Our expert dietitians chose the best protein powders for weight loss, including vegan and dairy options. Then, our testers weighed in on flavor and texture.
Best overall: Naked Whey Flavored Protein Powder|Skip to review
Best flavored: Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate|Skip to review
Best plant-based organic: Ora Organic So Lean & So Clean Plant-Based Superfood Protein|Skip to review
Best affordable: Dymatize Elite 100% Whey|Skip to review
Best for weight loss and muscle gain: Momentous Whey Protein Isolate|Skip to review
In addition to reducing your overall calorie intake, increasing the amount of protein you consume may help you lose weight. Protein powders are a convenient way to add more protein to your diet, but they can also:
- Increase feelings of fullness: Protein helps you feel
full longer , which can help you consume fewer calories. - Boost metabolism: Compared with carbs or fat,
protein demands the most calories during digestion and utilization. Therefore, raising your protein intake can increase calorie burning. - Maintain lean muscle mass: You might also lose fat and muscle when you lose weight. Consuming enough protein — alongside resistance training — can help you
maintain muscle and prevent a decline in metabolism.
Keep reading to get our list of the eight best options for all budgets and dietary needs.
Disclaimer: Some of the products below were provided to Healthline testers for free. Our opinions and reviews are ours alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by the brands.
A note on price
General price ranges with dollar signs ($ to $$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas three dollar signs indicate a higher cost.
Generally, prices range from $1.25 to $3.12 per serving, or $25.49 to $95.80 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop. Prices may also vary by flavor and container size.
Pricing guide:
- $ = under $1.50 per serving
- $$ = $1.50 to $2.00 per serving
- $$$ = over $2.00 per serving
Note that the serving recommendations vary between 1 and 2 scoops.
Here are a couple of other protein powders that we considered but didn’t quite make the cut:
- Drink Wholesome Egg White Protein Powder: This product is unique in that it uses egg whites as a source of protein. We liked that it’s low in calories for the amount of protein, but the flavor and texture weren’t a hit with our tester.
- Orgain Simple Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder: This protein powder rated well with our tester, but it’s a bit high in sugar.
Healthline’s registered dietitians helped us select the best protein powders to support weight loss. Here’s what they considered:
- Nutrition content: We looked for products that are lower in calories to support a reduced calorie diet. All products contain less than 200 calories per serving. We also prioritized powders that are low in added sugars and high in fiber.
- Quality: We selected protein powders that are made by reputable companies and tested throughout the manufacturing process, ideally by third-party labs.
- Vetting: The products on our list have been vetted to ensure that they align with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. You can read more about our vetting process.
Then, we put each protein powder to the test. Our reviewers tried each protein powder for a minimum of 2 weeks, with the exception of Naked Whey — for that one, the reviewer tested sample packets of several flavors.
Reviewers commented on each protein powder’s taste, texture, and more, helping us to develop our final scores.
Why Trust Healthline
75
protein powders evaluated by our medical standards team
58
protein powders met our criteria
19
protein powders personally tested by our team
How we evaluate protein powders
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the products on this page, we considered all the protein powders that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
Product
Price range
Protein type
Calories per serving
Added sugar per serving
$$
whey
160
3 g
$$
whey
130
0 g
$$
organic pea, organic rice
120
0 g
$
whey
140
0 g
$$$
organic pea, lentil, garbanzo, navy bean, and cranberry
160
0 g
$$$
whey
100
0 g
When shopping for a protein powder to support weight loss, be sure to consider the following factors:
- Price: Protein powders vary significantly in price, depending on the brand, the protein type, and the presence of other ingredients. Be sure to consider the recurring monthly cost when determining which powder is right for your budget.
- Protein type: Whether you choose whey, casein, or a plant-based source, the protein type doesn’t make a significant difference in terms of its effects on weight loss. Choose the type that best fits your dietary needs and preferences.
- Quality testing: Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate supplements the same way as pharmaceuticals, it’s important to select a product from a reputable manufacturer. Look for a product that’s third-party tested to ensure that the contents match the label.
- Additives: Protein powders commonly contain artificial sweeteners, flavors, and other additives to which you may be sensitive or intolerant. Carefully read a product’s ingredient list before purchasing to ensure that the product doesn’t contain an ingredient you need to avoid.
- Taste: Protein powders vary greatly in terms of taste and texture, so you may need to try a few powders before finding a product and flavor that you enjoy. Keep in mind that protein powders containing artificial sweeteners or sugar alternatives, such as stevia, often have a slight aftertaste that some people dislike.
Protein powder can help increase overall
Specifically,
However, it’s important to integrate protein powder into a balanced diet and regular exercise routine for the best results.
Incorporating protein powder is an effective and convenient way to consume plenty of protein that can help you feel full and maintain muscle while eating in a calorie deficit.
Most protein powders can be blended into smoothies, mixed into oatmeal or yogurt, or even used in baking to increase the protein content of meals and snacks without significantly raising the calorie count.
You can use protein powder any time of day, but consuming it after workouts can aid in recovery and muscle maintenance and growth. This can be particularly beneficial if you’re interested in body recomposition, in which you not only lose weight but also build muscle.
Remember, protein powder can be a helpful component of a weight loss plan, but supplements should never replace the basics — balanced nutrition, sleep, stress management, and regular physical activity.
While there are several protein powder options, including whey and casein (which are made from cow’s milk) and plant-based options such as pea and hemp, one is not necessarily better for weight loss than others.
Some research suggests that whey protein may be better for preserving lean muscle mass during weight loss, but other research has shown that plant protein may offer similar benefits to whey.
Ultimately, the overall amount of calories consumed and burned appears to be the most important factor for weight loss.
Some protein powders are marketed to women, but they can be enjoyed by most healthy adults. Thus, there is no one kind of protein powder that is best for weight loss in women.
As mentioned above, whey protein may be desirable for protecting lean muscle mass during weight loss thanks to its higher leucine content, but many products can help women meet their protein needs when losing weight.
Protein powders can help you meet your target protein needs and support body recomposition, a process in which you gain muscle and lose fat at the same time. But keep in mind that resistance training or weightlifting is the primary driver of body recomposition.
It’s generally safe to use protein powder daily as part of a balanced diet. However, you should always choose high quality, third-party tested products to ensure safety and purity. And be sure to read the label thoroughly, as some products may contain additional ingredients that could be contraindicated for certain populations.
Many people use protein powders to build muscle, but these powders can also benefit your weight loss goals.
While these products may help you lose weight, you’ll get the best results if you use them alongside a balanced, reduced calorie diet and an exercise routine.