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If you are serious about building your muscles naturally, especially if you are an exercising beginner or an athlete, then whey protein is a perfect supplement to add to your training program.
As a certified fitness trainer, I teamed up with a few colleagues and tested 40 whey protein powders to determine the best.
After five months of testing, we came up with a list of the seven best whey protein powders.
This article will provide our list of the best whey protein powders and educate you about the health benefits of whey protein and other protein sources.
Top 7 Whey Protein Powders (September 2023)
1 - Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey (Editor's Choice)
Optimum Nutrition offers a range of whey protein supplements designed to help you maximize your time in the gym, and their Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder leads the way.
This is made to be high-quality, ultra-filtered whey protein that contains branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), essential amino acids your body needs to recover quickly from even the most demanding workout.
ON Gold Standard whey protein powder is low in carbs and calories, low in organic coconut sugar, is gluten-free, and devoid of banned substances.
We liked that each serving provides 5.5 grams of BCAAs, so you'll not only recover faster, but you'll build bigger, leaner, more resilient muscles as well. It's especially when you want to take your workout routines to the next level in terms of frequency and intensity.
- Contains a full day’s supply of BCAAs
- Low in calories and cholesterol
- 24 grams of whey protein per serving
- Essential lean muscle mass support before and after your workout
- Contains artificial flavors
This protein powder is tried and tested to be dependable and cheaper than most options while providing more benefits than its competition.
With more than 20 flavors to choose from, no wonder it is considered the gold standard of whey protein powders.
2 - BSN Syntha-6
Syntha-6 from BSN is a premium whey protein powder that contains 22 grams of protein per serving along with 10 grams of essential amino acids, including valine, leucine, and isoleucine.
Our dietitian pointed out that valine, leucine, and isoleucine are the three branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) your body uses to repair damaged muscle tissue by building bigger, stronger, more durable muscle tissue in its place.
- 10 grams of essential amino acids in each serving
- Considered a reliable protein shake in the market.
- Low in trans-fat and calories
- No artificial sweeteners
- Contains soy and dairy
Where BSN really separates itself from most of the competition, however, is in taste. While most people have come to expect their protein shake to be a chalky, bland experience, Syntha-6 comes with a taste that you can enjoy.
3 - Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
Dymatize ISO100H consists of 100% whey protein isolate with 5.5 grams of essential BCAAs in every serving.
ISO100 is digested quickly by the body and gets to work in no time repairing muscles that have been stressed to the limit.
The BCAAs ensure that your new muscle tissue is stronger, leaner, and more resilient so that you are continuously positioned to progress and not just tread water in the gym.
- 5.5 grams of BCAAs per serving
- 100% pure whey protein isolate
- Safe for those who are lactose intolerant
- Lots of flavors to choose from
- Contains sucralose
ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein is lactose and gluten-free, contains less than 1 gram of sugar and fat per serving and exhibits the proper BCAA balance of 2:1:1.
If you like taking your protein powder with a workout drink, this can turn your plain post-workout drink into a mouthwatering vanilla milkshake.
Some of our users found it to be sweet though, but if you have sweet tooth, then this will turn out great for you.
We also featured ISO100 as one of the best lactose-free whey protein powders.
4 - MuscleTech Phase8 Protein Powder
MuscleTech Phase8 takes a slightly different approach to protein supplementation.
We liked that it does not bombard your system with a single big dose of protein, instead, their whey protein supplements are formulated to release itself gradually throughout 8 hours.
This way, you get to have a more efficient and effective use of the essential BCAAs that are so vital to muscle recovery and rebuilding.
- Releases the whey proteins you need over 8 hours
- Helps enable optimal use of BCAAs.
- 97% Whey protein isolate
- Not for the lactose intolerant
While Muscle Phase8 is 97% whey protein isolate, there are other high-value sources on tap as well to provide a well-balanced protein dose that will address a range of physiological needs.
5 - Isopure Whey Protein Isolate
This whey protein isolate contains no artificial flavor or sweeteners, 25 grams of protein per serving, and is dairy and gluten-free.
Isopure made a high quality, keto-friendly whey protein powder that mixes well with a variety of liquids and tastes surprisingly good.
We liked that it has zero carbs and fat and low calories, and provides vitamins A, C, B6 and B12 that help ensure a favorable level of overall health.
- 100% pure whey protein isolates
- Contains numerous vitamins and minerals
- Lactose and gluten-free
- Keto-friendly
- Contains artificial flavors and sucralose
If you're looking for a protein powder that easily goes down and will enable you to build stronger, leaner muscles, you'll likely find that with Isopure.
6 - Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
Clean Lean Protein is more than just a catchy name. It's sourced from organically grown peas, so it's a 100% vegan and vegetarian-friendly, best-tasting whey protein powder.
We also loved that it consists of beneficial BCAAs to help you recover faster and build the lean, intense musculature that you want.
This milk protein isolate won't create any allergy issues as it doesn't contain any funky artificial fillers or flavors. It's also one of the most heart healthy whey protein powders, having zero cholesterol and trans fats.
