and minerals, and 50 percent of your daily vitamin D, which is important for testosterone.
Who Should Buy Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
Best Oat Powder
If you frequent bodybuilding message boards, it’s not uncommon to find people who deride the idea of mass gainers asking, “Why buy powder when you can make oatmeal shakes and ditch the filler ingredients?” As it happens, Muscle Feast has done just that.
Muscle Feast Whole Oat Powder
This is just powdered oatmeal, and it has a pretty muscle mass-friendly macro split: 450 calories delivers roughly 21 grams of protein, 81 grams of carbs, and 12 grams of fat with 12 grams of fiber (about half your daily intake).
Many people don’t know that oats deliver an extremely high-quality protein — not quite as high as whey, but it has a more complete amino acid profile than rice and is rich in essential amino acids that can help stimulate muscle protein synthesis. It’s got a great protein to carb ratio for mass. It’s jam-packed with phytonutrients and healthful forms of carbohydrates like beta-glucan, which may help with immunity and lower the risk of heart disease. (4)(5)
The only real downside, when used as a mass gainer, is the flavor is a tad dull, and all that fiber might be a bit filling, even when powdered into flour. But hey, it saves on prep time, and it’s certainly all-natural.
Muscle Feast Whole Oat Powder
This mass gainer is just powdered oatmeal, and it has a pretty muscle mass-friendly macro split. It contains 450 calories and delivers roughly 21 grams of protein, 81 grams of carbs, 12 grams of fat, and 12 grams of fiber.
Who Should Buy Muscle Feast Whole Oat Powder
[Related: Intermittent Fasting 101: A Guide To Benefits, Muscle Gain, And More]
When to Take Mass Gainer?
If you’re looking to gain muscle mass, it may be helpful to take a mass gainer right after your workout, but it’s not necessary. While protein does help heal the tears that form in your muscles during a workout, it does not matter when you consume that protein. As long as you are getting enough protein throughout your day, the nutrient should be able to do its job regardless of when you consume it.
If you’re using a mass gainer to fill in nutrient gaps in your diet, tack on extra calories you aren’t getting in your normal meal plan, or as a meal replacement, there also is no set time you should be taking a mass gainer. You can take one in between meals, in place of a meal, in the morning, or even before bed, depending on what best fits your schedule.
How Much Are Mass Gainer Powders?
The price of mass gainers varies by brand and ingredients. The straightforward mass gainers that focus on macros and don’t include many micronutrients tend to be less expensive, whereas the mass gainers with fewer artificial ingredients and more vitamins and minerals tend to be more expensive.
When considering the price of mass gainers, you’ll want to look at the price of the container in unison with the number of servings you’re getting. The mass gainers on this list range anywhere from $0.30 per serving up to around $6 per serving. But before snagging the least expensive product on here, make sure you’re reading the label and getting what you want out of your mass gainer for the right price point.
What to Consider Before Buying
Since mass gainers can be used for multiple purposes — gaining muscle mass, filling dietary gaps, consuming more...
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For many people who fall into the “hard gainer” category, it’s only a matter of time until you start looking to mass gainer supplements for help. They may seem strange at first glance, sure — can you really drink hundreds and hundreds of calories without any ill effects? The answer is yes, but only when done properly and intentionally. We considered digestion, along with other big hitters like taste, natural ingredients, and macro breakdowns to track down the best mass gainers on the market. If you’re ready to bulk up, we have you covered.
Best Mass Gainers
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t take the place of advice and/or supervision from a medical professional. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended to diagnose, prevent, and/or treat health problems. Speak with your physician if you have any concerns or before beginning any new diet or workout regimen.
Best Mass Gainer Supplements Video Review
Be sure to check out our best mass gainers video for an even more in-depth analysis of this performance supplement.
[Related: The Real Pros and Cons of Mass Gainers]
Best Overall Mass Gainer
To take the top spot, we selected a product that’s simple, effective, and tasty. It’s surprisingly hard to find a mass gainer with all three qualities, but Transparent Labs has pulled it off.
