Head to head · Protein Powder
Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate vs Ensure Max Protein Nutrition Shake
Dymatize scores higher overall (8.7 vs 7.5 out of 10) and leads on all five factors we score.
Updated October 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
An all-isolate whey with a hydrolyzed fraction: 25 g protein and about 2.7 g leucine per 120-calorie scoop, with Informed Choice testing.
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A 150-calorie, 11 fl oz shake with 30 g milk protein, 1 g sugar and 4 g prebiotic fiber — convenient and vitamin-loaded, but priced above peers.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money
The short answer
Choose Dymatize if…
- Lifters who want a low-carb, low-fat isolate
- People with mild lactose sensitivity
- Drug-tested athletes
- Calorie-conscious dieters
- You care most about efficacy, quality & purity, value, experience, transparency
Choose Ensure if…
- Hitting a protein target without cooking
- Older adults maintaining muscle mass
- Low-appetite or on-the-go days
- Low-sugar, low-calorie protein
Side by side
| ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate | Max Protein Nutrition Shake | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.7 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 9.0 | 7.3 |
| Value (20%) | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| Experience (15%) | 8.9 | 7.3 |
| Transparency (10%) | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| Form | Powder | Ready to drink |
| Serving | 1 scoop (32 g)71 servings per container | 1 carton (11 fl oz / 330 mL)12 servings per container |
| Price per serving | See retailer | $2.83 |
| Testing & certifications | Informed Choice | KosherHalal |
| Dietary | Gluten-free | Gluten-free |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | 8 (Gourmet Chocolate, Gourmet Vanilla, Fruity Pebbles…) | 7 (Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Caffeine, Café Mocha…) |
| Creator video reviews | 5 | 6 |
Pros and cons
ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
- 25 g of protein and about 2.7 g of leucine per 120-calorie scoop, all from whey isolate
- Informed Choice banned-substance mark on the label
- Only 2 g of carbohydrate and 1 g of sugar in Gourmet Chocolate
- Dymatize publishes a full amino acid profile for the flavor
- buyers frequently praise fast, clump-free mixing
- About $1.55 per serving for the 5 lb tub, pricier than whey blends
- Contains soy lecithin and is sweetened with sucralose (plus stevia in the current formula)
- Some buyers still report bloating despite the isolate base
- Evidence for a real-world benefit from hydrolysis is thin, so part of the premium is marketing
Max Protein Nutrition Shake
- 30 g of complete milk protein (milk protein concentrate plus calcium caseinate) in only 150 calories
- 1 g total sugar, 0 g added sugar, and 4 g fiber including a short-chain fructooligosaccharide prebiotic
- 25 vitamins and minerals per carton, including 60% DV vitamin D, 50% DV calcium and 45% DV zinc
- Full nutrition panel and complete ingredient list published on Abbott's own store — no proprietary blends
- Shelf-stable cartons that are gluten-free, kosher and halal, and suitable for lactose intolerance
- Premium price: about $2.83 per carton at Abbott's list price, versus roughly $2 for several comparable 30 g ready-to-drink shakes
- No NSF Certified for Sport, Informed Sport or other third-party sport certification that we could confirm
- Sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium; review round-ups report a thick consistency and a medicinal aftertaste for a minority of drinkers
- Most vitamin and mineral levels are published only as %DV, not absolute amounts, and milk-based so not suitable for vegans
Our verdicts
ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
ISO100 is one of the most complete whey isolates you can buy: 25 g of protein per scoop with a published amino acid profile, minimal carbs and fat, and banned-substance certification. You pay a premium over whey blends, and the hydrolyzed angle is more marketing than proven performance edge, but for a lean, well-tested isolate that mixes easily it is a safe pick.
Full review
Max Protein Nutrition Shake
For 30 g of complete milk protein in 150 calories with 25 vitamins and minerals and no added sugar, this is a well-constructed convenience shake from a manufacturer with serious clinical-nutrition credentials. It is best viewed as a protein-and-micronutrient top-up for busy days, older adults or low-appetite periods rather than a performance product, since there is no sport certification. Expect to pay more per serving than most 30 g rivals, and buy a four-pack first — opinions on the thick texture and sucralose finish split sharply.
Full review
What creators say
Questions people ask
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Who should choose Dymatize over Ensure?
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