The 8 Best Casein Protein of 2020

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard at Amazon

"This 100% casein powder gives you the slow-digesting micellar casein for up to eight hours."

Best Tasting: OWN PWR Elite Series Protein Powder at Amazon

"10.6 grams of casein protein with 14.4 grams of whey protein in each serving."

Best Low-Calorie: Naked Casein at Amazon

"Naked will ensure you’re not ingesting the excess sugars and fats found in some powders."

Best for Women: IdealLean for Women at Amazon

"Made for women who want to improve their muscle recovery, build their muscle, or experience the digestive benefits of casein."

Best Simple: Bulksupplements Pure Casein Protein at Amazon

"Only contains micellar casein and soy lectin as an emulsifier—no yeast, corn, gluten, or chemicals."

Best for Strength: Six Star Pro Nutrition Elite Casein at Amazon

"A slow-releasing protein that is effective at building muscle over time and helping with recovery."

Best Value: Dymatize Elite Micellar Casein Protein at Amazon

"Significantly less per pound than many competitors on the market."

Best Nighttime Recovery: Ascent Native Fuel Casein at Amazon

"Very popular with its customers who claim it pairs well with a good night of sleep."

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Casein

Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard casein protein powder is well named. This powder option is the go-to for many workout warriors and health-conscious exercisers who want to build muscle mass and recover well. This 100% casein powder gives you slow-digesting micellar casein for up to eight hours of muscle recovery at night or after the gym. With ON’s Gold Standard casein protein powder, you also get 40% to 60% of your daily calcium intake (depending on the flavor).

Available in chocolate peanut butter, vanilla, cookies and cream, chocolate supreme, and other flavors, ON’s casein powder is easy to mix with food or as a shake. ON prides itself on protein powders that mix cleanly and with ease. Each serving packs 24 grams of protein as well as 5 grams of branched chain amino acids that can help build muscle. People who use ON Gold Standard casein protein powder point to its combination of protein synthesis and breakdown as making it ideal. Some people mix this protein with whey for a complete dairy protein mixture.

Best Tasting: OWN PWR Elite Series Protein Powder

Anyone who regularly has protein shakes after their workouts or tries to incorporate protein powder into recipes for added benefits understands that not all powders taste the same. There are many protein powders that are chalky, clumpy, and taste too bland or inauthentic. Luckily, there are some that deliver a reliable and tasty flavor for a quick shake or snack that is not just tolerable, but tasty. People like OWN PWR’s Elite Series casein protein mix for exactly this reason. Whether it's the chocolate milkshake, chocolate peanut butter, or vanilla ice cream flavor, this powder delivers.

The OWN PWR powder mixes 10.6 grams of casein protein with 14.4 grams of whey protein in each serving, with the casein being a mix of milk protein isolate and micellar. Available in 2- or 5-pound containers, this protein blend doesn't just taste great but also packs 5.3 grams of branched chain amino acids, 2.5 grams of leucine, and 4.6 grams of glutamine—all with only 130 calories and 1 gram of fat in each serving.

Best Low-Calorie: Naked Casein

Exercise and eating well are both key to losing weight. Naked Casein protein powder can help with both of these tasks. The protein will allow you to enhance your muscle development and recovery, and the ingredients of Naked will ensure you’re not ingesting the excess sugars and fats found in some powders that can derail your diet goals.

This powder, available in 1- or 5-pound containers, includes only one ingredient—micellar casein. There are zero grams of fat, saturated fat, or carbohydrates per serving. There are only 2 grams of sugar in the unflavored powder and an impressive 26 grams of protein. Colorless, flavorless, and unsweetened, this bare-bones protein contains no growth hormones, no rBGH, no rBST, and is made from 100% U.S. dairy. The cool processing of Naked Casein protein also ensures that no chemicals or anything else are added before this protein gets to you. It is stripped down and ideal for weight-conscious consumers.

