12 Best Protein Powders of 2024, We Tested them All So You Don’t Have To

Whether your goal is to build muscle or lose a few pounds, consuming enough protein is a must for success. Protein powders provide an easy way to boost your daily intake, helping you stay on track. But with so many protein shakes out there, which are the best whey proteins worth picking up and which ones should stay on the shelf?

Don’t just take the advice of the most muscular person in the locker room (no disrespect). You should be looking for a product that has the right macronutrients, isn’t loaded with useless additives, and also tastes good. Keeping track of all this may seem like a massive job but our team of product testers and personal trainers tried more than 100 of the best vegan protein powders, wheys, and more to narrow down our favorite products. Here’s our list of the best protein powders.

Best Protein Powders

• Best Protein Powder Overall: Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
• Best Tasting Protein Powder: Xwerks Grow
• Best Protein Powder for Men: Jacked Factory Authentic ISO
• Best Organic Protein Powder: KOS Organic Plant Protein
• Best Whey Protein Powder: Onnit Whey Protein
• Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Ritual Essential Shake Daily 18+
• Best Vegan Protein Powder (Plant Based): Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein Powder
• Best Protein Powder for Women: Legion Whey+
• Best Protein Powder for Smoothies: Momentous Whey Protein Isolate
• Best Protein Powder for Weight Gain: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer
• Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Nutricost Whey Protein Powder
• Best Pea Protein Powder: Ladder Plant Protein

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor or nutritionist before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. 

Best Protein Powders Video

You can also check out this video from BarBend, where former Nutrition Editor Nick English goes over a variety of protein powders and their benefits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnIBmAWa5dE

Best Protein Powder Overall: Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate

What makes a great protein powder? Well, the answer is subjective, but we think clean and effective ingredients should do the trick. This pick combines whey protein isolate with a blend of digestive enzymes, so you can enjoy each scoop with minimal digestive unrest.

Transparent Labs (TL) has a lean formula with only 120 to 150 calories per serving, including one to three grams of carbs, half two two and a half grams of fat, and 28 grams of protein. Considering this is among the highest protein per serving (other whey supplements usually have 20 grams to 25 grams), the formulation ranked pretty well.

“While the formulation varies slightly between flavors, the core formula remains the same,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “Based on the amount of whey protein, Himalayan rock salt, stevia, and natural flavors, Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate scores a 4.5 out of 5 for its formulation.” 

This whey isolate also has no artificial sweeteners, whereas most others often include ingredients like sucralose. Plus, it’s made with milk from grass-fed cows and includes digestive enzymes to help limit stomach discomfort. And our testers experienced zero unwanted side effects. 

We also gave TL a 5 out of 5 for flavor, both thanks to the variety and taste. You can choose from 12 different options, including an Unflavored tub for those who love mixing their protein with other ingredients. “The Peppermint Hot Chocolate is seasonal but I enjoyed it,” our tester, also a certified personal trainer, said. “If I’d heated it up and added marshmallows, it would be identical to real hot chocolate.” So, around the holidays, be on the lookout for unique flavors.

After mixing the powder with water in a shaker bottle, we noticed zero clumping, floaties, or settling. This is a big priority, especially for those who don’t want to spend time taking out and cleaning their blender. So, we gave this product a 5 out of 5 for solubility. 

We liked Transparent Labs’ third-party testing and “they have amazing customer service,” according to our tester, earning a 5 out of 5 in that category, too. Unfortunately, though, this protein is a little pricey, compared to other options on the market. One serving costs about $1.99, whereas most others are around $1.50 per serving (or less). So, we had to give this product a 3.5 out of 5 in the price per serving category. 

Read our full Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate Review.

Best Tasting Protein Powder: Xwerks Grow

You may not purchase a protein powder solely for the taste, but when you’re on your 16th shake of the month, it had better still taste good. With Xwerks Grow 100% grass-fed whey protein isolate, flavor definitely isn’t a problem.

