Best Protein Bars for Men (2024): Your New Favorite Treats for Muscle and Weight Loss

In case you haven’t heard, we’re living in the golden age of protein bars. There are more choices on store shelves and online every day, and the best protein bars for men match up with a wider range of people’s goals and needs than ever. 

Why is this a good thing? The best protein bars work as multi-tools that can be your favorite pre-workout or post-workout snack, high-protein snacks, or “better-than-junk-food” emergency carbs. At this point, it’s safe to say that if you haven’t found your ideal bar yet, it’s only because you haven’t been looking hard enough. 

So here’s the good news: You don’t have to look, because our team of coaches, competitive athletes, and registered dietitian nutritionists already tested and tasted them for you! Dig into our in-depth roundup and get ready to unwrap your new favorite. 

As a quick note: Despite what some marketing may lead you to believe, protein bars do not affect men and women differently. That said, certain bars speak to specific people and their goals and circumstances better than others. The goal here is to help people who identify as men find the bars that they’ll enjoy most. 

We intend the term “men” to include all men, including trans men. However, we recognize that almost all research on this topic has focused on cis men (i.e., men who are not trans). For that reason, when we reference gender-based research and nutritional recommendations, we will clarify by saying “cis men.” We encourage trans and nonbinary people of all genders to check in with a trans-competent nutritionist regarding their supplements and training needs.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

12 Best Protein Bars for Men

• Best Overall Protein Bar for Men: Rise Bars
• Best Protein Bar for Male Athletes: Legion Athletics Protein Bars
• Best-Tasting Protein Bar for Men: Jacked Factory Authentic Bars
• Best Budget Protein Bar for Men: Onnit Protein Bites
• Best Protein Bar for Men for Weight Loss: Bulletproof Crisp Protein Bars
• Best Protein Bar for Men With Good Macros: Quest Nutrition Quest Bars
• Best Keto Protein Bar for Men: EPIC Provisions Jerky Bars
• Best Vegan Protein Bar for Men: NuGo Dark Bars
• Best Organic Protein Bar for Men: Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein Bars
• Best Protein Bar for Men with Whole-Food Ingredients: RX Bar
• Best Low-Carb Protein Bar for Men: Perfect Keto Bar
• Best Protein Bar for Men for Post-Workout: CLIF Builders Bars

Best Overall Protein Bar for Men: Rise Bars

Good for: People looking for one bar to do it all: pre-workout, post-workout, or a healthy snack

Best Overall

Rise Whey Protein Bars

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• 15-20 g of protein 
• Certified gluten-free and kosher 
• No artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols
• 3-5 ingredients, depending on flavors
• Gluten, soy, and grain free
• Subscribe and save 10%
• High protein content

Cons

• Some flavors unavailable
• Customers share bars tend to dry out
• Some Amazon customers report receiving stale bars

Bottom Line

Rise Whey Protein Bars use minimal real ingredients to create a bar with 15 or more grams of protein.

Rise Bar started in 2010 with a bar containing three ingredients: whey protein isolate, almonds, and honey. That simple formula hits some big checkmarks: 

• Fast-digesting, high-quality protein for post-workout recovery and muscle-building 
• Carbohydrates from natural sweeteners to power training or refuel afterward  
• Healthy fats from almond butter for lasting hunger control
• Gluten-free, and no erythritol or artificial sweeteners

Rise Bar now offers other flavors, as well as vegan bars containing pea protein. But our tester, GGR staff writer and Olympian Caine Wilkes, found their original bar most appealing.  

“It’s surprisingly good for as simple as it is,” Wilkes reports. “Tastes like sweet almonds and honey. At most these bars have five ingredients, so it’s about as pure of as you can get. This flavor has the highest amount of protein from their flavors at 20 grams per bar, but the 21 grams of carbs also make it one of the best pre-workout bars I’ve tried.” 

