10 Best Mass Gainers of 2023, According to a Dietitian

Mass gainers may be very useful tools for gaining muscle and keeping fat in check. If you’ve ever tried to seriously pack on muscle, you know the importance of staple muscle growth supplements like protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and calories to facilitate growth. Gaining the right weight deliberately and methodically can be as much of a challenge as losing weight. Indeed, there’s a lot more work to do when you’re eating an extraordinary number of calories.

For many people who fall into the “hard gainer” category, it’s only a matter of time before you start looking to mass gainers for help. They may seem strange at first glance, sure — can you really drink hundreds and hundreds of calories without any ill effects? The answer is yes, but only when done properly and intentionally. We considered digestion, along with other big hitters like taste, natural ingredients, and macro breakdowns to track down the best mass gainers on the market. If you’re ready to bulk up, we have you covered.

Best Mass Gainers

• Best Overall Mass Gainer: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
• Best Mass Gainer Protein Powder: Micropure Whey Protein Isolate
• Best Mass Gainer for Bodybuilding: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
• Best Cheap Mass Gainer: Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
• Best Digesting Mass Gainer: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
• Best Tasting Mass Gainer: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
• Best Natural Mass Gainer: Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer
• Highest Carb Mass Gainer: Less Naked Mass
• Best Vegan Mass Gainer: Vegan Naked Mass
• Best Oat Powder: Muscle Feast Whole Oat Powder

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it shouldn’t take the place of advice and/or supervision from a medical professional. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended to diagnose, prevent, and/or treat health problems. Speak with your physician if you have any concerns or before beginning any new diet or workout regimen.

Best Mass Gainer Supplements Video Review

Be sure to check out our best mass gainers video for an even more in-depth analysis of this performance supplement. BarBend’s own Nick English walks you through some of our favorite mass gainer picks. 

How We Chose the Best Mass Gainers

Mass gainers are a particularly tricky supplement, as the consumer’s desires can be surprisingly varied: Are you looking to save money on calories, add to your nutrient intake, or find a tasty way to gain mass? We tried a lot — a lot — of mass gainers and weighed the following criteria when assessing their value.

Price

We’ve included a wide range of prices and tub sizes on this list. Some of these picks are large cost-effective tubs of straightforward mass gainers, while others are smaller, more expensive canisters of more intricate mass gainers. On average, you can expect to pay about $5 to $6 per serving. This is a little pricier than a whey protein powder but you’re also getting a whole meal’s worth of macronutrients, compared to a whey supplement.

Whether you’re looking for a plain mass gainer that focuses on macros or a more nuanced mass gainer that also incorporates micronutrients, we’ve included a pick at a reasonable price point here to suit your needs — no matter how much you’re paying for these picks, they will be worth your while.

Macro Profile

Macros are the carbs, protein, and fat that make up your food. Protein to carb ratio varies per product, and the ratio customers are looking for also varies per individual. Some want a hit of protein and carbs after a workout; some prioritize protein and not as many carbs after a workout. If you’re trying to maintain a lean build while gaining muscle, a higher protein count and lower carb count may be better for you, whereas if you’re trying to bulk, protein mixed with a higher number of carbs could benefit you. Ratios vary from one-to-one to one-to-five, and we’ve included a variety of options in this range on this list to help satisfy all customer needs.

Quality Ingredients

Especially if you plan to take your supplements consistently (which is usually needed to see results), you want a formula that doesn’t have too much junk. We tried our best to pick products with as little fillers and artificial ingredients as possible. 

Some people prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners. Though there is no overwhelming amount of evidence they will cause you harm, we have indicated whether or not a mass gainer contains these ingredients for those who wish to avoid them in lieu of natural sweeteners. If this isn’t a priority to you, we’ve also included supplements on this list that do include some artificial sweeteners.

Micronutrients include both vitamins and minerals. Some prefer a dose of these nutrients with their mass gainers; for others, this is not a priority. That’s why we’ve included options both with and without added micronutrients — like creatine or digestive enzymes — to satisfy both types of users.

