Best Protein Powders (original) (raw)

We’ve Tried Dozens of Protein Powders, and These Are the Best

Including animal- and plant-based protein powders in different flavors.

By ,a writer at the Strategist covering clothing basics and bath and body. She joined the Strategist as a junior writer in 2022 after interning at the site.

Photo: Marcus McDonald

Best whey-protein powders
Best plant-based protein powders
Best collagen-protein powder
All the other protein powders we’ve tried

Protein powders are popular for their ability to help people gain and retain muscle, but these supplements aren’t just for gym rats with high protein needs. Nutritionist Heidi Skolnik explained that they’re helpful for “people who are traveling, vegetarians, and plant-based athletes.” They’re also convenient for picky eaters, such as the children of nutritionist and personal trainer Aynsley Kirshenbaum, who get a sneaky scoop of powder in their evening mac and cheese.

All the nutritionists we spoke to stressed that they cannot be relied upon to replace three balanced, protein-rich meals throughout the day. They’re most helpful for times when your body needs protein outside of regular mealtimes, such as directly after a workout. ASCM fitness nutrition specialist and personal trainer Oscar Colon IV recommends drinking shakes within 30 minutes of completion to maximize the benefits.

When picking the best powder for your body, all the experts we spoke to emphasized that the right choice has more to do with what works well for your own dietary needs and taste preferences than any universal criteria. Most rely on some combination of whey-derived proteins, which are the most digestible and fastest acting. However, whey comes from milk and is not vegan-friendly. On the other hand, most plant-based powders contain staggering amounts of sodium, as the extraction process often uses a lot of salt, making them unsuitable for people on low-sodium diets. Some are unflavored (unappetizing on their own, but ideal for mixing), while others are available only in chocolate and vanilla flavors. A select few might be taking cues from Willy Wonka, with flavors like churro and peppermint bark — the list goes on.To that end, associate editor (and fitness buff) Jeremy Rellosa and I have sought expert advice and tested dozens of powders over the years to find a few recommended options that cater to a wide variety of needs and preferences.We have recommendations for whey (including lactose-free), vegan, and collagen options.

_[_Editor’s note: A study published by Consumer Reports showed that several popular protein powders and shakes contained elevated levels of lead. The plant-based products had the most concerning levels. Of the protein powders we list here, Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey and Momentous Whey Protein Isolate, which are both whey-protein powders, were included in the report and categorized as “better choices for daily consumption.” Vega’s Performance Protein + Recovery, our current best NSF-certified plant-based protein powder for competitive athletes, was categorized as “okay to eat occasionally” since it had enough cadmium that just one serving would put you over the 4.1 micrograms considered harmful to have daily.]

Updated on April 14, 2026
All these picks are still our favorites and have been updated with the latest availability. I added my testing notes to the Momentous Whey Protein.

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Every nutritionist we spoke to told us that the first and main decision is whether you want an animal- or plant-based protein powder. Unless you’re vegan, experts we spoke to recommended whey protein as the most digestible, fast-acting powder to help with muscle building and weight loss.Among the two types of whey protein, experts prefer whey-protein isolate over whey-protein concentrate. Isolate is strained in a way that gives it a lower lactose content than whey-protein concentrate. There are even some that contain no lactose.

For vegans, vegetarians, and lactose-intolerant people on a budget, plant-based protein powders are the way to go. As the nutritionists said, powder made with pea protein is generally regarded as the most effective plant-based alternative to whey. And they say a pea-protein isolate, like a whey-protein isolate, is even better because it has the highest amount of protein per scoop. Just be sure to check the sodium content if you’re on a low-sodium diet, as many of these contain up to 17 percent of your daily recommended sodium intake in just one serving. While experts warn that some plant-based powders may cause gut discomfort or gassiness for some people (peas are a type of bean), all the ones we recommend were easy to digest in our own testing and according to the experts who recommend them.

It can be hard to shop by price when container and serving sizes both vary from brand to brand. Although the cost per ounce is often listed, a suggested serving size can vary by 50 percent or more. So you need to do some arithmetic to make sure you’re getting the most out of your dollar — or let us do it for you.

Salt is often used to help isolate protein from other ingredients. It’s quite common for a plant-based protein powder to contain 390 mg of sodium in a single serving — which is 17 percent of the USDA’s daily recommended intake and totally unviable for anyone on a low-sodium diet.

