The 6 Best Protein-Loaded Dairy-Free Shakes

Whether your days consist of trips to the gym, early commutes, or taking care of little ones, it's good to have a couple of options for refueling on the go. So we taste-tested the best dairy-free protein shakes, each one with about 15 grams or more of plant-based protein and fewer carbs, sugars, and artificial flavorings.

Of course, shakes have traditionally had a terrible reputation as being full of sugar, low in fiber and protein, and about as healthy as a candy bar.

The latest crop of vegan and plant-based protein shakes is a new, healthier generation, made with dairy-free milk such as almond, oat, and coconut. So we went in search of the tastiest, healthiest plant-based shakes that we could find.

These portable dairy-free shakes come in resealable bottles, and many don’t have to be refrigerated until after opening — so they’re also great to pack for commuting.

Editor's Note: Many of these shakes contain MCT oil and if you are following a keto diet it can help you get your calories from fat – not carbs – because it's a naturally occurring fat from coconut oil. If you're avoiding oils, we suggest you look out for MCT oil as something to avoid. And The Beet always encourages you to eat a diet of mostly whole, unprocessed foods, but when you don’t have that option, plant-based protein shakes can help tide you over until your next healthy meal.

During a taste test, we were pleasantly surprised at how full these plant-based protein shakes kept us feeling. Consuming one with a light lunch kept us satiated until dinner, and the coffee-flavored varieties easily took the place of a morning latte (with more nutrition, to boot).

While serving vegan protein shakes chilled is recommended, you can experiment with how you consume these, too. For example, try pouring a vanilla shake over your cereal in lieu of your normal milk, or drink a chocolate shake hot (heating gently in the microwave) for a sweet post-dinner treat that tastes like — you guessed it — hot chocolate.

For all the Beet Meters, check out the best vegan products. 

Happy Viking was launched by Venus Williams when she couldn’t find a workout recovery drink that she liked enough to make it a regular ritual. With plant-based protein and a rich chocolaty taste, HV satisfies every craving while delivering a blend of clean, pea and brown rice protein along with nutrients like potassium and iron to your body.

While we can’t all hit a forehand like Wiliams, now we can replenish our muscles after a workout the way she does. Keep these at your desk or bring one in your bag for those moments when you want chocolate but also something healthy.

Ripple is making waves and is popular among shakes because its pea formula is clean and protein-packed. Creamy and almost milkshake-like in texture when chilled, the Salted Caramel variety is divine and a solid stand-in for a sweet snack or dessert any day. Vanilla, coffee, and chocolate also earned high marks, with the only downside being the high sodium content in these shakes.

At first, this bottle was slightly annoying to open, as it not only has a plastic seal but a foil seal covering the top that was tricky to remove. However, both the Cold Brew Coffee (perfect for a morning commute) and vanilla flavors were delicious enough to make up for it. We loved how this drink is free of the top eight allergens, stevia, and sugar alcohols; is high in fiber, and it comes in more outside-the-box flavors like Cookies N Cream and Turmeric Golden.

Three cheers to Oath for incorporating oat milk in vegan protein shakes. The creative flavors of this organic drink enticed us to want to try them all. While we didn’t love Matcha Chai, the others—including Golden Turmeric, Indian Rose, and Double Chocolate — made for smooth sipping. With 210-260 calories apiece, these are heartier than some other shakes, thanks to the addition of both almond and pumpkin seed protein (and MCT oil in the Turmeric variety).

A protein drink called Soylent Complete Protein is the latest product from this company, known for its meal-replacement products. More than just a protein shake, Soylent includes nootropics said to boost energy and focus. This bottle, like OWYN, features the pesky double seal, but the reward is inside: The chocolate drink is velvety and luscious (you could have fooled us that this was actually chocolate milk), and it’s packed with vitamins and minerals, including 100 percent of the daily recommendation for vitamins B6 and B12.

Known for its protein bars and protein powder, Aloha recently added plant-based protein drinks to its lineup. Made with a blend of pea and brown rice protein, coconut milk, and MCT oil, these are free of any artificial ingredients and only contain 5 grams of sugar. The angled top on the cardboard container is slightly awkward to drink from, but the silky shake makes up for it. We like the vanilla flavor best, beating out chocolate sea salt (we missed the salt here) and coconut.

