Protein powder is my secret ingredient. The best protein powders are an easy boost to any of your go-to recipes, from smoothies to muffins to morning waffles. I rely on it to fill in the nutritional gaps when my meals aren’t winning any wellness awards. While the recommended daily allowance for protein is just 0.36 grams per pound of body weight, that’s the minimum to avoid deficiency, not the sweet spot for optimal health. Depending on how active you are or your dietary needs, your daily protein recommendation may increase. For more on this, check out How Much Protein Do I Need?
Protein powders were once the territory of gym bros trying to bulk up, but the category has since exploded into the mainstream. The powders are now marketed to everyone and available widely, in every form and flavor, and for every dietary preference. Whether you’re plant-based, a picky eater, or need a quick nutrient boost, protein powder is your fast pass. But with so many options, fads, and a never-ending list of additives, it’s easy to grab the wrong one for your needs. I’ve sifted through the market to find the best of the best protein powder. (As with any dietary supplement, please consult a medical professional or registered dietitian before consuming protein powder.)
For more powders, tonics, and elixirs, check out our guides to the Best Protein Bars, Creatine Supplements, and Magnesium Supplements.
Updated June 2026: I've updated our specs tables and removed discontinued products. I’ve also updated information, prices, and links throughout.
How I Test Protein Powders
I've been downing protein powders for years, but for this guide, I put each one through a fresh round of testing. I sampled each powder at least three times to assess taste, texture, and mixability. I mixed the powders with water, milk, and non-dairy alternatives. I also baked them into muffins and blended them into the occasional smoothie because not all of us like our protein straight.
I prioritized powders with minimal to no additives and full transparency in sourcing—no unnecessary fillers, gums, or questionable sweeteners. Solubility was a major consideration, too. I also scrutinized manufacturing practices and third-party testing. Certifications, like NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Choice, mattered (learn more about these below). Every pick is also a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids.
What Am I Testing Next?
I’ll be testing Thorne Whey Protein Isolate.
Optimum Nutrition
Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey has been a longtime favorite among gym rats. It’s affordable, widely available, and the flavors we’ve tested taste good. The powder delivers 24 grams of protein per serving and is sourced from a blend of whey isolate, concentrate, and peptides. The vanilla ice cream flavor has been my go-to for three years. I use it in smoothies, but I love it even more for baking. I like to swap a couple of scoops for some of the flour in banana bread to give it a protein boost without tasting chalky. Reviewer Louryn Strampe loves the banana cream flavor, which she swears tastes like a yellow Laffy Taffy. While the sheer number of flavor options is nice, know that some flavors include artificial sweeteners.
While there are protein powders out there with fewer additives, it’s reassuring to know the Clean Label Project gave the vanilla ice cream flavor its stamp of approval last year, confirming it tested free of arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
Note: Consumer Reports found that while certain Optimum Nutrition Powders are safe for regular use, the brand's Serious Mass contained 8.5 micrograms of inorganic arsenic per serving, which is twice the amount deemed safe by experts.
Transparent Labs
Transparent Labs
If your priority is clean ingredients and label transparency, Transparent Labs' Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is for you. This whey is sourced from hormone-free, grass-fed cows, and the formula doesn't include artificial sweeteners, food dyes, or any of that extra junk (minus the natural flavors). It has Informed Choice and Informed Protein certifications, so you can feel confident that what’s on the label is what you’re getting.
There are nearly two dozen flavors, but I opted for the unflavored version that blends well into smoothies and baked goods without hijacking the taste. Consumer Reports has also tested the Mass Gainer sweet vanilla and found it to be safe for daily consumption.
Ritual prides itself on transparency, offering a traceable supply chain, so you know exactly what’s going into your protein shake. The Protein Daily Shake 18+ is crafted from organic yellow peas, grown and harvested exclusively in North America. By sourcing from regenerative farms, Ritual minimizes heavy metal contamination risks and reduces its carbon footprint. While the resulting taste is only okay, the vanilla flavor is handcrafted using vanilla extract sourced from Madagascar. No surprise that this powder is NSF-certified and also certified by the Clean Label Project, having won the organization's Purity Award.
