4 Best Tasting Mass Gainers In 2024

Mass gainers are a handy tool when you struggle to reach your caloric intake. However, they might not be the tastiest supplements. How can you choose the best-tasting mass gainer? After all, you want a supplement you enjoy drinking and won’t make you gag.

In this article, we’ll go over the top four best-tasting weight gainer shakes to help you select the best that covers your needs.

Top 4 Best Tasting Mass Gainers Reviewed

1. Mass Gainer by TL — Top Pick
2. BSN True-Mass — Best Taste
3. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass — Best High-Calorie Option
4. Naked Mass Weight Gainer Protein Supplement — Best Unflavored Option

Best Tasting Mass Gainer	Overall Score	Macronutrient breakdown	Taste	Mixability	Nutrition Label Transparency	Value for Money
Transparent Labs	48.5	10	9.5	10	10	9
BSN	47	9	10	9.5	9.5	9
Optimum Nutrition	46.5	9	9.5	9.5	10	8.5
Naked	46	9.5	9	9	10	8.5

1. MASS GAINER by Transparent Labs — Top Pick

• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Flavors: Chocolate Glaze Donut and Sweet Vanilla
• Calories per serving: 750
• Carbs per serving: 106 grams
• Protein per serving: 51 grams
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: 2:1
• Number of Servings: 15
• Serving Size: 2 scoops (187 grams)
• Company Founded: 1995
• Recommended by Athletes: Kelsey Henson, Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, and Paul Sklar

We have the mass gainer from Transparent Labs in our number one spot. One of the reasons why we decided to select this as the best-tasting weight gainer is due to its carb-to-protein ratio.

One issue we often find in mass gainers is the low protein content. And, while calories and carbs are important for weight gain, so is protein. After all, proteins are the building blocks of muscles, and you want to gain weight in the form of muscle mass and not fat mass.

According to the ISSN, the recommended intake for protein is 1.4 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (0.6–0.9 g/lb). However, since protein is highly filling, people who strive to build muscle may struggle to reach their protein requirements.

So, getting a mass gainer that not only fulfills their calories but also their protein is going to play a crucial role in weight gain. Therefore, a mass gainer (like the one from Transparent Labs) offering a 2:1 carb-to-protein ratio is a good option.

In addition, the mass gainer has no artificial ingredients, and the protein comes from 100% grass-fed whey concentrate.

Keep in mind that the serving size is for two scoops. This means you can easily adjust it based on your goals or needs. For example, you can always have only one scoop if you need fewer calories.

Finally, this is a great option because it contains 3 grams of creatine monohydrate. Research shows that creatine can have a positive effect on muscle growth. While it is within the recommended intake of 3 to 5 grams of creatine, keep in mind that heavier athletes might need an additional dosage.

2. BSN True-Mass — Best Taste

• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Flavors: Chocolate Milkshake, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry, and Vanilla Ice Cream
• Calories per serving: 700
• Carbs per serving: 87 grams
• Protein per serving: 46 grams
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: 2:1
• Number of Servings: 16
• Serving Size: 3 scoops (165 grams)
• Company Founded: 2001
• Recommended by Athletes: Lizzie Martinez and Aaron Miller

Next on our list, we have the best-tasting overall, which is the BSN True Mass. It is the best option if you are looking for different mass gainer flavors (not just your typical vanilla and chocolate).

This option offers a good carb-to-protein ratio. And, while it might not contain as much as the Transparent Labs option (it offers 1.9 grams for every gram of protein), it is still a very high option that can help you reach your protein needs.

One serving (three scoops) offers a high amount of calories (700 calories), making it a great option for those who struggle to reach their caloric intake. In addition, the formula contains MCT oil, which can act as a quick energy source.

3. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass — Best High-Calorie Option

• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Flavors: Banana, Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry, and Vanilla
• Calories per serving: 1,250
• Carbs per serving: 252 grams
• Protein per serving: 50 grams
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: 5:1
• Number of Servings: 8 or 16
• Serving Size: 2 Scoops (340 grams)
• Company Founded: 1986
• Recommended by Athletes: Maria Birova, Evan Johnson, and Taylor Fritz

For the best option high in calories, we have Serious Mass by Optimum Nutrition. One serving (2 scoops) has 1,200 calories, 252 grams of carbs, 50 grams of protein, and 6 grams of fat. And, just like the Mass Gainer from Transparent Labs, it has 3 grams of creatine monohydrate.

One of the benefits of this mass gainer is that it contains essential vitamins and minerals. This can become helpful since when you replace a snack with a mass gainer to help you reach your caloric intake, you might be missing out on essential nutrients. But, with this option, you know you are getting both essential nutrients and enough calories.

Now, keep in mind that one serving (two scoops) weighs 340 grams, so it might be challenging to mix simply with a fork or spoon. Thus, we recommend placing it on a blender to create a smoother beverage.

