Protein bars are the grab-and-go recovery option for anyone on the move. Here’s my pick of the best tried-and-tested options to fuel your fitness drive in 2026.
When hunger knocks post-workout, it’s easy to reach for handy snack bars. These can be loaded with unhealthy fats and sugars, however, and are often high in calories. So feasting on these will often lead to energy peaks and troughs. The best protein bars, on the other hand, pack in more of the good stuff – namely, protein.
Snacking on protein bars allows you to reach your daily protein goals and deliver a much-needed supply to damaged muscles. They also provide a simple on-the-go alternative to more cumbersome protein shakes or time-intensive meals. Plus, they usually taste pretty good, so it’s a win-win-win situation. I certainly use them fairly regularly in my fitness and nutrition regime.
Why you can trust Men’s Fitness
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Our team of reviewers includes experienced product testers, PTs, nutritionists and fitness writers – as well as the core MF team – who know exactly what sets the best products apart from the rest. This list of the best protein bars was compiled by Rob Hobson, registered nutritionist (AFN) and sports nutritionist (SENr). Find out more about how we test.
The best protein bars at a glance
| Best protein bar overall | I have no hesitation recommending Grenade protein bars. The texture is chewy and the taste is sweet without being too sickly. There are also a load of flavours to choose from and, crucially, a solid 20g of good-quality protein per bar. |
| Best for nutrition | If you’re looking for a bar with nutritional benefits, look no further than the Fulfil Vitamin and Protein Bar. Fulfil bars are fortified with vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E, as well as folic acid (and they hit the 20g protein benchmark). |
| Best vegan protein bar | The My Vegan Carb Crusher bar may not have the highest amount of protein at 15g, but with 11g fibre and 17g carbs, it delivers on all fronts, and is one of the best tasting too. |
| Best for competition | If you’re involved in elite competition you need nutritional supplements that are Informed Sport approved. That’s exactly what the Healthspan Elite All Blacks HiLO Protein Bar is, plus it’s high in fibre and protein and low in sugar. |
| Best for texture | The ESN Designer Protein Bar hit the spot in my tests with its pleasantly chewy texture – not at all like some of the grainy textured bars I’ve tested. |
| Best tasting protein bar | It faces some stiff competition but I’d say the Barebells range of protein bars are the best tasting across the board, with the hazelnut nougat my personal favorite. |
| Best for fibre | With around 13g of fibre in every bar, these yfood bars will help you hit your nutrition numbers in more ways than one. |
| Best large serving protein bar | At a decent 65g, Phd Smart Bars will satisfy hunger knocks as well as your protein needs. Usefully, they are available in half-size bars too. |
| Best zero sugar protein bar | The More Nutrition Bars have got their sums right, with less sugar, less than 200kcal and 16g protein definitely equalling More Nutrition. |
| Protein bar with best texture | There may be just three flavors in the line-up, but Vow Nutrition Protein Bars get them spot-on, and the texture is pleasantly chewy. |
1. Grenade Protein Bar
Best overall protein bar
Men’s Fitness verdict
There’s a reason why Grenade is the UK’s best selling protein bar. Loaded with 21g protein and just 1.4g sugar, it’s the best-tasting, best textured, least-sickly sweet bar we’ve tested.- Great tasting
- Excellent chewy texture
- Good amount of protein
- Expensive
- A bit sweet
- High in polyols
| Specifications | Grenade Protein Bar |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 21g |
| Flavors | 15 including Salted Caramel, Oreo, Dark Chocolate Mint, Cookie Dough and White Chocolate |
An obvious choice, perhaps, but the UK’s best-selling protein bars (previously called Carb Killas) is so for a reason. Loaded with 21g protein and just 1.4g sugar, it’s the best-tasting, least-sickly sweet bar I’ve tested.
The Salted Caramel flavor gets my vote, although there are no less than 14 others to choose from. The only downside is restricting yourself to one a day (but who are we to tell you how to live your life).
