The Men’s Health Sports Nutrition Awards: 60 Supplements Worth Buying

Millennial men will remember this one fondly, but it’s still around – and with good reason. The 31g of protein and 5g of creatine (in the form of Creapure, the purest kind) are the muscle-building big hitters in each shake, with glutamine, zinc, HMB and BCAAs adding nutritional benefits. The convenience factor of getting these foundational supps in one shake is well worth the price of roughly £2 per serving.

If you struggle with dairy-based protein (whey/casein) owing to intolerances, but also can’t get on with plant-based sources, this one is a lifesaver. With around 27g of protein per 30g serving, it’s as protein-packed as most wheys, and offers similar bioavailability – how easily a substance can be absorbed by the body. Contrary to what the name might suggest, it doesn’t taste gross. At around £1 per serving, the value is also beefy.

This has a clear, juice-like consistency as opposed to the thicker, milkshake-style consistency of a traditional whey shake. Nutritionally, it gives the same bang for your buck you’d expect from a whey shake (around 20g of protein per 25g scoop), but the bonus is that you won’t struggle to chug it down on a full stomach – or after a tough session. Flavours range from Peach Tea to Pineapple, through to a licensed Chupa Chups strawberry.

If you’re looking for a low-sugar shake, this Bulk option – containing a whopping 80% whey protein – is a no-brainer for those chasing gains minus the sweet tooth. It comes in an extensive flavour range, including Iced Latte and Tiramisu.

It mixes excellently with water too, which is ideal if you don't fancy a milkshake-esque drink mid-set, and contains all your essential amino acids, plus an impressive 5g BCAAs.

Fancy flavours aside, this is genuinely one of the best vanilla shakes out there — not too sweet, no chalky taste — and we reckon there's something to be said for mastering the basics.

Comprising a blend of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate and hydrolysed whey protein isolate, Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard Whey Protein offers a more cost-effective alternative to buying pure whey protein isolate powder, without compromising on quality. It contains 24g of protein per serving to fuel muscle growth, plus 5.5g of naturally occurring BCAAs to reduce fatigue post-workout. Low in fat, sugar and carbs, it’s ideal if you’re watching your macros.

Trusted by competitive athletes thanks to its Informed Sport batch testing – which verifies products don’t contain banned substances – each 30g serving provides 23g of protein and 5.5g of BCAAs, supporting recovery and repair. Flavours are smooth and well-rated, and the powder mixes easily without clumping. There’s a slightly higher cost per serving, but the peace of mind and performance credibility are major strengths.

A high-purity isolate (a purer protein form), the roughly 90% protein content and low level of lactose make this powder ideal for those looking to build lean muscle mass or anyone sensitive to dairy. It performs well for recovery with an excellent protein-to-calorie ratio, wide flavour range and good solubility in shakes and oats. That it’s cost-effective compared with other isolates makes it a popular choice for athletes. Plus, it’s Informed Choice-certified.

Each 40g serving of Innermost’s The Strong Protein is packed with 34g of (whey) protein and only 1g of sugar. Other nutritional perks of this powder – which is available in Smooth Chocolate, Creamy Vanilla, and Summer Strawberry – includes 3g of creatine monohydrate and 200mg of magnesium.

When it comes to clear wheys, this one from ESN is another favourite among MH staffers. With around 25g of protein per 30g serve, this powder packs a punch nutritionally, but maintains a sweet, refreshing flavour. And it’s sweet without being sickeningly so.

There's no actual sugar, fat or lactose in the formula (just sweeteners). The powder mixes with water quickly, and although it leaves some residue at the bottom of the glass if left for a while, it never tastes grainy.

Critical Oats Protein Porridge Pots are the perfect on-the-go breakfast or snack, delivering 23g of protein alongside a well-balanced blend of oats and healthy fats.

While this comes in powder form like a shake, once you stir in hot water, it becomes a delicious bowl of oats – and it’s been a genuine game-changer for our fitness director, who says the golden syrup tastes just like McDonald’s porridge. ‘I do two scoops, which gives me nearly 50g of protein, a good dose of carbs and some medium-chain triglycerides ("good" fats),’ he adds.

‘It’s so easy, saves so much time and thinking, but unlike other meal replacements, I actually have FOOD – I eat it every day without fail and it saves me a fortune.’

