Protein Powder Buying Guide: How to Choose Whey, Plant, Egg and Collagen

This protein powder buying guide is for anyone standing in front of a long shelf of tubs and bags and wondering which one fits their routine. Maybe you want a simple shake after the gym, a dairy-free scoop for smoothies, an unflavored powder for baking or something to stir into morning coffee. We cover the main protein types, what to read on the label and the twelve powders we carry, from whey isolate to pea, egg white and collagen.

The short answer: start with the protein source your diet allows (dairy, plant, egg or collagen), then compare protein per serving, sweeteners and allergens on the label. If you compete in a tested sport, look for a third-party mark such as NSF Certified for Sport. After that, flavor, mixing and how you plan to use the powder settle the choice.

How we chose: our picks are based on published label facts, brand specs and public reviews from named outlets linked on each product page. We have not tested these products ourselves, and we do not rank them by score.

How to choose a protein powder

1. Protein source

This is the first filter. Whey and casein come from milk, so they are out if you avoid dairy. Plant powders in this lineup use pea alone or a blend of pea, brown rice, mung bean and chia. Egg white powder is a dairy-free animal option. Collagen peptides dissolve easily into hot or cold drinks, but the Vital Proteins label itself notes that collagen is an incomplete protein, so it works better as an add-on than as your only protein source.

Within whey you will see two words on the label: concentrate and isolate. Two of the concentrate products here note that concentrate contains some lactose, which is why shoppers who are sensitive to lactose often look at isolates instead.

2. Protein per serving and serving size

Do not compare scoops; compare grams. Servings in this category run from 20 g to 46 g of powder, and protein per serving runs from 15 g to 28 g. A two-scoop serving with 21 g of protein is not the same as a one-scoop serving with 25 g. Check the serving size line first, then the protein line, then calories, so you know what one serving actually gives you.

3. Sweeteners, flavors and sugar

Read the ingredient list, not just the front of the bag. Unflavored powders here have one ingredient. Flavored ones use stevia extracts (Reb A or Reb M), monk fruit, acesulfame potassium or a little cane sugar. On a Nutrition Facts label, the FDA explains that Added Sugars are counted inside the Total Sugars number, so a powder can list a gram or two of total sugars with 0 g added. Sodium is also worth a look: it ranges from 10 mg to 390 mg per serving across our picks.

4. Allergens and facility notes

Milk, eggs and soybeans are among the nine major food allergens the FDA lists, and all three show up in this category. Beyond the “Contains” line, look for facility statements. Some dairy-free products are made in facilities that also handle milk or tree nuts, and a few powders use enzymes from pineapple or papaya, which matters if you are allergic to those fruits.

5. Third-party testing and certification marks

According to NSF, its Certified for Sport program checks that a product does not contain substances banned by major athletic organizations, that the contents match the label, that there are no unsafe levels of contaminants, and that the factory is audited. NSF Contents Certified, Informed Sport, Informed Choice and Clean Label Project are separate programs, so check each one’s own site for what it covers. For organic claims, the USDA says a product labeled “organic” must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients, not counting salt and water.

6. Nutrition Facts or Supplement Facts

Some protein powders are sold as foods with a Nutrition Facts label, and others as dietary supplements. The FDA notes that a supplement label carries a Supplement Facts panel, with anything not declared there listed under “Other ingredients.” Read both parts. In our lineup, Momentous, Ritual, Thorne, Vital Proteins and NOW Sports egg white are sold with Supplement Facts.

7. Mixing and how you will use it

A shaker-bottle shake, a smoothie, a pudding and a batch of pancakes all call for different powders. Flavored powders made for water or milk are easiest on the go. Unflavored powders blend into recipes but can taste plain or earthy on their own. BarBend found that Orgain’s larger two-scoop serving mixed better in a blender than in a shaker. Clear whey is made to mix with water like a juice drink rather than a milky shake.

Our picks

Whey protein isolates

Momentous Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate lists 20 g of protein and 90 calories per 25 g scoop, with fewer than 1 g of sugar. It is NSF Certified for Sport and sweetened with monk fruit and stevia, a strong pick for athletes in tested sports. Its enzyme blend comes partly from pineapple.

Thorne Whey Protein Isolate is also NSF Certified for Sport, with 21 g of protein, 100 calories and 2.2 g of leucine per scoop. The chocolate flavor uses a little cane sugar plus Reb A from stevia, and Healthline’s testers compared it to chocolate milk when shaken with milk. It contains bromelain and papain, from pineapple and papaya.

Transparent Labs Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate has the most protein of our picks at 28 g per scoop, from six ingredients with 0 g added sugars and stevia for sweetness. It carries Informed Choice and Informed Protein certification, and a Labdoor lab test found the protein closely matched the label. It suits people who want a high-protein, short-ingredient whey.

SEEQ Clear Whey Protein Isolate, Juicy Peach mixes with water into a light, juice-style drink with 22 g of protein, 100 calories and 0 g of sugar or fat. It is a good fit if thick, milky shakes are not for you. Note the polysorbate 80 and silicone antifoam in the ingredients, and that the brand lists no third-party certification.

