Looking to build muscle and stay fit? Protein powder is an essential ingredient in that recipe for success.
But with so many options available, it can be hard to know which one will give you the most bang for your buck.
Luckily, we’re here with all the information you need on blended protein powders – a combination of multiple forms like whey and casein proteins.
So read on while we guide you through some top choices when selecting just what blend is best suited for achieving peak performance from your workout regimen.
Let’s get started.
We Know Protein Powder Like The Back of Our Hand
To ensure that we deliver truly authentic and impartial evaluations, we adopt a meticulous approach of personally acquiring and conducting taste tests on the products we feature in our reviews. This practice extends to our comprehensive analysis of the top blended protein powders available.
Our dedicated team of fitness experts and nutritionists has undertaken the task of extensively exploring a wide range of popular protein brands currently circulating in the market. Through our in-depth investigation, we strive to identify the products we believe can truly support and enhance your fitness journey.
This bad boy is a blend of whey protein isolate. micellar casein isonale and milk protein islate. This gives you a mix of slow and fast-digesting proteins to give you a quick shot of protein after a workout and slow-digesting proteins to feed your muscles all day or night, depending on when you take it.
This protein powder specifically utilizes protein isolate forms, which are processed to remove most fats and carbohydrates. This leaves you with a purer form of protein that’s easier to absorb and less likely to upset your stomach.
Not only is it a higher grade of protein, but it also tastes fantastic. I tried the chocolate flavor you see pictured above and it was very good, especially if you like your protein shake on the creamier side. You definitely won’t be disappointed in the taste.
Price-wise, this Protein Isolate Elite is about average for a higher quality protein powder, although it is above average.
Next on our list we have an excellent protein powder from Crazy Nutrition that features six different forms of protein powder.
These six protein powders are digested in 3 intervals, thus the Tri-Protein name.
This bad boy features fast-digesting whey protein for right after your workout, medium-digesting proteins, and long-digesting proteins like casein that feed your muscles all night long while you sleep for the ultimate muscle-building protein powder.
This blended protein powder has 21 grams of protein per scoop and only 1 gram of fat, and 1 gram of carbs. It also comes in at 100 calories to help keep you lean.
Tri-Protein is Non-GMO and doesn’t contain any fillers or other junk. There is also a 60-day money-back guarantee so if you aren’t satisfied, you can get your money back.
It comes in 3 flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate and Salted Caramel. I would go with Vanilla or Chocolate. Always safe choices.
The price of Tri-Protein is above average, but it does come with a free Muscle & Health digital magazine. They also have a subscription that will save you money as well.
Next up, we have another really nice blended protein powder from Naked Nutrition.
Their mission is to make the highest-quality nutrition accessible for everyone by using only the cleanest, simplest ingredients with no additives or artificial sweeteners. Only the good stuff.
Naked protein is just that, only the good stuff and no other junk.
This protein powder is a blend of grass-fed whey, micellar casein, and egg white protein powder. This combination will give you a nice mix of faster and slower-digesting proteins to help you build and maintain muscle.
The casein comes from skim milk from cows in the USA, and the egg whites are US farm eggs that are processed in under one day.
They don’t use any artificial flavors or additives or any other junk, as you would expect with Naked Nutrition. Just 4 ingredients in total.
Naked protein is unflavored, which you may or may not like. It is available in smaller 1lb tubs or the bigger 3lb tubs.
The price of Naked Protein is a little above average, but you can save by getting the larger tub which gives you a lower cost per serving.
You can also get a subscription which will save you 20%, which is probably the most savings you will find on any subscription.
Another really nice blended protein powder is the Pro Jym Ultra Premium Protein Blend.
All the Jym Supplements that Dr. Jim Stoppani makes are pretty good, so it’s no surprise that Pro Jym made the list.
This protein powder is a blend of egg white protein, milk protein, whey protein isolate and micellar casein.
Pro Jym has more of the slow-digesting casein protein than the others, so it may be better to take this one later in the day so you can feed your muscles all night long. Or you can take it in the morning and feed them all day. The choice is yours.
If you are looking for a wide variety of flavors, this would be a good one for you. Pro Jym comes in 8 flavors, all of which are good.
Like the others, this one does not have any added fillers, and they don’t add amino acid either.
