There are more protein supplements than any other kind of dietary product, but the problem with most of them is that they don’t have the right quality.
And in quite a few cases, we’ve found that they are full of sugar and don’t mix easily.
I’m sure you’ve experienced those crappy protein powders that taste awful and end up in a clumpy mess.
To help you avoid those types of products, our team at TotalShape came up with a tried and tested list of products that we recommend to clients to build muscle and lose some body weight.
Our Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain (September 2023)
1 - Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate (Editor's Choice)
Our top choice for the best protein powders is from Transparent Labs, and this grass-fed protein may deliver all the essential amino acids to improve muscle function and recovery.
With 28 grams in each scoop, you also get a large enough dose to suit performance athletes looking for muscle gain.
And just as importantly, there are no artificial flavors, and many people have commented that it tastes great straight out of a shaker.
Quick Facts
- Protein Type: Whey Isolate
- Protein Amount: 28 g per serving
- Grass-fed protein source for highest quality protein powder
- 28 grams of protein per serving is ideal for bodybuilders
- Great flavors, especially chocolate peanut butter
- Bulk orders make it a very reasonable product
- Free shipping only available over $150
2 - Ladder Whey Protein Powder
The Ladder protein powders and sports supplements were co-created by Arnold Schwarzenegger and LeBron James.
Their goal was to create the best protein powders that delivered maximum BCAAs, and they added probiotics to promote faster absorption through digestive enzymes.
While we did find that the whey protein powder takes a bit longer to mix in a shaker, the flavor and texture are very nice.
Quick Facts
- Protein Type: Whey protein
- Protein Amount: 26g per serving
- Whey isolate endorsed by Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Provides 7g of branched-chain amino acids
- Available in large bags and small ready to use packets
- This whey protein isolates product takes some time to fully mix with water
3 - Swolverine Whey Protein Powder
Next on our list of recommended protein powders for muscle gain is this one from Swolverine, and it’s another good choice for athletes who need large doses of whey protein powders immediately after training.
Online reviews are very positive on the muscle-building effects.
And because it’s sourced from grass-fed cows, the quality should be much higher than other products.
Quick Facts
- Protein Type: Whey protein isolate
- Protein Amount: 26g per serving
- Whey protein isolate is sourced from grass-fed cows for higher quality
- Seems to be easy to mix with water
- Great subscription discounts available
- Some of the flavors taste a bit too sweet
4 - Onnit
Onnit protein powders for muscle gain have been a favorite with many athletes that we work with. It’s not the highest dose option, but the quality is a lot better than what you generally tend to find on the market.
We also like the subscription options available that allow you to save quite a bit of money.
Just keep the dose per scoop in mind, as it might not be enough for high-performance athletes and bodybuilders.
Quick Facts
- Protein Type: Whey protein
- Protein Amount: 20g per serving
- Protein powder is sourced from grass-fed cows for best quality
- Flavors are tasty and not too sweet
- Great subscription discounts available
- Many types of athletes would require more than one scoop for optimum muscle recovery
5 - MyProtein Whey Protein Powder
We liked this protein powder for muscle recovery because it has a good amount of BCAAs despite not being the largest dose per serving.
Those BCAAs could make a big difference in muscle growth, as it provides the right amino acids combination to maximize muscle protein synthesis.
We also found that MyProtein mixes easily in a shaker with water, and the flavor isn’t too sweet or fake.
Quick Facts
- Protein Type: Whey protein
- Protein Amount: 21g per serving
- Provides a good dose of BCAAs for faster muscle gains
- Many positive reviews about the flavors and how easy they mix
- Available in large bulk-order pouches for great savings
- The protein amount per serving may not be enough for performance athletes
6 - BiPro Whey Protein Powder
If you like using protein powders to mix in with other foods like cereal, smoothies, and baked products, then BiPro could be a good choice.
We saw plenty of positive comments about the flavor and texture of the protein powder.
And it has the right amino acids to support building up more muscle mass.
Quick Facts
- Protein Type: Whey milk protein isolate
- Protein Amount: 23g per serving
- Suitable for mixing with food and baked goods
- Positive comments about the great vanilla flavor
- Available in bulk-order pouches for much better value
- Some people find resealable pouches less convenient
7 - Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder
Dymatize is a great protein powder option if you’re trying to keep your sugar and calorie intake low during a bulking phase for building muscle.
That’s important for anyone who wants to adopt healthy habits and doesn’t want to mess those up with a supplement.
The only thing that was a bit negative to us was that the flavor options were pretty limited compared to other protein powders.
