Use these high-quality protein powders to become stronger, better recover and nourish your muscles.

Although protein powders are not necessary to maintain a healthy diet, they are still a useful supplement when you are trying to meet your protein quota for the day. There are many options to choose from, such as whey, casein and plant-based powders. They are all good choices based on your preferences, dietary needs and your stomach's ability to bear. 

Protein powder can be expensive and usually comes in large containers, so if you end up buying something you don't like, you will be trapped by all these spoons. I found the best proven protein powder that will not leave a bad aftertaste when you try to achieve your fitness goals. Use this guide to help you choose the best protein powder that tastes good, mixes well, and is good value for money. 

Number of servings per container: 14 servings per pound 

Grams of protein per serving: 19 to 27 

Why I chose it: Gainful is a subscription-based protein powder brand that can create personalized protein powders based on your dietary needs and exercise goals. The brand also provides subscribers with free access to registered dietitians to answer any of your diet and fitness questions. 

First, Gainful lets you fill out a questionnaire on its website to determine the best protein powder formula for you. By subscribing, you can add four new Flavor Boosts, they have more than nine flavors, from cookies and cream to strawberry cream. Gainful emphasized that its products are created by registered dietitians on the scientific advisory board who have worked with elite athletes.

Although expensive, your $45 order includes your customized protein powder and Flavor Boosts. You can also choose to add Gainful's moisturizing powder and additional pre-workout expenses. If you want a well-formulated supplement to meet your needs, and don't mind paying a little more, Gainful is a good choice for you. 

Number of servings per container: 20 (per 2 pound container)

Grams of protein per serving: 21 

Why I choose it: This is my first choice of plant protein powder and the best I have ever tasted. Its price is also very reasonable, less than $30, and each serving contains 21 grams of protein. The ingredients that make up this powder feature organic plant proteins, including peas, brown rice, and chia seeds. 

It has low carbohydrate content, no added sugar, and is sweetened by stevia. It is also USDA organic, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and artificial-free. 

My favorite is Orgain's creamy chocolate fudge because it is versatile and has no aftertaste. I mix it with water or oat milk, use it alone as a protein shake, and even add it to oatmeal and other baking recipes to increase the protein content. 

Number of servings per container: 30 (per 2 pound container) 

Grams of protein per serving: 22 

Why I chose it: Whey protein is the most popular type of protein powder. It is the most popular because it blends well, tastes good and helps muscle growth. Legion Whey + Whey Protein Powder is composed of 100% natural grass-fed whey protein isolate. Each serving contains 100 calories, low carbohydrate and low sugar. 

This protein powder has 13 different flavors. Although the price is slightly higher than other whey proteins, it is highly praised by users. Most reviewers on Amazon like the taste of Legion protein powder because they blend well and are easy to digest. 

A reviewer specifically mentioned that they have tried all the whey protein powders on the market, but Legion is still their favorite because it is creamy and tastes the best. Although whey protein powder is a popular supplement on the market, it is important to remember that if you are sensitive to dairy products or lactose intolerant, this may not be your best choice. You'd better choose the plant-based option. 

Number of servings per container: 25 servings per 2 pound bag

Grams of protein per serving: 25

Why I chose it: If you want to add casein to your diet, Ascent’s Micellar casein powder is a good choice. Casein is a slowly digested protein that slowly releases amino acids into the blood. Bodybuilders often take casein before going to bed because it is believed to help tissue regeneration and muscle synthesis during sleep. 

Casein powder usually clumps when mixed with water, but Ascent managed to eliminate this problem from its products with a mixture of acacia, guar gum and xanthan gum. Ascent offers unflavored casein and six flavors in 2 pound bags. It contains 25 grams of protein, the ingredients are the least, and it is naturally sweetened with stevia and Luo Han Guo. 

CNET writer and certified personal trainer Amanda Capritto (Amanda Capritto) Because the thickness of casein shakes are usually difficult to drink, she said that Ascent’s "mixing effect is better than any other casein I have tried." No lumps.

Some reviewers even prefer this casein version to whey protein. A commenter sensitive to plant protein and whey protein said that Ascent Micellar casein powder is the only type of powder they can tolerate and helped them achieve their daily protein intake. For best results, take casein before going to bed to help you restore muscles while you sleep. 

Number of servings per container: 76 (in a 5-pound bathtub)

Grams of protein per serving: 25

Why I chose it: Naked Whey prides itself on being free of artificial sweeteners and additives. It is composed of 100% grass-fed pure whey protein. The brand also cold-processes its whey to prevent any contamination caused by chemical detergents (without acids or bleaches), synthetic additives or heavy metals. It is also GMO-free, soy-free and gluten-free. 

Each serving contains an impressive 25 grams of protein, which is a good choice if you are looking for an unflavored whey that can be mixed with various flavors. Capritto said that compared with other odorless protein powders, it has good solubility and no strange appearance or taste. It is available in 1 pound or 5 pound packages, and although the larger of the two is more expensive, one reviewer said it was worth it because they passed the 1 pound package faster than expected. Another buyer who exercises regularly found Naked Whey to be the best product he has tried because it is easy to digest and can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients. 

Most of the following protein powders are also of good quality, but for some reason, they have not become our first choice. In most cases, the problem is the taste, texture, or how well they mix with liquids and other ingredients. But these are subjective, so one of these protein powders may be the right choice for you. 

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We used a combination of personal experience and customer reviews to compile this protein powder list and narrow it down to our best recommendations. Each of the top protein powders listed has been well received by online buyers and has a good brand reputation. Most of these products have also been tasted by CNET staff or writers with many years of fitness experience, and some have been used for months or even years.

Although our first choice is certainly somewhat subjective (things like taste and texture vary from person to person), we also use objective metrics to inform our choice. We look for ingredients that contain more than 20 grams of protein per serving (except vegetable protein) and ingredient labels that do not contain suspicious additives. These top choices can 100% help you consume more protein to promote muscle growth and strength. 

The information contained in this article is for educational and information purposes only, not as health or medical advice. If you have any questions about your medical condition or health goals, please consult a doctor or other qualified health provider.