Protein powders are available in countless formulations across thousands of shelves nationwide. While they’re widely known for helping people build and maintain muscle, these supplements aren’t just for bodybuilders or frequent gym-goers. “Protein powder is excellent for vegetarians,” says nutritionist and personal trainer Aynsley Kirshenbaum. It can also be useful for kids who are picky eaters—Kirshenbaum even adds it to her children’s macaroni and cheese.
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However, every nutritionist we consulted emphasized that protein powder shouldn’t replace a well-rounded diet. Instead, it should complement three balanced, protein-rich meals throughout the day. As nutritionist Heidi Skolnik explains, “No powder provides anything you can’t get from whole foods like nuts, eggs, or fish.” Registered dietitian Kaleigh Tjoelker agrees, encouraging clients to prioritize whole foods first. “Protein powder should act as a supplement to a balanced diet. Still, certain groups—such as athletes with high protein needs, frequent travelers, or plant-based individuals—may benefit from it.” For those using protein powders post-workout, ACSM fitness nutrition specialist and personal trainer Oscar Colon IV recommends consuming them within 30 minutes of finishing your session.
With so many options available—each with potentially unfamiliar ingredients—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing the right protein powder. “There are a lot out there,” acknowledges nutrition and fitness coach Gabbi Berkow. “My clients often come to me unsure about what to buy.” Over the past decade, I’ve tried at least a dozen protein powders, mixing them into shakes or meals three to four times weekly. Below, I’ve shared some of my personal favorites. This guide also includes input from nutritionists, athletes, and trainers who regularly use protein powders, offering recommendations tailored to different needs.
Updated January 21, 2025: Prices and product availability have been reviewed and updated.
Protein Source
The nutritionists we consulted agreed that the first and most important decision when choosing a protein powder is whether you prefer an animal- or plant-based option. This choice typically depends on dietary preferences rather than factors like age, gender, or body type.
For those opting for animal-based protein, whey protein (derived from cow’s milk) is widely recommended as the most digestible, fast-acting option, ideal for muscle building and weight loss. There are two primary types of whey protein: whey-protein isolate and whey-protein concentrate. Experts suggest whey-protein isolate as the superior choice, as it undergoes a filtration process that reduces its lactose content, making it easier to digest.
If you’re vegan, vegetarian, lactose-intolerant, or avoid animal products, plant-based protein powders are a great alternative. Among these, powders made with pea protein are generally considered the most effective substitute for whey. Like whey-protein isolate, pea protein isolate offers a higher protein concentration per scoop, making it an even better option. While plant-based powders can occasionally cause minor issues like stomach discomfort, the options recommended in this guide are noted for their easy digestibility by experts.
Best whey-protein powder overall
1. Momentous Essential Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate
Flavors Available: Chocolate, Vanilla, Unflavored
Key Ingredients: Natural Flavors, Organic Cane Sugar, Stevia
This whey protein powder is my personal favorite and the one I use most often due to its subtle chocolate and vanilla flavors and how seamlessly it blends into foods like oatmeal and shakes. While I previously considered the Now Sports Nutrition Whey Isolate (mentioned below) the best overall whey protein powder, after a year of using Momentous, I now reach for it more frequently because of its superior taste. The chocolate flavor is reminiscent of semisweet chocolate bars, while the vanilla is sweet without being overly rich—making both options ideal for those who prefer a simple yet enjoyable taste.
Nutritionists on my panel emphasize that the quality of whey protein can depend on the cows’ diet. Grass-fed cows produce milk—and whey protein—that is free from added hormones, enhancing its overall quality. This chocolate whey-protein isolate is sourced from grass-fed cows and is a favorite of fitness expert Jeff Halevy, a former health correspondent for the Today show. He praises it for its balanced sweetness and ranks it as the best among the 15 protein powders he’s tried. Another key advantage is that this protein powder is NSF-certified, ensuring its quality and safety.
Top Affordable Whey-Protein Powder Overall
2. Now Sports Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate – Unflavored, 1.2 Pounds
Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate
Flavor: Unflavored
Ingredients: Free from added sugar and artificial sweeteners
I’ve been using this whey protein from Now Sports for two years, and the unflavored variety has proven to be the most versatile option out of the many I’ve tested. When I’m short on time and can’t prepare a complex shake, I simply mix the unflavored powder with water for a quick, no-fuss option. It also works well in yogurt-granola bowls, where, aside from a slight texture change, the taste remains virtually unchanged.