“This is among the most flavorful protein powders I’ve ever tried,” our tester, a certified personal trainer, says. “The chocolate tastes just like protein chocolate milk. Need I say more?” XWERKS’ protein has a milkshake-rich taste and offers all the must-have flavor options, including Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter, and Strawberry. After trying the formula ourselves, we had to give it a 5 out of 5 for flavor. 

XWERKS Grow comes with a really solid nutritional breakdown, too. One scoop is only 110 calories, including 25 grams of high-quality protein and only 1 gram of carbs. We also like that XWERKS uses milk from grass-fed cows and no artificial sweeteners. “XWERKS Grow scores a 4.5 out of 5 for its formulation, with high marks for its protein content and natural sweeteners,” Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, said. 

Our testers gave this formula a 5 out of 5 for solubility at all. “After mixing it in a shaker cup, I had no issues with solubility at all,” they say. “It’s so smooth and I barely even needed to use a shaker. I think a spoon would suffice.”

We did have to give XWERKS a 2.5 out of 5 for third-party testing, though, as the company doesn’t mention any kind of research or lab testing. Considering it has a $1.96 per serving price point, we do wish there was at least some third-party research involved. Our team gave this protein a 3.5 out of 5 for price — at $59 for a 30-serving tub, you can definitely find less expensive options.

Read our full Xwerks Grow Review.

Best Protein Powder for Men: Jacked Factory Authentic ISO

Let’s be totally honest, there’s no one protein powder that’s better for one gender over another — we all need protein. But considering many male athletes enjoy supplements that prioritize muscle gain, we think this formula is a great option. And it goes without saying, this pick can work for any athlete who wants a high-protein powder.

After close review, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN gave this formula an overall 4.25 out of 5. This protein is pretty low in calories, with as few as 110 calories per scoop, including 25-27 grams of protein, half to one and a half grams of fat, and only one gram of carbs. So, this is definitely a protein-dominant supplement. We don’t love, however, that Jacked Factory uses sucralose to sweeten their powder, as it can cause digestive issues for some athletes.

Jacked Factory offers a good flavor variety, from Blueberry Muffin to Cinnamon French Toast. “The Fruity Cereal Splash tastes a lot like Froot Loops,” our tester, a certified personal trainer, said, giving the flavor a 4 out of 5. “I enjoyed the flavor, though the aftertaste was a tiny bit odd but it didn’t make me dislike the flavor.” 

Unfortunately, we had to dock this powder a little for solubility. “This powder mixes really easily but I did see a little separation,” our tester says, giving it a 4 out of 5 for mixability. “It’s nothing too noticeable, though.” 

This supplement is among the most price-friendly, earning a 5 out of 5 for price per serving. One 30-serving container costs $39.99, which is only about $1.33. For a grass-fed protein, this is a pretty low price point, considering most other grass-fed proteins are close to $2 per serving.

Best Organic Protein Powder: KOS Organic Plant Protein

Some supplements can be filled with artificial sugars, fillers, and dyes. But KOS’ Plant Protein is totally USDA Organic, made with whole-food-based ingredients and no animal byproducts. 

“KOS Organic Plant Protein scores 4.75 out of 5 for its formulation,” Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, said. “I’m a fan of the ingredients used and the macro breakdown.” It’s a little more calorie-dense than others at 160 calories per serving. That’s because it’s higher in carbs (six to nine grams per serving) and fat (six to seven grams per serving) than many whey protein powders. 

We do wish there was a little more total protein — you only get 20 grams per serving here, whereas others usually back about 25 grams per serving. For some athletes, this may not be enough protein for post-workout recovery. In that case, a whey option may be better.

However, we do like the clean ingredients and superfoods KOS uses, including chia seeds, shiitake mushrooms, and flax seed. This whole-food-based formula uses only organic ingredients, blending pea protein and pumpkin seed protein. KOS also includes digestive enzymes, ideal for athletes who may experience some stomach issues after drinking protein. Plus, this formula includes 11 percent of your daily recommended value of fiber, which isn’t common with other protein powders. KOS also sweetens with monk fruit instead of artificial sugars.

