The protein powder market is filled with various types of protein powders. They can include Whey Protein Isolate (that's what this list covers), Whey Protein Concentrate, Casein Protein, Milk Protein, Beef Protein, Vegan Protein, etc. The list goes on and on.
Whey Protein Isolate is going to be the highest quality of whey protein on the market. Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) is at least 90% protein (while Whey Protein Concentrate can be as low as 34% quality). Not only is it the highest overall quality, it also limits your intake of lactose (most are lactose free), fats and carbs while still providing 20g+ of protein per serving.
Most every Whey Protein Isolate Powder should feature a strong score for mixability, but what can separate it from the next is the overall taste and price. WPI tends to be higher priced than the other types of protein due to the processing that is involved in making it.
Here at Fitness Informant, we've tried and tested many different Whey Protein Isolate powders. This is our comprehensive list of the top 5 on the market today!
The following products on our top rated whey protein isolate powder rankings list were used by the author of this article.
He used each of these supplements through the duration of a full container. Sample packs were not used in determining the rankings.
Stop relying on faulty information that is influenced by outside writers and money. These Whey Protein Isolate Powders are the real deal. Our #1 goal is to help you make better decisions with your hard-earned money on your nutrition. If you're going to spend $50+ on protein powders, you damn well better be getting the best - these are the best!
Be Informed. Live Fit.
A Comparison of The Top 5 Whey Protein Isolate Powders
OUR #1 RATED |
|---|
 VMI Sports Protolyte Our Top Pick For:
9.5 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
OUR #2 RATED |
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 NutraBio Our Top Pick For:
9.5 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
OUR #3 RATED |
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 Kaged Muscle Supplements Micropure Whey Protein Isolate Our Top Pick For:
9.2 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
OUR #4 RATED |
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 VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO Our Top Pick For:
9.1 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
OUR #5 RATED |
|---|
 Primeval Labs Isolit Our Top Pick For:
8.8 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
PRODUCT | DETAILS | OUR RATING |
|---|---|---|
VMI Sports | Our Top Pick For:
Highlights:
|  Our #1 Rated 9.5 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
NutraBio | Our Top Pick For:
Highlights:
| Our #2 Rated 9.5 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
Kaged Muscle Supplements Micropure Whey Protein Isolate | Our Top Pick For:
Highlights:
| Our #3 Rated 9.2 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO | Our Top Pick For:
Highlights:
| Our #4 Rated 9.1 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
Primeval Labs Isolit | Our Top Pick For:
Highlights:
| Our #5 Rated 8.8 out of 10 in the Whey Protein Isolate Category |
Isolate Protein Powder Rankings
Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for, here’s who topped our list of our top whey protein isolate supplements:
#1 VMI Sports Protolyte
9.5 out of 10
The Highlights:
I have had SO many highly rated protein powders throughout the years, and the one whey protein isolate powder I always refer back to is VMI Sports Protolyte. Their flavors are phenomenal and the macros are on-point.
With a Whey Protein Isolate you expect a clean label. With Protolyte you get that. With 23g of Whey Protein Isolate, less than 1g of fat and 1g of carbs, you get a pretty clean macro profile without the added stuff that can shift it away from that health-forward focus.
VMI Sports Protolyte earned our #1 spot for their commitment to quality but also because they made an amazing tasting protein powder that isn't chalky and doesn't leave you feeling bloated or sick.
Who Makes It?
VMI Sports has a lot of experience in this world. Their owners come from a wholesale account. They've seen many products come and go. With this experience, they are able to create great tasting, effective products, especially best tasting pre-workout powders.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 23g Whey Protein Isolate – high quality protein
- <1g Fat – nearly fat-free
- 1g Carbs – very low carbs will not spike blood-sugar levels
Bottom Line:
VMI Sports Protolyte is going to be the best whey protein isolate powder you can buy on the market. You get what you pay for, and yes this is a bit more of an investment, but trust us, it is worth it. Your taste buds and your gains will thank you.
#2 NutraBio 100% Whey Protein Isolate
9.5 out of 10
The Highlights:
NutraBio 100% Whey Protei Isolate is one of the first WPI proteins I put my money into because I learned about NutraBio's commitment to quality. They list the actual protein amount used, and then they tell you how much is yielded. While most companies will tell you that there is a total of X protein - sometimes it only yields 90% of that. NutraBio lays it out.
NutraBio has expanded the 100% WPI line to include a plethora of flavors making it an attractive WPI powder. On top of the flavor line, the price point is right on NutraBio making it one of the better values in the whey protein isolate market.
If you look, this has the same overall score as our #1 rated whey protein isolate. The only reason the nod was given to VMI is we preferred their flavoring system over NutraBio's - who continues to refine theirs and improve them.
Who Makes It?
NutraBio won our 2017 Brand of the Year award for their commitment to label transparency and product consistency. They care about the consumer, and what we are putting into our bodies.
NutraBio has a 3rd party testing website called CheckMySupps.com where you can track the validity of the supplements you buy. Can you find another company with that kind of commitment to the consumer? Good luck.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 25g Whey Protein Isolate – high quality protein source
- 0.5g Fat – very little fat
- 2g Carbs – Macro friendly
- 2.3g Flavoring – who else actually lists out their flavoring?!
Bottom Line:
If you're all about trust and quality - you won't find many better, if any, than NutraBio 100% Whey Protein Isolate. This is 3rd party tested and certified for quality. With NutraBio's 100% WPI, you are going to get one of the best protein powders on the market at a great price.
