Every Protein Shake Ranked by Protein and Calories (2026)
Ready-to-drink protein shakes ranked by protein, protein-per-calorie, and calories: Premier Protein, Fairlife Core Power, Muscle Milk, Ensure and more.
Fairlife Core Power Elite leads with 42 g protein and 230 kcal, while Ensure Max Protein offers 30 g protein at 150 kcal. Most shakes range from 160 to 250 calories.
This ranking evaluates various protein shakes based on their protein content and calorie count per serving. The values are standardized for each product to ensure a fair comparison.
Which Protein Shake Has the Most Protein?
The highest total protein per bottle:
- Fairlife Core Power Elite (14 oz): 42 g protein
- Premier Protein (11.5 oz): 30 g protein
- Ensure Max Protein (11 oz): 30 g protein
- Fairlife Core Power (14 oz): 26 g protein
- Orgain Clean Protein (11 oz): 26 g protein
Which Protein Shake Has the Best Protein Per Calorie?
Most protein for the fewest calories (g per 100 cal):
- Ensure Max Protein: 20 g per 100 cal
- Premier Protein: 18.8 g per 100 cal
- Fairlife Core Power Elite: 18.3 g per 100 cal
- Muscle Milk: 15.6 g per 100 cal
- Fairlife Core Power: 15.3 g per 100 cal
Which Protein Shake Has the Fewest Calories?
The lowest-calorie ready-to-drink shakes:
- Ensure Max Protein (11 oz): 150 kcal
- Premier Protein (11.5 oz): 160 kcal
- Muscle Milk (14 oz): 160 kcal
- Atkins Shake (11 oz): 160 kcal
- Fairlife Core Power (14 oz): 170 kcal
How Many Calories Are in Protein Shakes? Full List
Protein shakes are popular for their convenience and nutritional benefits. The ranking highlights the protein and calorie content of each shake, allowing consumers to make informed choices.
| Protein Shake | Serving | Calories | Protein (g) | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlife Core Power Elite | 14 oz | 230 | 42 | 5 |
| Orgain Clean Protein | 11 oz | 250 | 26 | 16 |
| Boost High Protein | 8 oz | 240 | 20 | 20 |
| Ensure Original | 8 oz | 220 | 9 | 15 |
| OWYN Plant Protein | 12 oz | 180 | 20 | 5 |
| Koia | 12 oz | 180 | 18 | 1 |
| SlimFast High Protein | 11 oz | 180 | 20 | 1 |
| Fairlife Core Power | 14 oz | 170 | 26 | 5 |
| Premier Protein | 11.5 oz | 160 | 30 | 1 |
| Muscle Milk | 14 oz | 160 | 25 | 2 |
| Atkins Shake | 11 oz | 160 | 15 | 1 |
| Ensure Max Protein | 11 oz | 150 | 30 | 1 |
The highest protein content is found in Fairlife Core Power Elite, while Ensure Max Protein excels in protein per calorie.
How to Track Protein Shakes Accurately
Estimating protein and calories by eye can be misleading due to varying serving sizes and formulations. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies protein shakes and drinks from a photo or barcode and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports voice logging for quick entries. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.
For related references, see every gummy and hard candy ranked by calories, every instant ramen ranked by calories, and every chip and snack ranked by calories.
How We Calculated These Numbers
Every value is per the serving shown, rounded to the nearest 5 or 10. Figures are compiled from Nutrola's food database, which is anchored to USDA FoodData Central and manufacturer label data. Serving sizes vary by product, so each row lists its own serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many calories and protein are in a Premier Protein shake?
A Premier Protein shake contains 160 calories and 30 g of protein.
How much protein is in Fairlife Core Power?
Fairlife Core Power has 230 calories and 42 g of protein.
Which protein shake has the most protein?
The protein shake with the most protein is Fairlife Core Power Elite with 42 g.
What is the best protein shake for weight loss?
The best protein shake for weight loss is Ensure Max Protein, offering 30 g of protein at only 150 calories.
Is Ensure or Premier Protein better?
Whether Ensure or Premier Protein is better depends on individual dietary needs, but Ensure Max Protein has a lower calorie count.
How much protein should a shake have?
A shake should ideally have at least 20 g of protein for effective muscle recovery and satiety.
Key Takeaways
- Fairlife Core Power Elite has the highest protein content.
- Ensure Max Protein offers the best protein-to-calorie ratio.
- Most shakes range from 150 to 250 calories.
- Premier Protein provides 30 g of protein at 160 calories.
- OWYN Plant Protein and Koia both have 180 calories.
- SlimFast High Protein also contains 180 calories per serving.
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