The 11 Best Protein Powders for Men of 2023, According to a Dietitian

Best Overall

NOW Sports Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate Unflavored Powder 1.2-Pound

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Now Foods is a trusted brand in protein powders, as they are Informed Sport certified—a third party organization that tests every batch for prohibited substances and ensures products are manufactured to high-quality standards. This is our best overall pick because it is a trusted brand with a simple product containing only whey protein isolate and sunflower lecithin. 

This pick is unflavored, making it easy to add to a variety of sweet or savory ways. We also chose this as our best overall pick because protein used is whey protein isolate. Whey protein is a high quality source of protein with high bioavailability and easy digestibility.

This protein powder contains 25 grams of protein per serving and 10% Daily Value of calcium. It is made with non-GMO ingredients and free from many common allergens. The isolated whey protein means the lactose content is minimal. Therefore, it could be a good choice for some individuals with lactose intolerance. 

 Price at time of publication: $26 ($1.37 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: whey protein isolate | Serving size: 1/3 cup | Protein per serving: 25 grams | Other ingredients: sunflower lecithin}

Best Budget

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey

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If you’re looking for an affordable, trustworthy, flavored protein powder, we recommend Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein. This powder is made with a whey protein blend with whey protein isolate, concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey protein. Each serving of this protein powder has 24 grams of protein per serving and provides 10% Daily Value of calcium.

A blended whey protein can be a more affordable whey option without sacrificing any quality. A whey blend will have small amounts of fat and carbohydrate that will be higher than those of a powder that is made just from whey isolate. Because it is not solely whey protein isolate, it does contain some lactose (an amount comparable to an ounce of cheddar cheese). If you are very sensitive to lactose, this might not be the best choice. It is also not suitable for a milk or soy allergy. 

We like that this powder is Informed Choice certified, meaning it is regularly tested for banned substances. It has a chocolate flavor that comes from cocoa powder, artificial, and natural flavors, and it is sweetened with acesulfame potassium, an FDA-approved artificial sweetener. Some may appreciate that it does not have added sugar, but some may also not want the artificial sweeteners and flavors in this protein powder. 

Price at time of publication: $84 ($1.14 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, hydrolyzed whey protein | Serving size: 1 scoop | Protein per serving: 24 grams | Other ingredients: cocoa powder, sunflower and/or soy lecithin, natural and artificial flavor, acesulfame potassium}

Best for Weight Gain

PB&Me Organic Powdered Peanut Butter, No Sugar Added

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PB&Me is a unique, versatile option for a protein powder that could easily be used many times per day. It is essentially peanut butter with the oil removed, leaving you with organic peanut powder rich in protein. It is suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets.

You can add water to make it a paste, or you can enjoy the powder in a variety of foods, such as baked goods, yogurt, oatmeal, and smoothies. This protein powder can be added to many foods, making it an easy way to help someone get extra protein, total calories, and carbohydrates to meet their health goals.

It contains four grams of carbohydrates per serving, which is higher than some protein powders. These carbohydrates can help restore your glycogen stores and could be helpful for athletes with higher carbohydrate needs, especially if multiple servings are used throughout the day. Unlike most protein powders, a serving also provides two grams of fiber.

Since this product is easy to add to a variety of foods, it can be a great addition for those who are looking to gain weight. Enhance smoothies by adding a few tablespoons, or sprinkle it on yogurt or oatmeal to add a tasty peanut flavor and boost your caloric intake.

Price at time of publication: $20 ($1.18 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: peanuts | Serving size: 2 tablespoons | Protein per serving: 6 grams | Other ingredients: N/A} 

Best Whey

Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate

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Nutricost’s Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is a simple, high-protein option—30 grams per 1/3 cup serving. We like that this choice is from grass-fed cows and is third-party tested for ingredient amounts and heavy metals. 

This protein powder with whey protein isolate has minimal lactose making it a viable option for most with mild lactose intolerance. It also contains 8% Daily Value for calcium, uses non-GMO ingredients, and is gluten-free. 

