Weeding through the endless protein powder options online is hard to know which tastes good and which doesn’t. Meanwhile, it is effort- and especially money-consuming for tried-and-failed one-by-one.
But we have tested dozens of protein powder products since 2015 so you don’t have to. Here are the 12 best-tasting protein powders with water.
Here are the best tasting protein powders with water you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Sensitive Stomach (Whey Protein Powder): Dymatize ISO 100
- Keto-Friendly (Whey Protein Powder): Jocko Mölk 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate Protein Powder
- Low Calorie (Whey Protein Powder): EnergyFirst Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Powder
- Fat-Free - Whey Protein Powder (Whey Protein Powder): Vade Nutrition Dissolvable Protein Packs
- Carb Free (Casein Protein Powder): Naked Casein-5LB 100% Micellar Casein Protein Powder
- Low Carb (Casein Protein Powder): CaseinOne Casein Protein Powder by NutraOne
- Easy To Mix (Casein Protein Powder): Bodybuilding Signature Casein Protein Powder
- Fat-Free (Casein Protein Powder): Authentic Grass-Fed Micellar Casein Protein Powder
- Rich & Creamy (Vegan Protein Powder): KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
- Low-Calorie (Vegan Protein Powder): Pure Food: Plant-Based Protein Powder
- Fast-Dissolving (Vegan Protein Powder): TB12 Plant-Based Protein Powder
- Best For Smoothies (Vegan Protein Powder): NORMA'S P-TEIN Vegan Protein Powder
| 12 Best Tasting Protein Powders With Water | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Sensitive Stomach | Dymatize ISO 100
| |
Keto-Friendly | Jocko Mölk 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate Protein Powder
| |
Low Calorie | EnergyFirst Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Powder
| |
Fat-Free - Whey Protein Powder | Vade Nutrition Dissolvable Protein Packs
| |
Carb Free | Naked Casein-5LB 100% Micellar Casein Protein Powder
| |
Low Carb | CaseinOne Casein Protein Powder by NutraOne
| |
Easy To Mix | Bodybuilding Signature Casein Protein Powder
| |
Fat-Free | Authentic Grass-Fed Micellar Casein Protein Powder
| |
Rich & Creamy | KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
| |
Low-Calorie | Pure Food: Plant-Based Protein Powder
| |
Fast-Dissolving | TB12 Plant-Based Protein Powder
| |
Best For Smoothies | NORMA'S P-TEIN Vegan Protein Powder
| |
Best For Sensitive Stomach (Whey Protein Powder): Dymatize ISO 100
- Taste good with water
- Meet everyone’s taste - 14 flavor options to try
- Ideal for people allergic to milk – hydrolyzed whey protein isolate
- Contain a small amount of cholesterol
Dymatize ISO 100 is a popular whey product these days.
Its first ingredient is hydrolyzed whey protein isolate that, compared to other types of whey, distinguishes it for giving two main benefits: it does absorb faster and is more friendly to people with milk allergy.
ISO 100 is also a protein denser, which is good for those trainers or gym-ers who want to improve their muscle size.
About tasting, this whey product tastes really good with water, which is a rare thing, and there are a lot of flavor options to choose from.
| Dymatize ISO 100 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 5 pounds |
Ingredients | Hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, whey protein isolate, natural and artificial flavor Contains: soy and milk |
Flavors | 14 options: Vanilla, banana, strawberry, peanut butter, orange, etc. |
Goals | Gain in muscle size and strength |
When To Take | Anytime you desire a high-quality, high-protein drink Prior to workouts Within 30 minutes after workouts |
Highlight Features | 14 flavor options to try hydrolyzed whey protein isolate |
For people who have a sensitive stomach, especially those are allergic to milk, the Dymatize ISO 100 should be your choice.
Keto-Friendly (Whey Protein Powder): Jocko Mölk 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate Protein Powder
- Perfect for Keto enthusiasts - grass-fed whey protein isolate
- Enhance your gut function - digestive probiotics and enzymes
- No faked sugar tasting – use monk fruit only
- A little pricey
- Slightly thick if mixing it regular milk, almond milk, or water
This whey protein product is specifically formulated for people on the Keto diet. Its main ingredient is grass-fed whey protein isolate - a "complete" plant-based protein that contains the lowest carbs per serving with no soy, heavy metals, additives, or hormones.
