The short answer
"What's the best protein powder?" is the question we get asked more than any other. The honest answer is that there isn't one best protein for everyone. The best one for you is the one that fits your goal, your budget, your stomach, and that you actually enjoy drinking every day.
A protein shake only works if you take it consistently. A "perfect" isolate that sits in the cupboard because you hate the taste will do less for you than a decent whey blend you look forward to after training.
So instead of giving you one name, this guide breaks it down by what you're trying to achieve. We'll explain the main types of protein, give you our picks for each goal, and tell you what to look for on the label so you don't waste money.
The main types of protein, explained
| Type | What it is | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whey blend | Mix of whey concentrate and isolate | Most people: great taste, great value | Small amount of lactose |
| Whey isolate | Filtered further, so more protein and less fat, carbs and lactose | Cutting, lactose-sensitive lifters | Costs more per serving |
| Clear whey | Hydrolysed whey made into a light, juice-style drink | People who don't like milkshakes, summer training | Fewer flavours, less filling |
| Vegan protein | Pea, soya, rice or blends | Plant-based or dairy-free diets | Texture can be thicker |
| Beef protein isolate | Protein from beef, made into a clear drink | Dairy-free but not vegan | Higher price |
Whey blend is where most people should start. It mixes smoothly, tastes like a proper milkshake and gives you the most protein for your money.
Whey isolate goes through extra filtering. That pushes the protein content up and strips out most of the fat, carbs and lactose. If whey blends leave you bloated, try an isolate before giving up on whey.
Clear whey looks and tastes more like squash than a shake. It's ideal if thick shakes turn your stomach after a hard session.
Want the full breakdown? Read our guide to whey concentrate vs isolate vs hydrolysed.
Our picks: the best protein for your goal
Best all-round protein: Per4m Whey
Per4m Whey Protein 2kg is our best-selling product by a long way, and for good reason. It's a blend of whey concentrate, whey isolate and milk protein that mixes easily and comes in a huge range of flavours. If you just want one protein that does everything well, start here. Want to try a flavour first? Grab the 810g tub.
Best value: TWP All The Whey Up
TWP All The Whey Up 2kg gives you 70 servings, each with 23g of protein for 107 calories. That works out at around 71p a shake. The flavours are proper desserts too, like Red Velvet Cake and Chocolate Bourbon Biscuit.
Best for cutting and lactose-sensitive lifters: Per4m Isolate
Per4m Isolate Zero gives you 27g of protein, zero sugar and 109 calories per scoop. It's made from grass-fed EU dairy and filtered to remove most of the lactose. For the best value, go for the 2kg tub.
Best for flavour: NaughtyBoy Advanced Whey
NaughtyBoy Advanced Whey does old-school milkshake flavours with 22g of protein for under 115 calories. Try Mint Cookies & Cream, an Insight Supps exclusive flavour.
Best if you don't like milky shakes: Combat Fuel Clear Whey
Combat Fuel Clear Whey is a light, juice-style drink made from hydrolysed whey. It's refreshing after training and much easier to drink when it's warm.
Best vegan protein: Per4m Plant Protein
Per4m Plant Protein gives you 21g of plant protein per scoop. It's vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and soya-free. If you want a bit more protein per scoop, Combat Fuel Vegan Protein gives you 24g from pea and soya.
Best dairy-free (not vegan): NXT Beef Isolate
NXT Beef Isolate gives you 27g of protein for 110 calories, with zero fat and zero sugar. It mixes into a clear, fruity drink, so it doesn't taste anything like beef.
How much protein do you actually need?
If you lift weights, aim for about 1.6g of protein per kg of bodyweight per day. A 2018 meta-analysis in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that extra protein stopped adding muscle gains above roughly that level.
| Bodyweight | Daily protein target (1.6g/kg) |
|---|---|
| 60kg | 96g |
| 70kg | 112g |
| 80kg | 128g |
| 90kg | 144g |
| 100kg | 160g |
Most of that should come from food. A shake is simply an easy, cheap way to fill the gap, usually one or two scoops a day.
When should you take it? Timing matters far less than hitting your daily total. After training is convenient, but a shake with breakfast or between meals works just as well. Spreading protein across three to five meals a day is a sensible habit.
What to look for on the label
- Protein per serving. Compare grams of protein, not scoop size. Around 20 to 27g per scoop is normal.
- Full disclosure. Good brands list exactly what type of protein is in the tub. Be wary of vague "protein blends".
- No amino spiking. Some cheap brands add free amino acids like glycine to boost the protein number on the label. Look for brands that state they don't do this.
- Cost per serving, not cost per tub. A 2kg tub is almost always better value than a smaller one, once you know you like the flavour.
- Calories. If you're cutting, a lower-calorie isolate makes it easier to stay in your target.
FAQs
What is the best protein powder for beginners?
A whey blend like Per4m Whey or TWP All The Whey Up. They taste great, mix easily and give you the best value while you build the habit.
What is the best protein powder for weight loss?
A whey isolate or clear whey. Both are high in protein and low in calories, which helps you stay full while eating less.
Is whey isolate better than whey concentrate?
Not for building muscle. Both work. Isolate has slightly more protein and less lactose, fat and carbs per scoop, but costs more.
Can I build muscle with vegan protein?
Yes. As long as you hit your daily protein target and train hard, plant protein works well.
Do I need a protein shake to build muscle?
No. You can get all your protein from food. A shake just makes hitting your target easier and cheaper.
Can I have two protein shakes a day?
Yes. Two shakes is common, as long as most of your protein still comes from real food.
The bottom line
The best protein powder is the one that fits your goal and that you'll happily drink every day. If you're not sure, start with Per4m Whey. If you're on a budget, go for TWP All The Whey Up. If you're cutting or struggle with dairy, pick an isolate.
Still not sure which one is right for you? Message us on Instagram or email us and we'll point you in the right direction. Shop all protein at Insight Supps.
Sources
- Morton RW et al. (2018), protein supplementation and muscle gains meta-analysis, British Journal of Sports Medicine