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Mobile phone and smartphone accessories, Wearable devices and smart watchesProtein bars are a convenient and popular food for anyone who works out, is trying to get into shape, or is on the keto diet. Many choices exist, such as Quest, One, and even Gatorade. Because each product is made from different ingredients and has varying nutritional value, it isn't easy to know which one to supplement your protein intake with.
We've compared 30 of the bestselling protein bars available online and put them to the test to recommend the best protein bars for you.
We tested each product for the following criteria.
Which product ended up being the best of the best? In our buying guide, we'll also tell you how to pick the best protein bar, so read on for more shopping tips.
Andrea Marincovich (aka The Realistic Dietitian), is a registered dietitian and macros nutrition expert. She helps individuals reach their weight, body composition, and specific health goals through nutrition. Andrea specializes in altering diets in order to meet the needs of each client, such as: macro-centered, keto, paleo, Mediterranean, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, diabetic, renal, cardiovascular, IBS/IBD, and GERD diets.
From cookware to specialty foodstuffs, she is in charge of everything kitchen and food at mybest. She has comprehensively compared products from major appliance makers like Sharp and Pansonic to renowned makers like Balmuda and Bruno. To date, she has tested over 200 products, including rice cookers, microwaves, and toasters, to name a few. She is devoted to making content for readers with the aspiration to enrich their lives by delivering them information that will make their everyday chores and meals more enjoyable.
Protein content, the most important aspect of any protein bar, varies. While some products can contain as much as 32 grams per bar, others have 10 grams or fewer. Therefore, our testers evaluated the protein content per bar of each product, using a system with seven ranks, with the standard set as 12 grams of protein per bar.
Just like with protein content, the amount of calories per bar varies greatly, with some having less than 200 calories and others over 400. If you're on a diet and eating protein bars, you'll probably want to avoid high-calorie options as much as possible. Our testers divided the bars into seven tiers. They set the standard as 230 calories per bar, and anything below this earned higher ratings.
If you're on a diet or trying to build muscle, it's to your benefit to eat protein bars habitually to supplement your regime rather than just having them on occasion. Taste is quite important to be able to keep eating a brand of protein bar without growing tired of it.For this round of tests, we recruited six people who have all previously eaten protein bars. Our taste testers tried each one and rated them for taste and texture focusing on the questions listed below.TasteIs it excessively sweet?Does it smell good?Does it taste too artificial, or does it taste naturally sweet?TextureDoes it have a texture that will leave you feeling satisfied after eating only one bar?
No matter how high in protein or low in calories a protein bar is, the protein bar may have ingredients that can affect your health in other ways. Many people have good reasons for choosing to avoid foods that contain additives, so we wanted to check the bars for them.Our testers scoured the ingredient labels and gave each product a rating based on the criteria listed below.Is the bar made with whole foods like unrefined sugars, grains, and fruits?Is it made with artificial sweeteners?Does it contain any additives other than artificial sweeteners?Is it low in fatty acids?
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.The mybest team independently conducts its own tests to rank products.
We do not guarantee any of the results or features explained in our buying guide. Please reference each product's official description when making your purchase.
If you look over a protein bar's nutrition label, you'll see a lot of information listed, but it's not easy to understand what nutrients are available in abundance.
First, let's review the nutritional information regarding protein bars and learn how to incorporate them into your diet.
A protein bar typically contains 20 grams of protein per bar and is an excellent way to make up for the protein that may be missing in your everyday meals. The recommended amount of protein one should consume per day varies with age, but for people 20 years or older, it's recommended they get at least 81.9 grams (Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture).
If you want to build muscle or tone up, you must consume an even higher amount of protein. Because of this, you should use protein bars that contain about one-fourth of your daily protein to reach your intake goal efficiently.
Some protein bars also contain other essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. These are highly recommended for anyone on a diet who's having trouble meeting their daily nutritional needs.
Although protein bars might appear like high-sugar candy bars, many products that contain less than 20 grams of sugar are available.
Additionally, protein bars help prevent overeating or relapsing during your diet. With 10 grams or more of dietary fiber, they will keep you full longer and support your diet journey.
Depending on the brand, some protein bars are high in sugar, containing 30 grams or more, and some can be over 400 calories, which is a lot! Not every protein bar can be considered healthy; others won't help you lose weight, so choose carefully.
Whether you're eating protein bars for dieting or to gain muscle, you want to find something that tastes good! But there are a few other important factors to consider, like the texture of the bar and what ingredients are in it.
Protein bars come in a variety of flavors, including ones like chocolate, nut, caramel, and cookies and cream. Make sure you pick a taste and texture you love and won't get tired of eating.
We tried a lot of protein bar flavors for this article, and our testers felt the most delicious were anything nut-based, such as peanut butter or almond butter. These flavors tended to be easiest to eat thanks to the fragrant nuttiness and buttery taste that suppressed any hint of artificial flavors or excessive sweetness.
