10 Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders (2024) Buyer's Guide

Supplements Considered 29
Supplements
Considered
Hours of Research 111
Hours
of Research
Reviews Examined 87
Reviews
Examined
Experts Interviewed 11
Experts
Interviewed
James Cunningham, BSc, CPT
Published by James Cunningham, BSc, CPT | Staff Writer & Senior Coach
Last updated: December 27, 2023
We personally test every product featured in our reviews and guides. By ordering products anonymously and getting a group of independent testers, we are able to get first-hand experience and provide data-driven recommendations. Learn more.

During my early days as a certified fitness trainer, my deeper exploration into sports nutrition revealed the diverse methods behind protein powder production.

My go-to options were protein isolate and whey protein concentrate. Still, when I started working with a dietitian, it quickly became apparent that hydrolyzed whey protein may be the better option for many of my clients.

From my experience working with athletes, I've noticed that the market is flooded with subpar protein powders. The need for discernment is even greater regarding hydrolyzed whey protein.

So, over the past four months, our team has extensively tested some of the more popular protein powder products to help narrow your search.

The Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders

Editor's Choice
Dymatize ISO 100 Hydrolyzed Protein
Dymatize
Protein per Serving
25g
Taste
4.8
Ingredients
5.0
Price
5.0
Overall Score 4.9
4.9
Check Current Price
2nd Best Choice
Sascha Fitness Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
Sascha Fitness​
Protein per Serving
25g
Taste
4.8
Ingredients
5.0
Price
4.6
Overall Score 4.8
4.8
Check Current Price
3rd Best Choice
Syntha-6 Edge Protein Powder
​BSN​
Protein per Serving
24g
Taste
4.5
Ingredients
4.5
Price
4.5
Overall Score 4.5
4.5
Check Current Price

Our Top Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders (March 2024)

1 - Dymatize ISO 100 Hydrolyzed Protein (Best Overall, Gluten-Free and BCAA Rich)Editor's Choice

Dymatize ISO 100 Hydrolyzed Protein
Protein per Serving
25g
4.8
Taste
5.0
Ingredients
5.0
Price
Overall Score 4.9
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Low in fat and carbs to not mess up your diet
  • Provides good supply of BCAAs
  • Tubs can be ordered up to 5 pounds for good discounts
  • Available in tasty flavors for more diversity

Cons

  • May need to be blended for the smoothest texture
  • Calories : 120
  • Protein : 25g
  • Carbs : 2g
  • Fat : 0.5g

Dymatize ISO 100 was a dependable hydrolyzed whey protein supplement during my hands-on testing phase. Many of my clients consistently praised its taste and texture. It also ranks high in our list of recommended whey proteins.

The whey protein isolate content of 25 grams in each scoop is just right for most athletes to get some help with muscle recovery after some tougher training sessions [1].

While it does contain some carbs, it’s low enough not to pose issues for your diet.

2 - Sascha Fitness Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate (Best Low-Carb)

Sascha Fitness Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
Protein per Serving
25g
4.8
Taste
5.0
Ingredients
4.6
Price
Overall Score 4.8
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Practically zero carbs, sugar and fat so it shouldn’t interfere with diets
  • High dose of BCAAs that may help increase body mass
  • Uses natural flavors for a tastier shake

Cons

  • Some users report a slightly chalky texture
  • Calories : 110
  • Protein : 25g
  • Carbs : less than 1g
  • Fat : 0g

Based on my observations, this hydrolyzed whey protein shake is a prime choice for those on a keto regimen due to its impressively low carb content. It just makes it a bit easier to keep track of your macro allowances for the day.

For performance athletes, there’s also a good profile of BCAAs, amino acids that may help build up some body mass in a bulking phase [2].

It’s also good to see that all whey protein isolate ingredients are natural to give it a better flavor.

We did hear from some of our clients that they found the protein powder just a little bit chalky at times, so make sure you give it an extra bit of a shake.

3 - Syntha-6 Edge Protein Powder (Best Tasting)

Syntha-6 Edge Protein Powder
Protein per Serving
24g
4.5
Taste
4.5
Ingredients
4.5
Price
Overall Score 4.5
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • One of the higher BCAA doses available
  • Many reports that it doesn’t cause an upset stomach
  • Positive comments about the flavors and smooth texture

Cons

  • It’s not a sugar-free option
  • Calories : 150
  • Protein : 24g
  • Carbs : 6g
  • Fat : 3.5g

While speaking with professional bodybuilders, BSN's whey protein powder frequently emerged due to its high-quality ingredients and meticulous manufacturing process.

