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When you hear that someone is looking for the best whey protein powder, you may immediately think of Hulk-like gym bros, and for that I don’t blame you. But as someone who identifies as neither Hulk-like nor a gym bro, but as a 20-something food writer who likes to move her body and lift heavy things on occasion, protein powder has been a near-daily part of my routine for quite some time. While the jury is still out on exactly how much protein a given person should eat depending on their personal fitness and nutrition goals, we do know that protein is an essential nutrient that performs a number of functions in the human body—and one of those functions is growing and/or maintaining muscle mass. Then there’s the fact that I’m a self-identified Sweet Breakfast Person who genuinely looks forward to the milkshake-like blend of chocolate protein, banana, cold brew, and almond milk that I throw together most mornings. animal feed
If you’ve browsed the protein aisle in recent years, you might have noticed that there are a dizzying number of options for whey protein powders. And while the main active ingredient in most of these is the same—either whey protein concentrate or whey protein isolate—these powders can actually vary quite a lot in taste and texture depending on what other flavorings, sweeteners, and supplements are added to the mix.
With all that in mind, I set out on a quest to find the absolute best tasting whey protein powder on the market—a quest driven, admittedly, by my own desire to never again spend upward of $40 on a giant tub only to find I can’t stomach the flavor. I’m happy to report that after tasting upward of 40 (!) whey proteins, I’ve found great tasting options for every type of protein user, from the no-nonsense person who wants a natural powder that’s free from artificial flavors or sweeteners to the person who wants their shake to taste like glorified cereal milk. Scroll down to read all about my picks, and learn what registered dietitians have to say about whey protein before making your choice.
Taylor Grasso, MPPD, RD, a registered dietitian and host of the podcast Simply Balanced, always recommends that her clients get the bulk of nutrients, like carbohydrates, protein, and fat, from food before adding supplements. “But the reality is a lot of the time we do need some additional protein as well,” she says. “For very active individuals, especially, a protein supplement can be super easy. Same with people who are just on the go all the time and don’t necessarily have time to prep as many meals.”
Registered dietitian Mia Syn, MS, RDN, agrees that protein powders can be a great way for busy people to increase their daily protein intake, adding that “for individuals engaged in resistance training or seeking to build muscle mass, consuming adequate protein is essential for muscle growth and repair.”
When animal milk is coagulated (or curdled) by acid, it separates into two things: curds and whey (famously eaten by one Little Miss Muffet). While the curds are typically destined to become cheese, that liquid whey is often used to make “whey cheeses” like ricotta, or it gets pasteurized, filtered, and dried to become protein powder.
“Whey protein would technically be considered the ‘gold standard,’ and that’s because whey protein is a milk protein. Any animal-based proteins are going to be what we like to call a complete protein,” explains Grasso. It’s “complete” because it contains the nine essential amino acids we must get from the food we eat because our body doesn’t make them on its own, all of which play vital roles within the body—we’re talking everything from immune function and energy regulation to hemoglobin production.
Many protein sources (like legumes and nuts) deliver some but not all of the nine essentials, meaning you’d need to combine them to achieve the full spectrum. That’s the draw of a “complete” protein, and why people might turn to whey as a straightforward choice when looking for a way to supplement their protein intake. Grasso also notes that whey protein powders often have a higher amount of leucine, an amino acid that is particularly important for athletes or people looking to build muscle because of its role in muscle protein synthesis. Another pro? According to Syn, “whey is also considered a ‘fast-absorbing’ protein, which makes it preferred for post-workout recovery.”
If whey protein isn’t for you, whether you’re vegan or have a dairy allergy or sensitivity, note that it’s not the only supplement that’ll provide that complete amino acid profile. Many vegan protein companies add a variety of plant-based protein sources to their powder blends in order to ensure they’re delivering that full package and satisfying your protein needs, which they’ll usually note on their packaging. Plant-based complete proteins also do exist—these would be anything soy-based, says Grasso, like a soy protein isolate or a pea protein.
Grasso and Syn both stress the importance of making sure your protein powder of choice is third-party tested. This is because dietary supplements like protein powders are regulated by the FDA only as food, not as drugs. To ensure that what’s listed on the label matches what’s actually in the product, you’ll want to look for a badge or note that indicates the product was tested by a third party: NSF, Informed Sport Choice, and GMP are some of the typical badges you might see. This is particularly important for athletes who want to ensure there are no banned substances in the supplements they’re taking, but it’s a good practice for all supplement users.
