R.D.-Approved: Best Vegan Protein Powder (2024) | Garage Gym Reviews (2024)

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One of my favorite pastimes is dispelling old wives’ tales. For example, you can swim right after eating food, it’s not taboo to rub your chopsticks together at a sushi restaurant, and you can build muscle on a vegan diet. You can disagree all you want, but there are countless athletes and everyday people who thrive without meat or milk.

I’m what they call a “flexitarian,” meaning I eat animal-based products, but there have been times where I primarily drink vegan protein powders. Our team has personally tested more than 90 of the best protein powder supplements on the market and researched dozens more to help those living a plant-based lifestyle, lactose-intolerant gym-goers, or those just looking to shake up their diet.

When it comes specifically to vegan proteins, we look at factors like:

• Protein source: The source and quality of the protein — does it use soy (a common allergen) or complementary proteins like brown rice, pumpkin, chia seed, and flax seed?
• Formulation: The amount of protein, carbs, and fats per serving
• Transparency: Has it been third-party tested for heavy metals and toxins? Bonus points were awarded to any brand that showed an amino acid breakdown to prove it contains all essential amino acids needed for muscle growth.
• Other ingredients: Does it contain artificial sweeteners and ingredients?

We also ran tests for solubility and judged how the powder tastes. I’m a certified nutrition coach, and I worked with Laila Ouldibbat, R.D., and Sydney Lappe, R.D., to examine the amino acid profile and other ingredients of each powder on this list to determine the best vegan protein powder.

RELATED: Best Vegan Creatine

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.

The 13 Best Vegan Protein Powders

• Best Vegan Protein Powder Overall: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice and Pea Protein
• Best Vegan Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Ritual Essential Protein 18+
• Best Pea Protein Powder: Legion Plant+
• Best Clean Vegan Protein Powder: KOS Organic Plant Protein
• Best Organic Vegan Protein Powder: 1st Phorm Vegan Power Pro
• Best Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder: Onnit Plant-Based Protein Powder
• Best Soy Vegan Protein Powder: Bulk Supplements Soy Protein Isolate
• Best Vegan Protein Powder for Weight Gain: Transparent Labs Vegan Mass Gainer
• Best Unflavored Vegan Protein Powder: Garden of Life Raw Organic Plant-Based Protein
• Best Budget Vegan Protein Powder: Now Sports Plant Protein Complex
• Best-Tasting Vegan Protein Powder: Truvani Plant Protein Powder
• Best Vegan Protein Powder for Muscle Building: Innermost The Health Protein
• Best Vegan Protein for Athletes: Vega Sport Premium Protein

A Word About Vegan Protein and Amino Acids

While we maintain that you can build muscle and get stronger on a vegan diet, it’s important to note that vegan protein differs from animal-based protein sources in a pretty significant way. Some vegan protein lacks compounds known as essential amino acids¹, or amino acids that our body can’t produce in substantial amounts by itself and thus must be obtained through our food.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein—essentially, they’re little puzzle pieces that work to create a picture (in this case, a protein molecule). Animal-based protein sources, like whey protein powders, have all the pieces, but vegan-based protein sources, with the exception of soy, are missing some.

This is why vegan protein is sometimes called “incomplete protein,” and why it’s more challenging—but again, not impossible—to build muscle on a vegan diet.

There are two ways to address this issue, the first being to mix two or more complementary proteins together. This is why you’ll sometimes see vegan protein powders with pea and hemp protein, because one has the essential amino acids that the other doesn’t. Manufacturers can also add amino acids to their protein powder to create a complete protein.

Best Vegan Protein Powder Overall: Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Rice and Pea Protein

Good for: Those looking for an all-natural, third-party tested vegan protein powder

Transparent Labs is a company we stand behind again and again because they truly live up their name by not only telling you what’s in their protein powder, but exactly how much of it is in there, too. They give you the exact weight of rice protein and pea protein—which when combined create a complete protein source with all the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth—as well as stevia. So you know you’re only putting clean ingredients in your body.

