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expiredWolfTheCat posted Mar 12, 2024 10:36 PM
expiredWolfTheCat posted Mar 12, 2024 10:36 PM

Various Retailers / Brands: Protein Powder Per-Gram of Protein Cost Analysis

(May Vary By Location)

from $0.02/gram

Myprotein
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Note: While some items listed may not be on sale currently, we are promoting these offers on the Frontpage due to strong feedback from and excellent contributions made by the community, who view this as a way to compare products and save money on a more consistent basis between stronger sales.

Various Retailers have select Protein Powders starting at 1.88 Cents per Gram of Protein. Pricing may be subject to change as determined by the manufacturer and/or retailer.

Thanks to WolfTheCat and all other community members involved in contributing to and evaluating this list.
  • Pricing and availability may vary in-store vs. online (where applicable) and/or by region.
  • A higher or lower cost-per-gram-of-protein may not be indicative of quality.
Cost Per Gram of Protein Analysis (lowest to highest):
  • Visit the main forum post here and consider bookmarking this page to check back for any potential future updates/additions.
  • Amazon: 5-lbs. Dymatize Elite 100% Whey Protein Powder $46.18 w/ $7.01 + 15% clipped coupons + Subscribe & Save
    • 2.88 cents/gram of protein
      • 10.8% of Protein is Leucine
      • 69.4% of mass is Protein
      • 71.4% of calories are Protein
    • Free shipping w/ Prime or on $35+ orders
    • You may cancel your subscription any time after your order ships.
Featured Comment:
  • WolfTheCat:"The primary metric here is cost per gram of protein, because I figure that is what you want in protein powder. I also list:
    • The type of protein (Whey, soy, etc...). If it is a blend, I include the first two main components in order. For example Isolate > Concentrate means the blend is primarily isolate and has some concentrate.
    • The size of the container, in pounds. Some people don't want 15lb containers.
    • The percent of protein that is Leucine, considered the most important BCAA and a metric of a quality amino acid profile.
    • The percent of product mass that is protein. More mass-dense proteins have fewer ingredients that you may not want, such as inert ingredients, moisture, fat, and carbs (or, in some cases, heavy metals...).
    • The percent of calories that is protein. This is important for folks avoiding fat and/or carbs."

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff

Original Post

Written by WolfTheCat
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Product Info
Community Notes
About the Poster
Note: While some items listed may not be on sale currently, we are promoting these offers on the Frontpage due to strong feedback from and excellent contributions made by the community, who view this as a way to compare products and save money on a more consistent basis between stronger sales.

Various Retailers have select Protein Powders starting at 1.88 Cents per Gram of Protein. Pricing may be subject to change as determined by the manufacturer and/or retailer.

Thanks to WolfTheCat and all other community members involved in contributing to and evaluating this list.
  • Pricing and availability may vary in-store vs. online (where applicable) and/or by region.
  • A higher or lower cost-per-gram-of-protein may not be indicative of quality.
Cost Per Gram of Protein Analysis (lowest to highest):
  • Visit the main forum post here and consider bookmarking this page to check back for any potential future updates/additions.
  • Amazon: 5-lbs. Dymatize Elite 100% Whey Protein Powder $46.18 w/ $7.01 + 15% clipped coupons + Subscribe & Save
    • 2.88 cents/gram of protein
      • 10.8% of Protein is Leucine
      • 69.4% of mass is Protein
      • 71.4% of calories are Protein
    • Free shipping w/ Prime or on $35+ orders
    • You may cancel your subscription any time after your order ships.
Featured Comment:
  • WolfTheCat:"The primary metric here is cost per gram of protein, because I figure that is what you want in protein powder. I also list:
    • The type of protein (Whey, soy, etc...). If it is a blend, I include the first two main components in order. For example Isolate > Concentrate means the blend is primarily isolate and has some concentrate.
    • The size of the container, in pounds. Some people don't want 15lb containers.
    • The percent of protein that is Leucine, considered the most important BCAA and a metric of a quality amino acid profile.
    • The percent of product mass that is protein. More mass-dense proteins have fewer ingredients that you may not want, such as inert ingredients, moisture, fat, and carbs (or, in some cases, heavy metals...).
    • The percent of calories that is protein. This is important for folks avoiding fat and/or carbs."

