the best protein powders of 2021
Best Proteins | Best Mass Gainers
High-quality protein powders are more popular than ever before. A post workout protein shake isn’t just for athletes or for a competition or bodybuilders trying to build muscle anymore! Everyone on a fitness journey can use – and probably has used protein powder before. whether you’re a beginner or you’ve been at it for years, everyone can benefit from including more protein into their diet. the best protein powders of 2021
There’s just problem… There are so many choices nowadays! To help you narrow down your options and match you up with the best protein powder for your needs and goals, we’ve created this list of our most popular proteins as of 2021. Each one has been reviewed, tried & tested &purchased again and again by not only our customers but us as well (we practise what we preach here at Muscle Maker Supplements).
Meet the best protein powders of 2021, learn what makes them great, and see how much you should take to be ready to build muscle, burn fat, and feel great this year!
How We Choose The Best Protein Powders
To choose our top picks, we went deep & used the following criteria:
- Customer Ratings and Reviews: Our customers take their protein very seriously, and they let us know through their purchases, ratings, and feedback. Every protein on this list has thousands of enthusiastic reviews and top ratings backing it up.
- Formula: Sure, the amount of protein in a serving of a powder matters. But more important is how it’s produced, the macronutrient profile, and the track record of the manufacturer. It’s important to trust your protein!
- Flavour: If a protein doesn’t taste good, you probably aren’t going to stick with it regardless of how “good for you” it might be. Life’s too short to drink bad-tasting or chalky protein.
- Value: The lowest priced protein isn’t always the best value! All of our best proteins factor in the price per serving.
the best protein powders of 2021
The Best Protein Powders
- Type: Blend: Whey Isolate, Whey Concentrate, Whey Hydrolysate
- Calories: 130
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 4g
- Sugar: 1g
- Fat: 1.5g
Rule 1 Proteins three-whey blend R1 Whey Blend offers the perfect mix of nutritional quality, great taste, and bang for your buck. 100% Whey Protein from whey concentrates, isolates, and hydrolysates, 24 grams of protein per scoop, and packed with naturally-occurring EAA, BCAA, and glutamine. An overachiever in every way – except price!
That’s right, more protein, fewer fillers and no outrageous pricing. Rule 1 R1 Whey protein is easily digestible with a very low lactose content per serve and most importantly it contains NO AMINO SPIKING!
Rule 1 R1 Whey Blend
100% Whey Protein from whey concentrates, isolates, and hydrolysates, 24 grams of protein per scoop, and packed with naturally-occurring amino acids. Easily digestible, no amino spiking, low lactose & fewer fillers!
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- Type: Blend: Whey Isolate, Whey Concentrate, Whey Peptides (Milk)
- Calories: 123
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 4g
- Sugar: 1g
- Fat: 1.5g
Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard Whey Protein is a great tasting whey protein blend that mixes easily with a variety of flavours. Suitable for men and women young & old ON GS Whey delivers consistent quality every time. Trusted by millions around the world Gold Standard is your go-to protein powder for any situation or for anyone looking to increase their protein levels. Amongst all the protein powders on the market, Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey Protein may be the best-known and most widely consumed. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey is considered Australia’s number one selling Protein. the best protein powders of 2021

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
The most trusted brand of protein across the globe! With a lean, high quality protein blend. 24g of protein per serve. Low carb & low fat with zero mixability issues.
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Best Whey Protein Isolate Powder
- Type: Blend: Hydrolysed Whey Protein Isolate
- Calories: 106
- Protein: 25g
- Carbs: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Fat: 0g
Dymatize ISO100 is Isolate of the year 5 years in a row now! So if your goal is gains in muscle size and strength, then Dymatize ISO100 is your perfect workout partner. Loaded with muscle building amino acids, it can support even the most serious resistance-training programs.
Known worldwide for quality, taste and purity, Dyamtize ISO100 protein is produced to our highest quality standards. It is formulated using a cross-flow microfiltration, multi-step purification process that preserves important muscle-building protein fractions while removing excess carbohydrates, fat, lactose and cholesterol.
Made with 100% pre hydrolysed protein sources to ensure fast digestion and absorption & banned substance tested!

