Best Protein Powder for Smoothies

BEST PROTEIN POWDER FOR SMOOTHIES AND VEGANS COMPARISON

What is the best protein powder for smoothies? What is the best protein powder for vegans?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked these questions by email, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest...you name it!

Considering I’ve tried at least 100 protein powders, I can say the question is warranted. 

It comes with the Head Blender Babe title.

If there's one area in the healthy living marketplace (besides power blenders) where there are a bevy of options to choose from, it's protein powders.

Since I am a self-proclaimed protein powder snob who has spent a lot of time weeding out the high-quality powders from the crappy ones, I’ve finally compiled a list of the best protein powder for smoothies and vegans.

Although I'm not 100% plant-based, I try to limit animal protein in my diet and I believe vegan protein powder is easier for the body to digest and absorb the amazing ingredients in the best protein powders listed below.

COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

This is a comparative guide of what I call “My Fab 4 Favorite Best Protein Powder for Smoothies and Vegans”

Below is a quick reference table and after that a more detailed breakdown of each of my favorites. 

If you still have questions regarding the best protein powders please ask me in the comments! 🙂

BEST PROTEIN POWDER FOR SMOOTHIES TABLE

PHILOSOPHIE SUPERFOODS

My number #1 favorite protein powder in terms of TASTE and ingredients is Philosophie.

While Philosophie Protein + Superfood Blends are not technically protein powders in the same vein as the others in my Fab 4 (which are primarily protein focused), Philosophie’s blends should be considered due to their simple clean ingredients.

Not only are they vegan, raw, gluten-free, and have absolutely no filler ingredients; Philosophie’s blends contain nothing but the purest, most healing ingredients that have been deemed “superfoods” due to their exceptional nutrient density!

In just one tablespoon they combine high amounts of plant-based protein (10 grams) with some truly amazing superfoods that make these powders phenomenal.

What I love most is that they do not contain ANY added sugar. Not even natural sugar such as stevia- which is used in many other "no sugar added" protein powder. In fact Green Dream is completely sugar free!

The Philosophie blends can also be used as meal replacements or as a pre OR post workout snack.

And, of course, THEY TASTE GREAT!!!

Philosophie offers five amazing blends which include the three classics: the detoxifying Green Dream blend, beautifying Berry Bliss blend, and energizing Cacao Magic. They also have two special blends: Hydrating Dream (a blend of organic dehydrated coconut water, Green Dream Blend, and organic monk fruit) and Matcha Dream (a blend of high-quality, ceremonial-grade matcha, Green Dream Blend and coconut milk powder).

ANOTHER amazing feature of Philosophie blends is: since they aren’t like traditional protein powders, they can be added to absolutely any food so you can easily enrich your meals with the amazing benefits of these superfood and protein-laden blends.

This is the best protein powder for baking and I have added a scoop to muffins, waffles, pancakes and other baked goods, as well as these superfood chocolates!

Green Dream

• Key Features: Organic; Raw; Gluten-free; Nut-free; Dairy-free; No additives and fillers; Sugar-free; Stevia Free; Paleo Friendly
• Key Ingredients: Spirulina, the antioxidant-rich blue-green algae, is the star ingredient for this blend. Also contains (all organic), maca, mesquite, hemp powder, chia seeds, vanilla
• Serving: 1 tablespoon (14 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 10 grams
• Flavor(s): N/A
• Calories per Serving: 60
• Cost: 

               $31.99 – Medium (16 servings | 8 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):  

                $3.99 – Medium

Cacao Magic

• Key Features: Organic; Raw; Gluten-free; Nut-free; Dairy-free; Soy-free; No additives and fillers; Sugar-free; Stevia Free; Paleo Friendly
• Key Ingredients: All organic. Extremely high in antioxidants and magnesium, with no added sugar. Contains cacao powder, cacao nibs, reishi, mesquite, maca, chia seeds, hemp protein, vanilla.
• Serving: 1 tablespoon
• Total Protein per Serving: 10 grams
• Flavor(s): N/A
• Calories per Serving: 55
• Cost:

               $31.99 – Medium (16 servings | 8 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):

               $3.99 – Medium 

Berry Bliss

• Key Features:  Organic; Raw; Gluten-free; Nut-free; Soy-free; Dairy-free; No additives and fillers; Sugar-free; Stevia Free
• Key Ingredients: All organic and high in antioxidants, protein, vitamin A, and contains camu camu (one of the world's most abundant forms of vitamin C. Also contains acai, goji, sprouted brown rice protein, pomegranate, mangosteen and maca.
• Serving: 1 tablespoon
• Total Protein per Serving: 10 grams
• Flavor(s): N/A
• Calories per Serving: 80
• Cost:

               $21.99 – Medium (16 servings | 8 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz): 

               $3.99 – Medium

SUNWARRIOR PROTEIN

Sunwarrior offers 100% plant-based, alkaline-forming protein powders that provide a complete, balanced array of essential amino acids.

