Pea protein is becoming more popular as a new generation of vegan food products aim to move beyond everything being soy-based. Pea protein is available both as a protein isolate, and used as an ingredient in meat substitutes like vegan protein patties.
Multiple studies find pea protein to be as good as whey protein for building and maintaining muscle. In fact, your body absorbs pea protein more slowly than whey, suppressing your appetite for longer, which may be a good thing if you’re liable to snacking. Many pea protein health benefits come from its pea hydrolysates which have antihypertensive and antioxidant activity, and support healthy gut bacteria.
This article will recommend the best pea protein products through the following pea protein reviews. Some pea protein powders have an unpleasant taste, so if you’re looking for the best tasting pea protein powder, this is the right place to start.
The Best Pea Protein Powders, Reviewed
Best Pea Protein Powder
Naked Pea Protein Powder
If you’re looking for a pure pea protein powder, Naked Pea Protein has you covered. Naked Pea Protein powder consists of just one ingredient: yellow pea protein. Their yellow peas are non-GMO, grown only in the US and Canada, and processed with water-based methods instead of chemical extraction.
As Naked Pea Protein lacks added flavors, it’s not the best tasting pea protein powder so reviewers recommend sweetening Naked Pea Protein with cacao powder and honey.
Best Pea Protein Powder For Athletes
NOW Sports Pea Protein
NOW pea protein powder is perfect for athletes and those hitting it hard in the gym as it provides the largest amount of protein per serving at 24g. NOW pea protein contains unflavored yellow pea protein isolate, which is quality-assured at every manufacturing stage through third party lab-testing.
At 7 pounds, NOW Sports pea protein is the best value for money. Because NOW pea protein powder is unflavored, users recommend adding nut butters and bananas to make a tastier smoothie. It works particularly well with our maca protein smoothie recipe.
Best Pea Protein Powder Blend
Growing Naturals Yellow Pea Protein
Growing Naturals pea protein not only contains yellow pea protein, but also contains organic brown rice as well as organic coconut palm sugar, stevia and vanilla. Brown rice protein has a different amino acid profile to pea protein, providing Growing Naturals pea protein with a more complete and balanced blend of amino acids for muscle growth.
Growing Naturals pea protein is also one of the better tasting pea protein powders. Users describe the vanilla flavor as not overly sweet and perfect for making a tasty vanilla protein shake.
Best Fermented Pea Protein
Nutrasumma Fermented Pea Protein
Nutrasumma fermented pea protein is made with fermented green pea protein rather than non-fermented yellow pea protein. Fermentation can be a positive or negative as far as nutrition goes, but generally fermentation seems to improve flavor. Unlike other unflavored products, reviewers don’t mind the taste and love adding Nutrasumma pea protein to shakes.
Anecdotally, some pea protein powders may cause GI issues, like gas and bloating, though this is not common. However, reviewers that do suffer from this find that their gut handles this fermented protein powder better. Each scoop provides 20g protein which adds a creamy consistency to smoothies. The eco-friendly container is a welcome feature too.
Best Tasting Pea Protein Powder
KOS Organic Plant Based Protein Powder
KOS organic pea protein has a complex protein blend to produce a complete protein powder, including pea protein, flax seeds, chia seeds, quinoa and pumpkin seeds – all of which are USDA-certified organic. Each serving provides 20g of protein. KOS protein also contains a digestive enzyme combo for easier digestion.
Despite having a longer ingredient list than other pea protein products, the ingredients dedicated for flavor provide a natural great-tasting product, especially the chocolate peanut flavor which reviewers claim is the best tasting pea protein powder on the market. What’s better is that every time you buy KOS protein, you also purchase a meal for someone in need in the US.
Best Vanilla Pea Protein Powder
Truvani Plant Based Protein Powder – Vanilla
Truvani pea protein powder contains USDA-certified organic pea protein. Truvani also adds a bit of pumpkin and chia seed to make this pea protein complete regarding its amino acid profile. Each serving provides 20g of protein that, when mixed in a shake, provides a smooth consistency.
Truvani pea protein contains natural flavorings, monk fruit extract and organic vanilla powder, which reviewers love, especially as vanilla pea protein powder from other companies often has a sickly sweet taste. Truvani pea protein doesn’t contain stevia, which consumers often have an issue with.
Best Chocolate Pea Protein Powder
Chocolate Naked Pea Protein
The chocolate-flavored Naked Pea Protein powder is the best pea protein powder for chocolate lovers, containing only three ingredients: yellow pea protein, plus raw cacao and organic coconut sugar for taste. The fact that Naked Nutrition uses unprocessed ingredients shows its determination to avoid low-quality sugars and artificial flavors. Naked chocolate pea protein powder tastes great though some reviewers love to add more cacao to personalise the chocolatey taste further.
Editor’s note: we are regularly updating this review. If you see any problems, weird interpretations of the data, or just want to say hi, please reach out to hello@the-unwinder.com.
