Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
Naked Casein: With only one ingredient—micellar casein sourced from hormone-free skim milk—this is about as clean as it gets. No added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and no unnecessary additives. It's cold-processed to avoid any nastiness from chemicals or synthetic fillers, and it’s independently tested for both heavy metals and gluten. Each serving packs 26 grams of protein and 618 milligrams of calcium (about 48 percent of your daily value). But Naked Casein doesn’t contain the emulsifying lecithin, so it won’t dissolve as smoothly as other powders. The best way to mix is with a blender, but I couldn't stomach the taste of this one.
Ghost Whey Protein Powder: Ghost is the protein powder for people who want their post-workout snack to taste like dessert. With flavors like Trix, Cinnabon, and coffee ice cream, it's unsurprisingly one of the best-tasting whey proteins on the market. Each scoop delivers 25 grams of protein (nearly 50 percent of the daily value for many people) and blends well in shakes, oats, or even DIY protein ice cream. The trade-off here is a longer ingredient list that includes gums, high-fructose corn syrup, and—in some flavors—titanium dioxide, which is a whitening pigment banned as a food additive in Europe.
Seeq Clear Protein Powder: At first, I was skeptical of Seeq Clear Protein (how could it be clear!?!), but I’m a sucker for anything watermelon-flavored. I was pleasantly surprised. It tastes like a creamier sports drink (I promise it’s better than that description sounds), and each serving has 22 grams of protein and 4.5 grams of BCAAs. There are zero grams of sugar. Like a lot of other clear protein powders, it’s often more expensive than its traditional counterparts. But if lactose irritates your stomach or you want something more like juice and less like a milkshake, it’s worth trying—especially if you mix it with extra water, since it’s on the sweet side. Worth noting is that it takes forever to dissolve, so use a frother or allot yourself extra shaking time. —Louryn Strampe
Photograph: Boutayna Chokrane
Sakara Protein + Greens Super Powder: With 17 grams of plant-based protein per serving, Sakara's Protein + Greens is just three shy of the 20-gram benchmark I aim for. The blend of pea, hemp, and pumpkin proteins is bolstered by a “super greens” mix of spirulina, wheatgrass, barley grass, and chlorella. Is it dramatically transforming my gut health? Probably not. But on days when my vegetable and protein intake is low, a scoop of this in my smoothie (plus some Greek yogurt for an extra 18 grams of protein) makes me feel a little less like a goblin surviving on iced coffee and string cheese.
BSN True-Mass Weight Gainer, Muscle Mass Gainer Protein Powder: If you're trying to bulk up or find yourself struggling to hit your calorie goals, BSN True-Mass is worth considering. This mass gainer packs 1,200 calories per serving, with 50 grams of protein and 215 grams of carbohydrates. Its protein blend includes whey concentrate, casein, milk protein isolate, whey protein isolate, hydrolyzed whey isolate, and micellar casein, so you get a mix of fast and slow-digesting proteins. It also delivers 450 milligrams of calcium and 880 milligrams of potassium, which is a bonus if you want to squeeze in some micronutrients. It tastes great—the strawberry milkshake flavor is spot-on—but these are two scoops at 310 grams, so you'll need to be comfortable with the jumbo serving size. I can't fully endorse the formula because it's packed with artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium, as well as some iffy additives, including maltodextrin and a gum blend (cellulose, guar, gum Arabic, and xanthan) that might not sit well with everyone. If you have a sensitive stomach, you might want to pass. This one brings protein farts to a new level.
Courtesy of Amazon
Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder: Orgain’s Organic Protein Powder blends pea, brown rice, chia, and mung bean proteins to hit all nine essential amino acids. It’s USDA-certified organic, kosher, and delivers 21 grams of protein per serving, plus 4 grams of fiber and prebiotics for a little digestive support. It leans higher in carbs than some plant-based competitors at about 15 grams per serving, but that also makes it more filling—ideal if you need something to hold you over between meals. I’ve tested my fair share of vanilla proteins, and Orgain’s vanilla bean flavor is one of the better ones available. It’s smooth, not overly sweet, and blends up surprisingly creamy despite being dairy-free. While the formula is free from artificial sweeteners, most flavors include erythritol and gums, which can cause digestive issues for some. Certain flavors, like birthday cake, sneak up to 450 milligrams of sodium per serving, which is 20 percent of your daily limit. The iced coffee flavor comes with 60 milligrams of caffeine.
Aloha 12oz Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Drink (Pack of 12): Aloha's protein powder is still on my testing docket, but I have tried the brand's ready-to-drink shakes. The chocolate sea salt is surprisingly tasty; it's creamy and rich, but there's a faint aftertaste. I sometimes use the vanilla flavor as a milk base for smoothies, and there's also a coconut flavor I haven't gotten my hands on yet. Each serving packs 18 grams of plant-based protein.
Last October, Consumer Reports (CR) tested 23 popular protein powders and ready-to-drink shakes and found that more than two-thirds of the products contained more lead in a single serving than what the publication considers safe to consume in a day. CR's level of concern for lead is 0.5 micrograms per day, which is based on California’s Prop 65, a law requiring businesses to inform consumers about exposure to harmful chemicals.
The TL;DR version: Plant-based powders had the highest levels of lead, about nine times more than dairy-based options and twice as much as beef-based powders. Whey and other dairy-derived supplements tended to fare better, but even half of those tested still contained enough lead for CR to caution against daily use.