Certified personal trainer and GGR staff writer Lauren Strong rates the Transparent Labs Vegan Protein formula a 5 out of 5 and the solubility (how easily it dissolves) a 4 out of 5, saying, “It mixes well, no issues with that, but this has a different texture than whey protein,” she says in our full Transparent Labs Vegan Protein review. It’s not gritty, but there is more residue/film in the shaker.” So, it may require a little more elbow grease when shaking up.

Beyond that, the protein powder is Informed Choice certified, meaning it’s been checked for harmful ingredients and banned substances that could show up on a drug test.

As for taste, Lauren Strong felt the Chocolate flavor was a middle-of-the-road 3 out of 5. “It tastes like a dark chocolate drink but with an earthy hint because of the rice and pea protein,” she says. “I would not suggest this for people who like sweet/sugary protein drinks. There is not that much sugar and you can really taste the cocoa powder.”

At present, Transparent Labs only offers two flavors (French vanilla and chocolate), so that could be a determining factor if you have a more adventurous palate.

Best Vegan Protein Powder For Weight Loss: Ritual Essential Protein 18+

Good for: Anyone looking for a protein powder that can help them achieve a caloric deficit

Ritual Essential Protein 18+ has 115 calories per scoop, which is less than many of the options on our list, but still packs 20 grams of high-quality protein to help keep you full and maintain a caloric deficit to achieve weight loss.

GGR Head of Content and competitive weightlifter Kate Meier says this doesn’t taste like a low-calorie protein powder. She gave the Vanilla flavor, the only option, a 4 out of 5 on taste and said it’s a little chalky but still very drinkable with just water. “That’s how decent I think the taste is,” she says. It’s much better, she adds, in a smoothie mixed with berries. “The taste is definitely detectable, but not overly strong.”

An item of note, this is a pea protein, which normally isn’t considered a complete protein because it’s low in the amino acid methionine. Ritual, however, adds enough of the essential amino acid to their protein supplement.

Kate ranks Ritual 18+ really high in all our testing categories. Her only complaint was the packaging itself, “I don’t love the closing mechanism. It’s almost like a Velcro, and the protein gets stuck in it and makes it hard to seal.”

Best Pea Protein Powder: Legion Plant+

Good for: Anyone looking for a good-tasting and nutritious protein powder

Pea protein powder is popular among fitness enthusiasts because it’s easily digestible and comes with more micronutrients than other plant-based protein sources. And while that’s one of the secrets behind Legion Plant+, it’s not the only one.

RELATED: Pea Protein Benefits

Each scoop has 24 to 25 grams of protein, depending on the flavor, which is pretty high for a plant-based protein powder (most have around 20 grams). Legion accomplishes this by combining pea protein powder with brown rice protein powder to give you all the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth. That, combined with relatively low amounts of fats and carbohydrates, is enough to earn it a 5 out of 5 on formulation.

Legion’s one of our go-to protein powder brands because they use all-natural ingredients and are third-party tested, and Plant+ is no different.

Another reason we love Legion is because they make tasty protein powders. Lindsay Scheele, a certified personal trainer and lead reviewer of GGR Everything, gave the Apple Pie flavor a 4 out of 5. “The apple flavor was a bit lacking, but the cinnamon saved it,” she says in our Legion Plant protein review. “Not bad, but will probably be too sweet for some.” She also notes that while there are no artificial ingredients there is a slight artificial aftertaste.

Solubility, on the other hand, was no issue and received a 5 out of 5 rating when mixed with oat milk. “It had a good texture and wasn’t too thick,” Lindsay says.

RELATED: Pea Protein vs Whey

Here’s the bad news: This is an expensive bag of protein powder. There’s only 20 servings per bag and each scoop comes out to $2.50. That number goes down to $2 per serving if you place it on a monthly subscription, but we’re still rating the pricing a 1 out of 5. You’ll have to decide if it’s worth the investment — nearly 900 customer reviewers think it is and have rated it 5 stars.

