Best Protein Powder for Women (2024): 50 Tested to Find the Best

Transparent Labs appears on many of our nutritional guides and tops our overall best protein powder list. With 28 grams of protein from pure whey protein isolate—and just 1 to 2 grams of carbs and 0 grams of fat—a tub of Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein contains not much of anything else. 

It’s free of preservatives, dyes, fillers, artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, and gums. In fact, the ingredients list for the Milk Chocolate flavor contains just five items: grass-fed whey protein isolate, cocoa powder, natural flavor, sodium chloride, and stevia. 

At $1.99 per serving, this protein powder is on the pricey side. But as our product testers can vouch, it’s worth it when you take the first sip. This protein tastes clean and pure and mixes well with any method. I personally love the Strawberry flavor mixed with almond milk. It tastes like, well, strawberry milk. 

In addition to the flavor and texture of this protein powder, our product testers love the product transparency you get from Transparent Labs (hence the name). We love feeling confident that what we see is what we get, and we don’t have to worry about poor manufacturing practices, sketchy product sourcing, or questionable ingredients. 

In fact, Transparent Labs posts its certificates of analysis and certificates of composition for all of its products. You can literally see right here that the Milk Chocolate whey protein isolate is 94.3% whey protein isolate and 5.7% flavor (such as cocoa and stevia).

While we trust Transparent Labs, we had Ellipse Analytics, an accredited third-party lab, test it and more than 150 other protein powder samples for label accuracy and analyze them for pesticides, heavy metals, and other potentially harmful compounds. You’ll be happy to know it ranked above average overall, meaning it passed all of our testing processes. Learn more by reading through our Independent Supplement Testing Glossary.

Read our full Transparent Labs Protein Powder review for more details.

Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate is one of the few protein powders that gets a 5 out of 5 on our pricing scale regardless of the size or flavor you order. A 2-pound container of the Chocolate Peanut Butter comes out to $1.15 per scoop, and a 5-pound container of the Unflavored protein powder will run you less than $0.80 per serving.

We know what some of you might be thinking, “If it’s that affordable then it’s probably not that good.” We’d usually agree with you, but in this case, you’d be wrong. Kate Meier, GGR’s senior director of content and a certified personal trainer, gave the Chocolate Peanut Butter a 5 out of 5 for taste and solubility.

“I like the taste, I love the protein content,” she says. “All around, a great product. Would definitely buy it again.” Kate said the protein powder—which she mixed with water and milk and added to smoothies—strikes a perfect balance of chocolate and peanut butter. “The peanuty flavor is just right,” she says. “Not too powerful and doesn’t overpower the chocolate.”

Registered dietitian Perry Nix is also a fan of Nutricost protein powder. “Each serving contains 25 grams of protein, which is plenty to stimulate muscle protein synthesis for building and repairing muscle mass,” she says.

We’re also happy to see that fat and carbs are kept low. If you’re someone who prefers all-natural ingredients, you might want to steer clear of the flavored options because they contain artificial ingredients and flavorings. The unflavored protein powder, however, contains no such additives.

Nix notes that people who are sensitive to dairy might want to steer clear of whey protein concentrate because it contains more lactose than whey isolate.

More and more studies are coming out about how our gut health impacts our overall health, which is why we recommend Sports Research Whey Protein Isolate for anyone who’s looking to care for their second brain. 

Obviously, if you have an allergy to dairy, a whey protein isn’t your best bet. However, whey isolate has processed virtually all lactose out of the whey, making it far easier on the stomach. Plus, the protein powder is GMO-free and gluten-free. 

Our tester, certified personal trainer and nutrition coach Anthony O’Reilly, had no stomach trouble after trying it out multiple times—by itself and as part of a smoothie. “There’s no protein aftertaste at all, and my stomach felt fine, no distress or bloating,” he adds. It gets a 5 out of 5 for side effects.

As far as taste goes, Anthony rates it a 5 out of 5, saying, “It reminds me of instant hot cocoa, which is a good thing. I feel like I should be roasting marshmallows over a campfire with this.” He had Dutch Chocolate, but the protein is also available in Creamy Vanilla.

