If you’re searching for the best protein powder and have wondered about Elevation Protein Powder in your local Aldi supermarket, you’re not alone. I personally don’t live near an Aldi, but I’ve seen Elevation trending online, so I went to Amazon and ordered the Vanilla flavor for this Elevation Protein Powder review.
After tasting and working my way through about half of the container, I’m pretty torn about this protein powder. There are a handful of things I like and a few things I would like to see improved. So let’s dive in so I can share my testing experience with you.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
We’ve Tested Over 100 Protein Powders
Before we begin, let’s address one thing: Why should you care about my opinion or the opinions of anyone here at Garage Gym Reviews? Well, our team is staffed with certified nutrition coaches, certified personal trainers, CrossFit Level-1 Trainers, and Olympic-level athletes. We have top industry credentials and decades of collective experience. We also care deeply about nutrition and fueling our bodies for consistent and powerful training sessions.
Plus, we’ve tested over 100 of the cleanest protein powders and best-tasting protein powders so we can make recommendations based on your needs. During my protein supplement review process, I was tasked with scoring the Elevation Protein Powder on a scale of 1 to 5 in eight different areas including price per serving, formulation, taste, and solubility.
Elevation Protein Powder
Elevation Protein Powder
Product Highlights
- 30 g protein per serving
- Whey concentrate and isolate blend
- Enjoyable taste
- Aldi in-house brand
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High protein content
- Subtly sweet flavor
- Low fat and carb content
Cons
- Contains sucralose
- Not third-party tested
Bottom Line
Elevation Protein Powder is a blend of both whey concentrate and whey isolate. It’s available online and in-store at Aldi supermarkets. This Aldi-branded protein contains 30 grams of protein per serving and is low in fats and carbs. It offers an enjoyable and subtle flavor that is not too sweet.
A Quick Look at Elevation Protein Powder
Elevation is manufactured by Millville, which is the Aldi supermarket in-house brand for cereals, snacks, protein bars, and protein shakes. This Aldi brand can also be found online on third-party retail sites like Amazon and Walmart.
Elevation Protein Powder has a remarkable 30 grams of protein per serving and while it’s not unheard of, most proteins we’ve tested range from 20 to 25 grams of protein. In fact, we’ve only tested a handful of brands that offer 30 grams of protein or more per serving, namely Muscle Milk Genuine Protein and Body Fortress Whey Protein. Stay tuned, because I will compare Body Fortress side-by-side with Elevation later in this review.
The macros on this Elevation Protein Powder are bodybuilding and weight loss-friendly with fairly low fat (3 grams) and carbohydrate (7 grams) content. It’s also gluten-free and soy-free.
Before You Buy
- There are two flavor options I found online (Vanilla and Chocolate) but reviewers on TikTok have found additional flavors in-store at Aldi including Peanut Butter Chocolate and Cookies n Cream.
- This protein powder uses artificial sweeteners like sucralose and maltodextrin.
- Elevation has gone through a reformulation to exclude a proprietary blend that contained creatine.
Is Elevation Protein Powder Worth It?
Elevation Protein Powder is a pretty solid option for anyone looking for a protein supplement with 30 grams of protein per scoop—that’s honestly the biggest appeal. I will admit the price at $1.57 per serving is also rather appealing, but we’ve tested cheaper protein powders (like the one we tested for our Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard review).
I don’t regret the $32 I spent to test this protein powder, but would I purchase it again? Probably not. I’d prefer if this formula was third-party tested or at the very least had a seal of approval from Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Great for:
- Anyone looking for a high protein shake
- Folks on a budget
- Blending up a protein smoothie recipe
Not recommended for:
- Anyone who prioritizes third-party testing
- Keto or paleo dieters
- Plant-based eaters
Elevation Protein Powder Specs
| Price per serving | $1.57 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (40 g) |
| Type of protein | Whey protein concentrate and isolate blend |
| Protein content | 30 g |
| Carb content | 7 g |
| Fat content | 3 g |
| Calories | 180 |
| Notable ingredients | Calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, BCAAs |
| Flavors | Vanilla, Chocolate |
| Third-party testing | No |
Experience Using Elevation Protein Powder
Drinking and testing Elevation Protein Powder was overall an enjoyable experience. I tried it with the recommended 8 ounces of water in a shaker cup. With the first few taste tests I experienced some GI issues, but acclimated to the formula quickly. Even with that said, the protein content—and macronutrient profile as a whole—gets a seal of approval from me and the expert testers at GGR.