“As someone who doesn’t follow a plant-based diet, this is one of the best vegan proteins I’ve tried,” our tester said, giving the flavor a 4 out of 5. “I usually sip on whey and this definitely tastes different, but not necessarily in a bad way. The chocolate is rich even when mixed with water.”

Our team of experts also liked the price point for this powder. At about $1.42 per serving (this may vary slightly, depending on the flavor you choose), KOS Organic Plant Protein is among the cheaper options, earning a 4.5 out of 5 for price per serve. One 28-serving container costs $39.98 and it’s available on Amazon Prime, so it can get delivered quickly. 

Read our full KOS Vegan Protein Review.

Best Whey Protein Powder: Onnit Grass-Fed Whey

Whey certainly isn’t the only protein powder out there. But if you’re looking for a supplement that’s high in protein with few other macros, whey is a solid bet. And considering Onnit’s whey is made with milk from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows, it’s among the highest quality. 

One scoop of this protein is only 110 calories, including 20 grams of protein, two grams of fat, and five grams of carbs. “Onnit Whey Protein scores a 4.5 out of 5 for its formula, in my opinion,” Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, said. “The macro ratio is on point for its goals, and the enzyme blend is intriguing.”

We love that Onnit uses grass-fed whey and includes digestive enzymes to help keep your tummy happy. “I’ve tried this protein more than once and never noticed any unwanted side effects,” our tester, a certified personal trainer, says. However, for athletes who want a protein-heavy formulation, other brands do offer some more protein density, with 25 grams (or more) per serving.

“I tried the Mexican Chocolate and I do think it was unique from other chocolate proteins,” our tester said, giving the flavor a 3.75 out of 5. “It’s pretty rich in taste but it was very thin when I mixed it with water.” Although you can mix this protein with milk, some athletes may not tolerate lactose too well. 

We did give Onnit’s protein a 5 out of 5 for solubility, though. “This protein dissolves extremely well with just some water,” our tester said. “There were no clumps whatsoever but again, the overall consistency was a little thinner than I’d like.” 

Onnit’s protein sits on the pricier end, unfortunately, earning a 3.5 out of 5. It’s not the most expensive option on the market at $1.70 per serving but there are definitely cheaper options out there. One 30-serving tub of Onnit whey costs $50.96.

Read our full Onnit Grass-Fed Whey Review.

Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Ritual Daily Essential Shake 18+

Eating more protein can help you feel more satiated throughout the day, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Similarly, eating enough fiber each day can help boost satiety. These two paired together may make it a little easier to stick to your weight-loss diet. Ritual’s Daily Shake 18+ packs both, making it a good choice for those looking to shed a few pounds. 

This formula is pretty lean compared to other vegan proteins, which tend to be higher in carbs or fats. Ritual’s shake is only 115 calories per serving, including three grams of carbs (all of which are fiber), two grams of fat, and 20 grams of protein. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, did give this formula a 4.5 out of 5, though, as it is a little higher in sodium than we’d like.

We also like that this protein is totally free of sugar and major allergens. Ritual uses no artificial flavors and this supplement is third-party tested, so what you see on the label is what you’re getting in your bag. Ritual’s protein also provides a complete amino acid profile, so you can reap all the benefits you’d get with an animal-based product.

“Mixed only with water, this protein still has a nice taste, though I did notice a tiny chalky aftertaste,” our tester, a certified personal trainer, said, giving the flavor a 4 out of 5. “I also blended it with berries in a smoothie and it mixed seamlessly. But I can still sip it in a shaker cup with no problem.” 

Our tester also gave the solubility a 5 out of 5. “I was surprised at how much I liked the consistency of this protein,” they said. “The texture is smooth, not thick and it wasn’t too watery either. All I did was shake it in a blender cup.”

One downside? The price is pretty high compared to most other protein powders, vegan protein included. One 15-serving bag costs $40, which is about $2.67 per serving. We also wish the package had more servings, considering most other protein powders have 30 per tub. Our team loves the clean ingredients and transparency, so if Ritual is in your budget, it’s worth the price. But if not, you can definitely find some more price-friendly vegan protein options.

