BPN Whey Protein Review: Quality, Ingredients, and Who It’s Best For

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When it comes to protein powders, quality and trust matter just as much as taste and nutrition. 

Bare Performance Nutrition (BPN) has gained serious traction among both conscious consumers and high performance athletes for its high quality testing standards and formulas designed to support intense training and recovery. 

But does the product actually perform as well as it claims to? 

Spoiler: it actually holds up. In this review I’ll break down how BPN Whey Protein stacks up on the three things that matter most- taste, quality, and real-world performance.

Key Takeaways:

Honest Review Guarantee from FeastGood: Our testing team purchases each product 100% independently and uses the product for several weeks up to several months before writing a review. Learn more about our review process here.

• BPN uses a blend of whey concentrate and casein protein for balanced digestion and recovery

• BPN Whey is NSF Certified for Sport, so every batch is tested for label accuracy, banned substances, heavy metals, and other contaminants

• At around $1.85 per serving, BPN is slightly above the average cost per serving for whey protein, but the cost may be justified for consumers who want the quality and purity guarantee

About BPN

BPN (Bare Performance Nutrition) doesn’t spell out its brand story very clearly on the site, but their content and socials make it obvious: they’re built around endurance and high-performance training- marathons, ultras, Ironman. That focus is actually a big plus, because most brands try to be everything to everyone.

What really sets BPN apart is that a lot of their products, including this whey, are NSF Certified for Sport. That’s one of the highest standards in supplements and it’s the one used by major leagues (MLB, NHL, NFL, CCES).

When products are NSF Sport Certified, it means that every single lot is tested before going to market, as opposed to other certifications which may be tested only occasionally. 

The NSF certification tests a wide range of things including: 

• Label Claim Verification: Does what’s listed on the label match what’s in the product

• Banned Substances: Does the product contain any banned stimulants, steroids, etc

• Heavy Metals: Tests for lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium

• Other considerations: Are there any ingredients found in the product that aren’t on the label, are the quantities and doses accurate, are there any contaminants like E. coli or salmonella, Is the product gluten-free or vegan (if it claims to be), among others

BPN having this certification gives you the highest level of reassurance that your product is high quality, does not contain heavy metals or contaminants, and actually contains what it claims to on the label. 

Some of the BPN products do use sucralose, but the protein powders stick to more natural sweeteners like stevia and monkfruit and use a variety of natural flavorings like sea salt, cinnamon, and powdered peanut butter.

Overview of BPN Whey Protein

The macronutrient breakdown of BPN Whey Protein is: 

• Protein: 25g  
• Carbohydrates:  3g
• Fat:  2g
• Sugar: 2g

This varies slightly by flavor. The above macronutrients are for the salted caramel flavor, which I personally tested. 

BPN Whey Protein has between 130 and 140 calories per scoop, but always provides 25g of protein. This means that 100 calories in each scoop of BPN come directly from protein, providing between 71 and 77 percent protein per scoop, putting it within the “Acceptable” to “Good” range for protein percentage. 

For reference, our criteria for protein percentage is as follows: 

• Excellent: More than 85% protein per scoop
• Good: 75-84% protein per scoop
• Acceptable: 65-74% protein per scoop
• Inadequate: Less than 65% protein per scoop

Chocolate Peanut Butter is an outlier and is the only one with 150 calories, 6g of carbs and 3g of fat. This drops the protein percentage down to 67% protein per scoop, just meeting our criteria for an acceptable percentage. 

BPN meets our criteria for an acceptable to good protein source with between 67 and 77% protein per scoop, depending on the flavor. 

Highlights: What I Liked About BPN Whey Protein

Great Taste

I only tried the Salted Caramel flavor, but it was delicious and flavorful on its own and mixed well into coffee and oatmeal.

There are 10 different flavors of BPN Whey currently available on their website, and with how enjoyable I found the salted caramel flavor to be, I am excited to try a few others. 

I will throw out the disclaimer that taste is always subjective, so while I found this one tasted great there will inevitably be someone who does not enjoy the taste. 

