The New King of Budget Protein Powder

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I’ve spent the last three years testing workout supplements, including publishing 38 individual reviews of different protein powders on YouTube.   

After all that, the most common question our subscribers ask is: which protein powder is the best bang for the bang?  

So, in today’s video, I’m going to answer exactly that. 

To be honest, my answer has actually changed over the years.  

For example, I made a similar video in 2023 talking about the “Best Cheap Protein Powders” on the market, and my top pick was actually from Bulk Supplements, which is not my recommendation now. 

That’s because: 

• New protein powders enter the market, forcing established brands to adjust prices. 

• And, certain retailers and manufacturers can offer more savings when they get bigger.  

Now, of course, if you prioritize being budget-friendly when it comes to your protein powder, you might have to sacrifice some things.

Is it going to be the best protein powder on the market?  Absolutely not.  

However, can you find a reasonably-priced protein that won’t break the bank every month, that tastes good, and that still has a high percentage of protein?  Absolutely.  

So, what’s my pick for the new king of budget protein powder? MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate.  

MyProtein has a few different types of protein, so it’s important to highlight that the one I’m talking about specifically is the Impact Whey Isolate and not the Impact Whey Protein. 

(Note: The colors and branding have changed since I tested it)

I know the names sound similar, but I’ll discuss the differences in just a second.  

For those of you who have been around the supplement game for a while, you’ll know that MyProtein isn’t a new brand. 

However, some factors make it my top pick today versus other protein powders.  

The Pros

1. It Is Consistently Priced Below The Average Cost of Protein 

After analyzing over 50 different brands on the market, the average cost of protein powder is $1.34 per serving. 

Now, this $1.34 includes all types of protein powders, including whey isolates and concentrates and different percentages of protein.  

With the standard 5.5lb tub of MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate, which has 88 servings, the price comes to $1.76 per serving.  

Yes, at first glance, this is more than the average cost, but there’s something extremely important you need to know about MyProtein pricing. 

They ALWAYS have the base price discounted, and they don’t expect you to pay full price.  

For example, I just randomly visited the MyProtein website before publishing this and saw that the protein is currently on a 40% discount:

I don’t think I’ve ever visited the MyProtein website and not been bombarded with various sales and discounts.  

If you apply this discount, then the price drops from $1.76 to $1.06, which is well below the average cost of protein.  

The drawback to this is that the pricing is not consistent.  

Sometimes you might get 20% off, 30% off, or 40% off.  There’s no rhyme or reason, and it’s often discounted randomly. 

Just know that whatever discount you pay, it’ll be less than the average cost of protein, so you can feel good knowing that you’re getting a good deal, especially for a whey isolate.  

So, while I can’t guarantee what the discount will be today, here are my recommendations: 

• First, 2hen you see a 30% or 40% discount, stock up on 3 or 4 bottles versus buying just one.  

• Second, after trying the protein, if you like it, consider using the subscribe and save feature, which I’ve seen offers up to 50% discounts simply by subscribing to getting a monthly tub.  

• Third, make sure to watch their emails, as there are always discounts being sent, if not weekly, then definitely monthly.  You’ll get their emails after you buy your first product.

• Finally, I’m on a special YouTube content creator email list for MyProtein that gets even more discounts. You can access any of my current deals using this link. Any promos you get using that link will automatically apply to your cart. Sometimes, I can get you things like free shipping or sitewide discounts. 

Now, being a cheap protein is great, but what about the quality?  

For this, we need to look at the protein percentage of calories.

2. It Has A High Protein Percentage of Calories

At FeastGood.com, we have criteria for the protein percentage of calories: 

• 65-74% is reasonable
• 75-84% is good
• 85%+ is excellent 

Personally, I don’t shop for protein powders less than 75% as a minimum.  

The good news is that MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate falls into the excellent category.   

Let’s do the math: 

There are 25 grams of protein per serving, which equals 100 calories. 

The overall product is 110 calories, so when you divide 100 by 110 calories, you get 90.9% of the calories coming from protein.  

This protein percentage is consistent among flavors, of which there are 9, including an unflavored option.  I’ve personally tested the mocha flavor and salted caramel, and when it comes to taste, I’ll talk about that in a second. 

Now, I did mention that MyProtein has a MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate and a MyProtein Impact Whey version.  

