9 best whey protein powders for 2025, reviewed by GLAMOUR editors
The one piece of advice everyone has had since I announced I was embarking on my first Hyrox training plan? ‘Find a good whey protein.’ Formerly a supplement associated with professional athletes and bodybuilders, the protein powder is now seen as a vital ingredient for those wanting to build muscle and recover quickly.
A quick return to Biology 101: while resistance training is the first step in muscle growth, your muscles don't grow during your workouts. Instead, exercise tears the muscle tissues – and it's what we do after that that supports them growing back bigger and stronger. One way to support that muscle-building process is by eating enough protein, confirmed by a 2022 review, which found that consuming additional protein supports the growth of lean muscle.
Whey protein is, arguably, one of the simplest ways we can increase our protein intake, given it doesn't require prepping or cooking and tastes delicious. Simply mix with cold water and go. “There are lots of benefits of whey protein, and not all gym-related," adds wellness expert and nutritionist Penny Weston. “There have been studies to show it helps with asthma, can prevent cancer and also lower blood pressure.”
But working out which protein powder to add to your emotional support shaker can be an overwhelming, stress-inducing task since you now have thousands of options. Thankfully, GLAMOUR editors — who moonlight as amateur athletes on evenings and weekends — have road-tested a host to track down the very best whey protein powders, as well as quizzing nutrition experts for answers on all common FAQs.
Load up on this essential macronutrient.
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Disclaimer: Keep in mind that this article isn't a substitute for professional medical advice, and our recommendations won't replace a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.
Meet the experts:
| Penny Weston | A highly-regarded fitness and wellness expert and nutritionist, as well as the owner of award-winning health spa, Moddershall Oaks and leading wellness centre, MADE. |
| David Weiner | A training and nutrition specialist at AI-based fitness and lifestyle coaching app Freeletics. |
What is whey protein?
“Whey protein comes from cow's milk, so it contains lactose. It is a supplement used to help boost muscle protein synthesis and to increase lean muscle mass,” Weston says. “The most common reason for taking whey protein is to increase strength, but there are people who take it to increase nutrients in their diet."
| Whey Protein Isolate | "This type of whey protein is processed more than whey concentrate, which can make the protein content much higher, but with less lactose, fat and carbohydrates,” details Weiner. |
| Whey Protein Concentrate | "Whey protein concentrate comes from dried whey protein, which creates a concentrate form. This type of whey protein has a lot more lactose due to less processing.” |
| Whey Protein Hydrolysate | “This type of whey protein goes through a hydrolysis process which breaks down the protein to be a much faster digested form of whey protein, which contains mostly dipeptides and tripeptides,” continues Weiner. |
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How we test whey protein powder:
As a health and fitness editor who has been lifting weights for over 10 years, I've tried my fair share of protein powders. The first few years of my fitness journey were spent cycling through various different whey protein powders to find one that tasted, mixed, stirred and baked as well as I was hoping for.
But it wouldn't be a fair test if I did it alone. Thankfully, the GLAMOUR team has trialled countless whey protein powders — as well as clear whey protein, creatine and mushroom coffee — each for a minimum of four weeks. All who participated varied in terms of age, skin type and hair type. And, at the end of their trial period, they were asked to rate it against the following criteria:
- Ease of use — Were the capsules easy to swallow? Did the powder mix well with water?
- Efficacy — How long into the four weeks did they notice a difference, if any?
- Taste — On a scale of one to five, how pleasurable was the taste?
- Value for money — Would they be happy to commit to the weekly, monthly or bi-monthly spend?
Ahead, the best whey protein powders for 2025, approved by GLAMOUR editors:
MyProtein Impact Whey Protein Powder
From one of the most well-known protein brands in the UK, MyProtein's Impact Whey Protein is packed with 21 grams of protein per serving and is ranked Grade A by independent tester Labdoor for both quality and value. In fact, it is officially certified as one of the best protein powders on the market. It provides your body with convenient, high-quality protein, which contributes to muscle gain and the maintenance of muscle mass, whether you enjoy resistance training or weight training. It’s also suitable for vegetarians and has low amounts of added sugar.
“This is my top pick protein powder, and is championed by many in the fitness industry,” Weiner says. “Not only is it widely available, but the amount of flavours available is outstanding, so you’ll never get bored, and they genuinely taste great too, which some other protein powders can lack.”
- Flavours: 40 flavour options, including unflavoured, mocha, tiramisu, matcha latte, mango, blueberry and chocolate banana.
