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Protein isan essential macronutrientthat we all need for a healthy body.

Amazon Slate Core Variety Pack

PHOTO: Amazon

And sometimes more is better.

That’s where this list comes in handy.

Read on for our full list of the best-tasting protein shakes and powders.

A can of Slate Core from a Variety Pack on a counter next to a full glass and other items

PHOTO: EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

These numbers match what EatingWell aims for with ourside dish recipes," says Seaver.

During testing, we noted how smooth and creamy these shakes were.

Still, drinking this tasty shake in one sitting is not much of a sacrifice.

A hand pouring a can of Slate Core from a Variety Pack into a glass on a marble counter

What to know:It’s a bit pricey compared to others.

The company uses natural ingredients, such as monk fruit juice and stevia leaf extract, to add sweetness.

The milk is ultra-filtered, so the lactose-intolerant can enjoy this premixed drink.

A person pouring a vanilla protein drink from the Slate Core Variety Pack into a glass on a marble counter

We also love that you’ve got the option to buy this protein shakeat Costco.

What to know:Some may find the thickness of this shake off-putting.

The Boost protein shake is a wallet-friendly option at around $1.50 per serving.

A person holding a glass containing the vanilla flavor from the Slate Core Variety Pack

The shakes are thick in texture and have a distinct protein taste compared to others.

What to know:Some of us noticed a subtle aftertaste after drinking.

The texture is smooth and slightly thicker than soy milk, akin to a milkshake.

A person taking a sip of a protein drink from the Slate Core Variety Pack

What to know:Some found the flavor overly sweet.

Muscle Milks Pro Advanced shakes pack a lot of protein into one bottle32 g, to be exact.

And at just 170 calories, thats not too shabby.

A can of Slate Core from a Variety Pack on a counter next to a full glass and other items

We liked the texture of this one, though the flavor was on the sweet side for some.

Despite its protein content, the chocolate didnt taste overly artificial.

What to know:This shake’s sodium content is slightly higher than the others we tested.

A hand pouring a can of Slate Core from a Variety Pack into a glass on a marble counter

Vegan protein shake alternatives can be difficult to come by, but Ripple fills this gap nicely.

Each shake contains 20 g of protein per bottle.

This shake smelled like chocolate, and the texture was creamy and thick, lacking any chalkiness.

A person pouring a vanilla protein drink from the Slate Core Variety Pack into a glass on a marble counter

The sweetness wasnt overwhelming and was nicely offset by the cocoa powder.

What to know:The price point per serving is on the higher side.

Klean Isolate’s standout flavor and texture is why this protein powder from Klean Athlete is our favorite.

A person holding a glass containing the vanilla flavor from the Slate Core Variety Pack

It only has two ingredientswhey protein isolate and sunflower lecithin.

It’s low in carbs and high in protein thanks to the milk it’s derived from.

Klean Isolate tasted slightly sweet yet had no hints of an off-putting aftertaste.

A person taking a sip of a protein drink from the Slate Core Variety Pack

What to know:It’s on the higher side when it comes to added sugars.

Promix Vanilla Protein Powder is our runner-up thanks to its deliciously light, vanilla-flavored protein.

Also, we like that Promix is independently verified.

Fairlife Core Power Protein Milk Shake

PHOTO: Target

Available size:2.5 lbs., 5 lbs.

For the taste test, a blind tasting was set up with five testers.

We also found the flavors were a little bland.

Hands opening a bottle of Fairlife Core Power Protein Milk Shake next to an empty glass

PHOTO: EatingWell / Joy Kim

And the sugar substitute (stevia) was too strong.

We thought the Chocolate Fudge flavor had a nice, rich color and a mild, pleasant chocolaty flavor.

Jarrow Formulas Protein Powder:French VanillaandChocolateThese protein powders win nutrition points for being the lowest in sodium.

Hands pouring Fairlife Core Power Protein Milk Shake out of the bottle into a glass on marble counter

But neither flavor blended or dissolved as we expected.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t get past the chalky, powdery taste.

EatingWell / Joy Kim

Common Questions

Are protein shakes good for weight loss?

A person looking to the side while holding a glass in a kitchen

Protein shakes can help with weight loss, but it all depends on their protein and calorie content.

Can I add creatine to my protein shake?

“In fact, one of our top recommendationsElevation by Millville Chocolate Proteinincludes creatine in its formulation.

Hands opening a bottle of Fairlife Core Power Protein Milk Shake next to an empty glass

Try drinking your shake at room temperature to help the creatine dissolve better.

Is it safe to drink expired protein shakes?

When should I drink a protein shake?

Hands pouring Fairlife Core Power Protein Milk Shake out of the bottle into a glass on marble counter

you might drink a protein shake any time of the day.

Can people with diabetes drink protein shakes?

Our Trusted Expertise

Alex Lohis the associate food editor at EatingWell.

