Best Whey Protein Powders of 2025

Whey protein powder is a popular supplement because it’s a simple and effective way to increase daily protein intake.

Whey is a complete protein that contains all nine essential amino acids our bodies need to build muscle. Whey protein also supplies the body with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), like leucine, which help promote muscle growth (1).

We consulted Pete Nastasi, a certified nutrition coach (C.N.C.), to help us find the best whey protein powders on the market.

Here, we break down the different types of whey protein powders available (concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate), which types will work best for you, and what nutrition information to look for. Plus, we’ve tested over 50 protein powders to help us create the list of our top picks.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

How We Chose the Best Whey Protein Powders

We chose products for our list of the best whey protein powders based on a number of factors reflected in our whey protein powder scoring methodology. These include:

• Protein source: Whey protein is available as a concentrate, isolate, hydrolysate, or blend. We rank whey isolates and hydrolysates higher than concentrates because they are easier to digest and filtered to remove carbs and fat.
• Macronutrient calories per serving: We prioritize whey protein powders with the most calories from protein—as opposed to fat or carbs.
• Total protein per serving: While everyone has varying protein needs, 25–30 grams of protein is generally recommended with each snack or meal. This amount is also the best value per serving of protein powder.
• Price per gram of protein: While price isn’t always indicative of quality or value, we do reward whey protein powders that are more affordable, though we give this category less weight than the others.
• Sweeteners: We consider research about common sweeteners when assessing which whey protein powder formulas provide the least health risks to users.
• Bonus credits: Whey protein powders can earn small bumps in their overall score by having third-party testing credentials, no proprietary blends, an organic certification, sustainable packaging, and the addition of digestive enzymes.

We also receive input from our panel of expert contributors, which includes registered dietitians and highly credentialed experts in sports nutrition and exercise science. 

Our Picks for the Best Whey Protein Powder of 2025:

Best Overall Whey Protein Powder: Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate

No sugar, all protein—that’s what Transparent Labs set out to accomplish with its grass-fed whey protein isolate. This whey protein undergoes filtration (2), taking out the excess sugar, fat, carbs, and lactose so you’re giving your body the pure protein it needs to rebuild. Whey isolate has the highest protein concentration of the different types of protein powders, and this protein is a good option if you’re trying to reduce your carb and fat intake.

Transparent Labs’ Whey Protein Isolate packs 28 grams of protein into each serving—one of the highest on our list. We also like the flavor variety, including unique flavors like Cinnamon French Toast. Bonus: This protein isn’t too sweet, so you can mix it with fruit juice or add it to a fruit smoothie without feeling like you’re drinking a shake made with Fun Dip.

Best Chocolate Whey Protein: Sports Research Whey Protein

Sports Research Whey Protein is formulated with 6.9 grams of BCAAs, including 1,000 milligrams of L-leucine. Studies show leucine may help reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). Depending on flavor, this Informed Sport Certified protein powder is sweetened with stevia or sucralose, so those sensitive to these ingredients may need to steer clear.

Rachel Pasche says she has a protein shake for dessert some nights using the Dutch Chocolate flavor. “It might be too sweet for some people, but I honestly love the taste so much,” she says. “It’s my favorite flavor of protein powder I’ve ever tried.” She says the powder mixes well with water alone, with both a handheld mixer and in a shaker cup, noting there is some foam at the top that doesn’t last long and no clumping.

Additionally, Pasche says she sometimes feels bloated after whey protein shakes, but after six months of using Sports Research Whey, she has not experienced any bloat.

Best Grass-Fed Whey Protein: Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate

Why is grass-fed whey protein better? Studies show that dairy sourced from grass-fed cows has a higher concentration of whey proteins and amino acids (3), which may further support muscular training adaptations.

This Nutricost protein powder is non-GMO, gluten-free, and third-party tested. Whey protein concentrate, like this one, is often made with sunflower lecithin, an ingredient to help promote mixability. Testers also enjoy the taste and say this protein powder mixes well. “The taste was nostalgic; I’d liken it to Nesquik,” says tester Grant Smith. “And the mixability was on par with some of the better proteins I’ve had previously.” Smith was pleasantly surprised by the mixability of Nutricost Whey Protein, noting he didn’t find any small chunks of undissolved protein floating in his shake when mixed with milk.