Best Protein Bar for Male Athletes: Legion Athletics Protein Bar

Good for: Replenishing after hard exertion or sports

Best for Athletes

Legion Athletics Protein Bar

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Blend of whey and milk protein 
• Plant-based carbs, fats, and prebiotic fiber
• Third-party tested
• No proprietary blends
• Money-back guarantee

Pros & Cons

Pros

• All natural
• Non-GMO
• Third-party tested
• Money-back guarantee
• NSF-certified
• FDA-inspected, cGMP facilities

Cons

• Too hard for some
• Contains stevia and erythritol (a sugar alcohol)
• 4 g of added sugar

Bottom Line

If you are looking for an all-natural protein bar and do not mind a little added sugar, the Legion Athletics Protein Bars are available in two popular flavors.

Legion Athletics Protein Bar takes the same “protein plus fiber” formula as Onnit and bumps both of them up. Along with 8 grams of prebiotic fiber, each bar contains 20 grams of a blend of whey protein concentrate, milk protein isolate, and whey protein isolate. 

Milk protein contains both whey and casein, which the body breaks down at different speeds. Casein’s slower digestion is a big reason why a 2019 study in Frontiers in Nutrition¹ recommended having it before bed to enhance the muscle-growth response to resistance training. That, combined with the Legion bar’s low sugar content, make this a great night time snack as well as a solid post-workout bar. 

GGR Head of Content Kate Meier turned this bar loose on the ravenous beasts on her weightlifting team, and found that different flavors earned different responses. “The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar has a good flavor, but the chocolate doesn’t come through enough for me,” she reports. “The Chocolate Peanut Butter bar has a much stronger flavor. Some of my lifters preferred similar bars from CLIF or Luna”

Texturally, the bar received slightly lower marks. “It LOOKS like it will be a moist, chewy bar, but it’s a little drier than I expected. One of our testers commented that the bar feels very dense and takes a lot of chewing.” While 250 calories per par is on the high end of our list, Kate said the balanced macros and high per-bar protein content were “good selling points for me.” 

Best-Tasting Protein Bars for Men: Jacked Factory Authentic Bars

Good for: An alternative to candy bars or sugary desserts

Best-Tasting

Jacked Factory Authentic Bars

GGR Score: 3.75

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Product Highlights

• Manufactured in the U.S.
• No artificial sweeteners
• Contains whey protein isolate
• 15-16 g  of protein per bar
• Very strict quality control system in place

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Whole-food protein bar
• Use to refuel and recover energy from workouts or life in general
• Great taste and texture
• 7 flavor options
• Made with whey protein isolate
• Made with real honey (no artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols)

Cons

• A little higher in calories than some competitor bar options
• Some customers didn’t feel that the protein content was high enough for the calorie count
• High in sugar

Bottom Line

Jacked Factory Authentic Bars are made with whey protein isolate, real nut butters, and honey for a whole-food yet convenient protein option. Although they’re high in calories compared to other options, that’s the tradeoff for refraining from using artificial sweeteners and ingredients.

Jacked Factory is best known for making pre-workouts and protein powders for muscle gain, but has expanded into protein bars. At 15 grams of protein apiece, their bars aren’t a huge help for someone trying to raise their daily protein intake. Likewise, if you’re looking for fiber, look elsewhere—the label is clear that it contains “no gut-wrenching fiber”—plus it does have quite a lengthy ingredient list.

However, our tester, GGR senior editor Nicole Davis, tried the Peanut Butter Candy flavor and found that it hit a sweet spot that “feels like a healthier version of a candy bar, or a more protein-packed Perfect Bar. It tasted exactly like a peanut butter Perfect Bar, but with Reeses Pieces in it. If you’re a big peanut butter lover, you’ll die for this flavor! The texture is also great.”

Since it’s not a high-protein bar, Nicole envisioned the Authentic Bar working “as a great dessert/treat-type bar. I’ll also say that for 270 calories, it feels small. But yum!”

