Best Whey Protein Powders 2022
Going to the gym and completing your reps is only half the battle if you want to build muscle. The other half of the battle involves eating the right diet and providing your body with the necessary elements to repair muscle damage and stimulate the biceps. To do this, we decided to find the best whey protein powders and show them to you in the guide below. Each of these protein powders is great for building muscle, but some of them are exceptional for a particular purpose.
7 Best Whey Protein Powders To Buy in 2022
1. Best Overall Protein Powder: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard
PROS
- Has many premium ingredients
- It comes in various sizes and flavors
- It mixes very well
- All the ingredients are of quality
- Includes natural amino acids
CONS
- Not the best for weight loss
Why should you buy this? ON’s Gold Standard Protein comes in several different flavors ranging from Double Chocolate to French Vanilla Cream and has everything you need in a protein supplement. It is an ideal choice for most fitness enthusiasts.
Why we chose ON’s, Gold Standard:
Lots of Carbs and Sugars – Some protein powders don’t have many key elements to maximize your gains and recovery period. This protein powder has a lot of carbohydrates and sugars along with 1.5 g of fat. This ensures that you feel good before or after your workout, depending on when you decide to take the supplements.
Instant – Too many protein powders are clumpy when you try to mix them into your drink. This protein powder has been specifically developed to avoid this defect and easily mix it into milk, water, or any other drink you want to combine it with.
Bottom Line – With four sizes to choose from and all ingredients made from top-tier sources, this protein powder is an excellent choice if you want something versatile that is appropriate for weight gain and muscle building alike.
2. Best Cheap Protein Powder: BSN Syntha-6 Whey
PROS
- Very affordable for most
- Very good for recovery
- Includes a high amount of protein and sugar
- Multiple sizes available
CONS
- Taste could be better overall
Why should you buy this? Syntha-6 from BSN is an affordable option that will work for anyone looking to build muscle or gain weight in general. It’s packed with sugar and a whopping 22g of whey protein isolate and other natural sources.
Why We Picked BSN Syntha-6 Whey:
Works Anytime – Unlike some specialized pre-workout or post-workout proteins, this one works no matter when you decide to take it. As such, it is perfect for those with unorthodox schedules or those who exercise and need something they can drink both before and after their workouts.
Recovery Support – The formula is supplemented with specific amino acids and other proteins that reduce your recovery time. Therefore, it is an ideal choice if you do not like your muscles to be too sore after completing an intense workout and you want your protein powder to help you with this aspect.
Bottom Line – All in all, this protein powder is affordable and just as effective as the more expensive options on the market. As a result, even the budget-conscious should be able to make the profit they want without spending a lot of money.
3. Best Vegan Protein Powder: PlantFusion Complete
PROS
- Made with non-genetically modified ingredients
- Easy to digest
- Contains many proteins and superfoods
- Good taste overall
CONS
- Does not include as much as other proteins
- Recovery benefits are not that great
Why should you buy this? PlantFusion Complete Pea Protein Powder is a vegan alternative to traditional protein supplements. All ingredients are made with non-GMO elements, making it perfect for animal and organic fitness enthusiasts.
Why we chose the Complete PlantFusion:
Main Ingredients – Too many protein powder supplements are made with low-quality ingredients that affect product quality in the long run. This protein powder, despite being vegan, does a fantastic job of increasing your gains and includes 21g of plant-based protein from peas and other vegetables. It’s packed with other superfoods that are handpicked to give you the maximum benefit.
Easy to Digest – Many protein powders weigh heavily on the stomach, making them an unappealing prospect after an intense workout. This protein powder is exceptionally easy to digest as the formula has been fortified with digestive enzymes and is completely dairy-free.
Bottom Line – Overall, we think this protein powder is one of the best options on the market, even if you’re not vegan, thanks to the quality of its ingredients and its tasty flavor, which is surprisingly good given its plant-based factors.
4. Best Tasting Protein Powder: Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass
PROS
- Lots of protein
- Good taste
- Digest well
- Helps recovery
CONS
- The powder grains are a bit coarse compared to other powders
Why should you buy this? Serious Mass protein from Optimum Nutrition is one of the best options on the market if you want to build muscle and gain weight like nobody else. It contains a whopping 1,250 calories per two tablespoons and over 50g of protein per serving.
Why We Picked ON Serious Mass Protein:
Excellent Vitamins – In addition to the protein benefits already mentioned, this protein powder also contains more than 25 vitamins and minerals that you need to build muscle and stay healthy in general. As such, it’s not only one of the best protein powders for building muscle, it’s one of the best post-workout supplements, hands down.
Great Taste – Finding a protein powder that tastes good is often a challenge, but it comes in a delicious chocolate format by default. Or you can select from several other top flavors ranging from banana to strawberry to vanilla. Whichever you choose, you will find that the protein powder mixes well with milk or water and is exceptionally easy to swallow.
Bottom Line – This protein powder is a great choice overall, but an even better option if you want to add muscle as quickly as possible or recover from the fatigue of a painful workout more often than you currently do.
5. Best Protein Powder for Women: USN Supplements Bluelab Whey
PROS
- Very easy to digest
- Has high conversion amino acids
- Supports muscle growth and recovery
- Great taste
CONS
- A bit pricey given the size
Why should you buy this? This selection of whey protein is a great choice for women because of the ingredient list and the great taste. It provides optimal muscle support and recovery and is a versatile post-workout supplement that is ideal for both cardiovascular workouts and muscle strengthening exercises.
Why we chose USN’s Bluelab:
Good for muscle growth – Women already struggle to build muscle to the same degree as men, so they need a great protein powder that can help them gain weight. Each serving of this protein contains 25g of protein and several other higher amino acids that can help women add muscle and recover faster. It even promotes optimal nitrogen retention and the conversion of new amino acids.
Easy to digest – Also, this is another of the best options due to its easy digestion. It uses a combination of world-class ingredients and a smart blend of concentrates to make it easy to swallow and digest. Many women will appreciate this look, especially since it is quite a tempting taste: cookies and cream as opposed to regular dark chocolate like most other protein powders.
Bottom Line – All in all, most protein powders will work for women as well as men. But this is an especially good choice thanks to its high convertibility of protein and other elements.
6. Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss: PlantFusion Complete Lean
PROS
- Very good to reduce appetite
- Easy to digest
- Can help break down sugars and carbohydrates
- Works well for vegans
CONS
- Somewhat expensive for only 800 grams
- Not the best for muscle recovery
Why should you buy this? Some protein powders are made to build muscle, but others, like this variety, are also great for losing weight. It is a naturally flavored protein powder that features a unique protein called EcoLean. Combined with the rest of the formula, it can help reduce appetite and lose weight.
Why we chose PlantFusion Complete Lean:
EcoLean – This unique protein is derived from a specific variety of yellow pea of European origin. This gives you the ability to curb your hunger, helping you eat less and still maintain your exercise routine. Although it won’t help you lose weight on its own, it can help you stick to a diet and training regimen and make it much easier to reach your weight loss goals.
Great Ingredients – The rest of the ingredients are equally top-notch. Everything is certified non-GMO and works well as a vegan alternative for both men and women if you don’t want any animal products. It even includes a special blend of prebiotic fiber with banana leaf and chromium to help you break down sugars and carbohydrates. This makes it delicious and easy to digest.
Bottom Line – This protein powder is a great choice for both building muscle and losing weight thanks to its unique ability to stay on your stomach without making you feel heavy or sick after an intense workout.