- Sizes available: 500g, 1kg, 2.5kg, 5kg.
- Protein per serving: 23g.
Save when you shop the best whey protein with these MyProtein discount codes.
Protein Works Whey Protein 360
It's no secret that Protein Works is a GLAMOUR-trusted brand, offering premium-grade protein and supplements, whatever your goal. Its best-selling whey is rich in BCAAs and flavour, while also being low in fat. The quality that really sets it apart, though? The phased protein release, thanks to the blend of fast and slow-releasing proteins.
Our Senior Commerce Writer Sophie Donovan says: “I've always hated the thick, gritty texture of protein powder, as well as the powdery, clay-like taste. But Protein Works' Chocolate Bueno whey is now my go-to post my nightly F45 workouts — in fact, I crave it! And it's helping me hit my nutrition goals.”
- Flavours: Banana milkshake, chocolate bueno, chocolate silk, French vanilla, salted caramel bandit.
- Sizes available: 600g, 1.2kg, 2.4 kg, 4.8kg.
- Protein per serving: 21g.
Save when you shop the best whey protein with these Protein Works discount codes.
The Organic Protein Co. Whey Protein Powder
This organic chocolate protein is made using whey from organic grass-fed cows’ milk, and blended with raw organic cacao, maca, plus unrefined organic coconut sugar. Oh, and no additives. FYI, raw organic cacao is known to be high in magnesium, sulfur, and flavonoids that are believed to boost good cholesterol and reduce blood pressure, while maca root can help improve your mood and energy. Win-win-win.
“This one is brilliant because it is organic,” Weston comments. “We are all becoming more aware of how important it is to try and have an organic diet, and it is really tasty too.”
- Flavours: Unflavoured, vanilla, banana & lucama, chocolate (raw cacao & maca), cookies & cream.
- Sizes available: 400g, 1.2kg.
- Protein per serving: 18.8g.
Save when you shop the best whey protein with these Amazon discount codes.
Hermosa Graff-Fed Whey Protein Powder
Hermosa is the official whey powder of Barry's Bootcamp — so if you want to recreate the deliciously decadent yet still good for you taste of Barry's smoothie bar, start here.
Made with whey from grass-fed cows, it's gluten-free, soy-free, halal, non-GMO and sweetened with 100% natural stevia. And, as confirmed by our testers, super easy to mix with water or your milk of choice. Plus, being packed in an aesthetic amber jar, this is one you can leave out on show to remind you to sip it post-pilates.
- Flavours: Vanilla, chocolate.
- Sizes available: 30g sachets, 420g, 1kg.
- Protein per serving: 20g.
Save when you shop the best whey protein with these Selfridges discount codes.
Best whey protein with collagen
Protein Works Collagen Whey Protein
Trying to remember which supplements to take and when is no easy feat, so the fact that Protein Works has mixed our daily dose of collagen into our shake? A blessing. With every shake comes 8g of Type 1 & Type 3 collagen peptides, alongside 12g of whey protein, providing 20g of high-quality protein per serving. But it also comes infused with vitamin C, zinc, and selenium — key nutrients which contribute to normal collagen formation and overall wellbeing.
- Flavours: Chocolate silk, strawberries n' cream, vanilla crème.
- Sizes available: 450g, 900g, 1.8kg.
- Protein per serving: 20g.
If you're not so keen on thick, milky shakes and want to cut down on the number of different supplements you take, consider this the all-in-one answer. This clear whey protein from Bulk offers 29 grams of protein per serving, as well as 3g of creatine monohydrate, 3g of L-glutamine and 8g of BCAAs. Our testers loved the fact that this tastes more like squash and was super easy to prepare — simply add to 500ml of water and shake.
- Flavours: Apple & blackcurrant, blue raspberry, passionfruit, peach iced tea, strawberry & lime.
- Sizes available: 500g, 1kg.
- Protein per serving: 29g.
Save when you shop the best whey protein with these Bulk discount codes.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Isolate Protein
Upgrade your ON protein even more with its isolate whey, which undergoes a series of sophisticated filtration processes to remove excess fat and sugar. A portion of this Whey Protein Isolate is then hydrolysed – broken down into smaller chains of amino acids — so the final product is a complete protein, containing no more than 0.3g of sugars, 0.4 g of fat and 83% of pure protein per serving. We know that’s a lot of numbers and techy speak, but basically, it’s a good’un.
