The 5 Best Whey Proteins Of 2024 For Muscle Growth & Maintenance*

We set out to create a high-quality, delicious protein powder that people would actually enjoy working into their routines. And sure, we're biased, but we believe grass-fed whey protein isolate+ is truly the best option out there.

For starters, it's super clean: The six-ingredient product is made with no fillers, artificial flavors, or flavoring chemicals (which is rare for a protein supplement). Instead, it gets its smooth, rich, crave-able flavor from ingredients like monk fruit extract and organic vanilla. It doesn't contain artificial sweeteners, either, so it doesn't leave any funky aftertaste on the palette.

After consulting leading protein and amino acid researchers, we knew we needed to make a product with enough high-quality, leucine-rich whey protein isolate to activate muscle protein synthesis. You'll find 25 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of leucine in every tasty two-scoop serving.*

Don't take our word for it: Read more of what people are saying about the product here.

Antler Farms whey isolate protein comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows from New Zealand. The health and vitality of the cows come through in the product's high BCAA and leucine content. It contains 4 grams of leucine per serving. Whether or not a higher leucine content promotes a greater rate of muscle protein synthesis than 2.5-3 grams of leucine is unclear. More may not necessarily be better.

This product doesn't contain growth hormones, antibiotics, chemical residues, or GMOs. It's also free of artificial colors and comes in a variety of flavors, naturally sweetened with stevia. One thing to note is that some people find stevia flavor to be overly sweet, and it tends to leave behind a bitter aftertaste.

This affordable whey protein features just three ingredients: whey protein concentrate, organic monk fruit, and either vanilla or cocoa. It comes from cows that are pasture-raised in the USA, and Natural Force is a B-Corp-certified company, signaling a commitment to corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability.

Now for the less-than-great news: This option is lower in per-serving protein than the others on our list. Each serving contains less than 2 grams of leucine, which isn't enough to trigger MPS for optimal muscle gains. Reviewers also note that the powder is a very fine texture and can clump when run through a blender.

Mt. Capra's whey protein comes from goat milk instead of cow milk. Why goats? It comes down to casein—a slow-digesting protein found in milk. Most milk from cows contains A1 casein, while goat milk has A2 casein. There is some research to show that A2 casein may be easier to digest and less likely to cause gastrointestinal issues than A1 casein, though we need more research to be sure. So goat-derived whey may be easier on the stomach than cow-derived whey protein concentrate (remember, in whey protein isolate, most casein is filtered out!). Goat products also appear to be higher in certain brain-healthy MCTs.*

Mt. Capra is a legacy family farm in the Pacific Northwest, with goats that are grass-fed and raised without hormones or antibiotics.

The biggest complaint reviewers have about this product is that it doesn't blend well into beverages. Some also find the taste off-putting.

For those looking for a more flavorful protein powder, Levels offers tons of variety—from double chocolate to strawberry; each with a short, simple ingredient list. Some reviewers note that some flavors are a bit faint, so you may need to play around before you find your favorite. With 24 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of leucine per serving, Levels has a solid amino acid profile to boot. However, the company is less transparent about where its cows come from and how they're raised than other brands on our list.