A lot of companies claim to have the best tasting and cheapest protein. But are these statements actually true and what are the best Whey Protein powders that you can buy in the UK?
Whey Protein is a food supplement that comes in a powder form but the content of these powders can vary considerably. Firstly there are different types of whey: Whey Concentrate & Whey Isolate. The isolate is a more pure version, usually containing more protein and less carbs.
However this does make it more expensive. Whey Concentrate is still a great protein and will be fine for most people and often a lot cheaper.
The choice of what to go for is up to you. If you are planning on using a lot of protein e.g. for bulking then it could be a good idea to buy a whey concentrate and a whey isolate. This way you can have the concentrate at times of the day such as in the morning to increase your protein intake.
But also you can take the whey isolate as your post workout shake when your body needs protein most, isolate is absorbed slightly quicker. Unlike casein, whey protein is absorbed fast by the body. This makes it ideal for in the morning, before and after workouts.
Protein is the most important supplement when trying to build lean muscle. Ensuring you get enough and at the right time is essential to allow the body to repair and grow.
Best whey protein powders:
Take a look at these ten top Whey Protein powders for 2022 and check out the differences between them.
Optimum Nutrition – Gold Standard Whey Protein
Key Facts:
- 24g Protein per serving
- worlds best-selling whey protein
- Available in over 10 flavours
ON Gold Standard is highly recommend all over the fitness industry. It is often hard to find people who have a bad word to say about Gold Standard. Furthermore it is also advertised as the world’s number one protein, boosting customers confidence and convincing them to try it. Gold Standard has been on the market for a LONG time, although its packaging may have changed, its formula is still the same.
Gold Standard boasts an impressive 24G of protein per serving. Further to this it also contains 5.5G of BCAA and 4G of Glutamine. This is great for you as you need both of these for muscle repair and bulking. A whey Protein containing both of these means if you do not want to, then you do not have to take them separately as well.
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard is also made up of the high quality and superior Whey Protein Isolates. There are a number of different flavours available. We personally enjoyed the mint chocolate flavour and it was less sweet compared with some of its rivals.
Because it is made of whey isolates it also mixes great and if you forget your shaker it can actually be mixed to some extent with a spoon. In terms of price Gold Standard is a bit more expensive than some of the other proteins on our list. We recommend buying from discount Supplements as their price is competitive and there is often offers on.
MyProtein – Impact Whey Protein
Key Facts:
- 21g Protein per serving
- 4.5g BCAAs
- 3.6g Glutamine
If you have done some basic research online for whey protein, you have most likely come across MyProtein. For many their price often seems too good to be true at the beginning, as MyProtein is significantly cheaper than other brands. However if you start to look at their website you will see it is full of positive reviews for their products and they are actually one the UK’s biggest supplement brands.
MyProtein Impact Whey Protein is also the UK’s number one premium whey protein brand. When you order from MyProtein the delivery cost is usually a bit more but it usually arrives within a few days so it is worth paying the extra.
Per 100 grams there is 82 grams of protein (slightly less on flavoured versions). With that amount of protein and the affordable price tag it is easy to see the reason that it is the number one UK protein. There is also amino acids present. In terms of flavours, there is a huge array available with everything from Orange Cream to Maple Syrup.
If you are struggling with other brands to find an enjoyable flavour then you are spoilt for choice with Impact Whey. The tastes are very good, some sweet. It also mixes fine in a shaker too with no bits left at the end. Overall if you are looking for an affordable and well-rounded protein then My Protein impact Whey is the way to go. You can buy direct from the MyProtein Website.
The Protein Works – Whey Protein 80
Key Facts:
- 20.6g Protein per serving
- Award winning protein
- Over 80% protein content
A supplement brand that’s seen a lot of growth in recent years, The Protein Works Whey Protein 80 is an award-winning protein. This protein actually won the award for Best Protein 2014 in the FSN product awards. The supplement itself is made with premium quality proteins and also comes in an impressive range of flavours including the new Wild raspberry.
