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When it comes to whey, not all protein powders are created equal. XWERKS Grow Whey Protein powder is a high-quality, but expensive, protein supplement that’s made from grass-fed whey isolate.
XWERKS Grow uses grass-fed whey isolate from New Zealand cows with no artificial sweeteners or colors, resulting in an easily digestible, low-calorie protein powder. Because of the ingredient quality, it costs a bit more than most other protein powders, but is the higher quality worth the cost?
In this XWERKS Grow Whey Protein review, we’ll explain everything you need to know about this grass-fed whey isolate, and help you decide if this is the right protein for you.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Hands-On Testing From a Team of Protein Experts
As fitness enthusiasts, we love our protein, and our team is obsessed with getting our hands on the best protein powders on the market to test them and share the results. Each of us has used protein powder to help support our fitness goals, and our testers include personal trainers, nutrition coaches, CrossFit athletes, and Olympic weightlifters.
We’ve tested over 100 different protein powders so far, and we always share our honest thoughts to help you make an informed decision.
XWERKS Grow
XWERKS Grow
Product Highlights
- Natural, healthy, convenient, and tasty way to get protein
- Uses a microfiltration process to preserve critical biological nutrients in raw whey
- Removes unwanted fats and carbohydrates
- All flavors are naturally sweetened
- Nicely flavored, easily digested, and low-carb protein powder
- Promotes muscle growth and repair
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Keto-friendly
- Naturally sweetened
- Sourced from naturally raised grass-fed cows
- Testers found it has a smooth and creamy taste
- Soy- and gluten-free
- Convenient
- Subscribe and save 5%
- Free shipping on orders over $75
Cons
- Expensive
- Some reviews talk of customer service woes, mostly receiving the wrong product or not receiving a product entirely
Bottom Line
XWERKS Grow whey protein isolate provides a solid blend of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals in a whey protein isolate. Our testers have said this is one of the best-tasting protein powders they've tried, and they've had more than 100.
A Quick Look at XWERKS Grow Whey Protein
In the world of protein shakes, there are hundreds of options on the market, and choosing the right formula can be challenging and overwhelming.
XWERKS specializes in sports performance nutrition, and at the time of writing, they offer six different nutrition supplements. XWERKS produces high-quality formulas for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, and their website contains detailed guides that include research studies to explain why each ingredient was chosen.
Grow is a New Zealand grass-fed whey protein, which XWERKS claims is one of the strictest countries when it comes to dairy quality control. The cows aren’t exposed to hormones, pesticides, or antibiotics, and there are no artificial sweeteners or colors in most flavors of Grow, though the strawberry flavor does list artificial flavors as an ingredient.
It’s worth noting that the primary benefits of grass-fed dairy seem to be higher levels of healthy fats1, but in a whey isolate, nearly all of the fat is removed, so you may not need to pay extra for grass-fed whey isolate.
The nutrition profile is excellent, with up to 25 grams of protein per serving, and only 110 calories thanks to the minimal fat and carb content. However, if you’re currently on a bulking plan and struggle to eat enough food, you may want to use one of the best protein powders for weight gain.
Whey protein is a complete protein source, which means it contains all of the essential amino acids that can give your immune system a boost2, help build muscle mass, and improve muscle recovery. As a dairy-based supplement, Grow also contains beneficial vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A.
Finally, Grow uses whey protein isolate, which is whey protein that’s undergone a microfiltration process to remove excess carbs, fat, and lactose. Whey isolates are usually easy to mix, even without a shaker bottle, and as someone sensitive to dairy, I find that whey isolates cause far less bloating than other types of protein powders.
Before You Buy
- XWERKS Grow whey protein uses a high-quality whey protein isolate from grass-fed cows, so it’s more expensive than many other options.
- Grow is extremely easy to mix and dissolve, with a delicious taste even though there are no artificial sweeteners.
- It’s low in calories with very few carbohydrates and fats per serving, so this would work well for anyone who’s looking to control their calorie intake or follow a low-carb diet.
XWERKS Grow Whey Protein Video Review
Is XWERKS Grow Whey Protein Worth It?
While XWERKS Grow whey protein is a high-quality protein powder with great ingredients, flavors, and quality, it’s definitely on the more expensive side. Before spending your hard-earned money, you’ll want to make sure this is the right fit for your goals.
