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I really enjoy making homemade almond milk, yet I don’t always have time to do it. I’ve bought so many brands over the years, and decided it’s time to compare them and decide which ones are truly the best. With the help of my awesome friends, I compiled an in-depth review on the best almond milk brands you can buy.
The amount of almond milk brands in grocery stores have exploded the past decade. As we buy more plant-based products, grocery stores continue to add more products. I can’t help but smile as I watch the almond milk, cashew milk and oat milks push cow’s milk out more and more.
Rating System for Almond Milk Brands
As you’ll see from the scoresheet below, almond milk is not all the same. Many brands add fillers, gum, fortify with vitamins, and alter taste with “natural flavors” to modify the true flavor. Our blind taste test helped us focus on flavor without a bias. We also dug into the actual ingredients and nutritional panel to decide what was really going on, too.
Here’s the main factors I used to rank the best store-bought almond milk brands:
- Ingredients: Just because the branding looks clean, attractive and healthy, it doesn’t mean the ingredients tell the same story. We compared ingredient lists and raised flags when gums and super long ingredients were listed.
- Taste: Does it have a pleasing and rich flavor that is appropriate for almond milk? Blind taste-testing was a game-changer when it came to comparing the taste of a variety of milk. Some were bitter, others were sweet. And some were just funky. We took all this into account when rating each brand.
- Texture: Is its smooth or gritty? Does the texture change with each sip?
- Packing: Eco-friendly packaging also gave certain brands a boost. If a brand used recyclable materials or had B-Corp status then they got bonus points.
With the scoring system, you can see how almond milk brands stack up when tested side by side. We focused on unsweetened and unflavored varieties, which I recommend using all the time. We rated them based on quality of ingredients, taste, texture and sustainable packaging.
Best Almond Milk Brands Results
Making the switch to a plant-based diet can be exciting— and almond milk is a versatile and delicious addition. With so many great brands available, you’re sure to find one you love. Yet to save you some money and time, I’ve compiled the top 10 brands you can buy and feel good about.
Elmhurst Milked Almonds
score: 88/100 | cost: $6.49
Elmhurst only uses almonds and water – no weird gums or thickeners – and their special way of making it (something called HydroRelease) makes it super creamy and flavorful without any extra stuff. Plus, they use a ton of almonds, so it’s actually nutritious and tastes way richer than other brands.
Thrive Market Organic Almond
score: 87/100 | cost: $3.39
Made with simple, organic ingredients at a fraction of the cost. Plus, it’s super creamy and has a naturally delicious almond flavor without any added sugars or weird stuff. Since it’s from Thrive Market, you can get it delivered right to your door, which is super convenient.
Three Trees Organic Almond
score: 86/100 | cost: $7.49
They use just a few simple, organic ingredients, and you can really taste the difference – it’s so pure and subtly sweet. The texture is amazing too, really creamy and not watery like some other brands. It’s a bit pricier, but if you’re looking for a high-quality, clean, and incredibly tasty almond milk, Three Trees is totally worth it.
Silk Organic Almond
score: 85/100 | cost: $5.49
This is a great everyday option, made with organic almonds and has a smooth, creamy texture that works perfectly in everything from coffee to smoothies. It’s widely available in most grocery stores, making it super convenient to pick up. While it might not be as “clean” ingredient-wise as some smaller brands, it’s still a good organic choice that’s consistently good and readily accessible.
365 Organic Original Almond
score: 84/100 | cost: $3.29
This is a great organic milk that has a nice, mild almond flavor that works well in just about anything – cereal, coffee, baking, you name it. While it might not be as fancy as some other brands, it’s a solid, reliable option that’s easy on the wallet, especially if you’re already shopping at Whole Foods.
Good & Gather Unsweetened Almond Milk
score: 82/100 | cost: $2.59
Good & Gather Unsweetened Almond Milk is a decent, budget-friendly option if you’re shopping at Target. It’s not the most flavorful or creamy almond milk out there – it’s a bit thinner and the almond taste is pretty mild – but it works fine for things like smoothies or cereal.
Sprouts Organic Original Almond
score: 81/100 | cost: $3.99
Sprouts Organic Original Almond Milk is a pretty solid, middle-of-the-road option. It’s organic, which is a plus, and it’s usually reasonably priced, especially if you catch it on sale at Sprouts. The flavor is not great, but the texture is okay. It’s a good, high-quality choice for everyday use in things like coffee or smoothies, but it’s not going to blow you away with its flavor or creaminess.
