The 10 Best Whey Protein Powders of 2024 - Health.com
Out of all the protein powder options, whey protein stands out for one simple reason: this variety of protein may be more easily absorbed than other types of protein powders. For that reason alone, it's favored among fitness enthusiasts and anyone with an active lifestyle. It's also a great pick for adults with higher protein needs or to fill in the gaps in your diet that aren't being met by food.
Whey protein is derived from cow's milk, and it's a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein that our bodies can't make ourselves. It is versatile and works well in shaker bottles, smoothies, and a variety of recipes. There are two types of whey protein: whey protein isolates and whey protein concentrate (a blend of the two). Both can help you meet your protein needs, but according to registered dietitian Katie Schimmelpfenning, RD, whey protein isolate has a higher concentration of protein and is often better tolerated by people who are lactose intolerant.
Experts agree that protein type and third-party testing are important factors to consider when choosing a whey protein powder, but taste and consistency will make you actually want to drink your protein shake. We tested 24 popular protein powders in our New York City-based lab for taste, texture, smell, after-taste, and overall value. Our registered dietitians also evaluated the powders based on nutritional profiles, ingredient lists, additives, third-party testing, and value to bring you the 10 best whey protein powders you can buy.
Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. They also may interact with other supplements or medications you are taking. Our team of registered dietitians reviews supplements according to our rigorous dietary supplement methodology. We also had a registered dietitian review this page for its scientific accuracy. Please always speak with a healthcare provider to discuss any supplements you plan on taking. Be aware, that protein (all types including plant-based and whey) may decrease the effectiveness of Levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkison's disease, and whey protein may decrease the effectiveness of some antibiotics as well. We recommend consulting with your healthcare provider prior to adding any new supplements to your diet.
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Why We Like It
Naked Nutrition Whey Protein Powder has a pleasant chocolatey taste and offers 25 grams of protein per serving. We love the simplicity of this powder and that it's made with only three ingredients: whey concentrate, coconut sugar, and cocoa powder. The whey is sourced from grass-fed, free-roaming cows, never treated with growth hormones, from farms in Idaho and Northern California.
It scored high marks with our testers, with one reporting the smell was reminiscent of Swiss Miss hot cocoa powder, and the flavor matched. Our editors found that the three grams of added sugar from coconut sugar made it just sweet enough without the bitter aftertaste you may experience with artificial or nonnutritive sweeteners. We also appreciate that it is Informed Choice certified, ensuring it is not contaminated with banned or possibly unsafe substances.
When mixed with water in a shaker bottle, the powder blended well and created a full-bodied, smooth drink, although there was some sediment left in the bottom of the bottle. At just $1.83 per serving, we love the quality, taste, texture, and value of this whey protein powder, making it the best overall on our list.
It's Worth Noting
Each serving does contain three grams of added sugars from coconut sugar. Keep in mind that people who are lactose intolerant may not tolerate this powder, as well as a protein powder with whey isolate. This powder is also available in vanilla, strawberry, or unflavored varieties.
Product Details:
- Protein Type: Whey protein concentrate
- Number of Servings: 60
- Serving Size: 2 scoops (38 grams)
- Protein per Serving: 25 grams
- Calories: 160 calories
- Added Sugar: 3 grams
- Sugar substitute: None
- Third-Party Tested: Informed Choice
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Why We Like It
If you chase a strength training session with a protein shake, we recommend Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder. Schimmelpfenning recommends this protein powder to her athlete clients because it has over 2 grams of leucine per scoop, an essential branched-chain amino acid that stimulates muscle growth and repair. It also contains an impressive 24 grams of protein per serving and may be easier for people with lactose sensitivity to digest. The protein blend includes whey isolate, concentrate, and hydrolysate and the company states that the majority comes from whey isolate.
Our testers found the Double Rich Chocolate flavor has a light and natural tasting flavor, a pleasant smell when mixed with water, and no aftertaste. While the powder mixed well with water and left very little sediment in the bottom of the glass, our testers reported that they would have loved for the mixture to be a little thicker, as it was a touch watery. We recommend mixing it with milk or non-dairy milk or blending it into a shake for a thicker consistency.
This powder has no added sugars, although it does contain two artificial sweeteners, sucralose and acesulfame potassium. It is Informed Choice certified, verifying that it's free from banned substances for competitive sports.
It's Worth Noting
When mixed with water, the texture is very thin, almost water-like, and may need to be mixed with other ingredients for a thicker texture. It also contains two artificial sweeteners, sucralose and acesulfame potassium, which some people may choose to avoid.
Product Details:
- Protein Type: Whey protein blend (isolate, concentrate, hydrolysate)
- Number of Servings: 74 per container
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (33 grams)
- Protein per Serving: 24 grams
- Calories: 120 calories
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Sugar Substitute: Sucralose, Acesulfame potassium
- Third-Party Tested: Yes
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Why We Like It
Ascent Whey Protein is Informed Sport certified and one of the few protein powders on the market that's free of artificial flavors and sweeteners, making it a great choice for athletes, says Schimmelpfenning. Flavored with peanuts and cocoa and sweetened with stevia, this protein powder has a deliciously strong peanut butter taste. Our testers loved how well it mixed with water, leaving no clumps of powder in the glass after shaking for 30 seconds.
The protein is mostly whey protein isolates but also includes some whey concentrate to give you 25 grams of protein per scoop. One of our testers reported, that while the taste was enjoyable when drinking it, the powder did leave an almost dusty aftertaste, void of the initial strong peanut butter flavor. That said, we think this is a great recovery drink after any type of endurance exercise. However, athletes may want to pair this with a carbohydrate source, as each serving of Ascent Protein contains just 5 grams of carbohydrates.