In addition to providing a blend of amino acids for regulating immune function and muscle build, this product is added with digestive probiotics and enzymes to help with your digestion.
They, besides, recover your muscles pretty well.
This line by Jocko Molk provides customers with seven different flavor choices and they all share one thing in common – no artificial sweeteners or added flavors.
| Jocko Mölk 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate Protein Powder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Ingredients | Protein blend, natural flavors, xanthan gum, monk fruit extract Contains: eggs and milk |
Flavors | 7 options: Vanilla, strawberry, mint chocolate, pumpkin, chocolate peanut butter, chocolate, and unflavored. |
Goals | fuels muscle growth and muscle recovery |
When To Take | Anytime |
Highlight Features | grass-fed whey protein isolate a blend of amino acids digestive probiotics and enzymes use monk fruit only |
By containing whey protein isolate, the Jocko Mölk 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate Protein Powder is a Keto-friendly meal replacement.
Low Calorie (Whey Protein Powder): EnergyFirst Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Powder
- Ideal for everyone - contains only 90 calories/serving
- Ultra-low glycemic – sweetened by stevia leaf extract
- Pricey
EnergyFirst Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Powder is a great choice for everyone, especially those who want to keep calories low. It contains only 90 calories/serving, which is also the lowest out of the whey protein powder products we tested.
It’s easy to drink, whether with milk or water.
The sweetness in all of its flavors is from stevia leaf extract, which helps you manage your weight and cut off your sugar cravings efficiently.
| EnergyFirst Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate Powder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Ingredients | Cold-processed grass-fed rBGH Free whey protein isolate, Natural flavors, Guar gum, lecithin (from non-GMO sunflower seeds), contains milk |
Flavors | 4 options: Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate, and Unflavored |
Goals | Build lean and strong muscle Weight management |
When To Take | anytime as a meal replacement after a workout for breakfast |
Highlight Features | contains only 90 calories/serving sweetened by stevia leaf extract |
Whether you want a whey protein powder product to help trim the carbs, control over what other foods you’re consuming, or suit your tight calorie-controlled diet, this one by EnergyFirst is a great choice. It contains the lowest calories out of a bunch.
Fat-Free - Whey Protein Powder (Whey Protein Powder): Vade Nutrition Dissolvable Protein Packs
- Contain no gluten, sugar, fat, and lactose
- Provide the purest form of native whey proteins - propriety triple-filtration processes
- Aid your fat loss process and post-workout recovery - 4.4 grams of BCAAs
- Portable & mess-free – innovative packaging
- A little bit expensive
- The chocolate mixed flavor contains 1% milk - Not for people allergic to milk
The unique manufacturing process of Vade Nutrition allows them to get the purest form of native whey proteins, providing 20g of protein with a full range of amino acids.
Meanwhile, it efficiently eliminates gluten, sugar, fat, and lactose off its formula to bring the highest effects of lean muscle building. The added 4.4 grams of BCAAs also help with your fat loss process and post-workout recovery.
What impressed us the most is its packaging.
The protein powder is packed in a food-grade instant dissolvable film wrapped in a Ziploc bag, which is convenient for traveling, going to the gym, or on the go.
| Vade Nutrition Dissolvable Protein Packs Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.6 Pounds |
Ingredients | Whey Protein Isolate, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Xanthan Gum |
Flavors | Combo Pack (Chocolate/Vanilla) |
Goals | Build lean muscle Fat loss Post-workout recovery |
When To Take | post-workout |
Highlight Features | proprietary triple-filtration processes 4.4 grams of BCAAs innovative packaging: a food-grade instant dissolvable film wrapped by a Ziploc bag |
The Vade Nutrition Dissolvable Protein Packs contain no fat, which is perfect to assist your weight loss process.
Carb Free (Casein Protein Powder): Naked Casein-5LB 100% Micellar Casein Protein Powder
- Dependable - 100% made in the USA
- No synthetic additives or contamination from chemical detergents - one ingredient & the unique cold manufacturing process
- It tends to clump when mixed in liquid
This product has just one ingredient – rBGH-free, rBGH-free micellar casein protein – and is 100% made in the USA using a unique cold process.
That allows you to easily control what intakes your body and are worried-free about synthetic additives or contamination from chemical detergents.
Another notable thing is it contains no carbs per serving, which is ideal for the Keto diet.