The sweet and salty flavors were the most well-received among our taste testers, and the Salted Toffee Pretzel Protein Crisp Bar by BSN and the Dark Chocolate, Nuts, and Sea Salt FOODS Snack bar by California Gold Nutrition were their top picks. If the taste is your most important factor, we recommend anything with sea salt and a nut butter base.
Even if different products have the same flavor, they can be completely different based on texture, ranging from crispy to moist and sticky to dry. Our taste testers gave their highest ratings to protein bars with a crunchy texture and firm chewiness.
For example, the Builder's Protein Bars by Clif, packed with many kinds of nuts and crunchy bits, had the perfect crunchy texture that meant just one bar was substantially filling. The Protein Energy Bar by Power Crunch, with its wafer-like crispy texture, also had a good light and airy texture instead of sticky and dense.
If you decide on a protein bar with a substantial texture, you'll have to do a lot of chewing to get through one. Just one can make you feel much fuller, making them great snacksfor dieters.
Some protein bars have a sticky texture, like taffy, that many people have difficulty eating. However, those like the Brownie Crunch High Protein Bars by think! have a pleasant texture similar to brownies.
There were also a few protein bars with a soft texture like cookie dough, such as Chocolate Fudge Organic Fit High Protein Weight Loss Bar by Garden of Life and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Organic Protein Bars by Aloha.
These types of protein bars do lack that satisfying chewiness. Still, you'll be able to simultaneously enjoy a variety of textures thanks to the bits of chocolate and puffed cereal added in.
Products that are simply packed full of protein aren't the only thing you should be looking for if you're trying to gain muscle or tone your body.
Achieve your dream body even faster by considering these four points to buy the protein bar that'll best support your workout regime.
If you want to build muscle efficiently during your workout, choose a protein bar with as much protein as possible. As a reference, the minimum should be 20 grams of protein per bar (Source: International Society of Sports Nutrition).
At the same time, you'll want to check the protein source, as they aren't all created equal. The most recommended bar contains all protein essential amino acids (EAA), which are said to be fast-absorbing. If you're looking to improve the efficiency of your muscle training, it's recommended that you pick a protein bar with whey protein isolate or egg white protein in the ingredients list.
Our testing found the maximum amount of protein to be 32 grams per bar. If you want to increase your protein intake, look for products containing at least 30 grams of protein.
The type of protein bar and amount of sugar in it that's right for you differs depending on the occasion. If you're looking for a boost of energy before your workout, a protein bar that's high in sugar is fine. If you have a protein bar heavy in carbs about 30 to 60 minutes before your workout, your body will use it as an energy source.
But sugar alcohol isn't processed well by our bodies and does not act as an energy source. Because of this, you should do your best to avoid protein bars with erythritol or xylitol listed in the ingredients and instead choose a product made with unrefined sugars from cane sugar or fruits.
On the other hand, when you are feeling a bit hungry and need a snack, you should avoid protein bars with 30 grams of sugar or more and instead pick something low in sugar. The reason for this is if you eat something high in sugar, you'll cause your blood sugar levels to spike, and the insulin produced by your pancreas will cause this excess sugar to be stored as fat. If you want to tone your muscles properly, do your best to avoid having too much sugar and avoid sugar alcohols in general.
If there's one thing you should be eating during your workout, it should be plenty of dietary fiber to support your intestinal health. Keeping your gut health in check helps to improve your muscle-building efficiency. An average adult should get about 24 grams of fiber daily (Source: NIH). Most protein bars only contain a meager one to two grams of dietary fiber per bar, but some have an ample 10 grams or more.
The amounts of sugar and fiber are listed under the amount of carbohydrates on every nutrition label, so be sure to pick a protein bar with at least three grams or more, while the more serious gym-goers should have something with 10 grams or more.
If you work out, it's recommended that you choose a protein bar with few additives. The liver is responsible for digesting additives, so they affect the muscles that help the liver function. The constant consumption of additives can burden your liver, which is an essential part of your digestive system, negatively affecting the muscles that support this system.
While many protein bars are made using 10 or more additive ingredients, a few are advertised as additive-free or use five or fewer. Anyone looking to progress through their workout regimen smoothly can benefit from protein bars that don't contain additives, such as glycerin, monoglycerides, and natural fragrances.
If you eat protein bars with excess sugars and fats or that contain little protein and fiber, they may prove to be a hindrance to the progress of your diet. Note the following four points to choose the right protein bar for your diet.
Protein is an essential nutrient for a healthy diet as it lets your body build things like muscle and bone. And by incorporating a good amount of protein in your diet, you'll raise your metabolism and make it easier for your body to burn fat.
Protein bars typically contain around 15 to 20 grams of protein, but some have less than 15 grams. If protein bars will be your diet snack, it's better to have one with as much protein as possible, or at least 15 grams.
Protein is a slow-digesting nutrient. If you're trying to maintain a healthy feeling of fullness, protein is a nutrient you can't go without during a diet.
