Best Protein Bars Under 180 Calories
David Protein Bars win: 28g of protein for 150 calories, the best protein per calorie of any bar we list. For under $2 a bar as of July 2026, pick Kirkland Signature.
Top picks
Most protein per bar
David Protein Bar, Red Velvet28 g protein · 150 cal · 18.7 g per 100 cal
24 bars per listing.
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13 bars ranked by protein per calorie
- 28 g15018.7 g
- 12 g8015 g
- 24 g17014.1 g
- 20 g15013.3 g
- 12 g9013.3 g
- 13 g10013 g
- 22 g17012.9 g
- 20 g16012.5 g
- 21 g17012.4 g
- 17 g14012.1 g
- 10 g9011.1 g
- 16 g16010 g
- 12 g1707.1 g
Why David wins
Most bars that pass land at 20g for 160 to 170 calories. David gets 28g into 150. The catch is price: about $3.25 a bar as of July 2026, nearly twice a Kirkland bar.
170-calorie bars
Quest, ONE, FULFIL and Kirkland pass, but at 160 to 170 calories they spend almost the whole budget. Fine if it's the bar you like. Not efficient.
Savory bars
Epic meat bars are small, 11g to 13g, but at 80 to 100 calories they beat most sweet bars on protein per calorie. Pick one when you're done with chocolate.
Vegan bars
- PBfit Peanut Butter Chocolate: 24g, 170 calories. The pick.
- Amrita: 12g, 90 calories, nut-free.
- Lenny & Larry's Cookie-fied: 12g for 160 calories. Skip it.
Meal bars
Bars sold as meal bars score worst. Special K and Atkins meal bars land at 7 to 10g of protein per 100 calories, half of David. Under 180 calories it's a snack anyway. More sweet options in sweet high protein snacks.
How we rank
Every product here lists more than 8g protein, 180 calories or fewer per serving. Anything that misses either line is out, with no exceptions.
We rank by protein per 100 calories, using the protein, calories and price on the Amazon listing as last checked on Nov 5, 2026. Listings whose numbers can't all be true are held back until we check the label. Confirm the live listing and the package before you buy.
180cal earns a commission on Amazon purchases. It never changes which products pass or how they rank.
Questions about protein bars under 180 calories
What is the best protein bar under 180 calories?
David Protein Bars, at 28g of protein for 150 calories. No other bar we list comes close on protein per calorie.
Can a protein bar have 20g or more protein and stay under 180 calories?
Yes. David bars list 28g for 150 calories, and Kirkland, Quest, ONE and FULFIL bars list 20g to 22g for 160 to 170 calories.
What is the cheapest good protein bar under 180 calories?
Kirkland Signature bars, at about $1.84 a bar as of July 2026 for 22g of protein and 170 calories. Prices move, so check the live listing.
What is the best vegan protein bar under 180 calories?
PBfit Peanut Butter Chocolate (24g, 170 calories). Amrita is the lighter, nut-free option at 12g for 90 calories.
Is a meat bar a protein bar?
Close enough for the job. Epic meat bars list 11g to 13g of protein for 80 to 100 calories, which beats most sweet bars on protein per calorie.
What should I check besides protein and calories?
Serving size, sweeteners, allergens and package count. Confirm the live Amazon listing and the package label before you buy.