The 15 Best Protein Powders For Every Health Goal

  references
  
      ConsumerLab: "Protein Powders and Shakes Review"
    
      Journal of the American College of Nutrition: "Whey Protein Supplementation Improves Body Composition and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Whey protein"
    
      American Dairy Products Institute: "Whey"
    
      Kaiser Permanente: "Egg Protein" 
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Everything You Should Know About Pea Protein"
    




Get the 411 on the best protein powders before investing in a tub.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

How We Chose
Best Weight Loss
Best Whey
Best Vegan
Best Muscle Gain
Best Lactose-Free
Best Organic
Best for Gut Health
Best Casein
Best Collagen
Best Egg White
Best Personalized
Best Pea
Best Soy
Best Rice
Best Hemp
What to Consider
What to Avoid

When you’re choosing a protein powder, you’ll likely want to consider the source of the protein.
The main animal-based proteins include:

Whey: made from cow’s milk and absorbed quickly by the body; this is the protein source in many, many protein powders Casein: like whey, casein is also made from cow’s milk — but differs in that it’s absorbed slower and less of the protein is absorbed overall, per ConsumerLab Egg white: made from egg whites Collagen: made from the skin and bones of cattle and pigs, fish scales and eggshells

The main plant-based protein sources include:

Pea protein: made from peas, and a complete protein Rice protein: made from rice, usually brown rice — this is a hypoallergenic protein option Hemp protein: made from hemp Soy protein: made from soybeans, and offers a complete protein Vegan: made from one or more of the ingredients above and contains no animal products

The main animal-based proteins include:

Whey: made from cow’s milk and absorbed quickly by the body; this is the protein source in many, many protein powders
Casein: like whey, casein is also made from cow’s milk — but differs in that it’s absorbed slower and less of the protein is absorbed overall, per ConsumerLab
Egg white: made from egg whites
Collagen: made from the skin and bones of cattle and pigs, fish scales and eggshells

The main plant-based protein sources include:

Pea protein: made from peas, and a complete protein
Rice protein: made from rice, usually brown rice — this is a hypoallergenic protein option
Hemp protein: made from hemp
Soy protein: made from soybeans, and offers a complete protein
Vegan: made from one or more of the ingredients above and contains no animal products
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This lower-calorie protein powder contains both whey- and plant-based sources of protein. Image Credit: Designer Wellness

Image Credit: Designer Wellness

ON is considered one of the best protein supplements for muscle gain. It also comes in several different flavors at a reasonable price.

Image Credit: Optimum Nutrition

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Vega One is one of the best non-dairy protein powders as it provides you with all nine of your essential amino acids.

Image Credit: Vega

Buy it: Walmart.com; Price: $49.99

One scoop has 24 grams of protein for only 120 calories, which makes it a great protein powder for muscle gain.

Image Credit: Garden of Life

If you're one of the many people with lactose intolerance, turn to this lactose-free protein powder.

Image Credit: Vital Proteins

Ora Organic's no-milk protein powder is USDA-certified.

Image Credit: Ora

Nuzest protein powder has good-for-you bacteria, which can help cater to your gut health.

Image Credit: Nuzest

This protein powder is high in calcium and is made with only a few ingredients.

Image Credit: Ascent

Collagen has become widely known for its skin benefits.

Image Credit: Great Lakes

Nutritious egg whites are naturally full of protein.

Image Credit: NOW Foods

Gainful customizes its protein powders to fit your health goals.

Image Credit: Gainful

Buy it: Gainful.com; Price: Varies

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This low-calorie protein powder sources its protein from peas.

Image Credit: Ritual

Buy it: Ritual; Price: $44.00

Soybeans are high in protein, so they make a great base for protein powders.

Image Credit: NOW Foods

Rice protein is popular among vegan protein powders.

Image Credit: NAKED

Protein powders made with hemp will provide you with extra fiber and healthy fats, too.

Image Credit: Nutiva

Mix your protein powder with ingredients like fresh, frozen or dried fruit for sweetness and flavor.

Not everyone needs to include protein powder in their diet. “Protein powders can be an easy and convenient source of high-quality protein, but many people — including athletes — can meet their protein needs through whole-food ingredients such as meat, fish, chicken and dairy products,” Syn says.

      ConsumerLab: "Protein Powders and Shakes Review"
    
      Journal of the American College of Nutrition: "Whey Protein Supplementation Improves Body Composition and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Whey protein"
    
      American Dairy Products Institute: "Whey"
    
      Kaiser Permanente: "Egg Protein" 
    
      Cleveland Clinic: "Everything You Should Know About Pea Protein"