What Protein Powder is Best for Weight Gain

Overview

If you searched for what protein powder is best for weight gain you probably want the fastest, most practical way to add calories and muscle without feeling bloated or sacrificing food quality. This comparison looks at five real options: high-calorie mass gainers (Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass, Dymatize Super Mass Gainer), cleaner mass options (Naked Mass), concentrated whey (Optimum Gold Standard Whey), and a DIY whole-food gainer (milk + whey + oats + nut butter). Key decision criteria are calories per serving, protein-to-carb ratio, ingredient quality, digestibility, and price per serving.

Quick summary - who each option is best for: Serious Mass and Dymatize are best for hard gainers who need big calorie loads with minimal eating; Naked Mass fits lifters who want high calories from simpler ingredients; Gold Standard Whey is best for those who prefer to add targeted calories and protein to food-based meals; the DIY gainer is best for people who want full control over macros, taste, and cost. Below we compare positioning, features, downsides, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you choose.

This section synthesizes the tradeoffs across options so you can match product characteristics to your goals. If your main goal is overall calorie surplus, choose a mass gainer. If you prefer leaner gains and can eat larger meals, choose whey protein and add carbs/fats separately.

If you want minimal additives, go with a clean mass gainer. If you need the lowest cost per calorie and total control, DIY shakes are most flexible.

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass

Overview and Positioning

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is a classic high-calorie mass gainer formulated to deliver large calorie surpluses in one or two shakes. It mixes protein concentrate and blend sources with maltodextrin-based carbohydrates, and added vitamins and minerals to make a meal-replacement-style product aimed at people who struggle to get enough calories.

Key Features and Strengths

High calories per recommended serving, useful for rapid weight gain.
50 g protein per serving plus a large carbohydrate dose to support glycogen replenishment and caloric surplus.
Wide availability and many flavor options.
Generally affordable per calorie compared with whole-food alternatives.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

Very high in simple carbs (maltodextrin), which can spike blood sugar and cause GI discomfort for some.
Large serving size can be heavy and may not fit everyone’s taste.
Not ideal for those who prioritize clean ingredient lists or want to limit sugar.

Pricing and Value

Typical retail: 6 lb (2.72 kg) tub around $40 - $55 (prices vary by retailer).
Serving: label serving (2 scoops) is calorie-dense; approximate per-serving cost $6 - $9 depending on sale and tub size.
Monthly cost estimate (1 serving/day): $180 - $270; (2 servings/day): $360 - $540.
Value: high calories per dollar, moderate protein quality.

Best For

Hard gainers who need 1,000+ additional calories quickly.
Athletes in heavy training cycles who need rapid mass increases.
People who prefer convenience to whole-food meals.

Dymatize Super Mass Gainer

Overview and Positioning

Dymatize Super Mass Gainer fills a similar niche to Serious Mass: a high-calorie, carbohydrate-heavy powdered meal. It targets trainees who need substantial calories and provides a blend of protein sources plus added creatine in some formulas and vitamins.

Key Features and Strengths

Very high calorie and carbohydrate counts per serving to support aggressive bulking.
Blend of whey protein concentrate and isolates for complementation.
Often includes additional amino acids and performance-focused additives in some sub-formulas.
Competitive pricing and widely available.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

High sugar and maltodextrin content can lead to quick insulin rises and may be suboptimal for body composition if overused.
Large scoop size and thick texture can be unpalatable for some users.
Less control over macros compared with using separate protein and carbohydrate sources.

Pricing and Value

Typical retail: 6 - 10 lb tubs range $45 - $70 depending on size.
Approximate per-serving cost: $5 - $10.
Monthly cost (1 serving/day): about $150 - $300; (2 servings/day): $300 - $600.
Value: strong calorie-per-dollar ratio; good when time and volume are constraints.

Best For

People who need large calorie increases without multiple meals.
Lifters in intense growth phases who accept higher simple-carb intake.
Users who want an all-in-one shake solution.

Naked Mass (Clean Mass Gainer)

Overview and Positioning

Naked Mass is a “clean” mass gainer that markets itself on minimal ingredients: typically whey protein concentrate, casein, and maltodextrin as carb source, with no flavors, sweeteners, or additives. It targets users who want high calories but prefer fewer artificial ingredients.

Key Features and Strengths

Short, transparent ingredient list with no artificial colors or flavors.
Good option for users concerned about additives, fillers, or proprietary blends.
Balanced protein blend (whey + casein) provides both fast and slow-release amino acids.
Versatile: easier to mix into recipes due to neutral taste.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

Fewer flavors means less palatability for some.
Because it’s cleaner, per-tub price can be higher than mainstream mass gainers.
Carb source still maltodextrin, so not suitable for low-sugar preferences.

Pricing and Value

Typical retail: 12 lb tub often priced around $120 - $149 (smaller sizes available).
Approximate per-serving cost: $3.50 - $6 depending on size and sale.
Monthly cost (1 serving/day): $105 - $180; (2 servings/day): $210 - $360.
Value: higher upfront cost but better ingredient transparency and fewer additives.

Best For

Lifters who want high calories but prefer clean labels.
Those sensitive to artificial flavors or who use shakes as recipe bases.
People who want sustained protein delivery (casein + whey) within a mass gainer.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey (Concentrate/Isolate Blend)

Overview and Positioning

Gold Standard Whey is a mainstream whey concentrate/isolate product designed primarily for meeting protein needs rather than delivering massive calories. For weight gain, it shines as a modular tool: add it to milk, oats, bananas, and oils to build high-calorie shakes with better control over macro ratios and fewer added sugars.

Key Features and Strengths

High-quality protein per serving: roughly 24 g protein per scoop with low calories.
Very low cost per gram of protein compared with mass gainers.
Fast absorption (useful around training) and excellent mixability and flavor selection.
Easy to combine with calorie-dense foods for tailored gains.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

Low calorie per serving by itself; not a one-step solution for large surpluses.
Requires additional ingredients (milk, oats, peanut butter) to reach a bulking-calorie target.
If your appetite is limited, food-based calories can be harder to consume than a mass gainer drink.

Pricing and Value

Typical retail: 2 lb ~$30, 5 lb ~$55 - $75 depending on sale.
Approximate per-serving cost (30 g scoop): $0.80 - $1.50.
Monthly cost (2 scoops/day as protein supplement): $48 - $90 for protein only; additional calorie cost depends on added foods (milk, oats, nut butter).
Value: excellent cost per gram of protein; high flexibility.

Best For

Users who can eat but want to add controlled calories and protein.
Athletes who want to prioritize clean protein while customizing calorie sources.
Budget-conscious bulkers who prefer to add whole foods.

DIY High-Calorie Shake (Whey + Milk + Oats + Peanut Butter +

banana)

Overview and Positioning

A DIY gainer uses a base protein powder (typically whey) plus whole-food calorie sources: whole milk for calories and fats, rolled oats for complex carbs, peanut butter or almond butter for healthy fats, and banana or honey for taste and carbs. This option provides full control of ingredients and can be cheaper per calorie.

Key Features and Strengths

Complete control over macronutrients, micronutrients, and ingredient quality.
Typically more satiating and nutritionally diverse than mass-gainer powders.
Cost-effective on a per-calorie basis if buying staples in bulk.
Easy to adjust for caloric targets and taste preference.

Limitations and Tradeoffs

Requires time to prepare and clean-up.
Can be less convenient than premixed powders when traveling.
Texture can be thick and may not suit all digestive systems, depending on milk tolerance.

