9 Best Cheap Protein Powders in 2024

Having trouble finding a protein powder that’s in your budget? That’s why we made this list of the 9 best cheap protein powders. From the cheapest whey protein out there to plenty of plant-based options as well, we’ve got you covered if you’re shopping for protein powder on a budget.

Our team of expert nutritionists has conducted detailed testing on 15 branded cheap protein powders and rated each on macronutrient breakdown, taste/flavor, nutrition label, transparency, fat content transparency, mixability, and most importantly – value for money.

The idea behind this was to get a thorough list of the 9 best cheap protein powders that you can acquire. Below are the results, which will be updated with new upcoming products.

Top 9 Best Cheap Protein Powders Reviewed

1. Nutricost Organic Pea Protein Isolate – Top Pick
2. Naked Pea Protein Powder – Runner-Up
3. NOW Sports Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate – Best Whey Isolate
4. Animal 100% Whey Protein Powder
5. Promix Whey Protein Powder
6. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein
7. Dymatize Elite 100% Whey Protein Powder – Best for Bulking
8. Myprotein Impact Whey Protein
9. Pure Protein Powder 100% Whey

Product	Total	Macronutrient Breakdown	Taste/ Flavor	Nutrition Label Transparency	Fat Content Transparency	Mixability	Price/ Quality
Nutricost	57	9.5	9	10	10	8.5	10
Naked	56.5	9.5	9	10	10	8.5	9.5
NOW Sports	56	10	8.5	10	9	9	9.5
Animal	56	9	9.5	9	10	9.5	9
Promix	56	9.5	9	10	9	9	9.5
Optimum Nutrition	54.5	9	9.5	9	9	9	9
Dymatize	53.5	8.5	9.5	9	9	9	8.5
Myprotein	53.5	10	8.5	8.5	9.5	8.5	8.5
Pure	53	8.5	9	9	9	9	8.5

First up on our list, and one of the best value protein powders on the market is Nutricost’s Organic Pea Protein Isolate.

At only ~$0.47 per serving this is the cheapest protein powder on our list by a decently wide margin, and the only quality protein we could find that was less than 50 cents a serving.

On top of this, it’s a solidly dense powder having an 89% concentration of protein. Of course, because its only ingredient is organic pea protein isolate, it’s also completely dairy free and vegan-friendly.

At only 90 calories per serving, this would also be a great choice for anybody on a cut. However, it is suitable for any purpose. Just consider that pea protein requires more liquid for the mix compared to whey protein, otherwise it becomes too thick.

If you don’t mind milk as the base of the shake (or any caloric liquid, like plant milk or juice), you can use this protein during bulking as well. Otherwise, it might be a bit challenging to consume enough calories, given that it creates a rich and satisfying shake.

Unfortunately, where it loses points is in its taste and texture. Most pea proteins will be rather unpleasant to drink. However, at less than 50 cents per serving, there’s no reason to complain about the taste.

The unpleasant taste can also be minimized if you blend it into a smoothie with some other ingredients. As long as you know what to expect flavorwise before purchasing, you shouldn’t have an issue.

Up next on our list is another pea protein powder, this time coming from Naked Nutrition. Naked is well known for its high quality, affordable protein powders, and transparent nutrition labels, so let’s see how their pea protein stacks up.

First off, this pea protein is more expensive than Nutricost at ~$0.61 per serving, although this is still one of the cheapest options on our list. Keep in mind that the increase in cost also comes with an increase in quality.

Naked Pea is noticeably higher in calories than Nutricost’s product, so it will likely appeal more to those bulking but it is still a great product for cutting. At 27g per serving and 90% protein of calories, you are getting significantly more protein in each serving. Considering the macronutrient breakdown, it is a more universal protein for all purposes.

The next major positive about Naked is that they test all their products for heavy metals and allergens like gluten. Contaminants can be a major concern especially with cheap protein, so this should give you some peace of mind.

Naked proudly states that all its peas are grown in Canada and the US, which is a major plus if you prefer to buy products fully produced in North America. This product is also completely free of any additives or artificial ingredients.

Naked also offers a generous 10-20% off for their subscription model, which you should absolutely take advantage of if you plan on buying this product regularly.

Do note that because this is an unflavored pea protein, the concerns about the taste and texture apply to this product as well. Consider yourself warned that this definitely won’t be the best tasting protein on the market.

