Whatever brought you here in search of a dependable milk substitute, you probably have a good reason. Plant-based milk alternatives (often called “mylks”) can run up to double the cost of conventional dairy milk, according to a 2021 Food Dive report.
Maybe you’ve discovered a lactose intolerance or you’re simply exploring new flavors for a plant-forward diet. No matter why you’re hunting for the ideal milk replacement, this roundup will point you in the right direction. Having spent much of the past five years sampling nearly every mylk on the market, I’ve picked up a few insights about which brands and types taste best, how they work in recipes, and what they cost. Here’s our concise guide to the eight best milk alternatives.
What’s the Story Behind Plant Milks?
Before we highlight our chosen milk alternatives, it’s useful to know a little about the plant milk market, which sheds light on why these beverages can be pricey and also why they’re so widely available today.
One major factor is that companies making plant milks must invest heavily in processing, packaging, and advertising to make their products successful. Conversely, the same researchers behind the Food Dive analysis point out that dairy firms often underinvest in R&D and tend to underprice their products. In short: plant-based milk prices often reflect accurate market margins, not just inflated costs.
One thing is clear: the plant milk sector is booming. In 2021, plant-based milks represented 16% of retail milk dollar sales, totaling $2.6 billion, per the Plant Based Foods Association.
Growth doesn’t appear to be slowing. Those figures show a 33% increase for the category over three years, part of a broader uptick as nearly 79 million U.S. households now buy plant-based foods.
All of which means: if you’re opting for plant milk, you’re far from alone. Below are some favorites to consider on your next grocery run.
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Quick Look: Top Plant Milks
Best for Health Buffs: Pacific Foods Soy Milk Unsweetened Original
Best for Gluten Sensitivities: Almond Breeze Original Unsweetened Almond Milk
Best Eco-Conscious Choice: Pacific Foods Hemp Unsweetened Original Beverage
Best for Cooking: Silk Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk
Best for Coffee: Silk Original Oatmilk
Best in Smoothies: SO Delicious Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Best with Cookies: Great Value Extra Creamy Oat Milk
Best to Drink Straight: Silk Nextmilk
Best for Health Buffs: Pacific Foods Soy Milk
Price: $3.79 per 32 ounces
If you want a nutritious alternative to cow’s milk, soy milk is a solid option. Nutritionally, it closely mirrors dairy milk. Pacific Foods’ Unsweetened Original soy beverage, roughly $3.79 for 32 ounces, provides about 16% of your daily recommended protein and around 10% of your potassium needs.
Pricey as it may seem, this soy milk tastes great and is highly versatile — perfect for baking, cereal, or cooking. I appreciate that some of their packaging comes in compact, shelf-stable containers, so you can stock up and open them when needed without refrigeration.
Note: soy can be difficult for some people to digest. If you have that issue, opt for a gentler alternative.
Best for Gluten Sensitivities: Almond Breeze Original
Price: $3.79 per 64 ounces
For those who need to avoid gluten, Almond Breeze Original Unsweetened Almond Milk is a dependable pick. While most almond milks naturally avoid gluten, this brand is a long-standing industry name you can trust to minimize accidental exposure.
It’s also genuinely tasty — a staple of almond-product makers. Priced around $3.79 for a half gallon, Almond Breeze comes in flavors like vanilla and chocolate or an extra creamy variant. We favor the unsweetened original for its flexibility; it’s lighter-bodied and works well in recipes where you don’t want an overly rich milk.
Best Eco-Conscious Choice: Pacific Foods Hemp Unsweetened Original Beverage
Price: $3.80 per 32 ounces
You’ve probably heard the environmental critiques: almond milk is water-heavy, soy cultivation can be linked to deforestation. While every option has trade-offs, hemp milk stands out as an eco-friendlier choice.
Hemp is a low-maintenance crop that uses much of the plant and can improve soil health, which is why it ranks highly for sustainability. Pacific Foods’ hemp milk has a pleasantly nutty flavor and creamy mouthfeel that I enjoy. At about $3.80 per 32 ounces, it sits toward the higher end of the price range.
Best for Cooking: Silk Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk
Price: $4.49 per 64 ounces
If you plan to make creamy soups, sauces, or custards, pick a higher-fat plant milk like Silk’s Organic Unsweetened Soy Milk, around $4.49 per half gallon.
It’s adaptable for both sweet baking and savory dishes, and its smooth flavor means it won’t overpower other ingredients.
Best for Coffee: Silk Original Oatmilk
Price: $5.49 per 64 ounces
I drink a lot of coffee and have tested many plant milks in homemade lattes. The Silk Original Oatmilk is the standout: mildly sweet and very creamy, it complements everything from a dirty chai to a simple morning cup.
Among the options listed, this one wins on taste for me and is a near-constant presence in my fridge. At about $5.49 per half gallon, it’s not cheap, but it’s still less costly than daily coffee shop visits.
Best in Smoothies: SO Delicious Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk
Price: $6.49 per 64 ounces
If you enjoy coconut’s flavor, this coconut milk is excellent for smoothies and blended drinks (hello, Piña Colada!). Because coconut adds natural sweetness, I prefer the unsweetened version, which also boasts 120% of your DV for Vitamin B12.
You can typically find this coconut milk for about $6.49 per half gallon.
Best with Cookies: Great Value Extra Creamy Oat Milk
Price: $3.79 per 59 ounces
Some classic milk-and-cookie combos are hard to replicate with plant milks, but Walmart’s Great Value Extra Creamy Oat Milk gets surprisingly close.
One big draw is the price: currently around $3.78 for 59 ounces, it’s far less expensive than many competitors. True to its name, it delivers an extra creamy profile that’s perfect for dunking cookies.
Best to Drink Straight: Silk Nextmilk
Price: $5.89 per 59 ounces
If you just want a drink that tastes like conventional milk, Silk Nextmilk is crafted for that purpose. This blend of oat, coconut, and soy, plus added vitamins, is the closest plant-based approximation of milk that I’ve tried.
Available in full-fat and reduced-fat versions for about $5.89 per 59 ounces, it’s excellent for drinking plain, pouring over cereal, or using in recipes where you’d typically use dairy milk.
Contributor Emma Cole focuses on finance, real estate, and lifestyle content. She is a frequent contributor to Savinly.