- Read our full Grenade Bar review
2. Healthspan Elite All Blacks HiLO Protein Bar
Best protein bar for competition
Men’s Fitness verdict
Low in sugar and high in fibre, these HiLO bars pack 20g of quality protein into each of their delicious flavours. They’re purely plant based and approved for elite competition too.- Great taste
- Good amount of quality protein
- High in fiber
- Slightly bitter aftertaste
- Only available online
- Limited flavors
| Specifications | Healthspan Elite All Blacks HiLO Protein Bar |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 20g |
| Flavors | Black Forest Gateau, Chocolate & Salted Caramel, White Chocolate Raspberry |
As you’d expect from any sports nutrition product endorsed by the All Blacks rugby team, the Healthspan Elite protein bars uses quality ingredients. Low in sugar and high in fiber, they also pack 20g of protein into each of their delicious flavors – black forest gateau, chocolate and salted caramel, and white chocolate. Plus, they’re Informed Sport approved, too, making them suitable for elite competition.
- Read our full Healthspan Elite All Blacks HiLO Protein Bar review
3. Barebells Bar
Best tasting protein bar
Men’s Fitness verdict
One of the less synthetic-tasting protein snacks, Barebell bars combine rich flavors with simple, natural ingredients. They’re low in sugar and don’t have the powdery texture that many bars do.- Nice rich flavor
- Lots of flavors to choose from
- Tastes less synthetic than most bars
- Quite sweet
- Slightly bitter aftertaste
| Specifications | Barebells Bar |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | Up to 20g (depending on flavor) |
| Flavors | 11 including Caramel Chocolate, Raspberry Cream, Crispy Nougat, Salted Peanut Caramel |
One of the less synthetic-tasting protein snacks, Barebells bars combine a variety of rich flavors with simple, natural ingredients. Of the 11 different versions, four vegan or soft protein options don’t make the 20g mark, but the rest hit the spot and are tasty too.
They all have a pleasant, rich taste, are low in sugar and don’t have the claggy or powdery texture that many of the best protein bars do.
- Read our full Barebells Bar review
4. Fulfil Vitamin and Protein Bar
Best protein bar for nutrition
Men’s Fitness verdict
Fulfil bars hit the 20g protein benchmark, have half the calories of most protein bars and are available in 11 mouth-watering flavors. They’re anti-oxidant-rich and low in polyols too.- Good flavor
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals
- Good amount of protein (20g)
- A bit too chewy
- Lacks texture
- Smaller-sized bar
| Specifications | Fulfil Vitamin and Protein Bar |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 20g |
| Flavors | 11 including Salted Caramel, Chocolate Brownie, White Chocolate & Cookie Dough, Mint Chocolate |
Suitable for anyone with an eye for boosting more than just protein intake, Fulfil bars are fortified with vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E, as well as folic acid.
They hit the 20g protein benchmark, have half the calories of most protein bars and are available in 11 mouth-watering flavours, which sounds like a win-win to us.
- Read our full Fulfil Vitamin and Protein Bar review
5. ESN Designer Protein Bar
Best protein bar for texture
Men’s Fitness verdict
The best thing about ESN Designer Protein Bars its that they don’t taste like protein bars at all. If you feel like a tasty treat with a protein boost they’re a great choice.- Moreish taste
- Soft and gooey centre
- Not overly sweet
- There are cheaper options
- Protein a little on the low side
| Specifications | ESN Designer Protein Bar |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 13-15g |
| Flavors | 10 including Hazelnut Nougat, Fudge Brownie and Almond Coconut |
Whereas ESN protein shakes can be a little hit and miss flavor-wise, the brand has got the taste of its protein bars spot on. Soft and gooey and with a range of punchy flavors, they have 14g carbs and 1.6g fibre per 45g bar. They’re not sickly sweet like some protein bars, either, and have just 1.5g sugar per serving.
Depending on the flavor you’ll get between 13g and 15g of protein, which isn’t the highest. But with a more pleasant taste and texture than regular protein bars, you can afford to treat yourself to a naughty but nutritious snack whenever you like.