Editor's Notes

Written by RevOne | Staff

Original Post

Written by WolfTheCat

Community Voting

Deal Score
+144
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Visit Myprotein

Price Intelligence

Model: Muscle Milk 100% Whey Protein Powder, Chocolate, 5 Pound, 66 Servings, 25g Protein, 2g Sugar, Low in Fat, NSF Certified for Sport, Energizing Snack, Workout Recovery, Packaging May Vary

Deal History 

Sort: Most Recent
Post Date Sold By Sale Price Activity
10/04/23Amazon$35
10
09/14/23Amazon$29
11
04/17/23Amazon$34
3
12/10/22Amazon$29 frontpage
115
11/17/22Amazon$40 frontpage
57
03/17/22Amazon$35 frontpage
22
Show More

Current Prices

Sort: Lowest to Highest | Last Updated 12/26/2025, 10:08 PM
Sold By Sale Price
Amazon$68

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Top Comments

WolfTheCat
2370 Posts
1469 Reputation
More accurate information and additional products available in this post's wiki.

Slickdeals Frontpaged this deal, which takes away my ability to edit the main post.

They also removed several of the products in the comparison and altered some of the pricing in ways that no longer make sense (for example, they changed a 50% my protein coupon to a 35% coupon, but didn't change the per-gram price, making the math wrong).

I have put the original post in the wiki, where I (or anyone else) can edit it.
WolfTheCat
2370 Posts
1469 Reputation
More accurate information and additional products available in this post's wiki.

My favorite, being an obligate carnivore, but didn't include on list because it isn't a protein powder.

Thanksgiving Turkey. An 18lb bird, 59c/lb near thanksgiving, with about 7lb yield after roasting:
- 1.23c per gram of protein
- $10.62 for 7lb of meat
- 53% of calories from protein
- 27.3% of edible mass from protein
- 6.7% of protein is Leucine

I have ten of these in my freezer outside.

It's a sad day in August when you run out of Thanksgiving turkey.
WolfTheCat
2370 Posts
1469 Reputation
More accurate information and additional products available in this post's wiki.

Cost is not the only important thing. Some powders may have more value to you for various reasons that are not considered in this analysis, such as merchant reputability, additional ingredients like Creatine, how well it dissolves, how good it tastes, GMO, Vegan, Kosher, etc... Feel free to discuss all that here in the comments.

As an example, I think Muscle Milk is competitive. It's not the cheapest in cost/g, but it's a major brand sold at stores, probably more reputable, and is primarily whey isolate, but I am suspicious of it's low percentage protein (in both calories and mass), making me think it has a lot of extra stuff that you may not want/need.

120 Comments

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Mar 14, 2024 07:54 PM
142 Posts
Joined Jul 2009
tognabMar 14, 2024 07:54 PM
142 Posts
I'm very skeptical about the NWN isolate. Check out this Reddit thread before you order. https://www.reddit.com/r/Suppleme...nt/krlw0te
Original Poster
Mar 14, 2024 07:56 PM
2,370 Posts
Joined Jan 2024
WolfTheCat
Original Poster
Mar 14, 2024 07:56 PM
2,370 Posts
Quote from DavidZ1908 :
yeah appreciate the analysis but this was my main counterpoint so it's good that you addressed it outright.
IMO taste of protein powder >>> any other criteria as long as the cost per serving is reasonable to you. I've tried all sorts of protein powders at this point and have also thrown out entire 3-4 lbs because they tasted vile.
You may be more disciplined than me and be able to regularly drink protein shakes regardless of flavor but if you can afford it, do yourself a favor and shop around for a flavor you like. Protein powder is ultimately just a supplement, but it's also sort of food. You wouldn't really shop around for the cheapest fast food burger per ounce, you'd probably just pick the one you like.

