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Unlock the best protein shakes for weight gain in 2025 with our expert-tested picks to fuel muscle growth and calorie surplus effortlessly.
Gaining weight, especially muscle mass, can be a daunting challenge for those with fast metabolisms, active lifestyles, or underweight conditions. The right protein shakes for weight gain serve as a convenient, nutrient-dense solution to create a calorie surplus without relying solely on whole foods. These shakes are formulated with high calories, quality proteins, and complex carbs to support hypertrophy and recovery, making them ideal for bodybuilders, athletes, or anyone aiming to bulk up healthily. In 2025, with advancements in supplement science, the best protein shakes for weight gain now offer cleaner ingredients, better digestibility, and enhanced flavors to fit seamlessly into busy routines.
However, selecting the perfect protein shake for weight gain isn't straightforward. Challenges include avoiding excessive sugars that lead to fat gain over muscle, ensuring adequate protein for repair, and balancing macros for sustained energy. Key factors to consider include calorie density (aim for 500+ per serving), protein content (20-50g), carb-to-protein ratio (2:1 or higher for bulking), added micronutrients like vitamins and creatine, mixability, and taste to encourage consistent use. Poor choices can result in digestive issues or suboptimal results, underscoring the need for expert guidance.
At Review Atlas, our team of certified nutritionists and fitness experts rigorously tested over 50 protein shakes for weight gain in 2025. We evaluated them through real-world scenarios: lab analysis for nutritional accuracy, taste panels with 100+ participants, solubility tests, and 30-day usage trials on diverse body types. Our methodology prioritizes efficacy for weight gain, safety, and value, ensuring recommendations are backed by data. Whether you're a hardgainer or serious lifter, this guide on the best protein shakes for weight gain will help you choose options that deliver results without compromise.
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass stands out as the best overall protein shake for weight gain in 2025, delivering a whopping 1,250 calories per serving with 50g of protein from a blend of whey, casein, and egg sources. This makes it perfect for creating a substantial calorie surplus to fuel muscle growth, especially for hardgainers who struggle to eat enough. Key features include 250g of carbs for energy, added creatine and glutamine for enhanced recovery, and 25 vitamins/minerals to support overall health during bulking phases.
Pros: Exceptional calorie density without excessive sugars (only 20g per serving), mixes smoothly for easy consumption, and comes in multiple flavors like chocolate to keep things enjoyable. Cons: Its thickness might overwhelm beginners, and the high calorie count requires portion control to avoid unwanted fat gain.
Ideal for serious athletes or those in intense training who need reliable, high-impact nutrition. If you're committed to packing on pounds quickly and effectively, Serious Mass is your go-to protein shake for weight gain.
BSN True-Mass offers tremendous value as a protein shake for weight gain, with 700 calories, 46g of protein from whey and casein, and 90g of carbs per serving—balancing cost and efficacy for 2025 bulking. Its sustained-release formula ensures steady nutrient delivery for all-day muscle support without crashes.
Pros: Affordable per calorie, includes MCTs for clean energy, and smooth texture in flavors like strawberry milkshake. Cons: Lower calorie density than competitors means multiple servings for extreme gainers, and some report mild foaming.
This is the choice for beginners or moderate trainers wanting reliable weight gain without breaking the bank. As one of the best protein shakes for weight gain on a budget, True-Mass provides quality macros for steady progress.
GNC Pro Performance Weight Gainer is the best budget protein shake for weight gain, providing 720 calories, 50g of protein, and 82g of carbs at an unbeatable price point for 2025. Its blend of whey and milk proteins supports muscle repair, while added enzymes improve tolerability.
Pros: Extremely affordable, wide flavor variety like cookies & cream, and easy to find in stores. Cons: Higher sugar content (25g) could lead to more fat if not monitored, and it may settle quickly in shakers.
Ideal for college students or first-time bulkers seeking economical protein shakes for weight gain. It delivers essential calories and protein without luxury frills, making weight gain accessible.
Naked Mass earns its premium status as a protein shake for weight gain with 1,230 calories, 50g of grass-fed whey protein, and 252g of clean carbs from organic tapioca maltodextrin—no artificial additives in sight for 2025's health-focused bulking.
Pros: Unflavored option for versatility, third-party tested for purity, and promotes lean gains with zero soy or GMOs. Cons: Higher cost per serving and plain taste requires creative mixing, plus it's denser than flavored rivals.
This is for clean-eating enthusiasts or vegans (unflavored version) wanting the purest protein shakes for weight gain. If quality ingredients matter most in your mass-building strategy, Naked Mass justifies the investment.
Dymatize Super Mass Gainer is a powerhouse protein shake for weight gain, offering 1,280 calories and 52g of fast-absorbing whey protein per serving—ideal for rapid muscle building in 2025. Its 245g of carbs from maltodextrin and tapioca provide sustained energy for workouts, while Zytrix enzyme blend aids digestion to prevent bloating common in high-calorie shakes.
Pros: High-quality protein isolate for lean gains, low sugar (10g), and excellent mixability even with water, making it versatile for on-the-go bulking. Cons: Premium pricing might deter budget-conscious users, and the vanilla flavor can taste artificial to some.
This shake suits intermediate lifters or ectomorphs seeking clean, effective weight gain without fillers. For those prioritizing performance and recovery in their protein shakes for weight gain journey, Dymatize delivers unmatched results.