Best Budget Protein Bars for Men: Onnit Protein Bites

Good for: Killing cravings while getting extra fiber and “just enough” protein

Best Budget

Onnit Protein Bites

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Ingredients from 60 plants 
• Whey protein from grass-fed cows 
• 7-9 g of protein, depending on flavor

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Nutrients from 60 plants
• Subscribe and save 15%
• Also sold individually so you can try flavors

Cons

• Contains the allergens soy, tree nuts, milk, and sesame
• Very mixed reviews on the new formula
• Users say chocolate coating melts easily and gets messy

Bottom Line

Onnit Protein Bites have 7 to 9 grams of protein from grass-fed cows and contain nutrients from more than 60 plants. However, the new formula is very divisive with some users loving it and some hating it.

Onnit Protein Bites are like an optimized candy bar, with a long list of vegetable ingredients and fiber content (7 grams) that nearly matches the protein (8 grams). Plus, they’re only $1.67 per serving—very reasonable. 

GGR Head of Content Kate Meier and her weightlifting team tested all flavors of the Onnit bites and couldn’t find a single one they didn’t love. “Delicious. All of the flavors are really good. They taste like candy bars! We had at least half a dozen people try these, and all rated these 10/10. The Cookies and Cream is DANGEROUS.”

If you crave the crunch, this might not be the bar for you. But Kate was in heaven. “The Coconut Cashew one is super similar to a Mounds Bar in texture. These are chewy and moist and just … (chef’s kiss). It wouldn’t be our go-to protein snack, but I would view this like a ‘healthy dessert’ option for when chocolate cravings kick in, or you just want something sweet.”

The fiber content is very high, so maybe don’t eat the whole box all at once. And if you really don’t like how these settle in your stomach, Kate notes, “The return policy is good. You can shoot something back for a full refund if it’s at least half full.”

Best Protein Bar for Men for Weight Loss: Bulletproof Crisp Protein Bar

Good for: A good-tasting snack with moderate protein and low calories

Best for Weight Loss

Bulletproof Protein Crisp Bar

GGR Score: 3.7

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Product Highlights

• Gluten-free, dairy-free, and keto-friendly
• Each bar delivers 11 g of pea protein, 1 g of sugar, and 4 g of net carbs
• Available flavors include: Salted caramel, peanut butter chocolate chip, coconut chocolate chip, chocolate mint chip
• Peanuts and peanut butter are sourced and tested to meet EU compliance for toxins

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Convenient
• Several flavor options
• Only 1 g of sugar
• Gluten- and dairy-free

Cons

• Not everyone like the taste of the pea protein
• Stevia and monk fruit may cause stomach issues for some

Bottom Line

Available in four flavors, the Bulletproof Protein Crisp Bars provide 11 grams of protein in a low-carb and convenient treat.

If you were hoping that the bar from the creators of Bulletproof Coffee contained butter, sorry to disappoint you. This low-calorie plant-based bar offers a moderate amount of protein at 11 grams, plus hefty dose of fiber at 9 grams, making it a solid option as a snack between meals—we even named it on our best protein bars for weight loss list. Depending on your daily protein intake, you just might want to have it alongside a protein powder shake. 

GGR Head of Content Kate Meier and her team found the flavor to be subtle compared to the other bars they tested. “There is definitely peanut butter in this bar, with just a hint of the chocolate chip. Overall, it tastes like a ‘healthy’ peanut butter bar. I give it a solid 4 out of 5 for taste.” 

However, the “Protein Crisp” bar struggled to live up to both parts of its name. “For a bar called ‘crisp,’ it’s not very crispy. And just 11 grams of protein is a bummer. I’d love to see that higher,” Kate said. “Still, based on taste alone, I’d eat this again! I had about eight other people try these bars, and all eight said they enjoyed it. That’s pretty solid.” 

