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Sometimes diet alone isn't enough to meet your daily nutritional needs. Reaching for a protein powder is one of the best options to boost your intake. Although finding the best protein powder for women can feel impossible due to the numerous available options. This article will detail the best protein powder for women categorized by specific interests and needs.
The Best Protein Powders for Women - Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Protein Powder for Women: Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
- Best Grass-Fed Protein Powder for Women: Xwerks Grow
- Best Personalized Protein Powder For Women: Gainful Protein
- Best Protein Powder for Women for Weight Loss: Ritual Daily Shake 18+
- Best Protein Powder for Women with Collagen: Transparent Labs Collagen
- Best Low-Calorie Protein Powder for Women: BUBS Naturals Collagen Protein
- Best Protein Powder for Women for Muscle Gain: Transparent Labs MRP
- Best Vegan Protein Powder for Women: Ritual Daily Shake 18+
- Best Organic Protein Powder for Women: KOS Vegan Plant Protein
- Best Whey Protein Powder for Women: Kaged Re-Kaged®
- Best Flavored Protein Powder for Women: KOS Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter
- Best Budget Protein Powder for Women: Cira Bright Whey Protein
Because navigating the sea of protein powders is a daunting task, our ACTIVE Reviews Team has searched high and low for the best products available based on your needs. Whether you are looking for a protein powder to make a protein shake after your workout, to meet your daily needs, or for a boost of collagen, read on for more info. Additionally, check out our rating scales for price and flavor at the bottom of the page.
Why Trust Us?
The health and safety of ACTIVE's readers is of the utmost importance to us. To ensure your well-being when consuming dietary supplements, the ACTIVE.com editorial team prioritizes products that are independently tested by a third party. We've consulted with a team of nutritionists and dietitians to ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. This helps us create the most accurate, authentic review content for our readers.
Best Overall Protein Powder for Women - Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor options: 3
- Key ingredients: Whey protein isolate, cocoa powder, Stevia
- Dosage: 1 scoop (32.96g)
- Certifications: Clinically-dosed, third-party tested, UDAF GMP
If you're a woman looking for a whey protein that will help you reach your fitness goals—weight loss or otherwise—but are intimidated by the concept, a whey protein isolate could be a solid choice. The filtering process for whey isolates creates a pure protein form that is lower in fats in carbohydrates and gentler on the stomach for those with lactose sensitivities. Our overall favorite protein powder for women—and our favorite whey protein isolate—is Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate because it boasts 28 grams of 100% grass-fed protein and is free from artificial sweeteners and preservatives.
Don't just take our word for it; reviewers praise Transparent Labs for its clean ingredients, delicious flavors, and easy mixability with most beverages. Some of the more enticing flavors you don't often see on the whey protein market include vanilla peanut butter, cinnamon French toast, and oatmeal chocolate chip cookie. So, if you're looking to meet your protein requirements and indulge your sweet tooth, Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate is an excellent option.
What We Like
- 28g of protein per scoop
- Clean ingredients and grass-fed whey
- Low in fats, carbs, and lactose
- No gluten, sugars, or artificial additives
- Variety of flavors
What We Don't Like
- Slight Stevia flavor
- Somewhat expensive
BUY: Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate
Best Grass-Fed Protein Powder for Women - XWerks Grow
SPECS
- Price: $$$
- Flavor options: 3
- Key ingredients: 100% New Zealand grass-fed whey
- Dosage: 1 scoop (30g)
- Certifications: Lactose-free, gluten-free
If you’re looking for a clean, simple protein powder that’s suitable for a range of goals, it’s tough to beat Florida-based Xwerks grass-fed whey Grow protein. The label has just four ingredients: protein, natural flavors, the thickener xantham gum (a thickener), and stevia for sweetness. What’s the biggest upside of it being grass-fed? Simple: The high standards of the New Zealand government, dictates that cows have never ingested pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics.
But this whey has more going for it than just being free of poisons and medicine. Since it’s made from whey protein isolate, it’s also very low-carb and low-calorie. This makes it a great choice for women who are keeping their protein intake high—Grow boasts 25 grams of protein per serving—while dieting, or who simply prefer to get most of their calories from food. It’s also lactose-free and gluten-free and is lighter on the stomach.
