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Our editors shared their picks of the best-tasting protein powders, no matter if you’re a chocolate or vanilla fan. See the five powders that made the cut.
Whether you’re looking to ramp up your gym routine or simply fill the gaps in your diet, protein powder can be a helpful ingredient to have on hand.
However, finding a protein powder that tastes good can be challenging, especially if you’re looking to avoid products pumped full of sugar, additives, and artificial ingredients.
Healthline editors shared their picks of the five best-tasting protein powders, all of which passed our dietitian’s review and our rigorous vetting process .
Disclaimer: Some of the products tested below were provided for free to Healthline testers. Our opinions are ours alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the product manufacturers.
Best whey protein powder for peanut butter fans Certifications: non-GMO verified, Informed Choice Certified, Informed Protein Certified Nutrition stats per serving: (Milk Chocolate) Calories: 130, Total carbs: 1 g, Added sugar: 0 g, Fat: 1 g, Protein: 28 g Price: $$ Healthline's review Known for its commitment to transparency and quality, it’s no surprise that Transparent Labs protein powders frequently make Healthline’s “best of” lists — including this one.
Not only is Transparent Labs Whey Protein Informed Choice and Informed Protein certified, but it’s also pretty darn tasty.
Nick Trull, Healthline’s director of business development and fitness aficionado, praised the peanut butter flavor: “I have been using the Transparent Labs Whey Grass Fed Protein for several months. It has been a great additive to post-workout recovery shakes and breakfast shakes . The product consistency, smell, and taste are all great.
“I would certainly recommend the product to others, and my wife has actually incorporated it into her meals as well!”
If you’re not a peanut butter fan, not to worry. The powder is available in 13 additional flavors, most of which also get rave reviews for taste online.
Pros & cons Informed Choice and Informed Protein certified wide variety of flavors to choose from mixes easily whey sourced from grass-fed American cattle delicious peanut butter flavor contains stevia, which some people may dislike the taste of not vegan-friendly Informed Choice and Informed Protein certified wide variety of flavors to choose from mixes easily whey sourced from grass-fed American cattle delicious peanut butter flavor contains stevia, which some people may dislike the taste of not vegan-friendly Product details Protein type: whey Number of servings: 30 per container Serving size: 1 scoop (34.9 g) Available flavors: Milk Chocolate, French Vanilla, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Peanut Butter, Strawberry Milkshake, Unflavored, Dark Chocolate, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cinnamon French Toast, Sugar Cookie, Mocha, Peanut Butter, Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie, Blueberry Pancakes Protein type: whey Number of servings: 30 per container Serving size: 1 scoop (34.9 g) Available flavors: Milk Chocolate, French Vanilla, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Mint Chocolate Chip, Vanilla Peanut Butter, Strawberry Milkshake, Unflavored, Dark Chocolate, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Cinnamon French Toast, Sugar Cookie, Mocha, Peanut Butter, Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie, Blueberry Pancakes Best vanilla whey protein powder Certifications: third-party tested for purity and potency Nutrition stats per serving: (Vanilla) Calories: 120, Total carbs: 3 g, Added sugar: 3 g, Protein: 25 g Price: $$$ Use code "HEALTHLINE20" for 20% off .
Healthline's review If you’ve had a hard time finding a vanilla-flavored whey protein powder that’s good enough to drink outside of a smoothie, then you may want to check out this option from mindbodygreen .
Healthline Nutrition Editor, Kelli McGrane , MS, RD, noted that she was surprised by how much she enjoyed this powder: “Vanilla is one of my favorite flavors, but I tend to steer clear of it with protein powders because of how hard is to find an option that isn’t artificial-tasting or overly sweet.
“The first time I tried it, I mixed 1 scoop of mindbodygreen’s vanilla whey protein with 6 ounces (oz) [177 milliliters (mL)] of water and 2 oz (59 mL) of oat milk , fully expecting to only make it a few sips before putting it back in the fridge to be used in a smoothie later. However, before I knew it, I had finished the whole shake.
“In addition to being easy to mix, I appreciated that the consistency was both smooth and refreshing, I also really liked the addition of cinnamon. I found that it gave the powder a French vanilla-like taste.”
The powder also comes in chocolate, which McGrane also tried but didn’t like quite as much.
Mindbodygreen’s whey protein isolate is gluten-free, vegetarian-friendly, and third-party tested for purity and potency, though the name of the testing organization isn’t disclosed.
