2026 Protein Bar Buyer’s Guide
Best Protein Bars 2026: We Ranked 20.Scored on labels, prices and testing records, not taste.
Protein bars differ more than their wrappers suggest: in protein per calorie, in price, in added sugar and in the sweeteners and fibers that can upset your stomach. We put 36 bars on one published scoring system and ranked the top 20.
No bar reached our Top Tier. The best, Kirkland Signature Protein Bar (variety pack), scored 65 of 100, and sugar alcohols were the most common reason bars lost points.
This article is educational and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat or prescribe. Speak to a clinician about your own circumstances. Read our full health disclaimer.
We did not taste or lab-test these products. Scores come from labels, prices and public testing records.
Our top picks
Each pick leads on something specific: overall score, cost, protein per calorie, plant-based or verification. The full ranking is below.
We earn a commission if you buy through our links. It never changes what we recommend, or what you pay.
Kirkland Signature Protein Bar (variety pack)
No certification found in our searchOur highest score and the lowest cost per 20 g of protein we found ($1.26), with full marks for protein per calorie. Sold at Costco.
View detailed review →Check price at CostcoQuest Protein Bar
No certification found in our search0.4 points behind Kirkland: 21 g of protein for 190 calories with no added sugar and no maltitol.
View detailed review →Check price at AmazonDavid Protein Bar
High evidence confidence28 g of protein in 150 calories, zero sugar and a public lab report.
View detailed review →Check price at AmazonNuGo Slim
No certification found in our searchThe highest-scoring plant bar: no sugar alcohols and $1.39 a bar.
View detailed review →Check price at AmazonTransparent Labs Protein+ Bar
High evidence confidenceThe only bar in our top 20 with third-party certification (Informed Choice).
View detailed review →Check price at AmazonShop by buyer priority
Start with what matters most to you. Each card shows the number that earned the spot.
Eating less on a GLP-1
Built Puff
The fewest calories in our top 20, with no sugar alcohols and no added fiber.
See the review →Keeping muscle as you age
David Protein Bar
Pair regular strength training with enough daily protein. This bar packs the most protein per calorie we found.
See the review →Protein between meals
Quest Protein Bar
Our top-scoring bar without a membership: 21 g of protein for 190 calories, with no added sugar.
See the review →Plant-based
NuGo Slim
The highest-scoring plant-based bar, at a low price per bar.
See the review →Avoiding sugar alcohols
KIND Protein MAX
No added sugar, no sugar alcohols and no proprietary blend.
See the review →Budget pick, no Costco membership needed
Atkins High Protein Bar
A low price on Amazon, with no added sugar and no proprietary blend.
See the review →Best low-sugar protein bars
9 of the top 20 bars have 2.5 g of added sugar or less (5% of the Daily Value) and no maltitol or sorbitol, the two sugar alcohols most likely to upset your stomach. Same scores, same rules as the full ranking below.
| Overall rank | Bar | Score | Tier | Added sugar | Sugar alcohols | Cost per 20 g of protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkland Signature Protein Bar (variety pack) | 65 | Recommended | 2 g | 2 g | $1.26 |
| 2 | Quest Protein Bar | 65 | Recommended | 0 g | 6 g | $2.09 |
| 3 | MOSH High Protein Bar | 64 | Recommended | 2 g | 0 g | $4.90 |
| 6 | Atkins High Protein Bar | 61 | Recommended | 0 g | 5 g | $1.97 |
| 8 | KIND Protein MAX | 60 | Recommended | 0 g | 0 g | $1.78 |
| 9 | Atlas Protein Bar | 58 | Recommended | 0 g | 0 g | $3.33 |
| 14 | Designs for Health Performance Peptides Bar | 52 | Fair | 0 g | 0 g | $5.00 |
| 17 | No Cow | 51 | Fair | 0 g | 6 g (erythritol) | $2.75 |
| 18 | Munk Pack Probiotic Protein Bar | 51 | Fair | 0 g | 0 g | $3.33 |
Lowest total sugar: David and think! have 0 g, but both use maltitol (7 g and 11 g), so neither is in this table.
Horizontal axis: grams of added sugar per bar. Vertical axis: grams of protein per 100 calories. Marks that share the same values are nudged side by side so each one shows.
Four findings that shaped the ranking
No bar reached Top Tier
We use the same score bands as our powder rankings. The best bar scored 65, below the 75 needed for Top Tier. 12 of the top 20 rated Recommended and 8 rated Fair. Every bar gave up points somewhere: price, sugar, sweeteners, fiber or a blend that hides its proportions.
Sugar alcohols were the most common trade-off
7 of the top 20 bars use maltitol or sorbitol, and each lost all 10 stomach-comfort points. Several would otherwise rank near the top: Pure Protein would have scored 71.2, the highest in the comparison.
Third-party verification is rare for bars
Only 2 of the 36 bars we scored appear in a certification program’s public register: Transparent Labs (Informed Choice) and Ready (NSF Certified for Sport). One more, David, publishes a lab report. Most powder rankings have far more certified products.
Paying more didn’t buy more protein
Cost per 20 g of protein in the top 20 ran from $1.26 (Kirkland Signature) to $5.00 (Designs for Health). The cheapest bar delivered 11.1 g of protein per 100 calories; the most expensive delivered 7.5 g.
Highest: Kirkland Signature, 65. Lowest in the top 20: FULFIL, 49. No bar reached 75.
Horizontal axis: cost per 20 g of protein, Amazon one-time price (Kirkland: Costco online), November 1, 2026. Vertical axis: grams of protein per 100 calories.
All 20 Bars Ranked Using Our Scoring Model
Strong overall performers across all four headings. No bar reached this tier.
Good choices that performed well in most areas and may be especially attractive for specific buyer priorities.
Bars with strengths worth considering, though higher-scoring alternatives were available in this comparison.
Bars that trailed the field under this scoring model.
