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5 Best Whey Protein Powders

Protein is an essential macronutrient, necessary for muscle growth, maintenance, and repair. You’ll find it in a variety of foods, including meat, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, and dairy products.

From the latter comes whey protein powder – arguably the best supplemental protein, favoured for its excellent amino acid profile and high bioavailability.

Looking for the best whey protein powders? We’re here to help – read on for our top choices – based on quality, taste, ingredients, and of course, PROTEIN content – as well as helpful buying advice!

Top 5 Whey Proteins UK

  1. Crazy Nutrition 100% Tri-Protein
  2. Reflex Instant Whey Pro
  3. Bodybuilding Warehouse Pure Whey Isolate 95
  4. Bulk Powders Pure Whey
  5. PhD Nutrition 100

Protein is protein, right? Not exactly – the origin, manufacturing process, and type all matter. There are myriad whey proteins to choose from, and you could spend days researching them – but why would you, when we’ve done all the hard work? Without further ado, we present our most recommended whey protein powders.

1. Crazy Nutrition 100% Tri-Portien

100 Tri Protein Whey

There’s a reason why Men’s Fitness, the BBC, and Relentless Gains rank Crazy Nutrition’s Tri-Protein as one of the best whey supplements in the UK. It contains a blend of the highest bioavailable premium GMO-free protein sources – Whey Protein Isolate, Concentrate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Concentrate, and Hydrolysed Whey, combined with DigeZyme® Enzyme Complex for increased nutrient absorption.

Each serving provides 23g of quality time-released proteins backed with DigeZyme® to ensure muscle protein synthesis reaches peak elevation. Ideal post-exercise or any time during the day, this smooth and delicious shake comes in three flavours – chocolate, salted caramel, and vanilla.

Most mixed-source whey protein powders contain whey concentrate as the primary source, as this is the cheapest, but this Crazy Nutrition Tri-Protein chose whey isolate as the primary source, then went above and beyond by including a ratio of other protein sources and a digestive enzymes

With over 20 years of drinking whey protein shakes from more brands than I can remember, I thoroughly rate this 100% Tri-Protein as one of the best for ingredients, mixability, and taste.

2. Reflex Nutrition Instant Whey Pro

Reflex Instant Whey Pro Powder

From Reflex Nutrition—a leading, UK-based sports nutrition company with over 2 decades in the business—comes this premium-quality whey protein product.

Featuring nothing but whey—there’s no inferior soy in Reflex Nutrition products—this instant whey protein powder shake is brimming with essential amino acids, and offers a substantial 20 grams of protein per 25-gram scoop. That’s over 1.7 kg of pure protein per container!

It’s low in carbs, too—only one per cent—making it ideal for those on a restricted carbohydrate diet. Despite being sugar-free, Reflex Nutrition’s

Instant Whey Protein Powder Shake tastes great—a wide variety of flavours, including Banana, Mint Cream, Salted Peanut Caramel, Strawberry & Raspberry, and the ever-popular chocolate—are available.

It’s free from artificial colourants, and sweetened with stevia glycosides—a completely natural, plant-derived sweetening agent with none of the potential drawbacks of aspartame and other artificial sweeteners.

Product quality and customer health are of paramount importance to Reflex Nutrition.

That’s why their instant whey protein powder is made right here in the UK, using only milk from hormone-free, antibiotic-free, grass-fed cows. Pure pasture-raised cattle—which feed on grass, never corn—have a smaller environmental footprint, and produce a favourable anti-inflammatory ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 essential fatty acids.

Though most people find whey easy to digest, Reflex Nutrition’s whey protein powder includes a DigeZyme digestive enzyme complex—alpha-amylase, neutral protease, cellulase, lactase, and lipase—as well as beneficial probiotics (bifidobacterium bifidum, lactobacillus acidophilus, and lactobacillus rhamnosus).

These enzymes and friendly bacteria reduce the chance of digestive issues, and help ensure every last gram of amino acids arrives at their final destination: your muscles.