They’re also hypoallergenic, gluten free, non-GMO, and FREE of chemicals, acids and solvents.

As a plant-based superfood protein, it is ideal for our vegan and vegetarian tribe members who want to build muscle, lose fat and increase athletic performance with a wholesome, healthy resource.

Sunwarrior is also a great choice for those who aren’t following a plant-based diet though!

It is over 85% pure protein and has a great digestion efficiency rating.

And when compared to whey and soy protein powders, Sunwarrior scores pretty high in digestibility.

Its high efficiency rating is due primarily to its formulation.

Sunwarrior uses an old-world, low temperature, enzymatic process that includes the whole grain of brown rice, including the germ, endosperm, and bran.

This unique process maximizes the levels of bio-activity and creates a protein with a silky smooth texture that mixes well, a marked improvement over other plant-based protein powders that are often gritty, chalky and are yucky in taste.

I like Sunwarrior because it truly is one of the best tasting vegan protein powders that has everything your body needs, for a great price!

Plus there's several options to choose from based on your activity level and needs.

Sunwarrior offers has six powders that I like a lot: The Warrior Blend, Classic Plus, Classic Protein, Lean Protein, Active Protein and Plant-Based Collagen.

If you’re trying to decide which of the Sunwarrior powders is best for you, the key difference between them is the vegan source of protein used.

Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Protein

• Key Features:  Raw; Plant-based; USDA Organic; Soy free; No Sugar Added; Gluten-free; Dairy free; Vegan; NonGMO
• Key Ingredients: Protein source consists of yellow peas, hemp seeds and goji berries
• Serving: 1 scoop (25 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: Varies depending on flavor but ranges between 16–20 grams
• Flavor(s): Chocolate, Vanilla, Natural, Berry, Mocha
• Calories per Serving: 100
• Cost:

               $26.97 – 17 servings (14.9 oz)

               $44.97 – 30 servings (26.4 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):

               $1.81 – 17 servings

               $1.7 – 30 servings

Warrior Classic Plus Protein

• Key Features: Raw; Plant-based; USDA Organic; Soy free; No Sugar Added; Gluten-free; Dairy free; Vegan; NonGMO
• Key Ingredients: Protein source consists of pea, brown rice, quinoa, chia seed, amaranth
• Serving: 1 scoop (25 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: Varies depending on flavor but ranges between 17–20 grams.
• Flavor(s): Chocolate, Vanilla, Natural
• Calories per Serving: 100
• Cost:

               $26.97 – 15 servings (13.2 oz)

               $44.97 – 30 servings (26.4 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):  

               $2.04 – 15 servings

               $1.7 – 30 servings

Sunwarrior Classic Protein

• Key Features: Raw; Plant-based; USDA Organic; Soy free; No Sugar Added; Gluten-free; Dairy free; Vegan; NonGMO
• Key Ingredients: Protein source consists of brown rice
• Serving: 1 scoop (21 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: Varies depending on flavor but ranges between 15–17 grams
• Flavor(s): Chocolate, Vanilla, Natural
• Calories per Serving: 80
• Cost:

               $26.97 – 15 servings (13.2 oz)

               $44.97 – 30 servings (26.4 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):

               $2.04 – 15 servings

               $1.7 – 30 servings

Sunwarrior Lean Protein

• Key Features: Raw; Plant-based; USDA Organic; Soy free; No Sugar Added; Gluten-free; Dairy free; Vegan; NonGMO
• Key Ingredients: Plant-based protein source consists of yellow peas, sprouted and fermented whole grain brown rice, sprouted quinoa, flax and chia seeds, vegetable blend.
• Serving: 2 scoops (40 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 19–20 grams
• Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, Snickerdoodle, Salted Caramel
• Calories per Serving: 160
• Cost:

               $48.97 – 20 servings (25.44 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):

