The 5 Best Mass Gainers of 2026 to Help You Put on Quality Muscle, Tested by Experts

Transparent Labs lives up to its name by not only letting you see everything that goes into its supplements, but how much of each ingredient goes into every product. When it comes to Transparent Labs Mass Gainer, we like what we see. This supplement is made with natural, high-quality ingredients such as sweet potato, contains zero added sugar, and has 3 grams of creatine monohydrate, which has been shown to support strength and recovery¹. 

Buy If 

• You want a low-fat mass gainer
• Natural ingredients are a priority for you
• You prefer carbs over fat

Avoid If 

• You’re shopping on a budget
• You prefer a higher calorie mass gainer
• You have existing heart health concerns

Why We Like Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

• Transparent Labs uses clear third-party testing and shares certificates of analysis for each product.
• All ingredients are natural, and there’s no added sugar.
• Each serving contains 3 grams of VitaFiber, a type of fiber made from plant starches that has been linked to digestive benefits^.2

What We Didn’t Like About Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

• It’s high in saturated fat, which may not be ideal for those with heart issues, according to sports dietitian Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD.
• The calories are high, but not as high as other mass gainers on this list.
• At $5.33 per serving, it’s expensive, and you only get 15 servings per container.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, Mutant Mass is another great mass gainer to consider.

For more, be sure to read our complete Transparent Labs Mass Gainer review.

Those struggling to put on muscle tissue will love Nutricost Mass Gainer, which is formulated with 50 grams of protein, and a full 250 grams of carbs, which is significantly more than the average mass gainer. Many mass gainers are also high in dietary fat, but this one emphasizes the carbs, which is great for those looking to fuel a tough workout session. 

Buy If 

• You want plenty of carbs to power up your workouts
• You’re a hardgainer who needs a high-calorie shake
• Third-party testing is important to you

Avoid If 

• You prefer a more balanced macro split
• You want more flavor options
• You’re shopping on a budget

Why We Like Nutricost Mass Gainer

• Each serving contains over 1,200 calories.
• It contains a higher-than-average amount of carbohydrates.
• Nutricost uses high-quality ingredients and third-party testing.

What We Didn’t Like About Nutricost Mass Gainer

• While the taste is great, it can be a little thick and clumpy, even with aggressive shaking.
• The first ingredient is maltodextrin, which is an easily digestible carb, but doesn’t provide much nutritional value. This formula is also lower in dietary fats.
• There are only three available flavors to choose from.

If you prefer a more balanced profile with more fat in each scoop, Transparent Labs Mass Gainer is another great choice.

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass has a long ingredient list, but we’re mostly interested in one: creatine monohydrate, the most-researched training supplement that has continually been linked with improved strength and muscle size.¹When added to a mass gainer, creatine can help users ensure the muscle mass they’re putting on is what’s known as “quality size,” meaning it’s not just extra fat. You get 5 grams of it in this mass gainer, which is at the higher end of the clinically-recommended dose. 

Buy If 

• You want creatine in your mass gainer
• You don’t mind a large shake
• You need a high-calorie shake

Avoid If 

• You’re shopping on a budget
• You want more fat in your mass gainer
• Third-party testing is important for you

Why We Like Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass

• Each serving contains 5 grams of creatine monohydrate, the clinically-recommended dose for building strength and muscle.
• It mixes well, and the solubility is great for a mass gainer.
• Our tester found the flavor to be pleasant, without being too overpowering.

What We Didn’t Like About Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass

• It’s very expensive compared to other mass gainers.
• The serving size is large, which can make it difficult to mix without a blender.
• While Optimum Nutrition is a reputable brand overall, there’s no third-party testing for this formula.

For another high-calorie option that’s a bit easier on the wallet, you may want to consider Dymatize Super Mass Gainer.

Read more of our thoughts in our Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass review. 

