10 best protein powders for muscle gain, tried and tested

If you’re looking for a protein powder that tastes as amazing as its nutritional content sounds, this is the winner by a country mile. A world first, it features a unique blend of 22.9g of whey protein and 15g of bioactive collagen peptides per serving: a combination that the latest science suggests is way more effective than protein alone for building lean muscle mass when combined with resistance training.

Formulated by former Olympian and renowned sport scientist Professor Greg Whyte OBE, this Informed Sport certified blend is proven to strengthen and repair lean muscle while maximising hypertrophy (muscle building). It also speeds up the post-workout recovery of muscles and connective tissue, whether you’ve completed a marathon or simply need to recuperate from the day-to-day stresses of an active lifestyle.

Sadly, this protein powder is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans, which might help to explain why it tastes so good (coming from a tester who usually follows a gluten- and dairy-free diet but made an exception for this review). The strawberry flavour is reminiscent of Angel Delight, while the chocolate flavour is categorically the best of all on test here. Both flavours mix beautifully with water, as directed, and produce smooth shakes that are non-powdery and void of any artificial flavourings or weird aftertaste. In short, you’ll look forward to drinking this protein powder rather than dreading it.

Vegetarian and gluten-free, Myprotein’s impact whey packs a mighty punch of 23g of protein per 114 calorie serving. It has also been ranked grade A – the best of the best – by independent laboratory tests.

Rich in essential amino acids and BCAAs (branched chain amino acids), it’s the UK’s favourite brand of protein powder, and with 40 flavours to choose from, from peach tea and salted caramel to chocolate mint and golden syrup, it’s easy to see why. Informed Sport certified, it contains 2g of leucine per serving, which is needed for protein synthesis, and also contributes to post-workout recovery.

With around 1g to 1.5g of sugar per serving, depending on the flavour, it hasn’t been bulked out with sweeteners, despite all the unusual and saccharin-sounding flavours, and contains just 1.9g of fat and 1.8g of carbs per shake. Best of all, it’s wallet-friendly – a 1kg bag costing less than £20 will give you 33 servings, working out to just 57p per portion – and comes in widely recyclable plastic tubs.

For taste and texture alone, this protein powder deserves a gold medal. Light and refreshing, it’s made from a clear whey protein that mixes beautifully with water, delivering a thirst-quenching squash-like drink that’s especially enjoyable on hot days and after sweaty sessions.

While the peach flavour is delicious, it’s the raspberry and cranberry variety that’s the real star of the show. After much taste-testing, we’d say it tastes just like the fruity yet creamy insides of a Fab ice lolly, which is a win for us.

In terms of nutritional content, this low-sugar, Informed Sport registered formula delivers 20g of protein per serving, plus an additional 21g of carbohydrates to support recovery after exercise and kickstart the refuelling of muscle glycogen stores to aid muscle repair and reconditioning. Ideal for people who train most days or at a high intensity, it’s popular with professional footballers, triathletes, and long-distance runners, and naturally includes leucine – an essential amino acid used in the biosynthesis of protein to stimulate muscle protein synthesis (muscle building).

This multiple award-winning product claims to be the world’s number one (bestselling) whey protein powder, thanks to the whopping 24g of protein you get per serving for 120 calories or fewer. If lean muscle-gain is your goal, this protein powder will help you reach it faster, thanks to its whey formula – whey essentially being the liquid that is scraped off cheese – which is said to be the most effective protein for the body to use, according to the Journal of Applied Physiology.

Widely used by pro athletes, the cherry on the top must be the extra 5.5g of naturally occurring BCAAs, which include essential nutrients such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine that can help to stimulate the building of protein in muscle and potentially reduce muscle breakdown after weight training and high-intensity workouts. Even better, it contains an additional 4g of glutamine and glutamine acid, to aid digestion.

Smooth, creamy and yummy, this offering might be a little on the sweet side for some but there’s a wide variety of flavours to try, so you’re sure to find one to your liking – the thousands of five-star reviews say it all.

The foodspring x Davina McCall range consists of two elevated protein powders created specifically to support the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The protein + focus powder (£32.99, Foodspring.co.uk) features added vitamins and adaptogens, such as ginseng, to boost energy and mental performance, while this protein + relax blend has been created to help you unwind in the evening.

In addition to whey protein, this powder features casein – a slow-releasing form of protein that steadily elevates amino acid levels for four to five hours after you consume it (unlike whey protein which stays in the blood stream for 90 minutes). This makes this powder ideal for aiding muscle recovery while you sleep. To help replenish and regenerate the body and calm the nervous system, there’s the bonus of added vitamins and minerals such as riboflavin, B6, B12, vitamin C and vitamin D, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and iron, plus ashwagandha to help manage physical and mental stress.