The taste of protein powder has improved significantly over the past decade. The most common options are vanilla, chocolate, and unflavored. But some powders come in a whole range, including more exciting ones like matcha or chai. “I recommend people just try one and see how they feel on it,” says Kirshenbaum. Some will add a bit of stevia extract to add sweetness without adding calories. All of the recommendations below were chosen for both their ingredients and their taste.

“The purpose of a protein powder is to provide a convenient high-protein snack,” explains registered dietitian Kaleigh Tjoelker. “We do not need these powders to provide an assortment of other nutrients.” She also looks out for artificial sweeteners, which she say can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Similarly, nutritionist Ariane Hundt cautions against powders that have Splenda and suggests looking for ones with natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit.

In January of this year, the Clean Label Project released a report stating that many protein powders may contain high levels of lead and cadmium — two toxic heavy metals — and that chocolate-flavored powders contained four times more lead and up to 110 times more cadmium than vanilla-flavored protein powders. (This makes sense given independent testing and reporting from Consumer Reportssuggesting that this is a problem throughout the cocoa supply chain.) While the report didn’t change the lineup of our favorite powders, it’s good to keep in mind that the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate protein powders because they are classified as dietary supplements. This means some protein powders may contain different or additional ingredients than what’s listed on the powder’s label.

However, some powders have been certified by the National Science Foundation, which trainer Don Saladino explains is a nationally recognized verification that proves there are no banned substances, contaminants, or masking agents in the product — making it a great option for athletes who compete professionally.

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Protein source: Whey protein isolate, whey concentrate, hydrolyzed whey | $/serving: $1.24 | Protein: 24 grams| Sodium: 130 mg | Flavor: Double-rich chocolate | Additional ingredients: Natural and artificial flavors, sunflower-soy lecithin, acesulfame potassium

The world of supplements can feel vast (and intimidating), and I’ve struggled over the years to wade through the protein-powder options on the market — first as a collegiate athlete in my early 20s and now as a lifelong runner. That’s where Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey comes in. I’ve been using it for nearly a decade, and it stands out from the pack. It appears on this list as our best whey protein powder (more on that below), but it also deserves the best-overall spot because it’s a comprehensive protein source that has a smooth texture and taste. Plus it’s easy to digest and reasonably priced, making it a great pick for a variety of people.

There are 24 grams of protein in a scoop that weighs roughly 30 grams, which means one serving contains about 80 percent protein. That’s on the higher end of what you typically find on the market and makes Gold Standard Whey a solid choice for a range of active types, whether you’re serious about building lean muscle mass or just looking to boost your daily protein intake. Gold Standard has a “protein blend” of three kinds of whey protein: isolate, concentrate, and hydrolyzed. If we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty: Whey isolate is one of the purest types of protein, whey concentrate is the cheapest to produce because it undergoes less processing and contains higher carbohydrate and fat content than whey isolate, and hydrolyzed whey takes the protein structure and breaks it down into into smaller peptide chains, making it easier to digest and absorb. Whey is considered a “complete protein” because it contains all nine essential amino acids, or the building blocks of protein. (Just note: As I mentioned in the introduction, whey is derived from milk, so those who are vegan or have dairy allergies should skip this one.) Gold Standard Whey also contains 5.5 grams of branched-chain amino acids, which have been shown to decrease muscle fatigue. I’ve found that the chocolate flavor isn’t overpowering, and the smooth consistency makes it easy to mix with water in a shaker bottle or blend into a fruit-based smoothie.

Here’s a post-run smoothie with Optimum Nutrition Whey, Greek yogurt, and frozen fruit.Photo: Brenley Goertzen

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If the Optimum Nutrition is more than you’re willing to spend, consider this SoLo Organic plant-based option, which is made from organic yellow peas grown in Canada. Protein isolate from peas is often extracted using a salt solution, which can lead to powders that are very high in sodium. This isn’t an issue with Folona’s SoLo Organic pea-protein isolate, which is put through an additional extraction step that uses a proprietary water-based technology to remove unwanted sodium, resulting in less than 100 milligrams (73 milligrams exactly) of sodium per serving — the lowest we’ve found for a vegan protein powder. It also has a very short ingredient list of just organic yellow-pea protein isolate, which means you won’t find any fillers or artificial sweeteners here (I’ve seen the opposite to be pretty standard in the plant-based protein-powder space, so this is a big highlight). Its serving size of 34 grams (two scoops) provides 30 grams of protein, and like our best overall, Optimum Nutrition, it contains 5.5 grams of BCAAs. Plus it’s organic, non-GMO, vegan, gluten free, grain free, and soy free.

