There are many reasons to opt for a daily protein powder supplement. You may be interested in boosting your muscle mass, keeping your food cravings to a minimum, gaining lean muscle mass, losing weight, or improving your overall health.
The one thing that tends to discourage people the most when starting the journey of incorporated more protein into your daily routine is taste. There are a lot of terrible-tasting protein powders available, and though some can power through bad smells or bad feelings, a lot of folks want something simple and delicious that they can use daily to keep them healthy and to achieve their fitness goals.
What we intend to do in this review is to take into account taste and user experience as the basis for including a protein powder on this list. Though we will consist of other relevant information as well, including nutritional content, additives, and production practices, the fact of the matter is that many of you aren’t going to take the first step into increasing your daily nutritional content with a protein powder if you can’t even make a few sips of your concoction.
One other factor that we will consider here is the ease of use. If you have lots of time to formulate the perfect recipe for your daily protein shake, sometimes taste won’t matter as much as you can incorporate other ingredients or a method to make it palatable. Our goal is to compile a list of protein powders that you can mix with liquid – be it almond milk, plain water, regular milk, etc.- and they will still come out easy to drink and superbly tasty.
Best Tasting Protein Powder
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Our Favorite LESS NAKED CHOCOLATE WHEY – 5LB NAKED protein only uses 1 ingredient in their protein powder, and prides itself on ZERO additives to their protein. This protein is Gluten-free, Soy free, and Growth Hormone Free. |
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Highest Rated Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Isolate Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey Isolate comes in a whopping 24 flavors. |
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Highest Quality Muscle FX Hydrobolic Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate Gluten and Aspartame Free, Hydrobolic FX Pro Whey Protein Isolate makes a great tasting, top rated protein powder option. |
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Dymatize ISO 100% Whey Protein Powder Isolate The product is a tad on the sweet side, however, so it’s appropriate if you have a healthy sweet tooth, but not if sweetness easily gets to you. |
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BSN Syntha-6 Isolate Protein Powder Vanilla Ice Cream is the winner when it comes to taste in the line of BSN Syntha-6 Isolate Protein Powder. |
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All Max Isoflex Isolate Protein Powder If you’re looking for an ultra-pure, high-performing and highly bioavailable whey protein isolates powder that also tastes delicious, try All Max. |
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Myotein Advanced Whey Protein Complex Formulated for all lifestyles, Myotein’s Advanced Whey Protein Complex is excellent for a variety of consumers. |
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PURE Whey Protein Powder by SFH Users love the portability, smooth mixing, and flavors of these top rated protein powder packets. |
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Natural Force Organic Whey Protein Powder Users report that they mix incredibly well and that the flavor is phenomenal, particularly considering that it is cold processed and contains no artificial ingredients. |
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MaryRuth Organic Vegan Pumpkin Seed Based Protein Powder Customers rave about the non-chalky, deliciously chocolatey taste of this protein powder. |
LESS NAKED CHOCOLATE WHEY – 5LB
This protein lives up to what they’re preaching, and it’s guaranteed to make your stomach feel full, while keeping you from bloating.
Because there are no additives and is a pure whey product, it’s extremely hydrophobic, meaning it immediately absorbs all the water it can upon contact. You might need to put this in a blender to get it to dissolve completely. You definitely can use a shaker cup but we highly recommend you shake for at least 30 seconds to allow the protein to dissolve evenly. NAKED even makes a point to say this on their packaging because customers have often commented about this.
Pros and Cons
- Lots of Flavors to Choose From
- Many Loyal Fans
- Takes 30 Seconds To Mix Completely
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Isolate
Customers love how creamy and smooth to mix it is (it’s been ‘instantized,’ whatever that means!), and many people appreciate the fact that it is sweetened with regular sugar as opposed to artificial sweeteners (like sucralose) or stevia. Some complain, however, that Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein contains more lactose than competitors, making it more difficult for those who suffer from lactose intolerance to enjoy.
Each serving contains 24 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrate, and 2 grams of sugar. Optimum nutrition has been at this game for over 30 years, and they’re well loved by their consumers. The most popular flavors are those of the chocolate varieties.