Taste

If a supplement tastes horrible, you probably won’t want to drink it too often. So, we took taste into consideration when making our list. Granted, taste isn’t the most important factor on our list (after all, you can mix mass gainers with other flavored juices or milks to improve the taste) but nevertheless, we highlighted the best-tasting options on our list.

Solubility

Throwing your supplement powders into a blender isn’t always an option, especially if you’re always on-the-go. Ideally, you want a supplement that can mix pretty well with just a spoon or shaker bottle. We made notes on solubility as we tested each of these mass gainers.

Best Overall Mass Gainer: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

Pros

• This product has 53g of grass-fed whey protein, 110g of carbs, and 14g of fat per serving.
• This supplement is naturally sweetened and flavored.
• You get 6g of fiber per serving (that’s 21 percent of your daily value).

Cons

• This product doesn’t have many vitamins and minerals added.
• The 750 calories per serving may not be ideal for all athletes.
• This product is a little pricey. 

To take the top spot, we selected a product that’s simple, effective, and tasty. It’s surprisingly hard to find a mass gainer with all three qualities despite the potential benefits of mass gainers, but Transparent Labs has pulled it off.

This mass gainer has a one-to-two protein-to-carb ratio with about 750 calories per two-scoop serving. For every two scoops, you get 53 grams of protein, 110 grams of carbs, and 14 grams of fat, making this a pretty well-rounded product. 

Plus, the flavor tastes “exactly like a donut,” according to our personal testers, who loved the Chocolate option. They also mentioned that the product, “dissolved well and had a nice consistency,” which is a must-have if you’re looking to take a supplement regularly. 

This tub of mass gainer has 15 servings per container, which ends up being about $5.13 per serving. With the high macro content, it’s no surprise it comes at a higher price point, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re on a budget. This gainer also comes in two flavors — Chocolate Glaze Donut and Sweet Vanilla.

Transparent Labs’ Mass Gainer is simple, effective, and doesn’t have many bells and whistles. But it digests well, provides fiber, is tasty, and is a good source of calories. Additionally, the price tag is pretty on par for the market, so it’s a reasonable deal all around for 15 servings per tub.

Read our full Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Review.

Best Mass Gainer Protein Powder: Kaged Whey Protein Isolate

Pros

• For building lean muscle mass, this mass gainer has 25g of protein per serving. 
• It comes in Vanilla, Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and S’Mores.
• This product focuses on protein with only 2g of carbs and zero fat.

Cons

• Those who are looking to bulk and may need a higher calorie mass gainer supplement. 
• This one is lower in carbs than other mass gainers.
• Folks hoping for a fruity flavor like Strawberry or Banana will want to look elsewhere.

Whey protein is an essential macro when it comes to building muscle, and whey isolate is one of the most concentrated whey proteins. This particular powder takes the cake in the protein department, though it does lack a little in calories — the main difference between a mass gainer and whey protein.

This protein powder is packed with 25 grams of whey isolate protein — whey isolate is processed more than whey concentrate, and therefore, typically contains over 90 percent protein and fewer carbs and fat than whey concentrate. However, if you’re looking to bulk, this supplement only contains 130 calories per serving on its own.

You can use this supplement as an add-on with other mass-gaining supplements — like carb supplements — if you are looking for more calories, or do what we do in the BarBend office: double or triple scoop it to hit the numbers you’re looking for. 

Solubility was the biggest issue our team saw with this product. “Not gonna lie, it’s clumpy just mixed in a shaker (even with the ball),” our tester says. “I tried both water and milk. It does have a pretty thin consistency though.” However, customers absolutely love the flavors. “It tastes just like a peanut butter cup,” writes one customer. “Fantastic product!”

Although this is our favorite protein powder for muscle growth, it’s not great for bulking. This supplement is ideal for anyone who’s hyper-focused on protein intake and muscle gain, rather than increasing their caloric intake to bulk. It’s also a good product for people to pair with other products — like carb supplements — as an easy add-on to other sources of calories.

[Related: The Real Pros and Cons of Mass Gainers]

Best Mass Gainer for Bodybuilding: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

Pros

• You get 750 calories per serving, ideal for bodybuilders putting on muscle.
• This formula has a one-to-two ratio of protein to carbs to refuel after training.
• The fiber in this formula may help with digestion.