I find that the addition of monk fruit as a sweetener helps to cut any bitterness that is associated with stevia extract. 

High Quality and Testing Standards

BPN Whey is NSF Sport Certified, which is one of the highest third-party testing certifications available. 

With the NSF certification, every single batch of a product is thoroughly tested and there are certain facility standards that need to be maintained as well. 

This is an added level of reassurance that your product actually contains the ingredients that it claims on the label, but also that your product does not contain heavy metals or contaminants. 

Dual Protein Sources

BPN Whey contains two different types of protein: whey concentrate and casein. This combination of medium and slow digesting proteins supports muscle recovery and can be better for satiety or fullness. 

Both whey concentrate and casein are complete protein sources (meaning they contain all of the essential amino acids) and will both support muscle recovery. 

While research shows that there are no significant physiological differences between the two types of protein when it comes to muscle recovery, many individuals like the satiating effects of casein protein and prefer to use casein proteins before bed to allow their muscles to use the slower digesting amino acids overnight. 

Naturally Flavored

BPN Whey Protein uses a blend of stevia, monk fruit, and natural flavors as their sweetener and flavoring blend. 

The FDA has deemed non-nutritive sweeteners like sucralose safe for consumption, but many people do still prefer more natural alternatives like stevia and monkfruit. 

BPN uses these more natural sweeteners in their formula. I consider this to be an ideal combo. 

Some consumers report that products sweetened only with stevia have a bitter or unpleasant aftertaste. At the same time, monk fruit is very expensive to use so products which use only monk fruit tend to have a higher cost per serving. 

BPN meets in the middle where it adds monk fruit to cut down on the potential negative after taste of stevia, but uses a blend to help keep the cost of the product lower. 

Drawbacks: What I Didn’t Like About BPN Whey

A Bit On The Expensive Side

At regular price, BPN Whey costs $1.85 per serving. This is slightly above the average cost per serving of whey protein which falls closer to $1.50 per serving. 

Even at full price, $1.86 for an NSF Certified protein is fair, especially when some comparable proteins run up to $3 per serving and plenty of lower-quality options cost about the same. 

With subscription it drops to ~$1.57, and signing up for SMS marketing brings it to around $1.50- basically the average whey price, but with higher testing standards.

Likely not suitable for anyone with dairy sensitivities

The two types of protein used in BPN Whey, whey concentrate and casein protein, are not naturally lactose-free and may cause gassiness or bloating in some individuals. 

I do have some dairy sensitivities and I found that this protein digested well with no negative side effects. 

It is important to note that neither whey concentrate or casein protein are lactose free, so this protein will likely cause side effects in individuals who have lactose sensitivities. 

In my personal experience in helping thousands of customers choose protein powders over the past decade, I also find that more people tend to have reactions to casein proteins compared to other types of whey, likely because casein is the more reactive milk protein and digests more slowly, which some people feel as heaviness or mild GI upset.

BPN Whey Protein Review: My Experience

On paper, there are a lot of things to love about BPN Whey. It is gluten-free, naturally sweetened, is NSF Sport Certified, and comes in 10 different flavors.  That being said, it’s not always clear how well a product will perform when it’s actually put to the test. 

I am happy to say that BPN absolutely came through! 

First of all, I knew I was taking a gamble when I selected the Salted Caramel flavor. Salted caramel is one of my favorite dessert flavors, and I have been let down by so many companies in the past by salted caramel flavors that fell flat. 

BPN’s Salted Caramel is delicious! It also mixed really easily without any clumps or gritty texture, so I found myself trying it as many different ways as I could. 

As a single protein shake just mixed with water, it still had a nice taste and a smooth, creamy texture. The addition of the slower digesting protein, casein, is one that tends to mix up thicker and likely contributed to the thicker texture of this shake. 

I stirred the protein into oatmeal where, just like in a shake, it dissolved easily without making my oats too thick or gummy. I added some chocolate chips to make myself chocolate chip salted caramel oatmeal and it was decadent! 