For men who are looking to build muscle, whey protein can be a great choice. Susana Meléndez, RDN, LD, and head of football nutrition at the University of Arizona says, “Whey protein powder contains leucine (basically, known as the ‘switch” or “trigger’ for muscle protein synthesis), which provides a convenient way to achieve those goals, especially for those with high protein needs.” 

We like the unflavored version, because it is free from added or artificial sugars and can easily be used with a variety of drinks or foods. Other grass-fed whey protein isolate flavors are chocolate and vanilla. If you want more flavors, Nutricost has whey protein isolate (not grass-fed) in mocha, salted caramel, cake batter, chocolate peanut butter, strawberry acai, and cookies and cream.  

Price at time of publication: $45 ($1.67 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: whey protein isolate | Serving size: 1/3 cup | Protein per serving: 30 grams | Other ingredients: N/A}

Best Organic

Nutiva Organic Plant Protein Powder

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Nutiva’s Organic Plant Protein Superfood Smoothie can make for a good protein powder for men who want more than just protein. This protein powder contains a wide range of micronutrients, thanks to Nutiva’s powdered fruit and vegetable blend. For example, in addition to 23 grams of protein per serving, it provides at least 25% Daily Value of vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, and many B vitamins. It also provides 15% Daily Value of iron. The protein is from a blend of organic peas, sunflower, pumpkin, and hemp seeds.

It has inulin added, which provides most of the two grams of fiber per serving and can help men meet the recommended 30 to 35 grams of fiber per day. One thing to keep in mind is that this product does not have third-party testing, and some might not want or need the added probiotic and digestive enzymes.  

This protein powder can fit most diets, as it is vegan, non-GMO, soy-free, and gluten-free. However, it does have coconut milk, so it is not recommended if you have a coconut allergy. It has no added sugar or stevia and is sweetened with monk fruit extract.

Price at time of publication: $30 ($1.50 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: pea, sunflower, pumpkin, hemp seed | Serving size: 1 scoop (31 grams) | Protein per serving: 23 grams | Other ingredients: organic creamer base, organic natural flavors, fruit and vegetable blend, himalayan sea salt, organic cinnamon, d-alpha tocopherol, bifidobacterium longum, digestive enzyme blend}

Best Vegan

Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+

4.8

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Ritual’s Essential Protein Daily Shake is a vanilla-flavored, plant-based protein powder that has 20 grams of protein per serving. It uses pea protein and also has methionine added to provide a complete protein with all essential amino acids. 

This protein powder uses monk fruit extract and reb-m, a sugar-free sweetener from fermented sugar cane, for a sweetener to keep the sugar amount to zero grams per serving. Other ingredients include natural vanilla flavor, organic medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, xanthan gum, salt, sunflower lecithin, and mixed tocopherols.

While it does have a higher sodium level than other protein powders—13% daily value—this amount could be helpful for replacing lost electrolytes after long workouts.

We love that this product is Informed Sport certified, meaning that each batch is tested for banned substances. This protein powder is the first plant-based protein to be Informed Protein certified, meaning that it is tested for protein amount, heavy metals, and pesticide levels. Ritual also has traceable ingredients for their products.

This vegan protein is free from common allergens, making it suitable for various dietary needs. It is also a good source of fiber, with three grams per serving. Getting enough fiber in the diet is important for men, as it can promote digestive health, cholesterol management, and blood sugar stability.

Ritual offers a subscription service with some perks like free shipping, but you also have the option to purchase products without a subscription. 

Price at time of publication: $45 ($3 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: pea protein | Serving size: 1 scoop (30 grams) | Protein per serving: 20 grams | Other ingredients: organic coconut medium-chain triglyceride oil, xanthan gum, salt, sunflower lecithin, Reb-M, mixed tocopherols, organic monk fruit extract}

Best Flavored

Naked Whey Vanilla Protein Powder

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If you’re looking for a flavored protein powder without artificial or filler ingredients, we recommend Naked Vanilla Whey Protein. Besides whey protein concentrate from grass-fed cows, the only other ingredients are coconut sugar and natural vanilla flavoring. Because of the simple ingredients, some may find the flavor is not as strong as other artificially flavored protein powders. 

