Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.
Reddit Reviews
Nutricost Been using it for years and I’m very happy with the amount of protein, the flavor, and the affordability. https://a.co/d/1DMxrn2
Nutricost whey isolate milk chocolate has become my go-to.
Nutricost Whey Protein Powder is the cheapest that I've come across - 5 lbs container, 69 servings, 25g protein per serving, which makes it $2.79 for 100g protein.
There are a few facets to this: cost, calories, lead content. It's also worth noting that different products have different serving sizes, which each have differing protein and calorie content. It's difficult to compare across products, for that reason. I've been doing research on products and have settled on "per 100g protein" as a metric. Here are a few suggestions: * Cheapest: Nutricost Whey Protein Powder, $2.79 and 480 calories/100g protein. No lead testing. * With lead testing: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard, $4.18 and 500 calories/100g protein, 1.2 mcg lead/100g protein (low) * Lowest calories: Isopure Zero Carb, $6.13 and 400 calories/100g protein. No lead testing. * With lead testing: Muscle Feast Grass-Fed, $6.10 and 423 calories/100g protein, 0 mcg lead/100g protein (very low) I hope this helps! If you'd like more detail about a particular product, or in general, let me know!
Bingo! This is the cheapest I've found - $2.79 per 100g of protein, and at the lower end of calories (480 calories per 100g protein).
I switched to Nutricost whey isolate unflavored due to price. 5lbs is like $85 on Amazon. I don’t notice a huge difference, but I really only mix it with chocolate breakfast essentials and milk so not sure I can be considered a protein powder expert.
Nutricost whey isolate, unflavored. I have eliminated all flavored powders that I use, I get flavor from the fruits I mix with it (banana, blueberries, pineapple).
Same. Nutricost unflavored whey isolate. They also have a grass fed unflavored. Amazon.
The ultimate hack for clean protein on a budget is buying unflavored whey isolate. Brands like Nutricost or NOW Sports are usually under your $40 budget for a 2lb tub. Unflavored means no artificial sweeteners, no thickeners, and no dyes. It’s as clean as it gets. You can just blend it with half a banana, milk, and a little cocoa powder to make it taste great naturally.
I use Nutricost vanilla whey protein isolate.
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Baking

Top pick
PEScience - Select Protein
Best for Curbing hunger

Top pick
Optimum Nutrition - Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder
Best for Hardgainers

Top pick
Optimum Nutrition - Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder
Best for Heavy metal safety

Top pick
Optimum Nutrition - Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder
Best for Natural taste & texture

Top pick
Optimum Nutrition - Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder
Best for Sensitive stomachs

Top pick
Dymatize (BellRing Brands) - ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder





