How it tastes: Our testers tried the vanilla flavor of this powder and thought it had a subtle flavor without being overpowering. It has a light enough taste to make for a creamy sweet snack when mixed with milk.
Just so you know: Like all whey powders, this option from Wellah has a complete profile with all the essential amino acids. But since it’s sourced from cow milk, it’s not a great choice for folks who are sensitive to dairy.
Protein type: Animal-based | Key ingredients: Whey protein | Protein per serving: 20 grams | Flavors: Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, vanilla, coconut
Pros
- Complete protein profile
- Free of chemicals, harsh ingredients, and artificial sweeteners
- Pea protein comes from non-GMO plants
Cons
- Only one flavor available
- Comes in a Velcro bag that’s hard to close, according to our testers
Why we picked it After our testers tried Ritual’s plant-based protein powder, they totally understood the internet hype for the brand. They say the thick, smooth texture makes it easy to mix together a tasty shake, and they love the easy-to-read ingredient list that tells customers exactly what’s in the powder and how it was sourced.
What it’s made of: Ritual’s Essential Protein Daily Shake is made with pea protein, MCT oil, an antioxidant vitamin E preservative, and all-natural flavors and sweeteners, like salt and stevia. Its ingredients are Clean Label Project certified, meaning it’s free of heavy metals, chemicals, and other harmful additives.
How it tastes: The shake comes in a single flavor (vanilla) that our tester described as “quite earthy.” She also raved about how easily this shake blended with both milk and water— “Its mixability is next level,” she says.
Protein type: Plant-based | Key ingredients: Pea protein | Protein per serving: 20 grams | Flavors: Vanilla
Pros
- Third-party tested for harmful chemicals
- Complete protein profile
- Comes in 12 different flavors
Cons
- Contains stevia, a sugar substitute
What it’s made of: Our pick for best vanilla protein powder, Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein, is made with 28 grams of protein (which is at the higher end of the 20 to 30 gram daily supplement recommendation), and comes in a wide range of flavors—like blueberry pancakes, mint chocolate chip, and French vanilla. Each flavor of the protein powder has slightly different ingredients, but our favorite, the French vanilla, includes whey protein, natural flavors, stevia, and sodium chloride (a.k.a salt).
How it tastes: Our tester who tried the French vanilla flavor notes that it was “very sweet, easily dissolvable, and smooth.” She recommends mixing the powder with milk instead of water to cut some of the sweetness and make the drink creamier.
Why we picked it: We’re fans of Transparent Labs’ no-BS approach to ingredients and labeling. The brand includes the amounts of all ingredients (including inactive ones) right on the packaging, and has all products tested by a third-party lab to ensure you aren’t mixing harmful extras like lead or arsenic into your smoothie.
Protein type: Animal-based | Key ingredients: Whey protein | Protein per serving: 28 grams | Flavors: French vanilla, chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, dark chocolate, strawberry milkshake, cinnamon french toast, mocha, vanilla peanut butter, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, chocolate chip banana bread, mint chocolate chip, blueberry pancakes
Pros
- Complete protein profile
- Lots of flavor options
- Minimal ingredients
Cons
- Some reviewers don’t love the taste
- Doesn’t mix with water as well as with milk
Why we picked it: Both LeVeque and nutrition expert Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN, name whey protein as their overall favorite powder type (for people who eat dairy, at least, given that it’s derived from milk), and athletes looking to build muscle mass will benefit from the complete protein’s performance-increasing, recovery-boosting benefits. This formula from Jacked Factory is made with very few added ingredients (just flavoring, rock salt, and sucralose and stevia for sweetening) and packs 25 grams of protein per serving.
How it tastes: The brand’s flavors would fit right in on a bakery’s menu—Blueberry Muffin, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip, Cinnamon French Toast, to name a few— and our testers say they’re sweet as they sound, particularly when mixed with water. But if you don’t have Buddy the Elf’s palate, know you can still enjoy this powder; reviewers say that stirring the mix with milk helps tone down the cloying taste and makes for a smoother drink texture.
Protein type: Animal-based | Key ingredients: Whey protein | Protein per serving: 25 grams | Flavors: Chocolate peanut butter, milk chocolate, cookies & cream, blueberry muffin, cinnamon french toast, unflavored, vanilla oatmeal cookie, vanilla, peanut butter
Pros
- Complete protein profile
- Third-party tested
Cons
- Limited flavor options
- Testers say it can be clumpy after mixing
Why we picked it: Protein powders don’t get any more straightforward than a one-ingredient, unflavored product, like the Nutricost Organic Whey Protein powder, which is USDA-certified organic (so, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives to see here). It’s made with a blend of whey protein and sunflower lecithin (a stabilizer)—that’s it.
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