While protein powders are a dime a dozen, Premier Protein stands out thanks to its wide accessibility in major retailers and online. Moreover, Premier Protein was the leading U.S. nutrition liquid/powder brand in 2019 and garnered over $415.8 million in sales, according to a Statista report.
We’re often told the numbers don’t lie, but whether we’re reviewing the best budget home gyms or a costly barbell, we gotta find the truth for ourselves. In the Premier Protein powder review ahead, we give you an honest penny for our thoughts about this popular product.
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.
Our Experts Probe to Provide Premier Reviews
As a team of nutrition and fitness experts, we don’t just provide surface-level reviews. For better or worse, we probe into product data and actually test the ones we review, Premier Protein powder included. We’ve now tested more than 70 different protein powders and researched dozens more, so we know what to look for when it comes to quality and value.
Premier Protein Powder
Premier Protein Powder
Product Highlights
- 100% whey protein powder
- 30 g of protein per serving
- 150 calories
- Mixes well
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High in protein
- Low in fats and carbs
- Soy-free and gluten-free
- No added sugars
- Affordable
Cons
- Not offered in bulk packaging
- Contains artificial flavors
- Contains sucralose
Bottom Line
Premier Protein Powder offers a tasty way to get 30 grams of protein per serving in just 150 calories. Plus, there are only 2 grams of fat and carbs per serving. You’ll be able to choose from three flavors including Chocolate Milkshake, Cafe Latte, or Vanilla Milkshake. Two scoops equals one serving and there are 17 servings per container. Price may vary depending on flavor.
A Quick Look at Premier Protein Powder
Making its premiere in 1997, Premier Protein has undergone a series of strategic acquisitions between Post Holdings and BellRing brands. But between these business decisions and substantial growth, one thing has held constant for Premier Protein: to inspire optimism on the way to better health.
Premier Protein prides itself on providing protein-rich products—like protein drinks, shakes, and bars—that satisfy cravings. And with protein powder flavored as Chocolate Milkshake with a whopping 30 grams of protein per serving, it’s hard not to follow its call to action to “Choose Premier Protein”—but let’s dig into if it’s the best choice for you!
Before You Buy
- All Premier Protein powder flavors provide 30 grams of whey-based protein and 150 calories per serving.
- Premier Protein powder is readily accessible and often budget-friendly online and in many brick-and-mortar retailers.
Is Premier Protein Powder Worth It?
Whether or not we think Premier Protein powder’s worth it mostly depends on where it’s purchased, as one serving costs about $2.50 on the Premier Protein website but a dollar-ish less per serving on other sites.
Given that Premier Protein is formulated with various artificial ingredients and lacks third-party testing, $2.50 is hard to justify compared to some of the best protein powders with high-quality formulations and testing standards—and lower prices.
But if you purchase for a lower cost and are comfortable consuming artificial ingredients, $1.50-ish for 30 grams of protein’s a pretty sweet deal. Besides, over 40,000 Amazon reviewers have found Premier Protein worth it!
Great for:
- Anyone looking for a convenient and widely available low-carb, high-protein source
- Mixing into smoothies as a quick meal replacement, baking into treats, or mixing with water for post-workout recovery on the go
Not recommended for:
- Consumers who prefer or need a plant-based protein powder, including those following vegan and dairy-free diets
- Anyone avoiding artificial ingredients
- Those who prioritize third-party-testing and certifications
Premier Protein Vs.
Our team has collaborated with registered dietitians to personally test and evaluate more than 100 protein powders. Here’s a look at how Premier stacks up against some of our favorite proteins from brands like Transparent Labs and Legion.
- Transparent Labs Whey Isolate – Clean formula
- Legion Whey+ – Fewer calories per serving
- Onnit Plant Protein – Plant-based option
- Nutricost Whey Concentrate – Budget option
- Ritual Protein – Great-tasting vegan protein
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| Premier Protein Powder | Transparent Labs Whey Isolate | Legion Whey+ | Onnit Plant Protein | Nutricost Whey Concentrate | Ritual Protein | |
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Rating
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| Price Per Serving | $1.33 | $1.99 | $2.00 | $2.25 | $0.73 – $0.99 | $3.27 |
| Protein Per Serving | 30g | 28 g | Starting at 21g | 20g | 25g | 20g |
| Type | Whey isolate and whey concentrate blend | Whey protein isolate | Whey protein | Pea and pumpkin seed protein | Whey concentrate | Pea protein |
| Third-party Tested? | — | |||||
| Calories Per Serving | 150 | 130 | 100 | 110 | 130 – 150 | 115 |
| Flavors | 3 Flavors | 8 flavors | 17 flavors | 2 flavors | 5 flavors | 1 flavor |
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Premier Protein Powder Specs
| Price per serving | $2.50 per serving on the Premier Protein website, $1.33 per serving on Amazon |
| Serving size | 2 scoops (39 g) |
| Flavor | Chocolate Milkshake, Vanilla Milkshake, Café Latte (Caffeinated) |
| Calories per serving | 150 calories |
| Protein per serving | 30g protein |
| Carbs per serving | 3-4 g carbohydrates |
| Fats per serving | 2g fat |
| Third-party tested? | No |
Experience Using Premier Protein Powder
GGR Senior Editor Nicole Davis has first-hand experience using Premier Protein. She tells us, “I don’t love that this has a bunch of artificial stuff in it but it does taste good, it’s really macro-friendly, and it’s a great value for what it provides at 30 grams of protein per serving. It’s available everywhere and has 42,000 reviews on Amazon, which is WILD—clearly it’s a fan-favorite.” Let’s dive into the specifics of this powder.
