10 Best Coffee & Mocha Protein Powders (Tried & Tested)

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As a nutrition coach, supplement store manager, and mom to two crazy toddlers, if there are two things I know well, they are protein powder and coffee. 

With flavoring and manufacturing technology advancements, we’ve seen a beautiful merge of my two favorite beverages!

There are A LOT of coffee and mocha-flavored protein powders that exist now. So, I tested and researched 10 of the most popular options to help you decide which is best.

In a hurry? Here’s my top pick

Prefer to watch? Our video producer, Janine Collins, outlines the pros & cons.
  • It has a high protein percentage of calories (93% protein per scoop) and tastes taste (rich, without being too sweet). It is also third-party tested to ensure the purity and accuracy of its ingredient panel.
  • The downside is that Transparent Labs is only “coffee-flavored” and doesn’t contain caffeine. So, if you’re looking for a caffeinated option, go with Dymatize Iso 100 (Dunkin’ Flavor), which has 95mg of caffeine.

Summary: Our Top 3 Picks

Best Overall

Transparent Labs Isolate Mocha

Transparent Labs Isolate Mocha

  • 28g of protein and 120 calories per scoop
  • Clean, quality ingredients with no additives or preservatives
  • Good mixability with no chunks or chalkiness
  • It has a great taste
  • Gluten-free and independently third-party tested

Best Caffeinated

Dymatize Iso 100 Dunkin’

Dymatize Iso 100 Dunkin’

  • 91% protein per serving, with 25g of protein and 110 calorie
  • Fast digesting, great for post-workout recovery
  • The coffee flavors (cappuccino and mocha latte) have 95mg of caffeine per serving, equal to a small coffee
  • Iso 100 is third-party tested

Best Vegan Option

Vega Sport Mocha

Vega Sport Mocha

  • 30g of protein with BCAAs and tart cherry extract for muscle recovery
  • It offers 70.5% protein per scoop
  • Non-GMO verified, third-party tested, gluten-free, and certified vegan
  • A blend of pea, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, and alfalfa protein

Medical Disclaimer: The material presented in this article aims to offer informational insights. It should not be perceived as medical guidance. The views and writings are not designed for diagnosing, preventing, or treating health issues. Always consult with your physician prior to starting any new dietary or supplement routine.


Best Coffee Flavored Protein Powders

Best Overall: Transparent Labs Isolate Mocha

Overall Rating 

  • 4.8/5

Key Features

  • Price: $$$ ($1.75-$2.00 per serving)
  • Caffeine: None
  • Calories: 120
  • Protein Content: 28g (93% calories from protein)
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbs: 1g
  • Sugar: <1g
  • Protein Source: Grass-fed Whey Isolate
  • Artificial Sweeteners: No

Our Thoughts

Check out our video review of Transparent Labs Protein Powder

Transparent Labs Isolate is a grass-fed whey isolate that doesn’t use any artificial coloring or sweeteners (though they do use natural flavor, which may still undergo some chemical processing). It tastes great, mixes well, and is third-party tested to ensure the quality of each batch. 

This product is for someone who cares about quality ingredients and doesn’t want any artificial flavors or colors in their product. This protein is also a good option for someone who has a gluten allergy since it is gluten-free. 

Transparent Labs Isolate is low calorie and has no fat and very little sugar, with one of the highest protein percentages we’ve found in a powder, making it a good option for someone who is counting macros or has weight management as a goal. 

This product is not for someone on a tight supplement budget since it can cost up to $2.00 per serving. This is also not the product for you if you are looking for a protein powder with caffeine in its formula since it is caffeine-free. 

Being a pure isolate, this product will be faster to digest and offer less satiety than others on this list, such as the Premier Protein RTD or PEScience Cafe Series. 