Also in the protein is the patented enzyme technology AMINOGEN which shows that they are developing some advanced industry leading products. If you take a look on The Protein Works website then you will see there is an outstanding amount of five star reviews on their products. The cost of Whey Protein 80 is also very competitive as well with 2KG of the Mint chocolate flavour working out at just £0.34 per serving.
Overall this protein is one of the best around, coming from a supplement company that is looking set for an exciting future. There is also a move pure 97 version available on their website which boasts more protein but is has a slightly higher price tag.
Bulk Powders pure Whey
Key Facts:
- 24g Protein per serving
- 5.3g BCAA per serving
- Sourced from grass fed cows
In direct competition to MyProtein, Bulk powders is a supplement company that has been around for a while. They have now built a reputation for offering great value for money and high quality products. If you buy a product through the Bulk Powders website you receive reward points which you can use against your next purchase.
If you go for the unflavoured version then there is over 80 grams of protein per serving, this is less on the flavoured versions. There are also levels of BCAA’s and Glutamine in the mix which aid recovery.
Pure Whey Protein has a similar price to MyProtein Impact Whey, making it great value for money. There are also regular offers on which you should keep a look out for. You can pickup 500g unflavoured for just £12.99.
We have tried both mint & mint chocolate and the mint chocolate tasted better and seemed to have more taste. Both of the flavours were enjoyable though and we would recommend them. Bulk Powders now have a number of flavours available for you to try including white chocolate and banana fudge.
Overall we would really recommend Bulk Powders Pure Whey Protein. Benefits include great taste, a good profile and value for money. You can buy directly from the Bulk Powders website.
phD Pharma Whey
Key facts:
- 18g Protein per serving
- Hydrolysed Whey Protein Isolate
- Contains L-Glutamine and L-Leucine
Pharma Whey is as premium whey protein from phD Nutrition. Unlike other proteins, Pharma Whey provides a blend containing Protein isolate, hydrolysed way and also whey concentrate. Furthermore there is also added BCAA’s and Glutamine to create the ultimate post workout protein shake. In fact Pharma Whey can be used at any time of the day to aid muscle growth and recovery.
A downside of this protein is that there is not as much flavours available as other brands. But if you are not too fussy then you can still chose from several flavours including Chocolate orange and Strawberry Creme. Compared with some other brands in our list, phD Pharma Whey is rather pricey at £59.99 for 2.25KG.
But discount supplements often sell it for a lower price. For the money you do get a great blend of proteins that are going to aid recovery and help build lean muscles.
USN – Whey Protein Premium
Key Facts:
- 22g Protein per serving
- Contains Lactase Enzymes
- Tolerase pH-stable lactase
Whey Protein Premium is a very high quality protein that contains over 24 Grams per serving. USN is well-known in the fitness industry for providing some top quality products and this protein is no exception. The protein itself mixes well in a shaker. We tried the chocolate flavour which was very nice and better than some of the other slightly less expensive brands.
Just Like with Pharma Whey, a slight downside to this is the lack of flavours. There are currently only four flavours available. All of these are just your basic standard flavours that you would expect to see. Whey protein Premium also contains a number of other less well know but important proteins such as lactalbumen. On the plus side the design of the container does look great and very premium.
BSN Syntha-6
Key Facts:
- 22g Protein per serving
- Available in 3 flavours
- ultra premium protein
An ultra premium protein shake, Syntha-6 is currently one of the best-selling premium brands on the market. As well as protein, this supplement also contains essential amino acids and essential fatty acids. Instead of just body building, Syntha-6 is designed to for many different fitness regimes, so you really cannot go wrong with this protein. Per serving there is 22 grams of protein and a generous 10 grams of amino acids.
One of the biggest selling points of this protein is how good it tastes. The taste is regularly described as a milkshake like taste. There is also a generous number of flavours around, although it can sometimes be hard to find the flavour you want actually in stock. It is also worth checking several retailers to see who has the best price. As with other brands, Discount Supplements stocks Syntha-6.
