For extra patrons’ guides, go to our product assessment part to search out extra health-related opinions, together with finest kombucha, finest collagen powders and meal prep containers. Looking for the most effective affords? We bought our consultants to select the most effective protein powder and complement offers, plus the kitchen equipment offers we advocate.
Best protein powder offers
Looking for a reduction on one of many protein powders on this record? We’ve been scouring the market to search out the most effective offers.
For extra offers, together with kitchen home equipment offers, go to our information, uncover how our consultants check merchandise and allow us to do the exhausting give you the results you want.
How we examined protein powders
All powders have been ready as per the packet directions utilizing chilly water, and blended with a small electrical milk frother. We thought-about the next elements:
- Taste and texture: is the flavour nice to drink? Does it dissolve effectively?
- Type of protein: whey or plant-based? Concentrate, isolate or hydrolysate?
- Nutrient profile: how a lot protein per serving? What about energy, fats, saturated fats, carbohydrates and sugars?
- Type of sweetener: does it comprise sugars, synthetic sweeteners or neither?
- Dietary necessities: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free?
- Value for cash: how does it examine to others on a cost-per-serving foundation?
Best protein powders at a look
- Best clear protein powder: ESN Isoclear Whey Protein Isolate (strawberry lime), £48.99 for 908g
- Best tasting protein powder: The Organic Protein Co natural whey protein banana and lucama flavour, £27.99 for 600g
- Best fruity protein powder: More Clear Whey Protein Mango, £39.99 for 600g
- Best total protein shake: MyProtein Impact chocolate brownie whey protein, £14.99 for 500g
- Best protein powder for ladies: Free Soul vegan protein mix chocolate flavour, £24.99 for 600g
- Best matcha protein: More Protein Iced Matcha Latte, £35.99 for 500g
- Best low-calorie protein powder: Protein Works vanilla crème food regimen whey isolate 90, £19.99 for 500g
- Best protein powder for bulking: Maxi Nutrition Cyclone Strength banoffee flavour, £49.99 for 1260g
- Highest protein possibility per serving: Innermost The Strong Protein easy chocolate flavour, £29.95 for 520g
Jump to part:
Best protein powders to purchase in 2025
ESN Isoclear Whey Protein Isolate (strawberry lime)
Available from ESN (£48.99)
Best clear protein powder
Star score: 5/5
- Grams of protein per serving: 25 per 30g serving
- Calories per serving: 105 kcals
- Type of protein: whey protein focus
- Fat per serving: 0g
- Carbohydrates per serving: 0.7g
Light, refreshing and straightforward to drink, ESN IsoClear Whey Isolate stands out for these looking for a post-workout enhance with out the heaviness of conventional creamy protein powders. Each 30g serving offers as much as 25g of clear whey protein isolate, with barely any fats, sugar or lactose. The intelligent filtering course of ends in a drink that’s extra like a crisp mushy drink than a conventional shake. The flavour is nice however not overpowering, leaving a clear, hydrating end with no lingering aftertaste. Perfect for rehydration after intense train, it’s each useful and satisfying – a uncommon mixture on this planet of protein drinks.
Available from:
The Organic Protein Co natural whey protein banana and lucama flavour
Available from Healf (£26), Amazon (£27.99), The Organic Protein Co (£28), Abel and Cole (£28.50)
Best tasting protein powder
Star score: 5/5
- Grams of protein per serving: 16.16 per 37.5g serving
- Calories per serving: 139.12 kcals
- Type of protein: whey protein focus
- Fat per serving: 0.9g
- Carbohydrates per serving: 15.71g
If you’re not a fan of hyper-processed, artificially sweetened protein powder, this one could be for you. Made with whey from natural milk and dried banana, this complement is known as a minimize above in the case of high quality. Testers commented that it tasted identical to banana bread – so clearly it bought full marks from us.
The powder whizzed into water to create a pleasant, easy, creamy texture that’s very nice to drink, much like a milkshake.
Another additional benefit is the lucama powder that’s added to a pure hit of sweetness. It’s additionally licensed natural by the Organic Food Federation, and for each pack the corporate donates 25p to Compassion in World Farming.
The model affords a spread of flavours, one other favorite of ours was the uncooked cacao and maca.
A 600g pack comprises roughly 16 servings, coming in at £1.63 per serving.
Available from:
More Clear Whey Protein Mango
Available from More (£39.99)
Best fruity protein powder
Star score: 4.5/5
- Grams of protein per serving: 25 per 30g serving
- Calories per serving: 104 kcals
- Type of protein: whey protein focus
- Fat per serving: 0g
- Carbohydrates per serving: 0.7g
Refreshing and light-weight, More Clear Protein powder affords a welcome various to the same old thick, creamy shakes. With a texture and flavour nearer to juice or cordial, it’s straightforward to drink and delivers an intensely fruity, candy style. The clear whey isolate means sugar, fats and lactose are filtered out, but every serving nonetheless offers as much as 25g of protein, making it appropriate for restoration or a protein enhance. There’s no chalky aftertaste or heaviness – simply clear, hydrating refreshment. Ideal for these looking for a playful twist on protein, it turns supplementing right into a deal with slightly than a job.
