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

Why We Like It

When compiling this round-up, we had a lot of tasty protein powders to choose from, but across the board, few could match the flavor profile of Xwerks Grow. We enjoyed how rich each offering was across the four available flavors, as well as the macro profile including between 25.8 and 27.8 grams of whey protein isolate, between 1 and 2 grams of carbohydrates, and between 0 and 2 grams of fat. We scored the formulation at 5 out of 5, as such.

[Related: Best Whey Protein Powders]

Of the available flavors — which all provided excellent sweetness and no aftertaste — our tester enjoyed Chocolate the most. “It tastes like a protein Yoohoo,” they stated. “Plus, I really enjoy how soluble the powder is. It’s one of the finest proteins I’ve ever drank. Incredibly smooth.” With this feedback, it’s clear to see why we give Xwerks Grow a 5 out of 5 for solubility.

Additionally, we like how this protein option comes in at just under $2 per serving, which keeps it on par with other powders on the market. While Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD, does admit that Xwerks Grow leans toward the expensive side, she thinks getting 25 grams of protein for nearly $2 justifies the cost.

Unfortunately, Xwerks Grow is only available in 2-pound bags. We’d like to have some additional container options, which would appeal to athletes who’d rather buy in bulk instead of placing repeat orders on a near-monthly basis.

This protein powder also lists an amino acid profile in its makeup online, which can be great for limiting muscle soreness post-workout and maintaining hydration levels throughout the day. (9) 

This inclusion is somewhat misleading, though, since there’s no mention of amino acids on the packaging. We also wish this product were third-party tested.

Why We Like It

Vanilla is one of the most popular flavors offered in protein powder, so finding the best of this taste is no small feat. We recommend Transparent Labs’s Whey Protein Isolate for vanilla enthusiasts because the brand offers not one, but THREE variants of the bean-based flavor — Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie, French Vanilla, and Vanilla Peanut Butter.

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 rated it at 5 out of 5 for the category), and every profile, regardless of flavor, is free of any artificial preservatives, coloring, or sweeteners. 

Additionally, we like how Transparent Labs uses 100-percent grass-fed whey isolate as its protein source for this shake. Whey protein 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)

In testing this protein powder, our tester said 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.

[Related: Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders]

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.

Speaking of orders, Transparent Labs only offers Whey Protein Isolate in 30-serving tubs. This may be displeasing to athletes who tend to order in bulk, but the brand does have a subscription service that makes repeat orders more convenient. 

Additionally, signing up for repeat orders gives you a discounted price per tub — a definite perk after looking at the $2 per serving cost of this protein option.

Why We Like It

When it comes to searching for worthwhile protein powder, whey protein is likely going to be the most abundant category. While there is no shortage of best whey proteins on the market, we feel that Jacked Factory’s Authentic ISO reigns supreme in the taste department. Outside of the 9 flavor options to choose from, you can also rest assured that the formulation is protein-first thanks to Jacked Factory’s use of whey protein isolate.

This form of protein is more refined than a concentrate, as the whey is filtered further during processing to help remove unwanted carbs, fat, and lactose. As a result, we rated the formulation at 5 out of 5 thanks to Authentic ISO’s ability to deliver up to 27 grams of protein, up to 4 grams of carbohydrates, and up to just 1.5 grams of fat per dose.

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.

[Related: Is Grass-Fed Whey Protein Right for You? Here’s How To Know]

Taste-wise, our tester stated that this flavorful protein supplement was enjoyable, if not a bit too sweet for their palette. “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 added in reference to their 4 out of 5 rating for taste. 

“I did, however, appreciate that this powder blended easily in my shaker,” they added. “I mixed with both water and almond milk and found no drop-off in terms of solubility or flavor.”

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

Supplementing with protein can be a great habit for athletes following different types of diets, too. For those practicing veganism, we recommend Gainful’s plant-based protein powder. 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 Dietician 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.

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.

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 percent 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,” according to our tester who gave the taste a 5 out of 5 rating. “The amount of peanut isn’t too overpowering and I really enjoyed it.”

This product’s solubility also earned 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.

“I’d score this formula a 3.5 out of 5, with high marks for its macro and BCAA ratios,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RDN. “It has room for improvement with the sweeteners used and third-party testing.”

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

When looking for a tasteful protein powder that’s heavy on, well, the protein, whey protein isolate can be a great solution. This type of protein undergoes further processing and refinement to reduce carb, fat, and lactose counts leaving you with more protein per serving than other formats. In our opinion, Onnit’s Grass-Fed Whey Isolate is a top pick within this subcategory.

In testing, we rated the formulation at 4.5 out of 5 given the 20 grams of protein delivered in each serving. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD, also points out that, “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 days 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,” said our tester, a certified personal trainer. “You can quickly mix up a shake and be on your way.”

