Best protein powder UK 2026: whey, clear whey and vegan protein compared

Impact Whey is Myprotein's main whey powder and, by Myprotein's own description, the best-selling whey in the UK and Europe. Myprotein quotes up to 23g of protein per serving, depending on flavour, and lists it as low in fat and sugar. There's a very wide choice of flavours, including some made with naturally derived sweeteners.

It's a sensible default if you just want a straightforward whey shake. Myprotein runs frequent sales, so it's worth waiting for one if you're buying a large bag. It contains milk.

Myprotein's plant blend uses pea and fava bean protein, with up to 24g of protein per serving and low sugar, according to Myprotein. It's vegan and has the lowest cost per serving of anything I checked.

Plant proteins usually have a thicker, earthier texture than whey, so it works best blended with milk alternatives, oats or fruit. The 450g pack is a good size to try it before buying more.

Form's Performance Protein is a premium vegan blend with 30g of protein per 40g serving, the most per scoop of any plant protein here. Holland & Barrett lists it in plastic-free, compostable packaging, with no scoop included, so you measure it with a tablespoon.

It costs noticeably more per serving than Myvegan, so it suits someone who wants a higher-protein plant shake and doesn't mind paying for it.

Gold Standard is one of the longest-established protein powders, with 24g of protein per 31g serving according to the listing. It's a blend that includes whey isolate, and it comes in a wide range of flavours.

On 25 October 2026 the 899g tub and the 2.26kg tub (B000QSNYGI) were both sold by Amazon. Holland & Barrett sells it too, in smaller and larger tubs. It contains milk.

Clear whey mixes with water into a light, fruity drink, closer to squash than a milkshake. Myprotein's version uses hydrolysed whey isolate, with up to 21g of protein per serving, in fruit flavours such as peach tea.

It's a good option if you find milkshake-style protein heavy, especially after a workout or in summer. It costs more per serving than standard whey.

Whey isolate is filtered further than standard whey, so it has more protein and less fat and lactose per scoop. Myprotein quotes up to 26g of protein per serving with zero fat.

It's worth paying the bit extra if you want more protein per scoop or find standard whey heavy. It still contains milk, so it isn't suitable for a milk allergy.

A 2kg tub from Applied Nutrition, a UK sports nutrition brand, with 24g of protein per serving. It carries the Informed Sport mark, meaning batches are tested for banned substances, which matters to athletes who are drug-tested.

The big tub brings the cost per serving down, so it suits someone who already knows they like whey and uses it most days.

Holland & Barrett's own Precision Engineered whey has 21g of protein per serving and carries the Informed Sport mark. It's widely stocked in Holland & Barrett shops, so you can pick it up on the high street.

It's a straightforward whey with a smaller range of flavours than Myprotein. Holland & Barrett often runs multi-buy offers on its own brands.

An organic whey made with just three ingredients: organic whey, ground organic vanilla pods and organic coconut sugar, with no additives. It suits people who prefer to avoid long ingredient lists and sweeteners. It's listed on Holland & Barrett's site and sold by The Organic Protein Company.

It's the most expensive whey here per serving and the tub is small, so it's best for someone who values organic, simple ingredients over price.