Top 5 Best Protein Powders For Muscle Gain Available In 2023

February 27, 2023 11 min read

You've been hitting the gym intensively, but you're not seeing any progress for some reason. There's a high chance you do not see results because your protein intake needs to be higher.

That's why many of us turn to protein powder supplements, as they're an effective and convenient way of hitting our daily protein intake.

But because there are so many products on the market, narrowing your search and finding the best protein powder for muscle gain can be a real challenge.

Luckily, we've done the hard work for you and can offer a comprehensive list of the best protein powders available.

Check them out below, and then keep reading to discover how they can help you reach your fitness goals faster!

The 5 Best Protein Powders For Muscle Gain Of 2023

Protein powder is, without a doubt, one of the most commonly used supplements out there.

Because it's such a popular and effective supplement, many different options exist. But let's be honest, you don't want to sift through dozens, if not hundreds, of different products.

That's why we put in the work for you, though, and have managed to bring it down to a list of the 5 best protein powders for muscle gain.

1. Huge Whey

Product Specifications
  • Protein per serving:23.5 grams
  • Calories per serving:147
  • Protein source:Whey Protein
  • Price:$44.95
  • Available flavors:Cookie & Cream, Vanilla Milkshake, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Strawberry Cheesecake, Blueberry Muffin, Fruit Cereal

If you're searching for the best protein powder for muscle gain, look no further than Huge Whey. This is the most effective option because it has been explicitly designed to help support lean muscle growth.

Each serving packs about 25 grams of high-quality whey protein, including 5 grams of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Adding one or more servings to your daily nutrition will work wonders for your progress.

You'll find that this product is not only effective for building muscle, but it also tastes delicious! As of right now, you can get it in 6 different flavors.

Since first hitting the market, Huge Whey has collected over 500 positive reviews. Many users vouch for the product's effectiveness, taste, and convenience.

If you want to get your hands on the best protein powder for muscle gain, click here to head over to the Huge Whey product page.

What we like about Huge Whey:

  • Packs between 23 and 25 grams of protein per serving
  • It helps you improve lean muscle growth and strength
  • Excellent macros - high protein, low carbs, low fats
  • Tastes fantastic and is available in 6 mouthwatering flavors
  • Perfect mixability
  • It comes with a free shaker
  • Backed by hundreds of positive user reviews

What we don't like about Huge Whey:

  • Only available in a single 30-serving sized tub
  • Some flavors sell out quickly

2. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey

Product Specifications
  • Protein per serving:24 grams
  • Calories per serving:120
  • Protein source:Whey Protein Blend 
  • Price: $44.99
  • Available flavors:Banana Cream, Chocolate Coconut, Coffee, Delicious Strawberry, French Vanilla, Rocky Road, Strawberry Banana

Optimum Nutritions' Gold Standard Whey comes in second on our list of best protein powder for muscle gain. This product made our list because, as the name suggests, it's the gold standard of protein powders.

When it comes to macros, this product packs 24 grams of protein with a 5.5-gram dose of added branched-chain amino acids. Each serving is about 130 calories, with low carbs and fats.

Plus, it comes in many different flavors, about 20 to be exact. That means that there's plenty for you to choose from!

You'll be able to find Optimum Nutritions' Gold Standard Whey in many stores, meaning it's effortless to get your hands on. You will be satisfied with this product!

What we like about Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey:

  • Delivers a solid 24 grams of protein per scoop
  • Good selection of tasty flavors
  • It comes in multiple different size containers of up to 10 pounds
  • Tested for banned substances
  • Widely available online and in stores

What we don't like about Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey:

  • It contains a lot more sodium than other brands
  • Some reviews state that the product is too sweet

#3. Dymatize Elite Whey

Product Specifications
  • Protein per serving:25 grams
  • Calories per serving:140
  • Protein source:Whey Protein Blend
  • Price:$40.99
  • Available flavors:Chocolate, Vanilla, Cookies & Cream

The third place gets taken by Dymatize Elite Whey, one of the most popular protein powders for muscle gain you'll come across.

This protein powder has you covered, as each serving packs a massive 25 grams of fast-absorbing protein while staying under 140 calories. It's your perfect muscle support supplement to help you reach your fitness goals.

It's also good to know that it's been tested for banned substances, which is extremely important if you're a professional athlete. Long story short, Dymatize's Elite Whey won't disappoint you!

What we like about Dymatize Elite Whey:

  • Provides 25 grams of fast-digesting whey protein per serving
  • Available in 2-pound and 5-pound containers
  • No unnecessary ingredients or fillers
  • Excellent range of delicious flavors
  • Good value protein powder

What we don't like about Dymatize Elite Whey:

  • High in cholesterol
  • Some reviews state that the flavor is too sweet

#4. Ghost Whey

Product Specifications
  • Protein per serving:25 grams
  • Calories per serving:130
  • Protein source:Whey Protein Blend
  • Price:$40.99
  • Available flavors:Chocolate, Vanilla, Cookies & Cream

Next up on our list is Ghost Whey, another excellent protein powder that has taken the market by storm ever since it first launched.