Tiers summarize overall performance under this scoring model. They do not indicate product safety or individual suitability.
Each heading column shows its points toward the 100-point total; the four add up to the published score.
| Rank | Bar | RecommendationScore tier | Scoreout of 100 | Protein per 100 Caloriesmax 25 | Cost per 20 g of Proteinmax 20 | Nutritional Qualitymax 35 | Transparency and Third-Party Verificationmax 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kirkland Signature Protein Bar (variety pack)Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough · box of 20 | Recommended | 65/100 | 25.0/2511.1 g per 100 cal | 12.2/20$1.26 per 20 g | 24.2/352 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 2 | Quest Protein BarChocolate Chip Cookie Dough · box of 12 | Recommended | 65/100 | 25.0/2511.1 g per 100 cal | 4.6/20$2.09 per 20 g | 31.3/350 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 3 | MOSH High Protein BarChocolate Sea Salt · box of 10 | Recommended | 64/100 | 25.0/2510.0 g per 100 cal | 0.0/20$4.90 per 20 g | 35.0/352 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 4 | Pure Protein BarChocolate Peanut Butter · box of 12 | Recommended | 61/100 | 25.0/2510.0 g per 100 cal | 9.3/20$1.58 per 20 g | 23.3/351 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 5 | David Protein BarChocolate Chip Cookie Dough · box of 12 | Recommended | 61/100 | 25.0/2518.7 g per 100 cal | 2.5/20$2.32 per 20 g | 25.0/350 g added sugar | 8.6/20Public lab report |
| 6 | Atkins High Protein BarChocolate Chip Granola · box of 12 | Recommended | 61/100 | 22.4/258.9 g per 100 cal | 5.7/20$1.97 per 20 g | 25.0/350 g added sugar | 7.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 7 | NuGo SlimCrunchy Peanut Butter · box of 24 | Recommended | 61/100 | 22.2/258.9 g per 100 cal | 7.8/20$1.74 per 20 g | 27.0/353 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 8 | KIND Protein MAXCrispy Chocolate Peanut Butter · box of 12 | Recommended | 60/100 | 20.0/258.0 g per 100 cal | 7.4/20$1.78 per 20 g | 25.0/350 g added sugar | 7.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 9 | Atlas Protein BarPB Chocolate Chip · box of 12 | Recommended | 58/100 | 22.7/259.1 g per 100 cal | 0.0/20$3.33 per 20 g | 31.3/350 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 10 | Transparent Labs Protein+ BarChocolate Sea Salt Brownie · box of 12 | Recommended | 57/100 | 14.8/255.9 g per 100 cal | 0.0/20$4.17 per 20 g | 25.0/355 g added sugar | 17.6/20Certified (Informed Choice) |
| 11 | TRUBAR PROChocolate Pea-Nut Job · box of 12 | Recommended | 57/100 | 19.6/257.8 g per 100 cal | 0.0/20$3.24 per 20 g | 30.0/353 g added sugar | 7.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 12 | think! High Protein BarCreamy Peanut Butter · box of 12 | Recommended | 57/100 | 21.7/258.7 g per 100 cal | 8.5/20$1.67 per 20 g | 23.3/350 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 13 | Built PuffChurro · box of 12 | Fair | 53/100 | 25.0/2512.1 g per 100 cal | 0.0/20$2.94 per 20 g | 24.9/356 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 14 | Designs for Health Performance Peptides BarChocolatey Salted Caramel · box of 12 | Fair | 52/100 | 18.8/257.5 g per 100 cal | 0.0/20$5.00 per 20 g | 30.0/350 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 15 | ONE Protein BarBirthday Cake · box of 12 | Fair | 51/100 | 22.7/259.1 g per 100 cal | 4.8/20$2.07 per 20 g | 20.0/350 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 16 | Barebells Protein Bar (Classics variety pack)Salty Peanut · box of 12 | Fair | 51/100 | 25.0/2510.0 g per 100 cal | 0.0/20$2.67 per 20 g | 22.5/350 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 17 | No CowChocolate Fudge Brownie · box of 12 | Fair | 51/100 | 23.8/259.5 g per 100 cal | 0.0/20$2.75 per 20 g | 23.3/350 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 18 | Munk Pack Probiotic Protein BarCookie Dough · box of 12 | Fair | 51/100 | 17.0/256.8 g per 100 cal | 0.0/20$3.33 per 20 g | 30.0/350 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 19 | BSN Protein CrispPeanut Butter Crunch · box of 12 | Fair | 49/100 | 21.7/258.7 g per 100 cal | 2.0/20$2.38 per 20 g | 21.2/353 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
| 20 | FULFIL Protein BarChocolate Salted Caramel · box of 12 | Fair | 49/100 | 23.4/259.4 g per 100 cal | 1.4/20$2.44 per 20 g | 20.0/350 g added sugar | 3.6/20No certification found in our search |
Prices checked November 1, 2026 at Amazon (Kirkland: Costco online). Rounding note: Scores display as whole numbers; ranking order uses the unrounded result.
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The Evidence Behind Every Score
Review the buyer summary, score breakdown, evidence classification and complete audit trail for each bar. Every score is tied to the exact flavor and box size shown.
Kirkland Signature Protein Bar (variety pack)
Bottom line. The highest score in the comparison and the lowest cost per gram of protein we found, with Quest-level protein per calorie. Its fiber load costs it every stomach-comfort point, and you need a Costco membership to buy it.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
The lowest cost in the comparison ($1.26 per 20 g of protein, at Costco), full marks for protein per calorie (11.1 g per 100 calories) and only 2 g of added sugar. It loses all 10 stomach-comfort points for 10 g of fiber, mostly soluble corn fiber, and its label has an undisclosed protein blend.
