Reviewing the Top 16 Protein Powders

31 May 2024 2702

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Protein powder no longer only brings to mind a chalky substance used exclusively by bodybuilders pursuing muscle growth. Today, everyone from busy mothers to runners uses protein powder and many would be surprised to discover that many of these powders taste strikingly similar to creamy milkshakes one might order at a traditional diner. Katherine Brooking, MS, RD, a registered dietitian, points out, “Increasing your protein intake throughout your day can assist in keeping you feeling full while also building lean muscle mass.”

If you have a goal to consume more protein in your diet, then a good initial investment is a jar of protein powder. Protein powder, which is seen as a nutritional supplement, is a rich source of protein and can assist you in building muscle, managing cravings, and speeding up muscle recovery after a workout. To assist you in locating the best protein powders to assist in achieving your health and fitness objectives, we conducted taste tests on 25 different products from well-known brands in our experimental lab. Here are the comprehensive results from our taste tests.

Naked Nutrition's whey protein powder emerged as the best of all protein powders we test conducted due to it being obtained from grass-fed cows, easily mixed without leaving a chalky aftertaste, and free of artificial ingredients. We also found that this had a pleasing aroma akin to Swiss Miss hot chocolate and had a rather delightful flavor without the often-dreaded chalky aftertaste found in many other protein powders. When mixing this powder with cold water, it was quite similar to chocolate milk (much to our enjoyment!).

We also liked that Naked Nutrition's whey didn't have a gritty texture, even when simply mixed in a shaker bottle. Note that there may be a little residue left in the glass after shaking for the recommended 30 seconds but the texture was smooth and pleasing to drink. If you're keeping an eye on your sugar intake, be aware that this protein powder contains 3 grams of sugar per serving derived from organic coconut sugar, which also increases the carbohydrate count to 8 grams per serving. However, it doesn't feature any artificial flavorings or sweeteners, so there's no strange, bitter aftertaste post-drink.

Dymatize's ISO100 chocolate peanut butter whey tasted just like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup as we had anticipated, and we were pleased by the balance of flavors. While it tastes good on its own, the protein powder will add value to oatmeal or protein pancakes - making it a great addition to sweet recipes. Although artificial sweeteners are present, these do not leave much of an aftertaste and didn't make us feel dehydrated after consumption. Full dissolution required a complete 30-second shake, after which it presented a smooth texture and was easy to drink with minimal residue left behind.

Your protein intake needs to be spread across the day, and Happy Viking’s Iced Coffee flavor is particularly suited to morning use as a coffee additive. We tried a scoop with our morning coffee and found it gave a creamy, luxurious taste and texture. As the protein powder tasted slightly sweet, the need for creamer was reduced. It has now become an essential part of our morning routine.

For those not fond of the typically gritty texture of protein powder, Ladder's protein powder might be a pleasant surprise. Interestingly smooth, both in its packaging and when mixed with water, this powder barely settles at the bottom of the glass, an issue often prevalent in other protein powders. While slightly pricier than other alternatives, it boasts superior drinkability and smoothness that may justify the additional cost for those particular about texture. Furthermore, it is incredibly chocolaty, and only reveals a faint earthy note after mixing with water.

We also favor Ascent's whey protein powder, which carries an Informed Sport Certification, ensuring it is free of banned substances. In addition to its mouthwatering chocolate peanut butter flavor, Ascent provides 5.7 grams of BCAAs and 25 grams of protein with just 130 calories per scoop. It has a delightful texture and is lump-free even after a full scoop is mixed with just 4 ounces of water. A sip of Ascent delivers a significant hit of peanut butter flavor, unmarred by any grainy texture.

Megan Hilbert, MS, RD explains that casein protein powder, being dairy-based, is absorbed slower than whey. We favor Dymatize's Elite Casein for its light texture, smooth consistency, and understated vanilla flavor, which are perfect for a pre-bedtime drink. If your workout is in the night, a 40 grams intake of casein protein half an hour before going to bed can facilitate muscle building and recovery. The Dymatize casein powder dissolves easily, leaving no residue at the bottom of the glass, and at roughly $40 for a two-pound tub (approximately $1.50 per serving) is great value for money.

KOS' Vegan Superfood Protein Powder is a useful supplement whether you have a dairy allergy or aim to limit animal products in your diet. Its organic peas, flaxseed, quinoa, pumpkin seed, and chia base supplies all essential amino acids to facilitate muscle building, along with 20 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber beneficial for the gut. Being a rare source for nutrients like zinc, B vitamins, and iron deficient in vegan diets, this product carries immense nutritional value.

It has a light chocolate flavor and subtle taste. Despite the brand's description of 'decadent chocolate,' the flavor is fairly mild. Unlike many plant protein powders, which can be gritty, it is very smooth to drink.

