10 Best Tasting Protein Powders of 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Our Team

Why We Like It

The best-tasting protein will offer plenty of flavor options with little to no artificial ingredients, like Transparent Labs Whey Isolate. Not only does Transparent Labs offer 13 flavor options, the powder’s rich flavor and smooth texture speak for themselves. I’ve personally tried the Milk Chocolate flavor plenty of times and it truly tasted like a milk chocolate bar. Flavor scores a 5 out of 5.

We like how Transparent Labs uses 100-percent grass-fed whey isolate as its protein source for this shake. Whey isolate is a leaner, more protein-rich form of the macronutrient thanks to the extra filtering process that removes any lactose or fat content. (10)

Additionally, we enjoy how (ahem) transparent the brand is with listed ingredients and dosages. Whey Protein Isolate is third-party tested for any banned substances (we rate it at 5 out of 5 for the category), and every profile, regardless of flavor, is free of any artificial preservatives, coloring, or sweeteners. “This is one of the only protein powders I’ve seen that shows you everything — including the weight of each of its ingredients,” says our tester, a certified personal trainer.

Based on our own testing, we graded Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate at a B overall for purity. This protein sample scored in the top 25 percent among all sampled powders for heavy metals, and the top 10 percent for the presence of bisphenols, phthalates, and pesticides.

In testing this protein powder, our tester says the formulation mixed easily with milk and water, with no unpleasant aftereffects. “I’ve been taking this for a month now, and really enjoy the flavor profile. Getting a shake down is easy, and I haven’t experienced any stomach or digestive issues after drinking it as I sometimes do with other whey protein powders.”

We do rate this Whey Protein Isolate a 4.5 out of 5 for side effects, though, given its inclusion of stevia as a sweetening agent. Some athletes may experience a bitter aftertaste as a result, but our testers had no issue. It comes down to your tolerance, though, so it’s best to keep this information handy before ordering a tub.

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD also recommends paying close attention to the sodium content of your chosen flavor. “Some flavors of Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate contain up to 370 milligrams of sodium per scoop, which is higher than many other protein powders on the market,” she states. That knocked the score for formula down a bit in her professional opinion, but she still awarded it 4.5 out of 5 points

Transparent Labs only offers Whey Protein Isolate in 30-serving tubs. This may be displeasing to athletes who tend to order in bulk, and for them we’d recommend brands like Nutricost and Bulk Supplements, who each offer multiple options to buy in bulk.

Why We Like It

You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg for a solid, tasty protein powder, thanks to Nutricost’s Whey Protein Concentrate. This product only costs $1.42 per serving, earning a 5 out of 5 for value. You can even buy this protein in bulk, allowing you to save even more or subscribe to recurring deliveries for a 20% discount.

“Generally, I don’t love peanut butter but I did sample the Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor and was surprised by how much I liked it,” says our tester, who scores the taste a 5 out of 5 rating. “The amount of peanut isn’t too overpowering and I really enjoyed it.”

“Nutricost Whey Concentrate is a fairly lean protein powder,” says BarBend expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, a registered dietitian nutritionist, who scores the formulation a 3.5 out of 5. “It still provides more carbs and fat than your average isolate powder, but it does a good job of prioritizing protein over the other macros. I like when supplements provide specific nutrients so it’s easier to fit them into a well-balanced diet and bridge nutrition gaps as needed. Plus, it contains a 2:1:1 ratio of your BCAAs which has research has shown to be most effective.”

If you’d prefer a protein supp with fewer carbs and fats, you may want to check out Nutricost’s Whey Protein Isolate, which contains less cholesterol and no saturated fat.

This product’s solubility also earns a perfect 5 out of 5 score. After mixing the product in a shaker cup, our tester didn’t notice any clumping. It actually mixed really well and dissolved smoothly, she said. The texture, too, was rich and creamy, much like a melted milkshake.

Luckily, our tester didn’t notice any negative side effects, either, giving her overall experience with Nutricost’s protein a perfect 5 out of 5 score, too. “I really loved this,” she said. “Even my partner who has a sensitive stomach with protein didn’t notice any unrest or problems with this one — plus, I love the price point.”

