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Protein powder is my secret ingredient. It’s an easy boost to any of my go-to recipes, from smoothies to muffins to morning waffles. I rely on it to fill in the nutritional gaps when my meals aren’t winning any wellness awards. While the recommended daily allowance for protein is just 0.36 grams per pound of body weight, that’s the minimum to avoid deficiency, not the sweet spot for optimal health. Depending on how active you are or your dietary needs, your daily protein recommendation may increase.
What was once the territory of gym bros trying to bulk up has exploded into the mainstream. Protein powders are on every shelf, in every form and flavor, and for every dietary preference. Whether you’re plant-based, a picky eater, or need a quick nutrient boost, protein powder is your fast pass. But with so many options, fads, and a never-ending list of additives, it’s easy to grab the wrong one. I’ve sifted through the market to find the best of the best protein powder. (As with any dietary supplement, please consult a medical professional before consuming protein powder.)
For more health and fitness recommendations, check out our Spin Class Starter Pack, Best Therabody Tools, and Best Fitness Trackers guides.
Updated June 2025: I’ve added Transparent Labs whey protein isolate as a new pick and Seeq protein powder as an honorable mention. I’ve also added pros and cons, a FAQ section, and updated prices.
How I Tested
I’ve been downing protein powders for years, but for this guide, I put each one through a fresh round of testing. Each powder was sampled at least three times to assess taste, texture, and mixability. I mixed them with water, milk, and non-dairy alternatives. I also baked them into muffins and blended into the occasional smoothie because not all of us like our protein straight.
I prioritized powders with minimal to no additives and full transparency in sourcing—no unnecessary fillers, gums, or questionable sweeteners. Solubility was a major consideration, too. I also scrutinized manufacturing practices and third-party testing. Certifications (like NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Choice) mattered. Every pick is also a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids.
Next Up
I’ll be testing Gorilla Formula 23 Coconut Protein 6g BCAAS for $70, Komplex Nutrition Plant-Based Protein for $50, and Puori’s PW1—a pasture-raised whey protein powder—for $69.
Best Overall
Optimum Nutrition
Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder
WIRED
Wide range of flavors. High protein content. No artificial sweeteners, fillers, or colors. Third-party tested for purity and ingredient verification.
TIRED
Contains natural flavors. Not the sweetest or tastiest.
Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey has been a longtime favorite among gym rats. It’s affordable, widely available, and tastes good. It delivers 24 grams of protein per serving, sourced from a blend of whey isolate, concentrate, and peptides. The vanilla ice cream flavor has been my go-to for three years. I use it in smoothies, but I love it even more for baking—I like to swap a couple of scoops for some of the flour in banana bread to give it a protein boost without tasting chalky. Reviewer Louryn Strampe loves the banana cream, which she swears tastes like a yellow Laffy Taffy.
While it’s not the “cleanest” protein powder on the market—there are options with fewer additives—it’s reassuring to know the Clean Label Project gave the vanilla ice cream flavor its stamp of approval earlier this year, confirming it tested free of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Protein blend (whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, hydrolyzed whey protein)
24 grams
$1.55
20 (including cinnamon roll, rocky road, and strawberry banana)
Best Whey Isolate
WIRED
Wide range of flavors. High protein content. No artificial sweeteners, fillers, or colors. Third-party tested for purity and ingredient verification.
TIRED
Contains natural flavors. Not the sweetest or tastiest.
If your priority is clean ingredients and label transparency, Transparent Labs’ Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is for you. This whey is sourced from hormone-free, grass-fed cows, and the formula doesn’t include artificial sweeteners, food dyes, or any of that extra junk (minus the natural flavors). It has Informed Choice and Informed Protein certifications, so consumers are getting what they’re expecting.
There are over a dozen flavors, but I opted for the unflavored version that blends well into smoothies and baked goods without hijacking the taste.
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Grass-fed whey protein isolate
28 grams
$2
16 (including blueberry pancakes, salted chocolate caramel, and s'mores)
Best Vegan Protein Powder
WIRED
Plant-based. USDA-certified organic and kosher. Free from artificial sweeteners.
TIRED
Most flavors include erythritol and gums.
Orgain’s Organic Protein Powder blends pea, brown rice, chia, and mung bean proteins to hit all nine essential amino acids. It’s USDA-certified organic, kosher, and delivers 21 grams of protein, plus 4 grams of fiber and prebiotics for a little digestive support. With about 15 grams of carbs per serving, it leans higher carb than some plant-based competitors, but that also makes it more filling—ideal if you need something to hold you over between meals.
