Dymatize Super Mass Gainer vs Basic Mass Gainer

If you train hard, eat what feels like a lot and still cannot put weight on, a mass gainer is the shortcut most people land on. Two tubs that often end up on the same shortlist are Dymatize Super Mass Gainer and Basic Mass Gainer. On paper they look similar. Up close, they suit slightly different people.

The short answer

• Pick Dymatize Super Mass Gainer if you want the biggest calorie hit per shake, a whey and casein protein blend and a small dose of creatine built in.
• Pick Basic Mass Gainer if you want a slightly lower-calorie shake with a more varied carb base and a lower price on the tub.
• On protein, it is basically a tie: 52g vs 50g per serve.
• First time on a gainer? Buy the 6lb size of either and see how your stomach handles it before committing to a big bag.

Dymatize Super Mass Gainer

Super Mass Gainer is built for lifters who struggle to gain weight from food alone. Each serve gives you 1,280 calories and 52g of protein. The protein comes from a blend of fast whey (concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate) and slow-digesting micellar casein, so you get a quick hit after training and a steadier release after that.

There is also a small dose of creatine monohydrate in every serve. That is a nice bonus, though if you already take creatine separately you do not need to stack more on top.

Sizes are simple. The 6lb tub holds 8 servings and is the trial or starter size. The 12lb Gourmet Vanilla comes in a stand-up resealable bag with 16 servings, and there is a 12lb Rich Chocolate too.

Who it suits: the true hard gainer who needs every calorie they can get, and anyone who likes the idea of a near meal replacement shake with casein for staying power.

Basic Mass Gainer

Basic Mass Gainer is aimed at the same crowd: people who train hard, eat plenty and still struggle to put on size. Each serve delivers 50g of protein on top of 190g of carbs for over 1,000 calories.

Where it stands out is the carb base. It is not just sugar and maltodextrin. Maltodextrin is blended with sweet potato starch, quinoa and oat fibre, and the formula adds MCTs, coconut and flaxseed powders. The protein is a multi-source Glanbia whey and milk protein blend, and the whole thing is third-party tested with low heavy metals.

It comes in a 6lb size and a big 15lb Chocolate size, with Chocolate, Vanilla and Cookie N Cream flavours.

Who it suits: someone who wants a big shake but prefers a more varied carb blend, and anyone watching the price per kilo.

Side by side

Most of the extra 250 calories in a Dymatize shake come from carbs: 245g per serve against 190g, with almost the same protein. Here is how the rest of the label, the flavours and the reviews compare.

Sizes and price

Prices below are what we charged on 23 September 2026, so check the product page for today's price.

For Dymatize, that works out to roughly $10 per 1,000 calories in the 6lb tub and about $8 in the 12lb bag. For Basic, the 6lb holds 10 serves and the 15lb holds 26, which works out to about $9 per 1,000 calories in the 6lb and about $7 in the 15lb. Either way, the bigger sizes are the better value once you know you like the product. To compare every gainer we carry, see our ranking of gainers by price per 1,000 calories.

Which to buy

Go Dymatize if calories per shake is the number you care about most, if you like the idea of casein keeping you full, and if you are happy to pay a little more per kilo.

Go Basic if you want a cheaper tub, a carb base that is more than just maltodextrin, and a product that is third-party tested.

One honest tip whichever you choose: you do not have to drink a full serve in one sitting. Half a serve twice a day is often easier, and it still adds a lot of calories. If you are unsure whether you need a gainer at all, our guide to gainer vs whey and DIY shakes will help.

For how much to drink and when, see how to use a mass gainer. Building a full muscle gain stack? Our build muscle supplements range is mostly protein powders, with gainers and creatine too.

Where NZ Supps fits

You can compare both brands side by side in our Dymatize gainers and Basic Supplements gainers collections, or browse all mass gainers in one place. Want more on either brand? Head to Basic Supplements NZ or read the Basic Supplements guide.

Orders over $70 ship free, which a single tub of either gainer clears on its own.

FAQ

Which has more calories, Dymatize Super Mass Gainer or Basic Mass Gainer? Dymatize Super Mass Gainer lists 1,280 calories per serve, while Basic Mass Gainer lists over 1,000 calories per serve. Both are big shakes, so the gap matters less than whether you can actually finish one.

Which mass gainer has more protein? They are close. Dymatize has 52g of protein per serve from whey and micellar casein, and Basic has 50g from a whey and milk protein blend. In real terms that difference is negligible.

Is Basic Mass Gainer just sugar? No. Its carb base blends maltodextrin with sweet potato starch, quinoa and oat fibre, and it adds MCTs, coconut and flaxseed powders. It is also third-party tested for heavy metals.

Can I take half a serve of a mass gainer? Yes, and many people should. A full serve is a lot of food in one go. Splitting it into two smaller shakes, or using half a serve alongside meals, is often easier on your stomach and still adds useful calories.

Which size mass gainer should I buy? If you are trying a gainer for the first time, grab a 6lb tub to check you like the flavour and can stomach it. Once you know it works, the 12lb or 15lb sizes are cheaper per kilo.