Great for:
- Anyone who wants to avoid artificial sweeteners, colors, and dairy from cows exposed to hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides
- Athletes and bodybuilders looking for a great-tasting, low-calorie protein option to improve muscle growth and recovery after workouts
- Individuals who are looking for a protein powder that fits a low-carb or a keto-friendly product
Not recommended for:
- Those on a tight budget
- Anyone looking to gain weight with a high-calorie diet
- Those who prefer to use the best vegan protein powders or avoid dairy products
- Those who like more exciting flavor options
XWERKS Grow Whey Protein Specs
| Price per serving | $1.96 |
| Serving Size | 30 g |
| Type of Protein | Whey protein isolate |
| Protein Content | 23-25 g |
| Carb Content | 1-2 g |
| Fat Content | 0-2 g |
| Notable Ingredients | Whey protein isolate, natural flavoring, xanthan gum, and stevia. |
| Flavors | Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Strawberry |
| Third-Party Tested? | No |
Experience Using XWERKS Grow Whey Protein
Our testers have tried over 100 protein powders and counting, and this is one of our favorites. In our guide to the Best Protein Powder of 2024, XWERKS won the best-tasting protein powder we’ve tried so far. Other brands may beat XWERKS with a better flavor in the future, but this is still a delicious option.
Price Per Serving
If there’s one flaw in XWERKS Grow Whey Protein, it’s the cost. This isn’t the most expensive protein we’ve tested, but it’s certainly not cheap.
Each flavor comes in a 30-serving container, and prices range from $56.05-$59.99 per container when purchasing from XWERKS. Amazon prices are a bit more expensive, ranging from $60.79-$63.99.
The cheapest option, the $56.05 monthly subscription from XWERKS, brings the price per serving to $1.87, and the most expensive option on Amazon costs $2.13 per serving.
With a price per serving of $1.87-$2.13, XWERKS Grow earned a 3.5 out of 5 rating. We’ve tested over 100 protein powders at the time of writing, and the price per serving ranges from $0.91-$3.57 with the average cost being $1.74.
Formulation
The formulation is nice and simple, with whey protein isolate as the main ingredient, along with natural flavors, xanthan gum, and stevia in the chocolate and vanilla options. The strawberry flavor also contains artificial flavoring, and while the peanut butter flavor only uses natural flavors, it does contain peanut ingredients.
Depending on the flavor, the fat content ranges from 0 to 2 grams, and the carbohydrates range from 1 to 2 grams. Each serving contains 23 to 25 grams of protein, depending on the flavor. Each serving also contains 6 grams of BCAAs, which are essential amino acids often used to promote recovery and muscle growth3.
With a high protein content and minimal fat and carbs, we gave XWERKS Grow a 5 out of 5 ranking for formulation.
Taste and Solubility
When it comes to taste and solubility, XWERKS Grow Whey Protein is one of the highest-ranking brands we’ve tested so far. Our testers were blown away by the flavors, and the solubility is fantastic.
We had seven team members taste-test the chocolate flavor of Grow, and each of them gave it a 5 out of 5 rating for taste.
Anthony O’Reilly, nutrition coach and GGR performance editor, said “The chocolate flavor tastes like a protein Yoohoo. ‘Nuff said. It’s also incredibly smooth. This is the finest protein powder I’ve ever drank. An absolute 5 out of 5 for solubility, too. I don’t think you even need a blender ball for this to dissolve.”
Side Effects
Our testers didn’t report any side effects, so Grow earns a solid 5 out of 5 rating. If you have issues with dairy or lactose products, a whey isolate may be a gentler choice for your stomach, although you may still experience digestive issues like bloating or indigestion from this product. If protein powders generally cause digestive issues for you, the best protein powders for a sensitive stomach may be a better choice.
Third-Party Testing
Third-party testing isn’t mandatory, but it’s a great way to make sure that your product contains what’s listed on the label. Third-party testing can also catch unlisted ingredients, which is especially important for drug-tested athletes who can’t risk accidentally consuming a banned substance.
Grow isn’t third-party tested, but they do use transparent labeling with the exact doses listed for each ingredient, so we rank them a 2.5 out of 5 for this category.
Comparison to Kaged Whey Protein Isolate
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate
Product Highlights
- Whey protein isolate
- 25 grams of protein per serving
- Available in 3 flavors
- Third-party tested
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable
- Good macro profile
- Reviewers claim it's easy on the stomach
- Tastes good
- Subscribe and save 10%
- Chocolate flavor described as the best chocolate protein powder by our product tester
Cons
- Clumpy when mixed
- Certain flavors out of stock frequently
- Only 3 flavors available
Bottom Line
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate is a fast-digesting protein available in five flavors with 25 grams of protein per serving.
Since a whey protein isolate is generally a pretty minimal supplement with few additives, let’s compare this to another GGR-tested product, Kaged Whey Protein Isolate, another naturally-flavored whey isolate. While the nutritional content is very similar, Kaged includes a few more sweeteners and ingredients compared to XWERKS.