Check out my complete review of Transparent Labs Whey Protein

Highlights

  • Clean, quality ingredients with no additives or preservatives
  • Great taste (check out my favorite transparent labs protein flavors
  • Good mixability with no chunks or chalkiness
  • Suitable for people with gluten allergy, likely safe for people with lactose sensitivities

Drawbacks

  • The cost per serving is above average (which is $1.34/serving)

Best Caffeinated: Dymatize Iso 100 Dunkin’ Series (Cappuccino and Mocha Latte)

Dymatize Iso 100 Dunkin’ Series (Cappuccino and Mocha Latte)

Overall Rating

  • 4.4/5

Key Features

  • Price: $$$ ($1.65-$2.00 per serving)
  • Caffeine: 95mg
  • Calories: 110
  • Protein Content: 25g (91% calories from protein)
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbs: 1g
  • Sugar: <1g
  • Protein Source: Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate, Whey Isolate
  • Artificial Sweeteners: Yes

Our Thoughts

Check out our video review of Dymatize Iso 100 Protein Powder.

Dymatize Iso 100 features two of the fastest-digesting types of whey protein: isolate and hydrolysate. This makes it a great post-workout option, but makes it less ideal as part of a meal or in between meals because it won’t contribute much satiety. 

Iso 100 contains the same amount of caffeine as a standard 8 oz cup of coffee (95mg). If you love a typical coffee flavor, go for the Cappuccino flavor. If you want coffee with a chocolatey twist, opt for Mocha Latte instead. 

Iso 100 is certified gluten-free, and is also Informed Choice Certified which means it undergoes extra third-party testing to ensure that its ingredients match its label claims and that it is safe for drug-tested athletes. 

All of the Iso 100 flavors that we tried tasted great. They do, however, use higher amounts of artificial sweeteners like sucralose in their products than more natural sweetener alternatives like stevia. If you are sensitive to artificial sweeteners, this product might cause more digestive upset for you, though we didn’t experience that personally. 

Dymatize Iso 100 is good for people who like flavorful powders and want something post-workout. This is not the product for individuals looking for a thicker/creamier shake, something that is less sweet, or something that is satiating. 

For a post-workout isolate without artificial additives, opt for the Transparent Labs Isolate above. If you want something caffeinated that is more satiating, scroll down to Premier Protein RTD. 

Check out my complete review of Dymatize Iso 100 Protein Powder

Highlights

  • A good amount of protein per serving
  • Lots of delicious flavor options
  • Fast digesting, great for post-workout recovery

Drawbacks

  • Sweetened predominantly with sucralose, which might cause GI upset if you are sensitive to artificial sweeteners 
  • A lot of price variability online, anywhere from $1.67 to $3.28 per serving

Best Vegan: Vega Sport Mocha

Vega Sport Mocha

Overall Rating

  • 3.9/5

Key Features

  • Price: $$$ ($1.98-$3.23 per serving)
  • Caffeine: None
  • Calories: 170
  • Protein Content: 30g (71% calories from protein)
  • Fat: 3.5g
  • Carbs: 5g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Protein Source: Pea protein, pumpkin seed protein, organic sunflower seed protein, alfalfa protein
  • Artificial Sweeteners: No

Our Thoughts

Vega Sport is a vegan protein powder that provides 30g of protein from peas, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and alfalfa protein. By using this blend, they are able to have a product that provides all of your essential amino acids, which are important for health and recovery. 

The Vega Sport Protein blend also adds 2B probiotics per serving, as well as tart cherry which aids in workout recovery. 

Vegan proteins typically have a gritty texture, especially when compared to whey, and Vega sport is no exception. If you have been drinking whey protein for a long time and try switching to a vegan option, the initial taste and texture can be a bit off-putting. 

As far as quality and workout recovery are concerned, however, vega sport is one of the best vegan options we’ve found. This product offers a high 30g of protein per serving, with 5.5g of BCAA for added recovery. It is also NSF certified, which means it undergoes testing to ensure that it is safe to take for drug-tested athletes. 

Vega Sport is a great option to choose if you want to avoid artificial flavors and sweeteners since it uses only stevia leaf extract and cocoa for flavoring. 

