The 8 best whey protein powders of 2023

August 2024 · 27 minute read
Updated This article was medically reviewed by Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, a nutrition and wellness expert with a private practice based in New York City. Medically Reviewed Reviewed By Check Mark Icon A check mark. It indicates that the relevant content has been reviewed and verified by an expert Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board. JUMP TO Section Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.
  • Best overall
  • Best for mixing
  • Best sugar-free
  • Best customized
  • Best GNC
  • Best-tasting
  • Best fat-free
  • Best lactose-free
  • How we tested
  • What else we tested
  • FAQs
  • Where to buy
  • Our experts

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    Protein is a macronutrient in every cell in your body that's vital for your health. If you're an athlete, gym-goer, or just want to shed a few pounds, protein can also help build and retain muscle. Consuming one of the best whey protein powders is an effective and inexpensive way to add more of the macronutrients to your diet. 

    Our top pick is the Naked Whey Protein; this protein powder is made from just a single ingredient, whey protein, and has no additives or extras. For a customizable option, we recommend Gainful; Gainful lets you personalize what's in the protein powder based on your fitness level, diet habits, and personal preference. 

    Below are eight of the best whey protein powders, all tested and researched based on a variety of users, diets, and dietary restrictions. We've also included answers to a few FAQs, tips on the best places to purchase protein, and insight into how we test supplements, at the end of this guide. 

    Top picks for the best whey protein powder

    Best overall: Naked Whey Protein - See on Amazon

    Best for mixing: Cellucor Whey Protein Isolate - See on Cellucor

    Best sugar-free: Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrowhey - See on Amazon

    Best customized: Gainful Custom Protein Powder - See on Gainful

    Best GNC: GNC AMP Wheybolic - See on GNC

    Best-tasting: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey - See on Amazon

    Best fat-free: Myprotein Impact Whey Isolate Protein - See on Myprotein

    Best lactose-free: Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder - See on Amazon

    Best overall

    Naked Nutrition Whey Protein

    Naked Whey Protein is third-party tested and has just one ingredient sourced from small dairy farms that mix well with any shake — and it's tasty.

    Shop at Amazon External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Shop at Naked Nutrition External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." What we likeWhat we don’t like

    Specifics

    Many of Naked Nutrition's products live up to the brand's namesake of being literally naked, though perhaps none do it quite as well as its flagship protein powder, Naked Whey. Comprised of a single ingredient (whey protein from grass-fed cows), Naked Whey is a clean, additive-free product that has no artificial sweeteners, no artificial colors, and no artificial flavors. 

    From a protein standpoint, one serving of Naked Whey (2 scoops of powder which is roughly 30 grams) delivers 25 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbs, 2 grams of fat, 120 calories, and just 2 grams of sugar. Each serving also has 5.9 grams of a combination of the BCAAs isoleucine, leucine, and valine. BCAAs (branch chain amino acids) may help build protein in muscles and aid in recovery.

    A few drawbacks (or, rather, nitpicks) would be the Naked Whey isn't the easiest to mix, and requires quite the shake in a shaker bottle to create a smooth, drinkable combination, though you're likely to still encounter a few clumps. The taste of this is also very plain and almost dairy-like (which makes sense, of course), but Naked does offer the protein in Chocolate, as well as Vanilla and Strawberry in its Less Naked Whey, which has a few more additives. 

    Naked Whey comes in either a 5 lb. tub for $90 or a smaller 1 lb. option for $22 — and Naked Nutrition even allows customers to set up recurring monthly deliveries at a discounted rate. 

    If an additive-free protein powder is what you seek, Naked Nutrition's Naked Whey, with just the single ingredient of whey protein, is about as simple as it gets. -- Rick Stella,  fitness tech editor

    Best for mixing

    Cellucor Whey Protein Isolate & Concentrate Blend Powder (5lb)

    If you're looking for a powder that mixes easily and tastes great, Cellucor Whey Protein Isolate & Concentrate Blend Powder is one of the best and most affordable options.

