7 Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders in 2024

It might be challenging to consume an adequate amount of protein through food alone. If you want to improve your body composition and health – it is crucial! 

If you want to put on muscle and get stronger, taking protein supplements, particularly whey protein, can be of tremendous help to you in achieving your goals. 

We did extensive research and compiled the following list of the best hydrolyzed whey protein supplements for your needs. Check out the list below of our top picks, that contain hydrolyzed whey proteins, available on the market.

As you will see later we included different kinds of whey proteins – some fully hydrolyzed, some partially, and even protein mixes to address all kinds of possible needs. 

The reason we decided to do so is that determining which supplement is the best is difficult because it automatically raises the questions – for who and when? Some folks might want partially hydrolyzed or mixed because they count on that fast absorption etc while others want 100% hydrolyzed because of possible milk protein allergy… 

For this article our team of certified nutritionists and professional athletes collected dozens of products reviewing them by 5 main parameters, and only 7 top products made it to the list.

We’ve spent hours testing most of the products and analyzing hundreds of user reviews online. We keep updating our list regularly so feel free to share your experience in the comments section.

Check the article to see more!

Top 7 Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders Reviewed

1. Optimum Nutrition – Top Pick
2. MYPROTEIN THE Whey™ – Runner-Up
3. BSN SYNTHA-6 Edge – Best-Taste
4. Bodybuilding.com – Best Price
5. Sascha Fitness – Grass Fed Whey With Extra Digestive Enzymes, Low Kcal
6. Muscle Feast – All Natural, Partially Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
7. BULK SUPPLEMENTS – Unflavored Whey Protein

Product	Total	Macronutrient breakdown	Taste/ Flavor	Nutrition Label Transparency	Mixability	Value for Money
Optimum Nutrition	48.5	9.5	9.5	10	10	9.5
MYPROTEIN	48	9.5	9.5	9.5	10	9.5
BSN	48	9	10	9.5	10	9.5
Bodybuilding.com	47.5	9.5	9	10	9.5	9.5
Sascha Fitness	46.5	9.5	9.5	9	9.5	9
Muscle Feast	46	9.5	9	9.5	9	9
BULKSUPPLEMENTS.COM	45	9.5	8	9	9.5	9

This low-calorie protein powder, which many users have said is rather easy to combine, comes from one of the most well-known brands of sports supplements. Platinum is the finest type of whey protein available and Optimum Nutrition says it is a 100% hydrolyzed whey isolate and that is the main reason why it’s placed as our top-pick. 

This is suggested to enable your body to absorb amino acids after an exercise much quicker, but to be honest I don’t think there will be any significant difference (if any) for muscle growth when compared with regular good quality whey protein isolate.

Hydro is one of the “purest” types of whey protein. The main advantage of this hydrolyzate is that it is labeled as lactose free, low in carbs and fats, when compared to other forms of whey protein powders, and thanks to the process of hydrolysis, can be less stressful for your GI tract.

Because of the high concentration of pre-digested protein in hydrolyzed rapid assimilating whey protein, the flavor is not always amazing but Optimum has done an excellent job of it because the bitterness isn’t noticeable, however it comes with a price of artificial sweeteners.

This product delivers efficiency and flavor at an affordable price, if we consider the amount of protein per one serving.

If you don’t need fully, 100% hydrolyzed whey protein - this should be your option. As you can see and probably pay attention to it - the price is much better than the top pick Optimum Nutrition one. 

Arguably the best protein supplement offered by the well-established brand MyProtein is their THE Whey™ premium protein blend with extra hydrolyzed whey.

Only 3 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fat, and 25 grams of protein, are included in one 35g gram scoop of THE Whey™. The carb and fat content is quite minimal which makes it an excellent choice for many athletes. It is not a completely hydrolyzed product as it is a part of the Whey blend and “unfortunately” we don’t know how much it is. 

For muscle growth that absolutely won’t be an issue and can be even beneficial. From some allergy or GI tract discomfort standpoint you may probably look for a fully hydrolyzed product if you still want to stick with whey.

Along with water, this powder also tastes fantastic mixed with milk. The drink has a smooth texture because of its excellent mixability profile and ability to dissolve entirely. Flavors like Fried Banana, Chocolate Fudge and Vanilla Ice Cream became favorite ones of many folks who tried them. 

