7 Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain 2026: Fitness Expert Reviewed

So if you’re focused on gaining muscle, we’ve got you covered. And, with building muscle linked to mental benefits as well as physical health, investing in this area of your wellness is a smart move for today’s performance-focused professionals.

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Our team of expert testers has tried hundreds of the most popular supplements on the market today, using our comprehensive supplement testing methodology to find the best products for all folks.

Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain of 2026

• Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain Overall: Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate 
• Best Clean Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Legion Whey+ Certified Grass-Fed Irish Whey Protein Isolate 
• Best Budget Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Nutricost Whey Concentrate
• Best Vegan Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Swolverine Plant Protein 
• Best Tasting Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Jacked Factory Authentic Iso 
• Best Whey Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Kaged Whey Protein Isolate 
• Best Versatile Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey

Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain Comparison Table  

Protein	Protein per Serving	Calories per Serving	Sweeteners Used	Protein Source
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate	28 g	130	Stevia extract	Grass-fed cattle
Legion Whey+ Certified Grass-Fed Irish Whey Protein Isolate	22 g	100	Stevia leaf extract, OvaSweet	Grass-fed cattle
Nutricost Whey Concentrate	25 g	130	Sucralose	Undenatured whey protein concentrate
Swolverine Plant Protein	25 g	140	Stevia	Blend that includes pea protein isolate, faba bean protein, and organic pumpkin seed protein
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso	25 g	120	Sucralose	Grass-fed whey protein isolate
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate	25 g	110	Steviol glycosides, sucralose	Whey protein isolate
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey	24 g	120	Sucralose, acesulfame potassium	Blend that includes whey protein isolate, whey concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey protein

Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Protein per Serving	28 g
Calories per Serving	130
Sweeteners Used	Stevia extract
Protein Source	Grass-fed cattle
Legion Whey+ Certified Grass-Fed Irish Whey Protein Isolate
Protein per Serving	22 g
Calories per Serving	100
Sweeteners Used	Stevia leaf extract, OvaSweet
Protein Source	Grass-fed cattle
Nutricost Whey Concentrate
Protein per Serving	25 g
Calories per Serving	130
Sweeteners Used	Sucralose
Protein Source	Undenatured whey protein concentrate
Swolverine Plant Protein
Protein per Serving	25 g
Calories per Serving	140
Sweeteners Used	Stevia
Protein Source	Blend that includes pea protein isolate, faba bean protein, and organic pumpkin seed protein
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso
Protein per Serving	25 g
Calories per Serving	120
Sweeteners Used	Sucralose
Protein Source	Grass-fed whey protein isolate
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate
Protein per Serving	25 g
Calories per Serving	110
Sweeteners Used	Steviol glycosides, sucralose
Protein Source	Whey protein isolate
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Protein per Serving	24 g
Calories per Serving	120
Sweeteners Used	Sucralose, acesulfame potassium
Protein Source	Blend that includes whey protein isolate, whey concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey protein

Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain Overall: Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate 

Our Thoughts on Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate 

Transparent Labs puts a high premium on quality and transparency, noting its whey protein isolate is sourced from grass-fed cattle, raised humanely and without the use of growth hormones, and doesn’t include any artificial sweeteners. The company also notes its products are third-party tested and provides access to test results via its website. 

Our tester, Pete, tried the French vanilla flavor. He thought the instructions weren’t as clear as they could have been, but he found the protein powder very easy to blend with water. Using a standard shaker bottle, he mixed one scoop of protein powder with 8 ounces of water and noted, “The protein powder fully dissolved within 60 seconds and there were no visible chunks or clumping.” He awarded the product a 5 out of 5 for how easy it was to mix. 
 
Another strong point: The flavor. As Pete said, “I tested the French vanilla flavor and I think Transparent Labs nailed the balance of sweetness and flavor for this protein powder.” He noted that Transparent Labs doesn’t use any artificial sweeteners and only a moderate amount of stevia extract, which Pete felt gave the protein powder a “natural taste and sweetness.” He rated it a 3 out of 5 for sweetness (5 being overly sweet, 1 being unflavored). Pete awarded this product a 5 out of 5 for overall taste. 

Another factor worth noting is that this protein powder contains 28 grams of protein per serving, which is among the highest amount in our lineup.   