Dymatize ISO100
The highest quality grade whey protein isolate on the market. Unbelievable taste & known worldwide. 0 carbs, 0 fat & zero gut issues!
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Best Plant Based Vegan Protein
- Type: Blend: Organic Fermented Pea Protein Isolate, Organic Sprouted Hemp Protein, Organic Sprouted Pumpkin Protein, Sprouted Watermelon Protein,
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 22.1g
- Carbs: 3.6g
- Sugar: 0.7g the best protein powders of 2021
- Fat: 2.3g
Switch Nutrition Protein Switch is a carefully selected blend of sprouted organic VEGAN proteins chosen to provide the best amino acid profile, whilst also being highly absorb-able and taste great! Switch Nutrition have used SMOOTH PROTEIN® from Organic Sprouted Pumpkin Seed and Sprouted Watermelon Seed to ensure the consistency was smooth, and not gritty (like many other vegan proteins).
The inclusion of Sprouted Hemp Seed protein provides a complete source of highly digestible protein in the form of edestin and albumin, whilst also supplying a great source of fibre and essential oils. Organic Sprouted Pea Protein and Wild Crafted Algae Protein has balanced the amino acid profile perfectly and added protein diversity to help support human health. And finally, VELOSITOL® was added to Protein switch enhance the absorption and utilisation of the amazing plant protein blend to ensure maximum results.

Switch Nutrition Protein Switch
The first it’s kind vegan based protein that tastes exactly like whey protein. Say goodbye to gritty, hard to mix vegan protein with Protein Switch.
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Best Value Protein
- Type: Micro & Ultra Filtered Whey Protein Isolate, Micro Filtered Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolysed Whey Peptides
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 21.6g
- Carbs: 4.5g
- Sugar: 1.2g
- Fat: 0.9g
Whey is the source of nature’s best muscle building protein. No other protein comes close to its fantastic bioavailability and biological score. MAX’S Super Whey is the best 100% Whey Formula available with an advanced combination of three key ingredients: Hydrolysed Peptides, Protein Isolate, and Protein Concentrate all sourced directly from pure 100% whey. This combines to create an immediate and sustained release formula that builds lean muscle, maximises your recovery and improves your overall performance and health.

Max’s Super Whey
Clean, lean & super afforable. MAX’S Super Whey is ideal for beginner, intermediate and advanced level trainers who are striving to build lean and defined muscle.
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Best Protein For Weight Loss
- Type: Blend: Whey Isolate, Micellar Casein, Milk Protein Isolate & Egg
- Calories: 122
- Protein: 23.4g
- Carbs: 2.1g the best protein powders of 2021
- Sugar: 1.1g
- Fat: 2.1g
Primabolics Whey Ripped is the very first protein ever to include 125mg of ASHWAGANDA per 30g serve for lowering cortisol post workout, allowing optimal nutrient absorption, an optimised state for fat burning and improved recovery! No wonder it’s our best selling protein powder for the last 2 years running.
For the lovers of high stim pre workouts who hate the come downs, jitters or inability to sleep in the evenings, 1-2 scoops of Whey Ripped post workout will provide enough Ashwaganda to lower that Cortisol, smoothing the crash, improving sleep quality for evening trainers and all round lowering the adrenal load

Primabolics Whey Ripped
High quality protein blend. Check. aids in burning fat and/or building muscle. Check. Reduces stress levels. Check. Helps stop a pre workout crash after a workout. Check check check. What are you waiting for?
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Best Protein For Muscle Growth
- Type: Whey Peptides, Whey Isolate, Whey Concentrate
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 2g
Muscletech has given it’s staple protein, Nitro-Tech 100% Whey Gold a brand new facelift! For more than two decades, this has fuelled those with the strength to not just play the game, but to change it. And Nitro-Tech 100% Whey Gold expands on this tradition with an innovative take on a ground breaking formula.
It features the highest quality whey protein peptides and isolate as its primary source of protein. It’s rapidly absorbed and quickly digested for faster recovery, which means you’ll reach more lean muscle mass and better results

Muscletech Nitro-Tech 100% Whey Gold
Built for the athlete of all levels with every base covered. Fresh with a new look Muscletech is still at the top of the supplement game with Nitro-Tech 100% Whey Gold. Rapid absorbing premium protein for fast muscle gain.
have a lookBest Casein Protein
- Type: Micellar Casein, Whey Concentrate
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 24g
- Carbs: 6g
- Sugar: 1g the best protein powders of 2021
- Fat: 3g
MAX’S Anabolic Night is Australia best-selling night protein. It provides up to 8 hours of continuous protein release to keep you recovering and growing all night. Up to 60% of new muscle growth occurs while you sleep – if you give your body the right nutrients. Don’t waste your hard hours in the gym with poor night time nutrition – Use Anabolic Night and wake up bigger!