Pros
- $1.26 per 20 g of protein, the lowest in the comparison
- 21 g of protein for 190 calories
- Only 2 g of added sugar
Cons
- 10 g of fiber, mostly soluble corn fiber
- Sold mainly at Costco, so it needs a membership
- A protein blend doesn’t state how much of each protein is used
What stands out
- We priced it at Costco’s online price, because Costco is its only primary store.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough · box of 20. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
25.0/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
12.2/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
24.2/35 points2 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. inulin, chicory root, soluble corn fiber or oligofructose with 10 g of total fiber: −10.
2.5 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
25.0 + 12.2 + 24.2 + 3.6 = 64.9, displayed as 65.
Source record
- Price source: Costco online price $26.49 for 20 bars, checked November 1, 2026 (Costco is its only primary store).
- Nutrition sources: Costco product page label image (screenshot supplied 19 Oct 2026) · app.warehouserunner.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
Quest Protein Bar
Bottom line. A close second overall: 21 g of protein for 190 calories, no added sugar and no maltitol, at a mid-range price.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
Full marks for protein per calorie (11.1 g per 100 calories) and for added sugar (none). It gives up 2 stomach-comfort points for 12 g of fiber, some points for 3 g of saturated fat, and points on cost ($2.09 per 20 g of protein) and on a label with an undisclosed protein blend and more than ten ingredients.
Pros
- 21 g of protein for 190 calories (11.1 g per 100 calories)
- No added sugar
- Sweetened with erythritol, not maltitol or sorbitol
Cons
- A protein blend doesn’t state how much of each protein is used
- More than ten ingredients
- No certification or public lab report found in our search
What stands out
- It finished 0.4 points behind Kirkland, and it is the highest-scoring bar you can buy without a warehouse membership.
- Its 12 g of fiber comes mainly from polydextrose. That is about half of a woman’s daily fiber target in one bar, so it costs 2 stomach-comfort points, and some people notice gas or a rumbling stomach with that much fiber.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
25.0/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
4.6/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
31.3/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. 12 g of other added fiber (10 g or more): −2.
3 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
25.0 + 4.6 + 31.3 + 3.6 = 64.6, displayed as 65.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B00DLDH1N2), sold by Amazon.com, one-time price $26.36 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: vitacost.com · target.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
MOSH High Protein Bar
Bottom line. High protein for its calories, little added sugar and no sugar alcohols, but the most expensive bar in the ranking.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
Full marks for protein per calorie (10.0 g per 100 calories) and for Nutritional Quality: 2 g of added sugar, no sugar alcohols and 1.5 g of saturated fat. It scores zero for cost, because at $4.90 per 20 g of protein it is the second most expensive bar in the top 20.
Pros
- 20 g of protein for 200 calories
- No sugar alcohols (sweetened with allulose, stevia and monk fruit)
- Only 2 g of added sugar
Cons
- $4.90 a bar, the highest price in the top 20
- Contains added creatine and other “brain blend” ingredients
What stands out
- It scores full marks on Nutritional Quality but zero on cost.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Sea Salt · box of 10. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
25.0/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
0.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
35.0/35 points2 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. No maltitol or sorbitol, none of the listed fermentable fibers in a scored amount and under 10 g of other added fiber: no deduction.
1.5 g of saturated fat (2 g or less earns 5)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
25.0 + 0.0 + 35.0 + 3.6 = 63.6, displayed as 64.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0H5MFG8HB), sold by MOSHLIFE, one-time price $48.99 for 10 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: target.com · Amazon label image (ASIN B0H5MFG8HB), checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
Pure Protein Bar
Bottom line. Cheap and easy to find, with strong protein per calorie and almost no added sugar, but it uses maltitol.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
Full marks for protein per calorie (10.0 g per 100 calories) and the second-lowest cost in the top 20 ($1.58 per 20 g of protein). Maltitol costs it all 10 stomach-comfort points; with full marks there, it would have ranked first.
Pros
- $1.58 a bar
- 20 g of protein for 200 calories
- 1 g of added sugar
Cons
- 6 g of sugar alcohols, including maltitol
- Collagen is part of its protein blend
- A protein blend doesn’t state how much of each protein is used
What stands out
- Maltitol costs it all 10 stomach-comfort points. With full marks there, it would have scored 71.2, the highest in the comparison.
- Collagen is part of its protein blend, not its first protein.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Peanut Butter · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
25.0/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
9.3/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
23.3/35 points1 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. maltitol or sorbitol present (6 g of sugar alcohols): −10.
3 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
25.0 + 9.3 + 23.3 + 3.6 = 61.2, displayed as 61.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B00GJ82VK4), sold by Amazon.com, one-time price $18.98 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: heb.com · foodlion.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
David Protein Bar
Bottom line. By far the most protein per calorie of any bar we found, with zero sugar and a public lab report, but it uses maltitol.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: A public lab report for this product, not an ongoing certification.
Why it ranked here
By far the most protein per calorie in the comparison (18.7 g per 100 calories), zero sugar, and one of only two bars with testing evidence you can check: a public lab report. Maltitol costs it all 10 stomach-comfort points, and at $2.32 per 20 g of protein it earns few cost points.
Pros
- 28 g of protein for 150 calories (18.7 g per 100 calories)
- 0 g of sugar
- A public lab report checked its protein and screened for contaminants
Cons
- 7 g of sugar alcohols, including maltitol
- Collagen is its second protein
- Uses EPG, a modified plant fat
- $3.25 a bar
What stands out
- Its lab report earns 5 of 10 third-party verification points; certification would earn 10.
- Collagen is its second protein, not its first protein.
- Much of its high protein per calorie comes from EPG (esterified propoxylated glycerol), a modified plant fat that has gone through the FDA’s GRAS (generally recognized as safe) notification process. Most of it passes through the body undigested, so it adds few calories. FDA GRAS notice
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
25.0/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
2.5/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
25.0/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. maltitol or sorbitol present (7 g of sugar alcohols): −10; a fermentable fiber is listed, but total fiber is 1 g, under the 6 g line: no deduction.
