A Marymount High School student publication

The Anchor
A Marymount High School student publication

The Anchor
A Marymount High School student publication

The Anchor

Best Protein Bars on the Market- Ranked & Reviewed

Sophie Gulde ‘27, Staff Writer
March 20, 2026
A photo of the packaging of a Rise Protein Bar, the official protein bar of the US Speedskating Team! These bars have 3 ingredients that are considered clean! Photo courtesy of iHerb.
A photo of the packaging of a Rise Protein Bar, the official protein bar of the US Speedskating Team! These bars have 3 ingredients that are considered clean! Photo courtesy of iHerb.

There are many protein bars on the market, but not many of them have clean ingredients that are optimal for fueling your body. Below, I analyze popular protein bars, while giving other alternatives that are better for your body!

1. RX Protein Energy Bites

Although these are not protein bars, they are definitely my favorite clean protein snack. They are minimally processed and only have 5 ingredients, making them ideal for digestion as well. They taste like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, making them so tasty. Recently, I’ve picked up weightlifting, and popping one ball in my mouth before training is a perfect pre-workout snack! In terms of nutrient facts, these bites have 200 calories for two balls and 8 grams of protein. Although they are lighter in protein, there are no ultra-processed ingredients in them, making them an optimal snack for peak performance when working out. Overall, this clean, quick, and proteinous snack is a 10/10 in my book!

A package of the PB & J flavor RX Protein Bites. Photo courtesy of Good RX Website

2. Barebells

Barebells are definitely a tasty protein bar option, yet they contain highly processed ingredients and include seed oils, which can irritate your gut. There is a long list of ingredients, including Polydextrose, Hydrolyzed Bovine Collagen, and sunflower oil—can you even read some of those? Although this protein bar follows the 10 for 10 rule (for every 100 calories, 10 grams of protein), it’s a glorified candy bar. The great taste from these artificial sweeteners and the amount of protein don’t make up for the toll these harmful ingredients take on your body! Overall, I would rate the Barebell bars a 6/10. 

The long list of ingredients that make up a Barebells Cookies & Cream Bar. High in protein, but also high in bio-engineered chemicals!
Photo courtesy of Walmart.

3. Rise Bars

Something notable about Rise Bars is that they are the official protein bar for the United States Olympic Speedskating team, and it’s understandable as to why! Rise Bars beat RX Bars with a minimal list of 3 ingredients: almonds, honey, and whey protein. This bar is definitely on the higher end calorically, with 280 calories for 18 grams of protein, but the clean ingredients make up for it in my opinion. One main drawback of Rise Bars is that they are quite dense texture-wise, making it hard to eat an entire bar in a single sitting. I find myself always thirsty after eating just a few bites of these, but otherwise, I think they are a strong contender for being a solid protein bar. Overall, I would rate Rise Bars a 7/10!

A photo of the packaging of a Rise Protein Bar, the official protein bar of the US Speedskating Team! These bars have 3 ingredients that are considered clean! Photo courtesy of iHerb.

 

4. Built Puff Bars

Built Puff Bars are another flavorful bar taking over the market, but consumers don’t always realize that they are another ultra-processed choice. With palm-kernel oil (another inflaming seed oil!), soy lecithin, and glycerin, Built Puff Bars are not ideal for the good of your gut. Bio-engineered protein doesn’t make for good protein, but rather an alternative that creates digestive and metabolic disruption! These bars have an odd, marshmallow texture, rather than the traditional bar-like consistency. Personally, I’m not a fan of the taste and consistency of these bars, but if you like a marshmallow consistency then this is not a bad option. Similarly to Barebells, these are definitely candy bar-like choices with artificial sugars, but they do contain a sufficient amount of protein. They even beat the 10 for 10 rule, as they have 140 calories for 17 grams of protein, which is pretty good. Overall, I would rate the Built Puff Bars a 4.5/10.

Above is a Built Puff Brownie Batter Bar with the nutrient facts (140 calories for 17g protein) and the ingredient list. Photo courtesy of Sam’s Club.

5. IQ Bars

IQ bars can be added to the list of clean protein bars! With coconut oil instead of seed oils, and ingredients that you can actually read, this bar is a clean alternative. They have a sufficient amount of protein, with 12 grams of protein for 160 calories and taste great. They are very allergy friendly, without gluten, soy, and dairy, and are also vegan and non-GMO. Personally, this isn’t my go-to bar, but if I had the choice between this and a Barebells, I would definitely go for this one instead. With its cleaner ingredients and solid taste, it takes the win in my book. Overall, I would rate this bar a 7/10!

There is a large variety of protein bars on the market, but a lot of them contain industrialized sugars, proteins, and other bio-engineered ingredients. Hopefully in this article, I helped outline what to look for in a good protein bar and what to stay away from (seed oils!) so that you know what to pick up next time you are at the grocery store buying a protein bar!