These Clean Protein Powders Deliver Big on Muscle, Without the Laundry List of Questionable Ingredients
All the gains, none of the gums, dyes, or artificial junk.
Whether you're trying to build muscle or just didn’t have time for your perfectly curated afternoon snack, protein shakes are a quick and easy way to hit your nutrition goals. While there are endless options, let’s be real: Not all protein powders are created equal. A lot of the big-name options are basically science experiments—packed with artificial sweeteners, mystery dyes, gums, and enough additives to make even the most iron-clad stomachs nervous.
So, we decided to cut through the blender noise and track down the cleanest protein powders on the market.
And yeah, we get it—clean is one of those trendy words brands slap on everything from powders to potato chips. But when we say clean, we mean it. The options listed below use real, whole ingredients, no neon coloring, no fake flavors, and nothing your great-grandma wouldn’t recognize as food.
Best Clean Protein Powders at a Glance
- Best Overall Clean Protein: Just Ingredients
- Best Tasting Clean Protein: Transparent Labs
- Best Plant-Based Clean Protein: Truvani
- Best Unflavored Clean Protein: Naked Nutrition
- Best Budget-Friendly Clean Protein: Nutricost
- Best Low-Carb Clean Protein: ISOPURE
- Best Organic Clean Protein: Ora Organic Superfood Plant Protein
- Best Clean Protein for Meal Replacement: Ka’Chava All-In-One Nutrition Shake
- Best Clean Protein for Weight Loss: Promix
- Best Clean Protein for Athletes: Klean
Best Clean Protein Powders of 2025
Best Clean Protein Overall: Just Ingredients
Courtesy of Just Ingredients
I’m a sucker for a good protein powder, and this one from Just Ingredients tops my list. It might not have the same name recognition as some of the big players, but what it does have is a serious commitment to clean ingredients, and that’s what makes it a standout. The brand's whey protein is made with organic whole foods, including 100% grass-fed, non-denatured whey from New Zealand. No artificial flavors, dyes, or weird additives—just the good stuff.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 140
- Carbs: 5g
- Protein: 22g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 6g
Best Tasting Clean Protein: Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Courtesy of Transparent Labs
Who says clean protein can’t taste amazing? Transparent Labs’ best-selling 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate packs a powerful 28 grams of protein per serving—without any artificial sweeteners, dyes, or preservatives. It’s made from grass-fed whey sourced right here in the United States and undergoes third-party testing for added transparency. As for flavor? You’ve got options—15, to be exact—from tried-and-true chocolate to more adventurous picks like chocolate chip banana bread and blueberry pancakes.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 130
- Carbs: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 1g
Best Plant-Based: Truvani
Courtesy of Truvani
When you think of plant-based protein, you probably picture gritty texture, funky aftertaste, and barely-there flavor. Truvani’s Plant-Based Protein Powder is here to prove you wrong. Made with just a handful of clean ingredients, this protein is free of fillers, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners. Buyers can choose from an array of flavors such as vanilla chai, chocolate, matcha, and more.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 130
- Carbs: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 3g
Best Unflavored: Naked Nutrition Grass Fed Whey Protein Powder
Courtesy of Naked Nutrition
Most days, I’m in the mood for a protein powder with a little flavor. It doesn’t need to taste like a dessert—just something to satisfy that sweet craving at the end of the day. But there are times when I’ve had enough mango electrolytes, watermelon pre-workout, and chocolate protein powder to last a lifetime. That’s when Naked Nutrition’s Unflavored Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder comes in clutch. It’s totally free of additives and artificial sweeteners, making it perfect for mixing with flavored products or tossing into your oats post-workout.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 120
- Carbs: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 2g
Best Budget-Friendly Clean Protein: Nutricost
Courtesy of Amazon
Let's face it, it costs money to eat clean. Given that most cleaner protein companies use whole ingredients, it's safe to assume the prices are going to be slightly higher than traditional brands. The unflavored version of Nutritcosts Whey Protein Isolate is made with two ingredients—whey protein isolate and sunflower lecithin. It doesn't get much simpler than that. At regular price, each serving comes out to around $1.12, but it regularly goes on sale, making it closer to $1 per serving.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 130
- Carbs: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 0.5g
Best Low-Carb Clean Protein: ISOPURE
Courtesy of Isopure
Isopure is one of those legacy brands that’s stood the test of time. While it offers plenty of protein options, it’s especially popular among athletes following a ketogenic or low-carb diet thanks to its standout Zero Carb formula. Each serving delivers 25g of protein from 100% pure whey protein isolate—without any fat, carbs, fillers, sugar, or lactose.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 100
- Carbs: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 0g
Best Organic Clean Protein: Ora Organic Superfood Plant Protein
Courtesy of Ora Organic
With organic everything taking center stage in recent years, it only makes sense to include an organic pick on our list of the cleanest protein powders. Ora Organic’s Superfood Plant Protein checks all the boxes—it’s made from a variety of organic plant-based protein sources and loaded with superfoods and greens for an extra dose of antioxidants and essential nutrients.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 130
- Carbs: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Sodium: 237mg
- Fat: 3g
Best Clean Protein for Meal Replacement: Ka’Chava All-In-One Nutrition Shake
Courtesy of Ka’Chava
Whether you have a jam-packed day at work or have to take the kids from one place to the next, some days you just don't have the time to sit around and eat three to five meals a day. That's where the Ka’Chava All-In-One Nutrition Shake comes in. Packed with over 85 superfoods and nutrients, it aims to support your busy lifestyle, offers you a natural energy boost, and aid in muscle recovery.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 240
- Carbs: 20g
- Protein: 25g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 6g
Best Clean Protein for Weight Loss: Promix
Courtesy of Promix
If you’re trying to lose weight, the right protein powder can make hitting your daily protein goals a lot easier. Since most clean protein powders are made with whole food ingredients, they can sometimes be slightly higher in calories than mainstream options. That said, choosing simple, unflavored varieties—like Promix Whey Protein Isolate—can help you stay on track without adding unnecessary calories.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 130
- Carbs: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 0.5g
Best Clean Protein for Athletes: Klean Athlete
Courtesy of Amazon
Formulated with performance in mind, Klean Athlete Protein is often regarded as one of the best proteins for athletes on the market. This whey protein isolate is specifically formulated to support performance and recovery. The product contains no artificial sweeteners or flavors and is NSF Certified for Sport to ensure it meets rigorous sports standards.
Nutrition Facts, Per Serving
- Calories: 100
- Carbs: 6g
- Protein: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 1g
What to Look for in a Clean Protein Powder
With so many protein powders on the market, finding one that fits your needs, without a laundry list of additives, can be a challenge. If you’re aiming for something cleaner, start by checking that your protein powder is free from artificial colors and flavors. It’s also worth scanning the ingredient list for preservatives. Most clean brands make it clear that their formulas are free from artificial ingredients and commonly used preservatives like magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and calcium silicate on their packaging, but check the ingredients list just in case.
When narrowing down your choices, prioritize products with short, transparent ingredient lists. Brands that clearly disclose their ingredient sources and offer third-party testing tend to be more trustworthy and better aligned with clean nutrition goals.