Personal brands I like:
ON (probably one of the most popular consumer brands) chocolate is pretty good
Ghost Whey is pretty good for cookie flavors, but pretty expensive for what you get,
Dymatize Gourmet Chocolate is a recent one that I liked.

Out of this list from OP, for most people I'd say just get the Dymatize and call it a day.
I get that - some folks are brand loyal. I'm the opposite. Don't care about flavor at all.

Most of the time I'm using it in coffee or baked goods that overpower the flavor anyway.

Once I got a great deal on some Nutricost Macha flavor Isolate. Clearance flavor because nobody wanted it (with good reason). The stuff was completely inedible without sweetener - totally disgusting. But in coffee with sucralose, it was fine. In my pumpkin bars, I couldn't even taste it.​
Pro
Mar 14, 2024 08:06 PM
1,383 Posts
Joined Nov 2009
Reg202
Pro
Mar 14, 2024 08:06 PM
1,383 Posts
Does anyone have a good source for the ON natural flavor whey protein in chocolate? Prices are a bit crazy these days and Amazon hasn't even stocked the 5lb tubs in a while
Mar 14, 2024 08:12 PM
457 Posts
Joined Feb 2007
sinusone1Mar 14, 2024 08:12 PM
457 Posts
Quote from Reg202 :
Does anyone have a good source for the ON natural flavor whey protein in chocolate? Prices are a bit crazy these days and Amazon hasn't even stocked the 5lb tubs in a while
there was a deal about a few days ago for ON, not sure if its natural, but it was 10lb for $75 or so? and then the 5lb in the $40s
Mar 14, 2024 08:27 PM
160 Posts
Joined Oct 2016
cuppahatersMar 14, 2024 08:27 PM
160 Posts
Quote from maggiemay000 :
Also, beware of the accuracy of the actual protein content measurement. There are ways to increase the protein reading without increasing the actual protein content.
Not sure why you are downvoted. Protein/nitrogen spiking is a thing that some supplement companies do
Mar 14, 2024 08:48 PM
633 Posts
Joined Oct 2019
OliveFog741Mar 14, 2024 08:48 PM
633 Posts
Quote from WolfTheCat :
Post a MyProtein deal or two with a price and product and I'll add it. I've bought their isolate before.

The problem with MyP is their obnoxious rotating coupon codes and sales. I can't nail down a solid price to use for calculations.
MyProtein had a deal a few
weeks ago for Impact Whey Protein, 11 lbs for $69.32. That was for flavored and unflavored
Mar 14, 2024 09:14 PM
355 Posts
Joined Mar 2020
oatmilkisgrossMar 14, 2024 09:14 PM
355 Posts
Can we get one of these but just for whey isolates for us lactose intolerant folks?

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Mar 14, 2024 09:21 PM
406 Posts
Joined Aug 2005
bimmer007Mar 14, 2024 09:21 PM
406 Posts
Quote from Wizardking :
Put it in a blender, and you can still drink it.
The real pro tips always in the comments
Mar 14, 2024 09:25 PM
113 Posts
Joined Nov 2014
MastaMINDz7Mar 14, 2024 09:25 PM
113 Posts
Quote from WolfTheCat :
My favorite, being an obligate carnivore, but didn't include on list because it isn't a protein powder.

Thanksgiving Turkey. An 18lb bird, 59c/lb near thanksgiving, with about 7lb yield after roasting:
- 1.23c per gram of protein
- $10.62 for 7lb of meat
- 53% of calories from protein
- 27.3% of edible mass from protein
- 6.7% of protein is Leucine

I have ten of these in my freezer outside.

