We test and review fitness products based on an independent, multi-point methodology. If you use our links to purchase something, we may earn a commission. Read our disclosures.
A high-quality protein powder is a fitness supplement staple. And since brands know that, there are literally hundreds (thousands?) on the market. We’re on a mission to try as many as possible, and we’ve already rounded up many of our favorites, from the best whey protein to the best vegan protein powder.
So far, we’ve tested more than 70 protein powders, including a full tub of Pure Protein’s 100% Whey Protein Powder. Over the course of several weeks, we mixed it with water, blended it up fruit smoothies, and stirred it into oatmeal, making notes about its taste, solubility, ingredients, and any side effects.
In this Pure Protein Powder review, we’ll share our experience as well as everything we think you should know about the product (and the brand).
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.
We’ve Tried More Than 70 Protein Powders
We’ve tested a lot of protein powders (around 70 to be exact), and have made more protein shakes and protein pancakes than we can count. And while that personal experience is vital to making recommendations, we also have the collective knowledge and expertise to back it up. Our testers are a team of certified personal trainers, certified nutrition coaches, and professional athletes with formal education who live and breathe fitness (and fitness supplements).
Pure Protein Powder
Pure Protein Whey Protein Powder
Product Highlights
- Whey protein powder available in two flavors
- Contains 25 g of protein in one serving
- Available in 1-lb or 1.75-lb containers
- Whey isolate and concentrate blend
Pros & Cons
Pros
- 25 g of protein
- Subscribe and save option
- Gluten-free
Cons
- Contains sucralose
- Only two flavors
- Not vegan-friendly
Bottom Line
Pure Protein Powder is a whey protein blend of concentrate and isolate, available in Rich Chocolate and Vanilla Milkshake. Each serving is packed with 25 grams of protein, and is gluten-free. The protein powder is somewhat inexpensive, but Pure Protein offers a subscribe-and-save option for 10% off your order, making this a budget-friendly protein supplement.
A Quick Look at Pure Protein Powder
As you may have gathered from the company’s name, Pure Protein is all about the protein-based products. In addition to protein powders, it manufactures protein bars, premade protein shakes, and protein-rich snacks, like crackers and “crisps.”
RELATED: Best Protein Shakes
In this Pure Protein Powder review, we’ll be specifically focusing on our experience with the 100% whey protein powder. Here are some quick notes before we dive in:
Before You Buy
- This is a protein blend that includes isolate and concentrate.
- It contains artificial sweeteners and flavors.
- There are only two flavors: chocolate and vanilla.
- The tubs are smaller than average, with 11 or 20 servings depending on which one you choose.
- It’s already pretty budget-friendly, but you can save some money by buying the larger tub and signing up for a recurring subscription (you’ll get an extra 10% off).
Is Pure Protein Powder Worth It?
Pure Protein is a fairly low-cost protein powder that has a substantial 25 grams of protein per serving. Because it contains a protein blend that includes isolate and concentrate, the protein does come packaged with 9 grams of carbohydrates, 2.5 grams of fat, and 85 to 95 milligrams of cholesterol. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, ironically, it’s not the best option for those who want a pure protein.
Pure Protein is also sweetened with two artificial sweeteners, acesulfame K and sucralose, so it won’t fit into a clean eater’s diet. Here’s who we think should try it, and who should skip it.
Great for:
- Anyone who prioritizes taste
- Those looking for a good value
- People who like chocolate or vanilla protein shakes
Not recommended for:
- Those who prefer third-party tested supplements
- People who want a pure protein that’s low in carbs and fat
- Anyone who wants to avoid artificial flavors and sweeteners
Pure Protein Powder Specs
| Price per serving | $1.44 to $1.73, depending on size |
| Flavors | Vanilla, Rich Chocolate |
| Protein per serving | 25 grams |
| Sweeteners | Acesulfame potassium, sucralose |
| Third-party tested | No |
Experience Using Pure Protein Powder
Kathleen, a member of GGR Head of Content Kate Meier’s weightlifting team and a former bodybuilder, tested the protein powder almost daily until the entire tub was near its end.