Syntha-6 Edge has proven easy on the stomach in higher doses, as confirmed by my team and clients, making it suitable for those with digestive sensitivities.

This product seems to have an excellent amino acid profile, especially regarding BCAA in whey protein.

It's also rated as one of our recommended whey protein powders when mixed with water.

The main downside is that it’s not as pure as some of the other protein powder options. The fat and carb content may not make it a suitable option for certain types of diets.

4 - BulkSupplements Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate (Best Protein-Rich)

BulkSupplements Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate
Protein per Serving
27g
4.5
Taste
4.4
Ingredients
4.4
Price
Overall Score 4.4
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • One of the strongest whey protein isolate per serving dose
  • Independently tested for purity and quality
  • Contains no fillers or additives

Cons

  • Only available in quite small pouches with no bulk tubs available
  • Calories : 122
  • Protein : 27g
  • Carbs : less than 1g
  • Fat : less than 1g

This hydrolyzed whey protein isolate is favored by several of my bodybuilder clients because of the higher protein dose in each serving.

It just makes mixing up the right amount of whey protein isolate after a training session a bit easier.

The company also claims that there are no fillers or additives that might otherwise mess up your diet.

That seems to be supported by the low fat and carb content.

My main concern with this is that the protein powder pouches are currently only available in quite small sizes. If you train every day of the week, then this whey protein product may not be the best option for you.

5 - Optimum Nutrition Hydrolyzed Whey (Best for Recovery)

Optimum Nutrition Hydrolyzed Whey
Protein per Serving
25g
4.4
Taste
4.5
Ingredients
4.3
Price
Overall Score 4.4
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • The whey protein isolate macro profile makes it a suitable option for the majority of diets
  • Provides a good dose of glutamine peptides
  • Comes in tasty and easy to mix flavors

Cons

  • Not available as an unflavored option
  • Calories : 110
  • Protein : 25g
  • Carbs : 1g
  • Fat : 0.5g

Drawing from my extensive experience with sports supplements, I noticed that Optimum Nutrition stands out not just as a leading brand but also for its low-calorie protein powder. Many clients, including me, have noticed its exceptional mixability, ensuring no gritty residue.

Personally, that’s important to me as I dislike ending up with something clumpy out of a protein powder shaker.

According to the label, this whey protein powder also contains glutamine peptides that some studies have shown may reduce fatigue and speed up recovery times [3].

The only downside we noted was that this protein supplement isn’t available as an unflavored option, which could make it easier to mix with food.

6 - Muscle Feast Hydrolyzed Whey Protein (Best Grass-Fed)

Muscle Feast Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
Protein per Serving
23.5g
4.4
Taste
4.4
Ingredients
4.4
Price
Overall Score 4.4
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • No artificial flavors, sweeteners, or additives
  • The unflavored option makes it a good choice to mix in with meals
  • Sourced from grass-fed cows to reduce the risk of hormone exposure

Cons

  • It’s not the easiest to mix in a shaker
  • Calories : 116
  • Protein : 23.5g
  • Carbs : 3g
  • Fat : 1.7g

The reason I tend to stock some of this best hydrolyzed whey protein isolate is that it comes in an unflavored option, which might make it easier to mix in with some other foods throughout the day.

The other thing that stands out with Muscle Feast whey protein isolate is that the protein is isolated from grass-fed cows.

This is known to deliver higher quality with less of a risk of taking in some harmful hormones.

The only thing to keep in mind is that you may need to give it quite a long shake in order to make the whey protein isolate powder fully dissolve.

7 - Amazing Muscle Ultra Pure Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate

Amazing Muscle Ultra Pure Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate
Protein per Serving
25g
4.3
Taste
4.2
Ingredients
4.3
Price
Overall Score 4.3
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Batches are third-party tested for quality
  • Many reports that it mixes easily in a shaker
  • Suitable for use in different meals

Cons

  • Limited flavors available which reduces diversity
  • Calories : 110
  • Protein : 25g
  • Carbs : 1g
  • Fat : 0g

Here’s another one of the whey protein powders that is popular because it’s not loaded with fat and carbs to help you keep your macros in order. It's also a soy-free protein powder.

This whey protein isolate is also available as unflavored, which I tend to mix in with my breakfast.

But even for a protein powder shake, I find that it generally mixes easily without needing a blender to get a smooth texture.

The company also claims that each protein powder batch is independently tested to ensure high-quality standards.