Why We Like It

Supplementing with protein can be a great habit for athletes following different types of diets, too. One of the best vegan protein powders comes from Gainful. This tasty supplement features a blend of organic brown rice and pea protein resulting in up to 24 grams of protein per serving. Plus, we like the use of a plant-based protein blend as it helps create a complete amino acid profile for better recovery and performance.

Gainful’s Vegan Protein comes unflavored to start, but the brand offers unique flavor boost packs that allow you to create a different taste with each shake. “I’ve tried multiple packs and really enjoy the variety,” says our tester, a certified personal trainer, who rated the taste at 5 out of 5. “Having the ability to control your flavors without ordering multiple tubs is fun and convenient. It’s great to switch from Vanilla to Sea Salt Caramel and Chocolate Peanut Butter whenever I please.”

As a brand, Gainful operates under a subscription service. While this may not be ideal for every budget — especially with expensive costs per serving starting at $3.21 — but we do see some perks to this format. For one, Gainful subscribers have access to their own registered dietitian which can be a helpful resource when outlining your nutrition goals. Additionally, a subscription helps ensure you’re always well-stocked with protein month after month.

Registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois rated the formula with 4.5 out of 5 points, noting, “Goals change over time, as do nutrition needs, so it’s great that there’s support in place when customers have questions about switching formulas.”

While we like the available flavors offered with Gainful’s Vegan Protein, we do recommend paying close attention to your blending protocols. “I would suggest mixing your shakes with a countertop blender as opposed to your standard shaker bottle,” notes our tester. “Especially when blending the powder with milk. I often found some clumps in my drink that threw off the consistency and mouthfeel.” As such, we scored the solubility at 3 out of 5.

As a final note, be sure to think about your fitness goals when ordering this plant-based powder. The 120 calories per serving may not be ideal for those wanting to put on mass, but could be worthwhile for those wanting the best protein powder for weight loss. If its weight gain you’re after, we recommend checking out mass gainer supplements from the likes of Transparent Labs or Optimum Nutrition.

Why We Like It

Jacked Factory’s Authentic ISO is a top-tier protein supp in the taste department, thanks in no small part to their impressive menu of nine different flavors. Our tester states that this flavorful protein supplement, one of the best whey protein powders we’ve tested, was enjoyable, if a bit sweet for their palate. “I tried the Vanilla offering and found it to be palatable. I did sense some excessive sweetness, but I’m sure that’s just my personal taste buds chiming in,” they say in reference to their 4 out of 5 rating for taste. 

“I also appreciate that this powder blended easily in my shaker,” they add. “I mixed with both water and almond milk and found no drop-off in terms of solubility or flavor.” Solubility scores a 4 out of 5.

We score the formulation a 5 out of 5, as we’re impressed by its macro balance of up to 27 grams of protein, up to 4 grams of carbohydrates, and up to just 1.5 grams of fat per serving.

However, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD. does point out that this whey protein isolate does lack third-party testing. While we do appreciate the transparent ingredients list that’s free of any proprietary blends, having a stamp of approval from recognized agencies like Informed Sport or NSF would be a nice touch, especially for strength athletes that need to strictly abide by their respective governing agencies. If you’re interested in an alternative with third-party testing, check out offerings from Transparent Labs or Legion.

BarBend, however, worked with an accredited, third-party lab to test more than 150 protein powders for accuracy and purity. Jacked Factory landed in the top 50% overall, earning a C. See our results below.

Finally, the cost per serving of Authentic ISO was a breath of fresh air for us. We appreciated the lower-than-average $1.33 price per serving, which can be more approachable for wallet-minded individuals. Other proteins of this caliber can often cost between $1.50 and $2, so while it’s not an excessive amount of savings, those pennies and dimes can begin to add up over the course of a regular supplement schedule.

Why We Like It

The modern world demands convenience. Thankfully, the best protein powders on Amazon offer excellent performance and rich tastes, giving you the power to knock out all your purchases for training, your home, and other needs in one fell swoop. For our money, we feel that Whey Protein Isolate from Sports Research stands out as the best-tasting option on the platform.

