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Welcome to our page on the 7 things to look for in a quality protein powder.
Although there are now many excellent plant-based protein powders out there, in this article we will be focusing mainly on whey protein powders, and telling you which ones we recommend for helping you achieve a number of different training goals.
This article will help you out if you’re new to protein powders and aren’t quite sure what you’re looking for in order to get the best results from your training…
Of if you’re already using protein powders and still not seeing the results you would like.
In this article we will tell you…
- How to decide which type of protein powder is best for you…
- The 7 main features to look for…
- The top 3 protein powders according to your training goals…
We will also give you overviews of each choice along with the latest customer opinion, as well as links through to our full reviews of each protein powder so that you can check them out in more depth on the site…
As well as links through to the product listings for each one on Amazon so that you can grab any that take your fancy at the best available price and with speedy delivery.
Protein Powders-What To Look For To Get The Best Results…
The first, and probably most important thing in deciding which protein powder to go for is to ask yourself exactly what you want it to help you achieve.
Sounds obvious, however if you don’t get this bit right there’s not much chance of whatever follows going right either.
So, if you’re looking to increase your daily protein intake for improved recovery and to pack on lean muscle mass then a basic quality whey protein powder would be the way to go.
If you want to add muscle but struggle to consume enough calories on a daily basis then a mass gainer protein powder would be your best option.
If you’re looking to lose some weight without sacrificing lean muscle mass then either a basic protein powder, or a diet protein powder would suit you best.
So, decide what it is you want to achieve and then the rest becomes a lot easier, basically it’s just a matter of running through a simple checklist…
What to look for in a quality whey protein powder…
#1. Type and Quality…
Look for a whey protein powder that provides an effective amount of high-quality protein per serving.
The purest and best is whey protein isolate, and the best whey comes from the milk of grass-fed cattle. Whey protein isolate is also the fastest digesting form of whey and so is an excellent choice for using immediately after your workouts to kick-start the growth and recovery process.
Hydrolyzed whey protein is also fast acting and rapidly absorbed by the body making it a pretty good alternative to whey protein isolate as a post-workout shake, and whey protein concentrate has slightly lower protein content plus a slightly higher carb content.
While they all provide similar benefits they do digest at different rates so don’t be afraid to experiment and see which one is best for you, alternatively you can go for a protein powder that’s a blend of all three, as you will find in our top choice, and which seems to be a highly effective option for most people.
#2. Nutritional Profile…
Next up we recommend taking a look at the nutritional profile and going for one with a low carb, sugar and fat content. This makes the protein powder more versatile, healthier, and far easier to fit into just about every nutrition plan and lifestyle while helping to support a number of different training goals.
#3. Amino Acids…
It’s also a good idea to opt for a protein powder with a good amount of amino acids, BCAA’s and EAA’s for improved recovery rates, reduced muscle soreness and improved protein synthesis following training, so look out for protein powders with these as well as L-glutamine and L-leucine.
#4. Natural Ingredients…
We also recommend sticking with protein powders which are naturally sweetened as opposed to ones with artificial sweeteners, and also avoiding ones which are full of additives such as thickeners, preservatives and other unnecessary fillers as best you can to keep everything on the healthy side.
#5. Mix And Taste…
We also strongly suggest choosing an instantized protein powder so that it mixes easily into a smooth textured shake without any lumps, clumps or grittiness that are going to put you off using it, and also one that tastes pretty good too, which fortunately most of them seem to do these days.
#6. Side Effects…
You should also take into account any food intolerances you may have. Even if you don’t have any intolerances we recommend going for lactose, gluten and GMO free protein powders as they are much easier on your gut, healthier and can also help you perform better in the gym. You’re also less likely to suffer bloating, stomach cramps and bad farts.
#7. Value For Money…
We feel that although it’s important to get the best bang for your buck, it’s not the most important factor when it comes to choosing a protein powder, so what we advise here is to go for the best you can comfortably afford that’s been shown to produce the kind of results you’re looking to achieve.