Many of the mass gainers on our list cost about $4-$5 per serving, and that can add up over time. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative, go for Mutant Mass. Depending on what size bag you order, a one-scoop serving comes out to around $1.84-$2.93, which is an absolute steal for a mass gainer. It’s the most affordable mass gainer on our list, but it  contains fewer calories and less protein than most other mass gainers, but it’s still a great deal for those who don’t need 1,000+ calories from a shake, and you can always take two servings if you need more calories. 

Buy If 

• You want an affordable mass gainer
• You prefer a slightly smaller serving size
• You already get plenty of protein from other sources 

Avoid If 

• You need more protein per serving
• You don’t like sweet protein powders
• You have gluten allergies

Why We Like Mutant Mass

• It’s significantly more affordable than most other mass gainers.
• All of the carbs, protein, and fat come from a blend of sources.
• There are five flavors to choose from.

What We Didn’t Like About Mutant Mass

• While the cost is low, it only contains 28 grams of protein per serving, so it’s almost like having a half-serving of other mass gainers.
• Some of the ingredients contain gluten.
• While it received a high flavor score, one tester noted that the flavor is a bit too sweet.

If you prefer more protein and calories per serving, we recommend Transparent Labs Mass Gainer instead.

You can read more about this budget-friend protein powder in our full Mutant Mass review.

When it comes to helping with muscle growth and recovery, individuals in a bulking block will appreciate the absolutely whopping 1,280 calories per serving in this mass gainer. When we said high-calorie, we meant it. Its calories come from 52 grams of protein, nearly 250 grams of carbohydrates, and 10 grams of fat.

Buy If 

• You want one of the highest-calorie mass gainers on the market
• You prefer to have dietary fat in your shake
• You don’t mind a large serving size

Avoid If 

• You’re shopping on a budget
• You want to avoid artificial sweeteners
• You prefer a thick texture in your shake

Why We Like Dymatize Super Mass Gainer

• It contains more calories and protein than the average mass gainer.
• It’s third-party tested by the NSF and has the Informed Choice seal.
• Our tester found it very easy to digest.

What We Didn’t Like About Dymatize Super Mass Gainer

• The texture feels thin compared to other mass gainers.
• A single serving is 2.5 cups, which is a lot to get down at once.
• It costs slightly more than the average mass gainer.

If you want a more affordable option, Mutant Mass is worth considering, but it contains fewer calories and protein per serving.

For more, check out our complete Dymatize Super Mass Gainer review.

If you’re not sure why you’d want to choose a mass gainer over traditional protein powder, here are a few of the main benefits. 

RELATED: Mass Gainer vs. Whey Protein

Convenience

For those who are already large and muscular, eating enough food to gain more weight can be challenging, especially if you have a busy schedule. Depending on your job, you may not be able to take several meal breaks throughout the day, for example, or bring a fully-cooked meal to the gym to eat after your workout.

In those situations, mass gainers can act as a meal replacement shake, providing a significant source of protein, carbs, and fats that you can easily mix in a shaker or blender and drink on the go. 

Mass gainers can also be a great source of protein for those following a vegan diet, says Destini Moody, RD, CSSD, LD. She explains, “A mass gainer for plant-based folks is honestly really great, as those who don’t eat meat, eggs, or dairy products usually have a tough time meeting their calorie needs for performance or weight gain.”

Digestability 

While many of us love the idea of eating as much food as we want, for some people, eating enough food to gain weight can be quite challenging, especially if you’re burning a lot of calories throughout the day. 

Someone who’s very active may easily need upwards of 4,000 calories per day to gain weight, if not more. As a nutrition coach, I’d always encourage people to emphasize whole food over supplements. However, if you’re 1,000 calories short of your target and already feeling a bit full, sometimes a mass gainer is easier to get down than another plate of chicken and potatoes. 

RELATED: Mass Gainer Pros and Cons

Cost

Yes, a mass gainer costs more than a regular protein powder, but even the most expensive option may be cheaper than buying a whole-food meal. 