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
The actual calorie and macronutrient content of mass gainers vary wildly, and there’s a lot of debate as to whether or not a one-to-one ratio of protein to carbs is best or if you should go as high as one-to-four or one-to-five. Most industry leaders lean closer to one-to-two, and Transparent Labs has gone that route — with some fine-tuned details included.
Along with its protein-to-carb ratio of one-to-two, TL’s mass gainer has 740 calories per serving. Its 53 grams of protein, 109 grams of carbs, eight grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of fat make it a pretty well-rounded mass gainer, particularly since that’s more fat and fiber than you typically see in products like this. And with sought after, all-natural ingredients like grass-fed whey concentrate, coconut milk powder, and MCT oils, this is considerably more robust than some of the competing maltodextrin-plus-whey products on the market.
10% Off
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
With nothing artificial, whey from New Zealand, a good amount of fiber, and little sugar, this mass gainer will satisfy most athletes. It's a clean mass gainer that focuses on simplicity over added bells and whistles.
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
- Anyone who wants all-natural supplements that are naturally flavored and sweetened.
- People who prefer grass-fed whey will appreciate this product’s 53 grams of grass-fed whey protein.
- Folks who are tuned into digestive health and would prefer a dose of fiber with their mass gainer.
- Those who want a lot of vitamins and minerals with their mass gainer will want to look elsewhere.
- Athletes who need to ease into mass gainers with a lower calorie-per-serving product — this mass gainer contains 740 calories per serving.
[Related: Could Baking Soda Be The Best Workout Supplement You’ve Never Tried?]
Best Mass Gainer Protein Powder
Whey protein is an essential macro when it comes to building muscle, and whey isolate is one of the most concentrated whey proteins. This particular powder takes the cake in the protein department, though it does lack a little in calories.
Micropure Whey Protein Isolate
This protein powder is packed with 25 grams of whey isolate protein — whey isolate is processed more than whey concentrate, and therefore, typically contains over 90 percent protein and fewer carbs and fat than whey concentrate. When it comes to lean muscle gain, a whey isolate is ideal. However, if you’re looking to bulk, this supplement only contains 130 calories per serving on its own, so you won’t be getting an enormous amount of calories, carbs, or fat in your protein shake like you might with other mass gainers.
You can use this supplement as an add-on with other mass gaining supplements — like carb supplements — if you are looking for more calories, or do what we do in the BarBend office: double or triple scoop it to hit the numbers you’re looking for.
Get 10% Off
Micropure Whey Protein Isolate
Kaged Muscle's whey protein isolate formula boasts a high 25 grams of protein, one gram of fat, and just four grams of carbs. It also contains an enzyme that breaks down the protein for optimal digestion.
Who Should Buy Micropure Whey Protein Isolate
- Athletes looking to gain lean muscle mass will like the whey isolate formula of this powder.
- Anyone looking to maximize and prioritize their protein intake within their diet.
- Customers following a lean macro count who may prefer whey isolate protein over whey concentrate protein.
- Those who are looking to bulk and may need a higher calorie mass gainer supplement.
- Anyone who is focused on getting more carbs than more protein. Whey isolate may not be the best fit for you.
Best Vegan Mass Gainer
Eliminating animal products from your diet can make it more difficult to put on weight, so if you’re looking to gain muscle mass, this plant-based pick might be able to help get you there.
Vegan Naked Mass
Vegan Naked Mass is filled with calories and protein — all of which are plant-based. It’s made of pea protein and brown rice protein, and is a solid blend of proteins and complex carbohydrates that can help aid in muscle growth and weight gain. With 1,280 calories, 236 carbs, and 50 grams of protein per serving, this supplement packs well over the typical numbers you see in both protein powders and mass gainers. However, it does only come in chocolate or vanilla, so if you’re looking for more flavor options, you’ll have to opt for another product.
Vegan Naked Mass
Vegan Naked Mass is made of pea protein and brown rice protein, and is a solid blend of proteins and complex carbohydrates — per serving, you'll get 1,280 calories, 236 carbs, and 50 grams of protein.
Who Should Buy Vegan Naked Mass
- Anyone who follows a vegan diet and needs a plant-based mass gainer — this one is made from pea protein and rice protein.