Vega Sport is a Non-GMO project verified, certified vegan, and gluten-free. It’s a fantastic choice if you have any sensitivity to gluten or dairy, or choose to avoid animal-based products.

Highlights

  • Non-GMO verified, third-party tested, gluten-free, and certified vegan
  • 30g of protein with BCAAs and tart cherry extract for muscle recovery
  • Suitable for individuals with gluten and dairy allergies

Drawbacks

  • Has a slightly gritty texture (common to most vegan protein powders)
  • Will taste less sweet and more earthy compared to its whey counterparts

Best for Budget: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Mocha Cappuccino

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Mocha Cappuccino

Overall Rating

  • 3.5/5

Key Features

  • Price: ($1.10-$1.60 per serving)
  • Caffeine: 15mg
  • Calories: 120
  • Protein Content: 24g (80% calories from protein)
  • Fat: 2g
  • Carbs: 3g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Protein Source: Whey Isolate, Whey Concentrate, Hydrolyzed Whey
  • Artificial Sweeteners: Yes

Our Thoughts

Check out our video review of Gold Standard Whey Protein.

Optimum Nutrition’s Gold Standard Whey is easily one of the most recognizable protein products on the market. They use a blend of whey isolate, concentrate, and whey peptides which provide both fast and medium-release proteins. 

Using a blend like this helps them keep their cost per serving lower than products that use exclusively isolate proteins. The potential downside to this is that products with whey concentrate usually have a few extra grams of carbs and fats in their products, and may be more reactive to people with dairy allergies. 

At 80% protein per scoop, Gold Standard Whey hits our criteria for a “good” protein source, but the cost per serving is between $1.20 and $1.85 per serving, depending on which site you order from and which size you order. Compare this to products like Transparent Labs Isolate and Legion Whey which cost close to $2.00 per serving. 

Gold Standard Whey still mixes up pretty thin but will provide a bit more satiety than the pure isolates mentioned in this article. 

Some flavors of Gold Standard are a bit bland tasting, but I actually like that about the Mocha Cappuccino flavor here. Some of the mocha-flavored proteins (like MyProtein Impact Isolate) are incredibly sweet and might be off-putting to some people. Gold Standard has a good balance of chocolate and coffee. 

Check out my complete review of Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey Protein

Highlights

  • Reasonably priced and more suitable for tighter budgets
  • Can be used any time of day, doubling as both a post-workout protein as well as in between meals providing some satiety
  • Widely available at local supplement stores and online retailers
  • Contains the lactase enzyme to help break down some of the lactose, which might make it more digestible for people with dairy sensitivities

Drawbacks

  • Doesn’t dissolve completely and can have some small leftover chunks if you don’t have a blender or spring ball in your shaker cup to mix it
  • There is an inconsistency between nutrition labels found across different websites as far as ingredients. Your product might not arrive with the same ingredients that you found listed online. 

Best Brand for the Conscious Consumer: Legion Whey+ Mocha Cappuccino

Legion Whey+ Mocha Cappuccino

Overall Rating

  • 4/5

Key Features

  • Price: $$$ ($2.00 per serving)
  • Caffeine: None
  • Calories: 120
  • Protein Content: 22g (73% calories from protein)
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbs: 3g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Protein Source: Whey Isolate made with Truly Grass Fed™ milk
  • Artificial Sweeteners: No

Our Thoughts

Check out our video review of Legion Whey+ Protein.

Legion Whey+ is made exclusively from grass-fed milk from cows who are raised without growth hormones and antibiotics and are allowed to roam and graze on grass (as opposed to being corn and grain fed in a factory farm setting). 

Legion is Animal Welfare Approved, which is a way of reassuring customers that the animals were raised according to humane standards. This might not matter to everyone, but for the consumer who is conscious about animal rights, this is a big deal. 

Legion Whey+ does not contain any artificial flavors, sweeteners, or food dyes and is third-party tested for purity. 

This product is best for those who want a powder that mixes easily into their coffee and want to avoid any artificial ingredients. 

