Cleanest Protein Powder With Simple Ingredients (2026)
Naked Whey is our pick for the cleanest protein powder: 1 ingredient, no sweetener, $1.84 per 25 g of protein, on Informed Choice. Of the 31 protein powders we price, 4 have 2 ingredients or fewer with no sweetener and no gums.
By Erin Rose Updated November 2026 How we score
Our pick for: Most people
- Ingredients
- 1whey protein concentrate
- Sweetened with
- NothingNo sweetener, gum, flavor or color
- Per 25 g of protein
- $1.84$139.99 for 5 lb, 76 servings
- Testing list
- Informed ChoiceTested for banned substances
- Lead result
- No public resultWe found no public lead test
- Flavor
- UnflavoredIt mixes into food
Why we pick it Its label is the shortest of the 31 powders we price, tied with Naked Pea, and the shortest of the whey powders: whey protein concentrate and nothing else. One serving gives 25 g of protein. Informed Choice tests store-bought samples of it for drugs banned in sport.
What you give up We found no public lead test for it, so we cannot say how much lead it holds. It has no flavor, so it is best in a smoothie, oatmeal or coffee. Want flavor? See the goal rows and the table below.
Which clean protein powder is right for you?
Naked Whey suits most people. If you want plant protein, flavor or the lowest lead number, buy the powder below. The cost is for 25 g of protein, so tubs of different sizes compare fairly.
Plain plant protein, no dairy: Naked Pea
The whole label is yellow pea protein: 1 ingredient, no flavor, sweetener or gum. It is on Informed Choice. It costs 62% less per 25 g than Naked Whey. No lead result is published for it. Consumer Reports found plant powders carry about 9 times the lead of dairy ones on average, so that gap matters more here than for whey.
Naked Pea
$0.71 per 25 g · 27 g of protein a serving
Testing: Informed Choice (list)
Lowest lead number we found: Momentous Whey Isolate
Momentous’s own test of one batch (lot 0241H6A, Light Labs, September 1, 2026) found under 0.050 mcg of lead per 23.7 g scoop. Consumer Reports measured 0.15 mcg a serving in its own samples, 30% of the 0.5 mcg a day limit it uses. That is the lowest lead number we found for the 5 powders here that have one. One batch or one test does not promise the same for your tub. The label has 2 ingredients. It is on NSF Certified for Sport. It costs 90% more per 25 g than Naked Whey.
Momentous Whey Isolate
$3.50 per 25 g · 20 g of protein a serving
Testing: NSF Certified for Sport (listing 1518123)
Flavored, with plant sweeteners and no gums: Transparent Labs Whey Isolate
Of the 6 flavored powders sweetened only with stevia or monk fruit and no gums, 4 are on a testing list. Of those, it ties for the shortest label and costs the least: 5 ingredients in the French Vanilla flavor. Sweetener: Stevia Extract. It is on NSF Certified for Sport and Informed Choice. Transparent Labs’s own test of one batch (lot 26080570, Advanced Laboratories, August 27, 2026) found 0.17 mcg of lead per 34.3 g scoop. It costs 5% more per 25 g than Naked Whey.
Transparent Labs Whey Isolate
$1.93 per 25 g · 28 g of protein a serving
Testing: NSF Certified for Sport (listing 1809884), Informed Choice (list)
Shortest label among whey isolates: BulkSupplements Whey Protein Isolate
The label reads: whey protein isolate, sunflower lecithin. That is 2 ingredients, tied with Momentous Whey Isolate, the shortest of the 17 whey isolates we price. No sweetener, no gum. It is on NSF Certified for Sport. It costs 6% less per 25 g than Naked Whey. Against Naked Whey, it adds lecithin, which helps it mix. For which unflavored tub to buy, see the best unflavored whey.
BulkSupplements Whey Protein Isolate
$1.73 per 25 g · 25 g of protein a serving
Testing: NSF Certified for Sport (list)
What does clean mean on a protein powder label?
It has no legal meaning, so we count what you can read on the tub. Four things, in the order we weigh them.
How many ingredients
Fewer is simpler. Naked Whey lists 1 ingredient. 4 of the 31 powders list 2 or fewer with no sweetener and no gums. The longest label we read has 30 items.