[Related: I Tried Ritual Essential Vitamins for Three Months Straight. Here’s How I Felt]

Best Vegan Protein Powder (Plant Based): Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein Powder

No matter your dietary preference, there’s a protein powder that works for all athletes, including those following a plant-based diet. Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein Powder combines rice and pea protein to create our top plant-based pick.

For one, our team liked the formula here, giving it a 4 out of 5. Most plant protein powders don’t pack quite as many grams of protein per serving as a whey option. However, this product has 24 grams of protein per serving, which is what you can expect with a milk-based protein supplement. It also only has two and a half grams of fat per serving and seven grams of carbs, making it a pretty lean formula. It does pack 15 percent of your daily sodium intake per serving, though, which may be an issue for some athletes.

“The vanilla flavor definitely tasted more artificial than I’d like,” one tester said, giving the flavor a 2 out of 5. After trying the Chocolate, too, our testers still weren’t huge fans of the taste, as it had a pretty earthy flavor. This definitely isn’t the best choice for those who love a sweet protein shake.

After mixing this powder in a shaker bottle with water, our testers did notice quite a lot of foaming, giving the solubility a 4 out of 5. The powder dissolved pretty well but, considering this is a plant protein, it does still have a bit of a texture in the liquid. 

“This one did upset my stomach a little bit,” one tester noted, giving the side effects a 3 out of 5. “This could be a personal reaction to the stevia or specific flavor.” Nevertheless, those with sensitivities to stevia may want to proceed with caution.

At about $1.66 per serving, the price wasn’t the cheapest on the market. That being said, it’s not the most expensive, either, especially for a third-party tested plant protein. We gave this category a 4 out of 5.

Read our full Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice & Pea Protein Review.

Best Protein Powder for Women: Legion Whey+

One protein powder isn’t necessarily better for one gender than another. However, considering people who menstruate tend to need some extra iron, finding a supplement that offers a little extra is a bonus. That’s one reason why we chose Legion Whey+ as our best pick for women.

We like this pick from Legion, thanks to its no-nonsense formulation. One serving is 120 calories with 22 grams of protein, three grams of carbs and no fat. “Legion Whey+ scores a 4.75 out of 5 for its formula,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “It’s not the most protein-dense protein powder, but its macro ratios and ingredient sources are impressive.” 

We also like that Legion uses grass-fed milk, no artificial sweeteners, and even has a little iron (about five to six percent of your daily value in some flavors), which is great for female athletes. We also love that Legion does third-party testing, earning a 5 out of 5 in this category, too.

There’s plenty of flavor variety, too. If you’re someone who loves to bake with their protein, there are endless possibilities with these flavor options, like Chocolate Hazelnut and Mint Chocolate. “The Cinnamon Cereal flavor tastes just like Cinnamon Toast Crunch,” our tester, a certified personal trainer, said, giving it a 4.5 out of 5 for flavor. “I wish the taste were a little stronger but I enjoyed it.” 

We also gave Legion’s protein a 5 out of 5 for solubility. “There were no problems when I mixed this protein with a shaker bottle,” our tester said. We noticed no clumping or settling, which is exactly what you’d want in a protein supplement. 

Unfortunately, this product may not be in every athlete’s price range. One 30-serving container costs $59.99, which is about $1.99 per serving. Most comparable protein supplements cost around $1.50, which may better fit some budgets.

Read our full Legion Whey+ Review.

Best Protein Powder For Smoothies: Momentous Whey Protein Isolate

A protein smoothie is a great way to start your day, especially before a workout. Momentous Whey Isolate is one supplement that can blend seamlessly with your favorite fruits and nut butters. Our testers noticed zero settling and the product dissolved seamlessly — after all, you don’t want your blender jamming up with powder clumps.

Momentous has all the must-have flavors, including Chocolate, Vanilla, and Unflavored. So, you can find a flavor that combines well with your usual smoothie ingredients. Personally, I’d recommend mixing the chocolate with nut butter and banana. On the other hand, I love vanilla with berries. Or, if you make a savory-tasting smoothie with veggies, the unflavored option is probably your best bet.