Best Protein Bar for Men With Good Macros: Quest Nutrition Protein Bar

Good for: Macro-counters chasing high protein on limited calories 

Best With Good Macros

Quest Nutrition Protein Bars

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Gluten-free
• Low-sugar
• 16 flavor options
• 17-21 grams of protein depending on the flavor
• Low net carbs

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Great product to keep your macronutrients on target
• Simple, grab-and-go snack
• Gluten-free helps with dietary restrictions
• Low in sugar
• Very filling

Cons

• Chewy texture isn’t for everyone
• Uses sugar alcohols, which can upset digestion
• The company recently changed the formula a bit and several customers didn’t like the change
• Can get too soft if gets too hot (like in a car or gym bag)

Bottom Line

Quest Nutrition has been serving the health and protein market since 2010 and they continue to give people high-quality products. They offer some unique flavors in their bars not seen by competitors such as White Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Sprinkled Donut, and Lemon Cake.This is one of the few bars that is actually recommended to stick in the microwave for about 15 seconds to produce a rich, tasty treat. Using a high-quality dairy-based protein, Quest Bars are dense and chewy in texture.These bars fall pretty well right in the middle as far as price point so you don’t have to break the bank to get your protein in consistently. You will want to pay attention to the ingredients as many of the customers who have used Quest for a long time were not fans of the newer formula, although if you don’t have anything to compare it to, you might find you like it just fine.

Quest Nutrition bars have a loyal following as a meal replacement and post-workout treat, and countless people have fallen in love with them on their fitness or weight loss journey. One was our tester, GGR Senior Staff Writer Amanda Capritto. 

“I was obsessed with these bars a few years ago and would eat them daily—sometimes multiple times a day—then kind of got sick of them,” she says. “I tried them again just recently for our research, and must say, they’re as good as I remember! My favorite is the Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.”

Reviewers love the immense range of flavors, 20 grams protein per serving, gluten-free ingredients, lack of added sugar, and widespread availability of Quest Bars. However, the whopping 12 grams of fiber per bar might be a bit much for some people’s stomachs, especially pre-workout. 

And while 9 grams of erythritol sugar alcohol is on the high end of the bars we tested, it’s still well below the levels where a study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition² showed most people begin to experience gastric distress. Eat two or three bars a day like Amanda did, and you might find your personal limit. 

Read our full Quest protein bar review to get the rest of our thoughts. 

Best Keto Protein Bar for Men: EPIC Provisions Jerky Bars

Good for: Low-carb eaters chasing high dietary fat intake

Best Keto

EPIC Nutrition EPIC Bars

GGR Score: 4.2

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Product Highlights

• Grass-fed jerky bars
• Paleo-friendly
• Whole30-compliant
• Dairy-free
• Gluten-free
• 8-15 g of protein per bar

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Very unique protein bar option
• Great to pack for outdoor hikes and activities or bring on-the-go
• Appeals to many different lifestyles including paleo, Whole30, keto, and dairy-free
• Great flavor combos
• Soft texture (not like regular beef jerky)
• 9 flavor options
• Humane grass-fed beef sources

Cons

• Have a different texture than typical protein bars
• Not suitable for vegetarians or vegans
• Some flavors are kind of greasy

Bottom Line

When you think of protein bars you might consider the word sweet, but savory and spicy probably wouldn’t normally come to mind. EPIC Nutrition is working on changing that up and improving meat-based protein options on the market while also maintaining a high level of respect for the animals and environments that they live in.

If everything else on this list so far feels like dessert, consider the paleo-leaning EPIC Provisions’ bars the main course. Each savory flavor is made from a different variety of meat, and even the fruit-containing versions have fewer than 5 grams of carbs per bar. 

EPIC bars are Whole 30-approved and keto-friendly, but at 7 to 12 grams apiece, it’s a stretch to call them a “protein” bar. They have just as much fat as protein—in some cases, more saturated fat than protein. However, if you’re on the keto path and struggling to get enough dietary fat each day, that’s exactly what you want to hear. 

GGR Staff Writer Amanda Capritto came in with appropriate expectations and enjoyed EPIC Bars for what they are. “I’ve been eating these for a few years now and I really enjoy them,” she says. “They’re soft in texture, as if you’re eating fall-off-the-bone ribs from a cookout. My favorite is the Bison Bacon Cranberry flavor.”