She drank the protein powder every time she worked out and also as a supplement when she wasn’t eating a meal but needed something to curb her hunger. She tried it with water only, as well as mixed with juice, cold brew coffee, and milk. She also blended it into a smoothie with frozen fruit, spinach, flaxseed, and avocado.
The TL;DR: “It’s not my all-time favorite, but it’s definitely up there,” she says. Here’s everything else you need to know.
Price Per Serving
On the company’s website, Pure Protein Powder comes in two sizes—one pound and 1.75 pounds—and the price depends on which size you order. A one-pound tub is $18.99, or $1.73 per serving, for a one-time purchase. If you subscribe for recurring deliveries (FYI: you can set up recurring deliveries for every two, four, eight or 12 weeks), the price drops to $17.09, or $1.55 per serving.
You’ll save some money by buying in bulk. The 1.75-pound tub is $28.99 or $1.44 per serving. For recurring deliveries, that price drops to $26.09 or $1.30 per serving.
This is about an average cost for protein powders. When rounding up the best protein powders, we found that most of them range from $1.25 per serving on the low end to $2 (or more) on the high end.
Formulation
As for formulation? Kathleen gave this protein powder a 4 out of 5.
The macros look good. This is a whey isolate and concentrate protein blend, so it’s not pure protein like whey isolates. Whey protein concentrate adds more fat and carbohydrates per serving.
This one specifically has 160 calories and 25 grams of protein with 2.5 grams of fat and 9 grams of carbohydrates (2 grams of which come from mostly natural sugars) per scoop. Because of that, it may not be the best option for those on a low-carb diet, but it will work for those whose main goal is trying to up their protein intake.
Because the protein source is whey, it also contains all of the essential amino acids, plus a total of 5.2 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Like with all whey protein, this can help with muscle-building and muscle soreness post-workout.
The ingredients are not the best, but not the worst either. In addition to the whey protein isolate and concentrates, it has both natural and artificial flavors and artificial sweeteners, specifically acesulfame potassium and sucralose. There are also some filler ingredients, like soy lecithin, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, dicalcium phosphate, and calcium carbonate.
There is some research connecting artificial sweeteners to negative health effects, like DNA damage1 and impaired glucose metabolism2 (when consumed with carbs), but our stance is everything in moderation—if you don’t notice any issues from artificial sweeteners, there’s no reason to cut them out completely.
Taste and Solubility
As for taste and solubility, Kathleen gave it 4 out of 5 for both. She tried the vanilla flavor and said it tasted just like vanilla. (There’s also a rich chocolate flavor for the chocolate lovers.)
In addition to tasting great, it was super easy to mix into everything and there was no difference in solubilities with different liquids.
RELATED: Best-Tasting Protein Powder
“Overall, in a shaker bottle, it dissolved pretty well; it needs a lot of shaking—a half-ass shake will leave clumps, [but] shake well and it’s perfect. I tried it just about every way, [with] water, juice, and in the blender,” Kathleen says. She added that she also tried some in warm coffee and it dissolved without an issue, but she didn’t love how it tasted. Mixed in cold brew was a win though.
It does get a little frothy when mixed with the hand mixer or in a blender but that didn’t bother Kathleen.
Side Effects
Kathleen said she sometimes experiences GI issues from whey protein powder, but didn’t experience any side effects when taking this one—even though the whole tub is almost gone. Because of this, she gave it 5 out of 5 here.
It’s worth noting that since this is a blend that includes whey concentrate, it does contain lactose; whey protein isolates are mostly lactose-free. The lactose can cause digestive upset in people who are lactose-intolerant.
Third-Party Testing
Pure Protein doesn’t disclose any information about third-party testing on its website. Usually, this means that the company doesn’t volunteer for it. There are also no USP, NSF, or cGMP certifications.
