If you’ve made a fitness resolution for the New Year, then increasing your protein intake could be a huge help. No longer reserved for hardcore bodybuilders, the various benefits of protein make it hugely popular with all fitness lovers.
Protein is one of the three major macronutrients that make up your diet, with the other two being fat and carbohydrates. It is needed for building muscles, as well as repairing cells and creating new ones. If you’re a gym goer, then it’s extremely essential, so your muscles can recover and grow.
The best protein powders on the market include high quality ingredients and contain minimal amounts of added sugars and artificial ingredients. However, the hundreds of powders available on the market can make it hard to choose the right one.
Which is why we’ve complied a helpful guide to the best protein powders for all budgets, uses and diets. See our top picks below.
There’s plenty to love about this whey protein mix from bulk other than its cheap price.
Easy to mix, loaded with 22g protein, 5g of essential BCAA’s and available in 20 flavours, it’s the perfect all-round protein powder whether you’re a fitness fanatic, looking to add more protein into your diet – or a top-level athlete like Anthony Joshua.
If bulk is good enough for a gold medal winner and heavyweight boxing champ, we’re not going to complain.
MyProtein, who count former World’s Strongest Man and Deadlift Record Holder, Eddie Hall, among their ambassadors, is the largest sports nutrition retailer in Europe.
They produce everything in-house, which means they’re able to offer some of the lowest prices on the market without compromising on quality.
As if that wasn’t enough, they frequently have sales and offers on the go and are very generous with the amount of discount codes on offer – you frequently able get up to 40% off RRP.
Their flagship product, Impact Whey Protein Powder, is available in more than 70 flavours and is packed with 21g of protein per serving.
Having been around for more than 35 years, it’s safe to say that Optimum Nutrition know a thing or two about sports nutrition.
Their Gold Standard range is widely regarded as one of the best on the market.
Focusing on quality, every ingredient require a Certificate of Analysis and undergoes rigorous testing beforehand – they’ll even send you a copy of this certificate with your dispatch email.
But this quality does come at a price; it’s more expensive than a lot of protein powders on the market and has a limited range of flavours, with just five to choose from.
The old adage that you get what you pay for holds just as true for whey protein.
If you’re not fussed about flavours and care about what you’re putting into your body, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better whey protein powder.
Read more:
What is protein powder?
Protein is required in your diet to support your overall health and aid with fat loss and muscle gain. It also plays a role in transporting molecules throughout the body, helping repair cells and making new ones and protecting the body from viruses and bacteria.
Protein powder itself is a concentrated source of protein derived from either animals (dairy, eggs) or plants such as soy, peas and rice.
Types of Protein Powder
There are several different types of protein powder, each with their own unique benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of the most popular:
Whey Protein Powder
Whey protein powder gets its name from the watery solution that separates from milk during the cheese making process. This by-product, known as whey, is then separated, filtered and processed into powder to be using in protein shakes and cooking.
Some advantages include:
- Promotes muscle growth
- Helps maintain muscle mass
- Higher protein concentration than other options
However, not all why protein is created equal. There are three types to choose from:
Whey protein concentrate (WPC)
The most common and popular type of whey protein, containing around 80% protein and a small amount of carbohydrates and fat. ‘Concentrated’ refers to the fact that the majority of non-protein parts are removed during the filtration process. Think of WPC as the all-rounder of the whey protein world – cheap, widely available and meant for everyday use.
Whey protein isolate (WPI)
WPI contains slightly more protein (90%) and less carbs and fat than WPC as it goes through an additional step in the filtration process. While technically ‘purer’ than whey concentrate, it’s also more expensive, so you really have to ‘whey up’ the price vs benefits.
Whey protein hydrolysate (WPH)
Now we’re at the business end of the whey spectrum. An ultra-pure form of whey, hydrolysed whey protein is for the seriously committed. While containing similar levels of protein as whey protein isolate, it has one major advantage – faster absorption. If you need a quick protein hit, opt for WPH.
Casein Protein Powder
Like whey protein, casein protein is also derived from milk and is a by-product of the cheesemaking process. However, whereas whey protein is the watery liquid substance that separates from the milk, casein protein is found in the curds of coagulated milk left behind.
These curds are then washed, dried and processed into what we know as casein protein powder.
So, what’s the difference? Is one better than the other? Well, that depends.
The main difference lies in the absorption rate; casein protein is digested, and therefore absorbed into your body, at a much slower rate than whey protein.
While whey protein is better for a post-workout protein hit, don’t rule out casein protein just yet – our muscles need a constant stream of amino acids to aid growth and repair for up to 24 hours after a workout.
Consuming casein protein before bed is a great way to ensure your muscles get enough fuel to grow and repair themselves during that time.