Cons

• You only get two flavors choices.
• This formula isn’t vegan-friendly.
• Those on a budget can find a cheaper alternative on this list. 

Since most bodybuilders are looking to build muscle, a mass gainer can be a big help — and this pick makes for a well-rounded choice. 

Thanks to the high carb (110 grams) and protein (53 grams) content, this formula is ideal for bodybuilders looking to refuel after a tough training session. This product dissolves well, too, which is ideal for athletes who need to toss the powder into a shaker cup for a quick post-workout meal. One five-star review agrees, writing, “The product mixed well, tasted great, and showed results.”

Transparent Labs uses zero artificial ingredients and sugars in its formula, which is ideal. Some sweeteners and sugar alcohols can cause bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort, according to the Mayo Clinic — not ideal when you’re prepping for a show. And thanks to the higher levels of vitamin D, calcium, iron, and potassium, this product has a more filled-out list of ingredients than some of its competitors.

Bodybuilders are often looking for a reliable mass gainer to implement into their supplement regimen to consistently increase their muscle mass — this pick provides a high-calorie count and a boost of fiber to boot.

Best Cheap Mass Gainer: Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass

Pros

• This product has one of the lowest prices per serving on this list if you opt to buy the larger 12-pound bag. 
• This supplement has added vitamins and nutrients.
• You get 1260 calories per serving, which is more than most mass gainers.

Cons

• This one has a high serving of carbs (252 grams), which may not be ideal for all athletes. 
• Serious Mass has artificial sweeteners and sugars.
• This is a pricier product, compared to others on this list. 

If you’re going to be slamming your mass gainer, it’s helpful to find an effective product at a low price point — this pick falls into both of those categories.

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass contains 1,250 calories per serving, 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of most vitamins and minerals, and 50 percent of your daily vitamin D, which is important for testosterone, but very easy to miss in the standard American diet. (3) It comes at a great price point, but its carbohydrates are derived from maltodextrin, which some may not love, as it’s highly processed and can spike blood sugars.

This comes in two buying options — six pounds and 12 pounds — with eight and 16 servings, respectively. Both sizes come in Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry, and Vanilla flavor options. And thousands of satisfied customers love the flavor options. “I ordered vanilla and it taste just like a milkshake,” one five-star review writes.

Our first stop when looking for effective supplements is often Optimum Nutrition, and this tasty, nutritious, and inexpensive supplement is a worthy addition to their product line. However, the carb count is on the higher end of the market when compared to other options, which some may not prefer. Otherwise, this high-calorie mass gainer and its delicious flavors will only help you pack on muscle.

Best Digesting Mass Gainer: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

Pros

• This mass gainer is easy to digest, thanks to the 6g of fiber. 
• There are zero added sugars in this formula. 
• Customers looking for a transparent ingredient list will like that TL lists everything in its formula right on the label.

Cons

• Those hoping for a budget pick should check out our best cheap pick.
• This product only comes in two flavor options. 

Whether you have pre-existing digestive issues or not, an extra 750 calories always has the potential to cause stomach distress. We think this formula is the best for folks concerned with digestion when bulking. And many of the product’s reviewers agree. “This one surprised me with how well it went down and caused no issues whatsoever,” one five-star reviewer writes. “No bloating, no nausea and no crash after drinking it!”

There’s no way around it — ingesting an extra 114 grams of carbs and over 53 grams of protein may not sit well with everyone. Transparent Labs produces their formula with no added sugars or artificial ingredients. It’s made from sweet potato powder, grass-fed whey protein, coconut milk powder, medium chain triglycerides (MCT), and is high in fiber with six grams, which can help you avoid indigestion. Plus, it stays true to its name and has a very transparent label that lists all ingredients and their amounts.

This formula comes in a Chocolate Glaze Donut or Vanilla flavor and costs about $5.13 per serving. Transparent Labs offers a “subscribe and save” option that will reduce the cost by 15 percent to around $4.36 per serving — plus, it comes with free shipping, as well.

