The 16 Best Protein Powders for Women, Tested and Dietitian-Approved - Health.com

Whether you're trying to build muscle or eat more plant-based foods, or if you're simply struggling to meet your protein needs through food alone, protein powders are an undeniably convenient addition to your pantry—easy to mix into water, milk, a smoothie, or even baked goods.

For women with certain conditions or in certain life stages, especially pregnant people and older women, there are certain ingredients to look out for when selecting the best protein powder for you—particularly questionable ones like herbs and adaptogens that may not be evidence-backed or safe for those with certain health conditions. Third-party testing is also crucial, so you don't end up with unwanted ingredients or contaminants in your smoothie. Of course, you also want a protein powder that fits your dietary needs, which means choosing whether you want a plant-based or animal-based option. Both have pros and cons, so it comes down to preference and flavor.

After taste-testing 25 protein powders in our lab and rating their flavor, texture, aftertaste, smell, and value, our nutrition editor also rated their ingredients, nutrition facts, and third-party testing status. We considered all of these factors when selecting the best protein powders for women.

Our Top Picks

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Amazon

Naked Nutrition's Chocolate Whey Protein Powder is our favorite protein powder pick, as it's Informed Choice Certified, sourced from grass-fed cows, and free from artificial sweeteners. Unlike many other protein powders, Naked Nutrition's Chocolate Whey Protein Powder is sweetened exclusively with organic coconut sugar, giving it a subtly sweet chocolate flavor with no unpleasant aftertaste, which we love. 

This does mean it has a few grams of added sugars per serving, but it's worth it for the delicious flavor (plus, the added sugars are pretty minimal—only three grams). For reference, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting added sugars to 10% of your daily calorie intake; for someone who consumes 2,000 calories per day, that's about 50 grams.

The only ingredients besides coconut sugar are whey protein concentrate and organic cacao powder. Each two-scoop serving provides 25 grams of protein. We like that there is no aftertaste with this powder, has a great smell, and the taste is subtly sweet. Keep in mind that whey protein concentrate has a higher lactose content than a powder made from hydrolyzed whey protein or plant-based proteins, so it may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance. 

Besides the pleasant flavor, we also really like the smooth texture of this protein powder. We noticed some slight sediment on the bottom after mixing, but the texture wasn't sandy or gritty. We're confident this powder will go great mixed with just water or milk or in a smoothie, especially with its subtle cocoa flavor.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Whey protein concentrate
• Number of Servings: 60
• Serving Size: 2 scoops (38 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 25 grams
• Calories: 160
• Added Sugar: 3 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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With 20 grams of plant-based protein from a combination of peas, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds, we like KOS's Vegan Superfood Protein Powder as a great plant-based protein powder for women. Combining these different forms of protein ensures that you'll get all of the essential amino acids. Since it's made from plants, we also like that it has three grams of fiber per serving. Protein and fiber help promote satiety, so this pick is a great addition to a breakfast smoothie to hold you over until lunch or your morning snack.

In our testing, we loved that there was no unpleasant aftertaste. Similar to our best overall pick, this powder is sweetened with coconut sugar. However, it does also contain stevia and monk fruit extract, but we found that the flavor wasn't overpowering. 

Aside from the protein content, this protein powder also contains an organic fruit and veggie blend, as well as a vitamin and mineral blend. As a result, it contains micronutrients important for women, including 30% of the Daily Value (DV) for iron. It also contains 14% of the DV for sodium, so if you have high blood pressure and want a plant-based option, you may want one with lower sodium. However, this can serve as a great post-workout snack to help replace electrolytes lost in sweat from a long or hard workout.

This powder also contains a digestive enzyme blend. Note that digestive enzymes typically aren't necessary for those without a health issue that hinders the natural production of digestive enzymes. Also, be sure to show the ingredient list to a healthcare provider to check for any allergens or potential interactions with your other medications or supplements. Of note, this pick is also not clearly third-party tested for contaminants and accurate ingredients.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Pea, flax seed, pumpkin seed, chia seed
• Number of Servings: 28
• Serving Size: 2 scoops (39 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 20 grams
• Calories: 160
• Added Sugar: 2 grams
• Third-Party Tested: No

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Amazon

We like Dymatize's ISO100 Whey Protein Powder for a whey protein for women because it is Informed Choice Certified and contains 25 grams of protein from whey protein hydrolysate and isolate. These types of whey protein are higher in protein and lower in fat and carbohydrates from cow's milk. Therefore, this choice may work for you even if you have lactose intolerance since it's lower in lactose than protein powders with whey protein concentrate. 

Jenn Schmidt, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in performance nutrition, weight management, and gastrointestinal health, says whey protein is great for muscle growth and repair since it is quickly absorbed and digested by the body. Plus, it's high in the amino acid leucine, which is a key amino acid for muscles, making this a good refueling option after a strength-training session.

We taste-tested the chocolate peanut butter cup flavor and loved the delicious taste; it was spot on with the description. The texture was also pleasing—smooth and consistent, with minimal residue after 30 seconds of shaking. 