In short…the most expensive isn’t always necessarily the best, and vice versa.
Our Top Recommendations…
Protein Powders…
These are the ones to go for if you’re just looking to increase your daily protein intake to meet your macros and support new muscle growth and recovery following training.
#1 Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey-Our Overall Top Choice…
If you only check out one protein powder on this page, make sure it’s this one. ON’s Gold Standard Whey has been the world’s top selling protein powder for over the last 20 years, and with good reason. This is a 3-protein blend of whey isolate, hydrolysate and concentrate that’s fast absorbing, high in BCAA’s and glutamine, low in sugar and fat, mixes and tastes amazing and is trusted by athletes and gym-goers worldwide to help them to transform their physiques and get the results they are looking for from their training.
Customer opinion…
This protein powder currently has a customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 100,000 customer reviews.
Some of the things that people who have purchased this product on Amazon are saying they like about it the most are…
A very high volume of Amazon buyers are saying how impressed they are with just how well this protein powder mixes and tastes, likening it to a smooth and decadently delicious milkshake.
They are also saying how much they like the nutritional profile, and how easy it is to digest, and that it gives them everything they need for speedy recovery and gains.
Something else they are praising is just how versatile this protein powder is, and how it can be used in a number of different ways, as well as how easy and conveniently it can be slotted into just about every lifestyle and nutrition plan.
We also looked at the reviews that rated it 3 stars or less and a couple of things they didn’t like and which you may want to bear in mind are…
This may sound a little bit weird, but one of the very few things that buyers have an issue with is that this protein powder is watery…when mixed with water!
We’ll leave you to make what you will of that and check it out for yourself below…
Click here to read the full review…
#2 Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder
Dymatize ISO 100 Whey is an award winning advanced blend of hydrolyzed whey protein isolate and standard whey protein isolate which produces an incredibly fast acting and rapidly absorbed, high-quality whey isolate that’s perfect to use before, and after workouts to minimize muscle breakdown during and maximize repair and growth afterwards. It comes with the minimum amount of surplus calories possible, it’s free from sugar and fat and has an excellent naturally occurring amino acid profile with optimal amounts of glutamine and l-leucine for improved recovery, protein synthesis and muscle growth.
This is another one that’s really worth taking a closer look at.
Customer opinion…
This protein powder currently has a customer rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 2,750 customer reviews.
Some of the things that people who have bought this product on Amazon and who rate it a 5 star product are saying they like about it the most are…
They are saying how impressed they are with the nutritional profile-this one has an extra 1g of protein per serving compared to our top choice above, along with a decent amount of BCAA’s and Leucine.
They also like the taste and texture of this protein powder saying that it mixes up easily into a deliciously tasty milkshake like drink.
And equally as important they like that it’s quick and easy to digest without any stomach upsets or similar issues, and that it’s also great value for money too which is always a bonus.
We also looked at the reviews that rated it 3 stars or less and a couple of things they didn’t like and which you may want to bear in mind are…
Some buyers found this product to be a little on the sweet side for them, while others simply didn’t like the taste for one reason or another.
Another thing that a small number of buyers experienced was receiving tubs with faulty seals, which is something to be aware of.
Click here to read the full review…
#3 Bulk Pure Whey Protein Powder-Best Whey Protein Concentrate…
This is a fantastic alternative to our top choice. Bulk Pure Whey is a 100% whey protein concentrate from one of the UK’s leading sports nutrition brands. Made entirely from the milk from grass-fed cows it has an excellent nutritional profile, it’s rich in essential amino acids, BCAA’s and glutamine, instantized for quick and easy lump-free mixing and a really healthy way to increase your daily protein intake and optimize post-workout recovery and muscle growth.
Customer opinion…
This protein powder currently has a customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 10, 125 customer reviews.
Some of the things that buyers on Amazon who rate Bulk Pure Whey a 5 star product are saying they like about it the most are…
Firstly they are reporting being impressed by the overall high-quality of this protein powder, which isn’t really surprising as it’s made from the milk of grass-fed cows, which more than likely also accounts for its amazing taste. They also very much like the texture of the shake they get, again comparing it to a quality milkshake.
