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Protein powder is a convenient way to meet your macros, but sometimes you just want a grab-and-go shake that you don’t have to worry about mixing. Fortunately, there are about a million different options, including the OWYN Protein Shakes, which are wildly popular.
To see if they’re worth the hype, we tested the shakes ourselves over the course of a couple weeks, rating them on factors like taste, texture, side effects, third-party testing, and overall customer experience. This article is also written by a certified functional nutritionist, who shares her thoughts on the formulation and ingredient quality.
In this OWYN Protein Shake review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the pre-made drink so you can decide if you want to try it or skip it.
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. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
We’ve Taste-Tested Dozens of Protein Shakes
Our testers, which include certified personal trainers, weightlifting coaches, and certified nutrition coaches, have collectively tried more than 40 pre-made protein shakes. We’ve formally tested them, rating them on a scale of 1 to 5 in a variety of categories, including:
- Taste
- Texture
- Solubility
- Formulation
- Side effects
- Customer experience
Less formally, we also drink them often in our day-to-day lives, before and after workouts and to fuel up between meals. We’re active and we practice what we preach. We would never recommend a protein shake that we wouldn’t drink ourselves. For any supplements (including protein shakes), we also consult with registered dietitians and certified nutritionists for their thoughts on the ingredients and overall quality.
Owyn Protein Shake
OWYN Plant-Based Protein Shake
Product Highlights
- Formulated with allergen-friendly ingredients
- All Owyn Shakes contain Superfoods Greens blend
- Free from artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols
- Provides all nine essential amino acids
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Plant-based and vegan
- Contains 535 mg omega-3s
- Independently tested for allergens
- Low carb
- Refrigeration not required
Cons
- Some flavors had mixed reviews
- No returns allowed if you don't like it
Bottom Line
Owyn Plant-Based Protein Shake is a great option for those looking for something vegan and free from the top eight allergens.
A Quick Look at OWYN Protein Shakes
OWYN protein shakes are 100% vegan, gluten-free, non-dairy, and non-GMO verified. They’re made with three plant-based protein sources—pea protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, and organic flax oil—for a total of 20 grams of protein. (FYI: These are the regular protein shakes; there’s also the OWYN Pro Elite shakes, which have 32 grams of protein per serving.)
They’re also labeled as allergy-friendly—there’s no soy, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, or lactose, but heads up: OWYN products are not made in allergen-free facilities.
The shakes come in five dairy-free flavors: Dark Chocolate, Cold Brew Coffee, Vanilla, Strawberry Banana, and Cookies and Creamless. You can buy each flavor by itself, or opt for a variety pack that combines three options.
Before You Buy
- OWYN shakes contain added sugar.
- They’re labeled as allergy-friendly but aren’t made in allergen-free facilities.
- There are 5 flavors to choose from, but you can also opt for a variety pack if you want to try several.
- If you subscribe to recurring deliveries through the website, you can save 20% on each order.
Are OWYN Protein Shakes Worth It?
OWYN Protein Shakes cost just over $3.00 each, which is about mid-range for this type of product. Several of the ingredients are organic, which is likely why they cost a bit more than other, similar options. Whether or not they’re worth it depends on what you’re looking for.
Great for:
- People looking for a vegan protein shake with a complete protein
- Those who are OK with a little added sugar
- People who want to boost their micronutrient intake
- Anyone who wants some carbs and fats in addition to protein
Not recommended for:
- People on a low-carb diet
- Anyone looking for a whey protein shake
- Those looking for 100% clean ingredients
OWYN Protein Shake Specs
| Calories | 170 |
| Protein | 20 |
| Carbs | 9 |
| Fat | 7 |
| Flavors | Dark chocolate, Cold Brew Coffee, Vanilla, Strawberry Banana, and Cookies and Creamless |
| Price per serving | $3.08 |
| Diet type | Vegan |
Experience Using OWYN Protein Shakes
GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly, CNC, CPT, tested the OWYN protein shakes, rating them on several factors like formulation, taste, texture, third-party testing, and price.
After a couple of weeks, he ultimately gave them a total score of 3.9 out 5—above average, but not stellar. Let’s break it down.
Price Per Serving
Each OWYN Protein Shake is $3.08, but you can purchase them in cases of 12. If you commit to a recurring subscription, you’ll get 20% off all orders, which makes them $2.47 per shake.
This isn’t super expensive, but it’s not cheap either, so Anthony gave it a 3.5 out of 5 for price.