Specs 

• Protein per serving: 28 g 
• Calories per serving: 130 
• Third-party verification: Informed Choice 
• Cost per serving: $2.00 
• Servings per container: 30 
• Flavors: Milk Chocolate, French Vanilla, Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie, Strawberry Milkshake, Mocha, and more 

Best Clean Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Legion Whey+ Certified Grass-Fed Irish Whey Protein Isolate

Our Thoughts on Legion Whey+ Certified Grass-Fed Irish Whey Protein Isolate 

Legion’s whey protein isolate powder is made with non-GMO and hormone-free certified grass-fed milk from Ireland, which the company says is easy to digest and shouldn’t cause bloating or discomfort. Additionally, Legion says its products are third-party lab-tested for purity and accuracy, certified by Labdoor for safety. 

Our tester, Pete, tried the French vanilla flavor. Before even tasting it, though, he remarked on the convenient product packaging. “I like the bag because it’s compact and easy to store,” Pete said, noting that it’s more convenient than a plastic container. 

When it came time to blend the protein powder with liquid, however, Pete noticed that the product didn’t easily dissolve within 60 seconds and had a slightly clumpy texture. “Without blending, there were small chunks of protein powder that floated to the top of the shaker bottle,” Pete said. However, after blending, the beverage had a smooth and creamy consistency, noted Pete, explaining, “it required blending to fully dissolve; shaking left it with chunks.” He rated it a 1 out of 5 for ease of mixing, adding, “You need to blend this product, because no matter how long I mixed it in a shaker bottle it didn’t fully dissolve.” 

Our tester was much more impressed by the flavor. “You definitely get the vanilla flavor with this product, in the smell and the taste,” Pete said. He noted that the protein powder is fairly sweet, and that the company uses a combination of stevia and OvaSweet. Although Pete noticed “a slight stevia aftertaste,” he said he’d be happy to drink this beverage again because “it has a natural flavor profile—you can taste the vanilla, and it’s not overbearingly sweet.” He awarded it a 3 out of 5 for its moderate sweetness, while for overall flavor he gave it a 5 out of 5. 

Specs 

• Protein per serving: 22 g 
• Calories per serving: 100 
• Third-party verification: Labdoor 
• Cost per serving: $2.17 
• Servings per container: 30 
• Flavors: Dutch Chocolate, Red Velvet Cake, Peanut Butter Fudge, Coconut Cream, French Vanilla, and more 

Best Budget Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Nutricost Whey Concentrate 

Our Thoughts on Nutricost Whey Concentrate 

Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate Powder is a no-frills option, budget-friendly option without a lot of the marketing claims other products make. It’s a straightforward product offered in two sizes (a two-pound or five-pound container) and four flavors. The key ingredient is undenatured whey, a minimally processed protein powder that’s processed in a way designed to prevent heat damage—which is thought to boost nutrient density. 

Pete, our tester, tried the vanilla flavor and observed that it had a “very thin, smooth consistency” that was similar to skim milk. He also said this protein powder mixed easily and fully dissolved when combined with liquid, explaining, “There were no visible chunks. It did not need additional mixing.” He rated it a 5 out of 5 for mixability. 

Flavor-wise, “It tastes like a sweet skim milk,” said Pete, adding, “The vanilla flavor is very subtle, and the product is pretty sweet, likely due to the sucralose.” He gave it a 5 out of 5 for sweetness, and a 3.5 out of 5 flavor rating overall.  

This product isn’t third-party verified for safety, which is a drawback, but overall, our tester’s takeaway was, “It’s a straightforward and cost-effective protein powder providing 25 grams of protein per serving, which does the job.”  

Specs 

• Protein per serving: 25 g 
• Calories per serving: 130 
• Third-party verification: N/A 
• Cost per serving: $1.60 
• Servings per container: 25 
• Flavors: Milk Chocolate, Vanilla, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Strawberry Milkshake 

Best Vegan Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Swolverine Plant Protein 

Swolverine Plant Protein is a plant-based protein powder that also includes fats in its ingredient list, which the company says helps with both mouthfeel and in creating a creamy—not chalky or grainy—consistency.  

Our tester, Carter, tried this protein powder and noted that the product comes in bag, making it convenient for storage. When it came time to actually try the protein powder, Carter said, “the Swolverine Plant-based protein dissolved well within the 60-second window and was not grainy or chalky at all.” He gave it a 5 out of 5 for how easy it was to mix with a liquid. 