The value for money they feel they get from this product is something else they are commenting on and probably one of the reasons why this one selling so well.
Most importantly though, they are saying what a great post-workout shake it makes for enhanced recovery and kick-starting the growth and repair process after training.
We also looked at the reviews that rated it 3 stars or less and a couple of things they didn’t like and which you may want to bear in mind are…
Some users find this particular protein powder just a little bit too sweet for them, and some also found the pouch to be awkward to reseal after using.
Click here to read the full review…
Mass Gainers…
These are the ones to look at if you’re someone who struggles to put on weight due to having a fast metabolism, or you find it difficult to consume enough regular food on a daily basis to get enough calories to gain weight, or if you’re just too busy to stop and eat as often as you need to due to having a hectic lifestyle…
#1 Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass-Best Mass Gainer 2021?
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass is our top choice for anyone who is serious about gaining muscle mass. This one is a high-protein (double the amount you get in a regular protein powder) , high calorie protein powder that’s low in fat and has no added sugar. It also comes with added creatine and glutamine for improved performance and recovery, as well as an added vitamin and mineral complex to support your immune system and overall health. It’s instantized for easy mixing, however you’re still going to need a blender for this one unless you like lumpy shakes!
Customer opinion…
This protein powder currently has a customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 35,000 customer reviews.
Some of the things that people who have purchased this product on Amazon and given it the full 5 out of 5 stars are saying they like about it the most are…
A large number of them seem very happy at finally having found a mass gainer protein powder that actually does what it says. They report that at last they are gaining weight, packing on lean muscle, recovering far better, and making stronger progress in the gym.
They are also pretty happy with the price, along with the quality of the ingredients they are getting for that price, which isn’t really surprising as it’s from Optimum Nutrition.
Something else they are impressed with is how easy it is to mix. Take note here that this one does need to be mixed in a blender, there’s a lot of powder and by the time you’ve shaken a shaker cup long enough to mix the stuff, you’ll be too knackered to lift anything in the gym!
They are really happy with how it tastes too, which is really important with this one as you can’t just whack it down in one, you are going to taste it.
We also looked at the reviews that rated it 3 stars or less and a couple of things they didn’t like and which you may want to bear in mind are…
They didn’t like that it’s virtually impossible to mix in a shaker cup. There are enough reviews saying to use a blender which they seem to have completely ignored, and ended up having a hard time of it.
Some users found it to be too sweet for them, which, as mentioned earlier you need to be aware of as you are going to taste this one.
Click here to read the full review…
#2 USN Muscle Fuel Anabolic- The All-In-One Mass Builder…
Our second choice of mass gainer is USN Muscle Fuel Anabolic which makes a brilliant choice for anyone looking to pack on lean muscle mass and who doesn’t need as many calories as you get in Serious Mass above. This one has a slightly higher protein content, fewer carbs/calories, and less fat per serving, and the protein is from multiple sources for maximum absorption. You also get performance enhancing creatine, glutamine and BCAA’s for enhanced recovery and protein synthesis, as well as tolerase which makes it easily digestible and suitable for those who are lactose intolerant.
Customer opinion…
This protein powder currently has a customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 5,520 customer reviews.
Some of the things that people who have left 5 star reviews after purchasing this product on Amazon are saying they like about it the most are…
They are saying how they like the results they are getting, namely the gains in size and strength that they are seeing from using this one, along with the faster recovery times and reduced muscle soreness after workouts.
Many of them are also praising it for how well it mixes into a smooth textured shake, plus how good it tastes too.
Add to the above the excellent value for money they are saying they get with this protein powder and it’s not hard to see why they are rating it so highly.
We also looked at the reviews that rated it 3 stars or less and a couple of things they didn’t like and which you may want to bear in mind are…
On the other side of the coin there are some buyers who find this mass gainer to be too thick when it’s mixed, however adding more liquid to begin with would take care of this.