The amount of sugar in protein bars varies, from sugar-free bars to ones that contain 30 grams or more. It's recommended that anyone on the keto diet or who is simply trying to limit their sugar intake choose a low-sugar protein bar that contains less than 10 grams. The estimated amount of sugar an average adult should have is equal to 10 percent or less of the total calories they consume per day (Source: USDA).
Therefore, if you consume 2,000 calories daily, your recommended daily amount of sugar would be 200 grams, and you should keep the amount of sugar per meal to about 60 grams. However, many foods you eat during meals, such as wheat and other grains, contain sugar in the form of carbohydrates. This means you can quickly go over your daily limit when you snack. It's best to calculate how much sugar you should have between meals and pick a low-sugar protein bar for when you feel hungry between meals.
The reason why low-sugar protein bars are recommended during dieting is related to how a rise in blood sugar levels affects your bodily functions. Eating a single serving of high-sugar food causes your blood sugar level to rise, and due to the insulin secreted by your pancreas, any excess sugar is changed into stored fats. This can lead to an increased likelihood of obesity or may cause your diet to not go as planned.
Protein bars usually only include about two to three grams of dietary fiber, but some contain 10 grams or more. Dietary fiber is a slow-digesting nutrient that can help you maintain a feeling of fullness for longer. Make achieving your diet goals easier by picking a bar with the most fiber possible to help keep any overeating in check.
There are other benefits to increasing the fiber in your diet, too, such as decreased fat absorption thanks to a healthier gut biome, reduced cholesterol levels, and better moderation of sugar absorption. Another benefit of high-fiber protein bars is the dense texture they often have, which means you'll have to do a lot more chewing. That usually leads to an increased feeling of satiety.
The amount of fat in protein bars varies from four to 15 grams. However, your biggest concern shouldn’t be the total amount of fats but the amount of specific fats like trans and saturated fats.
Trans-fats are a type of unsaturated fat that are produced while making margarine and shortening from vegetable oils. Consuming too much will raise your bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower your good (HDL) cholesterol. Doing so will increase your risk of obesity and allergic conditions. Because of this, trans-fats are best avoided.
Saturated fats come from animal products and are often found in butter. Consuming too many saturated fats will increase your blood cholesterol and triglycerides, so it’s better to choose protein bars low in saturated fats, too.
If you check the nutrition label, you’ll notice that while many products are made with zero grams of trans fats, the amount of saturated fats varies from product to product, and one bar can have anywhere from one to six grams. Do your best to pick a protein bar that is labeled as free of trans and unsaturated fats and has less than one gram of saturated fats per bar.
Protein bars are made to suit the tastes of a wide variety of people, including vegetarian and vegan options.
Most protein bars contain dairy because they’re made using protein that comes from milk or whey. However, some source their protein from plants, such as brown rice, green peas, and soybeans. Vegetarians, vegans, and those sensitive to dairy should check to see what protein bars are vegan or dairy-free before choosing.
Anyone with celiac disease or who doesn't eat wheat will be happy to know that many protein bars have gluten-free certification, but you should always check the label. Those who wish to avoid genetically-modified crops should look for products labeled Non-GMO or look for the USDA Certified Organic label.
We do not guarantee any of the results or features explained in our buying guide. Please reference each product's official description when making your purchase.
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 8 g |
Sugar | 1 g |
Net weight | 55 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 0.6mg, Calcium 160mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 21 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 4.5 g |
Sugar | 3 g |
Net weight | 50 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 2mg, Calcium 100mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 7 g |
Sugar | 2 g |
Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter is gluten-free. The entire bar is covered in chocolate, and inside you'll find peanut butter-flavored cream and soy crisps. The chocolate coating tasted slightly artificial, yet sweet, and the smooth peanut butter flavor was popular among our taste testers. The entire bar has a persistent firmness accentuated by the crunchy texture of the soy crisps scattered throughout.
This bar is considered high protein at 20 grams per bar, but also low calorie at only 200. Even more, ithas zero grams of trans fat and only four additives. However, the lack of raw whole foods and use of artificial sweeteners is not ideal. It's fairly low in sugar, as one bar only contains 16 grams. With few calories on top of being high in protein, this bar features fantastic balance for anyone dieting.
Net weight | 50 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 0.7mg, Calcium 110mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 9 g |
Sugar | 1 g |
Quest's Chocolate Peanut Butter is a gluten-free protein bar made with a protein blend of whey and milk protein. Inside you'll find crushed peanuts and huge chocolate chip chunks. The combined cocoa butter and peanut flavor wasn't at all bad, but there was an excessively sweet and oddly sour aftertaste that lingered.
The texture of this protein bar offers variety because of the chocolate and nuts, but overall, it has a somewhat tough chewiness. You'll need to put some power into your bite to finish one. These bars have an adequate 20 grams of protein and only 200 calories in each. Although no raw whole foods are used, it contains no artificial sweeteners and only four additives. Also, it has no trans fats and a miniscule three grams of saturated fats.
