Is Huel Better than Protein Works? A Comprehensive Comparison

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 70% of people who try meal replacements cite convenience as a primary motivation, so understanding the nutritional differences between brands is crucial. In the ongoing debate over which brand offers a better product, the question of whether is Huel better than Protein Works is a common one, but the answer depends heavily on your specific goals.

Quick Summary

This article compares Huel and The Protein Works across multiple factors, including product type, nutritional profile, taste, cost, and ingredients. It helps users determine which brand is the superior choice for their specific dietary needs and fitness objectives, explaining the core differences between a complete meal and a protein supplement.

Key Points

Core Difference: Huel is built as a nutritionally complete meal replacement, while Protein Works offers a broader range of supplements, including protein powders.
Nutritional Completeness: Huel's products provide a balanced profile of macros and micros, whereas Protein Works protein shakes are high in protein but are not complete meals.
Vegan Status: Huel is entirely plant-based and vegan across all products, while Protein Works offers both whey and vegan options.
Cost & Value: Huel is generally more expensive per serving than a basic protein shake but offers a complete meal's worth of nutrition; value depends on your dietary needs.
Taste & Texture: Reviews suggest Huel can be gritty but has more natural flavours, while TPW shakes can be smoother, though preference is subjective.
Usage: Choose Huel for convenient meal replacement; choose Protein Works for targeted protein supplementation alongside regular food.

Huel vs. Protein Works: A Core Difference in Philosophy

At its heart, the choice between Huel and The Protein Works (TPW) comes down to their foundational product philosophies. Huel was created as a nutritionally complete, plant-based meal replacement designed to provide a balanced macro and micronutrient profile in one serving. It's a 'food replacement' that contains protein, carbs, fats, fiber, and 27 essential vitamins and minerals. In contrast, while TPW offers meal replacement shakes, its range is much broader and includes a significant focus on protein powders and other targeted supplements. The average TPW protein powder, for instance, functions as a supplement to a regular diet, not a complete meal replacement.

This fundamental difference means that comparing a standard Huel shake to a standard TPW protein shake is like comparing apples and oranges; one is designed to be a full meal, while the other is primarily a protein supplement.

Nutritional Breakdown and Ingredients

Huel's Vegan-First Approach

Huel's product range is 100% vegan, which is a key selling point for many consumers. The ingredients are sourced from plants, with protein coming from sources like oats, peas, rice, and hemp. Huel products also contain medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) derived from coconut, which are easily digested and can provide a quick source of energy. Additionally, Huel's formula includes phytonutrients, which are not essential but offer significant health benefits. The high fibre content in Huel products promotes good gut health and helps control blood sugar levels.

Protein Works' Wider Product Spectrum

TPW offers a diverse product range that caters to different dietary needs and goals. They provide various protein powders, including whey and plant-based options, as well as meal replacements. Their protein products typically contain high levels of pure protein to help meet daily intake goals, especially for muscle repair and growth. However, a standard TPW protein shake often lacks the comprehensive micronutrient profile of a Huel meal, unless comparing their specific meal replacement products like 'Diet Meal Replacement Extreme'. The nutritional makeup of TPW products can vary significantly across their catalogue.

Product Range: More Than Just Shakes

While the shake-based products are a central part of both brands, their offerings extend beyond this:

Huel: Offers powders (Regular, Black Edition), Hot & Savoury meals (e.g., Mac & Cheeze, Mexican Chilli), Ready-to-Drink bottles, Complete Protein, and protein bars. This provides multiple options for complete meal convenience.
Protein Works: Provides a vast array of products, including whey protein, vegan protein, mass gainers, vitamins, supplements, snacks, and diet meal replacements. This makes it a one-stop shop for a broader range of fitness and nutrition needs, but you need to carefully select the right product for your goal.

Taste, Texture, and Mixability

Customer reviews on taste and texture for both brands vary widely depending on the specific product and personal preference.

Huel

Taste: Praised for having a more 'real food' or natural flavour compared to some competitors. Flavours like Salted Caramel in the Black Edition have received positive feedback.
Texture: Often described as having a thicker, sometimes gritty or sandy texture, especially if not blended sufficiently.

Protein Works

Taste: User feedback suggests TPW's standard protein shakes can be smoother and taste more like a traditional milkshake. However, taste preference is highly subjective and depends on the flavour chosen.
Texture: Generally reviewed as smoother than Huel, particularly for their diet meal replacement options, though this varies between products.