Some users also said that it tastes too sweet for them, so if you have issues with sweeter tasting drinks you may wish to avoid this one.
And even though they rated it 3 stars or less, some of them are saying that it’s still a good mass gainer, just not the best one out there.
Click here to read the full review…
#3 Serious Gainz Mass Gainer
Serious Gainz Mass Gainer from The Bulk Protein Company is another pretty decent choice if you’re looking to pack on some lean muscle. This one features a time-release protein blend which feeds your muscles for longer following training, however it has the ,lowest protein content of our 3 choices. You also get a pretty decent 468 calories in each serving, plus it’s also rich in BCAA’s, however it doesn’t come with the performance enhancing creatine matrix found in our other 2 choices. That being said, it’s still a hugely popular mass gain protein powder and well worth checking out in our opinion.
Customer opinion…
This protein powder currently has a customer rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from over 1,010 customer reviews.
Some of the things that buyers on Amazon who rated Serious Gainz Mass Gainer a 5 star product are saying they like about it the most are…
First off they like the gains they are making in muscle strength and size from using this one. They also like the way it tastes which is pretty important, and they also believe that they are getting real value for money with a tub of this stuff lasting them around a full month.
They are also saying they like the amount of protein they get per serving, plus the fact that it’s a time release protein for a sustained drip-feed of muscle building aminos.
And they are also happy with the way it mixes to produce a lump-free, smoothly textured shake that’s easy to get down.
We also looked at the reviews that rated it 3 stars or less and a couple of things they didn’t like and which you may want to bear in mind are…
And, as ever, whatever the majority of people say they like there’s always a small number of people saying the opposite. In this case there are a number of buyers saying that they found this mass gain protein shake to have a chalky taste and consistency, saying that they don’t think it tastes good, and that they also found it not to mix all that well either.
Click here to read the full review…
Diet Protein Powders…
If you’re looking to lose weight by cutting calories without losing any of your hard earned muscle mass in the process, then Diet Protein meal replacement powders would be the best option for you. Not only can they help you strip fat and get lean and toned they can also help you to maintain your ideal physique all year round too.
#1 PhD Nutrition Diet Whey Protein Powder
Our top choice of diet protein powder is PhD Nutrition’s Diet Whey. This one features a multi-source, time-release protein blend which drip feeds your muscles with amino acids over a number of hours, along with fat burning CLA, L-Carnitine, Flaxseeds, and Green Tea Extract, all of which have been show to help achieve and maintain a leaner physique. This is a particularly useful protein powder for anyone who is looking to add fat-free muscle mass and maintain a lean and toned physique. Each serving has all the protein you’ll need along with a low carb content and almost zero fat, and we highly recommend checking this one out further.
Customer opinion…
This protein powder currently has a customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 6,150 customer reviews.
Some of the things that people who have purchased this product on Amazon are saying they like about it the most are…
They like its effectiveness. They like that it helps them cut calories and strip away their unwanted excess weight without leaving them feeling hungry or craving sweets and other unhealthy snacks.
Another thing that’s impressing them is how well this stuff mixes in just a shaker cup with either water, or milk, to produce a smooth and creamy shake that tastes probably far better that a weight loss shake should.
They are also pleased that they are getting an effective, easy mixing, great tasting diet shake that has a decent amount of protein in each serving, keeps them feeling fuller for longer between meals, and reduces cravings too at a really good price!
We also looked at the reviews that rated it 3 stars or less and a couple of things they didn’t like and which you may want to bear in mind are…
Some people don’t like that this product uses artificial sweeteners which left them with an artificial aftertaste.
There are also some users who had issues with mixing this diet protein powder and report ending up with a shake that was a bit on the lumpy side.
And a small number of customers find the taste to be disappointing for one reason or another.