6. More Nutrition Bar
Best zero-sugar protein bar
Men’s Fitness verdict
Another lesser-known name in protein bars, but not for long, we reckon. A great taste, pleasant texture and 16g protein make these More bars really more-ish.- A great taste you won’t get tired of
- Soft and pleasant texture
- Not too sweet
- No discount for buying boxes
- Caramel tends to leak into the wrapper
| Specifications | More Nutrition Bar |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 16g |
| Flavors | Dark Cookie Crumble, White Hazelnut Nougat, White Chocolate Peanut Caramel, Caramel Crunch, Peanut Caramel |
These More Nutrition bars are another great example of a smaller name in sports nutrition trying to knock the big guns like Grenade, ESN and PhD off their perches. With zero added sugar, less than 200kcals per chunky 50g bar and a decent 16g protein too, they stand every chance of doing so.
I tested the delicious caramel crunch flavor, which literally oozes with caramel, but others like the dark cookie crumble or white hazelnut nougat aren’t so sticky. But there’s no cloying sweetness here, which you can get with some of the bigger brands, and taste and texture are spot on. That’s ideal if you’re a regular consumer of protein bars, and like the reward of one at the end of a long session.
7. Vow Nutrition Protein Bar
Protein bar with best texture
Men’s Fitness verdict
Vow only makes three flavors, but why make more when they taste this good? Taste and texture are both spot-on and sugar content is minimal. It’s just a shame it doesn’t hit the 20g protein mark.- Pleasant chewy texture
- Low in sugar
- Relatively high in polyols
- Only 16g protein
| Specifications | Vow Nutrition Protein Bar |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 16g |
| Flavors | Cookies & Cream, Peanut Crunch, Salted Caramel |
If Team GB think Vow Nutrition Protein Bars are good enough for them, then we reckon they’re good enough for us too. Its three flavors – cookies and cream, peanut crunch and salted caramel – are all remarkably tasty, and the nutrition numbers look good too.
There’s 16g of protein in each bar and an microscopic 0.4g of sugar. These bars are Informed Sport approved so we know the pea protein isolate and soya protein isolate come from good quality sources.
- Read our full Vow Nutrition Protein Bar review
8. My Vegan Carb Crusher
Best vegan protein bar
Men’s Fitness verdict
We enjoyed the taste and texture of the Carb Crusher bar, which has good amounts of protein (15g), carbs (17g) and fibre (11g).- Pleasant taste and texture
- Highest amount of fibre on test
- There are bars with simpler ingredients
- Sugar content could be lower
| Specifications | My Vegan Carb Crusher |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 16g |
| Flavors | Banoffee, Chocolate Orange, Chocolate Sea Salt, Peanut Butter |
OK, so there are vegan protein bars with fewer ingredients on this list. But My Vegan’s Carb Crusher (available in Peanut Butter, Chocolate Sea Salt, and Chocolate Orange) gets the MF seal of approval for its balance of protein – a better-than-average 15g per bar – and first-rate flavour.
Post-workout recovery has rarely tasted so good.
9. PhD Smart Bar
Best large serving protein bar
Men’s Fitness verdict
You don’t need a doctorate to know PhD bars will meet your post-workout recovery needs. The texture might not be to everyone’s liking, but its recovery credentials make perseverance worth your while.- Nice rich taste
- Good amount of protein
- Not too sweet
- Slightly gritty texture
- High in polyols
- Big 64g bar
| Specifications | PhD Smart Bar |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 20g |
| Flavors | 10 including Birthday Cake, Chocolate Brownie, Peanut Butter, Dark Raspberry and Vanilla Fudge |
With 20g plant-based protein per bar, you don’t need a doctorate to know PhD bars will meet your post-workout recovery needs. Some of the best protein bars on the market, there are eight rich flavors to choose from – though keep an eye on a calorie count that can reach 261kcal per 65g bar.