Cost and Value for Money

When assessing cost, it is crucial to consider what you're buying. Per serving, a standard Huel complete meal is more expensive than a simple TPW protein shake because Huel contains a more complete nutritional profile. However, Huel's cost per portion is relatively low for a complete meal replacement. A user on Reddit pointed out that TPW's inconsistent pricing can be a drawback for those who use subscription models. The true value for money is determined by whether you need a full meal replacement or just a protein supplement.

Huel vs. The Protein Works Comparison Table


Feature	Huel	The Protein Works
Core Purpose	Nutritionally complete meal replacement	Broad range of supplements, including protein powders and some meal replacements
Nutritional Profile	Balanced macros, 27 essential vitamins and minerals, phytonutrients	Varies by product; protein shakes are high in protein, low in other nutrients
Product Range	Powders, Hot & Savoury meals, RTDs, Complete Protein, bars	Extensive range of powders, supplements, snacks, and meal replacements
Primary Ingredients	Vegan (oats, pea, rice protein), MCTs, flaxseed	Varies; offers both whey protein and plant-based protein options
Vegan	All products are 100% vegan	Offers a dedicated vegan range, but not all products are vegan
Taste/Texture	Generally well-regarded flavours, can be gritty if not blended	Varies widely by product; some find smoother than Huel
Cost per Serving	Higher for a complete meal	Lower for a standard protein shake, higher for meal replacements
Best for	Busy individuals, those seeking a convenient, complete meal	Bodybuilders, athletes, or those with specific protein supplementation goals

Conclusion: Which is the Better Choice for You?

Deciding if Huel is better than Protein Works depends on your individual needs. Huel is a standout choice if you are looking for a convenient, nutritionally complete meal replacement that is 100% vegan. It is ideal for busy lifestyles, weight management through controlled portion sizes, or simply ensuring you receive a balanced intake of all essential nutrients.

Conversely, The Protein Works is better if your primary goal is to supplement your diet with protein for muscle building and recovery, and you value a wider variety of specialized supplements. If you need a protein boost rather than a full meal, TPW offers more focused and often more affordable options. While both brands offer meal replacements, Huel’s reputation and formula are built on the 'complete nutrition' concept, whereas TPW's offering is part of a much broader supplement line. The 'best' brand is simply the one that aligns most closely with your specific dietary goals and lifestyle.

For more information on Huel's commitment to plant-based nutrition and sustainability, you can visit their website.

Huel Sustainability Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Both Huel and Protein Works offer products that can support weight loss, but they serve different functions. Huel provides controlled-calorie, nutritionally complete meal replacements, which can help create a calorie deficit. Protein Works offers diet meal replacements and protein powders that can aid satiety and muscle preservation. Your best choice depends on whether you prefer a full meal replacement or a high-protein supplement.

Generally, a standard Huel meal replacement shake is more expensive per serving than a basic protein shake from Protein Works because Huel contains a more complete nutritional profile. The total cost will depend on the specific products you buy and how often you consume them. For a nutritionally complete meal, Huel is competitively priced.

Taste is highly subjective. Huel is often praised for more natural flavours but sometimes criticized for a gritty texture. Protein Works shakes can be smoother, with taste varying by product. The best way to know is to try different flavours and product types from both brands.

While Protein Works offers its own meal replacement products, their standard protein powders are not designed to be nutritionally complete meals. Using a standard protein shake to replace a meal could lead to deficiencies in essential carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals. For a true meal replacement, you should use their specific meal replacement range or choose Huel.

For muscle gain, both brands can be effective, but in different ways. Protein Works offers targeted protein powders for high protein intake, which is essential for muscle repair. Huel products, particularly Black Edition, contain a high protein content within a complete meal, which can be useful as a post-workout recovery meal. The 'better' option depends on whether you need a supplement or a complete meal.

Yes, all Huel products are 100% plant-based and suitable for vegans. This is a key difference from Protein Works, which offers both whey (dairy-based) and plant-based protein options.

Both brands offer convenient options, but Huel's Ready-to-Drink bottles provide a no-mix, immediate complete meal solution. Both offer powders that require mixing, but Huel's focus on complete meals in various formats (powder, RTD, Hot & Savoury) might give it a slight edge in overall convenience for meal replacement.