Best Protein Powder for Teens (2025): Brands That Are the Whey to Go

In terms of whey isolate protein powder, this is one of the cleanest products that you can find, and it comes from a reputable brand, which is why we named it the best overall protein powder for teens. In addition to being sourced from grass-fed cows, their whey isolate is also free from hormones, pesticides, dyes, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives.

RELATED: Whey Protein Isolate vs Concentrate

Transparent Labs also shows the weight of each ingredient it contains right on the label, which speaks to the brand’s name of transparency. If you’re a parent of a student athlete, this should put your mind at ease of what your teen is consuming, especially considering the protein powder is third-party tested by Informed Choice. This is also why we gave it a 5 out of 5 rating for third-party testing. 

Now, let’s talk about grass-fed whey protein supplements. The claim that grass-fed whey contains better amino acids than regular whey hasn’t been proven to be accurate, which makes sense since it hasn’t been proven that a cow’s diet can affect the quality of its milk. 

So, if you’re looking for the best for your teen, don’t sweat thinking the best whey for them has to be grass-fed. What we have noticed, though, is that grass-fed whey carries a significant difference in terms of taste. 

Anthony O’Reilly, GGR performance editor and expert product tester, confirms this sentiment and rated it a 5 out of 5 for taste after trying the Peppermint Hot Chocolate, a seasonal flavor. “It tastes exactly as the flavor describes,” Anthony reports. “All that’s missing is the marshmallows and whipped cream!”

We did give it a 5 out of 5 for formulation as the supplement only contains five ingredients but includes 28 grams of protein per serving. Transparent Labs products are expensive by market average, and their protein is no different as this one is nearly $2 per serving. Thus, we gave it a 3 out of 5 for price even if the value likely justifies the cost. 

See our full Transparent Labs Protein review for more details.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, we recommend Nutricost Whey Protein Concentrate.

Legion is an American brand that sources its whey from Irish dairy farms. One of the reasons I’m a personal fan of Whey+ from Legion Athletics is that they never seem to run out of fun flavors to offer. My personal taste preferences aside, though, as a registered dietitian, I love that Legion has no artificial sweeteners, dyes, fillers, or other junk. 

A taste test of Legion’s Cinnamon Cereal flavor by our expert team gave Legion a 4.5 out of 5. This flavor delivers essential amino acids as well as a nostalgic taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Anthony O’Reilly, GGR performance editor and certified nutrition coach, tried it and says, “The flavor is there, but could be stronger. It’s like when you’re eating a freshly poured bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but the milk hasn’t soaked up the taste of the cereal just yet.”

He did, however, give it a 5 out of 5 for solubility as this powder consistently mixes well. We also gave it a 5 out of 5 for formulation as Legion always lacks proprietary blends and provides comprehensive citations of the science behind each ingredient they include in their products. 

We gave Legion Whey+ protein a score of 3 out of 5 for cost because it costs $1.99 per serving, which is pretty high by market standards. Though the best clean protein powders do tend to carry this price tag as you usually have to pay for quality, most teens buying their own supplements might have a tough time affording this one on a consistent basis.

Check out our full Legion Whey Protein review to learn more. Anthony even shares his protein French toast recipe, which is a tasty way to sneak extra protein in a diet for teens who are struggling to meet their protein requirements.

For another great option that contains a bit more protein per serving, we suggest REP Purist Whey Protein Powder.

At GGR, we’ve tried Sports Research Whey Protein Isolate in the past and it’s definitely well-liked among the team. It’s great for protein shakes, and if you have a teen athlete trying to increase their body weight, this is a great product to have on hand. 

When we made our list of Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain, we named Sports Research Whey Protein the best protein powder for weight gain. The protein powder contains 140 calories per serving with a substantial macronutrient content as it contains more fat and carbohydrates than most other whey protein isolates. 

That said, the ingredient list is quite short, with natural flavors, and the powder is non-GMO, gluten-free, and soy-free. Sports Research also lists the full content of the essential amino acids the dietary supplement contains. There are also 25 grams of protein, which we liked, so we rated it a 4.5 out of 5 for formulation. 

We had GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly, CNC, CPT, try the Chocolate flavor. “It tasted like instant hot cocoa, which isn’t a bad thing!” Anthony says. “I wouldn’t mind having this at a bonfire with some marshmallows. It’s also free of that protein aftertaste.” Anthony also reports no unpleasant side effects like bloating or a sour stomach. 