Because supplements, including protein powder, are not heavily regulated by the FDA, third-party testing is important for verifying purity and potency. Without it, you just have to take the manufacturer’s word that the ingredients and protein content match up to what they say.
Or, you can do what we did and have a third-party accredited lab analyze it and close to 150 other protein powder samples for label accuracy and purity, heavy metals, and pesticides. We collaborated with Ellipse Analytics to look at these factors, and found that Pure Protein’s Vanilla Cream flavor ranked Above Average when compared to its peers. It was in the top 10% of all samples when testing for bisphenols and phthalates (chemicals found in plastics that can have adverse health effects), meaning you can take this with the peace of mind that it only contains what’s on the ingredients list.
Learn more by checking out our Independent Supplement Testing Glossary.
While we generally don’t recommend protein supplements that aren’t backed by third-party testing, this one earned a 2 out of 5 in this category, the independent testing results make us a little more willing to suggest it for some people.
Pure Protein Powder vs Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Product Highlights
- High-quality whey protein isolate
- 28 grams of protein per serving
- 15 flavors to choose from
- $1.99 per serving
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High-quality protein
- No artificial sweeteners, food dyes, or preservatives
- Lots of flavors to choose from
- Good customer reviews
- Whey isolate may be easier to digest for some people
- Subscribe and save 10% plus free shipping
Cons
- Price per serving on the high end
- Some reviews complain that it's too sweet
Bottom Line
Our testers love Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate because we know exactly what's in it, and almost every flavor we've tried is a 5 out of 5 on taste. Yes, it's a little more expensive than other protein powders but you get what you pay for.
The Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate is a high-quality protein that’s made with clean ingredients. It does cost more per serving, but if you can swing it, we highly recommend it. It earned a spot on our best protein powder list after testing more than 70 protein powders because it’s made with grass-fed protein, it’s pure protein, and it tastes great. It’s also non-GMO and gluten-free (the Pure Protein is gluten-free, too).
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two, and you can read our Transparent Labs Protein review for more info.
| Pure Protein Whey Protein Isolate | Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate | |
| Price per serving | $1.44 to $1.73, depending on size | $2.00 |
| Flavors | Vanilla, Rich Chocolate | Milk Chocolate, Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie, French Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Strawberry Milkshake, Vanilla Peanut Butter, Mocha, Cinnamon French Toast, Blueberry Pancakes, Unflavored |
| Protein per serving | 25 grams | 28 grams |
| Sweeteners | Acesulfame potassium, sucralose | Stevia |
| Third-party tested | No | Yes; Informed Choice |
Customer Experience
Pure Protein gets a 5 out of 5 for customer experience since the company has some generous policies. The protein powder is backed by a satisfaction guarantee that gives you 90 days to return it for a full refund if you don’t like it.
If you need to contact the company, you can reach out by phone (855-972-0583) or email (pureprotein@worldpantry.com for order questions or info@pureprotein.com for everything else).
Ordering Pure Protein Powder
Pure Protein powder is available through Amazon or the brand’s website. When purchasing through Amazon, you’ll be subject to Amazon’s rules and regulations.
If you buy it from Pure Protein directly, you have two options: a one-time purchase or a subscription. You’ll save 10% on the total cost with the subscription and can choose recurring deliveries every two, four, eight, or 12 weeks. If you spend more than $85, shipping is free. If you don’t, shipping ranges from $9.95 to $15.95, depending on your order size.
We think this shipping fee is a little hefty, especially since you can buy it though Amazon with free shipping if you’re a Prime member. But the shipping is fast—you’ll typically get your order in one to three business days based on where you live.
Customer Reviews
Overall, customers are happy with Pure Protein’s whey powder. The brand doesn’t publish reviews on its website, but there are more than 6,000 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars.
People have used this protein powder for everything from weight loss to building lean muscle and the general consensus is that it tastes great, blends in well, and is a good value.
RELATED: Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss
“I could not believe how good this protein powder was. It was a great price, no grit whatsoever and it makes amazing vanilla overnight oats. Well done,” writes one five-star reviewer.