Each serving has 25 grams of protein and five grams of added sugars. It is certified gluten-free and free from soy and GMOs. It is another Informed Choice certified option, so you can feel secure that this product is tested for contamination with banned substances.

Since it is whey protein concentrate rather than whey protein isolate, there are some natural amounts of sugars and fats, albeit minimal in comparison to its protein content. This product is also a source of calcium with 8% Daily Value per serving. 

Price at time of publication: $24 ($2.00 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: whey protein concentrate | Serving size: 2 scoops (7.2 tablespoons) | Protein per serving: 25 grams | Other ingredients: organic coconut sugar, organic natural flavor}

Best Casein

Dymatize Elite Casein Chocolate Protein Powder

4.9

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Casein is another dairy-based protein source containing all nine essential amino acids, and it contains more calcium than whey protein. It is digested and absorbed more slowly than whey, potentially helping to promote muscle recovery overnight if consumed after exercise and 30 minutes before sleep.

We recommend Dymatize’s Elite Casein Protein Powder, as it contains 45% Daily Value of calcium and an impressive 25 grams of protein per serving. It also contains 8% Daily Value of iron and potassium. We like that it is Informed Choice certified, so it is a good choice for athletes. Of note, it does contain artificial sweeteners, which may not be everybody’s preference.

Price at time of publication: $100 ($2 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: micellar casein | Serving size: 2 scoops (36 grams) | Protein per serving: 25 grams | Other ingredients: sunflower creamer, cocoa powder, natural flavors, salt, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, potassium chloride, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, sunflower lecithin}

Best Pea

NOW Foods Organic Pea Protein

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Pea protein is a vegan-friendly protein powder choice that contains all nine essential amino acids. We recommend NOW Sports Organic Pea Protein, as it is budget-friendly, Informed Sport certified, certified organic, and non-GMO verified. It is also suitable for those looking for a vegan protein powder that is soy-free. NOW Sports also has extensive in-house testing for ingredient accuracy and for contaminants.

Note the protein content is slightly lower than other options at 15 grams per serving, but it provides an impressive 30% Daily Value of iron. We like that you can add this protein powder to a variety of options, since it is unflavored and free from sweeteners.

Price at time of publication: $23 ($0.67 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: organic yellow pea protein isolate | Serving size: 2 scoops (20 grams) | Protein per serving: 15 grams | Other ingredients: N/A}

Best Combination

PlantFusion Complete Protein, Creamy Vanilla Bean

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PlantFusion’s amino-acid infused protein blend offers 21 grams of plant-based protein per serving and is free of common food allergens. This combination of vegetables, legumes, and grains acts as complementary proteins, offering a vegan protein powder with all nine essential amino acids. We like that this protein powder is third-party tested, certified vegan, non-GMO, and free from common allergens.  

It is rather high in sodium—17% Daily Value per serving—so, be mindful if you have a condition that warrants limited sodium consumption. Each serving provides 22% Daily Value of iron, and this protein powder does not have any added sugar. However, it does use stevia and monk fruit extract for sweetness, which might not appeal to everyone.

Besides vanilla, this protein powder also comes in rich chocolate, red velvet cake, natural-no stevia, and cookies and cream flavors.

Price at time of publication: $53 ($1.77 per serving)

^{Key Specs:
Protein source: pea protein isolate, artichoke powder, organic sprouted amaranth and quinoa powders, whole algae protein, added amino acids | Serving size: 1 scoop (30 grams) | Protein per serving: 21 grams | Other ingredients: enzyme blend, natural flavor, stevia extract powder, organic tapioca powder, silica, guar gum powder, lucuma powder, monk fruit extract powder, yacon powder}