The 5 Best Whey Isolate Proteins In 2023: Our Tested Reviews
Honest Review Guarantee from Fitness Informant:
Our product testing team uses the full 30 day serving amount in container before reviewing. Learn more about our review process here.
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.
We used each of these supplements through the duration of a full container. Sample packs were not used in determining the rankings.
A Comparison of the Protein Powder Blends
Here's the top 5 picks for the best protein powder blends supplements that money can buy:
Product Name | Highlights | Rating |
|---|---|---|
#1 NutraBio Whey Protein Isolate Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10% | Best Overall Protein Powder Supplement Highlights:
| Our #1 Rated  9.5 out of 10 in the Protein Powder Category |
#2 VMI Sports Protolyte Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 5% | Best for Post-Workout Recovery Highlights:
| Our #2 Rated 9.5 out of 10 in the Protein Powder Category |
#3 MuscleSport Lean Whey Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20% | Best for Flavor Options Highlights:
| Our #3 Rated 9.2 out of 10 in the Protein Powder Category |
#4 MPA Supps IsoSolve Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15% | Best for Value Highlights:
| Our #4 Rated 9.2 out of 10 in the Protein Powder Category |
#5 Alpha Lion SuperHuman Protein Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15% | Best for Digestion Highlights:
| Our #5 Rated 9.1 out of 10 in the Protein Powder Category |
There are hundreds of different brands and variations of Protein Powder supplements out there.
How did these 5 make Fitness Informant's top 5 list? Read on and we'll tell you:
#1 NutraBio 100% Whey Protein Isolate
- Rating: 9.5 out of 10
- Servings: 74
- Best For: Top Overall Product
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
Pros
Cons
NutraBio 100% Whey Protein 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 has been in business since 1996 producing some of the highest quality supplements you can buy today. They not only promote awesome, high quality products, but education as well.
NutraBio has been trying to educate the consumer on the sports nutrition industry for several years to ensure that you are purchasing supplements of high quality and not just a marketing gimmick. All of their products contain a 100% transparent label to ensure you know what you are putting in your body.
What's in it?
One serving contains:
- 25g Protein - coming from both Whey Protein Isolate and Micellar Casein
- 0.5g Fat - low fat, fitting for a lean protein
- 2g Carbohydrate - low carb making this macro friendly
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.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 10%
#2 VMI Sports Protolyte
- Rating: 9.5 out of 10
- Servings: 30
- Best For: Post-Workout Recovery
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 5%
Pros
Cons
We have had SO many highly rated protein powders throughout the years, and the one whey protein isolate powder we seem to always go 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 Protein – coming from WPI
- 1g Carbohydrate– low carb, macro friendly
- <1g Fat - virtually no fat making this macro friendly
- Electrolytes – aid in hydration
- Digestive Enzymes – aid in digestion
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.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 5%
#3 MuscleSport Lean Whey
- Rating: 9.0 out of 10
- Servings: 26
- Best For: Flavor Options
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
Pros
Cons
There is no way you should go through this year without trying at least one flavor of Lean Whey from MuscleSport. Back in 2019, Lean Whey won our Protein of the Year award for their innovative Unicorn Cookie Shake, and they actually got close to winning again in 2020 with their Toasted Almond flavor. The flavor options from Lean Whey are what really put them on this list. They have shown that they can come out with awesome flavors in a world filled with chocolate and vanilla. Hell, they even have an Italian Rainbow Cookie flavor!
With that said, Lean Whey also has a solid profile while you typically get a few more carbs per serving, it doesn't make a big difference. The protein is actually a blend of both Hydrolyzsed Whey Protein and WPI. You also have their Fat Metabolizing Matrix, which just has some mild extra benefits.
If you want to taste something amazing and get a different experience, Lean Whey is certainly a greta option!
Who Makes It?
MuscleSport is a popular sports nutrition company that makes key products like Lean Whey and their Rhino Black pre-workout series. They do a phenomenal job on their flavoring and branding, and their products are quite good. When you see the brand MuscleSport you can put your trust into it.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 25g Protein – Coming from WPI
- 1.5g Fat – low fat making it macro friendly
- 4g Carbs – low carb making this macro friendly
- Fat Metabolizing Matrix - blend of ingredients with some mild benefits
Bottom Line:
MuscleSport Lean Whey is certainly a top notch product. While some may have an issue with the carb content, if you're worried about 3g-5g of carbs from your protein powder, you maybe overthinking your dieting. Lean Whey is certainly a protein worth trying, and it will most likely become a staple in your supplement regimen.
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 20%
#4 MPA Supps IsoSolve
- Rating: 9.2 out of 10
- Servings: 30 servings
- Best For: Value
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
Pros
Cons
MPA Supps is a brand that is certainly good, however is often gets overlooked. Not only did they release the first over-the-top pump product to the market, they also released a protein cereal to the market as well. They do a lot of things right, so when they released their protein, we knew it was going to be great as well.
At first glance, IsoSolve seems simple enough. A whey protein isolate in a black tub. Well, even though it only has one flavor, it does that one flavor right. Graham Cracker Pie Crust is currently the only flavor available for IsoSolve, and it is money. Seriously it tastes exactly how it is named. With that said, you also get 30g of protein per scoop, which is about 5g more than the average.
IsoSolve makes this list due to it's value. Although there is a lack of flavor options, it is certainly a solid option for those on a budget who still want an isolate protein.
Who Makes It?