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Protein source: Whey-protein isolate, whey concentrate, hydrolyzed whey | $/serving: $1.24 | Protein: 24 grams | Sodium: 130 mg | Flavor: Double-rich chocolate | Additional ingredients: Natural and artificial flavors, sunflower/soy lecithin, acesulfame potassium

It’s easy to see why Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Double Rich Chocolate is the most popular whey-based powder among the experts we interviewed and customers nationwide. It offers higher-than-average protein content at a lower cost and has a genuinely pleasant flavor that’s reminiscent of ski-lodge hot cocoa. (It is also available in vanilla, milk chocolate, and 17 other flavors.) As mentioned above, it combines whey isolate with whey concentrate and hydrolyzed whey to provide 24 grams of protein per serving — 20 percent higher than most whey-based powders.

Trainer Taj Felix told us that he has been using this chocolaty powder for eight years and that many others in his industry also use it. According to Felix, the Gold Standard’s short list of ingredients is a big part of its appeal. He notes that it mixes easily and is never chalky, which we confirmed in our own testing. However, with 55 mg of cholesterol per serving (compared to the 10 mg in most whey powders), this powder may not be suitable for those on low-cholesterol diets.

We compared Optimum Nutrition against some of our previous picks and a new contender.Photo: Michael Zhao

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If you don’t want or need any additional flavoring or texture additives, NOW Sports Whey Isolate powder is an affordable and effective option that’s perfect for mixing into other beverages or dishes. Unflavored really means whey flavored, which is similar to diluted buttermilk and is pretty tolerable once you’ve gotten used to it. Rellosa drinks it plain as a snack when he’s in a hurry. It’s also subtle enough to disappear behind any stronger flavor in a yogurt, smoothie, or shake or mixed into solid foods. It’s a great way to supplement boxed macaroni and cheese or pancake batter. (If you prefer some flavor, this protein powder is also available in vanilla and chocolate, both of which are sweetened with stevia.)

Personal trainer Kern Alexander told us that, after 15 years of trying various options, his powder of choice is the unflavored Now Sports, a multigenerational, family-owned brand that fitness coach Gabbi Berkow also recommended.

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Competitive athletes need to be absolutely certain that they aren’t ingesting any chemicals that could trigger an anti-doping test, which is why they should look for NSF-Sport certification on any supplements they ingest. Thorne’s Whey Protein Isolate (available in chocolate and vanilla) is independently NSF certified and comes from Thorne’s own GMP-certified facilities in South Carolina. Basically, it’s guaranteed to be as clean as a supplement can be — and it costs about a dollar more per serving than our overall pick, due to all that testing.

According to Strategist senior writer Michael Zhao, the chocolate version he tested tasted quite good — it’s a very subtle flavor that tastes fine on its own and wouldn’t overwhelm a smoothie or a shake. Zhao also appreciated that Thorne’s Whey Protein Isolate uses a tiny amount of cane sugar (one gram per serving) instead of stevia, which can be overly sweet, even in small quantities.

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For a lactose-free powder, this Iconic protein powder is a great option. Barry’s chief instructor, Kate Lemere, says that this has been her go-to powder for years and likes it for its simple ingredients list: “When I was breastfeeding, my daughter had a milk intolerance, so I used it through a lot of different seasons of my life.” She adds that is has a good calorie-to-protein ratio, and she often reaches for Iconic’s premixed protein shakes on busy days: “On the days I don’t want to mess with my Vitamix, I like the premade bottles — it’s convenient.”

