1st phorm vs optimum nutrition

The best protein powder can provide you with a host of tangible benefits, regardless of whether you are an athlete laser-focused on performance, or an average Joe just trying to stay fit and healthy. But which one should you invest in? In the not-so-distant past, you could only find a limited number of protein supplements, and mostly in niche sports shops. But with protein powders becoming much more commonplace, there are way more products to choose from these days. 

The best protein powder comes in a wide range of flavors, contains countless additional ingredients, and addresses many different issues. But if you don’t know much about the nitty-gritty of sports nutrition, you may end up feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options. That’s why the Live Science team has spent countless hours researching and testing a variety of products so you can find the best protein powder for your needs and preferences.

What the experts say

"A safe level of protein ranges from 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram [2.2 lbs.] of body weight, up to 2 grams of protein per kilogram for very active athletes… Most Americans truly need to be eating about 1 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight," says Jessica Crandall, a registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes educator and national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (opens in new tab).

Getting good quality protein, with the right ratio of essential and non-essential amino acids, is crucial to sports performance, effective muscle building, and sustainable weight loss. But even if lifting weights is not on your agenda, it is always a good idea to get enough protein. Among many other crucial roles, it ramps up your metabolism, keeps your appetite at bay, boosts your immune system, and balances your hormones.   

Although it is always best to get your essential nutrients from food, sometimes it may not be feasible. We may struggle to get the right amount, or the right type of protein, for many different reasons. But that is where supplements can come in handy. With the best protein powder, you can get 20g to 30g of this nutrient in a single serving. All you need is the best protein shaker and a bit of water or milk, and you have a tasty shake that you can easily sip on-the-go. 

Here, we’ve ranked the best non-vegan protein powders on the market to help you select a product that will tick all your boxes. If you’re plant-based, we have a separate guide that's solely focused on the best vegan protein powder too.

Best protein powder

1. Myprotein Impact Whey Protein

Best protein powder on a budget

Specifications

Protein per serving: 0-21g (depending on flavor)

Carbs per serving: 1 - 3.2g depending on flavor

Calories per serving: 95 - 104kcal depending on flavor

Protein source: whey protein concentrate

Sweetener: Most flavors: sucralose; chocolate smooth: sucralose and acesulfame K; stevia flavors: stevia

Available flavors: more than 40 including chocolate, vanilla and strawberry cream

Reasons to buy

+

Good value for money 

Reasons to avoid

-

Whey concentrate not isolate 

If it’s just a solid, reliable, no-frills product you’re after, this could be the best protein powder for you. 

WHAT USERS SAY

This protein powder scores 4.2 stars out of 5 on Amazon, with enthusiasts praising it for its value, range of flavors and ease of mixing, and many feeling reassured by its ranking in independent tests, "I like this brand because you know what you're getting, based off independent lab testing". The main criticisms revolve around taste, particularly in the more unusual flavors which some find too sweet. 

Myprotein prides itself on providing an all-round, value-for-money product. It is ranked Grade A by independent tester Labdoor for both quality and value.

The protein comes from whey concentrate, which some people find causes bloating. There are few ingredients, although some of the flavor options include artificial flavors. It comes in more than 40 flavors and a range of sizes. We found the 250g bag really useful for a weekend away or bringing into the office, but you can also purchase a 5kg bag to store at home.

If you’re bewildered by the choice, consider buying the sample pack which contains up to eight flavors to try before you commit to a larger size. We tried the chocolate smooth, which worked well when stirred into porridge. Although, if you’re after more of an intense chocolate taste, the chocolate brownie may be more to your liking. Our testers with a sweet tooth also liked the sticky toffee pudding flavor, whilst those who liked something a bit more simple favored the vanilla and the strawberry. 