Which sweetener
5 powders list none. 13 use sucralose or acesulfame potassium. 3 add sugar or xylitol. Others use stevia or monk fruit.
Any gums
15 of the 31 list a gum or thickener such as xanthan gum, guar gum or carrageenan.
Testing and lead
A testing list means someone outside the brand checked the tub, but those lists look for banned drugs or label accuracy. They do not set a lead limit, except NSF/ANSI 173. 24 of the 31 are on a list for the tub we link. See which protein powders are third-party tested. Some brands post a lab report for each batch, called a certificate of analysis. Where one exists for the flavor we link, the table shows its lead number. Between those and Consumer Reports, we found a lead number for 5 of the 31. A missing number is not a bad one. It means nobody has published it. Cost and goals for the whole shelf are in the best protein powder.
All 31 protein powders: ingredients, sweetener, testing and cost
Our pick is first. Next come powders with no artificial sweetener and no gums, then the rest. Each group runs from the shortest label to the longest, and the cheapest per 25 g first at the same length. Each label links to the page we read it from. A powder with no listing is not a failed one: we found no listing for the tub we link.
| Powder | Ingredients on the label | Sweetener and gums | Testing list | Lead note | Cost per 25 g of protein | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Naked WheyOur pickUnflavored, 5 lb, 76 servings | 1 Whey Protein Concentrate Label, read November 5, 2026 | No sweetenerNo gums | Informed Choice (list) | No lead result published | $1.84 | See on Amazon |
| Naked PeaUnflavored, 5 lb, 76 servings | 1 Yellow Pea Protein Label, read November 5, 2026 | No sweetenerNo gums | Informed Choice (list) | No lead result published | $0.71 | See on Amazon |
| BulkSupplements Whey Protein IsolateUnflavored, 33 servings | 2 Whey Protein Isolate, Sunflower Lecithin Label, read November 5, 2026 | No sweetenerNo gums | NSF Certified for Sport (list) | No lead result published | $1.73 | See on Amazon |
| Momentous Whey IsolateUnflavored, 25 servings | 2 Grass Fed Whey Protein Isolate 23.4 g; ProHydrolase a proprietary blend of proteases from Bacillus sp. and Ananas comosus 200 mg ; Other Ingredients: None Label, read November 5, 2026 | No sweetenerNo gums | NSF Certified for Sport (listing 1518123) | Brand batch test: under 0.050 mcg a scoop (lot 0241H6A, September 1, 2026) Consumer Reports 2025: 0.15 mcg a serving, 30% of its limit | $3.50 | See on Amazon |
 Naked Whey IsolateVanilla, 24 servings | 4 Whey Protein Isolate, Natural Vanilla Extract, Sunflower Lecithin, and Fermented Reb-M Label, read November 5, 2026 | Stevia (Fermented Reb-M)No gums | No testing listing found | No lead result published | $2.60 | See on Amazon |
| Transparent Labs Whey IsolateFrench Vanilla, 30 servings | 5 Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate (33g), Natural Flavors (840mg), Stevia Extract (200mg), Salt (149mg), Sunflower Lecithin (99mg). Label, read November 5, 2026 | Stevia ExtractNo gums | NSF Certified for Sport (listing 1809884), Informed Choice (list) | Brand batch test: 0.17 mcg a scoop (lot 26080570, August 27, 2026) | $1.93 | See on Amazon |
 Bare Performance Nutrition Whey IsolateVanilla, 25 servings | 5 Whey Protein Isolate, Medium Chain Triglyceride Powder (as goMCT®), Natural Flavor, Salt, Steviol Glycosides (Rebaudioside M). Label, read November 5, 2026 | Stevia (Rebaudioside M)No gums | NSF Certified for Sport (listing 1778885) | No lead result published | $2.60 | See on Amazon |
 Ascent 100% Whey (2 lb)Vanilla Bean, 2 lb, 29 servings | 6 Whey Protein Isolate Blend (Native Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate), Whey Protein Concentrate, Natural Flavors , Lecithin, Stevia Leaf Extract, Sea Salt. Label, read November 5, 2026 | Stevia Leaf ExtractNo gums | Informed Sport (list) | No lead result published | $2.07 | See on Amazon |
 Truvani Organic Plant-Based Protein, ChocolateChocolate, 18 servings | 6 Organic Pea Protein, Organic Alkalized Cocoa, Organic Vanilla Powder, Organic Pumpkin Seed, Organic Monk Fruit Extract , Organic Chia Seed Protein. Label, read November 5, 2026 | Organic Monk Fruit ExtractNo gums | No testing listing found | No lead result published | $2.78 | See on Amazon |