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The rave reviews Anthony gave for taste didn’t transfer to solubility, though, for which we gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars. Anthony comments, “Even if you shake it extra well, there’s still a lot of clumping. What you do manage to get mixed is smooth, though, so at least it was good texture-wise.”

This whey isolate is also third-party tested by Informed Choice, which earns it a 5 out of 5 for third-party testing. Finally, Sports Research Whey Isolate will run you about $1.31 per serving when you get it on Amazon, which is pretty stinking good for a third-party tested whey isolate made with natural ingredients. So, we gave it a 5 out of 5 in that category.  

If you’re not a fan of chocolate or vanilla, Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate has 15 great flavors to choose from.

As a leading supplier of dietary supplements to active individuals, Nutricost stands out in the market as an affordable and accessible option for sports nutrition. However, do you get what you pay for with Nutricost? To answer this, we had Kate Meier, GGR senior director of content, try their Chocolate Peanut Butter whey protein concentrate. 

Let’s start with the formulation. We gave it 4 out of 5 stars for the flavored version and 5 out of 5 for the unflavored version. Unfortunately, the flavored versions, including the Chocolate Peanut Butter, contain some no-so-clean stuff like artificial sweeteners. 

RELATED: Best Protein Powder Without Artificial Sweeteners

The unflavored version, though, only contains whey protein concentrate as its sole ingredient. So, if you want somewhat of a clean protein powder on a budget, it’s best that you’re OK with one without flavor if you are eyeing Nutricost.

Here’s the problem, though, this protein is whey protein concentrate rather than isolate. While whey protein isolate typically contains 95% protein, concentrate can have a protein content as low as 50% to 70%². 

Concentrate also doesn’t go through the level of processing isolate does to remove much of the fat, carbohydrates, and lactose, so those with lactose sensitivities tend to have issues digesting whey protein concentrate. 

That said, we gave it a 5 out of 5 for taste based on Kate’s experience. “Despite me not necessarily being a fan of peanut butter, I actually really, really liked the peanut flavor from the Chocolate Peanut Butter. It’s not too strong and doesn’t overwhelm the chocolate flavor,” she says.

Amanda Dvorak, CPT, CNC, has the vanilla flavor and says, “I also have the Vanilla at home and have been using it every day for about 3 weeks. I don’t think there’s anything special about it if you drink it plain. It’s not bad at all, just nothing super noteworthy about it.”

We gave it a 4 out of 5 for third-party testing as, despite there being some testing, it’s not certified by NSF for Sport or Informed Choice. Finally, with a price per serving of $1.15, if you buy on Amazon, we gave it a score of 5 out of 5 for the price since it is one of the most economical options on our list. 

If you prefer a whey isolate instead of a whey concentrate, give Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate a try.

If you’re looking for a protein with simple, minimal ingredients and a fantastic taste, REP Purist Whey Protein is a great option and our pick for the best-tasting protein powder for teens.

Each serving contains 25 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and 1-2 grams of carbs, depending on the flavor. There are no artificial colors, sweeteners, or flavors, and REP uses stevia to sweeten the taste. With great ingredients, a high protein content, and minimal carbs and fats, Purist Whey earns 5 out of 5 for the formulation.

Not only are the ingredients excellent, but it tastes good too, earning 4.5 out of 5 stars for the flavor, according to Stephen Sheehan, CPT, CNC.

“I tested the Dutch Chocolate flavor and thoroughly enjoyed it,” says Stephen. “It’s not overly sweet, which is probably due to the simple, straightforward formulation that does not include any added sugars. It leans more toward the dark chocolate side from a taste perspective, with slightly earthy tones. I liken it almost to a Wendy’s chocolate frosty flavor.”

Stephen also gave it 5 out of 5 stars for the solubility and said, “I had no issues with clumping or grittiness when used in a shaker cup. I’ve also used it in a magic bullet with ice and water to create a healthier ‘milkshake,’ and the consistency is thick and creamy.”

REP Purist Whey is also Informed Sport Certified and third-party lab-tested, which ensures the product contains what it claims on the label and is free from banned ingredients.

At the time of writing, it’s only available in two flavors, but if you’re looking for a solid protein powder with clean ingredients and a fantastic taste, this is a great choice.