Whether you want to replace a meal, fuel up post-workout, or add more calories to your daily intake, Transparent Labs’ formula and its dose of fiber can help make it easier to do so.

[Related: The Best Types Of Supplements For Performance, Weight Loss, And Health]

Best Tasting Mass Gainer: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

Pros

• The rich Chocolate and Vanilla flavors are hard to beat.
• This mass gainer has no artificial sugars or ingredients.
• You get 790 calories per serving.

Cons

• Although they’re delicious, you only get two flavor options.
• Although sweetened with monk fruit, this formula has 17g of sugar per serving.

Sometimes all it takes to stick to a mass gainer is great flavor — this pick’s two flavors steal the show in that department.

When you’re trying to stick to a supplement regimen, it’s important that your supplement’s flavor doesn’t turn you off if you want to stay consistent. Though Transparent Labs only comes in two flavors — Sweet Vanilla and Chocolate Glaze Donut — they’re two of the best-tasting on the market making it easy to add it to your supplement stack. 

On top of that, this product has monk fruit as its sweetening agent, contains no artificial ingredients, and is made from sweet potato powder, grass-fed whey protein, coconut milk powder, and fiber for optimal digestion.

It has 790 calories, 114 grams of carbs, and 53 grams of protein per serving, which is quite substantial. Though if you’re looking for a less caloric option, there are mass gainers out there that have 500 calories or less. This product will cost you about $5.13 per serving unless you choose to subscribe and save, which reduces the price to around $4.36 per serving.

Transparent Labs’ formula is great tasting, easily digested, and contains no artificial ingredients or artificial sugars. Plus, it packs a lot of calories, which is great for anyone who is trying to bulk.

Best Natural Mass Gainer: Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer

Pros

• This product is natural, based completely on whole foods.
• Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer does not use factory farming.
• Want to minimize artificial flavors and sweeteners? This product is naturally sweetened with Stevia.

Cons

• There aren’t many carbs per serving, which isn’t ideal for all athletes.
• Those who don’t respond well to casein may want to opt for a different formula that doesn’t contain casein. 
• This only comes in Vanilla and Unflavored.

This pick is sourced from only grass-fed cows, is free from artificial hormones, is certified kosher, and is gluten-free. Additionally, it is free of GMOs, antibiotics, and soy.

A big emphasis with Muscle Feast is the digestion rate: Instead of whey and simple carbs, it offers a combination of whey and casein (casein digests far more slowly), and much of the carbohydrate count comes from the high-glycemic waxy maize. This “real food” angle will definitely satisfy many athletes who prefer more “natural” sounding ingredients.

It provides a lot of resistant starch associated with a range of health benefits like improved insulin sensitivity. (1)(2) Plus, it has a protein-to-carb ratio of nearly one-to-two, packing 101 grams of carbohydrates and 46 grams of protein per 600-calorie five-scoop serving. This formula comes in a seven-pound bag, which contains 20 servings. This is a larger buying option than you’ll find with many other picks on our list and makes it a better-priced option at around $3.49 per serving. The two flavor choices are Vanilla and Unflavored, which make it easy to add to water, milk, or your post-workout shake.

Muscle Feast does a lot of things right in the process of producing this mass gainer. The standards and treatment of the cattle can’t go without mention and the volume of calories per serving is good despite needing five scoops. With seven-pound tubs, the price tag is solid for those on a budget, and there is even an unflavored option available.

Read our full review of Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer. 

Highest Carb Mass Gainer: Naked Mass

Pros

• This mass gainer has 251g of carbs per serving, which is more than most others on the market.
• This mass gainer has vegan options.
• You get 1360 calories per serving, which is more than most others.

Cons

• This product only comes in vanilla and chocolate.
• There are no added micronutrients, so this isn’t exactly a meal replacement.

If you’re on a mass-gaining diet, you may actually be surprised at how hard it can be to meet your carb requirements. Really high-calorie diets often require at least three or four grams of carbs per gram of protein consumed. For those looking to refuel their muscle stores after a tough workout, this high-carb supplement is a great choice. 

