Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss of 2025 – Breaking Muscle

When someone says they want to lose weight, what they really mean is they want to shed excess body fat. However, without a well-designed plan in place, a calorie deficit leads you to lose both fat and valuable muscle tissue. To minimize muscle loss, it’s crucial to incorporate resistance training, quality sleep, and a high-protein diet into your regular routine.

Protein plays a multifaceted role in weight management, influencing factors like hunger levels, metabolism, and muscle preservation. While heavy resistance training provides the necessary stimulus, signaling to the body that existing muscle should be retained, a high-protein diet ensures the body has an ample supply of amino acids. This prevents your body from metabolizing muscle tissue for energy.

The best protein powders provide a convenient and lean source of the muscle-building macronutrient, helping you hit your daily protein goals while also maintaining a calorie deficit. We tested more than 100 protein powders and selected nine products we think are best for weight loss.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

How We Chose Our Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss

We chose these products based on a number of factors, including:

• Testing and expert analysis: We tested all of the protein powders and shakes on this list and received input from our panel of expert contributors, which includes registered dietitians and highly credentialed experts in sports nutrition and exercise science.
• Protein content: All the products we’ve highlighted contain at least 25g of protein per serving, a good benchmark for the typical consumer.
• Protein-to-calorie ratio: The ideal ratio is at least 15g of protein per 100 calories, and all the products on our list exceed that mark.
• Taste: We’ve accounted for flavor, texture, mixability, and flavor options.
• Third-party testing and certifications: Products that have undergone testing by independent labs and received quality certifications reflect a brand’s commitment to quality and purity.
• Consumer criteria: We took into account prices, subscription discounts, and other factors that determine the product’s overall value.

Our Picks for the Best Protein Powders for Weight Loss in 2025:

• Best Overall Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey
• Best Affordable Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Jacked Factory Authentic Iso 
• Best Plant-Based Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Ka’Chava 
• Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss on Amazon: Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
• Best Meal Replacement Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Huel Black Edition
• Best Clean Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Promix Grass-Fed Whey
• Best Casein Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Legion Athletics Casein+
• Best Unflavored Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Naked Grass-Fed Whey
• Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss and Muscle Gain: Sports Research Whey Protein

Best Overall Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey

I chose Transparent Labs as the best protein powder for weight loss and muscle gain because it has a very high ratio of protein to the total number of calories: 28 grams to 130 calories. This helps you maximize protein consumption during a caloric deficit, which helps prevent you from losing muscle while you’re losing weight. It’s also third-party tested, Informed Choice certified, and completely artificial ingredient-free. And it comes in 15 flavor options.

Related Post: The Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain

I’ve tried a number of different flavors from Transparent Labs and Chocolate Peanut Butter is by far my favorite, followed closely by Mocha. I found they mixed easily in both a blender and a conventional shaker bottle. Whenever I’m trying to cut weight, I find this delicious protein powder helps curb my sweet tooth and tide me over between meals.

While I didn’t personally experience this, some customer reviews mention it can be challenging to get in contact with Transparent Labs’ customer service team.

Best Affordable Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Jacked Factory Authentic Iso

Jacked Factory Authentic Iso is the cheapest option on our list, with certain flavors, like Cookies & Cream and Peanut Butter, costing just $1.05 per serving as of this writing. And while this protein powder may be cheap, it has the nutrient profile you need for weight loss and tastes great, too, according to testers.

Jacked Factory Authentic Iso has 25 grams of protein per serving, 2 grams of carbohydrates, and just 0.5 grams of fat, which is the least amount of fat of any powder on our list. If you’re looking to lose weight, this macronutrient profile will help keep you on the right track. However, something to keep in mind: This protein powder is sweetened with sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener—studies link these sweeteners to increased cancer risk. Additionally, unlike most brands on our list, Jacked Factory doesn’t do third-party testing on its products. This means there isn’t a guarantee the ingredients are pure and match the ingredient label.

Kessler tried Jacked Factory Authentic Iso and was impressed. “This is the only protein powder I’ve tried that didn’t settle at all,” he says. “I found it a bit too sweet, but if you’re looking for a powder that tastes like dessert, you should opt for this one.”

Best Plant-Based Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Ka’Chava

If you’re looking for one of the best vegan protein powders that also works with a weight loss diet, Ka’Chava is a great choice. This vegan protein powder is marketed as a “whole-body meal,” which means it’s designed as a meal replacement rather than an addition to a meal or snack, like the other protein powders on our list. That’s why the calorie, carbohydrate, and fat counts (240, 25 grams, and 7 grams, respectively), are higher. The carb count is high for those on a low-carb diet, so that’s something to look out for. However, it packs in 25 grams of plant protein, derived from a combination of peas, brown rice, and quinoa, which will help preserve muscle while on a weight loss diet. 

Tester Zoe Ettinger, a C.N.C.-in-training, uses this protein powder often. “I’m a big fan of Ka’Chava. It tastes delicious mixed in a smoothie with some frozen blueberries,” she says. “I also like that it also has adaptogens, probiotics, greens, and probiotics. I notice a difference in how good I feel when I take Ka’Chava regularly,” she says.

