The 5 Best Protein Powders in Ireland
We lose muscle mass as we age, but evidence suggests that increasing protein intake can help enhance strength and lean body mass. This is why protein shakes make a good compliment to your workout routine and diet.
Whether you’re on the lookout for weight gaining protein powders or vegan options, read on because we’ve gathered the best protein powders in Ireland.
We’ve also answered some questions you might have about protein powders at the end of this article. Before any of that, let’s take a look at costs first.
Disclaimer: Protein powders are food supplements and aren’t meant to substitute actual food. We recommend seeking medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician before using protein powders.
How much do protein powders cost?
You can refer to the table below to compare our entries’ prices. Note that this table doesn’t include delivery fees.
PROTEIN POWDER | COSTS |
BioTech USA 100% Pure Whey | €38.90 (2.27 kg) |
PE Nutrition Performance Lean Protein | €18 (900 g) |
MyProtein Weight Gainer Blend | €17.91 (1 kg) |
Bulk Vegan Protein Powder | €15.36 (500 g) or €25.11 (1 kg) |
The Protein Works Whey Protein 80 (Concentrate) | €13.64 (500 g) or €23.39 (1 kg) or €38.99 (2 kg) or €53 (4 kg) |
The Best Protein Powders in Ireland
Before we reveal our picks, check out our criteria in the selection process:
- Ingredients, which allowed us to diversify our picks according to your fitness purpose—be it weight loss or weight gain
- Value for money, to make sure that you get what you pay for
- Taste, because who would want a bland-tasting shake?
Now that it’s settled, let’s talk about our top choices of high-quality protein powders in Ireland!
1. BioTech USA 100% Pure Whey
BEST FOR | Best Gluten-Free Protein Powder |
QUANTITY | 2.27 kg |
SERVINGS PER CONTAINER | 81 |
PRICE | €38.90 |
Produced by BioTech USA, this protein powder is packed with high levels of protein and branched chain amino acids (BCCA). In case you haven’t heard of the latter, they’re actually supplements to boost muscle growth.
This product combines a unique blend of whey protein concentrate and isolate, allowing you to get the best of both worlds in terms of their nutritional value. Whey concentrate has higher lactose content than isolate though.
Hence, we won’t hesitate to tell you to skip this one if you’re lactose intolerant, especially those with severe reactions. In that case, you’re simply better off with whey protein isolate powders.
That said, this produce makes a great choice for those looking for gluten-free options. There are no added preservatives, plus they’re palm-oil and GMO free too!
We also think that this product also offers a good value for money, which can last you about 1 to 2 months depending on your usage.
We also love that it’s available in different flavours too. Some of these include chocolate, banana, hazelnut, raspberry cheesecake, and even unflavoured ones.
Pros
- Different flavours available
- Packed with BCCA
- No added preservatives
- Palm-oil free
- GMO-free
Cons
- May not be suitable for those who are lactose intolerant
- Only 1 size available
Customer Reviews
Great flavours
“Sooo Smooth- Great flavours. Very good value. Good price. Love the Biotech Brand.” —Gymjunkie
Tastes amazing
“I am currently watching my calorie intake and i know that exact amounts can be hard to measure but one thing I can keep constant is my protein shakes, and the great thing about the 100% pure whey protein shakes is they are just 110 calories per shake. That might seem normal, but during my maintenance i was using bsn syntha edge which is 200 calories per shake so a difference of 90 calories daily does add up and this still tastes amazing too!” —Edmund
2. PE Nutrition Performance Lean Protein
BEST FOR | Best Weight Loss Protein Powder |
QUANTITY | 900 g |
SERVINGS PER CONTAINER | 36 |
PRICE | €18 |
PE Nutrition’s Performance Lean Protein is a fantastic choice for those who are trying to tone up and stay lean at the same time.
After all, you have to compensate for the amount of calories your body is burning. It’s important to get enough protein in your diet, otherwise you’ll struggle with gaining muscles.
This high-quality protein powder uses a special blend of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and green tea, both of which are natural ingredients that help in weight loss.
On top of that, it also includes 4 different types of protein: namely, whey isolate, whey concentrate, soy isolate, and milk isolate. Lactose content is relatively low in these ingredients, making them a relatively safer choice for people who are lactose intolerant.
