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I'm not exactly the biggest gym buddy, nor am I a die-hard fitness obsessive, but as of a few months ago, protein powders have become a huge part of my daily routine. And in my efforts to meet my protein intake goals, I've trialled dozens of options – including vegan, whey and creatine-powered formulas – to find not only the most quality but also the best-tasting (!) protein powder to experiment with the most delicious smoothie recipes.
It's no secret that protein is one of three vital macronutrients (alongside fats and carbohydrates) that can help build lean muscle mass, as well as keep you fuller for longer while ensuring that your meals are as well-balanced as they can be. Sure, protein bars are also a convenient option for when you're on the move, but my preference definitely falls on protein powders, especially given that so many of them tick other boxes and can even double as collagen supplements.
My go-to recipe? A scoop of the white chocolate and coconut-flavoured Bulk Vegan protein powder, blended with a handful of frozen raspberries, some spinach, chia seeds, banana, and my not-so-secret ingredient in form of matcha. This is usually my lunchtime fix on my work-from-home days that keeps me full and energised until my evening weight training sessions.
But with the recent explosion of various protein-infused products in the category, I also know just how much of a mind-numbing experience it is to narrow down your pick. When you're new to the fitness world or are not well-versed on ingredients – not to mention all the acronyms and suspicious health claims – it can be easy to find yourself overwhelmed. To help you pick, we've consulted a panel of doctors and dieticians to learn what makes a great protein powder and the best options worth trying. Vegan protein powders and whey protein powders included.
The best protein powders for women at a glance:
- Best protein powder overall: Bulk Pure Whey Protein
- Best affordable protein powder: Myprotein Impact Pea Protein Isolate
- Best for gaining muscle mass: Myprotein Impact Weight Gainer
- Best with additional nutrients: Wild Nutrition Organic Protein + Superfood Powder
Your protein powder questions, answered
- What are protein powders?
- What are the benefits of protein powders?
- What to look for in a protein powder
- Should you take protein powder?
- Meet the experts
Ahead, 15 best protein powders for helping you achieve your fitness goals in 2024…
1. Best protein powder overall
Why we love it: If you’re after for a simple yet effective way to increase your precious protein intake, look no further than this bestselling powder from Bulk. Super versatile, it can be added to baked goods, shaken up in a smoothie or simply drank with water or milk — and there are just shy of thirty flavours to choose from, so you’ll have no trouble finding one that you love. An award-winning formula, with each serving packed with protein as well as five essential BCAAs to help increase muscle growth and reduce any soreness and fatigue.
Protein per serving: 22g / Servings per container: 33 / Protein type: whey.
- Pros: Very affordable, contains 5g BCAAs per serving, low sugar.
- Cons: Not for vegans or those with milk allergies.
2. Best affordable protein powder
Why we love it: One of the most affordable protein supplements you can pick, this protein powder is a great option — regardless of whether you follow a plant-based diet. Made from 100% pea protein, it’s also an isolate protein powder — which means it’s been highly-refined to include as much protein as possible, and very little carbs and fats. Completely free from soy and dairy, it’s a great all-natural option.
Protein per serving: 23g / Servings per container: 16 / Protein type: pea protein isolate.
- Pros: Affordable, suitable for vegans, contains natural ingredients.
- Cons: N/A.
3. Best tasting protein powder
Why we love it: One of the most complete protein powders on the market, this formula contains an impressive 30g of multi-source vegan protein — including BCAAs for muscle growth and repair — Curcumin and BioPerine® to aid recovery and boost bioavailability, and enzymes to boost your natural digestion. Available in four different yet equally delicious flavours, it’s the perfect vegan protein shake to have as a recovery drink after exercise.
Protein per serving: 30g / Servings per container: 13 / Protein type: blend of organic pea, brown rice, and pumpkin seed proteins.
- Pros: Great taste, vegan, comes in compostable packaging.
- Cons: Fairly expensive.
