US Edition
The 11 best protein powders to gain muscle and boost fitness, tried and tested
Whether for muscle growth, weight loss, or a dietary supplement, here’s how to choose the best protein shakes, including vegan options
To decide on the best protein powder for you, it helps to ask: what are protein powders for? Protein is a nutrient needed all over the body to help build, repair and maintain tissue. It is made up of chains of amino acids, nine of which are termed ‘essential’ since your body can’t make them itself.
For a healthy body, the recommended nutrient intake (RNI) is 0.75g of protein per kg of bodyweight per day. If you don’t typically eat many animal-based sources, protein powders can help you hit that target. And they’re not only for people who go to the gym.
We tested 11 of the top protein powders on the market, including whey and vegan protein powders. You can read our full reviews below, as well as answers to frequently asked questions like which is the healthiest, the best for weight loss, and the best for building muscle. If you’re in a hurry, here are our top five:
Which are the best protein powders in 2023? At a glance:
- Best protein powder overall: MyProtein Impact Whey
- Best value protein powder: Huel Complete Protein
- Best protein powder for weight loss: Bulk Clear Whey Isolate
- Best protein powder for muscle growth: Innermost The Strong Protein
- Best protein powder for weight gain :Sci Mx Total Mass Gainer
Who should take protein powders?
“Protein supplements are used by all sorts of performers and athletes from football, tennis and golf players to stage performers and dancers,” says Shane Collins, founder of Circuit Society gym and co-founder of NUA Health supplements. “But we all cause damage to our muscles every day just by walking around and lifting things, and certainly when we train. Protein helps repair that damage.”
In other words, they’re for everyone. Choosing the right one for you comes down to what it’s made from. With the exception of vegan protein powders, most are made from whey (a by-product of cheese production), which comes in three different forms.
How I tested the best protein powders
With my fitness routine focused on strength training and sports, I was able to test the protein powders after exercising and as snacks throughout the day. I tried the vegan protein powders with oat milk or water and the whey options with semi-skimmed milk. I also used them to make protein shakes in my blender.
After hearing from the experts, I tested each powder for the quality and length of its ingredient list, its protein content per scoop, nutritional quality and sugar levels, any artificial ingredients, whether it was a good price, any genuinely useful extras (including micronutrients) and, of course, taste.
By the way, if you’re working on your fitness, you may want to read my guide to the best fitness trampolines too.
Best protein powders
1. MyProtein Impact Whey
Best overall, 10/10
We like: it’s well-priced and low calorie
We don’t like: some of the flavourings are a little artificial
- Protein: 80 percent (20g whey concentrate per 25g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 6.4 percent (1.6g per 25 serving, of which 1.6g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 103 kcal
- What else is in it? Leucine
As a whey concentrate, MyProtein’s Impact Whey offers good value for money and at 103 calories per serving, it may be useful for those adhering to a calorie deficit. Each serving contains over 2g of the branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) leucine, which plays a key role in muscle synthesis.
I found the powder mixed well with milk or even yoghurt thanks to the fine consistency and I love that it comes in so many different flavours. The powder is low in fat and sugar, although it does use sucralose and acesulfane K to sweeten, which might make some flavours a little sweet for some.
With 40 flavours including ‘cereal milk’, rocky road, chocolate nut and coconut, this is certainly one for those who get bored easily. Many of these flavourings are artificial (more palpable in some cases than others), but there aren’t any unnecessary extras bulking up the ingredient list. All in all, it’s a great choice for newbies and seasoned pros alike and great value for money.
2. Huel Complete Protein
Best value protein powder, 9/10
We like: its impressive vitamin, mineral and fibre content
We don’t like: the taste is slightly earthy
- Protein: 69 percent (20g fava bean, hemp seed and pea protein per 29g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 10.7 percent (3.1g per serving, of which 0.2g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 90.5 kcal
- What else is in it? BCAAs, fibre, vitamin C, D3, zinc and selenium
There’s a reason Huel has become a household name in recent years. Founded on its research-backed formulas, the brand famous for its cult meal replacement powders has expanded into what it deems the world’s first ‘nutritionally complete’ vegan protein powder.
Boasting 26 essential vitamins and minerals, as well as branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs), healthy fats and a complete profile of the nine essential amino acids, Huel’s protein powder ensures you’re getting more than just muscle fuel.
As for the taste, it has an oat-like, almost earthy taste typical of a lot of vegan proteins. If you’ve tried Huel’s main ‘complete powder’ in the past, you’ll recognise it. That said, this is easy to drink and despite coming in flavours such as Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Strawberries & Cream, it doesn’t feel too sweet or artificial. In fact, the Vanilla is particularly creamy, even when combined with only water.
