Best vegan protein powders for Veganuary and beyond
With Veganuary 2023 upon us, and people taking part in New Year's fitness resolutions, many will be wanting to make sure they are getting enough protein in their plant-based diet.
Whether you're ditching animal products for January or full-time, the best vegan protein powders will help you increase your intake of the macronutrient.
Protein powders are simple yet effective way to boost your health and fitness. Those following a vegan diet will be pleased to hear there are plenty of plant-based powders from brands like The Protein Works and Pulsin, but finding the right one for you can be daunting if you don't know where to look.
Here, we round up the best vegan protein powders for every plant-based lifestyle, including pea and hemp formulas.
Are vegan protein powders as good as regular ones?
It all depends on what the powder contains. The best vegan protein powders are made up of different protein sources, such as pea and hemp or hemp and algae, making them wonderfully effective when consumed after training.
Woman tells of losing 29 kilos and becoming a bodybuilder in her 60sThe efficacy of vegan protein might not be as high as whey, but as long as your body is getting all the essential amino acids through a combination of plant sources, it can be just as good for building and repairing muscle tissue.
Best vegan protein powders 2023
1. Pulsin Unflavoured Pea Protein, £7 for 250g
This affordable offering packs an impressive 8.2g of protein per 10g serving.
However, as the protein doesn't have any flavour, you'll need to mix it with something that will make it more enjoyable - such as almond or coconut milk.
Made from pure pea protein isolate, the powder also contains no added sugar or sweeteners whatsoever.
Price: £7, Holland & Barrett - buy here now
2. Free Soul Vegan Protein Powder, £24.99 for 600g
This plant base protein powder has been specially formulated to target specifics in women's health - whilst providing an impressive 20g of protein per 30g serving.
The protein source is free of gluten, soy, artificial sweeteners, artificial colours, added sugar and GMO ingredients. The unique blend is made from pea protein and white hemp protein, as well as vital vitamins to improve your mood, energy levels and hormone balance.
Price: £24.99, Amazon - buy here now
3. Misfits Stay Strong Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder, £15 for 500g
Misfits Stay Strong is formed from pea protein isolate and is an affordable option for those keen to maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet.
The all natural protein source is free from dairy and anything artificial. What it's free from, it makes up for with what it's packed with - including a range of vitamins and minerals ideal for a healthy body.
Chelsea winners and losers from record transfer window as more changes to comePrice: £15, Ocado - buy here now
4. The Protein Works Vegan Protein, £8.99 for 500g
If you're looking for a big protein intake, this one from the protein works boasts an impressive 25g of protein per serving.
Unlike other vegan proteins on the market, this powder contains five different sources of the good stuff - hemp, brown rice, sunflower, soy and pea. It's also made by vegan nutritionists, making it a top contender.
The protein is available in eight flavours, including birthday cake and millionaires shortbread - yum.
Price: £8.99, The Protein Works - buy here now
5. Bio-Synergy Lean and Green Protein Powder, £27.99 for 908g
This unique protein source from Bio-Synergy is a great option if you suffer with allergies, it's free from hemp, gluten, dairy and soy - unlike a lot of options out there that utilise hemp.
The plant-based protein is made from rice protein and pea protein and is packed full of essential amino acids like lysine and leucine, as well as many more branched chain acids.
With so many useful nutrients included in the ingredient list, not only will this help you in terms of your physical health but your overall wellbeing too.
Price: £27.99, Wiggle - buy here now
6. Form Nutrition Performance Protein, £20.80 for 520g
If you've been on the hunt for a vegan protein source for a while, one you might see frequenting lists is Form Nutrition.
It's made using pea protein, brown rice protein, hemp and whole algae protein, it also packs a very impressive 30g of protein per serving.
As well as the plant-based ingredients it's packed full of vital amino acids and Curcumin C3 which supports the growth, maintenance and recovery time of your muscles. Your fitness goals are only a step away.
Price: £20.80, Planet Organic - buy here now
7. Bulk Vegan Protein Powder, £9.49 for 500g
This vegan protein powder from bulk powders uses five different sources - pea protein isolate, brown rice protein, pumpkin protein, flaxseed powder and quinoa flour. The unique blend isn't common, but is one to seriously consider especially if you suffer with allergies.
Enjoy 23g of protein power per serving and seven sumptuous flavours including banana caramel.
At £9.74 for 500g of the stuff, it's also one of the best value for money options from our list.
Price: £9.49, Bulk - buy here now
8. Reflex Nutrition Plant Based Vegan Protein, £12.05 for 600g
Reflex Nutrition's vegan protein powder is something to get excited about for many reasons, the first being the packaging it's presented in is completely compostable and the protein scoop provided is recyclable and made from recycled plastic. This is an ethical brand serious about health and the environment - for that, we'll give some extra points.
It's contains 21g of protein per serving and contains all of the essential amino acids you'll need for a healthy diet.
Not only is this supplement suitable for vegans and vegetarian's, it's also made on a halal certified site, making it nice and inclusive for everyone to enjoy.