I’ve tested my fair share of vanilla proteins, and Orgain’s vanilla bean flavor is one of the better ones. It’s smooth, not overly sweet, and blends up surprisingly creamy despite being dairy-free. While the formula is free from artificial sweeteners, most flavors include erythritol and gums, which can cause digestive issues for some. Some flavors, like birthday cake, sneak up to 450 milligrams of sodium per serving, which is 20 percent of your daily limit. The iced coffee flavor comes with 60 milligrams of caffeine.
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Organic protein blend (organic pea protein, organic brown rice protein, organic mung bean protein, organic chia seed)
21 grams
$2
11 (including birthday cake, fruity cereal, and peanut butter)
Best Low-Carb Protein
WIRED
Low carb. Variety of flavors that work well for baking.
TIRED
Potent taste.
This vanilla protein powder is the secret behind my favorite post-workout snack that masquerades as dessert. I mix it with Greek yogurt, whipped cream cheese (not regular!), and some crumbled graham crackers to make a little protein cheesecake dessert. I usually do about half a cup of the yogurt and cheese to anywhere between half a scoop to a full scoop of powder; you should taste-test it yourself to find your perfect ratio. It’s a great go-to after an evening workout, or in my case, a late aerial dance class that leaves my shoulder muscles screaming.
The Isopure’s vanilla flavor is impressively strong. It can taste a little too strong without enough ingredients to balance it out. It would make for a fun addition to a smoothie or other mock desserts, like some frozen banana ice cream. It has a really nice vanilla scent to it, too. —Nena Farrell
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Whey protein isolate
25 grams
$2.13
8 (including banana cream, cookies & cream, and toasted coconut)
Best Collagen-Based Powder
WIRED
Boosted with collagen. NSF Certified for Sport credential.
TIRED
Fewer flavor options.
Collagen-based powders aren’t the best for muscle growth, but they’ve gained a loyal following for their supposed benefits for hair, skin, and joint health. Vital Proteins’ Vital Performance Protein Powder sets itself apart with an NSF Certified for Sport credential, meaning it’s been third-party tested for safety and label accuracy.
This formula combines milk protein isolate with bovine-sourced collagen peptides, making it a gentler option for those with lactose intolerance since it contains minimal to no milk sugar. (It’s still a milk byproduct, so steer clear if you have a dairy allergy.) The powder dissolves well in water or milk alike without clumps. It works well in smoothies and even holds up in baking if you want to sneak some protein into your pancakes.
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Milk protein isolate and bovine collagen peptides
25 grams (including 10 grams of collagen)
$1.43
4 (including vanilla, strawberry, and cold brew coffee)
Best Casein
WIRED
Ideal for overnight muscle support. No added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Calcium-rich.
TIRED
Doesn't dissolve smoothly and needs a blender. Fewer flavor options.
The beauty of Naked is in its minimalist approach. With only one ingredient—micellar casein sourced from hormone-free skim milk—it’s about as clean as it gets. No added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and no unnecessary additives. This cold-processed protein is designed to avoid any nastiness from chemicals or synthetic fillers, and it’s independently tested for both heavy metals and gluten. Each serving packs 26 grams of protein and 618 milligrams of calcium (about 48 percent of your daily value). I like to blend it up with unsweetened almond milk, frozen raspberries and mango, chia seeds, and a drizzle of lemon-infused honey for a silky smoothie. Just note that Naked Casein doesn’t contain lecithin, so it won’t dissolve as smoothly as other powders; the best way to mix is with a blender.
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Micellar casein
26 grams
$1.31
3 (unflavored, vanilla, and chocolate)
Best Sugar-Free
WIRED
Soy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. Free from GMOs, stevia, sugar alcohols, and artificial ingredients. Certified by the Clean Label Project.
TIRED
More expensive than its competitors.
Ritual prides itself on transparency, offering a traceable supply chain, so you know exactly what’s going into your protein shake. The Protein Daily Shake 18+ is crafted from organic yellow field peas, grown and harvested exclusively in North America. By sourcing from regenerative farms, Ritual minimizes heavy metal contamination risks and reduces its carbon footprint. The vanilla flavor is handcrafted using vanilla extract sourced from Madagascar. No surprise that it’s certified by the Clean Label Project and won the organization’s Purity Award.
Ritual’s pea protein is enhanced with L-methionine, rounding out the amino acid profile, with eight grams of essential amino acids and four grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) per serving. It’s a clean option: soy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and free from GMOs, stevia, sugar alcohols, and artificial flavors or colors. While I haven’t tested Ritual’s Pregnancy & Postpartum Daily Shake, it’s worth noting it delivers 250 milligrams of choline per serving to support increased dietary needs during pregnancy and lactation.
