Top 10 Best Whey Protein Powder Supplements

What is a complete protein?

A complete protein is a protein that has all 9 essential amino acids (EAAs) needed to build, repair, and maintain any type of protein-based tissue in the body like muscles, skin, and organs.

Foods like animal meat and eggs naturally have the highest amount of complete protein. Plants on the other hand, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, are often incomplete or lacking EAAs.

One common example of complete protein high in EAAs is cattle whey. Whey is the most popular type of protein found in supplements and is a byproduct of cheese production.

Without enough protein, damage may ensue.

We are beings quite literally made of protein. You can’t look anywhere in the body and not find it. It’s in every eye, cell, muscle, organ, hair, skin, and bodily tissue we have. Over time, our protein is worn down and damaged, which means it’s in a constant state of repair or growth. It’s one of the major bodily fuels. Without enough, system function declines and harm can result.

How do you get more protein?

In a perfect scenario, we’d always recommend getting your protein from whole dietary sources. But, you don’t need us to tell you we don’t live in a perfect world- so we’ll just have to improvise.

Whether it’s because of school, work, expense, or a combination thereof, the truth is most of us can’t make full-blown meals all the time. To counter this, we turn to quality supplements. This is because they’re the best way to increase protein intake second to regular dietary whole-foods.

So protein supplements are the answer!

Yes and no. As the second half of their title suggests, they should be used in conjunction with your normal diet. Protein supplements should never be relied on for complete dietary intake. They can, however, be used to bridge the missing nutritional gap in your diet. Plus, unlike most whole foods, they’re easy to make, don’t need to be cooked, taste great and are cost-effective.

The one big issue most people have with protein supplements is finding the right one. To help streamline this process we’ve compiled the top 10 whey protein supplements on the market. But don’t worry, if you’re into something more green and plant-based, we’ve got you covered. Check out these top 10 vegan protein supplements.

Top 10 Whey Protein Powder Supplements of 2018

10. Isopure Zero-Carb Whey Protein Isolate

Formulated by Isopure, Zero-Carb (ZC) is made for those who want a little more with their protein. Every 3lb canister has about 44 servings, each of which provides 25 grams of pure whey protein isolate alongside an extensive blend of supportive vitamins and minerals.

What’s more, Isopure ZC is free of lactose and gluten, but it does have soy-based lecithin. It also has certain artificial ingredients, but this changes depending on which flavor you choose.

While it’s available in 11 different flavors, we personally tested vanilla. We tried it right after mixing it in a blender bottle. It tasted as expected- like vanilla- but not overly sweet. While nice to drink, you should know its taste is largely derived from artificial sweeteners, like sucralose.

Isopure Whey Isolate Highlights: 

• About 44 servings per container
• 25 grams of protein per serving
• Provides 100% whey protein isolate
• Includes added vitamins and minerals
• Sweetened using natural & artificial flavors
• Free of Gluten & Lactose, but contains soy
• Good if you don’t mind soy or synthetic ingredients

9. Dymatize Hydrolyzed Whey ISO-100

ISO 100, by Dymatize, is the ideal protein supplement for those seeking a solid dosage and formula. Weighing in at 3lbs, it has 43 servings of powder at 25 grams of protein per serving. What piques our interest is that ISO-100’s protein is a combination of non-hydrolyzed whey protein isolate and hydrolyzed, which means it’s been partially broken down to absorb better.

What’s more, ISO-100 contains soy lecithin to help improve mixability and both natural and artificial ingredients. We tested the gourmet chocolate flavor, which uses cocoa powder. Interestingly, Dymatize ISO-100 has less than 2 carbs and no added sugars (which is great).

On another note, ISO-100 tastes great and mixes perfectly. As with most artificially sweetened powders, this is to be expected. However, despite it being soy, it is nice to see an emulsifier.

Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Blend Overview: 

• Roughly 45 servings per 3lb container
• 25 grams of whey isolate protein per serving
• Less than 1 gram of sugar and fat per serving
• Partially hydrolyzed to digest more efficiently
• Contains Natural & Artificial flavors, soy, and milk
• Free of certain allergens such as gluten and lactose
• Available in 12 different flavors to choose from

8. BSN Nutrition Syntha-6 Whey Blend

Founded in 2001, Bio-Engineered Supplements and Nutrition- or BSN for short- has become industry famous for providing a wide range of workout supplements. One of BSN’s best hits is Syntha-6. BSN Syntha-6 is the brand’s flagship whey protein supplement and has 7 different forms of protein, including whey, egg albumen, and glutamine.

Similarly, BSN Syntha-6 also has a particularly large blend of other ingredients. So you know, it contains a multitude of both artificial and natural ingredients as well as soy-based lecithin. This notice is mostly meant for those who try to avoid such types of ingredients in their protein.

In addition to artificial and natural ingredients, Syntha-6 contains potential allergens like soy, milk, egg, and wheat. Beyond that, it tastes fantastic, feels creamy, and mixes quick.

