The best protein powders for women - 10 tried and tested for maintaining muscle and feeling full

Your pick of the best protein powder for women should support you through your workouts and post-exercise recovery. As woman&home's digital health editor, a runner and lover of weight training, I've had my fair share of supplements over the years, so I've come to learn what makes a good protein powder - and which ones to avoid.

Protein has made its way into the mainstream in recent years. No longer exclusively the supplement for bodybuilders, newer research and focus on protein powders and the best protein shakes for weight loss have turned the supplement into one of the most sought-after nutrition essentials in 2025. For good reason too, says Dr Naomi Newman-Beinart, a certified nutritionist and women's health specialist. "For women, particularly in midlife and going through menopause, protein becomes even more critical," she says. "From around age 40, the body begins to lose muscle mass faster, a process called sarcopenia, which can lead to reduced strength, slower metabolism, and an increased risk of falls later in life."

A pick of the best protein powders for women, with regular strength training, can make a world of difference. As well as being high in protein, these powders taste sweet but low in calories, making them a great alternative to nutrition-poor snacks. They may offer other benefits too - like extra vitamins, minerals, L-carnitine (which may help with fat loss), or creatine.

But what should you look for to find the best protein powders for women? I spoke to nutrition experts and gut specialists to determine a list of must-have criteria, gathered supplements that met these, and then tested a range from top retailers like Holland&Barrett and MyProtein to find the ones that also ticked boxes for taste, texture, and value for money. Of almost 20 protein powders I tried, 10 made the final cut. Here's why...

The Quick List

The best protein powders for women, as tested by us 

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The best protein powder overall

The ESN Designer Whey Protein ticks all the boxes. Each one of the ten unique flavours (Vanilla Milk is my favourite) offers 23g of protein for under 150 calories, which is a rarity for whey protein.

I shook this powder up and blended it on separate occasions with water and milk, and surprisingly, it works well with both and has a smooth consistency without any grainy texture. It's also not very sweet, making it a great option to eat for post-workout snacking.

At just over £30 per tub, it is on the more expensive side compared to options like Bulk Vegan Protein and it comes in a tub rather than a packet, which needs more storage space - but there's no risk of spillage and price-wise, it's on par with other premium options like Innermost's Lean Protein Powder. In my view, it's well worth spending a little extra to get a higher-quality protein powder.

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Best tasting protein powder

If you're new to protein powder, I'd always recommend going for taste first. Most powders offer about the same amount of protein per serving, but you can go very wrong with taste. I tested the strawberry flavour of Bulk's Vegan Protein Powder to start with - and have since bought the chocolate and the vanilla variety.

It has a more neutral flavour than some of the other best protein powders for women, so it's very versatile and easy to combine with other ingredients to suit your palette. The vanilla is my favourite of them all - not only did the 24g protein serving keep me full between breakfast and lunch, the powder blended well with milk and water. I also mixed it together with Greek yoghurt for a delicious dessert alternative.

The Bulk Gourmet Protein Powder has a predictably premium, creamy texture as well, without that classic powdery, artificial taste that comes with cheaper supplements.

"Pea protein isolate is a plant-based protein powder that is derived from yellow peas. It is also low in calories and high in protein, and it makes an excellent choice for those looking for a vegan or vegetarian protein supplement," says

Best clear protein powder

Clear whey protein is a newcomer to the world of supplements, compared to milk-based powders of the past. It's made from hydrolysed protein isolate, giving a squash or diluted juice-type texture instead of a milky one. I'd tried the MyProtein Clear Whey Protein Isolate a few times before but after giving it another spin for this guide, I'm a certified fan.

While not as high in protein as other options (20g per serving in most flavours), it can still top up your protein intake perfectly well and it's actually the lowest in calories on my list (84 per serving). This clear whey also has BCAAs (4.3g). While not essential, these are amino acids that may help to improve recovery time and reduce soreness and fatigue after your session, according to research in the Sports Medicine Journal.

Research also suggests you should never exercise on an empty stomach, but it's not always easy to eat before working out. It's something I struggle with fairly often. For me, if I'm going to have a protein shake pre-workout, it has to be a clear blend. I tried this one pre-gym session and found it was light and refreshing.

Best plant based protein powder

Plant-based protein powder, instead of the animal-derived whey protein, is cholesterol-free, lower in fat, and many people find it easier to digest - especially if they have IBS or similar intolerances. Synergised's Daily Essential Formula is my pick of the bunch - aside from Bulk's Vegan Protein Powder, our best-tasting option.

It's a lightweight and neutral-tasting vanilla yellow pea-derived protein that could easily be adapted into a daily diet, with plenty of benefits outside of its impressive protein and low calorie content. There are 23 other vitamins and minerals per serving - including vitamins A, D3, E, K, B6, and C, along with folate, calcium, magnesium (ideal for those who want to sleep better), and zinc.