If you’re wary of artificial ingredients, soy, gum, or conventionally raised dairy, Naked Mass may be the product for you. They’re best known for their rigid adherence to “natural” whey: It’s grass-fed, and it’s made without acids, heat, bleach, or growth hormone.

Although the product only comes in chocolate and vanilla flavors, they don’t disappoint, according to many five-star reviews.. “Let me say, the taste is amazing,” one reviewer says. “Perfect hint of chocolate mixed with the coffee. Delicious.”

This formula comes in an eight-pound tub, which has 11 servings per container. This makes it a more expensive option on our list at around $6.26 per serving. If you’re vegan, this product may be a great choice for you as it comes in a vegan blend as well.

An upside for one person can be a downside for another, depending on a person’s goals. Less Naked Mass has 50 grams of protein per 251 grams of carbs, making for an unusual, high one-to-five protein-to-carb ratio that some may find extreme. But if fitting enough carbs into your diet is your biggest challenge and it doesn’t bother you that there aren’t a whole lot of micronutrients here, this ratio may be helpful.

Read our full Less Naked Mass Review.

Best Vegan Mass Gainer: Vegan Naked Mass

Pros

• This is a totally plant-based mass gainer, made from pea protein and rice protein.
• Per serving, you get 1360 calories, which is more than most other mass gainers.
• This formula has zero additives.

Cons

• This product is only available in two flavors.
• Naked’s formula does include added sugars.

Eliminating animal products from your diet can make it more difficult to put on weight, so if you’re looking to gain muscle mass or increase your muscle size, this plant-based pick might be able to help realize your goals.

Vegan Naked Mass is filled with calories and vegan protein — all of which are plant-based. It’s made of pea protein and brown rice protein, and is a solid blend of proteins and complex carbohydrates that can help aid in muscle growth and weight gain. With 1,280 calories, 236 carbs, and 50 grams of protein per serving, this supplement packs well over the typical numbers you see in both protein powders and mass gainers.

However, it does only come in Unflavored, Chocolate, or Vanilla, so if you’re looking for more flavor options, you’ll have to opt for another product. Unlike some vegan proteins, this one tastes good and isn’t gritty. It’s also worth noting that this is a bit more expensive than others on our list as it costs about $6.26 per serving.

Since it’s sometimes difficult for those who follow a vegan diet to gain mass, Vegan Naked Mass has an above-average number of plant-based calories, carbs, and protein in its powder to help fill any dietary gaps.

Best Oat Powder: Muscle Feast Oat Powder

Pros

• This oat powder supplement is simple with only one ingredient: whole grain oats.
• This product does not contain a lot of fillers that other mass gainers do. 
• As it’s only one ingredient, all the nutrients are naturally-occurring. 

Cons

• The fiber content in this supplement may be hard to digest for some.
• This supplement doesn’t have any flavor options.
• Unlike other mass gainers, this one has zero protein. 

If you frequent bodybuilding message boards, it’s not uncommon to find people who deride the idea of mass gainers asking, “Why buy powder when you can make oatmeal shakes and ditch the filler ingredients?” As it happens, Muscle Feast has done just that.

This is just powdered oatmeal, and it has a pretty muscle mass-friendly macro split: 450 calories delivers roughly 21 grams of protein, 81 grams of carbs, and 12 grams of fat with 12 grams of fiber (about half your daily intake).

Many people don’t know that oats deliver an extremely high-quality protein — not quite as high as whey, but it has a more complete amino acid profile than rice and is rich in essential amino acids that can help stimulate muscle protein synthesis. It’s got a great protein-to-carb ratio for mass. It’s jam-packed with phytonutrients and healthful forms of carbohydrates like beta-glucan, which may help with immunity and lower the risk of heart disease. (4)(5)

The only real downside, when used as a mass gainer, is the flavor is a tad dull, and all that fiber might be a bit filling, even when powdered into flour. But luckily, this product mixes well with other ingredients, according to one five-star review. “Mixes readily and the taste is pretty nondescript, taking on the flavor of what it’s mixed with,” they say. So, just toss this one into a smoothie and it will blend pretty easily. 