It’s worth noting that Elevation is a protein powder blend of both whey protein isolate and concentrate. Why does that matter? Well, protein isolate is the purest form of a protein and contains few other non-protein ingredients (like fats or carbs). So, if a formula contains a blend of isolate and concentrate, you’ll see slightly higher fat and carb content than a pure whey isolate. We have more about the protein extraction and refining process in our guide to how protein powder is made.
Price Per Serving
Elevation whey protein earns a 3-out-of-5-star rating when it comes to price per serving. We allocate middle-of-the-road scores to proteins that have a price per serving between $1.50 and $2. While prices on Amazon typically fluctuate, at the time I purchased a canister I paid $32.97.
With 21 servings per container, this works out to $1.57 per serving. It’s pretty close to earning a higher rating based on our supplement testing methodology, with it being just over $1.50 per serving. I’ve also read customer reviews saying it’s cheaper in-store at Aldi, which is not surprising.
RELATED: Best Protein Powder on Amazon
Formulation
When it comes to the macronutrient profile, I’m pretty impressed with the fact that with 180 calories you can get 30 grams of protein, 7 grams of carbs, and 3 grams of fat. For this reason, formulation earns 5 out of 5 stars.
When I was ordering this on Amazon I noticed the ingredient list contained artificial sweeteners, namely sucralose, maltodextrin, and acesulfame potassium. However, when the container of protein arrived at my house I noticed that the formulation was just a bit different than what I saw online, which is not a bad thing.
RELATED: Understanding Protein Powder Labels
First thing I noticed is that acesulfame potassium was no longer used in the formula. Additionally, the proprietary blend of creatine, taurine, and l-glutamine was also nixed.
Essentially, the reformulation has left out a few unnecessary ingredients and kept the high protein content. Elevation also contains a full amino acid profile, vitamins C and D, calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, and potassium.
Taste and Solubility
As I noted above, there are artificial sweeteners in this protein powder. That said, I fully enjoyed the Vanilla flavor and scored the Elevation whey protein powder 4.5 out of 5 stars for taste. It’s rather subtle and won’t overwhelm you with the Vanilla flavor.
I consider myself to be pretty sensitive to the aftertaste from sucralose. And even though it’s present in the ingredients, I didn’t get that offensive aftertaste I expected.
As for solubility, Elevation does not receive a perfect score from me, although some customer reviews on Amazon note how easy it is to mix up in a shaker bottle. I had to do a serious amount of shaking for no clumps to appear. For that reason, I give Elevation a 4.5 out of 5 stars for solubility.
Side Effects
I scored Elevation at 3 out of 5 stars for side effects because the first few times I tested this protein powder, I was running to the bathroom. This was little more than the average “protein farts” experience (IYKYK).
However, by the fourth and fifth time I drank it, I was having a much more normal experience. For me personally, a new whey protein formula can upset my stomach, but it’s rather rare, which is why I gave this protein a middle-of-the-road score.
Transparency and Third-Party Testing
Elevation is not third-party tested, which is not our preference and what our team typically looks for in a protein powder. For this reason, it earns a 3-out-of-5-star rating in this category.
However, the label is fairly transparent. And, as I mentioned earlier in this review, the brand has gone through a reformulation and taken out any property blends. Here is a full breakdown of what you can expect on the ingredient list:
- Whey protein blend (whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate)
- Maltodextrin
Contains less than 2% or less of the following:
- Modified food starch
- Sunflower lecithin
- Dextrose
- Cellulose gum
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Potassium bitartrate
- Modified bitter oil
- Silicone dioxide
- Sucralose
- Guar gum
- Gum arabic
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Annatto and turmeric (for color)
Elevation Protein Powder vs Body Fortress Whey Protein
Body Fortress Whey Protein
Body Fortress Whey Protein
Product Highlights
- Available in 5 flavors
- 30 g of protein per scoop
- Contains vitamins C & D, plus zinc
- Mixes well and reportedly tastes good
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High protein content
- Mixes well
- Added vitamins for immunity
Cons
- Sucralose can cause GI problems
- Large serving size
- Reports of misleading allergen information
Bottom Line
If you do not mind artificial sweeteners or additives in your protein, Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein provides 30 grams of whey protein per 45-gram serving.
