Critical Mass Banana vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass

Q: Is Critical Mass Banana worth the price compared to Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass?

Critical Mass Banana scores 80.0/100 for value, while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass scores 72.0/100. Critical Mass Banana delivers better value overall.

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

Last verified: 01 Mar 2026 · Based on 18 reviews

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Our Verdict: Critical Mass Banana or Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass?

— AIScored Editorial Team

80.0

Score Summary

Critical Mass Banana scores 80.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass at 72.0/100. Critical Mass Banana wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, value for money.

Critical Mass Banana vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass: What Does the Data Say?

Applied Nutrition's Critical Mass scores 80/100 and costs £40 for 2.4kg — that's 16 servings of a banana-flavoured powder built around a high caloric density, reportedly pushing past 1,000 calories per serving. Optimum Nutrition's Serious Mass scores notably lower at 72/100 and actually costs more at £52.95, with ingredient quality rated at just 68/100 compared to Applied Nutrition's 80/100. The practical difference is felt most in mixability: Serious Mass has a notoriously oversized scoop that won't fit a standard shaker, meaning you'll often need a blender, whereas Critical Mass appears to be more shaker-friendly day to day.

If you're a hard gainer chasing rapid lean mass and you don't want the hassle of blender prep, Critical Mass is the easier recommendation — users report visible strength and size gains within 2 to 4 weeks, and the value per serving is significantly better. Serious Mass earns its loyal following over years of consistent use, and suits those with appetite difficulties or beginners who want a well-established name, but the batch inconsistency issues and mixing faff are genuine drawbacks for the higher price.

How Do the Scores Compare?

Critical Mass Professional ...

Optimum Nutrition Serious M...

	Critical Mass Professional ... Applied Nutrition	Optimum Nutrition Serious M... Optimum Nutrition
Overall Score	80.0	72.0
Effectiveness	90.0/100 Best	80.0/100
Ingredient Quality	80.0/100 Best	68.0/100
Value for Money	80.0/100 Best	72.0/100
Side Effects	80.0/100 Best	58.0/100
Certifications	80.0/100 Best	70.0/100
Best Price	£40.00 Holland & Barrett → Cheapest	£59.99 £58.00 Amazon UK → -3% deal
Form	None	N/A
Dose	None	N/A
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	4	14

Critical Mass Professional Lean ...

Pros

✓Rapid results: Users report visible muscle gain and strength increases within 2-4 weeks
✓Strong, enjoyable flavor that encourages consistent use
✓High caloric density (1,000+ calories) supports the caloric surplus needed for lean mass gain
✓Informed Sport registered and Halal certified—meets testing and dietary standards

Cons

✗Very high calorie content may lead to excess fat gain if training stimulus is insufficient
✗Strong flavor (per reviews) may be overwhelming for some users even at reduced portions
✗Not third-party tested beyond Informed Sport registration; lacks independent lab verification
✗High sugar content in standard formulation (though 'reduced sugar' variant exists); not suitable for strict carb-controlled diets

Best For

Hard gainers and ectomorphs seeking rapid lean mass and strength Athletes in high-volume training phases requiring caloric surplus Individuals prioritizing convenience and taste over minimal processing Users following halal dietary requirements

Holland & Barrett £40.00

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

Amazon UK -3% £59.99 £58.00

View full review →

Score Breakdown: Critical Mass Banana vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass

Critical Mass Banana Winner 80.0/100

Applied Nutrition Critical Mass Professional is a high-calorie lean mass gainer (1,000+ calories per serving) designed for hard gainers and athletes seeking rapid weight gain.

Effectiveness

Critical Mass Pr..

90.0/100

Optimum Nutritio..

80.0/100

Ingredient Quality

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Optimum Nutritio..

68.0/100

Value for Money

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Optimum Nutritio..

72.0/100

Side Effects

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Optimum Nutritio..

58.0/100

Certifications

Critical Mass Pr..

80.0/100

Optimum Nutritio..

70.0/100

What are the key differences?

Critical Mass Banana is best for: Hard gainers and ectomorphs seeking rapid lean mass and strength, Athletes in high-volume training phases requiring caloric surplus

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, Critical Mass Banana or Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass? ▼

Applied Nutrition Critical Mass wins with an 80/100 score versus Optimum Nutrition's 72/100, while costing £12.95 less at £40.00. Its superior ingredient quality (80 vs 68) and effectiveness (90 vs 80) make it the stronger option for most hard gainers. Choose Serious Mass only if you value Optimum Nutrition's long-established reputation or need a product with decades of proven loyalty behind it. Critical Mass Banana scores 80.0/100 overall while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass scores 72.0/100. Critical Mass Banana comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (90.0 vs 80.0). Critical Mass Banana is best suited for Hard gainers and ectomorphs seeking rapid lean mass and strength and Athletes in high-volume training phases requiring caloric surplus. 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 Critical Mass Banana worth the price compared to Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass? ▼

Critical Mass Banana costs £40.00 while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is £58.00. For value, Critical Mass Banana scores 80.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass's 72.0/100. Critical Mass Banana delivers better value relative to its quality.

Which has fewer side effects? ▼

Critical Mass Banana scores 80.0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass scores 58.0/100. Reviewers report fewer side effects with Critical Mass Banana. For certification and testing, Critical Mass Banana scores 80.0/100 vs Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass's 70.0/100. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.