That said, most are still safe in moderation, and even the highest levels fall well below what would cause immediate harm. When possible, I personally opt for dairy-based formulas over plant-based ones to minimize my lead intake; I also personally stick to unflavored options.
Naked Vanilla Vegan Mass Gainer: CR found 7.7 micrograms of lead in each serving of Naked Nutrition's Mass Gainer.
Huel Black Edition Chocolate: CR found 6.3 micrograms of lead in each serving of Huel Black Edition Chocolate.
Courtesy of Amazon
BlenderBottle Classic V2 Shaker Bottle (20 Ounces) for $10: If you take your shake or pre-workout to-go, a BlenderBottle is a must. To refresh or un-clump your drink, simply give it a shake, and the whisking ball will dissolve the powder. If you don't want to use too many dishes, the BlenderBottle is also an alternative to a blender or frother. Twenty ounces should be a decent size for a standard shake that generally requires about 12 ounces of liquid, but BlenderBottle also offers 20.3-, 28-, 32-, and 45-ounce shakers.
Vitamix Ascent X5 for $700: The Vitamix Ascent X5 is expensive, but the all-purpose blender makes smoothies feel like an art form. It's got 10 preset programs (smoothie bowls, nut butters, nondairy milks, and more), which means your protein recipes can get as creative as you want. It has a tamper to help blend the thickest of shakes, and the on-screen indicator tells you exactly when to step in. If your blend needs more mixing? No problem—just select the “add 15 seconds” button. The self-cleaning mode is my favorite feature; it's not groundbreaking, but I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a dull chopstick than scrub post-smoothie gunk off a blender. Plus, it's backed by a 10-year warranty, which makes it an investment worth considering.
Ninja Blast Portable Blender for $55: For an affordable blender option, you might want to consider Ninja's tiny portable blender, which charges via USB-C. The motor isn't super powerful, and the battery isn't long-lived (one charge lasts long enough to thoroughly blend one yogurt smoothie with frozen berries), but this blender is affordable, the vessel and lid are dishwasher-safe, and it's tiny enough to have a permanent home on former editor Adrienne So's counter. (Update: After two years, the blade just broke.)
Courtesy of Beast
Beast Mega 1200 for $184: Mega's 1,200-watt motor cuts through frozen fruit, powders, and fibrous foods with an ease that personal blenders can't match with just one button, a timed cycle, and consistent chunk-free results. The three included Tritan vessels are designed with ribbed interiors that boost turbulence for silkier smoothies. Plus, the drinking lid and straw system transforms your blender into a travel cup without the extra dishes. It's available in six chic colors and backed by a two-year warranty.
Is Protein Powder Good for You?
It depends. If you’re eating a balanced diet, you’re likely getting all the protein your body needs. Whole foods—nuts, seeds, eggs, low-fat dairy, legumes, and lean meats—offer protein along with fiber, vitamins, and other nutrients that a scoop of powder simply can’t match. Protein powders are not meal replacements.
That said, high-quality protein powder may be beneficial if you are recovering from surgery or an injury, have difficulty eating due to illness or aging, or need extra protein for wound healing. It’s also useful if you’re following a strict diet (like veganism) and aren’t getting enough protein through food alone. For athletes, protein powder can be a convenient way to refuel post-workout because the body absorbs liquid protein quickly. Unless you fall into one of these categories, you may not need a protein powder. To get more clarity about what makes sense for you, chat with a trusted healthcare provider.
What Are the Different Types of Protein Powder?
When you're looking at different protein sources, also keep in mind whether you're getting a complete or incomplete protein. All of our picks are complete proteins, meaning that they provide all nine essential amino acids that the body doesn't produce itself.
Whey protein: Whey protein comes from milk during the cheese-making process, and it’s one of the most efficient ways to get protein into your system. It’s packed with essential amino acids, meaning your body can absorb and use it quickly, which is great for muscle recovery and growth. There are three whey subtypes, each with its own pros and cons.
Casein protein: Casein is the other major protein in milk. When consumed, it forms a gel in your stomach, meaning your body gets a slow, steady release of amino acids. This makes a great option for pre-bedtime protein or keeping hunger at bay between meals. There are two main subtypes:
Pea protein: This plant-based protein is made from ground yellow split peas and is high in essential amino acids, including BCAAs. It’s dairy-, gluten-, and soy-free, making it great for people with allergies. Technically, it’s a complete protein, but it’s lower in methionine, so some experts would argue it’s not as complete as whey.
Brown rice protein: Brown rice protein is high in fiber, easy to digest, and hypoallergenic, but it lacks some essential amino acids (specifically lysine), making it an incomplete protein. That’s why it’s often blended with pea protein for a more balanced amino acid profile. It’s gentle on the stomach and good for people with food sensitivities.
Beef protein isolate: Meat contains protein! Beef protein isolate is made from cow tissue that has been extracted and filtered into powder.
What Are the Potential Harms of Protein Powder?
While high-protein diets have been studied extensively, the long-term effects of regularly consuming protein in powdered form remain unclear. But here are some potential issues to consider:
Not all protein powders are contaminated, but it’s worth checking third-party testing results (like those published by Clean Label Project) before incorporating a certain product into your diet.
What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing a Protein Powder?
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