Pricing and Value

Sample recipe cost estimate per large shake: 2 scoops whey ($1.50), 16 oz whole milk ($0.60), 1 cup oats ($0.25), 2 tbsp peanut butter ($0.25), banana ($0.20) = about $2.80 per shake.
Calories per sample shake: roughly 700 - 900 kcal depending on portions.
Monthly cost (1 shake/day): about $84; (2 shakes/day): $168.
Value: typically lowest cost per calorie and higher nutrient density than mass-gainer powders.

Best For

People who want whole-food nutrients while bulking.
Those who can prepare shakes and prefer controlling sugars and fats.
Budget-conscious lifters who want better long-term nutrition.

How to Choose

Goal clarity: If your primary constraint is total daily calories (you cannot eat enough), choose a mass gainer (Serious Mass or Dymatize) or a high-calorie clean gainer (Naked Mass). If you can eat enough but want leaner mass and better macro control, choose whey plus whole-food calories.
Sensitivity and digestion: If you have GI issues with maltodextrin or heavy shakes, prefer cleaner options or DIY shakes with oats and milk.
Ingredient priorities: Want minimal additives? Pick Naked Mass or DIY. Want maximum convenience and calories in one scoop? Pick Serious Mass or Dymatize.
Budget and scale: For lowest cost per calorie and highest nutritional value, DIY shakes are often best. For convenience and predictable dosing without cooking, mass gainers offer practical value.
Training phase: During aggressive mass phases, larger-calorie mass gainers reduce time spent eating. During lean bulks, whey + whole-food approach helps control body fat gain.

Checklist:

Do you need 500+ extra calories per day from a single shake? - Yes: mass gainer.
Do you prefer clean ingredients and can mix large volumes? - Yes: clean mass gainer or DIY.
Do you want maximum protein with flexible calories? - Yes: whey concentrate + added carbs/fats.
Is budget a primary concern? - Yes: DIY shakes tend to be cheapest per calorie.
Do you have digestive constraints (lactose, sensitive stomach)? - Yes: choose plant-based or low-lactose formulas and test small servings.

Quick Comparison

Pricing notes: calorie and protein numbers are approximate and based on manufacturer serving recommendations; current retail prices vary by retailer, sales, and tub sizes.

FAQ

How Many Servings per Day of a Mass Gainer Should I Take to Gain Weight?

Start with one full serving of a mass gainer per day added to your current intake; monitor weight change and adjust. Many hard gainers use one to two servings (or half-servings) per day to reach a caloric surplus. Progress should be guided by weekly weight changes and body composition goals.

Is a Mass Gainer Better than Whey for Muscle Gain?

Neither is categorically better. Mass gainers are better for reaching high calorie targets quickly, which is necessary for weight gain. Whey is better for precise protein dosing and leaner gains.

Combine both approaches if you want flexibility: whey for targeted protein, mass gainer when you need a big calorie boost.

Can I Use Plant-Based Protein Powders for Weight Gain?

Yes. Plant-based proteins (pea, rice, soy blends) can support weight gain if you combine them with calorie-dense foods. There are plant-based mass gainers and you can create DIY plant-based shakes with oat milk, nut butters, bananas, and plant protein to increase calories and protein.

Will Mass Gainers Make Me Fat?

Mass gainers increase calorie intake; if you consume more calories than you burn, you will gain weight, which includes both muscle and fat. The rate of fat gain depends on total surplus, training intensity, and macronutrient composition. For cleaner gains, use controlled surpluses and pair with resistance training.

How Do I Choose Between a Premixed Mass Gainer and a DIY Shake?

Choose a premixed mass gainer for convenience and precise single-product dosing. Choose DIY for ingredient control, potentially lower cost, and better micronutrient diversity. Consider appetite, travel needs, and sensitivity to additives when deciding.

Should I be Concerned About Sugar or Maltodextrin in Mass Gainers?

Maltodextrin is a fast-digesting carbohydrate common in mass gainers. If you have blood sugar concerns, insulin sensitivity issues, or prefer low simple-sugar intakes, opt for cleaner formulas or DIY shakes using oats, sweet potato, or fruit to provide slower-release carbs.

Overview