Protein shakes, ready-to-drink and conveniently stored in your refrigerator.
Snatching a quick bite on the move can sometimes be tricky, especially when you're searching for nutrient-packed options. But don't sweat it! The best protein shakes make it a breeze to boost that protein count without swallowing a ton of time.
Sure, a protein bar or full-blown meal might be more satisfying, but a protein shake can lend a hand during emergencies. Accordng to Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD, a certified sports dietitian who works with athletes and active professionals, shakes offer a nice energy boost and the appetite-curbing benefits of protein (just remember, whole foods are always the best bet, and these drinks aren't meant to replace meals).
They're also less messy than protein powder, which is a major win if you've ever accidentally capped your blender without its lid. If you're on the hunt for protein shakes but don't know where to punt the ball, we've got you covered. We've picked out the tastiest options and even got the scoop on their benefits straight from Jones. Let's dive in!
Top of the Line Protein Shakes
- Dairy Delight: Fairlife Core Power Protein Shake, $39 per 12-pack
- Plant-Based Powerhouse: Aloha Protein Drink, $33 per 12-pack
- Runner-Up Plant-Based: Orgain 20g Plant-Based Protein Shake, $36 per 12-pack
- Variety Option: Koia Nutrition Shakes, $47 per 12-pack
- High-Protein Hero: Owyn Pro Elite High Protein Shakes, $47 per 12-pack
- Alternative Shake: Chobani Complete Protein Mixed Berry Vanilla Yogurt Drink, $4 per bottle
- Shop our favorite protein shakes
- How much protein should you take daily?
- Who needs protein shakes anyway?
- What to consider when shopping for protein shakes
Grab a Drink
Delicious chocolate flavor
Dairy Delight: Fairlife Core Power Protein Shake
Contains sugar substitutes
Fairlife
Core Power Protein Shake
Contains electrolytes for rehydration
$39 Amazon
Christa Sgobba, our website's director of fitness and food, stocked up on these smooth, creamy shakes during last year's Amazon Prime Day for a post-run recharge. "These protein shakes taste just like chocolate milk-they go down easy-and have 26 grams of protein and lots of electrolytes to help your body bounce back," she said.
Higher-than-average protein content
For its main ingredient and source of protein, Fairlife uses ultra-filtered milk, which has been processed with pressure filtration to remove lactose, minerals, water, and certain vitamins. This procedureresults in milk with a higher protein and calcium content than standard dairy products, making it a great choice for folks in the Lactaid gang.
| Pros | Cons || ---- | ---- || Delicious chocolate flavor | Contains sugar substitutes || Contains electrolytes for rehydration || Higher-than-average protein content |
Details
Protein source: Ultra-filtered milk | Protein per serving: 26 grams | Flavors: Chocolate, strawberry banana, and vanilla
Plant-Based Powerhouse: Aloha Protein Drink
Great value
Aloha
Contains sugar substitutes
Protein Drink
$33 Amazon
Complete plant-based protein profile
Expert-approved brand Aloha uses coconut milk as the base for its vegan-friendly Protein Drinks, with a one-two punch of pea and rice proteins filling out the protein content. Like Fairlife's Core Power shake, these also contain electrolytes for a hydration boost.
While Aloha's shakes use the common sugar alternative monk fruit, they're also made with coconut sugar, a delightful brown sugar-like variety.
Contains electrolytes
| Pros | Cons || ---- | ---- || Great value | Contains sugar substitutes || Complete plant-based protein profile || Contains electrolytes |
Details
Protein source: Pea protein and rice protein | Protein per serving: 20 grams | Flavors: Chocolate sea salt, coconut, and vanilla
Runner-Up Plant-Based: Orgain 20g Plant-Based Protein Shake
Orgain
Good value
20g Plant-Based Protein Shake
Incomplete protein profile
$36 Amazon
Jones, who has consulted with Orgain in the past but has no financial relationship with the brand in 2025, recommends Orgain's plant-based shakes specifically for their iron content (40% of the recommended daily value). Menstruating athletes are at a greater risk of developing an iron deficiency, so a shake that helps you hit both your protein and iron goals can really make a difference. Jones further praises the brand for its fruit and vegetable powder blend, adding extra nutrients to the mix.
High iron content
And Orgain earns bonus points for variety: The brand also offers whey-based protein shakes with the same amount of protein.
Contains sugar substitutes
| Pros | Cons || ---- | ---- || Good value | Incomplete protein profile || High iron content | Contains sugar substitutes |
Details
Protein source: Pea protein | Protein per serving: 20 grams | Flavors: Creamy chocolate
Variety Option: Koia Nutrition Shakes
Koia
Easy to digest
Nutrition Shakes
Skews a little sweet
$47 AmazonShop here
Koia's Nutrition Shakes are a staff favorite for their fabulous taste, silky texture, and captivating flavors. From fruity to chocolatey, autumnal, and nutty, your options are endless.
14 flavor options
One thing to keep in mind: These shakes contain a prebiotic fiber blend, which bumps up their fiber content to 7 grams per serving. This could help for folks looking to up their protein and fiber intake, but it might be a challenge for those with sensitive stomachs. Our in-house testers didn't notice any digestive issues, but it's something to be mindful of.
