Best Protein Supplements – 2018 Edition

#1. Jay Robb Whey Protein

Jay Robb Whey Protein is B5’s King of Protein Supplements for one simple reason – it’s a product whose stellar reputation precedes itself.

Jay Robb, the company founder and clinical nutritionist, has been in the business since 1988. He has been killing it for almost 30 years.

This protein supplement has 25 grams of whey protein isolate per scoop. That’s it – no fuss, no frills.

Jay Robb Whey Protein is perfect for those who want to build lean muscle mass and boost long-term health – the clean ingredients speak for themselves. 

Long story short, if you want to muscle up without the crappy fillers and synthetic ingredients, Jay Robb is the way to go.

Zero fats and cholesterol? Less than one percent of carbs per scoop? We’ll take it, thank you very much.

To top it all off, Jay Robb Whey Protein tastes absolutely delicious – it leaves other protein powders biting its dust. Many customers also swear by it. On that note, your protein smoothies will never be the same.

One reason behind the awesome taste is the inclusion of stevia, a plant-based sweetener which helps regulate blood sugar and blood pressure levels. With that in mind, we wish other protein supplement manufacturers follow suit.

The re-sealable ziplock container is also a huge advantage – it’s one of the most portable and convenient on the market today.

These are just some of the reasons why Jay Robb Whey Protein tops our Best Protein Supplements for 2018.

Quality Points

Twenty-five grams of protein per serving, clean ingredients, low-carb, zero cholesterol and fats per scoop.

Unique Advantage

Impeccable reputation. Jay Robb Whey Protein has been synonymous with high quality for nearly 30 years. In this day and age of fickle-minded and picky customers, that’s saying a lot.

In the end, it’s Jay Robb Whey Protein’s simplicity and effectiveness which won us over.

Best For…

Just about everyone. By that, we mean healthy and active adults who want to build lean muscle mass, boost recovery, meet their daily protein requirements, and improve long-term health.

#2. Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate 

A protein supplement with a taste of New Zealand takes our No. 2 spot.

We stressed in our review how we were in awe of the Kiwis’ famous rugby team and consecutive World Cup of Rugby champions, the New Zealand All Blacks. Take a hint from their famous haka chant of war cry. They’re so full of energy, they strike fear into the hearts of the opposition.

For its part, Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is a perfect complement to any hard-training athlete’s workout. It all starts with an impressive 28 grams of whey protein isolate per scoop.

According to the manufacturer, this product is exactly what its name implies: “100 percent grass-fed whey protein isolate sourced from New Zealand.”

Somehow, when you think of a protein supplement from New Zealand (where the scenery and nature are impeccable), you think of quality.

Check this out: 100 percent grass-fed whey has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acid, Vitamins A and B, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. In addition, Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is low in fats, carbs, and cholesterol.

It’s also sweetened with stevia, a plant-based sweetener which helps regulate blood pressure and blood sugar levels. These benefits just never stop, do they? We think it’s fantastic.

Now, why did Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate drop to No. 2?

We felt Jay Robb Whey Protein’s stellar reputation was just too much – just about every online review sings its praises.

Plus, Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate’s superior quality means you have to pay extra for it: It costs $59 for a 1.41-lb. container.

Quality Points

Twenty-eight grams of WPI per scoop, 100 percent grass-fed protein, low in fats, carbs, and cholesterol; sweetened with stevia

Unique Advantage

One hundred percent grass-fed whey from New Zealand. Any protein supplement manufacturer can claim its product is “100 percent grass-fed.” But to combine “100 percent grass-fed” and “New Zealand” in the same sentence? It’s a protein match made in heaven. Make no mistake about it.

Best For…

Perfectionists who want results. Let’s be realistic: There are consumers who are just too finicky. Well, if they want more muscle and clean ingredients with added health benefits, Transparent Labs ProteinSeries 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate is their best bet.