Best Clean Vegan Protein Powder: KOS Organic Plant Protein

Good for: Anyone looking for a high-quality vegan protein powder

Why did we select KOS Organic Plant Protein as our best overall vegan protein powder? The proof is in the (protein) pudding. For each scoop, you get 160 calories, 20 grams of protein (which comes from a blend of protein sources including pea protein, flaxseed, quinoa, and pumpkin seed protein), nine grams of carbohydrates, and six grams of fat. There are also several vitamins and minerals, which people who are trying to lose weight may often be deficient in, and all essential amino acids though the company doesn’t say how much of each is in a scoop.

Our product tester, Amanda Capritto, CPT, CES, CNC, CF-L1, rates the formula a 4 out of 5 and specifically calls out the digestive enzyme blend (called DigeSEB) KOS uses in their product. DigeSEB contains amylases, lactase, proteases, lipase, and cellulase to help reduce stomach discomfort like gas or bloating, a hallmark of some whey-based protein powders.

There’s also a high-quality blend of fruits, vegetables, and superfoods added to the powder for additional fiber, which has been shown to help aid weight loss³.

Vegan powders get a bad rap in the taste department, but the chocolate flavor wasn’t the worst that our tester Amanda tried.“It’s pretty rich, which I feel is rare with plant-based protein powders,” she says, giving KOS a 3 out of 5 for taste. “Even with water, the taste is decent. It’s not great, but it’s not terrible.”

Our nutrition expert Laila Ouldibbat, R.D., says the KOS Organic Plant Protein is, “Actually an ‘all-in-one’ protein shake that can be used as a meal replacement, within reason and once a day.” So whether you’re looking for thebest protein powders for weight lossor simply want to fuel your muscles this is a great pick for any vegan dieters.

Read Amanda’s full KOS vegan protein review to find out more.

Best Organic Vegan Protein Powder: 1st Phorm Vegan Power Pro

Good for: Those who prefer to buy everything organic

For those who don’t know, vegan doesn’t always mean healthy or organic. Some plant-based products are just as unhealthy as animal-based products, but that doesn’t apply to 1st Phorm Vegan Power Pro, which is both organic, nutritious, and delicious.

This organic protein powder is made from a mix of premium pure pea protein and rice protein sources. One scoop provides you 19 grams of protein, two grams of fat, and three grams of carbs, which we think is a pretty solid balance.

RELATED: Best Organic Protein Powder

It is 100 percent non-GMO, contains no common allergens (such as gluten, dairy, and soy), is free of artificial dyes and sweeteners, and contains a rich green superfood complex. Research suggests that adding superfoods to your diet may improve your health by boosting your immune system. On top of that, it is naturally sweetened with stevia, which is great for people who find that sugar alcohols don’t sit quite right.

Many customer reviewers say they’re not vegan, but love the product because they’re lactose intolerant and this protein powder is lactose-free. Finding a protein powder that is easy on both the palate and stomach can be tricky, but this one is easy on both!

It’s available in five flavors, including fun ones like iced oatmeal cookie and key lime pie. Imagine mixing the iced oatmeal cookie flavor into your morning coffee or the key lime pie into a refreshing post-workout smoothie.

If you want to also add a ready-to-go protein shake to your regimen check out our list of best protein shakes.

Best Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder: Onnit Plant-Based Protein

Good for: Any plant-based eaters who love a good chocolate protein shake

Certified nutrition coach and GGR Editor Frieda Johnson primarily eats a plant-based diet and says Onnit Plant-Based Protein is one of the few vegan chocolate shakes she enjoys. “This actually tastes quite a bit like a dairy-free chocolate milk I used to get,” she says in our Onnit Plant-Based protein review, rating the taste a 4.75 out of 5.

One reason for that might be the addition of avocado powder that adds fattiness to mimic the mouthfeel of dairy milk. “This was richer, creamier, and less watered-down tasting than many other vegan chocolate protein powders I’ve tried,” Frieda says.

In addition to being dairy-free, this vegan protein powder is also soy-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free so just about anyone can enjoy it. It has 20 grams of protein per scoop, which is on the lower end of what we like to see so we’ll give it a 4 out of 5 for formulation. It gets bonus points for being lean, containing a moderate amount of carbs and fats, and having 2.27 grams of leucine per scoop.