 Klean IsolateNatural Vanilla, 20 servings | 6 Whey Protein isolate (Milk), Natural Flavors, Salt, Sunflower Lecithin, Stevia leaf extract (Rebaudioside), Monk Fruit extract Label, read November 5, 2026 | Stevia leaf extract (Rebaudioside), Monk Fruit extractNo gums | NSF Certified for Sport (list), NSF/ANSI 173 (list) | No lead result published | $4.03 | See on Amazon |
 Nutricost Whey Protein IsolateVanilla, 2 lb, 25 servings | 4 Whey protein isolate (whey protein, sunflower lecithin (instantized)), natural flavors, salt (sodium chloride), sucralose Label, read November 5, 2026 | SucraloseNo gums | No testing listing found | No lead result published | $1.77 | See on Amazon |
 NOW Sports Whey IsolateCreamy Vanilla, 1.8 lb, 26 servings | 6 WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, XYLITOL, NATURAL VANILLA FLAVORS, XANTHAN GUM, ORGANIC STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT , SUNFLOWER LECITHIN. CONTAINS MILK. Label, read November 5, 2026 | Xylitol, Organic Stevia Leaf ExtractGums: Xanthan Gum | Informed Sport (list) | No lead result published | $2.19 | See on Amazon |
 Optimum Nutrition Gold StandardDouble Rich Chocolate, 5 lb, 74 servings | 7 Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Hydrolyzed Whey Protein), Cocoa Powder (Processed with Alkali) , Sunflower and/or Soy Lecithin, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Acesulfame Potassium Label, read November 5, 2026 | Acesulfame PotassiumNo gums | Informed Choice (list) | Consumer Reports 2025: 0.28 mcg a serving, 56% of its limit | $1.49 | See on Amazon |
 Vega Performance ProteinVanilla, 1.83 lb, 20 servings | 7 Montmorency Tart Cherry (CherryPURE) 480 mg; Probiotics (Bacillus subtilis DE111) 2 Billion CFU. OTHER INGREDIENTS: PLANT PROTEIN BLEND (PEA PROTEIN, PUMPKIN SEED PROTEIN, ORGANIC SUNFLOWER SEED PROTEIN), NATURAL FLAVORS, STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT, SEA SALT, XANTHAN GUM. Label, read November 5, 2026 | Stevia Leaf ExtractGums: Xanthan Gum | NSF Certified for Sport (listing 1708470), Informed Choice (list), NSF/ANSI 173 (list) | No lead result published | $1.87 | See on Amazon |
 Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard IsolateChocolate Bliss, 3 lb, 44 servings | 7 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Lecithin , Salt, Sucralose Label, read November 5, 2026 | SucraloseNo gums | Informed Choice (list) | No lead result published | $2.05 | See on Amazon |
 Dymatize ISO100Gourmet Vanilla, 1.3 lb, 20 servings | 7 HYDROLYZED WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE. LESS THAN 2% OF: NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SALT, SOY LECITHIN , SUCRALOSE, STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES (STEVIA) Label, read November 5, 2026 | Sucralose, Steviol Glycosides (Stevia)No gums | Informed Choice (list) | No lead result published | $2.12 | See on Amazon |
 Legion Whey+French Vanilla, 30 servings | 7 Whey Protein Isolate, Natural Flavor, Xanthan Gum, Sunflower Lecithin, Salt, Steviol Glycosides (as Stevia Leaf Extract , Tapioca Starch), Stevia Leaf Extract (Rebaudioside A). Label, read November 5, 2026 | Steviol Glycosides (as Stevia Leaf Extract, Tapioca Starch), Stevia Leaf Extract (Rebaudioside A)Gums: xanthan gum | NSF/ANSI 173 (list) | No lead result published | $2.25 | See on Amazon |
 Thorne Whey Protein IsolateVanilla, 30 servings | 7 Whey Protein Isolate 25 g; Bromelain and Papain Blend 30 mg; Other Ingredients: Carboxymethylcellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum , Vanilla Flavor, Evaporated Cane Juice Sugar, Rebaudioside A (from stevia). (Panel also lists Calcium 94 mg and Sodium 75 mg as nutrient amounts.) Label, read November 5, 2026 | Evaporated Cane Juice Sugar, Rebaudioside A (from stevia)Gums: Carboxymethylcellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum | NSF Certified for Sport (listing 1513728), NSF/ANSI 173 (list) | No lead result published | $2.58 | See on Amazon |