#3. SFH Pure Whey

SFH Pure Whey is one of the simplest protein powders on the market.

It has a respectable 23 grams of protein per scoop. Some top-notch protein supplements such as MyProtein Impact Protein (20 grams per serving) can’t top that.

Just like RSP Nutrition Whey, it is an excellent source of protein at 46 percent of the daily value. We’re sure that much should help you muscle up, fill your nutrition gaps, and speed up your recovery time.

However, SFH Pure Whey does not have the added health benefits of Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate. That’s one of the reasons why it slipped to No. 3 in our rankings. However, just like our No. 2 pick, it made it to the Top 5 for one simple reason: grass-fed whey.

This kind of protein supplement has gained traction over the years, but somehow does not get the attention it deserves. 

Why go grass-fed? Here are some reasons:

• Four times as much omega-3 fatty acids than grain-fed whey
• Rich source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which helps increase fat metabolism
• High immunoglobulin content, which helps transport antibodies which ward off viruses and bacteria

So in some ways, SFH Pure Whey’s grass-fed content helps even things out with Jay Robb Whey Protein and Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate. Note that it’s also sweetened with stevia, just like the latter. Too bad it doesn’t have the 28 grams of protein per serving of No. 2.

Still, that’s no knock against the simplicity and potency of SFH Nutrition Whey. Go grass-fed, and watch your results soar in no time. 

Quality Points

Pure whey protein concentrate content, low in cholesterol, sodium, and lactose; grass-fed whey protein, and stevia

Unique Advantage

Grass-fed whey protein. It bears repeating, but this is the main selling point of SFH Pure Whey. There are lots of health benefits when you go grass-fed.

Best For…

Just about everybody. We feel SFH Pure Whey resonates well with people who want simple ingredients for long-term results. If you’re iffy about taking protein supplements with all those fancy ingredients, go with your gut and try SFH Pure Whey.

#4. Magnum Quattro

We said it before, and we’ll say it again: At first glance, you won’t even think this product is a protein supplement (the name sounds more like some kind of new-age ammo).

But it is. It also packs a wallop. In fact, we daresay Magnum Quattro is as versatile as they come. 

Magnum Quattro has the most amount of protein in our Top 5, with a whopping 30 grams per serving.

The manufacturer dubs its four-stage matrix consisting of whey protein isolate, milk protein isolate, micellar casein, and egg protein isolate “The World’s Most Advanced Pharmaceutical Grade Protein Formula.” 

It’s hard to argue with that.

Magnum Quattro covers all the bases: WPI is your fast-absorbing protein, egg protein isolates are your medium-absorbing proteins, and micellar casein is your slow-absorbing proteins.

What about milk protein isolate?

Here’s the thing: 80 percent of it is casein protein, while the remaining 20 percent is whey. You get both slow- and fast-absorbing protein with milk protein isolate.

We pointed out in our review it’s rare to combine whey, micellar casein, and milk protein isolate in one supplement.

Magnum Nutraceutcials veers away from the norm. The product’s milk protein isolate component takes you back to the Golden Era of bodybuilding, a time when the guys made milk a part of their nutrition plan for more muscle growth.

We like that. Sometimes going the Old School route is the best (check out the flawless physiques of guys from that era, if you don’t believe us).

Plus, if you want to build lean muscle mass, Magnum Quattro is the way to go: one gram of fat and zero cholesterol and carbs per serving. 

When we told you this product is versatile, we weren’t kidding: It has 15 percent of the daily value for calcium. 

What’s more is has organic flaxseed powder which helps boost cardiovascular health. The bodybuilders from the Golden Era took this, too. Look at how healthy they were.

Finally, Magnum Quattro has bromelain, a digestive enzyme extracted from pineapple.

It seems this protein supplement pulls out all the stops.

Why did it drop this low, then?

First, it has sucralose (a.k.a. Splenda), an artificial sweetener which has several side effects.

