A quick Google search for “Best protein powders” renders an overwhelming 107 million hits. Instead of trying to sift through the chaos of the internet, GNC is here to bring you an expertly curated list of the best protein powders of 2024.
To create this list, I sat down with our in-house protein expert – Charlie Branovan. Charlie is on the merchandising team where she oversees the protein powder category. She is responsible for curating the assortment of protein products that you see on GNC shelves. Throughout her nearly 10-year tenure at GNC, she has sampled HUNDREDS of protein powders (crazy, right?!). So, who better to ask for the best of the best?
I sat down with Charlie and asked her to rank the best protein powders of 2024. As a dietitian myself, I threw in my two cents on the nutritional profile of each product. Our criteria for choosing the products included:
- Nutritional Profile: High-quality sources of protein with minimal added sugar
- Popularity: We prioritized products based on sales and customer reviews
- Flavor & Mixability: It must taste good with minimal clumping. Bonus points for having many flavor options
- Additional Features: Bonus points for banned substance testing and added ingredients for athletic performance
The Top Protein Powder Picks
- Best New & Hot: Ryse Loaded Protein | Skip to review
- Most Innovative Whey Protein: Beyond Raw® Dynamic Whey | Skip to review
- Best Whey Protein For Beginners: Pro Performance® 100% Whey|Skip to review
- Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain and Strength: GNC AMP WheybolicTM Whey Protein | Skip to review
- Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss: GNC Total Lean® Lean Shake™ 25 | Skip to review
- Best Protein Powder for Weight Gain: GNC Pro Performance® Bulk 1340 | Skip to review
- Best Protein Powder for Women: Vital Proteins® Collagen Peptides – Unflavored | Skip to review
- Best Protein Powder for Men: GNC AMP Wheybolic™ Alpha | Skip to review
- Best Whey Isolate Protein Powder: Kaged® Elite Series Protein Isolate | Skip to review
- Best Vegan Protein Powder: GHOST Vegan Protein | Skip to review
- Best Plant Based Protein Powder for Athletes: Vega® Sport Premium Plant Based Protein | Skip to review
- Best Casein Protein Powder: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein™ | Skip to review
- Best Protein with Zero Sugar: GNC Total Lean® Zero Sugar Protein | Skip to review
- Best Mixing Protein Powder: Podium Whey Protein Powder | Skip to review
- Most Nostalgic Flavors:GHOST® Whey Protein Powder|Skip to review
- Best Vanilla Flavor: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard® 100% Whey Protein – Vanilla Ice Cream | Skip to review
- Best Chocolate Flavor: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard® 100% Whey Protein – Double Rich Chocolate |Skip to review
- Best Cookie Flavor: GHOST Whey Protein Powder Oreo® and Chips Ahoy® |Skip to review
- Best Cereal Flavor: Dymatize® ISO 100® Whey Protein Isolate – Fruity PebblesTM and Cocoa PebblesTM | Skip to review
Ryse Loaded Protein is one to keep your eye on. This new protein powder is loaded with 25g of protein from instantized whey protein isolate and concentrate, 1g of medium chain triglycerides, and 1g of organic prebiotic fiber. It comes in two delicious flavors: Cinnamon Toast and Chocolate Cookie Blast.
Whey protein has been around for ages. It’s about time it evolved into something better and more innovative. That’s why Beyond Raw® Dynamic Whey is the winner when it comes to innovation. This high-tech protein provides 25 grams of ioWHEY Protein® Isolate, which has undergone cold plasma ionization to increase bioavailability for optimized amino acid absorption – and more dynamic results.
Not only that, it also has PeptiStrong, a patented fava bean peptide complex that was identified by artificial intelligence and proven in clinical research to help you recover faster. Rounding out the formula is 5 billion CFUs of DE111® probiotic sports to prime the microbiome and support gut health. This smarter formula equals a stronger you.
READ MORE: Deep Dive ioWHEY Ingredient
If you’re new to the protein game or just starting a fitness regimen, Pro Performance® 100% Whey is a great option. It’s fueled 18 million workouts per year (and counting), making it a fan fave. It’s priced right at $39.99 for a 2 lb tub and $69.99 for a 5 lb tub (but you’ll find even better value when it’s on promotions like BOGO 50% off!).
If you’re a collegiate or professional athlete, you can trust 100% Whey since it is tested for over 285 banned substances. At just 130 calories, it provides 24 grams of high-quality, gluten free protein. Plus, it’s super versatile 7 different flavors, including an unflavored version (put it into a smoothie and you’re ready to go!).
Wheybolic is America’s #1 protein powder brand for building strength for a reason†*^▪. Wheybolic is truly in a league of its own and is engineered to give your strength training program an edge.
Charlie is amazed that “Wheybolic has been a staple at GNC for 16 years. It’s rare that a product sticks for that long, which is a testament to its loyal customer base”.
To develop such an innovative product, GNC scientists wanted to know how they could take ultra-pure whey protein and make it even better. So they combined whey protein isolate with additional leucine (a branched chain amino acid already found in high levels in whey protein isolate) to make a great protein even more beneficial. Leucine can increase muscle protein synthesis by activating the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a protein that signals your body to make new cells, especially muscle cells. Wheybolic®’s combination of whey protein isolate and leucine is more than just protein—it is working at the cellular level to signal your body to make more muscle.