Muscle Feast’s product is simple and not for those who like complex shakes. It’s just oats, after all. You might want to consider mixing this with milk. cocoa powder, or powdered peanut butter (or all three!). Oats combine great with protein and are phenomenally healthy, and it just makes sense to have a quick-to-mix oat shake post-workout, especially if you’re trying to sneak more whole foods into your diet.

[Related: Intermittent Fasting 101: A Guide To Benefits, Muscle Gain, And More]

When to Take Mass Gainer

If you’re looking to gain muscle mass, it may be helpful to take a mass gainer right after your workout, but it’s not necessary. While protein does help heal the tears that form in your muscles during a workout, it does not matter when you consume your post-workout mass gainer. As long as you are eating enough protein, carbs, and fats throughout your day (or in surplus, if you want ot gain mass), you should start to see results.

How Do Mass Gainers Work?

Mass gainers are fairly straightforward supplements with a direct effect to note. Essentially, mass gainers provide a large number of calories that you can drink to help you reach a caloric surplus and gain mass. If you’re working hard in the gym or just looking to put on some weight, then the extra calories over what your daily needs are for sustaining your current weight can stick around as increased weight and muscle. Thus, your mass may increase.

The Benefits of Mass Gainers

So can you add a bunch of liquid, powdery calories to your diet without any issues? The useful thing about mass gainers is that they typically make it really easy to add a ton of calories to your diet. Adding a thousand (or more) calories to your daily diet can be tough with only solid foods. On the other hand, mass gainers are easy to sip.

As with other supplements, there are mass gainer pros and cons. The main issue with mass gainers is that it’s very easy to overestimate your calorie requirements when you decide to add mass. Biochemist Trevor Kashey, Ph.D. told BarBend:

“Gaining muscle comes down to protein plus calories plus progressive overload. On paper, there are no downsides. In reality, very few people measure their calories accurately (…) if the idea is to gain weight, it’s fine. If the idea is to gain muscle, then it can be misleading.”

In short, provided you’re meeting your intake of micronutrients, it’s not a huge deal for body composition whether you make up a sizable number of your calories from mass gainers. The rub is that you need to have an excellent idea of how many calories you should be consuming to gain the kind of mass you want.

How Much Do Mass Gainers Cost?

The price of mass gainers varies by brand and ingredients. The straightforward mass gainers that focus on macros and don’t include many micronutrients tend to be less expensive, whereas the mass gainers with fewer artificial ingredients, and more vitamins and minerals tend to be more expensive.

Best Overall Mass Gainer	Transparent Labs Mass Gainer	$76.99 $5.13 per serving
Best Mass Gainer Protein Powder	Micropure Whey Protein Isolate	$59.99 $1.42 per serving
Best Mass Gainer for Bodybuilding	Transparent Labs Mass Gainer	$76.99 $5.13 per serving
Best Cheap Mass Gainer	Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass	$83.99 $5.25 per serving
Best Digesting Mass Gainer	Transparent Labs Mass Gainer	$76.99 $5.13 per serving
Best Tasting Mass Gainer	Transparent Labs Mass Gainer	$76.99 $5.13 per serving
Best Natural Mass Gainer	Muscle Feast Ultimate Weight Gainer	$69.99 $3.49 per serving
Highest Carb Mass Gainer	Less Naked Mass	$69.99 $6.36 per serving
Best Vegan Mass Gainer	Vegan Naked Mass	$64.99 $5.90 per serving
Best Oat Powder	Muscle Feast Whole Oat Powder	$24.75 $0.55 per serving

The mass gainers on this list range anywhere from $0.30 per serving to over $6 per serving with an average price of about $4.35 per serving. But before snagging the least expensive product on here, make sure you’re reading the label and acquiring what you want out of your mass gainer for the right price point.

How to Choose the Right Mass Gainer for You

Since mass gainers can be used for multiple purposes — gaining muscle mass, filling dietary gaps, consuming more calories, etc. — you’ll want to consider a few factors, and how they may work with your workout regimen and lifestyle before you choose a mass gainer to add to your supplement stack.

