If you buy whey protein on a regular basis, you’ve probably noticed that prices have dramatically increased in the last couple of years. Some brands are now selling at about double the price they used to sell for not a long time ago.
Well, to be fair it’s not just whey protein; everything else has gotten more expensive lately. There are still some reasonably priced whey protein products out there, and that’s what I want to focus on in this article.
Best Affordable Whey Protein in 2024 (Reddit Picks)
These are some of the best affordable whey protein brands that I gathered from different Reddit discussions. These may not be the absolute cheapest, but they strike a good balance between cost and quality.
1. Naked Nutrition
Naked Nutrition is a popular brand on Reddit for offering whey protein powder that is clean, third-party tested, and affordable. They don’t use junk additives, fillers, artificial sweeteners, or any of the common fluff you see in other powders.
Their unflavored whey powder only has one ingredient: pure whey protein concentrate. It can be a little challenging to mix by hand, but you don’t want to do that anyway. This one is good for smoothies and baking. You can also pick one of the naturally-flavored options (chocolate, vanilla, etc.)
2. Sports Research
Sports Research makes good-tasting and budget-friendly whey protein isolate that’s third-party tested. It’s one of the most affordable whey isolate brands on the market as of 2024, and they give you an additional discount if you subscribe via their website.
This ones mixes more easily than Naked’s whey and it tastes better out of the box (it comes in a bag actually). They only have two flavors: vanilla and chocolate. These are the safest and most versatile flavors you can add to smoothies and whatnot.
3. Optimum Nutrition
The good old Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey protein is another top recommendation on Reddit. It’s cost-effective and comes in a big selection of flavors.
The formula is made from a blend of whey protein isolate, whey concentrate, and hydrolyzed whey. It gives you a good dosage of 24 grams protein per scoop with minimal amount of sugar (they use artificial sweeteners).
4. Nutricost
Nutricost sells budget-friendly whey protein isolate in a variety of flavors. It’s better to go with the unflavored powder and add your own flavors/sweeteners because that’s the cleanest option. The flavored powder comes with sucralose and artificial flavors.
Prices on their own website are higher than other online stores. For example, the 5 lb tub sells for $113 on their website, but you can get it for $75 from iHerb.
5. NOW Sports
NOW is one of the most reputable brands of nutritional supplements that manufactures and tests their products in GMP certified facilities in the USA.
Their whey concentrate and isolate powders come in different flavors. Stick to the unflavored version if you want to avoid the aftertaste of the sweeteners they use (xylitol and stevia).
Conclusion
Overall, Naked Nutrition, Sports Research, and Optimum Nutrition are the best value whey protein brands recommended on Reddit in 2024. Naked is the cleanest powder with no additives whatsoever, while Sports Research comes out on top for its better taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best whey protein powder for women?
Sports Research and Naked Nutrition whey protein powders are popular choices for women. Naked is more preferred by women who follow a clean diet since it doesn’t contain any fillers or artificial ingredients.
What is the best whey protein powder for men?
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard whey protein is one of the top brands vouched for by athletic men. It comes in many flavors and it contains some junk/artificial additives which isn’t an issue for most men!
What is the best whey protein powder for beginners?
It’s recommended that beginners go with a flavored whey protein powder because unflavored ones can be more challenging to take. Both Sports Research and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard have good flavors that can be acceptable to a beginner.
What is the best whey protein for muscle gain?
It doesn’t matter which brand you choose as long as it provides you with the right amount of protein based on the requirements of your body and workout routine. It’s important to pick a product that goes well with your taste buds and doesn’t feel like a punishment to drink (personal preferences vary).
