Low-Cost Protein Powder That’s Still Good for You

In the world of supplements, protein powder can become quite expensive, especially if you consume it regularly. 

But if you’re on a budget, buying the cheapest protein powder is not always the best way to go. Cheap protein powder can contain hidden additives and ingredients that are unhealthy and potentially harmful at high doses. 

There are still plenty of high-quality protein powders that fall into the cheap category. You just need to know what to look for and what to avoid. 

Below I explain what the risks are of cheap protein powder, what ingredients to avoid, and what products I recommend.

What are the risks of using cheap protein powder?

Cheap protein powder is generally defined as products that are priced below $1 per serving, which is approximately 20 to 30 grams of protein. These products are often less expensive due to factors such as lower-quality ingredients, less extensive research and testing, and the presence of additives and fillers. 

The lower price of cheap protein powder may also be attributed to the use of artificial flavoring, sweeteners, added sugars, and thickeners, as well as the lack of quality control and assurance. 

Not only can these additives pose health concerns, but many poorly tested protein powders are contaminated with toxins and heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury, which can be harmful at high doses.

Additionally, the long-term effects of high protein intake from supplements are not well-known, and excessive protein consumption can have harmful effects on the bones, kidneys, and liver. 

There is very little regulation over dietary supplements like protein powders, so ensuring a product’s safety and effectiveness often hinges on taking a brand’s word for it.

Ingredients to avoid in the cheapest protein powders

Cheap protein powder is often synonymous with sketchy, low-quality ingredients. These are some of the most common ones to avoid:

• Casein and whey protein concentrate: As some of the cheapest sources of protein powder in bulk, whey protein concentrate and casein protein are extremely high in lactose and difficult for the body to absorb. These foods often cause bloating and gastrointestinal distress.
• Gluten: This cheap protein powder additive offers little to no nutritional value. In many people who are sensitive to gluten, it can elevate inflammation and contribute to health problems.
• Artificial sweeteners: Many protein powder manufacturers use artificial sweeteners to minimize sugar content while trying to make their products taste good. Not only do they offer no nutritional value, but they can come with side effects like headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
• Dextrins: A common example is maltodextrin, which is found in many cheap whey protein powders, and can raise glycemic load and contribute to fat storage.
• Soy lecithin: This popular emulsifier contains phytoestrogens which can interfere with hormone production. This too can cause unwanted side effects, such as slowing your muscle gains and impacting your mood.
• Creatine: While enticing to the body-building consumers, creatine in protein powder is not recommended. I can contribute to increased water retention and bloating. Though common in bulk protein powders for mass building, creatine should be consumed on its own. 
• Gums: Common gums like xanthan gum are made from soy or corn and are added to cheap protein powder for texture. They are notorious for causing digestive issues like bloating, constipation, and gas.

Lastly and most importantly, do your research on a particular brand before buying their protein powder. The white papers and infographics at the Clean Label Project are helpful resources worth checking out.

Some of the top-selling products contain elevated levels of lead, mercury, BPA, cadmium, and arsenic (but will never put these toxins on their label). This is largely because cheap protein powder brands do not properly test their products for such toxins and contaminants.

The cheapest protein powder products I recommend

Less is often more when seeking the cheapest protein powder products that aren’t bad for your health. In other words, the fewer the ingredients, the better.

Unlike some articles that will recommend products purely based on how much protein you’re getting for your dollar, below are the cheapest protein powders that are free of any unhealthy additives and ingredients. 

Naked PB Protein Powder

Naked PB is one of the simplest, most effective, and delicious tasting protein powders that’s made from only one ingredient: roasted peanuts. Peanuts alone provide a quality amino acid profile suitable for muscle recovery. In addition to protein quality, peanut protein powder is also one of the best-tasting.

At $18.99 for a large 2-pound tub, it’s one of the cheapest protein powders you can buy. The serving size is smaller than most products (only 7 grams of protein in a scoop), but even with three scoops for 21 grams of protein, you’re getting over 25 ‘elevated servings’ for just $0.75 each.

Naked PB prides itself on being additive-free with no artificial sweeteners or colors. It’s also independently tested for heavy metals and allergens like gluten. With over 10K reviews and a 4.7 average star rating, it’s a highly rated product worth checking out.

NOW Sports Pea Protein

Despite being one cheapest protein powder brands on the market, NOW Sports products are lab-tested for over 220 banned substances. It’s an athlete-minded brand that makes a wide variety of protein powders, and its pea protein powder stands out as one of the best in its class.

This easily-digested plant protein powder is made from yellow pea, but it doesn’t compromise on muscle-building properties as it’s stacked with 4.4 grams of vegan branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). It does contain xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener, but it’s one of the better options compared to others. Combined with stevia, this protein powder is sweet but doesn’t contain sugar.

Priced just below $17 for a 2lb tub, you get 22 servings, with each serving offering 25 grams of protein. That comes out to be about $0.75 per serving, which is quite affordable for a high-BCAA protein powder.

True Nutrition PumpkinPlus™ Protein Powder

This low-cost protein powder from True Nutrition combines pea protein isolate and pumpkin protein, providing a strong blend of vegan amino acids to help support muscle recovery. 

A one-pound package provides 14 single-scoop servings, with 26 grams of protein per serving. With a price of $16 per package, you’re getting a quality plant-based protein at just over $1 per serving. 

True Nutrition is third-party tested for toxins and contaminants and contains no added ingredients. However, you can choose from a wide variety of flavors, some of which contain maltodextrin, artificial flavoring, and coloring.

Orgain Organic Protein Powder

A popular option found in most major grocery chains, Orgain Organic Protein Powder combines a blend of plant-based proteins, including organic pea, organic brown rice, and organic chia seeds. This protein diversity ensures a complete amino acid profile.

Orgain places a strong emphasis on clean nutrition. It’s free from artificial sweeteners, colors, and additives, making it a wholesome choice for those seeking a quality protein supplement that aligns with their health goals. It also comes in several delicious flavors, including vanilla bean, chocolate, peanut butter, and more.

Priced competitively in the mid-$20 for a 2lb container (depending on where you buy it), Orgain Organic Protein Powder offers approximately 20 servings, with each serving providing 21 grams of protein. This translates to just over $1 per serving, making it a budget-friendly option for individuals looking for quality protein powder without breaking the bank.

PB2 Performance Peanut Protein Powder

As one of my favorite protein powders, PB2 Performance Peanut Protein is a simple product that’s made from roasted peanuts and brown rice protein. This complete protein blend offers adequate amino acids and BCAAs, and the taste is top-shelf.

The ingredients list is simple and clean, containing only six ingredients and no sketchy additives or artificial sweeteners. The only sweetening agent is monk fruit extract, which is a quality option I find to taste a lot better than stevia.

A 2lb tub of PB2 Performance Peanut Protein is typically priced in the low-$20’s. This provides 20 servings, with each serving packing 20 grams of quality plant protein. Overall, this comes out to just over $1 per serving, which is a steal given the taste and quality of the product.

Do you have a cheap protein powder to recommend?

Is there are low-cost protein powder that you like to use? Let me know in the comments or contact me directly. I am always looking for suggestions to keep this blog accurate and up-to-date with the best protein powder recommendations.

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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 site TylerTafelsky.com to learn more about what he’s up to.