Author: Oleksandr Maksymenko (5 years as FPA-Certified Nutritionist, MS in Sports Dietetics)
Muscle growth, fast recovery, well-balanced meals and diet, simple snacks, high energy — choose what you need from the best unflavored protein powder.
If you are not a fan of additives or just don’t feel like drinking only protein shakes daily but still want to boost your body with some protein, this supplement may turn out to be a sight for sore eyes.
Tasteless protein powder is a great way to enrich your usual meals by adding more nutritional value and benefits for your muscles without changing the taste of your favorite foods. Let's have a look at several popular options on the market and choose the best one together!
In a hurry?
In a hurry?
In a hurry and can’t keep reading? How about you check out the Promix Protein Powder.
Promix protein is another high-quality organic supplement. It offers a great healthy addition to your diet for a great price and are made of the pure ingredients.
Our team of expert nutritionists has done detailed testing of 22 different protein powders and has rated each product based on package, taste, ingredients, blending, and price/quality.
After a combined sum of about 300 hours invested the list below was created. These are the 7 best unflavored protein powders that you can currently get. As our experts test more protein powders, and new challengers appear, this list will be updated.
Top 7 Unflavored Protein Powders Reviewed
- Promix Whey Protein Powder — Best Flavorless Protein Powder
- Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate — Runner Up
- BulkSupplements Whey Protein Isolate 90%
- Naked WHEY 100% Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
- Orgain Organic Unflavored Vegan Protein Powder
- Isopure Unflavored Vegan Protein Powder
- PlantFusion Complete Vegan Protein Powder
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. Promix Whey Protein Powder — Best Flavorless Protein Powder
- Protein source: whey
- Diet type (best for): cutting, maintenance
- Calories per serving: 120
- Protein per serving: 25 g
- Ingredients: Grass-Fed Whey Concentrate, Sunflower Lecithin
- Servings per package: 76
- Price per serving: ~0.93$
Promix whey protein powder is another high-quality organic supplement. It offers a great healthy addition to your diet for a great price.
The first advantage is pure ingredients. If you like natural supplements that are made of the best products, Promix can become one of the leaders on your shelf.
Overall, it is a pleasant protein to take in. I recommend mixing it in a blender to get a completely smooth texture with no clumps. I feel some aftertaste only if I take it in on its own, but you won’t notice anything in your smoothies or bakings at all.
However, Promix has one drawback that stopped it from getting to the top of my list – only a huge pack is available. The price is good, considering the number of servings but if you don’t like taking risks, it may turn out to be a disadvantage.
All in all, the Promix protein powder is a good option for athletes who are fond of high-quality organic supplements and are ready to purchase big packs of them right away.
Positives:
Made of grass-fed whey
Great value for money
Good nutrient balance
Could be better:
Only huge pack available
Contains lactose so may cause discomfort for some athletes
2. Nutricost Whey Protein Isolate — Runner Up
- Protein source: whey
- Diet type (best for): cutting, maintenance
- Calories per serving: 130
- Protein per serving: 30 g
- Ingredients: Whey Protein Isolate (Whey Protein, Sunflower Lecithin)
- Servings per package: 27 / 68
- Price per serving: ~1.48$
Nutricost unflavored whey protein powder becomes the winner on my list. It is the best deal in terms of price and quality for your diet.
First, the ingredients are frankly decent – no additives, just pure protein powder. It has one of the highest percentages among most options on the market. One serving, which is 33 grams, contains 30 grams of protein so you can fulfill a big part of your daily norm with only one shake.
Apart from that, I like how it blends with liquids – it gives a pleasant texture with no lumps. However, it can give a slightly weird taste if you drink it plain. Therefore, I use it only with fruit or add it to pancakes, oatmeal, muffins, etc. In this way, you can boost the nutrient balance of any food and the taste won’t suffer at all.
Also, as I prefer containers rather than bags for protein powders, I really appreciate the Nutricost package. For me, it is convenient to store and take the powder out of it. On top of that, the price is frankly affordable, considering the number of servings and a really high concentration of protein.
All in all, Nutricost is a great match if you are looking for the best protein concentration for the most reasonable price.
Positives:
Best value for money
High protein percentage
Transparent formula
Convenient package and scoop
Mixes well
Could be better:
Has some aftertaste if not mixed with something
Contains lactose so may cause discomfort for some athletes
- Protein source: whey
- Diet type (best for): cutting, maintenance
- Calories per serving: 110
- Protein per serving: 26 g
- Ingredients: Whey Protein Isolate, Sunflower Lecithin
- Servings per package: 3 / 8 / 17 / 33 / 1320
- Price per serving: ~1.45$
BulkSupplements.com flavorless whey protein is very close to the top of my list because of its good ingredients and decent quality.
It blends well, doesn't leave clumps in your mouth, and has no weird aftertaste. Also, the protein concentration is great as well as the calorie balance. It has nothing useless on the ingredient list so you can get the most benefit from only one serving.
What I like about BulkSupplements is their size range. If you are in doubt about unflavored protein powder, you can start with only 3 or 8 servings in a package to test the waters. And if you become a real fan of this product, you can go for a huge bag with 44 lb. of your favorite supplement.
