Not everyone needs to top up their protein levels but if—like me—you find that you’re under-consuming this macronutrient, it’s useful to have protein powders and bars to help you hit your intake goals and support your muscle gains.
Protein powders have been creeping up in price over the past few months, thanks to an increase in material costs and a big surge in demand. It's a lot more expensive to get your hands on this supplement right now; I've seen several great Black Friday protein powder deals come and go.
The good news is that plenty of deals are still live—you can find my favorites below. If you want to browse other Black Friday fitness deals, have a look at our dedicated hubs for the best Black Friday rowing machines, Black Friday weights deals and Black Friday Fitbit discounts.
Quick links
- MyProtein: A massive 80% off certain flavors and mixes
- Protein Works: $27 off popular products
- Amazon: Low prices on Optimum Nutrition and Dymatize
- Walmart: Deals on collagen and organic powders
Best Black Friday Protein Powder Deals
Best vegan Black Friday protein powder deals
What should I look for in protein powders?
Look for a powder that has as few ingredients as possible; this will usually mean that it has a higher protein content and a less synthetic taste.
Also consider the type of protein that is being used—whey, casein, collagen, plant-based, pea or hemp. Each has its pros and cons (some aren’t suitable for certain dietary requirements) so take that into account when stocking up.
If you're opting for a dairy-based product, most people find that whey protein isolate is usually the easiest to digest. Read our piece on whey vs whey isolate for more details.
How should I use protein powder?
The most common way to use protein powder is to mix it with water, milk or a milk substitute and make it into a shake. You can also use it to bake protein pancakes, muffins, brownies or add to oatmeal.
We’ll be honest: you’re not going to grow bigger muscles overnight just by drinking a protein shake, plus, you can get all the protein you need from natural sources. But they are a great way to up your intake if you don't currently get enough.
If you're specifically looking for something to help you drop a few pounds, opt for something that's low in calories. See our round-up of the best protein powders for weight loss for more suggestions.
Why is protein powder so expensive?
The cost of whey has been increasing steadily for a long time, as have labor costs and additives such as vitamins, minerals and flavorings. These changes in the market have been nudging the price of protein powders up, particularly whey-based options.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday events are a great time to stock up on protein powders, as many retailers including Best Buy, Target, iHerb, Amazon and Walmart slash prices for the sales event. Buying in bulk is always a better idea with protein, as the cost per unit is lower when you buy a larger tub.
Does protein powder go on sale for Black Friday?
Over the past few years, we've seen significant reductions from several retailers. You can buy direct from some brands, who slash prices after Thanksgiving for the Black Friday sales. Stores like Walmart, Best Buy and Target also tend to have great discounts on protein powders, as well as online retailers like Amazon.com.
We will be updating this page throughout the sales event to keep you up to date with the best deals on protein powders and supplements. Many deals go live early, so make sure to check in a few days before Thanksgiving to see which retailers have brought their prices down.
Is it cheaper to buy protein drinks or protein powder?
It really depends on which brands you like to buy from, but the cost per serving is generally lower when you buy powders over ready-made protein drinks. The great thing about protein powders is that they're versatile; you can control your intake and they can be added to a variety of foods and drinks, like smoothies, oatmeal, and even soups (we'd recommend using an unflavored variety for that, vanilla powder in a soup might taste a bit weird).
Additionally, because powders are dehydrated, they take up less storage space in your cupboard and generally don't need to be stored at a low temperature. So, not only is it normally cheaper to buy protein powder, it's also the more convenient choice (if you don't mind mixing your own shakes).
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