 GHOST Whey ProteinMilk Chocolate, 2 lb, 26 servings | 8 Whey Protein (Whey Protein Isolate 90% (Sunflower Lecithinated), Whey Protein Concentrate 80% (Sunflower Lecithinated) , Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Cocoa Powder (Processed with Alkali), Salt, Digestive Enzymes (Proteases, Bromelain, Lactase), Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sucralose. Label, read November 5, 2026 | SucraloseGums: cellulose gum, xanthan gum | No testing listing found | No lead result published | $2.12 | See on Amazon |
 Garden of Life Sport WheyVanilla, 20 servings | 8 Truly Grass Fed Protein Blend (Whey Protein Isolate 85%, Milk Protein 15%), Organic Tapioca Fiber (IMO) , Vanilla Flavor with Other Natural Flavors, Organic Gum Acacia, Sunflower Lecithin, Organic Stevia Extract (leaf), Sea Salt, Bifidobacterium lactis BL818 2 Billion CFU.** Label, read November 5, 2026 | Organic Stevia Extract (leaf)Gums: Organic Gum Acacia, Organic Tapioca Fiber (IMO) | NSF Certified for Sport (list), Informed Choice (list) | No lead result published | $2.19 | See on Amazon |
 Cellucor C4 WheyVanilla Bean, 28 servings | 9 Whey Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Natural Flavors, Sunflower Lecithin, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Sucralose , Acesulfame Potassium, Vanilla Label, read November 5, 2026 | Sucralose, Acesulfame PotassiumGums: Xanthan Gum | No testing listing found | No lead result published | $1.66 | See on Amazon |
 Myprotein Impact Whey IsolateVanilla Ice Cream, 65 servings | 9 Whey Protein Isolate, (Whey Protein, Sunflower Lecithin), Natural & Artificial Flavor, Cellulose Gum, Salt, Sucralose , Acesulfame Potassium, Stevia Leaf Extract, Caramel Color, Sugar Label, read November 5, 2026 | Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Stevia Leaf Extract, SugarGums: Cellulose Gum | Informed Choice (list) | No lead result published | $1.69 | See on Amazon |
 Orgain Organic Protein Plant-BasedVanilla Bean, 2.03 lb, 20 servings | 9 ORGAIN ORGANIC PROTEIN BLEND (ORGANIC PEA PROTEIN, ORGANIC BROWN RICE PROTEIN, ORGANIC MUNG BEAN PROTEIN, ORGANIC CHIA SEED) , ORGANIC NATURAL FLAVORS, ORGAIN CREAMER BASE (ORGANIC ACACIA, ORGANIC HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL, ORGANIC RICE DEXTRIN, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, ORGANIC ROSEMARY EXTRACT), ORGANIC AGAVE INULIN FIBER, ORGANIC REB A (STEVIA EXTRACT), SEA SALT, ORGANIC ACACIA, ORGANIC GUAR GUM, XANTHAN GUM. Label, read November 5, 2026 | Organic Reb A (Stevia Extract)Gums: Organic Acacia, Organic Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum | No testing listing found | Consumer Reports 2025: 0.715 mcg a serving, 143% of its limit | $1.76 | See on Amazon |
 Kaged Whey IsolateChocolate, 3 lb, 41 servings | 9 Whey Protein Isolate, Natural Flavor, Cocoa Powder, Sea Salt, Gum Blend (Guar Gum, Acacia, Xanthan Gum), Sunflower Lecithin , ProHydrolase® (Protease Blend), Sucralose, Stevia (Leaf) Extract Label, read November 5, 2026 | Sucralose, Stevia (Leaf) ExtractGums: guar gum, acacia, xanthan gum | Informed Sport (list) | No lead result published | $2.07 | See on Amazon |
 Dymatize Elite WheyCookies & Cream, 2 lb, 25 servings | 11 WHEY PROTEIN BLEND (WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, HYDROLYZED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE) , NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS. LESS THAN 2% OF: COCOA POWDER (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), SOY LECITHIN, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SALT, SUCRALOSE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, GUM BLEND (CELLULOSE GUM, XANTHAN GUM, CARRAGEENAN), POLYDEXTROSE, STEVIOL GLYCOSIDES (STEVIA) Label, read November 5, 2026 | Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, Steviol Glycosides (Stevia)Gums: Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan | Informed Choice (list) | No lead result published | $2.72 | See on Amazon |
 MusclePharm CombatChocolate Milk, 4.2 lb, 52 servings | 15 Microfiltered Protein Blend (Whey Protein Concentrate, Milk Protein Concentrate, Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Hydrolysate , Egg Albumin), Dutch Process Cocoa, Natural & Artificial Flavor, Inulin, Purified Sea Salt, Soy Lecithin, Sucralose, Acesulfame Potassium, L-Glutamine, Potassium Citrate, L-Leucine, Protease, L-Isoleucine, L-Valine, Lactase Label, read November 5, 2026 | Sucralose, Acesulfame PotassiumNo gums | Informed Sport (list) | No lead result published | $1.35 | See on Amazon |