- 19 grams of protein per serving
- Sourced from organically grown peas
- Naturally full of branched-chain amino acids
- Free of gluten, soy, lectin, dairy, and GMOs
- You might need 2 scoops instead of 1
- The flavor isn’t going to produce a lot of smiles
While there isn't any discernible aftertaste, the taste itself isn't going to win any awards. But, you don’t use high-quality protein powders for culinary reasons. You use it to build muscle, and Nuzest will help you do just that.
7 - BPI Sports ISO HD
BPI Sports ISO HD Whey Protein Powder is extremely low in carbs and contains zero trans fats while providing 25 grams of protein in every serving.
We found that it mixes well with most liquids and will generally do well in rebuilding your muscles after working out at the gym. This pure whey protein isolate also claims to help lessen your recovery time.
Basically, it gets busy immediately after your workout by creating bigger, leaner, and stronger muscles so by the time you hit the gym again, you'll feel less muscle soreness.
- 100% whey protein isolate & hydrolysate (25 grams of protein)
- Can be absorbed by the body quickly
- Keto diet friendly - Only 3 g of carbs per serving
- Great price for the dollar per serving ratio
- Contains high fructose corn syrup
The only downside we found with this protein powder is the presence of high fructose corn syrup which is associated with weight gain, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes.
Types of Whey Protein
Organic whey is one of the two major whey proteins found in milk, where casein is the other. Pure whey powders contain a large amount of the milk sugar lactose, as well as a variety of proteins and fat.
You'll find that there are three main types of whey protein namely:
- Whey protein concentrate (WPC) is typically 70-85% protein, which makes it reasonably low in fat and lactose. It is one of the cheapest and simplest forms of protein which can be found in any type of supplement store (and some grocery stores) you go to. Whey protein concentrate is recommended for beginners that are trying to add some protein to their diet [1].
- Whey protein isolate (WPI) are typically greater than 85% protein, with some being over 90% protein. Whey isolate protein can also be a great pre and post-workout protein powder because it is absorbed very quickly in the body and can get right into the muscles where it needs to be to stay anabolic.
- Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) is the most expensive source of protein that you will find in a supplement store because it is also the highest quality protein available. This type of whey protein is easily absorbed by the body and has a great anabolic effect when taken. In addition, whey protein hydrolysate is very gentle on the digestive system when compared to other proteins.
For more info, read the post on: Understanding the big difference between whey protein concentrate and isolate.
Both whey protein concentrate and isolate are already fast-digesting, so a whey protein hydrolysate, which digests minimally faster, may not be worth the taste tradeoff and extra cost for the small benefit.
- Jeff S. Volek, Ph.D., R.D., Nutrition Express
Whey vs Casein Protein
Whey and casein are brothers and milk is their mother. Unfortunately, like Cain and Abel, they both hate each other - or do they?
In fact, whey and casein work better together when it comes to protein supplementation.
To see why, let's do a quick comparison of both whey proteins.
Whey is the "fast“ brother that quickly aids the body with muscle building after a strenuous workout. Studies show that whey increases protein synthesis but does not alter protein breakdown.
Casein is the "slow“ brother that prevents muscle loss over several hours. Studies reveal that casein decreases protein breakdown but hardly affects protein synthesis.
So why are some people in the fitness world trying to pit casein and whey against each other? It makes little sense because they both cancel out each other's weaknesses. With that said, consider investing in a quality casein protein powder as well.
What to Look for in Whey Protein?
Here are the things you should look for in a whey protein powder:
1. Flavor - There are plenty of flavors to choose from, but you can never go wrong with chocolate or vanilla flavored protein powders. You can mix it in shakes or smoothies, and it will still taste good.
If you don't like taking it pure, you can also add it to the flour used in pancakes, waffles, and baked goods.
Less common flavors might be risky, so we recommend that you buy small samples to determine if you will like it.
2. Ingredients - When buying any kinds of whey protein supplement, the first thing you need to do is to look at the ingredient label. Your protein powder must have whey as the main ingredient and the ingredient list must be simple and short as possible.
Always choose a protein powder made with natural ingredients, as well as those that have added health benefits like essential vitamins and minerals, added greens, probiotics, and many more.
Don't forget to check for the amount of BCAAs—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—which are essential amino acids that have been scientifically proven to enhance muscle building, lessen muscle soreness, and reduce muscle fatigue.
Opt for something with no more than 150 calories, at most 10 grams of total carbohydrates, and at least 3 grams of fiber per serving. It's important to have enough fiber on top of protein to help with satiety.
Skip those with artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, and Splenda, and instead, look for those that use natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit extract. This can prevent unwanted effects like weight gain and bloating from artificial sweeteners.
3. Amount of protein per serving - According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, adults who regularly workout must take 1.1 - 1.4g of protein/kilogram of body weight on a daily basis while those who are involved in heavy-endurance training must take 1.5 - 2g.
So if you weigh 80 kilos or 176 pounds and want to build muscles, you’ll need 160g protein per day. Look for the supplement with the highest protein content if you want to bulk up.
You may want to pick a protein powder that has at least 20 grams of protein per serving, just like the ones we reviewed above.