We also love that it’s high in fibre and prebiotics, perfect for your gut health. Not to mention that it’s vegetarian-friendly too!
The brand recommends 2 to 3 servings of the product daily to help tone and maintain physique. In terms of pricing, they sit on the average end.
Unfortunately, flavours are relatively limited. However, the fact that it mixes well with low fat milk or soy milk surely makes up for this minor drawback.
Pros
- Vegetarian-friendly
- High in fiber
- Includes green tea and CLA
- Includes prebiotics
- Ideal for those who are lactose intolerant
Cons
- Limited flavours
- Only 1 size available
- May not be suitable for those who are lactose intolerant
Customer Reviews
Tasty and not too sweet
“Great to add to breakfast porridge with oat milk. Like my review for the chocolate flavour this is a great protein shake. Tasty, not gritty nor too sweet. Mixes smooth and eats away the little ‘fatty areas’ that need hitting whilst feeling up after repeated workouts. (I’m a busy 50yr old Pilates Instructor)” —Linni Lanni
Smooth and creamy
“I’ve tried a number of protein powders in the past but definitely wanted something that was low calorie and had a nice flavour. I’ve tried powders in the past that didn’t really blend well with water alone, that had lumps of powder in them. This is so much better than those! Mixes really well with 200-250ml of water, and it’s smooth and creamy! Sometimes I’ll mix it with yoghurt too and it tastes lovely! Would definitely recommend it as it’s one of the easier protein powders I’ve used.” —Marge
3. MyProtein Weight Gainer Blend
BEST FOR | Best Weight Gaining Protein Powder |
QUANTITY | 1 kg |
SERVINGS PER CONTAINER | 10 |
PRICE | €17.91 |
MyProtein’s Weight Gainer Blend promises maximum possible gainz. This beast of a supplement boasts 31 g of protein, a staggering 50 g of carbs, and a whopping total of 388 calories per serving.
The blend is packed with fast and slow-digesting proteins that aid in muscle growth and maintenance. This will not only increase your protein intake, but will also help you maintain it throughout the day.
It also includes oat flour and maltodextrin, which aids recovery after exercise and provides fuel for your next workout session.
The powder is made with whey protein concentrate and milk protein concentrate. Just take note that those who are lactose intolerant may experience unpleasant side effects with this product.
To get the most out of this protein powder, you’ll have to follow its recommended serving size of 3.3 scoops per serving. When you take that into consideration, the price sits on the slightly higher end.
A word of caution: the product also contains artificial sweeteners. So unless you prefer sweet shakes, we recommend getting the unflavoured variety.
From what we’ve seen though, this product sells like hot cakes, which isn’t surprising to see why quantities and flavours are rather limited from time to time.
Pros
- Large amounts of calories per serving
- Ideal for muscle building and maintenance
- Vegetarian-friendly
- Different quantities available
Cons
- Limited availability
- Relatively expensive
- Uses artificial sweeteners
- May not be suitable for those who are lactose intolerant
Customer Reviews
Put on so much muscle and mass
“I used to be a skinny teenager, weighing around 65kg. One day I decided that i wasn’t going to look like this anymore. Today i weight 82KG and i have put on so much muscle and mass through going to the gym and using this product. I recommend this to anyone who wants to put weight on and get some gains.” —Jamie
Tastes great and mixes well
“Normally I have bought every other type of whey protein but thought I’d dive weight gainer a go as the protein content is huge. It don’t last long as you have 3 scoops at a time and I have 2 shakes a day. Tastes great, mixes well.” —Gary
4. Bulk Vegan Protein Powder
BEST FOR | Best Vegan Protein Powder |
QUANTITY | 500 g, 1 kg |
SERVINGS PER CONTAINER | 14 – 28 |
PRICE | €15.36 (500 g) or €25.11 (1 kg) |
Bulk has perfected its plant-based high protein formula in this nice little package. Bulk’s Vegan Protein Powder is made from an exclusive blend of 5 plant-based sources.
This includes pea protein, brown rice protein, pumpkin protein, flaxseed powder, and quinoa flour to provide you with a complete protein intake. It’s entirely free from soya and is gluten-free as well—ideal for those who are training on a meat-free diet.
