Choosing a protein powder isn’t just about finding the most protein per scoop. Ingredients, taste, texture, packaging, and quality all play a part in finding the right product for you.
At Best Protein Powder, we look at these details to help you compare your options and understand what makes each product different. We score products in six categories: functionality, ingredients, packaging, quality, simplicity, and taste. Each category is scored out of 10, and we explain the reasoning behind our scores so you can decide which factors matter most to you.
How We Calculate the Overall Score
A product’s overall score is the equal-weight average of its six category scores.
Overall score = (Functionality + Ingredients + Packaging + Quality + Simplicity + Taste) ÷ 6
Each category contributes equally to the overall score. We use the full stored scores in the calculation and display the result to one decimal place.
For example, category scores of 8.3 for functionality, 10.0 for ingredients, 10.0 for packaging, 10.0 for quality, 10.0 for simplicity, and 8.1 for taste add up to 56.4. Dividing by six gives an overall score of 9.4 out of 10.
Understanding Our Scores
Our scores are a guide to help you compare products. The highest-scoring product may not be the best choice for everyone. An unflavoured protein powder with one ingredient may score highly for simplicity, while a flavoured blend may be a better fit for someone who prefers a sweeter shake.
Your dietary needs, taste preferences, budget, and intended use all matter. Read the full review and consider the individual category scores.
- 9.0–10.0: Excellent in this category.
- 8.0–8.9: Very good, with some room for improvement.
- 7.0–7.9: Good, with some noticeable trade-offs.
- 6.0–6.9: Fair, with limitations worth considering.
- Below 6.0: Significant limitations compared with other products we review.
These ranges are a general guide. The explanation accompanying each score provides more context.
Functionality
How well does the product work for its intended purpose?
Functionality considers how practical a protein powder is to use and how well it performs in everyday situations. Depending on the product and the information available, we may consider:
- How easily it mixes with water, milk, or a milk alternative
- Whether it leaves clumps or sediment
- Its texture and consistency
- How well it works in smoothies, oatmeal, baking, or other recipes
- The amount of protein provided per serving
- How suitable its formulation is for its intended use
A product does not need to work equally well in every situation to earn a good score. For example, an unflavoured powder may be versatile in recipes even if its texture differs from that of a flavoured shake.
Ingredients
What’s in the product?
We look at the ingredient list and consider how the ingredients contribute to the finished product. Depending on the formulation, we may consider the protein sources used, added sugars and sweeteners, flavours and colours, gums, thickeners and emulsifiers, and the purpose of other added ingredients. We also consider how easy the ingredient list is to understand.
Ingredients can serve different purposes. Flavours and sweeteners can make a shake more enjoyable, while thickeners can improve texture. Some people prefer simpler formulations or may find that certain ingredients don’t agree with them.
The presence of an ingredient alone does not mean a product is unsafe or unsuitable for everyone. Our score reflects our assessment of the full formulation and the trade-offs it presents.
Packaging
How practical is the packaging, and what happens to it after use?
Our packaging score considers convenience and environmental considerations. We may look at the type and amount of material; whether the package is reusable, recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable; how easy it is to reseal and store; how much space it takes up; and whether disposal options are realistically available to consumers.
Under our current scoring approach, biodegradable packaging receives a score of 10, while conventional plastic tubs and pouches receive lower scores.
We consider both tubs and pouches on their merits. A pouch may use less material and take up less space, while a tub may be easier to reuse or accepted by more local recycling programs. Actual disposal options depend on the material and where you live.
A recyclable claim does not necessarily mean that a package is accepted in your local recycling program. Similarly, biodegradable and compostable materials can require specific conditions to break down. Always check the package instructions and your local disposal guidelines.
Our packaging scores are a practical assessment—not a full life-cycle analysis. Environmental impact can also depend on manufacturing, transportation, reuse, and disposal.
Quality
What do we know about the protein and how it’s made?
Our quality score considers the information available about a product’s protein source, manufacturing, and testing. Depending on what is disclosed, we may look at the type and source of protein, the amount of protein relative to the serving size, organic or other relevant certifications, manufacturing and quality controls, independent testing, third-party certifications, and transparency about sourcing and product details.
We distinguish between claims made by a brand and information that has been independently verified. If testing or sourcing information isn’t available, we won’t assume it exists.
A high quality score reflects our assessment of the available information. It is not a guarantee that every batch is free from contaminants or suitable for every person.
Simplicity
How straightforward is the product?
Some people prefer a protein powder with a short, easy-to-understand ingredient list. Our simplicity score considers how straightforward the formulation is and how much has been added beyond its core protein ingredients. We may consider the number of ingredients, how easy their purposes are to understand, the amount of flavouring, sweetening, or texture modification, and whether ingredients appear necessary for the product’s intended purpose.
A single-ingredient, unflavoured protein powder will generally score highly for simplicity. A flavoured or more complex formula may score lower because it contains more ingredients, even when those ingredients contribute to its taste, texture, or intended benefits.
Ingredients and simplicity are scored separately. The ingredients score considers the overall formulation and its trade-offs, while simplicity focuses on how straightforward that formulation is. The two categories can overlap, so a product with a short ingredient list may score highly in both.
Taste
How enjoyable is the product?
Taste is personal, so we aim to describe a product clearly enough to help you decide whether it may suit your preferences. When evaluating taste, we may consider overall flavour, sweetness level, aftertaste, texture, mouthfeel, and how enjoyable the product is in its intended preparation.
We assess unflavoured products in the context of what they are. They are not expected to taste like a sweetened milkshake. Instead, we consider their natural flavour and how easily they can be incorporated into foods and drinks.
What tastes great to one person may not appeal to another, so we recommend reading the tasting notes alongside the score.
How We Choose Products for Our Lists
Different people look for different things in a protein powder. We consider products for a range of needs and preferences, including protein source, flavour, intended use, and ingredient preferences.
A product may appear in more than one list. For example, an unflavoured pea protein could be relevant to someone looking for a pea protein, a vegan protein, or an unflavoured option. Our category lists are intended to help you find products that fit a particular need. Look at the individual scores and review details as well as each product’s position.
What to Consider Before Buying
- Allergens and dietary requirements: Check the current label and allergen statements.
- Serving size: Scoop sizes vary between products, which can affect comparisons.
- Protein per serving: Look at both the protein amount and the size of the serving.
- Price and availability: These can change and may differ between retailers.
- Taste preferences: Flavour, sweetness, and texture are subjective.
- Intended use: The right choice for a smoothie may differ from the right choice for baking or mixing with water.
Product formulations, packaging, and labels can change. Always check the current product information before purchasing.
How We Keep Our Reviews Useful
We aim to explain both the strengths and limitations of each product. Our reviews may include why it made the list, what stands out, things to consider, category scores and explanations, and ingredients and label details.
We may update a review or score when a product changes or when new information becomes available.
Our Relationships and Links
Affiliate links and products may appear in our reviews and rankings, and readers should consider that relationship when evaluating our recommendations.
We encourage you to review our scoring explanations, compare product details, and choose the option that best suits your needs.
Our Goal
Our goal is to make protein powders easier to understand and compare. Whether you’re looking for a simple single-ingredient powder, a flavoured shake, or a product for a specific purpose, we hope our reviews help you make a more informed choice.