Whey Protein Buying Guide 2026

Whey protein is the most popular sports supplement in the UK ï¿½ and for good reason. It's convenient, well-researched, and effective for muscle recovery and growth. But with hundreds of options on the market, choosing the right one can be surprisingly difficult.

This guide covers everything you need to know to make a smart purchase in 2026.

Concentrate vs Isolate vs Hydrolysate

All whey protein starts as a byproduct of cheese production. The difference is in how it's processed:

Whey Concentrate (WPC)

The most common and affordable form. Contains 70-80% protein by weight, with the rest being fats, carbs (mostly lactose), and minerals. Tastes good, mixes well, and is perfectly adequate for most people.

Best for: General fitness, anyone not lactose-sensitive, budget-conscious buyers.

Whey Isolate (WPI)

Further filtered to remove most fat and lactose, resulting in 85-95% protein by weight. Slightly faster absorption and fewer calories per scoop. Costs 20-40% more than concentrate.

Best for: Lactose-intolerant individuals, those tracking macros precisely, or anyone who wants maximum protein per calorie.

Whey Hydrolysate (WPH)

Pre-digested (broken into smaller peptides) for the fastest absorption. Often tastes bitter and costs significantly more. The performance benefit over isolate is minimal for most people.

Best for: Competitive athletes with specific recovery windows. Generally not worth the premium for recreational lifters.

What to Look for on the Label

Beyond the type of whey, here's what actually matters:

Protein Per 100g (Not Per Serving)

This is the single most important number. A good concentrate should deliver at least 70g protein per 100g of powder. A good isolate should hit 85g+. Anything below these thresholds means you're paying for filler.

Ingredient List Length

Shorter is generally better. You want: whey protein (concentrate/isolate), flavouring, sweetener (sucralose or stevia), and maybe an emulsifier (soy lecithin or sunflower lecithin). If the ingredient list reads like a chemistry textbook, question why.

Third-Party Testing

Look for Informed Sport or Informed Choice certification if you compete in tested sports. These certifications mean each batch is tested for banned substances. If you're a casual gym-goer, this matters less.

UK Retailer Comparison

The UK market is dominated by a handful of major players. Here's what to expect from each:

Myprotein

The UK's largest sports nutrition brand. Perpetual sales make their "RRP" essentially meaningless ï¿½ always buy during a promotion (typically 40-55% off). Their Impact Whey Concentrate and Isolate are solid baseline products. Watch out for the cheaper "blends" which mix in lower-quality protein sources.

Bulk (formerly Bulk Powders)

Similar pricing strategy to Myprotein with regular discounts. Their Pure Whey Protein is a strong value option. Bulk tends to have slightly better flavour reviews across the board, though this is subjective.

Amazon

Good for comparing across brands quickly, but rarely the cheapest for major UK brands (who sell cheaper direct). Useful for international brands like Optimum Nutrition or Dymatize that don't have their own UK stores.

Holland & Barrett

Higher prices but useful for in-store purchases when you want a product today. Their own-brand protein is decent value. Worth checking during their penny sales.

How to Calculate True Value

Here's the formula that cuts through all the marketing:

True cost = (Price ï¿½ (Weight in grams ï¿½ Protein percentage)) ï¿½ 100

This gives you the cost per 100g of actual protein. In February 2026, expect to pay roughly:

Concentrate: ï¿½1.80-ï¿½2.50 per 100g protein (on sale)
Isolate: ï¿½2.50-ï¿½3.50 per 100g protein (on sale)
Hydrolysate: ï¿½4.00-ï¿½6.00 per 100g protein

If you're paying more than these ranges, you're overpaying ï¿½ or buying a premium brand where you're paying for packaging and marketing rather than a better product.

PriceSniper calculates this automatically for every whey protein product we track, updated daily across UK retailers. Stop doing maths ï¿½ start comparing.