Protein drinks, ranked by efficiency
Ranked by calories per gram of protein (lower is better) — a macro-efficiency measure, not taste, formulation quality, ingredient safety, or certification status. #1 has the fewest calories per gram of protein.
Macros are transcribed from manufacturer Nutrition Facts labels as of
2026-06-18. This list is curated and pending verification before launch —
labels and formulations change, so confirm current values with the manufacturer before relying on them.
This is not medical, dietary, or efficacy advice.
| Rank | Product | Protein (g) | Calories | cal/g protein | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ensure Ensure Max Protein 11 fl oz (330 mL) shake | 30 | 150 | 5 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #2 | Premier Protein Premier Protein Shake 11.5 fl oz (340 mL) shake | 30 | 160 | 5.3 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #3 | Fairlife Core Power Elite 14 fl oz (414 mL) bottle | 42 | 230 | 5.5 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #4 | Muscle Milk Pro Advanced Nutrition Shake (40g) 14 fl oz (414 mL) shake | 40 | 250 | 6.3 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #5 | Muscle Milk Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Shake 11 fl oz (330 mL) shake | 25 | 160 | 6.4 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #6 | Iconic Iconic Protein Drink 11.5 fl oz (340 mL) drink | 20 | 130 | 6.5 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #6 | Fairlife Core Power 26g 11.5 fl oz (340 mL) bottle | 26 | 170 | 6.5 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #8 | OWYN Plant-Based Protein Shake (20g) 12 fl oz (355 mL) shake | 20 | 180 | 9 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #9 | Atkins Atkins Protein-Rich Shake 11 fl oz (325 mL) shake | 15 | 160 | 10.7 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #10 | Boost Boost High Protein Nutritional Drink 8 fl oz (237 mL) drink | 20 | 240 | 12 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #11 | Orgain Organic Nutrition Protein Shake 11 fl oz (330 mL) shake | 16 | 220 | 13.8 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
| #12 | Ensure Ensure Original Nutrition Shake 8 fl oz (237 mL) shake | 9 | 220 | 24.4 | Shop:AmazoniHerb |
"cal/g protein" = calories ÷ grams of protein per serving. A lower number means more of the drink's calories come from protein. It says nothing about taste, sweeteners, fat/sugar content, ingredient quality, or whether a product is third-party certified. Shop links are affiliate links. See our methodology.