Another writes, “I’ve been consuming protein powder for 13 years, this is the best-tasting protein powder I’ve ever tried; I bought the vanilla flavor, it tastes just like ice cream.”
As for the cons? Some get an aftertaste, likely due to the artificial sweeteners, while others say the flavor is kind of mild. There are also some complaints about the tub size.
The serving size is one scoop, like many proteins. But the smaller tub only has 11 servings, while the large tub has 20, which we also found odd. Most protein powders have at least 30 servings per tub. With this one, you’d have to stock up or reorder often to get through the month.
At the end of the day, the good seems to outweigh the bad for most reviewers.
Final Verdict of Our Pure Protein Powder Review
The Pure Protein Powder can be a good option for those who are looking for a decent value and don’t mind artificial ingredients. It tastes good and mixes well in everything from water to smoothies. But if you actually want the best clean protein powder—one that has a clean ingredient list and no carbs or fat—this isn’t it.
- At just about $1.50 per serving, it’s a good value.
- During testing, we thought it tasted great.
- It has artificial sweeteners and flavors, which could be a con for some people.
- It’s a concentrate, so it’s higher in fat and protein than isolates.
Full Rating
Pure Protein Powder
Pure Protein Powder is a whey protein blend of concentrate and isolate, available in Rich Chocolate and Vanilla Milkshake. Each serving is packed with 25 grams of protein, and is gluten-free. The protein powder is somewhat inexpensive, but Pure Protein offers a subscribe-and-save option for 10% off your order, making this a budget-friendly protein supplement.
Product Brand: Pure Protein
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 17.24
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.1
Pure Protein Powder Review: FAQ
Is Pure Protein brand good protein?
It depends what you’re looking for. Our tester thought it tasted great and blended in well, but there’s nothing remarkable about it otherwise. If you don’t mind a concentrate with artificial sweeteners, you might like it. But if you want a cleaner, pure protein, you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Which is the highest-quality protein powder?
In our opinion, the Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is the highest quality protein powder. It has a super-clean ingredient list and is made from grass-fed protein. Because it’s an isolate, it’s also high in protein without unwanted carbs or fats.
Can you lose weight with Pure Protein?
It’s possible. Some research suggests that whey protein powders can help with weight loss while sparing lean muscle3. And high-protein diets4 in general are thought to be superior for losing weight. That being said, successful weight loss requires sustained dietary and lifestyle changes, like regular exercise. Pure Protein alone likely won’t make much of a difference.
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
1. Schiffman, SS, Scholl, EH, Furey, TS, Nagle, HT. Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate and its parent sucralose: in vitro screening assays. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2023;26(6):307-341. doi:10.1080/10937404.2023.2213903
2. Dalenberg, JR, Patel, BP, Denis, R, et al. Short-term consumption of sucralose with, but not without, carbohydrate impairs neural and metabolic sensitivity to sugar in humans. Cell Metab. 2020;31(3):493-502.e7. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2020.01.014
3. Frestedt, JL, Zenk, JL, Kuskowski, MA, Ward, LS, Bastian, ED. A whey-protein supplement increases fat loss and spares lean muscle in obese subjects: a randomized human clinical study. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2008;5:8. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-5-8
4. Moon, J, Koh, G. Clinical evidence and mechanisms of high-protein diet-induced weight loss. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020;29(3):166-173. doi:10.7570/jomes20028
Further reading
Is RYSE Godzilla the best pre-workout for pumps? Find out in our RYSE Pre-Workout review. Read more
The Pallof press exercise just might be the best ab exercise you're not doing. Get the low down on the Pallof press straight from a personal trainer. Read more
We know squats are one of the greatest exercises of all time, but just what muscles do squats work anyway? Find your answers here! Read more
Wondering, "How many calories should I eat per day?" Get tailored advice from a dietitian here—because the 2,000-calorie guideline isn't one-size-fits-all. Read more