Ritual’s pea protein is enhanced with L-methionine, rounding out the powder’s amino acid profile with eight grams of essential amino acids (EAAs) and four grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) per serving. It’s a clean option: soy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and free from GMOs, stevia, sugar alcohols, and artificial flavors or colors.
I'm very picky when it comes to chocolate milk, but I'll easily down a Dymatize Performance chocolate-flavored protein shake. Other flavors are crowd-pleasing, too: While fan-favorite Fruity Pebbles leans a little too cereal milk for my taste, there are over 14 sweet flavors available, including fudge brownie, gourmet vanilla, and birthday cake. You're likely to find one that hits the spot.
Unfortunately, flavors this tasty come with some additives: natural and artificial flavors, like salt, sucralose, and soy lecithin. It's not the cleanest label out there, but it's easy on the stomach and taste buds, and has nice inclusions like 5.5 grams of BCAAs per serving. There’s no unflavored option to help you avoid those additions, but the powder is nonetheless a solid choice for beginners who care more about taste.
When it comes to easy-to-digest protein—a win for athletes who need to use the fuel quickly—Promix Grass-Fed Whey Isolate stands out. Micro-filtered to contain less than 1 gram of lactose, it's designed for sensitive stomachs. Each serving delivers 30 grams of protein (31 grams for the chocolate flavor), 6.6 grams of BCAAs, and 14.2 grams of essential amino acids. Promix also nails texture; with less than one percent non-GMO sunflower lecithin, this natural emulsifier helps dissolve the powder in water and milk without any grittiness. Even so, the protein shakes it made weren't my favorite, but I tossed the powder into muffins, which turned out delicious.
The brand also sells protein puff bars (15 grams of protein) in flavors like birthday cake, snickerdoodle, and mint chocolate. While I found them too chalky, my fiancé loved them, so they might be worth trying if you're looking for snackable protein.
If you're intentional about what goes into your protein powder, Momentous could be the brand for you. It sources its whey from European dairy farms, where the cows are grass-fed and free from hormones, steroids, and rBST. The whey is processed using cold microfiltration to preserve its amino acid profile. It includes ProHydrolase, an enzyme blend meant to boost digestion and absorption. You won’t find fillers, gums, or refined sugar in this powder, either—though it does use natural flavors.
With 20 grams of protein per serving, it's great for most people, but bodybuilders and lifters may prefer a powder with a higher protein content. The macros are lean—just 3 grams of carbs (two of which come from fiber, which helps with satiety) and 1.5 grams of fat, likely from the sunflower lecithin that helps improve mixability. Taste-wise, it's not the most pleasant on its own; f you like to drink protein straight with water, you might find this one a little rough. I prefer to blend it into a fruit smoothie.
Momentous is NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Sport, and Consumer Reports also found the vanilla flavor to be safe for daily consumption.
This vanilla protein powder is the secret behind my favorite post-workout snack that masquerades as dessert. I mix it with Greek yogurt, whipped cream cheese, and some crumbled graham crackers to make a little protein cheesecake treat. I usually do about half a cup of the yogurt and cheese to anywhere between half a scoop to a full scoop of powder; you should taste-test it yourself to find your perfect ratio. It’s a great go-to after an evening workout, or in my case, a late aerial dance class that leaves my shoulder muscles screaming.
The Isopure’s vanilla flavor (and scent!) is impressively strong. It can taste a little too strong without enough added ingredients to balance it out. If the protein cheesecake idea isn’t for you, try frozen banana ice cream. —Nena Farrell
Be Well by Kelly
Beef protein isolate is made from cow tissue that has been filtered and processed into powder. Whey is just as effective at building muscles and is a cheaper alternative, but Be Well by Kelly's protein powder is a good option for those who follow a stricter paleo diet or are dairy- or whey-free.
