Bulk Informed Mass vs Critical Mass Strawberry
Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Bulk Informed Mass and Critical Mass Strawberry.
Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Based on 23 reviews
Our Verdict: Bulk Informed Mass or Critical Mass Strawberry?
Bulk Informed Mass edges ahead with a 77 vs 74 score and a £7.95 lower price, while its oat-based carbs and Informed Sport certification make it the cleaner, better-value option. Applied Nutrition Critical Mass suits those who need maximum calories in a single sitting — its 1,000-calorie serving and broader formula (CLA, MCT, glutamine) benefit hard gainers with especially high energy demands.
— AIScored Editorial Team
Bulk Informed Mass scores 77.0/100 vs Critical Mass Strawberry at 74.0/100. Bulk Informed Mass wins on ingredient quality, value for money, side effects. Critical Mass Strawberry is stronger on effectiveness.
Bulk Informed Mass vs Critical Mass Strawberry: What Does the Data Say?
Both products take meaningfully different approaches to the mass gainer formula. Bulk's Informed Mass (£45.00, score 77/100) uses oat flour rather than maltodextrin as its carbohydrate source, which delivers a lower glycaemic hit and genuinely cleaner nutrition. It provides 45g protein and 550+ calories per serving at a manageable portion size, with 3g creatine and 1.5g HMB included. Applied Nutrition's Critical Mass (£52.95, score 74/100) goes heavier — 150g per serving, 1,000+ calories — and adds glutamine, CLA, and MCT alongside creatine and HMB, making it a more thorough but considerably bulkier proposition.
If you're a competitive athlete who needs banned-substance reassurance and prefers a cleaner ingredient profile, Informed Mass is the better pick. The oat-based carbs are a real differentiator, and the lower serving size suits most people's digestion. Critical Mass is better suited to genuine hard gainers who genuinely struggle to hit calories — the 1,000-calorie servings do the heavy lifting, though the 150g volume will challenge smaller individuals.
Practically speaking, Informed Mass reportedly clumps badly without a blender, so factor that in. Critical Mass has reported taste inconsistency in the strawberry flavour. Both products score similarly on effectiveness (72 versus 73), so ingredient quality — where Informed Mass leads 83 to 76 — is likely the deciding factor for most buyers.
How Do the Scores Compare?
Informed Mass, Strawberries...
Bulk
|
Critical Mass Professional ...
Applied Nutrition
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 77.0 | 74.0 |
| Effectiveness | 72.0/100 |
73.0/100
Best
|
| Ingredient Quality |
83.0/100
Best
|
76.0/100 |
| Value for Money |
76.0/100
Best
|
71.0/100 |
| Side Effects |
78.0/100
Best
|
77.0/100 |
| Certifications |
85.0/100
Best
|
83.0/100 |
| Best Price |
£45.00
Amazon UK →
Cheapest
|
£69.95
£59.30
Amazon UK →
-15% deal
|
| Price per Serving | £2.25 20 servings | N/A |
| Form | Powder | Powder |
| Dose | 45g protein, 550+ kcal per serving | None |
| Third-Party Tested | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Reviews Analysed | 14 | 9 |
Informed Mass, Strawberries and ...
Pros
- ✓No maltodextrin — oat flour provides complex carbs with a lower glycaemic impact, widely praised by reviewers
- ✓Informed Sport certified, providing reliable banned-substance assurance for competitive athletes
- ✓Added creatine monohydrate (3g) and HMB (1.5g) add meaningful ergogenic value beyond a standard gainer
- ✓Generally well-tolerated, with DigeZyme enzyme blend supporting digestion of the large serving size
Cons
- ✗Mixes poorly in a shaker without a blender — clumping and undissolved particles reported by multiple reviewers
- ✗Thick, heavy texture is polarising; some users found it unpleasant to drink
- ✗Only 20 servings per 3kg bag — serving size (150g) is large and the bag depletes quickly
- ✗Taste described as average to decent across flavours; some find it overly saline or requiring large water volume
Best For
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
Score Breakdown: Bulk Informed Mass vs Critical Mass Strawberry
Bulk's Informed Mass is a premium lean mass gainer built around a tri-protein blend (whey concentrate, isolate, and casein) delivering 45g protein and 550+ kcal per serving from oat flour rather than maltodextrin — a distinction repeatedly praised by reviewers.
What are the key differences?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Bulk Informed Mass or Critical Mass Strawberry? ▼
Is Bulk Informed Mass worth the price compared to Critical Mass Strawberry? ▼
Which has fewer side effects? ▼
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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.
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