Not everybody loves that soft texture, and for every two people raving about Epic bars, you’ll find one hater calling them overhyped baby food. If you don’t know where you stand yet, try one and figure it out. You know you’re curious. 

RELATED: Best Keto Protein Powder

Best Vegan Protein Bar for Men: NuGo Dark Bars

Good for: Animal-free snacking and dessert replacement

Best Vegan

NuGo Protein Bars

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Made with real chocolate coating
• Gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO  
• 10-13 grams of protein

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Taste is popular
• No sugar alcohols
• Gluten free
• Kid-friendly
• Vegan

Cons

• Some reports of damaged packaging
• High sugar count

Bottom Line

NuGo bars are an affordable protein bar made with non-GMO and gluten-free ingredients providing a moderate amount of protein and low fat count. They come in both dairy-based and vegan options.

NuGo’s vegan bars check a lot of boxes for eaters trying to maximize the benefits of plant-based eating. Not only are they entirely free of animal products, but also non-GMO and gluten-free. And the flavors hit some nostalgia notes that vegans may have thought weren’t an option. (Just be sure to check the front label of your bar, because NuGo also makes non-vegan bars.)

The 10-16 grams of protein content doesn’t stand out against other bars. But once our tester, GGR Editor Frieda Johnson, bit into the Mint Chocolate Chip bar, the taste was worth the sacrifice. 

“These are amazing!” she raves. “You can tell that they use real dark chocolate instead of the fake, waxy stuff most brands use. They have a crispy rice texture that really is like eating a candy bar or cookie. Not too gooey, not too dry.” If you like Thin Mints but are vegan, give these a try. 

Best Organic Protein Bar for Men: Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar

Good for: Plant-based meal replacement and craving control

Best Organic

ALOHA Plant Based Protein Bars

GGR Score: 3.75

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Product Highlights

• USDA organic 
• 14 g of protein 
• Vegan 
• Dairy-, soy-, gluten-, and stevia-free

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Variety packs available
• Subscribe and save
• Large variety of flavors, plus seasonal flavors
• Soy, gluten, and dairy free

Cons

• Manufactured in a facility that also processes many allergens
• Mixed reviews on taste and consistency
• Customer report the bars are very dry

Bottom Line

Aloha bars are available in a large variety of flavors, including seasonal options, and have 14 grams of protein per bar. Some reviewers with celiac disease warn that they might not be as gluten-free as advertised, however.

Unlike some companies that offer both organic and non-organic bars, or animal-based and plant-based protein bars, you know exactly what you’re getting when you buy Aloha bars. They’re always organic, always vegan, gluten-free, and the company has strong commitments to sustainability and climate neutrality. 

But how do they taste? GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly tried the Mint Chocolate flavor, and loved the strong flavor and fudge-like consistency. “Very heavy on the mint with just a wee bit of chocolate taste. Tastes like a York Peppermint patty, TBH,” he reported. “If you like fudgy protein bars, you’ll like this.” 

Aloha Bars aren’t big hitters in the protein department, at around 14 grams per bar. But most flavors include a blend of both rice and pumpkin seed protein, which creates a more complete amino acid profile than rice protein alone. Most also contain both healthy fats from nuts and a significant amount of fiber from tapioca, making them more of a snack or meal replacement than a full-on performance supplement. 

RELATED: Best Organic Protein Powder

Best Protein Bar for Men With Whole-Food Ingredients: RXBar

Good for: Pre-workout or intra-workout fueling, or healthy snacking

Best With Whole-Food Ingredients

RX Nutrition RXBAR

GGR Score: 4.75

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Product Highlights

• Simple ingredients
• 12 g of protein per bar
• Gluten-free
• Kosher
• Variety of flavors

Pros & Cons

Pros

• No artificial flavors
• Great for traveling as they don’t need to be refrigerated or warmed up
• Flavors range from fruity to chocolate to satisfy all cravings
• Made with simple, easy-to-understand ingredients
• No artificial ingredients

Cons

• A different texture that some might have issues with (very chewy)
• Not a full meal replacement
• Not for those with nut allergies

Bottom Line

If you are looking for a protein bar that you can keep in your drawer at work, in the glove box of your car, and in your purse or gym bag, this is a great option. These are a great way to get protein in between meals as well as during outdoor activities, or busy travel days.

