Best Tasting Protein Powder for 2022- and the worst (Results from our Protein tasting party!)
With 14 guests, I hosted an epic protein powder tasting party! Here’s the winners and losers for protein powders that don’t taste like cardboard for 2022!
A year ago, I gathered my family, we chose 10 brands of protein powder, and had a little taste test. I shared the results for 2021 here.
Because that article got so much traffic, I decided to do it again with a few new brands, and more people!
I created a score card, purchased 10 different brands of protein powder, on my own dime, so there would be no biases, and started inviting people. Luckily, my kids are ages 18-24, and their age group is always looking for something to do on a Friday night. and what’s more fun than a protein powder tasting party!
The only disclaimer: I paid for all products out of pocket, so this is not sponsored by anyone. However, I do use amazon affiliate links where one was available.
Final Results
Each brand is a jump link to notes, price, calories, and macros.
| Brand | Taste | Texture | After taste | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Syntha6 (best) | 3.14 | 4.43 | 3.36 | 3.64 |
| 2. Dymatize (best) | 3.93 | 4.07 | 2.64 | 3.54 |
| 3. Uniconutrition (best) | 4.29 | 2.32 | 3.21 | 3.27 |
| 4. Clean Simple Eats (good) | 2.79 | 3.79 | 2.29 | 2.95 |
| 5. Premier Protein (good) | 2.5 | 3.93 | 1.71 | 2.71 |
| 6. Cellucor (good) | 2.71 | 2.93 | 2.5 | 2.71 |
| 7. I Heart Macros (less than good) | 1.79 | 3.93 | 2.29 | 2.67 |
| 8. Optimum Nutrition (less than good) | 2.86 | 2.36 | 2.64 | 2.62 |
| 9. Quest (worst) | 2.93 | 1.71 | 2.36 | 2.33 |
| 10. Muscle Milk (worst) | 2.43 | 2.71 | 1.86 | 2.33 |
| 11. Body Fortress (worst) | 1.86 | 2.86 | 1.57 | 2.09 |
1) Syntha6
Syntha 6 was our winner for overall with no after taste, great texture, and better than average taste! (Amazon affiliate link for Syntha6)
- Calories and Macros 47 grams = 1 serving {200 calories, 22 g protein, 15 g carbs, 6 g fat, 2 g sugar.
- Price Best price, $46.68 for 48 servings or $1.02 per serving
- Protein source whey, casein, isolate, egg
- Sweetener– Sweetened with sucralose.
2) Dymatize
Dymatize took second place in both overall score, and second place in best tasting. (Amazon affiliate link)
- Calories and Macros 1 servings = 140 calories, 25 g protein, 2 g carbs, 3 g fat, less than 1 g sugar
- Price 10lb bag for $95.49, 133 servings #0.72 per serving!
- Benefits– Fast Digesting
- Protein source Whey protein isolate
- Sweetener– Sucralose
3) Uniconutrition
Last year, before we added Dymatize and Syntha, Uniconutrition was our number one protein powder. I STILL love it. But this year it dropped to 3rd. It’s delicious, but also very expensive.
- Calories and Macros 1 serving -34 g, 120 calories, 25 g protein, 5 g carbs, 1 g fat, 1 g sugar.
- Price $46.99 for 27 servings or $1.74 per serving (most expensive!)
- Benefits – Digestive enzymes
- Protein source Isolate, casein, egg, whey
- Sweetener – Sucralose
4) Clean Simple Eats
Clean Simple Eats ranked 4th. I think what I like best about CSE is that they seasonally offer a variety of flavors. In the fall, they have Pumpkin, at Christmas, they have eggnog, etc. The downside is that it’s above average in price! (Affiliate link for 10% off)
- Calories and Macros 33 grams per serving, 110 calories, 20 g protein, 9 g carbs, 0 g fat, 1 g sugar.
- Price $49.99 for 30 servings/ $1.66 per serving.