BSN Syntha-6 Whey Blend Highlights: 

• 48 servings per container
• 22 grams of protein per serving
• Derived from several different sources
• 15 grams of carbs per serving (5g fiber, 4g sugar)
• Provides a wide range of artificial ingredients
• Offered in 9 different artificial flavors
• Contains egg, milk, soy, and wheat

7. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Blend

Developed by supplement titan Optimum Nutrition (ON), Gold Standard whey protein is made to deliver a solid level of blended protein, dosage, and flavor at affordable price points. Each 14-serving bag of ON (Double Rich Chocolate) contains a solid 24 grams of protein per serving.

Interestingly, ON Gold Standard Whey isn’t single sourced but rather utilizes a triple blend made up of whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrates, and whey protein peptides. While single sources are great, blended formulas help shape a supplement into something more rounded.

When it comes to flavor and mixability, ON Gold Whey tastes great. We personally tried the Double Rich Chocolate, although there are more than 20 different flavors to choose from. Although, it should be noted this great taste is attributed to artificial flavors. Which artificial sweeteners are included can vary depending on the flavor, so check the label if curious.

ON GS Blended Whey Overview:

• 14 servings per container (bag)
• 24 grams of blended whey protein per serving
• Quality control tested free of banned substances
• Contains both artificial and natural sweeteners
• Available in over 20 different flavors to choose from
• Includes a small amount of soy lecithin for mixability
• Good choice if you don’t mind soy and synthetic additives

6. Pure Labels Nutrition Whey Protein

Don’t let its place at #6 fool you- Pure Labels Nutrition (PLN) is one of the best in its class. Available in 3 flavors and 2 separate sizes, we’ll be covering PLN’s 2lb unflavored powder. Each container contains 30 servings, each of which has 24 grams of hormone-free non-GMO protein.

In step with its single-source formula, PLN doesn’t have added sugar, gluten, or artificial fluff like preservatives, sweeteners, and dyes. It’s also derived from grass-fed Californian cow whey. Additionally, Pure Labels Nutrition whey protein is undenatured and cold processed for quality.

Because there are no flavor or mix enhancers, PLN is naturally taste-neutral and takes slightly more effort to assimilate completely. For many people, PLN’s a greats solution for protein.

Pure Labels Whey Protein Highlights:

• 30 servings per container
• 24 grams of protein per serving
• No artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives
• Only one ingredient: Whey Protein Concentrate
• Available in Chocolate, Unflavored and Vanilla
• Free of GMOs, growth hormones, gluten, and soy
• Grass-fed, undenatured and cold processed for peak quality

5. Levels Nutrition Whey Protein Concentrate

Made with simple efficacy in mind, Levels Nutrition Whey Protein Concentrate combines healthy ingredients with wallet-friendly costs. Each 2lb tub sports 30 servings at 26 grams of protein per serving and is sourced from clean 100% grass-fed pasture-raised USA cow whey.

Moreover, Level Nutrition (LN) only has two ingredients, which are whey protein as concentrate and sunflower lecithin (non-soy emulsifier). To further support its great quality, LN whey is free of potential allergens like gluten, soy, growth hormones, GMOs, and antibiotics.

It’s also naturally unflavored and free of artificial ingredients like sweeteners, dyes, and fillers. Essentially, it’s just high-quality protein with small amounts of lecithin to support mixability.

Lvls Nutrition Whey Protein Highlights:

• 30 servings per container
• 25 grams of protein per serving
• Sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows
• Zero artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives
• Two ingredients: WP Concentrate & Sunflower lecithin
• No added sugars, soy, gluten, bleach, GMOs, or fillers
• Cold processed & Undenatured for safety and efficacy

4. Naked Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate

Naked Nutrition (NKD) is one of the most reputable ‘go-to’ brands for clean supplements. With NKD, you can rest assured you’re getting high-quality powder without questionable ingredients. On that note, NKD Whey protein concentrate is derived from premium Californian cows and is undenatured, cold processed, and independently lab tested for ensured purity and safety.

In terms of dosage, each 5lb tub contains 76 packed servings at 25g of protein per serving. That said, you won’t find any artificial sweeteners, additives, fillers, or colors. This is because, well, NKD whey protein only has one ingredient: Non-GMO Grass-Fed whey protein concentrate. It’s also free of potential allergens including soy, gluten, growth hormones, and preservatives.

NKD whey protein is naturally taste-neutral because there are no ‘enhancers’. It simply tastes fine and is easy to blend. This makes it quite ideal for mixing in smoothies or with other foods.

Nkd Nutrition Whey Protein Overview:

• 76 servings per container
• 25 grams of protein per serving
• No Artificial sweeteners, colors, or additives
• Cold processed, undenatured grass-fed whey
• Only one ingredient: Whey protein concentrate
• Free of GMOs, growth hormones, soy, and gluten
• Unflavored for versatility; Made in the USA

3. Bulk Supplements Whey Protein Powder

BulkSupplements is a popular brand best known for supplying bulk amounts of powder, for less. Available in 6 different serving sizes (which vary by weight), we’ll be covering the 2lb version. On that note, each 2lb bag contains about 33 servings of powder and consists of only the two ingredients Whey Protein Isolate (90%) and Soy Lecithin, while each serving has 27g of protein.