    Shop at Amazon External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Shop at Cellucor External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." What we likeWhat we don’t like

    Specifics

    The Cellucor Whey Protein Isolate & Concentrate Blend Powder not only tastes good and has 24 grams of protein per serving, but it's also the most affordable option in our guide at 71.4 cents per serving and 3 cents per gram of protein. Each serving also only has 1.5 grams of fat, 4 grams of carbs, and 120 calories.

    There are seven flavors to choose from and Cellucor recommends mixing two scoops with five to six ounces of your preferred beverage — but you can adjust the amount of liquid to fit your tastes. The company also suggests mixing the powder with yogurt, oatmeal, and pancakes.

    Best sugar-free

    Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrowhey (3.5lb)

    The Platinum Hydrowhey by Optimum Nutrition may be expensive, but it mixes well and boasts 30 grams of protein per serving with zero grams of sugar.

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    Specifics

    A single serving of Optimum Nutrition's Platinum Hydrowhey yields 140 calories, 30 grams of protein, one gram of fat, 3 grams of carbs, and no sugar. It's made of hydrolyzed whey protein, which breaks down the protein into smaller pieces for better absorption and easier digestion. 

    You can choose from seven flavors: cookies and cream, chocolate mint, vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, strawberry, chocolate, and red velvet cake. My favorite I tested was the chocolate flavor. 

    Optimum Nutrition uses artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and high-fructose corn syrup (which gets counted as sugar on food labels).

    Optimum Nutrition claims you can easily mix this protein with just a spoon and I can confirm this is true. While this may not seem like a strong selling point, I've forgotten my shaker bottle at home many times and have had to mix my protein with a spoon or knife at work. When I tried this with other brands, I always got clumpy, gross-tasting shakes. — Andrew Gutman

    Best customized

    Gainful Personalized Protein Powder

    Gainful is a completely personalized protein blend to meet your specific goals while adhering to your dietary restrictions, and offers access to a registered dietitian.

    Shop at Gainful External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." What we likeWhat we don’t like

    Specifics

    Editor's note: Other slides in this guide have nutritional information listed, but considering the fact Gainful is a customized blend, there's no standard set of data to be profiled here. We recommend visiting the site to take its quiz for yourself to see your unique blend.

    One of the more unique protein powder options is Gainful, a brand that formulates personalized blends based on your specific needs. This could include weight and fitness goals, the amount you're active each week, or if you have any dietary restrictions. It even lets you choose options dedicated to getting better sleep or improving gut health. 

    It's an interesting approach that succeeds in making the protein you order seem one-of-one. That is, not only does Gainful say it's formulating a specific blend of protein for you, but when you get it and see what exactly is in it (especially compared to other protein powders), it feels exclusive.

    Gainful takes its customization even further by offering flavor packets that mix with the powder to create different taste profiles. My sample came with packets of rich cocoa and cafe mocha, but the brand offers a variety of others like chocolate peanut butter, strawberry cream, and matcha green tea. You could consume the standard protein on its own, but it's a very bland flavor when you do (it doesn't necessarily taste bad, it's just not very exciting). 

    The nitpick I'd have with Gainful is that it doesn't feel like you're getting much protein for how much you spend. I tend to consume protein most days of the week, and I was able to work through the $45 bag in a little under three weeks. You can opt to get more per shipment (and Gainful can set up a recurring monthly delivery), though the price could feasibly double.

    Despite its expensive price compared to others in this guide, what you get with Gainful isn't offered anywhere else. You're essentially paying for a premium dietitian service to tailor a protein powder specifically to your needs — for people who keep close tabs on their nutrition and diet, that's invaluable. -- Rick Stella, fitness tech editor

    Best GNC

    GNC AMP Wheybolic

    GNC's AMP Wheybolic protein powder offers 40 grams of protein per two-scoop serving, as well as 6.2 grams of leucine, and works great as either a pre- or post-workout supplement.

    Shop at Amazon External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." Shop at GNC External link Arrow An arrow icon, indicating this redirects the user." What we likeWhat we don’t like

    Specifics

    The GNC name is synonymous with workout supplements, and its own branded protein are among its most popular items, specifically its GNC AMP Wheybolic powder. The brand supplied a tub of the powder in the Thin Mints flavor, which is sure to catch the attention of anyone who's a fan of Girl Scout Cookies (it also offers Girl Scout Coconut Carmel aka Samoas and Girl Scout S'mores). 