- Benefits – Prebiotics
- Protein source – Isolate, Whey, powdered milk
- Sweetener Stevia and monk fruit
5) Premier protein
Premier protein ranked 5 (Amazon affiliate link). Someone left a comment on their scorecard that said: Tasted like butter (and not in a good way). LOL
- Calories and Macros 1 serving, 39 grams, 150 calories, 30 g protein, 2 g carbs, 2 g fat and g sugar
- Price $19.98 for 17 servings, or $1.16 per serving,
- Benefits – Easy to find. Target, Walmart, etc. usually has this brand.
- Protein source Whey, Isolate
- Sweetener– Sucralose
6) Cellucor
Cellucor ranked 5 in our protein taste test. (amazon affiliate link)
- Calories and Macros 1 serving 48.5 g, 160 calories, 30 g protein, 5 g carbs, 3 g fat, 3 g sugar
- Price $17.23 for 18 servings, or 0.95/serving
- Benefits – Digestive enzymes
- Protein source Whey Isolate and Concentrate
- Sweetener– Sucralose
7) I heart Macros
I heart Macros ranked 7 overall, even though it was dead last in taste alone. Someone even went as far to write on their scorecard: Gross.
- Calories and Macros 25 grams per serving, 90 calories, 20 g protein, 6 g carbs, 0 g fat, and 4 g sugar
- Price (something is wrong with the site and the products have disappeared. My CC statement says $53.42 so I’m assuming that has taxes and shipping. So, I’m going to totally ballpark $45.00 for 30 servings. $1.50/serving. Pretty pricey for low ranking in taste.
- Benefits -minimal ingredients! Nothing you can’t understand.
- Protein source Whey Isolate
- Sweetener Organic cane sugar and Stevia
8) Optimum Nutrition
I’m disappointed this didn’t rank higher! I use Optimum nutrition almost excusively because I think it bakes well with desserts, it tastes fine, and I can buy it at Costco! But nevertheless, I’m not one to rig the results here. So, Optimum Nutrition ranked 8 (Amazon affiliate link)
- Calories and Macros 1 serving is 31 grams, 120 calories, 24 g protein, 4 g carbs, 1 g fat, 1 g sugar
- Price 5lb bag, 73 servings, $63.99 $0.87 per serving
- Benefits – You can buy it at Costco!
- Protein source Whey Isolate, whey concentrate
- Sweetener Sucralose
9) Quest
Quest ranked 9! Again, one of the worst (Amazon link). Someone wrote on their scorecard: Tasted like chalk.
- Calories and Macros 1 serving is 31 grams, 110 calories, 24 g protein, 2 g carbs, 0.5 g fat, 1 g sugar
- Price More expensive and not good! $30.75 for 23 servings. $1.33 per serving
- Benefits – no benefits, and I’m definitely not a fan of the ingredient carrageenen
- Protein source whey isolate, casein
- Sweetener sucralose and stevia
10) Muscle Milk
Muscle milk no one liked (Amazon link). Someone wrote on their scorecard: Tasted like cardboard.
- Calories and Macros 1 scoop = 35 g, 140 calories, 16 g protein, 10.5 g carbs, 4.5 g fat, 2 g sugar
- Price $22.98 for 16 servings, $1.43. But, they consider one serving as double the size as everyone else. 70 grams. So, if we were to equalize weight, it is actually the cheapest at 0.72 per serving
- Benefits Easy to find
- Protein source Whey Isolate, and whey concentrate
- Sweetener maltodextrin and sucralose
11) Body Fortress
Body fortress was the worst (Amazon link if you want to buy it despite my warning. lol)
- Calories and Macros 1 serving 49 grams, 200 calories, 30 g protein, 7 g carbs, 3.5 g fat, 3 g sugar
- Price 18 servings, $15.12, $0.84 per serving
- Protein source – Whey isolate, whey conenctrate
- Sweetener – maltodextrin and sucralose
And that’s the round up of best and worst tasting protein powders!