Available from:
MyProtein Impact chocolate brownie whey protein
Available from MyProtein (£14.99), Amazon (£58.99)
Best total protein shake
Star score: 4.5/5
- Grams of protein per serving: 23g per 30g serving
- Calories per serving: 114 kcals
- Type of protein: whey protein focus
- Fat per serving: 2g
- Carbohydrates per serving: 2.2g
There are greater than 40 flavours of this common powder. While we have not examined any others, the chocolate brownie was undoubtedly a winner. The powder blended fantastically, forming a milkshake-like consistency that might be ultimate for individuals who like a thicker shake.
We have been apprehensive the chocolate brownie flavour could be too intense, particularly for these desirous to take their protein within the morning, however we have been pleasantly stunned to search out it is extra delicate than overpowering. It has a milk chocolate aftertaste, making it straightforward to drink and really filling.
The elements record can be reassuringly quick, which is not all the time the case in the case of protein dietary supplements, and it is also appropriate for vegetarians.
With 15 servings per 500g packet, it is round £1.50 per scoop.
Nutritional data based mostly on the unflavoured model.
Available from:
Free Soul vegan protein mix chocolate flavour
Available from Free Soul (£24.99)
Best protein powder for ladies
Star score: 4.5/5
- Grams of protein per serving: 20g per 30g serving
- Calories per serving: 101 kcals
- Type of protein: pea, hemp
- Fat per serving: 2.2g
- Carbohydrates per serving: 3.8g
If you’re vegan and after a one-stop store for protein, key nutritional vitamins and minerals, you may wish to give this powder a whirl. With a malty, nutty flavour, it was very palatable and never too candy, regardless of utilizing steviol glycosides within the elements.
This whizzed as much as create a easy, satisfying shake that might be drinkable sufficient on it is personal or added to a smoothie.
There’s an array of added vitamins which have been formulated with the dietary wants of girls in thoughts. These embrace iron, calcium, magnesium, biotin (B7), thiamine (B1), vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and pantothenic acid (B5).
It’s price taking a cautious take a look at the packet earlier than you buy, and keep in mind whether or not you already take any dietary dietary supplements or have any particular dietary wants.
A 600g packet comprises roughly 20 servings, coming in at £1.25 per serving.
More Protein Iced Matcha Latte
Available from More (£35.99)
Best matcha protein
Star score: 4/5
- Grams of protein per serving: 18 per 25g serving
- Calories per serving: 159 kcals
- Type of protein: whey protein isolate, casein protein
- Fat per serving: 4.2g
- Carbohydrates per serving: 10g
A refreshing tackle post-workout drinks, the More Protein Iced Matcha Latte affords a candy, syrupy flavour harking back to a matcha latte with a daring twist. Made with actual matcha, a mix of whey and casein proteins and glucomannane for a satisfyingly thick texture, it delivers a wealthy style with far much less sugar than typical ready-made choices. The sweetness is pronounced, so including a splash of milk helps create a creamier, extra balanced drink. Ideal for these looking for a fast caffeine enhance and a full-flavoured deal with, it stands out as an satisfying, handy possibility for matcha followers.
Available from:
Protein Works vanilla crème food regimen whey isolate 90
Available from Protein Works (£19.99)
Best low-calorie protein powder
Star score: 4/5
- Grams of protein per serving: 23g per 25g serving
- Calories per serving: 92 kcals
- Type of protein: whey protein isolate
- Fat per serving: 0g
- Carbohydrates per serving: 0.6g
Protein Works vanilla crème food regimen whey isolate 90 is an efficient possibility when you’re seeking to improve your protein consumption with out boosting your energy and fats.
The vanilla crème flavour is sort of custardy – making this a fantastic possibility for individuals who desire a sweeter protein shake, though it’s made utilizing stevia as a substitute of added sugars. The powder foams up quite a bit after mixing, giving it a velvety, frothy consistency that we loved. Made with 150ml water, it was on the thinner facet – attempt mixing with milk when you want a thicker shake.
A 1kg packet offers round 33 servings, so every scoop prices roughly £1.80.
Available from:
Maxi Nutrition Cyclone Strength banoffee flavour
Available from Maxi Nutrition (£49.99), Amazon (£49.99)
Best protein powder for bulking
Star score 4/5
- Grams of protein per serving: 31 per 60g serving
- Calories per serving: 204 kcals
- Type of protein: Whey protein isolate, whey protein focus, creatine monohydrate
- Fat per serving: 1.2g
- Carbohydrates per serving: 12g
The style of this powder was fairly nostalgic, one taster in contrast it to foam banana sweets, however when you’re into bananas and you want your protein candy, this can be a sensible choice.
This powder stood out from the remaining because it comprises creatine, a substance which sends power to the muscle groups, that means it could be helpful when you’re bulking or working exhausting to realize muscle mass.
Although it does word a powerful 31g of protein per scoop, that is for a whopping 60g serving – virtually twice that of different powders. So, when you do get a variety of protein, you must take a variety of powder to get it. That means the bathtub it is available in is fairly big (possibly a problem for these with a small kitchen) and you will have to drink quite a bit to get it down. However, it’d the fitting selection for anybody seeking to actually ramp up protein. We also needs to word that the portion dimension means this has barely extra energy per serve.
