Not all whey protein supplements are created equal.
Some of them are absolutely fantastic, whereas some of them taste like a bucket of chalk, and others contain all the nutritional value of a fucking brick…
I’ve probably tried just about every whey protein ever developed, and my supplement reviews have been a big part in making my website what it is today. If you’re trying to buy a new whey protein supplement, consider this your A-Z guide.
You see, every five years, the “Best of the best (of the best)” have started battling it out for a place on the prestigious Russ List; a stamp of approval you can not attain if you are anything less that premium grade.
5. MyProtein “Total Protein Blend”
Product highlights:
+ 25g protein per serving.
+ 83% protein-per-serving.
+ Protein blend (whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, hydrolysed whey protein, milk protein concentrate, and micellar casein).
+ A solid lower priced option.
This is my recommendation whey protein supplement for anyone training on a budget.
It contains a protein blend with 5 (FIVE!) different sources of protein, which is astounding for such a low cost product. This blend will provide your body with a more sustained release of amino acids throughout the day, and research shows us that this is superior for muscle growth versus consuming just one source of protein.
Also, thanks to the endless promotions and deals that MyProtein offer, you can usually pick up a huge 5kg bag of Total Protein Blend for around £68, which is out of this world value.
4. JYM Supplement Science “Pro JYM”
Product highlights:
+ Fucking delicious taste.
+ 25g protein per serving.
+ A perfect blend of protein (whey protein isolate, egg, and casein).
+ Great option for people who normally suffer from digestion problems with whey protein supplements.
I know many readers would’ve expected the mighty Pro JYM to top the list, but I did warn you that the competition was tough!
Make no mistake, Pro JYM is every bit as good today as it was upon its arrival in 2015, it’s just that other brands have caught up.
The protein blend here consists of whey protein isolate, egg, and casein. Tis is a perfect blend because we have a fast release source of protein coupled with a medium-release source and a slow-release source, which will provide your body with the a staggered release of amino acids throughout the entire day. Also, JYM Supplement Science’s decision to exclude standard whey protein concentrate from the formula (they use whey protein isolate instead) make this a great option for anyone who has previously experienced digestion problems when using a standard whey protein shake.
Unfortunately, each 37 gram scoop contains only 25 grams of protein, so it only has a 67% protein-per-serving ratio. That’s because Dr. Stoppani has used a fuck-tonne of fillers and creamers to improve taste. It works in way, because it’s lovely, but its worth knowing that such a large percentage of the tub has been dedicated to ingredients which aren’t protein, so the serving size is larger and your tub empties faster.
3. Optimum Nutrition “100% Gold Standard Whey”
Product highlights:
+ 24g protein per serving.
+ 76% protein-per-serving.
+ Delicious taste.
+ Good protein blend (whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate).
German manufacturers Optimum Nutrition have been at the top of the supplement ame since 1986, and this is their flagship product.
ON’s ultra-professional branding has always separated them from their rivals – it’s less like a bodybuilding brand, and more like a fully-fledged sports brand (e.g. Nike).
The classic red and black design of 100% Gold Standard Whey has been a staple of supplement stores and gyms around the world for two decades (seriously, this thing has sold more units than Eminem!), and it remains as popular today as ever.
100% Gold Standard Whey contains a premium grade blend of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate, a light and fluffy consistency which tastes awesome (even in water!), and there’s barely any filler ingredients at all, with an impressive 76% protein-per-serving ratio.
2. Love Life Supplements “Primal One”
Product highlights:
+ 20g protein per serving.
+ Stacks of additional health benefits thanks to the inclusion of chia seeds, vitamin D3, curcumin, and digestive enzymes.
+ A mighty 12g MCT per serving.
+ Perfect for people who follow a high protein/high fat diet.
This beast of a whey protein from UK-based manufacturers Love Life Supplements is targeted towards a very specific niche, and it’s damn near perfect!
This company has carved out a trustworthy reputation in recent years as a brand who only use top-of-the-line ingredients and erase all the unnecessary “fluff” we often see thrown into supplements (e.g. thickeners, additional sugars, and sweeteners).
Primal One has been aimed towards trainees who follow a high protein/high fat diet, so each scoop provides you with a 20g serving of protein and a whopping 12 grams of MCT powder. It also contains a wide spectrum of digestive enzymes, curcumin, vitamin D3, and chia seeds, making each scoop of Primal One feel like a full-body M.O.T. rather than just a muscle builder!
1. NutraBio “Muscle Matrix Protein”
Product highlights:
+ 25g protein per serving.
+ A huge 80% protein-per-serving.
+ Premium grade protein blend (whey protein isolate and casein).
+ No unnecessary fillers and sweeteners at all.
+ A completely transparent label with no proprietary blends or hidden doses. NutraBio even have their products tested by a third-party and then publish the results on their website!
NutraBio are currently head and shoulders above the competition.
Founded in 1996, these guys have been releasing excellent supplements for a long time without ever really getting the credit they deserve, but their time is NOW.
In a strange way, they kind of inspired my creation of the “Russ List”, because I grew tired of seeing impressive supplements be overlooked in favour of more flashy products.
And when we strip things all the way back to basics to focus on just the science and nutritional values, there isn’t a whey protein supplement in the world right now which can go toe-to-toe with the one NutraBio have developed right here.
Muscle Matrix Protein will give you an impressive 25 grams of protein, and it uses a great blend of whey protein isolate and casein for a fast/slow release of amino acids. There’s barely any room in the scoop for carbohydrates and fat, and there’s zero unnecessary fillers (e.g. thickeners, sweeteners, and added sugars).
A few years ago, they hit the headlines when Dr. Jim Stoppani (from JYM) unwittingly picked a fight with them in an attempt to sell more products, and the professional manner in which NutraBio CEO Mark Glazier defended his brand only made more people love them. Check it out:
The Best Of The Best… Of The Best!
So there you have it!
Congratulations to NutraBio for taking home 1st place in the inaugural “Russ List”.
They’ll remain at #1 until the next edition of the list is published in 2025, at which point we’ll see if any other brands have been able to close the gap. Here are the top 5 whey protein powders in full:
- NutraBio: “Muscle Matrix Protein”
- Love Life Supplements: “Primal One”
- Optimum Nutrition: “100% Gold Standard Whey”
- JYM Supplement Science: “Pro JYM”
- Myprotein: “Total Protein Blend”
Further Reading:
If you enjoyed this blog, then you’ll probably also like reading these.
>> The Top 10 Pre-Workouts Of 2020 (The Russ List)
>> Russ’ Guide To Supplements
>> Workout Programs Now Available On RussHowePTI.com!
The shock on my face was REALLLLL when I say Pro Jym isn’t #1! Looks like there are a few good brands I had no idea existed 🙂