The juice-like consistency and taste make this an easy accompaniment to any plant-based meal that might need a protein bump. It’s also refreshing enough to drink as a protein-packed thirst quencher, and the single protein source (hydrolysed pea isolate) is helpful if mixed sources upset your stomach. At around £2.50 (and 20g of protein) per 28g serving, it’s not the cheapest, but if you’ve struggled with other plant-based powders the slightly higher cost may be worth it.

With this product, you can easily combine your morning caffeine boost with a solid dose of protein, giving you a head start on your daily protein goals. It delivers 24g of protein and around 80mg of caffeine per serving, with a soya and almond-based formula that’s gentle on digestion – making it a good option if other vegan powders leave you feeling bloated. Whichever way you look at it, it’s considerably cheaper than a cafe-bought flat white, with lots more benefits.

People have strong opinions on Huel, but its Black Edition blend contains 40g of protein from a mixture of plant sources, and it’s packed with vitamins (including A, C, D, E and K) and minerals (such as potassium and zinc). At 400 calories per serving, this isn’t overly calorific for a meal-replacement shake and it comes in an extensive range of flavours, so there’s something for everyone. From around £1.80 per shake, it’s a very cost- and time-effective way to get in some macros and micros.

This blend provides 30g of protein per 40g serving from pea, brown rice and pumpkin seed, plus curcumin and digestive enzymes. Performance-driven with a complete amino acid profile, it mixes smoothly and tastes great, even with water. The cost per serving is on the higher side, but it’s worth it for the strong nutritional profile and Informed Sport certification.

When blended with milk or water, this salted caramel-flavoured soy (a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids – rare for plant proteins) and pea protein blend, which packs around 20g of protein per 25g serving, tastes just like dessert in liquid form. It comes in recyclable packaging and it earned top marks for mixability thanks to its fine, powdery texture.

Dishing up 31g of protein to power your recovery, along with all nine essential amino acids and a dose of extra goodness from maca, magnesium, coconut water extract, Rhodiola root and pink Himalayan salt, you get a lot of bang for your buck here.

We love this powder for its smooth, full-bodied texture – it's delightfully thick and lump-free, according to panellists – and the Strawberry flavour hits just the right level of sweetness. There are also Chocolate and Vanilla options, though, if you’re not feeling fruity.

Delivering around 25g of protein per 35g serving, Bulk’s vegan protein is a reliable plant-based choice. Its pea and plant blend supports muscle recovery well, though absorption will be slightly slower than with whey. There are several great flavours to choose from and it mixes extremely well in shakes or smoothies. The low price point also makes it one of the best-value vegan proteins you can buy.

This clear protein, which basically tastes like fruit squash, is a great alternative to the creamy texture of most protein shakes. Our panel described it as light, refreshing and easy to gulp down – just what you want after a sweaty session.

While it may only contain around 11g of plant-based protein per 16g, with less than 0.5g of sugar in one serving, you could pop a couple of scoops into your shaker for a bigger protein hit. Muscle-building macro aside, it also provides half of your daily recommended B vitamins, including B12, which is hard to get enough of when you’re following a plant-based diet.

Don’t let the name dictate how you consume this versatile, banana-flavoured vegan powder from Protein Works. Sure, the fine texture makes a great shake with oat milk and ice, but to level up the carb count, why not stir it into your oats or whizz it up in a smoothie for a serious AM protein punch?

Low-cal, high protein and tasty, with a subtle banana flavour and an uber creamy consistency, it had our testers sold. It also comes in a range of other flavours, including Choc Caramel Biscuit, and Apple and Cinnamon, if Banana isn’t your jam.

This classic chocolate powder (which is Informed Sport-approved) has a rich cocoa flavour and provides 22g of the muscle-building macro, which comes from gut-friendly pea and almond protein. Not only does it boast all the essential acids your body needs to build lean muscle, but it also contains minimal fat and sugar.

Our testers described the texture as smooth, thick and creamy, making it easy to drink with water alone. However, our top recc would be blending it up with a frozen banana, some oat milk and a dollop of peanut butter to increase carbs and fats for a satisfying post-workout snack.

A winning plant-based protein bar from PhD – the light vanilla fudge taste doesn’t overpower, which is very welcome with the heftier 64g bar size. A solid choice even if you aren’t plant-based (although it is approved as vegan by the Vegetarian Society), the bar packs 21g of protein while being very low in sugar (less than 1g). It’s slightly pricier than some others, at around £2 per bar, but worth it for the strong plant-based credentials.