Reflex Whey Nutrition Profile:

  • 20g Premium grass-fed whey protein per serving
  • Super low 0.5g sugar
  • Digestive enzymes
  • Great taste in various flavours

Pros

  • Domestically produced by an established, trusted brand
  • Available in many flavours to suit any palate
  • Free from artificial colours and sweeteners
  • Uses only the highest-quality whey from grass-fed cows
  • Low in fat and sugar
  • Includes digestive enzymes and beneficial probiotics
  • Highly concentrated protein made primarily with whey protein isolate

Cons

  • Costlier than some brands
  • Heavily sweetened—may taste a bit strong on its own
  • Doesn’t always dissolve and mix well

Related: Best All-in-One Protein Powder UK

3. Bodybuilding Warehouse Pure Whey Isolate 95

Bodybuilding Warehouse Whey Isolate 95

Bodybuilding Warehouse’s Pure Whey Protein Isolate 95 is an excellent supplement made from 100% premium pure whey isolate that originates from grass-fed cows in Europe. Instantized and undenatured Pure Whey Isolate powder is the perfect choice for people who want to maximise protein intake while keeping carbs and fats to a minimum.

Manufactured in GMP certified factory right here in the UK. Chocolate, Italian vanilla, strawberry, and peanut butter, are just a few of the smooth and delicious flavours available in PURE WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE 95. It’s perfect for post-workout recovery or at breakfast because of its smooth and creamy texture, which makes it simple to combine and consume.

If you’re an athlete or fitness enthusiast trying to pack on muscle and recover from hard weight training, you can’t go wrong with Bodybuilding Warehouse’s Pure Whey Isolate 95. It’s a terrific addition to any workout regimen thanks to its tasty flavour, silky texture, and premium ingredients.

Must-Know Facts

  • European Sourced whey isolate from Grass Fed cows
  • Packed with muscle-building amino acids, including L-Leucine
  • Ultra-Premium ingredients
  • Manufactured in a state of the Art, GMP Certified Facility in Manchester, UK
  • Choice of flavours or unflavoured.
  • Super low carbs 0.24g per serving
  • Super low fat 0.25g per serving
  • Just 94 calories per scoop
  • Massive 23g premium protein dose per 25g scoop
  • Comes in 1, 2, 4, and 5kg hermetically resealable pouches.

With an astounding 95% protein content per scoop or over 22g of protein per 25g serving, BW Pure Whey Protein Isolate 95 is one of the leanest protein sources available. This protein is ideal for athletes who are cutting their carbohydrate and fat intake in preparation for a competition.

Post-workout, pure whey isolate’s rapid digestion time makes it superior to regular whey protein concentrate for accelerating the recovery process and maximising muscle protein synthesis. Cross-flow microfiltration is used to produce Pure Whey Protein Isolate at low temperatures, preserving its bioavailable.

BW Pure Whey Protein Isolate 95 is made in a (GMP) purpose-built UK facility from ingredients sourced from verified, audited EU suppliers who agree to adhere to the high-quality assurance requirements.

4. BULK POWDERS Pure Whey Isolate Protein Powder Shake

Bulk Pure Whey Isolate

Don’t let the looks fool you—this is a quality whey protein powder whose low cost and basic zipper pouch belie the contents therein. In other words: it’s cheap and it’s good.

How does BULK POWDERS produce what may well be the most affordable whey protein powder in the United Kingdom?

It’s simple: they work in-house, cut out the middleman, and focus on the product, not the presentation.

Providing a respectable 22 grams of protein per 30-gram serving, this bulk protein powder is as kind to your wallet as it is to your body.

Though it’s composed of slow-absorbing whey protein concentrate—rather than rapidly absorbed, protein-rich isolate—the low-sugar, high-amino formulation is still minimally calorific.

The standard vanilla flavour, while not particularly exciting, is simple enough to use alone, or in combination with almost any smoothie ingredient. Please note that other flavours are available.

Like Reflex Nutrition, BULK POWDERS uses whey from grass-fed cattle. It’s nice to see this trend being adopted even by lower-cost brands.

In addition, the powder is instantiated—that is, very finely ground—for easy, clump-free mixing, no blender is required.

However, this bulk whey protein is sweetened with sucralose—one of only a few significant formulation differences that are reflected in the price.

BULK POWDERS Pure Whey Protein Powder Shake makes a few compromises, but on the whole, provides outstanding value.

It’s a good choice for anyone on a budget, or new to supplementing with protein.

