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Best protein powders 2026: reviewed by nutrition experts
People who engage in regular, intense exercise or are looking to build muscle may benefit from protein powders.
Here we explain what's in it, who it might be suitable for and what to watch out for.
Plus, our independent nutrition experts have analysed the contents of 11 whey protein powders from a range of popular brands to find the best.
How our reviews uncover the best supplements
Dose
We rate how much protein is in a serving and whether it's an effective amount
Bioavailability of protein
How easily the type of protein in the supplement is absorbed
Complete protein
We check if the supplement contains all nine essential amino acids in the right proportions
Additives
Based on the latest research and insights, we rate the amount and type of bulkers, fillers and additives in each supplement.
Why you can trust our protein powder reviews
At Which? our reviews are completely independent and unbiased. We buy everything we test, looking at a range of prices and types to accommodate different budgets and needs.
Every supplement we review is analysed by me – Which?'s lead health and wellbeing researcher Shefalee Loth, a registered nutritionist – along with consultant dietitian Sophie Medlin.
We both have many decades of experience in this space. Sophie has advised on supplement development, and I have been scrutinising supplements for Which? for more than eight years.
To assess protein powders, we look at the available evidence to determine optimal formats and dosages, as well as less-desirable additives or extras. We also consider claims made, cost per dose and more, so you can be confident that our recommendations will help you get the best value and quality.
Looking for vegan options? Head to our vegan protein powder reviews instead
The best protein powders
Only logged-in Which? members can view our full protein powder test results, including the top-rated products.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below as well as revealing our Great Value picks.
| Protein powders | Score | Cost per serving | Bioavailability | Complete protein score | Dose | Additives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time. Already a member? Log in | 90% | |||||
| 87% | ||||||
| 86% | ||||||
| 86% | ||||||
| 85% | ||||||
| 85% | ||||||
| 82% | ||||||
| 82% | ||||||
| 82% | ||||||
| 82% | ||||||
| 79% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
Already a member? Log in
Date tested: November 2025. Page last checked: January 2026.
The protein powders we assessed
The protein powders included in our assessment are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our full verdict on each. Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and recommendations.
Applied Nutrition critical whey advanced protein
Our score and verdict Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal
Available from Applied Nutrition (£29.95 for 825g), Amazon (£29.95 for 825g) Holland & Barrett (£55 for 2kg)
Cost per serving £1.20
Bulk pure whey protein
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Available from Amazon (£21.99 for 1kg), Bulk (£38.99 for 1kg)
Cost per serving £1.25
Grenade whey protein
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Available from Amazon (£15 for 480g), Boots (£15 for 480g), Grenade (£58.79 for 2kg)
Cost per serving £1.18
H&B Precision Engineered whey protein
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Available from Holland & Barrett (£29 for 900g)
Cost per serving 97p
MaxiNutrition cyclone strength whey protein
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Available from Amazon (£44.95 for 1.26kg), MaxiNutrition (£49.99 for 1.26kg)
Cost per serving £2.38
MyProtein Impact whey protein
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Available from Amazon (£25.90 for 1kg), CostCo (£39.99 for 2.5kg0), MyProtein (£25.99 for 1kg)
Cost per serving 79p
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% whey
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Available from Amazon (£34.95 for 900g), Holland & Barrett (£41 for 900g), Optimum Nutrition (£40 for 900g)
Cost per serving £1.38
PhD whey protein
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Available from PhD (£31.99 for 1kg)
Cost per serving £1.07
Protein Works whey protein 360®
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Available from Amazon (£32.47 for 1.2kg), Protein Works (£53.99 for 1.2kg)
Cost per serving £1.35
Read more about the supplements you do and don't need
Sanatogen high protein powder
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Available from Amazon (£12.89 for 275g), Boots (£12 for 275g), Power Health (£13.43 for 275g)
Cost per serving £1.49
Warrior whey protein
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Available from Amazon (£13.94 for 500g), Warrior (£19.99 for 500g)
Cost per serving £1
Note: cost per serving is based on manufacturer's recommended serving size and the RRP (recommended retail price); however, products are frequently discounted. We're not able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available.
How we review whey protein powders
When comparing protein powders to find the best, we considered the following factors:
Bioavailability The bioavailability (accessibility and digestibility) of the protein source.
Complete protein score The building blocks of protein are amino acids, and different proteins contain different combinations of these. We use amino acids in our bodies to build new protein structures where they're needed. The complete protein score reflects whether all nine essential amino acids are present.
Dose The dose of protein provided in one serving. Research shows the optimum dose of protein to stimulate muscle growth after exercise is around 25g, with some variation for different body weights. Powders with 25g or more of protein per dose scored 100%.
Additives Flavoured protein powders will contain some additives. For fairness, we chose to analyse vanilla-flavoured powders, and if vanilla wasn't available, we picked the closest option. We penalised powders with a higher number of additives and those considered unnecessary.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
Why is protein important?