- Athletes who want an above average number of calories, carbs, and protein in their mass gainer.
- Those who are happy with a basic chocolate or vanilla flavored supplement.
- Anyone who prefers to receive their calories from animal products.
- Those looking for a lower-calorie mass gainer, you’ll need to opt for a different product or reduce the serving size manually.
- Users who want more than two flavors to choose from will want to look for a mass gainer with greater flavor variety.
Best Mass Gainer for Bodybuilding
Since bodybuilders are consistently looking to build their muscle mass, a mass gainer is an ideal supplement to implement into their lifestyle — and this pick makes for a well-rounded choice.
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
While many mass gainers may have a one-to-four or one-to-five ratio of protein to carbs, Transparent Labs keeps it at one-to-two. It has 740 calories per serving with 53 grams of protein, 109 grams of carbs, eight grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar, and 12 grams of fat. While the calorie count and protein content is about average as far as mass gainers go, the fiber content is higher than normal.
With ingredients like grass-fed whey concentrate, coconut milk powder, MCT oils, vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium, this product has a more filled-out list of ingredients than some of its competitors, making it a great pick for bodybuilders who need ample nutrition to support their exercise regimen on a daily basis.
10% Off
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
With nothing artificial, whey from New Zealand, a good amount of fiber, and little sugar, this mass gainer will satisfy most athletes. It's a clean mass gainer that focuses on simplicity over added bells and whistles.
Who Should Buy Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
- Bodybuilders who need a robust mass gainer that offers not only calories, but a long list of vitamins and minerals, as well.
- Athletes who are looking for a one-to-two ratio of protein to carbs in their mass gainer will like the macro count in this formula.
- Performance athletes who supplement often while adhering to strict diets might find the fiber in this mass gainer to help with digestion.
- Customers looking for more than two flavors to choose from.
- Folks who follow a plant-based diet — this product contains 100 percent grass fed whey concentrate.
Best Digesting Mass Gainer
Whether you have pre-existing digestive issues or not, an extra 390 calories always has the potential to cause stomach distress. We think this formula is the best for folks concerned with digestion.
Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
There’s no getting around it — ingesting an extra 53 grams of carbs and over 36 grams of protein may not sit well with everyone. Authentic Mass produces their formula with no added sugars or artificial ingredients. It’s made from Carb10® Pea Starch, goMCT™, sweet potato powder, whey protein, and key digestive enzymes — like proteases that may help digest protein — which can help avoid indigestion and help with optimal nutrient absorption. Plus, it’s less expensive than most mass gainers on the market.
Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
This mass gainer is manufactured in the USA in a cGMP certified facility and contains no added sugar. Each two-scoop serving provides 380 calories and 36 grams of protein.
Who Should Buy Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
- Those who want an easily digested mass gainer that includes digestive enzymes.
- Athletes trying to keep their sugar intake low will like that this product has no added sugars.
- Customers looking for a cost effective mass gainer option — this is one of the more affordable options on this list.
- Anyone who wants a more caloric mass gainer — this one only has 390 calories per serving.
- Folks who want more than two flavors to choose from as this pick only comes in chocolate or vanilla.
[Related: The Best Types Of Supplements For Performance, Weight Loss, And Health]
Best Natural Mass Gainer
This pick is sourced from only grass-fed cows, is free from artificial hormones, is certified kosher, and is gluten-free. Additionally, it is free of GMOs, antibiotics, and soy.
Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer
A big emphasis with Muscle Feast is the digestion rate: Instead of whey and simple carbs, it offers a combination of whey and casein (casein digests far more slowly), and much of the carbohydrate count comes from the high-glycemic waxy maize.
This “real food” angle will definitely satisfy many athletes who prefer more “natural” sounding ingredients. It provides a lot of resistant starch associated with a range of health benefits like improved insulin sensitivity. (1)(2) Plus, it has a protein-to-carb ratio of nearly one-to-two, packing 101 grams of carbohydrates and 46 grams of protein per 600-calorie five-scoop serving.
Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer
This mass gainer comes in a seven-pound tub in either vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored. Each five-scoop serving packs 600 calories comprised of 101 grams of carbohydrates and 46 grams of protein.
Who Should Buy Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer
- People who like whole food-based products — most of the carbs come from waxy maize.
- Anyone who wants a product that doesn’t use factory farming.
- Athletes who like to minimize artificial flavors and sweeteners will like that this product is naturally sweetened with Stevia.
- People who want a higher protein-to-carb ratio to pack more carbohydrates into their diet.
Highest Carb Mass Gainer
If you’re on a mass gaining diet, you may actually be surprised at how hard it can be to meet your carbohydrate requirements. Really high-calorie diets often require at least three or four grams of carbs for every gram of protein consumed. Since many like to put the majority of their carbs post-workout, this could be a great fit for those who are on this regimen. It has a protein-to-carb ratio of one-to-five.
Less Naked Mass
If you’re wary of artificial ingredients, soy, gum, or conventionally raised dairy, Less Naked Mass may be the product for you. They’re best known for their rigid adherence to “natural” whey: It’s grass-fed, and it’s made without acids, heat, bleach, or growth hormone.
The ingredients list is straightforward: organic tapioca maltodextrin, whey protein concentrate, micellar casein, organic coconut sugar, and organic cacao powder. The casein means it may release amino acids (BCAAs and EAAs) into the bloodstream over a longer period of time than regular whey, and it may make it a bit more filling, as well. And to this product’s award, it contains 251 grams of carbs.
Less Naked Mass
Naked Nutrition's whey is grass-fed and it’s made without acids, heat, bleach, or growth hormone. Other ingredients include organic tapioca maltodextrin, whey protein concentrate, micellar casein, organic coconut sugar, and organic cacao powder.
Who Should Buy Less Naked Mass
- People who want all-natural ingredients, like grass-fed whey, in their mass gainer.
- Athletes looking for an inexpensive product on a per calorie basis — this product is below market price.
- Anyone looking for an extremely caloric mass gainer to fill gaps in their diet or gain weight.
- Those who want to avoid added coconut sugar as this product does contain this ingredient.
- Folks who don’t want a massive increase in carbohydrate intake may want to opt for a product lower in carbs.
- People who want micronutrients added into their mass gainer — you can find more robust ingredient lists on the mass gainer market.
Best Tasting Mass Gainer
Sometimes all it takes to stick to a mass gainer is great flavor — this pick’s two flavors steal the show in that department.
Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
When you’re trying to stick to a supplement regimen, it’s important that your supplement’s flavor doesn’t turn you off if you want to stay consistent. Though Authentic Mass only comes in two flavors — chocolate and vanilla — they’re two of the best tasting on the market. On top of that, this product has no added sugars or artificial ingredients, and is made from Carb10® Pea Starch, goMCT™, sweet potato powder, whey protein, and key digestive enzymes for optimal absorption.
It has 390 calories, 53 carbs, and 34 grams of protein per serving, and is generally less expensive than other mass gainers. Though if you’re looking for a more caloric option, there are mass gainers that have over 1,000 calories out there to consider.
Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
This mass gainer is manufactured in the USA in a cGMP certified facility and contains no added sugar. Each two-scoop serving provides 380 calories and 36 grams of protein.
Who Should Buy Jacked Factory Authentic Mass
- Anyone who wants a mass gainer that has a great chocolate or vanilla flavor.
- Athletes who are looking for a mass gainer with no artificial ingredients or added sugar.
- Folks looking for a cost effective mass gainer option will find this to be one of the more affordable options on the market.
- Anyone who wants a mass gainer that packs a higher calorie count — you can find mass gainers that contain over 1,000 calories per serving if that’s what you need.
- Those who want more than two flavors to choose from may want to look for a mass gainer with a wider flavor variety.
Best Cheap Mass Gainer
If you’re going to be slamming your mass gainer, it’s helpful to find an effective product at a low price point — this pick falls into both of those categories.
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass contains 1,250 calories per serving, 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of most vitamins and minerals, and 50 percent of your daily vitamin D, which is important for testosterone, but very easy to miss in the standard American diet. (3) It comes at a great price point, but its carbohydrates are derived from maltodextrin, which some may not love, since it is highly processed and can spike blood sugars.