Pros

  • Economically priced—ideal for the budget-conscious
  • High-quality whey, derived from grass-fed cows
  • Available in a wide range of flavours
  • Instantized for easy mixing
  • Low in sugar

Cons

  • Sweetened with sucralose
  • May taste too sweet for some
  • Contains small quantities of soy and thickening agents

5. PhD Nutrition 100% Lean Whey

phd grass fed whey protein

Rounding out our list of the best whey protein powders is the hefty, 2.2 kilogram tub of Pharma Whey HT+ Whey Protein Powder from PhD Nutrition. It’s generously sized, moderately priced, and loaded with muscle-boosting whey and amino acids.

A balanced blend of three types of whey—concentrate, isolate, and hydrolyzed isolate—provides 18 grams of protein per 25-gram serving. You’d get a bit more protein per scoop with pure isolate, but this is offset by the addition of an amino acid blend.

Valine, leucine, and iso-leucine comprise branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), which improve muscle growth, reduce muscle soreness and exercise fatigue, prevent muscle atrophy, and may protect the liver.

Added l-glutamine helps slow the loss of lean mass, while aiding in muscle protein synthesis, and an enzymatic combination of amylase, protease, cellulase, beta-d-galactosidase, and lipase improves digestibility and bioavailability.

Like our other most-recommended whey protein powders, PhD Nutrition Pharma Whey HT+ is made with whey from one hundred per cent grass-fed cows—that means no hormones, no antibiotics, and maximum health benefits.

Whey protein powders often contain emulsifiers for a more consistent product and pleasing mouthfeel. Pharma Whey HT+ is no exception—however, only sunflower lecithin is used, eliminating all soy from the formulation.

PhD Nutrition Pharma Whey HT+ Whey Protein Powder Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Less costly than some proteins of comparable quality
  • Uses only whey from grass-fed cows
  • Free from artificial colours
  • Many flavours available
  • Enzyme blend makes it easy to digest
  • Added branched-chain amino acids for muscle-boosting benefits

Cons

  • Sweetened with sucralose
  • Occasional quality inconsistency
  • Fruit flavours may not appeal to everyone

Whey Protein Buyers Guide

Still not sure which whey protein powder is best for your needs? Check out our buying guide, and get the low down on choosing, using, and making the most of any whey powder!

Why Whey?

Whey protein powder is derived from whey (a milk byproduct) and boasts an exceptional amino acid profile. Amino acids are the building blocks that comprise protein and can be categorized as essential or non-essential. The former cannot be synthesized by the body, and must be obtained from dietary or supplemental sources.

As compared to soy—one of the most popular and widely available types of plant protein—whey provides more branched-chain amino acids and essential amino acids per serving, falling short (and often, by a small margin) only in arginine, histidine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan.

Which Whey?

Isolate, concentrate, hydrolysate—what a mouthful! It’s easy to get hung up on which type is best, and why. Let’s start with isolate. It’s found in many premium protein powders and carries a higher price tag.

Whey protein isolate undergoes extra processing and filtration to remove fats and carbohydrates. The result is a rapidly absorbed protein that’s low in lactose.

Isolate is especially suitable for post-workout smoothies and shakes, where the lack of dairy-based fats and carbs can hasten the delivery of protein to damaged muscles.

Furthermore, whey isolate may be easier to digest for those who are lactose-sensitive.

Whey protein concentrate—despite its name—contains a bit less protein per serving than isolate, and helps keep down the cost of some whey protein formulations.

Both isolate and concentrate are derived from the same source. The key difference lies in processing, or the lack thereof: whey protein concentrate contains more fats and carbohydrates—which makes it slower to digest.

This isn’t particularly disadvantageous—some people prefer whey concentrate for this very reason. The only drawback is more lactase, which can be harder for some people to break down.

Whey protein hydrolysate is the most highly refined form of whey—even more so than isolate.

The process of thermal, acidic, or enzymatic hydrolysis cleaves molecular bonds between amino acids, and extra filtration removes all fats and lactose. Hydrolyzed protein may offer measurably superior absorption, but the difference of a few percentage points offers little practical advantage.

That said, the total absence of lactose makes whey protein hydrolysate the best choice for anyone with lactose intolerance.

Savour the Flavour

Plain, unflavoured whey powder doesn’t taste great. Most products are flavoured and sweetened for palatability—and there’s a great variety to choose from!