7. Best Whey Protein Isolate: Optimum Nutrition Performance Whey
PROS
- Tastes relatively good
- Contains many superior amino acids
- No artificial flavors or sugars
- Helps recovery and muscle building
CONS
- Doesn’t do much to curb your appetite
Why should you buy this? Whey Protein comes in several different packages depending on how much you need. But each packet contains 30g of high-quality whey protein, which is the purest form of protein available on the market. Combining this with a great chocolate flavor you have a top-notch option for most.
Why we chose ON Performance Whey:
Good for muscle growth – There are few more effective protein supplements to help build muscle than whey protein. This particular variety contains 13.5g of natural but essential amino acids and 6.5g of other amino acids. Combined, they can help you build muscle and recover from intense workouts if you take it right after finishing your exercise routine.
The taste is not overwhelming – Many whey proteins taste bad or their manufacturers fill them with too much sugar to be worth it. This particular whey isolate has no artificial flavors or sweeteners and only contains a single gram of sugar and fat. This makes it a healthy option and an ideal alternative to regular protein powder, even if you don’t normally like the taste.
Bottom Line – This whey protein is a great option if you want to maximize your muscle gains and help reduce recovery time after your workout. It is also much lighter than other protein powders, both in carbohydrates and sugars, making it ideal if you want to monitor your weight.
Final Verdict
When looking for the best proteins whey or powders, it’s necessary to pay attention to how each protein powder tasted, how it mixed with different liquids like milk or water, and how easily the protein seemed to digest, especially after heavy workouts. Thanks to this, we were able to find out the main protein powders for each of the categories we have. For the women’s choice, we got first-hand testimonials on that protein powder, so we know it will work for them.
This is how we discovered the protein in ON Gold Standard, which should be the perfect choice for the vast majority of athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is whey protein?
Whey protein is a key compound in most protein shakes and supplements. It is a mixture of proteins created from whey, which in turn is a by-product of cheese production. Whey protein is commonly used in protein powders because it is leaner than other types of protein and contains several key amino acids that are quickly absorbed by the body. It’s a super protein that works perfectly for the type of supplement that a protein shake or drink is meant to be.
Whey protein isolate vs. concentrated
Both the whey isolate and the concentrate are made from the main amino acids in whey that we have described above. The biggest differences arise from the way the two compounds are processed or produced.
Whey concentrate is created when batches of liquid whey are collected and combined, increasing the protein content so that it can be mixed with other items to become a powder. Whey protein is dried to concentrate, which is often around 80% protein by weight. The rest is made up of other vitamins or functions or other macromolecules such as fats.
The whey isolate simply changes the concentration of the whey protein so that it is about 90% protein and 10% other elements in the resulting powder. Therefore, whey isolate powder, like ON Performance Whey, is a version of protein powder with more amino acids and more potential for building muscle.
Is Whey Protein Good For You?
Yes! Whey protein is one of the best sources of protein in the natural world, as it allows amino acids to be absorbed quickly and efficiently by the body. Help your muscles repair themselves and get stronger over time.
Whey protein vs. plant protein
In most cases, plant-based proteins are not as nutritionally complete as whey proteins due to their source. Therefore, vegetable protein powders need to have more supplements and protein ingredients to provide the same benefits as traditional protein powders. PlantFusion Complete Pea Protein Powder is a great example of this type of supplement.
This is not to say that plant protein is not good or that vegans cannot enjoy it. It just means that the formulas are a bit more complex and you may need to take in a little more protein powder over time to see the same health benefits as a person who exercises and uses regular protein powder. Also, many plant proteins taste slightly different than regular protein powders.
Is Whey Protein Gluten-Free?
Yes, whey protein is naturally gluten-free. Whey itself cannot interact with gluten, which is primarily a compound found in carbohydrate products such as bread. Therefore, almost all protein powders are naturally free, even if they are not GMO-free or not suitable for vegans. Still, this means that almost everyone can use the protein powder and improve the effectiveness of their workouts, even if they are gluten intolerant.
See More: 5 Tips to Gain Muscle Mass and Lose Fat