Since a fully hydrolyzed product is not necessary for everyone to spend, most likely, more money on, a blend with HWP can be a great idea and you may give it a try and see if there is any noticeable difference from whey concentrate or isolate alone.

When your muscles require amino acids, THE Whey™ makes sure they get them quickly thanks to added HWP. This high-quality product also provides all of that at very reasonable cost.

It is very easy to mix, tastes fantastic with milk or water, and is low in kcal - 130kcal in one serving. Partially hydrolyzed, protein blend, great taste, High in EAA, reasonable price and banned substances tested makes it a great choice for athletes - that is why it’s our runner up.

This is my personal choice in terms of protein powders (with regular Syntha-6 as well). With its iridescent crimson tub and metallic label, BSN Syntha-6 Edge looks very flashy. Although BSN sells a wide variety of powders and protein bars, its Syntha-6 protein powder is one of their best-known products.

Lower protein % in a serving, but still high 24 grams of protein and 6-7 grams of carbohydrates are included in one scoop. A scoop contains 4-4.5 grams of fat as well. This product has a much higher content of carbs and fat compared to other protein powders on the market but it can be a great option for many athletes. 

If you are looking to limit your kcal intake as much as possible (in a reasonable way of course :)) you may look for other options like Myprotein. If you are looking where to add an extra few kcal - you can even check regular Syntha-6.

For me the flavor you are getting with those extra kcal is simply impossible to replace and makes it so convenient to use - basically I’m always looking forward to getting my shake during the day. 

This product's protein blend incorporates a variety of ingredients which are combined in a protein matrix. Whey Concentrate, Whey Isolate - some of them hydrolyzed, Calcium Caseinate, Micellar Casein, are all components of its protein matrix.

The combination of whey and casein is my favorite one and provides proteins that are quickly absorbed as well as longer-lasting, steady release proteins thanks to the casein component. This makes it an excellent protein supplement!

Among all protein powders, the BSN Syntha-6 Edge has one of the finest  flavors and mixes easily with both water and milk.

BodyBuilding.com, which is the largest fitness website in the world, also offers customers a wide variety of dietary supplements to choose from. If you are interested in fitness and have ever looked for supplements or advice on food and exercise online, then you are definitely already familiar with them.

BodyBuilding.com's Signature 100% Whey Protein comes in at the upper end with 25 grams of protein per serving, which is excellent to see because a reasonable range of protein per serving that you want to focus on is about 20-25 grams per scoop.

In addition, this product has low levels of carbohydrates and fats, which is often desired by folks who look for Hydrolyzed Whey.

The flavor of a product is often determined by the amount of carbohydrates and fat that it contains, and this particular one has a nice flavor even with low carbs and fats. They did an excellent job with the overall flavor, and the five-pound container of powder may be used up pretty fast because it is really simple to make wonderful post-workout smoothies and other snacks using it.

The Signature 100% Whey Protein powder has a good capacity to mix, and all you need to do to get it to combine in cold water is shake it for about ten to fifteen seconds. So with all of the above, its price and over 50% of hydrolyzed protein in the serving, it earned the spot on our list.

This product is a high quality grass fed whey protein powder, and it has a fantastic taste and is simple to combine. It assists in the growth of muscle and complements your diet.

If you want to improve your protein intake, this is the perfect hydrolyzed protein powder to use. It includes less than 1g of carbohydrates, which makes keeping track of your daily carb consumption much simpler.

If you follow a keto diet, this protein can be considered as one of the suitable options. The flavor of this whey protein is definitely the nicest thing about it - dozens of great reviews. 

100% isolate and hydrolyzed can make it possibly a great choice for folks with some milk protein digestion issues. I just wonder how much of it is hydrolyzed but it is suggested that it might be fully hydrolyzed… Will try to give you an update on that one. 

Labeled as lactose free, free from artificial sweeteners and contains some enzymes that help with digestion - makes it even better.

Taking everything into consideration, this specific product would likely earn a higher spot on the list if not for the lack of third party lab testing.

People have a tendency to store up on some of this finest hydrolyzed whey protein (isolate I assume but can’t be 100% sure, as it isn’t really said on the label) since it is available in two of the most wanted flavors on the market, chocolate and vanilla.