Second, the price puts a dent on your wallet – one two-lb. container costs $49.99 (the same amount as some 5-lb. protein powders).

Plus, we felt Jay Robb Whey Protein’s simplicity will win more consumers over.

On the other hand, Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate and SFH Pure Whey get the nod because of their grass-fed whey.

We have to stress Jay Robb Whey Protein does not lord it over the others. In fact, the margin is as slim as it gets. These are all top-notch products.

Quality Points

Thirty grams of protein per scoop, quality four-stage matrix, low in calories, carbs, fats, sodium, and cholesterol; good source of calcium, has organic flaxseed powder, has bromelain

Unique Advantage

Old-School approach. Magnum Quattro takes you back to the Golden Era of Bodybuilding with its milk protein isolate and organic flaxseed powder components.

Best For…

Conservative fitness enthusiasts who want to bulid lean muscle mass. These are folks who don’t keep up with the times. For them, doing it the Old School way is the best. Magnum Quattro will help them take their workouts to the next level and then some.

#5. MusclePharm Combat 100% Whey

If you want a whey protein supplement that’s efficient and makes your taste buds want more, we suggest you go with MusclePharm Combat 100% Whey.

You get 25 grams of protein per scoop. The protein blend is downright simple: whey protein isolate (WPI) and whey protein concentrate (WPC).

Bottom line: If you can’t make up your mind on which protein to consume, you get the best of both in MusclePharm Combat 100% Whey.

We pointed out in our review this combination will help boost your post-workout recovery despite the absence of a slow-absorbing protein such as micellar casein.

The manufacturer claims its protein blend “delivers fast-digesting protein sources to build and maintain lean muscle mass.” 

With a company as reputable as MusclePharm, you can’t dispute that.

This product is low in fats (two percent of the daily value), sodium (three percent of the daily value), and carbs (one percent of the daily value).

We believe these attributes will help you put on lean muscle mass.

MusclePharm Combat 100% Whey is also a good source of calcium at 10 percent of the daily value. 

While the preceding four products offer more versatility and health benefits than MusclePharm Combat 100% Whey, it still is a good supplement to add to your stack.

Quality Points

Combination of WPC and WPI, 25 grams of protein per serving, low in fats, sodium, and carbs; good transparency

Unique Advantage

The main advantage of this supplement is the name it carries: MusclePharm. It’s one of the most trusted brands on the market for years.

Once a manufacturer earns the trust of its consumers, it will build a strong following. MusclePharm has done that, and will do so for the foreseeable future.

Best For…

General fitness enthusiasts. MusclePharm Combat 100% Whey’s simple protein blend should resonate well with most fit and active individuals – men and women alike. You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to enjoy its benefits.

There it is: Our Best Protein Supplements for 2018.

After crafting this list, we came up with one takeaway: Today’s protein supplements are the most versatile they’ve ever been. 

Jay Robb Whey Protein’s zero grams of fats and cholesterol per scoop.

Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate’s grass-fed whey from New Zealand. 

SFH Pure Whey’s grass-fed protein.

Magnum Quattro’s milk protein isolate and organic flaxseed powder.

MusclePharm Combat 100% Whey’s calcium content measured at 10 percent of the daily value. 

The truth is protein is just one part of the equation. Sure, you need to entice consumers with 25 grams or so of protein per serving for more lean muscle mass. No doubt about it.

But the truth is more protein, more health benefits, and clean formulas will win consumers over. 

You can be sure this trend will continue.

Jay Robb Whey Protein emerges victorious because of its stellar quality and reputation.

However, it’s not a lopsided victory by any means. Not by a long shot.

All of the products on our Best Protein Supplements for 2018 have top-notch protein content and other health benefits which ought to give you a fast return on your investment.  

On that note, we’re sure you’ll also love our other protein supplement reviews.

Whichever product you choose, we’re confident you will achieve your fitness goals and be the best you can be in 2018.