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
This mass gainer contains 1,250 calories per serving, 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of most vitamins and minerals, and 50 percent of your daily vitamin D, which is important for testosterone.
Who Should Buy Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
- Anyone who’s looking for a cost effective mass gainer option — this product has one of the lowest prices per serving on this list.
- Folks who want a heavy dose of over a dozen nutrients in addition to the macros from their mass gainers.
- Those who want an above average calorie count in their mass gainer.
- Those who are looking for a lower number of carbs in their mass gainer — this one has 252 grams per serving.
- Anyone who doesn’t enjoy the taste of maltodextrin, or artificial flavors or sweeteners.
Best Oat Powder
If you frequent bodybuilding message boards, it’s not uncommon to find people who deride the idea of mass gainers asking, “Why buy powder when you can make oatmeal shakes and ditch the filler ingredients?” As it happens, Muscle Feast has done just that.
Muscle Feast Whole Oat Powder
This is just powdered oatmeal, and it has a pretty muscle mass-friendly macro split: 450 calories delivers roughly 21 grams of protein, 81 grams of carbs, and 12 grams of fat with 12 grams of fiber (about half your daily intake).
Many people don’t know that oats deliver an extremely high-quality protein — not quite as high as whey, but it has a more complete amino acid profile than rice and is rich in essential amino acids that can help stimulate muscle protein synthesis. It’s got a great protein to carb ratio for mass. It’s jam-packed with phytonutrients and healthful forms of carbohydrates like beta-glucan, which may help with immunity and lower the risk of heart disease. (4)(5)
The only real downside, when used as a mass gainer, is the flavor is a tad dull, and all that fiber might be a bit filling, even when powdered into flour. But hey, it saves on prep time, and it’s certainly all-natural.
Muscle Feast Whole Oat Powder
This mass gainer is just powdered oatmeal, and it has a pretty muscle mass-friendly macro split. It contains 450 calories and delivers roughly 21 grams of protein, 81 grams of carbs, 12 grams of fat, and 12 grams of fiber.
Who Should Buy Muscle Feast Whole Oat Powder
- Anyone who wants an ultra-simple one-ingredient mass gainer will like this formula.
- Folks who don’t like the idea of “processed” foods or artificial ingredients — this product does not contain a lot of fillers that other mass gainers do.
- Athletes who want a lot of naturally occurring micronutrients in their supplements.
- Those not yet accustomed to consuming large amounts of fiber may find the fiber in this supplement to be a little too filling.
- Anyone who can’t stand a bland mass gainer — this simple oat product is not the most flavorful.
[Related: Intermittent Fasting 101: A Guide To Benefits, Muscle Gain, And More]
When to Take Mass Gainer?
If you’re looking to gain muscle mass, it may be helpful to take a mass gainer right after your workout, but it’s not necessary. While protein does help heal the tears that form in your muscles during a workout, it does not matter when you consume that protein. As long as you are getting enough protein throughout your day, the nutrient should be able to do its job regardless of when you consume it.
If you’re using a mass gainer to fill in nutrient gaps in your diet, tack on extra calories you aren’t getting in your normal meal plan, or as a meal replacement, there also is no set time you should be taking a mass gainer. You can take one in between meals, in place of a meal, in the morning, or even before bed, depending on what best fits your schedule.
How Much Are Mass Gainer Powders?
The price of mass gainers varies by brand and ingredients. The straightforward mass gainers that focus on macros and don’t include many micronutrients tend to be less expensive, whereas the mass gainers with fewer artificial ingredients and more vitamins and minerals tend to be more expensive.
When considering the price of mass gainers, you’ll want to look at the price of the container in unison with the number of servings you’re getting. The mass gainers on this list range anywhere from $0.30 per serving up to around $6 per serving. But before snagging the least expensive product on here, make sure you’re reading the label and getting what you want out of your mass gainer for the right price point.
What to Consider Before Buying
Since mass gainers can be used for multiple purposes — gaining muscle mass, filling dietary gaps, consuming more...
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