- Flavours: Chocolate, strawberry, vanilla.
- Sizes available: 930g.
- Protein per serving: 25g.
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Batch tested for compliance with WADA standards, Kinetica is a member of the European Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance (ESSNA), so you can be assured that its products comply with best practice and do exactly what they say on the (pretty chic) tin. It's whey powder contains only natural colours and flavours — and nothing just to enhance flavour or texture — plus it is suitable for vegetarians. The fact that a single shake comes in at under 120 calories? An added bonus for those on a cut.
- Flavours: Unflavoured, vanilla, banana, strawberry, chocolate, chocolate mint.
- Sizes available: 1kg, 2.27kg, 4.5kg.
- Protein per serving: 23g.
TheHealthyTree Organic Whey Protein Powder
This organic whey protein powder by TheHealthyTree Company is made using organic milk from well-bred, grass-fed, free-range cows, and doesn’t include any sugar, sweetener, soy or thickener (hence the name). Instead, their product — which is organically produced in Germany — is high in naturally occurring amino acids. The texture is also super smooth, meaning this particular whey protein can also be added to recipes like cookies, flapjacks, pancakes and overnight oats.
“This protein shake is a perfect choice for people living an organic lifestyle but also wanting to boost their protein intake," says Weiner. "They taste truly delicious, and do not have any artificial or bitter tastes, which you can sometimes get with other protein shakes. Knowing you will get good quality ingredients, a protein boost, and simply a delicious drink is why it’s a favourite for so many.”
- Flavours: Unflavoured.
- Sizes available: 300g.
- Protein per serving: 12g.
What is the difference between whey protein and casein protein?
You're not alone if you find trying to decipher between all the different types of protein — vegan protein powder, whey protein, clear whey protein, pea protein, soy protein… — overwhelming. However, our experts argue there are two main types of protein that are worth incorporating into your diet if you're not sure you're getting enough: whey and casein.
“Casein protein powders are the best choice of protein shake to drink in the afternoon or evening, simply because the body absorbs them at a much slower rate than traditional whey powders," details Weiner. "Casein powders also contain bioactive peptides, which can help encourage a healthier digestive system and also improve your immune system.
“Casein protein also comes from cow's milk, but is digested more slowly than whey," adds Weston. "Due to a more prolonged release of amino acids, casein is best taken before going to bed — whereas whey is typically taken before or post-workout. I would recommend using both proteins in combination with each other, but always check the serving advice."
And spoiler: there’s no complex lifting technique or gymnastic strength required.
What are the benefits of using whey protein powder?
Whey protein contains all nine essential amino acids — the building blocks of protein and what your body breaks protein down into to rebuild your muscles. Some vegan protein powders don't contain all the necessary types of amino acids, but whey does, meaning you can rest assured you're getting everything your body needs in one gulp.
Whey protein is also very easy to digest and simple to prepare, unlike some protein foods, so it's great to carry on the go for a quick protein top-up. “Of course, it does need to be taken in moderation, as taking too much can have negative impacts such as nausea, headaches, acne and weight gain,” reminds Weston.
How often should I use a whey protein, and when?
The frequency with which you should use whey protein depends on your specific reasons for taking it in the first place. A commonly recommended dosage is one to two scoops (around 25 – 50 grams) per day, usually after workouts; however, most experts will recommend that you follow the serving instructions on the packaging.
“Protein shakes are convenient as they can up the amount of protein in your diet, which is important for a number of bodily processes," says Weiner. "Protein shakes also contain amino acids, which are known as the building blocks of protein, and are essential to ensure our bodies function optimally.”
“I would recommend one to two scoops per day, but make sure you follow the serving instructions. You should take your whey protein after your workout for the best results, as it is there to help you recover quicker, so there is not much point taking it beforehand,” advises Weston. “I personally would not take it more than three times a week. It is important to bear in mind what you are eating as well, as whey could replace your daily snacks and work to keep you full in between meal times.”
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“Taking whey protein shakes is most effective in your anabolic window, which is essentially when muscle synthesis is at its highest," suggests Weiner. "This can vary from person to person, but normally happens around 20 minutes after your workout, and can last for an hour after your workout.”
It is important to note, though, that if your protein intake is already high, adding whey protein on top of your current intake may not be necessary on such a frequent basis. Especially as an intake of too much protein can actually be detrimental rather than beneficial. However, generally speaking, whey protein has an excellent safety profile and most people can consume it without problems.