What We Like
- High-quality, complete protein with simple formulation
- No pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics to worry about
- Lactose-free, sugar-free, and very low-carb (1g per scoop)
- Suitable for weight loss, athletics-focused, or muscle-gain diets
What We Don't Like
- High-quality whey costs more on a grams-per-dollar basis
- Isolates are usually less filling than other proteins, making them a less-than-ideal meal replacement for hunger control
Best Personalized Protein Powder for Women - Gainful Protein Powder
SPECS
- Price: $$$
- Flavor options: 3
- Key ingredients: Varies
- Dosage: 19-27g
- Certifications: RD-approved, backed by science
If you feel like you’re constantly being forced to choose proteins that are made for someone other than you, you’re definitely not alone! And if the so-called "women’s protein" options leave you unimpressed, consider another option: design your own protein to match your needs, preferences and goals! Sounds complicated, but it actually isn’t. Gainful uses an in-depth questionnaire and input from registered dietitians to dial in every aspect of the protein you buy. The source, calories, add-ins, and far more are matched with your personal biology, lifestyle, dietary needs, and fitness goals.
The best thing about this? It works equally well for "I don’t really know what I want" and “I know exactly what I want, and why” people. Plant-based, gluten-free, soy-free, lactose-free… they’re all protein options. Or if you simply want a relatively straightforward protein that dovetails with your goal of weight loss. Gainful will help you find it. Don’t like boxing yourself in? You can pick up to three goals, as well as a slew of health goals like bone, immune, or gut health.
Tired of proteins that taste like unflavored mud, or that are way too sweet? Gainful’s blends all come unflavored in the bag, but arrive with your choice of two of eight different "flavor boosts" that you can dial up or down to match your taste preferences.
What We Like
- Protein that matches exactly what you want and need
- Range of flavors, with the ability to dial up and down intensity
- Purchase comes with free dietitian guidance
- 19-27g of protein per serving
What We Don't Like
- Pricier by the serving than non-customized protein
- Not easy to re-customize formula once built
Best Protein Powder for Women for Weight Loss - Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
SPECS
- Price: $$$
- Flavor options: 1
- Key ingredients: Pea protein, L-Methionine, Reb-M, monk fruit extract
- Dosage: 1 scoop (30g)
- Certifications: Informed-Sport certified
Our pick for the best protein powder for weight loss for females is Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+. We chose this protein powder because it's jam-packed with 20 grams of high-quality, easily digested pea protein for muscle repair and synthesis while maintaining a lower calorie profile of just 115 calories per serving. It also contains zero added sugars that tend to creep up on you with some protein powders and protein bars, ultimately doing more harm than good when hoping to see a downward trend on the scale. When included in a healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise, this protein powder can be beneficial in aiding weight loss by helping build lean muscle.
What We Like
- 115 calories per serving
- 0 added sugars
- Traceable ingredients
- 20g of protein per serving
- Gluten and major allergen-free
What We Don't Like
- Only 1 flavor option
- Cost is high compared to others on the market
BUY: Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
Best Protein Powder for Women with Collagen - Transparent Labs Collagen Hydrolysate
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor options: 1
- Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed bovine collagen
- Dosage: 1 scoop (13.75g)
- Certifications: Clinically-dosed, third-party tested, UDAF GMP
We chose one of the most trusted brands in the supplement field for this spot on our roundup. The best protein powder for women with collagen goes to Transparent Labs Collagen Hydrolysate. Collagen has been shown to contribute many positive benefits for both beauty and healing.(1) This product contains grass-fed bovine collagen peptides. Not the traditional protein source in most of our other choices, collagen peptides help to support healthy hair, skin, nails, and joints. With 10 grams of protein per serving, it's not too shabby for a collagen supplement.
We like that Transparent Labs Collagen Hydrolysate has one of the shortest ingredient lists; there is just bovine collagen, cocoa powder, natural flavors, and Stevia. This collagen protein powder is a great option if you're looking for a low-to-moderate amount of protein with a collagen boost.