Although this bar is available in an extensive range of flavours, who’s not coming back to Oreo every time? With just the right level of sweetness, it does feel like a slightly more indulgent snack, but it certainly didn’t come to play on the protein front. Containing 21g of the muscle-building macro, while being very low in sugar (just 1g per bar), it’s no surprise this is a firm favourite among the fitness community.

Healthspan also proves plant-based doesn’t have to mean low protein – its All Blacks-approved bar contains 21g of the good stuff. It’s unusual to find protein bars that are Informed Sport-accredited, but the brand says this product has undergone rigorous testing by a world-class sports anti-doping lab. With a light caramel flavour, 7.8g of fibre and 1g of naturally occurring sugar, it’s a winner for athletes. At £2.75 per bar, they’re a bit pricier, but the Informed Sport assurance makes them worth the investment.

With just over 9g of protein per bar, this doesn’t fall into the high-protein category per se, but it deserves a mention nonetheless. The smaller 40g bar also contains a mighty 8g of fibre and is packed with 10 diverse plant-based ingredients, including wholegrain oats, dates, pumpkin seeds, carrots and extra-virgin olive oil, with no artificial ingredients in sight. A solid, tasty and easily digestible pre- or post-workout snack.

For the amount of protein this bar contains (at least 18g in all flavours), it's surprisingly light and tasty, without being sickly sweet – ideal to refuel when your appetite hasn't materialised after a strenuous session. Very low in sugar (2.1g per bar), it's an easily digestible option that stands out in a market saturated with heavy products.

A slightly heftier bar (weighing 65g in total) and the sweetest of the three, but it's still got a light texture. Containing 20g of protein, this product also has an impressive fibre offering of 12g per bar. That's a big chunk of your recommended daily fibre intake (around 30g), which the majority of us regularly miss out on.

If you’re more of a chocolate fan, ON also has some other flavour bars containing 20g of protein, including Nutty Chocolate Caramel, Chocolate Caramel Whipped, and Chocolate Brownie Crunch.

This recently launched snack from Maximuscle scored highly for its decadent nutty caramel flavour. A little smaller than some other bars on the market, it comes in at a modest 182 calories with 14g of protein, but it made a big impact thanks to its liquid caramel core and crunchy chocolate and peanut coating.

It’s surprisingly low in sugar, too – just 1.7g – and our panel described the texture and mouthfeel as spot on.

Higher in calories and carbs (not a bad thing, we want to fuel those hard sessions) than a lot of the other bars we tested, this is a top choice if you’re on a mission to build some serious muscle. A no-nonsense ingredients list – almonds, candied peels, egg white and rice protein, along with a fistful of spices and coconut sugar – reminded our panellists of moist, sticky fruit cake.

When it comes to Barebells protein bars, it’s got to be the Cookies & Cream flavour – so good. Packing 20g of protein per bar, it’s still light, digestible, and the texture is reminiscent of a Milky Way bar.

Goldilocks-style, this bar achieves just the right level of sweetness. Sugar-wise, you’re only looking at just over 1g per bar, and texturally, there’s no chalkiness, which is the downfall of so many protein bars on the market.

Trek’s new Biscoff Bars truly prove that plant-based does not mean bland. You’re looking at around 15g of protein per bar, a very decent dose of fibre (12g), and relatively low sugar content (less than 5g), which is impressive considering just how similar this tastes to a standard chocolate bar treat.

This easily mixed creatine monohydrate supplement is available in an unflavoured version and two flavoured options: Berry Blitz and Orange Burst. While unflavoured creatine is great for throwing into shakes and smoothies, it’s always nice to be able to mix up a tasty drink by simply adding water. Protein Works’ creatine is 99.9% pure, thanks to ultra-fine 200-mesh filtration technology, so you can be assured you know what you’re getting.

A simple formula (just creatine monohydrate) that delivers excellent value for money. Unsurprisingly, Myprotein’s product mixes well with protein powder – but it also blends nicely with water, thanks to its fine consistency. Overall, it’s a reliable, Informed Choice-certified supp.

Myprotein also has an ‘elite’ version of the product at a slightly higher price point, ‘The Creatine’, which uses Creapure – the purest form of creatine monohydrate on the market – and is also Informed Choice-tested.

This global brand is trusted by UK consumers for its third-party testing programmes. The micronised (broken down into very fine particles) formulation of Optimum Nutrition’s Informed Sport-accredited Elite Series creatine means the powder mixes well. Known for its solid performance credentials, this product works just as well on its own in water as it does paired with protein powder and any other go-to pre- and post-workout drinks.

