Best Protein Shakes for Weight Gain of 2026

If the 530-calorie bottle looks like a snack, Serious Mass is the full meal. A two-scoop serving delivers over 1,200 calories, 50 grams of protein, and more than 250 grams of carbohydrates. That is a serious tool for someone who is underweight or in a bulking phase and has struggled to eat enough. It is not a casual protein shake, and we do not treat it as one.

The serving size is the catch. Two scoops make a very thick drink, and a shaker bottle alone can leave clumps; we got the smoothest result in a blender with milk or water. Vanilla is pleasant enough, but chocolate hides the powder flavor better. The bag is big, the scoop is big, and the calories add up fast, which is exactly what you want if your problem is eating enough.

We see this as a hard-gainer's powder rather than an everyday shake. If you are already eating well and only need a protein top-up, Gold Standard Whey is easier to live with. If you need a concentrated calorie surplus and can handle a large liquid meal, Serious Mass does the job with fewer servings than you might expect. Just plan to blend it.

The 42-gram protein number is what puts Core Power Elite in a different lane from most ready-to-drink shakes. It is a lactose-free, shelf-stable bottle made from ultra-filtered milk, and it goes down like chocolate milk rather than a supplement. We reach for it after lifting or on days when we want a serious protein hit without a heavy meal.

The texture is smooth, and the chocolate flavor is the one we choose. It is easy to drink cold and does not leave a chalky coating. The bottle is 14 ounces, so it feels like a real drink rather than a shot of protein.

We like that it is lactose-free, because that makes a high-protein milk shake more approachable for people who usually avoid dairy. It is also shelf-stable, so it can sit in a gym bag or desk drawer without a refrigerator. If you want protein first, this is the one.

The knock on a plain whey powder for weight gain is that it is not a weight-gain product. That is also the point. Gold Standard gives you 24 grams of protein per scoop in a 2-pound tub, and it mixes easily in water or milk. We use it as a base: milk for calories, oats or banana for carbs, peanut butter for fat. You control the surplus instead of accepting whatever is in a bottle.

What we like most is how little effort it takes to make a shake that suits the day. The vanilla ice cream flavor is mild enough to take add-ins, and it does not turn gritty in a shaker. We noticed it is also easy to measure and store, which matters when you are drinking this several times a week.

It is not a meal replacement, and it is not calorie-dense on its own; that is the trade-off for flexibility. If you want the calories handed to you, BOOST Very High Calorie or Serious Mass is the easier choice. If you want to build a shake around whole foods and keep the protein high, this is the powder we reach for.

Plant-based protein powders often ask you to accept a little grit. Orgain's vanilla bean is the one we hand to someone who does not want to feel like they are drinking sand. It brings 21 grams of protein from pea, brown rice, and chia, with 1 gram of sugar and a USDA Organic label. For a dairy-free shake, that is a strong starting point.

In a shaker, the texture can be grainy; we got the best result in a blender with almond milk and a banana. The vanilla bean flavor is sweet, and it works best with strong fruit or cocoa to round out the edges. We liked it best in a smoothie rather than as a plain water shake.

The bigger question for weight gain is calories. Orgain is not a calorie-dense shake on its own, so we treat it as a base and add oats, nut butter, or a second protein source. If you want a plant-based option that fits a smoothie routine, this is the one we recommend. If you need a ready-to-drink calorie bomb, look elsewhere.

A 30-gram protein shake that also carries 25 vitamins and minerals and 4 grams of fiber is doing two jobs at once. Ensure Max Protein is built for the person who wants more than protein: older adults, people recovering from illness, or anyone whose meals are not covering the micronutrient bases. It is ready to drink, low in sugar, and easy to keep on hand.

The milk chocolate flavor is mild and creamy, and it does not have the artificial aftertaste we associate with some nutrition drinks. The texture is thick enough to feel like a shake; if that is too much, chill it well. We found it easiest to drink with a meal or as a mid-afternoon supplement rather than as a solo breakfast.

The catch is that it is not a weight-gain shake by itself. It is a protein and nutrient top-up, not a calorie-dense gainer, so we pair it with food or add a banana and peanut butter when the goal is a surplus. If you want vitamins and fiber alongside protein, this is the one we recommend; if you want maximum calories, look at BOOST Very High Calorie.

Fiber is not usually the reason someone reaches for a protein shake, but it is the reason we choose this BOOST over the brand's higher-calorie bottle for everyday use. Each 8-ounce bottle has 20 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 27 vitamins and minerals. It is a lighter option than the Very High Calorie version, and it fits between meals without feeling like a project.

The chocolate flavor is rich and does not leave a chalky aftertaste. The texture is moderately thick; we like it cold, and it does not need to be thinned unless you prefer a lighter drink. It is sweet, but not dessert-sweet, which makes it easier to drink regularly.

What it does not have is a big calorie load. If you are trying to gain weight and appetite is low, this is not the bottle that solves the problem on its own; it is a snack, not a meal. We use it when we want something smaller between lunch and dinner, or when the 530-calorie option feels like too much.

The 24-bottle pack is convenient for a desk or a pantry, and the fiber makes it a little more satisfying than a plain protein shake. We recommend it for someone who wants a moderate protein top-up with some digestive support, not for the hard-gainer moment when calories are the whole point.

Premier's powder puts 30 grams of protein in a scoop for less money than most ready-to-drink shakes, and that is the whole argument. It has 1 gram of sugar, 3 grams of carbs, and 150 calories per serving, with 17 servings in the tub. We like it as a budget powder for oatmeal, smoothies, and pancakes, not just for shaking with water.

Mixing takes a little care. In a shaker, we got the best result by putting water in first, then the powder, and shaking hard; a blender is better if you want a smooth texture. The chocolate flavor is good, and it holds up in recipes without turning bitter.

The texture can be chalky if you use too little liquid, so we add more water or milk than the label suggests. That also helps with the clumping that can happen when the powder sits at the bottom of the cup.

If you want a high-protein powder at a lower price and you are willing to blend it, Premier is a useful buy. If you want the easiest mixing powder, Gold Standard Whey is the safer choice. The chocolate flavor is the one to start with if you plan to drink it plain.