And in case you were wondering, this has little to no taste, closely like unsweetened soy milk. So, it would be very delicious if mixed with almond milk.
| Naked Casein-5LB 100% Micellar Casein Protein Powder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 5 pounds |
Ingredients | Micellar casein Contains: milk |
Flavors | 3 options: chocolate, vanilla, and unflavored |
Goals | Build lean muscle Weight loss |
When To Take | before bed |
Highlight Features | 100% made in the USA one ingredient & the unique cold manufacturing process |
If you are looking for carb-free casein protein powder, try the Naked Casein
Low Carb (Casein Protein Powder): CaseinOne Casein Protein Powder by NutraOne
- Contain only 1 gram of carb
- Safe and high-quality – using Good Manufacturing Practices
- Provide no sugar or free form amino acids
- Wish there were more flavor options
If the Naked Casein is out of stock, this is our second-most favorite pick. In addition to those elements like “US-made” and “contain one ingredient - Micellar Casein”, it stands out for using Good Manufacturing Practices and providing no free form amino acids.
It contains no sugar, either. But according to our testers and other reviewers, it is totally delicious, especially in milk, shakes, or smoothies.
The 23 grams of protein it provides to you is in the highest pure form.
About the carbohydrate content, it does have some – but only 1 gram per serving, which is still Keto-friendly.
| CaseinOne Casein Protein Powder by NutraOne Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.91 Pounds |
Ingredients | Micellar Casein, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Acesulfame Potassium, etc. |
Flavors | 2 options: vanilla & chocolate |
Goals | repair and build lean muscle & prevent muscle breakdown |
When To Take | before bed |
Highlight Features | Contain only 1 gram of carb using Good Manufacturing Practices Provide no sugar or free form amino acids |
The CaseinOne Casein Protein Powder by NutraOne contains only one gram of carbohydrate per serving, making it a great choice for low-carb
Easy To Mix (Casein Protein Powder): Bodybuilding Signature Casein Protein Powder
- Affordable
- Easy to mix with everything – no clumps during mixing
- Tasty, easy to drink, and no aftertaste – contain no sugar
- Too few flavor options
This casein protein powder mixed well with everything we tried without clumping and tasted great whether in vanilla or chocolate flavor. The sweetness is moderate, easy to drink, and no aftertaste.
The price is also great for long-term use as well.
| Bodybuilding Signature Casein Protein Powder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 4 pounds |
Ingredients | Micellar Casein, Sunflower Lecithin, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, etc. |
Flavors | 2 options: vanilla & chocolate |
Goals | support muscle growth and recovery |
When To Take | after your workout |
Highlight Features | no clumps during mixing contain no sugar |
The Bodybuilding Signature Casein Protein Powder comes in two most popular flavor options and its texture is easily blended with everything with no clumps. It’s the easiest to mix in our list!
Fat-Free (Casein Protein Powder): Authentic Grass-Fed Micellar Casein Protein Powder
- Optimize your weight management – contains 0g fat
- No hormone - grass-fed micellar casein
- There’s only one flavor option
The Authentic Grass-Fed Micellar Casein Protein Powder helps you optimize your weight management by containing no fat.
On the other hand, the micellar casein it uses is the grass-fed type, which is naturally rich in phosphorus and calcium with no hormone for the best lean muscle build results and for both men and women.
It also contains 5+ grams of BCAAs.
| Authentic Grass-Fed Micellar Casein Protein Powder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.1 pounds |
Ingredients | Grass-Fed Micellar Casein (Instantized), Natural Flavors, Himalayan Rock Salt, etc. |
Flavors | Vanilla |
Goals | weight gain or muscle recovery |
When To Take | after workout before going to sleep |
Highlight Features | contains 0g fat grass-fed micellar casein |
Made of 100% grass-fed casein protein, the Authentic Protein Powder is a fat-free option for those trainers who want to optimally control their weight.
Rich & Creamy (Vegan Protein Powder): KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
- Received a gold medal for Consumer Choice - Sports Nutrition by delicious living
- Safe and healthy – many organic-certified ingredients & USDA and CCOF certified
- Support digestive system - DigeSEB
- Too few flavor choices
- Not for people with a sensitive stomach – it contains a small amount of inulin
For those who think that vegan protein powders all taste boring, the KOS is here to prove them wrong.
It doesn’t taste chalky like some vegan products we tried, but more of a rich and creamy texture with a mild, comfortable flavor to easily mix with milk, smoothies, or shakes.