It mixes up quite thin, so it’s not for people wanting a thick and creamy shake. This is also not a product for the budget-conscious consumer, since Legion’s high-quality ingredients come at a premium price. 

Check out my complete review of Legion Whey+ Protein

Highlights

  • Has a nice, smooth texture
  • No side effects and digests easily
  • Made with whey from grass-fed and pasture-raised cows
  • Third-party tested and manufactured in the USA in an NSF and cGMP facility
  • No refined sugars or artificial sweeteners

Drawbacks

  • Some flavors might have a weird aftertaste when mixed just with water
  • It’s expensive

Best RTD: Premier Protein Cafe Latte

Overall Rating

  • 4.6/5

Key Features

  • Price: $$$ ($2.08-$3.50 per carton)
  • Caffeine Content: 120 mg
  • Calories: 160
  • Protein Content: 30g (75% calories from protein)
  • Fat: 3g
  • Carbs: 5g
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Protein Source: Milk Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate
  • Artificial Sweeteners: Yes

Our Thoughts

Check out our video review of Premier Protein Shake.

Premier Protein Ready To Drink (RTD) shakes offer a convenient, grab-and-go option for people who are always on the go and don’t want the hassle of mixing their protein powder and their coffee. 

Premier Protein uses a blend of milk protein concentrate and calcium caseinate, which are medium to slow-digesting proteins. The use of slow-digesting proteins contributes to prolonged satiety and a nice, creamy texture. 

Premier Protein also adds a vitamin and mineral blend providing anywhere from 6 to 50% of your recommended daily values of select vitamins. 

There are quite a few additives in the shakes, like sunflower and soybean oil, gels, gums, and artificial flavors. While they’ve all been FDA-approved, this is not the product for consumers who are trying to avoid additives and artificial flavors. 

If you tend to skip breakfast, or are looking for something to keep you full between meals while you are on the go, then this is a great option. 

I struggled to find the exact mg of caffeine on the product label. All I could find listed was “caffeine is equal to one cup of coffee”, however, when I looked online I found a few sources that listed it as 120mg. 

Check out my complete review of Premier Protein Shakes

Highlights

  • Conveniently pre-mixed with a creamy texture
  • High caffeine content – can effectively replace a store-bought medium to large coffee
  • High nutrient content, providing on average between 25 and 50% of your RDI of most vitamins and minerals. 

Drawbacks

  • This product is definitely on the high-end price-wise, and we don’t necessarily recommend this one as a daily option. That being said, if you typically purchase a medium to large coffee every morning but use this as a replacement instead, then the cost is slightly offset
  • Needs to be refrigerated which can affect its accessibility and convenience, especially in warmer climates

Best for Satiety: PEScience Cafe Series Caramel Macchiato

Overall Rating

  • 4/5

Key Features

  • Price: $$ ($1.48-$1.65 per serving)
  • Caffeine Content: 100mg
  • Calories: 100
  • Protein Content: 20g (80% calories from protein)
  • Fat: 1g
  • Carbs: 3g
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Protein Source: Milk Protein Isolate, Casein, Whey Concentrate
  • Artificial Sweeteners: Yes

Our Thoughts

Check out our video review of PE Science Protein.

PEScience Select uses a protein blend of isolate, concentrate, and casein. This blend of protein provides a smooth texture and the addition of the casein protein makes this a good product for prolonged satiety. 

With 80% of its calories coming from protein, this product meets our criteria for a good protein source. This product is caffeinated, offering 100mg with the caffeine coming from the patented ingredient, CoffeeBerry®. It uses a blend of natural and artificial flavors and sucralose. 

This one will run you $1.65 per serving, and is available in caramel macchiato, iced mocha, and vanilla sweet cream varieties. 

This product is great for anyone who is looking for an addition to their breakfast to help keep them fueled through lunch, wanting a mid-afternoon energy pickup between meals, and people with gluten intolerances since it is certified gluten-free. 

This is one product we love having hot! Add it to cold or room temperature milk or water, and then slowly warm it up for the best results. (Warming it up too quickly or adding it to a liquid that is too hot will cause the protein to clump).