Each serving makes up about 23 g of protein and 2.3 g of fibre. It’s also low in saturated fats and sugars, so you can concentrate on getting enough protein without compromising your diet.
As an added bonus, we love how sustainable their packaging is. It’s free from single-use plastic and is made out of biodegradable materials, meaning that you can use it for composting at home.
We also like the fact that it comes in different flavours to suit a variety of taste buds. It boasts of unique flavours like apple strudel and banana caramel, just in case you’re tired of the usuals.
There’s really not much to dislike about them… except the fact that it’s quite expensive compared to many others. We’ve heard that delivery can be a bit slow at times too, so make sure to take that into consideration prior to purchasing.
Pros
- Vegan- and vegetarian-friendly
- Low in saturated fats and sugars
- Compostable packaging
- Wide variety of flavours
- Different quantities available
Cons
- Expensive
- Reports about slow delivery
Customer Reviews
Mixes well with water
“ The nicest vegan protein I’ve ever tasted. Mixes well with water and with almond milk genuinely like a milkshake. Caramel latte and white choc coconut are amazing flavours.” —Ciaran M
Excellent taste
“Excellent taste, good formula, and uses stevia as sweetener. After trying a number of brands, I have found the protein powder that I buy regularly.” —Morgan F
Great for shakes and smoothies
“Very happy with the product. I got the strawberry and it actually tastes like it with minimal “grass”-like taste that I had experienced with other vegan proteins. Agrees much better with my stomach. Don’t recommend it in a porridge, but great for shakes and smoothies! Could use a little less sweetener but great regardless.” —Martyna S
5. The Protein Works Whey Protein 80 (Concentrate)
BEST FOR | Best Tasting Protein Powder |
QUANTITY | 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg, 4 kg |
SERVINGS PER CONTAINER | 20 – 160 |
PRICE | €13.64 (500 g) or €23.39 (1 kg) or €38.99 (2 kg) or €53 (4 kg) |
Now, you may argue that taste is subjective, and we couldn’t agree more. But the main reason why we think The Protein Works’s Whey Protein 80 takes the cake on the best tasting powder is due to its variety of unique flavours.
Apart from the usuals, the flavours include caramel macchiato, wild raspberry, butterscotch, and many more. We think that this variety will allow you to find the best one that suits your taste buds.
We also love the smooth texture it brings when you mix it with milk—almost like a milkshake, in fact. There’s virtually no after-taste too, so that’s another point for them!
Regardless of the flavour you choose, each serving contains about 20 g of protein, 1.5 g of carbohydrates, and 101 calories. It’s also low in fat, sugar, cholesterol, making it an ideal choice for those looking for an all-around protein powder.
It’s purely made with whey protein concentrate, sourced from sweet cheese. Hence, this might put those who are lactose intolerant at a disadvantage.
Pros
- Wide variety of flavours
- Different quantities available
- Low in fat, sugar, cholesterol
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- Limited availability of certain flavours/sizes
- May not be suitable for those who are lactose intolerant
Customer Reviews
Product tastes fantastic
“This is my first ever review and I`m writing it because I think that this product deserves more stars and more reviews for it`s great quality. I bought wild raspberry flavour which turned out not bad at all. I mix my protein with milk because I believe that it tastes better then and I tell you this product tastes fantastic. It’s not too sweet and the thickness is just perfect. As of lean muscle gains I can say that it will definitely help you achieve your gym goals. Highly recommended! “ —Wiktor
Mixes really easy
“The best whey protein I’ve ever bought. I’ve had myprotein and usn, as well as some other ones no one has heard of, and this one stands out to me. I got cookies and cream, it tastes great and can’t wait to buy another flavour, it mixes really easy, isn’t too thick or sweet (or boring), and best of all… the after-smell when you forget to clean the bottle isn’t too bad because of how easy it is to rinse it. The other brands aren’t bad, but for the lower price, I think it’s better quality overall.” —Daniel Garcia Green
FAQs about Protein Powders
And that wraps up our list of the best protein powders in Ireland! If you’ve tried others that also deserve a spot here, don’t hesitate to leave us a message.
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