The 10 Best Protein Shakes for Weight Loss in 2026, Tested and Reviewed by Registered Dietitians

Weight loss can come with some less-than-glamorous digestive side effects. Eating less and making changes to your routine can sometimes leave you feeling queasy, bloated, or just more sensitive to rich, heavy, or overly sweet foods. Future Kind Plant-Powered Organic Protein is our top pick for the best protein shake for those with sensitive stomachs because it keeps things simple.

“This powder stood out for both taste and texture,” shares health writer Brittany Vargas. “The vanilla was soft and delicate, not overly sweet and, best of all, not chalky,” she adds. Vargas notes the powder mixed well, with no clumps or residue left behind, and it kept her satisfied for about 3.5 hours. Future Kinds Plant-Powdered Organic Protein powder is organic, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, made in the United States, and third-party tested. 

These coffee protein powders are available in a wide variety of sweetened flavors, such as vanilla, mocha, caramel, and chocolate peanut butter, making them ideal for people who enjoy sweet iced coffees. Flavored coffees from a typical coffee shop generally have a lot of added sugar, but these shakes skip the added sugar entirely.

“I loved the flavor and texture. It’s so close to an actual iced coffee; it feels more like a treat than a supplement,” says editor and writer Katie Tuttle. “This protein powder comes as close as anything else I’ve tried to an iced coffee, especially when mixed with milk or almond milk.”

One downside is that these are sweetened with sucralose, an artificial sweetener that some people might prefer to avoid. 

If you are someone who leans in for whey-based protein shakes, try Gnarly Grass-Fed Whey Vanilla Protein Supplement. It pairs a strong nutrition profile with a more thoughtful ingredients list than many other whey powders we tested.

Each serving provides 25 g of protein sourced from antibiotic-free, grass-fed cow’s milk, along with pre- and probiotics and a digestive enzyme blend designed to support digestion. We also like that both the chocolate and vanilla versions are NSF Contents Certified and NSF Certified for Sport, which add an extra layer of trust for anyone who wants a product that has been third-party tested.

In testing, writer SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, found Gnarly Grass-Fed Whey Vanilla Protein powder “stood out for both taste and overall drinkability. It was one of the best-tasting protein powders I tried. The stevia aftertaste was much milder than in many other powders.”

Shoemaker did find a few clumps floating on top after mixing, but they dissolved easily and weren’t noticeable when drinking. As an RD, she “appreciated its balanced nutrition profile. With 160 calories, 12 grams of carbs, 4 grams of fiber, and 4 grams of fat, I found it filling enough to support satiety while still being low enough in calories to fit into a weight loss routine.” 

Koia Elite Plant-Based Protein Shake has the highest amount of protein per serving of all the shakes we tried at 32 g per bottle. And its calorie count (210) still makes this drink appropriate to use as a snack or alongside a small meal. Plus, it’s gluten-free, vegan, and contains 6 g of fiber per serving. The fiber potentially helps its staying power, keeping you full for longer.

“Compared [with] other protein drinks I’ve tried (Kate Farms, Orgain, Vital Proteins, Slate), this one is much creamier, has a more-natural flavor without the artificial aftertaste, and I like that it uses avocado oil for a smoother texture and healthy fat source,” says Beale.

One drawback is that the shakes have 360 mg of sodium per serving, so this option might not be right for anyone who needs to limit their sodium intake.

Thorne’s Whey Protein Isolate powder is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a flavored, high-quality whey protein powder to mix easily into shakes, smoothies, or other liquids. We like that this product is third-party tested for quality and safety by NSF, so you can feel comfortable that the product contains what the label says.

“Thorne protein powder is a premium, NSF Certified for Sport option that tastes great in smoothies or on its own with most liquids, making it a versatile option to meet your protein goals,” says Beale. “I liked both flavors, and I think this is my new favorite protein powder.”

While this is a high-quality protein option, it has a few extra ingredients. These include two types of gums to help with texture, a small amount of cane sugar with 1 g of added sugar per serving, and some stevia. Each scoop also contains small amounts of bromelain and papain, which are enzymes that help digest protein.

“I felt this was a very sufficient snack,” says Brittany Scanniello, RD, a fitness and sports nutrition writer. “I didn’t even finish the bottle at times and still felt very satisfied until midday.” She adds, “I like the protein blend versus being 100 percent one ingredient — I find this to help with tolerability for those that can’t handle 100 percent pea.”

Buyers may want to take note that this product contains 4 g of added sugars per serving, and the ingredients include gum blend and sunflower lecithin, which could cause digestive upset for some. 

:Ratio Protein Dairy Drink offers a nice middle ground between a traditional protein shake and a drinkable yogurt. Each bottle provides 26 g of protein, 0 g of added sugar, and 190 calories. With milk as its protein source, the drink feels more like a familiar food than a supplement. It also provides 20 percent of the daily value of calcium. That said, it does contain sucralose, which some people may prefer to avoid, and its yogurt-based flavor profile may not appeal to anyone who dislikes tangier dairy drinks.

Writer Raki Swanson describes it as “smooth and creamy like yogurt, but thinner and more drinkable than a true smoothie, with a natural berry flavor that wasn’t overpowering and, importantly, no chalky aftertaste.” Just keep in mind that it’s dairy-based, so it won’t work for people with a milk allergy or those following a vegan diet.

Unlike many protein shakes, which are creamy or milk-like, Ready Protein Water feels more like a flavored water with a thin texture and 20 g of high-quality whey protein isolate. It’s low in calories, with only 90 calories per bottle, and it’s sweetened with monk fruit extract and stevia, not sugar. As a testament to their quality, these protein waters are NSF Certified for Sport. This means they're screened for nearly 300 banned substances and tested to ensure that their ingredients match the label.

“I did enjoy the taste a lot. It was refreshing — not too much of a sweetness,” says Swanson. “I didn’t think I was drinking protein water with this; it felt like and tasted like more of a rehydration water that did have some protein in it.”

Although this protein water is advertised for hydration, it contains just small amounts of the five electrolytes inside each bottle: sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. So it might not be the most effective hydration source for people who sweat heavily or exercise a lot.

We like Evolve’s Plant-Based Protein Shake because it’s a vegan option with 20 g of protein and only 140 calories per serving. It also has no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. “For someone looking for a nondairy protein drink, I would point them in this direction,” says Scanniello. “The flavor notes were subtle, but present. I didn’t taste the sweetener as much as I have in other protein shakes.”

We like that this vegan, ready-made shake has well-rounded nutrients and is made with soy protein. That’s a complete protein source and a good alternative for anyone who doesn't like pea protein–based shakes.

“I think the flavor and texture are way better than other vegan proteins I’ve tried,” says nutrition writer Tori Martinet, RD. “I really love that it managed to be a vegan protein without tasting like it.”

At 400 calories per bottle, this shake is more of a meal than a snack for most people. It’s a good option if your strategy is to drink a shake in place of a meal for weight loss. Each shake contains a broad range of 39 vitamins and minerals without providing excessive amounts — only 15 to 20 percent of the daily value of each. Notably, Soylent Complete also has 1,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids in ALA form, found in its canola and sunflower oils.