Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko (5 years as FPA-Certified Nutritionist, MS in Sports Dietetics)
The best tasting protein powder with water is naturally sweet like chocolate, lemonade, or coffee flavours. The taste of a protein shake with water can further be enhanced through fruits or veggies. While the perfect protein mix for water will have additives like lecithin, which help mix the protein with water seamlessly.
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In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate.
Starting our list of the best weight gain supplements for skinny girls is Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate. There are no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or colouring, as Transparent Labs has a strong stance against artificial products and ingredients. The protein is sweetened by stevia instead.
Our expert team of coaches, professional athletes, medical professionals, and nutritionists has assessed 27 protein powders with water to bring you 7 of the best tasting ones. The protein powders were subjected to an in-depth analysis across 5 key factors, with our team spending 6 weeks testing them.
In addition to our practical evaluations, we've also reviewed hundreds of online user reviews. We continually refresh our list, so feel free to leave a comment, share your insights, and join the conversation!
Top 7 Best Tasting Protein Powders with Water Reviewed
In this article, I will show you some popular plain protein powder on the market. I have compared all options by the most important characteristics: package, taste, ingredients, blending, and price-quality ratio. Find a brief summary in the table below and scroll down for the most interesting part!
1. Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate — Top Pick
- Diet Type (best for): Build Muscle, Lose Weight & Muscle Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Isolate
- Serving size: 33 to 34.5
- Price per serving: ~$2
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 93%
- Protein: 28 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1-2 grams
- Fat: 0 gram
- Added Sugar: 0 gram
- Calories per serving size: 120
- Company Founded: 2015
- Recommended by Athletes: Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, Terron Beckham, Paul Sklar, and Sean Harris
Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate is backed by some of the most popular athletes and fitness influencers as the best protein to mix with water. One of the reasons is that the protein is 100% grass-fed.
The macronutrient breakdown of 28 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbs, 0 fat, and on 0 grams of added sugar.
There are no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or colouring, as Transparent Labs has a strong stance against artificial products and ingredients. The protein is sweetened by stevia instead.
As for flavors, you can pick from oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, chocolate peanut butter, milk chocolate, cinnamon french toast, strawberry, mocha, vanilla peanut butter, and french vanilla. One slight drawback of using stevia as the only sweetener is that the chocolate flavours tend to taste more like dark chocolate which might not be to your liking.
The protein mixes well with water, so there aren’t any chalky particles left in your mouth and neither are there any protein clumps in your shaker. This is important because if the protein doesn’t mix well, you’re less likely to keep taking it.
Positives:
Low on carbs
No chalky particles or protein clumps after mixing with water
Numerous flavour options
0 grams of fat
Could be better:
High price per serving
Chocolate flavours might be an acquired taste
2. Naked Whey Protein Powder — Runner Up
- Diet Type (best for): Muscle Growth and Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Concentrate
- Serving size: 30 grams
- Price per serving: ~$1.25
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 83%
- Protein: 25 grams
- Carbohydrates: 3 grams
- Fat: 2 grams
- Added Sugar: 2 grams
- Calories per serving size: 120
- Company Founded: 2014
- Recommended by Athletes: Kaella Madix and Sunny Lee
Naked Whey Protein Powder has the motto “Nutrition With Nothing To Hide” and this is reflected in their transparent packing. A selling point of the Naked Whey is that they have no artificial sweeteners, flavours, or colours. It is also soy, gluten, and GMO-free. While the protein source is 100% grass-fed cows.
With each serving, you receive 25 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat and 3 grams of carbs. Both the fat and sugar are considered to be relatively low. You also get 5.9 grams of amino acids with each serving.
Another feature of the Naked Whey protein is that it’s cold-processed. This means there will be no contamination from additives, heavy metals, or chemical detergents.
As for the protein flavours, it only has 4 options, which might not be suitable for some who prefer a wider variety. The options are chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and unflavoured.
One drawback of being completely free of additional ingredients and soy is possible mixability issues. There isn’t any soy or sunflower lecithin, which causes the protein to not mix as well with water or milk.
