Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) vs Serious Mass Cookies & Cream 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 Cookies & Cream 2.73kg.

Last verified: 07 Apr 2026 · Based on 8 reviews

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80.0

Quick Answer

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) scores 80.0/100 vs Serious Mass Cookies & Cream 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 Cookies & Cream 2.73kg?

Applied Nutrition Critical Mass wins with an 80/100 score versus Optimum Nutrition's 70/100, driven by superior ingredient quality and faster real-world results. Choose Serious Mass if you need maximum raw calories — 1,250 kcal per serving suits extreme hardgainers who prioritise bulk over clean composition.

— AIScored Editorial Team

How Do the Scores Compare?

Critical Mass Professional ...

Serious Mass Cookies & Cream 2.73kg

	Critical Mass Professional ... Applied Nutrition	Serious Mass Cookies & Cream 2.73kg 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	30.0/100
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 Cookies & Cream 2.73kg

Pros

✓Excellent taste and mixability (mentioned in 3 of 4 reviews)
✓High calorie density (1,250 kcal per serving) supports rapid weight gain for hardgainers
✓50g protein per serving aids muscle protein synthesis and recovery
✓Added 3g creatine monohydrate per serving (evidence-based for strength and muscle gains)

Cons

✗Extremely high sugar content (12g per serving) and 250g carbs may cause energy crashes or GI distress in sensitive individuals
✗Not third-party tested or certified (no NSF, Informed-Sport, or banned substance screening listed)
✗Contains common allergens (milk, soy, wheat, gluten) limiting accessibility
✗Very high serving size (336g per scoop) makes convenient dosing impractical; typically mixed with large volumes of liquid

Best For

Hardgainers and ectomorphs struggling to consume adequate calories Strength athletes and bodybuilders in caloric surplus phases Individuals with high-performance metabolisms requiring 3,000+ daily calories Post-workout recovery during bulking phases

Holland & Barrett £40.00 Amazon UK £66.99

View full review →

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

Both products sit at the same £40 price point but differ meaningfully in caloric density and overall scores. Applied Nutrition's Critical Mass scores 80/100 overall, with a notably high effectiveness score of 90/100, while Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass trails at 70/100 overall and 80/100 for effectiveness. Serious Mass delivers roughly 1,250 kcal per serving against Critical Mass's 1,000+ — useful context if raw calorie volume is your priority — but that comes with 250g of carbohydrates and 12g of sugar per serving, which can cause digestive discomfort or energy crashes in sensitive users.

If you're a hardgainer who trains consistently and needs quick, measurable results, Critical Mass is the stronger pick. Its effectiveness score reflects user reports of visible muscle and strength gains within a few weeks, and the banana flavour appears to hold up well for daily use. Serious Mass suits those who specifically need that extra 250 calories per serving and already get on well with ON's products. Both contain common allergens typical of mass gainers, so check labels carefully if you have dairy or gluten sensitivities.

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 Coo..

80.0/100

Ingredient Quality

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Serious Mass Coo..

70.0/100

Value for Money

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Serious Mass Coo..

80.0/100

Side Effects

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Serious Mass Coo..

70.0/100

Certifications

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Serious Mass Coo..

30.0/100

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 Cookies & .. is best for: Hardgainers and ectomorphs struggling to consume adequate calories, Strength athletes and bodybuilders in caloric surplus phases

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) or Serious Mass Cookies & Cream 2.73kg? ▼

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) scores 80.0/100 overall while Serious Mass Cookies & Cream 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 Cookies & Cream 2.73kg is better for Hardgainers and ectomorphs struggling to consume adequate calories and Strength athletes and bodybuilders in caloric surplus phases.

Is Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) worth the price compared to Serious Mass Cookies & Cream 2.73kg? ▼

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) costs £40.00 while Serious Mass Cookies & Cream 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 Cookies & Cream 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 Cookies & Cream 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 Cookies's 30.0/100. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.