Our Picks Best plant-based protein shake Owyn View details $7 at Walmart View details Best overall whey-based protein shake Premier Protein View details $31 at Amazon View details Best tasting plant-based protein shake Ripple View details $32 at Amazon View details Table of Contents Your diet is as crucial as your workouts when it comes to fitness goals, and protein plays a big part in it. Whether your goal is to build muscle or maintain a healthy diet, proper protein intake can support a healthier body. But it's not easy to get all the protein you need. That's where protein powders can help, but not everybody likes the taste or texture you get from mixing them at home. Premade protein shakes can help there, but picking the right one can be difficult. If you've been struggling to find a non-clumpy protein powder or need to take your protein on the go, we've found the best protein shakes on the market. These are our top protein shake picks. Giselle Castro-Sloboda/CNETThere are two common types of protein shakes: whey-based and plant-based. We've tested many protein shakes for taste and nutritional value to help you determine which ones are worth your money.If protein powders are more up your alley,these are some of our favoritesfor mixing at home. Owyn, pronounced "oh-win," stands for Only What You Need and is a plant-based protein shake that is non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free. Besides gluten and dairy, it's also free of the rest of the top eight allergens like soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish or shellfish. I first tried Owyn about a year ago and was pleasantly surprised by the flavor and quality of the beverage. I tried it again recently and dark chocolate is still one of my favorite flavors because it tastes like a chocolate dessert without having a lot of sugar or the bad aftertaste some protein beverages can have.If you're vegan, then you know you have to put in a little more effort to meet your protein requirements. Owyn's standard protein shakes have 20 grams of protein, but it also has a line of Pro Elite High Protein Shakes, which have 35 grams of protein per bottle. These are a good option if you're looking for a midday snack or when you need a quick protein source after a workout. I'm lactose intolerant and can have a sensitive stomach when trying new supplements, but I had no issues with Owyn. It should be a safe choice if you're sensitive to dairy or have gluten or nut allergies.ProsCreamy and full-bodied flavorNo bad aftertasteVariety of flavorsConsIt's expensive for a 12-pack online or on AmazonThere aren't as many flavor options under the Pro Elite High Protein line Editor's note, Aug. 1, 2022:Premier Protein's parent company Lyons Magnus voluntarily recalled some lots of its chocolate, vanilla and cafe latte cartons.See the details of the recall.Premier Protein has made itself a household name and is probably one of the most popular brands you'll see on store shelves. This shake is whey-based and contains 30 grams of protein per serving. If you are sensitive to whey protein, I would opt for a plant-based protein shake or powder instead. I didn't have any gastric issues when I tested Premier Protein, but I could see someone with a more acute case of lactose intolerance or someone sensitive to certain artificial sweeteners potentially experiencing some discomfort.My favorite flavor from this line was a chocolate peanut butter protein shake because it tastes like Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in liquid form. The flavor profile tastes rich enough that you feel like you're drinking a sugar-packed dessert, but in reality, it has only one gram of sugar.I've used Premier Protein as a protein shake to hold me over in between meals, and it gets the job done thanks to its protein profile.ProsA quick way to get protein while on the goVarious flavor optionsTastes like dessertConsArtificial sweeteners could potentially upset some stomachsThe carton's construction could be more durable $32 at Amazon If you're looking for a plant-based protein shake that has a smooth profile and is creamy and flavorful, then you'll love Ripple's protein shakes. It's available in vanilla, chocolate and coffee flavors and features 20 grams of protein per bottle. Ripple's vegan protein comes from pea protein, and compared to other plant-based proteins on this list is slightly higher in calories (200 calories per serving) and sugar (9 grams per serving).I tried each of the flavors Ripple has available and I was pleased with the way the brand managed to make an on-the-go plant-based shake that doesn't have a gritty texture or lingering aftertaste. Even some plant-based powders I've tried in the past had a less impressive profile than the shakes Ripple has to offer. The sweetener used in this shake is derived from monk fruit, which surprised me because I wouldn't have known had I not read the nutritional label. I've tried other products that include the same sweetener and it's more detectable.I would love to see Ripple expand its plant-based shake selection by adding ones that have extra protein and new flavors. Although it's more of a challenge to have high-protein options with plant-based protein, it's still possible as Huel has figured out how to do it.ProsPerfect on the goFlavors are creamy and richAvailable through third-party retailersConsOnly three flavors are availableSugar is a little high side for a protein shake Other protein shakes we tried Kate FarmsEditor's note, Aug. 11, 2022:Kate Farms parent company Lyons Magnus voluntarily recalled some of its pediatric, standard beverages and nutrition shakes.See the details of the recall.Kate Farms uses organic yellow pea protein in its plant-based shakes that are free of gluten, soy, dairy and artificial sweeteners. I loved how creamy and delicious these protein shakes were. They're higher in calories (330 calories), which isn't a problem since it's considered a meal replacement beverage, not just a protein shake. This product almost made the best list, but it fell short in one important area: It only has 16 grams of protein per serving compared to the other plant-based brands, which have at least 20 grams of protein. If Kate Farms reworked its formula to include 20 grams or more of protein, it would've easily made the best list.Orgain Organic Nutrition ShakeI'm familiar with Orgain's plant-based protein powders because I've had them in the past. I had never tried its shakes before, and they fell short for me. I really wanted to like them, but they had an aftertaste that their powders normally don't have, and even the creamy chocolate fudge flavor (that I usually like) didn't taste the same to me. If it were up to me, I'd stick to Orgain in powder form and mix it with my dairy-free milk of choice as I normally do.Iconic Life Protein DrinkThis whey-based protein shake was not a hit for me as I could not get past the artificial taste. I often enjoy vanilla flavors, but I was not a fan of this version of vanilla protein. The chocolate flavor was slightly better, but ultimately the mix of sweeteners was not the right fit for me.