2. Bulk Natural Pure Whey Isolate

Best protein powder for sensitive stomachs

Specifications

Protein per serving: 24g

Carbs per serving: 1.5g

Calories per serving: 108kcal

Protein source: whey protein isolate

Sweetener: Stevia

Available flavors: Chocolate, strawberry

Reasons to buy

+

Gentle on stomach 

Reasons to avoid

-

Only two available flavors 

Made with just whey isolate, with no whey concentrate, and sweetened only with stevia, which is a natural substance made from the leaves of the stevia plant, this is the best protein powder for anyone who suffers from a sensitive stomach. 

WHAT USERS SAY

It scores 4.5 stars on Amazon, with reviewers commenting favorably on the natural ingredients and the fact that it doesn’t leave them bloated. The negative reviews mostly relate to the flavor. "The stevia is so strong it leaves a nasty tangy aftertaste", complains one. If you don’t mind the taste of stevia, you may love it, though.

A reassuringly modest list of ingredients means you can be sure what’s in the powder. It’s low in carbs and pretty modest on calories, too, for the amount of protein per serving.

The downside is that stevia can be rather overpowering, and this powder scores less well than some of the best protein powders for flavor. The taste is somewhat thin and it’s very sweet. There are only two available flavors - strawberry and chocolate.

3. Gold Standard Whey Protein

Best unflavored protein powder

Specifications

Protein per serving: 24g

Calories per serving: 112kcal

Protein source: whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate and hydrolyzed whey protein isolate

Sweetener: none

Available flavors: N/A

Reasons to buy

+

Neutral flavor 

Reasons to avoid

-

Not the cheapest 

Many protein powders come complete with a range of flavors – some more palatable than others. 

WHAT USERS SAY

The main objection to this product among reviewers (and there aren’t many who give it a low rating - it scores a solid 4.6 on 5 on Amazon) relates to price, and especially to recent price rises in the product. "I think it’s a quality product overpriced", says one. Unless you have a great recycling service, you may find that you can’t recycle the black tub, either.

However, if you want the flexibility to add your own flavors, or you dislike the sweeteners found in flavored whey products, this is a great choice. It’s not entirely flavor-free, but the taste is neutral enough (a mild, milky taste) that it won’t come strongly through your own flavors.

In common with most protein powders, it has added soy lecithin as an emulsifier, which is the only added ingredient beyond the whey products (which are a mixture of whey isolate, hydrolyzed whey isolate and whey concentrate). It mixes well, without too many lumps.

4. Dymatize Nutrition ISO100

Best protein powder for getting shredded

Specifications

Protein per serving: 25g

Carbs per serving: 3.1g

Calories per serving: 116kcal

Protein source: Whey protein isolate, hydrolyzed whey protein isolate

Sweetener: sucralose, stevia

Available flavors: Gourmet vanilla, smooth banana, strawberry, cookies and cream, gourmet chocolate, fudge brownie, birthday cake, orange ice cream, chocolate peanut, chocolate coconut

Reasons to buy

+

High quality ingredients 

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive 

A super-refined protein product, this is the best protein powder for anyone serious about building lean muscle. 

WHAT USERS SAY

With an impressive 4.7 of 5 rating on Amazon, it’s clear that customers rate it highly. Many praise it for not causing digestive discomfort and for the quality of its ingredients. "Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed protein powder means you get a super fast digesting and absorbing whey protein isolate that's had the sugars, carbs and lactose removed from whey concentrate for nothing but pure muscle building protein."

With the protein all coming from whey protein isolate, it’s great for anyone who struggles with whey concentrate, and it’s low in carbohydrates and calories. The inclusion of hydrolyzed whey protein isolate means you absorb the protein even more quickly.

The flavor is good without the temple-aching sweetness you get in some protein powders - we tried the birthday cake flavor, which can be notoriously sweet, and even this was pleasantly tasty but not overly synthetic. It mixes pretty easily too, although it's worth noting that whilst some protein powders mimic the action of thickening agents when stirred into porridge, we found Dymatize actually had the opposite effect, and made the porridge slightly runnier. 