One thing to note about Ka’Chava is that it is the most expensive option on our list at $79.99 for a 15-serving bag. While the price reflects the fact that this protein powder is intended as a meal replacement, it’s still a big investment. 

Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss on Amazon: Nutricost Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate

I chose Nutricost as the best protein powder for weight loss available on Amazon because its calorie and macronutrient profile is ideal for shedding pounds. Nutricost has a high protein content per serving, which is important for weight loss as protein can help enhance satiety and preserve muscle mass while in a deficit. With minimal fat and carbohydrates, this protein ensures you get the maximum protein intake without the added calories, making it an ideal choice for those looking to lose weight efficiently.

The taste and mixability of this protein are also top-notch. I tested the Vanilla flavor; it blended excellently in both milk and water and had an authentic vanilla taste profile. Despite using artificial sweeteners, which often make products sickly sweet, I found the sweetness level to be on point. However, if you’re trying to avoid artificial sweeteners, choose Promix or Transparent Labs, which use natural sweeteners.

Best Meal Replacement Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Huel Black Edition

Huel is our favorite meal replacement for weight loss because it has a great protein-to-carb ratio. Huel has 40 grams of protein per serving, the most of any protein powder on our list, and 24 grams of carbs. While this might be more carbs than ideal for those on a keto diet, it’s a solid portion for most. Carbs are an essential nutrient and according to experts, you can consume 100 to 150 grams a day and still lose weight.

Kessler tried Huel in Chocolate and Vanilla. “The Chocolate flavor was great, probably because it uses real cocoa powder, which gave it an authentic chocolate flavor,” he says. “The Vanilla wasn’t as good—it didn’t really taste like vanilla and had an artificial aftertaste.” He notes that it doesn’t mix very well, but says it made him feel great. “Other similar products, like Transparent Labs Mass Gainer, give me an upset stomach. But I felt great after taking Huel Black Edition,” he says.

Best Clean Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Promix Grass-Fed Whey

Promix is our favorite clean protein powder because it’s third-party tested and results are easily viewable on Promix’s website. Those results show this product is tested for heavy metals and verified gluten-free. And beyond these positive results, this protein powder has one of the most simple formulas on our list. Vanilla, for example, has just four ingredients, and Promix doesn’t use any artificial ingredients.

This protein powder, like others on our list, has a solid protein-to-carb ratio for weight loss (25 grams to 7 grams, respectively). A 2020 study found consuming a higher portion of protein versus carbs helped participants lose weight and prevented them from gaining the weight back.

I tried the Vanilla flavor of this protein powder. I enjoyed it for the most part, but it wasn’t quite sweet enough for my taste. And I wish it mixed a little better—there were some clumps after mixing. 

One thing to note about Promix is that while it has been third-party tested, it hasn’t been third-party tested for sport specifically. This means it hasn’t been tested for substances banned in athletic competitions. So if you’re an athlete planning to compete, opt for a powder that’s Informed Sport Certified or NSF Certified for Sport.

Best Casein Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Legion Athletics Casein+

One of my favorite casein protein powders is Casein+ from Legion Athletics. I chose Casein+ because it’s all-natural, meaning it’s free from artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors, and it’s third-party tested by Labdoor for purity and potency. This product provides 25 grams of protein per serving and only contains 110 calories, regardless of the flavor you choose. This protein-to-calorie ratio is ideal for weight loss.

Along with whey, casein is a type of protein found in milk and is characterized by its slow digestion and absorption. This prolonged digestion makes it an ideal option for people looking to manage hunger levels and maintain a consistent supply of amino acids over an extended timeframe—such as during sleep or when going a long time between meals. By providing a steady stream of protein to the muscles, casein helps mitigate the risk of muscle breakdown that often accompanies calorie restriction. As a result, incorporating a casein protein powder into your diet can be a strategic move to help support your weight loss goals.

Tester Brandon Lunsford, C.P.T., tried the Dutch Chocolate flavor, saying it reminded him of a dark chocolate bar that isn’t too rich or too sweet. The only downside is that casein protein has a different consistency than whey. It’s generally thicker and often takes longer to dissolve. Lunsford noticed this during his testing, saying the product had a “slightly chalky aftertaste.”

Best Unflavored Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Naked Grass-Fed Whey

Naked Whey’s Unflavored protein stands out for its simplicity and purity; its single-ingredient formula consists of whey protein concentrate sourced for grass-fed cows. This simplicity aligns with the brand’s commitment to transparency, priding itself on avoiding additives, fillers, or artificial ingredients in its products.

With its neutral taste profile, this protein powder is very versatile, letting you integrate the protein powder seamlessly into your favorite recipes or smoothies without altering the flavor profile. Kessler tried the Unflavored version and says it “has a very slight vanilla taste to it.” He also detected a note of earthiness, but says “It would be really good mixed into a smoothie.” However, he mentions the two-scoop serving size can feel like a lot, so he recommends using extra liquid when blending it.