Next on our list, and the cheapest whey protein isolate on our list by a wide margin is NOW Sports Nutrition’s Whey Isolate.

On top of coming at a great price point (~$0.77 per serving) it is also one of the more highly concentrated proteins on our list at 91% protein by calories. With a simple 2 ingredient formula with no additives, this is also one of the simplest protein’s on our list.

It’s worth noting that a big reason this product comes at such a good price point is because we’re calculating based on the 10lb bag, which is quite a lot. However, if you’re willing to invest in over 160 servings of a single protein, this is a great choice.

Another major plus for this product is that all their dairy is sourced from American cows in Wisconsin, and that all their whey is processed through cold micro-filtration. It’s impressive that they’re able to offer such a high quality product at such a great price!

Next, and the first Whey protein on our list is from Animal. Let’s see how this compares to the proteins we’ve covered so far.

The first thing you’ll notice is the price per serving is similar to protein from NOW, and it is available in a standard size can. The downside, Animal offers a less dense product with only 20g per serving and a 72% concentration of protein. And it's a mix of whey protein and isolate as opposed to NOW.

Comparing the taste, whey protein is much more palatable than pea protein in terms of both taste and texture. Ultimately, it is up to the consumer to decide how much they are willing to pay for a tastier product.

One major downside of this product is that it does contain artificial flavors as well as sucralose. Although artificial sweeteners have been linked to some diseases such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, the probable reason is that people prone to obesity may use sugar substitutes more often, which causes this correlation.

Our position is that artificial sweeteners are safe when consumed in moderation but it’s important you’re aware of these ingredients in protein before making a decision so you can be as informed as possible.

Up next we have another one whey protein on our list that is under a dollar per serving from Promix.

On top of being super affordable, this protein also contains no unnecessary ingredients. It contains only 2 ingredients: grass-fed whey concentrate and sunflower lecithin. Promix promises that all its cows are pasture raised without antibiotics or hormones. As it proudly states on their website, “No GMOs. No Fillers. No Artificial Anything.”

Similar to Naked they also offer all their lab testing data which shows the minimal heavy metal, and allergen content in each serving. Also at 25g of protein per serving and only 120 calories, it’s one of the densest proteins on our list.

At only ~$0.93 per serving for a 2 ingredient protein powder made from grass-fed milk, this is a downright steal. On top of this, Promix offers a 10% off subscription service if you’re buying regularly, making this an even more inexpensive protein powder.

While this is one of the more expensive choices on our list, you can be sure you’re getting a quality product from Optimum, one of the long-time leaders in the supplement space.

At 24g of protein per serving with an 80% concentration, Optimum certainly offers a solid level of protein. However, at ~$1.12 per serving, this may be a tough sell if you’re looking to save some money – especially when NOW shows us you can get a quality whey protein for half this price.

With that being said, Optimum’s been at the top of the supplement industry for so long for a reason. You can trust that this product will have unparalleled taste and texture. As we’ve mentioned with some of the previous products on our list, you’ll have to decide if a more enjoyable product is worth the extra cost.

Up next is another whey protein, Dymatize’s Elite. This product is more expensive than the competitors, but if you hunt for discounts, you can buy a high quality product at a very affordable price. However, Dymatize lost some points on the macronutrient breakdown, making it a less all-purpose product.

Dymatize’s Elite is a rather high calorie product at 140 calories per serving, making it perfect for those looking to bulk up cost effectively. While 25g of protein is certainly a solid amount, it is still a relatively low concentrated protein at only 71% protein by calories. If you choose a protein for weight loss, it is better to look at other options.

Similar to Animal, this product also has artificial flavors and sucralose. While there is hardly any reason to fear artificial sweeteners, it’s still important to be aware of them when making a decision.

They claim that their product contains no “unnecessary fillers”, which is unfortunately rather misleading considering there are plenty of single ingredient proteins on the market.

Similar to Animal, Dymatize promises some of the best flavor and texture on the market, which is backed up by many of the Amazon reviews. Overall, this is a very solid choice, even with the filler ingredients.

Next up we have another super recognizable and widely trusted brand, MyProtein. Today we’re looking at their Impact whey which is one of the best budget whey protein powders available.

At only 90 calories per serving for the unflavored variety, this is one of the only products on our list that is ideal for those on a cut. If you want a flavored option, it will have slightly higher calories, but there are 15 unique flavors – which is some of the highest variety out of any supplement brand.