Taste is subjective, but vanilla is almost always a safe bet. It’s sweet but usually neutral enough to act as a base for almost any other ingredient.

Fruit? No problem. Chocolate? Sure! Salt, cinnamon, nutmeg? Why not. When in doubt, reach for vanilla.

Chocolate goes surprisingly well with other tastes, too.

Try strawberries, bananas—even oranges, if you feel daring. It’s the more unusual blends—think mint-chocolate, strawberry shortcake, cookies, and cream—that require careful experimentation, and may best be enjoyed on their own.

On that note, if you find your whey powder of choice too sweet—a common complaint, spanning many brands—just add a little more water, or use yoghurt and milk to help cut sweetness without reducing calories.

In the Mix

The appeal of a smoothie or shake lies in its convenience—put a few ingredients in a container, mix, and, whammo!—instant nutrition.

If you make smoothies exclusively at home, don’t worry too much about how easily a whey protein mixes—any decent blender, even the handheld sort, will make short order of any powder.

Don’t have a blender, or like to whip up a shake when you’re out and about? Look for a protein mix that’s finely ground or instantiated for easy mixing.

Though some brands suggest you need nothing more than a spoon and a glass of water, it’s our experience that shaken is, indeed, better than stirred. (Here’s looking at you, James Bond.) Though a glass jar with a water-tight lid works, consider a protein shaker cup.

Many are unbreakable, with strong lids, flip-top mouthpieces, and mixing balls to break up clumps of powder. Remember: in order to make it, you gotta shake it, not break it.

A Spoonful of Sugar

Whey protein powders are almost invariably sweetened with sugar, sucralose, aspartame, xylitol, stevia, or some combination thereof. Sugar, while palatable and familiar, is best avoided. It adds empty calories and excess consumption has been linked to a range of health problems.

Aspartame, sucralose, and other artificial sweeteners provide a cost-effective, low-to-no-calorie alternative.

They’re found in many products, including some of the best whey protein powders. These sweetening agents are well-tolerated by most people—but for those who find the taste objectionable or are otherwise sensitive, try protein powders sweetened with xylitol.

It’s a natural, low-calorie “sugar alcohol” (in spite of the name, it’s alcohol-free). Or, look for steva glycosides, which are plant-derived, calorie-free, and many times sweeter than sucrose.

To BCAA or Not to BCAA?

Whey protein is an excellent source of branched-chain amino acids (valine, leucine, and iso-leucine), whose many muscle-boosting, strength-preserving benefits we touched on earlier.

Any quality whey protein powder will naturally provide plenty of BCAAs—but if you work out hard, or are trying to rebuild lost muscle, consider a whey protein with added branched-chain amino acids to give your muscles an extra boost.

BCAA supplements can, of course, be taken separately—but we prefer the convenience of pre-mixed.

The Price of Good Health

Whey is a concentrated nutritional supplement—it’s with good reason that a two-kilo tub costs more than the equivalent weight in ground beef.

While we don’t advise replacing whole foods and proper meals with protein powder, there’s no denying that whey provides a considerable quantity of protein per relatively small serving.

Determining your per-serving cost is easy—just look at the label, and divide the price of the container by the number of servings.

How Much Should You Take?

The officially recommended Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) of approximately 0.75 grams per kilogram of body weight is based on the caloric needs of a relatively sedentary adult of average weight.

Related: Best Time to Drink Whey Protein Shake

You may or may not fall into that category—and if you don’t, then your requirements will be different, based on diet, activity level, overall health, and fitness goals. Strength training, intense cardio, and prolonged physical activity all increase your need for protein.

Furthermore, older adults require additional protein to preserve muscle mass and prevent age-related sarcopenia, which, left unchecked, negatively impacts the quality of life.

Supplementing with whey helps ensure that your specific dietary needs are met. A good quality whey protein powder, taken in conjunction with a healthy, balanced diet and appropriate exercise regime, will go a long way in ensuring your present and future health.

We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the most efficacious whey protein powders. From concentrate to hydrolysate, from chocolate to vanilla, and everything in between, there’s a whey protein for almost everyone. Find one you like, incorporate it into your daily diet, and reap the benefits. Thanks for reading!