If you’re someone who prefers a flavored protein powder, you’ll be happy to know Naked also offers five flavored options, including Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Double Chocolate. Naked only uses coconut sugar to sweeten its protein supplements, which isn’t nearly as sweet as artificial sweeteners like sucralose or acesulfame potassium.

Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss and Muscle Gain: Sports Research Whey Protein

We chose Sports Research as our best protein powder for weight loss and muscle gain because it has a solid protein-to-calorie ratio (25 grams to 140 calories), is Informed Sport Certified, is fairly priced at $1.20 per serving, and tastes great, according to testers.

From a nutritional standpoint, Sports Research stacks up well against many of its competitors. The per-serving content for protein (25 grams), calories (140), and carbs (2 grams) compares favorably with most of the choices on our list, although the fat per serving (3.5 grams for Vanilla and 4 grams for Dutch Chocolate) is on the high side. Other ingredients include vitamin D, which has been linked to muscle health in recent research.

Tester Cory Kessler, C.N.C., C.P.T., tried the Creamy Vanilla flavor. “When I mixed it with milk it almost tasted like vanilla ice cream,” he says. “But when I mixed it with water it diluted the flavor, and all I could taste was the sweetness,” he warns. He also notes that it mixed very well, and “wasn’t gritty or clumpy at all.”

What Does Protein Powder Do for Weight Loss?

Whether from powder or whole food sources, protein aids weight loss mainly by:

• Enhancing satiety: In less clinical terms, satiety simply means feeling full. Research has found that the potential benefits of a high-protein diet include increasing your body’s secretion of certain hormones that promote a feeling of fullness, which could in turn help you better regulate your appetite.
• Preserving fat-free muscle mass: Eating more protein could have positive effects not just on body weight but also on body composition. Muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue.

Protein powder can be an effective tool in helping you achieve your weight loss goals. Drinking a protein powder shake or smoothie provides a quick, easy way to consume high amounts of protein with a limited amount of calories, fat, and carbohydrates. One of the main benefits of protein powder is that it’s often extremely lean, with a very high ratio of protein to total number of calories. This makes protein powder an efficient way to hit your daily protein target while adhering to your calorie guidelines.

How to Choose the Best Protein Powder for Weight Loss for You

Protein Content and Quality

Choose a protein powder with a significant amount of protein, typically around 25 grams per serving. If you have weight loss goals, a whey, soy, or pea protein isolate is likely your best bet since they are ultra-filtered to remove excess carbohydrates and fats.

Calories per Serving

When you have weight loss goals, it’s best to choose a protein powder with a moderate calorie count per serving, e.g., 100 to 160 calories. You should also ensure the majority of those calories come from protein, as this will best support your weight loss progress. Remember, protein is four calories per gram, so you can expect a supplement that has 25 grams of protein to have around 110 to 120 calories if it’s extremely lean.

Ingredient Quality

It’s important to check the ingredients list of the supplement to ensure the product is free from added sugars or unnecessary fillers. Although these ingredients may contribute to the flavor, sweetness, and creaminess of the supplement, they often come with added calories. It’s generally best to select protein powders with minimal ingredients.

Occasionally, protein powders contain ingredients such as creatine, probiotics, or branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). While these aren’t necessary, it’s important to assess whether these added ingredients align with your health and fitness goals, and whether it’s worth choosing a protein powder that offers these options.

Taste and Mixability

Regardless of your goals, choose a protein powder with a flavor and consistency you enjoy. I know this seems obvious, but if you dislike the taste, then you’re far less likely to use the protein powder on a consistent basis, if at all.

Third-Party Testing

As a certified nutrition coach, I advise my clients to choose a protein powder that’s been third-party tested for quality, purity, and safety, especially when I’m working with athletes. This ensures your supplement is free from contaminants, including banned substances, and is deemed safe for consumption. Third-party testing also holds supplement companies accountable, providing assurance that the ingredients in the product align with the information provided on the supplement facts label.

What to Avoid in a Protein Powder for Weight Loss

Whenever you’re purchasing a dietary supplement, you should look for one that aligns with your specific health and fitness goals. With weight loss in mind, it’s typically recommended to avoid products with added sugars, or excessive amounts of carbohydrates and fats. Some consumers may also choose to avoid products with artificial additives, such as sweeteners, flavors, and colors, which are routinely found in protein powder supplements. If you’re looking for an all-natural protein powder with minimal ingredients, consider Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey or protein powders from Naked Nutrition.

Final Thoughts: Is Protein Powder for Weight Loss Worth It?

As a certified nutrition coach, I think it’s important to emphasize that a protein powder isn’t a necessity for weight loss success. However, due to its convenience and effectiveness, it does offer some notable benefits when used as part of a holistic approach to weight loss that includes resistance training, quality sleep, and healthy lifestyle habits. Consuming a high-protein diet, especially during a weight-loss phase, helps manage hunger levels and improves muscle preservation. If a protein powder can help you hit your daily protein targets while still maintaining a calorie deficit, then I think it’s worth incorporating into your regular routine.

Protein Powder for Weight Loss FAQs