Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake and Huel Black Edition both deliver 400 calories and roughly 30 to 40g of protein per serving, but they are not sold in the same market: Bulk is priced in British pounds for UK and EU customers only, and Huel's prices here are US dollars. We are not converting currencies or claiming one is cheaper. What we can compare directly is what is actually on each label.
The Quick Comparison
| Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake | Huel Black Edition | Huel Powder v3.1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMRS Score | Not scored (not in our tracked lineup) | 7.2 | 7.2 (Huel brand score) |
| Availability | UK/EU only, no US store | US (brand-direct) | US (brand-direct) |
| Price | £2.14 per serving | $3.53 one-time / $2.65 sub | $2.94 one-time / $2.21 sub |
| Calories | 400 | 400 | 400 |
| Protein | 30g | 40g | 30g |
| Fiber | 9.6g | 11g (from 9g depending on flavor) | 11g |
| Sugar | 2.3g | 3g added (coconut sugar) | 0g added |
Huel's full review is here: the truth about Huel. Bulk 1 does not currently have its own BMRS review or score in our lineup.
A Note on Price: We Are Not Converting Currencies
Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake is sold in British pounds at £2.14 per serving and, as far as we can find, has no US store. Huel's prices in this article are US dollar prices checked on Huel's US site. Converting one into the other and declaring a winner would require assuming an exchange rate and ignoring local cost-of-living and retail differences, so we are not doing that. If you are shopping from the UK or EU, compare Bulk's £2.14 against local Huel pricing on Huel's UK site directly rather than against the US figures here.
Protein and Calories: Close, With Huel Black Edition Ahead
All three shakes land at 400 calories per serving. Huel Black Edition has the most protein at 40g, using pea and brown rice protein. Bulk 1 and Huel Powder v3.1 are tied at 30g protein each, Bulk 1 from a pea isolate, pumpkin seed, chickpea and navy bean blend, and Huel Powder v3.1 from pea and brown rice. If maximum protein at 400 calories is the goal, Huel Black Edition's 40g is the highest number in this comparison.
Fiber: All Three Are Strong, Huel Slightly Ahead
Bulk 1 delivers 9.6g of fiber per serving. Both Huel products disclose 11g (Black Edition notes this can run from 9g depending on flavor). All three are meaningfully higher in fiber than most ready-to-drink shakes on the market, and the gap between them, under 1.5g, is not large enough to be the deciding factor on its own.
Sugar
Bulk 1 discloses 2.3g of sugar per serving and uses sucralose as its sweetener. Huel Black Edition discloses 3g of added sugar from organic coconut sugar plus stevia, no sucralose. Huel Powder v3.1 discloses 0g added sugar and uses sucralose. If avoiding sucralose specifically matters to you, Huel Black Edition is the only one of the three that does not use it.
Vitamin Forms: Bulk 1 Edges Ahead
This is where Bulk 1 stands out. Its label lists 5-methylfolate for folate (though the summary table on the label says "folic acid," the ingredients list itself declares 5-methylfolate), methylcobalamin for B12 at 200% of the UK reference intake, a vegan D3 at 100% RI, and K2 as MK-7 at 30% RI, across 23 vitamins and minerals. Note that Bulk 1's percentages use UK reference intakes, not US Daily Values, so they are not directly comparable to the DV percentages on Huel's US labels even where the nutrient form is the same.
Huel Black Edition uses L-methylfolate calcium for folate (20% DV), cyanocobalamin for B12 (33% DV, the more common and lower-cost form), a D2/D3 blend (20% DV), and K2 MK-7 (33% DV). Huel Powder v3.1 does not name its folate form on the label, uses cyanocobalamin for B12, the same vitamin D blend, and K2 MK-7.
On methylated B12 (methylcobalamin versus cyanocobalamin) specifically, Bulk 1 uses the methylated form and both Huel products use cyanocobalamin. On folate, Bulk 1's ingredient list names 5-methylfolate directly; Huel Black Edition uses L-methylfolate calcium, a similar active form, while Powder v3.1 does not disclose its folate form at all.
What Bulk 1 Adds That Huel Doesn't
Bulk 1 includes several functional additions not found on either Huel label: KSM-66 ashwagandha at 300mg, maca, a DigeZyme digestive enzyme blend, a LactoSpore probiotic strain, and lutein plus zeaxanthin. Huel Black Edition includes its own probiotic (Bacillus coagulans) and a green tea extract, so both brands add functional ingredients beyond the base macros, just different ones.
Verdict by Use Case
Best for UK/EU shoppers wanting advanced vitamin forms
Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake, on the strength of methylcobalamin B12, 5-methylfolate, and the ashwagandha and probiotic additions, all at a price only available in that market.
Best for US shoppers, and best for maximum protein
Huel Black Edition, at 40g protein per serving with a documented US subscription price of $2.65. See how it stacks up against other high scorers in Huel vs Soylent and Huel vs Garden of Life.
Best for US shoppers on a tighter budget
Huel Powder v3.1 at $2.21 per serving on subscription, still 400 calories and 30g protein, matching Bulk 1's protein count. For a broader price view across the category, see our meal replacement price index.
Best for avoiding sucralose
Huel Black Edition. Both Bulk 1 and Huel Powder v3.1 use sucralose. If plant-based protein sourcing matters more than sweetener choice, our plant-based shakes roundup covers all three of these categories side by side, and Orgain vs Huel is another US-only comparison worth reading alongside this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy Bulk 1 Complete Food Shake in the US?
We could not find a US store for it. It appears to be sold only in the UK and EU, priced in British pounds.
Is Bulk 1 cheaper than Huel?
We cannot say. Bulk 1 is priced in pounds (£2.14 per serving) for the UK/EU market and Huel's prices here are US dollars for the US market. Comparing them would require an exchange rate assumption and does not account for local pricing differences, so we are not making that comparison.
Does Bulk 1 have more protein than Huel?
No. Bulk 1 has 30g of protein per serving, matching Huel Powder v3.1 but 10g less than Huel Black Edition's 40g.
Which has better vitamin forms, Bulk 1 or Huel?
Bulk 1 uses methylcobalamin for B12 and 5-methylfolate for folate, both active forms. Huel Black Edition uses cyanocobalamin and L-methylfolate calcium. Note Bulk 1's percentages are UK reference intakes, not US Daily Values.
Does Bulk 1 have ashwagandha?
Yes, 300mg of KSM-66 ashwagandha per serving, along with maca, a digestive enzyme blend and a probiotic strain. Neither Huel product lists ashwagandha.
Is Bulk 1 vegan?
Its vitamin D is specifically listed as vegan D3, and its protein sources (pea, pumpkin seed, chickpea, navy bean) are all plant-based, consistent with a vegan formulation, though we recommend checking the current label for full certification claims.
Bottom Line
Huel and Bulk 1 are close on macros, both delivering 400 calories with 30 to 40g of protein and 9.6 to 11g of fiber. The real differentiator is vitamin sophistication and market: Bulk 1 uses active B12 and folate forms and adds ashwagandha and probiotics, but it is only available in the UK and EU. US shoppers should compare Huel Black Edition (highest protein) against Huel Powder v3.1 (lower price) rather than trying to price-match against Bulk 1's pound-denominated cost.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, managing a health condition or taking medication.