Perry Nix, RD, adds that the Dutch Chocolate is sweetened with two artificial sweeteners: acesulfame and sucralose. These can cause digestive problems for those with sensitive stomachs. For gut health, we recommend the Creamy Vanilla flavor.

It mixes mostly well, although Anthony noticed some clumping at the bottom of his shaker cup when he mixed it together that way. “What was mixed was smooth and had no lumps, so the texture is at least good,” Anthony says, rating the solubility a 3.5 out of 5. For a smooth consistency, just shake it longer, or use a blender.

Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake is one of the best vegan protein powders because it’s a high-quality and good-tasting protein that contains all the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth. Ritual uses pea protein, which is traditionally not considered a complete protein source because of its low methionine content. The company fixes this issue by adding methionine to the blend.

When it comes to taste, GGR senior director of content and competitive weightlifter Kate Meier scores it a 4 out of 5. She says it lacks the earthy and hempy taste found in some plant-based protein powders. “There is a very slight chalky aftertaste with water, but I could drink this with water alone and be fine with it,” Kate says. “That’s how decent I think this taste is.”

Her preferred method is to add it to a blender with water, strawberries, and blueberries to create a morning protein smoothie.

Ritual is also lower in calories than other vegan protein supplements that often use a protein blend to get all essential amino acids. One downside is that it’s a subscription-based company, though you have 30 days to get your money back if you decide it’s not right for you.

Read our full Ritual protein powder review for more info. Also, those looking for a plant-based protein powder for women might also want to check out our No Cow protein bar review for our thoughts on a more portable protein supplement.

If going organic is important to you, consider Legion Whey+. It uses all-natural ingredients, is relatively low in fat and carbs, and is third-party tested for ingredient quality and label accuracy.

Made of Truly Grass Fed whey protein, meaning it’s been verified that the cows that produced the milk ate what nature intended them to, Legion Whey+ is one of our favorite protein powders when it comes to taste. “It’s like the bottom of a Cinnamon Toast Crunch bowl where the cereal’s been sitting for a little bit,” says certified personal trainer Anthony O’Reilly in our Legion whey protein review.

The taste of stevia, a natural ingredient, is pretty strong in some flavors, though we didn’t mind it. But since we know that others may not like it as much, we gave the taste 4 out of 5 stars.

Legion Whey+ is also third-party tested, and met all testing standards set by GGR and Ellipse Analytics, a third-party accredited lab that analyzed more than 150 protein powder samples for label purity and accuracy as well as potentially harmful substances. Read through our Independent Supplement Testing Glossary for more information.

When looking for the best protein powder for pregnancy, you may not start with a meal replacement shake. But Huel Black Edition is packed with macronutrients and micronutrients you’ll need throughout your pregnancy. Most notably, it contains 40 grams of plant-based protein, earning it a 5 out of 5 for formulation.

Registered dietitian Perry Nix adds, “Plant proteins on their own often lack certain essential amino acids, but combining pea protein, ground flaxseed, and brown rice protein ensures a rich and complete amino acid profile.” 

Perry was also impressed with the 27 included vitamins and minerals, saying, “These micronutrients provide countless benefits, including enhancing muscle function, supporting energy metabolism, bolstering immune health, and promoting bone health.” Among the micronutrients in Huel Black Edition is choline, which has been shown to be beneficial for the baby’s development¹ during pregnancy.

GGR social media manager and mother Brittany Combs tried Huel Black Edition and loved the taste. She opted for the Cookies and Cream flavor and gave the protein powder a 5 out of 5 for taste, saying, “It was very sweet, but not too sweet. Just right.”

It scored a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility. Brittany mentioned that it mixes well, but she could still feel the graininess of the protein.

I wouldn’t recommend having this for every meal; it’s best when combined with a balanced and complete diet. At $3.12 per serving, you may not want to spend that much, anyway. However, as a meal replacement, this is a safe, transparent powder that can be great during your pregnancy.

