6 Best Weight Gainers For Women in 2024

Are you a woman looking to put on weight? Then you might be interested in a high-quality mass gainer.

A weight gainer is a type of protein supplement characterized by higher carbohydrates and calories. This makes it perfect to help you get into a caloric surplus and put on weight.

In this list of the best weight gainers for women available today, we’ll be covering your best options. Let’s get into it!

Top 6 Best Weight Gainers for Women Reviewed

1. MASS GAINER by Transparent Labs – Top Pick
2. ON Gold Standard Pro Gainer – Best With Micros
3. NutraBio Extreme Mass – Budget Pick
4. ALLMAX QuickMass – Best High-Carb Option
5. GNC AMP Mass XXX – Best Tasting Option
6. BSN True-Mass – Best Tasting Option

Product	Total	Macro Breakdown	Taste	Mixability	Label Transparency	Value For Money
Transparent Labs	48.5	10	9.5	10	10	9
Optimum Nutrition	48	10	9.5	10	10	8.5
NutraBio	48	10	9.5	9	9.5	10
ALLMAX	47.5	10	9.5	9.5	10	8.5
GNC AMP	47.5	10	9.5	9.5	9.5	9
BSN	47	9	10	9.5	9.5	9

1. MASS GAINER by Transparent Labs – Top Pick

• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Flavors: Chocolate Glaze Donut, Sweet Vanilla
• Calories: 730-750
• Carbs per Serving: 106-110g
• Protein per Serving: 51-53g
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: ~2:1
• Number of Servings: 15
• Serving Size: 187-194g
• Price Per Serving: ~$5.33
• Company Founded: 2012
• Recommended by Athletes: Hafthor Bjornsson, Paul Sklar, Sean Harris

Starting our list of the best weight gain supplements for skinny girls is Transparent Labs’ signature mass gainer supplement. On top of being super high-quality like all of Transparent Labs’ supplements, this supplement has a perfect calorie count for women on a bulk.

Because women usually have lower caloric needs than men, many mass gainers that have 1000+ calories are too much. This makes Transparent Labs’ more moderate 730-750 calories per serving perfect for most women. This supplement’s calories are broken down between a solid 51-53g of protein, and 106-110g of carbs per serving.

It’s worth noting that Transparent Labs doesn’t have the best micronutrient breakdown, making this less suitable as a full meal replacement drink. While it does contain a decent amount of calcium, it doesn’t compare to other products on our list which contain high amounts of all sorts of vitamins and minerals.

There isn’t much flavor variety on offer here, but you can get the 2 classic flavors chocolate and vanilla. Like all of Transparent Labs’ products, this is also made with all-natural ingredients which is important to some. It’s worth noting that this is the only supplement on our list to only use natural ingredients in its formula.

In terms of price, mass gainers can get quite expensive compared to standard protein powders. Transparent Labs is around the average price for our list at about $5.33 per serving.

2. ON Gold Standard Pro Gainer – Best With Micros

• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Flavors: Double Chocolate, Vanilla Custard
• Calories per Serving: 650
• Carbs per Serving: 82g
• Protein per Serving: 60g
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: ~1.33:1
• Number of Servings: 14
• Serving Size: 165g
• Price per Serving: ~$5.76
• Company Founded: 1986
• Recommended by Athletes: Taylor Fritz, Justin “Jets” Jefferson, Morgan Willett

The runner-up on our list of women’s weight gainers is from the iconic supplement brand Optimum Nutrition. With a solid micro breakdown as well as a slightly lower calorie count, this supplement closely rivals Transparent Labs at the top of our list. Let’s take a closer look.

This is one of the lower-calorie options on our list at only 650 calories per serving. It also has the lowest carb-to-protein ratio on our list, which is ideal for maximizing protein intake. It has 60g of protein per serving and 82g of carbs.

Unlike Transparent Labs, Optimum has a fairly in-depth micro breakdown. You’ll be getting a solid amount of all sorts of different vitamins and minerals like Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Iron, and Calcium. This makes Optimum more suitable as a complete meal replacement supplement.

This supplement only comes in the same 2 basic flavors as Transparent Labs: chocolate and vanilla. Another minor downside is that this product is made with several artificial ingredients if this matters to you.

Finally, although these 2 supplements are very equal, the main reason Transparent Labs took the top spot on our list is price. Optimum is slightly more expensive at ~$5.76 per serving compared to Transparent Labs’ ~$5.33.