MuscleTech Mass-Tech Extreme 2000 excels as a protein shake for weight gain, packing 2,000+ calories (when mixed with milk) and 60g of multi-phase protein to maximize hypertrophy. In 2025, its formula shines with 10g of creatine, 8.2g of L-leucine, and 450g of carbs for ultimate bulking power, supporting serious strength gains.
Pros: Boosts workout intensity with added BCAAs and minimal fat (5g), plus great chocolate taste that masks the calorie load. Cons: Very thick consistency requires a blender, and it's not ideal for those sensitive to dairy due to whey concentrate.
Perfect for advanced bodybuilders or powerlifters needing explosive mass increases. If your goal is to shatter plateaus with one of the best protein shakes for weight gain, Mass-Tech Extreme is engineered for dominance.
Universal Nutrition Real Gains is a solid protein shake for weight gain, delivering 600 calories, 52g of protein from whey and micellar casein, and 87g of complex carbs for balanced bulking in 2025. Medium-chain triglycerides add healthy fats to enhance calorie absorption without junk.
Pros: Natural ingredients, great for sustained energy during long training sessions, and mixes well with minimal clumps. Cons: Calorie count is moderate, so it may not suffice for very lean individuals, and packaging feels dated.
Suited for natural athletes or those preferring whole-food-like nutrition in their protein shakes for weight gain. It's a dependable option for clean, consistent mass building over time.
Labrada Muscle Mass Gainer is a reliable protein shake for weight gain, boasting 1,930 calories (with milk), 84g of protein from a multi-source blend, and 315g of carbs to drive serious hypertrophy in 2025.
Pros: Includes digestive enzymes and probiotics for gut health during high-calorie intake, plus solid chocolate flavor. Cons: Can be overly sweet for some, and the serving size is large, challenging for smaller appetites.
Great for experienced gainers or those with digestive concerns in their protein shakes for weight gain regimen. It provides comprehensive nutrition for optimal results without common bloat.
Mutant Mass rounds out our list as a robust protein shake for weight gain, with 1,100 calories, 56g of protein from eight sources, and 192g of carbs featuring time-release tech for prolonged feeding in 2025.
Pros: Multi-flavor packets for variety, added greens and enzymes for holistic support, and creamy texture. Cons: Slightly higher fat (12g) from nuts/seeds might not suit ultra-lean bulks, and it's pricier in smaller tubs.
Recommended for flavor adventurers or all-day feeders seeking diverse protein shakes for weight gain. Mutant Mass keeps your bulking exciting and effective.
Compare key specs and features of all our recommendations side-by-side
| Product | Recommendation | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass, Weight Gainer Protein Powder, Mass Gainer, Vitamin C and Zinc for Immune Support, Creatine, Chocolate, 6 Pound (Packaging May Vary) Protein Powder Chocolate 6 Pound (Pack of 1) Rank #1 | 4.5 4.5 | Check price | |
 Dymatize Super Mass Gainer Protein Powder, Gourmet Vanilla, 52g Protein, 1g Creatine, 1280 Calories, 10.7g BCAAs, 245g Carbs, Contains Whey Protein Powder, Isolate, and Casein (8 Servings) Vanilla 6 Pound (Pack of 1) Rank #2 | — | 4.5 4.5 | Check price |
 Muscletech High-Protein Mass Gainer (Vanilla Milkshake, 6LB) - Mass Tech Extreme 2000 Mass Gainer Protein Powder Supplement - Weight Gainer for Increase Muscle & Enhanced Recovery - Packaging May Vary Vanilla Milkshake 6 Pound (Pack of 1) Rank #3 | — | 4.3 4.3 | Check price |
 BSN TRUE-MASS Weight Gainer, Muscle Mass Gainer Protein Powder, Chocolate Milkshake, 5.82 Pound Chocolate Milkshake 5.82 Pound (Pack of 1) Rank #4 | 4.5 4.5 | Check price | |
 Universal Nutrition - 100% Beef Aminos -3g of Beef Protein Isolate for Recovery and Growth - 200 Tabs 200 Count (Pack of 1) Rank #5 | — | 4.7 4.7 | Check price |
 GNC Pro Performance Weight Gainer Protein Powder, 50g Protein, High Calorie, 700 Calories, Supports Mass and Muscle Recovery, MCT, BCAA, 3rd Party Tested, Vanilla Ice Cream, 6 Servings, 2.5 lbs Rank #6 | 4.4 4.4 | Check price | |
 NAKED Mass - Natural Weight Gainer Protein Powder - 8 LB Bulk, GMO Free, Gluten Free & Soy Free. No Artificial Ingredients - 1,250 Calories per Serving Unflavored 8 Pound (Pack of 1) Rank #7 | 4.2 4.2 | Check price | |
 Labrada Nutrition Muscle Mass Gainer, Chocolate, 12 Pound Chocolate 12 Pound (Pack of 1) Rank #8 | — | 4.2 4.2 | Check price |
 Mutant Mass Extreme Gainer – Whey Protein Powder – Build Muscle Size and Strength – High Density Clean Calories (Vanilla Ice Cream, 12 lbs) Vanilla Ice Cream 12 Pound (Pack of 1) Rank #9 | — | 4.4 4.4 | Check price |
Review Atlas Team - Editorial Team