If you want another grass-fed protein that has more flavor options, we recommend Legion Whey+.

Onnit is an American sports nutrition company based in Austin, Texas, that is proud to provide responsibly sourced products that are third-party tested. Given they also avoid using artificial ingredients, artificial sweeteners, additives, or fillers. Given these standards, this is why we named it the best protein powder for teen athletes. 

Former GGR Senior Staff Writer Amanda Capritto, CSNC, CPT, tried the Mexican Chocolate flavor and had this to say about the taste and texture: “It’s super thin, especially if you blend it with water, but if you use cow’s milk or oat milk it’s actually pretty rich. The Mexican Chocolate has a different flavor than other protein powders that come in chocolate, but it’s a good flavor.”

RELATED: How To Mix Protein Powder Without a Shaker

Based on Amanda’s feedback, we gave it a 3.75-out-of-5 rating for taste. We also gave it a 5 out of 5 for solubility. “This stuff dissolves almost too well, hence the thin texture,” Amanda reports. “But if you’re looking for a protein powder that gives you zero clumps, this fits the bill.”

We rated it 4.5 out of 5 for the formulation, as Onnit’s protein has some novel ingredients you don’t commonly find in other protein powders. We had to knock a bit off because there are only 20 grams of protein per serving,g and we’d like to see something closer to 25 or 30 grams of protein.

That said, there’s nothing artificial, and in addition to high-quality whey protein isolate, Onnit whey protein also contains digestive enzymes and even probiotics to support smoother digestion. 

It’s sweetened with monk fruit extract, a natural, zero-calorie sweetener. So, although it’s not a lactose-free product, the addition of digestive enzymes like lactase may be beneficial for teens who have issues digesting lactose¹. 

Onnit whey protein is third-party tested by Informed Choice, which is excellent for teen athletes, so we awarded it a rating of 5 out of 5 for third-party testing. Last but not least, Onnit’s Keep-It™ guarantee offers customers 90 days to try the product, and if you don’t like it, you can keep it. So, there’s little risk in giving this one a try.

For more details, you can read our full Onnit Grass Fed Whey Isolate Review. 

For those who need a bit more protein in each scoop, we suggest trying Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Isolate.

1st Phorm Vegan Power Pro contains organic rice and pea protein to provide plant-based protein. The 1st Phorm protein product boasts being vegan-friendly. However, it should be noted that the allergen statement on the 1st Phorm website also cautions that the product might have small amounts of milk, egg, soy, and wheat due to these ingredients being processed in the same facility. So, be wary if your teen has allergies. 

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We had GGR Everything Lead Tester Lindsay Scheele try the Oatmeal Cookie flavor. “It tastes just like an oatmeal cookie and even smells like gingerbread cookies baked fresh on Christmas day,” she says. So, we gave a 4 out of 5 for taste. That said, Lindsay wasn’t too keen on the texture.

“1st Phorm recommends just 6 ounces of liquid for mixing, but I ended up adding 3 more ounces and using water,” Lindsay says. “If you use milk, your protein shakes are going to end up chalky and the consistency gets aggressively thick.” Based on this, despite Lindsay specifying it was easy to mix, we gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars for solubility.

For formulation, we rated it 3.75 out of 5 stars. Let’s start with the ingredients. The main protein sources are pea and rice protein. This is a great combo to have in a plant-based protein powder as it creates a profile of essential amino acids that is very similar to whey³. 

The plant-based protein also has a superfood blend extracted from over a dozen different fruits and vegetables along with ingredients from whole foods you’d often find in greens powder like wheat grass and even spirulina. However, this is a proprietary blend, so it’s unclear how potent the antioxidants may be. 

With all of this said, we knocked some stars off of the formulation rating due to the fact that there are only 19 grams of protein per serving. We’d like to see much more, but at least 20 grams at minimum, especially considering it’s a plant-based protein powder. 

RELATED: A Registered Dietitian Breaks Down Pea Protein Benefits

Studies show plant-based proteins like pea, rice, and soy protein don’t absorb nearly as well4 as animal-based proteins like whey or egg white protein isolate, especially when it comes to muscle growth. So, vegan athletes may need higher doses of protein from these types of protein powders. 

If you don’t need to use a vegan protein formula, we recommend trying REP Purist Whey Protein Powder.