Each scoop of Ghost Whey packs about 150 to 160 calories, with around 25 grams of protein. The calories are higher than what we're used to, but that's because there are more carbohydrates and fats.

We included Ghost's whey not only because it's effective for building muscle, but also because it tastes terrific. It's available in a wide variety of unique flavors that you won't find anywhere else.

What we like about Ghost Whey:

  • Each serving has 25 grams of pure whey protein
  • Transparent label with no hidden ingredients
  • Includes natural digestive enzymes
  • Unique flavor collabs that taste amazing
  • Widely available

What we don't like about Ghost Whey:

  • Only 26 servings per container
  • Some flavors are higher in calories than the average protein powder

#5. MuscleTech NitroTech Whey

Product Specifications
  • Protein per serving:24 grams
  • Calories per serving:120
  • Protein source:Protein Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein)
  • Price:$32.99
  • Available flavors: Chocolate, Strawberry, Cookies & Cream, French Vanilla Creme

Last but not least, we have Muscletech's Nitro Tech Whey protein. This product has been around for quite some time and has gained an excellent reputation over the past decade.

Nitro tech packs a whopping 24 grams of protein per serving, including 5.5 grams of BCAAs and 4 grams of Glutamine. These will help you significantly when it comes to building lean muscle mass.

It's also good to know that Nitrotech whey is quickly absorbed by your body and digests easily, meaning it's easy on the stomach.

What we like about MuscleTech NitroTech Whey:

  • Designed to support muscle growth and recovery
  • Includes 4g of Glutamine & 5.5g of BCAAs
  • Rapid absorption and digests easily
  • No fillers and gluten-free

What we don't like about MuscleTech NitroTech Whey:

  • There are only four flavors to choose from
  • Mixed opinions on flavors

How We Chose The Best Protein Powder For Muscle Gain

If you've already started searching for the best protein powder for muscle gain, you know just how many options there are.

So, to narrow our search, we had to use a strict set of criteria to rule out subpar and ineffective supplements. To help you better understand our selection, we've carefully explained what we looked for below.

Protein Per Serving

The whole point of taking a protein supplement is to get as much protein as possible. So, we were careful only to select brands that offered an optimal dosage of protein.

If you're trying to pack on muscle mass, you'll want to get between 0.7 to 1 gram of protein per lb of body weight. So, if you're 150lbs, you will need between 105 and 150 grams of protein each day. Make sure to calculate how much protein you need per day.

Therefore, we only included products that offered a good amount of protein to help you reach your daily macronutrients.

If you go back through our list of the top five best protein powders for muscle gain, you'll quickly notice that they all contain roughly 25 grams of protein per single serving.

This way, you know that you're getting the best results for your money. With more protein, your muscles will recover faster and see gains like never before.

Taste and Flavor Options

Another factor we looked at was taste and flavor options. There's no reason why your protein shouldn't be something you look forward to drinking.

We specifically looked for brands that offered various flavors to match any preference. Most of our selections have at least five different options, many of which are unique.

That way, as soon as you're done working out, you can enjoy a protein shake and treat it like a reward rather than a necessary step toward gains.

Additives

Quality and purity often go hand-in-hand, and you want as few additives as possible when it comes to your protein supplements.

Of course, by additives, we mean filler. You want to steer clear of a protein powder full of harmful additives, and that's exactly what we did!

With the products we've shown you, you're guaranteed to get a high-quality supplement.

Price Per Serving

Lastly, we looked at the price per serving of each product. We find that the price can make or break your decision. Therefore, we carefully picked out products that fit most people's budgets.

As we reviewed our list of the best protein powders for muscle gain, we ruled out anything that cost more than $1.50 per serving. In our opinion, that's as much as anyone should have to pay for protein.

The Different Types Of Protein Powder For Muscle Gain

If you're new to the world of protein powders, you may be confused by the different terms that brands use to describe their supplements.

After all, there are actually three different types of whey protein, all of which are made in different ways and offer different benefits.

Before you start buying powders, let's explain what these differences are.

Whey Protein Concentrate

As you're shopping around, you're more than likely going to find whey concentrate products. This is the most common type of whey protein, made by separating milk's solid and liquid components during the cheese-making process.

The solids are removed, and the remaining liquid is reduced into a concentrated protein-rich powder.

Along with protein, whey concentrate also contains beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin, and other minerals and nutrients commonly found in milk.

This type of whey powder generally contains 80% pure protein and is low in fat and sugar. This makes it an excellent source of amino acids, which athletes need to build muscle.

It's also the most cost-effective option, making it very popular amongst bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts.

Whey Protein Isolate

Whey isolate is a more refined version of whey concentrate. After milk solids are strained from the whey, the remaining liquid is then further processed to remove any excess lactose, fat, and other impurities.