Price Per Serving
While cost can vary based on many factors—like where you purchase from and the chosen flavor, the general price per serving of Premier Protein powder (all based on a 17-serving container) includes:
- Premier Protein: $2.49/serving
- Amazon: $1.33/serving
- Target: $1.53/serving
- Walmart: $1.48/serving
- Walgreens: $1.88/serving
For cost savings, check out the seller sites to see if they offer free shipping, reward programs, and other discounts.
Formulation
Premier Protein powder is mainly formulated with whey protein but does contain other ingredients you ought to know about.
Whey Protein
Premier Protein powder provides 30 grams of protein sourced from whey protein isolate and concentrate. Whey’s a complete protein because it provides all essential amino acids that must be obtained from high-protein foods or protein supplements—like Premier Protein.
Whey is also rich in branched-chain amino acids1 (BCAAs), which may enhance post-exercise muscle recovery and function. It’s a tremendous source of leucine—one of the three BCAAs—that plays a crucial role in protein synthesis and growth.
Aside from the protein content, whey provides essential nutrients like calcium. In fact, all three flavors offer 160 milligrams of calcium (or 10% daily value).
Other Ingredients
While whey protein is the core of Premier Protein, it contains 2% or less of these additional ingredients:
- Soluble corn fiber: Thickener and low-carb sweetener
- Sunflower lecithin: Prevents clumping and prolongs shelf life
- Natural flavors: Vague ingredients that describe any substance created by various animal and plant sources—like spices, fruits, veggies, and meats
- Artificial flavors: Substances produced in a lab
- Acesulfame potassium and sucralose: Artificial sweeteners that enhance sweetness without using added sugars
- Xanthan gum: Stabilizer and provides a creamier consistency
- Salt: Generally used to enhance flavor
*The Chocolate Milkshake flavor also contains cocoa, while Café Latte contains 95 milligrams of caffeine.
Taste and Solubility
Formulated with vague flavors, artificial sweeteners, and various thickeners and stabilizers, does Premier Protein have a great taste and mix well?
Nicole tried the Vanilla Milkshake and says, “On its own with water it’s pretty sweet and you definitely get the artificial sweetener flavor, but it does taste like vanilla, so that’s good. This powder is *chef’s kiss* blended into a smoothie with frozen fruit and milk. Also, with two scoops of powder I wasn’t expecting this to be so smooth just shaken with water, but the texture is totally fine…no clumping and just a bit of grittiness.”
Side Effects
Whey protein powder is generally considered safe, especially if taken as directed and there are no issues digesting dairy and lactose products. But some ingredients—such as xanthan gum and artificial sweeteners—may cause tummy troubles.
It’s also important to note that Premier Protein’s Café Latte contains caffeine that may cause similar pre-workout side effects like insomnia, jitters, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, digestive issues, and headaches. People monitoring sodium intake should also be mindful of the sodium content of each flavor.
We always recommend consulting a healthcare professional before taking any supplement.
Third-Party Testing
Because the FDA does not tightly regulate supplements, we prioritize products that undergo third-party testing to confirm their purity and potency. However, there’s no certainty that Premier Protein products are third-party tested and possess certifications.
Comparison to Quest Protein Powder
Quest Protein Powder
Quest Nutrition Protein Powder
Product Highlights
- Made with fast- and slow-absorbing proteins
- Contains 9 amino acids
- Sweet flavors help curb cravings
- Complete proteins help keep you full
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Low in carbs
- Comparably affordable per serving cost
- Balanced for workouts
Cons
- Contains sucralose
- Contains soy
- Thick texture
Bottom Line
With plenty of great flavors, Quest Nutrition Protein Powder is a great option for those who get bored of the same flavor of proteins.