What We Like
- Grass-fed collagen peptides
- Short ingredient list
- Mixes easily into water, coffee, or semi-solid foods like oats
- Subscribe-and-save discounts
What We Don't Like
- Moderate amount of protein compared to other protein supplements
- Only available in chocolate flavor
BUY: Transparent Labs Collagen Hydrolysate
Best Low-Calorie Protein Powder for Women - BUBS Naturals Collagen Protein
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor options: N/A
- Key ingredients: Bovine hide collagen peptide
- Dosage: 2 scoops (20g)
- Certifications: NSF-certified for Sport
For our pick for the best low-calorie protein powder for women we went a different route and chose a collagen-based protein that has 18 grams of pure protein per serving, but comes in at only 70 calories. The packaging for this collagen-based protein is unique in that it comes in either the traditional jug, resealable bag, or individual packets for pre-portioned servings when on the go.
BUBS Naturals' collagen protein formula is transparent and sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows in Southern Brazil and Uruguay, and meets the rigorous NSF-Certified Sport standards for quality, purity, and safety. It is also keto and paleo diet approved. This protein powder is unflavored, so you will want to mix it with your beverage of choice if taste is a factor.
What We Like
- Only 70 calories per serving
- 20g dose
- Can help promote healthy hair, nails, skin, bones, and joints
- Paper packaging rather than plastic jugs
What We Don't Like
- Some may want more protein per serving
- Only comes in unflavored
BUY: BUBS Naturals Collagen Protein
Best Protein Powder for Women for Muscle Gain - Transparent Labs MRP
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor options: 1
- Key ingredients: Protein blend; whey isolate, whey concentrate, egg white protein, grass-fed beef bone broth, pea protein isolate
- Dosage: 1 scoop (56.5g)
- Certifications: Clinically-dosed, third-party tested, UDAF GMP
On the opposite end, maybe you're a woman looking to gain lean muscle along with or instead of, weight loss, so you want whey protein for women. That's why Transparent Labs MRP won our top spot for the best protein powder for women for muscle gain. This protein powder is a blend of whey protein isolate, concentrate, egg white, bone broth, and pea protein isolate. We especially like the inclusion of whey protein isolate because it has been isolated from additional compounds such as lactose, cholesterol, and fats that naturally occur within the protein, helping reduce potential side effects like bloating.
MRP stands for meal replacement powder, so it's chock-full of nutritional ingredients meant to be consumed in the place of a regular meal for those with more active schedules or lifestyles. Transparent Labs MRP provides slow-digesting complex carbohydrates and healthy fats to keep you fuller for longer. Last but not least, it supplies you with 24 grams of clean, high-quality protein for muscle growth and recovery per serving.
What We Like
- 24g of muscle-building protein
- Mix of fast and slow-digesting protein
- No artificial sweeteners, coloring, or preservatives
- Convenient meal replacement option
- Subscribe-and-save discounts
What We Don't Like
- Only available in 2 flavors
- Not ideal for those with lactose sensitivity or intolerance
Best Vegan Protein Powder for Women - Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
SPECS
- Price: $$$
- Flavor options: 1
- Key ingredients: Pea protein, L-Methionine, Reb-M, monk fruit extract
- Dosage: 1 scoop (30g)
- Certifications: Informed-Sport certified
Ritual's Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+ is our winner for the best vegan protein powder for women because this powder is made primarily from U.S.-grown, non-GMO peas. Ritual does a great job of making the consumer feel comfortable with the ingredients in the product by allowing many of them to be traceable by the public. For example, the vanilla extract used for flavoring was grown in Madagascar with a final manufacturing destination of Erlanger, Kentucky. Additionally, it's sweetened with a revolutionary fermented sugarcane called Reb-M. This doesn't add calories or actual sugar grams, yet has a more natural taste. Monk fruit extract accompanies Reb-M as a sweetening agent.
Because peas alone don't contain all essential amino acids, the missing essential amino acid, Methionine, was added in to ensure the product is considered a complete protein source. We like that Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+ is Informed-Sport certified, which means there are no banned ingredients by any sport in the bottle. It's also third-party tested for purity.