Muscle Feast hydrolyzed whey protein (isolate I assume) is compliant with GMPs and the FDA regulations. Their hydro whey isolate does not include fillers and does not contain gluten. Stevia is used to add sweetness to it.

Comes from pasture raised grass fed cows and that whey is hormone free. Their protein is Orthodox Union Kosher Certified for Dairy and sourced from a country that has banned the use of artificial hormones for bovines. Approved by the American Vegetarian Association. Nice protein by weight percentage. 

They also state that it’s more hydrolysed than average hydrolyzed protein powder… but it seems to be a marketing trick as it is hard to say and determine that since we don’t have full data on that one - like where we can find what an average protein hydrolysis is in HWP supplements?  

The only thing that you need to keep in mind is that in order to properly dissolve that one, you might need to give it quite a lengthy shake.

The product has a total of 110 calories, with 26 grams of protein, zero carbs, and a negligible or zero amount of fat. You are responsible for determining how much 30 grams are because the package doesn’t include a scoop. 

Since it is a hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, this product has no carbs and almost zero lipid content. Isolates go through a greater amount of processing than whey concentrate, which is produced at a lower cost but has more fat and carbohydrates. And hydro whey isolate may contain even less fat than isolate.

This product is made with the cGMP standards which ensures that the manufacturing process including the packaging, labeling and holding operations are of the highest quality.

It is an unflavored hydrolyzed whey protein kind of whey protein, so it is perfect for mixing in with other foods in order to increase the amount of protein you consume throughout the day. No flavor options is also the reason why it’s lower on the list. That being said, if you are looking for an unflavored option - this is the one!

What Is Hydrolyzed Whey Protein?

Hydrolyzed whey protein is a type of protein that undergo processing method that is undertaken to break down the proteins found in any Whey Protein like Concentrate (WPC) or Whey Protein Isolate (WPI) into short chain peptides (often described as ‘pre-digested’) with claims of faster uptake.

Keep in mind that your Hydrolyzed whey protein isolate (HWPI) powder most likely won’t be 100% hydrolyzed - usually it will still be a mix of HWPI and WPI. Hydrolyzed whey protein is often used by athletes and bodybuilders to help build and repair muscle tissue after strenuous exercise, who also wish to avoid problems with lactose digestion. 

BUT HERE IS A CATCH! Hydrolyzed whey does not always mean lactose free!

I worked with many folks who actually missed that - the process of protein hydrolysis has nothing to do with lactose breakdown. Like we can still have whey protein concentrate that went through the extra hydrolysis process and will still contain higher fat and carb content - with lactose as well.

Yes some protein powders that are hydrolyzed also go through an extra process of lactose breakdown but not all - that require different enzymes than ones used for breakdown of proteins. That extra filtration process is what differs WPC from WPI.

So to make sure your hydrolyzed protein powder has the least amount of lactose be sure that you are choosing Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate!

The whey concentrate usually contains a significant (for sensitive individuals) amount of lactose, the isolate - less or zero lactose, and the hydrolyzed protein - depends on the source of protein.

Whey Hydrolyzate is simply the Whey Protein that goes through the process of breakdown (partially or fully) of some proteins, and nothing more, to help you with digestion and absorption. 

However if we talk about healthy humans there is no real benefit of choosing HWPI over WPI for muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth - unless like I said, you experience some digestion issues.

4 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Benefits

✅ Absorption and Digestion

The key feature of the hydrolyzate protein is alleged faster speed of its absorption. Because the protein has been broken down into smaller peptides, it does not require the same level of digestion.

This means that the amino acids from the protein are available to the body very quickly, which can be helpful for muscle building and recovery. The thing is that there is no real evidence that it will be significantly more beneficial for muscle growth than simple whey protein isolate.

The real benefit would be for people who may experience problems with protein digestion like some milk protein allergies etc. Hydrolyzed protein powder is kind of “pre-digested” and may be beneficial for such conditions although you can find protein powders not derived from milk easily these days…

✅ High Quality Protein Source

Hydrolyzed whey protein powder is a source of high quality protein because it is made from whey, a byproduct of the cheese-making process. Whey protein is considered to be one of the best sources of protein because it contains all of the essential amino acids that the body needs.

