As anyone who has ever tried to make a shake from protein powder knows, it can be tricky. Protein shakes can have a wide range of benefits for people, from jump-starting muscle recovery after a workout to helping maintain weight loss. But they’re not a magic bullet and can only help when they are part of an overall healthy diet. That’s why it’s important to carefully evaluate the ingredients and nutritional profile of any pre-made shake before drinking it.

To find the best ready to drink protein shakes protein shakes, we looked for those that provide muscle-building protein from animal and plant sources while keeping added sugars under 10 grams per serving. We also made sure they were free of major dietary no-no’s, including dairy, artificial sweeteners, and ingredients that can interfere with certain medications or cause gastrointestinal issues.

Sip and Savor: The Top Ready-to-Drink Protein Shakes for Your Busy Lifestyle

OWYN’s plant-based shakes are a great choice for anyone looking for a low-sugar option, as each bottle has only 4 grams of added sugar. They use a protein blend of peas, pumpkin seeds, and organic flaxseed, and each flavor has a greens powder made of kale, spinach, broccoli, and more to boost the nutrient content. They’re also free of dairy, soy, wheat, and other common allergens, as well as GMO’s.

Slate Milk’s chocolate, dark chocolate, and espresso chocolate milk protein shakes are like the grown-up version of the classic chocolate milk we all loved as kids. They’re lactose-free, gluten-free, and contain only natural sugar, which is better for the body than processed sugar.