Moreover, each batch is lab tested to ensure continued purity. It doesn’t have added sugar, yeast, rBGH, corn, gluten, or artificial ingredients such as fillers, additives, flavors, and colors.

In terms of flavor and mixability, BS Whey protein isolate performed well. We added it to water, coconut milk, almond milk- it mixed right in with barely any effort. BS Whey protein doesn’t have flavors to pick from, so it was mostly bland. Not bad by any means, but not a milkshake either.

BS Whey Isolate Powder Overview:

• 32 confirmed servings per container
• 27 grams of whey isolate per serving
• Free of added sugar, yeast, gluten, and corn
• No Artificial sweeteners, dyes, or preservatives
• Just two ingredients: WPI and Soy Lecithin
• Lab-tested for proper safety, purity, and quality
• Contains soy and milk (don’t take if sensitive)

2. TGS Nutrition Whey Concentrate Powder

TGS Whey Protein was recently brought to our attention by a reader. It piqued our interest, so we ordered a bag to personally find out what the deal was and see how good it really is. After taking it almost every day for a little over 3-weeks, we were pretty impressed with the results.

That said, let’s hit its key points starting with the formula. Each bag has 30 servings of only two ingredients: Whey Protein Concentrate and Sunflower lecithin, which acts as an emulsifier. More specifically, each serving has 25 grams of undenatured whey protein without unnecessary filler.

Second, TGS doesn’t have soy, gluten, or artificial ingredients like flavors, dyes, or additives. It’s left unflavored and tasteless so it can be used alongside other foods without disrupting taste. On that note, TGS has sunflower lecithin which is used to effectively increase powder mixability.

TGS Nutrition Protein Overview:

• 30 clean servings per 2lb bag
• 25 grams of protein per serving
• Derived from 100% Grade A, rBGH-free milk
• No Artificial sweeteners, dyes, or preservatives
• Just 2 ingredients: Protein and Sunflower Lecithin
• Free of GMOs, soy, gluten, added sugars, and hormones
• Cold processed undenatured whey protein made in the USA

1. Transparent Labs Organic Whey Isolate

Made by Transparent Labs, ProteinSeries Whey Isolate is a truly high-end supplement. Designed with purity and peak efficacy in mind, every bag provides 30 packed servings (840g) of premium California grass-fed whey protein isolate. What impresses us most, though, is that it has one of highest protein-by-weight ratios we’ve seen at 88%- or 28 grams of protein per 32-gram scoop.

In addition to its great potency, it doesn’t have any artificial sweeteners, dyes, or preservatives. Instead, it uses 200 mg of stevia leaf extract. It’s also free of added sugars, GMOs, and gluten.

What’s more, ProteinSeries Isolate still mixed surprisingly well despite not having an emulsifier. While it does take a bit more time to mix, you can stir it with a regular cup/utensil no problem. In terms of flavor, we had a great experience. Although the unflavored version is more versatile, it should be noted we enjoyed the flavored versions more because of their rich creamy taste.

TL Organic Whey Isolate Highlights: 

• 30 servings per container
• 28 grams of protein per serving
• High protein-by-weight ratio (88%!)
• Free of hormones, GMOs, and gluten
• No artificial flavors, preservatives, or dyes
• Sourced from clean, grass-fed American cows
• Best value for quality, purity, and efficacy

Get Organic Whey Isolate on www.transparentlabs.com (affiliate link)

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right supplement can be a daunting task- we’ve been there. These days there’s a practically infinite amount of options to pick from. So, to help you see through the haze that’s become the supplement industry, we’ve ranked the 10 best protein powder’s currently available.

To give a little background, we selected each supplement based on a myriad of positive merits and personal testing. Some factors include safety, value, purity, and history to name a few.

That said, it’s hard to go wrong with any of them. Although, it should be noted there will almost always generally be one supplement better than the rest in most aspects, as is the case here.

Frequently asked questions

What does Whey Protein do?

Protein is a vital macronutrient in the body. It’s broken down (digested) into its base parts (building blocks) called amino acids. These amino acids are then used in a wide variety of important bodily functions like tissue growth, cell maintenance, and energy production.

How many types of Whey are there?

There are 3 main types of whey. They are Isolate, Concentrate, and Hydrolysate. Whey Isolate is the most processed and filtered to isolate its protein, resulting in very little lactose and carbs.

Whey Concentrate, however, is slightly less filtered and thus has more carbs and lactose.

Whey Hydrolysate can be either hydrolyzed whey isolate or concentrate. Hydrolyzed protein is a protein that’s been partially broken down (usually by heat) to help improve absorption.

Can I eat whey if I’m lactose intolerant?

This question depends on your unique tolerance to lactose. Many lactose-intolerant people do fine consuming whey protein Isolate because it has the highest percentage of pure protein to lactose. Otherwise, you can safely check out our 10 favorite plant-based protein supplements.

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