Top 7 Budget Protein Powder 2026

What we love

• You want a whey protein whose heavy-metal test results are actually published, batch by batch, so you can verify what you are drinking.
• You care about clean lead numbers for something you might drink daily, since this landed in Consumer Reports' cleanest tier for lead.
• You are a competitive or drug-tested athlete who needs NSF Certified for Sport verification.
• You want no added sugar and a lean isolate that is gentle on a sensitive stomach.

Worth knowing

• You need a plant-based protein, since this is a dairy whey.
• You are shopping on a budget, since premium whey isolates like this cost more per serving than mainstream options.
• You want the largest possible protein dose per scoop, since this delivers 20 grams rather than 25 or 30.

What we love

• You want an organic, fully labeled vegan protein sweetened with stevia instead of sucralose
• You care that the protein content is independently verified and there is no added sugar
• You reach for a protein shake a few times a week rather than every single day
• You prefer a short, readable ingredient list with nothing hidden in a proprietary blend

Worth knowing

• You want published, per-batch heavy-metal results you can look up before you buy
• You need a certified banned-substance screen like NSF Certified for Sport for training
• You or a young child would use it daily and want the lowest possible lead exposure

What we love

• You want verifiable, batch-level proof your whey has been screened for lead and other contaminants before you drink it.
• You prefer grass-fed whey and are comfortable with a little added sugar for a richer chocolate taste.
• You want a brand that publishes its testing openly instead of asking you to take a lab claim on faith.
• You are moving off a plant-based protein and want a lower-contamination source without giving up transparency.

Worth knowing

• You want a sugar-free, leaner whey isolate and would rather skip any added sugar entirely.
• You specifically need a sport banned-substance certification such as NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport for competition.
• You want an independent lab to have confirmed the exact protein amount before you buy.

What we love

• You want a plant protein that is third party certified for banned substances and you will use it only occasionally
• You want to look up per batch lab results before you buy rather than trust a marketing claim
• You are an athlete who needs NSF Certified for Sport for competition and treats this as an occasional shake
• You want a dairy free, complete amino acid protein and will keep your servings limited

Worth knowing

• You want a daily plant protein with the lowest possible lead exposure
• You are buying protein for a child, someone pregnant, or anyone especially sensitive to lead
• You want the leanest option and prefer a protein isolate over a concentrate

What we love

• You are a tested athlete who specifically needs NSF Certified for Sport banned-substance screening.
• You want a certified-organic, vegan protein with a clean stevia label and no added sugar.
• You will use it occasionally, a few times a week at most, rather than as a daily shake.

Worth knowing

• You drink a protein shake every single day and want the lowest possible lead exposure.
• The protein is for a child, or you are pregnant or nursing, where repeated lead exposure matters most.
• You want a brand that publishes batch-level heavy-metal results you can look up before buying.

What we love

• You want a clean whey isolate from a brand that actually publishes its third-party purity testing
• You care about banned-substance screening and want an Informed Choice certified protein
• You want 28 grams of protein per serving with no added sugar and no artificial sweeteners
• You prefer a lean isolate that is gentler on the stomach than a heavier concentrate

Worth knowing

• You need a published per-serving heavy-metal number for your exact flavor before you buy
• You want an every-batch certification like Informed Sport rather than monthly off-the-shelf testing
• You are shopping for a budget protein, since this sits at the premium end at around 60 dollars a tub

What we love

• You want a plant-based protein that is independently screened for banned substances through NSF Certified for Sport.
• You are an adult athlete who can keep this to occasional use rather than a daily habit.
• You want a full 30 grams of protein with zero added sugar and only stevia for sweetness.
• You prefer a fully disclosed ingredient list with no hidden proprietary blend.

Worth knowing

• You are pregnant, nursing, or buying this for a child, where the lead reading leaves no safe margin.
• You plan to use a protein powder every day and need the lowest possible heavy-metal exposure.
• You want a brand that publishes its own per-batch lead and cadmium test results you can look up.