Protein powders are among the most common supplements for those looking to build bigger muscles. It’s no surprise because it’s the nutritional component we need most to effect actual muscle gain and we need a heck of a lot of it. While you can eat your way through plenty of protein-rich foods to satisfy your daily requirements, it’s going to be more work (and more expense) than you’ll probably want to deal with, which makes supplementing with protein powder the more convenient and cost-efficient alternative.
Because of their popularity, there’s also a substantial amount of options when it comes to protein powders. Not only are there different types of protein powders, such as whey, casein, and plant-based, there are also hundreds (if not thousands) of brands all trying to sell you on their own protein powder formulation, each with their own macro breakdowns and ingredient combinations. On the one hand, all that choice is good, as it increases the chances you will find a protein powder that suits your needs, taste requirements, and dietary preferences. On the other, it probably means wading through a heck of a lot of options before finding something you really like.
As such, this list covers a decent variety of protein powder options, all of which we’ve found to be particularly suited for most types of individuals. Will they all work for you? Probably not, but you just might find one (or a few) that aligns well with your specific requirements.
These are the best protein powders we recommend for your muscle-building efforts.
EVL Stacked Plant Protein
Pros
- 20 grams of protein per scoop
- No artificial sweeteners
- Clean-tasting
Cons
- Mixes thick, so you need to use more water
- Contains LactoSpore probiotics, which might not play well with some people’s stomachs
Made with a blend of pea and rice proteins, this protein powder is vegan, gluten-free, and contains no GMO ingredients, making it a great option for the truly health-conscious. We love the taste of this protein powder, mostly because it doesn’t have any of that unpleasant artificial sweetener flavor you find in a lot of similar products. According to the outfit, it delivers 20 grams of fast-absorbing protein with each scoop, giving you enough to help with muscle recovery and growth before and after your workouts. Just make sure to add a little more water than you normally use with regular whey proteins, as it tends to make a thicker, slushier blend. Do note, this formulation also contains a specific type of probiotics (LactoSpore), which brings numerous health benefits, but might not jive well with some people, so make sure to monitor how it affects your digestion processes after you start taking it.
Jacked Factory Authentic ISO Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Pros
- 25 grams of protein and little else for pure muscle-building
- Very affordable for grass-fed whey isolate
- Mixes smoothly
- Good selection of flavors
Cons
- Not ideal if you need more carbs along with your protein
- It uses sucralose as an artificial sweetener
This protein powder gives you 100 percent grass-fed whey protein isolate at a more affordable price than other brands, allowing you to enjoy clean, rapidly-absorbing protein without paying a premium. It packs a generous 25 grams of protein per scoop, too, while containing just a gram of carbs, half a gram of fat, and 110 total calories, so it’s a lean formula focused on pure muscle building and little else, making it great for folks who don’t want a lot of extras to go with their protein supplementation. They have 11 flavors on offer, all of them a tad bit on the sweeter side, since this uses artificial sweeteners that gives it a bit of a candy-like taste.
Pro Jym Protein Powder
Pros
- 24 grams of protein per scoop
- Uses three types of protein with different release rates
Cons
- Uses artificial sweetener
- Higher fat and carb content (three grams and six grams, respectively)
Each scoop of this protein powder gives you 7.75 grams of micellar casein, 8.5 grams of whey protein isolate, and 7.75 grams of milk protein isolate, giving you a total 24 grams of high-quality protein. Why go with three different types? Well, each of those protein types come with different release rates, with whey absorbing immediately, milk protein isolate digesting at medium pace, and micellar casein releasing to the body very slowly. This results in elevated muscle protein synthesis all throughout your day, which should lead to higher muscle protein retention and more pronounced gains over time.