It ticks all the boxes for an excellent protein powder. However, it's certainly on the more expensive side with only 10 servings per 350g pack, which costs almost £32. It quickly became a favourite due to features above and how easily it mixed with both water and plant-based milk (oat is my go-to). Where many protein powders are thick and get stuck in the blades of a blender, this one was smooth and easy to blend, leaving few to no lumps awkwardly stuck at the bottom. You can also subscribe for regular deliveries for a small discount.

Best whey protein powder

Whey is an animal-based protein. Unless you have allergies or otherwise don't eat animal-based products, a whey protein powder will be the most efficient way to boost your protein intake. Compared to hemp (a common ingredient in vegan powders), animal protein contains 6% more leucine (the key amino acid that helps build muscle). It's not a big difference, but it's worth considering if you regularly work out and are looking after your muscle mass.

Apart from my top pick - the ESN Designer Whey Protein Powder, which is £10 more expensive - the PhD Nutrition Diet Whey Protein Powder is my top choice for a whey powder. It tastes creamy and smooth, blends well with water and milk, and doesn't sit too heavy on the stomach. Although it contains about 4g less protein than others on the list, whey is easily utilised by the body, so I'm not too concerned about that. It also comes in some unique flavours, which can make a nice change - including White Chocolate and Strawberry Delight.

PhD Nutrition Diet Whey Protein Powder could have made the list for 'best for weight loss' as well, given it's a diet protein powder. But this just means it contains fewer calories than average (only 91 per serving) and more fat loss-friendly nutrients, like flaxseeds, L-carnitine, and green tea extract.

Note: It also contains caffeine (7mg per 25g of protein powder). While this makes it a great morning post-workout option, it's best avoided post-2pm.

Best protein powder for weight loss

While the Innermost Lean Protein has more calories per serving than the PhD Diet Whey Protein, when it comes to weight loss, I'd recommend choosing protein content over calories - and this one has 31g per serving. Protein is the most filling macronutrient, research from Purdue University reveals, which means it keeps you fuller for longer and means you're less likely to snack on other calorie-dense, nutrition-poor foods. When maintaining a calorie deficit, this is essential.

For this, I'd recommend the Innermost Lean Protein Powder. In testing, I found it tasted smooth and blended well with milk more so than water, making it ideal for a post-workout snack or dessert alternative. I also noted that the mixture contains inulin and pomegranate - which both sit among the list of gut-healthy foods as they promote good bacteria levels and have very low levels of saturated fat - and Acetyl L-Carnitine, an amino acid helps us to effectively use fat as a source of energy.

Much like the Synergised Daily Formula - our best plant-based protein powder - it is more expensive than similar types but it's worth the extra spend if you're looking to lose weight without dieting. This was the powder with the highest protein content that met all the testing criteria.

The best dessert alternative

Now, I don't have much of a sweet tooth but if I was looking for a dessert alternative or a particularly sweet protein powder, without that artificial flavour, I'd go for the Form Performance Protein. With flavours like Chocolate Peanut, Chocolate Hazelnut, Vanilla, and Banoffee, you can't go wrong. Tiramisu is my favourite.

That being said, the Form Performance Protein Powder is also an excellent protein supplement in its own right. It contains an impressive 30g of protein, making it the second highest serving on my list, and it contains additional supplements that aim to support recovery - like BCAAs (5g) and curcumin, along with digestion-supporting enzymes.

It doesn't mix as well with water or milk compared to other sweet options, like the Precision Engineered Whey Protein - my pick for a protein shake - but throw it in the blender and you'll be absolutely fine.

The best unflavoured protein powder

As much as I love a vanilla or strawberry protein powder, there's definitely space in my cupboard for an unflavoured option thanks to the Bulk Pure Whey Isolate. I had my doubts at first - was it going to taste gritty like sand? - I was very impressed by how nicely it worked in protein shakes, smoothies and porridge, offering a totally neutral flavour.

With 23g of protein per serving, it's average on the list - but this powder has been made with isolate whey protein, much like our 'best whey protein' pick, meaning it's processed to maximise the protein content and reduce fat. This particular protein powder has just 108 calories per serving, with less than 1g of sugar and 1g of fat, which is among the lowest on my list.

However, due to the high concentration of protein (and the lack of other ingredients), it's more expensive than your standard why protein powder and a 1kg pouch will set you back £34.99, more than others I'd also suggest blending this protein powder in a blender rather than shaking it as I found some lumps formed at the bottom of the mixer post-shake.

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Best protein powder for shakes

Kerrie Hughes, who regularly lifts weights in the gym outside of her role as the digital editor of woman&home, reviewed this protein powder for me - and gave it an impressive four and a half stars. "Protein powder has formed part of my diet for over two decades now, and it’s fair to say, in that time, I have tried a lot of them. Very confused at first by all the different options, I realised over time they are all very similar when it comes to actual ingredients - the difficulty is finding one you actually like the taste of and doesn’t have a texture that makes you want to gag," she says.

"So to say this protein powder is the best I’ve tried is a bold statement, but it’s true. So far. What I like most about this powder is its consistency, it’s ultra fine and so mixing it with anything means it blends really nicely and doesn’t immediately thicken the consistency or taste grainy."

