My Top 5 Protein Powders in 2025
There are a million different protein powders out there and I’ve tried more than you can count. Like many things in life, I think finding your favorites are subjective since we all have our own taste and ingredient preferences. But the number one most asked question in my DMs each week (aside from my relationship status post divorce lol) is for protein powder recommendations. And I get it — protein powders are expensive and often not returnable, so making a mistake and buying one that tastes like a pile of chalk is really disappointing. So today I am sharing my top 5 protein powder recommendations—the ones that you will find in my pantry at all times. And the reason I like more than one brand, is because certain days I’m in the mood for a specific taste or flavor more than others. Plus, it’s nice to have options to change things up!
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake—ok so I have been using Ritual protein for many years now and I have worked with them on and off. The protein powder is FANTASTIC and ranks high as a favorite. It comes in 1 flavor—vanilla—and the flavor is SUPER subtle, so it doesn’t overpower your shake and you can bake with it. More than that though, this protein powder—unlike others—contains all 9 essential amino acids (thanks to the addition of L-methionine) and it’s plant-based. Each serving contains 20g of protein and each ingredient has been tested for heavy metals. I really love Ritual and you can find it here.
Ka’Chava Whole Body Nutrition Shake—Ka’Chava is another protein that’s been in my rotation for years. This one is more than a basic protein powder. Ka’Chava contains 85 superfoods and nutrients in each serving and it’s the protein I use when I want my smoothie to be more of a meal because it’s filling (thanks to all the nutrients and proper balance of protein, fiber and healthy fats. It’s higher in calories than the others—240 calories—but that’s because it is whole body nutrition and not just the protein itself. I love both the chocolate and vanilla and it blends into smoothies so perfectly, there is no chalky taste whatsoever. It’s lightly sweetened (4g/serving) with low-glycemic coconut nectar and lo han guo fruit, which is a natural zero-calorie sweetener that has no impact on blood sugar. I highly recommend and love Ka’Chava!
Truvani—Truvani is yet another favorite. The reason I love Truvani (besides all the fun flavors) is because it’s made with only 6 ingredients and their protein is certified organic, and it’s sweetened with monk fruit instead of stevia, which I prefer any day of the week. Stevia always tastes so strong IMO and leaves the worst aftertaste. Monkfruit, on the other hand, does not, and is my preferred sweetener! Another highlight of Truvani is how creamy my smoothies turn out, thanks to the non-gritty texture of the protein itself. It’s plant based and contains 20g protein per serving. It’s a winner and my favorite is the chocolate flavor, because it’s super chocolatey.
VitaHustle—I am newest to VitaHustle and I only discovered it earlier this year when my manager asked me if I wanted to work with this brand. Before I said yes, I put it to the test and made smoothies each day for a week using it, so that I could give an accurate review. The verdict? I LOVE VitaHustle. It comes in so many different flavors, all of which knock it out of the park. Each serving contains 86 superfoods, prebiotic fiber for digestion, essential vitamins and minerals, making it a very well rounded protein powder. And get this? Each serving contains a whopping 26 grams of plant based protein. It is lightly sweetened with both monkfruit and stevia, but trust me, you can’t taste the stevia (I am picky, so trust me). All in all, I can’t say enough good things about VitaHustle, and I am so happy I decided to give this brand a chance because it ranks high on my list.
Orgain—Orgain is my least favorite of the bunch, but still one I use probably once a week. It’s certified organic, easy to find in stores and often on sale- making it the most affordable of the bunch, and my kids really like it because it tastes like more of a dessert than a bland protein (and yes, kids can take this). Each serving contains 21 grams of plant based protein and they’ve added prebiotic fiber to help with digestion. I think what makes this my least favorite is that it does have a stevia aftertaste and it can be gritty depending on what I blend it with. It comes in a bunch of different flavors, but I keep it simple and always have the vanilla in my pantry.
I hope this review was helpful and that you find some new favorites. Be sure to comment and drop your favorites here so I can test them out and report back.
XO,
Nicole
VitaHustle protein powders have 20g of protein, not 26g. :)
Have you tried the Be Well protein powders by Kelly Leveque? They’re very clean and really good. The vegan version is gritty, but the regular, grass-fed one is great. I have both the vanilla and the chocolate in my pantry!