The 8 Best Whey Protein Powders of 2023

A quick look at the best whey protein powders

• Best unsweetened whey protein powders:
  • Naked Whey | Skip to review
  • NOW Sports Unflavored Organic Whey Protein | Skip to review
  • Raw Organic Whey | Skip to review
• Best-tasting protein powders:
  • Garden of Life Sport Grass-Fed Organic Whey Protein | Skip to review
  • Naked Whey Flavored Protein Powder | Skip to review
  • Simply Tera’s Whey Organic Bourbon Vanilla Whey Protein | Skip to review
• Best for weight gain:
  • Naked Mass | Skip to review
• Best whey protein isolate:
  • AGN Roots Grass-Fed Whey | Skip to review

Whey protein is a popular nutritional supplement used for a variety of reasons, including promoting muscle gain and providing a quick source of protein on the go.

There are three main types of whey protein used to make protein powder supplements (1, 2, 3):

• Whey protein concentrate: contains 25–89% protein
• Whey protein isolate: contains more than 90% protein and is lower in carbs, fat, and lactose than whey protein concentrate
• Whey protein hydrolysate: is broken down to accelerate digestion and absorption rates

A multitude of whey protein supplements are available for purchase at grocery and specialty stores, as well as online. However, some whey protein powders are higher in quality than others and are therefore better options.

Plus, some people may choose a supplement based on the type of whey protein it contains.

The 8 whey protein supplements on this list contain minimal ingredients and are tested for quality and purity.

Best unsweetened whey protein powders

Many people prefer to use unsweetened, unflavored protein powders.

Unsweetened powders are not only free of added sugars, which should be limited in any healthy diet, but also suitable for smoothies, shakes, and other foods and beverages, as they don’t alter their taste.

Here are some excellent choices for unsweetened whey protein products.

Best-tasting protein powders

Flavored protein powders are favored by those who either don’t like the taste of unflavored whey or prefer to mix their powder with water or milk.

Here are some of the best-tasting whey protein products.

Best for weight gain 

Some people use whey protein to gain weight and muscle mass. The following whey protein powder product is high in calories and makes a good choice for those trying to pack on muscle mass or body weight in general.

Best whey protein isolate 

Whey protein isolate is lower in fat and carbs and higher in protein than whey protein concentrate.

Remember that whey protein isolate supplements tend to be more expensive than whey protein concentrates.

The product below is a great choice for whey protein isolate powder.

A comparison of the best whey protein powders

How we chose our best whey protein powder supplements

When shopping for the best whey protein powder supplement, it’s important to choose a high quality product from a trusted brand. We considered the following when choosing the best whey protein powders:

• Product quality and testing: Most products on this list have undergone third-party testing to ensure they are free of heavy metals, mycotoxins, and substances banned in professional sports.
• Certifications: Some companies on this list offer certificates of analysis (COAs) — documents that provide details regarding product quality and purity — for their whey protein products.
• Ingredients: We tried to choose protein powder supplements that don’t contain certain ingredients you may want to limit or avoid, such as artificial sweeteners, high amounts of added sugars, and artificial colorings.
• Brand trust: The supplements on this list are made by brands that healthcare professionals trust. They are made with limited ingredients, and most have undergone third-party testing and carry certifications verifying their quality and safety.

Tips for choosing the right supplement for you

When shopping for a whey protein supplement, be sure to purchase products from reputable companies and websites. Wherever possible, opt for products with minimal added sugars and simple ingredients. That way you know exactly what you’re consuming.

As mentioned above, there are some differences among the types of whey offered in supplements. Whey protein concentrate is highest in fat and lactose, while whey protein isolate contains very little fat or lactose and is higher in protein.

Whey protein hydrolysate may be easier to digest for some people, and it may be more rapidly absorbed. However, it’s unclear whether this offers any significant benefit, as the difference in absorption between hydrolyzed and intact whey is minimal (3).

Additionally, whey hydrolysates and isolates are usually more expensive than whey protein concentrates, and hydrolysates may be less palatable and more bitter-tasting than the other types of whey.

Because there’s currently no convincing evidence that a particular kind of whey protein is significantly better than others, finding a high quality whey protein powder that you think tastes good and is fairly priced is your best bet.

However, competitive athletes and those closely monitoring their macronutrient intake may want to pay more attention to the amounts of fat, protein, and carbs in whey products.

Lastly, remember that most people following well-rounded diets get plenty of protein through foods. Yet, if you have difficulty getting enough protein through your diet or are trying to gain weight and build muscle, using whey protein powder can help.