Elevation Protein Powder may have met its match with Body Fortress Whey Protein. The two brands feature a blend of whey concentrate and whey isolate and have an identical macronutrient profile.
The kicker is that Body Fortress is NSF-Certified for Sport, which means the protein powder has been tested and contains exactly what is displayed on the label and is tested for banned substances. This is our preference and this seal of approval won’t even cost you that much more. Depending on the container size, you can score Body Fortress for as low as $1.33 per serving on Amazon.
You can read more about our testing process and how it tastes in our in-depth Body Fortress Whey Protein review.
| Elevation Whey Protein Powder | Body Fortress Whey Protein | |
| Price per serving | $1.57 | Ranges from $1.66 to $1.33 |
| Serving size | 1 scoop (40 g) | 1 scoop (50 g) |
| Type of protein | Whey (concentrate and isolate) | Whey (concentrate and isolate) |
| Protein content | 30 g | 30 g |
| Fat content | 7 g | 7 g |
| Carb content | 3 g | 3 g |
| Calories | 180 | 180 |
| Third-party testing | No | Yes |
Customer Experience
I purchased Elevation Protein Powder on Amazon for speedy and reliable delivery. Unlike buying fitness equipment or other products through Amazon, with perishables you won’t be able to make returns due to food safety concerns. However, Amazon will allow you to request a refund or replacement if your protein arrives damaged or defective.
While Amazon is pretty consistent with customer service and offers a pretty solid return policy on most products, I docked a point on overall customer experience because some of the supplement brands our team has tested allow for returns if you’re not satisfied, even if the product has been opened and used. That’s why I’m scoring 4 out of 5 stars in this category.
Customer Reviews
On Amazon, the Elevation Vanilla protein flavor has about 85 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Most reviewers like the taste and overall value. There were a few unhappy customers who had negative experiences with the flavor tasting too sweet and the price being different (and much lower) in person at Aldi supermarkets.
Final Verdict of Our Elevation Protein Powder Review
Although myself and our experts at Garage Gym Reviews prioritize protein powders that are third-party tested, we know that it’s not always possible. Elevation Protein Powder offers a pretty decent value when you consider the price per serving paired with the fact you’ll be getting 30 grams of protein per serving. Although I don’t confidently recommend Elevation Protein Powder to most people, it’s a reasonable option for anyone who:
- Wants easy ordering and shipping with Amazon or regularly shops at Aldis
- Is looking for protein content over 25 grams per serving
- Needs to consider a budget-friendly option
- Likes Vanilla and Chocolate flavors
Full Rating
Elevation Protein Powder
Elevation Protein Powder is a blend of both whey concentrate and whey isolate. It’s available online and in-store at Aldi supermarkets. This Aldi-branded protein contains 30 grams of protein per serving and is low in fats and carbs. It offers an enjoyable and subtle flavor that is not too sweet.
Product Brand: Elevation
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 32.97
Product In-Stock: InStock
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Elevation Protein Powder: FAQs
Is Elevation whey protein healthy?
Elevation Protein Powder has a solid macronutrient profile with 30 grams of protein per serving. The formula does contain artificial sweeteners and food additives, which is not uncommon for protein powders and dietary supplements.
What is the most reliable protein powder?
At Garage Gym Reviews, we think the most reliable protein powders taste good, have high-quality protein, and are third-party tested. Some of our top contenders on our best protein powders roundup include: Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate, XWERKS Grow, Legion Whey+, and Ritual Essential Protein.
Does Elevation Protein Powder have creatine?
Elevation Protein Powder at one point was formulated with creatine. At the time of writing, Elevation does not contain creatine.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
