Best Whey Protein Powder Of 2025, According To Experts

To determine the best whey protein powders of 2025, the Forbes Health editorial team consulted four nutrition experts, who provided their product recommendations. The editorial team also used data points to create star rankings. These data points included:

• Cost per serving
• Protein per serving
• Additional ingredients
• Third-party certification

Whey protein powder is a powdered form of protein derived from milk. Similar to other types of protein powders, whey can help contribute to muscle growth by maximizing muscle protein synthesis.

As whey protein is the liquid byproduct of dairy processing, it’s not suitable if you follow a vegan dietary pattern, explains Emily Werner, P.h.D.,and a registered dietitian and team dietitian for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). “The liquid part of whey protein can be dried into a powder and mixed with other ingredients, like flavorings and fats, to create a whey protein powder supplement.”

What Is Whey Isolate Protein Powder?

Whey isolate protein powder is simply whey protein processed a step further to remove the sugars and fats, explains Dr. Werner. “It usually contains more protein and less carbohydrates and fats for the same sized scoop of whey protein powder.”

What Is Whey Protein Concentrate?

Whey protein concentrate is a substance made by removing non-protein properties from whey, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To remove non-protein properties, liquid whey undergoes a separation process so that the content of the dry concentrate product contains at least 25% protein.

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Whey protein powder contains all nine essential amino acids (EAAs) that our bodies do not produce, but are necessary for muscle synthesis, according to Dr. Werner. There are other touted benefits too.

Quality Protein Source

If you’re looking for a high protein boost that is low in carbohydrate and fat content, whey protein powder is an excellent source. Given its powder form, this type of protein is easy to mix with water or milk to drink on the go.

Muscle Growth

Aside from its association with improving recovery following resistance training, protein consumption can assist in fueling your muscles for enhanced protein synthesis, which is essential if muscle growth (hypertrophy) is your goal.

Can Support Strong Bones

Whey protein powder is made with milk, which, according to one review in the Journal of Food Science and Engineering, contains basic proteins that positively impact bone health^[1]Bulut Solak, B., & Akin, N. Health Benefits of Whey Protein: A Review. Journal of Food Science and Engineering. (2012) 129-137. . One portion of whey protein powder accounts for around 12% of your required calcium daily intake to help maintain strong bones.

Increases Satiety

As the most satiating macronutrient, due to its high amino acid content, protein helps keep you fuller for longer. In particular, whey protein powder can increase satiety more than many other forms of protein such as casein and soy protein, due to its high count of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). BCAAs are associated with stimulating leptin levels and therefore hunger, which can help reduce overeating if weight loss is your goal.

Those with an intolerance to dairy should not consume whey protein to avoid stomach upset or other adverse reactions.

For those without a dairy intolerance or sensitivity, regular consumption of whey protein powder is relatively safe. Some studies have associated whey protein with the development of acne and the modification of the gut microbiota.

Chronic, long-term overuse of whey protein has also been associated with kidney and liver issues.

Before starting any new supplement, it’s always a good idea to speak with your doctor about your personal health history.

While a typical serving of whey protein powder may be one or two scoops of product, the actual serving size depends on the brand and type of product you choose. Each package will likely contain a plastic scoop for accurate measuring.

When Is the Best Time to Take Whey Protein Powder?

While a long debate exists on when to consume protein powders, especially if trying to build lean muscle, one study in PeerJ found that the post-exercise anabolic window (which is when protein maximizes muscle response) is larger than once thought—possibly several hours or more after working out, depending on when one’s last meal was consumed^[2]Schoenfeld BJ, Aragon A, Wilborn C, Urbina SL, Hayward SE, Krieger J. Pre- versus post-exercise protein intake has similar effects on muscular adaptations. PeerJ. 2017 Jan 3;5:e2825. .

How Much Whey Protein Powder Should You Take Per Day?

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. However, the amount of protein an individual needs per day varies depending on factors such as age, weight, sex and level of physical activity. Additionally, the RDA for protein is based on minimum requirements to meet basic nutritional needs, meaning many individuals may need to consume more than the recommended amount.

For individuals who intend to take whey protein powder to aid in muscle growth, research suggests that consuming one-and-a-half to two times as much protein as the RDA may support an increase in muscle mass.

Protein supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as medications. If you’re worried about safety, Dr. Werner recommends checking for the certification label of a reputable third-party organization such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), Laboratory of the Government Chemist (LGC)’s Informed Choice program and Banned Substances Control Group (BCSG), to ensure its authenticity. These entities test products for harmful substances like toxins, heavy metals, banned substances in sport and for product quality and truth in labeling, explains Dr. Werner.

The protein powder market is brimming with choices and you want to consider a few factors before deciding on one product. Factors like flavor, price, allergens, added sugars and third-party certification can sway you in one direction. However, another important consideration is protein content.

If your goal is to increase muscle, research suggests that maximizing resistance training-induced gains equates to 1.6 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight to meet increased demand^[3]Schoenfeld BJ, Aragon AA. How much protein can the body use in a single meal for muscle-building? Implications for daily protein distribution. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2018;15(1):10. . “Based on this recommendation, if you weigh 80 kilograms (around 176 pounds), you should aim for 128 to 176 grams of protein per day, which across four meals per day is 32 to 44 grams of protein,” explains Dr. Werner.