1.5 g of saturated fat (2 g or less earns 5)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
8.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (5/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
25.0 + 2.5 + 25.0 + 8.6 = 61.1, displayed as 61.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0DJWJQDJJ), sold by David Protein, one-time price $39.00 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: davidprotein.com · vitacost.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Light Labs comprehensive testing report for David Protein Bars, linked from the brand’s third-party testing page: protein tested September 10, 2026; heavy metals, BPA, phthalates and PFAS screened June 18, 2026. Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport (searched October 19, 2026).
Atkins High Protein Bar
Bottom line. A low-cost bar with no added sugar and no proprietary blend; its fiber is the main trade-off.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
No added sugar, no undisclosed blend and a lower cost than most of the top 20 ($1.97 per 20 g of protein). It trails the bars above it on protein per calorie (8.9 g per 100 calories), loses 5 stomach-comfort points for 9 g of fiber that includes soluble corn fiber, and earns no saturated-fat points at 5 g.
Pros
- $1.97 per 20 g of protein, among the lower costs on Amazon
- No added sugar
- No proprietary blend
Cons
- 9 g of fiber, including soluble corn fiber, which can cause bloating
- 5 g of saturated fat, which earns no saturated-fat points
- 17 g of protein, below most of the top ten
What stands out
- It’s the highest-scoring bar under $2 on Amazon without maltitol, a sugar alcohol that can cause gas and bloating.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Chip Granola · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
22.4/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
5.7/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
25.0/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. inulin, chicory root, soluble corn fiber or oligofructose with 9 g of total fiber: −5.
5 g of saturated fat (5 g or more earns 0)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
7.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (7.6/10)
No named blend hides its proportions.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
22.4 + 5.7 + 25.0 + 7.6 = 60.7, displayed as 61.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0CJGC155J), sold by Amazon.com, one-time price $20.10 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: heb.com · target.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
NuGo Slim
Bottom line. The highest-scoring plant-based bar, with a low price per bar and no sugar alcohols.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
The highest-ranked plant-based bar, with the fourth-lowest cost in the top 20 ($1.74 per 20 g of protein). It gives up points on protein per calorie (8.9 g per 100 calories), on 3 g of added sugar, on inulin (5 stomach-comfort points) and on an undisclosed protein blend.
Pros
- Plant-based
- No sugar alcohols
- $1.39 a bar in a 24-bar box
Cons
- 16 g of protein, less than most bars here
- Inulin (6 g of fiber in total)
- A protein blend doesn’t state how much of each protein is used
What stands out
- It is one of four plant-based bars in the top 20.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Crunchy Peanut Butter · box of 24. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
22.2/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
7.8/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
27.0/35 points3 g added sugar (full marks at 2.5 g or less, zero at 10 g or more)
Start at 10. inulin, chicory root, soluble corn fiber or oligofructose with 6 g of total fiber: −5.
3 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
22.2 + 7.8 + 27.0 + 3.6 = 60.7, displayed as 61.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B088JQDW9S), sold by Amazon.com, one-time price $33.36 for 24 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: heb.com · vitacost.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
KIND Protein MAX
Bottom line. No added sugar, no sugar alcohols and no proprietary blend at a fair price; chicory root fiber and higher calories hold it back.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
No added sugar, no sugar alcohols and no undisclosed blend, at $1.78 per 20 g of protein. It gives up points on protein per calorie (8.0 g per 100 calories, at 250 calories a bar), loses 5 stomach-comfort points for chicory root fiber, and earns no saturated-fat points at 5 g.
Pros
- No added sugar and no sugar alcohols
- No proprietary blend
- $1.78 a bar
Cons
- Chicory root fiber (9 g of fiber in total)
- 250 calories, more than most of the top ten
- No certification or public lab report found in our search
What stands out
- It is the highest-ranked bar with neither added sugar nor sugar alcohols.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
20.0/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
7.4/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
25.0/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. inulin, chicory root, soluble corn fiber or oligofructose with 9 g of total fiber: −5.
5 g of saturated fat (5 g or more earns 0)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
7.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (7.6/10)
No named blend hides its proportions.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
20.0 + 7.4 + 25.0 + 7.6 = 60.0, displayed as 60.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0CM77RXJN), sold by Amazon.com, one-time price $21.37 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: heb.com · hannaford.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
Atlas Protein Bar
Bottom line. No added sugar and no sugar alcohols, with good protein per calorie; it costs more than the bars above it.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
No added sugar and no sugar alcohols, with good protein per calorie (9.1 g per 100 calories). It gives up 2 stomach-comfort points for 12 g of fiber, scores zero for cost ($3.33 per 20 g of protein), and its label has an undisclosed protein blend.
Pros
- No added sugar
- No sugar alcohols (sweetened with allulose)
- 20 g of protein for 220 calories
Cons
- $3.33 a bar
- Collagen is the third protein in its blend
- Recently reformulated; some retailers still show the old label
What stands out
- We scored the current label on the brand’s site; the older label sold at some retailers scores almost the same.
- Collagen is the third protein in its blend, not its first protein.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: PB Chocolate Chip · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
22.7/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
0.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
31.3/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. 12 g of other added fiber (10 g or more): −2.
3 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
22.7 + 0.0 + 31.3 + 3.6 = 57.7, displayed as 58.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B07NYNJPCC), sold by Atlas Bar, one-time price $39.95 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: atlasbars.com · vitacost.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
Transparent Labs Protein+ Bar
Bottom line. The only bar in our top 20 with third-party certification (Informed Choice), but it has lower protein per calorie and a higher price.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Why it ranked here
The only bar in the top 20 with a third-party certification (Informed Choice), which gives it the highest Transparency and Third-Party Verification score here. It has the lowest protein per calorie in the top 20 (5.9 g per 100 calories) and 5 g of added sugar, and it scores zero for cost ($4.17 per 20 g of protein).