In fact, this product received a gold medal for Consumer Choice - Sports Nutrition by delicious living on March 1, 2020.
About quality, it has our trust because most of its ingredients are organic-certified and meet all requirements of USDA and CCOF. In addition to the benefit of weight management, it is rich in minerals, vitamins, and also supports your digestion (thanks to DigeSEB).
| KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.6 Pounds |
Ingredients | Pea, Flax Seed, Quinoa, Pumpkin Seed, Chia Seed, etc. |
Flavors | Chocolate |
Goals | weight loss |
When To Take | before and after workouts |
Highlight Features | Sports Nutrition by delicious living Many organic-certified ingredients & USDA and CCOF certified DigeSEB |
Get bored of the chalky texture mostly found in regular vegan protein powders? Try this rich and creamy product by KOS! You won’t be disappointed!
Low-Calorie (Vegan Protein Powder): Pure Food: Plant-Based Protein Powder
- Provide only 125 calories per serving
- Support digestion system & friendly for GI-sensitive users - FDA GRAS approved plant-based probiotics
- The cleanest plant-based product - 100% real, organic-certified ingredients
- Wish there were more flavor choices
While most vegan protein powders we tried contain 140-170 calories per serving, this one only has 125, which is perfect for weight loss.
It’s the cleanest plant-based product with 100% real, organic-certified ingredients.
It also contains 1 billion CFUs of plant-based probiotics that are FDA GRAS approved and backed by 25+ clinical studies to be safe for GI-sensitive users.
| Pure Food: Plant-Based Protein Powder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.1 pounds |
Ingredients | Organic pea protein, Organic sprouted and fermented brown rice protein, Organic hemp protein, etc. |
Flavors | 3 options: vanilla, chocolate, and vanilla and chocolate. |
Goals | Lose weight |
When To Take | pre- or post-workout shake meal replacement supplement for breakfast |
Highlight Features | 125 calories per serving FDA GRAS approved plant-based probiotics 100% real, organic-certified ingredients |
For low-calorie, Pure Food: Plant-Based Protein Powder is the strongest candidate in this field, with only 125 calories per serving.
Fast-Dissolving (Vegan Protein Powder): TB12 Plant-Based Protein Powder
- Trustworthy – USA-sourced ingredients
- Good for muscle recovery - Protein denser with lots of amino acids
- Quick to dissolve with no clumps
- A bit pricey
TB12 Plant-Based Protein Powder gives no hassles of dissolving and leaves no clumps when drinking it, which is the biggest plus.
It’s also easy to drink and to digest, coming with three popular flavor selections: unflavored, chocolate, and vanilla. Per serving, it contains 1 gram of net carb, 24 grams of plant-based protein, and no sugar. Plus, all the ingredients are sourced in the USA.
| TB12 Plant-Based Protein Powder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.26 pounds |
Ingredients | Pea Protein, Reb A (stevia), Natural Flavors, etc. |
Flavors | 3 options: vanilla, chocolate, and unflavored |
Goals | support muscle growth |
When To Take | Post-workout |
Highlight Features | USA-sourced ingredients Protein denser with lots of amino acids |
The TB12 Plant-Based Protein Powder is a great choice for those who want something fast to dissolve into their drinks.
Best For Smoothies (Vegan Protein Powder): NORMA'S P-TEIN Vegan Protein Powder
- Smooth, no-chalky texture
- Keep you stay young - 11 unique antioxidants
- Strengthen your bones - 32g calcium
- Wish there were no flavor options
We love the taste of this vegan protein powder product by Norma's Energy Nutrition-Certified Nutritionist & Master Trainer.
It’s smooth and not chalky. The smell is very mild and good. The product mixes well with everything, but in our opinion, it gives the best taste when blended with smoothies.
About the ingredients, aside from common ones like BCAAs, plant-based protein, and no soy, dairy, or gluten, the added 32g calcium, and 11 unique antioxidants make it a uniquely great choice for older trainers and women.
| NORMA'S P-TEIN Vegan Protein Powder Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2 Pounds |
Ingredients | Raw Organic Pea Protein Isolate, Quinoa Protein, Brown Rice Protein, All natural flavors, etc. |
Flavors | Vanilla |
Goals | build lean muscle and tone your body |
When To Take | After workout For breakfast |
Highlight Features | 11 unique antioxidants 32g calcium |
With a smooth texture and good smell, the NORMA'S P-TEIN Vegan Protein Powder is ideal to be blended with smoothies.
