Best Protein Powders For Recovery 2023 – Post Workout Protein

best whey protein powder banner

Quick links:

Supplement Guides: Creatine | Pre-Workout | Fat Loss | Natural Testosterone

Why take whey protein powder?

In short, whey protein contains all 9 amino acids that the body needs. Considering this, if you’re looking for a recovery protein powder, whey is probably for you. It will help reduce soreness by increasing muscle recovery and giving your body what it needs to repair and grow. Furthermore, it’s incredibly convenient (no cooking, can transport) and liquid protein (protein shakes) absorbs faster than solids. This is why whey is considered the best protein for after a work out, but you can take it any time as it’s important to maintain solid protein intake levels 24hrs after a workout.

What’s the best post workout protein powder for muscle recovery?

The honest answer is this: all protein powders will help with muscle recovery and growth. What product you choose should depend on your goals, values and/or restrictions.

If you’re looking for tried and tested all-rounder, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard is probably the way to go. If you want the best budget protein powder, Muscletech is a great low-cost protein powder for those on a budget. Alternatively if you’re looking for the best tasting whey protein, Dymatize surely takes the biscuit. We also have options for extra high-protein servings (60g per serving, BodyFortress), best organic protein (Grass Fed Whey) and best vegan protein powder (Orgain).

Brand$ per ounceProsRatingLink
OM Powder$0.95High-quality product, popular★★★★★SEE PRICES
BodyFortress$0.81Includes vitamin D, C and Zinc★★★★SEE PRICES
Dymatize$0.82Award-winning taste★★★★★SEE PRICES
MuscleTech$0.66Casein blend, slow releasing protein★★★★SEE PRICES
Grass Fed Whey$1Organic, ethical★★★★★SEE PRICES
Orgain$0.88Vegan, organic★★★★★SEE PRICES

Best All-Rounder – Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey

A staple in the industry, Optimum Nutrition have been operating for over 30 years and have cemented themselves as the “gold standard” for whey protein. But what does this actually mean? Here’s what they have to say:

Optimum Nutrition’s GOLD STANDARD 100% WHEY is the world’s best-selling whey protein. It delivers 24 g of whey protein to support muscle growth. After training, your body uses protein to help repair and rebuild muscle fibres. Each great tasting serving contains 24 g of premium whey protein to support muscle growth and 5.5 g of naturally occurring BCAAs. All with just 1.4 g of fat, 0.7 g of sugars, and with 1.3 g of carbs.

$0.95/ounce

High-Protein + Immune Support – Bodyfortress Whey

Slightly cheaper than Optimum Nutrition with some interesting immune support benefits, here’s what they have to say about their product:

Body Fortress Chocolate flavored Super Advanced Whey Protein Powder is the ideal post workout protein supplement, featuring 100% premium Whey. This gluten free protein powder formula with vitamins C & D plus zinc helps support your immune system and gives you the power to train harder and rebuild lean muscle faster because tomorrow’s workout starts with today’s recovery.

  • POWER PACKED PROTEIN: 60 grams of protein and 12 grams of BCAA’s per every two scoop serving – helping you train harder and rebuild lean muscle faster
  • NUTRIENT RICH: Amino acids with no aspartame and no gluten

$0.81/ounce

Best Tasting Whey Protein – Dymatize

We see this protein as close competition to BodyFortress (above) in their price and quality. Where Dymatize sets itself apart is its awards on taste. If you’re looking for the best flavoured whey protein powder, look no further. Here’s what they have to say for themselves:

“For over 25 years, we’ve been asking ourselves, why not? Five innovative flavor partnerships, two award-winning flavors and infinite gains later, we can’t wait to answer, what’s next? Our intentions are as pure as our formulas. That means no banned substances. No unnecessary ingredients. And no mislabeling. Ever.”

$0.82/ounce

Budget Protein Powder/Best Whey/Casein Blend – MuscleTech

Not only is this option one of the best low-cost/budget protein powder, the MuscleTech whey/casein protein blend also brings something slightly different to the mix. This is because whey is digested quickly whilst casein takes longer to be absorbed. Also, considering the reputation and quality standards, this is one of the best protein blends out there:

  • “MuscleTech Phase8 is designed to feed your muscles the highest quality blend of protein available. Each serving delivers 26g blend of proteins taken from multiple sources with variable digestive rates
  • CASEIN PROTEIN plus WHEY PROTEIN BLEND – Phase8 is a premium blended protein formula that feeds your muscles for 8 hours, with high biological value and sustained-release protein. This makes Phase8 the perfect protein for any time of the day or night
  • PROTEIN POWDER for MUSCLE GAIN – Phase8 supports protein synthesis by delivering incredibly high doses of BCAAs, glutamine and essential amino acids (EAAs)”

$0.66/ounce

Supplement Guides: Creatine | Pre-Workout | Fat Loss | Natural Testosterone

High-Quality/Organic/Ethical- Raw Grass Fed Whey

Whilst more expensive than it’s rivals, this product has a host of benefits from a sustainability and ethical standpoint. Furthermore, the organic nature of the powder will have plenty of unseen benefits for your body. Here’s what they have to say:

“We ensure that these cows are raised without hormones, antibiotics, steroids, or genetically modified feed.

  • Only 1 Ingredient: 100% Pure organic whey from the milk of grass-fed cows from small US farms
  • USDA Organic, NON-GMO, Soy Free (no soy lecithin), rBGH/rBST Hormone Free, Gluten Free, Grass Fed
  • 3rd Party Lab Testing For Contaminants
  • No added artificial sweeteners, flavors or preservatives, Heavy Metal Free, rBGH/rBST hormone free
  • Processed at low temperatures WITHOUT acid treatment, Processed WITHOUT acid or bleach”

$1.00/ounce

Vegan/Organic – Orgain Vegan Protein Powder

Here’s one for all of our plant-based friends out there. This powder is relatively cheap and uses no animal products. Here’s what they have to say about their product:

“Our organic plant-based protein powder serves up 21g of vegan protein and only 150 calories in every serving. Fuel your body with clean, organic nutrition with a complete amino acid profile, no added sugar* and no artificial sweeteners.”

$0.88/ounce –

Summary of our list

Best All-rounder

$0.95/ounce

High-protein + Immune

$0.81/ounce

Best Taste

$0.82/ounce

Budget

$0.66/ounce

Organic/Ethical

$1.00/ounce

Vegan

$0.88/ounce

Olly is a CIMSPA accredited personal trainer with a BSc degree in sport management from Solent University. He has over 10 years experience helping clients reach their health & fitness goals.