Protein is essential for the growth, repair and maintenance of all of the physical structures of our bodies, including muscle, skin, connective tissue, hair and nails. Plus, all enzymes are made of proteins, and many hormones are protein-based.
When we don’t get sufficient dietary protein, our bodies harvest it from our muscles and other non-essential tissues to get enough for essential functions such as cell repair, wound healing and the production of enzymes and hormones.
The process of muscle breakdown is known as sarcopenia and worsens with age if our dietary protein intake doesn’t stay at the recommended level. There has been a lot of recent research looking into the link between sarcopenia and various health outcomes, and it's now clear that maintaining muscle mass as we age is associated with better health and living longer.
What's in protein powder and do you really need it?
Many protein powders contain whey protein, which is essentially a byproduct of the dairy industry. Don't let this put you off, though – it's a ‘complete protein’ that contains all nine essential amino acids. Amino acid leucine, which is key for muscle synthesis, is in the optimum quantity in whey protein.
For those who can't eat whey-based products, there are also plenty of vegan protein powders that contain alternative protein sources, such as pea proteins.
Most people don’t need a protein boost beyond their diets; however, they can be useful at times.
For example, bodybuilders or people who engage in regular, intense exercise may find it more convenient and potentially better value to get some of their protein needs from a protein powder, rather than relying on cooking and eating large portions of protein throughout the day.
At the other end of the spectrum, people who have lost muscle mass due to illness, injury or a poor appetite may benefit from a protein shake to support them in maintaining and rebuilding muscle mass.
In the general population, however, most people consume adequate dietary protein and don’t need a protein shake on a regular basis.
How much protein should I have?
British Nutrition Foundation guidelines recommend 0.75g of protein per kg of body weight per day for healthy, sedentary adults. This means if you weigh 70kg, you need 52.5g of protein a day.
However, some people need more. If you're ill or recovering from illness, injury or surgery, you're advised to increase your intake to up to 1.5g of protein per kg of bodyweight to help your body repair tissue.
If you lead an active lifestyle and train regularly, it's recommended you have 1.2-2g of protein per kg of bodyweight. Adults over the age of 65 are advised to increase their intake to 1-1.2g of protein per kg of bodyweight to minimise muscle loss.
Which foods are high in protein?
Most animal products, including meat, fish, dairy (excluding butter) and eggs are good sources of protein. If you don’t consume animal products, tofu, tempeh, Quorn and lentils are all good sources.
Here are some examples of how much protein is in common foods:
- Chicken breast - 35g
- Can of tuna - 30g
- 100g of tofu - 14g
- 2 eggs - 12g
- 150g of yoghurt - 10g
- 200g (half tin) of baked beans - 10g
- 100g of cooked rice - 10g
- 100g of red lentils - 7.6g
- 150ml glass of milk - 5g
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When is the best time to take protein powder?
If you’re using a protein powder to recover from exercise, the belief used to be that it was best to consume it within 30 minutes of exercising.
But studies, such as this 2013 meta-analysis, have shown that it's more important to have regular 'doses' of protein throughout the day, and that total intake and even protein distribution throughout the day are more important.
This means you can have your protein shake whenever it's convenient for you.
Some people have a protein shake blended with fruits and oats for breakfast, or even add protein powder to their porridge or the milk for their cereal.
Other people have it as an afternoon snack, as protein can help to keep you feeling full between meals.
Who shouldn't take protein powder?
Protein powders are safe for most people, with a few important exceptions:
- People with advanced kidney disease or liver disease shouldn’t take a protein shake without consulting their doctor or dietitian.
- People with certain metabolic inherited disorders such as PKU (Phenylketonuria) and urea cycle disorder should avoid protein shakes.
- Those with a milk allergy or lactose intolerance should avoid whey-based protein powders.
Protein powders shouldn’t be relied upon as a meal replacement.
Our supplement experts
Our protein powder review was conducted by Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth and consultant dietitian Sophie Medlin.
Shefalee Loth, Which? principal researcher and nutritionist
Shefalee is a public health nutritionist with 20 years' experience, and has worked for the NHS, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and World Cancer Research Fund.
At Which?, Shefalee is a principal researcher, researching and writing food and nutrition content for our magazine and website. She is also a media spokesperson and the research lead for our health and wellbeing reviews. She is a trustee at Sustain, the food and farming alliance.
Shefalee focuses on cutting through the hype to explain what you need to know about nutrition and healthy eating. From 'How bad is ultra-processed food?' to the 'Top gut health myths you need to know about' and 'What really works to cut cholesterol', she gives no-nonsense advice to help you make healthier choices and save money.
Sophie Medlin, consultant dietitian and founder of CityDietitians
Sophie Medlin is a well-recognised consultant dietitian with nearly 20 years' experience working across the NHS and academia and within her own private practice at CityDietitians.
Sophie is chair of the British Dietetic Association for London.
With her in-depth knowledge of nutrition – both theoretical and applied – Sophie has helped to formulate supplements, giving her insight into the strengths and weaknesses of products and the manufacturing process.