Carter enjoyed the flavor as well, saying, “The product tastes really nice. The salted caramel flavor is pretty subtle and not too sweet.” He was also a fan of this protein powder’s texture, noting that after combining the powder with liquid the consistency was relatively thick and, “it was frothy and creamy.” Carter gave it a 5 out of 5 for flavor, and a 3 out of 5 for sweetness—indicating a well-rounded, moderate amount of sweetness. 

We also like that Swolverine third-party tests their products through Lief and Micro Quality Labs, though we do wish they added a note on each individual product page. Instead, the company displays their information on a Certificates of Analysis page.  

Overall, though, Carter said he was “pleasantly surprised” by this protein powder, and he liked that it’s “packed with both pea protein and pumpkin protein.” 

Specs 

• Protein per serving: 25 g 
• Calories per serving: 140 
• Third-party verification: Lief and Micro Quality Labs 
• Cost per serving: $2.10 
• Servings per container: 30 
• Flavors: Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie, and Salted Caramel 

Best Tasting Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Jacked Factory Authentic Iso 

Our Thoughts on Jacked Factory Authentic Iso 

Jacked Factory Authentic Iso is made with grass-fed whey protein isolate, and the company says it’s manufactured using state-of-the-art filtration processes with an emphasis on high-quality ingredients. 

Our tester, Pete, first noted that the product label was easy to read. He then used a standard shaker bottle to mix the powder with liquid and reported that the product fully dissolved in 60 seconds. “There were no visible chunks or clumping of the powder,” Pete said, rating 5 out of 5 for how well it mixed with liquid.  

Pete tested the vanilla flavor, calling it “noticeably sweet.” He noted that Jacked Factory uses sucralose, which may contribute to the strong sweetness. He gave it a 5 out of 5 for sweetness, but also a 5 out of 5 for overall taste. Though it was sweet, he still greatly enjoyed the flavor. 

Texture was ideal, too. As Pete explained, “It mixes easily and has a light, smooth texture that makes it easy to drink.”  

Lastly, we liked that this product is CGMP Certified, which refers to the Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations enforced by the FDA. Generally speaking, adhering to CGMP regulations ensures the strength, quality, and purity of products by requiring that manufacturers do things like establish strong management systems, investigate product quality deviations, maintain reliable testing laboratories, and more. 

Specs 

• Protein per serving: 25 g 
• Calories per serving: 120 
• Third-party verification: CGMP Certified 
• Cost per serving: $1.50 
• Servings per container: 30 
• Flavors: Cookies & Cream, Vanilla Oatmeal Cookie, Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Cereal Splash, Dark Chocolate 

Best Whey Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Kaged Whey Protein Isolate 

Our Thoughts on Kaged Whey Protein Isolate 

This pure isolate protein powder—made with 100% whey protein isolate as its protein source—delivers 25 grams of protein per serving and is “ultrafiltered” to remove lactose. 

Pete used Kaged Whey Protein Isolate as instructed and noted that, “the product fully dissolved after 60 seconds,” resulting in a smooth consistency. Overall, the product was smooth and easy to mix with liquid, with no grittiness or clumping, according to our tester. He gave it a 5 out of 5 for its instructions, which were easy to follow. 

Pete found the flavor less satisfactory, however. “This protein powder was a bit too sweet in my opinion,” he said, adding, “The vanilla flavor is subtle and all I really taste is the sweetness of the product.” The ingredient list includes both steviol glycosides and sucralose (which has been found to be sweeter than sugar), so the two sweeteners combined may have resulted in the overly sweet taste. With that in mind, Pete rated this product a 5 out of 5 for sweetness, and a 3 out of five for its overall taste. 

We also want to note that this product isn’t third-party tested for safety or accuracy. It’s tested for banned substances by Informed Sport, which is a testing and certification program for companies that manufacture nutritional supplements. This certification is primarily designed to protect athletes from inadvertently using supplements that contain banned substances.  