Pros and Cons
- Lots of Flavors to Choose From
- Mixes Easily
- Many Loyal Fans
- Good Price
Muscle FX Hydrobolic Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
Users are also particularly thrilled that this product is ‘clean,’ and it doesn’t seem to cause as many stomach upsets or gas as many protein supplements do. It also dissolves very quickly and easily in water.
It contains 30 grams of Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate, as well as 6 grams of BCAAs, 5 grams of Glutamine, and 1 gram of sugar.
It’s formulated for both packing on lean muscle mass and as a meal or snack replacement, and is considered one of the best tasting chocolate and vanilla Whey Protein supplements around!
Pros and Cons
- Users Love Chocolate and Vanilla
- Mixes Easily
- Causes No Gas
- Absorbs Quickly
- Gluten and Aspartame Free
Dymatize ISO 100% Whey Protein Powder Isolate
The product is a tad on the sweet side, however, so it’s appropriate if you have a healthy sweet tooth, but not if sweetness easily gets to you.
Dymatize’s product is delicious, but it is sweetened with Sucralose, so if you are staying away from Splenda and the like this might not be the product for you. It is, however, a Lactose Free 100% Whey Protein Isolate, so for those of you who want the added boost of Whey Protein but haven’t been able to find a Lactose Free version, this is a great option! Oh, and it’s Gluten Free too.
This fast digesting protein supplement contains 25 grams of Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate, 5.5 grams of BCAAs, 2.7 grams of L-Leucine, and less than one gram of sugar. It’s specially formulated to build muscle.
Pros and Cons
- Delicious Fudge Brownie, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Birthday Cake Flavors-Lactose and Gluten Free-High in BCAAs and L-Leucine-Mixes Easily
- Sweetened with Sucralose-On the Sweet Side
BSN Syntha-6 Isolate Protein Powder
The company BSN has won over 60 awards since its start, and they’ve been around for over a decade, honing in different elements of their supplements, including the flavors of their protein shakes.
This particular blend consists of a 50/50 blend of Whey and Milk Protein Isolates, a fast and a slow acting protein form. It’s formulated for athletes and contains 25 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 11 grams of essential amino acids per serving.
It mixes very quickly, and you can take it with water alone to still produce a delicious, creamy shake. Protein powder, however, is known to cause some gastrointestinal upsets, and this product is no exception.
Pros and Cons
- Vanilla is the Best
- Easily Dissolves
- 50/50 Milk and Whey Isolates
- 60 Awards
- Some Gastrointestinal Upsets Reported
- Contains some Additives
All Max Isoflex Isolate Protein Powder
The Chocolate flavor tends to be the most popular and all around loved (it even comes with little chocolate chips!), while some think that feelings such as Peanut Butter Chocolate are a tad on the sweet side.
One serving will set you up with 27 grams of protein, 0 sugars, and less than 2 grams of carbs, making it an excellent option for those choosing to go on a low carb diet. It’s formulated from 100% Whey Protein Isolate, and ingredients are 100% sourced from the United States. The protein itself is native, intact, and non-denatured, meaning that it will be more highly available to you.
Pros and Cons
- Highly Bioavailable Protein
- Low Carb and Sugar
- Thick and Creamy
- Users Love Chocolate
- Other Flavors are Too Sweet
- Sweetened with Sucralose
Myotein Advanced Whey Protein Complex
Vanilla and Chocolate are equally as a favorite, and though it’s not naturally creamy, it can be easily mixed with almond milk, regular milk, etc., to boost the texture.
It comes in Creamy Chocolate, Vanilla, Mocha Latte, Salted Caramel, Chocolate & Vanilla, and Strawberry Milkshake. The protein itself is formulated from Whey Protein Hydrolysate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Micellar Casein, and Colostrum, so it will provide you with an array of fast and slow absorbing proteins, making it a perfect energy boost or meal-replacement. It contains 24 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and four carbs. You should also note that it is sweetened with Sucralose, a dealbreaker for some.