While this does technically contain isolate protein, the high caffeine content and addition of medium to slow-digesting proteins means that this shouldn’t be used late in the day and isn’t the optimal post-workout product. 

For a gluten-free post-workout option, refer back to Transparent Labs Isolate. 

Check out my complete review of PEScience Protein

Highlights

  • Great taste and mixes with a thick, creamy texture
  • Third-party tested and manufactured in a GMP Certified facility
  • A blend of fast, medium, and slow-release proteins

Drawbacks

  • High protein content can restrict when this can be taken throughout the day
  • Likely more reactive to individuals with dairy/lactose sensitivities

Best Animal Protein Blend: Redcon MRE Lite Caramel Macchiato

Overall Rating

  • 3/5

Key Features

  • Price: $$
  • Caffeine Content: None
  • Calories: 130
  • Protein Content: 24g (74% calories from protein)
  • Fat: 2g
  • Carbs: 4g
  • Sugar: 2g

Protein Source: Beef Protein Isolate, Pea Protein, Brown Rice Protein, Chicken Protein, Egg Albumin, Salmon Protein

Artificial Sweeteners: Yes

Our Thoughts

Redcon MRE Lite is a unique blend of beef, salmon, chicken, egg, rice, and pea protein. The addition of whole milk powder for texture means that this product is not dairy free, but it is a desirable option for people who choose to avoid whey protein but don’t want the taste or texture of a vegan protein. 

This unique blend has predominantly slower-release proteins, making this a good option for someone looking for extra satiety. Redcon MRE Lite is a great protein for any time of day and is low in fat and sugar, making it easy to fit into your diet. 

With 74% protein per scoop, this product is right on the cusp of our criteria for a “good” protein source (we typically advise that a good protein powder is one that falls above 75% protein per scoop). 

The addition of MCT oil powder as an energy source in the MRE Lite formula contributes to the slightly higher calorie content, and therefore a lower overall protein percentage. Even though it technically falls below the “good” threshold, we don’t think that’s reason enough to skip over trying this protein. 

This product is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians, or anyone with a fish or egg allergy. 

Highlights

  • Uses animal-based protein, which makes it an option for people who cannot have whey, but don’t want to have a vegan protein
  • Great taste
  • Highlight 3

Drawbacks

  • Out of stock online at the time this article is being written. The website has the option to “email me when it’s back in stock” which implies that it will be back shortly. 
  • The addition of MCT oil powder and two sources of artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame potassium) could cause negative GI upset for consumers
  • This product used to be completely dairy free, but they now add “milk creamer” for texture, meaning it might react with individuals who are sensitive to dairy

Best Tasting: Rule 1 Isolate Cafe Mocha

Overall Rating

  • 4.4/5

Key Features

  • Price: $$$ ($1.70 – $1.93)
  • Caffeine Content: None
  • Calories: 110
  • Protein Content: 25g (91% calories from protein)
  • Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbs: 2g
  • Sugar: <1g
  • Protein Source: Whey Isolate, Whey Hydrolysate
  • Artificial Sweeteners: Yes

Our Thoughts

Rule 1 Isolate is a blend of two of the fastest digesting proteins: whey isolate and whey hydrolysate. This combination results in a protein that mixes up thin and is the optimal post-workout recovery blend. 

Rule 1 Isolate comes in a variety of flavors, but the cafe mocha is one of our absolute favorites. The flavor is sweet, but not quite as sweet as Myprotein’s Mocha. 

If you are looking for a high-quality isolate protein without artificial flavors, look to Transparent Labs or Legion Whey+. If you don’t mind artificial sweeteners, then this is the best-tasting caffeine-free mocha (in our humble opinion). 

For a more valuable option with the same delicious taste, Rule1 does make a Whey Blend protein which features whey concentrate, whey isolate, and whey hydrolysate for closer to $1.25 per serving. 