The best part? Each serving contains 6g of gut health-improving fibre - which you don’t often find in other protein powders on the market. With all of these nutritional big ticks, plus 20g of protein for only 87p per serving, Huel’s offering definitely delivers a lot for your money.
3. Bulk Clear Whey Isolate
Best protein powder for weight loss, 9/10
We like: the fresh flavourings taste like squash when diluted
We don’t like: some flavours have an unpleasant aftertaste
- Protein: 80 percent (20g whey hydrolysate per 25g serving)
- Carbohydrate: 4.8 percent (1.2g per 25g serving, of which 0.2g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 86 kcal
- What else is in it? Anti-foaming compound
Whether vegan or whey, clear protein powders are a great alternative to the milky texture of traditional protein shakes. In flavours such as passionfruit or apple and blackcurrant, this tastes just like a refreshing fruit squash when mixed with cold water.
Your ability to lose body fat is largely down to being in an energy deficit, meaning no number of added extracts will help you lose weight if you are still consuming more calories than you’re burning. Clear protein such as this can help you achieve this while still taking in sufficient protein to maintain your hard-earned muscle mass. And while just 86 calories per serving, Bulk’s still delivers as much protein as many other powders on the market.
4. Innermost The Strong Protein
Best protein powder for muscle growth, 9/10
We like: the addition of creatine monohydrate which increases muscle performance
We don’t like: it only comes in one size
- Protein: 85 percent (34g of whey concentrate/whey isolate/casein per 40g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 2 percent (0.8g per 40g serving, of which 0.8g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 93 kcal
- What else is in it? Creatine monohydrate, magnesium
While one scoop of protein powder won’t turn you into an Arnie figure overnight, Innermost have curated theirs to give you the best chance of building muscle efficiently. Combining whey concentrate and isolate with casein, a slower-digested type of protein, ensures a longer absorption into your muscles over time. What’s more, the added creatine monohydrate is another common supplement in any keen weight lifter’s gym bag – it has been widely studied and research shows it can help improve strength and promote faster muscle recovery. Combined with other bonus ingredients such as magnesium, which plays a role in energy production and normal muscle function, this is a winning blend for gains.
5. Sci Mx Total Mass Gainer
Best protein powder for weight gain, 9/10
We like: its high protein content for a weight gain supplement
We don’t like: it could be fortified more
- Protein: 25.6 percent (32g soy protein isolate and whey protein concentrate per 125g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 64.8% (81g per serving, of which 6.9g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 95.5kcal
- What else is in it? Five digestive enzymes
Whether you’re nourishing a gruelling training cycle or simply trying to gain some weight, mass-gainer protein powders are a quick and easy solution. With 478kcal per serving, Sci Mx’s Total Mass Gainer is a way to take on more energy throughout the day and achieve the necessary calorie surplus.
As with many weight gain-focused protein powders, the high calorie content is largely due to the serving size - at 125g, Sci Mx’s is around four times that of most regular protein powders. However, its higher percentage of carbohydrates can help provide a slow release of energy to keep you going throughout the day and support any intensive workouts. Meanwhile, the 32g of protein per serving is plenty to aid muscle growth and repair, even if that’s not your primary goal.
A simple ingredients list offers no unnecessary extras, relying on energy-dense staples such as the easily-digestible processed carbohydrate maltodextrin and oat flour. That said, its lack of any vitamin fortification is a reminder that this isn’t a meal replacement and should only be used as a snack between nutrient-dense meals.
In either Chocolate or Strawberry flavours, the powder pairs well with whole milk instead of the package-directed water, for some extra calories and a more milkshake-like taste and texture that’s surprisingly easy to drink.
6. The Protein Works Complete 360 Meal
£10.99 for 500g, The Protein Works
Best meal replacement powder, 9/10
We like: it contains enough nutrients to match a full meal
We don’t like: the calorie count is low for a meal replacement
- Protein: 30 percent (30g whey concentrate per 100g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 46 percent (46g per 100g serving, of which 2.7g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 96 kcal
- What else is in it? MCTs, flax seed
Putting its own spin on the term ‘fast food’, The Protein Works’ Complete 360 Meal is a convenient way to secure all your macros and micros (including all-important fibre) in one go. Alongside its substantial protein content, the oats in the blend – while introducing a slightly chunkier texture – add a good dose of slow-release carbs to help keep you fuller throughout the day. Meanwhile, its added extras include coconut-derived MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides) – a supplement popular among athletes and bodybuilders for its potential role in boosting weight loss and energy levels.