A badge will mean you can trust the ingredient list, so the second biggest thing to look out for when choosing a whey protein is that list. In general, Syn recommends opting for one “with little to no unnecessary additives, fillers, artificial ingredients, and added sugar.” Grasso also advises opting for shorter ingredient lists when possible, and she particularly looks out for artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols: “These things are not inherently bad for us, but things like acesulfame potassium or sucralose can cause headaches in some individuals.”
As for sugar alcohols, those are denoted by an “-ol” and include ingredients like erythritol, sorbitol, and maltitol. “We don’t digest those sugar alcohols, and so they actually enter our gut in the full molecular form, which can cause digestion upset, constipation, bloating, diarrhea, gas, all sorts of really fun GI things,” Grasso says. Not everyone will experience these symptoms, but it’s worth being aware of if you’ve ever found yourself worse for wear 30 minutes after downing your morning shake.
These are the two most common forms of whey protein you’ll see, and the choice between the two is another thing to consider when deciding which powder to go with. “Whey protein isolate is a filtered form of whey protein. It contains at least 90% protein and has less fat, carbohydrates, and calories than whey concentrate. It also contains very little lactose,” says Syn, which makes it a good option for those with lactose intolerance. Whey protein concentrate sits at about 70%–80% in protein content and contains more lactose than isolate, but the trade-off is that it’s often cheaper.
Thorne Whey Protein Isolate, Chocolate
Thorne Whey Protein Isolate, Vanilla
The whey protein isolate from supplement and at-home health test company Thorne won both the chocolate and vanilla flavor rounds of testing for a few reasons: Alkalized (a.k.a. Dutch-processed) cocoa in the former creates a rich dark chocolate taste, while the latter has a pleasant, subtle vanilla flavor that was a welcome change from some of the other vanilla powders I tasted, which tended to taste overwhelmingly of the kind of imitation vanilla you’d find in a boxed birthday cake mix. Both powders delivered a relatively creamy consistency even when mixed with plain water, and made for satisfyingly thick smoothies when blended with frozen fruit and almond milk. While they’re some of the pricier options on this list, I thought they were worth the extra 10 or 15 cents per serving for the flavor alone. I appreciated that Thorne’s powders are both sweetened with a mix of cane sugar and stevia, as opposed to the potentially headache- or tummy-ache-inducing sweeteners Grasso warns of (though it’s worth noting that stevia can cause these effects for some people). They’re also third-party tested, and because they’re isolates, they’re a great choice for the lactose sensitive.
Type: Isolate Price per serving: $2.07 Grams of protein per serving: 21 Sweetener(s): Cane sugar and stevia
Opportuniteas Grassfed Whey Protein Isolate, Chocolate
If you’re sensitive to alternative sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit, finding a flavored whey protein powder can feel like a Sisyphean task. Fortunately, this chocolate protein powder from Opportuniteas exists. It’s sweetened with just 8 g of organic cane sugar and has a nicely balanced flavor profile thanks to the addition of organic cocoa powder and a bit of Himalayan salt. When mixed with water, it tastes a lot like thinned out chocolate milk. I liked that the cocoa flavor wasn’t overpowering, but it lent a pleasant chocolaty taste to mixed berry and banana peanut butter smoothies.—Carina Finn, contributor
Type: Isolate Price per serving: $2.26 Grams of protein per serving: 20 Sweetener(s): Cane sugar
Naked Unflavored Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
Promix Unflavored Whey Protein Powder
These unflavored protein powders were nearly identical in flavor when blended into a berry smoothie, which makes sense—they’re all essentially made up of one ingredient (though the Promix and Isopure both have some added sunflower lecithin). The main difference is that the Naked and Promix are made of whey concentrate, while the Isopure is, as the name suggests, a whey protein isolate, and thus may be a better pick for those who are sensitive to lactose. You can also buy the Isopure bundled with the brand’s collagen peptide powder.