RXBar made a strong statement when it launched in 2013 by listing ingredients (and “No BS”) right on the front label. A decade later, the company still sets the bar for label simplicity and transparency. 

GGR Staff Writer Amanda Capritto succinctly sums up their appeal to CrossFitters and other hard-training athletes: “No, they don’t have the highest amount of protein, but they’re one of the cleanest options on the market.”

Most varieties of RXBar contain three egg whites and a variety of whole-food ingredients like nuts, fruit, and extra carbs from either dates or honey. The classic RXBar sits light in the stomach either before or during a hard workout, or can be the perfect treat alongside a protein shake afterward. They’re not a full meal replacement, but they’re not really trying to be. 

“There are plenty of things I love about these bars: their all-natural ingredients, the chewy texture, and the fact that they don’t require refrigeration and can go right in your gym bag,” Capprito says. 

Best Low-Carb Protein Bar for Men: Perfect Keto Bar

Good for: Low-carb eaters who need both lots of fat and moderate protein

Best Low-Carb

Perfect Keto Bars

GGR Score: 4.3

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Product Highlights

• Derived from almond and cacao butter, coconut oil, collagen, sea salt, and stevia (ingredients may vary slightly by flavor)
• 5 available flavors: peanut butter chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, salted caramel, almond butter brownie, and cinnamon roll
• Only 3 g of net carbs
• No added sugar, sugar alcohols, additives, or fillers
• Formulated to maintain ketosis
• Each bar provides 240 cal, 18 g of fat, 10 g of carbohydrates, 2 g of fiber, 5 g of allulose, and 13 g of protein

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Low-carb
• No sugar alcohols
• Variety of flavors
• Responsive customer service
• Gluten-free

Cons

• Some users found the texture to be dry and chalky
• Relatively expensive
• Contains stevia, which may cause stomach issues

Bottom Line

The Perfect Keto Bars are available in five different flavors and a good option for those who want to avoid sugar alcohols.

If you’re cutting carbs almost entirely out of your diet, you need to get your calories from somewhere. And that somewhere is fat. The Perfect Keto Bar, which reigns on our list of the best low-carb protein bars, has plenty of it, getting 18 grams per bar from nut butters, cacao butter, and coconut-derived medium-chain triglycerides. Carbs are a miniscule 3 to 10 grams per bar, depending on the flavor, and there are 11 grams of protein to be found.

If that sounds decadent and doughy, you’re right, says our tester Wilkes. “It’s a little pricey, but a very good-tasting bar, with a higher protein content than other keto bars,” he reports. “No added sugars or sugar alcohols either. I would, and currently am snacking on this. It kind of melts in your mouth. It literally feels like you’re snacking on peanut butter with chocolate chips.”

Unlike Perfect Bars, which do need to be refrigerated, Perfect Keto Bars are shelf stable. However, they can get mushy and misshapen if left out for long. The company recommends tossing them in the fridge for an hour before eating to firm up. 

Best Protein Bar for Men for Post-Workout: CLIF Builders Bars

Good for: A quick protein and carb source after hard training

Best for Post-Workout

CLIF Builders Protein Bar

GGR Score: 4.5

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Product Highlights

• Made with plant protein
• 20 g of protein 
• Non-GMO and gluten-free

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 6 flavor options + one with caffeine
• Gluten-free
• Low-glycemic-index foods
• 20 g of protein
• Subscribe and save 10%

Cons

• Customers complain bars are smaller than before
• New formula has very mixed reviews
• Contains the allergens peanuts and soy

Bottom Line

CLIF Builders bars come in six flavors (plus one with caffeine) and have 20 grams of gluten-free soy protein. The new formula has mixed reviews, however.