    Each two-scoop serving of the powder offers 40 grams of protein, 6.2 grams of leucine, 210 calories, 7 grams of net carbohydrates, and 2 grams of total sugar. The powder mixes well in water (after about 20 seconds or so of shaking) and never felt chunky or like there were leftover bits that hadn't fully mixed. 

    I used this protein primarily as a post-workout drink, though did also test it post-workout and on non-workout days. The Thin Mints flavor is heavy on chocolate and mint, so if you like sweeter protein powders, this is exactly what that is. I'm not a huge sweet protein powder drinker myself, so would often choose to use this in moderation. 

    A single $65 tub of the powder comes with 25 two-scoop servings, which is just shy of enough for a month's worth of use — especially if you prefer to drink it on both workout and non-workout days. 

    Our nutrition reviewer, Samantha Cassetty, did point out a few things to be cautious of after we spoke to her during testing. First, is the inclusion of sucralose. As we've mentioned in other protein powders, sucralose is a sweetener that may upset some people's stomachs during ingestion. Cassetty pointed out that the powder also includes the artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium, has artificial flavoring, and contains carrageenan, a somewhat controversial additive that's been studied limitedly. — Rick Stella, fitness tech editor

    Best-tasting

    Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder (5lb)

    The Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder packs 24 grams of protein into each serving and is one of the better-tasting powders according to experts and buyers.

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    Specifics

    The Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder gets its sweetness from a little bit of sugar (1 gram per serving) and acesulfame potassium, which is an artificial sweetener also known as Ace-K.

    Each serving has 120 calories, a gram of fat, three grams of carbs, and most importantly 24 grams of protein. Optimum Nutrition has also curated several recipes in which you can use the powder.

    Best fat-free

    Myprotein Impact Whey Isolate Protein (2.2lb)

    The Myprotein Impact Whey Isolate Protein is a great option if you want as much protein packed into each scoop as possible without extra fat, carbs, or calories.

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    Specifics

    Depending on the flavor you choose, the Myprotein Impact Whey Isolate Protein fits up to 22 grams of protein into each 25-gram serving.

    It does this with little or no fat or sugar and only 90 calories per serving. The sodium content is also low at 25 mg per serving. 

    Labdoor independently tests dozens of whey protein powders, and the site recommended the Myprotein Impact Whey Isolate because it scored high in Labdoor's ingredient safety, nutritional value, and product purity tests. The testers found there were 21.9 grams of protein in every 25-gram serving.

    There are a few complaints worth mentioning, too. Make sure you buy the whey isolate and not just the whey concentrate (If you follow our links, you should be fine).

    Best lactose-free

    Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder (5lb)

    If you've found protein powders leave your stomach feeling queasy, consider the lactose-free Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder.

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    Specifics

    The Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder is the only lactose-free option on our list but it's not the only one that uses hydrolyzed isolate protein—the Optimum Nutrition Platinum Hydrowhey does, too—which is supposed to help with digestion and absorption.

    Each serving has 25 grams of protein, less than a gram of fat, 120 calories, and 2 grams of carbs, including less than 1 gram of sugar. There are 13 flavors to choose from, including cinnamon bun, fudge brownie, and gourmet chocolate.  

    Labdoor recommends the Dymatize ISO 100 as one of the best whey protein powders. In its tests, the powder had high scores for nutritional value and product purity, including less than one part per million of six harmful substances. Around 91% of the calories in this powder come from its protein content. 

    How we test whey protein

    Protein shakes can be a helpful way to boost your protein intake. Getty

    Each of the protein powders in this guide went through a series of tests to determine how well they compared across these four categories: Taste, ease-of-mixture, ingredients, and value. Here's how each category specifically factored into which whey protein powders ultimately made this guide:

    Taste: If a protein powder doesn't taste good, you'll be far less likely to want to return to it time and again. Testing this is fairly straightforward: Does it taste good or not? And though taste can be subjective sometimes, we felt that there's still a clear way to decide if something is palatable or not. The protein powders featured here were all determined to taste good not just the first time tasting it but on the fifth, sixth, seventh, and beyond. 