Plant-Based Powders
Plant-derived protein powders made from pea, soy, hemp and rice protein have surged in popularity in recent years.
Not only are they comparatively high in protein to dairy-based alternatives, they are a great option for vegans, vegetarians and those with food sensitivities.
If you suffer from bloating or are lactose intolerant, plant proteins are easy to digest and absorbed quickly by the body.
However, while animal proteins are considered complete proteins, plant proteins are not.
The majority of plant proteins are low in certain essential amino acids and very few contain all nine. Soy protein is one of the only plant proteins that contain all essential amino acids.
Our bodies are unable to manufacture amino acids, so it’s important to get them from what we eat. If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, consuming plant protein powder in conjunction with a healthy, well-balanced diet is a great way of getting in all nine of those essential amino acids.
The taste of these natural protein powders is a matter of personal choice. While some people prefer the natural, earthy taste of plant protein, others dislike it. As they say, however, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
How much protein do I need each day?
The British Nutrition Foundation recommends 0.75g of protein per kilogram of bodyweight per day for adults in the UK. However, if your aim is to build muscle, then this figure will be higher.
The amount of protein you need also depends on your activity level. For example, athletes and those with active lifestyles are more likely to need higher levels of protein in their diet.
How do you use protein powder?
The simplest way to use protein powder is to make a protein shake by combining 1-2 scoops of protein powder with either milk or water.
However, low-quality flavoured powders tend to have a lingering ‘chemical’ taste that isn’t for everyone, so you can also mix it into your favourite smoothie recipe for a much more ‘natural’ flavour.
Your options aren’t limited to liquid-based uses, either. There are plenty of recipes you can use protein powder in, from breakfast pancakes to pizzas and your favourite desserts.
Where can I buy protein powder from?
What are the best protein powders?
1. bulk™ Pure Whey Protein
Best value protein powder
There’s plenty to love about this whey protein mix from bulk other than its cheap price.
Easy to mix, loaded with 22g protein, 5g of essential BCAA’s and available in 20 flavours, it’s the perfect all-round protein powder whether you’re a fitness fanatic, looking to add more protein into your diet – or a top-level athlete like Anthony Joshua.
If bulk is good enough for a gold medal winner and heavyweight boxing champ, we’re not going to complain.
As if you needed more convincing, bulk also frequently offer discount codes where you can enjoy up to 25% off orders or £10 off your first order – that’s a knockout deal.
2. MyProtein Impact Whey Protein
Best cheap protein powder
MyProtein, who count former World’s Strongest Man and Deadlift Record Holder, Eddie Hall, among their ambassadors, is the largest sports nutrition retailer in Europe.
They produce everything in-house, which means they’re able to offer some of the lowest prices on the market without compromising on quality.
As if that wasn’t enough, they frequently have sales and offers on the go and are very generous with the amount of discount codes on offer – you frequently able get up to 40% off RRP.
Their flagship product, Impact Whey Protein Powder, is available in more than 70 flavours and is packed with 21g of protein per serving.
Buy now from MyProtein (£12.99)
3. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard
Best whey protein powder
Having been around for more than 35 years, it’s safe to say that Optimum Nutrition know a thing or two about sports nutrition.
Their Gold Standard range is widely regarded as one of the best on the market.
Focusing on quality, every ingredient require a Certificate of Analysis and undergoes rigorous testing beforehand – they’ll even send you a copy of this certificate with your dispatch email.
But this quality does come at a price; it’s more expensive than a lot of protein powders on the market and has a limited range of flavours, with just five to choose from.
The old adage that you get what you pay for holds just as true for whey protein.
If you’re not fussed about flavours and care about what you’re putting into your body, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better whey protein powder.
4. Dymatize ISO 100
Best whey protein isolate
This multi-award-winning isolate is whey protein royalty, having been awarded ‘Isolate Protein of The Year’ by bodybuilding.com for 5 straight years between 2013 and 2017.
Packed with a whopping 25g of protein and 5.7g of BCAA’s per serving, Its super-premium blend of hydrolysed whey protein isolate and whey protein isolate is pure muscle-building fuel.
It’s free from sugar and fat and contains just 116 kcal per serving. It’s also free from gluten, which is perfect for those with food sensitivities.
Despite the steep price tag, it’s worth every penny if you’re serious about building lean muscle.
5. SIS Whey Protein
Best protein powder for lean muscle
Another premium brand, Science in Sport are more than your typical run-of-the-mill sports nutrition company.
Not only are they the official partners of world-class cycling teams such as Team INEOS, Legion of LA and the German Cycling Federation, they also work with the England Women’s Football Team and USA Triathlon.
Little wonder, then, that their protein powders are some of the best on the market.