Like many protein powders, it uses artificial sweetener to enhance flavor, so it does have that noticeable candy-like taste in there, although we do find it a bit less prominent than some other supplements we’ve tried, which makes it easier to drink. It mixes well with both water and milk, too, and comes with a decent amount of calories (150) to help stave off hunger.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein
Pros
- Long track record of effective use
- 24g of protein per scoop
- Plenty of flavors to choose from
Cons
- Uses artificial sweeteners
With a decades-long track record of being the protein supplement of choice for many lifters, there are few brands more trusted than this longtime gym staple. There’s a reason why the outfit confidently declares it “the world’s #1 whey protein powder.” It delivers 24 grams of complete, fast-digesting protein with every scoop, along with 5.5g of BCAAs and 11g of EAAs. It’s a really good quality protein made from whey protein isolate, too, with a wide choice of different flavors available, ensuring you can find a flavor that will adequately suit your personal taste profile. Do note, some flavors have a tendency to clump, which is why we always recommend using a shaker, although most of them do mix well with just a stir of the spoon. While it uses a 1:24 protein to sugar ratio, it does come with artificial sweeteners, which give it added sweetness that you may or may not enjoy.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein
Pros
- 24 grams of protein per scoop
- Great for taking before bed
- High in calcium, magnesium, and zinc
Cons
- Uses artificial sweeteners
- Not ideal for post-workout recovery
While casein is used as one of the ingredients in the Pro Jym above, it’s used exclusively for this protein powder, making it ideal for those who prefer the slow-absorbing protein over the near-instant digestion of whey. As a rule, nutritionists recommend taking casein supplements before bed to maximize muscle recovery, although we also like taking it at other times, since the slow release helps us get decent amounts of protein all throughout the day, even during times when we’re unable to eat a proper meal. It also promotes a feeling of fullness, which could make it helpful for people looking to manage their eating habits a bit more.
This particular formula combines 24 grams of casein with a blend of digestive enzymes that help raise its absorption rate a bit, making it more efficient than your typical casein blend. It’s also very low in cholesterol, while providing 40 percent of your daily calcium needs with each scoop, making it an excellent supplement for people who don’t get enough calcium in their diets. Do note, it does get pretty thick during mixing, so you may want to add a bit more water than usual.
Xwerks Grow
Pros
- 25 grams of grass-fed whey protein isolate
- All-natural flavorings and sweeteners
- Lactose-free
Cons
- More expensive than most
- Limited flavor options
We love the fact that this protein powder uses only natural flavorings, making it a taste a heck of a lot better than every other option in this list. Seriously, it’s refreshing not to get a hint of that medicine-like sweetness you typically get. On top on that, it mixes into a fine and smooth shake that’s really easy to drink.
Every scoop delivers 25 grams of 100 percent whey protein isolate that’s sourced from grass-fed cows in New Zealand. They make a point of mentioning New Zealand, by the way, since that country has one of the strictest standards for dairy quality, which means your whey protein isn’t going to be tainted with any hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics. Aside from the protein, you’re also getting 110 calories per scoop, with only one gram of carbs, zero fat, and zero lactose.
Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Pros
- 28 grams of protein per scoop
- Plenty of flavor choices
- Uses natural flavorings and sweeteners
Cons
- Higher sodium content
The outfit claims their formula is “the cleanest protein in the world.” While the Xwerks Grow above can definitely give it a run for its money, we’ll give Transparent Labs the benefit of the doubt, especially since it’s been certified by Labdoor with a 98 out of 100 score. Pretty impressive. Each scoop of this protein powder gives you 28 grams of grass-fed whey protein isolate, which is definitely on the higher end, all while coming with just three grams of carbs and one gram of fat. Each serving gives 130 calories, which could help satiate hunger a bit better. Solubility is excellent even if you just stir it, although shaking it in a bottle will always work best (and faster, in our tests). Like other more expensive protein powders, this one also doesn’t use artificial sweeteners, making it a great choice for those who don’t appreciate the candy-like taste of other protein powders.
Vega Sport Premium Plant-Based Protein Powder
Pros
- 30 grams of complete protein per scoop
- Vegan-friendly
- Uses natural sweeteners
Cons
- More expensive than most
- Only five flavor options
Most plant-based protein powders give lower protein content with every scoop. Not the case with this one, which brings a whopping 30 grams of complete protein with every single serving. Along with that, you get five grams of BCAAs, tart cherry (to help recovery), and probiotics (to improve digestion). They also used no artificial sweeteners, so none of that medicine-like aftertaste, instead relying on stevia to give it a sweeter flavor (we’re okay with it, but your mileage may vary). Do note, this has higher sodium content (370 mg) compared to your typical whey protein, so make sure to consider that if you’re thinking of using this protein powder.
Crazy Nutrition 100% Tri-Protein
Pros
- Up to 25 grams of protein per scoop
- Uses four different types of proteins
- Low carbs and low fat
Cons
- Limited flavor options
- Uses artificial sweeteners
To maximize protein synthesis, this formula uses four different types of proteins, namely quick-absorbing whey protein isolate, medium-absorbing milk protein concentrate, and two slow-release proteins in micellar casein and calcium caseinate. Each scoop gives you anywhere from 23 to 25 grams of protein, depending on the flavor, with only two grams of carbs and less than a gram of fat, so this is quite the lean supplement. It also comes with digestive enzymes, which should help maximize absorption for the slow-release proteins, while also preventing instances of gas and bloating like some people experience with other protein powders.