Specs 

• Protein per serving: 25 g 
• Calories per serving: 110 
• Third-party verification: Informed Sport (tests for banned substances) 
• Cost per serving: $2.80 
• Servings per container: 25 
• Flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter 

Best Versatile Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey 

Our Thoughts on Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey 

This 100% whey protein powder packs 24 grams of protein per serving and is made using protein isolate. Plus, this product comes in a wide range of flavors—even Girl Scouts Thin Mints™. The flavor variety makes this product especially versatile, as you can easily stack with other powder supplements in a smoothie or add it to your favorite baked dish. 

Pete, our tester, tried this product in the vanilla ice cream flavor. He first noticed that it opens and closes easily, prompting him to remark, “I wouldn’t say this is travel friendly.” 

When he mixed this protein powder with liquid, he noted that the product dissolved easily within 60 seconds, with no visible chunks or clumps. Pete gave this product a 5 out of 5 for how easy it was to mix the protein powder. “The consistency was smooth and creamy,” said Pete. 

Pete was impressed with this product’s flavor, noting he enjoyed the taste. “Despite being artificially sweetened, and having the flavor ‘vanilla ice cream,’ it wasn’t too sweet, and had a nice vanilla flavor,” he said. He gave this protein powder a 3 out of 5 for sweetness.  

Our tester did note there was a slight artificial taste, however, and rated the product a 3.5 out of 5 for taste. Pete also observed a slight aftertaste of a sweet vanilla flavor. 

The company doesn’t include much information about product testing, simply listing, “Banned Substance Tested” in this product’s “benefits” section.  

Specs 

• Protein per serving: 24 g 
• Calories per serving: 120 
• Third-party verification: Tested for banned substances 
• Cost per serving: $1.55 
• Servings per container: 29 
• Flavors: Banana Cream, Chocolate Mint, Cinnamon Roll, Cookies & Cream, White Chocolate, and more. 

Other Protein Powders We Tested 

We tested over 20 protein powders in our lab, but not every product made it to our final ranking. Here are a few that we considered but didn’t include in our top picks, and why.  

• Our tester also tried Huge Supplements Premium Whey Protein, but the White Chocolate Raspberry flavor tasted artificial and the protein powder itself was very sweet. The product also had a slightly clumpy consistency.  
• We also tested Gainful Whey Protein, which seemed a bit too foamy after shaking it in the shaker bottle. 

How We Tested and Selected the Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain 

Protein powders don’t vary that much when it comes to muscle gain—many different protein powders can help you meet your muscle-gain goals. However, there can be a lot of variation in ingredient quality, flavor, and other factors, so our testing helps identify those product differences that help readers choose the best protein powder for them. 

Formula 

To identify the best protein powders for muscle gain, we worked with medical experts (including dietitians) to identify safe, clinically effective formulas. Our team also looked carefully at ingredients labels when assessing products. We looked for research-backed ingredients proven to work, and we tried to avoid artificial additives and sweeteners as much as possible. Additionally, we paid attention to different macro ratios and prioritized formulas containing higher amounts of protein. 

Taste and Texture 

Flavor is a big part of our testing process. We don’t care how much protein a product has; if it doesn’t taste good, that’s a major issue. When assessing protein powders we ask our testers to pay close attention to flavor.  

We also ask testers to rate sweetness on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being “very sweet” and 3 being a more moderate, well-balanced sweetness. 

Mixability  

When testing products, we read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and prepare each product exactly as advised by the company. We observe how easily and quickly the powder dissolves, with the goal being to identify potential texture issues like grittiness or powder clumps. 

Third-Party Testing 

We prioritize products that have been third-party tested, which means an independent company has analyzed the protein powder for safety and accuracy. Some products may be tested for banned substances instead of or in addition to safety and accuracy. 

Note: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve dietary supplements for safety or efficacy, so ingredients and their amounts may different from what’s on the label. We always recommend talking to your doctor before starting a new supplement. 

Value 

We look at a variety of factors when identifying which products offer the greatest value. Here’s what we considered when looking at protein powder for muscle gain. 