After trying the chocolate, our tester, a certified personal trainer, gave the overall taste a 4 out of 5. “The chocolate has a rich flavor and is a lot like cold hot chocolate,” they said. “I’d definitely drink this protein time and time again.” 

Momentous protein blends well, so you don’t have to worry about it clumping at the bottom of your mixer. “I mixed a double scoop in water, which is double the dose,” our tester said, giving this protein a 5 out of 5 for solubility. “It still mixed really well even in just a cup.” So, in a blender, you should have zero issues. 

Overall, our team liked this formula. It only has 100 calories per serving, including three grams of carbs, zero grams of fat, and 23.27 grams of protein. We also like the inclusion of digestive enzymes, though we don’t love that it’s added in a blend. “[This protein] scores a 4.25 out of 5 for its formulation, with deductions for its cost per serving and the presence of proprietary blends,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN.

We did have to give Momentous a 1 out of 5 for price per serving, though. One 30-serving bag costs $64.95, which is about $2.70 per serving. While we do like that Momentous uses high-quality protein and is third-party tested, you can find similar products at a lower price point. However, if you do subscribe to a monthly delivery, you pay only $2.30 per serving.

Best Protein Powder for Weight Gain: Transparent Labs Mass Gainer

A typical protein powder is around 100 to 150 calories per serving. For those looking to gain some weight, these numbers won’t add much to your daily intake. Transparent Labs’ Mass Gainer, one of the best mass gainers on the market, can certainly help with that.

For the purposes of weight gain, this formula nails it. “Transparent Labs Mass Gainer scores a 4.25 out of 5 for its formulation,” Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN, said. “It accomplishes exactly what it’s intended to accomplish and the ingredients list is very transparent. However, the sodium and saturated fat content is quite high.”

One serving is 730 to 750 calories with 106 to 110 grams of carbs, 51 to 53 grams of protein, and 13-14 grams of fat. You get double the protein of most traditional protein powders with some extra carbs and fat to help promote weight gain. However, we think it’s important to note that this isn’t a full meal replacement — you don’t get the vitamins and minerals of a complete meal.

Our testers, including certified personal trainers, gave the flavor an overall 4 out of 5. “I tried the Chocolate Glaze Donut and it actually tastes like a donut,” one tester said. You do only get two flavor options with this mass gainer, though. But TL offers both chocolate and vanilla, so the basics are covered. 

Despite the density of the powder, this supplement dissolved really well in water, earning a 5 out of 5 for solubility. “It had a nice texture and I didn’t notice any clumping or chunks in my shaker cup.” 

The price per serving is pretty expensive compared to other protein powders (about $4.67 per serving). However, most other mass gainers are actually around that price range, so comparatively, this one is pretty reasonably priced, earning a 4 out of 5 in that category. However, we do wish the container came with more servings. One tub only has 15 servings — some athletes may not want to re-up their supplements every two weeks or so.

Read our full Transparent Labs Mass Gainer Review.

Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Nutricost Whey Protein Powder 

Most protein powder supplements offer around 20 to 25 grams of protein per serving. Nutricost actually packs 30 grams of protein per serving, making it ideal for athletes focusing on muscle gain. This formula is pretty lean, too, with only 140 calories per serving, including one gram of fat and two grams of carbs. We did have to give the formulation a 4 out of 5, though, as it’s sweetened with sucralose, which some athletes may not love.

Our tester tried the Chocolate Peanut Butter and gave the flavor a perfect 5 out of 5 rating. “I don’t generally love peanut butter, actually,” she said. “But they have the perfect amount of peanut in this product — it doesn’t overpower the chocolate.”

This product also mixed extremely well, which our team liked. In even just a shaker cup, this protein dissolved well, leaving zero clumps or floaties in the product. We gave Nutricost’s protein powder a 5 out of 5 for solubility. Plus, our tester liked the texture, too, as it wasn’t too thin.

We did have to give the cost a 3 out of 5, though. One 24-serving container costs $57.95, which is about $2.41. Most protein powders sit somewhere around $1.50 per serving, making this one a little more expensive than the average. For athletes shopping on a budget, this one may not be the best pick.