A person looking to the side while holding a glass in a kitchen

She is passionate about food and cooking.

She has tested hundreds of products, including nonalcoholic spirits, chef’s knives and salsas.

She has also testedprotein shaker bottlesto find the optimal mixer for her protein powder.

Amazon BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink

PHOTO: Amazon

April Benshosan, M.S.researched and updated our common questions section.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Faststats.Dietary Intake for Adults 20 and Older.

A person pouring out the contents of a BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink bottle into a glass

PHOTO: EatingWell / Joy Kim

U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.

A person pouring a BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink into a glass from the bottle

A person taking a sip from a glass containing BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink

A hand pouring BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink into a glass on a marble counter

A BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink bottle on a counter next to a glass containing the drink and other items

A person pouring out the contents of a BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink bottle into a glass

A person pouring a BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink into a glass from the bottle

A person taking a sip from a glass containing BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink

A hand pouring BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink into a glass on a marble counter

A BOOST High Protein with Fiber Complete Nutritional Drink bottle on a counter next to a glass containing the drink and other items

Amazon Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake

PHOTO: Amazon

An open bottle of Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake on a counter next to a filled glass and other items

PHOTO: EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

A hand pouring a bottle of Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake into a glass on a marble counter

A person opening a bottle of Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake

A hand pouring Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake into a glass

A person sniffing a glass of Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake

A person holding Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake in a glass while reading the back of the bottle in their other hand

An open bottle of Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake on a counter next to a filled glass and other items

A hand pouring a bottle of Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake into a glass on a marble counter

A person opening a bottle of Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake

A hand pouring Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake into a glass

A person sniffing a glass of Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake

A person holding Soylent Vanilla High Protein Shake in a glass while reading the back of the bottle in their other hand

Amazon Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake

PHOTO: Amazon

A hand adding a bottle of Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake into a glass on a marble counter

PHOTO: EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

A bottle of Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake next to a full glass and other items on a counter

A person shaking a bottle of Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake

A person opening a bottle of Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake on a counter

A person pouring Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake out of the bottle into a glass on the counter

A hand adding a bottle of Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake into a glass on a marble counter

A bottle of Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake next to a full glass and other items on a counter

A person shaking a bottle of Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake

A person opening a bottle of Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake on a counter

A person pouring Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Protein Shake out of the bottle into a glass on the counter

Amazon Ripple Protein Shake

PHOTO: Amazon

A hand pouring the contents from a Ripple Protein Shake bottle into a clear glass on a marble counter

PHOTO: EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

An opened Ripple Protein Shake on a marble counter next to filled glass, keys and wallet

A person sniffing the contents inside of a Ripple Protein Shake bottle

Hands peeling off the safety seal on the Ripple Protein Shake

Hands pouring a bottle of Ripple Protein Shake into a glass on marble counter

A person tasting the Ripple Protein Shake while standing in a kitchen

A hand pouring the contents from a Ripple Protein Shake bottle into a clear glass on a marble counter

An opened Ripple Protein Shake on a marble counter next to filled glass, keys and wallet

A person sniffing the contents inside of a Ripple Protein Shake bottle

Hands peeling off the safety seal on the Ripple Protein Shake

Hands pouring a bottle of Ripple Protein Shake into a glass on marble counter

A person tasting the Ripple Protein Shake while standing in a kitchen

Klean Athlete Klean Isolate

PHOTO: Amazon

Klean Athlete Klean Isolate Protein Powder on yellow table next to prepared drink and spilled powder

PHOTO: EatingWell / Jessica Juliao

Klean Athlete Klean Isolate Protein Powder

Klean Athlete Klean Isolate Protein Powder on yellow table next to prepared drink and spilled powder

Klean Athlete Klean Isolate Protein Powder

Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

PHOTO: Promix

A glass of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

PHOTO: EatingWell / Jessica Juliao

A person drinks Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A glass of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A person pours Promix Vanilla Protein Powder into a glass

Promix Vanilla Protein Powder is shaken in a blender bottle

A person pours Promix Vanilla Protein Powder into a blender bottle

A bag of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A bag of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A scoop of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A glass of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A person drinks Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A glass of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A person pours Promix Vanilla Protein Powder into a glass

Promix Vanilla Protein Powder is shaken in a blender bottle

A person pours Promix Vanilla Protein Powder into a blender bottle

A bag of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A bag of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

A scoop of Promix Vanilla Protein Powder

Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder

PHOTO: Amazon

Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder

PHOTO: EatingWell / Katie Tuttle

Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder

Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder in a measuring cup

Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder

Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder

Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder in a measuring cup

A hand pouring a bottle of Chocolate Fairlife Core Power into glass cup on marble counter

EatingWell / Jhett Thompson

A sample of protein powders in cups and in packaging

Alex Loh

Three protein shake bottles on a kitchen counter

EatingWell/Jhett Thompson