What We Like
- Plant-based, vegan-friendly complete protein
- 20g of protein per serving
- Revolutionary sweetener, Reb-M used
- Traceable ingredients
- Money-back guarantee
What We Don't Like
- Only 1 flavor option
- Cost is high compared to others on the market
BUY: Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
Best Organic Protein Powder for Women - KOS Organic Plant Protein
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor options: 3
- Key ingredients: Organic pea protein, organic peanut flour, organic coconut milk, organic flaxseed, organic fruit and veggie blend, digestive enzyme blend
- Dosage: 2 scoops (39g)
- Certifications: Certified USDA Organic, Certified Plant-Based
KOS Organic Plant Protein has earned its spot as the best organic protein powder for women because it's as pure as they come. This plant-based protein is organic certified, gluten-free, and made without soy or artificial ingredients or additives. KOS's plant-based protein blend comes from pea, flaxseed, quinoa, pumpkin, and chia seeds. It packs an additional nutritional punch by including an organic fruit and vegetable blend and a patented vitamins and minerals blend featuring standards like calcium, potassium, and vitamin B12. With flavors ranging from salted caramel coffee to blueberry muffin, this protein promises to be smooth and creamy without any grit.
KOS is a company that strives to make an impact by being eco-conscious and giving back to the community through its partnership with Feeding America. They pride themselves in producing sustainable, high-quality ingredients and never include artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
What We Like
- Certified USDA-organic
- Plant-based protein
- Erythritol-free
- Comes in several delicious flavors
- 60-day money-back guarantee
What We Don't Like
- Higher in calories and fat
- Some mixability issues
BUY: KOS Organic Plant Protein
Best Whey Protein Powder for Women - Kaged Re-Kaged®
SPECS
- Price: $$$
- Flavor options: 2
- Key ingredients: Whey protein isolate, L-glutamine, betaine anhydrous, creatine HCl, digestive enzymes
- Dosage: 1 scoop (41.7g)
- Certifications: on-GMO, third-party tested, LGC-certified
Kaged Re-Kaged® picks up the spot as the best whey protein powder for women. The primary protein source is MicroPure Whey protein isolate, a clean, more easily digested, and absorbed protein that includes 12 grams of essential amino acids and 6 grams of BCAAs for post-workout recovery and growth. Re-Kaged® also has three unique flavors—iced lemon cake, orange kream, and Strawberry Lemonade—that are artificial flavor and dye-free.
In addition to the 28 grams of protein isolate per serving, Kaged Re-Kaged® features 1.5 grams of creatine HCL. This ingredient can be misunderstood and often intimidating for women; however, if you're taking this supplement as part of a regular diet and exercise regimen, creatine can be beneficial for women when it comes to building lean muscle and sustaining higher energy levels during intense workouts.
What We Like
- 28g of fast-digesting whey protein isolate
- Comes in 3 unique flavors
- non-GMO and third-party tested
- Includes creatine and digestive enzymes
What We Don't Like
- Only 20 servings per container
- Expensive
Best Flavored Protein Powder for Women - KOS Organic Plant Protein, Chocolate Peanut Butter
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor options: 3
- Key ingredients: Organic pea protein, organic peanut flour, organic coconut milk, organic flaxseed, organic fruit and veggie blend, digestive enzyme blend
- Dosage: 2 scoops (39g)
- Certifications: Certified USDA Organic, Certified Plant-Based
KOS Organic Plant Protein has made our list again as the best-flavored protein powder for women for its insanely delicious chocolate peanut butter option. You'd never expect a plant-based protein could taste as good as a peanut butter cup. You're also getting sustainable ingredients from natural sources without artificial sweeteners like erythritol. Not a fan of chocolate or peanut butter? KOS has plenty of other tasty flavor options available.
Aside from the traditional pea protein often used in plant protein formulas, KOS adds quinoa, chia, flax, and pumpkin seed protein sources. Additionally, it's lower in calories and easier on the stomach than whey-based options. Simply mix with water, a smoothie, or substitute for flour in your baked goods for a sweet, nutritious treat.
What We Like
- Delicious chocolate peanut butter flavor
- Certified USDA-organic
- Plant-based
- Erythritol-free
- 60-day money-back guarantee
What We Don't Like
- Higher in calories and fat
- Some mixability issues
BUY: KOS Organic Plant Protein, Chocolate Peanut Butter
Best Budget Protein Powder for Women - Cira Bright Whey Protein
SPECS
- Price: $$
- Flavor options: 2
- Key ingredients: Whey protein concentrate and isolate, Himalayan rock salt
- Dosage: 1 scoop (32.1g)
- Certifications: Manufactured in cGMP, FDA-registered facility
Cira Bright Whey Protein is a combination of whey protein concentrate and isolate marketed, especially to women, with its bubblegum pink and baby blue packaging. Protein powder can be a pricey supplement, but Cira made our list as the best budget protein powder for women because it's a lot more affordable, especially if you take advantage of their subscribe-and-save program, which lowers the cost to about $1 per serving. This whey protein powder comes in three tasty flavors with no added sugars. It's sweetened with Stevia extract and sucralose and contains Himalayan rock salt for post-workout electrolytes.
