You’re about to discover the best ready made protein shakes for weight loss that are being offered today. These shakes aren’t only for losing weight but for a variety of benefits. I’ve gone through all the ingredients, costs, customer and expert reviews to help you find the best options.
Here are the best ready-to-drink protein shakes
Best overall: Iconic Protein Drink
If you’re looking for a shake with high protein but no overbearing flavor or artificial sweeteners, the Iconic Protein Drink is a delicious solution.
Best vegan: Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein Shake
Thanks to its pea and brown rice proteins, Aloha Organic Plant Based Protein Shake is the ideal RTD protein shake for people who want to avoid animal products.
Best low-carb: Dymatize ISO100 Clear 100% Whey Protein Isolate Drink
If you’re on the keto diet and looking for a good post-workout protein shake, the Dymatize ISO100 Clear 100% Whey Protein Isolate Drink is a superb option.
Best budget: Pure Protein Complete Protein Shake
Pure Protein Complete Protein Shake is the most affordable option in our guide by far and has a long list of vitamins and minerals as well as 30 grams of protein.
Best tasting: Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey Protein Drink
Whether you’re looking for a shake to fill in for a meal or you want quick and easy protein after a workout, Optimum Nutrition’s 100% Gold Standard Whey Protein Drink is a delicious option with 24 grams of protein.
Best Pre-Made Meal Replacement Protein Shakes For Weight Loss
1. Premier Protein Smooth And Creamy Shake
According to most research studies, the maximum amount of protein that can be absorbed by the body is 30g. The protein shake by Premier Protein provides exactly 30g per bottle, giving you the optimum amount every single time. It also contains nine essential amino acids and a delicious flavor. An award-winning protein shake, this pack comes with 12 shakes. Further, over 160,000 reviewers on Amazon have given their seal of approval to this product.
Nutrition per bottle
- Protein 30g
- Calories (per serve) 160cal
- Sugar (per serve) 1g
- Carbs (per serve) 5g
Pros
- Contains 24 vitamins and minerals
- Gluten-free
- Available in eight flavors
- Made with a milk protein blend
- Contains calcium and iron
Cons
- Not ideal for those who are lactose intolerant as it contains milk
2. SlimFast Advanced Nutrition Shake
Love chocolates but hate burning off excess calories? With The SlimFast Advanced Nutrition Shake, you can enjoy a creamy and chocolate delight to your heart’s content. The delicious chocolate shake provides 20g of protein per bottle with just one gram of sugar. The five grams of fiber in the protein shake helps promote better digestion, and it comes packed with 24 essential vitamins and minerals. The protein shake is ideal for those on a low carb diet as it has just one gram of carbohydrate per serving.
Nutrition per bottle
- Protein 20g
- Calories (per serve) 180cal
- Sugar (per serve) 1g
- Carbs (per serve) 7g
Pros
- Creamy consistency
- 4-hour hunger control
- Contains zinc
- Gluten-free
- 99.8% lactose-free
Cons
- May have a slightly thick consistency
3. Atkins Protein-Rich Shake
A Keto diet is a great way to burn off fat. It has a host of health benefits, including increased mental performance and accelerated weight loss. The Atkins Protein-Rich Shake is a keto-friendly and low carb protein shake, which provides energy to your body throughout the day. It offers 15g of protein, five grams of fiber, and comes with no added sugars to keep you full and fit. It has 33,000+ reviews on Amazon , most of which rave about its authentic taste and how well-nourished it makes you feel.
Nutrition per bottle
- Protein 15g
- Calories (per serve) 160cal
- Sugar (per serve) 1g
- Carbs (per serve) 7g
Pros
- No need to refrigerate
- Gluten-free
- No artificial growth hormones
- Low glycemic
Cons
- May have a slightly chalky consistency
4. SlimFast Advanced Energy Protein Shake
Need a healthy yet effective pick-me-up for after your workouts sessions? Try the SlimFast Advanced Energy Protein Shake. It contains caffeine, which curbs hunger pangs and provides energy for hours. It is packed with nutrition and contains 20g of protein and 24 essential vitamins and minerals per bottle. The protein shake is famous for its taste and the winner of multiple awards from Men’s Health and OK magazines. With just one gram of sugar and negligible carb content, this is one energy-filled meal replacement that you cannot afford to miss.