However, I feel like the package could be better. Of course, it is about personal preferences but the bag isn’t that convenient and the zipper doesn’t work well. You can get used to that and close the bag with a clip or something but that is a noticeable flaw for me anyway.
As for the price, if we ignore the package problem, it is quite good in terms of quality, protein concentration, and calorie balance. If you are not too picky when it comes to details and just need a decent protein powder, this option can be a good choice.
All in all, BulkSupplements.com make a great product but need to work on their packages a little bit more.
Positives:
Pure ingredients
- High protein concentration
- Many sizes available
- The lowest in calories
- Good value for money
Could be better:
Zipper may not work well
Contains lactose so may cause discomfort for some athletes
- Protein source: whey
- Diet type (best for): cutting, maintenance
- Calories per serving: 120
- Protein per serving: 25 g
- Ingredients: Whey Protein Concentrate
- Servings per package: 15 / 76
- Price per serving: ~1.6$
Naked Whey protein powder with no taste is another good option to choose for your well-balanced diet. It is quite affordable but doesn’t fall behind other pricey proteins on the market.
First of all, the ingredients are just perfect – nothing extra, only high-quality whey protein from grass-fed cows. The brand puts a big emphasis on its milk quality so if you are a fan of organic foods, you should check out this option.
Another benefit is the price. Even though Naked WHEY uses only pure high-quality ingredients, it stays somewhere in the middle in terms of money. Still, there is a tiny drawback – you can get only 15 or 76 servings in a package that isn’t really convenient.
As for bigger flaws, this protein powder may be slightly hard to mix. You should definitely use a good blender to get a smooth texture. It may not be a problem for some athletes but if you want to quickly mix the powder in your shaker, you can end up with some lumps in your mouth.
Also, the package is not the most convenient not only because of the number of servings. It can be really hard to open the cap, especially at first. On the other hand, it can make you train your arms even better!
All in all, the Naked Whey protein powder is a decent organic product that has some minor flaws but can be a great addition to your diet.
Positives:
Made of grass-fed whey
Affordable price
Good nutrient balance
Could be better:
Contains lactose so may cause discomfort for some athletes
May be hard to open
- Protein source: plant
- Diet type (best for): cutting, maintenance
- Calories per serving: 140
- Protein per serving: 21 g
- Ingredients: Orgain Organic Protein Blend (pea, brown rice, chia seed, hemp), Organic Creamer Base, Organic Natural Flavors, Organic Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Organic Acacia Gum
- Servings per package: 20
- Price per serving: ~2.3$
Orgain vegan protein powder is the best choice for those who don’t like or can’t use animal sources of protein. Obviously, the price is on the higher end, compared to regular options, but it is a decent product among other plant-based supplements.
The first difference is a long list of ingredients. This protein powder contains several natural additives and, thus, is not as concentrated as the previous products.
Nevertheless, vegan supplements have some significant benefits even if you are not a vegan yourself. They are easier to digest and absorb by our body so if you have any stomach issues but still want to meet your protein needs successfully, try out plant-based powders, and you will feel the difference.
The main drawback of such products is their price, which is not that affordable, compared to usual options. There isn’t much sense to splash out on them if you are okay with animal-based protein powders and want to make a reasonable investment.
All in all, the Orgain protein powder is a great option for vegans or those who are fond of plant-based supplements.
Positives:
Good for vegans
Blends well
No aftertaste
Could be better:
High price
Lower than average protein concentration
- Protein source: plant
- Diet type (best for): cutting, maintenance
- Calories per serving: 100
- Protein per serving: 20 g
- Ingredients: Organic Pea Protein, Organic Brown Rice Protein, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum
- Servings per package: 16 / 20 / 47
- Price per serving: ~2$
Isopure vegan protein powder is another good example of a plant-based supplement. Just like the previous option, it is a great source of protein but the price may be not that pleasant.
You might notice at once that this powder is the lowest in protein per serving. Still, it is just because of a smaller serving size but the concentration is actually higher than in the previous option.
It has fewer ingredients and, thus, can give you more nutrient value if you just add some extra powder to your shake. However, it means that your container will go empty faster.
In fact, the price is the biggest drawback of the Isopure option and puts it that low on my list. Yet, if you find vegan protein more beneficial for your diet, it is worth trying out.
All in all, the Isopure protein powder is a decent, yet, pricey plant-based nutrient boost for your diet.
Positives:
Good for vegans
Convenient package
Easy to blend
Could be better:
High price
Lower than average protein concentration
- Protein source: plant
- Diet type (best for): cutting, maintenance
- Calories per serving: 120
- Protein per serving: 21 g
- Ingredients: Protein Blend, Organic Tapioca Powder, Silica, Guar Gum Powder, Natural Flavor, Monk Fruit Extract Powder, Lucuma Powder, Yacon Powder
- Servings per package: 15 / 30
- Price per serving: ~2$
PlantFusion vegan protein finishes the last on my list but still has its own benefits.