Pros
- Informed Choice certified
- No sugar alcohols
- No proprietary blend
Cons
- 5 g of added sugar (from honey and chocolate chips)
- 16 g of protein for 270 calories
- $3.33 a bar
What stands out
- If certification matters most to you, this is the bar to choose.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Sea Salt Brownie · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
14.8/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
0.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
25.0/35 points5 g added sugar (full marks at 2.5 g or less, zero at 10 g or more)
Start at 10. No maltitol or sorbitol, none of the listed fermentable fibers in a scored amount and under 10 g of other added fiber: no deduction.
4 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
17.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (7.6/10)
No named blend hides its proportions.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (10/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
14.8 + 0.0 + 25.0 + 17.6 = 57.4, displayed as 57.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0FN7PQJQG), sold by Transparent Labs, one-time price $39.99 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: vitaminshoppe.com · transparentlabs.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Informed Choice public register lists Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Protein+ Bars (searched October 19, 2026). NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport: not listed.
TRUBAR PRO
Bottom line. A plant-based bar with low added sugar, no sugar alcohols and no proprietary blend, held back by price.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
Plant-based, with no sugar alcohols, no undisclosed blend and 3 g of added sugar. It scores zero for cost ($3.24 per 20 g of protein), has lower protein per calorie (7.8 g per 100 calories) than most bars here, and gives up 2 stomach-comfort points for 13 g of fiber.
Pros
- Plant-based
- No sugar alcohols
- No proprietary blend
Cons
- $2.92 a bar
- 13 g of fiber, mostly tapioca fiber
- No certification or public lab report found in our search
What stands out
- Its 13 g of tapioca fiber costs it 2 stomach-comfort points: we take 2 points off for 10 g or more of added fiber that isn’t already scored.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Pea-Nut Job · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
19.6/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
0.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
30.0/35 points3 g added sugar (full marks at 2.5 g or less, zero at 10 g or more)
Start at 10. 13 g of other added fiber (10 g or more): −2.
3 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
7.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (7.6/10)
No named blend hides its proportions.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
19.6 + 0.0 + 30.0 + 7.6 = 57.2, displayed as 57.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0H5TBRC1D), sold by TRUBAR, one-time price $34.99 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: target.com · Amazon label image (ASIN B0H5TBRC1D), checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
think! High Protein Bar
Bottom line. Zero sugar at a low price, but it has the most maltitol of any bar in the top 20.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
Zero sugar, 20 g of protein and the third-lowest cost in the top 20 ($1.67 per 20 g of protein). Its 11 g of maltitol, the most here, costs it all 10 stomach-comfort points, and its label has an undisclosed protein blend.
Pros
- 0 g of sugar
- $1.67 a bar
- 20 g of protein
Cons
- 11 g of maltitol, the most in the top 20
- A protein blend doesn’t state how much of each protein is used
- No certification or public lab report found in our search
What stands out
- If sugar alcohols bother you, skip this one.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Creamy Peanut Butter · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
21.7/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
8.5/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
23.3/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. maltitol or sorbitol present (11 g of sugar alcohols): −10.
3 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
21.7 + 8.5 + 23.3 + 3.6 = 57.2, displayed as 57.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0B17L29N8), sold by Amazon.com, one-time price $19.99 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: vitacost.com · target.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
Built Puff
Bottom line. The lightest bar on our list, with no sugar alcohols and no added fiber; it has more added sugar than most.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
The second-highest protein per calorie in the comparison (12.1 g per 100 calories), with no sugar alcohols. It gives up points on 6 g of added sugar and scores zero for cost ($2.94 per 20 g of protein).
Pros
- No sugar alcohols and no added fiber
- 140 calories, the fewest in the top 20
- 17 g of protein (12.1 g per 100 calories)
Cons
- 6 g of added sugar
- Collagen is part of its protein blend
- No certification or public lab report found in our search
What stands out
- It is the only bar in the top 20 with no sugar alcohols and 0 g of fiber.
- Collagen is part of its protein blend, not its first protein.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Churro · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
25.0/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
0.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
24.9/35 points6 g added sugar (full marks at 2.5 g or less, zero at 10 g or more)
Start at 10. No maltitol or sorbitol, none of the listed fermentable fibers in a scored amount and under 10 g of other added fiber: no deduction.
2.5 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
25.0 + 0.0 + 24.9 + 3.6 = 53.4, displayed as 53.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B09M95V187), sold by Built Bar, one-time price $29.99 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: built.com · heb.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
Designs for Health Performance Peptides Bar
Bottom line. No added sugar and no sugar alcohols, held back by saturated fat and price.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
No added sugar and no sugar alcohols. It is the most expensive bar in the top 20 ($5.00 per 20 g of protein), and it earns no saturated-fat points with 8 to 9 g a bar, depending on the source.
Pros
- 0 g of added sugar
- No sugar alcohols (sweetened with allulose)
- Whey protein first
Cons
- 8 to 9 g of saturated fat (the two labels we found differ)
- $3.75 a bar
- The amount of its fava bean peptide ingredient isn’t on the label
What stands out
- The brand says each bar contains 2.4 g of PeptiStrong, a fava bean peptide; the label doesn’t list the amount.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolatey Salted Caramel · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
18.8/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
0.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
30.0/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. No maltitol or sorbitol, none of the listed fermentable fibers in a scored amount and under 10 g of other added fiber: no deduction.
8 g of saturated fat (5 g or more earns 0)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
18.8 + 0.0 + 30.0 + 3.6 = 52.4, displayed as 52.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0F15KB3MK), sold by Pattern (third party), one-time price $44.99 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: supplementfirst.com · emersonecologics.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
ONE Protein Bar
Bottom line. No added sugar and a mid-range price, with maltitol as the main trade-off.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
No added sugar and good protein per calorie (9.1 g per 100 calories) at $2.07 per 20 g of protein. Maltitol costs it all 10 stomach-comfort points, it earns no saturated-fat points at 5 g, and its label has an undisclosed protein blend with more than ten ingredients.