Highlights

  • No gums, creamers, or fillers
  • Gluten-free, and the low sugar content makes it likely that is safe for dairy-sensitive consumers 
  • Great tasting and has great mixability
  • The combination of whey isolate and hydrolysate makes this a great post-workout protein

Drawbacks

  • A bit on the pricier side, ranging between $1.71 and $1.93 per scoop, depending on whether you get the 2lb or 5lb size. 
  • Will not offer a lot of satiety
  • Contains artificial flavors and sweeteners

Best Low Calorie: MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate

MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate

Overall Rating

  • 4.2/5

Key Features

  • Price: $
  • Calories: 90
  • Protein Content: 20g (89% calories from protein)
  • Caffeine Content: 0 mg
  • Fat: 0g
  • Carbs: 2g
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Protein Source: Whey Isolate
  • Artificial Sweeteners: Yes

Our Thoughts

Check out our video review of MyProtein Impact Whey.

There’s a lot to love about MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate. It uses only whey isolate, as well as some natural and artificial flavors and sweeteners. Aside from some soy lecithin in the protein powder, there are no additives or preservatives in this product.

It is lower calorie than most protein powders, with only 90 calories per serving and a full 20g of protein. With just under 90 percent protein per scoop, this one falls under our criteria for a great protein source. 

If we had to find some complaints about it, one would be that the flavor is very rich, and might be too sweet for some consumers. Our second would be that this product only offers 20g of protein per serving, while the majority of other whey isolates offer closer to 25g. 

Both issues can be resolved by diluting the powder in a greater volume of liquid to dilute the taste and adding an extra quarter of a scoop to get 25 grams of protein. In doing so, you would cut the serving size of the bag from 40 servings to 32, but the cost per serving in doing so is still cheaper than other high-quality whey isolates. 

There’s not much to dislike here, and this product would be a close second to our #1 Pick, Transparent Labs Isolate, if it weren’t for a few key factors. MyProtein offers a smaller protein scoop providing almost 10g less than Transparent Labs. I also found this flavor much too sweet to be enjoyed daily.

Being a pure whey isolate, this product will not provide prolonged satiety. If you are looking for a caffeine-free formula to promote satiety, try MRE Lite. 

Check out my complete review of MyProtein Impact Whey

Highlights

  • Lower price compared to other whey isolates (currently around $1.10 per serving on the MyProtein website )
  • Informed Choice Certified and LabDoor tested to ensure quality and purity
  • Mixes easily with a regular shaker bottle

Drawbacks

  • The overly sweet taste might be off-putting to some consumers
  • Offers fewer grams of protein than other similar isolates

Key Criteria: How To Choose The Best Coffee-Flavored Protein

how to choose the best coffee-flavoured protein 

Price

  • We’ve offered you a range of low($), medium ($$), and higher ($$) price point options, understanding that not everyone has the same budget for supplements. 
  • Why you should care: In many cases, you get what you pay for, especially in the supplement industry. We want to help you find the best marriage of quality and quantity. 

Effective Ingredients

  • We look at the type of protein used in the formulas, how many extra additives or preservatives are added, and whether any additional ingredients (necessary or unnecessary) are added. 
  • Why you should care: Ultimately, you are trying to invest in a protein powder and your product should have the highest amount of protein possible, while minimizing unnecessary ingredients like excessive gums and creamers for texture. 

Taste/Flavor

  • We evaluate proteins based on initial taste, after taste, sweetness level, and overall flavor level.  We also evaluate proteins mixed with just water, milk, or added to smoothies/oatmeal/yogurt.
  • Why you should care: While taste is subjective, we want to try to give you the clearest picture possible of what you will be ordering. Your protein powder is an investment, and you should enjoy the flavor of what you’re consuming. 

Protein Percent of Calories

  • We take the total calories from protein (grams of protein x 4), and then divide that by the total calories in the product. This tells us what percentage of the calories come from protein. 
  • Why you should care: We classify our tested proteins as Reasonable (65-74% protein), Good (75-84% protein), and Great (>85% protein) sources of protein. Since your plan is to invest in a protein powder, knowing this percentage helps you determine if what you are buying is worth the investment.  