It’s worth noting that any whey protein will lend a bit of a dairy-forward aftertaste to whatever you blend it into. Still, these powders blended smoothly and would be great picks for anyone who’s averse to the overt sweetness you’ll typically find in protein powders, or to the potential side effects of the sweeteners that are often used. Unflavored protein can also be preferable for its versatility: Use it in this Banana-Blueberry Smoothie with Tahini or add a scoop to your favorite savory oats.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein, Fruity Cereal
If you’re at all familiar with the world of whey protein, you probably recognize Optimum Nutrition’s cult favorite Gold Standard Whey in its signature plastic tubs. I tried a handful of flavors from the line and found them all to be pretty enjoyable. They were pleasant in flavor and middle-of-the-road in terms of sweetness, if a little watery. The French Vanilla Creme and Double Rich Chocolate fared well in their respective categories despite losing the top spot, but my real favorite was the limited-edition Fruity Cereal, which, yes, tastes exactly like the milk at the bottom of your bowl of Fruity Pebbles. If that’s not your jam, this protein comes in nearly 20 flavors that run the gamut from Rocky Road to Banana Cream. Note that Optimum Nutrition uses acesulfame potassium and sucralose to sweeten many of its flavors, which may lead to headaches for some (though I personally haven’t experienced this).
Type: Blend of concentrate, isolate, and hydrolyzed whey protein Price per serving: $1.55 Grams of protein per serving: 24 Sweetener(s): Acesulfame potassium and sucralose
Myprotein Impact Whey Protein, Cinnamon Cereal
If your sugar cereal preferences skew more toward Cinnamon Toast Crunch you’ll love this flavor from Myprotein. It tasted great mixed with water for an easy-to-down shake, but I also had success blending it into a smoothie with a banana and some almond milk. It’s dessert-like for sure, and on the sweeter side of the spectrum compared. It’s also worth noting that, like Optimum Nutrition, it’s sweetened with acesulfame potassium and sucralose. Myprotein makes a wide range of other flavors of its whey protein concentrate, several of which I also tasted. The Chocolate Smooth was a win, the Vanilla Ice Cream was a hard pass. If you struggle with lactose, the brand also makes many of its flavors in a whey isolate version.
Type: Concentrate Price per serving: $1.50 Grams of protein per serving: 18 Sweetener(s): Acesulfame potassium and sucralose
Groove Whey Protein Isolate, Mexican Chocolate
I was pleasantly surprised by this whey isolate from Groove. While I’m typically averse to anything sweetened with monk fruit, I found that the addition of alkalized cocoa powder and cinnamon distracted from the sweeteners’ aftertaste, and that the powder mixed into a pleasant, not-too-thick, not-too-thin consistency when shaken with water. Groove adds what they call the “Groove Compound” into each of its products, and its proteins are no exception. The “compound” consists of Vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin C, Alpha GPC (to aid with focus, according to the brand’s website), and Himalayan salt (to “increase nutrient absorption and lower blood pressure”).
Type: Isolate Price per serving: $1.96 Grams of protein per serving: 25 Sweetener(s): Stevia and monk fruit
PEScience Select Protein, Cake Pop
PEScience Select Protein, Peanut Butter Cookie
Let me preface by saying that these powders from PEScience are not going to be for everyone. They’re a bit grittier than the rest of the proteins on this list, are very viscous when mixed with water, and are some of the sweetest options I tried. That said, if the thought of drinking melted ice cream appeals to you, you will like these. The Cake Pop will appeal to anyone who’s ever enjoyed a Milk Bar birthday cake truffle, and I was struck by the deeply, well, peanutty flavor of the Peanut Butter—a flavor I felt was lacking in the peanut butter option I tried from a different brand.
Type: Blend of concentrate, isolate, and leucine peptides Price per serving: $1.48 Grams of protein per serving: 24 Sweetener(s): Acesulfame potassium and sucralose
Naked Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
Naked Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
What I thought about the Naked Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder: Vanilla and Chocolate
In addition to their unflavored option, Naked also makes their whey protein in a handful of other flavors, of which I tried the vanilla and chocolate. Both taste exactly like what they are: whey, a touch of sugar, and cocoa or flavoring depending on the flavor in question. While I appreciated the short ingredient list and that there were no artificial sweeteners, I found the overall flavor to be a bit too subtle for my liking when mixed with water as a shake. The vanilla in particular had an off-putting flavor that was vaguely reminiscent of blood.