Leucine is a branched-chain amino acid that’s linked to muscle growth. The International Society of Sports Nutrition says protein powders for muscle gain should have between 0.7 to 3 grams per scoop. Whey protein powders typically hit that mark, but plant-based proteins other than Onnit tend to be lower in this vital ingredient.

Onnit is trusted by athletes everywhere, so it’s no surprise that it’s certified by Informed Sport, one of the most trustworthy organizations that tests products for banned and harmful substances. We give it a 5 out of 5 for transparency.

One low mark for Onnit plant protein is its cost — it will run you $2.25 per scoop. It goes down to $1.61 if you put it on a subscription.

Best Soy Vegan Protein Powder: Bulk Supplements Soy Protein Isolate

Good for: Plant-based eaters looking for a complete protein source

Soy protein is one of the few “complete” vegan protein powders — meaning it contains all the essential amino acids needed to help with weight loss or muscle gain — and in our opinion there’s no better option than Bulk Supplements Soy Protein Isolate.

You get 25 grams of protein per serving, zero grams of fat, and 3 grams of carbs (three of which comes from fiber), earning it a 5 out of 5 on formulation. There’s very little in the way of micronutrients, though it does have a decent amount of iron to help support oxygen delivery to your muscles.

There are two other reasons why we love Bulk Supplements Soy Protein: Taste and price.

Alright, taste may be a bit misleading since this is an unflavored soy protein powder. But, the good news is it actually tastes like nothing and there’s no weird aftertaste. While it feels weird to give a non-flavored protein supplement a 5 out of 5 on taste, that’s exactly what we’re doing here.

This makes it a great choice if you want an easy way to add extra protein to your morning smoothies or perhaps some baked goods (protein cookies anyone?) without adding any extra flavor to the product.

On price, this is one of the most affordable supplements out there. A 1-kilogram bag (2.2 pounds) comes out to 73 cents per serving, and can be even cheaper than that if you order a bigger bag. We give it a 5 out of 5 on pricing since it falls under a dollar.

This next bit goes out to the people at Bulk Supplements: Why on Earth was this sent without a scoop? Please let me know.

In terms of mixing, I found minimal clumps after shaking it for a few seconds in a shaker bottle.

Best Vegan Protein Powder for Weight Gain: Transparent Labs Vegan Mass Gainer

Good for: Plant-based bodybuilders or other athletes looking to put on quality size

Plant-based food tends to be lower in calories than animal-based foods, so instead of gorging yourself on tempeh and vegan protein bars we recommend trying out Transparent Labs Vegan Mass Gainer. Each 2-scoop serving has 730 calories and a roughly 2:1 ratio of carbs to protein, which is enough to earn it a 5 out of 5 for its formulation.

We like the 2:1 ratio because it allows for lean muscle growth. The best mass gainers sometimes have closer to a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio, though those typically use lower-quality carbs and could lean to excess caloric intake that can result in gaining more fat than muscle. The 2:1 ratio still allows for most of the calories to be used for energy, allowing the protein to be used for preserving and building muscle.

The company lives up to its name by being transparent about what’s in its product, and we can see that they’re using high-quality carbs and other ingredients. One thing we’re thrilled to see is a 3 gram serving of creatine, the most studied supplement that’s been tied to muscle recovery and growth. Plus, they use all-natural ingredients, though some people may object to the use of stevia.

Certified nutrition coach and GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly says the flavor gets a 5 out of 5 because it tastes just like Transparent Labs’ whey-based protein powders. “Their Chocolate Glaze Donut reminds me of an Entenmann’s donuts,” he says. “It tastes very natural and has the right amount of sweetness. It’s more of a milk chocolate taste than dark chocolate, but that’s alright by me.”

Unfortunately, we have to give it a 1 out of 5 on price when ordered as a one-time purchase. Each scoop will run you $5.33, though to be fair that’s a lot cheaper than most Impossible Burgers these days.