Positives:
Free of any GMOs, soy, and gluten
- 5.9 grams of BCAAs per serving
- Cold processed
Could be better:
Doesn’t mix well
Macro and caloric content do not match on nutritional facts
- Diet Type (best for): Muscle Gain, Recovery & Cutting Weight
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Isolate, Concentrate & Hydrolyzed Whey
- Price per serving: ~$1.1
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 80%
- Protein: 24 grams
- Serving size: 30.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 3 grams
- Fat: 1.5 grams
- Added Sugar: Not Specified
- Calories per serving size: 120
- Company Founded: 1986
- Recommended by Athletes: Taylor Fritz, Justin Jefferson, and Tunde Oyeneyin
Established in 1986, Gold Standard has been one of the most long-trusted protein brands. One reason is because of their unique blend of whey protein isolate, concentrate, and peptides.
Each serving contains 24 grams of protein and 3 grams of carbs, 1.5 grams of fat, while the added sugars weren’t specified. So, you’ll be getting plenty of protein with low fats. Not to mention the 5.5 grams of BCAAs with each serving, which can help you recover better and build lean muscle.
Another reason why Gold Standard has been around for this long is because of their flavour variety. You can get flavours like chocolate peanut butter, cookies & cream, extreme milk chocolate, mocha cappuccino, strawberry & creme, and vanilla ice cream.
Mixability hasn’t been an issue with these flavours either. That’s because the protein contains lecithin, which is added to make sure the protein dissolves smoothly with water. So, you should get a tasty drink after your workout with no protein clumps.
The protein does come with additional sweeteners, which might not be to everyone's liking. But the sweeteners don’t enhance the taste too much, so even when you have a chocolate shake it shouldn’t taste too sweet.
Optimum nutrition is also inexpensive as their price per serving is only dollar and 10 cents. Part of the reason why it's budget-friendly is because of their whey blend.
Positives:
Budget-friendly
Has whey protein isolate, concentrate, hydrolyzed protein
Mixes easily with water and doesn’t taste too sweet
Could be better:
Has artificial sweeteners that some may not like
Additional contains soy that might not suit everyone's dietary needs
- Diet Type (best for): Muscle Building, Mass Gain & Muscle Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Concentrate
- Serving size: 34 grams
- Price per serving: ~$1.1
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 68%
- Proteins: 24 grams
- Carbohydrates: 4 grams
- Fat: 3.5 grams
- Added Sugar: 0 grams
- Calories per Serving: 140
- Company Founded (year): 2016
- Recommended by Athletes: Julian Toledo, Jack Mulhare, and Nikki Sierra
Levels Grass Fed 100% Whey Protein is true to its name as it’s not only grass-fed but is also free of any GMOs, soy, gluten, artificial flavours or sweetness, and doesn’t have any added sugar. The macronutrient breakdown is of 24 grams of protein, 4 grams of carbs, and 3.5 grams of fat per scoop. Additionally, each scoop comes with 5.4g BCAAs. So, the protein is ideal for both gaining muscle and also mass.
While the flavoring is sweetened through stevia leaf extract and monk fruit extract. The flavor isn’t strong because the two extracts help dilute the general bitterness of cocoa. So, the drink ends up tasting better.
You can mix it with water with no problem as the protein has sunflower lecithin in it to make sure there aren’t any protein clumps after mixing.
As for the price value, grass-fed protein tends to be priced higher, which is another unique feature of the Level’s protein as it’s one of the more budget-friendly protein options on the market.
Positives:
$1.1 price per serving
Coca flavouring doesn’t taste bitter
5.4g BCAAs with each serving
Could be better:
Contains some artificial sweeteners
High in carbs
- Diet Type (best for): Muscle Gain and Muscle Recovery
- Suitable for Vegans: Yes
- Protein Source: Plant-Based Mix of Pea, Brown Rice, and Chia Seeds
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 49%
- Serving size: 46 grams
- Price per serving: ~$1.6
- Protein: 21 grams
- Carbohydrates: 15 grams
- Fat: 5 grams
- Added Sugar: 0 gram
- Calories per serving size: 190
- Company Founded: 2009
- Recommended by Athletes: Coco Cuenco Gustafsson and Nicole Winter
Orgain Vegan Protein Powder is ideal for vegan athletes as the protein is made of a mix of peas, brown rice, and chia seeds. While the creamer base is made up of fiber, rice bran extract, and rosemary extract, along with a few other ingredients.
