Hey, comrade. Are you looking to level up your protein intake? I don’t blame you. Today’s top-performing protein powders have come a long way, providing more than just sheer grams of protein.
The best protein powder for men is dense with amino acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories designed to accelerate your recovery and make you stronger.
Similarly, the best products for alpha males are clean protein powders free from all the garbage, like heavy metals, artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and loads of fillers.
Unfortunately, many protein powders marketed toward men preach the gains at the expense of purity and fail to acknowledge the bigger picture. For me, a competitive athlete in his upper 30s, it’s about feeling optimal, improving performance, and staying in the game.
What Defines the Upper Echelon of Protein Powder?
To elaborate on the criteria I’ve alluded to above, there are a few best practices to consider if you’re looking for the most effective protein powder:
- Amino acid profile: Aminos are literally the building blocks of protein. Look for an abundance of essential amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), as these compounds can help minimize muscle damage and soreness after training.[1]
- Protein source: Whey isolate is a popular option that offers an effective, fast-absorbing protein powder. With plant-based protein powders, the right mix is key. Hemp, pea, brown rice, peanuts, pumpkin seed, and quinoa are examples of quality vegan protein sources for men.
- High protein per serving: Depending on your training demands and body mass, you’ll want at least 20g (ideally closer to 30g) per serving of protein.[2] Anything less and you’re probably paying a premium and going through containers fast.
- Third-party tested: I cannot stress this enough: The supplement industry is not well regulated. The purest, highest-quality protein powders are third-party tested and transparent about their test results and ingredients. Unfortunately, many brands are slow to cop on.
- Without synthetic sweeteners: Nowadays it’s difficult to find a protein powder that doesn’t have artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. Erythritol, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium are usual suspects. Some of these synthetic sweeteners are concerning, and at the very least, produce bloating and gas.
- Enjoyability: Protein powder isn’t cheap, so don’t compromise on buying products that don’t taste or mix well. The right balance flavor–like using sugar, stevia, or monk fruit extract–can make or break a product’s enjoyability factor.
Having been a label-reader/part-time researcher over the last couple of decades, these “rules” I’ve created for myself when identifying a top-performing protein powder.
For specific product recommendations, here I highlight the upper echelon of vegan protein powders for men (many of which rival some of the best whey products.)
Worth Every Scoop: 8 Best Protein Powders for Men
Some product suggestions contain affiliate links. See my affiliate disclaimer.
Guys, I get it. The vegan lifestyle may be associated with tree-hugging compassion and animal rights activism. But no one is asking you to convert to veganism.
The reality is that most of us get enough meat and dairy from our daily diets. Mixing in plant-based sources of protein supplementation has a lot of nutritional benefits. So, if you open such options, allow me to suggest a handful of products I’ve tried and recommend. And for the record, I am not vegan.
Vivo Life Perform Protein Powder
Vivo Life Perform is an underrated powerhouse in the world of protein powder. Using some of the most potent plant-based protein sources, it’s a top-tier vegan option that doesn’t get enough recognition.
With 25g of protein and 6g of BCAAs per serving, this blend of cold processed hemp protein and fermented pea protein is digestive-friendly and performance-optimized for athletes.
Vivo Life Perform contains reishi mushrooms and turmeric, which offer potent anti-inflammatory effects that help reduce the oxidative stress of training and accelerate recovery after exercise.
It’s loaded with fiber, contains minimal sugar, and is free from gums, fillers, or artificial ingredients. Vivo Life invests heavily in third-party testing and sustainability (they’re “Certified Carbon Neutral”), making them one of the cleanest protein powders for men.
Find it on Amazon in Raw Cocao flavor or Madagascar Vanilla.
Garden of Life Sport Protein Powder
Garden of Life Sport is an entirely organic plant-based protein powder that’s Informed Choice and NSF Certified for Sport. It’s a world-class protein powder that packs 30g of protein and 5.5g of BCAAs in a two-scoop serving.
Garden of Life Sport is a uniquely formulated protein blend made from pea, navy bean, lentil bean, garbanzo bean, and cranberry seed-most of which are spouted to retain the digestive integrity and bioavailability of the protein.
Not only does Garden of Life Sport have 2 billion CFU of probiotics, but a recovery blend containing antioxidant-rich fruits and turmeric makes it pure recovery fuel.
Garden of Life Sport is extremely low-carb and has almost zero sugar, making it a keto-friendly protein powder. While it uses stevia, the taste is very mild and not sweet or overpowering. It’s almost always in my pantry.
Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder
Also NSF Certified for Sport but not fully organic, Vega Sport Premium is an elite protein powder that’s made from pea protein, pumpkin seed, organic sunflower seed, and alfalfa protein.
It’s a low-carb, low-sugar, performance-minded protein powder that packs 30g of protein and 5g of BCAAs in a hefty single-scoop serving.
Vega Sport Premium delivers the anti-inflammatory properties of bromelain, turmeric, and tart cherry. And with 2 billion CFU of probiotics, you’re getting ample immunity and recovery support in a protein powder alone.
Sweetened with stevia and natural flavors, Vega Sport Premium is more on the sweeter side but in a good way. There are several flavors to choose from, and peanut butter is my go-to recommendation.
Ascent Plant-based Protein Powder
Ascent is another brand of protein powder that’s touted for its cleanliness and third-party-tested for purity. It’s Informed-Sport Certified and contains no artificial ingredients or added sugars.
Utilizing simple, organic, vegan protein sources like pea, sunflower, and pumpkin protein, Ascent’s plant-based protein powder delivers 25g of protein and 4g of BCAA in a single scoop.
Although it’s sweetened with stevia, I was pleasantly surprised by how good Ascent tastes (I’ve only tried the chocolate peanut butter flavor). It’s incredibly smooth and mixes well when stirred with just almond milk. But be warned, it is sweet.