Caffeine-free and easy to digest, it has a soothing, almost floral honey and spices flavour, which fans of herbal tea will love, and can be enjoyed either cold or hot (top tip: Davina McCall likes to drink it with warm milk before bed to replace her evening mug of cocoa).

Billed as the “best diet protein on the market”, this low-calorie, high-protein, low-carb blend is tailored for individuals with a focus on maintaining or building lean muscle mass while prioritising fat reduction.

You get 17g of lean protein per serving, derived from multiple sources (including whey and casein) that release into the bloodstream at different stages to support muscle growth and help you to feel fuller for longer. Plus, you get the added benefit of fat-burning ingredients such as L-carnitine, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), flaxseeds, and green tea extract to support your fat loss and lean muscle goals.

We tried a few of the 12 flavours, including banana, salted caramel, and cookies and cream. All tasted great using water alone and produced smooth, creamy shakes with zero lumps, but they’re probably best enjoyed in a smoothie, or added to plain porridge. With one serving containing 1.3g sugar, less than 3g carbs, and less than 100 calories, it’s a good choice for anyone who wants to watch their weight and support their training while avoiding muscle deterioration.

Here’s another multiple award-winner but, this time, it’s plant-based. Form’s performance protein vegan blend combines wholesome ingredients such as organic pea, brown rice, and pumpkin seed protein to deliver a whopping 30g of protein, plus 5g of BCAAs per serving, to provide a complete amino acid profile that supports the growth and maintenance of muscle mass.

Presented in 100 per cent plastic-free, compostable packaging, this gluten-free powder contains added anti-inflammatory ingredients such as curcumin and black pepper extract to boost immunity and increase the absorption of nutrients, along with digestive enzymes such as amylase, protease, and lactase to aid natural digestion and reduce bloating.

We tasted each of the five flavours available, and found they mixed well with water, producing smooth, creamy shakes. It’s fair to say they’re all on the sweet side – some people might find the vanilla and banoffee flavours a little too sweet. However, the chocolate peanut and chocolate hazelnut flavours are deliciously nutty, while the tiramisu flavour isn’t far off an iced coffee or frappe when mixed with water. Blend any of the flavours with almond milk, a banana, and a large teaspoon of nut butter, and you’ll have a yummy treat that ticks all the boxes.

This protein powder is one of the priciest in our round-up, but it’s a bestseller for a reason. Packed with a massive 20 vitamins and minerals – including 38 per cent RDA of vitamin E, 36 per cent RDA of vitamin B6 and folic acid, and 34 RDA of vitamin C, as well as potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, calcium, and biotin – you get way more bang for your buck. It’s ideal for busy types who aren’t always able to balance their diet or who forget to take their daily multi-vitamin.

With 20g of easy-to-digest plant-based protein per serving, derived from pea, cranberry, and rice, this keto-friendly blend boasts 19 amino acids to contribute to the maintenance of muscle mass and overall wellbeing. Additionally, it has 15mg of caffeine per serving, to help wake you up in the morning or reenergise you after workouts.

Being vegan, gluten-free, kosher and halal, it’s a great choice for those following restricted diets, with 0.5g of sugar and 3g or carbohydrates per serving. It also mixes well, tastes lovely with water alone, and isn’t overly sweet.

Make no mistake, this pea protein powder doesn’t taste great when simply mixed with water but that’s not what it’s intended for. Heat-stable and unflavoured, it’s specifically designed for cooking with, and is easily incorporated into a variety of hot dishes (sweet or savoury), from porridge and stews to soups and curries, to boost your protein consumption.

This protein powder has been a cupboard staple of our tester for a couple of years – ever since it was recommended to them by a top nutritionist who put them on a gluten- and dairy-free diet to improve their gut health.

To easily add 8g of protein to your meal, all you need to do is sprinkle a heaped dessert spoon of this powder into your dish during cooking. Do this two or three times a day, and you’ll soon be hitting your protein goals without having to think about chugging down shakes. Versatile, low in carbs and 100 per cent vegan, it’s also made with no artificial ingredients, added fillers or sugars, and is a great alternative to whey protein.

Can’t be bothered with the faff of shaking and mixing post-workout (especially after an arm workout)? Step forward, the latest addition to Warrior’s award-winning range of high protein bars, flapjacks, and supplements.

The new Warrior protein water is great for hydrating on the go and provides an extremely refreshing alternative to heavy protein powders, minus the carbs and sugars. Easy-to-consume, this high protein, sugar-free drink contains less than 50 calories per 500ml bottle and is packed with electrolytes and essential vitamins, including vitamins E, B3, and D3, to keep you feeling hydrated and healthy.

If that wasn’t enough, one bottle contains 10g of bovine collagen peptides, to nourish your skin, hair and nails, while conveniently boosting your protein intake. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans, and free-from genetically modified ingredients, it comes in two delicious flavours – tropical and berry – which are bursting with fruitiness without tasting artificially sweet.