 Garden of Life Sport Plant ProteinVanilla, 19 servings | 15 Organic performance protein blend: Organic pea protein, organic sprouted navy bean, organic sprouted lentil bean , organic sprouted garbanzo bean, organic cranberry protein (seed). Organic vanilla blend: Organic natural flavors, organic stevia extract (leaf), sea salt, organic guar gum. Organic recovery blend: Organic apple (fruit pulp), organic tart cherry (fruit), organic turmeric (root), organic blueberry (fruit), organic lycium barbarum L. (goji berry fruit). 2 Billion CFU Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04. (at the time of expiration) Label (store copy), read November 5, 2026 | organic stevia extract (leaf)Gums: organic guar gum | Informed Choice (list) | Consumer Reports 2025: 2.8 mcg a serving, 564% of its limit | $1.82 | See on Amazon |
 Muscle Milk GenuineChocolate, 1.93 lb, 13 servings | 21 Whey protein concentrate (milk), calcium sodium caseinate (milk), milk protein isolate, soluble vegetable fiber , non dairy creamer (sunflower oil, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate [a milk derivative], mono - and diglycerides. tocopherols), alkalized cocoa powder, maltodextrin, canola oil, medium chain triglycerides, organic oat fiber, natural and artificial flavors, calcium phosphate, less than 1% of: potassium chloride, magnesium oxide, acesulfame potassium, ascorbic acid, sucralose, enzyme-modified cocoa butter, lactoferrin (milk), cholecalciferol, vitamin a palmitate. Label (food database copy), read November 5, 2026 | acesulfame potassium, sucraloseNo gums | NSF Certified for Sport (list) | No lead result published | $1.39 | See on Amazon |
 Isopure Zero Carb Whey IsolateCreamy Vanilla, 3 lb, 44 servings | 26 Whey Protein Isolate, Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Calcium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide , d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Calcium D-Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Chromium Chloride, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin), Soy Lecithin, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Salt, Sucralose, Xanthan Gum Label, read November 5, 2026 | SucraloseGums: Xanthan Gum | No testing listing found | No lead result published | $2.04 | See on Amazon |
 Isopure Low CarbDutch Chocolate, 4.5 lb, 62 servings | 28 Whey Protein Isolate, Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid , Niacinamide, d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Zinc Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Calcium D-Pantothenate, Vitamin A Acetate, Potassium Iodide, Manganese Sulfate, Chromium Chloride, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Selenite, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Cyanocobalamin), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Soy Lecithin, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sucralose Label, read November 5, 2026 | SucraloseGums: Xanthan Gum | Informed Choice (list) | No lead result published | $2.07 | See on Amazon |
 Garden of Life Raw Organic ProteinUnflavored, 20 servings | 30 Raw organic protein blend: organic pea protein, organic sprouted brown rice protein, organic amaranth sprout , organic buckwheat sprout, organic millet sprout, organic cracked wall chlorella, organic quinoa sprout, organic chia seed sprout, organic garbanzo bean sprout, organic lentil sprout, organic adzuki bean sprout, organic flax seed sprout, organic sunflower seed sprout, organic pumpkin seed sprout, organic sesame seed sprout, raw prebiotic, probiotic & enzyme blend: organic guar gum, lipase, protease, aspergillopepsin, beta-glucanase, cellulase, bromelain, phytase, lactase, papain, peptidase, pectinase, hemicellulase, xylanase, bacillus subtilis DE111 (250 million CFU at time of expiration). Label (store copy), read November 5, 2026 | No sweetenerGums: organic guar gum | Informed Choice (list) | No lead result published | $1.85 | See on Amazon |
For more powders and tubs, see protein powder prices.