Quick Facts
- Protein Type: Whey protein hydrolysate
- Protein Amount: 25g per serving
- Comes in a large airtight tub for easy access and storage
- Mixes easily in a shaker, so you don’t have to use a blender
- Low sugar and calorie option to not mess up your diet
- Limited flavor options available
8 - MFL Muscle Isolate
The last one of our recommended protein powders comes from MFL. It’s a high-quality protein that limits your carb intake, making it ideal for the dietary restrictions of keto followers.
Our clients also liked that it helped them with weight management and post-workout muscle recovery at the same time.
This vegan protein powder also has one of the most significant doses of protein per scoop, making it ideal for professional athletes looking for faster muscle growth.
Quick Facts
- Protein Type: Whey protein
- Protein Amount: 30g per serving
- Suitable for keto dieters as there’s no sugar
- Available in a large tub for a great price
- One of the strongest doses per serving available
- Flavors are a bit fake, and the protein powder doesn’t mix very easily
Buyer’s Guide
Here are the main things you need to consider while researching ideal protein powders for your protein needs.
Type Of Protein Source
As you can see above, we have focused on whey protein concentrate and isolate for this article. The main reason is that it provides the ideal amino acids combination provided by milk.
See, milk as a protein source will give you not only all the essential amino acids that you have to take in through your diet, but it will also give you a very good boost of BCAAs that further support muscle building.
We generally prefer whey protein isolates to products like egg white or casein protein powders because of that BCAA boost [1].
And plant-based protein products generally need to be blended in order to achieve the same result.
For example, you would need to blend soy and pea protein to get a similar BCAA combination.
“Most amino acids are metabolized or broken down in the liver. BCAAs are mostly metabolized in muscle tissue. That makes BCAA supplements attractive to athletes and bodybuilders.”
- WebMD.com
Protein Per Scoop
Here’s a general guide I use for clients when scooping protein powders. Unless you're training every day of the week to maximize the effect on muscle mass, a protein shake with 20 grams in each scoop should be a good starting point [2].
At higher performance levels, you’d need to be looking for closer to 30 grams. It maximizes your muscle growth while ensuring your weight is within a healthy range.
But at that stage, you might want to talk to a dietitian to get the ideal amount of protein powders for your size and exercise performance. It becomes more vital if you have very specific weight loss or muscle gain goals.
Flavors And Texture
You should be able to always find a good indication of the flavor and texture from online reviews. And then you’ll want to avoid fake and extremely sweet tasting protein powders.
Also, make sure you avoid protein powders that require a blender to mix properly for better lean muscle mass. Those tend to come out of a shaker in quite a clumpy texture.
Allergens And Artificial Ingredients
The good thing with whey protein isolates is that it’s generally suitable for people with lactose intolerance. It’s also gluten and soy-free to give you only natural ingredients that don't cause stomach upset [3].
The other thing you want to avoid are products that rely heavily on artificial sweeteners and flavors. They tend to taste fake, and I’d go as far as saying that an unflavored option might be a better choice in that case.
Additional Ingredients
Some of the best protein powder supplements we’ve tested also include additional beneficial ingredients. One thing to look out for is pro and prebiotics that might speed up digestion and protein intake.
But you can also check for vitamins and minerals that make protein supplements more than just about protein synthesis.
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FAQs
Which Protein Powder Is Best for Muscle Gain?
The best protein powders for muscle gain are those that are readily digestible and include all nine essential amino acids (EAAs) and enough concentrations of leucine — a BCAA that is crucial for muscle development.
Does Protein Powder Help Build Muscle?
Yes, protein powder helps build muscle. According to some studies, an overall rise in protein and calorie intake is crucial for muscle building. As a result, protein powders can be effective at any time.
Which Protein Powder For Muscle Growth Should You Buy?
The protein powder you should buy for muscle growth is Transparent Labs. Not only is it a complete protein, but it tastes great as well, unlike most other protein powders with bland flavors.
It's ideal for performance fitness needs and to help with weight loss as it doesn't contain more calories than necessary. It ensures you have the energy necessary to gain more lean muscle mass without worrying about unneeded hunger pangs.
Order your first batch of this high-quality protein powder today and see how much of a difference it can make in your training and recovery periods.
Our #1 Recommendation
Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
- Grass-fed protein source for highest quality protein powder
- 28 grams of protein per serving is ideal for bodybuilders
- Great flavors, especially chocolate peanut butter
- Bulk orders make it a very reasonable product
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of September
- Free shipping only available over $150
About The Author
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As a fitness enthusiast, I prefer protein powders with high-quality proteins and minimal carbohydrates to maximize muscle growth while minimizing sugar intake. The options in this list all fit the bill.