First of all, the protein blend is well-balanced with various plant sources that give you a great boost of other micronutrients. It may not be the main point if you strive to get the highest protein concentration but in general, it is a good bonus to your diet.
However, you can also find a lot of other extra ingredients on the list so if you are looking for the purest product, scroll up and find your best there.
Another significant drawback is the price, just as in all other plant-based proteins. Yet, it is worth giving away some extra money in case you don’t get on well with animal-based products.
All in all, PlantFusion closes my rating with a costly but decent vegan protein powder.
Positives:
Great plant sources of protein
Convenient package
Rich in micronutrients
Could be better:
High price
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How Have I Chosen the Best Unflavored Protein Powder?
In order to choose the best unflavored protein powder, I compared the main qualities that make up a decent product. Read more details below.
1. Package
I bet the package is not the first thing that you think about while picking a protein powder. Yet, it is actually more important than it may seem. If your supplement is packed in a low-quality bag that doesn’t close well, it may turn out to be a disaster.
First, it might cause a lot of mess, and, believe me, cleaning any surface from protein powder is not the best experience, moreover, it can even waste a lot of your money. Second, storing supplements in poor-sealed packages can influence their quality and behavior.
Therefore, I gave 10 points to products that have convenient containers. A lower score means either a bad cap or a poor bag.
2. Taste
This quality is, perhaps, the most important even though we talk about unflavored protein. The point is that some products may have a weird aftertaste that can worsen your smoothie, baking, or oatmeal.
Most proteins on my list don’t have such a problem so they get 10 points. If a product has only 9.5, it has some slight taste but it won’t hinder your favorite foods anyway.
3. Ingredients
Most unflavored protein powders contain only pure whey concentrate or isolate. Yet, plant-based products usually have some natural additives that make them easier to blend. If you don’t mind animal sources of protein and want the highest concentration, go for the first options on my list – they all get 10 points.
If you are a vegan or just tolerate plant protein better, have a look at the bottom of my list. You will find high-quality blends of various plant proteins. Still, I gave them fewer points because of some additives.
4. Blending
At this point, I evaluated how well a product mixes with liquids. Obviously, no one likes getting powder clumps all over their mouth. Therefore, find proteins with 10 points if you need your future supplement to blend easily. If a product falls behind a bit, you may need a blender to get a smooth texture.
5. Price/Quality
This quality is especially important for those who want to get the highest protein concentration for the most reasonable price. Our winner – Nutricost – offers the best value in these terms so check it out if you need a workable supplement that won’t rob your wallet.
However, all plant-based powders get fewer points because of high prices and lower protein concentrations. It is a usual thing for such products but it is not the best deal in terms of price-quality ratio in case you don’t have particular reasons for taking in vegan protein supplements.
Tips From the Champ
Olympic Weightlifting Champion
Why Do Athletes Eat Unflavored Protein Powder?
1. Less Additives
2. More Versatility
What to Look for in Unflavored Protein Powders?
1. Source of Protein
2. Ingredients
Most flavorless protein powders are made of pure whey isolate and don’t have any sweeteners or other additives. However, always check the list of ingredients if you want the purest powder.
For example, plant-based options usually contain some natural additives as well, so there may be slightly more fats or carbs, compared to whey powders. Even though they are not dangerous for your health, they take up some space so such products are lower in protein.
FAQ
Is Unflavoured Protein Better for You?
Usually, flavorless protein is higher in protein so gives you a more balanced nutritional boost while being more financially reasonable.
What does unflavored protein taste like?
Unflavored protein has almost no taste. You may feel a light creamy aftertaste in case of whey protein or a slightly plant-like taste in case of vegan products. Yet, it vanishes away once you add it to a smoothie, baking, oatmeal, etc.
How Do You Add Flavor to Unflavored Protein Powder?
Most athletes mix unflavored protein with fruit or vegetable smoothies. You can also add it to oatmeal, pancakes, muffins, or other baking.
Conclusion
All in all, if you want to get a workable unflavored protein powder, go to the very top and find my fav – Promix Protein Powder. It will nourish your body with the highest protein boost and won’t make you splash out on it.
Still, other products make a decent competition for our winner as well – so have a look around all options to make sure you end up with the best. And don’t forget to check out the vegan protein powders, especially the Orgain one.
What protein powder do you prefer – flavored or unflavored – and why? Share your experience below!
Also read:
- Best Protein Powder For Diabetics
- How Much Is A Scoop Of Protein Powder
- Best Optimum Nutrition Flavor
- Whey Protein Isolate vs Concentrate
- Best Myprotein Flavour
- Best Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder
- Best Protein Powder With Caffeine
- Should You Drink Protein Shakes On Rest Days
- Best Vanilla Protein Powder
- Casein vs Whey Protein
References:
- Unflavored vs Flavored Protein Powders: Which to Choose? // Naked Nutrition:
https://nakednutrition.com/blogs/protein/unflavored-vs-flavored-protein-powders - 8 Ways To Use Protein Powder That Go Beyond Shakes // Wellbeing Nutrition: https://wellbeingnutrition.com/blogs/listing/8-ways-to-use-protein-powder-that-go-beyond-shakes
- 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.
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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.
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