While we have a comprehensive Quest Protein powder review, the general takeaway is that Quest has thousands of positive reviews and our thoughts mostly follow suit. Besides, $1.30 per serving is almost a steal!
Quest protein is a low-fat, low-carb, whey-based protein powder that provides 20 to 26 grams of protein and 100 to 120 calories per serving (depending on the flavor). This might seem like Quest is lower in protein than the 30 grams Premier Protein supplies, but calorie per calorie, it’s quite comparable.
While Quest offers Vanilla and Chocolate Milkshake flavors like Premier Protein, it also provides greater variety to those who might not fancy blended ice cream-forward flavors—like Peanut Butter and Cinnamon Crunch—and an Unflavored option.
It’s also important to note that while Premier Protein’s considered gluten-free, it’s not third-party-tested to verify it meets certain gluten-free standards. Quest Protein, however, is Certified Gluten-Free through the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO).
Overall, both Quest and Premier Protein powders are budget-friendly, rich in whey protein, low in carbs and fats, and formulated with small doses of artificial ingredients. Quest may have the upperhand mostly based on its flavor offerings and gluten-free certification.
Customer Experience
Navigating through the Contact Page, Premier Protein appears readily accessible to its customers by providing a contact form, phone number, email, and mailing address. Premier Protein also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee, although it’s only available if you order through the main website and within 90 days of purchase.
Premier Protein further enhances the customer experience by offering a free protein cookbook and stacked recipe collection on its site. Triple Berry Smoothie packed with berry delicious “superfoods” and probiotics, anyone?
Ordering Premier Protein Powder
Premier Protein makes ordering its protein powder (and all other products) simple on its main website and individual product pages. Simply click “Where to Buy” on the top navigation of the main site or “Buy Now” on the product page, then follow the prompts to order locally in-store or online.
If you purchase online, you can check out as a guest or create an account with the seller site of choice.
Customer Reviews
On the main Premier Protein website, you can watch real fans share fan love via video clips. Head over to Amazon, and you’ll find Premier Protein Powder has over 41,000 reviews and a comfy 4.4-star rating. Reviewers mention the powder is cost-effective, blends well, and tastes good/great.
There are reports that the container arrived half-full. While we can’t confirm such claims, it’s possible that the 17 servings came in a large tub and gave the illusion that there’s less protein powder.
Final Verdict of Our Premier Protein Powder Review
All three Premier Protein powder flavors—Chocolate Milkshake, Vanilla Milkshake, and Café Latte—pack 30 grams of whey-based protein per serving. Also low in sugar and fat, Premier Protein Powder is great for low-carb and keto dieters and really anyone looking for a true protein supplement.
Despite containing controversial artificial ingredients, consumers mostly have great things to say about this popular protein brand. While we preach the importance of moderation, it’s ultimately up to you to decide what you wish to consume—but we enjoy this budget-friendly protein powder from time-to-time!
Premier Protein Powder Rating
Premier Protein Powder
With a name like Premier Protein, is its protein powder top-tier? Find out in GGR’s expert-guided Premier Protein powder review.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 27
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.49
Premier Protein Powder FAQs
Are Premier protein shakes good for you?
Providing 30 grams of protein, 24 vitamins and minerals (like iron, calcium, and vitamin A), and only 1 gram of sugar, Premier Protein shakes are convenient nutritional insurance.
Does Premier Protein help weight loss?
High-protein diets2 may aid weight loss, and a 2018 meta-analysis3 suggests supplementing with whey protein improves body weight and total fat mass in overweight and obese patients.
Is Premier Protein good for muscle?
Because protein’s essential to sustain and build muscle, Premier Protein can be a convenient solution to fill nutritional gaps. We strongly recommend focusing on high-protein foods, being consistent in your resistance training regimen, and supplementing with protein powder as needed.
Does Premier Protein use whey?
Premier Protein mostly uses whey protein concentrates and isolates, but also offers a plant-based option.
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.
References
- Arroyo-Cerezo A, Cerrillo I, Ortega Á, et al. Intake of branched chain amino acids favors post-exercise muscle recovery and may improve muscle function: optimal dosage regimens and consumption conditions. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021 Nov;61(11):1478-1489. doi: 10.23736/S0022-4707.21.11843-2. Epub 2021 Feb 15. PMID: 33586928.
- Pesta DH, Samuel VT. A high-protein diet for reducing body fat: mechanisms and possible caveats. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2014;11(1):53. Published 2014 Nov 19. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-11-53
- Wirunsawanya K, Upala S, Jaruvongvanich V, et al. Whey Protein Supplementation Improves Body Composition and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Am Coll Nutr. 2018 Jan;37(1):60-70. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2017.1344591. Epub 2017 Oct 31. PMID: 29087242.