    Ease-of-mixture: Nobody likes choking down a poorly mixed protein shake and some powders, no matter how much you shake them with a blender bottle, still end up chalky, chunky, and just downright unappealing. Like taste, this category was easy to test: Does it mix well with adequate shaking or does it require something like a blender for true smoothness? 

    Ingredients: For this category, we did two things: Looked at the actual ingredient list on the back of the protein powder bag or jug, and cross-referenced what we could via the Consumer Lab, a third-party organization that independently tests supplements like vitamins and probiotics, and, of course, protein powders. Each protein powder featured in this guide has a snapshot of its ranking on Consumer Lab and those that weren't independently tested were approved by the dietitian that medically reviewed the overall piece. 

    Value: The value of a protein powder can easily be summed up by how much the powder costs per 20g of protein. These numbers are available via Consumer Lab and for any powder not included on that site, we calculated the value ourselves. However, we didn't just include the powders that represented the best overall value but took into account the rest of the categories in addition to their actual price value. 

    What else we tested

    Amazon

    Animal Whey

    I like Animal because the company doesn't make gimmicky claims or rely on pseudoscience to sell its products. What you see is what you get and what you get is 120 calories, one gram of fat, 2 grams of carbs, and 25 grams of protein per serving. Animal uses whey protein isolate as its primary protein source, it's moderately priced, and it's third-party tested.

    This wasn't included, however, because it's no better than any other pick. Compared to Optimum Nutrition, Dymatize, or Cellucor, it's slightly more expensive and isn't as lauded by fans. It barely missed the cut. 

    Pro Jym Protein Powder

    A fan favorite, Pro Jym is comprised of four different proteins: whey protein isolate, micellar casein, egg albumin, and milk protein isolate. According to creator, Dr. Jim Stoppani, Ph.D., this extends the rate of digestion for better protein synthesis. It comes in three flavors: chocolate cookie crunch, cookies and cream, and s'mores, and contains 150 calories, 3 grams of fat, 7 grams of carbs, and 24 grams of protein per serving. 

    Pro Jym missed the mark for two reasons:

  • You pay more for three times the amount of fat and carbs as Optimum Nutrition's Platinum Hydrowhey, so it doesn't fit into our minimum fillers criteria.
  • It's not a pure whey protein powder. 

    • Performix ioWhey

    I like this protein powder because it tastes great, it's easy on the stomach, and there are minimal extras. One serving of Performix ioWhey is 100 calories, zero grams of fat, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and 22 grams of protein. 

    My major issue is that Performix claims ioWhey are absorbed 36% more efficiently than other brands, which is why their protein per serving is low. That sounds great but since the product isn't third-party tested, there's no way to know if this is true or if the company's selling you less protein per serving.

    For the price per serving, you're better off buying Optimum Nutrition or Dymatize ISO 100 if you're willing to shell out for a premium protein. — Andrew Gutman

    FAQs

    What is whey protein?

    There are three main types of whey protein: Whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and whey protein hydrolysate. Here's how each differs:

    Is whey protein powder safe to consume? 

    Before you increase your protein intake significantly, check with your healthcare professional since people with certain maladies, such as calcium deficiencies or low blood pressure, could experience adverse effects from whey protein. 

    It's also important to note that protein powders aren't regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and some companies dilute their protein with useless fillers, which is why certain brands subject themselves to third-party testing as a way to verify the quality of their product.

    To know if a protein is tested, look for a seal from either NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Choice. This doesn't mean that untested proteins are a subpar product but it's good to be aware. You are, after all, putting this stuff into your body. Other than looking for brands that are third-party tested, here are different ways to spot a quality protein:

    How much whey protein should you consume? 

    The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for protein consumption is about a gram for every 3 pounds of body weight. So, if you weigh 180 pounds, that equates to 60 grams of protein per day. Experts suggest that taking up to twice that still produces benefits.

    When it comes to fitness-specific goals, like gaining muscle or losing fat, Jeb Stuart Johnston from Stronger U recommends ingesting up to one gram per pound of body weight. His claim is backed by a study via the University of Stirling. 