Complete 360 Meal’s flax seed contains brain-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and contributes to the 10g total fibre content (the NHS recommends we get 30g per day). This will aid your digestion, alongside the handy added probiotic.
7. Misfits Plant-Powered Protein Powder
Best protein powder for women, 9/10
We like: it’s geared towards women with scientific backing
We don’t like: the flavourings are quite sweet
- Protein: 66 percent (19.9g pea and sunflower protein per 30g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 6.3 percent (1.9g per 30g serving, of which 0.4g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 94 kcal
- What else is in it? Probiotics, vitamin B12
There isn’t much that makes a protein powder better for women than any other – often, it just comes down to marketing and branding. That considered, Misfits’ vegan protein contains a probiotic strain that may help ease digestion and a small study found that this particular strain improved symptoms in those with IBS (more common in women than men).
As well as its probiotic, the added vitamin B12 is important for those eating less or no animal products to help avoid deficiency and be put to use producing red blood cells. And while tasting great in flavours such as salted caramel or cookies and cream, this is cheaper than many others on the market.
8. Hermosa Whey Protein
Best simple protein powder, 8/10
We like: the simple ingredients
We don’t like: the protein content is lower than others
- Protein: 73 percent (22g whey concentrate per 30g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 13 percent (3.9g per serving, of which 2g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 105 kcal
- What else is in it? Stevia
With 22g of protein per serving, Hermosa offers slightly less than some of its competitors on the market. But with a limited ingredients list on its chocolate or vanilla offerings, the brand prides itself on good quality, uncomplicated ingredients.
Its whey concentrate protein is sourced from Lake District grass fed cows. Meanwhile, the key to its great taste lies in its all-natural sweetener – the stevia plant. Sourced in South America and purified in Europe, with full traceability throughout, stevia does away with the saccharine, slightly artificial taste many protein powders provide. And as a testament to its great flavour, you’ll find Hermosa propping up the ‘Fuel Bar’ at the UK branches of global celebrity-favourite fitness studio, Barry’s.
9. Form Performance Protein
Best vegan protein powder, 8/10
We like: the range of protein sources
We don’t like: the sweeteners, although naturally sourced, taste slightly artificial
- Protein: 75 percent (30g pea, brown rice and pumpkin seed protein per 40g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 5 percent (2g per 40g serving, of which 0.1g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 96 kcal
- What else is in it? BCAAs and curcumin
Diversifying its protein content across three sources – pea, brown rice and pumpkin seed protein – makes for a powder that delivers an impressive 30g per serving, particularly high for a vegan option. It also ensures a complete profile of all nine essential amino acids, allowing your muscles optimum chance for recovery and growth. Its added extras include 5g of branch-chain amino acids (BCAAs) per serving, as well as curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) with its anti-inflammatory potencies.
Form’s protein also contains digestive enzymes amylase, protease, lactase, lipase and cellulase to help counteract GI issues such as bloating that some people may experience when consuming protein powders.
10. MyPro THE Whey
Best premium protein powder, 8/10
We like: it tastes delicious
We don’t like: 900g is the smallest size you can buy
- Protein: 79 percent (25g whey isolate/whey concentrate/whey hydrolysate per 31.8g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 8 percent (2.7g per 31.8g serving, of which 1.2g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 94 kcal
- What else is in it? MyZyme™ enzyme complex
With its 25g blend of whey concentrate, isolate and hydrolysate, THE Whey from MyPro – part of the MyProtein universe – places (and prices) itself at the more luxe end of the scale. Designed to deliver high-quality protein to your muscle fibres quickly, it’s a solid choice for those wanting to hit their hypertrophy goals (essentially just increasing the size of your muscles).
Meanwhile, MyPro’s signature MyZyme™ blend of enzymes is designed to help counter any digestive issues and contribute to good gut health. All that aside, with flavours such as dark chocolate and strawberry milkshake, this stuff really does taste quite delicious.
11. Blonyx Egg White Protein Isolate
Best egg white protein powder, 8/10
We like: it tastes more like real food than other protein powders
We don’t like: it is more expensive
- Protein: 54 percent (20g egg white protein isolate per 37g serving)
- Carbohydrates: 37.8 percent (14g per serving, of which 11g sugars)
- Calories per 25g serving spoon: 87.8 kcal
- What else is in it? Cocoa and organic cane sugar
It may sound unusual, but egg white protein powder isn’t quite like consuming your morning omelette in drink form. In fact, in the case of Blonyx’s Egg White Protein Isolate, it’s more like a tall glass of chocolate milk.