What We Like
- 25% subscribe-and-save option
- 25g of protein per serving
- Cookies N Cream, cinnamon swirl, and vanilla flavors
- No added sugars
What We Don't Like
- Not third-party tested
- Low in vitamin and mineral content
How to Choose the Best Women's Protein Powder
When shopping for protein supplements for women, there are a few things to be on the lookout for, and we've broken them down for you below.
Key Ingredients
Key ingredients are those that greatly impact the quality and performance of a product. Some examples include protein type and sweetener added. Then there are supporting ingredients, such as flavorings, dyes, and preservatives. Both are important. The goal is for key ingredients to be high quality, organic, and as natural as possible whenever feasible, and for the supporting ingredients to be few and far between.
Dosage
The dosage is the actual amount you need to take to achieve the grams of protein listed on the bottle. It's usually 1-2 scoops. You probably want to steer clear of powders that require more than that to preserve the taste and texture of your drink.
Certifications
Many high-quality protein powders receive various certifications relating to third-party testing, lack of performance-enhancing (banned) drugs, or environmental consciousness. Having seals and/or certifications, further illustrates the product's quality. In this case, the more the better!
How We Rate Supplements
Price/affordability (scale of $-$$$)
Prices depend on a number of factors, and tend to fluctuate over time, so we've kept our affordability rating scale simple so you can easily see how products compare:
$ = under $1 per serving
$$ = $1-2 per serving
$$$ = over $2 per serving
Flavor Options (scale of 1-3)
When it comes to dietary supplements that you take frequently, or even daily, options are important. And while your protein powder or pre-workout doesn't have to taste good to be effective, having several flavors to choose from can make it easier to stick with your fitness and health goals.
N/A = Unflavored
1 = 1-2 flavor options
2 = 3-4 flavor options
3 = 5 or more flavor options
FAQs About Protein Powder for Women
When should women drink protein shakes?
The goal of protein shakes is to assist in meeting daily protein needs. Protein shakes may not be appropriate for everyone, especially if you are meeting your protein needs with diet alone. However, if there are nutritional gaps in the diet, or you simply cannot meet protein needs with diet alone, a protein shake is a great option.
How much protein does a woman need daily?
The general recommendation for daily protein intake is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram (kg) of body weight. This, however, does not take into consideration increased activity and weight training. The International Society for Sports Nutrition (ISSN) recommends 1.4 to 2 grams of protein per kg to build and maintain muscle mass.(2) Let's work through a real-life example of a woman weighing 150 pounds.
First, convert pounds to kilograms by dividing 150 pounds by 2.2. You get 68 kg. Now multiply the weight in kilograms by the protein recommendation. For this example, let's go with the minimum recommendation of 1.4 grams.
- 68kg x 1.4g = 95g protein
Therefore, if this woman is active and wants to build and maintain muscle mass, she should take in a minimum of 95 grams of protein each day.
Which protein powder is best for me?
As with most things in health and wellness, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Women can thrive by consuming various protein types. Some experience bloating, stomach discomfort, or other issues from certain protein types, and in that case, it's important to switch to one better tolerated. Therefore, the best protein powder will be specific to you.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
References
- Choi, F. D., Sung, C. T., Juhasz, M. L., & Mesinkovsk, N. A. (2019). Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 18(1), 9–16.
- Jäger, R., Kerksick, C. M., Campbell, B. I., Cribb, P. J., Wells, S. D., Skwiat, T. M., Purpura, M., Ziegenfuss, T. N., Ferrando, A. A., Arent, S. M., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Stout, J. R., Arciero, P. J., Ormsbee, M. J., Taylor, L. W., Wilborn, C. D., Kalman, D. S., Kreider, R. B., Willoughby, D. S., Hoffman, J. R., … Antonio, J. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: protein and exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14, 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0177-8