Sci MX Ultra Whey Protein
Key Facts:
- 35g Protein per serving
- 5 flavours
- Rich in amino acids
Since launching in 2007, Sci MX has rapidly gone on to be one of the best known premium supplement manufacturers in the UK. Whatever your fitness goal, Sci MX have a huge range to help you achieve it. This includes everything from protein to clothing.
Despite the premium quality, the price is also great for such good supplements. As well as their own website, Sci MX is also stocked at numerous sports nutrition stores. This makes it easy to purchase supplements. Also, the prices can often be slightly lower when purchasing from other stores online.
Ultra Whey Protein lives up to the sci MX name. This premium blend whey protein has a lot to offer. Per serving there is a huge 35g of whey protein. It is worth nothing though that the serving size is larger, compared with some other protein supplements.
Furthermore there is 6.1g of BCAAs and 4.4g of L-Glutamine. There are both great ingredients when it comes to maximising muscle growth. This supplement also contains whey isolates. This ensures maximum protein and less carbs. There are several flavours available including Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla. There is both a 908g pouch and 2.28kg tub available.
Reflex Nutrition 100% Whey Protein
Key Facts:
- 20g Protein per serving
- 80% Protein content
- 10 Great Flavours
No products found.
The Reflex Nutrition slogan is ‘Tomorrows Nutrition Today’ and you can see why with the number of advanced products that they offer. 100% Whey is a new product from Reflex that is based on the idea of high quality and taste on a low price. The idea behind this protein is to use just the most purest Whey, without filling the formula with other products and different proteins. There is also over 5 grams of BCAA’s in every serving.
There is currently only four flavours available at the moment which is a slight downside. But if you are focusing on purely high quality protein and are happy with one of the current flavours then this is a great choice. As with other proteins, you will often be able to find this for a good price on the Discount Supplements website.
MusclePharm Combat Powder
Key Facts:
- 24g Protein per serving
- 5.8g BCAAs
- Easy-mixing digestive blend
Combat from MusclePharm is designed to keep feeding your muscles for up to eight hours. For people that demand a lot of protein and have a high intensity workout schedule then this could be the protein that you need. This Whey Protein is actually a blend containing Whey Isolates, hydrolyzed Whey and Whey Concentrates.
This formula is designed to ensure your muscles are fed for up to eight hours. There is also BCAA’s present in the formula to ensure your muscles get everything they need to grow and help you put on lean muscle mass.
There are currently seven different flavours of Combat available including some unusual flavours such as Cinnon Bun. The pricing is also quite high at just under £50 for 1.8KG. However the unique formula of this protein is worth paying the extra for if you are looking for an advanced protein formula that is going to match your busy training schedule.
Update 2022: New blends
Since first producing this list several years ago there have been some exciting changes to whey protein products. There is now some interesting new blends available. They contain different types of whey protein and other ingredients to enhance their effectiveness. The new blends are typically from the brands that previously only focused on great value protein. Three of my favourite new whey proteins are below:
My Protein The Whey
I’m a big fan of the standard whey protein from MyProtein. It offers incredible value for money and is a great choice for most people. However, if you are really looking for the very best whey, The Whey makes a great choice. The Whey is a unique blend of ultra premium protein, designed to give you exactly the protein you need.
Per serving there is a massive 25g of protein. There is also 3g of leucine and over 5g of glutamine. All of this, with less than 2g of carbs and 1g of fat. The Whey makes a great choice if you are looking to do a lean bulk. It also contains MyZyme, a unique enzyme complex from MyProtein.
There are currently 8 flavours available including Milk Chocolate and strawberry Milkshake. The price is more expensive than Impact Whey from MyProtein at £26.99. Interestingly, this one comes in a tub instead of the usual pouch from MyProtein
BULKPOWDERS Informed Whey
Over the last few years, BULK POWDERS has increased the amount of supplements available in their Pro range. The ethos around the pro range is to ignore the costs and produce the very best supplements available. Informed Whey is hands down one of the best whey protein supplements available in the UK.