There are only three ingredients—organic cacao powder, beef protein isolate, and monk fruit sweetener. It packs 24 grams of protein per scoop and is a much finer powder than other protein powders I've tried. It is also a complete protein that has been third-party tested. The main reason I like it, however, is the taste. I do find it difficult to dissolve it in plain water. But with a little peanut butter as an emulsifier, it blends well into a fruit smoothie and tastes exactly like a (breakfast) chocolate shake. —Adrienne So
Mikuna (15 servings)
This powder is unusual in that it's not whey-, soy-, or pea-based, but consists entirely of powdered Peruvian lupin bean (chocho). A boon for those looking for a clean, single source of protein, Mikuna is vegan, paleo, keto, and gluten-free. Even its non-plain flavors (vanilla, cacao) only have five ingredients—along with calcium, fiber, iron, and all nine amino acids.
The flavored versions are actually quite tasty, sweetened with cacao powder or vanilla extract, coconut blossom nectar, and monk fruit. Be forewarned, though, that the powder alone can be texturally challenging—online reviews describe it as gritty and chalky, and after drinking it regularly for a few months, I think that’s being generous. (It will keep its suspension longer if mixed with a handheld electric whisk.) Mikuna is, however, an excellent way to bulk up a smoothie, and it’s a potential game changer for those with digestive problems aggravated by dairy, soy, or peas. —Kat Merck
Puori's PW1 stands out for its clean credentials. It's certified by the Clean Label Project for transparency and tested against 200-plus contaminants—with third-party test results found here. It has a relatively simple ingredients list without artificial additives: whey concentrate, coconut palm sugar, vanilla powder, vanilla seeds, and natural flavors. Each serving packs a decent 21 grams of protein, sourced from pasture-raised, non-GMO cows with zero hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides. It's minimally processed at low temperatures, preserving the whey's natural structure for better bioavailability. Because of this, the powder mixes well with water or almond milk. But in a blender, it gets a little too frothy for my taste. I'd stick to a shaker bottle for a smoother sip.
Naked Casein: With only one ingredient—micellar casein sourced from hormone-free skim milk—this is about as clean as it gets. No added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and no unnecessary additives. It's cold-processed to avoid any nastiness from chemicals or synthetic fillers, and it’s independently tested for both heavy metals and gluten. Each serving packs 26 grams of protein and 618 milligrams of calcium (about 48 percent of your daily value). But Naked Casein doesn’t contain the emulsifying lecithin, so it won’t dissolve as smoothly as other powders. The best way to mix is with a blender, but I couldn't stomach the taste of this one.
Ghost Whey Protein Powder: Ghost is the protein powder for people who want their post-workout snack to taste like dessert. With flavors like Trix, Cinnabon, and coffee ice cream, it's unsurprisingly one of the best-tasting whey proteins on the market. Each scoop delivers 25 grams of protein (nearly 50 percent of the daily value for many people) and blends well in shakes, oats, or even DIY protein ice cream. The trade-off here is a longer ingredient list that includes gums, high-fructose corn syrup, and—in some flavors—titanium dioxide, which is a whitening pigment banned as a food additive in Europe.
Seeq Clear Protein Powder: At first, I was skeptical of Seeq Clear Protein (how could it be clear!?!), but I’m a sucker for anything watermelon-flavored. I was pleasantly surprised. It tastes like a creamier sports drink (I promise it’s better than that description sounds), and each serving has 22 grams of protein and 4.5 grams of BCAAs. There are zero grams of sugar. Like a lot of other clear protein powders, it’s often more expensive than its traditional counterparts. But if lactose irritates your stomach or you want something more like juice and less like a milkshake, it’s worth trying—especially if you mix it with extra water, since it’s on the sweet side. Worth noting is that it takes forever to dissolve, so use a frother or allot yourself extra shaking time. —Louryn Strampe
Sakara Protein + Greens Super Powder: With 17 grams of plant-based protein per serving, Sakara's Protein + Greens is just three shy of the 20-gram benchmark I aim for. The blend of pea, hemp, and pumpkin proteins is bolstered by a “super greens” mix of spirulina, wheatgrass, barley grass, and chlorella. Is it dramatically transforming my gut health? Probably not. But on days when my vegetable and protein intake is low, a scoop of this in my smoothie (plus some Greek yogurt for an extra 18 grams of protein) makes me feel a little less like a goblin surviving on iced coffee and string cheese.
