Barebells vs Waay: Same 10 Grams, Very Different Cans
These two occupy the "actually pleasant to drink" end of the protein soda shelf, and both top out at 10 grams, so protein won't decide this one. Sweeteners, caffeine, and flavor philosophy will.
Side by Side
| Barebells | Waay | |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | 10g whey | 10g clear whey (+ collagen in some flavors) |
| Price* | ~$35.99/12-pack | ~$39.99/12-pack Amazon, $2.99 singles in stores |
| Sweetener | Sucralose-based | Stevia + monk fruit, no sucralose |
| Caffeine | Up to 200mg in some flavors (Wild Strawberry per Sporked) | None |
| Flavor style | Dessert-leaning: Cola, Wild Strawberry, Sweet Cherry, Pineapple Sunrise | Citrus-bitter: Grapefruit, Lemon Raspberry, Orange |
| Sporked scores (May 2026) | 7.5 (Wild Strawberry), 7 (Pineapple Sunrise) | 8 (Grapefruit, best of 18), 6.5 (Lemon Raspberry), 6 (Orange) |
| Where to buy | Brand shop, GNC, grocery; Amazon spotty | Target, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Amazon |
The Sweetener Split
This is the cleanest dividing line in the matchup. Barebells runs the industry-standard sucralose route, which most palates read as sweeter and more dessert-like. Waay refuses sucralose and uses stevia plus monk fruit, then picks bitter citrus flavors so the stevia tail has somewhere to hide. Sporked, no fan of stevia, still handed Waay Grapefruit its top score of all 18 sodas tested, precisely because the grapefruit bitterness cut through. Know your own tongue: sucralose-averse buyers go Waay, stevia-averse buyers go Barebells.
The Caffeine Trap
Worth repeating anywhere Barebells comes up: some of its soda flavors carry serious caffeine, with 200mg reported in Wild Strawberry. That is a pre-workout dose wearing a strawberry milk costume. Waay is uniformly caffeine free. If you want an evening can, or you are buying for someone caffeine-sensitive, this alone decides it.
The Call
Buy Waay for a clean, caffeine-free, no-sucralose soda swap, especially if grapefruit sounds good rather than punishing. It holds the best single taste score on record in this category.
Buy Barebells if you want dessert-style flavors and either want the caffeine or have checked the can and picked a flavor without it.
And if 10 grams feels thin for the price either way, you are right; that is the Bucked Up vs Don't Quit! conversation.
Full write-ups: Barebells review · Waay review