It's Worth Noting
The packaging is difficult to close because powder tends to get trapped in the tracks, potentially impacting its freshness. It contains stevia, which some people may dislike.
Product Details:
- Protein Type: Whey protein isolate blend (native whey protein isolate, whey protein isolate), whey protein concentrate
- Number of Servings: 26 per container
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (35 grams)
- Protein per Serving: 25 grams
- Calories: 130 calories
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Sugar Substitute: Stevia
- Third-Party Tested: Yes
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Why We Like It
We love that this Dymatize ISO100 whey protein powder uses a blend of whey protein isolate and hydrolyzed whey protein isolate to give you 25 grams of protein per serving. Whey isolate undergoes filtration that removes a significant amount of the milk sugar lactose; this processing not only leaves more protein behind but also makes it more suitable for those who are lactose intolerant. Athletes can also confidently use this protein powder as it's Informed Choice certified.
We tested the chocolate peanut butter cup flavor, and one of our testers reported they felt like they were drinking a Reese's peanut butter cup. We found the flavor to be sweet but not too sweet, and it tasted great when just mixed with water. Our testers found the texture to be creamy and smooth, with minimal protein powder residue left behind and little to no aftertaste. This powder also mixes well into foods like oatmeal or pancakes for a quick and easy protein boost. The one downfall is that it's sweetened with the artificial sweetener, sucralose, which is low calorie but not ideal for everyone.
It's Worth Noting
It contains sucralose, an artificial sweetener which some may wish to avoid.
Product Details:
- Protein Type: Hydrolyzed whey protein isolate and whey protein isolate
- Number of Servings: 71
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (32 grams)
- Protein per Serving: 25 grams
- Calories: 120 calories
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Sugar Substitutes: Sucralose
- Third-Party Tested: Yes
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Why We Like It
If you're looking for a boost of 25 grams of protein and to satisfy your chocolate craving, the GNC AMP Pure Isolate Whey Protein in chocolate frosting flavor is our top pick. While one of our testers reported that there was a slightly artificial taste (likely from the artificial flavors listed on the ingredient list), the overall flavor was intense and deliciously chocolatey. Our testers also reported it blended really well with just water, with one reporting it had a smooth texture and tasted like a chocolate smoothie when mixed with water. We found there to be no graininess or clumping, and it left no residue in the shaker bottle.
We also appreciate that this powder is certified gluten-free and uses just whey protein isolate, which may be easier to digest for people with lactose intolerance. This powder is third-party tested by Informed Choice, and according to the company website, GNC provides testing to ensure that this powder is free from the 220 banned substances on the 2020 World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list, especially important for athletes participating in sports.
It's Worth Noting
This powder contains artificial flavors, which we picked up on during testing. This powder is also sweetened with the artificial sweetener sucralose, which some may choose to avoid.
Product Details:
- Protein Type: Whey protein isolate
- Number of Servings: 70
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (34.5 grams)
- Protein per Serving: 25 grams
- Calories: 130 calories
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Sugar Substitutes: Sucralose
- Third-Party Tested: Yes
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Why We Like It
The flavor of the gourmet vanilla PEScience Select Protein whey + casein, along with the incredibly smooth texture, gave us serious cupcake vibes, with the only downside being that it was gone too soon. It scored high points with our testers, with one reporting that it tasted light and sweet and exactly like vanilla, with some hints of cake on the backend and zero aftertaste.
PEScience uses whey and casein to give you the benefits of both in one powder. Whey protein is digested faster, making it great for after workouts, and casein is a slow-digesting protein that can help prevent muscle breakdown and encourage muscle growth for several hours after it's been consumed. Each serving provides 24 grams of protein, along with 120 calories and 21% of the daily value of calcium. A member of our testing team reported the powder mixed to a perfectly smooth consistency within 10 seconds in a shaker bottle without a single clump or any graininess. Therefore, we recommend this one for on-the-go, and with its rich vanilla flavor, it could be a great addition to smoothies, shakes, brownies, and beyond.
If the other flavors by PEScience are as good as the gourmet vanilla, we can't wait to get our hands on them. Other fun flavor options include chocolate truffle, cake pop, snickerdoodle, chocolate peanut butter cup, chocolate frosted cupcake, and strawberry cheesecake.
It's Worth Noting
It contains artificial flavors and is sweetened with two artificial sweeteners, sucralose and acesulfame potassium, which some may wish to avoid.
Product Details:
- Protein Type: Whey protein and casein
- Number of Servings: 55
- Serving Size: 1 scoop (31 grams)
- Protein per Serving: 24 grams
- Calories: 120 calories
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Sugar Substitutes: Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose
- Third-Party Tested: Every batch is third-party tested for quality, purity, and protein content, according to the company. Customers can enter their lot number for more information on each product purchased.
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Why We Like It
Thorne Chocolate Whey Protein Isolate has 21 grams of protein from only whey isolate, making it easier to absorb and digest for people with lactose intolerance. Schimmelpfenning appreciates that this protein powder is NSF Certified for Sport, which makes it an easy recommendation for athletes, but she's less of a fan of the lingering aftertaste.
A member of our testing team found this powder smelled strongly like a delicious hot cocoa mix, but when consumed with water, it had a more muted chocolate flavor. We found the texture to be smooth and thick, almost pudding-like, when mixed with just water. We also noticed a neutral chocolate aftertaste that took a while to go away after drinking. While the texture was too thick when mixed with water, it could be more enjoyable in a smoothie or in oatmeal.
This powder is sweetened with stevia and cane sugar juice, giving it only one gram of added sugar per serving while avoiding artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols, which can lead to stomach upset in some people.
It's Worth Noting
The aftertaste lingered around for quite some time and wasn't entirely pleasant. It contains stevia, which some may dislike.
Product Details:
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