The protein is gluten-free, soy-free, lactose-free, and has no added sugars. But to make the protein better tasting, it has sweeteners and thickeners like stevia, erythritol, xanthin gum, guar gum, and monk fruit extract.
Each serving contains 21 grams of protein, 15 grams of carbs, 5 grams of fat, and 0 added sugar, however that could change depending on the flavor. Each serving has 190 calories, instead of the labelled 150, which is higher than other protein powders.
There are few different protein flavour options like vanilla, iced coffee, natural unsweetened, pumpkin spice, and strawberry & cream. Apart from the unsweetened option, the rest have monk fruit, stevia, and erythritol, which help with the taste.
The protein doesn’t mix as well as some of the other protein options because it lacks lecithin. But, at the same time, it’s not a big issue because it mixes well enough with just water.
Positives:
Completely organic
High in iron
Offers up to 5 unique flavours
Could be better:
Higher total carb per serving which is not suitable for some people
Lower protein amount per serving compared to other proteins
- Diet Type (best for): Recovery, Muscle Gain
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Hydrolyzed Whey, Micellar Casein & Protein Isolate
- Serving size: 38 grams
- Price per serving: ~$1.35
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 64%
- Proteins: 24 grams
- Carbohydrates: 6 grams
- Fat: 3.5 grams
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Calories per Serving: 150
- Company Founded (year): 2001
- Recommended by Athletes: Aaron Miller, Andrew Chinedu, and Whitney Jones
The BSN Syntha-6 Edge Protein Powder is made of a mix of Whey Concentrate, Isolate, Hydro + Casein and can help you recover from a gruelling workout any time of the day. With each serving, you’ll get 24 grams of protein, 6 grams of carbs, and 3.5 grams of fat. The sugar content is pretty low at less than a gram.
While the general make up of the protein has a lot of different ingredients. This includes thickeners like phosphate and disodium, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium as an artificial sweetener, and colouring.
A positive of all these ingredients, especially soy lecithin is that the protein mixes really well with water. All you need is just 10 seconds of shaking at the protein will dissolve smoothly.
As for the flavour, the chocolate milkshake blend keeps its creamy and rich texture even when mixed with water for you to enjoy a tasty shake after your workout or before bed.
Positives:
Rich-tasting flavour when mixed with water
Blend of both whey and casein protein
Fast dissolving
Could be better:
The calories listed on the package don’t match up to the actual amount
Higher fat quantity
- Diet Type (best for): Multi-Purpose
- Suitable for Vegans: No
- Protein Source: Whey Protein Isolate
- Protein Percent of Calories (%): 89%
- Serving size: 20 grams
- Price per serving: ~$1.9
- Protein: 20 grams
- Carbohydrates: 2 grams
- Fat: 0 gram
- Added Sugar: 1 gram
- Calories per serving size: 90
- Company Founded: 1984
- Recommended by Athletes: Julana and Betina Gozo Shimonek
The Isopure Whey Isolate Protein Powder is only made of 5 ingredients, Whey protein isolate, natural flavour, citric acid, stevia leaf extract, and turmeric extract. With each serving, you get 20 grams of protein, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and just 1 gram of added sugar. Plus, each serving contains no fat, which is one of the reasons why the calories are as low as 90 per serving size.
The protein comes without any artificial flavours or colours and is sweetened through the previously mentioned stevia leaf extract.
There shouldn’t be any mixability issues with water as Isopure recommends that you have their shake with 10-12 ounces of cold water. When you shake the drink, you will notice a build-up of foam, but that’s natural. You just have to wait about a minute after shaking the drink to enjoy it.
You should get this natural citrus taste when you have the shake. But, if you don’t enjoy the citrus flavour, Isopure also has mango lime, mixed berry, pineapple orange banana, and tropical punch. As you can see, the flavours here are rather unique and fruity in comparison to your normal vanilla and chocolate options.
However, some might find this a drawback as fruity flavours can come off sour. So, it’s mainly dependent on your palate.
Plenty of individuals even enjoy this shake with their lunch because of the lower calorie count and fewer ingredients. While normally, protein shakes can be hard to digest with other food as they are quite heavy.