For women, we love that this powder contains 10% of the DV for calcium to help promote strong bones. 

Note that this protein powder does contain milk, peanuts, and soy ingredients, so if you have allergies to these ingredients, it's best to find a different flavor or a different pick entirely.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Whey protein hydrolysate and isolate
• Number of Servings: 71
• Serving Size: 1 scoop (32 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 25 grams
• Calories: 120 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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Bubs Naturals

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, and for women looking to supplement it, we recommend BUBS Naturals' Collagen Peptides Powder. Collagen supplements may be useful for women looking to promote skin elasticity and strengthen bones, especially as you age. We like that this is NSF Certified for Sport, so you can feel confident that it's free from banned substances and that the ingredient label is accurate. 

We found its flavor to be way more subtle than other collagen powders we tested—in a good way. Despite some collagen powders saying they're unflavored, they can have a dairy-like taste. However, BUBS Naturals' Collagen Peptides Powder was the closest to unflavored we could find. It mixes great, especially in cold beverages, and it is not grainy. 

It's important to note that collagen is not a complete source of protein, so Schmidt advises against taking this after a workout for muscle recovery. Instead, she recommends taking it about an hour before a workout with a source of vitamin C to maximize collagen synthesis.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Collagen peptides (Bovine)
• Number of Servings: 28
• Serving Size: 2 scoop (20 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 18 grams
• Calories: 70 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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Amazon

For those looking for a high-quality source of protein at an affordable price, we recommend Optimum Nutrition's Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder. It's Informed Choice Certified and packed with 24 grams of highly bioavailable whey protein. The whey protein is a combination of isolate, concentrate, and hydrolysate forms of whey. The whey concentrate can be tougher to digest if you have lactose intolerance, but this may still work for you (depending on the level of intolerance) since it has a combination of other lower-lactose types of whey protein as well. 

Despite this protein powder containing artificial sweeteners, we were pleasantly surprised in our testing that it had almost no aftertaste, and the chocolate in the double rich chocolate flavored powder was light and natural. The texture was thinner than we anticipated, but it mixed into the liquid quickly and effectively. While we thoroughly enjoyed this flavor, this powder also comes in over a dozen flavors, from mocha cappuccino to delicious strawberry and more.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Whey protein blend (isolate, concentrate, hydrolysate)
• Number of Servings: 74
• Serving Size: About 1 scoop (30.4 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 24 grams
• Calories: 120 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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Amazon

If you're looking for a protein powder that's absorbed more slowly than whey, we recommend Dymatize's Elite Casein Protein Powder. Like whey, casein is a dairy-based protein source that contains all the essential amino acids. However, it's a better source of calcium, which is especially important for women 50 and older who have higher calcium needs. This one contains an impressive 45% of the DV for calcium and 25 grams of complete protein per serving. 

Unlike whey, casein is digested slowly, which could help promote muscle repair while you sleep. In fact, a recent study found that consuming 40 grams of casein 30 minutes before bed and after resistance exercise could facilitate muscle recovery overnight.

In our testing, we loved the smooth texture of this product that, when mixed with water, resembled soy or skim milk. We tested the vanilla flavor, which was mild and tasted very natural with no aftertaste despite the artificial sweeteners.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Casein
• Number of Servings: 55
• Serving Size: 2 scoops (33 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 25 grams
• Calories: 120 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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Amazon

If choosing an organic protein powder is important to you, we recommend Ora's Organic So lean & so clean. We love the taste of this powder and that it has 21 grams of plant-based protein per serving from peas and rice. Since pea protein is a complete source of protein, you'll get all the essential amino acids from this blend. We tested the vanilla chai flavor and found the flavor to be delicious and spot on. If vanilla chai isn't your favorite, it also comes in vanilla or chocolate. 

This protein powder does have a fairly long ingredient list packed with plant foods like amaranth, sacha inchi, Jerusalem artichoke, kale, turmeric, and acai. These various ingredients contribute to providing vitamins and minerals, including 39% of the DV for iron per serving. Menstruating and pregnant women have higher iron needs, so this high iron content can be a huge asset for some women.

However, not everyone may want or need the added digestive enzyme blend in this protein powder. Check with a healthcare provider and show them the ingredient list to be sure it is safe for you to consume and doesn't interact with any medications or supplements you are already taking.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Pea, rice
• Number of Servings: 20
• Serving Size: 2 scoops (30 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 21 grams
• Calories: 120
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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Transparent Labs

Transparent Labs' Mass Gainer is an Informed Choice certified high-calorie, high-protein powder for those looking to gain muscle and weight. It has 750 calories per serving which comes from a combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The protein comes from whey protein concentrate, so if you have lactose intolerance, you'll probably want to skip this one. However, whey protein is known to be very effective at promoting muscle growth. This protein powder also has creatine, which can also promote muscle growth. There's also prebiotic soluble fiber added to this powder to help provide six grams of fiber per serving, and this added fiber may help promote a healthy gut microbiome.