The texture might not be to everyone’s liking, but those recovery credentials make a bit of perseverance worth your while. Plus, they’re available in half-size and vegan versions.
- Read our full PhD Smart Bar review
10. yfood This Is Food Bar
Best protein bar for fibre
Men’s Fitness verdict
While a little low on the protein front, we think these filling bars are a great choice as they’re made from quality ingredients and are packed with vitamins and minerals.- Delicious, filling snack bars
- Packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre
- Low in sugar
- Only 14g protein
- Some flavors can be tough to chew
| Specifications | yfood This Is Food Bar |
|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 14g |
| Flavors | Eight flavors plus taster pack |
You may not associate nutrition brand yfood with dedicated protein bars, because its so-called ‘smart food’ offerings (powders, drinks and bars) are more about rounded, wholesome nutrition than out-and-out protein doses. And while they don’t hit our ideal 20g protein mark, we do think they deserve inclusion here because each bar combines 14g protein with 25 vitamins and minerals and a decent balance of carbs and fibre.
They are relatively low in sugar, don’t taste sickly sweet like some protein bars and come in five delicious classic flavors or three vegan versions that use almond protein instead of milk-based products. They’re all gluten-free too.
| Specifications | Grenade Protein Bar | Healthspan Elite All Blacks HiLO Protein Bar | Barebells Bar | Fulfil Vitamin & Protein Bar | ESN Designer Protein Bar | More Nutrition Bar | Vow Nutrition Protein Bar | My Vegan Carb Crusher | PhD Smart Bar | yFood This Is Food Bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 21g | 20g | Up to 20g | 20g | 13-15g | 16g | 16g | 16g | 20g | 14g |
| Number of flavors | 15 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 8 |
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| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Frequently asked questions about protein bars
When it comes to the question of how much protein you should eat with each meal, sports nutritionists, including myself, would recommend people spread out their intake evenly over the day: having four, five or even six meals of roughly 25g protein. This is probably a piece of advice you have heard when chatting to mates on the gym floor, and it made sense at the time considering the latest science. If you think about it, if you can maximally stimulate muscle protein synthesis with 25g protein, then you want to do that multiple times a day to get more signals to your body to build muscle and recover.
Protein bar preference is very individual – especially when it comes down to taste and texture. However, when shopping for the best protein bars, it’s crucial to glance over their ingredient lists to check how much protein they pack. You should also be mindful of any additives, such as sugars, artificial flavors and fillers, which can limit the nutritional effectiveness – it’s all about balance. And of course, if you’re looking for the best vegan protein bars, be sure to check what protein source is included.
It’s also a good idea to set your budget and be aware of costs, as they can certainly stack up if you’re chomping on protein bars every day. Lots of brands now offer subscription services, which help you save money while also ensuring you never run out. And, there are other options for getting your daily protein fix, like the best protein cereals and the best protein powers – be sure to shop around!
Most protein bars are quite heavily processed, so although they may supplement your protein intake, they are not as good for you as wholefoods that contain equal amounts of protein. However, as part of a balanced diet, and eaten occasionally rather than habitually, they can help you reach your protein goals without overloading your diet with sugar, additives and preservatives.
How we test the best protein bars
There are plenty of different protein bars on the market, and they differ greatly in terms of taste and texture. To narrow the field down – and to provide consistency of review – I only tested chocolate-flavored bars. I tested and judged the best protein bars on their taste, texture, and nutritional effectiveness. I also took other factors into account, including the cost and availability, but also the amount of polyols: a type of sweetener which can upset the gut in high amounts.
Updates
- October 2025: Main image updated, prices checked and summary box expanded.
- December 2025: Kinetica bar removed as no longer available; ESN and Barebells bars added to summary box.
- February 2026: Dates changed to 2026; ‘best for fibre’ subhead added to yfood bar – which has also been added to summary box.
- June 2026: New format implemented, with Schema tables and FAQ section. Every product now included in the ‘at a glance’ box.