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Organic yellow field peas
20 grams
$3.27
1 (vanilla)
Best for Athletes
WIRED
High protein content. Ideal for sensitive stomachs.
TIRED
Texture is chalky.
When it comes to easy-to-digest protein, Promix Grass-Fed Whey Isolate stands out. Micro-filtered to contain less than 1 gram of lactose, it’s designed for sensitive stomachs. Each serving delivers 30 grams of protein, 6.6 grams of BCAAs, and 14.2 grams of essential amino acids. Promix also nails texture; with less than one percent non-GMO sunflower lecithin, this natural emulsifier helps dissolve the powder in water and milk without any grittiness. I’ve tossed it into shakes and muffins—the protein shakes weren’t my favorite, but the baked goods turned out delicious.
The brand also sells protein puff bars (15 grams of protein) in flavors like blueberries & cream, snickerdoodle, and mint chocolate. While I found them too chalky, my partner loved them, so they might be worth trying if you’re looking for snackable protein.
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Grass-fed whey protein isolate
30-31 grams
$1.29-$2.21
4 (including french vanilla, strawberry milk, and dutch chocolate)
Most Digestible
WIRED
Low-fat and low-carb. Free from fillers, gums, and refined sugar. Certified by Informed Sport and NSF Certified for Sport.
TIRED
Contains natural flavors. Not the tastiest. Fewer flavor options. Lowest protein content on this list.
If you’re picky about what goes into your protein powder, Momentous checks a lot of boxes. The company sources its whey from European dairy farms, where regulations ensure the cows are grass-fed and free from hormones, steroids, and rBST. The whey is processed using cold microfiltration to preserve its amino acid profile, and it includes ProHydrolase, an enzyme blend meant to boost digestion and absorption. Momentous is NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport, making it a top pick for athletes. It’s free from fillers, gums, and refined sugar, though it does use natural flavors.
With 20 grams of protein per serving, it’s great for most people, but bodybuilders and lifters may prefer a powder with a higher protein content. The macros are lean—just three grams of carbs (two from fiber, which helps with satiety) and 1.5 grams of fat, likely from the sunflower lecithin that improves mixability. Taste-wise, it’s not the most pleasant on its own. If you like to drink protein straight with water, you might find this one a little rough. I prefer to blend it into a fruit smoothie.
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Grass-fed whey protein isolate
20 grams
$2.19
3 (unflavored, vanilla, and chocolate)
A Bean-Based Powder
WIRED
Plant-based. Vegan, paleo, keto, and gluten-free.
TIRED
Gritty and chalky texture. More expensive than its competitors.
This powder is unusual in that it’s not whey-, soy-, or pea-based, but consists entirely of powdered Peruvian lupin bean. A boon for those looking for a clean, single-source source of protein, Mikuna is vegan, paleo, keto, and gluten-free, and even the non-plain flavors (vanilla, cacao) only have five ingredients—along with calcium, fiber, iron, and all nine amino acids.
The flavored versions are actually quite tasty, sweetened with cacao powder or vanilla extract, coconut blossom nectar, and monk fruit. Be forewarned, though, that the powder alone can be texturally challenging—online reviews describe it as gritty and chalky, and after drinking it regularly for a few months, I think that’s being generous. (It will keep its suspension longer if mixed with a handheld electric whisk.) Mikuna is, however, an excellent way to bulk up a smoothie, and a potential game changer for those with digestive problems aggravated by dairy, soy, or peas. —Kat Merck
Protein Source
Protein per Serving
Price per Serving
Flavors
Chocho
20 grams per serving
$2.99
3 (pure chocho, vanilla, and cacao)
Honorable Mentions
Seeq Clear Protein Powder for $49: I was skeptical when I purchased Seeq Clear Protein, but I’m a sucker for anything watermelon-flavored. I was pleasantly surprised. It tastes like a creamier sports drink (I promise it’s better than that description sounds), and each serving has 22 grams of protein and 4.5 grams of BCAAs. There are zero grams of sugar. Like a lot of other clear protein powders, it’s often more expensive than its counterparts. But if lactose irritates your stomach or you want something more like juice and less like a milkshake, it’s worth trying—especially if you mix it with extra water, since it’s on the sweet side. Worth noting is that it takes forever to dissolve, so use a frother or allot extra shaking time. —Louryn Strampe
Sakara Protein + Greens Super Powder for $90: With 17 grams of plant-based protein per serving, Sakara’s Protein + Greens is just three shy of the 20-gram benchmark we aim for. The blend of pea, hemp, and pumpkin proteins is bolstered by a “super greens” mix of spirulina, wheatgrass, barley grass, and chlorella. Is it dramatically transforming my gut health? Probably not. But on days when my vegetable and protein intake is low, a scoop of this in my smoothie (plus some Greek yogurt for an extra 18 grams of protein) makes me feel a little less like a goblin surviving on iced coffee and string cheese.
