There was a time when protein powder were used only by frequent gym goers and those looking to build muscle. Now, it's a regular supplement for anyone who wants to make sure they're getting enough in order to support growth and repair throughout the body.

An essential macronutrient, protein is vital for our minds and bodies to function properly, so if you think your diet may be lacking, it might be time to purchase a powder.

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To help you make the right choice, our team tested all the well known – and some smaller ones – rating them all for taste, quality and ingredients. Read on for our selection.

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Best protein powder at a glance

  • Best tasting protein powder: The Organic Protein Co organic whey protein, banana and lucama, £28 for 600g
  • Best allrounder protein powder: MyProtein Impact whey protein, chocolate brownie, £12.99 for 500g
  • Best low-calorie protein powder: Protein Works diet whey isolate 90, vanilla crème, £19.49 for 500g
  • Best protein powder for women: Free Soul vegan protein blend, chocolate, £24.99 for 600g
  • Best protein powder with added benefits: Foodspring x Davina McCall Protein + Relax, honey and spices, £24.99 for 480g
  • Best protein powder for bulking: Maxi Nutrition Cyclone Strength, banoffee, £43.99 for 1.26kg
  • Best protein powder for adding to smoothies: Huel Complete Protein, chocolate fudge brownie, £25 for 750g

Best protein powder to buy 2025

The Organic Protein Co organic whey protein, banana and lucama

best protein powder

Best tasting protein powder

Star rating: 5/5

Many protein powders fall short when it comes to flavour, but not this one from The Organic Protein Co. We found it tastes just like a slice of banana bread and whisked into a smooth, creamy drink is similar in texture to a milkshake.

We were also impressed by the ingredients of this supplement which shuns artificial sweeteners in favour of dried banana and uses whey from organic milk. Plus the addition of lucama powder which adds a hint of sweetness. At £26 for 600g (16 servings) it's one of the more expensive on this list, but if you ask us it's worth it.

Available from:
Amazon (£26)
Planet Organic (£26)
Abel & Cole (£28)

MyProtein Impact whey protein, chocolate brownie

best protein powder

Best allrounder protein powder

Star rating: 4.5/5

If you like to switch things up when it comes to flavour this could be a great option. It's available in a staggering 40 flavours with everything from Peach Tea to Tiramisu. We tried the Chocolate Brownie flavour which was subtle with a lovely milk chocolatey aftertaste.

When mixed with water the shake became thick and we found it very filling when we had it at breakfast time.

Available from:
MyProtein (£12.99 for 500g)

Protein Works diet whey isolate 90, vanilla crème

best protein powder

Best low-calorie protein powder

Star rating: 4.5/5

This protein powder is available in a host of flavours, or you can buy it unflavoured to add to smoothies without overwhelming the taste. We tried it in the Vanilla Crème flavour which was custardy and sweet thanks to the stevia.

With 0g of fat per serving this could be a good option if you're looking for a protein powder which doesn't add more fat into your diet.

Available from:
Protein Works (£19.49 for 500g)

Free Soul vegan protein blend, chocolate

best protein powder

Best protein powder for women

Star rating: 4.5/5

We tried this supplement from Free Soul in the Chocolate flavour which we found pleasantly malty and nutty without being overpoweringly sweet. Suitable for those on a vegan diet, it mixed into a nice and smooth shake which could be drunk on it's own or blended with other ingredients.

As part of it's ingredients this supplement also includes added nutrients for women which include calcium, biotin (B7), thiamine (B1), vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and pantothenic acid (B5). Since it has so many added ingredients it's worth checking any other supplements you might be taking to ensure you're not consuming more than your daily dose on any nutrients.

Available from:
Free Soul (£24.99 for 600g)

Foodspring x Davina McCall Protein + Relax, honey and spice

best protein powders

Best protein powder with added benefits

Star rating: 4/5

This protein powder is intended not just to add protein to your diet, but also to help with relaxation. It has ingredients to help with this like ashwaganda root powder, as well as turmeric, ginger and black pepper.

Honey and Spices is a pleasantly sweet and warming flavour which we think would be delicious mixed with milk, similar to a turmeric latte.

Available from:
Amazon (£15.99 for 480g)

Maxi Nutrition Cyclone Strength, banoffee

best protein powder

Best protein powder for bulking

Star rating: 4/5

If you're goals include growing muscle this powder could be a good option as it includes creatine as well as protein which aids energy in the muscles. With 60g per portion this supplement also has an impressive amount of protein in it compared to other powders we tested.

We tried the Banoffee flavour which might not be for everyone as it's very sweet, but we found it similar to foam banana sweets.

Available from:
Maxi Nutrition (£43.99 for 1.26kg)

Huel Complete Protein, chocolate fudge brownie

Huel Complete Protein, chocolate fudge brownie

Best protein powder for adding to smoothies

Star rating: 3.5/5

Huel is a big name when it comes to supplements, and we tried its protein powder in the Chocolate Fudge Brownie flavour. Mixed with water it created a nicely thick textured shake although we didn't find the flavour as chocolatey as we would have hoped. This would be a good option if you're looking for a protein to add to your morning smoothie as it would pair well with ingredients like banana and peanut butter.

Each serving contains 20g of protein, and the powder is suitable for those on a vegan and/or gluten-free diet.

Available from:
Huel (£25 for 750g)

What type of protein powder is best?

The type of protein powder best for you will be entirely dependant on your own personal requirements and goals — there isn't a 'one size fits all' approach when it comes to supplements.

When choosing a protein powder, make sure you look at the ingredients and think about what you're already getting in your diet. It's important to buy from a reputable retailer and if you're in any doubt talk to your pharmacist or GP.

Who could benefit from using protein powder?

If you are unable to eat enough protein through your diet, or if high-intensity exercise means that you have an increased protein need, than you may benefit from a protein supplement.

It's worth bearing in mind that, if you're regularly getting enough protein through the food you're eating, then you'll be unlikely to see a big difference from a protein powder.

Is it ok to drink protein powder everyday?

All supplements need to be taken as part of a health balanced diet. It is possible to take too much protein, and it is recommended by the Department of Health that adults shouldn't take more than twice the daily recommended intake of protein. That's 55g for men and 45g for women.

It's important to think about the other sources of protein you're getting from your diet as well as the dose of your protein powder to make sure you're not taking too much. There are possible long term affects of taking too much protein such as a greater risk of osteoporosis.

Some people should avoid protein powders all together, for example children should not take them unless directly advised by their doctor to do so.

If you are concerned about which supplement to take or whether your should be taking a specific supplement you should get in touch with your GP.

How we test protein powders

When testing we mixed each protein powder with water using a handheld milk frother to achieve a consistent taste and consistency. We used the packaging instructions for the ratio of powder:water. Each protein powder was scored against a number of criteria including:

Taste: was the flavour of the drink pleasant when mixed with just water

Texture: were we able to achieve a smooth consistency without any lumps of powder

Value for money: how many servings were included versus the cost of the product

Type of protein: what type of protein is used in the powder

Nutrient profile: we look for how much protein is included per serving as well as the volume of other ingredients and nutrients

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Imogen Hope

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