16 Almond Milk Brands, Ranked Worst To Best

Almond milk's first mention can be traced back to 13th century Baghdad when it was mentioned in a cookbook, according to Vegan Food and Living. It was the drink of choice for Medieval Europe, where it was a status symbol and drank mainly by nobility (via Second History). And, as of September 2020, it was the most popular plant-based drink for those looking for more animal-friendly options, according to Food Dive. Almond milk has a long history, perhaps because it's downright delicious.

There are many reasons to drink almond milk. Maybe you're lactose intolerant, or just looking for a lighter way to enjoy plant-based milk because almond milk has fewer calories per serving than soy, rice, and coconut milk (via Healthline). Whatever the reason, we rounded up some almond milk brands to give you some guidance the next time you're strolling through the aisles of your local grocery store. Grab a glass and keep reading for our picks of almond milk brands, ranked from worst to best. 

SO Delicious has been producing dairy-free alternatives for the last 30 years, including cheese substitutes, frozen desserts, and lactose-free milk. Their almond milk is a staple on many vegan shelves but unfortunately, both the texture and flavor aren't quite right to some. 

Because almond milk can be used for many different things, like baking, as a base for cereal, or poured into coffee, next to taste, the texture is the most important quality. And SO Delicious is just far too thin for us to get behind. Because of its watery texture, it may be suitable for baking, but it definitely wouldn't make for the best coffee additive. The taste, however, is pretty spot-on, and while the texture isn't an absolute deal-breaker, it's certainly grounds to rethink before purchasing. But ultimately, one Amazon summed it up perfectly by saying, "A bit thin, but tastes good, I will order again."

There's something for everyone in the range of Natura almond milk. 

Natura actually got its start as a tofu manufacturer in 1992, according to the Natura website. As the interest in its products grew, the brand released additional products under the name Natura. It would eventually focus on plant-based beverages and in 2011 it introduced the line of Natura Almond beverages. This Canadian company has been committed to vegan products ever since.

Whether you like vanilla, chocolate, and coconut flavored almond milk, you're in luck because those are what Natura offers. But do their flavors mask a high-quality milk or help disguise a less-than-stellar product? From An Alto II's Cassey Razon writes, "Personally, the milk had a weird almondy after taste, which is obviously inevitable, but is a factor that I don't exactly appreciate." It should taste like almonds but it also shouldn't be a flavor that lingers for too long. If you're someone who wants a more simple, lighter almond milk, this is one to skip.

It's important to know that although this almond milk is branded as Simply, the company actually sits under and is owned by Coca-Cola. It's a tempting proposition — clean products made with primarily the ingredient on the front of the label.

The company was originally founded by Minute Maid in 2001, according to Modern Cities, as an alternative to the concentrate orange juices. It's branched out into other juices and milk, and today it produces a range of oat and almond drinks in addition to their juices. 

It's impressive that each drink contains only 3-5 ingredients. So the ingredient list may appeal to the purists out there, but what about the taste? Unfortunately, it's not nearly as interesting. One Go Dairy Free reviewer said, "I really wanted to love this. I've tried numerous brands of almond milk, but this one is watery, bland and off-putting. The flavor is odd, reminiscent of canned, evaporated milk. An odd tinny taste."

If you haven't noticed by now, texture is a crucial factor in rating almond milk. It's because just like cow's milk, almond milk can be used for a multitude of purposes. So when dairy-free milk brands release a barista version, the purpose is to ensure it doesn't curdle in drinks. According to Bloomberg, the barista version of cow's milk is called "super" and is fattier, creamier, and meant to be foamier. 

Plant-based milk has tried to replicate this same rich effect. And in the case of Elmhurst, it has definitely succeeded. It claims to use a patented technique called HydroRelease that uses only water to create a thicker texture (via Elmhurst). So if you use almond milk in your coffee drinks, they'll be pretty! The team over at Cooking Light said while the flavor was a little odd, it "foamed very well." It's not certified organic, so if that's your thing, tread carefully.

According to the New York Times, plant-based milk is certainly a suitable source of certain vitamins and minerals, but they're not an adequate replacement for the minerals that dairy provides. So right away, from their name alone, we can see that Better Than Milk is making some pretty bold claims. 

There's not much information on the About Us section of the site, so it's not clear if Better Than Milk is a family brand or owned by a larger company. What is clear though, is that Better Than Milk's Almond milk is pretty tasty. It is a bit nutty and sweet and reflects the true, delicious essence of almonds. The downside here is that for as pure as Better Than Milk tastes, it is pasteurized, which according to Consciously Kosher, deactivates certain nutritional benefits and produces free radicals. Whether that would turn you off completely, is up to you.

Orgain is a line of plant-based protein powders, shakes, bars, supplements and of course milk. It was founded by Dr. Andrew Abraham who sought out a nutritious, plant-based shake during his cancer treatments. Almond milk is the only plant-based milk Orgain produces. It's high in protein which is important for those cutting out cow's milk. Dairy milk has 8 grams of protein per cup, according to US Dairy, while Orgain has 10 grams for the same serving size. So it gets points for having sufficient protein, but how does it taste? Orgain almond milk is certainly richer and thicker than other brands of almond milk, with a nice nutty taste. You can use it in your coffee or to dip some freshly baked cookies into! And if the thickness isn't your preference, you can always water it down slightly before drinking.

One Thrive Market reviewer said, "This milk is a wonderful, healthy substitute for dairy products. Try it in your pancake batter and your tastebuds will be smiling!"

Malk is like the super cool friend who always looks great in the simplest of outfits. That's because Malk has only 3 ingredients. Many plant-based milk brands contain an ingredient called gellan gum that is a vegan thickening agent that stabilizes the textures of some of your favorite foods like ice creams and yogurts, according to Mind Body Green. It is totally safe for human consumption, but for those that live by a "less is more" approach, they may want to keep their almond milk as simple as possible. And that's where Malk wins the top prize. Their unsweetened almond milk contain only filtered water, almond butter, and Himalayan pink salt. 

Malk is a lot like the almond milk you may make at home and it has a pared-down flavor that is more like skim milk than almond milk. One Influenster reviewer was head over heels for Malk, and said, "BEST dairy alternative brand on the market! Minimal ingredients with no added gums or fillers. I pick up a few [every time] I am at Whole Foods because they always seem to have limited inventory. I will forever be a loyal customer. I highly recommend!"

Three Trees organic almond milk is our number one pick for many reasons! The company is committed to sustainability so it uses recycled plastic for their bottles. But on top of that, it's a small company founded by a mom-preneur named Jenny in 2012. The almond milk comes in an original, vanilla, pistachio, and black sesame flavors. 

Three Trees have a very simplified ingredient list — just almonds and water for just the plain almond milk. One Facebook commenter gave an enthusiastic review of the Three Trees Almond Milk and said, "I so appreciate that you don't use sugar and the only ingredients used are what is needed – no fillers and organic. I use your Pistachio Milk and it is unbelievable! I love it! Many companies are making their almond milks in a very unhealthy way, loaded with sugar and it defeats the entire purpose. I really appreciate this company, love it!"