Barebells Protein Soda Review: Pleasant to Drink, Hard to Justify on Grams
Protein: 10g per 12 oz can
Sugar: 0g added
Caffeine: 200mg in every flavor. Barebells' own product pages state 200mg for Classic Cola, Pineapple Sunrise, Sweet Cherry and Wild Strawberry, and the front of each can prints it. There is no caffeine-free version.
Price: ~$35.99 per 12-pack at publication (~3.3 g protein per dollar)
Flavors: Classic Cola, Wild Strawberry, Sweet Cherry, Pineapple Sunrise
The Barebells Playbook
Barebells built its name on protein bars that taste like candy bars, and the soda line runs the same playbook: prioritize drinkability, keep the protein modest. In Sporked's May 2026 test of 18 protein sodas, Barebells took two of the top three slots. Wild Strawberry scored 7.5 out of 10 ("tastes like strawberry milk but fizzy," meant as a compliment) and Pineapple Sunrise scored 7, credited with less of the drying, mouth-coating aftertaste that ruins most of the category.
Two Things the Front of the Can Won't Tell You Loudly Enough
First, the math. 10 grams per can at roughly $3 per can is about 3.3 grams of protein per dollar. Bucked Up delivers more than double that. If protein is the reason you are buying, Barebells is an expensive way to get it.
Second, the caffeine, and we had this wrong until August 2026. We previously wrote that it varied by flavor. It does not. All four Barebells Protein Soda flavors carry 200mg of caffeine, which is energy-drink territory and more than a large coffee. Barebells states it on every product page and prints it on the front of every can, directly under the wordmark, but nothing in the words "protein soda" warns you and the cans look like soda. There is no caffeine-free Barebells soda to switch to. We treat this as the single most important fine-print item in the whole category.
Availability Note
At publication we could not find a stable Amazon listing for the 12-packs; the reliable channels are the Barebells shop ($35.99 per 12-pack), GNC, and grocery chains like Vons. Our button below runs an Amazon search in case listings appear, but the brand shop is the surer path today.
Who Should Buy It
Pros
- Top-three finishes in Sporked's 18-soda test
- Least aftertaste complaints in the category
- Familiar brand, growing retail footprint
Cons
- 10g protein, roughly 3.3 g/$, weak value
- 200mg caffeine in every flavor, no decaf option
- Spotty Amazon availability at publication
Verdict: Buy Barebells if taste tolerance is your constraint and 10 grams is a nice bonus, and only if 200mg of caffeine per can suits you, because every flavor has it. If you want the same "pleasant, low-protein" profile without sucralose or caffeine, compare it against Waay head to head.