4. Naked Mass Weight Gainer Protein Supplement — Best Unflavored Option

• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Flavors: Unflavored
• Calories per serving: 1,250
• Carbs per serving: 252 grams
• Protein per serving: 50 grams
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: 5:1
• Number of Servings: 11 servings
• Serving Size: 4 scoops (321 grams)
• Company Founded: 2014
• Recommended by Athletes: Kaella Madix and Netey Nonstop

Finally, the last option we have for you is Naked Mass Weight Gainer protein supplement. It is a good option for those who prefer to opt for a supplement that doesn’t contain any flavors. This makes it versatile and easily adaptable.

It has the advantage of offering 1,250 calories per serving, but you need to take four scoops in order to get all those calories. Also, it is a good option for those with high carb requirements (such as resistance-based or endurance athletes).

However, if after a shake you will get all your kcal but not protein, this might not be the best option cause the next portion to cover protein needs will result in a high calorie surplus. In this case, you might be better off with other alternatives, such as gainers with lower ratio or just protein powders mixed with high-calorie foods where you can control your protein intake better.

How To Choose The Best Tasting Mass Gainer

While the previous options are the top four we recommend, there are other good alternatives in the market. But, how do you know which is the best mass gainer?

Here is a guide on how to choose the best-tasting mass gainer.

1. Calories Per Serving

The first thing to consider is the calories per serving. A health professional can help you determine your recommended caloric intake based on your goals. Once you know that, you determine how many calories from food and how many you need from the supplement. This can help you determine if you need a mass gainer higher or lower in calories.

2. Carbs To Protein Ratio

Next, you need to check the carbs-to-protein ratio. But, you need to understand your protein needs and how much you are getting from your diet.

You can choose a lower protein-to-carb ratio if you have a high protein intake. But, if you struggle to reach your protein requirements, it’s best to choose a higher protein-to-carb ratio.

3. Added Sugars Per Serving

While we want to add more calories, we need to understand where these calories come from. Try to keep the sugar consumption under control. Know when the mass gainer comes high in sugars, and make informed decisions with the rest of your meals. Be sure that you include enough fiber during the day .

The World Health Recommendation recommends consuming less than 10% of your calories coming from sugar. While this recommendation is for people worrying or dealing with overweight and obesity because of the correlation, it can be a good goal to stick to however the overall kcal intake is much more important.

4. Check Customer Reviews

Finally, the best way to know if the supplement has good taste and mixability is to check customer reviews. Here, you can learn what people are saying about the supplement. Both the good and the bad. It can make it easier to decide whether or not you should purchase the product.

How To Make Gainer Taste Better

Here, we’ve gone over the best-tasting mass gainers. But, what happens if you are still not fond of its flavor? How to make mass gainer taste better?

Here are some ingredients you can add to make it taste better. Now, remember that they offer calories and different macros, so you need to keep track of them to ensure they are within the recommended intake.

• Cocoa powder
• Milk
• Dairy alternatives
• Fruits (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, banana)
• Spices (pumpkin spice, vanilla, or cinnamon)
• Peanut butter or almond butter

FAQ

Do All Mass Gainers Taste Nice?

No, not all mass gainers have a nice taste. If you are wondering if the mass gainer you are thinking of purchasing has a nice taste, you can check customer reviews. This is a great way to see what others say about the supplement.

Does Mass Gainer Taste Better With Milk?

It all depends on personal preference. Mixing a mass gainer with milk can provide a creamy beverage most people enjoy. However, others might prefer mixing it with water or other dairy alternatives (such as coconut milk or almond milk).

Conclusion

If you are looking for ways to increase your calorie intake, mass gainers can be a good option that won’t make you feel too stuffed. While there are several options available, not all of them are going to be worth drinking.

For a delicious mass gainer, the one Transparent Labs has to offer is a great option. It comes in two delicious flavors, and it has one of the best carb-to-protein ratios. So, you are not just piling calories but also providing essential nutrients to help muscle growth.

So, which is your favorite mass gainer flavor? We would love to read them in the comments.

Also read:

• Best Weight Gainer for Skinny Guys
• Best Vegan Mass Gainer
• Best Weight Gainer for Women
• Does Mass Gainer Work
• How to Gain Weight With a Fast Metabolism
• Is Rice Good for Bulking
• Dirty Bulking
• Dirty Bulk vs Clean Bulk
• Is Oatmeal Good for Building Muscle

References:

1. ‘Executive Summary’ (Nih.gov2015)
2. Jäger R and others, ‘International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Protein and Exercise’ (2017) 14 Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
3. Kerksick CM and others, ‘International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Nutrient Timing’ (2017) 14 Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
4. Kreider RB and others, ‘International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Safety and Efficacy of Creatine Supplementation in Exercise, Sport, and Medicine’ (2017) 14 Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
5. Schönfeld P and Wojtczak L, ‘Short- and Medium-Chain Fatty Acids in Energy Metabolism: The Cellular Perspective’ (2016) 57 Journal of Lipid Research 943 accessed 14 March 2020
6. Wu S-H and others, ‘Creatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021’ (2022) 14 Nutrients 1255