Pros & cons whey sourced from grass-fed cows third-party tested for purity and potency satisfying vanilla flavor with a hint of cinnamon mixes easily and has a smooth consistency minimal ingredients free from artificial additives, preservatives, and sweeteners easier to digest than other forms of whey protein powders no noticeable aftertaste, despite including stevia and monk fruit expensive not vegan-friendly scooping from a bag (rather than a tub) can get messy 3 grams (g) of added sugar per serving contains stevia and monk fruit, which some people may dislike the taste of whey sourced from grass-fed cows third-party tested for purity and potency satisfying vanilla flavor with a hint of cinnamon mixes easily and has a smooth consistency minimal ingredients free from artificial additives, preservatives, and sweeteners easier to digest than other forms of whey protein powders no noticeable aftertaste, despite including stevia and monk fruit expensive not vegan-friendly scooping from a bag (rather than a tub) can get messy 3 grams (g) of added sugar per serving contains stevia and monk fruit, which some people may dislike the taste of Product details Protein type: whey Number of servings: 20 per container Serving size: 2 scoops (33.4 g) Available flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate Protein type: whey Number of servings: 20 per container Serving size: 2 scoops (33.4 g) Available flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate Best chocolate whey protein powder Certifications: Informed Choice Certified, certified gluten-free, non-GMO verified, third-party tested Nutrition stats per serving: (Chocolate) Calories: 160, Total carbs: 8 g, Added sugar: 3 g, Fat: 3 g, Protein: 25 g Price: $ Healthline's review Made from just three ingredients, including organic coconut sugar and cacao powder , Naked Chocolate Whey Protein Powder is a great option for people who dislike the aftertaste of sugar substitutes like stevia or monk fruit.
McGrane, who has tried multiple protein powders over the years, confidently states that this is by far her favorite chocolate whey-based option.
According to McGrane: “I’m not a huge fan of stevia — the aftertaste just isn’t for me — so I like that Naked Whey uses sugar instead.
“I’ve tried multiple flavors of this powder, but the chocolate is by far my favorite. I love that it has a creamy, rich chocolate taste that isn’t overly sweet. While it’s satisfying mixed with just water and a splash of oat milk, my favorite way to use it is blended in a smoothie with a frozen banana and a handful of spinach.
“The only downside is that, as with most whey-based protein powders, I do notice some bloating and general discomfort if I drink this powder multiple days in a row.”
Naked Whey Protein is available in four additional flavors, plus an unflavored variety. It’s also Informed Choice certified, so you can trust that the powder contains what it claims to on the label and nothing more.
Pros & cons Informed Choice certified contains just three ingredients free of sugar substitutes whey sourced from grass-fed American cattle available in multiple flavors certified gluten free easy to mix creamy texture and rich chocolate taste most affordable option on our list not suitable for people with tree nut allergies or those following a vegan diet contains 3 g of added sugar per serving may cause bloating or other digestive side effects in some people Informed Choice certified contains just three ingredients free of sugar substitutes whey sourced from grass-fed American cattle available in multiple flavors certified gluten free easy to mix creamy texture and rich chocolate taste most affordable option on our list not suitable for people with tree nut allergies or those following a vegan diet contains 3 g of added sugar per serving may cause bloating or other digestive side effects in some people Product details Protein type: whey Number of servings: 60 per container Serving size: 2 scoops (38 g) Available flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Double Chocolate Protein type: whey Number of servings: 60 per container Serving size: 2 scoops (38 g) Available flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Double Chocolate Best vanilla plant-based protein powder Certifications: USDA organic, certified vegan, third-party tested for purity and potency Nutrition stats per serving: (Chocolate) Calories: 130, Total carbs: 5 g, Added sugar: 0 g, Fat: 3 g, Protein: 22 g Price: $$ Healthline's review Ora Organic So Lean & So Clean Vanilla is our pick as the best vanilla-flavored plant-based powder.
According to McGrane, “I’ve tried a handful of plant-based protein powders on the market, and Ora Organics is my favorite vanilla-flavored option because it lacks the cloyingly sweet, artificial vanilla flavor that many other powders have.
“I also appreciate that the powder mixes easily in a shaker bottle and actually feels refreshing to drink. I primarily use the powder in my overnight oats for a boost of protein in the morning, but it’s also delicious blended into a smoothie.”
Despite containing stevia and monk fruit , McGrane notes that it doesn’t have a noticeable aftertaste.
Ora Organics So Lean & So Clean contains a handful of certified organic plant-based ingredients, including peas, rice, amaranth, and sprouted quinoa, as well as various organic fruits and vegetables.
It’s also third-party tested for purity and potency, though the name of the testing organization isn’t disclosed.
