Skip to content

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) and Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer.

Last verified: 07 Apr 2026 · Based on 23 reviews

74.0
Quick Answer

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) scores 74.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer at 72.0/100. Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) wins on ingredient quality, side effects, certifications. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer is stronger on effectiveness and value for money.

Which is better: Critical Mass Professional ... or Optimum Nutrition Serious M...?

Applied Nutrition Critical Mass edges ahead with a 74 vs 72 overall score, thanks to its Informed Sport certification and broader formula including creatine, HMB, and CLA. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass suits those prioritising proven effectiveness (80 vs 73) and palatability, with years of loyal users reporting consistent gains.

— AIScored Editorial Team

How Do the Scores Compare?

Critical Mass Professional ...
Optimum Nutrition Serious M...
Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings)
Critical Mass Professional ...
Applied Nutrition
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer
Optimum Nutrition Serious M...
Optimum Nutrition
Overall Score 74.0 72.0
Effectiveness 73.0/100 80.0/100
Best
Ingredient Quality 76.0/100
Best
68.0/100
Value for Money 71.0/100 72.0/100
Best
Side Effects 77.0/100
Best
58.0/100
Certifications 83.0/100
Best
70.0/100
Best Price £52.95 Amazon UK →
Cheapest
£52.95 Amazon UK →
Cheapest
Form Powder N/A
Dose None N/A
Third-Party Tested ✗ No ✗ No
Reviews Analysed 9 14

Critical Mass Professional Lean ...

Pros

  • 1,000+ calories per serving well-suited to hard gainers who struggle to hit caloric surplus
  • Informed Sport registered — meaningful third-party quality and contamination testing
  • Comprehensive formula beyond just protein: creatine monohydrate, HMB, glutamine, CLA, and MCT
  • Reduced-sugar formulation compared to older mass gainers — favourable for lean bulk

Cons

  • Taste inconsistency across batches — some report a chemical or medicinal aftertaste in the strawberry flavour
  • 150g per serving is a very high volume, potentially difficult for smaller individuals or those with lower appetite
  • Not vegan — whey-based formula unsuitable for plant-based users
  • 1,000+ kcal per serving requires careful use; excess can lead to unwanted fat gain if training volume is not sufficient

Best For

Hard gainers with high metabolic rates struggling to maintain caloric surplus Athletes in off-season or dedicated bulking phases Post-surgery or illness recovery requiring rapid caloric replenishment Halal diet followers seeking a certified mass gainer Intermediate lifters wanting an all-in-one mass-gain stack without separate creatine or HMB supplements
View full review →

Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass P...

Pros

  • Highly effective for calorie surplus and weight gain, with multiple reviewers reporting measurable mass gains (e.g. 2 stone in 3 months with training)
  • Strong long-term loyalty — several reviewers report 5–10+ years of consistent use
  • Good flavour profile (strawberry and banana rated as milkshake-like)
  • Excellent calorie density (1,250 kcal/serving) makes it practical for those who struggle to eat enough food

Cons

  • Inconsistent quality between batches — at least one reviewer reported a virtually flavourless delivery
  • Mixing challenges: oversized scoop won't fit most shaker bottles, and blender is often needed to avoid clumping
  • Digestive discomfort (bloating, gas, heaviness) reported by multiple users — typical of high-maltodextrin mass gainers
  • Premium price point relative to own-brand alternatives, though most reviewers consider it justified

Best For

Hard gainers struggling to reach calorie targets through food alone People with poor appetite or difficulty eating enough (e.g. medical reasons) Beginner to intermediate gym-goers seeking structured calorie and protein support Older adults (50+) who need easy-to-consume high-calorie nutrition Those who prefer an all-in-one formula over stacking individual supplements
View full review →

What does the data say about Critical Mass Professi... vs Optimum Nutrition Seri...?

Both products sit at the same £52.95 price point, but they take noticeably different approaches to helping you gain mass. Applied Nutrition's Critical Mass (74/100) includes creatine monohydrate, HMB, glutamine, CLA, and MCT oil alongside its protein and carbohydrates — it's a more complex formula designed to support muscle retention and recovery, not just calorie loading. Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass (72/100) keeps things simpler, leaning heavily on raw calorie and protein delivery, which is likely why it scores higher on effectiveness (80 vs 73) despite lower ingredient quality marks (68 vs 76).

If you're a serious athlete or someone returning from illness who wants a formula doing more than just adding calories, Critical Mass makes more sense — particularly if you'd benefit from the creatine and HMB inclusion. Serious Mass suits beginners or anyone who simply needs a reliable, no-fuss calorie surplus; the long-term user loyalty it attracts is worth noting. Critical Mass's 150g serving size may be genuinely difficult to stomach if your appetite is small. Serious Mass has its own logistical headache — the scoop won't fit a standard shaker, so budget for a blender.

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) Winner 74.0/100

Applied Nutrition Critical Mass Professional is a high-calorie lean mass gainer delivering 1,000+ calories and 42g of protein per 150g serving, built around ISO-XP 95% Whey Protein Isolate with added creatine monohydrate, HMB, glutamine, leucine, CLA, and MCT powder.

Effectiveness
Critical Mass Pr..
73.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
80.0/100
Ingredient Quality
Critical Mass Pr..
76.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
68.0/100
Value for Money
Critical Mass Pr..
71.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
72.0/100
Side Effects
Critical Mass Pr..
77.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
58.0/100
Certifications
Critical Mass Pr..
83.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
70.0/100

What are the key differences?

Critical Mass Professio.. is best for: Hard gainers with high metabolic rates struggling to maintain caloric surplus, Athletes in off-season or dedicated bulking phases
Optimum Nutrition Serio.. is best for: Hard gainers struggling to reach calorie targets through food alone, People with poor appetite or difficulty eating enough (e.g. medical reasons)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) or Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer?
Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) scores 74.0/100 overall while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer scores 72.0/100. Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (73.0 vs 80.0). Critical Mass Professional Lea is best suited for Hard gainers with high metabolic rates struggling to maintain caloric surplus and Athletes in off-season or dedicated bulking phases. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is better for Hard gainers struggling to reach calorie targets through food alone and People with poor appetite or difficulty eating enough (e.g. medical reasons).
Is Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) worth the price compared to Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer?
Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) costs £52.95 while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer is £52.95. For value, Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) scores 71.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer's 72.0/100. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer delivers better value relative to its quality.
Which has fewer side effects?
Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings) scores 77.0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer scores 58.0/100. Reviewers report fewer side effects with Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Strawberry 6kg (40 Servings). For certification and testing, Critical Mass Profes scores 83.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Se's 70.0/100. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.

Related Product Comparisons

Disclaimer: AIScored provides data-driven comparisons based on publicly available reviews. This is not medical advice. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

Feedback & Suggestions

Spotted an issue? Wrong price, incorrect data, or something else off? Let us know and we'll fix it.

Missing a product you'd like us to review? Tell us the product name and we'll consider adding it.