MPA Supps is a smaller supplement company owned by Matt Porter. Matt was an active bodybuilder and coach, that was well respected in the industry. The entire line of MPA Supps products use high quality, expensive ingredients. You can expect to pay more for the supplements, but the price is justified by the quality of work.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 30g Protein - coming from WPI
- 2g Carbohydrate - low carb making it macro friendly
- 0.5g Fat - low fat, fitting for a lean protein
Bottom Line:
IsoSolve is a solid option if you're in the market for whey protein isolate. Although we wish there wherefore flavor options, as there is currently only one, the value on it makes it well worth the investment. With MPA Supps always on the forefront of
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
#5 Alpha Lion SuperHuman Protein
- Rating: 9.2 out of 10
- Servings: 28
- Best For: Flavor Options
Use coupon code INFORMANT to save 15%
Pros
Cons
Alpha Lion SuperHuman Protein is one on here that you wouldn't expect just by looking at the tub, but boy does this product scream Alpha Lion all over it. What we mean by that, is that the product is simply, yet optimized. Not only does SuperHuman Protein deliver 25g of protein, you get it from Provon®, which provides a non-denatured WPI.
You also get DigeZyme and AstraGin, which are both there to help with digestion and absorption. While not even necessary, the addition just shows that Alpha Lion always does something to make their products above the competition.
Another aspect that puts SuperHuman on this list, is that the flavors are simply INCREDIBLE. The Hulk Milk is supposed to be a vanilla flavor, but it is more than that. It tastes exactly like soft serve ice cream, and it is simply impressive to see a brand make a Vanilla amazing. The other flavors are great too, and we actually think that the Anabolic Pebbles may be one of the best on the market. Certainly worth trying at least once.
Who Makes It?
Alpha Lion is a newer company, but with clever marketing and solid products, they have burst onto the scene. With awesome products, cool product names, great flavoring, if you haven't tried Alpha Lion yet, it is worth it.
What's In It?
One serving contains:
- 25g Protein (Proven®) - fully transparent 25g WPI
- <1g Carbohydrate - low carb making it macro friendly
- <1g Fat - low fat making this macro friendly
- 100mg DigeZyme - helps breakdown protein and can aid with digestion
- AstraGin® - helps with absorption
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a WPI that tastes good, has some awesome flavors, and one you won't regret? SuperHuman Protein is it. Not only does it have a great profile, it also has some amazing flavoring. Honestly it can match up with just about any protein on this list. Well worth trying out at least once.
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!
Why You Need to Supplement with Protein Powder
In this day and age, with overly processed foods being the bulk of the human diet, it is imperative that we supplement with protein powder. That’s just for the sedentary people in this world. If you’re a fitness addict or a casual gym goer, you need protein powder more than anyone else to help with your progressive.The best protein powders can provide you with:
- Increased Muscle Size
Individual muscle cells only grow during protein synthesis windows. Consuming a protein powder post-workout helps increase protein synthesis which helps increase muscle size. - Improve Recovery
Consuming protein powder post-workout not only increases protein synthesis, but it helps repair your muscles quicker, which will speed up your recovery. - Reduce Chance of Injury
Intense exercise recovers proper recovery. Protein powders help improve protein synthesis which helps aid in the recovery process. By improving recovery time, it prevents overtraining which can lead to injury. - Accelerate Fat Loss
Protein powders help increase muscle size, which burns more calories. Protein powders also help increase metabolism, which also aids in weight and fat loss. - Craving Control
Protein powders can contain up to 25g of protein per serving. That alone is 100 calories just in protein. When you have a craving for junk food, a delicious protein shake can curb those cravings and help you on your healthy path of life.
Our Pre-Workout Supplement Testing Process
We examined five different areas of each pre-workout supplement when we compiled our rankings:
- Ingredients Profile
- Effectiveness
- Taste
- Mixability
- Value
Ingredients Profile
When we review each pump activating supplement on their ingredient profile, we look at the active ingredients being used and their dosages.
Many pre-workout supplements include a variety of beneficial ingredients, but under dose them proving to be non-effective.
Effectiveness
Effectiveness is an extension of ingredient profile. If the product uses proven ingredients at clinically suggested dosages, the product should be effective.
Everyone is different. Everyone takes to different ingredients differently at varying dosages. We have tried and tested each of these products throughout the full duration of their container to ensure these products are effective over their life.
Taste
We review taste on two different components. First, how close does the muscle pump supplement taste to the actual name printed on the label. For example, does Blue Raz actually taste like blue raspberry. Second, we review it on overall taste (in our opinion) versus others in the same flavor category.
Mixability
Mixability refers to how well does the product mix in 8-12oz of water. The testing process for a pump activating drink we use here is a generic Blender Bottle with the chrome spiral ball. We use regular tap water with no ice.
Value
Value is a combination of ingredient profile, effectiveness, taste, mixability and cost. We do not just look at the price tag like a lot of others do. If a product is priced at a premium, we inform you if it is worth the premium price or not based on all the categories. We look at the overall picture of the pre-workout supplement, and how it compares to other pre-workout supplements on the market.
Please Note: Many of the “top 10” lists you find online are written by content writers with no in-gym or supplement experience who are paid by the word count to write an article for a website trying to generate money.
These lists are influenced by brands who pay for placement. These lists contain pump activating supplements that are, for the lack of a better word, garbage.
The following products on our best of list were used by the author of this article. He used the pump activating supplements through the duration of a full container. Sample packs were not used in determining the rankings of the best protein powder supplements.
Stop relying on faulty information that is influenced by outside writers and money. This list is the real deal. Here at Fitness Informant, we don’t steer you wrong. Be Informed. Live Fit.