But we didn’t stop there. Wheybolic was put to the test in two clinical studies and the results were incredible. In those studies, Wheybolic was clinically proven to:
- Increase muscle strength by 30% in just 8 weeks▪
- Increase muscle size▪
- Support strength, performance, and stamina▪•
Protein isn’t just for building muscle. Because protein can help you feel full (especially compared to carbs and fat) it can be an important part of a weight management program. With over 2,300 five-star reviews, Lean Shake 25 was the clear winner in this category.
Lean Shake 25 is more than just a protein, it’s a meal replacement – which means it combines protein with fiber, vitamins, and minerals so you can consume a shake instead of a high-calorie meal. And you’ll never get bored because it has over 10 flavors to choose from, including Girl Scout Cookie™-inspired favorites.
On the other end of the spectrum, GNC Pro Performance Bulk 1340 wins the weight gainer category. If you’re working out for muscle gains, those muscles need fuel in the form of calories and high-quality macros. Bulk 1340 provides 1,340 nutrient-dense calories and 50 grams of protein from various sources such as whey, casein, milk, and eggs. It also provides 11 grams of BCAAs for muscle recovery and growth^.
“I love the versatility of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, especially that you can mix it in both hot AND cold beverages. I toss it into my coffee in the morning and you can’t even taste it”, says Charlie.
When people think of collagen, usually they think of its benefits for beautiful skin. But what many don’t realize is collagen is actually the most abundant source of protein in the body! Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides offers up 20 grams of protein per serving. It provides collagen in the peptide form (making it easier to digest) and it comes from grass fed and pasture-raised cows. Vital Proteins is a great option for women (AND men) who want an extra protein boost, but also want to support healthy skin.
Remember the strength benefits of Wheybolic? GNC took those but enhanced it with added ingredients for power output and testosterone support. Wheybolic Alpha takes the clinically proven protein but adds two important ingredients: MyoTOR® and Tesnor®.
MyoTOR® is a blend of two botanicals that’s been clinically proven to Improve bench press by 30 lbs and leg extension by 22 lb, increase arm circumference, and improve lean body mass♦◊. The second ingredient, Tesnor, is a botanical extract that’s been clinically shown to boost testosterone levels.
All of these features make Wheybolic Alpha the perfect protein for men who are looking for an added testosterone boost.
Kaged® Elite Series Protein Isolate is a breakthrough formula designed for athletes. It includes 15g of ioWhey Protein Isolate, 5g of Organic Micellar Casein Isolate, and 5g of milk protein isolate. The 25g TRISOLATE Protein Matrix has the perfect ratio of fast and slow digestive proteins for muscle building and recovery during a resistance training program.
It’s banned substance tested, non-GMO, gluten free, and naturally flavored – making it the winner for best whey isolate protein powder.
Vega Premium Sport Protein is plant-based, vegan, non-GMO, and packs a whopping 30 grams of protein per scoop (from pea, alfalfa, pumpkin seed, and sunflower seed). It also includes 5 grams of BCAAs to help repair muscle, tart cherry to support exercise recovery, and 2 billion CFU of probiotics for gut and immune health support. It’s also tested for banned substances.
You’ll get 21 grams of protein from pea, pumpkin, and watermelon seed. Plus, it’s soy and gluten free.
Casein increases blood amino acid levels at a much slower and steadier rate, which can be beneficial at bedtime when your body typically goes for hours without food. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein is a great option because it provides 24 grams of slow-digesting micellar casein, 5 grams of BCAAs, and 5 grams of glutamine and glutamic acid in every scoop.
GNC Total Lean® Zero Sugar Protein is a sugar-free protein boost to support lean muscle and a healthy lifestyle with only 90 calories. Every serving gives you 20g of whey protein isolate, a lean and clean protein source that can be used throughout your day to support lean muscle and energy metabolism.
You may be skeptical of how a protein powder tastes with zero sugar…trust me, the flavor is on point. You’ll love it in a shake, yogurt, baked good, smoothie, or any recipe.
If you’ve ever tried a protein powder that doesn’t mix well, it is NOT a good experience (trust me). That’s why Podium worked so hard to make their Whey Protein Powder mix well. It has a smooth consistency in just a simple shaker cup. The five-star reviews confirm this with customers raving it blends well with no chalky taste. As a dietitian, I love that the label has a breakdown of the exact dose of each protein source: 13.5g from whey isolate, 11.5g from whey concentrate, and 2.2g from peanut flour…for a total of 27g of protein per scoop.
Best Tasting Protein Powders
Charlie’s take is “Overall, Ghost knocks it out of the park with the number of collabs and nostalgic flavors from your childhood”. “Nobody does nostalgia like GHOST. The best part – they continue to raise the bar with the number of authentic collabs that capture all the best flavors from your childhood.” With flavors like Nutter Butter® and newly launched Cinnabon®, you won’t even realize each scoop has only 160 calories (or less) and under 5 grams of sugar (with most flavors running in the 1-2g of total sugar range).