Calories

The calorie count in mass gainers varies widely. You can have mass gainers that are as low as 200 calories, and some that are over 1,000 calories. If you’re looking to gain lean muscle mass, you may want to opt for a product that’s lower in calories, but has a high protein-to-carb ratio. If you’re looking to bulk and gain overall mass, a higher-calorie option could be a better choice.

Macronutrients

It’s important to look at not only the total calorie content per serving of a mass gainer, but where those calories are coming from. Mass gainers have a wide range of protein-to-carb ratios — they vary from one-to-one to one-to-five. The lower ratios are going to be ideal for those seeking to build lean muscle. Those closer to the one-to-five ratio are going to be better for athletes who are trying to bulk or add calories and carbs to their diet.

Nutrient Profile

Many mass gainers also contain vitamins and minerals in their formulas. From different types of creatine to digestive enzymes, these additions are meant to support other aspects of your health, like digestion or energy, rather than just supplementing specific macros.

However, some people may not prioritize this, but rather want a more straightforward formula that simply provides the calories, carbs, and proteins they need to maintain and grow muscle mass. You’ll want to decide what additional ingredients (if any) you want in your powder before snagging a pick off of this list — typically the more micronutrients, the higher the price tag.

Other Ingredients

As we mentioned, there are other ingredients in mass gainers like vitamins, minerals, and often digestive enzymes. These can help to ensure you’re eating a relatively balanced and well-rounded diet when bulking or adding mass.

Customer Testimonials

Reviews and testimonials can usually be taken with a grain of salt individually, but trends tend to signal how people feel overall about the product. If a mass gainer is consistently receiving glowing reviews and high rankings, then it probably is the real deal. 

How to Use Mass Gainer Supplements

This is one of the most easily misunderstood and misused categories of supplements, so read on before clicking the “buy” button.

Watch Your Calories Closely

A lot of people think, “I want to gain mass, so I’ll drink a mass gainer.” Great, but what kind of calorie surplus is it putting you into? Experts tend to agree that you’re unlikely to gain more than a quarter to half a percent of your body mass in muscle per week. That’s maybe an extra 200 calories over your daily calorie burn — any more than that, and it probably won’t be the kind of bulk you want to gain.

Pair Your Diet With the Right Workouts

If you want to gain muscle mass, running on the treadmill a few times a week likely won’t produce the physique you’re after. Heavy compound lifts and plenty of higher-rep hypertrophy-focused workouts are the order of the day. Find a well-planned, properly periodized program to accompany you on your muscle-building journey.

Don’t Forget Your Micronutrients

People tend to work themselves into a frenzy for more and more calories, no matter where they come from. This is called a “dirty bulk” — plenty of ice cream, forget the broccoli because it’s too filling. Though, your vitamins and minerals are fundamental to your muscle gain plan, magnesium in veggies helps with recovery, Vitamin D helps with hormonal health, and so on. Hit your recommended daily intake of all your nutrients, not just the ones that are high in calories.

Get a Lot of Sleep

Half of the classic bodybuilding movie Pumping Iron is Arnold Schwarzenegger taking naps. Optimal sleep helps the body produce testosterone, growth hormone, and reduce catabolic hormones like cortisol. It’s an incredibly important piece of the puzzle, so don’t leave it out.

[Related: The Lifter’s Guide To Magnesium: What This Nutrient Does For Strength]

Final Word

Strategically using the best mass gainers, when implemented with a good understanding of your calorie and micronutrient needs, can reduce the stress of a high-calorie diet and take your body to where you want it to be. We won’t say they’re necessary for everyone and anyone who wants to pack on muscle, but in a world where we all have a zillion commitments, we’re all for making muscle-building a little easier.

This list has a plethora of picks that take price, protein content, carb content, micronutrients, and natural vs. artificial formulation into consideration. We did the hard work of whittling down a saturated market to some of the best mass gainers out there to fit your needs. If you’re after major gains then a mass gainer supplement may be the right choice for you.

FAQs

References

1. Birt DF, et al. Resistant starch: promise for improving human health. Adv Nutr. 2013 Nov 6;4(6):587-601.
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