Fiber content may be an issue for some
| Pros | Cons || ---- | ---- || Easy to digest | Skews a little sweet || 14 flavor options | Fiber content could be an issue for some || Super smooth |
Details
Very smooth
Protein source: Brown rice protein, pea protein, and chickpea protein | Protein per serving: 18 grams | Flavors: Banana creme, cacao bean, chocolate banana, chocolate peanut butter, cinnamon horchata, cocoa cereal, coconut almond, cold brew coffee, fruity cereal, maple pecan, matcha latte, peppermint mocha, pumpkin spice, vanilla bean
High-Protein Hero: Owyn Pro Elite High Protein Shakes
Owyn
Pro Elite High Protein Shakes
$47 AmazonShop here
Great for very active people
Jones also gave a shout-out to Owyn as a popular and worth-trying brand. It offers a 20-gram variety of shake in addition to the high-protein Elite shake highlighted here. "I love the creamy consistency, especially when I chill it to an icy cold temperature," Jones said. Jones also mentions that it's on the sweeter side, especially the vanilla flavor (she occasionally waters it down with almond milk).
Very sweet
At 32 grams of protein per serving, this shake delivers a terrific bang for your buck, making it a fantastic option for individuals with higher-than-average protein intake goals, such as strength trainers and endurance athletes. For folks like you and me, a regular person with a less active lifestyle, Jones suggests the standard 20-gram option.
| Pros | Cons || ---- | ---- || Great for very active people | Very sweet || Creamy consistency | Contains sugar substitutes || Contains greens blend for added nutrients |
Creamy consistency
Details:
Contains sugar substitutes
Protein source: Pea protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, flaxseed oil | Protein per serving: 32 grams | Flavors: Chocolate, no nut buttercup, and vanilla
Alternative Shake: Chobani 20G Protein Mixed Berry Vanilla Yogurt Drink
Contains greens blend for added nutrients
Chobani
Mixed Berry Vanilla Yogurt Drink
$2 AmazonShop here
$3 TargetShop here
Jessica Kasparian, our website's commerce writer, was pleasantly surprised by this Greek yogurt drink's taste. "I assumed it would taste chalky when I saw how much protein it contains, but it's got a silky, light consistency that's easy to sip even on travel days," she said.
Great source of calcium and vitamin B12
| Pros | Cons || ---- | ---- || Great source of calcium and vitamin B12 | Not shelf-stable, requires refrigeration || Light and easy to drink | Contains sugar substitutes || Contains the enzyme lactase, making it lactose-free |
Not shelf-stable-requires immediate refrigeration
Details:
Protein source: Low-fat Greek yogurt | Protein per serving: 20 grams | Flavors: Mixed berry vanilla
Light and easy to drink
Frequently Asked Questions
Contains sugar substitutes
How much protein should you have daily?
The recommended daily allowance of protein depends on a multitude of factors, including your age, height, weight, overall health, calorie needs, and activity level. The current RDA is 0.8 grams for every kilogram of body weight, which translates to 0.36 grams per pound. This recommendation moves up to 1.4-2 grams per kilogram (or 0.64-0.91 grams per pound) for active individuals, per the International Society of Sports Nutrition.
Contains the enzyme lactase, which makes it lactose-free
Who actually needs protein shakes?
Active individuals will find protein shakes incredibly useful, as they're a great way to get protein on the go. If you don't have time for a protein-rich snack like trail mix, oatmeal, or cottage cheese, a protein shake makes a good stand-in. However, whole foods are the best source of protein, so if you regularly replace your snacks with shakes, you could be missing out on essential nutrients. "Working on choosing whole foods more often is a great habit to focus on," Jones advises.
What to think about when shopping for protein shakes
Protein source: If you don't have any dietary restrictions, both dairy-based and plant-derived sources will do you right. However, if you're vegan or lactose intolerant, stick to shakes made with peas, soy, seeds, rice, and other plant-based ingredients.
Some protein shakes use complete protein sources (with all nine essential amino acids), while others use incomplete sources (missing some essential amino acids). Look for shakes that either blend multiple plant-based proteins, creating a complete profile, or rely on soy or pea protein, which are shown to be effective for muscle recovery.
Sweeteners: Many protein shakes use sugar alcohols or sugar alternatives like stevia and monk fruit to sweeten without causing blood sugar spikes or adding as many calories as regular sugar. While some folks don't have any issues with these ingredients, others report digestive troubles like bloating, diarrhea, and, yes, the often-maligned "protein farts."
"I wish more shakes were sweetened with a small amount of real sugar rather than always jumping to alternative sweeteners, whether natural or not. Active people need to replenish both protein and carbohydrates," Jones explains.
- Incorporating protein shakes into one's diet can provide a quick and convenient energy boost, especially for individuals with active lifestyles.
- Fairlife's Core Power Protein Shake stands out for its delicious chocolate flavor, high-protein content, and inclusion of electrolytes for rehydration.
- Aloha Protein Drink offers a plant-based profile, using coconut milk as a base and a combination of pea and rice proteins for the protein content.
- Orgain's 20g Plant-Based Protein Shake is recommended by sports dietitian Kelly Jones for its high iron content, suited particularly for menstruating athletes.
- Koia Nutrition Shakes offer a variety of flavors, including the staff's favorites like banana creme and cacao bean, but some may find them a bit too sweet.
- Owyn Pro Elite High Protein Shakes cater to very active individuals, providing a hefty 32 grams of protein per serving, but can be quite sweet, especially the vanilla flavor.
- Chobani's 20G Protein Mixed Berry Vanilla Yogurt Drink offers a light, easy-to-drink alternative, and is a good source of calcium and vitamin B12, though it requires refrigeration.