4. Best protein powder to drink with water
Why we love it: Swap your standard cup of juice for this protein-boosting alternative powder that's been designed to dissolve quickly into a cup of cold water. A lighter take on your typical protein powder, one scoop contains 20g of fast-absorbing hydrolysed whey protein isolate to fuel and support your muscles. When it comes to flavours, there are nearly twenty to choose from — and they're all suitably juicy and delicious.
Protein per serving: 20g / Servings per container: 35 / Protein type: whey protein isolate.
- Pros: Wide range of flavours, fast-absorbing, very low-calorie.
- Cons: Quite expensive.
5. Best protein powder for muscle repair and recovery
Why we love it: On top of being packed with protein, this brilliant formula is enriched with extra ingredients like maca and magnesium to fend off inflammation and mental stress, Rhodiola root to lessen the effects of physical exhaustion, and electrolytes to aid rehydration post-exercise. A great all-rounder for general health and support, it can be enjoyed on its own with water — but can also be stirred into smoothies and porridges, and sprinkled into the batter of your baked goods.
Protein per serving: 31g / Servings per container: 30 / Protein type: pea and brown rice protein.
- Pros: Very high-protein, low-calorie, supports muscle recovery.
- Cons: N/A.
6. Best protein powder for gaining mass
Why we love it: Gaining weight and muscle requires a calorie surplus — but eating the wrong types of food can lead to an increase in body fat levels instead. This clever formula has been made with a blend of high-quality, fast and slow digesting proteins to help you grow and evenly maintain muscle — while the 50g of carbs give a much-needed energising boost to get you through a heavy weights session, and speed up recovery.
Protein per serving: 31g / Servings per container: 10 / Protein type: whey protein isolate.
- Pros: High-calorie, great for bulking, easily mixable.
- Cons: High in carbs (which is good for bulking).
7. Best protein powder with collagen
Why we love it: Earning a top spot on our list of the best collagen supplements, this one-ingredient protein is beloved by both derms and celebs (Jennifer Anniston, for one, is a fan). As we mentioned, collagen doesn’t contain all nine essential amino acids, but this product is still a great source of unflavoured protein, says certified intuitive eating counsellor Sammi Haber Brondo, MS, RD, CDN, explaining that it “blends smoothly and won’t change the taste of what you’re eating.” She recommends mixing it into smoothies or oatmeal.
Protein per serving: 20g / Servings per container: 27 / Protein type: collagen peptides.
- Pros: Made with just one ingredient, blends well.
- Cons: Not a complete source of protein.
8. Best protein powder with superfoods
Why we love it: Not just your typical protein powder, this plant-based blend has been layered with seven organic mushrooms, eighteen amino acids, and four super greens to help you meet as many of your nutritional needs as possible in one simple scoop. So, it's like a protein powder and a greens powder combined! Designed with energy, immunity, focus, and stamina in mind, it’s a great supplement to sprinkle into your morning smoothie or bowl of oats — but can also be drunk with just water or milk.
Protein per serving: 16g / Servings per container: 14 / Protein type: pea and rice protein powder.
- Pros: Certified organic, contains mushrooms and supergreens, supports energy and immunity.
- Cons: Expensive, fairly low in protein.
9. Best pea protein powder
Why we love it: After rigorous testing, the experts at Bulk went with yellow peas for this formula due to their flavour, solubility, and quality. Carefully crafted, this isolate protein powder is highly soluble and silky — and is also a great low-calorie option thanks to its low fat and sugar content. It's really affordable, and as well as the standard unflavoured option, it comes in Banana, Chai, Chocolate Mint, Coconut, Peach & Mango, and Vanilla. Delish!
Protein per serving: 23g / Servings per container: 12 / Protein type: pea protein isolate.
- Pros: Highly soluble, low in sugar and fat, low-calorie.
- Cons: N/A.