Max’s Anabolic Night
Not only does Anabolic Night provide slow release protein to keep your body filled with protein absoprtion but it’s the only casein protein to contain herbs that aid in getting you that deeper nights rest. With a smooth consistency unlike most chalky tasting casein proteins.
have a lookBest Collagen Protein
- Type: Hydrolysed Bovine Collagen (Type I & III), Hydrolysed Marine Collagen (Type I & III), Hydrolysed Chicken Cartilage Collagen (Type II)
- Calories: 60
- Protein: 14g
- Carbs: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Fat: 0g
Faction Labs Cougar Juice is not just your standard run of the mill collagen supplement. Containing 13g of Collagen, Prebotics, Probiotics, Antioxidants and an Immune Support Matrix, it will have you radiating inside and out.
In addition to the presence of Types I, II and III Collagen, it also contains an Antioxidant Complex (Silica, Vitamins A, C and E, Cooper, Selenium and Biotin) along with Immune Support Matrix (L-Glutamine, L-Glycine, Fibresol, L-Proline, Slippery Elm, L-Tryptophan and a Broad Spectrum Probiotic). Cougar Juice isn’t a collagen, it’s a complete health & beauty solution. Support your hair, skin, nails, bones & joints with Faction Labs Cougar Juice. the best protein powders of 2021
Faction Labs Cougar Juice
40 is the new 20. Gentleman, don’t let the name fool you. Cougar Juice is the most complete collagen protein on the market with additional prebiotics, probiotics, immune system & defence blends. Man or woman, you will notice the difference after day one.
have a lookWhat Are The Different Types Of Protein Powders?
Protein powders can come from both animal or plant sources, but both types contain at least one of the following categories of protein.
Protein Concentrate (WPC): Concentrates contain 60-80 percent protein. The remainder of the concentrate is made of fats and carbohydrates. This is the most common and easy-to-produce type of protein.
Protein Isolate (WPI): Isolates are a highly filtered type of protein that contains 90-95 percent pure protein that’s been stripped of fats, carbs, and, in the case of whey isolate, nearly all traces of lactose. For those searching for a lean and ultra-pure protein, isolates are often the way to go.
Protein Hydrolysate (WPH): To create a protein hydrolysate, manufacturers partially break down or “pre-digest” in order to make it easier to digest and absorb.
In addition to these categories, you’ll see proteins from numerous sources, including:
Whey protein: The most popular protein on the market, whey is a complete protein, meaning that all nine amino acids necessary for protein synthesis are present. The three branched-chain amino acids—leucine, isoleucine, and valine—are found in high concentrations in whey protein. Whey protein is a fast-absorbing protein and can be digested in as little as 20 minutes for whey protein hydrolysates. This makes it ideal for post-workout recovery.
Casein: Casein, like whey protein, is a protein found in milk. Casein protein takes longer to digest than whey protein powder, making it a great choice for a meal replacement, between meals, or before bed.
Milk protein: Milk protein concentrates and isolates contain both whey and casein protein, so they have a mix of faster and slower absorption rates. These are common in ready-to-drink (RTD) products and protein powder blends.
Plant-based protein: People who are sensitive to dairy or who prefer plant-based sourcing have plenty of protein powder options. Pea, rice, soy, and hemp protein are all common. Many single-source plant-based proteins don’t provide a full amino acid profile, so different sources are often blended together. the best protein powders of 2021

Do You Need Protein Powder?
Some people can get all the protein they need from food alone. But many others try to do this and discover that it’s expensive, inconvenient, and just plain uncomfortable to eat that much. That’s when protein powders are your best friend.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of protein, as established by the National Academy of Medicine, starts at a low of around 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight for sedentary adults 18 and over, or about 0.36 grams per pound of body weight. (The RDA for children is higher, at 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.)
But several factors can make it preferable for you to consume significantly more, including:
- Increased activity level and athletics
- Preserving muscle mass while dieting
- Training to add muscle or strength
- Age-related muscle loss
Bodies become less sensitive to protein as they age, and, “Consuming a diet rich in protein—specifically, the amino acid leucine—can help prevent the age-related decline in muscle protein synthesis.”
If you’re aiming to increase your protein intake, a shake or smoothie is an easy way to get 25 grams per serving, or more, as a simple snack, post-workout treat, or alongside your breakfast or another meal.
Consider powders and drinks to be supplements of convenience and use them that way. If a shake after training is the only way you’re going to get protein at that time, have the shake. If you’re trying to gain weight or lose weight and you’re in a position where you’d either have a shake or miss a meal entirely, have the shake.