9 Best Protein Bars in 2025: Price, Nutritional Content, and Flavor

 

9 Best Protein Bars in 2025: Price, Nutritional Content, and Flavor

assorted protein bars

If you’re someone who is always on the go, having a quick protein source such as a protein bar on hand can be a great way to keep yourself satiated throughout the day. Protein bars can be beneficial for maintaining lean muscle mass and even satiating cravings for weight management—but not all protein bars necessarily reap the same benefits.

When searching for a healthy and nutrient-dense protein bar that meets your nutritional needs, it's essential to pay close attention to factors like sugar content, calorie content, and grams of protein per serving. 

To make things easier for you, we’ve rounded up our top picks for the 10 best protein bars to look out for, including their nutritional profiles, price ranges, and other important considerations to keep in mind. Read on to discover our round up of the healthiest protein bars available in 2024!

1) Pure Protein Bar

pure protein bar
  • Cost Per Bar: $1.66 (sold in a 6-pack)
  • Grams of Protein Per Bar: 20 
  • Grams of Carbs Per Bar: 16-18 grams (depending on the flavor)
  • Grams of Added Sugars Per Bar: 1-2 grams
  • Calories Per Bar: 180 to 200 calories
  • Flavor Options: Chocolate peanut butter, chocolate salted caramel, chewy chocolate chip, birthday cake, peanut butter dark chocolate, and more

Why We Chose It

Pros:

  • Low sugar and high protein content
  • Wide range of flavors
  • Gluten-free

Cons:

  • No vegan options available

2) Barebells

barebells protein bar
  • Cost Per Bar: $2.42 (12-pack)
  • Grams of Protein Per Bar: 20 grams of protein
  • Grams of Carbs Per Bar: 20 grams
  • Grams of Added Sugars Per Bar: 0 grams
  • Calories Per Bar: 200 to 210 calories (depending on the flavor)
  • Flavors: Cookies and cream, choco hazelnut, chocolate dough, caramel cashew, salty peanut, and more

Why We Chose It

Pros:

  • Contains zero added sugars
  • Offers plant-based and soft bar options as well

Cons:

  • Taste can vary depending on the flavor


3) KIND Protein Bar

kind protein bar
  • Cost Per Bar: $1.83 (12-pack)
  • Grams of Protein Per Bar: 12 grams of protein
  • Grams of Carbs Per Bar: 18 grams 
  • Grams of Added Sugars Per Bar: 6 grams
  • Calories Per Bar: 240 to 250 calories
  • Flavors: Crunchy peanut butter, dark chocolate nut, and more

Why We Chose It

Pros:

  • Gluten-free and kosher-friendly
  • Contains 5 to 6 grams of dietary fiber per bar
  • Low glycemic index, according to the company’s website

Cons:

  • Limited flavor variety for protein bar options
  • Higher calories for lower protein content

4) Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein Bar

aloha organic protein bar
  • Cost Per Bar: $2.75 (12-pack)
  • Grams of Protein Per Bar: 14 grams of protein
  • Grams of Carbs Per Bar: 24-26 grams (depending on the flavor)
  • Grams of Added Sugars Per Bar: 3-4  grams
  • Calories Per Bar: 220 to 230 calories
  • Flavors: Peanut butter cup, peanut butter chocolate chip, maple sea salt, chocolate chip cookie dough, lemon cashew, and more

Why We Chose It

Pros:

  • 100% vegan ingredients
  • Wide range of flavor options
  • Source of dietary fiber

Cons:

  • Pricier than other protein bars on this list


5) Orgain Protein Snack Bar

orgain protein bar
  • Cost Per Bar: $2.00 (12-pack)
  • Grams of Protein Per Bar: 10 grams of protein
  • Grams of Carbs Per Bar: 18-19 grams  (depending on the flavor)
  • Grams of Added Sugars Per Bar: 5-6 grams
  • Calories Per Bar: 150 to 160 calories
  • Flavors: Smores, peanut butter chocolate chunk, chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter, chocolate brownie

Why We Chose It

Pros:

  • Gluten-free
  • 100% vegan ingredients
  • Convenient snack-sized option

Cons:

  • Contains erythritol


6) think! High Protein Bar

think high protein bar
  • Cost Per Bar: $2.40 (10-pack)
  • Grams of Protein Per Bar: 20 grams of protein
  • Grams of Carbs Per Bar: 24 grams
  • Grams of Added Sugars Per Bar: 0 grams
  • Calories Per Bar: 230 calories
  • Flavors: Brownie crunch, creamy peanut butter, chunky peanut butter, white chocolate, lemon delight, and more