After drinking most of his shake, Smith let a bit of the mixture sit for almost 10 minutes after initially mixing to test for separation. He noticed some slight separation between the protein and skim milk he mixed it with, but says it wasn’t enough to make the drink any less appealing.

Best Vanilla Whey Protein: Legion Whey+

The protein in Legion Athletics is certified to contain no banned substances by Labdoor, the gold standard of third-party lab testing. This helps ensure the protein isolate is in its purest, most nutritionally dense form without any interference from pesticides and growth hormones.

Additionally, Legion Athletics whey is filtered to remove extra carbs and fat, so you’re only getting the good stuff with every serving. The removal of these elements is geared toward bloat-free digestion.

Testers say it also tastes great, giving especially high marks to the French Vanilla flavor. “I really like the flavor of this one. It tastes like a vanilla creamer!” says Kayla Godfrey. “This is delicious. Great vanilla taste,” says Carlo Barajas.

Best Tasting Whey Protein: Gainful Protein Powder

You’ve probably seen that one of the biggest general complaints about protein powder is it can taste “chalky” and leave you with an off-putting aftertaste. Our testing team tried Gainful’s Caffe Mocha flavor, and liked the subtle, not-too-sweet flavor profile. “This reminds me of an at-home cappuccino mix,” says Barry Bridges. “The coffee flavor is very light—I’d say it’s more of a chocolate flavor,” adds Rachael Harris.

If you’re not a fan of coffee flavors, Gainful offers nine total flavors in individual-use packets, so you can pick and choose what you’re craving each day. Nastasi, who has tried many different Gainful Protein Powder flavors, says the Chocolate Peanut Butter, Caffe Mocha, and Sea Salt Caramel are his favorites.

What Is Whey Protein?

Whey protein is a concentrated protein source derived from cow’s milk, which contains two major proteins called casein and whey (4). Whey accounts for 20 percent of milk protein, and is considered a high-quality protein source. Cow’s milk protein is considered a complete protein because it contains all nine essential amino acids required by the body (5).

Beyond basic nutrition, whey protein (6) may offer specific health benefits, such as enhanced immune function (7) and cardiometabolic health (8). Usually, whey is sold in powder form, which can be blended with water or other liquids or added to soft foods. Also, people use whey protein powder in cooking, which adds nutritional value to baked goods. Food manufacturers use whey formulations rather than cream, butter, or egg ingredients to make high-protein, low-fat products.

What Are the Three Types of Whey Protein?

When you browse online or at your local nutrition shop for whey protein products, you’ll probably notice different forms of whey. The main difference in the types of whey protein is how they’re processed. The three most common forms of whey protein are concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate (hydrolyzed whey).

Concentrate

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) is the least processed form of whey, so it contains the highest levels of lactose (milk sugar), fat, carbohydrates, and nutrients. Food manufacturers use WPC (9) to replace fresh dairy and eggs in products like sauces, soups, and baked goods because it adds flavor, color, and texture and extends shelf-life (10). However, it has the lowest protein content out of the three—typically 70 to 80 percent.

Isolate

Whey protein isolate (WPI) is made when whey is filtered and processed. It contains the most protein, 90 percent or more, and less lactose. Because of its higher protein content, sports nutrition companies often prefer WPI for use in supplements, protein bars, and other protein products (11). However, it lacks some of the beneficial nutrients found in the concentrated form (12).

Hydrolysate

Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH), also known as hydrolyzed whey, is produced by a process called partial hydrolysis, which breaks down whey protein for easier absorption (13). WPH is digested faster than WPC or WPI (14), so it causes a 28 to 43 percent increase in blood sugar levels (15). Diabetics don’t have to worry about this, though. Protein digestion is slow. In fact, recent research suggests that whey protein improves glycemic (blood sugar) control (16).

Benefits of Whey Protein Powder

The real benefit of a whey protein powder is that it’s an incredibly convenient and high-quality source of dietary protein. However, if you consume enough dietary protein through meat, dairy, legumes, and other foods, then you don’t need a protein powder to achieve your health and fitness goals. However, if you’re having trouble consuming enough protein through your diet alone, then adding a protein powder to your daily routine can have some real benefits.