Questions people ask
What is the cleanest protein powder?
Naked Whey and Naked Pea have the shortest labels of the 31 powders we price: one ingredient each. Naked Whey is the only whey with one ingredient, whey protein concentrate. 4 powders have 2 ingredients or fewer with no sweetener and no gums: Naked Whey, Naked Pea, BulkSupplements Whey Protein Isolate, and Momentous Whey Isolate. “Clean” has no legal meaning. We use it to mean a short label, no artificial sweetener and no gums, and we show testing and lead separately.
Does Naked Whey have any sweetener, gum or flavor?
No. The label we read on November 5, 2026 lists whey protein concentrate and the milk allergen line, nothing else. It is unflavored. No lead result is published for it, so we do not call it low in lead.
Which protein powders use sucralose or acesulfame potassium?
13 of the 31 powders we price list one or both on the label for the flavor we link. Both are no-calorie sweeteners approved for food. Some buyers want to skip them, so the table shows each powder’s sweetener. 5 list no sweetener at all, and 3 add sugar or xylitol.
Is there a clean plant-based protein powder?
Naked Pea has one ingredient, yellow pea protein, with no flavor, sweetener or gum. No lead result is published for it. Plant powders averaged about 9 times the lead of dairy ones in Consumer Reports’ 2025 test of 23 products, so read the lead column before you buy.
Which protein powder is lowest in lead?
Momentous Whey Isolate has the lowest lead number we found. Momentous’s own test of one batch (lot 0241H6A, Light Labs, September 1, 2026) found under 0.050 mcg of lead per 23.7 g scoop. Consumer Reports measured 0.15 mcg a serving in its samples, 30% of the 0.5 mcg a day limit it uses. We found a lead number for 5 of the 31 powders. For the other 26, none is published. That says nothing good or bad about them.
Does organic or grass-fed mean a powder is cleaner?
Not by itself. Organic describes how crops were grown and grass-fed describes what the cows ate, not what is in the tub. Clean Label Project found 79% of organic powders over California’s Prop 65 lead level, against 28% of whey powders (160 products tested, 2024-25).
How we picked
We priced 31 protein powders on Amazon on November 6, 2026, one tub per product, and left out ready-to-drink shakes. For each tub we read the ingredient list for the exact flavor and size we link: 28 of 31 from the maker’s label, the NIH label database or the NSF label panel, and the other 3 from a store listing or a crowd-entered food database (those two are less certain). We counted every named item once. A protein, gum or flavor blend with its parts in parentheses counts once. Vitamin, mineral and plant lists printed part by part, such as Garden of Life’s sprouts and Isopure’s vitamins, count each part, so those labels run long. Labels change, so check the tub you receive.
Sources
- Maker labels and supplement facts panels for the flavor and tub we link, linked in the table, read November 5, 2026. NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database records where noted. dsld.od.nih.gov
- Consumer Reports, 'Protein Powders and Shakes Contain High Levels of Lead', Consumer Reports, October 14, 2025. consumerreports.org
- Clean Label Project, 2024-25 Protein Powder Category Report, January 9, 2025. cleanlabelproject.org
- Testing lists read: Informed Choice September 22, 2026, Informed Sport September 22, 2026, NSF Certified for Sport September 22, 2026, NSF/ANSI 173 August 25, 2026. Naked Whey and Naked Pea (Informed Choice) and Momentous (NSF) re-checked November 5, 2026. Informed Choice, Informed Sport, NSF Certified for Sport and NSF/ANSI 173 (nsf.org).