The Pint Lab

The Pint LabProtein Ice Cream Rankings

Not all protein powders are created equal — especially when macro friendly ice cream is your goal. What tastes great in a shake can fall completely flat in a pint. The Pint Lab tests every powder the same way, every time, and rates them on what makes the best high-protein, low-cal pint.

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I've been spinning pints for over 2 years — nearly every day (sometimes multiple a day!). 500+ pints and counting. I've gotten more people hooked on this machine than I can count. It's not just a gadget. It's a lifestyle.

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The Standard Recipe

Ingredients

1 scoopProtein powder (tested variety)
375gFairlife 2% milk
1 tbspErythritol
2 tspNon-fat milk powder
1/8 tspVanilla extract
1/8 tsp heapingXanthan gum
PinchSalt
1/2 tspVegetable glycerinKeeps it scoopable. ~10 cal, included in all totals.
Optional2 Oreo thins — highly recommended!

Instructions

1.Weigh 375g of Fairlife 2% milk directly into an empty Ninja Creami pint container.
2.Add all remaining ingredients.
3.Blend until smooth using an immersion blender.
4.Freeze with lid slightly ajar for at least 16 hours.
5.Run container under hot water 60–90 seconds before spinning.
6.Spin on Lite Ice Cream setting.
7.If adding mix-ins: dig a small hole down through the center of the pint with a spoon (one may form on its own — if so, use it). Push mix-ins deep into the hole, then distribute the rest upward in a column through the top. Run the Mix-In cycle. This gets mix-ins all the way through the pint, not just the top layer.
8.Enjoy — and do a little dance. It's that good.

Scoring Criteria

Flavor

Does it taste like what it says on the bag?

Texture

Is it creamy and scoopable out of the Creami — or icy and grainy?

Would I buy a whole tub?

The real test. Would I actually commit to a full bag?

Full recipe guide →

Ingredient notes, pro tips, and the science behind the base

Browse by Flavor

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🍦Vanilla→☕Coffee→🍫Chocolate→🥣Cereal→🍓Fruit→✨Other→

Rankings

39 protein powders tested

Full Rankings →

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PowderCalCaloriesProProteinScore

Score:Elite9+Top Shelf7.5–8.9Solid6–7.4Avoid<6· Same recipe every time