Skip to content

Bulk Informed Mass vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Bulk Informed Mass and Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass.

Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Based on 28 reviews

Our Verdict: Bulk Informed Mass or Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass?

Bulk Informed Mass wins with a 77/100 score, cleaner carbs from oat flour, and certified drug-testing credentials — all for £7.95 less than the competition. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass suits beginners who prioritise proven calorie-stacking results and don't mind the larger format.

— AIScored Editorial Team

77.0
Score Summary

Bulk Informed Mass scores 77.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass at 72.0/100. Bulk Informed Mass wins on ingredient quality, value for money, side effects. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is stronger on effectiveness.

Bulk Informed Mass vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass: What Does the Data Say?

Bulk Informed Mass scores 77/100 against Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass at 72/100, but the gap is more interesting than those numbers suggest. Informed Mass wins on ingredient quality by a meaningful margin — 83/100 versus 68/100 — because it uses oat flour rather than maltodextrin, giving each 45g protein serving a lower glycaemic impact from complex carbs. It also includes 3g creatine monohydrate and 1.5g HMB per serving, which go beyond what a standard gainer offers. Serious Mass scores higher on effectiveness at 80/100 versus 72/100, and reviewers report real-world results: multiple users mention gains of around 2 stone in three months alongside training. Several have stuck with it for five to ten years, which says something about consistency of results.

At £45.00 for 3kg, Informed Mass offers better value (76/100 versus 72/100) and is the clearer pick for drug-tested competitive athletes, hard gainers who want cleaner carb sources, and anyone already owning a blender. That last point matters — both products clump badly in a shaker, but Informed Mass reviewers flag it more sharply, and the thick texture divides opinion. Serious Mass at £52.95 suits people who struggle to eat enough and want something with a long track record. Its strawberry and banana flavours are described as milkshake-like, which helps when you're forcing down calories.

One practical issue affects both: neither fits neatly into a standard shaker bottle, and a blender is effectively required for either. Serious Mass has an additional quirk — the scoop is too large for most shaker lids. If you're buying for convenience on the go, neither product will give you an easy ride.

How Do the Scores Compare?

Informed Mass, Strawberries...
Optimum Nutrition Serious M...
Informed Mass, Strawberries and Cream, 3kg
Informed Mass, Strawberries...
Bulk
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder High Calorie Mass Gainer
Optimum Nutrition Serious M...
Optimum Nutrition
Overall Score 77.0 72.0
Effectiveness 72.0/100 80.0/100
Best
Ingredient Quality 83.0/100
Best
68.0/100
Value for Money 76.0/100
Best
72.0/100
Side Effects 78.0/100
Best
58.0/100
Certifications 85.0/100
Best
70.0/100
Best Price £45.00 Amazon UK →
Cheapest
£59.99
£58.00 Amazon UK →
-3% deal
Price per Serving £2.25 20 servings N/A
Form Powder N/A
Dose 45g protein, 550+ kcal per serving N/A
Third-Party Tested ✗ No ✗ No
Reviews Analysed 14 14

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

Drug-tested competitive athletes needing a certified mass gainer Hard gainers struggling to meet caloric surplus through food alone Experienced gym-goers who already own a blender and want a cleaner gainer Users specifically avoiding maltodextrin or high-sugar mass gainers
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 →

Score Breakdown: Bulk Informed Mass vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass

Bulk Informed Mass Winner 77.0/100

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.

Effectiveness
Informed Mass, S..
72.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
80.0/100
Ingredient Quality
Informed Mass, S..
83.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
68.0/100
Value for Money
Informed Mass, S..
76.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
72.0/100
Side Effects
Informed Mass, S..
78.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
58.0/100
Certifications
Informed Mass, S..
85.0/100
Optimum Nutritio..
70.0/100

What are the key differences?

Bulk Informed Mass is best for: Drug-tested competitive athletes needing a certified mass gainer, Hard gainers struggling to meet caloric surplus through food alone
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass 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, Bulk Informed Mass or Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass?
Bulk Informed Mass wins with a 77/100 score, cleaner carbs from oat flour, and certified drug-testing credentials — all for £7.95 less than the competition. Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass suits beginners who prioritise proven calorie-stacking results and don't mind the larger format. Bulk Informed Mass scores 77.0/100 overall while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass scores 72.0/100. Bulk Informed Mass comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (72.0 vs 80.0). Bulk Informed Mass is best suited for Drug-tested competitive athletes needing a certified mass gainer and Hard gainers struggling to meet caloric surplus through food alone. 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 Bulk Informed Mass worth the price compared to Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass?
Bulk Informed Mass costs £45.00 while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is £58.00. For value, Bulk Informed Mass scores 76.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass's 72.0/100. Bulk Informed Mass delivers better value relative to its quality.
Which has fewer side effects?
Bulk Informed Mass scores 78.0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass scores 58.0/100. Reviewers report fewer side effects with Bulk Informed Mass. For certification and testing, Bulk Informed Mass scores 85.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass'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.