Protein Powders	Protein per Serving	Cost per Serving	Third-Party Testing
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate	28 g	$2.00	Yes
Legion Whey+ Certified Grass-Fed Irish Whey Protein Isolate	22 g	$2.17	Yes
Nutricost Whey Concentrate	25 g	$1.60	No
Swolverine Plant Protein	25 g	$2.10	No
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso	25 6	$1.50	Yes
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate	25 g	$2.80	Tested for banned substances only
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey	24 g	$1.72	Tested for banned substances only

Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Protein per Serving	28 g
Cost per Serving	$2.00
Third-Party Testing	Yes
Legion Whey+ Certified Grass-Fed Irish Whey Protein Isolate
Protein per Serving	22 g
Cost per Serving	$2.17
Third-Party Testing	Yes
Nutricost Whey Concentrate
Protein per Serving	25 g
Cost per Serving	$1.60
Third-Party Testing	No
Swolverine Plant Protein
Protein per Serving	25 g
Cost per Serving	$2.10
Third-Party Testing	No
Jacked Factory Authentic Iso
Protein per Serving	25 6
Cost per Serving	$1.50
Third-Party Testing	Yes
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate
Protein per Serving	25 g
Cost per Serving	$2.80
Third-Party Testing	Tested for banned substances only
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Protein per Serving	24 g
Cost per Serving	$1.72
Third-Party Testing	Tested for banned substances only

How to Find the Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain for You 

What you want in a protein powder typically depends on your fitness goals and dietary needs and preferences, among other factors. Additionally, not everyone consumes the same amount of protein in their daily diet. So some people may need a supplement with a higher amount of protein per serving, whereas others may require less protein in supplement form.  

Here’s what to look for when choosing a protein powder. 

Your Fitness Goals 

Everyone has distinct fitness goals, like improving strength, losing fat, or increasing endurance—or all of the above. And while some people may look for a protein powder for muscle gain and weight loss, for example, the truth is that protein powders aren’t typically formulated to target one specific fitness goal. Rather, protein powders offer a convenient, flavorful source of protein that can help you meet your nutrition goals, and in turn, your fitness goals. 

Flavors 

Flavor is important, obviously. We recommend making sure you choose a flavor that works for you, which means finding not just a delicious flavor but also a product with the right amount of sweetness. If you actually like the flavor, you’re more likely to consume it regularly. 

Formula 

If you’re looking for specific amounts of macronutrients, make sure to review each product’s ingredient list. For example, one product in our lineup includes added fats to help with mouthfeel and consistency, so if that’s not suitable for your dietary preferences then consider some of our other recommendations.

Cost 

Supplements can be expensive, which is why we calculate cost per serving for each product and choose a budget option. Because even though we do think it’s worth paying for quality ingredients, we also realize that sometimes people just want an effective product for a lower price, even if that means sacrificing some additional marketing claims—like explaining that the protein was sourced from cows that were grass-fed on Irish pastures. 

Third-Party Testing 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve dietary supplements for safety or efficacy, so ingredients and their amounts may different from what’s on the label. For that reason, we look for products that have been third-party tested to confirm safety and accuracy.  

Benefits of Protein Powder for Building Muscle 

Protein is a vital macronutrient that’s becoming even more popular lately as people continue to discover its benefits. Here are just a few:

• Improved muscle strength and size: A 2018 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people doing resistance training who took protein powder supplements to increase their daily protein intake to about 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight increased muscle size and strength. 

• Improved cognitive function: A 2025 meta-analysis published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, supplementing with whey protein powder that included certain nutrients like B vitamins and taurine helped improve cognitive function. 

• Improved body composition: A 2022 meta-analysis in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN concluded that supplementing with whey protein was linked to improvements in body composition—things like BMI, waist circumference, and more—and that people experienced the most benefits when they combined supplementation with resistance training and a reduced-calorie diet. 

How to Take Protein Powder for Muscle Gain 

We recommend carefully reading and following the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure proper dosage and for best product results.  

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. This means if a person weighs 150 pounds, they’d aim to consume about 54 grams of protein per day. 

Some organizations, like the International Society of Sports Nutrition, recommend higher protein intake—anywhere from 1.4 to 2.0 grams per kilogram per day—for healthy people who exercise. 

Recent research also shows that when you consume protein doesn’t seem to make a meaningful difference in the rate at which a person builds muscle, but more research is needed. 

What to Avoid in Protein Powders for Muscle Gain  

When it comes to protein powders you’ll see lots of different things in ingredient lists. You’ll see the protein source listed, of course, but you may notice other things as well—not all of which are desirable. Here’s what we suggest avoiding if possible: =

• Added sugars: You want a protein powder with a pleasant flavor, of course, but added sugars can increase caloric intake and affect blood sugar. 
• Artificial colors: These have no nutritional value.