8 Chocolate Flavored Protein Shakes, Ranked Worst To Best

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The protein market is continuously growing as it introduces snack options and even protein sodas. However, rich, creamy protein shakes are still a mainstay as people look for on-the-go breakfast options and a healthy boost to accompany workouts. Some of these shakes come in indulgent flavors, including chocolate. Many companies have capitalized on this flavor profile by putting their own twist on the chocolate protein shake. It can be tough to choose the right one, and that's why I'm testing eight popular brands of chocolate protein shakes.

I evaluated each shake for its overall creaminess, thickness, and whether it delivers a decadent, chocolate flavor. While a thick shake is a good shake, I am also considering whether the items have a chalky flavor and if there's an aftertaste. Each shake is shelf-stable, which is perfect for the gym bag, but not everyone likes a creamy shake at room temperature. That's why I'm trying them at room temperature and trying them chilled. Now, let's take a look at where each chocolate protein shake stands. I'll start with the one that failed the most tests and work my way up to the shake that is the perfect on-the-go treat. 

OWYN intrigued me with its use of organic pumpkin seed protein, sunflower oil, pea protein, and Himalayan pink sea salt. However, I quickly learned that such ingredients can overpower chocolate, and that's not what I was hoping for in a chocolate protein shake. These items create a highly synthetic chocolate taste in the OWYN Pro Elite Vegan 32g Dairy-Free Protein Shakes and were part of the reason why it's at the bottom of the list. 

When I opened the container, the pea protein smell overpowered the chocolate smell. Pea protein, pumpkin seed protein, and sunflower oil have distinct tastes on their own. Trying to get chocolate to mask them is not easy, and one sip proved that OWYN didn't meet the challenge it put before itself. Each ingredient was very noticeable when drinking it at room temperature. The chocolate managed to hit my tongue, but the other elements of this shake made me wince as these sharp yet savory flavors distracted me from the chocolate.

There was no creamy texture until the shake sat in the fridge for a few hours. This helped me focus on the chocolate taste a little, but the pumpkin, pea, and sunflower flavors still stood out. This time, I received a salty aftertaste caused by the Himalayan pink salt. This completely stopped the creamy, chocolate flavor I was trying to enjoy. This shake proves that chocolate doesn't mix well with every food.

Slate offers some of the best coffee drinks you can buy at Walmart, according to Tasting Table, and the Slate Milk Chocolate Ultra 30g Protein Shake could be the brand's attempt at attracting non-coffee drinkers. However, this valiant attempt takes the seventh spot due to its chalky aftertaste and thin consistency.

While it has a creamy chocolate smell, the first room temperature sip felt like I was drinking a thin milk mixed with chocolate powder. It tasted like the brand was trying to create a healthy Yoo-hoo shake, but it lacked the satisfying creaminess and thickness of a nostalgic chocolate shake. This was followed by a chalky aftertaste that made my mouth feel dry.

Putting the drink in the fridge proved it's best served cold. The powder consistency of the chocolate melted away for the most part as the lower temperature unlocked a subtle creaminess. This made it feel like a well-blended chocolate milk. The chalky feeling remained, and I also detected an aftertaste from one of the sweetening agents. It's a chocolate protein shake with something to offer, but it leaves a lot of room for improvement.

OIKOS is a staple of the yogurt section because of its satisfying, creamy Greek yogurt. The brand even offers high-protein yogurt that is well-regarded by Tasting Table. So, I was expecting the OIKOS Chocolate Protein Shake with 30 grams of protein to have the same well-blended, creamy flavor, but it didn't fully meet those expectations because of an aftertaste. Whether chilled or at room temperature, each sip ends with a strong sweetener taste. The flavor has a sharp tanginess, which interrupted my enjoyment of the shake's chocolate flavor.

The room temperature version of this drink has a texture that doesn't fully match OIKOS Greek yogurt, which was a bit disappointing. My first sip featured some frothiness after giving it a good shake. However, the frothiness was followed by a creaminess that never reached its full potential because an underlying thinness made it feel like the creamy components were accidentally watered down. Luckily, the chocolate flavor counteracted the thinness because it had a dark, creamy flavor all its own.

This shake almost reaches expectations after being chilled. A colder temperature enhances the creaminess by thickening it and highlighting the milky flavor. The deep chocolate flavor remains, and it blends very well with the extra creamy taste. This creates a density that offers the decadence I was hoping for, but it's still diminished by the very off-putting aftertaste.

Aldi offers plenty of protein-packed drinks and snacks. The store's Elevation Chocolate Protein Shake is in the middle of this list because it has an almost-perfect flavor, which is accompanied by an aftertaste and a smell that might not appeal to some.

The smell of this 30-gram protein shake is almost synthetic, but it's not as bad as what I smelled from OWYN. Like OWYN, the shake from Elevation contains sunflower oil, which I believe is the source of the synthetic smell. However, the chocolate still prevails because of generously distributed cocoa powder, which made it feel like I was biting into chocolate pulled from Aldi's shelves. The chocolate taste is accompanied by a thick creaminess from the inclusion of milk, and the mixing of these two ingredients helps the shake reach the chocolate bar taste. 

While it was pretty good at room temperature, the flavor profile changed a bit after chilling. The chocolate flavor didn't stand out the way it did at room temperature. Instead, the creamy milk flavor increased and started to overshadow the chocolate. This made it feel like the chocolate was an afterthought. This shake is not for everyone, but it may be a good snack solution for someone looking for a creamy shake with just a hint of sweetness.

Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks were a breakfast staple for kids in the 1960s. Now the brand is serving up its nostalgic chocolate flavor in a 15-gram protein shake that has some issues despite its good flavor. Carnation Breakfast Essentials High Protein Rich Milk Chocolate Shake has a chalky aftertaste both at room temperature and chilled. My mouth felt dry, and I felt like I needed a glass of water to remedy it.

The texture may be an issue for some, but it will be nostalgic for others. The chocolate portion of the drink tasted like someone had dumped a spoonful of Carnation's chocolate breakfast powder into the bottle and tried to give it a good stir. I could taste the subtle grittiness of the chocolate powder, which made it feel like a true Carnation creation. This makes it taste like a grown-up version of this classic breakfast replacement, but the gritty texture may not please everyone's palate. That's part of the reason why this shake comes in at fourth place.

The gritty taste decreases after the shake is chilled, and the creamy flavor increases against a steady chocolate flavor. This extra creaminess makes it taste like a more nutrient-rich take on chocolate milk. The taste and protein percentage may make this the perfect option for people who are trying protein shakes for the first time or looking for an updated version of a childhood favorite. 

Premiere Protein Nutritional Chocolate Shake takes third place because it has a delicious chocolate taste and a creamy texture at room temperature, but the flavor changes when served cold. When I opened the bottle of this 30-gram protein shake, I got a chocolate smell that wasn't too rich, but it still led me to believe I was in for a chocolaty delight. It followed through on this promise with a natural thickness that would make this a satisfying option for people on the go who don't have access to a fridge. The thickness helps deepen the chocolate flavor that offers both a sweet taste and dark cocoa element, making it a bit savory. This enjoyable experience left no aftertaste, but my opinion slightly changed after it was chilled.

The shake maintained its thickness when I took it out of the fridge, and I received extra frothiness and creaminess. This added an extra layer of chocolate that helped me really taste the sweetness and slight bitterness associated with a chocolate bar. However, the sweetener pushed a bold, synthetic aftertaste into my mouth. It immediately took away from the chocolate flavor, and I soon felt a chalkiness left by the shake's thickness. This proves that not all shakes are best served cold.

Fairlife is known for creating one of the best chocolate milks on the market. So, it's only fitting that I try the Fairlife Core Power Chocolate 26g Protein Shake, which is also a popular item. I can see why it's prominently displayed at many stores. It offers an inviting chocolate scent that ushers in a flavor that's much better than its smell, but it takes second place because of how it tastes when served cold.

This shake smells like chocolate milk made with chocolate syrup rather than chocolate or cocoa powder. However, my first impression shifted when I tasted a deep chocolate taste followed by the sweet bitterness of a real chocolate bar. Unlike the other shakes, the creaminess didn't act like its own ingredient. It was a natural part of the chocolate flavoring, and it elevated the chocolate taste instead of masking it with a milky texture. There was also no aftertaste, which makes it a delight at room temperature.

The chilled version of this drink did not satisfy me as much as the room temperature version. While the thickness increased after chilling it, I could still taste a thin, watery texture in the background. This detracted from the creaminess. A noticeable aftertaste from the sweetener inside also took away from the decadent flavor. It's a worthy option for those looking for a protein version of a chocolate milkshake, but its taste does not stay consistent when switching temperatures. 

Ensure's take on the chocolate protein shake is a satisfying chocolate dream that passed every test with flying colors, and it's a reminder why this brand continues to hold its own in the nutritional shake game. Ensure Max Protein Milk Chocolate Nutrition Shake smells like a frothy, chocolate shake, and the smell matches its taste because the flavor of real cocoa hit my tongue as the super-creamy texture followed. There's a slight thickness that enhances the creaminess without overpowering the drink. It also didn't make my mouth feel dry. Instead, the thickness was a satisfying addition to the chocolate flavor, making it feel like I was drinking a delicious, room-temperature version of a decadent hot chocolate.

The decadence increases after it's chilled for an hour. The substantial creaminess I tasted at room temperature both lightens and deepens the chocolate flavor to make it taste like milk chocolate in liquid form. The milky taste cuts through the richness of the chocolate and evens out its bitter sweetness. Despite the change in creaminess, the thickness remains the same. This well-blended chocolate protein shake has 30 grams of protein and never offers an aftertaste. It expertly masks the ingredients so the chocolate is the star, and this is why it feels like a true dessert rather than a nutritious shake. 

A chocolate protein shake should offer decadence, satisfaction, and an overall boost from the nutrients packed into each bottle. This is why thickness, creaminess, and chocolate flavor were priorities for me while testing each shake. I wanted something nourishing, but I also wanted a taste that I could thoroughly enjoy. 

Shakes that did not deliver on the chocolate flavor or decadence I was expecting were put toward the bottom of the list. A chalky consistency placed some shakes at the bottom because a chalky flavor means it's tougher to swallow and not as enjoyable. I also paid attention to any aftertaste because it can take away from the overall experience.

Each shake was tested at room temperature and after it was placed in the fridge. This helped me understand if temperature enhanced the overall flavor, and it helped me better understand what flavor consumers would receive if they drank them at either temperature. Each test gave me a better understanding of the flavor profiles while allowing me to fully embrace the quality of each item.