Best Pea Protein Powder: Ladder Plant Protein

Ladder’s Plant Protein makes hitting your protein goals on a plant-based diet a breeze. One serving of this product packs 21 grams of pea protein. You also get 33 percent of your daily iron recommendation, which is a bonus for those following a plant-based diet.

Our team also likes that this formula includes a vegan amino acid blend, including l-leucine, l-methionine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine. Plus, Ladder uses stevia to sweeten their product, not sucralose, which we prefer. You also get two grams of fat and seven grams of carbs per serving. However, the 150 calories per serve is a little higher than most protein powders, so we gave the overall formulation a 4.5 out of 5.

Unfortunately, this product only comes in two flavors, including Vanilla and Chocolate. We do wish Ladder offered a few more flavor options, as you often see with whey-based protein powders. So, we had to give this category a 3.5 out of 5.

Typically, plant proteins are a little pricier than whey, especially when they’re third-party certified, as you see with Ladder. The $2.16 per serving price tag is a little steep, compared to other products on this list. However, given the helpful additions in the formula and the transparency, we gave the overall value a 4 out of 5. 

How We Tested and Chose the Best Protein Supplements

Reading ingredient labels online can give you a good idea of what to expect from a protein powder. But you can’t really put a product to the test without sipping it yourself. To save you from buying and returning any supplements, we took the testing in our own hands, trying more than 100 different protein supplements. This is how we tested the best protein powders:

Flavor

Although flavor isn’t the most important factor when you’re on the hunt for a new protein, it’s worth considering. We also know that flavor is pretty subjective, so we tried to test as much flavor variety as possible to provide an objective perspective. As a result, we think we’ve gathered some of the best-tasting protein powders.

Protein Content

Not all protein powders are created equal! Some brands offer much less protein per serving than others. So, we prioritized products that offered at least about 20 grams of protein per serving. Of course, that’s a little more difficult to achieve with plant-based proteins but nevertheless, we still picked the best options for all respective categories.

Solubility

Most athletes tend to drink their protein powder with water in a shaker cup, which is exactly how we tested each product. If a powder doesn’t dissolve in water with a blender ball, we made sure to keep it off our list. After all, who wants clumps in their protein? We also tested different prep methods, too. Some of our testers blended the supplements, mixed them with milk, and added them to foods.

Texture

We also took note of the texture. While we know texture is a personal preference — some athletes like thicker protein, whereas others prefer a thinner drink — we tried to describe the texture of each supplement as best as possible.

Third-Party Testing

Unfortunately, the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, like protein powder, in the same way it monitors other foods and drugs (more on that below). That’s why we prioritized products that have been third-party tested for contaminants, heavy metals, antibiotics, pesticides, and mycotoxins. 

Our team also worked with a third-party accredited lab to conduct some testing of our own. We tested products on this page to assess their heavy metal content, along with other potentially-harmful contaminants. 

Price

Protein is a pretty popular supplement, so you shouldn’t need to pay a ton of money to have it in your supplement cabinet. That being said, we know some products are more expensive than others. We tried to provide a list of products that can suit readers of all budgets.

Protein Powder Benefits

Sometimes it can be difficult to eat enough protein throughout the day though, which is where supplements come in.

It Helps Promote Recovery

Mounting evidence suggests that a high-protein diet may have safe, positive effects on your body weight and body composition (increased lean muscle mass and decreased fat mass). (1) A high-protein diet has also been reported to help improve muscle recovery after a tough training session. (2)

It’s Convenient

Cooking a chicken breast isn’t always convenient, especially if you’re on the go. Protein powders provide a large dose of protein in protein shake form (when mixed with water, or dairy, or almond milk) that you can sip in your car or at the gym.

It’s Versatile

While you can sip protein powder right out of a shaker bottle with some water, you can mix it into your favorite foods, too, to add some protein. Mix a scoop with your breakfast oatmeal for some extra protein. Or, sprinkle some powder into your baked goods.

When Should I Take Protein?