               $1.92 – 20 servings

Sunwarrior Active Protein

• Key Features: Raw; Plant-based; USDA Organic; Soy free; No Sugar Added; Gluten-free; Dairy free; Vegan; NonGMO
• Key Ingredients: Plant-based protein source consists of Organic Pea Protein, Organic Brown Rice Protein, Organic Pumpkin Seed Protein, Organic Tart Cherry, Organic Maca (root) Extract, Organic Turmeric (root) Extract, Black Pepper (fruit) Extract.
• Serving: 2 scoops (40 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 30 grams
• Flavors: PB Choco, Cake batter, Chocolate, Vanilla Bean
• Calories per Serving: 160
• Cost:

               $44.97 – 20 servings (31.04 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):

               $1.45 – 20 servings

Sunwarrior Plant-Based Collagen

• Key Features: Organic Plant-based Protein & Protein Peptides; Soy free; No Sugar Added; Gluten-free; Dairy free; Vegan
• Key Ingredients: Organic brown rice peptides, organic pea protein (fermented), hylauronic acid (HA), organic biotin, organic sea buckthorn, organic tremella mushroom, silica, organic spirulina, vitamin C, paleo and keto-friendly
• Serving: 1 scoop (25 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 15 grams
• Flavors: Tahitian Vanilla, Chocolate Fudge
• Calories per Serving: 100
• Cost:

               $38.97 – 20 servings (17.6 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):

               $2.21 – 20 servings

VEGA PROTEIN

Vega has proven (time and time again) to produce nutritional and pretty good tasting plant-based products.

This was the best protein powder for smoothies a decade ago when I first began testing vegan protein powders (before I discovered Philosophie).

My favorite protein powder in their product line is the Vega One Organic All-in-One Shake which was formerly known as Vega One Nutritional Shake.

The recent name change is due to a significant new development -- Vega One is now USDA organic! (YAY!!!)

Though the formulation has changed slightly, it still provides 50% of your daily vitamins and minerals, 20 g protein, 4 g fiber, 500 mg omega-3 Antioxidants and probiotics greens. 

What I love about Vega is their consistency and reliability. 

All of Vega’s protein powders are vegan and free of dairy, gluten, and soy.

They also do not contain added sugar, artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.

While the Vega One Nutritional Shake is my personal choice, Vega divides their products into the following categories: Everyday Nutrition and Sports Nutrition.

I like that they use this classification system as it makes it easier to determine which powder is best suitable for your needs.

So you don’t have to be incredibly active or an athlete to benefit from Vega’s protein powders.

Vega’s offers multi-source, alkaline-forming, plant-based protein powder blends that you can use in cooking and as shakes.

Below are some of my favorite powders...

Vega One Organic All-in-One

• Key Features:  Vegan; Gluten-free; NonGMO; Dairy and Soy free; No artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. Contains a balance of Omega-3, fiber and low-glycemic carbohydrates + 50% of daily vitamins and minerals.
• Key Ingredients: Organic pea protein, organic sunflower seed protein, and organic pumpkin seed protein  
• Serving: 1 scoop (42 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 20 grams
• Flavor(s): Chocolate, French Vanilla, Plain Unsweetened, Coconut Almond, Mocha, Berry
• Calories per Serving:  150
• Cost:

               $42.99 – Small (9-10 servings | 13.2 oz)

               $42.99 – Box of 10 single packs (10 servings | 14.7 oz)

               $75.99 – Large (17-20 servings | 24.3 oz)

               $112.99 – Extra Large (42-43 servings | 61.8 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz): 

               $3.26 – Small 

               $2.92 – Box of 10 single packs

               $3.13 – Large

               $1.83 – Extra Large

Vega Proteins & Greens

• Key Features: Vegan; Gluten-free; NonGMO; Dairy and Soy free; No artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners
• Key Ingredients: Provides a blend of pea protein, brown rice protein, hemp protein and sacha inchi protein along with veggies and greens
• Serving: 1 scoop (33 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 20 grams
• Flavor(s): Vanilla, Chocolate, Berry, Coconut Almond
• Calories per Serving: 110 – 120
• Cost:

               $34.99 – Small (16-18 servings | 18.6 oz)

               $42.99 – Medium (19-21 servings | 21.7 oz)

               $46.99 – Large (25 servings | 28.7 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz): 