    "For someone who's trying to gain muscle mass and work out, taking in more protein helps speed up protein synthesis [the process in which your muscle fibers utilize protein to repair and grow]," Johnston said. "For a person who's strictly trying to lose weight, taking in more protein helps retain the muscle you already have." 

    Based on Johnston's recommendations, a 200-pound man would have to consume 200 grams of protein per day. That's equivalent to 2 pounds of chicken breast. Supplementing with whey protein, he explains, is a convenient way to get more protein without grilling up another piece of bland chicken.

    Where to buy whey protein

    Shutterstock

    When it comes to buying protein, one convenient ordering option is Amazon's "Subscribe & Save" program, since it can save you up to 15%. You're able to cancel your subscription at any time, too. What's great about this program is that it automates ordering products that you replenish regularly.

    For instance, if you take a serving of protein powder every day and there are 30 servings in a container, you can have a new tub delivered every month without lifting a finger.

    I like to buy my protein from Bodybuilding.com. I usually try a different brand of protein each time I order more, so Amazon's "Subscribe & Save" program doesn't make sense for me, although it's a smart option for many people. Bodybuilding.com has reliable customer reviews and it routinely offers deals on popular brands. As a bonus, it offers free shipping on orders over $75.

    To figure out the cost per serving on your own, take the product's price and divide it by the number of servings in the container. Since the amount of protein per serving varies by brand, it's also useful to look at the cost per gram of protein. This is easy to calculate by dividing the cost per serving (as calculated above) by the number of grams of protein per serving. — Andrew Gutman

    Our experts

    This piece was also medically reviewed by Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, a nutrition and wellness expert with a private practice based in New York City.

    About our writers' expertise

    In developing this guide, we tested close to a dozen of the top protein powders available from brands like Cellucor, Optimum Nutrition, and Naked to find the best across a variety of categories. 

    The co-author, Andrew Gutman, is a former associate editor at Muscle & Fitness magazine, has competed in a bodybuilding show and two Strongman competitions, and has been lifting weights regularly for more than 10 years. He's tried dozens of different whey protein powders.

    Our guide features powders that have a taste you can stomach, a high protein content, and minimal fat, carbs, and calories. Guides Editor, Les Shu, is a former research chief at Men's Fitness who oversaw the fact-checking of the magazine's nutrition and exercise articles.

    James Brains Senior Reporter, Insider Reviews James is a Senior Reporter for Insider Reviews, specializing in sleep, HVAC, vacuums, and kitchen appliances. He has tested more than 70 mattresses from startups like Casper and legacy brands like Tempur-Pedic, using his background in experimental psychology to develop objective tests and evaluate comfort, support, motion transfer, and more. He authors our guide to the best mattresses. In addition to being Insider Reviews' mattress expert, James has extensively covered vacuums, air conditioners, air purifiers, and more within the HVAC space. He's tested more than 40 vacuums from brands like iRobot and Dyson and is no stranger to keeping his house at a chilly 60 degrees Fahrenheit for weeks on end, all in the name of testing air conditioners.He's a multifaceted writer who has covered everything from health and fitness to consumer technology. His mission is to help people get the most value for their money by guiding them in making informed buying decisions.James lives in Lansing, Michigan, with his wife, two kids, a tabby cat, and a rambunctious rat terrier. When James isn't testing products and writing for Insider, he helps run a popular local Facebook group, Lansing Foodies, and plans the Olive Burger Festival.See below for some of his work:Contact info: jbrains@businessinsider.comLearn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test kitchen products. Read more Read less Rick Stella Fitness Tech Editor, Insider Reviews Rick Stella is the fitness tech editor for the Insider Reviews team. He reviews and reports on all forms of wearables like activity trackers and smartwatches, as well as a variety of other fitness-related wearables. Rick has over ten years of experience covering the verticals of health & fitness, outdoors, and consumer technology.When he's not putting digital pen to digital paper, Rick enjoys seeing live music, playing soccer, catching up on Netflix shows, and riding his bike. An Oregonian for much of his life, Rick now resides in Brooklyn, NY. He can be reached at rstella@businessinsider.com or on Twitter @RickStella.Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.Learn more about how we test health, fitness, and outdoor products. Read more Read less

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