Pros
- 0 g of added sugar
- 20 g of protein
- $2.07 a bar
Cons
- 7 g of sugar alcohols, including maltitol
- A protein blend doesn’t state how much of each protein is used
- More than ten ingredients
What stands out
- Its 5 g of saturated fat earns no saturated-fat points under our scale.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Birthday Cake · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
22.7/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
4.8/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
20.0/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. maltitol or sorbitol present (7 g of sugar alcohols): −10.
5 g of saturated fat (5 g or more earns 0)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
22.7 + 4.8 + 20.0 + 3.6 = 51.2, displayed as 51.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0171F2HL6), sold by Amazon.com, one-time price $24.82 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: heb.com · vitacost.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
Barebells Protein Bar (Classics variety pack)
Bottom line. No added sugar and strong protein per calorie, with maltitol and collagen as trade-offs.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
Full marks for protein per calorie (10.0 g per 100 calories) and no added sugar. Maltitol costs it all 10 stomach-comfort points, and it scores zero for cost ($2.67 per 20 g of protein).
Pros
- 0 g of added sugar
- 20 g of protein for 200 calories
- Sold on Amazon by Vitamin Well, the company behind Barebells
Cons
- 5 g of sugar alcohols, including maltitol
- Collagen is part of its protein blend
- $2.67 a bar
What stands out
- We scored the Salty Peanut label and priced it from the Classics variety box sold on Amazon.
- Collagen is part of its protein blend, not its first protein.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Salty Peanut · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
25.0/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
0.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
22.5/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. maltitol or sorbitol present (5 g of sugar alcohols): −10.
3.5 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
25.0 + 0.0 + 22.5 + 3.6 = 51.1, displayed as 51.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B09PYB4MQS), sold by Vitamin Well LLC, one-time price $31.99 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: heb.com · kroger.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
No Cow
Bottom line. A plant-based bar with no added sugar and good protein per calorie, held back by 14 g of fiber.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
Plant-based, with no added sugar and good protein per calorie (9.5 g per 100 calories). It loses all 10 stomach-comfort points for 14 g of fiber that includes soluble corn fiber, and it scores zero for cost ($2.75 per 20 g of protein).
Pros
- Plant-based
- 0 g of added sugar
- 20 g of protein for 210 calories
Cons
- 14 g of fiber, including soluble corn fiber
- $2.75 a bar
What stands out
- Its fiber costs it all 10 stomach-comfort points.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Fudge Brownie · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
23.8/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
0.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
23.3/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. inulin, chicory root, soluble corn fiber or oligofructose with 14 g of total fiber: −10.
3 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
23.8 + 0.0 + 23.3 + 3.6 = 50.7, displayed as 51.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B01K5SBEJM), sold by no cow, one-time price $32.99 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: heb.com · vitacost.com, checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
Munk Pack Probiotic Protein Bar
Bottom line. Plant-based, with no added sugar and no sugar alcohols, but it has less protein per calorie than most bars here and 6 g of saturated fat.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
Plant-based, with no added sugar and no sugar alcohols, so it keeps full marks for added sugar and stomach comfort. It has the second-lowest protein per calorie in the top 20 (6.8 g per 100 calories), earns no saturated-fat points at 6 g, and scores zero for cost ($3.33 per 20 g of protein).
Pros
- Plant-based
- 0 g of added sugar
- No sugar alcohols (sweetened with allulose)
Cons
- 15 g of protein for 220 calories (6.8 g per 100 calories)
- 6 g of saturated fat, which earns no saturated-fat points
- $2.50 a bar
What stands out
- It is the only plant-based bar in the top 20 with neither added sugar nor sugar alcohols.
- Label versions differ on fiber: 5 g on the brand’s site and 6 g on Amazon’s label image. Either figure gives the same score.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Cookie Dough · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
17.0/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
0.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
30.0/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. No maltitol or sorbitol, none of the listed fermentable fibers in a scored amount and under 10 g of other added fiber: no deduction.
6 g of saturated fat (5 g or more earns 0)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
17.0 + 0.0 + 30.0 + 3.6 = 50.6, displayed as 51.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B0DL79899S), sold by Munk Pack, one-time price $29.99 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: munkpack.com · islavista.provisions.coop · Amazon label image (ASIN B0DL79899S), checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
BSN Protein Crisp
Bottom line. Low added sugar at a fair price, held back by maltitol syrup and a long ingredient list.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
Good protein per calorie (8.7 g per 100 calories) at $2.38 per 20 g of protein. Maltitol costs it all 10 stomach-comfort points, it has 3 g of added sugar, and its label has an undisclosed protein blend with more than ten ingredients.
Pros
- 3 g of added sugar
- 20 g of protein
- $2.38 a bar, sold by Amazon
Cons
- 7 g of maltitol syrup
- More than ten ingredients
- No certification or public lab report found in our search
What stands out
- It finished 0.1 points ahead of FULFIL.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Peanut Butter Crunch · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
21.7/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
2.0/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
21.2/35 points3 g added sugar (full marks at 2.5 g or less, zero at 10 g or more)
Start at 10. maltitol or sorbitol present (7 g of sugar alcohols): −10.
3.5 g of saturated fat (full points at 2 g or less, zero at 5 g or more)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
21.7 + 2.0 + 21.2 + 3.6 = 48.6, displayed as 49.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B01MTIO0JG), sold by Amazon.com, one-time price $28.50 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: vitacost.com · Amazon label image (ASIN B01MTIO0JG), checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
FULFIL Protein Bar
Bottom line. A smaller, lower-calorie bar with no added sugar and a low price; maltitol and collagen are the trade-offs.