As a dietitian, I like that Ghost® Whey Protein discloses the amount of each protein source on its label. Some products will just list the dose of total protein as a blend of different sources, but you don’t know how much you’re getting from each. Ghost discloses 12.5g of protein comes from whey protein isolate, 10g comes from whey protein concentrate, and 2.5g from hydrolyzed whey protein isolate.
Optimum Nutrition reigns supreme in both vanilla and chocolate categories with their classic Gold Standard 100% Whey. According to their website, it’s the “world’s best-selling whey protein powder”. It packs 24 grams of protein per scoop as a blend of whey protein isolate, concentrate, and peptides. It’s also gluten free and independently tested for banned substances.
Two way tie between Ghost Whey Protein Powder Oreo® and Chips Ahoy®
Ghost does it again with two incredibly delicious and nostalgic cookie flavors. Charlie loved both so much that she couldn’t pick a winner! I’m personally obsessed with actual pieces of Oreo cookies mixed in.
Dymatize® ISO 100® Whey Protein Isolate – Fruity PebblesTM and Cocoa PebblesTM
Is your favorite part of breakfast when you get to the end of your cereal bowl? Hello sugary, milky goodness. That’s what this category is all about and Dymatize wins it with their Fruit and Cocoa Pebbles flavors (minus all the sugar). Dymatize provides 25 grams of protein, all from 100% whey isolate – a fast-digesting protein source. The label also has a typical amino acid profile, which displays the doses of amino acids, including 5.5g of BCAAs, which are important for activating muscle protein synthesis.
| Supplement | Price Per Serving | Protein Dose & Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
|
$1.73 |
26g (whey isolate & concentrate) |
Delicious flavor partnerships |
|
|
$1.72/$1.16 |
24g (whey isolate, concentrate, peptides) |
Banned substance tested |
|
|
$1.57-$2.25 |
25g (whey isolate) |
Banned substance tested |
|
|
$1.59/$1.09 |
25g (whey concentrate) |
Banned substance tested |
|
|
$1.80 |
25g (ioWhey protein isolate) |
Banned substance tested |
|
|
$1.97-$2.49 |
40g (whey isolate & hydrolyzed whey) |
6.2g Leucine, 15g EAAs, Velositol |
|
|
$1.87 |
25g (whey concentrate) |
Fiber, Vitamins & Minerals |
|
|
$5.55/$5.33 |
50g (whey concentrate & isolate, casein, milk protein isolate, egg) |
High calorie, Vitamins & Minerals, Banned Substance Tested |
|
|
$1.67 |
20g (collagen peptides) |
Grass fed & pasture raised, unflavored collagen |
|
|
$3.33/$2.27 |
40g (whey isolate & hydrolyzed whey) |
BetaPower® betaine, Testofen® fenugreek |
|
|
$2.00 |
25g (ioWhey, casein, milk protein isolate) |
Banned substance tested |
|
|
$1.79 |
21g (pea, pumpkin, watermelon seed) |
Gluten free, Soy free |
|
|
$2.75 |
30g (pea, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, alfalfa) |
Tart cherry, Probiotics, Banned Substance Tested |
|
|
$2.31 |
24g (casein) |
Slow-digesting casein |
|
|
$1.75 |
20g (whey isolate) |
Zero sugar, 90 calories, gluten free |
|
|
$1.67 |
25g (whey isolate & concentrate) |
MCTs, Prebiotic Fiber |
|
|
$2.04 |
27g (whey isolate, concentrate, peanut flour) |
Digestive enzymes |
With so many protein powders to choose from, we hope this list helps narrow it down for you. Here’s to a protein-packed 2024!
References
^When used in conjunction with an exercise program.
- In an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 30 healthy male volunteers comparing 1 set resistance training (RT) + active or carbohydrate placebo to 2 sets RT alone with no supplement, the active group showed equal gains in maximal muscle strength and muscle endurance compared to the control group.
▪ In a randomized, double-blind crossover clinical trial that included 20 recreationally trained, healthy male subjects, those taking 10g whey protein isolate plus 10g leucine immediately post-workout showed significant increases in key protein (p70S6k & rpS6) associated with muscle protein synthesis.
†Based on mass market (excluding Amazon) Nielsen data 4/3/2022–7/2/2022
♦An 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 40 healthy men participating in a voluntary exercise routine showed that those taking MyoTOR® had significant improvements in upper and lower body strength, muscle endurance, arm circumference and lean body mass vs. those on a placebo after 8 weeks. Improvements in strength were seen in as early as 2 weeks.
◊An 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 118 healthy men participating in a supervised resistance training program showed that those taking MyoTOR® had significant increases in mean upper body strength (49.7 lbs vs. 19.4 lbs), mean lower body strength (42.1 lbs vs. 19.2 lbs) and muscle endurance after 8 weeks vs. those who took a placebo with the same exercise. Improvements in strength were seen in as early as 2 weeks. Men on MyoTOR® had greater improvements in muscle strength and upper body endurance vs. those who took a placebo but exercised twice as much.