If the most important thing to you is avoiding artificial sweeteners and colors, and budget isn’t a concern, XWERKS Grow Whey Protein is the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, or you want a product that’s been third-party tested, we’d recommend choosing Kaged Whey Protein Isolate.
| XWERKS Grow Whey Protein | Kaged Whey Protein Isolate | |
| Price per serving | $1.96 | $1.46 |
| Serving Size | 30 g | 31 g |
| Type of Protein | Whey protein isolate | Whey protein isolate |
| Protein Content | 23-25 g | 25 g |
| Carb Content | 1-2 g | 2-4 g |
| Fat Content | 0-2 g | 0-0.5 g |
| Notable Ingredients | Whey protein isolate, natural flavoring, xanthan gum, and stevia. | Whey protein isolate, cocoa powder, natural flavor, sea salt, gum blend (guar gum, gum acacia, xanthan gum), ProHydrolase (protease blend), steviol glycosides, and sucralose. |
| Flavors | Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Strawberry | Vanilla, Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, S’Mores |
| Third-Party Tested? | No | Yes |
Customer Experience
If you need to reach the customer service team, you can email their support team from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST, but there is no phone number listed or online chat support. They do offer a 30-day return policy, so we rank the customer experience a 5 out of 5 overall.
Ordering XWERKS Grow Whey Protein
The most affordable way to order XWERKS Grow Whey Protein is directly through their website, though you’ll need to spend $75 or more to receive free shipping. You can place a one-time order for $59.99, or subscribe and save 5%, bringing your total down to $56.05.
Recurring orders can be scheduled for every 30, 45, or 60 days.
You can also order from Amazon, where Prime members receive free shipping, though the cost on Amazon is slightly higher per serving.
Customer Reviews
Our testers aren’t the only ones who love XWERKS Grow Whey Protein, as shown by their 4.8-out-of-5-star rating on their website, and 4.4 out of 5 rating on Amazon.
Customers love the taste, mixability, and the fact that there is no chemical aftertaste.
Final Verdict of Our XWERKS Grow Whey Protein Review
Overall, XWERKS Grow Whey Protein is one of our favorite protein formulas on the market. It’s delicious, mixes well, and is low on calories for how much protein you’re getting. It’s a bit expensive, but if it fits your budget, this is a great choice to help you reach your protein goals. Highlights of this product include:
- Fantastic flavors that received a unanimous 5-star rating from our testers
- Simple, minimal ingredient profile with high-quality protein from grass-fed New Zealand cows
- A little pricey, though not the most expensive protein we’ve tested
Full Rating
XWERKS Grow Whey Protein
Xwerks Grow whey protein isolate provides a solid blend of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals in a whey protein isolate. It comes in a widely-loved range of flavors which are naturally sweetened, so they’re easily digested.
Product Brand: XWERKS
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 59.00
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.48
XWERKS Grow Whey Protein: FAQ
Is XWERKS a good brand?
Yes. XWERKS creates high-quality supplements with full label transparency and includes scientific references to support each ingredient choice.
Which whey protein is best?
Many people consider whey protein isolate to be the best, due to its reduced fat, carbohydrate, and lactose content. However, the amino acids in any whey protein can aid recovery, so this comes down to personal preference. Comparing casein protein vs whey, casein digests very slowly, so any whey protein will be a better choice for pre-workout nutrition or a post-workout smoothie.
Will whey protein make you bigger?
Whey protein alone won’t make you bigger, although a high-protein diet combined with resistance training can support muscle growth4. Protein is just one piece of the nutritional puzzle, and whey protein is a great way to get in your daily protein macros.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Alothman M, Hogan SA, Hennessy D, et al. The “Grass-Fed” Milk Story: Understanding the Impact of Pasture Feeding on the Composition and Quality of Bovine Milk. Foods. 2019;8(8):350. Published 2019 Aug 17. doi:10.3390/foods8080350
- Bumrungpert A, Pavadhgul P, Nunthanawanich P, Sirikanchanarod A, Adulbhan A. Whey Protein Supplementation Improves Nutritional Status, Glutathione Levels, and Immune Function in Cancer Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial. J Med Food. 2018;21(6):612-616. doi:10.1089/jmf.2017.4080
- Martinho DV, Nobari H, Faria A, Field A, Duarte D, Sarmento H. Oral Branched-Chain Amino Acids Supplementation in Athletes: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2022;14(19):4002. Published 2022 Sep 27. doi:10.3390/nu14194002
- Deldicque L. Protein Intake and Exercise-Induced Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy: An Update. Nutrients. 2020;12(7):2023. Published 2020 Jul 7. doi:10.3390/nu12072023
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