I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments below!
Where does Legion play into here? 🙂 I bought a few from them and recently tried Syntha-6 and was super impressed. Debating on more of Syntha, maybe trying Ghost (or Dynamite) , CSE, or back to Legion. Thanks!
I did try Legion last year, https://healthbeet.org/best-tasting-protein-powder-for-2021-and-the-worst/
but there are just so many brands out there, I had to switch it up. I can’t remember from 2021 how well I liked Legion to compare it to this list of powders.
I’m almost exclusively on CSE right now, because they send m e so many samples!
This is so helpful! However, I’d love to see you do a version of this for plant based protein powders.
Yes! I ‘d like to. My mom likes the Clean Simple Eats vegan powder. Have you tried that one?
I haven’t. I’m currently trying the Orgain’s Organic Protein & Greens Plant Based Powder in the Vanilla Bean flavor. Not bad.
good to know!
Thought i jump in: Y’all should try 1st Phorm Vegan Power Pro. It’s plant-based and very good! 🙂 It’s easy on the stomach and doesn’t have an aftertaste!
https://1stphorm.com/products/vegan-power-pro
I definitely want to try Clean Simple Eats! I’ve been hearing about it from a few. I’ll have to give it a try! 🙂
Thanks Julie!
First I am happy that a few of mine are on this list! I love Optimum Nutrition but only the Vanilla Ice Cream. So I was sad that it ranked low. I was also looking at purchasing Clean Simple Eats but since you pointed out the price point. I will wait.
Thank you very much for this… definitely going to try a few from your list I’ve never had. I loved Genepro, Prior to their “latest n greatest” improvement. Win some, lose some. I’ll be following for more new ideas!!💛
I hate it when they change a good thing!
Orgain and Truvani
I’ve been meaning to try these Maria!
I suppose one of the pros for CSE is they do not sweeten with Sucralose, for those that care.
Yes! I was surprised more companies weren’t using stevia!
Good to know, but I love Quest (cookies and cream)! I like the vanilla because I can add extracts for flavor with out extra calories. I buy mine at Wegmans grocery for $24. I also like to make popsicles and waffles from the mix. The company has a program that is a great give back!
Hi Suzi! Thanks for sharing. I’m actually a HUGE fan of Quest bars!
And I”ve been adding flavorings to vanilla powders as well! I have a bunch of “skinny mixes” and sugar free syrups. It makes a huge difference!
Lots of good options! Do you have any recommendations for plant based protein powders? Whey sometimes messes with my stomach!
I do want to do some plant based ones soon!
Although I haven’t tried it, I feel like this one is good, based on my preference for their whey shakes!
https://uniconutrition.com/shop/gemini-organic-vegan-meal-replacement-shake
That’s great to hear; I’ll look forward to it!
That protein has sound good, will look into it!
Also, one more thing about your stomach Theresa- have you tried any protein powders that include digestive enzymes?
That protein sound good, will look into it! I haven’t tried ones with digestive enzymes and saw several listed had them, will give those a try! Thank you!
Interesting results. Shows what happens when you widen to a larger diverse crowd vs. personal choice. As Protein can be trial and error. I have stuck by Optimum Nutrition also. Price point decent, easy flavor, and mixes well. My absolute go to for ‘coffee protein’ has been Chike. Their customer service is also top notch. Thanks for posting!!
Thanks Nicole! I agree! I will continue to buy Optimum Nutrition!
I haven’t seen Chike. I’ll check it out!
this is crazy I live off protein drinks pretty much not eating meat or fish and bodybuilding for 50 years and Bodyfortress vanilla is the best by far for taste and 30 grams per scoop so best price too.
Don’t know who took this test but don’t agree at all
Michael! You should try some of the newer protein powders! You might be surprised at how much tastier they’ve gotten over the last 50 years!’