We've Tested Countless Protein Powders — These Are the 8 Best for Building Muscle in 2025

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2 days ago

There are plenty of excellent natural sources of protein, but when it comes to supporting muscle tissue repair and maximising muscle growth, it's pretty much universally agreed that protein supplements are the most convenient way of topping up your daily protein intake.
Choosing the best protein powder to match your goals? That takes some careful consideration. Which is why we've enlisted the help of professional sports nutritionists to share the essential information you need when choosing a protein powder for muscle growth and recovery, before referring to our annual Sports Nutrition Awards to recommend a selection of the best protein powders worth buying in 2025.
Best Protein Powder
Before we get into our top recommendations, let's go back to basics. Protein powder is essentially powdered and concentrated food. Typically (but not exclusively) derived from either dairy or plant protein, the main benefit of powdered protein is that it's a convenient means of increasing the amount of the essential muscle-building macronutrient present in your diet.
The most common types of protein powder are whey protein, the liquid by-product of milk separated from curd during cheese production, soy protein, a concentrated form of plant-based protein originating from soybeans, and casein protein, a slow-digesting dairy protein that like whey protein is also derived from milk. Other types of powdered protein supplements include beef, rice, hemp, egg and pea.
From a muscle-building perspective, protein powder has a number of benefits. 'The protein we consume helps augment recovery and new muscle tissue from our resistance training,' says Yiannis Fleming, a sports performance coach and qualified nutritionist. 'As we train and put the muscles under stress, micro-tears occur and it's the protein that helps to repair and develop new tissue.' Heaps of peer-reviewed studies back this. For example, according to one study published in the journal Nutrients, 'protein intake was shown to promote additional gains in lean body mass beyond those observed with resistance exercise alone'.
What to Consider
From types of protein to dietary requirements, consider the following when choosing the best protein powder for your diet and end goals.
Type
According to Fleming, it can be helpful to break down protein powder into the following four categories.
Also known as mass gainers or muscle gainers, 'these powders are comprised of protein with added carbs and fats to increase your calories', says Fleming. 'If you struggle to consume enough calories each day then a powder like this will assist in increasing your bodyweight and muscle stores.'
'Examples of these powders are whey, casein and those labelled as 'diet" options,' he continues. 'They are mostly comprised of protein with very little added carbs or fats, meaning you can consume around 30g of protein for under 150 calories, which is very low when compared to higher-calorie shakes which can be around 600 calories. Keep in mind that whey is best taken after training as it elicits muscle protein synthesis and will support muscle repairs. Casein, on the other hand, is a slower-absorbing powder and best taken pre-bed to help reduce total body protein breakdown, which occurs when we go long periods without eating, e.g. sleeping.'
These are similar to the muscle gainers mentioned before. 'These powders contain additional calories from carbs and fats to help you consume more energy,' says Fleming. 'The only main difference is that these shakes do not contain dairy and thus will have a slightly lower leucine content. For eliciting muscle protein synthesis, a dairy-based powder will likely be the best, but if you can't have dairy, then a shake from this section will be more than fine.'
If you're shopping in this category, look for pea, soy, hemp and those labelled as 'dairy-free' options, says Fleming. 'They are mostly comprised of protein, but as they originate from plants they will have slightly less protein and a little bit more carbohydrates,' he says. 'These shakes are not thought to be as effective in eliciting muscle protein synthetic because of their lower leucine content, but they are more advantageous if you are avoiding dairy. You could always combine this shake with a lactose-free milk to further increase the protein content.'
Protein Intake
Before taking protein powder, consider how much protein you already typically get in your diet. As Fleming puts it: 'Many people are able to consume enough protein from their overall diet that a specific powder may not be required. If you're familiar with tracking on apps like MyFitnessPal and can see that you're consuming within the range of 1.5-2g of protein per kg of bodyweight each day – so for example, if you weigh 80kg then this would be 120-160g – then it may not be essential to add a protein supplement to your routine.'
Dietary Requirements
Consider your dietary requirements when choosing a protein powder. 'Are you lactose intolerant or experiencing discomfort from taking protein powders like whey or casein?' says Fleming. 'If so, opting for a dairy-free or plant-based alternative is best. Options like pea, soy and hemp are great for those with lactose intolerance and will reduce the likelihood of cramps, pains or IBS symptoms.'
Reputable Brands
Once you've settled on a type of protein powder, head to a trustworthy retailer. 'For the majority of people, a cost-effective protein powder from a reliable distributor like MyProtein, PhD or The Protein Works will be more than sufficient,' says Fleming. 'These sites offer a wide range and will cover the four main groups I mentioned before. Remember to opt for a dairy-free or plant-based alternative if you are avoiding dairy.' All the retailers on this list meet this criteria.
