When you hear that someone is looking for the best whey protein powder, you may immediately think of Hulk-like gym bros. But as someone who identifies as neither Hulk-like nor a gym bro (just 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.
Protein plays several important roles in the body, and “for individuals engaged in resistance training or seeking to build muscle mass, consuming adequate protein is essential for muscle growth and repair,” explains registered dietitian Mia Syn, MS, RDN. While the exact amount a person needs depends on their individual goals, many people—myself included—find it helpful to supplement with a scoop.
If you’ve browsed the protein aisle recently, you know there are a dizzying number of whey protein options, which vary quite a lot in taste and texture depending on what flavorings and sweeteners are added. So I set out to find the absolute best-tasting whey protein powder on the market—a mission driven, admittedly, by my desire never again to spend $40 on a giant tub only to find I can’t stomach the flavor.
The best whey protein powders
- The best whey protein powder overall: Thorne Whey Protein Isolate
- Best for travel and convenience: Factor Form Whey Protein Isolate
- The best stevia-free flavors: Opportuniteas Grass Fed Chocolate Whey Protein Isolate Powder
- The best unflavored whey concentrates: Naked Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder and Promix Unflavored Whey Protein Powder
- The best unflavored whey isolate: Isopure Unflavored Protein Powder
- The best for fun flavors: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard
After tasting upward of 40 (!) powders, I found great options for every type of protein user, from the no-nonsense person who wants a natural powder free from artificial flavors to the person who wants their shake to taste like glorified cereal milk. Scroll down to see all my picks.
How do the top whey protein powders compare?
Best whey protein powder overall: Thorne Whey Protein Isolate
Thorne Whey Protein Isolate, Chocolate
Thorne Whey Protein Isolate, Vanilla
Pros:
- Great taste
- Isolate is easier on the stomach
- Third party tested
Cons:
- Pricey
Type: Isolate
Price per serving: $2.07
Grams of protein per serving: 21
Sweetener(s): Cane sugar and stevia
Chocolate: Whey Protein Isolate, Bromelain and Papain Blend, Calcium, Sodium, Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Chocolate Flavor, Evaporated Can Juice Sugar, Rebaudioside A (stevia), Xanthan Gum, Carboxymethylcellulose Gum
Vanilla: Whey Protein Isolate, Bromelain and Papain Blend, Calcium, Sodium, Vanilla Flavor, Evaporated Can Juice Sugar, Carboxymethylcellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Rebaudioside A (stevia)
What I liked: 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.