Home
/
Comparisons
/
Mass Gainers
/
Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 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 Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) and Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer.

Last verified: 07 Apr 2026 · Based on 18 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 Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer at 72.0/100. Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, value for money.

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

Applied Nutrition Critical Mass wins with an 80/100 score versus Optimum Nutrition's 72/100, while costing £12.95 less at £40.00. Its superior ingredient quality (80 vs 68) and effectiveness (90 vs 80) make it the stronger option for most hard gainers. Choose Serious Mass only if you value Optimum Nutrition's long-established reputation or need a product with decades of proven loyalty behind it.

— AIScored Editorial Team

How Do the Scores Compare?

Critical Mass Professional ...

Optimum Nutrition Serious M...

	Critical Mass Professional ... Applied Nutrition	Optimum Nutrition Serious M... Optimum Nutrition
Overall Score	80.0	72.0
Effectiveness	90.0/100 Best	80.0/100
Ingredient Quality	80.0/100 Best	68.0/100
Value for Money	80.0/100 Best	72.0/100
Side Effects	80.0/100 Best	58.0/100
Certifications	80.0/100 Best	70.0/100
Best Price	£40.00 Holland & Barrett → Cheapest	£52.95 Amazon UK →
Form	None	N/A
Dose	None	N/A
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	4	14

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 →

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

Amazon UK £52.95

View full review →

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

Applied Nutrition's Critical Mass scores 80/100 and costs £40 for 2.4kg — that's 16 servings of a banana-flavoured powder built around a high caloric density, reportedly pushing past 1,000 calories per serving. Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass scores notably lower at 72/100 and actually costs more at £52.95, with ingredient quality rated at just 68/100 compared to Applied Nutrition's 80/100. The practical difference is felt most in mixability: Serious Mass has a notoriously oversized scoop that won't fit a standard shaker, meaning you'll often need a blender, whereas Critical Mass appears to be more shaker-friendly day to day.

If you're a hard gainer chasing rapid lean mass and you don't want the hassle of blender prep, Critical Mass is the easier recommendation — users report visible strength and size gains within 2 to 4 weeks, and the value per serving is significantly better. Serious Mass earns its loyal following over years of consistent use, and suits those with appetite difficulties or beginners who want a well-established name, but the batch inconsistency issues and mixing faff are genuine drawbacks for the higher price.

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

Optimum Nutritio..

80.0/100

Ingredient Quality

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Optimum Nutritio..

68.0/100

Value for Money

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Optimum Nutritio..

72.0/100

Side Effects

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Optimum Nutritio..

58.0/100

Certifications

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Optimum Nutritio..

70.0/100

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

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 Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) or Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer? ▼

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) scores 80.0/100 overall while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer scores 72.0/100. 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. 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 Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) worth the price compared to Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer? ▼

Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) costs £40.00 while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer is £52.95. For value, Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) scores 80.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer's 72.0/100. Critical Mass Professional Lean Mass Gainer Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings) delivers better value relative to its quality.

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 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 Banana 2.4kg (16 Servings). For certification and testing, Critical Mass Profes scores 80.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Se's 70.0/100. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.