How To Choose The Best Tasting Protein Powder With Water?
Choosing the best-tasting protein powder with water is a highly personal endeavor. So, in making our picks, we focused on two main elements:
- Sweeteners
- Flavor choices
Sweeteners
You should determine the sweetness that you like.
Many people love something with bold taste, which is the reason they always pick those intensely sweet protein powders. Meanwhile, some trainers prefer protein powders with little to no sweetness.
In terms of ingredients, there are two types of sweeteners: natural sweeteners and artificial sweeteners.
Compared between them, artificial sweeteners are many times sweeter than the natural type and usually leave an uncomfortable aftertaste – usually like the metallic chemical taste.
Of course, they’re not health-friendly if overly consumed and don’t aid your muscle build process, either. Not saying that they are prone to intrigue your sugar cravings.
We don’t highly recommend this type of sweetener.
Try to eliminate or reduce it from your protein powder as much as possible. Choose natural sweeteners instead, such as monk fruit extract and organic cocoa.
Flavor Choices
Most brands make their protein powder products in popular flavors, such as chocolate and vanilla. But we understand that it will be getting boring to switch between them year after year or some people like these flavors.
Therefore, the more flavor choices that a protein powder product line provides, the more chances you will find out the best one that matches your preference.
For example, the Dymatize ISO 100 in our review list offers 14 different flavor choices, such as banana, strawberry, and peanut butter.
The Jocko Molk provides some interesting flavors, like mint chocolate, pumpkin, and chocolate peanut butter.
Which Brands Make The Best Tasting Protein Powder With Water?
Dymatize
Dymatize gives its customers a bunch of different flavor choices and receives a lot of positive feedback for tasting. Most of their protein powders bring moderate sweetness that even tastes pretty well with water.
Jocko Molk
Jocko Molk’s protein powders also come with various flavor choices (though not as many as the Dymatize). Their sweetness is milder but health-friendly because the manufacturer uses only natural sweeteners.
EnergyFirst
EnergyFirst is similar to Jocko Molk – using natural sweeteners. The brand is also well-known in the nutrition supplement industry, if not wanting to say that it’s currently one of the leading providers in the USA.
Pure Food Company
As the name implied, this brand is known for providing the world’s cleanest and healthiest protein powders. That also means all the ingredients (including sweeteners) are organic-certified.
And unlike other vegan protein powder brands, their product tastes great and is easy to mix with everything.
FAQs
Do protein shakes taste good with water?
Rarely. Most protein shakes, especially old models, don’t taste good with water because it contains Metallica which is the reason for the disgusting metallic chemical taste.
How do you make protein taste better with water?
To make protein taste better with water, try switching to almond milk or cold milk. Or, simply add more cold water.
What can I mix protein powder with?
You can mix protein powder with yogurt, coffee, mashed potatoes, or oatmeal. Besides, try making dessert waffles or pancakes from protein powder.
How much protein powder should I take in a day?
The recommended dosage of protein powder for an adult is 25-50 grams/day, equivalent to 1-2 scoops/day. For more detail, read the product’s serving instructions.
Is it bad to drink protein every day without working out?
No, it’s not. Drinking protein every day without working out doesn’t harm your health but will be more difficult for people who want to lose weight.
How to avoid an upset stomach from protein shakes?
To avoid an upset stomach from protein shakes, you should change to:
- Whey protein isolate powders
- Hydrolyzed protein isolate powder
- Non-dairy protein powder
Does my protein powder have artificial ingredients?
It depends on the protein powder that you’re using.
To know if it has artificial ingredients, look into its ingredient table (found on the packaging). Here are some common terms of artificial ingredients:
- Saccharin (E954)
- Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, E951)
- Sucralose (Splenda, E955)
- Artificial sweetener
- Artificial flavor
When should I drink protein shakes for weight loss?
For weight loss, you should drink protein shakes some hours before working out (or mid-morning or afternoon)
Conclusion
Finding the best-tasting protein powder with water can feel as exhausting as suffering through a bad night’s sleep. With a bunch of models, even from the same manufacturer, it is overwhelming to find the right one for your taste.
We hope our extensive testing and ratings help you with your request.
Nancy Lang
