When you first get into health and fitness, there's no doubt you'll come across protein powder (I mean, you are reading an article on Myprotein.com). There are loads of different types — clear, casein, vegan, soy — but the powerhouse of the protein world is definitely whey protein.
Whey-based powders come in several forms — concentrate, isolate, and whey and collagen blends. All will help you to build muscle, but they differ in their processing, nutritional content, and additional benefits. Here's how to choose the right one for you.
- The best whey protein powder to choose
- What is whey concentrate?
- Whey concentrate benefits
- What is whey isolate?
- Whey isolate benefits
- What is a whey and collagen blend?
- Whey and collagen blend benefits
- Comparing whey protein formats
- Nutritional comparison at a glance
- Should I choose whey isolate?
- Should I choose whey concentrate?
- Should I choose a whey and collagen blend?
- Alternative protein powders
- FAQs
The best whey protein powder to choose
Whey protein contains protein, fat, carbs, vitamins, and minerals. Due to its strong amino acid content and its ability to be absorbed by the body, it's ideal for building muscle. It has been shown to promote muscle protein synthesis, support fat burning, and suppress appetite.1 It has also been shown to increase the production of glutathione, which is an antioxidant.2
Whey-based protein powders are available in three main forms: concentrate, isolate, and whey and collagen blends. All three deliver high-quality protein, but each suits slightly different goals and priorities.
What is whey concentrate?
Whey protein is produced when liquid portions of milk are pushed through a refined filter. The material left behind dries to form whey protein concentrate. This form of whey varies in the amount of fat and carbohydrates in the form of lactose.
The protein content varies between 30–80%, and it can include numerous protein sub-fractions.
Whey protein concentrate benefits
- Tends to be cheaper than whey isolate.
- Is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids.
- Is low in carbohydrates and fats.
- Available in the widest range of flavours.
What is whey isolate?
While concentrate has a protein content of approximately 80%, isolate's is approximately 90%. This is due to cross-flow microfiltration, which causes the protein to separate from fat and lactose. Whey isolate is a popular choice for people on low-fat diets, as it's lower in fat compared to concentrate.
Whey isolate is also much lower in lactose, making it ideal for those with an intolerance. As whey concentrate is further processed and purified to make whey isolate, the structure becomes degraded and loses some of its biological activity. However, the amino acid structure and sequence is unaffected, which is what's important for building muscle. All large proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion anyway, so whether this happens in your gut or during manufacture makes no difference at all.
Whey isolate benefits
- Higher protein content than concentrate (approximately 90%).
- Lower in fat than concentrate.
- Lower in carbohydrates than concentrate.
- Much lower in lactose — better suited to those with an intolerance.
- Is a complete protein source.
What is a whey and collagen blend?
A whey and collagen blend combines whey protein with bovine collagen peptides — the most abundant protein in the body, and the structural foundation of skin, hair, nails, joints, and connective tissue. Some blends also include vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, and to the normal function of the immune system.
Unlike standalone collagen powder, which has a limited amino acid profile for muscle building, a whey and collagen blend delivers the complete essential amino acids from whey — contributing to the maintenance of muscle mass and normal bones — alongside collagen peptides that form the building blocks of skin, hair, nails, joints, and connective tissue.
Whey and collagen blend benefits
- Is a complete protein source, delivering all nine essential amino acids from the whey component.
- Provides 10g of bovine collagen peptides (Type I) per serving — collagen forms the building blocks of skin, hair, nails, joints, and connective tissue.
- Contains vitamin C, which contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, and to the normal function of the immune system.
- Protein contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass and normal bones.
- Low in fat and carbohydrates, with a comparable calorie count to isolate.
Comparing whey protein formats
Concentrate, isolate, and whey and collagen blends all deliver high-quality, fast-absorbing protein with a complete amino acid profile. The differences lie in how each has been processed and what additional benefits each brings.
Isolate undergoes more rigorous filtration than concentrate, resulting in a higher protein percentage and lower fat and lactose content. A whey and collagen blend takes a different approach — rather than further filtering the whey, it combines it with collagen peptides and vitamin C to extend the product's benefits beyond muscle alone.
The absorption rate of all three formats is broadly comparable, so the choice comes down to your goals, dietary needs, and what you want your protein to do for your body beyond muscle support.