At ~$1.33 per serving, it’s definitely towards the higher end of prices on this list. However, you’re paying for a ridiculously high quality product. You just need to look at the protein to calorie ratio – at 98% this is one of the most densely packed protein supplements on the market.

To make things more affordable, MyProtein has regular sales that range anywhere from 10-50%! Be sure to wait for one of these sales before making a purchase for some major savings.

The final item on our list is another whey from the brand Pure Protein. Although better known for their protein bars and snacks, they do offer a high quality protein powder as well.

It’s worth noting that their name “pure protein” is slightly misleading, as this product has one of the lowest protein concentrations on our list at 63% protein by calories. At 160 calories, it is also one of the most calorically dense options on our list, being a great choice for those bulking, but not as appealing to those on a cut.

This protein, like several others on our list, also has the serious flaw of having numerous filler ingredients including sucralose.

There’s no real reason for a protein powder to contain these ingredients as shown by products like ProMix and NOW which offer cheaper proteins with fewer ingredients. However, if you like your shakes sweetened, you might prefer this.

Cheap vs Expensive Protein Powder (Advantages and Disadvantages)

✅ Ingredient Quality

First and foremost, one of the downsides to buying cheap protein powders is that they will very likely be made with lower quality ingredients.

To save money, and to be able to sell their product at a cheaper price, supplement companies will often use subpar ingredients, or use a bunch of additives. This isn’t always true of cheap proteins as shown by many of the entries on our list that have simple 1-2 ingredient formulas.

✅ Macronutrient Breakdown

Another factor to consider when looking for a cheap protein is the macronutrient breakdown of the product you’re buying. When getting a cheaper protein you can expect things like overall protein content, and protein concentration to be slightly lower than higher end proteins. However, as our list once again shows, you don’t always have to sacrifice this for a good deal.

✅ Flavor and Texture

One of the more unavoidable factors when buying cheap protein is that you will be sacrificing some flavor and texture – especially if you’re opting to go with pea protein.

There’s no two ways around it: while pea protein is much cheaper than whey, it does not have the taste and consistency of a milkshake. As we mentioned throughout our list, it will be up to you to determine whether or not flavor is worth the extra cost. 

✅ Cost

Finally, and honestly, the biggest difference between cheap and expensive protein powders is the cost! Of course, you always want to save money, but it's worth remembering a well-known saying: we aren't rich enough to buy cheap things!

A tub of protein that goes in the trash because it tastes awful or causes digestive upset is not going to save you money.

But there is good news. When we look at products around ~$1 a serving (which is still reasonably inexpensive) there are plenty of quality powders, so you don't have to sacrifice quality for price.

Furthermore, there really isn’t that much difference between a protein that’s under ~$1 per serving and a protein that’s over ~$2 per serving. With cheaper products you probably won't get third-party tests for doping or heavy metal content, but if you choose brands with a strong reputation, they can be trusted.

The rest of the properties will be very similar, so don’t be misled by marketing and inflated expectations of high-priced products.

Make an informed decision and try to save as much money as possible. Just don’t fool yourself by opting for excessively cheap products, as they often result in disappointment.

Cheap Protein: What Could Go Wrong?

❌ Low Quality Ingredients

One of the main concerns when buying cheap protein powders is that they are creating their formulas from low-quality ingredients. Whether this be the actual protein source, or filler ingredients and additives being used to complete the formula.

To quell this worry, always check the nutrition label to see what exactly is in your protein. Luckily, there are plenty of cheap protein powders that use surprisingly high quality ingredients.

❌ Presence of Toxins

There is also reasonable concern that protein powders contain toxins like heavy metals, BPA, and other contaminants. These usually occur during the manufacturing process, making it difficult to say whether or not these toxins are present in a protein when making a decision.

If you’re concerned about this, we recommend going with a brand like Naked or Promix that tests their products for the presence of heavy metals, which should give you some peace of mind. In other cases, you only have to rely on the reputation of the brand, so cheap no-name proteins are hardly the safest choice.

At What Price Does Quality Protein Start At?

The cheapest protein on our list starts at around ~$0.50 per serving. There may be some quality proteins out there for cheaper, but we weren’t able to find them! It’s worth noting that this is for pea protein which is generally cheaper — and usually less enjoyable to drink as well.

However, it's a matter of taste – there are fans of pea protein, so you’ll have to try it to find out.