CLIF makes the omnipresent protein bar you can buy at any big-box store and always find on sale. You may have thrown them in your kids’ backpack, or eaten one on the summit of the tallest point in your state. CLIF Builders takes the familiar packaging and flavors and boosts the protein up to 20 grams with 31 grams of carbs, making it a legit post-workout option, just like our list of the best muscle recovery supplements.  

GGR Head of Content Kate Meier and her weightlifting team were no stranger to CLIF Builders, and each athlete already had their faves. “I’m partial to Chocolate Mint, while my teammate Jacob likes the Chocolate Peanut Butter,” Kate reports. “But they are generally all really good, especially if you refrigerate them. You do get a bit of that protein-y taste, but these are packed with protein. Definitely a fan-favorite. Affordable, tasty, and good macros.”

Other Protein Bars for Men We Researched

Our team has tested over 40 varieties of protein bars, so there are many that didn’t make this list. Here are a few notable runner ups. 

• Pure Protein Bars: These are a good budget option, but we like the Onnit Protein Bites better. 
• MyProtein Layered Bars: These have been out of stock for a while now so we haven’t been able to test them.
• Papa Steve’s Raw Foods No Junk Raw Protein Bar: These were also out of stock when we tried to order them.
• ProBar: We tested the meal replacement bar, which doesn’t have enough protein to be on this list.
• No Cow: No one on our team was a huge fan of these, even GGR Editor Frieda Johnson who eats a lot of plant-based food.
• Bulletproof Collagen Protein Bars: We didn’t like the taste or texture of these.
• G2G Protein Bars: These taste great, but they’re full of added sugar and high-calorie.

How We Picked and Tested the Best Protein Bars for Men

A well-chosen protein bar can be a secret weapon in achieving your goals. A poorly chosen one can be a reason you end up frustrated. Our testers include athletes who have worked extensively with high-level nutritionists, and we only recommend bars they have tried, enjoyed, and can personally stand behind, using the following criteria: 

Cost

Our top picks packed a lot of nutrition into a small price tag. No food or supplement works if you only take it once, or even just a few times, so we favored bars that were cost-effective enough to buy by the dozen. 

Ingredient Quality

Not every high-protein food can match the label simplicity of an RXBar. But we only included items that prioritized whole food ingredients, and that didn’t need to be refrigerated. They need to be able to last all day in a gym bag! 

Taste

If someone tells you that a bar’s macros are all that matter, they’re lying. You need to look forward to eating a snack bar if you’re going to experience its benefits! We only included bars that had nutritional bona fides, while still being up to the challenge of doing battle with our testers’ sweet tooths. 

Protein Amount

Protein isn’t everything, but it’s a big thing. And that 4-gram “protein” bar you’re snacking on might be tasty, but it’s not doing much to help you control your appetite or improve your nutrition. Sorry, not sorry! Not all of our bars have 20-plus grams per serving, but they’re all at or near double digits—and we let you know when they’re on the low side. 

Benefits of Protein Bars for Men

Of course one big benefit of protein bars is what they can replace in your diet—candy bars and cookies. But they do have some distinct benefits, especially for men with athletic or body composition goals. 

Increase Overall Daily Protein

A growing amount of research is concluding that men and women who exercise need a greater amount of protein than those who don’t. The low end recommended by the International Society of Sports Nutrition³ sits right around .8 grams per pound of bodyweight.³ For a 160-pound person, that’s 128 grams of protein per day. If you get 35 grams at three meals a day, you’re still 23 grams short; adding a 20-gram protein bar can get you most of the way there. 

Increased Fiber Intake

Some bars on our list, like Onnit’s Protein Bites, contain over a quarter of your daily RDA of fiber. This isn’t enough to replace vegetables or whole grains, but it’s a great head start. 