There really is no “best time” to drink your protein shake. Contrary to popular belief, you aren’t going to lose all your gains if you don’t drink your shake within 30 minutes of your workout. Instead, prioritize getting the appropriate amount of protein throughout the day. Getting some protein in right before or immediately after a training session won’t hurt, but as long as you meet your daily protein and calorie requirements, you’ll be on track regardless of your timeline. (3)(4)(5)

Quality Control

Unfortunately, the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, like protein powder, in the same way it monitors other foods and drugs (more on that below). That’s why we prioritized products that have been third-party tested for contaminants, heavy metals, antibiotics, pesticides, and mycotoxins.

Flavors

No matter how good the ingredients are, flavor matters, especially when it comes to your protein powder. If you’re going to spend your hard-earned money on a product, it’s important that you actually enjoy the taste. Every individual has their subjective flavor preferences, so each person will like or dislike various flavors.

Rest assured though, that none of the picks on this list are objectively bad-tasting. We can’t promise you will love every single flavor, but we’re pretty sure you won’t hate any of them.

What to Consider Before Buying Protein Powder

Since there are so many options on the market, there are a lot of factors to consider before you buy and use protein. Different athletes are going to want different products, depending on their fitness goals. And that’s only one aspect to consider — read on for a few more tips. If you have any pre-existing conditions, it may be best to consult a doctor or registered dietitian before trying new supplements.

Your Training Goals

Ultimately, your fitness goals should influence which protein powder you choose. Are you interested in getting lean or do you want to put on some size? If you have aspirations of shedding body fat, you want to prioritize a powder that delivers maximal protein content with as few calories as possible. If muscle hypertrophy is your goal, you won’t need to be as conservative with your calories and may even want to add some with a mass gainer.

Lactose Sensitivity

If you have lactose sensitivities, you want to consider the type of protein powder you purchase. While it may only be two or three grams, whey concentrate does contain more lactose than whey isolate protein and may not sit well in your stomach. Those sensitive to lactose may prefer to stick with whey isolates or lactose-free, vegetarian options, such as pea protein, a plant-based source of protein.

Different Types of Protein Powder

The protein powders on this list are all derived from either whey or pea sources. But even from there, you can find subcategories of each different protein type. Here are a few differences you can expect:

Whey Isolate

All whey protein powders are made from milk but there are different ways the whey (pun intended) is processed and filtered. Whey isolate undergoes a filtration process that helps remove as much lactose as possible, which leaves you with a powder that’s lower in carbs and fat, focusing on protein.

Whey Concentrate

Compared to whey isolate, whey concentrate does not undergo quite as much filtration. So, it’s generally a little higher in carbs and fats. This is a good pick for those who want to feel more satiated after sipping their protein.

Hydrolyzed Whey

Hydrolyzed whey is whey isolate or concentrate that’s exposed to heat or enzymes in order to break down some of the amino bonds. In theory, this is supposed to make the whey easier to absorb.

Casein

Casein is not whey but rather another protein that’s found in milk. This protein contains all the necessary amino acids for building muscle but it’s digested way slower than whey. As a result, it’s a great choice for those following a weight-loss diet or those who want to drink their protein before bed.

Plant-Based Protein

Whey and casein proteins come from milk, which means they’re not vegan-friendly. Plant-based proteins are blends that are made totally from plants with no animal products included.

Final Word

Protein powders are an effective and tasty way to increase your daily protein intake. Regardless of your goals, this list has the ideal product to help support your training and recovery. After personal testing, we’ve taken ingredients, effectiveness, taste and plenty of other factors into consideration to help you find the best pick to suit your training and lifestyle. No product on this list is the perfect fit for every single person, so make sure you’re choosing the one that is best for your body, rather than the least expensive product or the one that’s listed as the “Best Overall” (though we do love that product). Once you know what you want, all that’s left for you to do is to choose a flavor, add to cart, and get to mixing.

FAQs

References

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2. Davies, R. W., Carson, B. P., & Jakeman, P. M. (2018). The effect of whey protein supplementation on the temporal recovery of muscle function following resistance training: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 10(2), 221.
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