Nutrition per bottle
- Protein 20g
- Calories (per serve) 180cal
- Sugar (per serve) 1g
- Carbs (per serve) 7g
Pros
- Clinically proven to help lose weight
- Gluten-free
- No artificial colors or flavors
- Low carb
Cons
- May have a saccharine flavor
5. Pure Protein Ready To Drink Protein Shake
Working out and eating healthy can be tough, especially if you keep a close watch on your calorie intake. For someone who is always on the move, Pure Protein Ready To Drink Protein Shake is an excellent choice. A single serving contains 30g of protein, less than one gram of sugar, and just 140cal. It is also an ideal choice for post-workout meals and weight loss.
Nutrition per bottle
- Protein 30 gms
- Calories (per serve) 140cal
- Sugar (per serve) >1g
- Carbs (per serve) 6g
Pros
- Non-GMO
- Gluten-free
- Increase muscle mass
- Negligible sugar content
Cons
- Contains milk ingredients
6. Orgain Grass Fed Clean Protein Shake
With the addition of preservatives and additives, finding a high-quality protein shake does not come easy. The Orgain Grass Fed Clean Protein Shake is free of gluten, soy, and carrageenan. It delivers 20 gms of grass-fed milk protein, which is lean, clean, and free of artificial flavors and preservatives. This protein shake contains three grams of dietary fiber along with 130 calories in a single serving.
Nutrition per bottle
- Protein 20g
- Calories (per serve) 130cal
- Sugar (per serve) 3g
- Carbs (per serve) 11g
Pros
- Kosher
- Free of antibiotics and hormones
- No artificial ingredients
- Non-GMO
Cons
- Some may not like the taste of organic stevia
What to look for in a pre-made protein beverage
When it comes to sugar…
Zero sugar is best. Any added sugar isn’t desirable—except if it comes from fruit or dairy, says Jim White, R.D., certified exercise physiologist and owner of Jim White Fitness and Nutrition Studios in Virginia Beach. “However, if a shake has 0g sugar, you’re usually getting artificial sweeteners,” he notes. This all boils down to your preference: Some people would rather have real sugar than artificial sweeteners, while others want the artificial stuff since it has far fewer calories.
When you factor in protein…
Some drinks and shakes have 50g of protein. That’s a lot—especially after everything we covered above. “Too much protein can cause urinary loss of calcium, dehydration, and a lot of people don’t realize it can increase calories and body fat just as much as the other macros,” White says. “I like a shake that has 25-40g of protein.”
When you look at fat…
Don’t freak over fat. “If the shake has some type of oils, omega-2s, or MCTs, I’m not against it,” White says. “I’m not too focused on fat, but if you have too much in your diet, then you’re going to tip over calorie-wise.”
Factor in your goals and individual needs:
- If you’re trying to increase muscle mass, then a 300-calorie shake with water is a relatively low-calorie meal and a decent snack, White says. If you’re trying to lose weight, that shake can be a meal replacement. Meanwhile, a 170-calorie shake is a bit on the light side, so you’re going to use it as a snack, or pair it with other foods for a meal to get more of what you need, whether that’s carbs or fat.
- If you’re a casual runner, you’re not going to need as much protein as a guy who’s lifting a ton.
- If you’re a beginner, lifting a couple of times a week, you also don’t need as much protein as an intense lifter who trains heavy 6 days a week.
With all this in mind, White has listed the pros and cons of the following 10 ready-to-drink beverages. We’ve also noted what goals are best suited to each and how best to incorporate them during the day.
Best overall protein shake
If you’re looking for a shake with high protein but no overbearing flavor or artificial sweeteners, the Iconic Protein Drink is a delicious solution.
Nutrition
Calories: 130
Fat: 2g
Carbs: 8g
Sugars: 3g
Protein: 20g
Pros: 5 flavors to choose from, no artificial ingredients, made with grass-fed milk protein isolate, 20g protein per serving
Cons: Not enough calories to be a meal replacement
Iconic Protein Drink packs 20 grams of protein from an excellent source: grass-fed milk protein isolate. What’s more, it only has 3 grams of sugar, and all of it comes from natural sources like cane sugar, monk fruit extract, and glycerin.