Formulation
The formulation is pretty good, so Anthony gave it a 4 out of 5. You’ll get 170 calories and 20 grams of protein per shake.
OWYN uses a vegan protein blend that combines pea protein, organic pumpkin seed protein, and organic flaxseed oil. Pea protein is one of the only plant-based proteins that contains all the essential amino acids1, but still, it’s not as bioavailable as whey protein.
These shakes also have 9 grams of carbohydrates. Five grams come from fiber, but there’s also 4 grams of added sugar. This calculates to 4 grams of net carbs. This is a little high if you’re following a low-carb, high-protein diet—there are plenty of good protein drinks available without any added sugar. Granted, OWYN uses organic cane sugar, but still: Sugar is sugar.
There’s also a hefty amount of fat. Each bottle contains 7 grams, many of which are in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a vegan omega-3 fatty acid. While ALA is considered anti-inflammatory like other omega-3s, you only absorb about 30% of it2.
In addition to its main protein base, the OWYN Protein Shakes also have a greens blend that’s made up of broccoli, kale, and spinach. Because of this, you’ll get some micronutrients like iron and potassium that you might not get in other shakes.
The rest of the ingredient list isn’t terrible. There’s no stevia, sugar alcohols, or artificial sweeteners. Instead, these shakes have some monk fruit extract in addition to the cane sugar. There’s also some Himalayan pink sea salt, which can help with hydration.
Additionally, there are some filler ingredients, like sunflower oil and guar gum, that aren’t great but help with the texture. There might also be other specific ingredients depending on which flavor you get. For example, the chocolate flavor has cocoa powder, while the others have unspecified natural flavors.
Taste and Texture
Anthony thought the taste and texture were OK, but nothing to write home about.
He tried the Cookies and Creamless flavor and thought it tasted more like “cream” than cookie (there’s no actual cream in these vegan shakes, FYI). He didn’t pick up on any aftertaste like you sometimes get with protein shakes, which was a plus. He gave the taste a 4 out of 5.
Texture got a score of 3.5 out of 5 because the shake was a bit watery. This isn’t necessarily bad, since it went down easier than a shake made from actual cream. But if you’re looking for a rich, creamy protein shake, this is not the one.
Side Effects
Anthony didn’t experience any side effects when drinking these shakes, so he gave them a score of 5 out of 5.
It’s worth nothing that several one-star Amazon reviewers said they had allergic reactions when drinking the shake. If you have a known allergy, it’s worth reaching out to the brand to make sure the shakes are safe to drink. They don’t contain any of the major allergens, but they’re not made in allergen-friendly facilities, so there is a possibility of cross-contamination.
Third-Party Testing
OWYN does some third-party testing, but it’s not as comprehensive as we’d like to see. They say they third-party test for the top eight major allergens, but it doesn’t look like they verify potency or purity.
Additionally, OWYN isn’t forthcoming about who does the testing. Because of this, Anthony gave them a 3 out of 5 for third-party testing.
OWYN Protein Shake vs Ripple Vegan Protein Shake
Ripple Vegan Protein Shakes
Ripple Vegan Protein Shake
Product Highlights
- Pea protein is more sustainable than other proteins
- Vegan and free from lactose, soy, and nuts
- 30% of your daily recommended intake of iron
- Great calcium source
- Certified B Corp company
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Shelf-stable
- Contains phosphorus
- Gluten and soy free
- Low in sugar
Cons
- Many customers said they received expired product
- Only 3 flavors
Bottom Line
Ripple Vegan Protein Shake is a great option for someone looking for a protein shake that is free from animal products and environmentally friendly.
The OWYN Protein Shakes and Ripple Vegan Protein Shakes are similar in lots of ways. They both have a pea protein base, although the OWYN shakes also include pumpkin and flax to make them more of a complete protein.
Both shakes are sweetened with cane sugar, but the Ripple shakes have 9 grams of added sugar, while the OWYN shakes have less than half of that (4 grams). This makes the Ripple shakes higher in calories, too.
Other than the sugar content, the main thing that sets the OWYN shakes apart from the Ripple protein shake is the greens blend. The Ripple shakes don’t have any added superfoods. This may be why they’re priced a bit lower, too.