Testing and Certification
If you're an athlete who competes professionally, Fleming recommends opting for supplements with an Informed Choice or Informed Sport label. 'These are batch tested to ensure the ingredient list is accurate and to cover you if you're being tested for performance-enhancing drugs.'
Both certifications indicate when a sports supplement has been tested for prohibited substances and manufactured to high-quality standards. The difference between the two is the frequency of testing. Informed Sport tests every batch before a product is sold, whereas Informed Choice regularly tests products on a monthly blind testing schedule.
How We Selected
As part of our 2024 Sports Nutrition Awards and 2025 Sports Nutrition Awards, we recruited a panel of industry experts and fitness enthusiasts, alongside our team of health and fitness journalists and nutritionists, and asked them to put 152 products to the test. Our winning protein powders have our Sports Nutrition Awards badges displayed proudly above their picture below. The remaining entries on our list have been carefully chosen by our editors in line with our experts' recommendations.
For each protein powder on this list, we consulted nutrition experts who provided in-depth feedback on each product's nutritional value and impact on exercise performance in order to eliminate supplements with substandard ingredients or inadequate macros. Our team also personally rated each protein powder, ranking their taste, texture and mixability.Gold Standard Whey Protein Powder
Awarded 'Best Milk Shake' in 2024: 'Many people like to stick to the classics. Chocolate is a busy flavour category, but our ON winner stands out from the crowd for its natural-tasting cocoa flavour and creamy consistency. It scored highly for mixability and, unlike many of the chocolate powders we tried, it wasn't overly sweet. It offers 24g of protein per serving, including 5.5g of BCAAs.'
Check out our full list of MH-approved whey protein.
£29.95 at amazon.co.ukVegan Performance Protein Powder
Awarded 'Best All-Rounder' in 2024 and 2025: Even when blended with water alone, Form's consistency was ultra- creamy with no unwanted aftertaste. Testers described it as sweet and nutty. The organic blend includes pea, brown rice and pumpkin protein, along with turmeric to support recovery and digestive enzymes. It scored extra points for its eco packaging, which is both plastic-free and compostable. A regular MH award-winner, Form remains the undisputed champ of plant-based protein.]
Check out our full list of MH-approved vegan protein.
£25.99 at amazon.co.ukWhey Protein - Chocolate
Awarded 'Best New Protein Powder' in 2025: 'We'd expect nothing less than a podium finish from athlete, gym owner and former MH cover star Ollie Marchon's brand. With 24g of protein, a solid amino acid profile and minimal carbs and fats, this mixed well with both water and milk. We're fans of the Salted Caramel.'
£33.49 at healf.comClear Whey Protein
Awarded Best Clear Whey in 2025: 'With 20g of protein in every serving, minimal sugar and under 90 calories, this easy-drinker is perfectly palatable any time of day. We like Peach Tea but there are more than 15 fruity flavours to choose from, including Blood Orange and Strawberry Kiwi. The powder mixed well and is a fresh alternative to milky blends.'
Check out our full list of MH-approved whey protein.
£27.99 at MyproteinClear Protein
Awarded Best Clear Vegan Protein in 2025: 'The texture of this one won us over; the powder blends easily with water for a drink that packs in 20g of protein and 3.6g of BCAAs – a winner for vegans and dairy-drinkers alike. Blend with ice cubes for a zero-sugar slushy to start your post-gym recovery.'
Check out our full list of MH-approved vegan protein.
£29.00 at optimumnutrition.comReady-to Drink Shake
Awarded 'Best for On-The-Go' in 2024: No time for a post-gym meal? Available in many supermarkets, these shakes provide a healthy balance of carbs, protein and fat, along with all 26 essential vitamins and minerals, plus omega 3. Our panel couldn't fault the flavour and said the creamy consistency was bang on.
Check out our full list of MH-approved vegan protein.
£22.75 at amazon.co.ukDiet Whey
Awarded 'Best for an Energy Boost' in 2024: 'This whey and soya-based blend offers a good mix of protein and fat-burning ingredients, with 17g of protein, 91 calories and 1.4g of fat per serving. It also features L-carnitine – a chemical that helps the body turn fat into energy – and green tea extract, an antioxidant that can aid weight loss.'
Check out our full list of MH-approved whey protein.
£43.65 at amazon.co.ukPremium Protein
Awarded 'Best for Natural Ingredients' in 2024: 'Made with a blend of pea, sunflower and rice protein, plus organic coconut sugar, raw cacao and banana, 33Fuel's Premium Protein avoids the artificial ingredients often found in protein powders. Flavour-wise, it's rich in cacao with hints of malt and dried fruit.'