Containing 22g of protein and 5g of branch chain amino acids per serving, this low carb, low sugar protein powder has everything you need to support lean muscle growth.
Buy now from Science in Sport (£30)
6. BSN Syntha-6 Edge Protein Powder
Best tasting protein powder
Protein shakes get a bad rap when it comes to their taste and texture profiles, unfairly so. While it’s true that cheap powders mix and go down like gravel mix, not all protein shakes are created equal.
Syntha-6 bucks this trend and almost single-handedly salvages the reputation of protein shakes everywhere with its milkshake-smooth texture and a stable of conventional, if unspectacular, flavours.
All this in a protein shake that delivers 24g of protein per serving in a unique blend that contains hydrolysed whey protein isolate and concentrate. Bottoms up.
7. PhD Nutrition Diet Whey
Best protein powder for weight loss
PhD, a sub-division of Science in Sport, is another premium protein brand with a reputation for high-quality products based on nutritional science.
Its low-calorie, high protein diet whey combines 17g of protein per serving with natural fat-burning ingredients such as l-carnitine, CLA and green tea extract.
With less than 3g carbs and 100 calories per serving, it’s the ultimate muscle-building, fat-burning whey protein powder.
Buy now from Holland and Barrett (£45)
8. SCI-MX Nutrition Pro V-Gain
Best vegan protein powder
Pro V-Gain from SCI-MX is a unique blend of non-GMO plant proteins including soy bean isolate, rice protein and pea protein.
Made of 100% plant proteins, it’s also formulated with B6 and B12 to help reduce fatigue and tiredness, as well as a plethora of other essential vitamins and minerals that promote muscle repair and growth.
If you’re a vegan, then you’ll be familiar with the struggle for getting in all of those essential BCAA’s from plant-based proteins.
This vegan protein powder has you covered, containing high levels of BCAA’s and available in three delicious flavours.
9. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein
Best casein protein powder
So good that we had to include them twice. Optimum Nutrition lead the way again with their casein protein from the much-vaunted ‘Gold Standard’ line.
Using only premium micellar casein, this casein protein powder delivers 24g of protein and nearly 5g of essential BCAA’s per serving and is perfect for use between meals or before bed.
10. Applied Nutrition Critical Mass Professional Protein Powder
Best protein powder for weight gain
Whether you’re looking to put on a few pounds or gain some serious mass, look no further than Applied Nutrition’s Critical Mass protein powder.
During any bulking phase, it can be tempting to buy a bucket load of the cheapest mass gainer you can find. However, it’s important to consider what you’re putting into your body and the quality of those ingredients.
While cheap mass gainers will help you gain mass, they won’t help you can the right type of mass. More often than not, cheap protein powders will be loaded with carbs, fat and artificial food colourings.
Enter Critical Mass, which contains all the necessary ingredients for bulking including HMB, glutamine, leucine, and creatine.
11. Pulsin Unflavoured Pea Protein
Best pea protein powder
You may recognise Pulsin from their award-winning range of award-winning keto bars found on the shelves of your favourite supermarket.
Their pea protein powder is also a winner, with 8.0g of protein and a healthy does of essential BCAA’s in each 10g serving.
Incredibly versatile, this neural-flavoured powder is also heat stable, which means you can also use it in your favourite hot dishes.
12. Form Performance Protein
Best vegetarian protein powder
A protein shake that dispels all myths of bad-tasting, powdery supplements you have to swallow down while holding your nose, Form is very different to the rest of the proteins on the shelves.
A vanilla flavoured hemp, pea and algae protein in calming packaging that tastes like something you’d usually eat for dessert, this is an undeniable winner on all accounts.
Plus, it also contains curcumin – which features the same health benefits as everyone’s latest favourite health kick turmeric.
Nutritional information per 100g: 50g protein, 9.3g carbs, 381 calories
Buy now from Planet Organic (£20.80)
13. MyProtein Soy Protein Isolate
Best soy protein powder
Delivers an impressive 27g of protein per serving with a 90% protein content, this pea protein powder from Myprotein is a great option for those on a plant-based diet or just looking to increase their protein intake.
It’s formulated to go down a treat and works particularly well in shakes. You can also choose from a variety of snazzy flavours, from unflavoured to iced latte and salted caramel. Yummy.
Buy now from MyProtein (£22.99)
14. Applied Nutrition Keto Collagen Powder
Best keto protein powder
Neutral in flavour and perfect for adding to your morning coffee or sprinkling over breakfast, this keto protein powder – made of Hydrolysed Keto Collagen Peptides – is so easy to work into your diet and can be used at any time of day.
Low fat, zero sugar, zero carbs, 10g collagen per serving and free from cholesterol and other unwanted additives – what’s not to like?
Buy now from Holland and Barrett (£25)