#3 Kaged Muscle Supplements Micropure
9.2 out of 10
The Highlights:
It is hard to find a high quality protein powder that also includes a digestive enzyme complex as well as natural flavoring system. Kaged Muscle Supplements Micropure Whey Protein Isolate includes all of the above.
KM worked on their flavoring system to be able to bring to market a good tasting, high quality whey protein isolate featuring 25g protein per serving, but also gives you the addition of ProHyrdolase. This helps breakdown the proteins into amino acids to get into your blood stream quicker for use - talk about an awesome added ingredient!
It should come as no surprise to see KM Micropure Whey Protein Isolate in our top 5 WPI powders. The biggest thing we look forward too from the brand is the expansion of the flavors.
Who Makes It?
Kaged Muscle Supplements is very similar to NutraBio that quality is of utmost importance. The company was founded by Kris Gethin who is all about natural ingredients and high quality. KM Micropure follows those basic principals and has created a very high quality supplement line.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 25g Whey Protein Isolate - highest quality of protein
- ProHydrolase - helps breakdown proteins into amino acids to be absorbed by the blood stream
- 0.5g Fat - very little fat
- 2g Cabrs - macro friendly
Bottom Line:
Putting your trust and faith into Kaged Muscle Supplements Miropure Whey Protein Isolate is an easy choice. Kris Gethin and team have created a great supplement line with top-tier supplements that rival anyone in the industry. In fact, I would argue they not only rival them, they surpass them. Micropure from KM is a solid buy at a great value.
#4 VPX Sports Zero Carb SRO
9.1 out of 10
The Highlights:
Zero Carb SRO from VPX Sports might be the most underrated protein powder on this list. To have ZERO fat and ZERO carbs while still packing in 20g of high quality whey protein isolate is truly amazing. It also has some of the lowest sodium amounts you'll ever see.
I tried this a long time ago and it has withheld the test of time. To this day, I am still hard-pressed to find a high quality whey protein isolate powder with ZERO fats and ZERO carbs. Oh, did I mention it has a good taste too?
The one area which would be great for VPX to expand on are their flavors. Yes, nothing wrong with Chocolate or Vanilla, but adding flavors will help make this go from underrated to being in many more households.
Who Makes It?
You may know VPX as the company who owns BANG! Well, outside the energy drink market, they make some good products in the pre-workout category and right here in the whey protein isolate category. This is, in our opinion, their best product in their line.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 20g Whey Protein Isolate - high quality whey protein
- 0g Fat - FAT FREE!
- 0g Carbs - CARB FREE!
Bottom Line:
If you're a competitor - this protein is for you. If you're not a competitor - this protein is still for you. Fat free, carb free and packing 20g of high quality whey protein isolate makes this an attractive protein powder for ANYONE in the market for a great protein powder that will help them achieve their goals.
#5 Primeval Labs Isolit
8.8 out of 10
The Highlights:
Isolite from Primeval Labs is gaining steam in the industry for being one of the best whey protein isolate powders. It packs in 25g of protein per serving while giving you great flavor selections.
The most unique thing about Primeval Isolit are the flavor choices. They are not your normal Chocolate and Vanilla, but things like Caramel Latte - something the whey protein isolate community has been asking for all along. With that, you will get some additives in the flavoring department that are not the best - but it is so little we shouldn't be overly concerned with it.
Last, they pack in 25mg of DigiSEB digestive enzymes to help breakdown the protein into amino acids to be absorbed by our blood stream to be used by our bodies quicker. The faster we can use the amino acids, the quicker we can recover and build muscle.
Who Makes It?
If you haven't heard of Primeval Labs, you're about too. They are making some fo the best products out there using proven ingredients as optimal dosages. Isolite disrupts the Whey Protein Isolate category - something Primeval Labs just does.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 25g Whey Protein Isolate – high quality protien
- 3g Fat – higher on the fat side due to flavoring
- 2g Carbs – macro friendly
- 25mg DigiSEB – digestive enzyme designed to breakdown protein quickly
Bottom Line:
Finding a whey protein isolate powder, with added digestive enzymes AND a great flavor catalog can be hard, but not anymore thanks to Primeval Labs Isolit. If you're tired of the same old flavoring system give Primeval Labs Isolit a shot. You get a high quality protein powder, with digestive enzymes AND tastes great.
Does Quality Matter in a Protein?
Does a bear shit in the woods? OK that was pretty straight-forward but YES! Protein quality matters. If you have ever seen a 5lb tub of protein selling for $19.99 or even $29.99 you need to ask yourself how it can be that cheap. It is because the stuff inside that in cheap. Above we talked about the different protein sources available – Whey Protein Concentrate (per the FDA) can be as low as 34% quality and be sold LEGALLY as a protein powder supplement.
If your label indicates 25g of protein that does not mean you are getting 25g protein yield per serving. For example, NutraBio’s 100% WPI above indicates that it gives you 28.19g of protein – at 90% quality this equals 25g of total protein. Most companies do not do that.
Do you homework, use Fitness Informant as a reference, not all all protein powders are treated equally.
This completes our top rated whey protein isolate powders. The products listed above earned the right to be in the top 5 category.
Stay tuned to Fitness Informant throughout the year for updates as new products are tested and reviewed. Thoughts? Comment below!
