The Best Unflavored Protein Powders (Whey, Plant and Collagen)
Updated By the HealthWorld editorial teamHow we pick
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Top picks at a glance
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Unflavored protein powder is the one that stays out of the way: it goes into coffee, oatmeal, pancakes or a fruit smoothie without turning everything into a vanilla milkshake. The trick is to buy the unflavored version of a line you already trust. Isopure Zero Carb Unflavored and Myprotein's Unflavoured Impact Whey are the whey picks, Orgain Natural Unsweetened is the plant option, and unflavored collagen peptides dissolve straight into hot drinks.
Our picks
#1Best unflavored whey isolate
Isopure Zero Carb Whey Isolate
Buy the Unflavored version of this line: 100% whey isolate with 25 g of protein and 0 g of carbs or sugar per serving, with nothing flavored to clash with your recipe. Because it mixes thin and tastes of very little, it's the one people reach for in savory cooking.
#2Best value unflavored whey
Myprotein Impact Whey Protein
The Unflavoured version of Myprotein's flagship whey concentrate: 22 g of protein per scoop at about 120 calories and one of the lowest prices per serving among the big brands. A mild, milky taste that works in oats, pancakes and smoothies.
#3Best unflavored plant protein
Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based
Choose the Natural Unsweetened version of this line: 21 g of pea, brown rice and chia protein, vegan and USDA Organic. Plant protein is thicker than whey, which makes it better in baking and thick smoothies than in coffee.
#4Best unflavored for coffee
Great Lakes Wellness Collagen Peptides
Unflavored, quick-dissolve collagen with 12 g per scoop that stirs into hot or cold drinks without clumping. Collagen isn't a complete protein, so treat it as a top-up for your coffee rather than your main protein serving.
#5Best-selling unflavored collagen
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
Unflavored grass-fed bovine collagen, 20 g per two-scoop serving, that disappears into coffee, smoothies or water. The best-selling collagen in the US; like all collagen, it's low in some essential amino acids.
#6Best unflavored collagen with gut support
Orgain Collagen Peptides + Pre & Probiotics
20 g of grass-fed collagen peptides per scoop plus a prebiotic and a probiotic, unflavored, with 0 g of sugar and 80 calories. Mixes clean into coffee and smoothies.
What to look for
- Make sure it says unflavored
- Most lines sell flavored tubs by default. Look for 'Unflavored', 'Unflavoured', 'Natural' or 'Natural Unsweetened' on the tub; a plain-looking label isn't enough. When you search eBay, add the word 'unflavored' to the product name.
- Check for sweeteners
- Some powders sold as 'unflavored' are still sweetened with sucralose or stevia. Read the ingredient list if you want a truly neutral powder for savory dishes or black coffee.
- Whey for drinks, plant for baking, collagen for coffee
- Whey isolate mixes thin and dissolves well in smoothies; plant blends are thicker and bind well in pancakes and muffins; collagen peptides dissolve in hot coffee without clumping.
- Protein per serving
- Unflavored whey and plant powders give 21–25 g of complete protein per scoop. Collagen gives 12–20 g, but it lacks tryptophan and is low in other essential amino acids, so don't count it as a meal's protein.
- Mixing into hot liquid
- Whey can clump in hot liquid. Stir it into a splash of cool water first, then add it to coffee or oatmeal, or use collagen for hot drinks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put protein powder in coffee?
Yes. Collagen peptides are the easiest, since they dissolve in hot liquid without clumping. Whey works too if you mix it with a little cool water or milk first and then add the coffee, or use a blender or frother. Unflavored keeps the coffee tasting like coffee.
Does unflavored protein powder taste bad?
Unflavored whey tastes mildly milky, plant protein tastes slightly earthy, and collagen tastes of almost nothing. None of them is unpleasant in a smoothie, oatmeal or baked goods, which is the point: the food provides the flavor.
Can you bake with protein powder?
Yes, with a few adjustments. Protein powder absorbs liquid, so replace only part of the flour (around a quarter to a third) and add a little extra liquid or fat. Plant protein and whey concentrate hold up better than a pure isolate, which can make baked goods dry.
Where can I buy unflavored protein powder?
All of these are sold on eBay by supplement sellers, usually alongside the flavored versions; our links search for each product, so add 'unflavored' to be sure you're looking at the right tub. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Sources
- Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
- Dietary Supplements — U.S. Food & Drug Administration