Positives:
Only 90 calories per serving
Mixes well with cold water
Doesn’t feel too heavy so you can have it with other meals
Could be better:
Protein per serving is lower compared to most other whey proteins
The flavour can taste sour depending on the individual
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Why Mix Protein Powder with Water?
1. Easier to Count Calories
One benefit of mixing protein powder with water is that water won’t add any extra calories, carbs, fats, and sugar. This makes it much easier to count your calories and other dietary components. So, whatever the nutrition facts are of a scoop of protein is what you’re consuming.
Compare this to milk, you would have the weigh the milk in your shake and figure out how many calories, carbs, fats, and sugar are in that bottle prior to adding your protein. If you’re trying to be accurate with what you’re putting in your body.
This isn’t a huge problem but does add more work to your day.
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Olympic Weightlifting Champion
2. Better for Losing Weight
Similarly, if your goal is to lose weight rather than bulk up and add muscle, then it’s ideal to use water instead of milk. Milk will give you more calories and things of that sort. If you’re dieting, you want to make sure that you’re getting your carbs, calories, and fats through nutrition meals as you’ll ideally be consuming less food to hit your target weight. So, don’t replace your actual meals with protein shakes, too often.
Best Protein Flavours That Taste Good with Water
1. Various Chocolate Flavours
2. Lemonade
3. Coffee Flavours
Protein with Water vs Milk
Both options are perfectly suitable and it mainly depends on your preferences and workout goal. If you’re looking to keep your calories low then water works better.
There are certain flavours like vanilla that tend to taste better with milk, but in general, a vast majority mix well with either option.
FAQ
What Protein Powder Can You Mix with Water?
All protein powders can ideally be mixed with water, no problem. It’s largely a matter of preference whether you pick water or milk. There are flavours like chocolate, lemonade, and coffee that taste really good with water alone. While a few like vanilla might not taste as good.
How Do You Make Protein Shakes Better with Water?
The simplest way to make your protein shakes better with water would be to add some fruits to the blend. Depending on the fruit, you will get more flavour, along with sweetness that will enhance the overall taste of the shake.
Conclusion
The best protein powder to mix with water usually is a chocolate flavour as it is naturally sweet and mixes well in water. Also, mixing your protein with water has several benefits including easier digestion for some people and weight loss.
The best protein powder mix with water is Transparent Labs Whey Protein Isolate.
What is your favourite protein flavour to mix with water? Any unique fruit combination you prefer to blend in your shake? Do you find it easier to digest protein with water?
Let’s discuss all of this and any other questions you might have in the comment section below!
Also Read:
- Best Myprotein Flavour
- Best Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder
- Best Protein Powder To Lower Cholesterol
- Best Protein Powder For Sensitive Stomach
- Best Protein Shake for Diabetes
- How Much Is A Scoop Of Protein Powder
- Best Strawberry Protein Powder
- How Many Scoops Of Protein Powder A Day
- Best Chocolate Protein Powder
References:
- How to Make Protein Shakes Taste Better // Peak Nutritionals: https://www.peaknutritionals.com.au/blog/how-to-make-protein-shakes-taste-better/
- Protein Shake With Water Or Milk? // The Locker Room: https://www.theproteinworks.com/thelockerroom/protein-shake-with-water-or-milk/
- All Photos Made by Torokhtiy Media Team.
Why Trust Us?
Experience: 7 years
Specializing in: Weight management, Fitness / Sports nutrition
Oleksandr is a professional fitness nutritionist, certified by FPA (Fitness Professional Association). Oleksandr adheres to the principles of evidence-based dietetics and instills in his clients a healthy relationship with food - without strict prohibitions on favorite foods and regular disruptions. His main task – not only get a result for you, but also maintain it for many years, enjoying tasty and delicious food.
If you have any questions/suggestions/any other inquiry, you can reach out to us via email - reviews@torokhtiy.com
This article was written by our qualified author and proofread by an expert with proven experience. When writing the article we've used our expertise and data from authoritative, scientific, and evidence-based sources. The list of references is provided at the end of the article.
Our team of authors and experts includes professional athletes (Olympians, winners of European and World titles), PhDs in Sports Science, certified coaches, sports nutritionists, CSCSs, physiotherapists, and others. Read more about the team here, and more about how we test here.