However, this rapid solubility can leave you with a thin-tasting beverage at times. Our tester noted the texture was more watery than desired on occasion, which called for some fine-tuning when finding the proper powder to liquid ratio. We rated the texture at 3.75 out of 5, too, given that this experience was shared across both flavor profiles.

Speaking of available flavors, we do wish Onnit offered more variety beyond Vanilla and Mexican Chocolate. Other best-tasting protein powders typically offer a handful of mouth-watering options that can appeal to a larger audience (or, at least, help battle against flavor fatigue). The tastes are worthwhile, don’t get us wrong, but a few extra choices could help take this powder to new heights.

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.

Why We Like It

If you’re looking for an all-natural protein supplement that’s free of any artificial additives, Legion’s Whey+ is right up your alley. 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.”

Additionally, we like how Legion Whey+ ensures that the cows they source its whey isolate from are kept in the most ideal conditions possible. Whey+ is certified by Truly Grass Fed, meaning the cows that produce the brand’s dairy are antibiotic-free, hormone-free, and spend 90 percent of their life roaming grassy fields. The brand is also Animal Welfare Approved, further confirming that the animals are kept and raised in the most ideal conditions possible.

[Related: When Is the Best Time to Drink a Protein Shake?]

Mixing this all-natural protein powder is a bit of a chore, according to our tester. They recommend really giving this formulation a good shake for roughly 20 seconds to ensure you’re not left with any unpleasant clumps. For this reason, we rate Whey+ at a 4 out of 5 for solubility — clumps are easily avoided, but you have to put in more effort than other powders we’ve tested.

Taste-wise, though, each flavor is appealing with its sweetness and profile. Our tester, who sampled the Cinnamon Cereal variety, said, “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.”

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. We appreciate this amount of protein per serving, but understand that the lower carb and fat totals may be less ideal for some athletes. Be sure to take your nutritional goals into consideration before opting for this tasty profile.

Why We Like It

Shopping for supplements (or anything, for that matter) is all about convenience, right? 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 carrying everything from A to Z.

Having this whey protein isolate available on Amazon is beneficial as it allows you to choose your method of delivery. 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.

According to our tester, a former Olympian, the three available flavors are all high-quality. “I was especially pleased with the creaminess of the Vanilla, which isn’t regular with other proteins I’ve had,” they noted in reference to their 5 out of 5 taste rating. “The Chocolate and Dutch Chocolate powders are no slouches, either.”

We also enjoyed Sports Research Whey Protein Isolate thanks to its impressive solubility which also earned a 5 out of 5 scoring. Whether mixed with water or milk, we found no clumps or residue in our shakes and the consistency was appealing sip after sip. That said, the two chocolate offerings do feature a larger 41-gram serving scoop, which means you’ll need to thoroughly mix this shake in order to blend all of that powder.

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. Plus, this powder does contain milk, meaning dairy-intolerant athletes should steer clear.

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. 

Other pea-based protein powders don’t include this additive, leaving the formulation a little lacking when it comes to essential amino acids. Plus, “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 Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD.

[Related: The Best Vegan Protein Powders]

Additionally, we enjoy the taste and solubility of this vanilla-flavored protein shake. Our tester stated, “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 this current time.

Ritual’s Daily Shake 18+ comes in a 15-serving packet, 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, so be sure to think about your purchasing habits before going with this blend.

Finally, we cannot speak about Ritual without mentioning the brand’s excellent transparency when it comes to ingredients, which we rate at a perfect 5 out of 5. 

Every sourced component of Daily Shake 18+ can be traced back to its manufacturer, and the entire formulation is third-party tested by Informed Protein and Informed Sport. If you’re weary about protein powders that feature proprietary blends or hidden ingredients, this protein powder can surely put you at ease.

Why We Like It

Ahh, chocolate — one of the predominant flavors in the protein powder category. While many brands offer this delectable flavor, in our opinion, 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 who’s also 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 as adamant about chocolate, 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 palette 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 Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD.

Each formulation mixes well for a great consistency, which earns this protein powder a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility.

As far as the formulation is concerned, Gold Standard uses a protein blend to generate its 24 grams per serving. The brand mixes whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey protein in the makeup, which allows them to keep costs low. Is it the purest protein we’ve tested? No, but it can be an excellent option for athletes wanting to save a bit of coin while still supporting their nutritional goals.

Gold Standard is also a wallet-friendly option, in our eyes, because Optimum Nutrition offers multiple container sizes that help alleviate the per serving cost. 

You can purchase Gold Standard protein in 2-pound, 5-pound, and 10-pound containers, making it a great pick for athletes who prefer to buy in bulk. We do recommend seeing which flavors are available at each offering, though. We’ve noticed that not every taste is offered in every tub size.