Gainful is a cool concept and allows for the ultimate supplement customization. The personalization is one strength that lends itself to smoothies; you can literally customize the protein to fit with your typical shake or smoothie.

You’ll head to the Gainful site and take a quiz about yourself, answering questions about your lifestyle—dietary restrictions, workout habits, etc.—as well as your goals—maintain muscle, gain muscle, recover better, etc. Gainful will design a custom-made protein powder formula just for you. The powder is unflavored, and you’ll add eight Flavor Boosts per order to give your powder the perfect taste.

GGR head of content, certified personal trainer, and expert product tester Nicole Davis tested out Gainful. They prescribed her a whey/casein blend to support her goals of muscle maintenance, workout recovery, and satiety. She then added on the variety pack of Flavor Boosts so she could try different flavors, including Strawberry Cream, Sea Salt Caramel, and Cookies & Cream. “I didn’t want to like this because it’s so darn expensive, but I do,” says Nicole. “The protein, although a bit clumpy, tastes great and makes me feel good.”

Nicole’s protein blend offers 24 grams of protein and 110 calories per serving. The nutrition breakdown will vary based on your body and goals.

For more details, read our full Gainful Protein Powder review.

A guide to the best protein powder for women would not be complete without a shoutout to Wellah. This brand says they cater to people who identify as women, although anyone could enjoy their supplement offerings, which include collagen, hydration, protein, and pre-workout products. 

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Wellah’s Protein Your Whey stands out to us for a few reasons—no. 1, the price is stellar, coming in at about $1 per serving, which earns it a 5 out of 5 in that category. Secondly, its formulation, which offers 20 grams of whey isolate per serving with no artificial ingredients, earns it a very solid 4.5 out of 5 in that category. Closer to 24 grams of protein would have earned the formulation a solid 5, but still, the value of this product is top-notch. 

Our R.D. reviewer, Bob Iafelice, calls this protein a no-frills product, but in a good way—it’s clean and solid if you’re looking for a protein powder. His only concern was third-party testing, which we couldn’t find any information on.

Our expert tester, GGR SEO analyst Emily Thomas, rated the taste of the vanilla flavor as a 3.5 out of 5. “It has a vanilla flavor that’s more on the milder side, but there is a slight ‘protein powder’ taste as well. It’s enjoyable overall, though not the best I’ve ever tasted,” Emily explains. You can also get this protein in Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, and Coconut flavors.

Lastly, she rated solubility as a 4 out of 5, saying that it didn’t mix quite fully, leaving some clumps on the sides of the glass, but that didn’t detract from the overall experience too much.

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Optimum Nutrition contains more than 20 grams of protein (the exact amount varies by flavor) and contains a moderate amount of carbs, which can be good for women or anyone else looking to add muscle mass to their frames. While we typically like to see carbs closer to zero, the extra calories can help you achieve a slight caloric surplus.

Almost every person on our testing team has at least one Optimum Nutrition flavor they love. I love Double Rich Chocolate, Nicole enjoys Mocha Cappuccino, and staff writer Lauren Strong (CPT) swears by Extreme Milk Chocolate. 

If you’re really budget-conscious, we recommend purchasing the largest container you can find in your favorite flavor. The price per serving goes down as the container size increases. Although it’s more money you have to spend upfront, it reduces your costs over time. 

Plus, as stated in our guide to the best protein powder overall by registered dietitian nutritionist Laila Ouldibbat, there’s a lot to love about Optimum Nutrition protein powder despite its use of artificial sweeteners. It uses two good protein sources (whey isolate and concentrate and hydrolyzed whey protein) sourced from hormone-free cows, to name just one.

Plus, we had multiple flavors of Optimum Nutrition Whey tested by third-party lab Ellipse Analytics to test for the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, and other substances we go over in our Independent Supplement Testing Glossary. The Delicious Strawberry flavor ranked Above Average when compared to around 150 protein powder samples.