It is also high in Leucine and that is what you should look for if you are looking to optimize your muscle growth. But don’t make a mistake thinking that hydrolyzed protein powders are whey only…

You can find hydrolyzed casein, collagen or plant based as well. Again it’s just any protein that went through some extra breakdown (hydrolysis) process.

✅ Promotes Lean Muscle Mass

Consuming meals rich in protein and taking protein supplements in conjunction with resistance training is beneficial to the process of gaining muscle mass. Hydrolyzed whey protein powder products are also high in essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.

These amino acids are important for many bodily functions, including muscle growth and repair. In addition, hydrolyzed whey protein powders, usually hydrolyzed isolates, are typically (but not always!) lowest in lactose, making them a good option for people who are lactose intolerant.

✅ Help Support Weight Loss

Another benefit of hydrolyzed whey protein powders is that they can help indirectly support weight loss. Consuming more protein in general can help increase feelings of fullness, which can lead to reduced caloric intake and weight loss.

And protein supplements can be a very important and convenient source of getting the right amount of protein. In addition, protein can help preserve muscle mass (to some extent of course) during weight loss, which is a key task.

Some scientists hypothesize that simply leveraging your protein intake can improve your body composition. I believe, based on my experience, that most of the general population and athletes as well tbh, do not consume enough protein - what I like to say - there is good and there is optimal.

How to Find the Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein?

1. Protein Per Serving

Your need for an amount of protein per day will increase as your total muscle mass increases and your activity is higher, so the amount of protein you get per serving is one of the main things to look at when buying a hydrolyzed protein powder. Another thing to take into account is the protein source.

Whey protein powder typically has more protein per serving than plant-based protein powders and more BCAA, basically whey is superior to other forms of proteins in terms of muscle protein synthesis and muscle growth of course. 

2. Protein source

Like I already said above - protein hydrolysis is the process that can be done to basically any protein source and it affects proteins only.

So to make sure you get the best protein supplement look for Hydrolyzed Whey Protein, or Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate to get high protein content that will have very small or zero amounts of carbs and fats - sometimes labeled as lactose free (just like some Isolates as you can already expect and know why).

If you decided to avoid dairy - feel free to check other protein sources!

FAQ

Which Is Better Whey Isolate or Hydrolyzed?

As always - it depends 🙂 For what and for who? Healthy folks who are looking to optimize muscle growth? WPI will be enough for sure! If you need extra “pre-digestion” and protein breakdown - might check the hydrolyzed one and see how it works.

Also don’t expect your HWPI will be fully hydrolyzed - it will be most likely only partially hydrolyzed. It seems that our top pick is made from 100% Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate tho! 

When Should I Take Hydrolyzed Whey Protein?

Anytime that is convenient for you. Adequate protein intake is the most important thing. You consume enough protein in a day - you’re good!

Once you have it all, have time and will to do it,  you can think about some optimization - timing, spreading your protein intake throughout the day, and then at the end - specific time of protein intake like post workout etc but first be sure you get all you need, otherwise timing will be pointless. 

How Long Does It Take To Digest Hydrolyzed Whey Protein?

If we are actually talking about how fast you can absorb the protein from HWP… it’s hard to tell exactly because it can vary among every individual and it will highly depend on other food consumed with it…

We can expect to absorb fast digesting proteins (WPC,WPI,HWP) within 1-2 hours with hydrolyzate being absorbed somehow faster because it’s already broken down, but… in terms of visible results, it won’t be significantly faster tbh.

Absorption of amino acids after ingestion of whey protein is a multistep process that has few rate-limiting factors aside from initial breakdown of protein.

Conclusion

Overall, hydrolyzed whey protein can be a useful supplement for athletes and bodybuilders, especially for people with some protein supplement digestion issues. The biggest thing behind it was the belief that extra protein breakdown will lead to faster absorption and as a result better anabolic response after workout. Yes it might be more easily absorbed by the body and can help support muscle growth and recovery as well and help you with weight management, but is it superior to simple whey protein isolate for muscle growth? No, because in this case timing does not matter that much.  

However if you want to get one for the other reasons we mentioned - one of the best whey protein hydrolysate and our top pick for this list is the Optimum Nutrition Hydrolyzed Whey Protein and we recommend it for your daily protein needs. 

Let us know your thoughts about these hydrolyzed whey proteins in the comment section below. Do you like any of them or do you have a completely different “go to” protein that you love?

References:

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