This makes it a cleaner and more protein-dense form of whey, although it is also more processed. By isolating more of the proteins, this powder type is generally 90% pure and is easier for lactose-intolerant athletes to digest.

It is, however, slightly more expensive since it goes through a more intense concentration process.

Whey Protein Hydrolysate

Last but not least, you'll likely run across whey hydrolysate powders at some point, too. These protein powders are the most refined and are made by breaking the protein bonds in whey concentrate to make the powder more easily digestible.

For this reason, they're popular among athletes with lactose intolerance and sensitive stomachs. They're also incredibly rich in proteins—often above 90% purity—with hardly any fat or sugar.

Understandably, though, the extra process of isolating and breaking protein bonds makes these products more expensive than the other two whey proteins described above.

What To Know Before Taking Protein Powder For Muscle Gain

You should be aware of a handful of practical guidelines before you start taking protein.

These will help you get the most out of your supplement and ensure you make gains in as little time as possible.

Timing Isn't Important

Protein isn't like other supplements—you don't have to take it right before or after your workout.

The body will continue to digest and process the molecule throughout the day, regardless of when you take it.

This makes it a more straightforward supplement to take since you can wake up and have a protein shake with a meal.

It's Completely Safe to Take

Protein powder is the safest supplement you can take. Our bodies naturally need protein, and whatever you don't use will pass through your urine.

The only side effect you may experience after taking protein powder is bloating, gas, or stomach pain. This is because protein can be heavy on a sensitive stomach. But for most people, there are no issues when taking it.

Convenient Protein Source

Protein powders are a high-quality and convenient source of protein. You mix one or two servings with water or milk, and you've got a massive amount of protein to help grow your muscles.

It's also important to know that protein powder contains all the essential amino acids, which your body needs to maximize muscle growth and recovery.

Tips to Increase Your Muscle Gains

Taking one of the protein powders we've shown you is certainly a step in the right direction, but it's not the be-all and end-all of putting on size.

If you're not already following some of these tips, we highly recommend changing your daily routine to focus on gains.

Eat In A Caloric Surplus

Whether you want to gain or lose weight, the basic principles are the same - track your calories. No matter how much you lift in the gym, you'll never see any gains if you aren't giving your body more calories than it needs.

This can be tricky, though, because many guys hesitate to start eating more out of fear of getting fat. Eating more calories doesn't necessarily mean eating unhealthily, though.

Eating between two and three-hundred extra calories of clean, low-carb, low-fat food daily can quickly gain size without losing definition.

Give Your Muscles Enough Rest

Another common problem for beginners is that they overwork their muscles. There's a general idea that lifting more automatically means more gains, but it's a little more complicated than that.

Every time you lift, you create tiny microtears in the muscle fibers that slowly heal to create more muscle mass. If you don't give your muscles enough time to heal, they'll never grow stronger or larger.

In fact, you could throw your muscles in lysis, causing them to shrink rather than grow. To prevent this, it's essential to:

  • Give your body the nutrients it needs to recover
  • Take a rest day at least once a week
  • Sleep for at least 7 hours every night

If you manage to check off all three of those requirements, you should be in good shape to start making mad gains.

Focus On Getting Stronger

This should be obvious, but what you do in the gym also matters. If you're exercising but not focusing on getting stronger, you'll struggle to make any gains.

Start changing your routine to focus on lifting heavier, not just maintaining. By using progressive overload, you'll train your muscles to manage greater weights, and they'll quickly increase in size.

Focus on getting stronger on compound movements, staying within a lower rep range. Try to add more weight or increase the reps every new workout.

Do You Really Need Protein Powder For Muscle Gain?

Even though protein powders are very common, many people wonder if you really need them.

The answer is no; you don't necessarily need them to gain muscle mass.
You can get enough protein through nutrition, but it's a real challenge for most of us.

That's why many of us turn to protein powder for muscle gain. They pack a lot of protein (25 to 30 grams per serving), are incredibly convenient, and taste amazing.

By adding multiple servings to your daily nutrition, it's going to be much easier to hit your daily protein macronutrients.

To conclude, you don't need them, but they make your life much easier and as they're a high-quality source of quality macronutrients.

Final Thoughts: Best Protein Powder For Muscle Gain

Adding protein powder to your routine will make you see better muscle and strength gains. It's by far one of the most effective and safest supplements available on the market.

But there's a lot to choose from, which can get confusing. That's why we've shown you what we found to be the best protein powders for muscle gain.

Our top choice is Huge Whey, which packs a whopping 25-gram dose of protein, along with added branched-chain amino acids, and comes in 6 delicious flavors.

Take the protein whenever you want, but be sure to follow a routine, get enough sleep, eat above your caloric needs, and lift to build strength rather than maintain.

Soon enough, you'll achieve the goals you've been working toward. Let's get those gains!


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