The price of Pro Jym is above average but not much. You can also save 20% if you get a subscription which is a pretty good deal.
Syntha-6 from BSN is next, and it’s another nice blended protein.
As the name indicates, this bad boy uses 6 different forms of protein to give you long, medium, and short release.
Syntha-6 features 10 grams of essential amino acids and 22 grams of protein to feed those muscles.
This one does contain 2-3 grams of sugar to enhance the flavor, which isn’t much and really helps with the taste.
It also has 5 grams of fat per serving and comes in at 190 calories which is more than any other on the list. Those counting calories should take note.
All that does add up to a delicious flavor, though, and it is easily one of the best-tasting protein powders on this list. And those who are looking to add muscle will welcome the extra calories.
Initially, the price may look expensive, but the container has 46 servings, so it’s actually not a bad deal.
Next on our list of the best-blended protein powders, we have Protein from Granite Supplement.
Boring name, but it’s a pretty nice blend of 5 different protein powders, including two forms of whey along with casein for both short and long-release protein.
This protein powder packs in 22 grams of protein at 120 calories per serving with just 2 carbs. It also comes with digestion support in the form of protease enzymes which will sit your stomach at ease.
Protein is made in the USA in a cGMP facility, so you know they are held to a higher standard.
This protein powder comes in four different flavors. I’d stick with vanilla, which is always a good choice.
Pricewise this one is about average, no savings when you buy in bulk.
If you want a protein powder that delivers A LOT of protein powder per scoop, this is the one for you.
This blended protein delivers a massive 50 grams of protein per serving. That is huge!
All that protein will also help satisfy your hunger more than other protein powders, so you eat less.
This is a great protein powder for those looking to bulk up. It’s like a mass gainer morphed with a protein powder. It comes in at 310 calories and 17 carbs per serving to feed those muscles, so they are sure to grow.
The downside with one is the chalkiness and the taste. This one is at the bottom of our list in terms of taste. If you can choke it down, it will bring the gains, though.
Pricewise, Pre Series is pretty reasonable, considering how much protein you get per serving.
Musclepharm checks in with a nice blend of 5 different proteins. This one also features BCAAs plus Glutamine to aid with muscle building.
If you are an athlete, this might be one for you. It is made for athletes and has been banned-substance tested and certified by Informed-Choice.
This protein powder only comes in 4 lb tubs, and each tub has 52 servings.
One thing to note is if you are looking for a protein blend with slow-release protein like casein, you won’t find it here. This blend is pretty quick-release and features a lot of whey.
There are 4 flavor options to choose from. Again I would stick with chocolate or vanilla. They are safe choices and are usually the best.
Pricewise this one isn’t cheap, not the most expensive on the list, but it is up there.
Pros
Good taste
Lots of fast-release whey protein to feed muscles quick
Want to find out how we decided? Here are our criteria.
Types of Protein Powders Used
The higher the quality of protein used, the better. Extra points were given out for higher-grade protein powders like whey protein isolate, hydrolysate, and micellar casein. Protein powders that are mainly made from concentrates got downgraded.
Taste
Taste of course, matters, it doesn’t have to taste like a milkshake but it should at least be decent enough that you don’t have to choke it down. Gross-tasting protein powder usually just sits on the shelf and are a waste of money.
Calories and Carbs
Calories and carbs are important if you are trying to lose or gain weight. There are a couple of choices on the list that are more for those that are bulking, while the rest are good to help you stay lean.
Price
Nowadays, just about everything is expensive, and protein powder is no different. Blended protein powders are above average in price too. We took price into consideration, but most of these aren’t cheap.
Why Use Blended Protein Powder?
Blended protein powder is a combination of multiple types of protein, typically various forms of whey protein, along with casein, egg white, and milk protein.
This blend of protein gives you short, medium, and long-release protein to feed your muscles in the short term and long term.
If you are looking to build or maintain muscle, then blended protein powders are the way to go.
A study done by Baylor University found that trained men following a 10-week weight-training protocol and taking a combination of whey and casein protein after workouts gained 4 pounds of lean muscle mass while experiencing a small decrease in body fat.(1) Another group following the same training program but taking whey without casein added to it did not gain any muscle mass over the ten weeks and had a slight increase in body fat.