Per serving there is 24g of protein which is delivered via their mTor Whey complex. This contains whey isolate and pure whey protein. There is also 3g of pharmaceutical grade leucine per serving and 3g of glutamine peptides. There is also a unique enzyme complex and premium probiotic in there for good measure.
Currently, there are 7 flavours options available including Caramel Latte. A 2.27kg bag currently costs £53.99. This works out at 72p per serving. It may not be the lowest cost whey protein, but it definitely does pack a punch.
The Protein Works Whey 360 Extreme
One of the standout features of The Protein Works is their unique blends. Often, they like to try something different. This includes a huge amount of unique offerings when it comes to supplements. This is what makes them one of the most exciting protein manufacturers out there. Some of the new protein blends they have available are not exception. This includes whey protein 360 extreme.
This protein shake aims to elevate your protein experience to the next level. The goal is to create a new standard when it comes to both great taste and also performance. As well as premium sourced protein, it also uses The Protein Works multi-phased system.
Another unique addition is vitamins which work to reduce the negative affects of a workout on the body. Per serving there are 23g of protein and also many flavours available including Banana Milkshake and French Vanilla.
These unique whey protein blends being released make for a wide choice available for us consumers. There are some great new additions that can really help in you take advantage of the best nutrition available.
Top Tip:
Whey protein supplements can often be found on offer. From experience, the best deals tend to be around pay day at the end of the month when supplement competitors are fighting for your business. There are also supplement offers on throughout the month.
Many websites such as MyProtein & Bulk Powders can have sales on throughout the month and without much notice. Be sure to check out each website to see which has the best offers on when you are looking to purchase.
Top muscle building tips with whey protein
The main goal for many when using whey protein supplements is to build muscle. However, muscle growth will not happen overnight. Neither will it work with just whey protein alone.
To build muscle it is important to maintain both a great diet and fitness regime. The whey protein is there to supplement your current protein intake. This allows you to consume more protein in your diet, without the need to eat lots of other excess foods.
Timing is key
Yes you can consume whey protein shakes at any time of the day. In fact, this is one of the great benefits of them being so convenient. However, it is possible to time your consumption for maximum benefit. A perfect time to consume a whey protein shake is after a workout.
When you have just completed a heavy workout, your muscles are going to be tired and in need of repair. This is where the protein comes in. Whey protein is the fast acting protein that gets to the muscles quickly. Therefore right after a workout is the ideal time.
I find another great opportunity is first thing in the morning. When you first wake up your body has gone for perhaps 8 hours without consuming any protein. During this time it has also been using the protein you have already consumed to rebuild your muscles. Therefore the body is ready for more protein to replace the depleted supplies it has used overnight.
Use different flavours
I find the best whey protein shakes are ideal to consume everyday. However, one of the issues I find is that I can get fed up with the same flavour. This is particularly true when going through a phase of working out and consuming a lot. After a while I can get fed up with the same flavour and it does not appear appetising at all.
A top tip I find if planning on using a lot, is to buy 2 different flavours at the same time. I also make sure the flavours are very different to each other. This way I can rotate which flavours I am consuming. This is a great idea to keep you from getting tired of the same shakes. A further idea can be to mix when with other foods. For example fruits go great with many whey protein supplements.
The correct protein shake for your goals
A whey protein supplement often sounds like the perfect answer to all your fitness goals. Whether it’s bulking or cutting, many often believe in the benefits of a standard protein shake. However, you should also consider your goals and find the best supplement to meet your needs.
There are a range of different blends on the market. This includes whey protein for cutting and also for bulking. Different blends have different characteristics. For example cutting blends may contain less fat and carbs. These simple chains can help to better meet your macronutrient targets.
What is the best protein powder?
This post contained some of our favourite Whey Protein powders for 2022. We would recommend all of these proteins to try. Picking the best Whey Protein for you is a personal choice and will depend on your training needs. It’s important to remember that your choice should not be made just on the amount of protein in each serving. Instead, it’s important to consider other factors such as the variety of flavours available and the quality of the protein. Remember that you will also need to purchase a shaker to ensure that the protein and water mix for best results.