Building Muscle

Whey protein is rich in essential amino acids, including BCAAs, which can be beneficial for supporting muscle integrity and growth with training (17). Adding a protein powder for muscle gain to your daily diet can be a great way to help maximize your dietary protein intake and stimulate muscle growth.

Preserving Lean Muscle Mass

When you’re in a caloric deficit with the goal of losing weight, you want to ensure that the weight you’re losing is primarily fat and not muscle. Eating a diet rich in protein helps preserve the lean muscle mass you’ve worked hard to achieve and enables your body to prioritize burning fat for energy.

Weight Loss

Consuming whey protein has a satiating effect, meaning that it helps you feel full for a longer period of time. High protein diets help with weight loss by regulating your hunger levels and therefore reducing the amount of total calories you consume throughout the day.

How To Use Whey Protein Powder

In order to properly use a whey protein powder, you should first determine how much protein you should be eating on a daily basis. The amount of protein you consume is dependent on your fitness goals and current body weight, activity level, and physique. A simple way to calculate your daily protein intake is by multiplying your body weight by 0.8. The resulting number is how many grams of protein you should consume each day. This should provide most active individuals with sufficient protein intake. Remember that whey protein powder is a supplement and shouldn’t be your main source of dietary protein.

As far as how to consume this protein powder, you should follow the instructions on the supplement label. This usually entails mixing one scoop of protein powder with 10 to 12 ounces of your favorite beverage. It can also be mixed in a smoothie or foods like oatmeal and pancake batter. Whey protein powder can be consumed at any time of the day, but it’s usually utilized as a post-workout supplement to begin repairing muscle tissue.

Potential Side Effects of Whey Protein Powder

When used in moderation, protein powder is free of side effects and generally considered safe for healthy adults. However, consuming large amounts of protein powder can lead to digestive issues, dehydration, and (potentially) nutrient deficiencies. It’s important to use whey protein powder as part of a balanced diet and not as your main source of dietary protein. If you experience any unusual symptoms after using protein powder, stop use immediately and consult a healthcare professional.

Who Should Use Whey Protein?

A whey protein powder will benefit anyone who is looking to increase their daily protein consumption and has trouble doing so through their diet alone. This is especially relevant for very active individuals, such as athletes, bodybuilders, and fitness enthusiasts who have increased protein demands due to their workouts and training.

Another segment of the population that may benefit from using a whey protein powder is older adults. As we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing protein from food (18). Using protein supplements can be an easy way for older adults to meet their daily protein needs and support muscle health.

How To Choose the Best Whey Protein for You

When picking a whey protein product, there are a few factors to consider, including the type of protein, taste, nutrition, additives/allergies, and price.

Type of Protein

Check the ingredients list to see what type of whey the protein powder contains. Some brands will use a blend of whey forms.

• Whey concentrates have the most nutrients, but slightly less protein. They also contain more lactose, which may trigger lactose sensitivities.
• Whey isolates have more protein, but less fat and carbs, so they’ll likely be lower in calories. They may also be more expensive, since they require more processing.
• Whey hydrolysates may be easier to digest and absorbed faster, so if you’re looking for a post-workout recovery shake, a hydrolysate might be the best choice to deliver muscle-building proteins.

Taste

Whey proteins come in a wide variety of flavors. You’ll find options from unflavored to vanilla, chocolate orange, and summer berries, to name a few. Taste is important because you want a protein supplement you’ll enjoy. When just starting to supplement your protein intake, try a small container or buy samples of flavors you might enjoy and get creative with your add-ins. You can try fruits, flavored milks, or juices to create new flavors that fit your taste preference.

Nutrition

Check the whey protein label for the amount of protein per serving, and factor it into your daily protein intake. Most protein powders have around 25 grams per serving, which is an ideal dosage to maximize muscle protein synthesis (19). Also look for calories, fats, carbs, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and even amino acid profiles. Make sure that the supplement you choose gives you the maximum benefit without unnecessary add-ins.

Additives/Allergies

Read the ingredients section, too. Look for additives or allergens that you want or need to avoid. For example, labels warn you if the whey powder contains soy or was processed in a facility with nuts.

Price

The protein powders on our list give you a good idea of the price range for whey supplements. Our top picks vary from $1.16 to $3.41 per serving or $34 to $95 per container, so there’s an option for most budgets.

FAQs

References

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