A draw is that there’s a large variety of flavors to choose from, though it’s a pity you can’t buy it in sample sizes to try before committing to a large tub - the tub sizes are 900g or 2200g which is a lot of powder to get through if you don't like the flavor.

5. Orgain Organic Protein

Best organic protein powder

Specifications

Protein per serving: 21g

Carbs per serving: 15g

Calories per serving: 150kcal

Protein source: Organic pea, organic rice and organic chia seed

Sweetener: Stevia

Available flavors: Creamy chocolate fudge, chocolate coconut, chocolate caramel sea salt, chocolate peanut butter, peanut butter, natural unsweetened, vanilla bean, iced coffee

Reasons to buy

+

Healthy ingredients 

Reasons to avoid

-

Stevia not to everyone’s taste 

Some protein powders can contain processed ingredients that you might not recognize. 

WHAT USERS SAY

This protein powder scores an overall rating of 4.6 stars. Enthusiasts praise it for its taste and texture and find it easy to digest. "I have tried a LOT of different plant-based protein powders and this one wins, hands-down", reports one happy customer. Not everyone likes the flavors and the distinctive sweetness and aftertaste of stevia divide opinion. There are a handful of reports of stomach pains and even, alarmingly, of bugs found in the tub, though these are a tiny minority of reviews.

However, if you're keen on finding a protein powder filled with natural ingredients, the Orgain Organic Protein Powder might just be the one for you.

Founded by a cancer survivor and integrative specialist who wanted to create a product with natural, food-based ingredients, Orgain makes products with ingredients that, whilst perhaps not exactly familiar, are at least recognizable foodstuffs, and the powder is certified organic and non-GMO.

Be aware that the calorie count is 150 per serving which is a little higher than most non-mass-gainer powders and the carbohydrate count is 15g, so it’s not low carb. It contains sea salt so if you’re trying to keep your sodium levels down this may not be for you.

6. Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides

Best protein powder for low calorie / low carb

Specifications

Protein per serving: 18g

Carbs per serving: 0g

Calories per serving: 70kcal

Protein source: Bovine collagen

Sweetener: N/A

Available flavors: N/A

Reasons to buy

+

Low in calories, no carbs 

Reasons to avoid

-

Not suitable for vegetarians 

Beloved of celebs such as Jennifer Aniston, this is principally a food supplement aimed at boosting collagen. 

WHAT USERS SAY

Fans of the product (78% of Amazon reviewers give it five stars) rave about its positive effect on their hair, nails and skin. "Vital Proteins has been a night and day difference", says one. There are a few less satisfied customers who claim to have suffered adverse effects such as skin break-outs and low moods, but these are very much in the minority.

It has the added bonus of providing a decent 18g of protein without any carbohydrates, though, so with only  70 calories per serving, it’s a useful way of adding some easy protein into your diet without acting as a meal in itself. Many users stir it into coffee or other drinks or smoothies.

Unusually for a protein powder, it’s a bovine collagen product, made from cow hides from grass-fed cattle, so obviously isn’t suitable for vegetarians. It is unflavored and really does taste of very little indeed. It doesn’t mix very easily into cold liquids (it stirs easily into hot liquid), so you’ll need a whisk if you’re taking it cold.

7. Transparent Labs 100% Grass-fed

Best protein powder for high protein, low carb

Specifications

Protein per serving: 28g

Carbs per serving: 1g

Calories: 120kcal

Protein source: Whey protein isolate

Sweetener: Stevia

Servings: 30

Serving size: 32.8g

Flavors: Chocolate peanut butter, cinnamon pastry, milk chocolate, mocha, salted caramel, strawberry, vanilla, cinnamon french toast

RRP: $59.99 for 1kg

Price per serving: $2

Reasons to buy

+

High protein, low carb

Reasons to avoid

-

Not suitable for vegans

If you’re looking for a low-calorie protein powder that packs in protein without the carb overload, this is a perfect choice. Transparent Labs whey protein isolate lists minimal ingredients but maximizes on flavor, with a range of tasty choices and no chalky aftertaste. The cinnamon french toast flavor, in particular, is a must-try – we found it moreish, without being sickly sweet, and we didn’t feel sluggish or uncomfortably full after drinking it either. 