The only thing I would point out, though, is that there are quite limited whey protein powder flavor options available. Personally, I tend to get bored with flavors easily, so a few more options would be great.

8 - NAR LABS Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate (Best Budget-Friendly)

NAR LABS Hydrolysed Whey Protein Isolate
Protein per Serving
27g
4.2
Taste
4.1
Ingredients
4.0
Price
Overall Score 4.1
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Provides a strong dose of whey protein and practically nothing else
  • Suitable for people with lactose intolerance
  • Formulated with added BCAAs (amino acids)

Cons

  • Some of the flavors are a bit fake tasting
  • Calories : 112
  • Protein : 27g
  • Carbs : 1g
  • Fat : 0g

This is one of the latest whey protein isolate products to hit the market, and some of my clients like it because of the high amino acid content.

With 27 grams in total, it may be suitable for those doing regular high-intensity training.

With no fat and carbs only in the form of fiber, it’s one of the whey protein products that I often see recommended in keto diet groups.

With the added BCAAs, this protein powder is also likely to be a suitable option for many performance athletes.

One thing I did see quite a few comments about is that due to some artificial flavors, it might be a bit fake tasting on some of the whey protein powder flavor options.

9 - Muscle Food Labs Muscle Isolate Hydrolyzed Whey Protein

Muscle Food Labs Muscle Isolate Hydrolyzed Whey Protein
Protein per Serving
30g
4.1
Taste
4.0
Ingredients
4.2
Price
Overall Score 4.1
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • The strongest per serving dose we were able to find
  • Not mixed with any artificial ingredients
  • Many positive reviews that it’s easy on the stomach

Cons

  • It’s just missing an unflavored option
  • Calories : 124
  • Protein : 30g
  • Fat : 0g
  • Carbs : 0g

This hydrolyzed whey protein tends to be quite popular with my clients that do a lot of CrossFit and resistance training with very heavy weights.

We weren’t able to find another product offering 30 grams of protein per serving with high-quality standards.

While the whey protein flavors are tasty and easy to mix, I’m just missing an unflavored option to use with other meals as well.

10 - VitaXtrong Iso-Pro 100% Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate

VitaXtrong Iso-Pro 100% Hydrolyzed Whey Isolate
Protein per Serving
27g
4.0
Taste
4.0
Ingredients
4.1
Price
Overall Score 4.0
Check Current Price

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Claims to be very easy on the stomach allowing you to take it several times a day
  • Lactose and gluten-free makes it more widely suitable
  • Can be ordered in large bulk bags for some good savings

Cons

  • Unfortunately, it does contain artificial flavors
  • Calories : 116
  • Protein : 27g
  • Carbs : 1g
  • Fat : 0g

The final product on this best hydrolized whey protein powder list is from VitaXtrong, and I’ve seen a lot of comments that support the company’s claim that it’s easy on the stomach.

None of my clients reported issues, even when taking larger daily doses. Probably because it's a gluten and lactose-free protein powder.

If you tend to have quite large whey protein requirements, then this could be a suitable option as it’s available in large bulk order bags.

The main downside of this whey protein powder is that it partially relies on artificial flavors and might end up tasting a bit fake to some users.

How We Picked the Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders

In our comprehensive evaluation of hydrolyzed whey protein powders, my team and I focused on several key factors to ensure optimal quality and effectiveness:

  • Protein content. Dymatize ISO 100 was notable for its high protein content, offering 25 grams per serving. This concentration is beneficial for athletes and fitness enthusiasts as it aids in muscle recovery and growth. The high protein content, combined with hydrolyzation, makes it an efficient choice for post-workout nutrition, facilitating quicker absorption and utilization by the body.
  • Digestibility and side effects. For four weeks, we focused on the digestibility of these proteins. Given their pre-digested form, hydrolyzed proteins generally offer better digestibility and fewer side effects. We conducted tolerance tests and monitored any adverse effects to ensure the products were gentle on the digestive system.
  • Ingredients quality. Over a two-month period, we scrutinized the ingredient lists of each product. Our priority was to find products with natural, high-quality ingredients and minimal additives. This ensured a cleaner and more beneficial protein source. We employed lab tests and expert consultations to verify the quality of the ingredients.
  • Flavor and taste. We sampled various flavors, noting their palatability and mixability. Our team conducted blind taste tests and gathered feedback to evaluate the overall appeal of the flavors. Products that offered a range of appealing flavors without compromising on health benefits were highly rated.