10. Best vegan protein powder
Why we love it: A favourite of Johnson’s, this vegan protein powder blends pea protein, navy beans, lentils, chickpeas and more to provide a hearty 30 grams of protein per serving, including 5.5 grams of BCAAs and 2.5 grams of leucine. It also contains glutamine, an amino acid that can aid post-workout recovery. Plus, the mixed plant-based protein powder is NSF-certified, is sweetened with organic stevia leaf extract, and contains probiotics for gut health.
Protein per serving: 30g / Servings per container: 19 / Protein type: Mixed plant-based.
- Pros: High protein content, organic, contains a variety of plant-based protein sources.
- Cons: Limited number of servings per container.
11. Best clean protein powder
Why we love it: Orgain is the go-to brand of protein powder for Melina B. Jampolis, MD, a physician nutrition specialist. She praises the company’s use of high-quality ingredients (you’ll find no artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives) and the fact that it’s widely available (Costco is a major retailer, as is Amazon). This particular product, made with grass-fed whey, offers all nine essential amino acids, and each serving contains 5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), which help drive muscle growth when combined with exercise, Dr. Jampolis explains. Plus, it comes in two delicious flavours: creamy chocolate fudge and vanilla bean, ideal for whipping up a protein shake or adding to baked goods.
Protein per serving: 21g / Servings per container: 20 / Protein type: whey.
- Pros: High-quality source of complete protein.
- Cons: Not for vegans or those with milk allergies.
12. Best whey protein powder
Why we love it: Recommended by Jessica Titchenal, a doctor of clinical nutrition, certified nutrition specialist, and certified nutritionist, this powder provides more than 20 grams of whey isolate protein and is a favourite brand for tons of pro athletes, including tennis player Madison Keys, surfer Coco Ho, and distance runner Jordan Hasay. Compared with compound proteins, isolates contain more protein and less fat, carbs, and lactose, the latter of which can cause GI distress and digestion issues for some, Dr. Titchenal explains. Plus it’s NSF-certified, so you can take it without fear of ingesting banned substances. Customers rave about the taste and the fact it dissolves easily.
Protein per serving: 21g / Servings per container: 30 / Protein type: whey isolate.
- Pros: Good source of high-quality protein, great taste, dissolves well.
- Cons: Expensive compared to other options.
13. Best protein powder for pregnancy
Why we love it: Consuming adequate protein is key during pregnancy, as moms-to-be are given higher recommended daily amounts in the second and third trimesters. If you’re expecting, though, you’ll want to be careful about which type of protein powder you pick to ensure safety for your baby. “The simpler the ingredient list, the better,” Dr. Jampolis says, who advises pregnant people to find powders that are third-party tested and made without caffeine and unknown herbs. This product checks all those boxes: It’s NSF-certified, contains no artificial flavours or colours, and is sans caffeine, sugar, soy, grains, and lactose.
Protein per serving: 20g / Servings per container: 20 / Protein type: whey isolate.
- Pros: No artificial flavours or colours, no caffeine, soy and lactose free.
- Cons: Expensive.
14. Best creatine protein powder
Why we love it: While creatine is not technically a protein but rather an amino acid, it’s still one of the cheapest and effective sports nutrition supplements that can boost your strength and take intense workouts to the next level. This one from Myprotein comes unflavoured, which means you can throw it in your shaker or mix it with a drink of your choice without worrying about an unwanted aftertaste.
Protein per serving: 3g / Servings per container: over 150 / Protein type: creatine monohydrate.
- Pros: Great value, over 150 servings per package.
- Cons: Not a complete source of protein.
15. Best value protein powder
Why we love it: You’ve definitely come across this veteran protein powder before. On top of offering 24 grams of protein per serving, this product comes with large serving sizes that can last you quite a while before you need to restock. The best part is that it comes in a wide range of flavours, including Chocolate Peanut Butter, French Vanilla Creme and Banana.
Protein per serving: 24g / Servings per container: 29 / Protein type: whey protein isolate.
- Pros: Great value, with 29 servings per package.
- Cons: Not suitable for vegans or those with milk allergies.