If you don’t go with the whey isolate version, the MyProtein Impact Whey only has 23 grams of protein per 120-calories, which only equals 73.3% of protein percent of calories. 

This is because Impact Whey has a blend of whey isolate and whey concentrate.  Whey concentrate isn’t as filtered, which leaves a few extra grams of carbs in the manufacturing process.  

Some people don’t mind the extra carbs because it adds a bit more satiety; however, for me I want the highest protein percentage possible. 

3. It’s Third-Party Tested

Finally, before talking about some cons, the last major factor that makes MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate the king of budget protein powders is that it’s also third-party tested. 

These days, no matter what supplement I’m taking, I’m just not stocking my shelves with products that haven’t been independently lab-tested for ingredient label accuracy. 

These independent lab tests are definitely pricey for supplement companies, so most budget brands don’t go through this process.  

But, for transparency sake, I want to know two things: 

• Is there actually the amount of protein per serving in the product that’s on the label? 

• And, are there any harmful substances like heavy metals or banned ingredients?

MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate is certified 3rd party tested through Informed Protein, which has verified all label claims and shows it is free from harmful substances. 

Now, onto the cons, which may impact whether you want to opt for a slightly pricier protein powder.  

The Cons

1. There’s A Lot of Unnecessary Additives 

One of the main drawbacks of MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate is the amount of unnecessary additives, especially in the flavored options. If you’re someone who cares about keeping ingredients simple, this might be a sticking point.

The unflavored version keeps it clean with only whey protein isolate and sunflower lecithin, added to help it mix better. 

But the flavored varieties are a different story, with ingredients that go beyond what’s strictly necessary.  

First, thickening agents and stabilizers.  

• Flavors like Chocolate Brownie and Chocolate Milkshake contain cellulose gum and even hydrogenated coconut oil. The cellulose gum helps with texture, while hydrogenated oils act as stabilizers. While these are common additives, research suggests that some gums may cause digestive issues, especially in larger amounts. For example, cellulose gum has been linked to bloating and stomach discomfort for some people, so it’s not ideal if you’re sensitive to food additives.

Second, artificial colors. 

• A few flavors also contain artificial coloring, such as caramel color in Salted Caramel and vegetable juice coloring in Strawberry Milkshake. While these ingredients don’t impact the protein content, research on certain artificial colors suggests potential risks, including hypersensitivity reactions in some individuals. 

If you’re aiming for a clean protein powder, the added stabilizers and colors here might feel like overkill. While it’s nice to have options with good texture that look appealing, the trade-off is a longer list of ingredients that don’t add much nutritionally.

2. It’s Sweetened With Artificial Sweeteners 

Another potential drawback of MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate is its use of artificial sweeteners. 

Most flavors contain two artificial sweeteners: sucralose and acesulfame potassium. While these sweeteners boost flavor without adding calories, they might not be ideal for everyone.

For starters, the taste is enjoyable but definitely on the high end of the sweetness scale—it may even be too sweet for some consumers. So, if you don’t like sweet protein powders, this isn’t for you. 

Personally, I usually mix my protein powders with less water to get a richer taste, but with MyProtein, I found myself actually diluting it with more water to tone down the sweetness.

For those sensitive to artificial sweeteners, some studies suggest that regular consumption may alter gut health, potentially impacting the gut microbiome and causing digestive issues like bloating or discomfort. 

Personally, I didn’t get any stomach upset, but since artificial sweeteners are in many common products, you’ll already know if you’re someone who gets negative side effects from these ingredients.

Additionally, MyProtein doesn’t disclose the exact amount of these sweeteners, which could be disappointing if you prefer more transparency. Many other brands provide the exact sweetener content on the label, which can help consumers gauge how much they’re consuming.

For example, Transparent Labs, uses Stevia, which is a more natural sweetener, and discloses the exact amount used (165mg).  

Wrapping Up

Despite these cons, if you’re on a budget, I really don’t think there’s a better protein powder on the market today. 

However, if you want to learn which protein powder is the best of the best, regardless of price, which also contains a cleaner ingredient list, then check out my ultimate protein powder tier list video, which ranks every protein powder I’ve tested on the channel. 

Reference

Bian X, Chi L, Gao B, Tu P, Ru H, Lu K (2017) The artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium affects the gut microbiome and body weight gain in CD-1 mice. PLoS ONE 12(6): e0178426. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178426