Amazon offers both one-time and subscription-based purchases, which can be helpful for those that may be forgetful when it comes time to restock their supplement cabinet. The subscription option also allows you to save a little dough.

One downside? There are only two flavors currently available. Thankfully, our tester, a former Olympian, likes them both. “I was especially pleased with the creaminess of the Vanilla, which isn’t regular with other proteins I’ve had,” they note in reference to their 5 out of 5 taste rating. “The Chocolate and Dutch Chocolate powders are no slouches, either.”

If the lack of flavor variety is an obstacle for you, we’d recommend checking out the robust offerings from Transparent Labs, Legion, and Jacked Factory.

Solubility scores a 5 out of 5. “Mixed great in a shaker cup,” they say. “Not chunky at all and I found it smooth to drink.”

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD, also commented on the formulation, stating. “This is a pretty impressive whey protein powder — just take a look at its amino acid profile. It contains 25 grams of protein per serving, including 6.9 grams of BCAAs, but minimal carbs and fat.” We rated the formulation at 4.5 out of 5, though, as the calorie count may not be ideal for those wanting to put on mass.

Why We Like It

If you’re looking for an all-natural protein supplement that’s free of any artificial additives, Legion’s Whey+ one of the best clean protein powders we’ve tested. This protein powder is naturally sweetened and features a makeup that’s free of hormones, GMOs, lactose, and what the brand calls “unnecessary junk.”

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD appreciates this no-nonsense approach to supplements from Legion, stating, “Legion products focus on research-backed nutrition, and their Whey+ protein powder is no exception. Whey+ is clinically dosed to support muscle building and workout recovery.” After analyzing the formula, she gave it 4.75 out of 5.

Legion is third-party tested, but we worked with an accredited, third-party lab to test it alongside more than 150 protein powders for accuracy and purity. Legion landed in the top 50% overall, earning a C. See our results below.

Additionally, we like how Legion Whey+ ensures that the cows they source its whey isolate from are kept in the most ideal conditions possible. This is an upside for anyone who has concerns about animal welfare, which we hope is everyone! Whey+ is certified by Truly Grass Fed, meaning the cows that produce the brand’s dairy are antibiotic-free and hormone-free, and spend 90% of their life roaming grassy fields.

We had no issues mixing this powder, with our tester, a certified personal trainer, scoring its solubility a 5 out of 5. “There were no problems when I mixed this protein with a shaker bottle,” they say. They do recommend really giving this formulation a good shake for roughly 20 seconds to ensure you’re not left with any unpleasant clumps.

Taste-wise, each of its 16 flavors is appealing with its sweetness and profile. Our tester, who sampled the Cinnamon Cereal variety, says, “It tasted like the end of the bowl from a particular childhood breakfast staple. You know, when you’ve consumed all the cereal and the milk has absorbed all the sugar? I see this being a big hit with some athletes.” Flavor scores a 4 out of 5.

The macronutrients offered in each Whey+ serving vary by your chosen flavor, but we found that you can expect between 21 and 23 grams of protein, 2 and 6 grams of carbs, and 1 and 4 grams of fats per dose. While this may be plenty for most athletes, some may find the protein content lacking. If that’s you, the 28 grams of protein in Transparent Labs Whey Isolate may be more up your alley.

Why We Like It

For athletes wanting a worthwhile plant protein, it’s tough to beat Ritual’s Daily Shake 18+ formulation. This concoction relies on pea protein for its measured 20 grams per serving, and on top of that, Ritual blends in an extra 400 milligrams of L-methionine for a complete amino acid profile. 

Even some of the best pea protein powders don’t include this additive, leaving the formulation a little lacking when it comes to essential amino acids. “Methionine is an essential amino acid, meaning our bodies need it but can’t produce it, so it’s super convenient to get it in your protein powder,” states BarBend expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD. She also likes that it’s third-party tested, resulting in her 4.5 out of 5 formulation score.

We enjoy the taste and solubility of this vanilla-flavored protein shake. Our tester states, “I like adding this powder to my morning smoothies. The vanilla is present but not overwhelming. Plus, this has excellent consistency when blended.”