Some other ways I like to incorporate protein powder into my diet are by making protein Ice Cream in my Ninja Creami and adding it to my coffee. BPN Whey was delicious on both fronts. It made a fantastic protein ice cream and mixes in really well to iced coffee. 

It was flavorful enough in coffee on its own, but I did still add a small splash of milk for some extra creaminess, which is just my personal preference. 

Lastly, I put it to the test in my hot coffee. I typically go for pure isolate proteins for hot coffees since they tend to dissolve a bit better, but BPN tasted so good that I couldn’t resist trying it in hot coffee. 

I used a small whisk for blending and added about ½ scoop of protein to my 12oz cup of coffee.  I made a point of adding the protein when my coffee was still too hot to drink comfortably, just so that I could assess whether the protein powder would clump/curdle in hot water. I whisked it for about 15 seconds and at the end I had a few tiny undissolved pieces on the very top of the cup, but those disappeared after sitting for a few minutes. 

All in all, I was extremely satisfied with BPN Whey. The addition of the casein protein increases the satiety of the protein and I found that when mixed with just water, I felt full for about 90 minutes after ingestion. 

I personally did not experience any bloating or discomfort with this product, but casein does tend to be more reactive in some individuals and this product is not lactose-free. 

How Does BPN Whey Protein Stack Up Against Our Criteria For Whey Protein

At FeastGood, we have 8 different criteria for ranking whey protein powders.  Here’s how BPN Whey Protein stacked up:

Nutrition label transparency 

Our rating: 5/5 

BPN Whey clearly labels all grams of carbs, fats, and protein and the calories for all of its ingredients. 

The BPN Whey protein label is clean and easy to read, with all of the important information easily identifiable. 

Contaminants/Heavy Metals

Our rating: 5/5

BPN Whey is NSF certified, which means that every single batch gets tested for heavy metals and contaminants, and any products which don’t pass testing don’t make it to the shelves. 

BPN used to have a page on their website called “Transparency” where you could input the lot number from your product, and get the COA. 

This page doesn’t exist anymore, but the certificates may be available if you reach out to BPN directly. 

Even without the COAs readily available, the NSF certification is still a guarantee that your product is free from heavy metals and contaminants.

Effective ingredients 

Our rating: 4/5

BPN Whey uses a blend of whey concentrate and casein, with minimal additives aside from the flavors and sweeteners. 

Some of the flavors do use xanthan gum and guar gum which help to improve the mixability and texture of the protein. While these are safe, some individuals do prefer to buy products with zero additives. 

Protein percent of calories

Our rating: 3.5/5

BPN Whey ranges from as low as 67% protein per scoop to 77% protein per scoop. This variability is because each flavor offers the same 25g of protein per scoop, but ranges between 130 and 150 calories depending on the fat and carb content. 

To calculate the protein percentage, we take the amount of calories that come from protein (for BPN whey, that’s 100 calories) and divide that by the total number of calories (130 to 150, depending on the flavor). This result gives us the percentage of calories that come from just protein. 

Because of the calorie variability, most flavors range between 71 and 77 percent protein per scoop, putting them in the acceptable to good range for protein percentage. 

The only outlier is the Chocolate Peanut Butter Flavor which has the highest calories and therefore the lowest protein percentage. 

Ultimately, each scoop of BPN whey still offers 25g of high quality protein and for individuals whose priority is to find a high quality protein – especially endurance athletes who burn a lot of calories in training – the calorie differences may not be important. 

Taste/flavor

Our rating: 5/5

I personally tested the Salted Caramel flavor, and I found it to be flavorful without being overly sweet. 

I tried the Salted Caramel flavor on its own, as well as mixed into oatmeal and coffee and found that the flavor was good across all mediums. 

This particular flavor may be too rich for some consumers, but all flavors have really positive reviews from consumers on the BPN website. 

Mixability

Our rating: 5/5

BPN Whey mixes easily when shaken in a traditional cup, but also mixes well when added to things like oatmeal and hot coffee. 

