The 6 Best Protein Powders in the Stridekick Shop
Protein powders are super convenient, but only if you actually use them. Let us help you find one you'll scoop daily (and actually enjoy).
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Protein is everywhere and in everything lately, but the GOAT when it comes to a versatile quick fix is still protein powder. You can toss it in a smoothie—or just gulp it back in a shaker bottle with lukewarm fountain water from the gym, if you like living on the edge. You can also bake with it, scoop it into your oatmeal, or dry scoop it (though, we don't recommend it!).
And if you're not already up to speed on the benefits of protein supplementation, it helps support muscle growth and strength gains when you also lift weights. The high leucine content of whey (and some vegan powders like pea or soy), gets muscle protein synthesis going efficiently. But, the best protein powder for you is the one your stomach and taste buds can tolerate. Check out our picks to see which might appeal to you most.
Best Overall Whey Protein: Promix Whey Protein Powder
Promix uses grass fed whey and not many other ingredients. It's free from artificial sweeteners, stevia, gums, and fillers, plus it's third-party tested and made in the USA. You can get it in Vanilla, Chocolate, Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Swirl, and Unflavored if you’d rather build your own flavor situation. Milk proteins like whey have the longest track record for lean mass gains and faster recovery, so this is the default pick for most people.
Premium pricing is the tradeoff, and it’s still dairy, so skip it if milk is a problem for you.
Shop Promix Whey Protein Powder
Best Plant-Based Protein Powder: Swolverine Plant Protein
A lot of vegan protein powders rely on pea protein, and while pea protein is super nutritious, it's also not all that tasty. Swolverine blends pea with faba bean and pumpkin seed protein for 25 grams per serving, then adds digestive enzymes and MCTs for a creamier texture than the usual chalky experience pea creates. It's also third-party tested, gluten-free, and soy-free.
If you’ve written off plant protein because of how it feels in your mouth, this is the one to try again with.
Shop Swolverine Plant Protein | HSA/FSA Eligible
Best Dairy-Free Animal Protein: Equip Prime Protein
Beef protein isolate might sound like it'll taste like a bouillon cube, but it really doesn't. At least where Equip Prime is concerned. Each serving has 21 grams of complete protein from grass-fed beef isolate with all nine essential amino acids, plus naturally occurring collagen and gelatin. Collagen peptides are great for strong joints and connective tissue, so you'll get a little bonus here.This powder can be easier on the stomach, especially if you're sensitive to dairy.
The 21 grams is on the lower end for a scoop of protein powder, and beef isolate doesn’t have as much muscle building leucine as whey does, so whey is still best if you're looking to maximize on gains.
Shop Equip Prime Protein | HSA/FSA Eligible
Best Minimal-Ingredient Protein Powder: Naked Pea Protein
This protein powder has literally one ingredient – pea protein. Although it's vegan, it knocks back 27 grams of protein in a scoop with 5.7 grams of BCAAs occurring naturally per serving. It's heat stable, so you can bake with it if you'd rather hide the flavor and texture in a muffin. That said, the flavor is a bit earthy and grainy, so it's not ideal on its own. Blend it with fruit or cocoa instead of using just straight up water + powder and hoping for the best.
Shop Naked Pea Protein Powder | HSA/FSA Eligible
Best Protein Powder for Busy Mornings: Noble All-in-One Protein
If you want a kitchen sink protein powder, this is it. It combines grass fed whey, collagen peptides, and greens (spirulina, chlorella, spinach), plus digestive enzymes and probiotics for gut health, and adaptogens for stress. It's supposed to sub for a breakfast or full snack rather than a post-workout shake, which is ideal for rushed days when your other option is coffee and optimism.
Shop Noble All-in-One Protein | HSA/FSA Eligible
Best Post-Workout Protein Powder: Onnit Whey Protein
If all you want is straight up whey, Onnit's got you. There's 20 grams of whey isolate per serving with a complete amino acid profile. Whey isolate digests more quickly and is particularly high in leucine, which is the amino acid most responsible for flipping on muscle protein synthesis. This one is a safe pick if you want to mix something simple into a smoothie or some milk and control the flavor yourself.
Pick the One You'll Finish
Protein powder only works if you actually drink it, so pick the one you think will work best for your stomach, taste buds and lifestyle. Check out our deep dive to figure out how much protein you need each day.
Head over to the Stridekick Shop to browse the rest of the protein lineup. Now go blend something.