Ascent Plant-based Protein Powder may not be the most robust in terms of aminos and protein, but it is one of the cleanest options that won’t leave you feeling bloated.
Orgain Sport Plant-based Protein Powder
Orgain Organic is a very popular brand you can find any almost any major grocery chain, but its sport protein blend is not quite as popular and worth a mention.
What I like about this protein powder is its complementary plant protein blend made of pea, brown rice, and chia seed, which provides 30g of protein and 5g of BCAAs. Orgain Protein Powder also offers a fruit and vegetable blend that provides a wide range of nourishing plants beyond just the protein sources.
However, what I dislike about this protein powder is its use of erythritol, a common sugar alcohol notorious for causing gas. It’s this sugar alcohol combined with stevia that makes Orgain Sport Protein a good-tasting option with only 1g of sugar.
With 200 calories–including 7g of fat and 14g of carbs–Orgain Sport Protein is a bit more calorically dense compared to other protein powders. But for a nutritious gainer, it fits the bill.
Birdman Falcon Organic Plant Protein Powder
One of the few sugar-free protein powders devoid of artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, Birdman Falcon is a plant-based protein sweetened with monk fruit extract (one of my favorite natural, zero-calorie sweeteners).
Made from only 6 ingredients, featuring pea as the primary protein source, Birdman Falcon is a complete protein powder that’s quickly gaining popularity. Just don’t ask me where its name comes from.
But with 24g of protein per scoop and 40 scoops per container, it’s one hell of a deal for a quality, clean protein powder. It’s also low-carb, making it suitable for those seeking a keto option.
With no gums and no fillers, Birdman Falcon prides itself on its minimalist approach. For an upgrade, there’s the Falcon Performance Sport Protein, which provides 5g of creatine, 31g of protein, and more BCAAs.
Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Protein Powder
Sunwarrior Warrior Blend is one of my favorite protein powders for many reasons. Not only is the brand organic and diligent about its product testing, but it’s one of the most potent blends made from pea protein, goji berry, and hemp seed protein.
The serving size is dished out modestly, providing only 17g of protein and just over 3g of BCAAs. But I double-up with two scoops to get in 34g of protein and 6g of BCAAs. Even on a double-up regimen, you get 16 servings per tub of Sunwarrior Warrior Blend.
Zero-sugar, low-carb, and infused with MCTs, Sunwarrior Warrior Blend is ketogenic across the board but doesn’t compromise on taste. It comes in a variety of flavors, ranging from Mocha, Maple Toast, Vanilla, Chocolate, and Peanut Butter.
The unflavored protein powder option of Warrior Blend is stevia-free and zero-carb, which is unheard of in a plant-based protein. In short, this is one of the few protein powders that checks all the boxes.
Garden of Life RAW Fit Protein Powder
If you’re looking for a weight loss protein powder for men, RAW Fit from Garden of Life truly works. I seldom recommend protein powder for weight loss, but this product contains certain ingredients and macros that can help.
The two secret weapons are Svetol Green Coffee Bean Extract, which stimulates your metabolism to help burn fat, and Ashwagandha which helps moderate cortisol levels and manage stress-related cravings.
I am shocked by how well this protein powder satisfies hunger. It’s not just because it contains more protein and calories. The blends used in RAW Fit truly work to keep you satiated for longer.
A single scoop serving packs 28g of protein and about 5g of BCAAs, and the protein blend itself is, well, abundant to say the least. It might look like a boutique product found in a natural food store. But this is definitely one of the best protein powders for men.
Whey vs Plant-based Protein Powder for Men
When it comes to protein powder choices for men, one of the most common questions is between whey vs plant protein. There’s no right or wrong answer. This is entirely a personal choice with deep cultural ties on either side. In short, there are benefits to both.
You can’t deny whey is a highly bioavailable, complete source of protein that’s naturally rich in BCAAs. Most people find it an effective option to support their recovery. But some find whey difficult to digest without bloating, gas, or stomach distress.
There’s a lot to be said about dairy-free and lactose-free protein powder. While there are alternative animal-based options made from ingredients like bone broth protein, most of these alternatives are made from plants.
My focus from day one since starting this blog has been plant-based protein powder, which often contains more nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. I have nothing against whey protein, and admittedly I will drink a whey protein shake from time to time, but I find I feel better and recover just as quickly with vegan protein shakes and powders.
What do you think? Which product do you find to be the best protein powder for men? Leave a comment below or get in touch via my contact page.
You Might Also Like
- What’s the Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain?
- Can You Mix Creatine with Protein Powder?
- How Much Protein Powder Should I Consume Per Day?
About the Author
This article was written by Tyler Tafelsky, the lead editor here at VeganProteinPowder.reviews. Tyler is an experienced writer in the health and athletic space who has tried hundreds of different plant-based nutritional products and writes about his favorites here on this blog. Learn more about Tyler by viewing his full author bio or by following him on social platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. You can also visit his personal site TylerTafelsky.com to learn more about what he’s up to.
Scientific References:
- Doma K, Singh U, Boullosa D, Connor JD. The effect of branched-chain amino acid on muscle damage markers and performance following strenuous exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2021 Nov;46(11):1303-1313. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2021-0110. Epub 2021 Oct 6. PMID: 34612716.
- Stokes T, Hector AJ, Morton RW, McGlory C, Phillips SM. Recent Perspectives Regarding the Role of Dietary Protein for the Promotion of Muscle Hypertrophy with Resistance Exercise Training. Nutrients. 2018 Feb 7;10(2):180. doi: 10.3390/nu10020180. PMID: 29414855; PMCID: PMC5852756.