For those in search of a gently flavored vanilla protein powder that blends seamlessly with smoothies or on its own, Gnarly's Grass-Fed Whey is the one. This protein powder tastes akin to subtly flavored milk when mixed with plain water and is neither overly sweet nor reminiscent of sweet vanilla ice cream or cake. The texture of this fine powder is super smooth, and it doesn't clump in the shaker bottle. Along with being NSF Content Certified (tested for heavy metals, microbes, and pesticides) and NSF for Sport Certified, it also contains added probiotics and prebiotics to aid gut health.

In our tests, the AMP Pure Isolate by GNC emerged as the top favorite in the cocoa flavor category among all the protein powders we sampled. The Chocolate Frosting variant truly lives up to the flavor profile touted on its label. Despite having a slightly artificial taste due to the use of sucralose, this protein powder delivered a delightful milkshake experience even when mixed only with water. It leaves a stronger aftertaste compared to the Chocolate Whey Protein Powder from Naked Nutrition, but the rich chocolatey flavor is truly noteworthy. We discovered that after shaking the mix for about 30 seconds, the powder neatly dissolved without leaving any residual granules. It had a silky texture and showed no signs of powder lumps. With a good protein to calorie ratio, this protein isolate offers a robust 25 grams of protein for a mere 130 calories.

We were absolutely taken with the Gourmet Vanilla flavor. It has a vanilla cake essence and leaves no aftertaste despite containing artificial sweeteners. This PEScience powder, reminiscent of baked goods, makes a delicious addition to smoothies, shakes, or even protein brownies. It comes in 11 dazzling different flavor variations, including Snickerdoodle, Peanut Butter Cookie, White Chocolate Macadamia, Cake Pop, and more. Shaking it for just 10 seconds blended everything well in our shaker bottle. The pour was evenly smooth and revealed no clumps, reminding us of 'liquid silk.'

If muscle gain is your primary aim, look no further than the Mass Gainer powder from Transparent Labs. A single, large 2-scoop serving contains 750 calories, which is broken down into 53 grams of protein, 14 grams of fat, and 110 grams of carbs. The powder's main ingredient is maltodextrin, a common carbohydrate used in mass gainer powders, with protein derived from grass-fed cows. It was a pleasant surprise that the taste was in line with its advertised flavor of a chocolate-glazed doughnut and it did not taste overly artificial or chalky. While we enjoyed the consistent flavor throughout, the powder's light texture was slightly unexpected. However, this made it a delight to drink, especially considering the substantial serving size.

The So Lean & So Clean protein powder from Ora Organic does a lot more than just a regular protein powder. It boasts 19 superfood ingredients, including organic sprouted quinoa, acai, kale, broccoli, and coconut milk. We tried the vanilla chai flavor and were impressed. We recommend using plant-based milk instead of water for a richer taste. Though the powder separated slightly from the liquid, it didn’t affect the overall experience.

We loved the XWERKS Grow protein powder for its user-friendly Ziploc packaging that squeezes into even the tightest cabinet spaces. The rich cocoa scent and the Hershey’s-esque peanut butter flavor left us savoring the drink instead of hurriedly gulping it down. However, third-party testing data of this protein powder has been challenging to find. We wish there was an impartial party to verify its ingredients and nutritional content.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder has a chocolate flavor that was light and natural-tasting for a more subtle take on protein powders. We tested the “Double Rich Chocolate” and dubbed it “perfectly pleasant and lightly chocolatey” upon first mix. It fully dissolved with no clumps whatsoever in only 10 seconds or so. However, we were disappointed at how thin the final result was when mixing according to package directions. Once the “official” portion of testing was over, we halved the water and blended with ice, which resulted in a much thicker, more flavorful protein shake.

Now Sports sources its plant protein complex from pea, hemp, and quinoa. It has 22 grams of protein per 140 calories, which is solid for a vegan protein powder. While the texture was smooth and clump-free, we did get a stevia-dominant aftertaste.

Sunwarrior Classic Protein Powder is made with fermented brown rice protein and has 18 grams of protein per 100 calories. Although it had a rich, creamy consistency, we didn't like the slightly grassy smell and harsh stevia aftertaste.

Protein powders can be made from either animal or plant sources, but still, there are many different types to consider. According to Hilbert, here are the most popular types of protein powders and what they're best for:

April Benshosan is a health journalist and editor who graduated with a Master's in Publishing, and her dedication to responsible health journalism has led her to spearhead the nutrition verticals at two major publications before freelancing full-time. She's an avid weightlifter and relies on protein powder to meet her goals, and she's personally tested many of the products on this list. We interviewed two dietitians for this story:

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