Price: £12.05, Amazon - buy here now
9. The Protein Works Vegan Wondershake, £58.99 (30 servings)
If you're sick of the grainy, bitty and downright dreadful tastes of some of the protein powders on the market, the guys at The Protein Works felt the same and formulated this powder, claiming it as the 'world’s first vegan protein shake that tastes like a dairy shake'.
It's made from a blend of pea protein, brown rice protein, hemp protein and soy protein, and packs 21g of protein per serving. It's free from dairy, lactose and gluten too.
Each pack contains 30 servings.
Price: £58.99, The Protein Works - buy here now
10. Gorilla Juice Game, Set and Matcha, £34.99 for 750g
Some start their mornings with eggs, some start their days with Gorilla Juice. If you're adopting a vegan lifestyle, this is a protein source packed full of super foods that will provide you with everything you'll need for a healthy diet.
This UK made protein powder is made using high-quality pea and brown rice protein. If you're not a matcha fan, there are two other flavours to choose from.
There isn't as much protein peer serving in this one as seen in the other, but 18g is still a decent amount to boost your intake.
Price: £34.99, Amazon - buy here now
11. Myvegan Clear Vegan Protein Powder, £24.99 for 20 servings
This fully dissolvable and refreshing alternative is perfect for anyone trying to steer away from classic protein shakes.
Utilising innovative spray drying technology, pea protein is formulated to make a completely soluble, ready-to-mix powder. It's also got loads of real fruit and added B vitamins including too which help with your overall performance.
There's nine flavours to choose from - including pineapple and grapefruit and apple and elderflower.
Price: £24.99, Myvegan - buy here now
12. SF Nutrition Vegan Protein Powder, £27 for 500g
Whether you're vegan, or are just adopting an allergen free lifestyle this protein powder from SF Nutrition combines natural ingredients with tasty flavours, that you'll love.
The formula is made from a blend of pea and hemp protein sources, making it free from lactose, gluten and animal products. Each serving contains the optimal amount of protein to reach your fitness goals and healthily aid fat loss.
Indulge in yummy flavours that include salted caramel and Madagascan vanilla.
Price: £27, SF Nutrition - buy here now
13. Arbonne Feelfit Pea Protein Shake, £74 (30 servings)
A pricey option but one with a sustainable message and ethos.
This vegan shake mix is keto friendly and bosts less than 1g of sugar and 5g of carbs per serving. It features over 20 vitamins and minerals including 20g of vegan protein from Peas, Cranberries and Rice.
The mixture is formulated without artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners and is certified gluten free too.
Price: £74, Arbonne - buy here now
14. Food Spring Vegan Protein Powder, £29.99 for 750g
No milk? No problem.
Foodspring's Vegan Protein contains an optimal combination of peas, sunflower, hemp and chickpea protein, guaranteeing a better feel overall as you're getting it down, more intense flavour and 21g of protein per portion.
It's also low in sugar, a great source of fibre and enriched with Vitamin B12, B6, folic acid and to aid your recovery.
Price: £29.99, Food Spring - buy here now
15. Innermost The Health Protein, £29.95 for 600g
Innermost's Health Protein Powder uses a powerful combination of pea and brown rice protein, making it perfectly suitable for vegans.
Brown rice contains all nine essential amino acids, while pea protein is the closest plant-based protein to a complete amino acid profile. By combining both together and then enhancing it with antioxidant-rich berries and Japanese medicinal mushrooms, this vegan protein that has your health at its heart.
Price: £29.95, Live Innermost - buy here now
16. Bulk Vegan All In One, £42.24 for 2.5kg
The ultimate vegan post-workout shake, packing 29g of protein and 19g of carbohydrates per 60g serving, as well as creatine monohydrate, BCAAs, glutamine, HMB and digestive enzymes.
It’s also soya and gluten free, and available in a range of delicious, low-sugar flavours.
Price: £42.24, Bulk - buy here now
17. Bio-Synergy Lean and Green Peanut Vegan Protein, £29.74 for 908g
Combining quality pea protein isolate and brown rice protein, Lean and Green is a super high protein powder created specifically for vegans – and it’s completely free of soya, dairy and hemp too.
The unique blend of all-natural protein sources is packed with BCAAs and other essential amino acids, fuelling you with an impressive 22g of protein per 30g serving – perfect for all your performance goals.
It’s also exceptionally rich in arginine, lysine, leucine, and branched chain amino acids, necessary for energy and wellbeing.
Price: £29.74, Superdrug - buy here now
18. Wyldsson Vegan Protein Powder, £29.99 for 1KG
Perfect for those keen to up their protein intake, this shake boasts 20g of plant-based protein per serving, along with fruits and botanicals like Baobab, Flax, Turmeric and Cinnamon.
You'll also be getting some of those all important vitamins and minerals including a mixture of vitamins D, B6, B12 and magnesium, zinc and more.
Price: £29.99, Amazon - buy here now