Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) vs Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Butter 2.73kg

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) and Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Butter 2.73kg.

Last verified: 07 Apr 2026 · Based on 8 reviews

Back to comparison hub View mass gainers guide

80.0

Quick Answer

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) scores 80.0/100 vs Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Butter 2.73kg at 70.0/100. Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, side effects.

Which is better: Critical Mass Professional ... or Serious Mass Chocolate Pean...?

Applied Nutrition Critical Mass wins with an 80/100 score versus Optimum Nutrition's 70/100, driven by superior ingredient quality and faster reported results. Choose Serious Mass if you want added creatine and a higher calorie hit per serving at the same £40 price point.

— AIScored Editorial Team

How Do the Scores Compare?

Critical Mass Professional ...

Serious Mass Chocolate Pean...

	Critical Mass Professional ... Applied Nutrition	Serious Mass Chocolate Pean... Optimum Nutrition
Overall Score	80.0	70.0
Effectiveness	90.0/100 Best	80.0/100
Ingredient Quality	80.0/100 Best	70.0/100
Value for Money	80.0/100 Best	80.0/100 Best
Side Effects	80.0/100 Best	70.0/100
Certifications	80.0/100 Best	50.0/100
Best Price	£40.00 Holland & Barrett → Cheapest	£40.00 Holland & Barrett → Cheapest
Form	None	powder
Dose	None	None
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	4	4

Critical Mass Professional Lean ...

Pros

✓Rapid results: Users report visible muscle gain and strength increases within 2-4 weeks
✓Strong, enjoyable flavor that encourages consistent use
✓High caloric density (1,000+ calories) supports the caloric surplus needed for lean mass gain
✓Informed Sport registered and Halal certified—meets testing and dietary standards

Cons

✗Very high calorie content may lead to excess fat gain if training stimulus is insufficient
✗Strong flavor (per reviews) may be overwhelming for some users even at reduced portions
✗Not third-party tested beyond Informed Sport registration; lacks independent lab verification
✗High sugar content in standard formulation (though 'reduced sugar' variant exists); not suitable for strict carb-controlled diets

Best For

Hard gainers and ectomorphs seeking rapid lean mass and strength Athletes in high-volume training phases requiring caloric surplus Individuals prioritizing convenience and taste over minimal processing Users following halal dietary requirements

Holland & Barrett £40.00

View full review →

Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Bu...

Pros

✓Extremely high calorie density (1,263 kcal/serving) designed specifically for muscle gain
✓Substantial protein content (50g per serving) with dual whey/casein blend for sustained release
✓Added creatine monohydrate (3g/serving) supports strength and performance
✓Complete micronutrient profile with 25 vitamins and minerals at therapeutic doses

Cons

✗Very high sugar content (26g per serving) unsuitable for those managing blood glucose
✗High sodium per serving (1.56g, 26% RDA) may concern sodium-sensitive individuals
✗Large serving size (334g powder + 710ml water) makes it inconvenient for on-the-go use
✗Contains multiple allergens: milk, soy, wheat, egg; not suitable for allergic individuals

Best For

Hard gainers struggling to consume sufficient calories Bodybuilders and strength athletes in muscle-building phases Post-workout recovery nutrition Individuals aged 18-45 with no blood glucose or sodium concerns

Holland & Barrett £40.00

View full review →

What does the data say about Critical Mass Professi... vs Serious Mass Chocolate...?

Both products sit at £40 and target the same hard-gainer market, but they differ meaningfully in what they put in the scoop. Applied Nutrition's Critical Mass scores 80/100 overall, with a notably higher effectiveness rating of 90/100, suggesting users see faster results in practice. Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass scores 70/100 overall with an effectiveness rating of 80/100, but it counters with a denser nutritional profile — 1,263 kcal per serving versus Critical Mass's 1,000-plus, and it includes 3g of creatine monohydrate per serving, which Critical Mass does not. Serious Mass also blends whey and casein for sustained protein release, though its 26g of sugar per serving and high sodium (1.56g, 26% of RDA) are worth noting for anyone watching those markers.

Critical Mass is the better pick if you want rapid visible results and can keep your training consistent — the higher effectiveness score reflects that. Serious Mass suits those who want everything bundled into one shake, particularly if you'd otherwise buy creatine separately. Both use banana and chocolate peanut butter flavours respectively, and strong artificial flavours have drawn mixed reviews for both, so starting with smaller servings is sensible.

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) Winner 80.0/100

Applied Nutrition Critical Mass Professional is a high-calorie lean mass gainer (1,000+ calories per serving) designed for hard gainers and athletes seeking rapid weight gain.

Effectiveness

Critical Mass Pr..

90.0/100

Serious Mass Cho..

80.0/100

Ingredient Quality

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Serious Mass Cho..

70.0/100

Value for Money

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Serious Mass Cho..

80.0/100

Side Effects

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Serious Mass Cho..

70.0/100

Certifications

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Serious Mass Cho..

50.0/100

What are the key differences?

Critical Mass Professio.. is best for: Hard gainers and ectomorphs seeking rapid lean mass and strength, Athletes in high-volume training phases requiring caloric surplus

Serious Mass Chocolate .. is best for: Hard gainers struggling to consume sufficient calories, Bodybuilders and strength athletes in muscle-building phases

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) or Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Butter 2.73kg? ▼

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) scores 80.0/100 overall while Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Butter 2.73kg scores 70.0/100. Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (90.0 vs 80.0). Critical Mass Professional Lea is best suited for Hard gainers and ectomorphs seeking rapid lean mass and strength and Athletes in high-volume training phases requiring caloric surplus. Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut is better for Hard gainers struggling to consume sufficient calories and Bodybuilders and strength athletes in muscle-building phases.

Is Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) worth the price compared to Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Butter 2.73kg? ▼

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) costs £40.00 while Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Butter 2.73kg is £40.00. For value, Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) scores 80.0/100 vs Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Butter 2.73kg's 80.0/100. Both offer similar value for money.

Which has fewer side effects? ▼

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) scores 80.0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while Serious Mass Chocolate Peanut Butter 2.73kg scores 70.0/100. Reviewers report fewer side effects with Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings). For certification and testing, Critical Mass Profes scores 80.0/100 vs Serious Mass Chocola's 50.0/100. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.