Frequently asked questions

Who should use whey protein powder?

People may use whey protein powder for a variety of reasons.

For example, some people prefer to use whey protein in shakes and smoothies to increase their daily protein intake, while others use whey protein to enhance muscle recovery and promote muscle growth after strenuous workouts.

You can use whey protein in the same way you would any other protein product. It’s delicious in smoothies and protein shakes but can also be added to meals and snacks such as oatmeal, Greek yogurt parfaits, and energy balls.

Is whey protein powder good for weight loss?

Protein is the most filling macronutrient, and adding protein sources to meals and snacks like protein shakes can help you feel full and more satisfied, which could help you consume fewer calories overall (5).

Studies have also shown that whey protein may be effective in promoting fat loss. A 2018 review that included 9 randomized control trials found that supplementation with whey protein helped reduce body weight and total fat mass in people with overweight or obesity (6).

While adding a whey protein supplement — along with other high protein foods — to your diet could help make you feel full and may help you lose body fat, your total dietary intake and activity level matter most when it comes to reaching and maintaining healthy body weight.

For example, if you’re currently overconsuming calories and leading a sedentary lifestyle, adding a whey protein supplement to your diet is unlikely to impact your body weight.

However, adding a protein supplement while also focusing on improving your overall diet quality, reducing your calorie intake, and being more active is a beneficial way to promote healthy weight loss.

The best whey protein powder for weight loss should be lower in calories and free from added sugar, like Raw Organic Whey.

Can you use whey protein powder daily?

Yes, you can use whey protein powder daily, but it doesn’t have to be a regular part of your diet.

Some people like to use whey protein daily in their protein shakes or smoothies, while others use it a couple of times a week as a pre-or post-workout snack.

It’s up to you how you choose to use whey protein powder.

If you’re not sure how to incorporate whey protein into your diet or how much you should be consuming, consider working with a registered dietitian.

They can help answer any questions you have about dietary supplements and can help with goals related to sports performance, weight loss, and more.

Which brand of whey protein is best?

There are a number of excellent whey protein products on the market. All of the whey protein brands on this list are high quality and are trusted by registered dietitians.

The best product for you depends on factors like your taste preferences and what you’re hoping to gain out of using whey protein.

For example, if you’re hoping to gain weight, a weight-gainer supplement like Naked Mass may be the best choice. If you’re hoping to find the best whey protein powder for muscle gain, you may want to consider a product like NOW Sports Unflavored Organic Whey Protein or Raw Organic Whey, which are both high in protein but low in calories.

In general, the best whey protein brands are made with limited ingredients and use third-party labs to test their product for contaminants as well as quality and purity.

It may be especially important for competitive athletes to choose products that carry the Informed Choice Trusted by Sport and the Informed Sport seal, which verify that a product is free of substances banned in professional sports.

Which protein powder is highest quality?

High quality whey proteins, like the products on this list, are made with limited ingredients and are free of artificial sweeteners, fillers, preservatives, and other additives that are frequently used in protein powder products.

AGN Roots Grass-Fed Whey and Raw Organic Whey are among the most affordable and high quality products on this list. Both of these products are:

• certified organic
• third-party tested
• made with whey from cows raised on pasture

Does whey protein reduce LDL cholesterol?

Some research shows that using whey protein could help reduce blood lipid levels — including LDL (bad) cholesterol — in certain populations.

A 2020 review that included 22 studies found that supplementing with whey protein significantly reduced LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol and triglycerides in people with metabolic syndrome (7).

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms — including elevated blood sugar and blood lipid levels—that raise your risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes (7).

Researchers think that whey protein may help reduce LDL cholesterol and other blood lipids by decreasing fat absorption in the digestive tract and stimulating enzymes involved in the metabolism of fats (7).

Even though these results are encouraging, more research is needed to understand how supplementing with whey protein may benefit people with high LDL cholesterol levels.

If you’re trying to reduce your LDL cholesterol, consider using whey protein in nutritious, low sugar protein shakes and incorporating them into a high fiber diet rich in plant foods like vegetables, fruits, beans, and nuts.

Research shows that high fiber plant-based diets are particularly effective in reducing LDL cholesterol and supporting heart health in general (8, 9).

The bottom line

There are many whey protein powder products on the market, and choosing the right one for you can be challenging.

Opting for a whey protein powder from this list can help ensure that you’re buying a high quality, safe product that can help you meet your protein needs and health goals.