The powder feels clean which is unsurprising, as it’s made using dairy products of 100% grass-fed and hormone-free cattle and is also gluten-free with no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, or coloring. 

The downside to this protein powder is that it’s not vegan-friendly (although Transparent Labs have a vegan alternative). It’s also worth mixing with milk alternatives, or food, to pad out the texture a little, although we found it holds its own with water.

Often protein powders clog when mixed, but we found you don’t need to worry with this powder; it mixes really well and drinks smoothly. If you’re looking to go easy on your stomach, the minimal lactose, fat, and cholesterol content makes this feels like a well-rounded and nourishing protein powder to add to your diet.

8. BSN True Mass 1200

Best protein powder for building mass

Specifications

Protein per serving: 53g

Carbs per serving: 216g

Calories per serving: 1,271kcal

Protein source: Whey protein concentrate, milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, casein

Sweetener: Acesulfame K, sucralose

Available flavors: Chocolate milkshake, strawberry milkshake, vanilla ice cream

Reasons to buy

+

>1,200 kcal per serving 

Reasons to avoid

-

Only three flavors available

If gains are your goal, this will most definitely be the best protein powder for you. 

WHAT USERS SAY

Although in Amazon reviews it scores a healthy 4.5 on 5, there are some complaints of sore stomachs and bloating, and a few gripes about the flavor (although we found it pretty palatable). The main complaint is that it doesn’t mix easily - most reviewers recommend using a blender to mix it. The majority of reviewers are just delighted by their weight gains. "It gives me a noticeable boost in strength and size".

With a whopping 1,271 calories and 53g of protein per serving, not to mention 216g of carbohydrate (partly coming from ground oats), this is a protein powder for anyone who is serious about gaining mass. Dieters beware! Unlike BSN’s other mass gainer, it doesn’t contain creatine, so you can control whether or not you want that in your diet plan. 

It is true that part of the reason for the huge number of calories and mighty helping of protein is down to the serving size, which is large (two big scoops). Even allowing for this, though, it still makes for good value for money.

9. Kin Nutrition Whey Less

Best protein powder for gut-friendly ingredients

Specifications

Protein per serving: 23g

Carbs per serving: 4.7g (0.2g sugars)

Calories: 125kcal

Protein source: Whey isolate (90%)

Sweetener: Stevia

Servings: 17

Serving size: 30g

Flavors: Vanilla, Strawberry, Cookies and cream, choc mint

RRP: $32.50 for 500g + shipping (4-pack bundles start from $103.99)

Price per serving: $1.91

Reasons to buy

+

Great taste

Reasons to avoid

-

Not vegan-friendly

The KIN Nutrition Whey Less protein range is made with natural ingredients, including added bacteria cultures and fiber that support gut health and digestion. This powder only contains 10 ingredients overall; the result is a super tasty protein powder that doesn’t cause the bloating often associated with whey, and there’s no nasty aftertaste either.

Each 30g serving of Whey Less is packed with 23g of protein and only 125 kcals. We loved the smooth and silky taste of the vanilla flavor, which mixed well with both food and water and didn’t taste powdery. Vanilla is often labeled as the boring choice among protein powder flavors, but this tasted deliciously rich and felt like a treat (without being overbearing), despite containing no hidden nasties. 

Whey can sometimes catch a bad rep, but we didn’t feel at all nauseous or weighed down after a scoop of this powder in a protein shake or added to oats. This is likely down to the powder being soy, GMO, and gluten-free, as well as low in sugar and lactose. Another nice little addition is the injection of matcha green tea extract into the ingredients list. 

Unfortunately, this protein powder isn’t suitable for vegans and retails at a pretty expensive $32.50 for just 500g, before shipping. You can pick up a good deal by purchasing a 4-pack though. It’s a great addition to your diet if you’re looking to hit your protein target while being kinder to your gut.