RELATED: Best Fiber Supplements 

Dosing and Interactions 

There is no evidence that protein bars can cause any serious side effects when eaten in reasonable quantities—just be sure to check the ingredients label if you have any food allergies

However, the new generation of protein bars does like to pack 8 to 10 grams of prebiotic fiber. This particular type of fiber has been shown to have beneficial effects for gut health^4. However, it can also cause gassiness and bloating for the first few days as your body adapts to the increased fiber intake. But a study in Neurogastroenterology & Motility⁵ from 2017 found that this side effect decreases in just a few days.

Buying Guide: What to Look for in Protein Bars for Men

Staring at the back of a box of protein bars in the store? We’ve all been there. Here’s how to tell if the one you’re considering is worth your time and money. 

Protein Source And Amount

If you’re buying a bar to increase your daily protein intake, or to get high-quality protein after a workout, then this is the highest priority.

Protein should be one of the first ingredients on the list, and ideally, upwards of 18 grams per bar from a high-quality source like whey, egg, or a plant-based protein. 

However, if you’re having a bar for craving control or as a healthy snack, you can be a bit more flexible. Some of the bars on this list have around 12 to 14 grams of protein, but also have solid amounts of fiber and dietary fats from nuts and seeds. These slow-digesting nutrients can help you control cravings and act as a “bridge” to a more substantial meal.

Overall Calories

Calorie needs are very personal, both to people and goals. 

• If you have muscle-building dreams, you might want a high-calorie, high-protein bar— perhaps over 200 calories per bar or even more.
• If you’re looking to lose weight, something more economical, like 140 to 170 calories with high fiber and protein, could be a better choice. 

That may not sound like much of a difference, but if you’re eating a bar every day, the difference can quickly add up.

Type of Sweetener

Every type of sweetener has pros and cons. Honey-sweetened bars like the Rise Bar can be great before or during long workouts or hikes to help give you energy, for instance. But that bar is also among the most caloric on our list, at 280 calories per serving. 

Sugar alcohols are an increasingly popular sweetener because they don’t contain calories, but still offer intense sweetness. Certain sugar alcohols, however, have also been linked in research to digestive distress, gas, and bloating. 

Erythritol is the most common sugar alcohol in the bars we reviewed, and has been shown in studies² to be well-tolerated in doses up to around 50 grams. However, if you’re slamming multiple bars in a single sitting or day, pay attention to how you feel and consider eating more food and fewer bars. 

FAQs About the Best Protein Bars for Men

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.

References

1. Snijders T, Trommelen J, Kouw IWK, Holwerda AM, Verdijk LB, van Loon LJC. The Impact of Pre-sleep Protein Ingestion on the Skeletal Muscle Adaptive Response to Exercise in Humans: An Update. Front Nutr. 2019;6:17. Published 2019 Mar 6. doi:10.3389/fnut.2019.00017
2. Storey D, Lee A, Bornet F, Brouns F. Gastrointestinal tolerance of erythritol and xylitol ingested in a liquid. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007;61(3):349-354. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602532
3. Jäger R, Kerksick CM, Campbell BI, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:20. Published 2017 Jun 20. doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8
4. Marteau P, Seksik P. Tolerance of probiotics and prebiotics. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2004;38(6 Suppl):S67-S69. doi:10.1097/01.mcg.0000128929.37156.a7
5. Mego M, Accarino A, Tzortzis G, et al. Colonic gas homeostasis: Mechanisms of adaptation following HOST-G904 galactooligosaccharide use in humans. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;29(9):10.1111/nmo.13080. doi:10.1111/nmo.13080

Nick Collias, RKC-L2

Nick Collias is a writer and editor with over 12 years of experience working in health and fitness. Prior to that, he spent a decade as a print and online journalist, as well as a book author, ghostwriter, and editor.He was the host of the Bodybuilding.com Podcast for 100 episodes, interviewing elite athletes and thought leaders on a wide range of training, nutrition, and lifestyle topics. He is also an RKC level 2 certified kettlebell instructor and Progressive Calisthenics Certification bodyweight instructor. In 2019, he was a member of Team USA in the grip-focused sport of armlifting at the APL Armlifting World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia.

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