3. NutraBio Extreme Mass – Budget Pick

• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Flavors: Vanilla, Strawberry Pastry, Chocolate
• Calories: 650
• Carbs per Serving: 99-100g
• Protein per Serving: 53g
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: ~2:1
• Number of Servings: 15.8
• Serving Size: 172.62
• Price Per Serving: ~$3.67
• Company Founded: 1996
• Recommended by Athletes: Jennifer Rabbitt, Naima Body Sculpt, Liana Martinez

The next spot on our list of weight gain shakes for females looking to bulk up goes to NutraBio Extreme Mass. Delivering a similarly low-calorie count to Optimum, this product also has some of the best value for money on our list.

As mentioned, you can expect a moderate 650 calories per serving. This is broken down between 53g of protein and 99-100g of carbs for a solid macronutrient ratio.

You’re also getting a great micro breakdown here similar to Optimum. It’s worth noting that NutraBio offers higher vitamin contents on average compared to Optimum. It contains 100% of your daily dose of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K among others.

While Vanilla is the only flavor on Amazon, you can find Strawberry Pastry and Chocolate on their website. This product is formulated with several artificial ingredients and some reviews on Amazon suggest this affects the flavor.

As mentioned, however, this product is an excellent budget pick. It is significantly cheaper than our top 2 picks, with each serving only costing around $3.67.

4. ALLMAX QuickMass – Best High-Carb Option

• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Flavors: Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry Banana, Vanilla
• Calories: 1010
• Carbs per Serving: 172g
• Protein per Serving: 64g
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: ~3:1
• Number of Servings: ~10
• Serving Size: 265g
• Price Per Serving: ~$5.99
• Company Founded: 2001
• Recommended by Athletes: Gezary Matuda, Marcus Perry, Johnnie Otis Jackson

Next on our list is AllMax QucikMass. It lives up to its name by being the highest carb and highest calorie option we’ll be covering on our list.

At 1010 calories per serving, this is the first and only ultra-high-calorie shake on our list. While this may be perfect for some, the serving size can easily be broken down into smaller amounts. At 64g of protein and 172g of carbs per serving, it also has the highest carb-to-protein ratio on our list. This will be ideal for those looking to put on weight quickly and those who already get an adequate protein intake.

Like the last 2 products on our list, AllMax has a great micro breakdown. As to be expected from the high-calorie count, you’ll be getting very high doses of a wide array of vitamins and minerals.

You’ll also be getting the best flavor variety of any product on our list so far with 5 unique choices. Also like the last 2 products on our list, this is made with several artificial ingredients.

Finally, this is the most expensive product on our list so far. It costs slightly more than Optimum at ~$5.87 per serving.

5. GNC AMP Mass XXX – Best Tasting Option

• Suitable for Vegans: Yes
• Flavors: Cookies and Cream, Strawberry, Vanilla
• Calories: 780-800
• Carbs per Serving: 127-130g
• Protein per Serving: 50g
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: ~2.5:1
• Number of Servings: 13
• Serving Size: 210g
• Price Per Serving: ~$6.15
• Company Founded: 1935
• Recommended by Athletes: O. James Adenekan, Marcell Shippen, Bella Martin

The next weight gain powder for women on our list is GNC AMP’s Mass XXX. This is one of the only products on our list that has several active ingredients in its formula. Let’s see how it compares to the rest of our list.

First, it has a fairly high-calorie count compared to the rest of our list at 780-800 calories per serving. You can expect 50g of protein and 127-130g of carbs for a fairly high carb-to-protein ratio as well.

Like Transparent Labs, GNC doesn’t offer a great micro breakdown. However, you can expect active ingredients Betaine and Creatine. Betaine will improve force production and endurance with consistent use. Creatine has a whole host of benefits including increased high-intensity exercise performance and recovery.

It’s also beneficial for a weight gainer supplement, as one of its effects is increased lean body mass! While the 2.5g dose isn’t too low of a dose, it’s worth noting that creatine will only be beneficial with a consistent dose of 3-5g a day. Because of this, we recommend taking it separately as well to maximize effects!

GNC offers decent flavor variety with 4 different choices to choose from. Like most of the products on our list, you can also expect several artificial ingredients in this formula.

Finally, this is the most expensive product on our list at ~$6.15 per serving. While this isn’t significantly more expensive than the other products on our list, it’s still worth noting.

6. BSN True-Mass – Best Tasting Option

• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Flavors: Chocolate Milkshake
• Calories per Serving: 700
• Carbs per Serving: 87g
• Protein per Serving: 46g
• Carb-to-Protein Ratio: ~2:1
• Number of Servings: 16
• Serving Size: 165g
• Price per Serving: ~$4.58
• Company Founded: 2001
• Recommended by Athletes: Scott Mathison, Ariel Khadr, Eric Janicki

Closing off our list of weight gainer shakes for females is BSN’s True-Mass. This is another lower-calorie, slightly cheaper option that also delivers on flavor. Let’s see what you can expect from this supplement.