Read the full reviewWhy it ranked here, pros and cons, and the evidence
Evidence: We didn’t find a certification listing or public lab report for this product (searched October 2026). Brands can send us evidence to review at hello@everablehealth.com.
Why it ranked here
No added sugar and good protein per calorie (9.4 g per 100 calories). Maltitol costs it all 10 stomach-comfort points, its 5 g of saturated fat earns no saturated-fat points, its cost ($2.44 per 20 g of protein) earns few points, and its label has an undisclosed protein blend with more than ten ingredients.
Pros
- 160 calories
- 0 g of added sugar
- $1.83 a bar
Cons
- 6 g of maltitol
- Collagen is its second protein
- 15 g of protein, our minimum
What stands out
- Its label adds vitamins A, C, E, B6 and B12, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin.
- It finished 0.8 points ahead of PEAK, the highest-scoring bar that missed the cut.
- Collagen is its second protein, not its first protein.
Score snapshot
Open the complete score audit trail
This audit applies to the version shown above: Chocolate Salted Caramel · box of 12. Other flavors can differ.
1. Protein per 100 Calories
23.4/25 pointsPoints = 25 × (grams of protein per 100 calories, capped at 10) ÷ 10.
2. Cost per 20 g of Protein
1.4/20 pointsPoints = 20 × ($0.130 − cost per gram of protein) ÷ $0.110, limited to 0–20. These are the same per-gram anchors as our powder rankings.
3. Nutritional Quality
20.0/35 points0 g added sugar (2.5 g or less earns full marks)
Start at 10. maltitol or sorbitol present (6 g of sugar alcohols): −10; a fermentable fiber is listed, but total fiber is 1 g, under the 6 g line: no deduction.
5 g of saturated fat (5 g or more earns 0)
4. Transparency and Third-Party Verification
3.6/20 pointsLabel Transparency (3.6/10)
A named blend does not state how much of each ingredient it contains.
The label lists more than ten ingredients.
Every bar starts with these; the two checks above can only take points away.
Third-Party Verification (0/10)
This measures how much product-level evidence a buyer can check publicly. It does not judge a laboratory’s quality or prove that one bar is safer than another.
Weighted score
23.4 + 1.4 + 20.0 + 3.6 = 48.5, displayed as 49.
Source record
- Price source: Amazon listing (ASIN B08RGBS3XW), sold by Amazon.com, one-time price $21.99 for 12 bars, checked November 1, 2026.
- Nutrition sources: kroger.com · Amazon label image (ASIN B08RGBS3XW), checked October 18–19, 2026.
- Third-party verification source: Not listed by NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport, and no public lab report for this product was found (searched October 19, 2026).
Scope and selection rules
How the bars were chosen, priced and checked
The field was built to compare protein bars people actually buy, across price points, protein types and sweetener styles. Every score is tied to one documented brand, bar, flavor and box size so the evaluation can be reproduced.
Why these 20 bars?
We started with the bars named in the leading reviews and dietitian roundups, then swept Amazon’s top 100 protein-bar best sellers (October 19, 2026), searched the protein-bar aisles of 16 major US retailers and checked store brands at Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. 36 bars met the rules below and were scored; the 20 highest scores are published.
Selection criteria
A bar could enter the comparison when it met every rule:
- Enough protein: at least 15 g per bar on the current US label.
- Confirmed label: the Nutrition Facts panel and ingredient list confirmed from two independent sources, such as the brand and a retailer, or two retailers.
- Protein first, not collagen: collagen or gelatin is not the first protein ingredient.
- A real protein bar: not a cookie, wafer, brownie, pastry or bite.
- One bar per brand: one named flavor and box size.
Important limitation. The field is a broad sample of what is sold in the US, not every bar on the market. Several bars missed out only because we could not confirm their label from two sources.
How was the flavor selected?
We scored the brand’s best-selling or flagship flavor in its main protein-bar line, as sold on Amazon. Where a flavor is sold mainly in a variety box (Barebells, Kirkland), we scored one named flavor from that box.
Why score only one flavor?
Flavors in the same line can differ in sugar, sweeteners, fat and price. Scoring one named flavor keeps every number traceable to a single label.
How was the box size selected?
We used the box sold on Amazon for that flavor, usually 12 bars. The exceptions are named on each review: NuGo Slim (24), MOSH (10) and Kirkland (20, at Costco).
How were prices handled?
Bars are priced at one retailer, Amazon, at the regular one-time price on November 1, 2026. Subscribe & Save, coupons and deal prices are excluded. When the listing was sold by a third-party seller, the review names the seller. Kirkland is priced at Costco online, its only primary store. Prices are converted to the cost of 20 g of protein, about one bar’s worth.
What if sources disagreed?
Every label was confirmed from two sources. When a retailer still showed an older formula (Atlas), we scored the brand’s current label and said so. When sources differed on a figure that didn’t change the score (Designs for Health saturated fat, 8 g vs. 9 g, both above the 5 g point where saturated-fat points reach zero), we show both.
How the score helps you make a decision
What the score measures, and what it does not
Why these four headings?
Bars can be compared on taste, texture, brand and reviews. Those are subjective or hard to check consistently. We score what a shopper can check on the label and the receipt: protein per 100 calories, cost per 20 g of protein, nutritional quality and label transparency with third-party verification.
What we changed from our powder rankings, and why. Our powder rankings give third-party verification the most weight (30 of 100). For bars it shares a 20-point heading with label transparency, and a new 35-point Nutritional Quality heading covers added sugar, stomach comfort and saturated fat. Almost no bars are certified, so at 30 points verification would have decided the ranking almost on its own. And a bar is a snack: what else is in it matters more than it does for a scoop of powder.
Does the method change the winners? We re-ranked all 36 bars using the powder weights. Certified bars such as Ready and Transparent Labs would move to the top, because those weights put the most points on verification. If certification matters most to you, choose Transparent Labs.