Read our Optimum Nutrition 100% whey gold standard review for more.

If you’re the type who needs something more than a protein shake post-workout, consider getting an unflavored protein powder that you can make an actual meal out of. Unflavored protein powder such as the NOW Sports Unflavored Whey Protein is a great addition to flavored oatmeal or fruity smoothies. It’s also good for making healthy single-serve cakes. 

Our product tester and GGR writer Lauren Strong (CPT) says this protein definitely has a “whey” flavor and aftertaste when taken alone with water. However, she only did that for testing purposes to get the full effect and wouldn’t recommend it. 

RELATED: How Much Protein Do You Really Need?

Instead, Lauren suggests adding this protein powder into something more substantial, like a homemade acai bowl, to add a boost of protein to an already nutritious meal. Even in plain water, the NOW Sports unflavored protein powder mixed well, creating a smooth and creamy liquid. 

Read our full thoughts in this NOW Sports whey protein isolate review.

In two delicious flavors, Mexican Chocolate and Vanilla, each serving of Onnit Grass-Fed Whey offers 20 grams of protein in a 110-calorie package. Its protein source is whey protein isolate, which is typically more easily digestible than whey protein concentrate. The whey protein is also derived from cows from New Zealand, a country that prevents cows from being exposed to antibiotics, pesticides, or hormones.

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Along with 20 grams of protein, Onnit’s whey isolate keeps the carbohydrate count low, with only 3 to 5 grams per serving (depending on the flavor). This product is also tested for banned substances and Informed Sport Certified. This means athletes of all disciplines can safely consume it for nutritional support with no repercussions. 

We know how important adequate protein intake is for growing and maintaining muscle mass—more on that below—and Onnit Grass-Fed whey is an effective supplement to support those goals. It tastes good, too. I thought the Mexican Chocolate actually had a different flavor than most chocolate protein powders, which pleasantly surprised me.   

Check out our Onnit Grass-Fed Whey Isolate Review for all of our thoughts on this product.

If you’re on the hunt for a USDA-certified organic protein powder, the Ora Organic Plant-Based Superfood Protein offers a high-quality and tasty option. While I don’t adhere to a plant-based diet, I personally tested Ora in the Vanilla Chai flavor and thought it was pretty good.

I’m not typically a fan of the earthy undertones of plant-based protein powders, but Ora Organic was neither foul nor fantastic, it was firmly in the middle with a 3-out-of-5-star rating for taste. I gave it a 3-star rating for solubility, too. It mixes well in a shaker cup but you will definitely have some chalkiness and a slight film left in your mouth. 

Ora Organic provides between 21 to 23 grams of protein per serving depending on the flavor you choose. This plant-based protein is made from organic pea protein and rice protein sources. However, we don’t like the fact the nutrition label doesn’t have a breakdown on how much protein comes from each source. Plus, it’s listed alongside a superfood and greens blend. 

Although we’d prefer to see specific amounts of each ingredient (so you know exactly what you’re consuming) we appreciate the fact that Ora is third-party tested, non-GMO, vegan, Kosher, and gluten-free. 

Bob Lafelice, a registered dietitian and GGR expert panelist, offered additional insight to the nutrition label. “The biggest negative to Ora Organic is the lack of information on the amino acid profile. Most people take protein powders for muscle health. Without knowing how much leucine you’re getting, it’s difficult to be 100% confident in this formula,” says Bob. 

We all know that taste can be pretty subjective, especially when it comes to protein powders. So that’s when we look for a consensus from users—the opinions of our expert testers and product reviews—to help determine whether a product is worth a try. Cellucor Cor-Performance Whey Isolate Protein Powder claims its taste will “Indulge your sweet tooth.” We’re happy to report that this is indeed a product claim we can get behind. 

With its two standard flavors, Molten Chocolate and Whipped Vanilla, you’re getting a whopping 24 grams of protein per serving that tastes delicious to boot. You’d be hard-pressed to find a review of this protein powder that doesn’t highlight its excellent taste—it’s currently at 4.7 out of 5 stars on the official website. And each serving only has 1 gram of sugar. 