This protein bar rated well when tested for amount of sugar with only 11 grams per bar. In fact, everything, besides the lack of whole food, was rated excellently. There may be some slight concern over the sticky texture or lingering flavor, but if you pick your protein bar based on ingredients, then it's a good choice.
Net weight | 60 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 0.5mg, Calcium 120mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 8 g |
Sugar | 0 g |
Brownie Crunch by think! is a protein bar that is non-GMO and gluten-free while also having a low glycemic index (GI). The outer coating and batter are both chocolate-flavored, and the inside has crushed almonds spread throughout. This protein bar tasted very similar to a brownie while also not tasting artificial or overly sweet. The overall texture wasn't too chewy, and we enjoyed the contrast between the moist dough and crunchy almonds.
Net weight | 60 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 2.1mg, Calcium 120mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 6 g |
Sugar | 8 g |
This Birthday Cake flavor by No Cow is a dairy-free and vegan-friendly bar. It is naturally sweetened with the sugars from stevia leaf and monk fruit. While the cake-like aroma and light sweetness were well received by our taste testers, the overall flavor was quite artificial. Our testers were also not fond of how easily it bar broke into pieces and the soft, sticky texture that made it difficult to eat.
One bar contains 20 grams of protein and only 190 calories, and thus scored excellently in those areas. Although it's made with no raw whole foods, it has zero trans fats, no artificial sweeteners, and only four additives included in it. With only 11 grams of sugar, it ranked well compared to most other reviewed products. They're both high protein and low calorie, and therefore fulfill the conditions to be suitable as a post-workout protein supplement or as a diet snack.
Net weight | 60 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 3mg, Calcium 27mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 7 g |
Sugar | less than 1 g |
While being on the upper end for protein at 20 grams, this bar is also on the lower end for calories at only 170 and has zero trans fats. However, it's quite a shame that this product is made using eight additives, artificial sweeteners, and zero whole food ingredients. This protein bar ranked well for its exceedingly low sugar content compared to other bars, as it only contains 12 grams. It also contains a generous 12 grams of fiber to keep you feeling full, and can be helpful if you get hungry while dieting.
Net weight | 60 |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 0.3mg, Calcium 160mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 6 g |
Sugar | 5 g |
BSN's Protein Crispy Bar, Salted Toffee Pretzel flavor, is made by blending together various milk-based proteins. This product is gluten-free and great for anyone trying to avoid wheat-based products. There was a wonderfully balanced flavor of modestly sweet caramel mixed with salted pretzels added in. There was plenty of crispiness throughout the entire thing, and the occasional crunchy almond made this protein bar fun to eat.
Although highly rated by us for having 20 grams of protein and 200 calories in each bar, it contains artificial sweeteners and over 10 additives, while being made with no whole food ingredients. Furthermore, the amount of trans fat wasn't listed, and because this protein bar has 4.5 grams of saturated fats, it rated low for nutritional value. Just one of these bars contains 18 grams of sugar, which is slightly on the lower end compared to the other protein bars we reviewed. The large number of additives might put you off a little, but anyone fond of sweet and salty flavors should give it a try.
Net weight | 55 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 1.8mg, Calcium 140mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 11 g |
Sugar | 16 g |
Builders Peanut Butter flavor is a gluten-free, non-GMO protein bar by Clif that sources its protein predominantly from soy. The inside has a peanut butter base, while the outside is coated with chocolate. The flavors match well, with the fragrant peanuts and rich peanut butter mixing together to create a bar without excess sweetness or odd taste. We thoroughly enjoyed the balanced texture, too, as the overall chewy softness of this bar is offset by crunchy peanuts and crispy soy bits.
It's rich in protein with 20 grams, has zero artificial sweeteners, only four additives, and is even made with raw sugar cane. However, a drawback is the high calorie count of 300 per bar, as well as six grams of saturated fats. This protein bar also has a total of 27 grams of sugar, putting it on the high end for sugar and calories, and thus is not very fit for dieters. But because they're delicious and have a good amount of protein, they'll make for a great energy boost before your workout.
Net weight | 68 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Vitamin E 6% Daily Value, Iron 3mg, Calcium 40mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 14 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 7 g |
Sugar | 0 g |
Acheta Salted Caramel Protein Bar by Exo is both dairy- and gluten-free. It's also sugar-free and even contains vitamin B12. Along with the slightly intense sweetness, the unique and fruity sourness different from the caramel flavoring was striking. The texture is quite similar to taffy, which means you'll need to work your jaw harder to eat this bar.
It was unfortunate to see that it only contained 14 grams of protein, slightly less than others, and was made with no raw foods. However, we still scored it high in the ingredient evaluation, because one bar only contains a low 160 calories, it has zero trans fats, no artificial sweeteners, and the only additives are natural sweeteners. In addition to being low-calorie, the sugar content per bar is 19 grams, which is modest among the protein bars we tested for this guide. You'll be able to feel full from just one, which makes it suitable as your diet snack.
Net weight | 50 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Vitamin B12, Iron 1.8mg, Calcium 64mg, Amino acids all 9 |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 14 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 13 g |
Sugar | 5 g |
The protein amount is less than we'd like at only 14 grams, and this bar is also high calorie at 220. It has no whole food ingredients and contains over 10 additives. But on the other hand, this protein bar has zero trans fats and was rated well for this aspect. Another area where it scored highly compared to others was in its low 10 grams of sugar per bar. If you're someone fond of white chocolate-covered wafers, you should give these protein bars a chance.
Net weight | 40 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 0.5mg, Calcium 60mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 16 g |
Sugar | 14 g |
This is a protein bar by Rise made using almonds, honey, and whey protein isolate. Rise reduced the number of ingredients as much as possible to achieve a bar that is non-GMO, soy-free, and gluten-free. This bar lacks any overpowering sweetness or artificial flavors, and tastes only of the natural sweetness of honey and fragrant almonds. The moderately chewy texture was popular among our taste testers, although it did have a slight stickiness to it.
The bar has a satisfying 20 grams of protein and contains no artificial sweeteners or additives. In addition, there are no trans fats and only a single gram of saturated fat. However, at 280 calories per bar, it's on the higher end for amount of calories, and is unfortunately made with no whole foods. There are only 17 grams of sugar per bar, which is lower compared to other protein bars reviewed. They would work well for anyone trying to build muscle or tone given the high protein content with zero additives or artificial sweeteners.
Net weight | 60 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 6% Daily Value, Calcium 10% Daily Value |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 13 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 13 g |
Sugar | 5 g |
The Protein Energy Bar, Peanut Butter Fudge, is a bar by Power Crunch with high-DH hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, which is said to be the easiest for your body to take in. Each one is stuffed with peanut butter and coated in chocolate. Besides just peanut butter, the salty flavor underneath the chocolate also helps to accentuate the taste. There is a nice wafer-like crisp throughout its entirety, and with a velvety texture on the inside, we were able to thoroughly enjoy the contrasting mouthfeels.
It has slightly a lower protein content of about 13 grams, and an average amount of calories at 215. While it's great that this is made using no artificial sweeteners and has zero grams of trans fat, this bar contains many additives and no raw whole foods. There are 11 grams of sugar per bar, which is low compared to the other products in this review. Although it doesn't have too much protein, you should give it a try if you're a fan of slightly salty flavors or wafer-like textures.
Net weight | 40 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 1mg, Calcium 60mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 12 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 5 g |
Sugar | 6 g |
The Complete Cookie-fied Bar Cookies and Cream flavor by Lenny & Larry's is free of gluten, GMOs, dairy and soy. This bar is sprinkled with sweet white chocolate chips and specially-made crushed cookie bits. Although the overall flavor is a little artificial and potently sweet, just as the product name suggest, the texture and flavor of this protein bar makes you think you're eating a cookie. It has no sticky or gummy textures, allowing you to enjoy the crispness like that of a real cookie.
While it only contains 12 grams of protein per bar, it has a low 160 calories and zero grams of trans fats. Additionally, this protein bar contains only three additives, no artificial sweeteners, and is even made using raw sugar cane and organic whole-grain oats. There are only 17 grams of sugar per bar, which is lower than other protein bars reviewed. If you're thinking "I really want a snack" even if you're on a diet, the taste and texture, with five grams of dietary fiber to help keep you feeling full, could satisfy your cravings.
Net weight | 45 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron 4mg, Calcium 22mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 8 g |
Sugar | 1 g |
However, this protein bar scored excellently for its 20 grams of protein, decently low calorie count at only 220, and the fact that it has zero trans fats. The main factors that caused this product to receive lower ratings for ingredients lie in the six grams of saturated fats, and from this bar being made with artificial sweeteners and 10 additives. This bar is slightly lower in sugar compared to the other reviewed products, given there are only 20 grams in each. With that said, if you're someone that can't handle a powerful sweetness or artificial taste, it's best to skip this one.
Net weight | 60 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | 110mg |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 9 g |
Sugar | 1 g |
Almond Bliss is a gluten-free bar by One made using a blend of milk and whey proteins. The inside is filled with crushed almonds and coconut shavings, while the entire bar is coated in chocolate. The coconut flavoring and subsequent excess sweetness was too much for our testers, and they said it gave this bar an artificial taste. While a highlight of this bar was the crunchy almonds, overall, it felt like it would stick to your teeth easily.
It has 20 grams of protein per bar, which is plenty, and a moderate 240 calories. It features zero trans fats and a relatively small five additives. However, we were sad to see that it made use of artificial sweeteners but no raw whole foods. We judged it reasonable for the amount of sugar with only 19 grams per bar. It's great that it contains a proper amount of protein, but if you can't handle the taste of coconut or sugary foods, it's best to pass on Almond Bliss.
Net weight | 60 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 12 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 12 g |
Sugar | 3g |
We were disappointed to see that there were only 12 grams of protein, which felt a little insufficient for a protein bar, and that this product uses no raw whole foods. However, this is a low calorie choice, at only 180 calories, and has zero trans fats. It also cuts out most of the unnecessary ingredients as it contains no artificial sweeteners and only five additives. One bar has only a meager three grams of sugar. You get 10 grams of fiber, too, so it definitely suits anyone looking for a protein bar that'll keep them feeling full.
Net weight | 45 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Vitamin E, Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 21 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 7 g |
Sugar | 1.5 g |
Carb Killa Caramel Chaos is a whey protein-based bar by Grenade. Chocolate coats the entire outside, while the inside is flavored with caramel.While the chocolate coating had a semi-sweetness to it, the caramel flavoring inside tastes artificial and left a chemical-like aftertaste. However, the mouthfeel was well received by our taste testers, who enjoyed the combination of crispy and soft.
There is an abundant 20 grams of protein, and with 226 calories, this bar is perfect as a pre-workout energy booster. Although there are no whole foods included in the ingredients, the fat content isn’t listed. Furthermore, it uses artificial sweeteners and over 10 additive ingredients. Each one contains 17.5 grams of sugar, which is somewhat low compared to the other protein bars in this buying guide. Being able to enjoy the two textures of soft and crispy is certainly a merit, but for anyone looking to avoid too many additives, it's best to pick a different product.
Net weight | 60 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | unknown |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 12 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 17 g |
Sugar | 8 g |
This gluten-free, non-GMO bar from Kind gets its flavors from ingredients like almonds, peanuts, and unsweetened chocolate. There's a good harmony between the moderately sweet dark chocolate and slight saltiness, and you'll experience no overpowering sweetness or odd flavors. There's a great amount of two different kinds of nuts packed in with a wonderful crunchiness to make you feel easily satisfied.
This bar has no whole food ingredients and is lower in protein with only 12 grams per bar. However, on top of the zero grams of trans fat, one bar is only 230 calories, which is reasonably low. There are no artificial sweeteners used and it contains only two additives. It's also low-sugar when compared to other products in this review with only 13 grams. It's wonderful that you can get five grams of fiber, too, but it's disappointing that the most vital aspect, protein is lacking.
Net weight | 50 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 32 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 14 g |
Sugar | 27 g |
Big 100 Super Cookie Crunch is a protein bar by MET-Rx that contains 18 vitamins and minerals. It's flavored with ingredients like cocoa, almond butter, and unsweetened chocolate, and the three white, black, and brown layers have an impressive appearance. Overall, the sweetness of this protein bar gives it a strong dessert-like taste similar to Oreos. There was a crisp, cookie-like texture, and it lacks the sticky chewiness so often found in protein bars.
However, it has a large amount of sugar in comparison to the other reviewed bars, with 32 grams. We appreciate the zero trans fats and no artificial sweeteners, but it is certainly high calorie at 410 per bar. More than 10 additives are in it, and it contains no whole foods. This protein bar is also extremely high in sugar compared to others, given that one bar contains 40 grams. Big 100 is not the best choice for anyone dieting or building muscles due to the sugar and calories in it, but it’s recommended to anyone who regards protein amount as the most important aspect.
Net weight | 100 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12,C, E and A, Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | unknown |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 20 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 10 g |
Sugar | 28 g |
This protein bar was scientifically engineered by Gatorade for athletes, and is made with a blend of dairy and whey proteins. The outside features a thick chocolate coating while the inside is stuffed with a caramel cream. The chocolate coating is on the sweet side and there is a slightly peculiar and artificial aftertaste, but the true highlight of this bar is the salty caramel and smooth, buttery flavor. There's a light, crunchy texture on the inside that's similar to a crispy cracker.
Its 20 grams of protein per bar is enough, and there are no artificial sweeteners or trans fats, but this is high-calorie at 330 per bar. It was made using no whole foods, and contains a nine additive ingredients. This protein bar stands out among the other protein bars for sugar content at 43 grams per bar, but that makes it ideal to give you energy before your workout. Just pay close attention to how often and how many you eat because of the high number of additives.
Net weight | 80 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 12 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 9 g |
Sugar | 17 g |
RXBAR is a gluten-free protein bar made with no artificial preservatives, food coloring, animal products, or synthetic or GMO ingredients. Its flavor comes from ingredients like bananas, chocolate, and cinnamon, and it also contains nuts like cashews and walnuts. The cinnamon flavor dominates the banana and chocolate, and it has no artificially sweet or bitter taste to it. The texture changes on occasion thanks to the two nut varieties, but the overall sticky texture of this protein bar requires you to bite into it with good strength.
We hoped for more than the 12 grams of protein, but it is only 210 calories and has zero trans fats. This bar also rated excellent for the evaluation of its ingredients because it contains unprocessed whole foods like dates and bananas, no artificial sweeteners, and only two additive ingredients. This protein bar ranked well for sugar content compared to others, with a slightly lower 22 grams per bar. If you're someone who prefers less artificial sweeteners and additives, then this is a great choice for you.
Net weight | 52 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 14 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 10 g |
Sugar | 5 g |
This dairy- and soy-free protein bar by Aloha is made with plant-based protein sourced from rice and is stuffed with chocolate chips. Although it's chocolate-flavored, there's an overwhelming sweetness and odd artificial flavor that stood out. It has no firmness to it and has more of a soft texture like raw cookie dough.
There are 14 grams of protein per bar, which we feel is a bit low. This bar contains no raw whole foods, but it is only 230 calories and has no trans fats. It also ranked excellently for using only three additive ingredients and no artificial sweeteners .It contains only 15 grams of sugar per bar, which is comparatively modest, and even includes 10 grams of fiber to help you maintain a full feeling. Although it lacks protein in our opinion, Aloha shines for the large amount of dietary fiber, which is often difficult to incorporate into your everyday meals.
Net weight | 56 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 14 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 7 g |
Sugar | 1 g |
Organic Fit High Protein Weight Loss Bar, Chocolate Fudge, is a USDA-certified organic protein bar by Garden of Life that is both gluten-free and non-GMO. This product uses no dairy or soy and obtains its flavor from chocolate and cocoa butter. This bar may not be overly sweet, but it has a more artificial, chemical-like taste rather than chocolate.
The texture is soft like raw cookie dough and has only a slight chewiness to it, but the crispy cereal puffs inside it are enjoyable. While on the lower end for protein with only 14 grams per bar, it's also pretty low calorie at only 230. It isn't made with any raw ingredients, but also contains no artificial sweeteners and trans fats, and only five additive ingredients. You'll get 13 grams of fiber to help you stay full and only 14 grams of sugar. It's a shame it doesn't have more protein, but this one is definitely great as a snack for dieters.
Net weight | 55g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 10 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 6 g |
Sugar | 4 g |
One bar only contains 10 grams of protein, which won't suit the needs of everyone. On the other hand, it only has 150 calories and contains no trans fats. Even better, it uses no artificial sweeteners and only two additive ingredients. There are only 17 grams of sugar per bar, which is comparatively low. We just wish it had more protein to make it rank higher.
Net weight | 40 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 10 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 5 g |
Sugar | 18g |
This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough protein bar by Zone Perfect contains 17 different vitamins and minerals besides protein. It's filled with chocolate chips and topped with a chocolate sauce. The sweet vanilla-flavored batter paired well with the chocolate chips, and even then, the overall sweetness was still light. This bar features a moderate chewiness with a texture like soft, raw cookie dough.
Although protein content sits at only 10 grams per bar, it is quite low calorie at only 180. It's also made using no artificial sweeteners and has zero grams of trans fats. On the other hand, it includes no whole food ingredients, and it was a shame to see that it is made with over 10 additives. It's probably not suitable for anyone trying to limit their sugar intake, as there are 24 grams per bar, which is somewhat high when compared to other products. However, the bar tastes exactly as the label describes it, so anyone who regards taste as the most important aspect should give it a try.
Net weight | 45 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Vitamin B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E and A, Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 10 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 5 g |
Sugar | 6 g |
This Chocolate Brownie protein bar by Orgain is free of gluten, dairy, and soy products. Inside the chocolate-flavored batter are protein crisps spread throughout. Even though the chocolate batter is rich but not too sweet, the more you bite into this bar, the more you'll taste an odd and bitter flavor similar to a fruit-based alcohol. The overall texture of this bar is soft and it lacks proper firmness.
We feel it's a bit insufficient for protein with only 10 grams per bar, and it's also made using no raw whole foods. But it's fit as a snack with its low 150 calories, zero artificial sweeteners, and use of only four additive ingredients. Additionally, there's only a small 1.5 grams of saturated fats and no trans fats. Compared to other protein bars, the sugar content is not bad, at only 18 grams per bar. The calories and sugar content make it great for dieting, but the protein content leaves something to be desired. Also, we weren't big fans of the peculiar taste and texture.
Net weight | 40 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 11 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 12 g |
Sugar | 12 g |
MacroBar is a gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free protein bar by GoMacro made with all organic ingredients. The main flavor comes from bananas and almond butter and it's filled with crushed walnuts. The natural sweetness of bananas can be sensed throughout the entire bar, and yet, it features no overpowering sugary flavor. The amount of walnuts included wasn't enough to give this bar a second texture, so overall, this bar was moist and moderately sticky, with a nice firmness.
This bar is unfortunately lower in protein with 11 grams, but also high-calorie at 280. Besides those aspects, it ranked outstandingly for using no artificial sweeteners and only one additive ingredient, on top of containing unprocessed ingredients like bananas and brown rice cereal puffs. You'll even find that it contains no trans fats and only one gram of saturated fats. Unfortunately, we don't suggest it as a dieting snack, as it has a lot of sugar compared to other bars: 32 grams, in addition to being high-calorie and low-protein. However, this is a great option for anyone looking for a protein bar made using organic ingredients.
Net weight | 65 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 8g |
---|---|
Total fats | 13g |
Sugar | 9g |
FOODS Snack Bars are non-GMO protein bars by California Gold Nutrition made using plant-based protein. It's distinct from other protein bars due to being made from simple ingredients like peanuts, roasted almonds, and unsweetened chocolate. It lacks any excessive sweetness or artificial flavors, and its texture is similar to a granola bar packed full of big chocolate bits and nuts. There was a nice bite, with the crispy and crunchy textures of the various ingredients being very enjoyable.
Except for the meager protein content of only eight grams per bar, it scored well in the ingredient evaluation, as it is made with unprocessed dates, is low calorie at only 190, and has zero trans fats. And it uses no artificial sweeteners and only four additive ingredients. This protein bar is also very low for sugar content at only 9 grams per bar, and contains six grams of fiber to help you stay satisfied. These are great as a snack for anyone dieting, but the low protein content isn't fit for someone trying to build muscle.
Net weight | 40g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
Protein | 6 g |
---|---|
Total fats | 14 g |
Sugar | 5 g |
This non-GMO protein bar by California Gold Nutrition is made of simple ingredients such as roasted almonds, peanuts, and walnuts. There's a distinct saltiness added to the chocolate and savory nuts that gives this bar a crispy sweet-and-salty flavor. Large pieces of every type of nut are packed into this protein bar, letting you enjoy the crunchy texture of each one in every bite.
Protein content is considerably low, with only six grams per bar, and there are no whole food ingredients included. However, it rated excellently for its low 190 calories per bar and zero grams of trans fats. On top of this, there are no artificial sweeteners used and only four additives in its ingredients. This bar has only nine grams of sugar and a plentiful seven grams of fiber to keep you full for longer. If you're someone that looks for high protein in your protein bars, it may not be right for you, but it could be a good choice for dieters.
Net weight | 40 g |
---|---|
Vitamins and minerals | Iron, Calcium |
Gluten-free | |
Free from artificial additives | |
Free from artificial sweeteners | |
Vegan | |
Organic | |
Non-GMO | |
Free from trans fats | |
Non-processed |
We bought 30 top-selling protein bars available on websites like Amazon, Walmart, and Target, to figure out which one is the best. We were looking for one that is high in protein, has an appropriate amount of calories for anyone dieting or working out, uses no additives, and is delicious.
We tested for the following four items.
Products we tested
Protein content, the most important aspect of any protein bar, varies. While some products can contain as much as 32 grams per bar, others have 10 grams or fewer. Therefore, our testers evaluated the protein content per bar of each product, using a system with seven ranks, with the standard set as 12 grams of protein per bar.
Just like with protein content, the amount of calories per bar varies greatly, with some having less than 200 calories and others over 400. If you're on a diet and eating protein bars, you'll probably want to avoid high-calorie options as much as possible. Our testers divided the bars into seven tiers. They set the standard as 230 calories per bar, and anything below this earned higher ratings.
If you're on a diet or trying to build muscle, it's to your benefit to eat protein bars habitually to supplement your regime rather than just having them on occasion. Taste is quite important to be able to keep eating a brand of protein bar without growing tired of it.
For this round of tests, we recruited six people who have all previously eaten protein bars. Our taste testers tried each one and rated them for taste and texture focusing on the questions listed below.
Taste
Texture
No matter how high in protein or low in calories a protein bar is, the protein bar may have ingredients that can affect your health in other ways. Many people have good reasons for choosing to avoid foods that contain additives, so we wanted to check the bars for them.
Our testers scoured the ingredient labels and gave each product a rating based on the criteria listed below.
Here's our recipe for a no-bake protein bar that comes together just by mixing and chilling the ingredients. You can make this recipe without using any sugar, so if you're looking for a healthy protein bar, give it a try!
Get the following ingredients ready.
Solidified coconut oil tends to form clumps if you use it as is, so we recommend warming it up to let it melt. You can leave out the cocoa powder if you'll be using a chocolate-flavored protein powder.
Make sure to combine everything well before spreading out your mixture. The combined ingredients will start out powdery, but the mixture will come together quickly after adding in small amounts of water, so stay patient and keep stirring.
If you get bored eating the same bar over and over, you can change the protein powder you add in. For example, make your homemade protein bar taste like a Snickers candy bar by using a chocolate-flavored protein powder. Or, instead of using cocoa powder, try adding ingredients like cacao, cinnamon, caramel, or matcha green tea to enjoy different flavors and expand your arsenal of homemade protein bars.
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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