With only 109 calories per serving, she says "it doesn’t make a huge dent in my overall calorie intake, and gets me well on my way to overall daily protein target each morning too". What's not to love?

Best protein powder for pancakes

Adding more protein to your diet doesn't have to involve drinking a protein shake - bars and pancake mixes are also good options. While most protein powders can be used to make pancakes, I particularly love the MyProtein Pancake Mix as a complete, easy-access option - all you have to do is combine it with milk or water and you have some high-protein pancakes.

Out of all the best protein powders for women on our list, the MyProtein Pancake Mix contains the most amount of protein per serving (34g) while still under 200 calories per serving. During tested, I had these several times as quick breakfast before going out to work. I tried the unflavoured and golden syrup options topped with blueberries and Greek yoghurt and while they do taste a little artificial, the simplicity more than makes up for it.

There are eight flavours to choose from, it's one of the cheapest options on the list, and it can actually replace a meal, so it's worth a try in my opinion.

How we tested the best protein powders for women

I spoke to Eli Brecher, a Harley Street nutrition specialist in gut health, and Alex Glover, senior nutritionist at Holland & Barrett, to reveal what makes a good protein powder. This made up our list of criteria.

We taste-tested all the protein powders in this guide at least three times and assessed them on the following criteria:

• Protein content: There's no point in having a protein powder that's high in calories and low in protein. All protein powders on our list had to have at least 15g of protein per serving.
• Calories per serving: Unless you're actively looking to gain weight, chances are you won't want too many of your daily calories to come from a protein shake. While we capped the calories per serving at 300, none with this number made it through the testing process so our most calorific powder offers 200 calories per serving.
• Taste: Protein powders have come on leaps and bounds in the last few years and while they are considered an ultra-processed food, there's no excuse for artificially tasting protein powder anymore. While taste is subjective so we didn't rule out any deemed 'too sweet' or 'too savoury', we made a note of them, and drew the line at any artificially-tasting protein powders.
• Source: Not everyone tolerates whey protein well - and not everyone wants a vegan protein. So, taking the experts' advice, half the products were vegan and half were animal-based protein powders.
• Blending: No one likes a lumpy protein shake. It's what puts most people off them, so any protein powder that produced lumps after time in our pick of the best blenders was out of the running.
• Shaking: Each of the protein powders were used in a traditional shaker to start with and I noted down which ones needed blending vs shaking. I also tried with both water and milk to find the best approach for each one.
• Flavour variety: For me, this was the least important criteria but still a valuable one. Protein powders scored extra points if there were a variety of flavour options - but powders only available in vanilla could make the cut.

How to choose the right protein powder for you

• Do you prefer clear or powdered protein? Powdered protein tends to come with a milkier texture, making it more like a milkshake, smoothie or dessert, and often comes in sweeter flavours. Clear protein blends like juice or squash, so it's better for those who prefer fruitier or more savoury flavours.
• Consider your goals: Why are you eating additional protein and are you running the risk of eating too much protein if you have a protein shake every day? If you want to maintain or build muscle, it's helpful to know how much you need as that will dictate how many grams of protein you need per serving of powder. "The Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) for protein for adults is 0.75g protein per kg body weight per day, it is often advised to aim for between 0.8-1.2g protein per kg body weight per day. Based on the RNI (0.75g), this means that someone weighing 75kg would require 56g protein per day, and someone weighing 60kg would require 45g protein per day," says Brecher.
• Avoid artificial ingredients if you struggle to digest protein powder: "I tend to avoid powders with added sweeteners, artificial ingredients, stabilisers, emulsifiers and gums, as these can contribute to bloating and digestive upset in many people," says Brecher.
• Do you have any dietary requirements? Some proteins are not suitable for those with a lactose intolerance, or vegan, or vegetarian dietary requirements. For example, as Brecher says: "Whey protein powder contains lactose, a common food sensitivity that can lead to digestive symptoms and cause bloating and gas in those who are sensitive."

Does protein powder expire?

Yes, protein powder does expire. Most have a life of about 9 to 18 months though, so you've got some time your use up your pack before it goes off. Although, some organic protein powders and those with fewer ingredients may have a shorter shelf life than this.

If you don't use your protein powder too often, it's certainly worth checking the use-by date before using it again.

Is it okay to have a protein shake every day?

Yes, if you're looking to boost your protein intake or want one of the best high-protein, low-calorie foods to snack on, then a protein shake makes a great daily addition to your diet. Some people may even be recommended a daily protein shake depending on their current health and lifestyle habits.

Adults should aim to eat around 0.75g of protein per kilogram of body weight every day. So, for example, a woman weighing 70kg should have a minimum daily protein intake of 52.5g.

"Away from protein powder, this amount equates to around two portions of meat, fish, nuts or tofu per day. As a rough guide, one portion of protein should fit into the palm of your hand," says nutritionist Alex Glover.

Always consult with a certified dietitian or medical professional if you're ensure whether protein powder is suitable for you.