The cheapest whey protein on our list isn’t too much more expensive, however. At only ~$0.77 per serving, brands like NOW sports nutrition shows it’s possible to have a high quality whey protein at a very affordable price.

If you’re looking to stay as budget friendly as possible, there are plenty of quality proteins available for less than a dollar per serving. However, if you’re willing to spend a little more, there are significantly more options in the 1 to 2 dollar per serving price range.

How to Save While Buying Protein?

1. Try Something Other Than Whey

As our list demonstrates, plant-based proteins — like pea — are often significantly cheaper than their dairy-based counterparts.

While you will be sacrificing some taste and texture, there’s no harm in giving them a try — especially considering how cheap they are. If you’re mainly concerned with cost, then switching to pea protein might be the move for you.

2. Buy In Bulk

Because protein powder has a long shelf life of 9 to 18 months, if you’re planning on drinking it everyday, it might be smart to go for the biggest package size possible. Prices will go down drastically the more you buy in a single go.

You can easily pay double the amount if you’re buying the smallest package instead of the biggest offered by a brand. Although it can feel intimidating buying such a large amount of protein, if you’re keen on saving as much money as possible, this is the way to go.

3. Take Advantage of Deals

Many of the brands on our list offer either subscription services, or in the case of MyProtein, are constantly offering incredible sales.

If you’re planning on using protein powder in the long term, definitely take advantage of these subscriptions which can save you up to 20% off your purchases. This is one of the easiest ways to get a high quality protein for the best price possible.

How to Choose Affordable But Quality Protein?

1. Do Your Research

Our number 1 tip for finding an affordable, high quality protein is doing your research — which you’re doing right now by reading this article! It may be tempting to buy the first protein powder you see, or to go for the option with the most appealing branding, but this is how you’ll end up spending more on protein than necessary.

Compare different brands to see which ones offer the most competitive prices, and have the best macros. By doing this you’ll be sure to get a protein you love at a great price.

2. Don’t Settle For Your First Pick

Unfortunately, there’s no way to know if you’ll really enjoy a protein powder before trying it. Don’t assume that the protein you’ve always drank is the cheapest or the most enjoyable product on the market. Don’t be afraid to try a cheaper choice, because it might turn out to be better than the expensive stuff!

Read reviews of various products online, paying attention to both positive and negative comments. Criticism is sometimes too subjective (someone doesn't like the taste someone else adores), but it provides useful clues.

Pay attention to expert recommendations and product reviews. Of course, there is always an element of marketing in them, but experts are afraid of losing their reputation and are unlikely to recommend bad products.

FAQ

Why Is Protein So Expensive?

Many protein powders are so expensive because it’s a specialty product that is very easy to mark up through branding and marketing. As this list shows, it is entirely possible to sell a high-quality protein powder for significantly cheaper than many of the most popular brands out there.

Is Protein Powder Worth It?

Yes! Especially if you’re an athlete, it can be difficult to reach your protein goals for the day – which is around 0.6-0.9g of protein per pound of bodyweight. Using a high quality protein powder in addition to a well-balanced diet is one of the easiest ways to hit this goal, and make the most gains possible.

Conclusion

Although there are plenty of expensive protein powders out there, there is also a wide range of choices for cheaper than you might think! Our top pick for the best budget protein powder is Nutricost Organic Pea Protein Isolate, and for a little more money you can get the great Naked Pea Protein Powder. Although all the products on our list have their own advantages. We hope these cheap protein powder reviews are able to help you make an informed decision on what product to buy!

Do you have experience trying to save money buying protein powder? Have you tried any of the products on our list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Also read:

• Best Casein Protein Powder
• Best Keto Protein Powder
• Best Tasting Low Carb Protein Powder
• Best Low Calorie High Protein Powder
• Best Organic Protein Powder
• Best Gluten Free Protein Shakes
• Best Cleanest Protein Powder
• Whey vs Egg Protein
• Best Lactose Free Protein Powder
• Best Protein to Gain Weight

References:

1. Sweet As . . . Sucralose: The Pros and Cons of Artificial Sweeteners // USU: https://extension.usu.edu /nutrition/research /sweet-as-sucralose-the-pros-and-cons-of-artificial-sweeteners
2. The hidden dangers of protein powders // Harvard: https://www.health .harvard.edu /staying-healthy/the-hidden-dangers-of-protein-powders
3. Physical and chemical changes in whey protein concentrate stored at elevated temperature and humidity // NCBI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26778305/