BPN Whey had no clumps or gritty/chalky texture even when just mixed with water. 

Texture (Thick or Thin)

Our rating: Thick

The combination of whey protein and casein protein provides a texture that is thick and creamy. 

Satiety

Our rating: 4/5

The combination of whey concentrate and casein protein found in BPN Whey helps to prolong the satiating effect of the protein, despite its lower calories. 

When mixed with just water, I found that BPN Whey provided decent satiety for up to 2 hours. Adding it to something more calorie-dense like milk will enhance that effect for those looking for something to keep them full.

Adding BPN Whey to foods like oatmeal or yogurt will prolong the satiety after those meals, or can be consumed alongside a meal to help with fullness and satiety. 

Who Is BPN Whey For? 

BPN Whey is a great option for: 

• Endurance athletes looking to support recovery

• Elite athletes who require NSF Sport Certifications

• Individuals who want a protein that mixes well into smoothies or recipes

• People who do not have any dairy allergies or lactose sensitivities

• Those looking for a gluten-free protein or one without artificial flavors and colors

Who Shouldn’t Take BPN Whey Protein?

BPN Whey protein is not for: 

• Individuals who have dairy or lactose allergies/sensitivities

• Anyone looking for the cheapest protein powder

• Those looking for a product that contains no sugar or fat

BPN Whey Protein Customer Reviews

As with all of my supplement reviews, I start by checking out the review section of a website because I feel like it can reveal a lot about the overall transparency of the company. For instance, if you cannot find any verified purchase reviews or you see only hand-picked reviews from sponsored athletes, that can be a red flag. 

Fortunately, the BPN website looks authentic with a lot of verified reviews with photos to accompany them. 

On the BPN website, BPN Whey has a 4.9 out of 5 star rating with more than 9,000 reviews. This is incredibly positive and one of the highest ratings I have seen with this many reviews behind it. 

It’s worth noting that people reviewing directly on a company’s website tend to already be fans of the brand, and many negative reviews are likely handled directly to the company via their return/exchange form or customer service line. 

Two key things that pop up in nearly every positive review on the BPN website are the taste of the product, and the fact that it doesn’t cause any digestive upset. This is in line with my own personal experience, but it’s affirming to see that other people had similar results. 

This is also reassuring in regards to flavor, since I only had the opportunity to test one of the ten available flavors. 

In looking at the 1 and 2 star reviews on the website, the milk and cookies flavor comes up the most often, so if you are worried about taste then this is maybe one that I would pass on. 

There are also some users who gave 1 and 2 star reviews complaining about gastrointestinal issues, so I maintain my initial warning that if you have a dairy sensitivity, then this is not the protein powder for you. 

I also checked reviews on Amazon.com, where BPN Whey had a 4.5 out of 5 star rating but had only 2000 total reviews, which is a much smaller sample size than the BPN website. 

I found very similar trends in the positive and negative reviews where the vast majority of customers are praising the taste and mixability, as well as the good digestibility of the protein powder. 

On Amazon, a lot of the negative reviews centre around customers receiving expired products which is an Amazon warehouse issue, and not necessarily a BPN one. 

BPN Promotions & Discounts

BPN has a few different ways to save money. 

First you can use their Subscribe and Save feature, which saves you 15%. With this feature, you can change your flavor whenever you want and set your delivery schedule to be every 30, 45, 60, 75, or 90 days. You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time. 

If you sign up to receive SMS marketing messages, you can save an additional 5% off your product. This drops the cost per serving from $1.85 to as low as $1.50. 

BPN offers a military discount off of all their products. This discount gives 15% to any active duty military members, veterans, and their dependents. 

BPN also offers a First Responders Discount of 15% off their product line to any law enforcement firefighters, and EMT/EMS in the US and Canada. 

Where To Buy BPN? 

I always recommend purchasing directly from the company themselves, in this case BarePerformanceNutrition.com. This ensures that if you have any issues with your order, you can take advantage of the exchange/refund policy and also lets you take advantage of the subscribe and save feature. 