Best for Women: IdealLean Casein for Women

IdealLean Casein for Women does not come in a gigantic container or sport large images of black and white male muscles on the front. This protein powder is made for women who want to improve their muscle recovery, build their muscle, or experience the digestive benefits many find with casein. IdealLean’s protein powder packs 24 grams of protein in each serving.

Flavored like German chocolate cake or butter pecan, the 110-calorie-per-serving protein powder includes 200 milligrams of L-theanine for relaxation. The slow-release protein is ideal for nighttime use, IdealLean claims, allowing your muscles to recover as you sleep for greater strength and comfort. In addition to casein, IdealLean offers female-focused whey protein and BCAA supplements.

Best Simple: Bulksupplements Pure Casein Protein Powder

While some casein protein users want a delicious casein mix to use in a post-workout smoothie, many others want just the pure protein without additives or flavoring. Ideal for people who like mixing protein with foods or liquids, Bulksupplements Pure Casein Protein Powder delivers a completely no-frills protein option. Available in 100-gram, 250-gram, 500-gram, 1-kilogram, and 5-kilogram sizes, you can really bulk up on this protein powder as well.

The Bulksupplements casein powder only contains micellar casein and soy lectin as an emulsifier—no yeast, corn, gluten, or chemicals. Each 30-gram serving includes 26 grams of protein and 484 milligrams of calcium, as well as high levels of phosphorus and plenty of amino acids. Bulksupplements guarantees its purity of product. Many customers use this pure and simple casein powder for long-term muscle growth, and they like the good price for a bulk powder.

Best for Strength: Six Star Pro Nutrition Elite Series Casein Protein

With just two scoops of Six Star Pro Nutrition Elite Series Casein Protein in your shake, you get a whopping 48 grams of protein. The protein powder mix is flavored with chocolate and endorsed by major athletes. This mix is made with casein protein powder for a slow-releasing protein that is effective at building muscle over time and helping with recovery. Six Star recommends taking this casein protein powder either between meals or just before bed. This allows for your bloodstream to slowly and steadily absorb the protein and amino acids throughout the night.

This 2-pound container of protein powder is aimed at true workout warriors. The Six Star protein can help athletes and bodybuilders develop leaner muscles for a long period of time. This powder includes other supplements as well, which Six Star explains will help build leaner muscle.

Best Value: Dymatize Elite Micellar Casein Protein

Buying jars of protein powder can add up quickly. Although the cost may be worth it for the gains you see at the gym, it’s always helpful to save a few dollars when you don’t have to sacrifice quality. The 4-pound container of Dymatize Elite Micellar Casein Protein is a great value—significantly less per pound than many competitors on the market. This large container comes in flavors such as cookies and cream, rich chocolate, smooth vanilla, and cinnamon bun.

This affordable casein protein powder includes 25 grams of 100% micellar casein, 5 grams of branched chain amino acids, 2.3 grams of L-leucine in every serving, and 51 servings in the container. Dymatize guarantees that the protein powder is free of gluten and all banned substances. The product is well-reviewed and popular with athletes, many who use it before bed. Customers love the results and the product—the only disagreements are about which flavors are best.

Best Nighttime Recovery: Ascent Native Fuel Micellar Casein Powder

What sets casein powder apart from whey, pea, and every other protein is its slow release and absorption. For this reason, many use it before they go to sleep and let their bodies keep working while they rest. If you want to reap the benefits at night, try the Ascent Native Fuel Micellar Casein protein powder. Available in a 2-pound or 4-pound bag as well as individually sized packets, this protein powder is ideal for nocturnal recoveries.

With every scoop of the Ascent Native casein protein powder, you get 25 grams of protein and 11 grams of branched chain amino acids. The powder is available in chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate peanut butter flavors. It can easily be mixed with water, or, as Ascent recommends, pudding for a nighttime snack. The slow-digesting protein has no gluten but does include natural flavors and additives, such as cocoa, sea salt, and stevia leaf extract in the chocolate flavored powder. This workout supplement is very popular with its customers who claim it pairs well with a good night of sleep.