Mixability 

  • When assessing mixability, we look at whether the product dissolves completely or whether it leaves chunks or a chalky residue. 
  • Why you should care: If you don’t have access to a blender, or want the convenience of a protein shaker cup, then it might be important to you to have a product that mixes easily with little effort. 

Satiety 

  • Satiety is the measure of how long a product keeps you feeling full or satisfied.
  • Why you should care: You might care about satiety for two different reasons. If you are trying to eat in a calorie deficit, then you might want a product with longer satiety to help keep you feeling fuller throughout the day. If you are trying to eat in a calorie surplus, then you might want a protein that is good for recovery but doesn’t spoil your appetite for your other meals. 

Caffeine Content

  • Caffeine content is simply the amount of caffeine that is found in one serving, as recommended by the product. Typically this is in one scoop or one carton in the case of the Premier Protein RTD. 
  • Why you should care: If you are taking a protein powder post-workout or later in the day, or are trying to be mindful of your daily caffeine consumption then you may want an option that offers the coffee taste without the caffeine. For morning workouts, or when consumed as part of breakfast, you might opt for a caffeinated option. 

Do Coffee Flavored Protein Powders Have Caffeine?

Do coffee flavoured protein powders have caffeine?

The majority of coffee-flavored protein powders do not have caffeine. Brands will typically use a blend of natural and artificial flavors as well as sweeteners to achieve a coffee or mocha flavor. 

If a product does contain caffeine, it has to be labeled as such, though sometimes finding the true caffeine content of your product can be tricky to find. 

Some companies, like Dymatize Iso 100 will clearly label the caffeine content on the front of their label. 

Dymatize Iso 100 caffeine content label

Other times, you have to look a bit to find the exact caffeine content. 

The Premier Protein shakes, for example, do not list the exact mg of caffeine per shake anywhere on the label that I could find. 

All I found was the comment “Caffeine = 1 cup of coffee”. Some further digging online allowed me to find that one shake contains around 120mg. 

Premier Protein shakes caffeine content label

When buying a coffee-flavored protein, I recommend double-checking the ingredient list to see if a source of coffee or caffeine is listed. 

I have found caffeine listed in the following ways: 

  • Caffeine
  • Caffeine anhydrous
  • Spray dried coffee
  • Instant coffee
  • Coffee extract
  • CoffeeBerry®

Our Testing Methodology Explained 

I am proud to say that our team of personal trainers and nutrition experts has personally tried each of the products mentioned in this review. We never publish extensive reviews of products without purchasing and personally using each one.  

When we compile our product reviews, we rely on our personal experience as well as extensive research digging into product reviews and customer ratings on a variety of websites to provide the most comprehensive review we can. 

 You can find the following in-depth reviews already at Feastgood.com: 

For the remaining products (Vega Sport and MRE Lite), I am in the fortunate position of managing a supplement store that has stocked these products for years. 

The information for many of these products is drawn from both my personal experience in using the products, as well as customer reviews and feedback from clients who have used the products. 

We try the products under a variety of conditions, such as post-workout, mixed into water/milk/coffee, in smoothies, and stirred into yogurt or oatmeal to be able to provide as much detail on the best way to consume these products as possible. 

We evaluate all of our proteins based on a set of key criteria. Some key criteria, such as taste, effective ingredients, protein percent of calories, mixability, and satiety are consistent throughout each product we test. 

Some criteria are added or removed, based on which products we are evaluating. For instance, in this review, we added caffeine content and price as key criteria.

About The Author

Jennifer Vibert

Jennifer Vibert is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Nutrition Coach, and supplement store manager. She has a Bachelor of Kinesiology with a major in Fitness and Lifestyle and a minor in Psychology from the University of Regina. She is a Certified Nutrition Coach through Precision Nutrition, with a passion for helping clients learn the fundamentals of nutrition and supplementation in order to build healthy, sustainable habits.

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