Also, a study done by the Mayo Clinic found that the reason adding casein to whey protein leads to increased muscle gains may be due to the different absorption and digestions rates of these two different proteins (2)
So, if you want better muscle growth, you are better off going with a blend of proteins rather than just one form of protein.
Common Types of Protein Used in Protein Blends
These are the most common types of protein powders used in protein blends:
Whey Concentrate: This is the most common type of protein powder out there. It is also the cheapest. Pretty much every protein blend you come across will have whey concentrate in it. It only makes sense to use it as a manufacturer.
Whey Isolate: Whey isolate is a higher grade of whey protein, containing around 90% or more protein by weight. It is considered a “fast-acting” protein, meaning it is rapidly absorbed by the body and can help to promote muscle growth and recovery after exercise. It is also low in lactose and fat.
Micellar Casein: This is a slow-digesting protein that is derived from milk. This kind of protein is absorbed more slowly, so drinking a protein shake with micellar casein will feed your muscles all night or all day.
Milk Protein: Milk protein powder is a pretty popular protein when it comes to blended proteins. This protein contains both whey and casein proteins for quick and long release.
Egg Protein: Egg protein is also pretty popular in blended proteins. This protein has a similar amino acid profile to whey protein, and it is also rapidly absorbed by the body. It is also a good alternative for people who are lactose intolerant or have a dairy allergy. Some companies will go a step further and use egg white protein, which is more allergy friendly.
Benefits of Getting More Protein
As you probably know, getting protein has its benefits, but what are they?
Muscle Building – Probably the most well-known benefit to getting your protein is that it helps you build and maintain muscle. This can lead to athletic performance and a more toned appearance.
Weight Management – Protein can help you feel full for longer so you end up eating less and therefore eat fewer calories and lose weight.
Blood Sugar Control – Protein can help control the absorption of carbohydrates, which can help lower blood sugar and reduce cravings.
FAQ
Is it good to blend protein powder?
Blending different types of protein powder can be a good option because it combines different types of proteins that have different absorption rates. This can help promote muscle growth both in the short and long term.
Is blended protein better than whey?
Whey protein provides a great shot of fast-acting protein, while blended protein powders are more balanced with both and long. It really depends on what your goals are; if you want fast-acting protein go with whey. If you want some fast acting and some long, go blended.
Is it ok to drink protein smoothies every day?
Yes, of course. But you shouldn’t rely on them for all of your nutritional needs. Most of your nutrition needs to come from actual food. Then you just supplement that with the protein smoothie or supplement of choice.
What are the cons of taking protein powder?
Protein powder is generally safe, but there are things to consider because it can have side effects like gas (protein farts), and protein in excess over a long period of time can cause kidney damage. Then there are also allergies to consider.
There you have the best blended protein powders on the market. These can be a great option for those looking for both a fast-acting and slow-release protein powder in one. They can provide a nice balance of different types of proteins with varying rates of absorption, making them incredibly versatile and giving you the best features of many different protein powders all in one supplement.
Referances
Kerksick CM, Rasmussen CJ, Lancaster SL, Magu B, Smith P, Melton C, Greenwood M, Almada AL, Earnest CP, Kreider RB. The effects of protein and amino acid supplementation on performance and training adaptations during ten weeks of resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2006 Aug;20(3):643-53. doi: 10.1519/R-17695.1. PMID: 16937979.
Soop M, Nehra V, Henderson GC, Boirie Y, Ford GC, Nair KS. Coingestion of whey protein and casein in a mixed meal: demonstration of a more sustained anabolic effect of casein. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Jul 1;303(1):E152-62. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00106.2012. Epub 2012 May 8. PMID: 22569072; PMCID: PMC3404559.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic. He has run half marathons, done mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, coached wrestling, and now coaches girls’ soccer. Not to mention he has also tried literally hundreds of supplements over the years and has a vast and thorough supplement knowledge. He has written for Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review and other publications. He is also the editor-in-chief of this website and has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Feel free to connect with him on his LinkedIn page below.
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Bobby
October 4, 2023 7:00 pm
Yo that Protein Isolate Elite is the bomb. Tastes incredible!
Yo that Protein Isolate Elite is the bomb. Tastes incredible!