Egg white protein is a popular choice among certain gym enthusiasts for several reasons: for one, eggs are a highly digestible ‘complete’ protein source (all nine essential amino acids are present), while they undergo much less processing than their whey and plant protein counterparts on the way to the shelves.
So how does it go from the egg box to your bottle? Blonyx uses a filtering process to remove sulphur and any other offensive tastes from the egg whites, before air drying them into a flavourless powder. This is then combined with a few natural ingredients such as cocoa, organic cane sugar and guar gum for thickness.
While other egg white proteins may contain egg white alone, these may be better for blending into a smoothie when you have the time. The fact that Blonyx’s comes already flavoured means it’s more convenient - and tasty - to drink on the go. And with a taste that’s quite different to other proteins you may be used to, you really could confuse it for chocolate milk.
Protein Powder FAQ
What are the different types of protein powder?
Whey concentrate is the most common form and is often the cheapest, according to Rachel Butcher, head nutritionist at Natural Fitness Food. “It typically has low fat and cholesterol content but the protein levels can vary from 40 to 90% depending on the brand,” she says. “If your goal is to build muscle, a whey concentrate with a higher protein content is probably the best to go for.”
Whey isolate is more refined, and therefore more expensive. “Whey isolate is refined in a process that will remove the fat and the lactose from the compound,” says Butcher. “That makes it one of the leanest options, meaning it usually comprises of upwards of 90% protein content.”
Whey hydrolysate is whey protein that’s been put through hydrolysis. “That is, the addition of water to allow for the protein to be broken down into its smaller building blocks,” Butcher explains. “This means it can be absorbed by the body much faster and at higher rates.” Needless to say, it’s on the costlier end of the scale.
Vegan protein powders are the fourth option. Pea, hemp, rice and soy are popular sources but there are plenty of others. “What’s key here isn’t just looking at the protein content, but the quality,” says Butcher. “You can tell that by looking at its essential amino acids – it’s ‘complete’ if it contains all nine. To achieve this, you’ll want a blend of at least two protein sources.”
What is the healthiest protein powder to drink?
No one protein powder will be healthier than any other, unless you are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy. “In which case, I would usually suggest one of the many vegan blends on the market,” says Butcher, adding that a shorter ingredient list is best for any.
Wondering if a daily shake is too much? “As long as you’re not completely relying on them over whole food protein sources, which will contain more micronutrients, it’s fine to use a protein powder every day,” says Butcher. If you’re bored, try some in your morning porridge or smoothie.
Which protein powder is best for weight loss?
“Calorie control is a huge part of any weight loss programme and protein shakes can help as a low-calorie snack,” says Collins. “Consuming enough protein can help to reduce muscle wastage and ensure that the weight you are losing is fat and not muscle.”
With its higher protein percentage, whey isolate may be your best bet, Butcher suggests. “If you’re eating in a calorie deficit, it will help give you high protein content while cutting down on unnecessary extras.”
Whic protein powder is best for building muscle?
“’Mass gainer’ protein powders may seem the obvious choice for those wanting to build muscle,” says Kristoph Thompson, director of S8 Training, which offers courses in PT and sports nutrition.
“However these contain many more calories from fat and carbohydrate than they do from whey isolate and concentrate,” Thompson explains. “Whilst these may help to increase mass, it is most likely the increase will come from fat rather than muscle.”
So what’s best? “Building muscle requires resistance training, sufficient protein and a small calorie surplus,” says Thompson. “In theory, any type of protein powder can be used to boost protein intake, but a protein powder with added creatine may help maximise training performance and therefore gains.”
Is vegan protein healthier than whey?
As discussed, a vegan option is of course healthier if you’re not able to consume dairy. But for those who can and are willing, whey has plenty of benefits for the body.
“Whatever your goal is when taking protein powders, nothing beats having a good quality, complete protein source,” says Butcher. “Whey is the gold standard there.”
Who should take protein powders?
Protein powders may be convenient for building muscle but they’re only really necessary for vegans, who don’t eat enough protein or elite athletes who are training most days every week. Personal trainer Max Lowery wrote in a 2mealday blog post, “The average untrained person needs as little as 60-75g of protein and the average trained person who exercises three times a week needs 1.2g - 2g per kilo of bodyweight. You can easily get enough protein from eating real food - the western diet is protein dense.”
For more ways to reach your fitness goals, read our guides to the best exercise bikes and the best running shoes for women.
View the latest MyProtein deals