Nutritional comparison at a glance
Let's break down the macros:
| Comparison: | Impact Whey Protein | Impact Whey Isolate | Impact Whey + Collagen |
| Serving size | 25g | 25g | 23g |
| Kcal | 103 | 93 | 89 |
| Fat | 1.9g | 0.1g | 0.8g |
| Carbs | 1.0g | 0.6g | 0.7g |
| Protein | 21g | 23g | 20g |
| Collagen peptides | — | — | 10g |
| Vitamin C | — | — | 52mg (65% NRV) |
Should I choose whey isolate?
Whey isolate is ideal for anyone wanting the highest protein concentration with minimal fat, carbs, and lactose. It's a strong choice if you're managing your calorie intake carefully or have lactose sensitivity. It is slightly more expensive than concentrate due to the additional processing involved.
Should I choose whey concentrate?
If you're looking for a cost-effective, versatile everyday protein with an extensive range of flavours, whey concentrate is a great choice. It's still 80% protein and low in fat and carbs, making it suitable for most training goals.
Should I choose a whey and collagen blend?
A whey and collagen blend is worth considering if muscle support alone isn't the whole picture. It's particularly relevant if any of the following apply:
You train consistently: Collagen forms the building blocks of connective tissue, tendons, and cartilage — all of which undergo load during regular exercise. A blend that delivers both protein for muscle maintenance and collagen peptides for these structures covers more ground in a single serving. You're in your mid-20s or older: Natural collagen production declines over time, making it an increasingly worthwhile daily habit to maintain your intake of both protein and collagen alongside vitamin C. You want more than muscle support: Collagen forms the building blocks of skin, hair, and nails as well as joints and connective tissue — making it relevant to a wide range of people, not just athletes. You prefer a low-calorie, low-fat format: At 89kcal and 0.8g of fat per serving, it sits between concentrate and isolate on calories and is highly comparable on protein.
If your primary goal is maximising muscle protein synthesis with the highest protein concentration possible, whey isolate remains the more straightforward choice per serving. The blend is best thought of as a broader daily protein supplement for those who want to support more than just their muscles.
Alternative protein powders
Milky shakes aren't for everyone. Enter: Clear Whey Isolate. It's protein, but juicy.
What Is Clear Protein? | Benefits, Misconceptions & Dosage
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And note, whey proteins are made from dairy, so they're not vegan. Instead, try the vegan protein powder range.
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FAQs
Whey concentrate is created by pushing liquid portions of milk through a filter. The material left is then dried to form whey concentrate, which consists of around 80% protein.
Whey isolate has a protein content greater than 90%, achieved through additional cross-flow microfiltration. It also has significantly lower lactose content than whey concentrate, making it better suited to those with an intolerance.
A whey and collagen blend combines whey protein with bovine collagen peptides and vitamin C. The whey contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass and normal bones, while collagen forms the building blocks of skin, hair, nails, joints, and connective tissue. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage, and to the normal function of the immune system.
Per serving, Impact Whey contains 1.9g of fat, Impact Whey Isolate contains 0.1g, and Impact Whey + Collagen contains 0.8g.
Per serving, Impact Whey contains 103 kcal, Impact Whey Isolate contains 93 kcal, and Impact Whey + Collagen contains 89 kcal.
Absolutely. Some of our favourite ways to increase your protein intake are through baked goods. Think porridge, pancakes, baked oats, or even cheesecake.
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Take home message
Whey concentrate, isolate, and whey and collagen blends all deliver high-quality, fast-absorbing protein with a complete amino acid profile. Isolate is the most refined option, with the highest protein concentration and lowest fat and lactose content. Concentrate is the most cost-effective all-rounder. And if you want to go beyond muscle support — for joints, connective tissue, skin, and more — a whey and collagen blend covers considerably more ground in a single serving.
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- Mollahosseini, M., Shab-Bidar, S., Rahimi, M. H., & Djafarian, K. (2017). Effect of whey protein supplementation on long and short term appetite: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clinical nutrition ESPEN, 20, 34-40.
- Bumrungpert, A., Pavadhgul, P., Nunthanawanich, P., Sirikanchanarod, A., & Adulbhan, A. (2018). Whey protein supplementation improves nutritional status, glutathione levels, and immune function in cancer patients: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Journal of medicinal food, 21(6), 612-616.Bes