Type: Concentrate Price per serving: $2.24 Grams of protein per serving: 25 Sweetener(s): Coconut sugar
Promix Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla
Promix Whey Protein Powder, Raw Chocolate
What I thought about the Promix Whey Protein Powder: Madagascar Vanilla and Raw Chocolate
Promix’s flavored whey proteins are similar to the ones from Naked in that they contain just a handful of ingredients (whey concentrate, coconut sugar, sunflower lecithin, and vanilla extract or raw cacao). They mixed up quite similar to the Naked proteins too: barely sweet, and very subtle on the flavor front. I did appreciate that the vanilla features actual vanilla extract, as opposed to the “natural flavor” found in most vanilla protein powders.
Type: Concentrate Price per serving: $1.74 Grams of protein per serving: 25 Sweetener(s): Coconut sugar
Orgain Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla Bean
Orgain Whey Protein Powder, Creamy Chocolate Fudge
What I thought about the Orgain Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder: Vanilla Bean and Creamy Chocolate Fudge
I enjoyed both Orgain flavors I tried and found that they struck a nice balance in terms of sweetness. Both the chocolate and vanilla smelled and tasted faintly of coconut to me, which I personally didn't mind (though that may turn some people off).
Type: Concentrate Price per serving: $2 Grams of protein per serving: 21 Sweetener(s): Erythritol, stevia
Groove Whey Protein Isolate, Tahitian Vanilla
What I thought about the Groove Whey Protein Isolate: Tahitian Vanilla
The vanilla version of Groove's whey protein isolate was inoffensive in flavor and had nice flecks of vanilla bean, but there was a strong sweetener aftertaste due to a combination of monk fruit and stevia that I just couldn't get over. It was also a touch too sweet for my liking.
Type: Isolate Price per serving: $1.96 Grams of protein per serving: 25 Sweetener(s): Stevia and monk fruit
Xwerks Grow 100% New Zealand Grass-Fed Whey Protein, Vanilla
Xwerks Grow 100% New Zealand Grass-Fed Whey Protein, Chocolate
Xwerks Grow 100% New Zealand Grass-Fed Whey Protein, Peanut Butter
What I thought about the Xwerks Grow Whey Protein Isolate: Vanilla, Chocolate, and Peanut Butter
I didn’t love any of the flavors I tried from Xwerks for the same reason: They all tasted primarily of sweetener.
Type: Isolate Price per serving: $2.13 Grams of protein per serving: 25 Sweetener(s): Stevia
Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, Gourmet Vanilla
Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, Gourmet Chocolate
Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, Dunkin' Glazed Donut Flavor
What I thought about the Dymatize ISO100 Whey Protein Isolate: Gourmet Vanilla, Gourmet Chocolate, and Glazed Donut
These powders tasted artificial to me. That said, the glazed donut flavor tasted shockingly of, well, glazed donut. If you’re into the idea of your morning shake tasting just like a treat from Dunkin’, you may like this one.
Type: Isolate Price per serving: $1.75 Grams of protein per serving: 25 Sweetener(s): Stevia, sucralose
Ascent 100% Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla Bean
Ascent 100% Whey Protein Powder, Chocolate
What I thought about the Ascent Whey Protein Powder: Vanilla Bean and Chocolate
These powders from Ascent check a lot of boxes: They’re third party-tested, have short ingredient lists (featuring a protein blend of whey isolate and concentrate), and are at the upper range of protein per serving at 25 grams. I found both flavors I tried to be inoffensive, but didn’t love the stevia aftertaste. The chocolate flavor somehow reminded me of cotton candy—a fact which, once I identified, I couldn’t quite get over.
The whey isolate powders from be:amazing were former winners in this product test, but are out of stock for the foreseeable future. We’ll make sure to update this list if and when they return to shelves.
To put it simply, I tasted a lot of whey protein powders. To start, I shook each one up with the recommended amount of water using a Blender Bottle before tasting each flavor category side by side as a simple protein shake. The frontrunners then moved on to the smoothie test, where I blended each up with a mixture of frozen fruit and almond milk, taking note of the consistency and overall flavor of each. In selecting my top picks I also took into account ingredients, favoring options with fewer additives and as little sweetener aftertaste as possible.
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