Our tester, Anthony O’Reilly, CPT, CNC, tried Molten Chocolate and was so impressed by the flavor that it’s becoming his new go-to protein powder. He even calls it “Better than the more expensive brands.” Anthony gave it a perfect score of 5 out of 5 for taste.

Further, Cellucor is a well-known nutritional supplement brand that’s been creating best-in-class products for the past 20 years. Rather than opting for flashy, attention-grabbing flavors that may or may not taste like they claim—so many “cereal” options these days—why not reach for a trusted classic?

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Have a hankering for some high-protein baking? If that’s the case, Bulk Supplements Pea Protein Isolate is our pick to add to your favorite recipe. GGR editor Frieda Johnson, CNC, SET, used it for baking in her testing of the protein powder, and it tasted pretty good. 

Frieda says, “Pea protein might have a strong taste if you’re not used to it, especially on its own. I mixed this in with some baked goods, though, and there wasn’t any noticeable flavor coming through.” She rates the taste on its own a 3 out of 5, but the taste in baked goods depends on the chef!

Bulk Supplements Pea Protein Isolate is just that—pea protein, and a lot of it. This is very vegan-friendly, and is also gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. It has no added sugars. Because of the purity of this plain, unflavored protein powder, it’s the perfect addition to your baking to make some high-protein meals and snacks.

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One serving contains 21 grams of protein, which is high. However, it’s important to remember that although pea protein does contain all nine essential amino acids, it is severely lacking in methionine, meaning it’s not truly a complete protein. This shouldn’t be your only source of protein; you can mix it with rice protein to get a decent amino profile. Still, at $0.70 per serving, Bulk Supplements Pea Protein Isolate can make a lot of protein-filled baking snacks for a low price.

If you’re in the market for a bit of variety in your protein powder, you can try the Super Powder from Sakara. This protein powder is blended with a greens powder to provide both plant-based protein and nutrients from various greens and veggies. This can be a great option for anyone following a vegan diet as well, since the protein is sourced from a blend of organic pea, hemp, and pumpkin protein.

The plant-based blend has no added refined sugars, as well as no dairy or gluten. People with allergies should be mindful, however, that Sakara’s Super Powder does contain tree nuts—coconut, in particular.

Sakara Protein + Greens Super Powder is flavored with a hint of vanilla, although our product tester may disagree. Our product tester, a daily user of protein powders, says about the taste, “It was underwhelming, just like bland protein with an earthy, grassy taste. I didn’t taste any hints of vanilla.” He rates the taste a 1 out of 5. The solubility gets high marks, though, with a 5 out of 5; our product tester adds, “The powder mixed amazingly well—even with just a spoon.”

At $3 per serving for the 30-serving container of Sakara Protein + Greens, this is a pretty pricey powder, and we’d like to see more protein than the low 12 grams each serving. Still, this can be a unique way to fill some nutritional gaps if you need more veggies and protein in your diet.

Not all protein is created equal. And some would argue that collagen peptide protein doesn’t belong on a list of the best protein powders, since collagen isn’t a complete protein (it lacks one essential amino acid: tryptophan²).

However, we stand by our recommendation of Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides for the positive impact that collagen may have on certain tissues in the body, including hair, skin, and nails. Collagen may also play a role in protecting joint integrity.

We’re also willing to recommend it because we had it tested by third-party accredited lab Ellipse Analytics to check for label accuracy and purity, as well as heavy metals and pesticides. The product ranked Excellent when compared to 150 protein powder samples. Our Independent Supplement Testing Glossary for more information on our testing proccesses.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides come in a couple of flavors, but we recommend unflavored, because you can dissolve it into juice or coffee, add it to another protein powder, or even drink it in plain water. The powder is fine, not granular, and barely noticeable in any beverage—and I’ve tried it in many.

And, despite the argument that collagen is an incomplete protein, it still packs 18 grams of protein into one serving.

Read our Vital Proteins review for more information.