This product provides Creapure at a very cost-effective price. That it's flavourless and mixes well with water means it's easy to consume. But it's worth noting that it hasn't been tested for banned substances, meaning it wouldn't be recommended for use by competitive athletes.

This product has been tested for banned substances – making it suitable for athletes – and for purity, which helps ensure that the dose consumed is effective. The micronised (very fine) formulation gives it a smooth texture when mixed with water, although it doesn't mix quite as easily as the other two winners.

This product has also been micronised and mixes easily with water. It leaves no aftertaste, so it's a good option on its own with water or mixed into other drinks. It's not cheap, but being tested for banned substances and purity makes it suitable for athletes and gives you peace of mind that the dose is effective.

Kinetica's 100% Creatine contains Creapure, and being Informed Sport-certified has been batch tested to comply with WADA standards.

If you struggle with consistently taking your supps – and accurately measuring them out – Puresport’s creatine offering may be for you. The individual, travel-friendly sachets each provide 5g of creatine monohydrate.

NSF certified, this creatine supp does what it says on the tin, with 5g of pure creatine monohydrate per serving.

Informed Sport-certified, this creatine supplement uses Creapure, which we know is the purest known form of creatine monohydrate on the market.

Caffeine, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals – you’re getting lots for your money here. The Daily A-Z Vitamin Drink is designed to support hydration and nutrition with 26 essential vitamins and minerals, plus 100mg of caffeine (although there’s also a caffeine-free option) and around 925mg of electrolytes per can. It’s more of an all-rounder energy drink than a performance hydration product.

Vegan and travel-friendly, these sachets, which contain sodium and potassium along with B-vitamins and vitamin C, and around 13g of carbs, are designed to help restore electrolyte balance via a water-mix powder. You simply add one sachet to 500ml of water (but you can adapt according to taste) and this tasty electrolyte drink is ready to go. Flavours include Passion Fruit, Lemon Lime, and Watermelon Cooler. At £19.99 for 16, they’re great value for money.

These vegan, sugar-free sachets contain six essential electrolytes, along with micronutrients. While the product is aimed more at everyday hydration rather than elite performance, it is Informed Sport-certified. When the downfall of many electrolyte products can be their high sugar content, Humantra’s sachets, sweetened with natural, plant-based stevia leaf extract, stand out. From Himalayan Lime to Lychee, the flavours are also on point. You’ll get convenience and value here.

These tablets are easy to carry, dissolve rapidly and have a palatable taste. The amounts and ratios of the electrolytes also sit within the range typically recommended in sports hydration drinks. The tablets do contain added vitamins, which aren't necessary for hydration and may not be needed, but they aren't inherently 'bad'.

These aren't excessively sweet, making them a great option for when you're fatigued, and sweet and grainy drinks can become hard to stomach. The ingredient list is focused, containing only what's relevant to hydration and the amounts and ratios of the electrolytes are within the range recommended for sports hydration drinks.

It's a powder, so you can vary the dose, making it better for personalisation – more if you're a salty sweater, for example. It also contains a low concentration of carbs, which may help the rapid absorption of electrolytes into the body – ideal when you need to rehydrate quickly. It does contain unnecessary vitamins for hydration, too.

We love these pink grapefruit-flavoured tabs from High5 – they taste great, pack in 250mg of sodium per serve, and, like the name suggests, contain zero sugar. Super affordable, they are easy to transport, simple to use, and can be mixed to whatever strength you prefer – either by changing the amount of water you're mixing it into or dissolving more/less of the tab(s), providing you don't exceed the recommended daily intake.

One of the higher sodium electrolyte products out there, so an ideal choice for the salty sweaters. Those who enjoy the saltier taste of these love the flavours (they come in Citrus Salt, Raspberry Salt, and Watermelon Salt, with the latter a firm favourite among testers) and the fact these sachets are zero sugar.

When dissolved in 500ml of water, one tablet of PH1000 delivers a mega 1000mg of sodium, along with a healthy hit of potassium, calcium and magnesium for good measure – exactly what your body needs after a lengthy sweat-soaked session.

Taste testers enjoyed the gentle citrus flavour and approved of the consistency, which was thin and free from powdery residue. If your training is less intense and you don’t need such a high dose of salts, the brand offers different strengths to accommodate individual needs.

These citrus tablets offer a balance of all the major electrolytes you’d expect – sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium – to help replenish your electrolyte levels sharpish post-workout. Like the Precise Nutrition option above, each tab provides 1000mg of sodium, making it a top choice for endurance activities or when exercising in the heat. Not training so hard? STYRKR recommends popping just half a tablet into your drink for a smaller hit of salts.

Unlike many electrolyte mixes, which can be sickly sweet and artificial tasting, our panel said the Citrus flavour was extremely gentle. If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, it’s a great shout.

Still our go-to pick of the high-carb gels. The larger packs aren’t the most compact, but each rip-top tube delivers a 40g payload of carbs, so you can carry fewer and still hit your hourly intake. The 1:0.8 blend of maltodextrin to fructose slips down easily with no GI turmoil, just a welcome stamina boost from fast-acting energy in three highly palatable flavours: strawberry and lime, neutral and orange. The electrolyte and caffeine gels are excellent, too.

With the carb equivalent of 4.5 standard gels in one resealable pouch, three PF 90 pouches deliver enough energy for most runners to tackle a 4:30 marathon. The twisty lid lets you take on as much or as little as you want, so no need to down a whole one in a single hit. The gel’s mild, neutral taste reduces flavour fatigue on longer efforts. The texture doesn’t leave any stickiness behind and it’s easy to swallow without water.

Nature does raw energy pretty well and this real-food gel taps into one source – blending pure maple syrup (harvested from Canadian maple trees) with sea salt. Unsurprisingly, it’s more like a syrup than a gel, so you can almost drink these without water. They’re very sweet, but if you like maple syrup our testers found the flavour ‘cleaner and tastier than many maltodextrin gels’. Each 36g compact, easy-open tube provides 24g of carbs and 110mg of sodium, as well as iron and manganese.

A caffeinated alternative to Mnstry’s high-carb gels. Each large gel contains 100mg of caffeine from matcha and guarana to boost the performance benefits of its 40g of carbs. There’s a slightly sour edge to the neutral flavour, but it avoids the bitterness that can plague other caffeine gels. Our testers found the syrupy texture ‘easy to get down and gentle on the stomach’. No digestive disasters here – just rapid-acting energy.

If there was an award for energy-to-weight ratio, these compact gels would win. Each 51g pack crams 30g of dual-source carbohydrates into one of the smallest and most stashable gels going. The easy-tear rip top opening is a doddle to use on the move and the sweet but neutral flavour is a great weapon against overpowering flavours and taste fatigue, particularly handy if you’re using gels to fuel an ultra.

Hate chewing down gloopy gels? The looser, almost liquid texture of this high-carb gel slips down easy, even without water. At 70g per gel, it’s bulky but with 40g of carbs from a 1:1 glucose to fructose mix, one pack just about replaces two regular gels. Each rip-top gel packs a gram of salt to replenish electrolytes and temper the sweetness. The neutral flavour was a winner with our test team on multiple-gel runs.

Honey haters look away, you’ll need to be a fan of the sticky stuff to enjoy the 22g natural carb hit in these pocket-friendly Manuka gels. The glucose and fructose in the honey packs a similar energy payload as traditional gels with a smooth runny-honey texture and a hit of added electrolytes. This is one of the few gels you’d happily eat when you're not running. Testers found ‘the reliable tethered rip top excellent for avoiding litter, too.’

Another antidote to gloopy gels, these all-natural nectars boast an almost-liquid consistency that slips down easily. The 22g carb hit also squeezes into one of the most portable gel packets around. The Doppio packs 75mg of slow-acting caffeine from guarana and Himalayan pink salt to replace lost electrolytes with energy from a tasty blend of date nectar, brown rice and maple syrups and our testers enjoyed the 'smooth coffee-caramel flavour' and how easy they are to carry.

While some runners can train their systems to use more carbs, research suggests that most ‘normal’ runners' bodies utilise around 60g per hour. Puresport's 30g dual-carb gels lean into those uptake rates with a simple message: eat one gel every 30 minutes. Each gel uses a 1:0.8 glucose-to-fructose ratio with a palatable loose texture that works water-free.

Not enough brands offer refill options, so High5’s bulk-buy 550g gel bottle stood out in testing as a simple solution to cut cost and waste. Each dispenser bottle contains 13 typical HIGH5 40g gels, or 315g carbs. The orange or berry gel decants easily into washable soft flasks – the smaller one is capable of transporting 120g of gel, or 69g carbs. And once opened, you’ve got six weeks to run through the bottle.