A 1.26kg pack comprises roughly 21 servings, coming in at £2 per serving.
Available from:
Innermost The Strong Protein easy chocolate flavour
Available from Innermost (£29.95)
Highest protein possibility per serving
- Grams of protein per serving: 34g per 40g serving
- Calories per serving: 147 kcals
- Type of protein: whey protein focus, whey isolate and casein
- Fat per serving: 1.1g (0.3g sat fats)
- Carbohydrates per serving: 0.8g (0.8g sugar)
At final – a protein shake that blended tremendous simply within the shaker! This one blended up like a dream right into a easy, extremely sippable shake. We loved the chocolate flavour, which was fairly delicate and never overpowering when it got here to sweetness.
Although it sits at the next value level than a number of the opponents, you do get fairly a dietary bang on your buck with this powder. This mix additionally consists of creatine monohydrate, Montmorency cherries, bilberries and magnesium, with the intention of accelerating muscle mass, lowering irritation and boosting train efficiency.
A 600g packet comprises roughly 15 servings, coming in at round £1.99 per serving.
How to make use of protein powders safely
Supplements akin to protein shakes must be consumed as a part of a wholesome, balanced food regimen, and never used as an alternative to complete meals. Nutritionist Kerry Torrens explains:
“Protein powders are extremely processed and lack the micronutrients and different useful vitamins of complete, pure meals. We ought to all intention to realize our protein from a well-balanced food regimen, however for short-term use or in sure circumstances, protein supplementation could also be thought-about.”
Who could benefit from using a protein supplement?
If you’re regularly getting enough protein from your diet, adding a supplement might not make a noticeable difference to your health.
However, those who are either unable to regularly eat enough protein due to decreased appetite or illness, or who have increased protein needs as a result of high-intensity exercise might benefit from taking a supplement.
Kerry explains: “One example, which is probably not an obvious one, is the elderly. This group often has a greater need for protein, but a lower appetite. Increasing protein intake in a form that is palatable and suits their lowered appetite may be effective in protecting against muscle loss.
“That said, in this group other aspects, such as kidney health and osteoporosis, need to be considered and monitored – it’s worth checking with a GP that protein supplements are safe and suitable for each individual.”
Who shouldn’t take protein supplements?
Children shouldn’t take protein supplements unless directed by a dietitian. The NHS advises that consuming too much protein in the long term is linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, and may worsen existing kidney problems.
Some people find protein powders difficult to digest – it’s best to include them gradually into your diet, and see how you get on.
Although allergens should be stated on the label, anyone with allergies should be cautious about using a new supplement as there is an obvious risk of cross-contamination in factories. Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or being treated for existing medical conditions should consult their GP before starting new supplements.
Is it possible to take too much protein?
Yes. The Department of Health advises adults to avoid consuming more than twice the recommended daily intake of protein (55g for men and 45g for women). Always read the label of any protein supplement carefully, stick to the recommended serving size, and be mindful of other protein sources in your diet. If you’re concerned that you might be consuming too much protein, speak to your GP.
How to choose a protein powder
Choosing a suitable protein powder will depend on your personal requirements and goals. For example, if you’re looking to gain weight or build muscle, you might want to consider a ‘mass gainer’ product that is higher in calories and carbohydrates. Look for a product to fit your dietary requirements and double-check allergen labelling on the packet.
When choosing a protein powder, make sure that you buy from a reputable company, ideally based in the EU, as those that are based outside of Europe may not pass the same safety standards as those within. If you’re in any doubt about the safety of a product, speak to your pharmacist or GP.
What is protein powder made of?
Protein powder is made from various protein sources, with whey protein being the most common. Whey protein is extracted from cow’s milk during the cheese-making process. Whey is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids needed by the body, supporting muscle growth and recovery. Another dairy-based option is casein. This is digested more slowly, meaning it gradually releases protein over time.
For those who prefer plant-based protein, powders can be made from sources such as rice, pea, soy and hemp. These ingredients are often combined to ensure a balanced amino acid profile, as some plant proteins lack certain essential amino acids.
Egg white protein is another good option, particularly for those who are lactose intolerant.
Many protein powders contain additional ingredients such as sweeteners, flavourings, vitamins and digestive enzymes to improve taste and absorption. But unflavoured varieties are available for those after a simpler option.
Is protein powder good for you?
Protein powder is a concentrated source of protein designed to be used as a supplement to a balanced diet, particularly for those with increased protein needs due to exercise or who may be lacking, such as vegans. While these powders can support muscle repair, growth and overall health, they should not be used to replace food sources, such as lean meat, fish, eggs, dairy, seeds, nuts and beans, which provide a more diverse range of essential nutrients.
You should also be aware that protein powders often contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners. This is another reason why it’s better to get your intake from whole foods.
Be aware that excessive protein powder consumption may place strain on the kidneys, particularly in those with pre-existing conditions. If you’re worried, speak to a nutritionist, dietitian or doctor and ensure you stick to the recommended intake levels.
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