               $1.88 – Small 

               $1.98 – Medium 

               $1.64 – Large

Vega Essentials

• Key Features: Vegan; Gluten-free; NonGMO; Dairy and Soy free; No artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. Contains 25% DV of 12 vitamins and minerals, 16% DV fiber, 1 g Omega-3 ALA
• Key Ingredients: Pea protein, flax seed, hemp protein
• Serving: 1 scoop (36 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 20 grams
• Flavor(s): Chocolate, Vanilla, Berry
• Calories per Serving:  130-140
• Cost:

               $46.99 – Medium (17-18 servings | 21.6 oz)

               $66.99 – Extra Large (approx. 30 servings | 38.2 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):

               $2.18 – Medium

               $1.75 – Extra Large

Vega Made Simple Protein

• Key Features: Vegan; Gluten-free; NonGMO; Dairy and Soy free; No artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.
• Key Ingredients: Complete, plant-based protein blend made from pea, hemp, alfalfa, and pumpkin seed.
• Serving: 1 scoop (37 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 15 grams
• Flavor(s): Dark Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry Banana
• Calories per Serving:  130
• Cost:

               $24.99 – Small (10 servings | 9.2 oz)

               $58.99 – Large (38-39 servings | 35.7 oz)

               $99.99 – Extra Large (70 servings | 64.1 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):

               $2.71 – Small

               $1.65 – Large

               $1.56 – Extra Large

Vega Sport Premium Protein

• Key Features: Vegan; Gluten-free; NonGMO; Dairy and Soy free; No artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners. 
• Key Ingredients: Complete multisource plant-based protein blend of pea, alfalfa, pumpkin seed and organic sunflower seed proteins.
• Serving: 1 scoop (44 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 30 grams
• Flavors:  Chocolate, Vanilla, Peanut Butter, Mocha, Berry
• Calories per Serving:  170
• Cost:

               $42.99 – Box of 12 single packs (12 servings | 18 oz) 

               $64.99 – Large (19-20 servings | 29.2 oz)

               $99.99 – X-Large (45 servings | 65.8 oz)

• Cost per Ounce (oz):

               $2.39 – Box of 12 Singles

               $2.22 – Large

               $1.52 – X-Large

Rootz Nutrition

Rootz Protein and Energizing Superfood Powders are a recent discovery. 

Although not 100% plant-based due to containing egg whites (not suitable for vegans), I decided include this in my best protein powder for smoothies review for a few reasons.

1. It's delicious! After trying literally every protein powder available it's really important to me that it tastes amazing. 
2. It contains my favorite vegan protein source, hemp seeds AND sacha inchi
3. Not all of my community is 100% plant-based so I wanted to share this option for them.

In addition to being whole and super foods-filled, Rootz Nutrition offers the best protein powder that is "paleo-approved" without containing whey. You you don't have to follow the paleo diet/lifestyle to use them.

Of the products currently in their product inventory, the Rootz Protein Plus Superfoods is the one you’ll want to get since it is actually their “protein powder”.

Rootz Paleo Protein Superfood powder only comes in one flavor – Chocolate Banana Nut – and is made up of four fantastic blends that pack in the protein and superfoods (see below).

Deemed their “post workout” powder, one scoop of the Rootz Protein Plus Superfoods contains 14 grams of protein and all-natural nutrition that will replenish your body after an intense workout.

Even if you're not going extreme on your workouts, the Rootz Protein Plus Superfoods is a great protein powder that also works well as a meal replacement option. 

Though they’re not 100% plant-based, Rootz Nutrition powders are natural, organic AND free of artificial ingredients, GMOs, coloring, gluten, dairy and soy.

Click Here for my full Rootz Nutrition Review.

Rootz Paleo Protein Plus Superfoods

• Key Features: Organic; NonGMO; Dairy free; Soy free; No Artificial Ingredients, Paleo Approved; Keto Friendly
• Key Ingredients:
  

• Serving: 1 scoop (28 grams)
• Total Protein per Serving: 14 grams
• Flavor: Chocolate Banana Nut
• Calories per Serving: 94
• Cost:  

               $54.99 – Medium (20 servings | 20 oz)

               $15.96 – Sampler

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you're looking for the best protein powder for smoothies whether you're vegan or not, my recommendation is to try a few of the ones by the top 4 brands listed here! Every one has different taste buds so you really want to find one that tastes great to YOU.

If you have any questions or comments please ask below. Happy blending!