Want to Build Muscle? These Are the 6 Protein Powders Our Editors Trust.

The brand name doesn’t lie here—Transparent Labs lists all ingredients clearly on the label and unlike some other protein brands, it doesn’t don’t include ingredients you can’t pronounce. Without fillers or artificial ingredients, you’re left with the important stuff: 28g of whey protein isolate, only 1g each of carbs and fat, and just 130 calories. You’ll also find a touch of three micronutrients (we’re talking less than 9% of your recommended daily value), calcium, iron, and potassium. Another perk? This protein powder is sweetened with stevia extract, so you won’t find any added sugar here.

Men’s Health Fitness and Commerce Editor Charles Thorp, NASM tested the product personally and says, “It was a refreshing surprise to try a product without unnecessary junk in it. The high-protein content of this product let’s me his my intake goals with ease, and also tastes great.”

All that said, Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate is sourced from grass-fed dairy, so it won’t be suitable for vegans. And a protein that’s as clean as this one comes with a higher price tag. While the average protein powder on this list costs closer to $1.50 per serving, TL will run you $2.00 a serving. But for us, Transparent Labs’ high protein content per scoop and lack of filler ingredients is well worth the extra 50 cents.

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When looking for the best protein powder for athletes of all ages, we want two things. First, we need an all-around solid product that boasts ample protein. Second, we need a product that is thoroughly third-party tested and certified safe for competitive athletes. Thorne Whey Protein Isolate ticks both of those boxes, and it also happens to taste great, according to Thorp.

Thorp didn’t just test this product for this review, “Thorne is one of the supplement brands I have used the most, and its protein powder has been a mainstay in my routine,” he says. And for good reason: It boasts 21g of bioavailable whey protein isolate, and just 4g of carbs, 1g of fat, and 100 calories. With such a low calorie count, you can also mix this powder with other ingredients (fruit, peanut butter, etc.) to create a hearty, protein-packed smoothie.

“The taste of the chocolate flavor is smooth, and blends well with any fruit or additional nutrition you want to add, or just on its own with water or milk,” Thorp says. “There is a mild amount of sweetness, but it doesn’t overpower. The result is pretty pleasant as far as taste.”

While the flavor and macros are great, it’s worth noting that this protein does contain gums, which some athletes may avoid. Thorne also costs a bit more than average at $2.17 per serving—but if you’re a competitive athlete looking for a certified product, that extra cost should provide the assurance you need.

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If you’ve been hunting for the right protein powder for a while, it’s likely you’ve come across Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey in the process. Optimum Nutrition is one of the most widely-known (and used) protein brands—take it from Thorp, who initially started his fitness journey taking Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard. One of the biggest draws for newbies just testing the waters (and financially-savvy folks in general)? The price point.

Depending on the jug size (the bigger you go, the cheaper the cost per serving), your price per scoop can be as low as $1.06 with the highest you’ll pay for a scoop from a smaller container being only $1.54. How does the brand keep the cost lower than the market average? Thorp explains, “It’s not a pure whey protein isolate (it’s a blend) and depending on your stomach, you’ll realize this fast.” (Sensitive stomachs may want to lean toward a less dairy-heavy whey isolate.)

But if the whey isolate, whey concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey protein blend is not an issue for your digestive system, this is a great straightforward option featuring 24g of protein and 5.5g of BCAAs. Just make sure you’re mixing with milk or in a smoothie as we did find this powder to have a synthetic aftertaste in testing when we mixed it solely with water.

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If you’ve been to your local health foods store, you’ve likely seen Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder. Thorp can attest, “I first started using Orgain when I went vegan for a few years,” he says. “This was back when there weren’t as many vegan protein powder options as there are now. I liked how accessible it was, through both Amazon (usually at some sort of discount) and at my local Whole Foods.”

Aside from being easy to attain, Orgain is also made with a plant protein blend, which provides a full amino acid profile—a trait sometimes difficult to come across in vegan protein powders. The taste is also reliable. Thorp found the flavor lighter than some of the other protein powders he has tested in his over 10 years working in the supplement space. He also noted that it blends better than most vegan powders with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel, rather than a gritty one.

Though this powder packs 21g of protein, it also contains 15g of carbs and 3.5g of fat, which is higher than your typical whey protein. While this may not be ideal for those on a cut, Thorp offers a different perspective: “While it has more carbs and fats than others, that could be a positive for anyone looking to really supplement their diet in a larger way. [This nutrition profile] makes it a more satisfying drink.” And with that, it’s important to note that a full serving is two scoops, so you may need to blend with a little more water or milk than normal to make sure the texture is not overly thick.

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If taste is your number one priority, Dymatize ISO100 should be your number one pick. MH Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., also stands by this protein powder. “It’s nutritional profile is great,” he says. “That’s why this Dymatize is the only protein I use.”

According to Men’s Health Associate Fitness Editor Cori Ritchey who tested the product, “The flavor is top-notch. [Dymatize] is among the most consistently best-tasting wheys, regardless of the specific flavor.”

Ritchey also noted that her sensitive stomach had no qualms with this hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, which is a testament to the product’s hydrolyzed form. Whey protein isolate is whey protein that has already been broken down into smaller peptides for easier digestion, but hydrolysis takes that processing a step further—studies show the absorption level is even higher in hydrolyzed whey isolate.

With 25g of protein and only 120 calories, this is a great lean protein option. Just note that there are artificial flavors and gums, which some may avoid for digestive purposes.

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If you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or just want to add a little variety to your protein sources, Transparent Labs is pulling through. Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein is our favorite vegan protein powder for two reasons. One, it is a blend of pea and rice protein, which studies have shown offers a complete protein (similar to a whey) with a full amino acid profile. You’ll find if you decide to go with just a pea protein product, you’ll likely still be recommended to take it with a rice product as well. And two, it boasts 15 percent of your recommended daily iron, which studies show some vegans may be deficient in.

This vegan protein also packs a higher protein content per serving than most vegan powders—24g compared to the more typical 20g. Thorp tested Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein and thinks it’s a great option not just for vegans, but for anyone looking for a different source of protein: “This is one of my favorite proteins around, and it [just] happens to be vegan, for any of those living by that diet or [who are] lactose intolerant. Also, if your diet already has a lot of dairy in it, using this protein powder can help to diversify your intake,” he notes.

It is also worth noting that though Transparent Labs Whey Isolate comes in a wide variety of flavors, the flavor options for the pea protein and rice protein products are more limited—just chocolate or vanilla.

Read More: Best Vegan Protein Powders

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