The base of Vega is pea protein, brown rice protein, and sacha inchi (a seed eaten like a nut) protein. One serving of Vega has only 80 calories and 15g of protein. Vega's protein powder is a great choice for anyone who struggles to get enough greens in their diet. The proteins are combined with alfalfa powder, spinach powder, broccoli powder, and organic kale powder giving you 2 servings of veggies in one scoop. The taste of this protein was described as "artificial" whereas others thought it tasted like birthday cake. We recommend adding this into a smoothie, but luckily all you have to add is fruit since Vega has the greens covered. This low-cal powder won't break the bank at $1.20 a scoop.

Tom Brady's TB12 pea protein powder consists of simple ingredients with no additives. For anyone who is allergic to soy or nuts, TB12's pea protein-based powder is a great option. It's hard to say no to this powder with 24 grams of protein. Don't hide this powder in a smoothie, mix it with water and you will immediately see a thick consistency resembling a vanilla milkshake. Not only does it look like a milkshake, but it tastes like it too. TB12 recommends drinking this powder up to 20 minutes after a workout for the best recovery. You have to order this powder on the TB12 website since it isn't available in stores or on Amazon. Less than $2 per serving!

PlantFusion is a blend of peas, artichokes, algae, and superfoods. The deep yellow-gold coloring of PlantFusion's protein powder set this brand apart from the rest. Some testers found the flavor wasn't overwhelming, making it a great addition to a smoothie, whereas others felt the powder was sweet. For those of you who aren't a fan of Stevia, buy the natural, no-stevia blend. This protein powder is low in fat, and carbs, making it a great choice for anyone wanting to lose weight while still getting enough protein (21g a serving). PlantFusion's powder has a sweetness not everyone enjoyed since Stevia is an ingredient. $1.20 a scoop, makes this a deal!

Vivo Perform is the most superfood-packed protein powder of this bunch. Athletes will appreciate this protein powder made of pea protein, hemp protein, plant-based BCAA (branched-chain amino acids), reishi mushrooms, acai berries, lucuma fruit powder, maca powder, and turmeric extract. Vivo Perform is $59 on Amazon so go straight to their website for a cheaper price at $51 for the pouch pictured below. With 25g of protein and complete amino acid profile helps athletes to build, perform, recover, and absorb. If you want a quick protein drink after a workout, use a shaker bottle when mixing or this powder will stick to the sides of the cup. In the mood for a protein-filled breakfast? Add to your oatmeal or smoothie bowl with this recipe.

Elevate is a pea and hemp protein-based powder that also is made with sweet potato powder. For anyone looking to convert from whey protein powders, Elevate is the plant-based protein for you. This powder is meant to be used in beverages such as smoothies. The thin consistency doesn't mix well with water and becomes chalky. If you aren't in the mood for a protein smoothie, add a scoop to your pancake batter. For a complete recipe check out Elevate's Chocolate Chip Banana Protein Pancakes. This powder is another affordable choice at $1.60 a scoop.

Momentous protein powder is a combination of pea and rice protein concentrate. Testers liked the initial scent of mint and thought it was refreshing. This powder is perfect for anyone who likes sweeter drinks. Momentous powders are NSF International Certified for Sport, which means the product label is 100% accurate and there are no banned substances present in this powder. This is one of the pricier protein powders at $60 a tub but is worth it for athletes looking for a clean and effective post-workout powder. We recommend either mixing with water or adding to a smoothie for a more nutrient-dense drink. The priciest powder of the bunch at $3 per serving.

Garden of Life is made of pea, buckwheat, amaranth sprout, and brown rice. We didn't love the green color of the powder or the way it smelled but once we mixed it with water, it tasted surprisingly good. Garden of Life is the easiest to mix with water, plan-based milk or in a smoothie. The vanilla flavor isn't overpowering so you can add this to any combination of smoothies and not be overwhelmed by the taste of vanilla. And it's only $1.20 per scoop!

Tone It Up protein powder is a blend of sunflower seeds and pea protein. The minute we opened the container, everyone loved the smell of this powder. Tone It Up is known to be a great addition to baked goods. The next time you make your protein muffins, add Tone It Up to the mix. We don't suggest adding this powder with just water but instead a smoothie with fruits and veggies.

The name of this powder says it all. Nuzest is the cleanest protein powder since it is made out of only 3 simple ingredients: Pea protein isolate, natural vanilla flavor, and thaumatin (a low-calorie sweetener). For $45, you are supposed to get 20 servings out of one container, but at a glance that didn't seem accurate. This high protein, low carb powder is perfect to blend with plant-based milk and ice. The consistency is smooth and adds thickness to any protein shake.

For more plant-based recommendations, visit The Beet's Product Reviews.