10. Science in Sport Whey Protein

Best protein powder for competitive athletes

Specifications

Protein per serving: 22g

Carbs per serving: 1.8g

Calories per serving: 117kcal

Protein source: Whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate

Sweetener: sucralose

Available flavors: Chocolate, strawberry, vanilla

Reasons to buy

+

Competition friendly 

Reasons to avoid

-

Limited flavor range 

Anyone who competes in athletic events will know how important it is not to take any banned substances, either deliberately or inadvertently. 

WHAT USERS SAY

Reviews are mostly positive, with no one star reviews on Amazon at all and a very respectable 4.7 star rating. The flavors are not to everyone’s taste and there are a few niggles over the price, but most people rate it as a reliable, straightforward choice. "I would recommend this shake to people who are looking for something simple for recovery purposes."

With this protein powder you can be confident that you’ll not breach any doping regulations. All SiS products are tested under the Informed Choice Certification program against the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list.

Beyond that, it’s a fairly unremarkable product, with a reasonably standard amount of protein per serving and a low carbohydrate content. The flavors are reliable favorites - chocolate, strawberry and vanilla - though we found the taste and texture of the vanilla one somewhat cloying. The chocolate flavor was pleasant mixed into porridge, although if you’re after a richer, chocolatey taste then you may want to add some cacao powder to the mix as well. We thought the spoon (which is plastic) was an usual shape, but it actually picks up the protein powder well, since it is quite a sandy texture.

11. Huel Protein Powder

Best protein powder for complete nutrition

Specifications

Protein per serving: 20g

Carbs per serving: 3.1g

Calories per serving: 105kcal

Protein source: Pea, faba pea and hemp seed

Sweetener: Sucralose

Available flavors: Vanilla fudge, banana milkshake, chocolate fudge brownie, strawberries and cream, salted caramel, unflavored

Reasons to buy

+

Highly nutritious 

Reasons to avoid

-

Minimum order of two tubs 

Huel has come a long way from its early days of the rather grainy and flavorless complete food that it started with. 

WHAT USERS SAY

Reviewers are impressed with the taste - "by far the best tasting protein drink I’ve tried," says one reviewer who normally uses a whey protein powder. The main objection in the reviews is the price, especially when compared to non-plant-based protein powders. At the same time they mostly acknowledge that the nutritional profile and ingredients are of a quality that justifies the price.

Although it still produces the same meal replacement powders (although with an improved texture), it has branched out into flavored products and nutritionally balanced snacks, including this impressive protein powder.

It’s not intended as a meal replacement or for your sole source of nutrition, as it has a lower calorie and carbohydrate profile than would be recommended for a complete meal, but nevertheless it is nutritionally complete high protein snack, containing all 26 recommended vitamins and minerals and meeting the UK and EU recommendations for macro- and micronutrients. If that weren’t impressive enough, it manages to achieve this with purely plant-based ingredients and without compromising on flavor or texture.

Unusually, there’s a minimum order of two tubs, which will be off-putting to some, especially if you’re ordering for the first time and haven’t tasted the protein powder before, and the protein powder doesn’t come in sample sizes.  

12. Form Performance Protein

Best plant-based protein powder

Specifications

Protein per serving: 30g

Carbs per serving: 2g

Calories per serving: 150kcal

Protein source: Organic pea, brown rice, pumpkin seed

Sweetener: Stevia, thaumatin

Available flavors: Chocolate peanut, tiramisu, vanilla, banoffee, chocolate hazelnut

Reasons to buy

+

High in protein 

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive 

There’s much to love about this protein powder. 

WHAT USERS SAY

It’s not surprising it’s won awards. Reviewers are enthusiastic about the protein to calorie ratio and the flavors. It’s not to everybody’s taste - there are grumbles from some about the flavor, powdery texture and excessive sweetness - but most of the reviews can be summed up in the words of this reviewer: "The taste is great, it is a quality product with added extras like probiotics, it has responsible eco packaging and whilst it is pricier than others on the market, all of the before mentioned make this worth it."