Better Goods Almondmilk Original
score: 80/100 | cost: $2.44
Better Goods Almondmilk Original is a decent, no-frills almond milk option. It’s the affordable Walmart option. It’s a pretty basic almond milk – the flavor is mild, and the texture is okay, not super creamy but not watery either. It works fine for everyday uses like adding to cereal or using in recipes, but it’s not going to be the star of the show.
Pacific Foods Organic Almond
score: 80/100 | cost: $2.59
Pacific Foods Organic Almond Milk is a decent, widely available option, but the flavor is not there. I wouldn’t drink this alone– ever. On the plus side, it’s organic and you can find it in most grocery stores, making it convenient. The texture is okay, though sometimes it can be a bit thin.
Califia Farms Almondmilk
score: 79/100 | cost: $3.97
I’m sorry– I know many people love Califia BUT it’s not exactly top-tier almond milk when it comes to taste. The taste and texture can be a little thin and slightly off putting. It’ll work for basic uses like smoothies or baked goods, but if you’re looking for a rich and creamy almond milk with a legit almond flavor, there are better options out there.
Common Questions
The healthiest almond milks on the market are the ones with the most limited ingredient list. Elmhurst and Three Trees really stand out with their super clean ingredients.There are several brands that contain just almonds and water without any extra gums or fillers. Make sure to always read the nutrition label so you know exactly what ingredients are in your preferred brand.
As with any food, you can have too much of a good thing! Almond milk is not a great source of protein and can be filled with lots of gums and other additives to help with the flavor and texture. In recent years, the public has been made increasingly aware of the farming and processing practices of almonds and there has been much discussion and debate on the amount of water and pesticides used. If this is a concern for you, definitely do your homework to determine which milk brand most closely aligns with your beliefs.
Based on our blind review of 22 brands, we determined that Silk Almond Unsweetened milk is the best tasting one on the market. Yes— it beat everyone with taste. It doesn’t not have the highest-quality ingredient list yet we all gave it highest marks for flavor and texture.
If your favorite almond milk brand didn’t make our top 10, let me know in the comments below. We tested 22 brands we could find in Tampa Bay grocery stores and online. We highlighted the top-rated in this report. Yet I’m sure there are more out there and I’d love to give them a chance to make the Top 10 Best Almond Milk Brands List!
More Plant-Based Milk Brands
Now that you know which almond milk brands to buy, why not expand your horizons with these additional plant-based milk buying guides:
If you’re interested in plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
I have wanted to make my own nut milk; however, I do like that the almond milk I use is fortified with calcium. Having osteoporosis, I need all the calcium I can get! I rate my milks based on calcium content and ingredients. Since it is mainly used in a smoothie, the taste plain isn’t a huge factor.
Informative article! I always make my own! It’s very easy, fast, economical, and you add what you like. I only make two cups at a time to keep fresh. Organic almonds, filtered water, and your choice of sweetener. I really like using a good quality maple syrup as it is a natural binder and keeps the milk smooth and creamy! I like to control my own ingredients.
We do too, Kay. Love that you’re already a DIY almond milk rawkstar! Homemade is the very best – we agree. 🙂
Greetings.
I use alternative milks in my smoothies. I don’t like all of the fillers in diary and alternative beverages that are used in commercial brands. So, I appreciate the above breakdown of your research. I usually make my own oat and almond milks. So economical.
I haven’t tried all the above-mentioned brands, but last year I did try the Elmhurst. I grew up in New York, and I’m familiar with the brand. I ordered their sample box, and I really liked the quality, texture, and taste of the almond, oat, and cashew milks. They are a little expensive but I think it is worth it! Elmhurst is excellent!! Give it a try if it’s available in your area.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Have a nice day.
Love that you go for your own plant based milk options Deborah! We’re big fans of Elmhurst around here too, so we totally agree with you! 🙂
I like my milk to have the same consistency as 2% Lactaid. Is there an almond milk like that?
I didn’t know that shelf stable and refrigerated brands were practically the same. This is helpful! Thanks for updating this every year.
Very helpful..Thank you!
I am curious why you didn’t rate on actual ingredients? Some plant based mills have many ingredients in addition to almonds and water.
You’re totally right Kristina! Since the actual ingredients in almond milk vary wildly from brand to brand, we decided to focus on rating them based on what was common amongst them – taste, quality and packaging. We advocate for everyone to read labels for sure and check to see if a particular brand’s ingredients work for your needs.
Lab coat Jen cracks me up! Thanks for the updated lists and info.
This is so helpful! I honestly thought Mylk would be the best because it’s so expensive! Good to know it’s not worth the price!
Love Elmhurst! Thanks for sharing!!