Buyer’s Guide for the Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders

a man browsing his phone

There are 3 important factors that you need to consider before you make decisions on which product to buy. And it’s these factors that we heavily relied on to determine whether a product made it onto our list or not.

Amount Of Whey Protein Per Serving

The bigger your overall muscle size is and the more intense you train, the more you’ll be reliant on a large volume of whey protein per day.

For that reason, it’s important to have a good picture of how much protein you get with each scoop.

The whey protein source might be something to consider, too. Typically, there is higher protein content per serving in whey vs plant-based protein powders.

It’s also a vital factor when comparing the prices of different products. Some companies out there make a big deal out of how many servings they provide while making it less obvious that it’s quite a small scoop size. So keep that in mind.

Overall Macro Combination

My first tip is to avoid whey protein powder products with more than 5 or 6 grams of carbs. Unless it’s mainly dietary fiber, you’ll find that it’s most often some added sugar or other completely unnecessary carbs.

What this could end up doing is completely messing with your diet, especially if you’re on a very carb-restricted meal plan. In my opinion, a protein supplement should be as pure as possible, and there really is no excuse to do otherwise.

Quality Vs. Cost

One mistake many people make is they start to increase their whey protein powder intake and then decide to save by getting some of the cheaper products out there or making their own protein powder at home. In some cases, that could actually have a less than beneficial effect.

This is because muscle protein synthesis depends on high-quality amino acids that have not been damaged during the manufacturing process [4]. Don’t let price become too big a deciding factor when picking hydrolyzed whey protein powder products.

If you're really on a tight budget, whey protein concentrates will work, but isolates are the most preferred type of milk protein for building muscle
- Bodybuilding.com

FAQ

Is Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Better?

Yes, hydrolyzed whey protein is better than whey protein concentrate. The former's manufacturing process makes it easier on the stomach and possibly faster to absorb, which is especially beneficial to performance athletes who may need to take large quantities.

What Does Hydrolyzed Mean in Whey Protein?

"Hydrolyzed" in whey protein means that the whey has gone through the “enzymatic hydrolysis" process, wherein the amino acids have been broken down into smaller segments for easier digestion.

Is Hydrolyzed Protein Safe?

Yes, hydrolyzed protein is safe. In fact, it significantly reduces the chances of side effects because it's easier to digest. While your digestive system is quite effective in absorbing whey protein, it could become overwhelmed with large volumes of protein shakes.

What Happens When a Whey Protein Is Hydrolyzed?

When a whey protein is hydrolyzed, it is exposed to enzymes that gradually break down the protein molecules. Rather than using heat, which may actually break down the amino acid structure, this process aims to maintain its integrity and effectiveness.

Our Verdict on the Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powder

We had a quick vote after we completed our test and we all agreed Dymatize ISO 100 is our top hydrolyzed whey protein pick.

This whey protein offers limited fat and carbs. With 25 g of protein in each scoop, BCAA’s are included in the formula aiding in muscle recovery.

All our clients who take it also reported that they liked the flavor options available to them as there is more than one. Get your order in today, and report back to us on how it works for you.

Our #1 Recommendation

Dymatize ISO 100 Hydrolyzed Protein (Best Overall, Gluten-Free and BCAA Rich)

Dymatize ISO 100 Hydrolyzed Protein
Protein per Serving
25g
Taste
4.8
Ingredients
5.0
Price
5.0
Overall Score 4.9
4.9
Pros
  • Low in fat and carbs to not mess up your diet
  • Provides good supply of BCAAs
  • Tubs can be ordered up to 5 pounds for good discounts
  • Available in tasty flavors for more diversity
Cons
  • May need to be blended for the smoothest texture
Was this article helpful?
YesNo

About The Author

You May Also Like

A woman scooping powder
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 4 months ago
7 Best Protein Powders For Beginners (2024 Updated)
Best Cheap Whey Protein Powders
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 15 days ago
7 Best Cheap Protein Powders (2024) Budget Whey Deals
best protein powder after gastric bypass
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 3 months ago
3 Best Protein Powders After Gastric Bypass (2024 Review)
Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 3 months ago
10 Best Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Powders (2024) Buyer's Guide
Your best guide to the best protein powder
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 6 days ago
10 Best Protein Powders For Men (2024 Upd.) 3 Month Research
Best Protein Powders for Elderly & Seniors
By James Cunningham, BSc, CPT 3 days ago
7 Best Protein Powders for Seniors & Elderly (2024 Updated)

Write a Reply or Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *