The Best Protein Powder for Bulking: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing the best protein powder for bulking can be a handful, with all the brands out there claiming they’re the “best of the best.” We’ve made it a point to carefully research these supplements, reviewing ingredients, labels, and pricing. The end result is a hand-selected group of the best protein powders for bulking, packed with protein, quality ingredients, and nutritious power to charge up your bulk! 

What is the Best Protein Powder for Bulking?

This list of protein powders for bulking features a grand selection. From whey protein concentrate or isolate to plant-based options, we’ve got them. So, take your pick of the top protein powders for bulking to feed the gains and relish in the progress of your bulking phase! 

PRODUCTAMOUNTPRICING
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer2,910g/6.42lbs$79.99
Authentic Clean Mass Gainer2886g/6.36lbs$59.99
FYTA Elite Plant Protein630g/1.38lb$44.99
Sunwarrior Active Protein2.2lb/1kg$44.97
Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate930g/2.05lb$62.99

Transparent Labs Mass Gainer – Best Overall

Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
Source: Everflex Fitness Research Team 

Overview

Made without artificial sweeteners and other nasty hidden ingredients, this Mass Gainer by Transparent Labs is the best protein powder for bulking! 

With 750 calories and 53g of protein per serving, this high-protein and high-calorie supplement empowers individuals who are in a bulking phase and looking to put on weight and muscle mass. This type of supplement can even be beneficial for individuals who struggle to eat enough calories and protein during the day to feed their fitness and health goals. 

This product’s formula is made from grass-fed whey protein concentrate and features healthy fats like MCT oil and coconut milk. It also contains creatine monohydrate, a powerful nutrient that empowers gains in muscle mass and improvements in exercise performance

Highlights

  • Non-GMO
  • Gluten-free
  • Free of artificial sweeteners, coloring, fillers, and dyes
  • Available in two delicious flavors, including:
    • Chocolate Glaze Donut
    • Sweet Vanilla
  • Each scoop contains 750 calories and 53g of protein per serving sourced from grass-fed whey concentrate 
  • The Transparent Labs Mass Gainers benefits include:
    • Provides high-quality, rapidly digesting protein for building muscle
    • Contains creatine monohydrate, with 3g per serving, for an added boost to your workouts and training progress
    • Serves 100g of slow- and fast-digesting carbohydrates from sources like sweet potato flour and non-GMO tapioca maltodextrin
    • Includes 14g of healthy fats per serving

Pricing

PRODUCTAMOUNTPRICING
Transparent Labs Mass Gainer2,910g/6.42lbs$79.99

Wrap Up

If you’re looking for the best protein powder for bulking, then this is the one. Free of artificial ingredients and packed with quality nutrients that empower greatness, Transparent Lab’s Mass Gainer feeds the ultimate muscle mass gains!

Authentic Clean Mass Gainer – Best for Muscle Gains

Authentic Clean Mass Gainer Supplement
Source: Everflex Fitness Research Team 

Overview

Explicitly crafted to promote muscle mass gains, this Authentic Clean Mass Gainer by Jacked Factory delivers 750 calories and 50g of protein per serving. 

Incorporating high-quality whey concentrate into its formula, this high-protein supplement is one of the best protein powders for bulking. Its rich protein content supports muscle growth and repair. The high-calorie content is a must-have for promoting progress in muscle mass gains and can also be beneficial for individuals who struggle to eat enough food and protein throughout the day. 

Every bottle serves up what’s precisely on the label, guaranteed to be the best of the best thanks to its cutting-edge facility dedicated to incorporating only the best raw materials that are rigorously tested for authenticity and quality. 

Highlights

  • No fillers or dyes
  • Research-backed ingredients
  • Transparent labels
  • Additive-free 
  • Made from high-quality whey protein with the added benefit of natural mineral content from Himalayan rock salt 
  • Delivers 750 calories and 50g of protein per serving 
  • Crafted in a cutting-edge facility using premium and rigorously tested raw materials
  • Available in two flavors:
    • Vanilla
    • Cookies & Cream

Pricing

PRODUCTAMOUNTPRICING
Authentic Clean Mass Gainer2886g/6.36lbs$59.99

Wrap Up

Completely free of artificial additives and packed with protein, this is one of the best protein powders for bulking. Lock and load with Jacked Factory’s Authentic Clean Mass Gainer for the best progress in muscle growth in your bulking phase!

FYTA Elite Plant Protein – Best Plant-Based Option

FYTA Elite Plant Protein
Source: Everflex Fitness Research Team 

Overview

Although not the highest in calories compared to other mass gainers, Fyta’s Elite Plant Protein Powder is the best dairy-free and vegan protein alternative to whey protein powders. 

Loaded with 160 calories and 30g of protein per serving, this high-protein supplement can easily promote growth in muscle mass thanks to its high protein content. There are plenty of fun and delicious ways to increase calorie content without having to add more scoops of protein powder. 

For example, add high-calorie ingredients like oats, avocado, nut butter, yogurt, plant milk, or dates into a blender along with the instructed serving size of Fyta’s protein powder. Finding a recipe that suits your tastes is crucial, but these high-calorie ingredients can help jack up the calorie content to feed your bulking phase! 

Fyta was founded by the creators of The Game Changers documentary, who are committed to changing what we know about plant-based sports nutrition. The unique proprietary blend of Fyta’s Elite Plant Protein Powder is sourced from upcycled American barley, famously known as the world’s most sustainable protein, and whole ground lupin, a soil-regenerated crop. The fast-absorbing and easy-to-mix protein powder packs a high-protein, plant-based punch packed with gut-friendly fiber and natural ingredients. 

Highlights

  • Plant-based 
  • Vegan
  • Third-party tested 
  • Upcycled-Certified 
  • Made from upcycled American barley and whole ground lupin
  • Available in three tasty flavors, including:
    • Creamy Chocolate
    • Caramel Vanilla
    • Cafe Latte
  • Contains all nine essential amino acids, including all three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), making it a complete protein
  • Performs as 5x more soluble than pea protein
  • Each serving boasts:
    • 30g non-GMO protein
    • 3g gut-friendly fiber
    • Only 1g of added sugar
  • Free of:
    • Animal products
    • Soy
    • Wheat
    • Fillers
    • Sugar alcohols
    • Artificial ingredients 

Pricing

PRODUCTAMOUNTPRICING
FYTA Elite Plant Protein630g/1.38lb$44.99

Wrap Up

Whether you’re dairy-free or vegan, this plant-based protein powder is a powerful tool to be incorporated into a bulking phase to increase protein and calorie intake without animal-based ingredients. Fuel your bulking goals with Fyta’s Elite Plant-Based Protein Powder today!

Sunwarrior Active Protein – Best for Recovery 

Sunwarrior Active Protein
Source: Everflex Fitness Research Team 

Overview

Another great plant-based option, Sunwarrior’s Active Protein is pumped full of protein to fuel your workouts and muscle growth. Serving up 30g of protein and 200 calories per serving, this plant-based protein powder is one of the best protein powders for bulking for individuals on a dairy-free or plant-based diet. 

The formula for this plant-based protein powder is enriched with minerals, BCAAs, and other nutritious ingredients for building muscle and fueling your workout sessions. It features a unique blend of pumpkin, pea, and brown rice protein along with probiotics DE111, connected to immunomodulatory support to provide digestive and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Highlights

  • USDA Organic
  • Soy-free
  • 0g added sugars
  • Gluten-free
  • Non-GMO
  • Dairy-free
  • Vegan
  • Recycled packaging
  • Informed Choice Certified for Athletes
  • This powerful formula features:
    • 30g of protein
    • 6g of BCAAs
    • Probiotics DE111
  • Promote benefits such as:
    • Replenishing vital minerals
    • Repairs lean muscle
    • Builds muscle 
    • Supports energy levels 
  • Formula contains enriching ingredients like:
    • Maca
    • Turmeric
    • Tart Cherry
    • Aquamin
    • Black Pepper Fruit
  • Available in three yummy flavors, including:
    • Cake Batter
    • Vanilla
    • Chocolate

Pricing

PRODUCTAMOUNTPRICING
Sunwarrior Active Protein2.2lb/1kg$44.97

Wrap Up

Loaded with potent ingredients that provide a nutritious boost to promote muscle gain and recovery, this is the best protein powder for bulking for individuals who do not consume dairy or animal-based ingredients. Power up your workout sessions and fuel the muscle gains with Sunwarrior’s Active Protein! 

Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate – Best Tasting

Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate
Source: Everflex Fitness Research Team 

Overview

Swolverine’s Whey Protein Isolate is another excellent protein powder for bulking, containing 26g of protein per serving. Though the calorie content of this protein powder is considered low at 110 calories per serving for bulking, there are two simple hacks to increase calorie content. 

The first hack is to make a smoothie with this protein powder and add calorie-packed ingredients like avocado, nut butter, and oats to increase the caloric content. The second hack is to double the scoop to increase the calorie content and boost protein intake. Both of these hacks can be beneficial in hitting macro goals while in a bulking phase to help increase protein and caloric content to fuel muscle gains. 

Free of rBGH, or recombinant bovine growth hormone, the formula for this protein powder sources its whey from the happiest grass-fed cows in America. Made without harmful or hidden ingredients, this protein powder is ultra-pure, cold-pressed, and micro-filtered to establish the ultimate richness and creaminess in flavor. 

Swolverine’s Whey Protein Isolate formula is jam-packed with natural and healthy ingredients, including digestive enzymes like papain and protease. Backed by research, these digestive enzymes are shown to improve digestion and provide therapeutic potential in bowel-related diseases. These digestive enzymes aid digestion and enhance absorption for quicker, more accessible benefits when consuming this health-packed protein powder for bulking! 

Highlights

  • Gluten-free
  • Soy-free
  • Grass-fed whey sourced from cows in America
  • Free of rBGH
  • Woman-owned
  • Made in the USA
  • Packs 26 grams of protein per serving
  • Each scoop contains added digestive enzymes (protease and papain) for boosted absorption for optimized muscle growth and recovery
  • Promotes outstanding benefits like:
    • Increased strength
    • Optimized recovery
    • Enhanced muscle growth
    • Boosted athletic performance
  • Available in five yummy flavors, including:
    • Mint Chocolate Chip
    • Strawberry
    • Honey Cinnamon Peanut Butter
    • Vanilla 
    • Chocolate

Pricing

PRODUCTAMOUNTPRICING
Swolverine Whey Protein Isolate930g/2.05lb$62.99

Wrap Up

Powered by digestive enzymes and natural ingredients, this is the best protein powder for bulking and promoting muscle mass gains. Get ready to show off some serious progress from your bulking phase with Swolverine’s Whey Protein Isolate! 

What is the Best Protein Powder for Bulking?

In a bulking phase, a caloric surplus combined with resistance training and high protein intake is purposefully incorporated for individuals looking to gain weight and muscle mass. Promoting muscle protein synthesis through the use of whey protein powders, a weight gainer, or a protein blend, is vital to promote muscle gain and recovery. 

There is no exact type of protein supplement that is better than another when it comes to whey, casein, or plant-based protein powders. The importance is the quality of content, how nutritious the ingredients are, calorie content, and protein intake to fuel a bulk and build muscle. 

Final Thoughts

Finding a high-quality protein to empower greatness, from muscle growth to exercise performance, is crucial when entering a bulking phase. This list offers the best protein powder for bulking, catered to your exact goals and diet restrictions. 

Whether you relish in a delicious whey concentrate or a plant-based powder, this selection of protein powders is the best for bulking and fueling muscle gains! 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the optimum protein for bulking?

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends that individuals looking to increase muscle mass should consume between 1.2-1.7kg of protein per kg of body weight per day. Using a calculator like this one can help individuals better determine how much protein is appropriate for bulking uniquely to each individual. 

Is two protein shakes a day good for bulking?

Two protein shakes a day are fine, though it is not recommended to replace other foods. Whole foods contain essential nutrients like amino acids, vitamins, and minerals necessary to keep the human body functioning properly. Taking more than two protein shakes a day is not recommended as this can cause digestive upset and symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and bloating. 

Is 100g of protein a day good for bulking?

How much protein you should consume widely varies depending on weight, height, age, and gender. For most individuals, 100g would be enough for a cutting or maintenance phase but not a bulking phase. Defining more exact macronutrient goals for your bulking journey is crucial to feed the muscles to encourage growth and repair, hence the importance of using a calculator that takes into account information like gender, height, and activity level to pinpoint exact macronutrients and calorie goals for different phases. 

Is 200g of protein too much for bulking?

No, 200g isn’t too much protein for bulking, but it is a lot. Using a calculator to estimate a protein goal for bulking based on age, gender, height, activity level, and body weight is a better way to calculate a protein goal for bulking than choosing the largest number.

Kaelyn Buzzo | ISSA CPT & Nutrition Coach

Kaelyn Buzzo | ISSA CPT & Nutrition Coach

I am an ISSA-certified CPT and Nutrition Coach with a BA in Creative Writing and a Minor in Nutrition.

Learn More About Kaelyn

More posts from Kaelyn Buzzo | ISSA CPT & Nutrition Coach

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