Head to head · Protein Powder
Ensure Max Protein Nutrition Shake vs Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Transparent Labs scores higher overall (8.8 vs 7.5 out of 10) and leads on all five factors we score.
Updated October 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
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.
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A grass-fed whey isolate with 28 g of protein per scoop, stevia instead of artificial sweeteners, and NSF Certified for Sport status.
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 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
Choose Transparent Labs if…
- Drug-tested athletes
- Clean-label shoppers avoiding artificial sweeteners
- People who want grass-fed sourcing
- Lactose-sensitive lifters
- You care most about efficacy, quality & purity, value, experience, transparency
- You want the lower cost per serving ($2.17)
Side by side
| Max Protein Nutrition Shake | 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.5 / 10 | 8.8 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 8.0 | 9.1 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 7.3 | 9.4 |
| Value (20%) | 6.8 | 7.4 |
| Experience (15%) | 7.3 | 8.6 |
| Transparency (10%) | 8.0 | 9.5 |
| Form | Ready to drink | Powder |
| Serving | 1 carton (11 fl oz / 330 mL)12 servings per container | 1 scoop (34.9 g)30 servings per container |
| Price per serving | $2.83 | $2.17 |
| Testing & certifications | KosherHalal | NSF Certified for SportInformed Choice |
| Dietary | Gluten-free | Gluten-free |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | 7 (Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate with Caffeine, Café Mocha…) | 8 (Milk Chocolate, French Vanilla, Dark Chocolate…) |
| Creator video reviews | 6 | 5 |
Pros and cons
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
100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
- 28 g of protein per scoop from grass-fed whey isolate
- Listed in NSF's Certified for Sport database and certified by Informed Choice (per the brand)
- Every ingredient disclosed by weight, with batch test results published online
- No artificial sweeteners, dyes or preservatives
- buyers frequently describe it as easy on the stomach
- About $2.17 per serving for the 30-serving tub, well above whey blends
- Stevia can leave an aftertaste some people dislike
- Made on equipment that also processes eggs, soy, wheat, shellfish, fish oil, tree nuts and peanut oil, and some flavors contain peanuts
- Mostly sold through the brand site and Amazon, so in-store discounts are rare
Our verdicts
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
100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
For shoppers who prioritize ingredient transparency and third-party verification, this is one of the strongest whey isolates available: 28 g of protein, a short stevia-sweetened ingredient list, NSF Certified for Sport status and public batch testing. The trade-off is price, at more than $2 per serving, and stevia's flavor will not suit everyone.
Full review
What creators say
Questions people ask
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