The bar method follows the same principles as our How We Score page: fixed scales, set before any bar was scored, applied to every bar the same way. For how much protein you need each day, see our protein guide and calculator.
Protein per 100 Calories
Grams of protein per 100 calories. Full points at 10 g or more, scaled down in a straight line below that.
Cost per 20 g of Protein
What 20 g of protein from the bar costs. Scored on the same per-gram scale as our powder rankings: $0.020 per gram or less earns full points, $0.130 or more earns zero.
Nutritional Quality
Added sugar (20): full points at 2.5 g or less (5% of the Daily Value), falling to zero at 10 g (20%). Stomach comfort (10): points off for maltitol or sorbitol, two sugar alcohols that commonly cause gas and loose stools, and for large amounts of inulin, chicory root, soluble corn fiber or oligofructose, fibers that ferment in the gut; 2 points off for 10 g or more of other added fiber, such as polydextrose. Saturated fat (5): full points at 2 g or less, falling to zero at 5 g or more (4 g is 20% of the Daily Value).
Transparency and Third-Party Verification
Label Transparency (10): points off for a protein blend that doesn’t list amounts and for more than ten ingredients. Third-Party Verification (10): 10 points for NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Choice or Informed Sport; 5 for a public lab report matching the product. Bars without either are shown as “No certification found in our search,” which is not the same as failing a test.
Just missed the cut
| Bar | Score | Main reason it missed |
|---|---|---|
| PEAK Protein Bar | 48 | 4 g added sugar; low protein per calorie; higher price |
| Ghost Protein Bar | 47 | Maltitol and sorbitol; 9 g saturated fat |
| Ready Protein Bar | 47 | 10 g added sugar, despite NSF certification |
| Misfits Plant-Based Protein Bar | 47 | Maltitol and oligofructose; higher price |
| Clif Builders | 45 | 17 g added sugar; 6 g saturated fat |
| PBfit Protein Bar | 45 | 8 g added sugar |
Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark High Protein Bar would have scored well on its label, but it wasn’t available to buy online or for pickup when we checked, so we left it out.
- If sugar alcohols upset your stomach: avoid bars with maltitol or sorbitol (think!, David, ONE, Pure Protein, Barebells, BSN, FULFIL). Erythritol (a sugar alcohol) and allulose (a rare sugar, not a sugar alcohol) tend to be gentler, but large amounts can still cause trouble for some people. If you are concerned, try buying just one bar and only eat half of it to monitor your tolerance.
- If you avoid beef, pork or fish, check whether a bar’s protein blend includes collagen, which is made from animal skin, bones or scales.
- If you have kidney disease or your clinician has limited your protein, ask before adding bars.
- If you have diabetes, “0 g added sugar” doesn’t mean a bar has no effect on blood sugar. Check total carbohydrates, and ask your clinician or dietitian how bars fit your plan.
- If you’re eating less overall, for example while losing weight, a bar can help you reach your protein goal. It shouldn’t replace meals built from whole foods.
Common questions
Are protein bars healthy?
They can be a convenient way to add protein, but they’re processed snacks. The healthiest choices have little added sugar, a protein source near the top of the ingredient list, and no more sweeteners or fiber than your stomach handles comfortably. Whole foods like Greek yogurt, eggs and cottage cheese give you protein with fewer additives; see our high-protein breakfast guide.
How many protein bars a day is too many?
There’s no set limit, but most people do best treating a bar as one snack, not a meal replacement. Two or more a day can add up to a lot of sugar alcohols, added fiber and saturated fat, and a bar doesn’t bring the vitamins and minerals a meal would. If bars are filling a big gap in your protein, find your daily number and cover more of it with food. One more reason to keep it to one: a 2023 study linked higher blood levels of erythritol, a sweetener in some bars, with heart attack and stroke. That’s an association, not proof of cause, and in a small follow-up study the effect on blood clotting came after a 30 g dose of erythritol, far more than one bar contains.*
What’s the best protein bar for weight loss?
Look for a high protein-per-calorie number and little added sugar. On our list, David, Built Puff, Quest, Kirkland, Pure Protein, MOSH and Barebells give the most protein for their calories. No bar causes weight loss by itself; it helps only if it replaces a less filling snack.
What’s the lowest-sugar protein bar?
David and think! have 0 g of total sugar. Several others have 0 g of added sugar, including Quest, Atkins, KIND Protein MAX, Atlas, ONE, Barebells, No Cow, Designs for Health and Munk Pack. Read their labels to understand where the sweetness is coming from: sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, fruit like dates, or a combination.
Are protein bars good for older adults?
They can help when appetite is small or meals are light, since a bar delivers 15 to 28 g of protein in a few bites. They’re easy to carry, but weigh the cost against other protein foods if your grocery budget is tight. Getting enough protein matters more as we age; our calculator shows how much you need.
Why don’t you rank by taste?
Taste is personal, and we can’t taste-test fairly. We rank on what a label and price can prove, so you can choose for taste among bars that meet your standards.
Final Thoughts
The bars that scored best paired high protein per calorie with little added sugar and no maltitol: Kirkland, Quest and MOSH led the field. Most of the others gave up points to sugar alcohols, fermentable fibers or a high price per gram of protein.
A lower ranking does not establish that a bar is unsafe, ineffective or poor quality. It means the bar presented a weaker overall buying case under this model.
For how much protein you need each day, start with our protein guide and calculator. If you use powder too, see our whey and plant-based rankings.
* Erythritol sources: Witkowski M, et al. The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk. Nat Med. 2023;29(3):710–718 (PMID 36849732). Witkowski M, et al. Ingestion of the non-nutritive sweetener erythritol, but not glucose, enhances platelet reactivity and thrombosis potential in healthy volunteers. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2024. doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.124.321019.