4. Third party tested for quality assurance - Since protein powders are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some companies fill in their products with useless fillers. This is the reason why certain companies choose to undergo third-party testing to officially verify the safety and purity of their products.
Look for a seal from either Informed Choice or NSF Certified for Sport to make sure that your protein powder is tested for safety, purity, and presence of banned substances.
This is to ensure that what you see on the label is what’s actually on the product and there are no hidden ingredients that can jeopardize your health.
See our other recommended protein powder's buyer's guide:
6 Health Benefits of Whey
1. Boosts Muscle Size And Strength - Whey protein helps build strength and muscle size and countless studies show that people who take whey protein supplements have increased muscle protein synthesis.
This means that if you hit a strength plateau in your workout, whey protein powder will likely get you over the hump.
2. Helps Burn Fat While Maintaining Muscle Mass - When you exercise, you are putting your body in a catabolic state (i.e. breaking down muscle tissue).
Studies have shown that taking whey protein powder post workout helps burn fat while preserving lean muscle mass [2].
3. Decreases Appetite - One study showed that people who drank 50 grams of whey protein had drastically reduced their levels of ghrelin (a hormone that stimulates your body to eat) up to 4 hours after drinking it. This can be relatively beneficial, especially if you're a big snacker.
4. Boosts Immune System - Research revealed that protein powder revitalizes the immune system. In addition, studies show that exercise has a positive effect on your immune system, so as flu season approaches, make sure to exercise and try using whey as your medicine [3].
5. Alleviates Stress - If you have been heavily stressed lately, I suggest you turn to whey protein powder for relief. Research suggests that individuals who consume whey protein express fewer symptoms of depression and a better mood than those who didn't consume it.
6. Aids In Cancer Prevention - Does cancer run in your family? If so, then investing in whey protein powder may be a lifesaver. Several studies show that whey and other dietary milk products may aid in fighting cancer.
While you should get regular screenings for cancer (especially if it runs in your family), whey protein can help prevent it [4].
Related Article:
FAQs
How Much Whey Protein Powder Should You Drink Per Day?
You should drink no more than 1 to 2 scoops of protein powder per day (1 to 2 protein shakes). As you get a better sense of how whey interacts with your system, you can up your dosage to 3 to 4 scoops.
Remember, grass-fed whey protein powder is a supplement, not a substitution for real food or even a muscle mass gainer shake.
When Should You Take Whey Protein?
You should take whey protein 30 minutes before your workout and within 30 minutes after your workout. The reason for this is to maximize muscle protein synthesis, also called the muscle building phase.
But you can also take it with breakfast, especially for those who struggle to have a protein-rich meal first thing in the morning. It can definitely give you an extra energy boost and stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Are There Any Side Effects To Taking Whey?
There are little or no side effects to taking a moderate dosage (1 to 2 scoops) of whey. However, if a person is allergic to milk protein, they shouldn't take whey protein supplements. Also, taking too many doses of protein supplements can cause:
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To avoid these issues, limit your protein supplements intake to 1 to 2 scoops per day, preferably around the time you workout.
What Should You NEVER Do To Whey?
You should never do these to whey protein concentrate:
- Expose the whey protein concentrate to high temperatures and direct sunlight for extended periods
- Leave in a hot car, next to the oven in the kitchen, or any other source of heat
- Use in recipes that use high heat (muffins, pancakes, etc.) as this may denature the protein
Any Differences In Whey Protein Powders For Men And Women?
There is no difference in whey protein powders for men and women. Whey protein powders for women and men have the same purpose—providing an adequate amount of protein.
See related posts:
How Often Can I Take Protein Powders?
You can take protein powders as often as twice daily. Even the best protein powders don't contain essential vitamins, minerals, and other antioxidants, so it's best to use them only as a protein and amino acids boost during meals or snacks.
It's never a good idea to treat many protein powders as a meal replacement shake because that might just ruin your weight loss or fitness efforts with that level of protein intake.
The good news is that it's quite easy to incorporate complete protein powders into your regular meals and snacks so make sure to choose neutral-flavored ones to prevent taste and texture issues.
What is the Best Whey Protein Powder?
The best whey protein powder greatly assists in your muscle building, fat-burning, and athletic endeavors so finding the top option is truly essential in reaching your body goals.
With that, we recommend Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard as your whey protein supplement of choice.
It is packed with 24 grams of protein per serving to help enhance muscle development and recovery.
Also, it will help keep you super energized especially during intense workouts.
Our #1 Whey Protein
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
- Contains a full day’s supply of BCAAs
- Low in calories and cholesterol
- 24 grams of whey protein per serving
- Essential lean muscle mass support before and after your workout
- Contains artificial flavors
About The Author
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I’m looking for the best whey protein for men because the old supplement I was taking gives me an upset stomach. I’m now taking ON Gold Standard as recommended and I feel more energized during workouts. No upset stomach for me anymore. Glad I found you guys!
The most popular whey protein: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey!
Hi, Isaac! What’s the best whey protein for you this 2021? Is it still the same?
I love the taste of vanilla in my powder. Optimum Nutrition is great for digestion.