Buyer beware, however – all of the rave reviews are about Myotein’s new flavor formulas. The old ones weren’t as popular, so make sure that you’re purchasing the most recent version of their best tasting protein powder.
Pros and Cons
- Beloved Chocolate and Vanilla Flavors
- Easy to Mix
- Slow and Fast Acting Proteins
- Chef- Approved
- Older Versions are Not Popular
PURE Whey Protein Powder by SFH
Users love the portability, smooth mixing, and flavors of these top rated protein powder packets. On top of the high feeling, this Whey is marketed as ‘The Cleanest Whey on the Market’ by SFH. It’s formulated from cows that are fed year round and is free of GMOs, Soy, Gluten, and Artificial Flavors and Sweeteners. This may be one of the only protein powders that’s also safe for children and women who are pregnant or nursing.
It is also antibiotic and hormone free from cows raised in New Zealand and Australia and contains 23 grams of protein, three carbs, 6 grams of BCAAs, Omega-3’s and no artificial ingredients. It also has a low fat and cholesterol content and is low in lactose and high in calcium.
Keep in mind that temperature changes (such as hot, humid weather or storage in the refrigerator) can cause the protein to clump, making it difficult to mix.
Pros and Cons
- Approved for Pregnant and Nursing Women and Children
- Non-GMO, Gluten and Soy Free
- No Artificial Flavors or Sweeteners
- Delicious Chocolate and Vanilla Flavors
- Individual Packets May Cause Clumping if not Stored Properly
Natural Force Organic Whey Protein Powder
All Whey is sourced from USDA organic, grass-fed, and humanely treated dairy cows in California. It’s sweetened with organic, whole stevia leaf, and the cows are the product is Gluten Free, Non-GMO, not bleach or acid processed, and hormone free. The protein itself has been undenatured to preserve the delicate nutrients and aminos naturally occurring in Whey Protein.
The blend contains 20 grams of protein per serving, along with three carbs and 2 gram of sugar. Each flavor blend only contains Whey Protein Concentrate, Organic Stevia Leaf Powder, and one Organic Flavor (such as Vanilla or Cacao). On top of it all, this Whey Protein is Paleo Certified.
Truly, users love the flavor, but such deliciousness does come at a price. The price- it’s far more expensive than comparable brands, but may be worth it if some of its pros (Organic, Non-GMO, Tasty) if those things are important to you. Also, if you’re willing to buy in bulk, discounts are available.
Pros and Cons
- Amazing Taste and Mixability
- No Artificial Ingredients
- Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Hormone Free
- eetened with Stevia
MaryRuth Organic Vegan Pumpkin Seed Based Protein Powder
If you are vegan, you’re probably used to the lack of creaminess (no milk!) in your diet, and this product probably hits the ‘medium creamy’ range. If you add with coconut or almond milk, that will increase the viscosity and make it taste more like a chocolate shake or chocolate milk. Keep in mind that because there are no fillers, binders, whey, soy, dairy, gluten, or preservatives, the powder itself may get a bit chunky and needs to be stirred well into liquid.
This protein powder is safe for all and is Vegan and Paleo Certified, as well as certified organic. Its protein is derived from Pumpkin Seeds and contains 14 grams of protein, nine carbs, and 6 grams of sugar.
This is not formulated for your workout routine but is a way to incorporate healthy proteins into your diet. It’s sweetened with organic cane sugar as opposed to Stevia or Sucralose and is marketed as being highly digestible. It’s also free of Pea, Hemp, and Whey Protein, making it supremely easy on the stomach.
The company is also easy to communicate with, and they provide excellent customer service backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. What the product is not, however, is cheap, so you need to want all of the things that it offers to be a satisfied customer.
Pros and Cons
- NONE of the ‘Bad’ Stuff
- Vegan and Paleo Certified
- Easy on the Stomach
- weetened with Organic Cane Sugar
Final Thoughts
Don’t let previous experiences with lousy tasting protein powders keep you from living the healthiest life you can. There are so many beautiful options on the market now to satisfy your body’s need for protein as well as your body’s need for deliciousness.
Imagine being able to cheat on your diet without even cheating!