Meet the experts
- Melina B. Jampolis, MD, PNS, physician nutrition specialist, and host of “Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina” podcast
- Jessica Titchenal, DCN, MS, CNS, CN, doctor of clinical nutrition, certified nutrition specialist, and certified nutritionist
- Taylor Johnson, RDN, registered dietitian nutritionist with Top Nutrition Coaching
- Sammi Haber Brondo, MS, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified intuitive eating counsellor
- Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and board-certified sports dietitian
What are protein powders?
Protein powders are supplements designed to amp up the share of this macronutrient in your diet, says physician nutrition specialist Melina B. Jampolis, MD, host of the “Practically Healthy by Dr. Melina” podcast. They can be plant-based or animal-based (more in a minute on the different types). And they can provide protein on its own, or along with other nutrients such as fat, fibre, sugar, vitamins, and minerals, Dr. Jampolis explains. You can mix protein powders into drinks including smoothies, milkshakes, or even coffee. Or you can sprinkle them into foods to create high-protein meals and snacks–think oatmeal, pancakes, yogurt, baked goods, dips, spreads, and more.
What are the benefits of protein powders?
Perhaps the biggest plus of protein powders is convenience: They’re “a quick, easy, and accessible way for people to increase or maintain their protein intake,” says certified nutrition specialist Jessica Titchenal, DCN, MS, CN.
They’re also really versatile and can be incorporated into lots of different foods, “often without changing the taste,” says certified intuitive eating counsellor Sammi Haber Brondo, MS, RD. Additionally, protein powders are portable. They have a long shelf life and travel easily (just load up a bag with several servings), making them a simple way to consume protein on-the-go, says board-certified sports dietitian Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, LDN.
All of that’s important, since protein is a critical macronutrient that some people may struggle to get enough of, Dr. Titchenal says. The general daily recommended intake of protein is 0.8 to 1.0 grams per kilogram of bodyweight (so, 55 to 68 grams for a 150-pound person), but that can be too low for folks who are active, she says. And for active people, protein powders can come in clutch.
They’re especially great for athletes looking to build and preserve muscle, because protein aids in muscle repair and growth, says Taylor Johnson, RDN, a nutrition counsellor with Top Nutrition Coaching. And when combined with resistance training, they can help combat age-associated muscle loss, Dr. Jampolis adds. Moreover, whey-based protein powders in particular may help with diabetes management, as whey can stimulate the release of insulin to stabilise blood sugar levels, according to Dr. Jampolis. They can also play a role in weight-loss goals, since, in the context of smoothies and shakes, they can help you understand exactly how many calories you’re getting, Dr. Jampolis explains.
Keep in mind: Protein needs depend on a lot of factors including age, gender, health status, and activity levels, Dr. Titchenal says. That’s why it can be helpful to get assessed by a qualified nutrition professional who can provide personalised recommendations for your daily intake, she explains.
Also worth noting: Though protein supplement powders simplify the process for meeting protein requirements, they should complement—not replace–whole-food sources such as lean meats, dairy eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds, Johnson says.
What to look for in a protein powder
There are a dizzying number of protein supplement powders on the market, which can make it tough to determine which ones are worth your dollars. Consider the following criteria to help narrow down the choices:
Whey, casein, and egg protein powders, all animal-based products, offer the “highest quality from a biological standpoint,” Dr. Jampolis says. Basically, those types of protein are absorbed and utilized most effectively by the body, she explains. They also have more leucine, an amino that may be especially beneficial for muscle gain, Dr. Jampolis adds. Johnson recommends products that provide 2 to 3 grams of leucine per serving.
Whey in particular has long been considered the gold standard of protein powders, Ehsani says. Made from milk, it’s absorbed quickly by your body, “making it an excellent option for post-workout recovery,” Johnson says. By contrast, Casein protein, though also derived from milk, is a slow-digesting protein, which means it can be a solid pick for people who want a steady release of protein over a long period, perhaps between meals or before bed, Johnson explains. Egg protein powders are made from egg whites and are a solid option for folks who want a complete protein source without consuming dairy products, Johnson says. This type is low in carbohydrates, she adds.