Why We Chose It

Pros:

  • Zero grams of sugar per bar/no artificial sweeteners
  • Gluten-free
  • Low glycemic index

Cons:

  • Slightly more expensive than other options on this list

 

7) ONE Bar

one bar protein bar
  • Cost Per Bar: $2.00 (12-pack)
  • Grams of Protein Per Bar: 20 grams of protein
  • Grams of Carbs Per Bar: 23-24 grams (depending on the flavor)
  • Grams of Added Sugars Per Bar: 0 grams
  • Calories Per Bar: 220 to 230 calories
  • Flavors: Peanut butter pie, peanut butter cup, peanut butter and jelly, cinnamon roll, chocolate chip cookie dough, blueberry cobbler, birthday cake, and more

Why We Chose It

Pros:

  • Wide variety of flavor options
  • High protein content per serving
  • Only one gram of sugar

Cons:

  • Reviews indicate that some flavors miss the mark


8) Legion Protein Bar

legion protein bar
  • Cost Per Bar: $3.33 (12-pack)
  • Grams of Protein Per Bar: 20 grams of protein
  • Grams of Carbs Per Bar: 24-29 grams (depending on the flavor)
  • Grams of Added Sugars Per Bar: 3-4 grams
  • Calories Per Bar: 240 to 250 calories
  • Flavors: Chocolate chip cookie dough, peanut butter and jelly, blueberry muffin, chocolate peanut butter

Why We Chose It

Pros:

  • Contains 6 to 8 grams of dietary fiber per serving
  • Gluten-free

Cons:

  • Most expensive option on this list
  • Limited flavor variety


9) RX Bar

rx bar
  • Cost Per Bar: $2.33 (12-pack)
  • Grams of Protein Per Bar: 12 grams of protein
  • Grams of Carbs Per Bar: 22-26 grams of sugar (depending on the flavor)
  • Grams of Added Sugars Per Bar: 0 grams
  • Calories Per Bar: 190 to 210 calories
  • Flavors: Chocolate chip, chocolate sea salt, mint chocolate, peanut butter dark chocolate, and more

Why We Chose It

Pros:

  • Gluten-free and kosher-friendly
  • Uses minimal ingredients
  • Wide variety of flavors

Cons:

  • High sugar content per serving

Who Are Protein Bars Good For?

Protein bars can be an excellent and healthy addition to most diets, depending on your unique nutritional needs, fitness goals, and lifestyle. Athletes and fitness enthusiasts can particularly benefit from protein bars, as they are a convenient and portable source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and growth. 

If you’re not able to get adequate protein through whole food sources such as lean meats, eggs, or tofu, protein bars or protein powders can be an easy way to add an extra boost of protein to your diet and help support the recovery and growth of muscle tissue.

Protein bars can also be helpful for those with a weight loss goal, as they can provide a convenient and satisfying snack option that helps to control hunger, maintain muscle mass, and regulate metabolism throughout the day.

Are Protein Bars Healthy?

are protein bars healthy

Protein bars are designed to be a concentrated source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair, immune function, and overall health. A protein bar with high quality ingredients can be included as part of a balanced diet for the majority of people.

Many protein bars are formulated with excessive sugar content, which may contribute to blood sugar spikes. In general, the best protein bars contain 15-20 grams of protein per serving with minimal to no added sugars.

Depending on your health goal, you may also want to be mindful of the calorie content in each protein bar, as some options are much higher in calories than others. Importantly, while protein bars can be a convenient and beneficial addition to your diet, they should not be a meal replacement. Instead, aim to get an adequate protein intake from high quality, whole food protein sources, should still be a priority. 

Do Protein Bars Help With Weight Loss?

Generally speaking, protein bars can be a healthy snack and a beneficial addition to a weight-loss diet when paired with a balanced, healthy diet and adequate exercise. Since they are often pre-portioned, protein bars can provide a convenient way to control calorie intake, especially if you're someone who is frequently on the go.

A 2006 study compared the effects of a snack bar high in protein and fiber to that of a snack bar high in fat and sugar. The researchers found that the high protein, high fiber snack bar had a positive effect on glucose and insulin levels and also led to a decrease in calorie intake.

Protein is also known to be highly satiating, keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Including protein bars in a balanced, healthy diet may help curb cravings and reduce overall calorie intake, which may support weight management or weight loss.

If you want to incorporate protein bars into your diet with the goal of weight loss, it's crucial to choose options with moderate calorie content, a good balance of macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats), and minimal added sugars. 

As with any weight loss strategy, we always recommend consulting with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian or nutritionist to create a personalized plan that aligns with your unique health needs and goals.

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