Where to Buy Protein Powder: Amazon, Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, and More
Here's where our experts recommend stocking up for bulking up.
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Reviewed / Vital Proteins / Garden of Life / Optimum Nutrition
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Depending on your fitness goals, protein powders are a great way to up your intake of this essential nutrient—especially if you struggle to hit your daily goal from food alone. A 2023 study suggests that protein powders help with weight loss, muscle building, endurance, and muscle recovery—so where should you shop to get in on these benefits?
There are many different protein sources available, such as whey, egg, and plant-based. Whey is a quick-digesting, lactose-based supplement that takes about 20 minutes to digest, which is why many bodybuilders prefer to consume whey after a workout. Casein, another dairy-based option, takes about three hours to digest, making it a good one to take throughout the day when you're not worried about refueling immediately after a workout. For those who cannot consume dairy, there are many plant-based powders available.
We dug into the options and found these are some of the best places to buy your powder, whether in-store or online.
1. For those who consume a lot of whey: GNC
GNC sells some of the best protein powder brands on the market.
Price: Less than $25 to more than $100.
Return/exchange policy: 30 days to return or exchange products, used or unused, if you aren't satisfied.
Our top picks from GNC:
GNC is a great brand for those who consume whey protein, as it sells over 300 whey products, including Gold Standard and Ghost Whey.
Whether you prefer to mix chocolate whey in your protein shake or vanilla whey with your Cream of Rice, there are plenty of flavor options to make this fast-digesting protein taste delicious. Try the French Vanilla Creme Gold Standard Whey or the Chips Ahoy! Ghost Whey.
GNC is one of the most popular supplement companies in the world for its high-quality products that are sourced with expert-approved ingredients. It's got a large selection of other protein powder types, such as casein, plant-based, and vegan options. The brand carries a large selection of flavors and containers that have over 70 servings, which are great if you're on a high-protein diet or like to stock up on powder.
2. For those who prefer fast shipping: Amazon
Amazon is great for buying protein powders with a shipping deadline.
Price: Less than $25 to more than $200.
Return/exchange policy: 30 days to return or exchange products, used or unused, if you aren't satisfied.
Our top picks from Amazon:
My boyfriend has been ordering whey protein powder on Amazon for five years, and the brand often ships it in less than a day. Whether you prefer vegan protein brands or ones with a combination of whey and casein, Amazon is the best place to buy protein powder if you want to choose from a huge selection of brands and flavors, as well as receive your protein powder quickly and efficiently. Online, you can easily customize your search by selecting options like gluten-free powders, grams of protein per serving, brands you prefer, and more.
Popular options like the Quest Nutrition Vanilla Milkshake or the KOS Vegan Protein Powder are great for adding protein while tasting delicious.
3. For those who prefer a meal replacement: Ka'Chava
Ka'Chava isn't cheap—but reviewers love it.
Price: From $59.95
Return/exchange policy: Full refund for one bag per flavor if you aren't satisfied.
Our top pick from Ka'Chava: The All-In-One Nutrition Shake
What differentiates Ka'Chava from other brands is the quality of its product. This meal replacement includes 85+ superfoods and plant-based proteins that come from foods like quinoa, green vegetables, ginger, mushrooms, and berries. I've had the vanilla powder on autoship for over two years now—not only does it taste good and mix well with almond milk, yogurt, and more, it also gives me tons of energy for all of my indoor and outdoor activities.
Ka'Chava is pricey, but the quality of its powder is hard to find elsewhere. There are also quite a few flavors to choose from, such as vanilla, chocolate, coconut acai, chai, and matcha.
4. For those looking to maximize muscle gains: Bodybuilding.com
You can't go wrong with a site called "bodybuilding.com."
Price: Less than $25 to more than $100
Return/exchange policy: 30 days to return or exchange products, or receive an e-gift card equal to the product value, used or unused, if you aren't satisfied.
Our top picks from Bodybuilding.com:
If you're a bodybuilder looking to maximize muscle gains with protein, then Bodybuilding.com has everything you need. It offers different protein sources, such as plant protein and whey protein isolate, as well as mass weight gainers, which are meant for those looking to really gain muscle mass. For even more protein options, you can add some protein cookies and bars to your cart.
The large containers and wide selection of protein powder and mass weight gainers make Bodybuilding.com a great place to get your supplements. Plus, it tends to have protein powders on sale or at reasonable prices.
Protein powder at Bodybuliding.com
5. For those who love a healthy lifestyle in general: Vitamin Shoppe
Vitamin Shoppe sells protein powder brands like KOS and Bodytech.
Price: Less than $10 to more than $40
Return/exchange policy: Full refund with a receipt and merchandise credit without a receipt, within 30 days of purchase.
Our top picks from Vitamin Shoppe:
If you've ever walked into a Vitamin Shoppe, then you know that it's a fitness lover's paradise. From items like the Nuts N More High Protein + Flax Spread (I highly recommend the cookie dough flavored one) to several protein powder options to accommodate every type of diet, it's definitely a place you can't go wrong with when it comes to buying protein supplements.
Personally, I like to pick up the vanilla KOS Organic Plant Protein at my local store, but it's just one of many plant-based protein products that Vitamin Shoppe sells. Vitamin Shoppe is a great place to find a large variety of high-quality supplements, such as protein powders, beauty products, aromatherapy, and more. It carries several top protein brands, such as Quest and BodyTech, and has many protein powders with wallet-friendly prices.
Protein powder at Vitamin Shoppe
6. For those who want to get their protein quickly: Walmart
Walmart has everything—including protein powder.
Price: Less than $15 to more than $120
Return/exchange policy: 90 days to return or exchange products, used or unused, if you aren't satisfied.
Our top picks from Walmart:
Walmart is a great place to find exactly which protein powder you want. Online, you can find each protein source organized in different categories and browse everything from whey and organic to all protein supplements.
It carries top-selling protein powder brands, such as Orgain and Naked Nutrition, and makes it easy to search by price, brand, and availability.
7. For those who like a variety of brands and flavors: Target
Stock up on protein powder next time you run to Target.
Price: Less than $15 to more than $150
Return/exchange policy: 90 days to return or exchange most items, extra 30 days applied if you paid with a RedCard.
Our top picks from Target:
One of the best parts about shopping at Target is you can find just about anything you could ever want and need. When it comes to protein powders, there are a variety of brands, protein sources, and flavors available to choose from. Try Quest Nutrition Cookies & Cream, Orgain Vegan Chocolate Protein, Muscle Milk Genuine Chocolate, and more.
Target is a great place to find a variety of protein options for a decent price. Most containers are average in size, but are a good choice if it's your first time trying a certain protein powder brand or flavor.
8. For those who want something simple: Walgreens
Walgreens carries a whole lotta protein powders, including its own proprietary line.
Price: Less than $20 to more than $29
Return/exchange policy: 30 days to return or exchange most items with a receipt or order number.
Our top picks from Walgreens:
There's an entire vitamin and supplement section in Walgreens stores with all protein essentials, including bars and powders. If you're just looking to grab something quick and aren't too picky about brand or flavor, there are plenty of basic options available that still taste great. There is even a standard Walgreens Vanilla Whey Protein Powder you can get that has creatine and amino acids in the formula.
From its super affordable prices to easy-to-grab items, Walgreens is a good place to pick up some protein powder next time you're in need. It may not have a huge selection, but it still carries all the essentials, such as whey protein powders, vegan protein powders, and mass gainers.
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