Pros & cons third-party tested for purity and potency certified vegan certified organic high in iron, a nutrient that may be hard to get on a vegan diet also available in chocolate, unflavored, and vanilla chai mixes easily free of artificial additives, preservatives, or sweeteners smooth, not overly-thick consistency pure vanilla flavor that isn't overly sweet or artificial tasting contains coconut, which some people may need to avoid third-party tested for purity and potency certified vegan certified organic high in iron, a nutrient that may be hard to get on a vegan diet also available in chocolate, unflavored, and vanilla chai mixes easily free of artificial additives, preservatives, or sweeteners smooth, not overly-thick consistency pure vanilla flavor that isn't overly sweet or artificial tasting contains coconut, which some people may need to avoid Product details Protein type: pea, rice Number of servings: 20 per container Serving size: 2 scoops Available flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Vanilla Chai, Unflavored Protein type: pea, rice Number of servings: 20 per container Serving size: 2 scoops Available flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Vanilla Chai, Unflavored Best chocolate plant-based protein powder Certifications: USDA organic, certified plant-based, third-party tested for purity and potency Nutrition stats per serving: (Vanilla) Calories: 150, Total carbs: 10 g, Added sugar: 5 g, Fat: 3 g, Protein 20 g Price: $$$ Healthline's review Orgain Simple Organic is our pick for chocolate lovers needing a plant-based option,
According to Healthline Senior Editor Chelsea Logan: “I chose this protein powder because I was looking for something vegan without stevia or monk fruit extract, as I don’t like the taste of these sweeteners.
“This one is sweetened with coconut sugar and tastes super sweet to me (almost too sweet), but it does have a nice chocolate flavor and smells and tastes almost like hot chocolate.
“It blends well, too, and doesn’t have any chalkiness to it, even if you just mix it with water.”
Orgain Simple Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder is certified organic and certified plant-based. It’s also third-party tested for purity and potency, though the name of the testing organization isn’t disclosed.
In addition to chocolate, this vegan-friendly option is also available in vanilla and peanut butter.
Pros & cons third-party tested for purity and potency free of artificial additives, preservatives, or sweeteners high in iron, a nutrient that may be hard to get on a vegan diet mixes well satisfying taste, reminiscent of hot chocolate contains sugar instead of sugar substitutes certified organic and plant-based 5 g of added sugar per serving fewer flavor options than others on our list expensive third-party tested for purity and potency free of artificial additives, preservatives, or sweeteners high in iron, a nutrient that may be hard to get on a vegan diet mixes well satisfying taste, reminiscent of hot chocolate contains sugar instead of sugar substitutes certified organic and plant-based 5 g of added sugar per serving fewer flavor options than others on our list expensive Product details Protein type: pea, brown rice, almond, pumpkin seed, peanut Number of servings: 15 per container Serving size: 2 scoops Available flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter Protein type: pea, brown rice, almond, pumpkin seed, peanut Number of servings: 15 per container Serving size: 2 scoops Available flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter Note: All the options on our list are third-party tested for purity and potency.
When picking a protein powder, there are several factors to look for:
Protein source: The main source of protein is an important consideration, especially if you have any dietary restrictions. While whey is one of the most common protein powder ingredients, you can find products sourced from peas, seeds, or soy, which can be useful if you follow a plant-based or vegan diet .Nutritional facts: In addition to the amount of protein found in each serving, look at the calorie and carb content. This is especially important if you’re trying to lose weight or restricting your carb intake as part of a low carb or ketogenic diet .Ingredients list: In addition to protein sources, many products include ingredients that may offer other health benefits, including greens, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and healthy fats. However, try to avoid protein powders with a long list of additives, such as artificial colors and preservatives. Available flavors: Before choosing a flavor, consider how you plan on using the powder. For example, vanilla or plain tend to be more versatile than stronger flavors like chocolate, matcha, or coffee. Texture: Perhaps one of the most important considerations is the texture. While some dissolve easily when stirred or shaken, others require a blender. Budget: The number of servings per container varies greatly by product. Thus, when looking at the price of a protein powder, be sure to consider the cost per serving. Customer reviews: Reading customer reviews is a great way to obtain valuable insights into the taste and texture of a product. Finally, many brands also offer sample packs, which allow you to try out different flavors and products before committing to a full-size purchase.
There are many types of protein powder available to fit nearly any preference or palate.
Each product not only provides a different set of nutrients but also additional ingredients and health benefits.
With a bit of savvy shopping, it’s easy to find a protein powder that tastes great and fits seamlessly into your diet.