BSN True-Mass Weight Gainer, Muscle Mass Gainer Protein Powder: If you're trying to bulk up or find yourself struggling to hit your calorie goals, BSN True-Mass is worth considering. This mass gainer packs 1,200 calories per serving, with 50 grams of protein and 215 grams of carbohydrates. Its protein blend includes whey concentrate, casein, milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, hydrolyzed whey isolate, and micellar casein, so you get a mix of fast and slow-digesting proteins. It also delivers 450 milligrams of calcium and 880 milligrams of potassium, which is a bonus if you want to squeeze in some micronutrients. It tastes great—the strawberry milkshake flavor is spot-on—but these are two scoops at 310 grams, so you'll need to be comfortable with the jumbo serving size. I can't fully endorse the formula because it's packed with artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, as well as some iffy additives, including maltodextrin and a gum blend (cellulose, guar, gum Arabic, and xanthan) that might not sit well with everyone. If you have a sensitive stomach, you might want to pass. This one brings protein farts to a new level.
Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder: Orgain’s Organic Protein Powder blends pea, brown rice, chia, and mung bean proteins to hit all nine essential amino acids. It’s USDA-certified organic, kosher, and delivers 21 grams of protein per serving, plus 4 grams of fiber and prebiotics for a little digestive support. It leans higher in carbs than some plant-based competitors at about 15 grams per serving, but that also makes it more filling—ideal if you need something to hold you over between meals. I’ve tested my fair share of vanilla proteins, and Orgain’s vanilla bean flavor is one of the better ones available. It’s smooth, not overly sweet, and blends up surprisingly creamy despite being dairy-free. While the formula is free from artificial sweeteners, most flavors include erythritol and gums, which can cause digestive issues for some. Certain flavors, like birthday cake, sneak up to 450 milligrams of sodium per serving, which is 20 percent of your daily limit. The iced coffee flavor comes with 60 milligrams of caffeine.
Aloha 12oz Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Drink (Pack of 12): Aloha's protein powder is still on my testing docket, but I have tried the brand's ready-to-drink shakes. The chocolate sea salt is surprisingly tasty; it's creamy and rich, but there's a faint aftertaste. I sometimes use the vanilla flavor as a milk base for smoothies, and there's also a coconut flavor I haven't gotten my hands on yet. Each serving packs 18 grams of plant-based protein.
Last October, Consumer Reports (CR) tested 23 popular protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes and found that more than two-thirds of the products contained more lead in a single serving than what the publication considers safe to consume in a day. CR's level of concern for lead is 0.5 micrograms per day, which is based on California’s Prop 65, a law requiring businesses to inform consumers about exposure to harmful chemicals.
The TL;DR version: Plant-based powders had the highest levels of lead, about nine times more than dairy-based options and twice as much as beef-based powders. Whey and other dairy-derived supplements tended to fare better, but even half of those tested still contained enough lead for CR to caution against daily use.
That said, most are still safe in moderation, and even the highest levels fall well below what would cause immediate harm. When possible, I personally opt for dairy-based formulas over plant-based ones to minimize my lead intake; I also personally stick to unflavored options.
Naked Vanilla Vegan Mass Gainer: CR found 7.7 micrograms of lead in each serving of Naked Nutrition's Mass Gainer.
Huel Black Edition Chocolate: CR found 6.3 micrograms of lead in each serving of Huel Black Edition Chocolate.
BlenderBottle Classic V2 Shaker Bottle (20 Ounces) for $10: If you take your shake or pre-workout to-go, a BlenderBottle is a must. To refresh or un-clump your drink, simply give it a shake, and the whisking ball will dissolve the powder. If you don't want to use too many dishes, the BlenderBottle is also an alternative to a blender or frother. Twenty ounces should be a decent size for a standard shake that generally requires about 12 ounces of liquid, but BlenderBottle also offers 20.3-, 28-, 32-, and 45-ounce shakers.
