12 Best Protein Powders For Women To Buy In 2022
The protein powder market is saturated, so much so that it can be hard to determine which protein powder is right for you. Whether you’re looking to add extra protein to your diet as you work hard at the gym, or want something for everyday use, the myriad of flavours and brands can be overwhelming.
Here, we break it down for you - the best of the best, according to buyers. The best kind of recommendation is what the masses are adding to cart, so we’ve collated top-sellers from popular websites (think Amazon, The Iconic and iHerb) to whittle down that huge list into the ones people are loving the most.
From protein powders that also promise other benefits to options for vegetarians, here are our picks.
BEST OVERALL PROTEIN POWDERS
Muscle Tech Nitro Tech Protein Powder, Amazon, from $83.12
Yes, the packaging is terrifying, especially if you’re venturing into the protein powder sphere for the first time. It’s absolutely marketed toward men, but don’t discount this protein powder if you’re a woman looking to support muscle build and recovery - with over 7,000 reviews and maintaining a 4.5/5 star rating, this powder is one of Amazon’s top-selling products, and is loved by everyone from new gym fans to long-time workout lovers.
Nitro Tech uses pure whey protein isolate and peptides as its primary source, the brand also claims to use what it calls cold filtered, multi-phase filtration to reduce fat, lactose and impurities in the whey protein without using heat, harsh acids or salt.
Whether this means anything to you or not, the reviews are pretty impressive. “Tastes way better then everything I tried,” one reviewer wrote, saying they can even drink this one with water whereas in the past, had to have their protein powders with milk. “The texture is very smooth, it mixes well in water without being gritty,” another reviewer mentions - crucial if you’re considering taking protein powder regularly (we all know that awful gritty swallow of bulky powders). In fact, several reviewers specifically called out the smooth consistency of this powder and, while some claimed the taste was on the sweeter side, most said it blended very well with milk and loved the flavours. While we have listed Strawberry above (who doesn’t love strawberry milk!) other popular flavours include chocolate, cookies and cream and vanilla.
“Great tasting and really effective,” one review says. “Used it over the summer and saw major differences compared to using other whey proteins on the market. Would definitely recommend to any beginners or even just for someone wanting to try something new.”
Sierra Fit Whey Protein Complete, iHerb, $49.47
A top rated protein powder from iHerb, this vanilla flavoured supplement has an incredible 4.7/5 star rating with over 1,700 reviews. “This is the best tasting protein shake I have ever tried. It is also very smooth and not chalky like others,” one fan raves on iHerb. Using a protein blend of Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, and Whey Protein Hydrolysate, plus naturally occurring BCAAs, this powder is a good entry-way into the whey protein space.
BEST PROTEIN POWDERS FOR EVERYDAY
Protein + Probiotics Powder, JSHealth, $49.99 for 450g
Described as being “amazing”, “delicious and nutritious”, the Protein + Probiotics Powder from JSHealth is a great supplement to add to your everyday routine. It’s a 100 per cent vegan protein, packed with extra benefits like probiotics to support your gut and healthy digestion.
It’s also gluten-free, nut-free and sugar-free, so it can be enjoyed by most people.
The protein powder also comes in a range of delicious flavous, including vanilla bean, chocolate brownie, cinnamon scroll and more.
The Beauty Chef Body Inner Beauty Powder, Adore Beauty, $69
The Beauty Chef is a well-loved wellness supplement brand - its Glow powder is a top-rated daily supplement on Adore Beauty thanks to its great taste and swathes of reviewers who credit it for their improved skin and gut health. Body is a bio-fermented powder that comes in two flavours, vanilla and chocolate, and contains more than protein - it’s also got natural prebiotics and probiotics, superfood greens for helping with detoxification, vitamin C and half your daily recommended intake of vitamin D. This is a great protein powder if you’re looking for more than just muscle building and recovery.
Dose & Co Collagen Protein Powder, Amazon, $39.99
A great choice if you want to try collagen supplements as well as take a protein powder daily, Dose & Co is a New Zealand-based brand that uses 100 per cent plastic-free packaging as an environmentally-friendly move, and also packs in 10 grams of collagen per serve.
TASTIEST PROTEIN POWDERS
WelleCo Nourishing Protein Refill Pack, Adore Beauty, $36
The only flavour that might beat out coffee is chocolate, but while some protein powders won’t land that smooth, chocolatey flavour, WelleCo’s Nourishing Protein is loved for it. “This has a lovely choco flavour and it also has great ingredients. Makes my usual drinks taste better,” one reviewer writes on Adore Beauty. “Tastes super yum, had a great consistency (almost like choccy mousse) and doesn’t have that horrible protein powder taste that most protein powders do,” raves another.
BEST PROTEIN POWDERS FOR THE GYM
Lake Avenue Nutrition Whey Protein, iHerb, $98.93
This big 2.27kg bag of protein powder is more than enough to mix your pre or post-gym smoothies. We love that it also contains 16 probiotic strains per serving, and contains no artificial flavours or sweetners.
BEST VEGAN PROTEIN POWDERS
Doctor Murray Super Foods 3-Seed Protein Powder, iHerb, $23.67
Using pumpkin, flax and sunflower seeds, this vegan protein powder also delivers amino acid profile, fiber content, antioxidants, magnesium, and other valuable nutrients. “It is perfect for me to refuel quickly after a workout,” one five-star review says. Others say the flavour is very natural and inoffensive. “It has a natural seed flavour. I like mixing it with yogurt and adding to soups. It’s also great for substituting some flour in baking for healthier recipes.”
The Healthy Chef Organic Pea Protein, THE ICONIC, $62.95
This certified-organic product is naturally flavoured with vanilla and uses pea protein. We love that it is formulated without any fillers, preservatives or additives.
California Gold Nutrition Sport Plant-Based Protein Powder, iHerb, $39.57
A fruit and vegetable blend, this plant-based protein powder is formulated using pea protein isolate, brown rice protein concentrate, flax seed, chia seed, and sprouted black rice powders. “I have tried many plant-based proteins and I must say that I really liked this protein, it mixes super well, it does not have a strange taste, I loved the amino acid profile, the ingredients and that it provides iron,” one reviewer says.
BEST ORGANIC PROTEIN POWDERS
Inca Organics Certified Organic Whey Protein Powder, THE ICONIC, $99.95
This product sells itself on featuring just one ingredient - the highest-grade New Zealand organic grass-fed whey protein. GMO-free and containing no preservatives, artificial sweeteners, fillers, lecithin, soy, added sugar or flavours, it’s a great choice if you’re looking for something simple.
Orgain Organic Protein Powder, iHerb, $65.58
Made with organic pea protein, chia seeds, brown rice and cocoa, this powder is USDA Organic and Kosher. “The taste is really good, there is no weird smell and after taste that I usually got from other products,” one reviewer says.
WHAT IS WHEY-BASED PROTEIN POWDER?
Protein powders that use whey protein are common in market. Whey protein comes from cows milk, and is found in a liquid that is created when cheese is produced, so it’s not always the best choice for those who are lactose-intolerant as some whey protein powders can still contain lactose. It’s also not vegan-friendly. However, there have been studies that say it is more easily absorbed than soy-based protein or casein-based protein.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CHOOSE PLANT-BASED PROTEIN POWDER?
Plant-based protein powders are a great choice for vegans or vegetarians. Often you’ll find plant-based protein powders are derived from rice and peas, both proteins that have been shown, according to Harvard University, to stimulate muscle growth in a similar fashion to whey (although they do note that plant-based powders tend to have less protein in them).
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Originally published as 12 best protein powders for women to buy in 2022
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