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Protein source: Whey-protein isolate | $/serving: $2.29 | Protein: 20 grams | Sodium: 150 mg | Flavors: Chocolate, vanilla, unflavored | Additional ingredients: Natural flavors, guar gum, sea salt, sunflower lecithin, silica, organic cane sugar, and stevia

The Momentous Essential Grass-Fed Whey Protein powder is expensive but worth it for people who want to be extra certain of what’s going into their bodies. The purity of its ingredients is separately certified by NSF for Sport and Informed Sport, and all of its whey is sourced from grass-fed European dairy cows, raised without hormones or steroids. According to the nutritionists interviewed for this story, this matters because the milk the cows produce (and any whey protein derived from it) will be hormone-free.

For those reasons, it’s the protein powder I, Brenley, keep on hand in my home. The chocolate flavor — sweetened with cocoa, monk-fruit extract, and stevia — has a light fudge-y taste that blends nicely into daily shakes with frozen fruit and ice. When I’m on the go, I’ll mix the Momentous with just cold water, and it isn’t too sweet or cloying. The texture is also incredibly smooth without any chunks or chalkiness. I appreciate that it contains over 20 grams of grass-fed protein per serving, and the ingredients list includes an added digestive-enzyme blend (the brand’s proprietary ProHydrolase) to help with protein breakdown and absorption. I’ve had it immediately after exercising and never noticed any issues with stomach cramps or bloating. And it gives me peace of mind that it’s a high-quality protein source since it has third-party certification. (My fiancé is a professional athlete who gets tested for banned substances, and this is the protein powder he drinks, too.)

It’s also a favorite of fitness expert Jeff Halevy, a former health correspondent for the Today show, who says it’s the best of the 15 other protein powders he’s tried. It’s also Rellosa’s personal favorite because of its taste: “It reminds me of semisweet-chocolate bars, and the vanilla is sweet but not overly rich.”

The Momentous powder mixes easily into water, milk, milk alternatives, or smoothie mix.Photo: Jeremy Rellosa

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Protein source: Organic pea-protein isolate, organic brown-rice-protein concentrate, organic chia-seed protein, organic pumpkin protein | $/serving: $1.34/serving | Protein: 21 grams | Sodium: 270 mg | Flavors: Chocolate, vanilla | Additional ingredients: Organic coconut oil, organic rice-syrup solids, sea salt, organic flavors, organic monk-fruit extract, probiotic blend, digestive-enzyme complex, organic sunflower lecithin, sodium citrate, tricalcium phosphate

Our best overall plant-based protein powder used to be Orgain Simple, but after testing Quince’s supplements line, I was surprised to find its plant-based protein powder even better: It contains less sodium (270 milligrams per serving versus Orgain Simple’s 390 milligrams), has an extra gram of protein (for a total of 21 grams), and costs a bit less. It was so good that I actually wanted to replace my other protein powders with it.

Similar to the Orgain Simple, the Quince powder relies on a blend of legume- and grain-derived protein isolates that reads like a trail mix: pea, brown rice, pumpkin seed, chia. This variation in plant-based protein sources helps ensure you’re getting a broader amino-acid profile (compared with a purely pea-based formulation) to support muscle growth and recovery. While it does contain more ingredients than the Orgain Simple — including the emulsifier sodium citrate and anti-clumping agent tricalcium phosphate — I appreciate that it has both a probiotic blend (Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus) and a digestive-enzyme complex (bromelain, papain (papaya extract)) to help with gut health and digestion. The monk-fruit extract gives it a subtle sweetness, and it’s free from added sugar, stevia, and sugar alcohols. One of my favorite things was how well it worked with my shaker bottle: When I added a scoop of the vanilla powder, it dissolved easily into cold water with ice and didn’t turn chalky or separate into chunks.

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Extracting protein isolate from peas involves a lot of salt water, some of which makes its way into the finished product. Folona runs its SoLo Organic protein isolate through a proprietary, water-based sodium-removal process, resulting in the only vegan protein powder I encountered with less than 100 milligrams of sodium per serving (it has 73 milligrams), so it’s good that it happens to be well liked and affordable.

Plant-based fitness coach Ebonny Fowler prefers an unflavored protein powder with no additives or sweeteners because it mixes more easily into other foods and beverages. The SoLo powder’s only listed ingredient is organic yellow pea protein isolate. Its lack of additional flavorings does result in a distinctly pea-tinged taste — similar to the leftover juice from a can of beans. However, this can be easily masked by blending or shaking it with any juice or milk.