Each serving has 700 calories making it one of the more moderate calorie counts on our list. It has 46g of protein and 87g of carbs for a fairly low carb-to-protein ratio as well. It also has 18g of fat, which is the highest fat content on our list – not a bad thing if you’re using this as a meal replacement!

Similar to Transparent Labs and GNC, this product also doesn’t deliver the solid micro breakdown of the rest of our list.

It appears this product is also only available in chocolate, offering very limited flavor variety. This is made up for slightly by reviews suggesting an outstanding flavor. Like most of our list, it’s also made with several artificial ingredients.

Finally, this is one of the cheaper products on our list. It’s one of only 2 products under $5 per serving at ~$4.58. Although it’s not as budget-friendly as NutraBio, it still offers decent value for money.

Is Mass Gainer Safe For Girls?

Yes, if you’re a woman looking to put on some weight struggling to get enough calories in, then a weight gainer may be the perfect supplement for you.

As long as they’re taken in moderation as part of a healthy diet, then weight gainers should be completely safe for most women. They become less safe when they’re used to put someone in an excessive caloric surplus.

The ideal caloric surplus for lean weight gain is between 250-500 calories per day. However, you’ll want to closely monitor changes in weight to adapt caloric intake to your needs. If you’re already reaching this amount with your regular diet and adding significantly more calories by weight gainers, you will begin to put on weight quicker than you may want. This can quickly lead to obesity which is closely linked to conditions like Type 2 Diabetes.

Because of this, we recommend women only take as much mass gainer as they need to reach a moderate caloric surplus. Otherwise, they may not be as beneficial and may end up being downright dangerous.

What Is The Best Weight Gainer For Women?

There are several factors that you’ll want to consider when looking for a high-quality weight gain product for females. These include the calories, the carb-to-protein ratio, as well as micros and additional ingredients. We’ve broken these down in more detail below!

1. Contains Moderate Calories Per Serving

On average, women need less total calories per day than men to gain weight. Because most weight gainers were formulated for men, women should stick to lower-calorie options. This is why the majority of products on our list are around the 600-750 calorie range.

Using a more moderate weight gainer will also help ensure you’re not eating in too high of a surplus. While gainers with 1000+ calories per serving will be suitable for some women, for most this will lead to too high of a surplus and may cause an unwanted amount of weight gain. Because of this, we recommend either splitting up your gainer into multiple servings or choosing a product with a more moderate calorie content.

2. Contains A Lower Ratio Of Carbohydrates To Protein Per Serving

Another metric to consider is the ratio of carbs to protein in your weight gainer. Mass gainers are a good way to optimize protein intake, so find a supplement that has a good ratio of carbs to protein for your goals. Typically, women trying to put on muscle should get 0.5-0.8g of protein per pound of body weight daily. A single serving of mass gainer will often be enough to get close to your daily protein goals.

Keep in mind that carbs are also important for optimal muscle gain, and with same amounts of protein the higher the ratio of carbs to protein, the more caloric the supplement will be. With that being said, carb to protein ratio is not as important as total calories for weight gain. Depending on how much protein is in a supplement, it could have a high carb to protein ratio and still be relatively low calorie. So, always be sure to check total calories per serving when making a decision!

3. Micronutrients And Additional Ingredients

Because mass gainers are so high-calorie, ideally you’ll want them to contain a solid micronutrient breakdown. This will ensure the supplement is nutritionally complete as well as being high in calories. This is especially beneficial if you struggle to eat enough nutrient-dense foods anyway.

On top of this, consider if you want a mass gainer with additional active ingredients. While GNC is the only supplement on our list to contain ergogenic ingredients like Betaine and Creatine, they can be a beneficial inclusion for improving exercise performance.

Finally, consider the full ingredient breakdown including things like artificial sweeteners. While there’s no real reason to avoid artificial ingredients within acceptable daily intake, some people prefer to buy all-natural supplements instead.

What Is The Best Way To Use A Gainer For Women?

Using a mass gainer can quickly lead to rapid weight gain if used incorrectly. It’s also not a magic tool for putting on muscle. Here are a few tips for using mass gainers properly so you can get the most benefit from these supplements as possible.

1. Calculate A Moderate Calorie Surplus

For most women, the best way to gain weight is to eat in a moderate caloric surplus of 250-500 calories a day. Also, be sure that you’re performing consistent strength training to ensure you’re putting on muscle and not fat. It’s difficult to say how much muscle you’ll put on over time following this diet as everyone’s body is different. On average, it’s difficult for women to put on more than 1lb of fat free mass per month.

Start by considering how many total calories a day you’ll need to reach a surplus of 250-500 calories a day. Use an online calorie calculator to figure out your maintenance calories. Then, simply add 250-500 calories to this number depending on how fast you want to gain weight.