If you’re looking to get in extra 1,000+ calories on your quest to gain weight, buying an equivalent meal can be quite expensive, even if you’re going with fast food. The average mass gainer is only $4.25 for 1,029 calories and 46 grams of protein, making it an affordable option for those looking for more calories on a budget. 

Promotes Weight Gain

Building muscle is hard, and you need plenty of calories, not just protein, to make it happen. While many people don’t have any issues getting their calories from food, some may struggle to eat enough, and mass gainers can provide enough nutrients to help you stay in a calorie surplus and bulk up (along with a proper lifting plan).

“The goal of a mass gainer is to increase the user’s body weight, typically with the end result of increased muscle mass,” explains Caine Wilkes, OLY, CNC, USAW-L1. “With a calorie content between 500 and 1,500 calories per serving, using mass gainers helps lifters increase their calorie intake with a good ratio of macronutrients to enhance weight gain.”

Here’s a quick guide on everything to consider before purchasing a mass gainer. 

Proper Nutrition

Mass gainers are a supplement, which means they’re used in addition to your regular nutritional routine. You still need to make sure you’re getting the right amount of macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fats) and vitamins and minerals from all the food you ingest throughout the day, and that includes the mass gainer you may take.

Micronutrients

Bodybuilders and other athletes who often use supplements may lack certain vitamins and minerals, according to research¹¹, which can lead to health issues such as anemia and scurvy. 

If you’re not getting the proper amount of vitamins and minerals from your other meals and they’re not present in your mass gainer, you may need to take additional supplements to avoid any issues.  

Training Intensity 

“The healthiest and safest way to utilize a mass gainer is in conjunction with exercise,” registered dietitian Laila Ouldibbat says. “An immediate excess of calories, protein, fat could be harmful to some of our organs, and should be a means of supporting mass gain alongside increased energy expenditure.”

Sleep 

Sleep is vital to human function and can aid with things like protein synthesis, muscle recovery, and hormone regulation. All these, in conjunction with mass gainers, may help improve your performance and your physique. 

Calories 

To gain mass, you need to be in a caloric surplus (when the number of calories you consume is greater than what you expend in a day). Your nutritionist or coach will work with you to find the surplus that works best for you, which will tell you how many calories you need from your mass gainer. 

Protein 

Make sure your mass gainer has enough protein to support muscle building and recovery. You’ll also want to look at what types of protein are used. Whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate are some of the most popular forms used, and both have research-backed benefits.   

RELATED: Best Protein Powder for Women

Carbs

Carbs are not only your body’s preferred energy source, but they also replenish your glycogen stores to help make your muscles look fuller and perform better in the gym. 

The increased energy stores may also help put your body in an anabolic state, which is best for those looking to increase their muscle mass. 

Benefits of Mass Gainers 

A certified personal trainer explains why mass gainers may be beneficial to your muscle-building or physique goals.

• Convenient: The biggest benefit of mass gainers is that it allows you to eat a large number of calories in a quick and more easily digestible fashion. Preparing and drinking a 1,200-calorie shake is much easier than cooking and eating a plate with the same number of calories. 
• Price: A mass gainer’s per-serving cost is often less expensive than traditional food.
• Lasts a Long Time: Mass gainers can’t last forever, but due to the lack of moisture they can last much longer than meats or vegetables.

It’s important to note that mass gainers should be used along with traditional food and should never be a replacement for whole food sources. Mass gainers often lack vital vitamins and minerals.

RELATED: Best Protein Chips

When Should I Take a Mass Gainer? 

Mass gainers can be taken as a pre-workout shake to help fuel your workouts (especially if they contain slow-digesting complex carbs), or as a post-workout meal replacement. If you’re planning to drink it before your workout, be sure to ingest it 60 to 90 minutes beforehand to prevent possible GI distress.

RELATED: Best Pre-Workout for Women