Because it isn’t artificially sweetened and has a pretty simple ingredient list, Iconic Protein Drink has a rather mild taste which I found to be a huge bonus considering it’s easier to get down after a workout.
Iconic is also made without any artificial ingredients, soy, lactose, carrageenan, GMOs, or BPA. While the calorie count is low for this to be a meal replacement, the carbs, protein, and 4g of fiber did hold me over between meals fairly well. Additionally, each bottle has 200% of your recommended daily value (RDV) of vitamin B12 and 50% magnesium.
Iconic Protein Drink comes in five flavors: chocolate truffle; café latte, which includes 180mg caffeine; cacao + greens, which has one serving of vegetables; vanilla bean; and turmeric ginger. My favorites were the vanilla bean and café latte, which reminded me of a Frappuccino.
It’s one of the more expensive options in our guide but at $3 a bottle, it still runs cheaper than some RTD options you’ll find at health food stores.
Best vegan protein shake
Thanks to its pea and brown rice proteins, Aloha Organic Plant Based Protein Shake is the ideal RTD protein shake for people who want to avoid animal products.
Nutrition
Calories: 160
Fat: 6g
Carbs: 10g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 18g
Pros: Vegan, contains MCT oil, pea and brown rice protein, no artificial ingredients, mild flavor, sweetened with coconut sugar, soy-free
Cons: Only 18 grams of protein per serving, expensive
Whether you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or just trying to cut back on your animal proteins, plant-based protein has been shown to build muscle just as effectively as animal protein.
With 18 grams derived from pea and brown rice proteins, the Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein Shake is, for starters, the best tasting vegan protein drink we’ve tried. (Its protein powder also ranks as our top-tasting vegan powder.)
It uses natural sugar (coconut sugar) and minimal amounts (5 grams) to land a mildly sweet flavor. But Aloha sets itself apart from the other drinks in our guide with its credentials of being dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, non-GMO, organic, and free of any artificial ingredients.
The Aloha Protein Shake comes in three flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate Sea Salt, and Coconut, the latter of which was my favorite with its delicate, balanced flavor that didn’t overwhelm the taste buds and was smooth and refreshing after a hard workout.
I tried the shake as a replacement for lunch and as an afternoon snack. While it didn’t leave me starving, I found I was still looking for more food to calm my cravings. It might work well with some nuts as a quick snack to tide you over between meals.
Best low-carb protein shake
If you’re on the keto diet and looking for a good post-workout protein shake, the Dymatize ISO100 Clear 100% Whey Protein Isolate Drink is a superb option.
Nutrition
Calories: 110
Fat: 0g
Carbs: 0g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 25g
Pros: 25g of whey protein isolate per serving, did a great job of keeping me satiated between lunch and dinner, easy-to-understand ingredients, low carbs, low calories, zero fat
Cons: Has a tiny amount of artificial sweeteners, unremarkable taste
The Dymatize ISO100 Clear 100% Whey Protein Isolate Drink uniquely has low-to-no carbohydrates, depending on the flavor you choose. This makes it ideal for individuals on a low-carb diet (although it also has 0 grams of fat, so while it is keto-friendly, it might not be an ideal addition to a keto diet).
The trade-off is that if you aren’t on a low-carb diet, your muscle building and recovery might be compromised — you generally want some carbs alongside protein to restore the energy supply in your muscles. Plus, that lack of carbs is made possible by artificial sweeteners, including stevia (healthier than most) and sucralose (less so).
I found the sweetness of these beverages started strong, but my taste buds quickly acclimated and the flavor was pretty flat from there. There are four flavors to choose from and my favorite was Tangerine Peach, though it fell short in the flavor department compared to the other picks on this list. Plus, my mouth was left feeling dry afterward each time I tried the brand.
These negatives aside, there’s a lot to like about the ISO100. It’s more like protein water than a shake. It packs 25 grams of whey protein isolate and has 6.3g BCAAs, including 3g leucine. I appreciate that the ingredients are easy to understand with no weird chemicals no one.
The Dymatize ISO100 Clear Drink did not serve as a good lunch replacement — I had to eat again within a couple of hours of drinking it. However, it performed well as an afternoon snack.