Best Unflavored Vegan Protein Powder: Garden of Life Raw Organic Plant-Based Protein

Good for: Anyone who wants an unflavored protein supplement

If you’re looking for a protein powder for smoothies that won’t overpower your other ingredients, Garden of Life Raw Organic Plant-Based Protein is our choice for plant-based eaters. Certified nutrition coach Anthony O’Reilly gave it a 4 out of 5 on taste, saying it was mostly “unflavored,” but that there was a slight aftertaste.

“It wasn’t anything too bad and you can’t even notice it when you add other things to it,” he says. “I add some vanilla extract and it makes the protein taste just like vanilla.”

The solubility, he says, is also a 4 out of 5. “A little grainy, but not too much,” he says. “With a blender there were no chunks, but if you’re just using a shaker bottle you’ll definitely notice it, even after shaking it for a while.”

While Anthony hasn’t used it for baking or cooking, hundreds of Amazon reviewers have said it’s a good protein powder to use in baking or cooking.

The formulation gets a 5 out of 5 because it’s high in protein — 22 grams — and there’s only 2.5 and 2 grams of fats and carbohydrates, respectively. It also comes with additional ingredients such as a probiotic and digestive enzyme blend to help with digestion.

In terms of price, you’ll be paying about $1.69 per scoop—which we rate a 3.5 out of 5. It’s not the most expensive protein powder on this list, though we think it’s a bit high for what you’re getting.

Best Budget Vegan Protein Powder: NOW Sports Plant Protein Complex

Good for: People on a budget

At around $1.26 per serving, the NOW Sports Plant Protein Complex is one of the most budget-friendly vegan protein powders on the market that we’d recommend. The combination of yellow pea, hemp, and quinoa proteins deliver 22 total grams of protein, seven grams of carbs, and two grams of fat per serving. All essential amino acids are in this powder and clearly labeled on the tub, though it lacks micronutrients.

In addition to being vegan-friendly, the NOW Sports Plant Protein Complex is soy-free (soy is a common allergen) and is free of artificial sweeteners, instead being sweetened with both xylitol and stevia.

I tried the Creamy Vanilla flavor, and it was just OK. I got a very gritty mouthfeel, even after shaking it up for quite some time, so it received a 3 out of 5 for solubility on our rating metrics. In the spirit of honesty, I’ll also admit that I dealt with some gas after drinking this protein.

On to the formula. As NOW Sports mentions on its websites, athletes who have to go through routine drug screening should check with their organization’s sanctioning body to check on its hemp policy. Hemp contains small traces of THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, and while it’s incredibly rare, there have been cases⁴ where THC has shown up in athletes’ urine samples after they ingested hemp protein.

This shouldn’t be a reason for you to stray away from NOW Sports, however, as it would require a large amount of hemp protein for this to happen, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re a competitive athlete.

Best-Tasting Vegan Protein Powder: Truvani Plant Protein Powder

Good for: Those who want their vegan protein shake to actually taste good

If you’ve read closely thus far, you’re already aware that our team of near-carnivores is not a fan of plant-based protein powder in terms of taste. (Although we do recognize the plethora of non-taste-related benefits to vegan protein powder.)

That being said, product tester and GGR senior staff writer Amanda Capritto tried Truvani plant-based protein powder and actually likes it—yes, really, truly, actually likes it. It came as a surprise to her and us, too!

Amanda says, “This is THE BEST vegan protein powder I have ever tried, and it’s the ONLY vegan protein powder I’ll drink willingly over and over again.” She also praises its extremely rich chocolate flavor and smooth texture.

As for the nutrition facts, Truvani gets kudos there, too. Made with just six organic ingredients, Truvani protein powder provides 20 grams of protein, five grams of carbohydrates, two grams of fiber, and just two grams of sugar. It’s sweetened with organic monk fruit extract.

The ingredients list is very simple and reads: organic pea protein concentrate, organic alkalized cocoa, organic vanilla powder, organic pumpkin seed concentrate, organic monk fruit extract, and organic chia seed protein.

Our one complaint is that it’s on the pricey end at a very intense $3.00 per serving. That’s really high, but if you want an all-organic product and one that actually tastes good, Truvani is a good bet.