For what it’s worth, both brands made our list of the best protein shakes for weight loss. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown:
| OWYN Protein Plant-Based Protein Shake | Ripple Vegan Protein Shake | |
| Calories | 170 | 200 |
| Protein | 20 | 20 |
| Carbs | 9 | 13 |
| Fat | 7 | 8 |
| Flavors | Dark chocolate, Cold Brew Coffee, Vanilla, Strawberry Banana, and Cookies and Creamless | Chocolate, Vanilla, Coffee |
| Price per serving | $3.08 | $2.83 |
| Diet type | Vegan | Vegan |
Customer Experience
OWYN isn’t super generous with their return policy. You can only return or exchange something if what you received doesn’t match the description on the site. And this doesn’t apply to subscriptions—those are completely exempt from returns or exchanges.
Ordering OWYN Protein Shakes
You can buy OWYN protein shakes on the brand’s website or through Amazon. We went with Amazon, since shipping is free for Prime members and you can buy them in convenient packs of 12, 24, or 36. Regardless of where you order, you can buy single flavors or various three-flavor variety packs.
There are a couple benefits of ordering directly through the website, though. For starters, you can choose whether you want your shakes in renewable paper cartons or plastic bottles (Amazon only has plastic bottles). You can also save 20% on subscription orders, while Amazon only gives you 10% off.
While you might have to wait longer for delivery if you order through the website, all orders ship free.
Customer Reviews
These shakes have a customer rating of 4.9 on the brand’s site and 4.3 on Amazon, so we averaged it out to a 4.6.
Almost 20,000 people have reviewed the shakes, and most like the taste, texture, and ingredient quality. However, some reviewers call out the sunflower oil and thickening gums, saying they’re unnecessary and unwanted.
Others say the monk fruit sweetener has a bad aftertaste. It was also mentioned that it curdles in coffee, so it may not be the best shake for making those TikTok-viral protein coffees.
Final Verdict of Our OWYN Protein Shake Review
The OWYN protein shakes didn’t blow us away, but they can do the trick in a pinch. They’re not pure protein shakes because they have added fats and carbs, as well as some other ingredients. If the macros work for you, they can be a good post-workout or midday snack.
Full Rating
Owyn Protein Shakes
Owyn Plant-Based Protein Shake is a great option for those looking for something vegan and free from the top eight allergens.
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 36.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.9
OWYN Protein Shake: FAQs
Is Owyn protein good for you?
The answer here isn’t so cut and dry. The shakes aren’t necessarily bad for you, but they’re not exactly a health food either. OWYN Protein Shakes can serve as a quick source of protein in a pinch, but you shouldn’t rely on them to meet your nutrient needs all the time. All protein shakes are still considered highly processed, and OWYN shakes have added sugar and vegetable oils.
Is Owyn protein shake a meal replacement?
No, OWYN protein shakes are not meal replacements or complete nutrition shakes. They do have some micronutrients, as well as carbohydrates and fat, but they’re not fully balanced and only contain 170 calories per bottle. This is not enough for a meal.
Is Owyn a complete protein?
Technically, yes. OWYN combines pea and pumpkin proteins, which supply complementary amino acids that, together, make a complete protein. On its own, pea protein is also technically considered a complete protein because it contains all the essential amino acids. But it is notably low in methionine3, so it’s still a good idea to combine it with other protein sources.
Does Owyn still contain lead?
In 2020, some of OWYN’s protein shakes were found to contain unhealthy levels of lead4. After a settlement in 2021, the company is now required to disclose lead levels5 to the Environmental Research Center to ensure levels are below what is considered “healthy.”
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
- Shanthakumar, P., Klepacka, J., Bains, A., Chawla, P., Dhull, S. B., & Najda, A. (2022). The Current Situation of Pea Protein and Its Application in the Food Industry. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 27(16), 5354. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27165354
- Salehi, B., Berkay Yılmaz, Y., Antika, G., Boyunegmez Tumer, T., Fawzi Mahomoodally, M., Lobine, D., Akram, M., Riaz, M., Capanoglu, E., Sharopov, F., Martins, N., Cho, W. C., & Sharifi-Rad, J. (2019). Insights on the Use of α-Lipoic Acid for Therapeutic Purposes. Biomolecules, 9(8), 356. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom9080356
- West, S., Monteyne, A. J., Whelehan, G., van der Heijden, I., Abdelrahman, D. R., Murton, A. J., Finnigan, T. J. A., Stephens, F. B., & Wall, B. T. (2023). Ingestion of mycoprotein, pea protein, and their blend support comparable postexercise myofibrillar protein synthesis rates in resistance-trained individuals. American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism, 325(3), E267–E279. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00166.2023
- Notice of Violation Of California Health & Safety Code Section 2. State of California Department of Justice. Published January 8, 2020.
- Stipulated Consent Judgement. State of California Department of Justice. Accessed October 11, 2024.
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