Collagen is another animal-based option. It’s typically made from cow or fish sources, but it’s not a complete protein, meaning it doesn’t offer all nine essential amino acids that our bodies need to get from foods. Collagen proteins are not your best bet for muscle building, Dr. Jampolis says, but FWIW, some people swear by them for improving skin and hair health.
On the plant-based front, folks following a vegetarian or vegan diet, or those with dairy or egg allergies, might prefer options like soy, pea, rice, or hemp. Soy protein powder, derived from soybeans, “is an excellent option for vegetarians or people who are lactose intolerant,” Johnson says. It’s a complete protein (meaning, it contains those nine essential amino acids), but it’s not absorbed as quickly in the body as whey protein.
Both pea and rice proteins are good choices for people with allergies or sensitivities to dairy or soy, Johnson says. Hemp protein powder, made from hemp seeds, is another good plant-based option, plus a solid source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, she says.
Other options include pumpkin-seed protein and chia-seed protein. When reaching for a plant-based powder, Dr. Jampolis suggests those that combine proteins from multiple sources–like pea, brown rice, and chia, for example–as that ensures you get a variety of amino acids, she explains.
Johnson recommends powders with at least 20 to 30 grams per serving. Just make sure to scope the nutrition label since some don’t provide many servings per container, or several scoops are needed to make one serving, Dr. Titchenal advises.
The best protein powders are made with “high-quality ingredients and have minimal added artificial colours, flavours and sugar alcohols (like sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol)” which can cause GI distress for some people, Johnson explains. Aim for 5 grams or less of sugar alcohols per serving, says Brondo. And avoid powders with fillers, additives, and preservatives, Johnson adds.
Instead, opt for products made with natural sweeteners – like stevia, monk fruit, or coconut sugar – Johnson suggests. (Just FYI, though—Dr. Titchenal warns that some people can be sensitive to stevia.)
Protein powders, along with all other dietary supplements, aren’t vetted by the Food and Drug Administration prior to hitting the market, so it’s wise to go with products that are tested by third-party entities to ensure purity, efficacy, safety, and potency.
Products with the Informed Choice label have been tested for safety and are free from any contaminants that may be harmful if ingested, Ehsani says. And those with the CGMP label (current good manufacturing practices) mean the company producing them is following FDA regulations, Dr. Titchenal says. Lastly, the NSF Certified Sport label ensures a product has been tested for substances banned by sporting organisations, which is important if you’re a competitive athlete.
The best protein powders dissolve well, have a palatable texture, and actually taste good (or don’t taste like much at all, if you’re planning to mix them with a bunch of other ingredients). Some plant-based powders can have issues on this front, Dr. Jampolis says, so read customer reviews before purchasing a product, and know you may need to try several different brands to find one that jives with your taste buds.
Whey and casein protein powders tend to be pricier than plant-based alternatives, but as we mentioned, they tend to be high-quality protein sources, Johnson says, so the extra dollars may be worth it to you. “Ultimately, the cost of protein powders can vary significantly depending on factors such as the brand, the size of the container, and the retailer, so it’s always a good idea to compare prices and shop around to find the best deal,” she advises.
Should you take protein powder?
Though protein powders offer tons of benefits, “they’re certainly not essential,” Dr. Jampolis says. If you’re able to easily get all the protein you need through whole foods, “that’s fantastic,” Dr. Titchenal says. But it’s not always realistic, she adds.
Generally speaking, if you have a hard time eating enough protein through foods, protein powder can be a helpful supplement, Brondo says. Really anyone can take protein powders, but they may be most helpful for specific people. For example, folks who struggle to consume enough protein in the morning could benefit from them (throwing together a protein shake is a quick, easy option), as could people with certain food allergies and those following specific diets, like veganism or vegetarianism, Ehsani says. Athletes looking to maintain and build muscle may also find them helpful, as could older adults wanting to minimise muscle loss.