Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best Protein Powders

Updated March 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
Dymatize
ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
Check Price
Top Choice
Bottom Line

Almost everyone will be served well by this high-quality product; our nutrition expert believes food should be enjoyable and appreciates the fun flavors.

Pros

Delicious flavor choices, versatile, and builds muscle as advertised. Hydrolyzed whey protein digests and absorbs quickly for fast results. Gluten-free with less than 0.5 grams of lactose.

Cons

Expensive.

Best Bang for the Buck
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Optimum Nutrition
Gold Standard 100% Whey
Check Price
Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

You may spend more, but we love the high protein per serving, and our nutrition expert notes that whey protein is the most bioavailable.

Pros

Gets excellent ratings for taste and effectiveness. The go-to powder for those who want an all-whey supplement.

Cons

If you don't want all whey, this may not be ideal for you.

Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
Orgain
Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
Check Price
Organic Option
Bottom Line

Organic, plant-based, and vegan protein to suit more restrictive dietary needs.

Pros

A combination of pea, brown rice, and chia proteins with 21 grams per serving. Features 5 grams of net carbs and only 1 gram of sugar per serving.

Cons

Some customers found the texture slightly grainy. Less protein per gram than other options.

Pro Jym Ultra Premium Protein Blend
Pro Jym
Ultra Premium Protein Blend
Check Price
Best Tasting
Bottom Line

Relatively pricey, but if taste is a big factor for you, it's a good investment.

Pros

Great taste, no added amino acids or fillers, and a great combination of ingredients. Multiple flavors available.

Cons

Comparable in price with similar products until you realize how much you have to use. Gets expensive in a hurry.

Isopure Zero Carb Protein Powder
Isopure
Zero Carb Protein Powder
Check Price
No-Carb Option
Bottom Line

An effective source of protein that's worthy if you can stomach the aftertaste.

Pros

Effective. As the name suggests, a whey protein powder with no carbohydrates. Gluten, lactose, and aspartame free.

Cons

Doesn't taste as good as other brands.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

36
Models
Considered
80
Consumers
Consulted
22
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best protein powders

If you're starting a new workout routine, amping up your existing program, or you're just not getting enough protein in general, one solution is to add a protein shake to your diet. To do that, you'll need a big container of protein powder – it's more cost-effective to purchase larger quantities. It's an investment, so you'll want to be sure to purchase the right powder for your needs.

The three most common types of protein powder include whey, casein, and soy. The first step is to read the entire label to be sure there is nothing in the protein powder that you might be allergic to. The other main consideration is taste. If you find you have to pinch your nose to swallow, you won't be finishing that 5-pound jug of powder anytime soon.

If you're ready to start living your best, most healthy life, consider purchasing one of the protein powders we've highlighted. If you'd like to become more knowledgeable on the topic, continue reading.

Content Image
The correlation between an overindulgence in carbs and weight gain is supported by numerous studies. Those looking to combat weight gain by building muscle mass look to protein powder as an intriguing option.

Why use protein powder?

Protein occurs naturally in lots of foods, so why would anyone want to use a protein powder?

Honestly, most dietitians suggest that you obtain the necessary proteins through your regular diet. However, for those times you need extra protein, using a powder supplement is smart.

You may choose to use protein powder if you:

  • Want to build muscle mass

  • Want to recover fast from a workout

  • Lack protein in your regular diet
Expert tip
As a dietitian, I practice “food first,” meaning that I believe that we should be getting our nutrition through food and turn to supplements as what their name suggests: a supplement to what we are consuming through food. That being said, there are situations in which protein powder is helpful.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert

Types of proteins

Proteins come from different sources, and each source offers its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

We won’t list every source of protein here, but we’ll touch on the primary ones that are likely to end up as a protein powder supplement you can buy.

Whey protein

  • Source: This is a dairy-based protein that’s primarily sourced from milk. Whey protein is the most common type of protein used in protein powder.

  • Advantages: Whey protein powder works well for those looking to build lean muscle while also burning fat. It’s quickly absorbed by the body, so it’s great for ingesting after a workout. And whey protein powder is routinely considered to have the best taste of all protein powders.