Check out our full list of MH-approved vegan protein.
£31.19 at 33Fuel
Isolate vs Concentrate vs Casein: Which Should You Choose?
According to nutritionist James Aikten, who manages product development for Crazy Nutrition, it depends on the person's goals, dietary preferences, and nutritional needs or restrictions. 'Whey protein isolate is more heavily processed and has more fats and lactose removed, so it has a higher protein percentage by weight. It is faster absorbed by the body, making it ideal post-workout, but it is also more expensive.'
While whey protein concentrate is less processed, 'it still has some of its fats and lactose', he says. 'It's cheaper and slower release but ideal for general use, especially if cost is a concern and you can factor the extra fat and calories into your macros.'
Casein protein, on the other hand, 'is slower to digest, so it is often used before bed or during other extended periods without food to allow a steady absorption of protein'.
For general use, Aitken recommends whey protein concentrate due to its low price point and 'steady' release of protein. 'Pea protein is a good option if you require a plant-based protein,' he adds, 'as it contains all nine essential amino acids. Despite not being considered a complete protein due to lower levels of lysine, some might also opt for rice protein. Mixing pea and rice protein can yield a fuller amino acid profile.'
How Much Protein Do You Need?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions about protein powder. Fleming stresses the importance of having a consistent daily intake of protein. 'Before relying solely on a supplement, try to ensure you're consuming 1.5-2g per kg of bodyweight regularly,' he says. 'This is going to help you much more than just consuming one shake a day, for example.'
From there you can decide how much to consume. 'If you're slightly under this then a protein powder will be a perfect addition to help,' he adds.'
Most powders will come with a scoop providing around 20-30g of protein. For smaller individuals, one scoop with water or milk will be more than sufficient. For larger individuals, 1-2 scoops with water or milk will do fine. Remember that you can lean on milk such as semi-skimmed or soya (plant-based) to help add additional protein to your shake, if it's necessary.'
So what happens if you consume too much? 'Whilst protein is essential for muscle repair, growth, and various bodily functions, excessive protein intake can cause kidney strain, especially in those with pre-existing kidney conditions,' says Aitken. 'You may also experience bloating and constipation.'
When is the Best Time to Take Protein Powder?
This can depend on the type of protein you're taking, but most, like whey, soy, pea and hemp 'will be best taken after training to elicit muscle protein synthesis', says Fleming. 'But that doesn't mean you have to rush to get them in.'
There's no need for a mad rush, essentially. 'You can finish training, have a shower, then create your shake, if you prefer. In fact, if you wanted to sip your protein shake during training, this will be equally as beneficial in starting the recovery process as the amino acids will already be in your system.' Whatever works for you.
Where you should be more particular about timings is with slower absorbing protein powders, such as casein, which are 'best taken before going a long period without eating as these assist more with reducing the amount of total body protein breakdown', says Fleming. 'This may be useful if optimising the amount of muscle you're carrying around is the priority.'
'Hard Gainers'
Do you need a protein powder to provide your diet with more calories, or solely for protein content? 'Some powders are higher in calories and more suitable for 'hard gainers' or individuals with a higher energy expenditure,' says Fleming. 'For example, if you're a lean individual who burns a lot of calories but insists on building muscle, then a higher-calorie powder is likely the one for you.'Likewise, if you're just trying to top up your protein or are going for body recomposition (reduce fat & increase muscle simultaneously), then just a standard protein powder will be fine as you will want to eat the majority of your calories from your diet, since this will assist in keeping you satiated.'
Who Should Avoid Protein Shakes?
Protein powder is generally considered safe for most people, however, the following people should exercise caution or avoid its use altogether, says Aitken.
'Individuals with pre-existing kidney problems or a history of kidney disease should consult their doctor before using protein powder, as excessive protein intake may strain the kidneys more.
'Those with allergies or sensitivities to specific protein sources (e.g. milk or lactose, soy, peas, rice, etc.) should avoid protein powders containing those ingredients.
'Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using any supplements, including protein powder.'
Why Trust Us?
At Men's Health, we're dedicated to discovering and recommending the best sports supplements and products for men via hands-on testing and in-depth research. Aside from constantly updating and adding to our ever-growing nutrition section, Men's Health also dedicates an annual Sports Nutrition Awards package where we break down the best products for men — ranging everywhere from protein powder to energy drinks.
More Of Our Favourite Sports Supplements
Best Whey Protein Powder | Best Vegan Protein Powder | Best Mass Gainers | Best Meal Replacement Shakes | Best Creatine Supplements | Best Protein Bars | Best Vegan Protein Bars | Best Pre-workout
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