Ghost Whey Protein Powder for $50 (2.2 pounds): Ghost is the protein powder for people who want their post-workout snack to taste like dessert. With flavors like Oreo, Cinnabon, and Chips Ahoy!, it’s arguably one of the best-tasting whey proteins on the market. Each scoop delivers 26 grams of protein (50 percent of daily value) and blends well in shakes, oats, or even DIY protein ice cream. The trade-off here is a longer ingredient list that includes gums, high-fructose corn syrup, and titanium dioxide—a whitening pigment banned as a food additive in Europe.
Wavelength Vanilla Protein Powder for $55: In addition to 20 grams of pea protein per serving, Wavelength’s plant-based powder boasts trendy adaptogens and nootropics like maca root, ashwagandha, and Chaga mushroom extract. The brand doesn’t disclose how much of each is in the mix, so it’s hard to say if they’re doing much beyond adding to the price tag. The taste is deeply earthy, which makes it better suited for baking than chugging. Wavelength also makes Little Ripples, a protein powder formulated for kids, but we haven’t tested it yet.
Aloha 12oz Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Drink (Pack of 12) for $33: Aloha’s protein powder is still on my testing docket, but I have tried the brand’s ready-to-drink shakes. The chocolate sea salt is surprisingly tasty; it’s creamy and rich, but there’s a faint aftertaste. I sometimes use the vanilla flavor as a milk base for smoothies, and there’s also a coconut flavor I haven’t gotten my hands on yet. Each serving packs 20 grams of plant-based protein.
BSN True-Mass Weight Gainer, Muscle Mass Gainer Protein Powder for $83: If you’re trying to bulk up or struggle to hit your calorie goals, BSN True Mass is worth considering. This mass gainer packs 1,200 calories per serving, with 50 grams of protein and 215 grams of carbohydrates. Its protein blend includes whey concentrate, casein, milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, hydrolyzed whey isolate, and micellar casein, so you get a mix of fast and slow-digesting proteins. It also delivers 450 milligrams of calcium and 880 milligrams of potassium, which is a bonus if you want to squeeze in some micronutrients. It tastes great—the strawberry milkshake flavor is spot-on—but these are two scoops at 310 grams, so you’ll need to be comfortable with the jumbo serving size. I can’t fully endorse the formula because it’s packed with artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, as well as some iffy additives including maltodextrin and a gum blend (cellulose, guar, gum Arabic, and xanthan) that might not sit well with everyone. If you have a sensitive stomach, you might want to pass. This one brings protein farts to a new level.
Accessories to Try
Beast Mega 1200 for $199: If you’re looking to level up your smoothie game, Mega’s 1,200-watt motor cuts through frozen fruit, powders, and fibrous foods with an ease that personal blenders can’t match. One button, a timed cycle, and consistent chunk-free results. The three included Tritan vessels are designed with ribbed interiors that boost turbulence for silkier smoothies. Plus, the drinking lid and straw system transforms your blender into a travel cup without the extra dishes. It’s available in five colors—cloud white, carbon black, navy, sand, sage, and charcoal—and backed by a two-year warranty.
Vitamix Ascent X5 for $750: The Vitamix Ascent X5 is expensive, but if you’re in the market for an all-purpose blender, this is the one that makes smoothies feel like an art form. It’s got 10 preset programs (smoothie bowls, nut butters, nondairy milks, and more), which means your protein recipes can get as creative as you want. It has a tamper for the thickest of shakes, and the on-screen indicator tells you exactly when to step in. Plus, if your blend needs more mixing, hit the “add 15 seconds” button. The self-cleaning mode is my favorite feature; it’s not groundbreaking, but I’d rather gouge my eyes out with a dull chopstick than scrub post-smoothie gunk off a blender. Plus, it’s backed by a 10-year warranty, which makes it an investment worth considering.
Ninja Blast Portable Blender for $53: Finally, for an affordable option, you might want to consider Ninja’s tiny portable blender, which charges via USB-C. The motor isn’t super powerful, and the battery isn’t long-lived (one charge lasts long enough to thoroughly blend one yogurt smoothie with frozen berries), but this blender is affordable, the vessel and lid are dishwasher-safe, and it’s tiny enough to have a permanent home on editor Adrienne So’s counter. She has been using this daily for a year to make morning smoothies from Greek yogurt, milk, and frozen berries and bananas with no issues.