Everyday and unflavored whey

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey blends isolate, concentrate and hydrolyzed whey for 24 g of protein per 31 g scoop, and the 5 lb tub holds 74 servings. Its label carries the Informed Choice mark for banned-substance testing. Double Rich Chocolate uses artificial flavor and acesulfame potassium and contains milk and soy.

Naked Whey Grass-Fed Unflavored has a single ingredient, whey protein concentrate, with 25 g of protein per serving and no sweeteners or flavors. It carries the NSF Contents Certified mark and works well in smoothies, oatmeal and baking. As a concentrate, it contains some lactose.

Casein for an evening shake

Ascent Micellar Casein, Chocolate lists 25 g of protein and 661 mg of calcium per scoop, with 0 g added sugars and no artificial flavors or sweeteners. The brand describes it as slow-digesting and suited to bedtime shakes or casein puddings, and it carries the Informed Sport mark. Healthline reports it is made on equipment shared with peanuts and tree nuts.

Plant-based protein

Naked Pea Protein, Unflavored is one ingredient, yellow pea protein, with 27 g of protein and 0 g added sugars per serving. It carries the NSF Contents Certified mark. BarBend notes a strong pea taste unflavored, so it is best for smoothies and recipes. Skip it if you have a pea or legume allergy.

Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder blends organic pea, brown rice, mung bean and chia for 21 g of protein and 7 g of fiber per two-scoop serving. It is USDA Organic, Certified Plant Based and kosher, and sweetened with Reb A. BarBend found it mixes better in a blender, and sodium is 390 mg per serving.

Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+ uses organic pea protein for 20 g of protein and 0 g sugar per serving, sweetened with Reb M and monk fruit. The brand reports Clean Label Project certification and lot testing, though it notes the product is not organic overall. Testers at BarBend and Fortune said it mixed smoothly; the label carries a California Prop 65 warning for lead.

Egg white and collagen

NOW Sports Egg White Protein, Unflavored is a dairy-free animal protein with 15 g of protein and 70 calories per quarter cup, from pasteurized egg white with added BCAAs. It carries Informed Sport, Kosher and Halal marks. The label also gives a baking swap: 2 tablespoons with 6 tablespoons of water equals two egg whites.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, Unflavored is one ingredient, bovine collagen peptides, with 18 g of protein per 20 g serving. BarBend’s testers said it has no taste in coffee and dissolves in hot and cold drinks. The label notes collagen is an incomplete protein, and it is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.

Quick comparison

Product	Type	One key fact	Good for
Momentous Whey Isolate	Whey isolate	NSF Certified for Sport	Athletes in tested sports
Thorne Whey Isolate	Whey isolate	2.2 g leucine per scoop	Chocolate shakes with milk
Transparent Labs Whey Isolate	Whey isolate	28 g protein per scoop	Most protein per serving
SEEQ Clear Whey	Clear whey isolate	0 g sugar, 0 g fat	A light, juice-style drink
ON Gold Standard Whey	Whey blend	74 servings in 5 lb	Everyday shakes
Naked Whey	Whey concentrate	One ingredient	Smoothies and baking
Ascent Micellar Casein	Casein	661 mg calcium per scoop	Evening shakes, puddings
Naked Pea	Pea protein	27 g protein, one ingredient	Vegan recipes
Orgain Organic Plant-Based	Plant blend	USDA Organic, 7 g fiber	Blended vegan shakes
Ritual Essential Protein 18+	Pea protein	Clean Label Project certified	Vegan shakes in water
NOW Sports Egg White	Egg white	Informed Sport mark	Dairy-free cooking
Vital Proteins Collagen	Collagen peptides	Unflavored, one ingredient	Stirring into coffee

Narrowing it down? See our short lists of third party tested supplements and protein powders and vegan supplements and protein powders.

FAQ

What is the difference between whey isolate and whey concentrate?

Both come from milk. In our lineup, the concentrate products (Naked Whey and the blend in Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard) note that concentrate contains some lactose, so people sensitive to lactose often choose an isolate such as Momentous, Thorne or Transparent Labs. Isolates still contain milk.

Which protein powders here are dairy-free?

Naked Pea, Orgain and Ritual are plant-based, and NOW Sports Egg White and Vital Proteins Collagen are dairy-free animal proteins. NOW Sports and Vital Proteins are made in facilities that also process milk, so check the label if you have a milk allergy.

Is collagen a complete protein?

No. The Vital Proteins label states that collagen peptides are an incomplete protein. Use collagen as an extra, not as your main protein source.

Can I bake or cook with protein powder?

Yes, unflavored powders work best. NOW Sports gives an egg swap on its label, Naked Whey and Naked Pea have no sweeteners to fight your recipe, and Ascent suggests its casein for puddings.

What does NSF Certified for Sport mean on a protein powder?

NSF says the program checks for substances banned by major athletic organizations, confirms the contents match the label, screens for unsafe contaminant levels and audits the factory. Momentous and Thorne carry it.

Should I talk to my doctor before using protein powder?

Talk to your doctor before starting a new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, take medication or have a health condition. This applies to the powders sold with Supplement Facts here: Momentous, Ritual, Thorne, Vital Proteins and NOW Sports Egg White.

Browse every pick in our protein powders and shakes collection. For more ideas, see our healthy snacks and supplements.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.