Best-Tasting Protein Powders Of 2024, According To Fitness Editors

Level up your shakes.

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If you’re in a pinch and struggling to hit your protein goals, protein powder is a great way to sneak some in. You can add a scoop here or there in shakes, baked goods, or even your morning coffee. There’s only one problem: not all protein powders taste good. Some leave an aftertaste while others are downright chalky.

The best-tasting protein powders blend well and compliment the drink or dish you’re adding them to. Most importantly, of course, they supplement the protein you need without any of the additives you don’t.

Just remember, while protein powder is convenient, you’re going to want to get the majority of this macronutrient from your food. (WH has you covered with our High-Protein Meal Prep Manual.) “Protein powder is a convenience, really,” says Amy Stephens, RDN, a sports nutritionist in New York City. “You're always better off with natural foods."

Meet the experts: Amy Stephens, RDN, is a dietician and sports nutritionist in New York City. Dana White, RD, is a dietician, recipe developer, and nutrition expert for FoodNetwork.com. Keri Glassman, RDN, is a dietician, founder of Nutritious Life, and WH Advisory Board member.

But, if you’re having trouble eating enough protein, you’re tight on time and can’t whip up some protein pancakes, or need some help getting a steady supply of protein throughout the day (which you want to help stabilize your blood sugar levels, BTW, says Keri Glassman, RDN, a nutritionist and WH advisory board member), a protein powder will come in handy. Whether you’re looking for an exotic flavor like cinnamon roll, an unflavored option that goes completely unnoticed, or the best-tasting chocolate protein powder, these are WH editors’ go-tos when they need a tasty way to get a protein boost.

While taste is the most important consideration for this round-up, there are a few things you’ll want to look out for in every protein powder. First, a good protein powder usually contains about 20 grams of protein per serving, says Stephens. Next, you’ll want to check that it has been third-party tested so you can be sure that it’s safe, adds Dana White, RD, a nutrition expert and dietician.

Finally, you’ll also want to check out cost per serving. Something wallet-friendly usually falls below $2 per scoop. (Note: Most of the powders on our list are below $2 per serving. Prices per servings were calculated based on the smallest quantity and one-time purchase cost, assuming you’d want to start with a smaller container to try.)

When it comes to protein powders, you have one major decision to make: animal-based or plant-based? Whey, a protein derived from milk, is the most common animal-based powder. There’s also casein, which is also a milk-derived protein, or collagen, which is derived from bones. Collagen powders can’t always pack as much protein into a serving, but they’re a good animal-based option for people who have a tough time digesting whey and other milk-based powders. Animal protein is best for absorption compared to a plant protein, says Stephens. It has also been found to be better at stimulating muscle growth, according to a 2021 systematic review in Nutrients. Plus, animal protein already includes branded chain amino acids (BCAAs)—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—that are essential for protein synthesis.

But, if you’re a vegan or want to avoid milk, you still have plenty of good options. Pea protein is Glassman’s rec because it’s especially good for people who might be sensitive to other protein powders like soy, she says. You also might want to consider a blend when it comes to plant protein powders. This way the powder will have a fuller amino acid profile like you’d get with animal powders, says White.

You’ll also want to check a powder’s label for additives—both good and bad. Some protein powders include things like digestive enzymes, which might be a bonus you’re looking for because they can help improve nutrition and reduce gas and bloating for some, says Glassman. Meanwhile, you’ll want to scan the ingredients list for added or synthetic sugars like sucralose or aspartame, gums, or fractionated palm kernel oils, which you’ll want to avoid because they can cause digestive issues and are linked to increased LDLs and inflammation, she says.

WH fitness and food editors and our trusted nutritionist sources shared their favorite-tasting protein powders. We reviewed all recommendations across their ingredients list, third-party testing promises, and, of course, their flavors.

Promix’s whey protein powder was recommended by three separate editors, earning it our top spot. It comes in different flavors, including chocolate peanut butter and madagascar vanilla, which is Fitness editor Talene Appleton’s favorite.

“The flavor tastes like real vanilla bean, the consistency is effortlessly smooth, and it contains 100% grass-fed whey, which generally contains more omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals compared to conventional whey,” she says. Add to your morning coffee or a smoothie for a protein-boost, Appleton recommends.

At 25 grams of protein, 5.9 grams of BCAAs, and only $1.42 per serving, Promix’s powder is cost-effective and delivers the protein you need minus the gums or fillers that might cause digestion issues others might have. Plus, it’s third party lab-tested, meaning an independent, accredited agency checked it for safety and quality. There’s also an unflavored option, which was a “game changer” for editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert because it’s the first powder she tried that doesn’t affect how her smoothies or oatmeal tastes.

Sunwarrior is a plant-based protein option made of a blend of pea, hemp, and goji berry that is USDA-certified organic. Hemp is high in protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids, according to Glassman. And, goji berries are loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C and zeaxanthin which are anti-inflammatory and support immune health.

Sunwarrior comes in a bunch of flavors including mocha, chocolate, berry, vanilla, maple french toast, and unflavored. You’ll find anywhere from 15 to 19 grams of protein per scoop, depending on the flavor. It’s vegan, soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, keto-friendly, third-party lab-tested, and costs just $1.67 per serving.