Unfortunately, though, you’re locked into that vanilla bean profile — it’s the only flavor offered at the time of writing. If you’re interested in options with a larger roster of flavors, check out protein options from Legion and Transparent Labs.

We also appreciate its solubility, which we score a 5 out of 5. “I was surprised at how much I liked the consistency of this protein,” says our tester. “The texture is smooth, not thick and it wasn’t too watery either. All I did was shake it in a blender cup.”

One downside? Ritual’s Daily Shake 18+ comes in a 15-serving bag, which is a smaller container than other protein powders on the market. Thankfully, the brand operates on a subscription-based service, so you automatically get signed up for repeat orders at the time of your initial purchase. We understand this method isn’t for every athlete, though.

Why We Like It

Ahh, chocolate — one of the predominant flavors in the protein powder category. While many brands offer this delectable flavor, few do it better than Optimum Nutrition. The flavor roster boasts eight (yes, eight) varieties of chocolate-based tastes, each with their own notes of flavor-packed performance.

“I’ve been using Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard since I got into fitness,” says our tester, a certified nutrition coach. “I routinely reach for the Double Rich Chocolate variety when I need a dependable high-protein source.”

If you’re not a chocolate fan, Optimum Nutrition has you covered still with a wide range of available flavors. In our testing, we’ve tried some of the best Optimum Nutrition flavors such as Coffee, Cookies and Cream, Delicious Strawberry, Banana Cream, and others with no real negatives outside of subjective palate preferences. 

“I love that it’s third-party tested and available in 18 flavors. No getting bored with the taste of this protein powder,” adds BarBend expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD.

We score its solubility a 4 out of 5. “I could see where mixing this with water alone may lead to a thinner consistency than desired,” says our one tester. “But I often mix my protein in a smoothie with milk and other ingredients, so there were no qualms or complaints from my end.”

As far as the formulation is concerned, Gold Standard uses a protein blend to generate its 24 grams per serving. “It’s interesting that Optimum Nutrition uses a blend of whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and hydrolyzed whey protein for its Gold Standard formula. It would be nice to know how much of each type of protein is included in the blend. It also uses artificial flavorings, which is a turn off for some.” She scores the formulation a 4 out of 5. If those artificial flavors are a turn-off for you, check out some of the best organic protein powders, such as Legion and Ritual’s all-natural offerings.

This product is third-party tested, but we also conducted our own independent study and graded the Vanilla Ice Cream flavor option an A. This protein powder scored in the top 10% of over 150 protein products tested for the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, phthalates, and bisphenols. Gold Standard Whey Protein also scored in the top 10% for label accuracy.

Why We Like It

Vanilla is a pretty versatile protein flavor. You can put it in smoothies, oatmeal, fresh-baked cookies or sip it solo. But since it’s such a simple flavor, it can easily taste overly sweet. Not so with Onnit Grass-Fed Whey Isolate, one of the best whey isolates we’ve tested.

We score the formulation at 4.5 out of 5 given the 20 grams of complete protein delivered in each serving. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, a registered dietitian nutritionist, adds, “Onnit Whey Protein provides an impressive complete amino acid profile to support muscle gains and workout recovery.” This can be excellent for refueling your body after a long grind in the gym, keeping you ready to tackle the next day’s challenges.

We also like how easy this grass-fed whey protein is to mix, scoring the solubility at 5 out of 5. “The powder almost immediately dissolved in my shaker,” says our tester, a certified personal trainer. “You can quickly mix up a shake and be on your way.”

We love the flavor of this protein, but found the texture lacking, leading to a 3.75 out of 5 score for taste. “It was good but I wasn’t as pleased with the texture,” our tester says. “It was very thin when you mix it with water, which is how most people drink their protein. The actual flavor did stand out, though.”

Speaking of available flavors, we do wish Onnit offered more variety beyond Vanilla and Mexican Chocolate. If you’re someone who prioritizes variety, we’d recommend protein offerings from Legion and Transparent Labs.

Lastly, Onnit’s Grass-Fed Whey Isolate is one of the more expensive powders we’ve tested coming in at roughly $2 per serving. This price can be linked to the reliance on whey protein isolate, though, given the extra processing required to reap the protein-rich end product.