Best Vegan Protein Powder for Building Muscle: Innermost The Health Protein

Good for: Gym-goers looking to build muscle

The Health Protein by Innermost comes packed with 31 grams of protein per scoop, with only 2.5 grams of carbs and 1.4 grams of fat. So most of the calories come from protein, which can help lead to muscle growth.More importantly than the high protein content, it contains all of the essential amino acids and 12 grams of branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, which can potentially help support muscle growth and post-workout recovery, Laila Ouldibbat, R.D., says.

Lauren Strong, GGR writer and expert product tester, was impressed by Innermost’s macronutrient profile and said the chocolate flavor was inoffensive, but not great.

“It has a plant-based/earthy flavor but it’s not offensive,” she says. “It felt a little grainy at first, but I just shook it more in the shaker bottle and it was fine.”

RELATED: Best Supplements for Muscle Growth

Laila also pointed out that the powder contains a number of organic compounds: glutamine, shiitake, maitake, reishi, cordyceps, bilberries, camu camu, and acai berries. All of these ingredients, she says, have anti-inflammatory properties to help mitigate muscle pain, and are also great for hair, skin, and nail health.

Best Vegan Protein Powder for Athletes: Vega Sport Premium Protein

Good for: People who want a vegan protein shake that is actually tasty, and high in protein and nutrients

Beyond being one of the best-tasting protein powders on the market, Vega Sport Premium Protein also has benefits for those who hit the training ground on a daily basis. It’s made with tart cherry, which has been found² to support muscle recovery, and contains 30 grams of protein, five grams of carbs, and three grams of fat, earning it a 5 out of 5 on formulation and making it a good choice for those recovering from game day.

Laila Ouldibbat, R.D., points out that it contains all of the essential amino acids but is lacking in two that are made by the body (no biggie)

Vega is also great for gut health. The powder comes with 2 billion CFUs of probiotics for easier digestion— certified personal trainer Anthony O’Reilly used a tub of this for 30 days and didn’t experience the digestive issues that he sometimes have with other plant-based protein powder.

Anthony went with the Mocha flavor and actually enjoyed it, giving it a 5 out of 5 for taste. “It reminded me of those instant cappuccinos you can get from Italian vending machines,” he says. “And if you’ve never been to Italy, imagine chocolate with a hint of coffee. I’ve started mixing it with almond milk and it’s a nice way to start the day.”

In terms of protein, it comes from a blend of pea, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and alfalfa (a type of legume, or bean).

Sydney Lappe, registered dietitian, warns, “Vega discloses that the protein is manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts, milk, soy, egg, tree nuts, and sesame, which ultimately poses the risk of cross-contamination.”However, this is NSF-Certified for Sport, which makes me think that you’re probably safe trusting this product.

Read our full Vega protein powder review for the rest of our thoughts on this protein powder.

Other Vegan Protein Powders We Tried

• NorCal Organic Pea Protein: Frieda also tested this one and says, “It has a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower fruit flavors in a smoothie. I’m actually pretty surprised at how mild this is for pea protein.”
• Anthony’s Premium Pea Protein: This is “pretty standard for pea protein,” Frieda says. “If you’re not used to it, it might taste a bit strong. It mixes fine in smoothies and baked goods, but some of the pea flavor is likely to come through.”
• Naked Pea: According to our product tester, this one has a strong pea protein flavor, and a serving is two pretty large scoops. It will make whatever you mix it with taste like pea protein unless you really double-down on the sweeteners.
• NOW Sports Pea Protein Isolate: This pea protein was one of the best for baking, our tester says, but the pea flavor comes through too strongly in beverages.
• Bulk Supplements Pea Protein Isolate: Another that’s good for baking, but not so much for drinking.
• Nutiva Hemp Protein: “It has a slightly nutty, bitter flavor. I thought it was quite good with oatmeal with some dried fruit, cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup,” Frieda says. She didn’t use the full serving amount, however, as it’s a whopping 4 tablespoons, which is a bit much for a bowl of oatmeal.