For those who prefer flavored options, this protein powder is also available in vanilla and chocolate, both sweetened with stevia. I’ve added a scoop of the vanilla flavor to pancake batter to make protein pancakes (similar to what I’ve done with the Podium protein powder mentioned below), and I appreciated how the flavor wasn’t overpowering—it still tasted like pancakes.
Personal trainer Kern Alexander, who has spent 15 years trying various protein powders, considers the unflavored Now Sports whey protein his go-to. Fitness coach Gabbi Berkow also highlights Now Sports as a reputable, multigenerational family-owned brand worth considering. Packaged in the USA, this whey-protein isolate is free of artificial sweeteners, which Alexander appreciates. He notes that the unflavored powder allows him to add fruits like berries and bananas, letting their natural flavors shine through.
Top Chocolate-Flavored Whey-Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey – Double Rich Chocolate, 2 Pounds
Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate
Flavor: Double Rich Chocolate
Ingredients: Natural and artificial flavors, free from added sugar
Among the fitness experts and nutritionists we’ve consulted, Optimum Nutrition’s whey-protein powder is the most popular (you’ve likely seen the brand’s distinctive packaging in supplement stores). Trainer Taj Felix shared that he’s been using this chocolate-flavored powder, which combines whey isolate and concentrate, for eight years, and it’s widely used by others in his field. (Fitness coach Gabbi Berkow also recognizes Optimum Nutrition as a trusted brand.) According to Felix, one of the reasons this powder is so appealing is its simple ingredient list. As a self-proclaimed chocolate lover, he appreciates how well it mixes, how great it tastes, and how it’s never chalky. It’s also available in vanilla and milk-chocolate flavors.
Top Whey-Protein Powder for Smoothies and Shakes
Podium Whey Protein Powder – Maple Butter Pancake
Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate and Whey Protein Concentrate
Flavor: Maple Butter Pancake
Ingredients: Natural and artificial flavors, free from added sugar
I used Podium’s whey protein as my primary supplement for weight training in 2022, and it stood out for one key reason: it’s the best protein powder I’ve tried for mixing into shakes and smoothies due to its smooth consistency. Podium’s powder is finer than others on this list (such as Optimum Gold Standard, Momentous Essential Grass-Fed, and Orgain Organic Plant-Based) and doesn’t clump as much when stirred or blended, making it much easier to work with.
Rather than offering the typical chocolate or vanilla flavors, Podium features unique options like Maple Butter Pancake (which I’ve used both in shakes and mixed into regular pancake batter for blueberry or banana protein pancakes—one of my new favorite recipes) and Peanut Butter Crunch. Both flavors are quite sweet, which is another reason I prefer Podium for mixing—I don’t need to add extra sweeteners to my drink. While some might find it too sweet, I personally prefer it over an overly bitter or chemical aftertaste.
Best whey-protein powder for competitive athletes
• Promix Whey Protein Powder – Chocolate and Madagascar Vanilla ($54)
Lightly sweet and easily blends into shakes, smoothies, or even just water.
• Kroma Plant-Based Protein Powder – Vanilla-Cinnamon and Cacao-Banana ($55)
Has a sweeter but more nuanced flavor, reminiscent of a premade smoothie.
• PureProtein Whey Protein Powder – Rich Chocolate ($30)
Tastes nearly identical to PureProtein’s ready-to-drink chocolate protein shake—creamy and sweet.
• Ghost Whey Protein Powder – Chips Ahoy ($45)
Tastes like a blended Chips Ahoy cookie smoothie—unexpectedly smooth and easy to drink.
• Jym Pro Jym Whey Protein Powder – Tahitian Vanilla Bean ($59)
Sweet and creamy—mixes effortlessly into shakes.
• Isopure Infusions Whey Isolate Protein – Mixed Berry and Tropical Punch ($42)
One of the first fruit-flavored protein powders I’ve tried, though the berry and tropical punch have a slight bitterness, so I prefer mixing them into a smoothie with other ingredients.
• Designer Wellness Whey Protein Powder – Gourmet Chocolate ($21)
Not the most flavorful chocolate option (slightly artificial taste), but a solid choice for a basic, affordable option at $21.
• Ascent Whey Isolate Protein Powder – Chocolate ($67)
Tastes like chocolate milk, but not overly sweet.