Vitamix Ascent X5 for $700: The Vitamix Ascent X5 is expensive, but the all-purpose blender makes smoothies feel like an art form. It's got 10 preset programs (smoothie bowls, nut butters, nondairy milks, and more), which means your protein recipes can get as creative as you want. It has a tamper to help blend the thickest of shakes, and the on-screen indicator tells you exactly when to step in. If your blend needs more mixing? No problem—just select the “add 15 seconds” button. The self-cleaning mode is my favorite feature; it's not groundbreaking, but I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a dull chopstick than scrub post-smoothie gunk off a blender. Plus, it's backed by a 10-year warranty, which makes it an investment worth considering.
Ninja Blast Portable Blender for $55: For an affordable blender option, you might want to consider Ninja's tiny portable blender, which charges via USB-C. The motor isn't super powerful, and the battery isn't long-lived (one charge lasts long enough to thoroughly blend one yogurt smoothie with frozen berries), but this blender is affordable, the vessel and lid are dishwasher-safe, and it's tiny enough to have a permanent home on former editor Adrienne So's counter. (Update: After two years, the blade just broke.)
Beast Mega 1200 for $184: Mega's 1,200-watt motor cuts through frozen fruit, powders, and fibrous foods with an ease that personal blenders can't match with just one button, a timed cycle, and consistent chunk-free results. The three included Tritan vessels are designed with ribbed interiors that boost turbulence for silkier smoothies. Plus, the drinking lid and straw system transforms your blender into a travel cup without the extra dishes. It's available in six chic colors and backed by a two-year warranty.
Is Protein Powder Good for You?
It depends. If you’re eating a balanced diet, you’re likely getting all the protein your body needs. Whole foods—nuts, seeds, eggs, low-fat dairy, legumes, and lean meats—offer protein along with fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients that a scoop of powder simply can’t match. Protein powders are not meal replacements.
That said, high-quality protein powder may be beneficial if you are recovering from surgery or an injury, have difficulty eating due to illness or aging, or need extra protein for wound healing. It’s also useful if you’re following a strict diet (like veganism) and aren’t getting enough protein through food alone. For athletes, protein powder can be a convenient way to refuel post-workout because the body absorbs liquid protein quickly. Unless you fall into one of these categories, you may not need a protein powder. To get more clarity about what makes sense for you, chat with a trusted healthcare provider.
What Are the Different Types of Protein Powder?
When you're looking at different protein sources, also keep in mind whether you're getting a complete or incomplete protein. All of our picks are complete proteins, meaning that they provide all nine essential amino acids that the body doesn't produce itself.
Whey protein: Whey protein comes from milk during the cheese-making process, and it’s one of the most efficient ways to get protein into your system. It’s packed with essential amino acids, meaning your body can absorb and use it quickly, which is great for muscle recovery and growth. There are three whey subtypes, each with its own pros and cons.
Casein protein: Casein is the other major protein in milk. When consumed, it forms a gel in your stomach, meaning your body gets a slow, steady release of amino acids. This makes a great option for pre-bedtime protein or keeping hunger at bay between meals. There are two main subtypes:
Pea protein: This plant-based protein is made from ground yellow split peas and is high in essential amino acids, including BCAAs. It’s dairy-, gluten-, and soy-free, making it great for people with allergies. Technically, it’s a complete protein, but it’s lower in methionine, so some experts would argue it’s not as complete as whey.
Brown rice protein: Brown rice protein is high in fiber, easy to digest, and hypoallergenic, but it lacks some essential amino acids (specifically lysine), making it an incomplete protein. That’s why it’s often blended with pea protein for a more balanced amino acid profile. It’s gentle on the stomach and good for people with food sensitivities.
Beef protein isolate: Meat contains protein! Beef protein isolate is made from cow tissue that has been extracted and filtered into powder.
What Are the Potential Harms of Protein Powder?
While high-protein diets have been studied extensively, the long-term effects of regularly consuming protein in powdered form remain unclear. But here are some potential issues to consider:
Not all protein powders are contaminated, but it’s worth checking third-party testing results (like those published by Clean Label Project) before incorporating a certain product into your diet.
What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing a Protein Powder?
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