For women, we love that this powder has 20% of the DV for calcium and no added sugars. It's sweetened with Stevia extract, which we found made the aftertaste linger, but since it has a delicious chocolate flavor, we personally don't mind. 

If you're concerned that one serving is more nutrients than you need, you can always use one scoop (½ serving), which would still provide about 27 grams of protein.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Whey protein concentrate
• Number of Servings: 15
• Serving Size: 2 scoops (194 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 53 grams
• Calories: 750
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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Transparent Labs 

During pregnancy, it's especially important to prioritize third-party tested supplements. That's one reason we recommend Transparent Labs' 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate during pregnancy, as, like other picks, it's Informed Choice Certified. We also like the simple ingredient list, it's sourced from grass-fed cows, and has 28 grams of protein per serving.

Protein plays an important role in pregnancy, as adequate protein intake is important for fetal growth and development. However, a 2021 study found that about one in eight women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy don't consume enough protein. So if you find that you are struggling to meet your needs from food alone, adding protein powder can be helpful during pregnancy. Each scoop of this pick has 28 grams of complete protein, which can help tremendously to meet pregnancy protein needs. This pick is free of artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners and has one of the highest protein-by-weight ratios for a protein powder. (Simply meaning, it's really high in protein compared to its weight.)

The protein in this product is whey protein isolate, which has a much lower lactose content than whey protein concentrate. There's only one gram of carbohydrate, which confirms the lactose content is minimal since lactose is a carbohydrate.

When mixing this powder, we recommend shaking it for a little longer than 30 seconds so that it fully dissolves. It was pretty thick in our testing. We recommend mixing it in a smoothie (especially if battling morning sickness) that has a balance of fruits, vegetables, and desired liquid for a balanced pregnancy meal or snack. This can also help mask any noticeable aftertaste from the stevia sweetener.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Whey protein isolate
• Number of Servings: 30
• Serving Size: 1 scoop (32.96 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 28 grams
• Calories: 120
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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Amazon

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body. It provides structure to bones, muscles, connective tissue, and the skin. As women age, they produce less collagen naturally, which can cause greater skin sagging and reduced skin elasticity. Therefore, some women may want a means of countering this natural decrease in collagen. For that reason, we recommend Vital Proteins Lemon Collagen Peptides for older women. 

It's NSF Certified for Sport and has 18 grams of collagen per serving. For reference, some studies have shown that you need only 2.5–15 grams for skin health benefits, so you may not even need to have a full serving to reap skin health benefits from collagen.

In our testing, we enjoyed having this collagen powder in both hot and cold beverages; when having it hot, we loved the lemon flavor it added to tea. When added to cold water, it tasted like a lightly sweetened lemonade. We found that it blended well into beverages of either temperature.

Another consideration for women is collagen may also promote bone and joint health. Studies examining the effectiveness of different types of collagen for osteoarthritis, a common joint disease amongst older adults, have found that hydrolyzed collagen, the type found in this collagen supplement, may improve joint pain and function.

Keep in mind that collagen doesn't have all nine essential amino acids, so this wouldn't be the most effective protein powder to take following a workout or to improve muscle growth and repair specifically.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Collagen peptides (Bovine)
• Number of Servings: 14
• Serving Size: 4 tablespoons (22 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 18 grams
• Calories: 80 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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Amazon

For athletes, especially those playing at a competitive level, the most important thing is finding a third-party tested product to ensure you aren't unknowingly consuming any banned substances. The next most important thing is finding a protein powder that will help you meet your performance goals and promote muscle recovery. 

To meet those two needs, we recommend Ascent's Native Fuel Whey Protein Powder. It's Informed Sport Certified and incorporates a combination of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate with 25 grams of protein per serving. It mainly relies on whey protein isolate—the first ingredient listed—which reduces the lactose content and increases the protein content. The fact that there's also whey protein concentrate may trigger digestive upset for those who are very sensitive to lactose, but it's not the main protein source. So, those with mild lactose intolerance should be okay with this one. 

Consuming whey protein after a workout has been shown to promote recovery and boost performance effectively. Therefore, it's recommended as a high-quality protein source for athletes. We also like that this protein powder is low in sodium, with only 5% of the DV. It's also a good source of calcium, with 10% of the DV, and the chocolate peanut butter flavor we tested also has 6% of the DV for iron, vitamin D, and potassium.

Besides its nutritional profile, we enjoyed the strong peanut butter flavor of this protein powder. The chocolate flavor was more muted than we expected, but if you're a peanut butter lover, we think you'll especially love this flavor. If not, Ascent offers this protein powder in a few other flavors, including chocolate, cookies & cream, mint chocolate chip, and more.

Product Details:

• Protein Type: Whey protein isolate and concentrate
• Number of Servings: 26
• Serving Size: 1 scoop (35 grams)
• Protein per Serving: 25 grams
• Calories: 130 
• Added Sugar: 0 grams
• Third-Party Tested: Yes

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