Tracking your calories will then make sticking to this number easier. There are plenty of useful apps available to help with this! Also, consistently monitor your weight to make sure you’re making progress in accordance with your goals.

We recommend getting the majority of your calories in through food and only using enough mass gainer to reach your daily calorie goal. One easy way to do this is to save your mass gainer for the last meal of the day, and only take as much as you need to reach a moderate surplus. You can easily split your mass gainer into smaller servings to make it fit your caloric needs!

2. Follow A Flexible Meal Plan With A High Calorie Density

As mentioned, we recommend trying to get most of your daily calories in through whole foods, and only using weight gainer when it's necessary to reach a surplus. This will help ensure you have an overall healthy diet, and will also make sure you’re not relying on mass gainers to put on weight.

Also, be flexible with your diet! Because you’re eating in a surplus, you have some more room to indulge in more high-calorie foods. While you shouldn’t go overboard, feel free to eat some richer treats alongside a base of healthy whole foods.

3. Do Not Try To Quickly Gain As Much Weight As Possible

A common mistake both men and women make when bulking is trying to maximize their calorie intake to put on as much weight as possible. As mentioned above, eating too high of a caloric surplus can quickly lead to fat gain and obesity.

Reaching a super-high caloric surplus is even easier with a mass gainer. This is why we recommend only using mass gainers in moderation to reach a modest caloric surplus. Remember, the healthiest way to put on weight is slowly and consistently, so don’t overdo it.

4. Do Strength Training And Stay Consistent

Finally, make sure you’re using a mass gainer alongside a consistent regime of strength training. Eating in a caloric surplus will only lead to fat gain if you’re not also doing resistance training. We recommend following a program that hits every major muscle group at least once a week.

Also, consistency is key here. You won’t see progress overnight, so be patient. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see the results you want within a couple of weeks or months. Keep training and don’t give up – you’ll reach your goals eventually!

FAQ

How Can A Woman Gain Weight Fast?

The key to gaining weight for anyone is to eat in a caloric surplus. The higher this surplus is, the more weight you will gain. We don’t recommend aiming for rapid weight gain, as this will lead to more fat gain and may lead to obesity. Instead, slow and consistent weight gain is the key to putting on lean muscle. We recommend shooting for a caloric surplus of 250-500 calories a day to gain weight slowly and steadily.

Is Mass Gainer Good For Skinny Girls?

Yes, we recommend weight gain shakes for underweight females looking to bulk up. Mass gainer is a convenient tool for anybody struggling to reach a caloric surplus. While the majority of your calories should still come from whole foods, mass gainers can provide the boost you need to reach a modest caloric surplus of 250-500 calories a day.

Are There Any Weight Gain Pills For Women?

Because the only way to gain weight is to eat in a caloric surplus, most weight gain supplements for women are high-calorie powders to be mixed into shakes. Because making a high-calorie pill is nearly impossible, there aren’t any dietary weight gain supplements that come in capsule form.

Conclusion

Mass gainers can be a valuable tool for women looking to put on some weight, especially if they struggle to get enough calories from food alone. Because women typically need fewer calories than men, we recommend more moderate mass gainers to maintain a modest caloric surplus.

While all the products on our list have their advantages, if you’re looking for the best weight gainer for females, we recommend trying MASS GAINER by Transparent Labs.

Have you tried any mass gainers or any other protein supplements? Any tips for other women looking to gain weight? Let us know in the comments below!

Also read:

• Best Weight Gainer for Skinny Guys
• Best Vegan Weight Gainer
• Is Mass Gainer Worth It
• How to Gain Weight With a Fast Metabolism
• Is Rice Good for Building Muscle
• Best Bulking Foods for Skinny Guys
• Dirty Bulking
• Dirty Bulk vs Clean Bulk

Referenses:

1. Jenna Mae Apicella, "The Effect of Betaine Supplementation on Performance and Muscle Mechanisms" DigitalCommons, https://digitalcommons.lib.uconn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi (2009)
2. Richard B. Kreider, "International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand" JISSN, https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z (13 June 2017)
3. "Muscle Fuel: Mastering The Art Of Bulking For Optimal Growth" MyHeritage, https://myheritage.heritage.edu/ICS/icsfs/muscle-fuel-mastering-the-art-of-bulking-for-optim.html (Wednesday 17th of May 2023)
4. "Health Risks" HSPH, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-consequences/health-effects/
5. "PROTEIN INTAKE FOR OPTIMAL MUSCLE MAINTENANCE" ACSM, https://www.acsm.org/docs/default-source/files-for-resource-library/protein-intake-for-optimal-muscle-maintenance.pdf (2015)