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Protein source: Pea, pumpkin, and sunflower-seed protein | $/serving: $2.10 | Protein: 30 grams | Sodium: 400 mg | Flavor: Chocolate | Ingredients: Natural flavors, sea salt, stevia extract, probiotics, xanthan gum, bromelian, turmeric extract, black-pepper extract

Competitive athletes seeking a plant-based powder should consider this one from Vega Sport, made with a blend of pea, pumpkin, and sunflower-seed proteins. As a competitive racer, running coach David Roche says his main requirement in a protein powder is that there are no ingredients that could be bad for his health or drug testing. That’s why after trying dozens, Roche has stuck with this NSF-certified powder, which has a subtle chocolate flavor that’s only slightly sweetened by stevia.

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Collagen-based protein powders aren’t ideal for building muscle, but they are gaining popularity due to their purported hair and skin benefits (though it’s still not definitive how effective they are for those things, either). Some have found that consistently using these powders can improve joint health. “As a climber, my finger joints would get creaky from constant flexing and gripping after training for months on end,” explains Rellosa. “After a few weeks of mixing Vital Proteins into my protein shakes and smoothies, my fingers were feeling less creaky and I was back to climbing without that nagging discomfort.”

Collagen mixes aren’t as effective for building muscle, but they’re a good alternative to whey- and plant-based powders if either give you stomach issues: Kirshenbaum likes them because she has issues digesting whey. Actress and model Molly Sims adds Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides powder to all of her smoothies and juices and says that after six months of using it, she has seen an improvement in her hair and skin and even “feels younger.” Vital Proteins also sells Collagen Peptides Advanced, a powder that has the same bovine-based collagen peptides but adds hyaluronic acid and vitamin C.

We’ve tried many more powders than the picks above, not only for this article but in our own personal testing. Below are our notes on taste and mixability.

• Promix Whey Protein Powder — Chocolate and Madagascar Vanilla ($54)
Subtly sweet and easy to mix into shakes, smoothies, or just water.
• Podium Nutrition Whey Protein Powder ($45)
Very sweet and has a fine consistency that’s great for mixing into shakes and smoothies. Available in a wide and wild variety of flavors including maple-butter pancake and churro.
• Kroma Plant-Based Protein Powder — Vanilla-Cinnamon and Cacao-Banana ($55)
Sweet but has a slightly more complex flavor, like a premixed smoothie.
• Pure Protein Whey Protein Powder — Rich Chocolate ($27)
Tastes very similar to PureProtein’s ready-to-drink chocolate protein shake. Creamy and sweet.
• Ghost Whey Protein Powder — Chips Ahoy ($50)
Tastes like a blended Chips Ahoy–cookie smoothie. Surprisingly drinkable.
• Pro Jym Whey Protein Powder — Tahitian Vanilla Bean ($70)
Sweet and smooth — easy to mix into shakes.
• Isopure Clear Whey Isolate Protein Powder — Mixed Berry and Tropical Punch ($42)
One of the first protein powders I’ve tried that offers fruit flavors. I’ve found the berry and tropical-punch flavors have a slightly bitter note, so I try to mix this powder into a smoothie with lots of other ingredients.
• Designer Wellness Designer Whey Protein Powder — Gourmet Chocolate ($21)
Not the best-tasting chocolate protein powder (it tastes slightly artificial), but at $21, it’s good if you’re looking for a basic option.
• Ascent 100% Whey Protein Powder — Chocolate ($75)
Reminds me of chocolate milk but not overly sweet.

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• Kern Alexander, personal trainer
• Gabbi Berkow, nutrition and fitness coach
• Oscar Colon IV, personal trainer and founder and CEO of MTHD by Oscar
• Taj Felix, trainer
• Ebonny Fowler, fitness coach
• Ray Grayson, trainer
• Jeff Halevy, fitness expert and former health correspondent for the Today show
• Aynsley Kirshenbaum, nutritionist and personal trainer
• Kate Lemere, Barry’s chief instructor
• David Roche, competitive racer and running coach
• Don Saladino, trainer
• Molly Sims, actress and model
• Heidi Skolnik, nutritionist
• Kaleigh Tjoelker, registered dietitian

Additional reporting by Michael Zhao, Jeremy Rellosa, Liza Corsillo, and Katherine Gillespie.

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