Click here to read the full review…
#2 USN Diet Fuel Ultralean Meal Replacement Shake
This one is a high-protein, low carb meal replacement shake that’s also high in fibre and low in sugar and just 200 cals per serving. It’s also got a fantastic vitamin complex to help your diet remain healthy as you lose weight as well as chromium to keep your blood sugar levels normal, and tolerase to make it suitable for those who don’t tolerate lactose well. The protein blend in Diet Fuel Ultralean helps maintain muscle mass as you lose weight and plays a major role in helping you achieve a lean and toned body, and also maintaining your physique all year round.
Customer opinion…
This protein powder currently has a customer rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 7,330 customer reviews.
Some of the things that buyers on Amazon who rate USN Diet Fuel Ultralean a 5 star product are saying impressed them the most about it are…
They are mostly impressed by the fact that it actually works and helps them lose weight effectively and healthily, and that it also tastes great too.
The way it keeps them feeling fuller for longer between meals and not reaching for sugary snacks to satisfy cravings is something else that they are praising it for.
They are also more than happy with the overall quality of Diet Fuel Ultralean, as well as the price and value for money.
We also looked at the reviews that rated it 3 stars or less and a couple of things they didn’t like and which you may want to bear in mind are…
There are some buyers who are less impressed with the taste saying it tastes just ‘ok’ , however it’s still good for helping you skip meals without feeling hungry.
Some users say it mixes up too thick for them-adding more liquid would probably take care of this.
And some of them just don’t like the way it tastes at all.
Click here to read the full review…
#3 Stripfast 5000 Strip Shake Superlean
And our third choice of diet protein powder, which could just as easily have been or second choice is Stripfast 5000 Strip Shake Superlean. This one has 21g of protein, 1.3g of fat, and 9.3g of carbs, and just 135 calories in each serving, along with added Taurine, N-acetyl-L-Carnitine, Acai Berry, CLA, and Green Tea for enhanced fat burning, and a complex of 27 essential vitamins and minerals for optimum health while dieting too. It’s also free from GMO’s and artificial preservatives as well as being suitable for vegetarians.
This one also comes with a full, no question asked money back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied with it!
Customer opinion…
This protein powder currently has a customer rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from over 5,815 customer reviews.
Some of the things that people who have purchased Stripshake Superlean on Amazon are saying they like about it the most are…
They are really impressed with the taste saying its just like drinking a really decadent milkshake, plus they are also raving about the results they are getting from using it.
The value for money is another big thing they like about this one, as well as the way it keeps them feeling full and not tempted to snack.
In a nutshell, they are saying it’s an excellent meal replacement shake that mixes up really well, and gives them the results they are looking for.
We also looked at the reviews that rated it 3 stars or less and a couple of things they didn’t like and which you may want to bear in mind are…
A relatively small number of buyers say that it’s got a grainy taste, that it’s too sweet, and that it caused them bloating and excessive wind.
Click here to read the full review…
Our Top Choices Again…
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey – #1 Whey Protein Powder And Our Overall Top Choice…
We recommend you go for this one if you just need to increase the amount of protein you consume each day in order to support improved recovery rates and new muscle growth after training…
To read our full Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder review, click here…
Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass – #1 Mass Gainer…
We recommend going for this one if you need more protein along with more calories to put on weight and add new muscle due to having a fast metabolic rate, or you simply can’t eat enough regular food on a daily basis to gain weight, of if your lifestyle doesn’t allow you to stop and eat enough calories to build new muscle…
To read our full Optimum Nutrition Serious Mass Protein Powder review, click here…
PhD Nutrition Diet Whey Protein Powder – #1 Diet Protein Powder…
This is the one we recommend opting for if you are looking to lose some weight by cutting your daily calorie intake and don’t want to lose any of your hard earned muscle at the same time, or if you have achieved your goal physique and are looking to maintain it all year round…
To read our full PhD Nutrition Diet Whey Protein Powder review, click here…
And there you have our 7 things to look for in a quality protein powder. Hopefully you will find pretty much everything you need on this page to make your search easier and less time consuming.
If you would like a greater range of choice you can check out our Top 20 Protein Powders by clicking here…
Or you can see our Top 10 Protein Powders by clicking here…
Thanks for reading.
