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HealthDietary Supplements

Nutricost Whey Protein Powder Review (2026): Expert Reviewed

Emily Phares
By
Emily Phares
Emily Phares
Health Commerce Staff Writer
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Emily Phares
By
Emily Phares
Emily Phares
Health Commerce Staff Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 28, 2026, 3:49 PM ET

When you’re busy at work, it’s easy to skip lunch and turn to carb-heavy snacks like potato chips, pretzels, and chocolate. However, now it’s easier than ever to get a quick protein boost, as evidenced by the many protein powders and high-protein shakes on the market today. 
We wanted to try one for ourselves, so our testing team used Nutricost Whey Protein Powder and reported back. This product delivers a hefty 25 grams of protein and mixes easily with milk or water, so, yes, you can have a protein-rich (and quick) work snack.

Our Nutricost Whey Protein Powder review will tell you what you need to know.

Why Trust Fortune

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.

Our Overall Score

After testing Nutricost Whey Protein Powder, our tester rated it an overall 4.5 out of 5.

Nutricost Whey Protein Powder

Get 25 grams of protein per serving at a reasonable price
Fortune score4.5/5
Nutricost Whey Protein Powder
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at Amazon

  • Our thoughts: This budget-friendly option delivers a hefty dose of protein and mixes well
  • Who it’s for: Those who prefer a sweeter beverage, as this one was rated as having maximum sweetness

Pros

  • 25 grams of protein per serving
  • Mixes well with no clumping
  • Fairly low cost per serving

Cons

  • Very sweet
  • Vanilla flavor isn’t strong
  • Not suitable for vegans

Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Concentrate Powder Specs

SpecsDetails
Protein per serving25 grams
Calories per serving130
Third-party testingYes
Cost per serving$1.83
Serving per container18
Protein per serving
Details25 grams
Calories per serving
Details130
Third-party testing
DetailsYes
Cost per serving
Details$1.83
Serving per container
Details18

Our Experience with Nutricost Protein Powder

Nutricost’s whey protein concentrate comes in three sizes, including a 1.5-pound container, a 2-pound container, and a 5-pound container. Flavors include milk chocolate, vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, strawberry milkshake, and more, and the protein powder is non-GMO and gluten-free. The product is also made in a GMP-compliant facility. 

Nutricost Whey Protein Review

Note: We tested the whey protein concentrate, but the company also offers a whey protein isolate product. The difference? Whey protein concentrate is typically less processed than whey protein isolate, which goes through additional processing to remove more lactose, fat, and carbohydrates (and also results in a higher amount of protein in the finished product). 

Our tester, Pete, who is also a certified nutrition coach, tried this whey protein powder and shared his thoughts. Here’s what he had to say.

What We Liked 

Pete used this product as directed—mixing one scoop with water or milk—and found it to be a solid protein option. He thought it was especially good for those on a budget, saying, “It’s a straightforward and cost-effective protein powder providing 25 grams of protein per serving, which does the job.”

  • Instructions (5 out of 5): Pete said the instructions were simple and easy to understand.
  • Mixability (5 out of 5): The product was easy to mix and fully dissolved. Pete reported, “There were no visible chunks. It did not need additional mixing.”

What We Would Change

There were some things that needed improvement, though, according to Pete.

  • Taste (3 out of 5): According to Pete, the mixture “tastes like a sweet skim milk.” He also said that the vanilla flavor is “very subtle.” 
  • Sweetness (5 out of 5): Pete rated this at the maximum level of sweetness, saying that overall the product is “pretty sweet, likely due to the sucralose.”

Who It’s For & Who It’s Not For

As with any supplement, we recommend checking with your healthcare provider before incorporating a new product into your routine. Here’s who this product may be best suited for.

Nutricost Protein Powder is best for:Nutricost Protein Powder is not for:
Those looking for a protein boost on a budgetPeople who don’t need additional protein in their diet
Those who eat animal productsFolks who adhere to a vegan diet
Folks who prefer a high amount of sweetnessThose who dislike very sweet beverages
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should check with a healthcare provider before using this
Those looking for a protein boost on a budget
Nutricost Protein Powder is not for:People who don’t need additional protein in their diet
Those who eat animal products
Nutricost Protein Powder is not for:Folks who adhere to a vegan diet
Folks who prefer a high amount of sweetness
Nutricost Protein Powder is not for:Those who dislike very sweet beverages
Nutricost Protein Powder is not for:Pregnant or breastfeeding women should check with a healthcare provider before using this
Nutricost Whey Protein Review

Pro Tip

Need more protein? We’ve also rounded up the best protein powders for weight loss and the best protein powder for muscle gain.

Comparing Nutricost to Other Protein Powders

Protein PowderProtein Per ServingCalories Per ServingSweeteners UsedProtein SourceThird-Party TestingCost per serving
Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate Powder25 grams130SucraloseCowsYes$1.83
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake20 grams120Rebaudioside M (steviol glycoside derived from stevia), organic monk fruit extractOrganic pea proteinYes$2.93
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate28 grams100Stevia extractGrass-fed cowsYes$2.17
Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate Powder
Protein Per Serving25 grams
Calories Per Serving130
Sweeteners UsedSucralose
Protein SourceCows
Third-Party TestingYes
Cost per serving$1.83
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake
Protein Per Serving20 grams
Calories Per Serving120
Sweeteners UsedRebaudioside M (steviol glycoside derived from stevia), organic monk fruit extract
Protein SourceOrganic pea protein
Third-Party TestingYes
Cost per serving$2.93
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Protein Per Serving28 grams
Calories Per Serving100
Sweeteners UsedStevia extract
Protein SourceGrass-fed cows
Third-Party TestingYes
Cost per serving$2.17

Frequently asked questions

Is Nutricost protein high-quality?

Nutricost says its whey protein is undenatured, meaning it’s processed in a way that’s meant to preserve more of the natural protein structure. It’s worth noting, however, that consumers generally can’t verify whether the whey protein has been denatured.

Is Nutricost a safe brand?

Nutricost Whey Protein is made in a GMP-compliant facility, meaning it is manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices. These are standards focused on quality control and sanitation, and they’re designed to improve consistency and reduce contamination. The company also says its products are made in the United States using globally sourced ingredients, and that products are tested by an independent, accredited lab “to help verify that what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle.”

Is Nutricost available at Walmart?

Nutricost products are currently available on Walmart’s website, but availability may vary depending on store location. To find out whether a specific Nutricost product is available at a Walmart near you, we recommend checking the store’s website.

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About the Author
Emily Phares
By Emily PharesHealth Commerce Staff Writer

Emily is a health commerce staff writer at Fortune with over 10 years of experience writing about health. Her work has been featured by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston Magazine, Forbes, and more.

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