The Best Chocolate Flavored Protein Shakes On The Market Aren't Fairlife Or Premier Protein

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Protein is all the rage these days, and there are a wealth of bars, drinks, and powders to help you reach your goals. As far as protein shakes go, chocolate is one of the most popular flavors, so we tasted 8 chocolate protein shakes, ranking each one according to overall creaminess, thickness, and whether it delivers a rich chocolatey flavor. And while Fairlife and Premier Protein chocolate shakes came in second and third place, respectively, they were no match for Ensure Max Protein Milk Chocolate Nutrition Shakes.

The chocolate shake from Ensure hit all of the criteria, with a strong chocolatey aroma that translated to a cocoa-forward flavor made even more decadent by a thick, frothy milky foundation. It was a super-creamy chocolate milk that tasted as good at room temperature as it did chilled. While both the Fairlife and Premier Protein chocolate shakes had prominent chocolate flavors and equally thick and creamy textures, they both changed when chilled. The Fairlife chocolate shake had a complex and sophisticated cocoa flavor with a bitter finish when enjoyed at room temperature, but when chilled, we got an unpleasant artificial sweetener aftertaste and a watery, thin texture. Likewise, the third place Premier Protein chocolate shake had a deep chocolate flavor and decadent thickness at room temperature, but when chilled, created a chalky texture and artificial sweetener finish. Unlike Fairlife and Premier Protein shakes, which we also ranked, Ensure never lost its chocolatey flavor and thick texture after being chilled. In fact, chilling it made it even thicker and emphasized its chocolate notes even further.

Amazon and Walmart customers have written thousands of glowing reviews for Ensure Max Protein Milk Chocolate Nutrition Shakes that mirror our own. We felt like we were indulging in a high-quality chocolate milk instead of a protein shake that often comes with a vitamin-forward, chemical finish. And an Amazon review agrees, stating, "It tastes just like chocolate milk with a smooth texture and no clumping or strange aftertaste." Another Amazon review touted these shakes' versatility for various dietary necessities. They said the shakes "worked well for appetite-support situations where full meals are not always appealing but protein intake still matters." At the other end of the spectrum, costumers also said these were hearty enough without feeling heavy to keep them full for longer and prevent overeating or mindless snacking between meals. A Walmart customer distinguished Ensure's shakes by their creamy, smooth texture, proclaiming, "The texture was smooth and it certainly gave me an energy boost. One of my favorite protein drinks I have ever tried."

Customers also love that the protein shakes contain 25 vitamins and minerals, making them responsible for hitting both macro and micronutrient goals in one creamy, delicious serving. Amazon customers have also commended these shakes for their added fiber content, a nutrient that's becoming as trendy and important as protein these days. If you want more fiber, one Walmart customer recommends blending the shake with a cup of fresh or frozen raspberries which will upgrade the flavor, texture, and fiber content.