“Sunwarrior has been my go-to for a few years now,” says WH contributor Caitlin Carlson. “I like the chocolate and mocha flavors and sometimes blend them together.” She recommends making a protein chia pudding overnight oats hybrid, or just drinking straight with water—which is how you know it actually tastes good.

My roommate put me on to the creamy chocolate fudge Orgain organic plant-based protein powder, and it tastes like if the Nesquik chocolate milk powder was good for you. They also have vanilla, cookies and cream, iced coffee, and peppermint hot cocoa flavors.

Even just mixed with water, this budget friendly option tastes delicious for $1.29 per serving. It’s vegan, has 21 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber per scoop, but doesn’t have added sugars. It’s also USDA certified organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

Sometimes, the best tasting protein powders are ones that don’t taste like anything at all, says Stephens. Naked’s grass-fed whey and pea protein powders both dissolve out into any liquid with almost no sign of the supplement. “They can go into anything,” she says, but she usually tells her clients to mix them into a smoothie or oatmeal.

Each serving of the whey powder contains 25 grams of protein (and the pea protein boasts 27 grams) and is gluten-free, free of artificial sweeteners and additives, and has 5.9 grams of BCAAs. It’s also monitored by Informed Choice Trusted by Sport—a program that certifies that a supplement has been tested for banned substances—so that athletes can feel comfortable about what they’re putting in their bodies. (For non-competing athletes, this means that things like stimulants, caffeine content, diuretics, and growth factors are excluded from the product.) Naked’s whey option costs $1.80 per serving.

Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard 100% Whey has 24 grams of protein and 5.5 grams of BCAAs per serving for just $1.50 per scoop. This is a good option for people who want their protein shakes to taste like a sweet treat. There are 15 fun flavor options including cookies and cream, strawberry, and cinnamon roll, but WH designer Briana Rengifo recommends chocolate peanut butter.

Also: this protein powder blends out easily and has a thinner texture, she says. It’s gluten-free and tested for banned substances, so competing athletes can consume it without worries.

Protein powders are good for more than just smoothies and shakes. You can also add them to baked goods to create a protein-packed cookie or protein ball. All 12 of PEScience’s Select protein powders are already named after desserts (like cake pop and pumpkin pie), and they can be easily added to a recipe, says Rengifo, whose favorite flavor is frosted chocolate cupcake. She adds the powder to muffins, cookies, and even her morning coffee.

Select protein is made of a whey and casein blend and has 24 grams of protein per serving, costing $1.48 per scoop. Though it’s made from milk proteins, the brand says Select protein is low in lactose, which should help its digestion. And, it’s third party tested and gluten-free.

If you’re looking for a tasty plant-based option, check out Momentous’ 100% Plant Protein powder, which comes in chocolate and vanilla chai. This pea-based powder boasts 20 grams of protein per scoop, coming in at $2.49 per serving. It’s vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and free of artificial sweeteners or flavors.

It’s also Appleton’s go-to at the moment. “As a lactose-sensitive and acne-prone girlie, whey protein powders tend to aggravate my skin, but it's hard to find plant-based options low in artificial sweeteners and stabilizers that also contain all essential amino acids,” she says. For the best taste, you can blend it with almond milk and a banana, with a warm milk to create a protein-packed hot chocolate, or simply with water and ice.

If you want a collagen powder (which has also been found to potentially promote skin and joint health), Glassman recommends Ancient Nutrition’s Multi Collagen Protein powder. It comes in vanilla, chocolate, cold brew, strawberry lemonade, cucumber lime, and unflavored. (And, Glassman uses chocolate and vanilla the most in her smoothies or oatmeal.) Ancient Nutrition delivers 20 grams of collagen at $1.32 a serving. It’s gluten, dairy, soy, and nut free and is enhanced with probiotics and vitamin C.

Looking to get extra collagen in, but not looking for an additional taste? Great Lakes Wellness collagen peptides are the way to go. “They're almost completely flavorless so they don't impart anything funky into your a.m. coffee, oats, or whatever you want to use it for,” says Samantha MacAvoy, WH food editor. They deliver 20g of grass-fed collagen peptides per serving at a price of $1.50. They’re gluten-free, kosher, and keto-friendly.

All of these recs are certifiably tasty on their own, but if you want to make sure your protein powder tastes good, you can mix it into a smoothie or shake, add it to your oatmeal, or even sprinkle some unflavored power into soups, says Glassman.

You can have protein powder at any time, and it could be a useful way to make sure you’re consistently consuming it throughout the day, says Glassman. But, there isn’t an optimal time when it’s better to have—just as long as you’re having it. “Really get your protein powder in when you can or when you need it,” she says. “If you need it in the afternoon because it's easier to have a smoothie between work and the gym, then have it then.”

When it comes to the best protein powders for weight loss, you’re going to want to maximize the grams of protein and minimize added sugars, says Glassman. While eating more protein can support your weight loss goals, protein powder is still a supplement and shouldn’t be used for a meal replacement, though, she adds.

Best Protein Powders | Best Protein Powders For Weight Loss | Best Vegan Protein Powders

Olivia Luppino is an editorial assistant at Women’s Health where she covers health and fitness. She previously wrote for The Cut, POPSUGAR, and Salon and has written about everything from New York Fashion Week to dating app trends to the United States Women’s National Soccer team (a.k.a. her heroes). When she isn’t writing, Olivia is likely catching up on Bravo shows or running late to barre class.

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