RELATED: Hemp Protein Powder Benefits

How We Picked and Tested

We have a rigorous supplement testing methodology we apply to any product we test.

We start by researching dozens of vegan protein powders before choosing the products we order and bring in-house for personal testing. From there, our team actually uses the protein powder to assess for factors like solubility and taste. We also consult with registered dietitians for their take on the formulation.

Our criteria for assessing protein powders includes the following factors.

Third-Party Testing

We prioritize products that have undergone third-party testing, because it means we know we can trust what’s on the label is accurate. Our team rates products high when they are NSF Certified for Sport or hold some other type of certification.

However, we recognize that not all brands can afford such testing, and that doesn’t necessarily mean the product is no good. In those cases, we analyze the brand and the product label to look for trust signals and transparency, such as avoiding proprietary blends.

Price

We do the math to figure out how much you’re paying per serving of a product. When it comes to vegan protein powders, we find that the average price is between $1.50 and $1.90 for a quality product.

Formulation

There are several factors that come into play here, as we look not only at the ingredients, but also the dosing. To score a perfect 5 out of 5 on formulation, a product must have at least 20 grams of protein as well as be free from artificial ingredients.

We take into account factors like:

• Protein content: How much protein does each scoop contain?
• Amino acids: Can all essential amino acids be found in the product?
• Micronutrients: Did the protein powder come with vitamins and minerals?
• Ingredients: Does the vegan protein powder contain high-quality ingredients, or is it filled with artificial sweeteners and thickeners?
• Allergens: We looked for vegan protein powders free from allergens such as soy to give everyone an option.

Taste

Taste is subjective, and we recognize that it isn’t necessarily fair for meat-eaters like many of the people on our team to gauge the taste of a vegan protein powder. We enlisted product testers who are themselves vegan or who have vegan preferences.

We also looked at flavor offerings. While unflavored protein is just fine, we gave bonus points to brands that offer at least two or more flavor options.

Solubility

No one likes a chunky protein shake. Our testers mixed the vegan protein powders with water and with a milk substitute, using shaker cups, spoons, and blenders to rate how well the powder dissolves.

RELATED: Muscle Milk Review

Types of Vegan Protein Powder

Vegan protein isn’t just limited to soy; there are many plant sources that you can get your protein intake from. The most popular ingredients used in plant-based protein (other than soy, of course) are pea and and brown rice, but you can also find formulas containing protein from hemp, chia, and pumpkin seeds.

If you’re interested in diving deeper into the cave of plant-based wonders, here are a few of our roundups detailing the top brands in the vegan protein category:

• Best soy protein powder
• Best pea protein powder
• Best hemp protein powder

Benefits of Vegan Protein Powder

This one’s more aimed at people who are considering going plant-based, vegetarian, or dairy-free but may not have made the jump yet. Here are a few reasons why you might consider vegan protein powder over whey or casein protein.

• Easier digestibility: Whey and casein protein contain lactose, which can be hard for some people to digest even if they’re not lactose intolerant. For that reason, some people prefer vegan protein powders over dairy-based protein.
• Price: Many of the vegan protein powders we tried out were more budget-friendly than their whey and casein counterparts.
• Environmental: Vegan and plant-based foods are often better for the environment and result in fewer carbon emissions when compared to animal products.

RELATED: Best protein bars

What to Look for in Vegan Protein Powders

The best protein powder for men may differ from what women, but in some cases they’re the same. Here’s a look at what to keep in mind before going up and down the supplement aisle.

• Price: How much does each serving cost?
• Protein source: Where does the vegan protein powder get its protein content from? Does it have all essential amino acids?
• Total calories: How many calories, carbs, and fats are in each scoop?
• Serving size: Those who need more protein day-to-day, like athletes, older adults, and those with muscle-building goals, may need two, if not three or four, scoops of vegan protein to get an adequate amount because they are incomplete proteins.
• Taste: Does it taste good?
• Allergens: If you’re allergic to soy be sure to read the nutrition label extra carefully. Some vegan protein powders may also not be gluten-free.

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Vegan Protein Powder: FAQs

References

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