Barebells Cookies & Cream Protein Bar
Taste-first consumers who want the best-tasting high-protein bar and can tolerate sugar alcohols
Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
Budget buyers who want the most protein per dollar and are not concerned about artificial sweeteners
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Barebells Cookies & Cream Protein Bar
Taste-first consumers who want the best-tasting high-protein bar and can tolerate sugar alcohols
Barebells is arguably the best-tasting protein bar on the market — it genuinely tastes like a candy bar. The 20g protein and 1g sugar macros are excellent. The catch is maltitol in the coating, which dings ingredient purity and sugar profile scores. If you prioritize taste and macros over ingredient purity, Barebells wins.
Strengths
- Exceptional taste that rivals actual candy bars — consistently top-rated for flavor
- 20g whey protein with only 1g sugar makes for an outstanding macro profile
- Swedish-designed with a satisfying chocolate coating and creamy center
Limitations
- Contains maltitol in the chocolate coating — a sugar alcohol that can cause digestive issues
- No USDA Organic, NSF, or other major health-focused certifications
- Ingredient list includes several processed additives beyond the maltitol
When to Choose Pure Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar
Budget buyers who want the most protein per dollar and are not concerned about artificial sweeteners
Pure Protein wins on value — 20g protein at ~$1.33/bar is the cheapest protein per gram in this comparison. The whey blend is effective. But sucralose and likely artificial flavors earn it some of the lowest ingredient scores. This is the bar for those who count macros and dollars, not ingredient labels.
Strengths
- Best value in this comparison at ~$1.33/bar with 20g protein per bar
- Whey protein blend provides good bioavailability and complete amino acids
- Widely available at nearly every grocery store, convenience store, and pharmacy
Limitations
- Contains sucralose — a controversial artificial sweetener penalized in our scoring
- Likely contains artificial flavors alongside the sucralose sweetening
- Minimal transparency about sourcing, testing, or manufacturing practices