  • Disadvantages: If you’re lactose intolerant, whey protein will cause digestive problems. Manufacturers often create sweetened versions of whey protein because it mixes well with sugars. Although these sweetened products taste good, they do add calories that you may not want.

Expert tip
For people who often find themselves on the go, whether they're running errands or dashing from school to soccer practice, protein powder is a quick and easy way to get longer-lasting nutrition. I recommend taking some portable snacks with carbohydrates and fats (ex trail mix or peanut butter pretzels) and pairing them with a smoothie with protein powder to sustain you while dashing from one task to the next.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert

Casein protein

  • Source: Casein protein is made from liquid milk. Whey is the liquid and casein is the solid part of milk. This liquid substance is whey protein, which is then washed and dried into a powdered form for use in food products or dietary supplements. The remaining curds of casein can be washed and dried to create a protein powder or added to dairy products, such as cottage cheese.

  • Advantages: The body absorbs casein protein powders slower than other types. In fact, some people take casein protein powder before going to sleep so the body has several hours to absorb it.

  • Disadvantages: Those who have difficulty digesting milk will have the same issues with casein protein. And you wouldn’t want to use this as a post-workout supplement because it’s absorbed so slowly. It doesn’t taste great, so manufacturers often add other ingredients to cover the flavor.

"Although both whey and casein proteins are made from milk, casein protein is often called milk protein. Whey protein is not called milk protein by manufacturers."
STAFF
BestReviews

Beef protein

  • Source: Beef protein comes primarily from beef gelatin. Gelatin sources include bones, skin, meat, and ligaments.

  • Advantages: Creatine is an amino acid derivative that the human body naturally produces. It’s also a key player in the building of muscle. Beef protein boosts the body’s creatine levels; that’s why bodybuilders often favor beef protein powder. What’s more, beef protein powders have almost no carbs or fats.

  • Disadvantages: Beef protein powders don’t taste as good as some other options. Furthermore, this product is relatively new to the market, so it’s not as well studied or understood as some other protein supplements.

Egg protein

  • Source: When manufacturers dehydrate egg whites, they’re able to create an egg protein that can be converted to powder.

  • Advantages: Unlike some other proteins, egg proteins naturally possess numerous vitamins and minerals. Beneficially, these important components do not become separated from the protein during the manufacture of the powder. And because egg proteins are naturally low in carbs and fats, they are considered to be healthier overall than some other protein types.

  • Disadvantages: Egg protein powders cost more than other types of protein powders. Those who suffer egg allergies will experience the same problems with egg proteins.

Content Image
For your safety
Read the label carefully of any protein powder. Make sure it has only the ingredients that you want and nothing extra.
STAFF
BestReviews

Soy protein

  • Source: After soybeans are made into soy flour, soy protein can be extracted.

  • Advantages: Soybeans are a great source of amino acids. In fact, soybeans are one of just a few known plants that provide all of the essential amino acids. Vegetarians prefer plant-based protein powder to the more common animal-based protein powder sources. Soy protein is fairly inexpensive, and it tends to have more fiber than other protein types.

  • Disadvantages: Soy is a common protein used in processed foods. This means you may want a different source of protein powder as a supplement, just to give your body variety.

Mass gainer

We must mention one other option you might see on store shelves next to protein powders. If you’re looking at an extremely low-priced protein powder, it may be a mass gainer powder. These types of products may be marketed as protein powder, but they contain a much higher concentration of non-protein nutrients than the protein powders we’ve already mentioned.

Mass gaining powders are high in calories. Be sure to read the label of any protein powder carefully to understand what it contains.

Content Image
Expert tip
Protein powder can make getting protein easier. One of my clients works as a server at a restaurant. For a job like this where you work during meal times, I recommend making a shake or a smoothie with added protein to help sustain your energy levels as you run around the restaurant. The same can help people who feel busy attending Zoom meetings: keeping a shake or smoothie with added protein can sustain you in this situation too. 
BestReviews Nutrition Expert

Categories of whey protein

Because whey protein powders are the most popular on the market, they’re worth investigating a little further. You can split whey protein powder into two categories: whey protein concentrate and whey protein isolate.