It's a sad day in August when you run out of Thanksgiving turkey.
I got a chuckle out of this post...I'd like to add that ruminant meats(beef, lamb) are not inflammatory protein which is good for people wanting to start a carnivore based diet for auto-immune disease. 80/20 ground beef is a good choice to start. For powders be wary of protein advertised as whey protein isolate but actually having a blend of whey protein concentrates as well....best to read labels.
1
Mar 14, 2024 09:25 PM
1,110 Posts
Joined Jul 2013
dremagusMar 14, 2024 09:25 PM
1,110 Posts
I only buy unflavored and with either Nutricost isolate or Isopure (when on sale). I guess I need to crunch the numbers. But I'm primarily concerned with no junk additives and clean.
Original Poster
Mar 14, 2024 09:25 PM
2,370 Posts
Joined Jan 2024
WolfTheCat
Original Poster
Mar 14, 2024 09:25 PM
2,370 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank WolfTheCat

More accurate information and additional products available in this post's wiki.

Slickdeals Frontpaged this deal, which takes away my ability to edit the main post.

They also removed several of the products in the comparison and altered some of the pricing in ways that no longer make sense (for example, they changed a 50% my protein coupon to a 35% coupon, but didn't change the per-gram price, making the math wrong).

I have put the original post in the wiki, where I (or anyone else) can edit it.
Last edited by WolfTheCat March 14, 2024 at 05:44 PM.
3
Mar 14, 2024 10:22 PM
255 Posts
Joined Nov 2019
MoeTheCat1799Mar 14, 2024 10:22 PM
255 Posts
Be aware that animal whey isolate, is not truly whey isolate, its a mix of isolate and concentrate. For my lactose intolerant friends.
1
Mar 14, 2024 11:07 PM
78 Posts
Joined Apr 2010
markwhitneyMar 14, 2024 11:07 PM
78 Posts
Quote from DavidZ1908 :
IMO taste of protein powder >>> any other criteria as long as the cost per serving is reasonable to you.
I couldn't agree more. Taste matters most to me, especially when the quantity is larger than one pound.
1
Original Poster
Mar 14, 2024 11:37 PM
2,370 Posts
Joined Jan 2024
WolfTheCat
Original Poster
Mar 14, 2024 11:37 PM
2,370 Posts
More accurate information and additional products available in this post's wiki.
I am very skeptical of all supplement companies. For that reason, the bulk of my protein comes from food. I average maybe 20-30g/day from powders when I'm cutting, none when I'm bulking. I figure eating less of it minimizes my risk of the "bad" ingredients that have been found in supplements, like heavy metals.

But that reddit thread you refer to isn't convincing to me. I'm not saying they are honest, but the arguments given there don't make sense.

- I'm not a chemist, but I know not all protein coagulates/curdles when heated. One example - If you refrigerate turkey drippings, the collagen (a protein) thickens into a gelatin. The fat also floats to the top and can be skimmed off. If you heat the gelatin, it re-liquifies. I use that to make soup all the time - clear, liquid, high-protein, fat skimmed off, and delicious.

- I am willing to believe that isolate powders may have different mass/volume ratios based on how fine the powder is. Like table salt vs. kosher salt. Both are 100% salt, but have different mass/volume ratios. Also, some may be "isolated more" than others - I don't know if the manufacturing processes are all identical.

- The claim that it is pure dextrose is just ridiculous, it would be SO easily detectable in an unflavored powder. Customers would know, fast. Dextrose is sugar - the stuff would be super-sickly-sweet. T1 diabetics would end up in the hospital and sue. To give you an idea, Smarties candy is almost 100% dextrose (which, btw, I use as a cheap dextrose supplement)
1

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Original Poster
Mar 14, 2024 11:45 PM
2,370 Posts
Joined Jan 2024
WolfTheCat
Original Poster
Mar 14, 2024 11:45 PM
2,370 Posts
More accurate information and additional products available in this post's wiki.

Quote from MoeTheCat1799 :
Be aware that animal whey isolate, is not truly whey isolate, its a mix of isolate and concentrate. For my lactose intolerant friends.
That information was reflected in the original post, and is in the wiki.

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