You can buy BPN Whey from Amazon.com as well, but all flavors might not be available. 

BPN Whey Protein Alternatives? 

BPN Vegan Protein

If you are an endurance athlete who wants to take advantage of BPNs focus on performance and recovery for endurance athletes, or you are a conscious consumer who wants the NSF Certified products but you cannot have dairy, then I recommend trying the BPN Vegan Protein powder. 

BPN Vegan protein uses a blend of pea, pumpkin seed, and watermelon seed proteins and offers 20g of protein per serving. 

It features the same quality assurances of the BPN Whey Protein including the NSF certification and uses all natural flavors and sweeteners in its formula, but as a vegan protein it will be completely dairy-free and suitable for anybody who has a dairy allergy or sensitivity. 

BPN Vegan protein has the same cost per serving as the whey protein, but does contain less protein per scoop than its whey counterpart. (This is common among vegan proteins and not a problem or a slight against BPN).  

Another key addition to the vegan protein is MCT powder from coconut oil which contributes to a nice creamy texture and reduces the grittiness associated with vegan protein powders. 

BPN Vegan Protein is only available in 4 flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla, Oatmeal Cookie, and Peanut Butter. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Is BPN Whey Made? 

BPN Whey is made in the USA and distributed out of Round Rock, Texas. 

What Is BPN’s Shipping Policy? 

BPN ships within the US and also ships internationally via FedEx International. They also ship to deployed military personnel. They require 1-3 business days to fulfill orders and then shipping times vary by carrier. There are some criteria that can be met to take advantage of free shipping within the contiguous US. 

What Is BPN’s Return Policy? 

Opened supplements are only eligible for a store credit. Exchanges are accepted within 30 days of fulfillment. If you are unsatisfied with your product, you can request a return or exchange here.  

Is BPN Whey Protein Good For Weight Loss? 

BPN is a low calorie protein powder, but it contains some slower digesting proteins which can prolong feelings of satiety or fullness. This can support maintaining a calorie deficit. Getting adequate protein overall can support fat loss goals when paired with an appropriate diet and exercise plan. 

Is BPN Whey Protein Gluten Free? 

BPN Whey Protein is gluten-free and is tested as part of the NSF Certification to guarantee this claim. 

What Are The Best Ways To Mix BPN Whey Protein? 

BPN Whey mixes easily with water, milk, or a milk substitute. It can also be added to coffee, smoothies, yogurt, and oatmeal.

What Flavors Are Available For BPN Whey Protein? 

BPN Whey is currently available in 10 flavors: Vanilla, Fudge Chocolate, Cinnamon Roll, Peanut Butter, Blueberry Muffin, Banana French Toast, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Milk N’ Cookies, Strawberry, and Salted Caramel. 

Can you use BPN Whey Protein as A Meal Replacement? 

As a stand alone product, BPN Whey Protein is not a suitable meal replacement. It does have a high protein content, but with low carbs and fats it would be an unbalanced meal and not high enough in calories to constitute a meal. This could be paired with whole food sources of carbs and fats like fruits, vegetables, and nuts/seeds to balance out as a meal. 

When Is The Best Time To Take BPN Whey Protein?

BPN Whey Protein can be used any time of day. It makes a great post-workout recovery protein, but can be used as part of a meal or between meals, or before bed to support muscle recovery overnight.

How To Contact BPN

BPN has a contact form on their website which you can find here. 

Their headquarters is in Vineyard, Utah. 

For more casual browsing, you can find BPN on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube.

Reference

Wilborn CD, Taylor LW, Outlaw J, Williams L, Campbell B, Foster CA, Smith-Ryan A, Urbina S, Hayward S. The Effects of Pre- and Post-Exercise Whey vs. Casein Protein Consumption on Body Composition and Performance Measures in Collegiate Female Athletes. J Sports Sci Med. 2013 Mar 1;12(1):74-9. PMID: 24149728; PMCID: PMC3761774.