Whey protein concentrate

Whey protein concentrate yields a powder with 70% to 75% whey protein. The other 25% to 30% is made up of additional nutrients, including fats and carbs. The human body typically absorbs this type of protein slowly over time. Due to this fact, whey concentrate makes a better daily supplement than it does a workout supplement.

Whey protein isolate

If you’re looking for a higher percentage of protein in your powder, this category provides it. Whey protein isolate is comprised of 90% to 95% protein. The manufacturer achieves this by applying an isolation process to whey protein concentrate. (Other nutrients make up the remaining 5% to 10%.) Because your body can absorb isolate quickly, this is a good protein powder to take after a hard workout.

What’s more, some manufacturers are able to make lactose-free whey protein isolate. This means that those who have problems digesting milk may be able to ingest isolate whey protein powder.

"Whey protein is a byproduct of the process of turning milk into cheese."
STAFF
BestReviews

Top protein powder brands

It’s smart to stick to the best brands in a product category. But you may not be as familiar with the top protein powder brands as, say, brands like Ford and Nissan.

Here’s our list of the best brand names to know for protein powder supplements:

  • BSN

  • Dymatize

  • JYM

  • MusclePharm

  • NAKED

  • Nature’s Best

  • Optimum Nutrition

  • XPI
Content Image
Expert Tip
Protein powder is helpful for people who are vegetarian and vegan or generally struggle to get enough amino acids in their diet. 
BestReviews Nutrition Expert

How to compare prices

When you look at different protein powders, you’ll see a variety of price points.

So how do you compare them? Do you have your calculator app handy on your smartphone?

Good, because you’re going to need it to compare prices wisely.

Price per pound

When looking at bottles of protein powder, you’ll notice that bottle sizes vary.

Check out the label to see how many pounds a bottle contains, then divide the price by that number to determine the price per pound. This gives you a basic starting point for comparing prices.

"Those with allergies to certain types of foods likely will experience the same problems with proteins sourced from that food, such as a milk allergy and casein. Check the source of your protein powder to determine if it is safe for you. Also, because absorbing large amounts of protein can be difficult, some protein powders contain digestive enzymes to help your body absorb it without side effects."
STAFF
BestReviews

Price per serving

If you want to go a bit deeper, you can calculate the cost per serving.

You may find that one bottle requires three scoops to achieve the number of grams of protein you need, whereas another bottle requires only one scoop.

Before comparing products this way, however, make sure the serving size of each product offers the same number of protein grams.

Expert tip
The FDA does not approve protein powders. I recommend looking for third-party labels such as NSF, USP, or consumer lab stamps on packages.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert
Content Image
Some manufacturers add artificial flavorings to protein powders. If this bothers you, look for those that add only natural flavorings.

FAQ

Q. What is protein?

A. Protein is a nutrient made up of amino acids that occur naturally in many types of foods. It exists naturally in meats, nuts, beans, and dairy. Protein is a key nutrient your body uses for the healthy growth of muscles, hair, skin, and bones.

Q. What are essential amino acids?

A. You’ll often see protein powders that contain all of the essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those that the human body needs to function but cannot produce itself. Humans must obtain essential amino acids from food — primarily protein. For humans, there are nine types of essential amino acids.

Q. I’m a vegetarian. Are there any types of protein powder I can use?

A. A few different protein powders are created from plants. Soybean, rice, pea, and hemp protein powders are easy to find. Protein powder derived from sprouts, grains (like quinoa), and seeds (like millet) are a bit less common.

Soy and hemp proteins provide all of the essential amino acids.

Expert tip
Consume whey protein after a workout for optimal effectiveness.
BestReviews Nutrition Expert

Q. What is included in a protein powder?

A. The primary ingredient in a protein powder is one of the types of protein listed above. A few other ingredients may be included as well, such as fat or carbs. A manufacturer might add flavoring or sweetener, too.  And some powders have minerals and vitamins added to them to boost health even further.

Q. How do I know if I’ll like a certain type of protein powder before I buy it?

A. Some manufacturers offer a money-back guarantee for taste and tolerability. Others offer trial sizes that you can receive for a low price — or for free. Just check with the manufacturer to see what’s available.

Our Top Picks