Packing a powerful protein punch from high quality, plant-based proteins, you might expect the flavor and texture to be disappointing, but you’d be in for a pleasant surprise. The texture is smooth, it’s easy to mix and the flavors are fun (though some plain ones might be nice for more traditional types, and it’s too sweet for some tastes). The addition of curcumin to combat inflammation is a nice touch.

It’s not cheap, but most flavors are available in smaller sample sizes, and you are getting a product that is kind to the environment in every way (the omission of the plastic scoop in favor of amounts suggested in tablespoonfuls - after all, we all have a spoon! - is particularly welcome, and the packaging is compostable).

13. MuscleTech Nitro-Tech® Ripped

Best protein powder for weight loss

Specifications

Protein per serving: 30g

Carbs per serving: 4g

Calories per serving: 160-170 kcal (depending on flavor)

Protein source: Whey peptides and whey protein isolate

Sweeteners: sucralose and acesulfame K

Available flavors: Chocolate fudge brownie and French vanilla swirl

Reasons to buy

+

Low in calories and carbohydrates

Reasons to avoid

-

Fairly expensive

While there are many protein powders designed specifically for those who want to shed unwanted pounds, it’s not as common to find a quality product that comes with a range of metabolism-boosting ingredients. In that sense, MuscleTech Nitro-Tech® Ripped definitely stands out among competitors. 

One serving of MuscleTech Nitro-Tech® Ripped protein powder contains a whopping 30g of whey protein, and it is enriched with vitamin C, calcium, iron, iodine, sodium and potassium. It also provides 500mg of l-carnitine. According to the Pharmacological Research journal, this compound has been shown to significantly decrease the body weight and fat mass in overweight individuals. One scoop of Nitro-Tech® Ripped protein powder also delivers 250mg CLA. However, it is worth noting that there is no convincing evidence that CLA can notably change your body composition, as stated in the European Journal of Nutrition. 

WHAT USERS SAY

This protein powder scores 4.6 stars out of 5 on Amazon, with reviewers praising it for its great taste, ease of mixing, and high quality ingredients. Many confirm that it helped them lose weight. As one user said, “Since having my daughter it has been slow going losing weight. I started doing a workout program and was losing about 1-2lbs/week. Adding one serving of this protein a day got me to losing 3-6lbs/week”. The opponents tend to mention the high price as a main issue.

Lastly, this supplement is enriched with 200mg of Canephora Robusta (Robusta coffee extract) which, according to the brand internal research, can supercharge your weight loss efforts. Although there are no human studies published that would confirm their findings, there is one 2014 study (opens in new tab) done on rats that has shown the fat burning abilities of this ingredient. 

MuscleTech Nitro-Tech® Ripped protein powder is low in calories and carbohydrates, and contains less fat and lactose than similar products on the market. 

Nonetheless, there are few downsides. It is not a cheap supplement — you will have to fork out $34.99 for a 2lb container (21 servings), or nearly $62.99 for a 4lb container. It also comes with artificial sweeteners and flavors.  

Expert

Julie Stefanski is a certified diabetes care and education specialist and a certified specialist in sports dietetics. Stefanski owns a private practice focused on writing and social media, children with special needs and athletes. She graduated from Messiah College and earned a master's degree in adult and distance education from Penn State University. Below, she gives her advice on how to choose a protein supplement.

Patricia Carswell is a freelance journalist specializing in health and fitness. She has written for a huge variety of national newspapers, magazines and websites, including Healthy, Top Santé, Women's Fitness and fitandwell.com (opens in new tab), and writes a monthly column for British Rowing's content hub. She's the founder and host of rowing blog and podcast, Girl on the River, where guests have included Sir Matthew Pinsent and multiple Olympian Frances Houghton MBE. She keeps fit by rowing, walking, and wild swimming, and is at her happiest when on or in the water.

With contributions from

• Anna GoraHealth Writer