Quick Picks
Eight products that made our shortlist after filtering across all 12 tracked US retailers. Click any pick to see live prices, all retailers, and the latest deal.
How We Ranked These
Filtered to lean protein with at least 18g per serving and macros that fit a cut: under 130 calories per scoop for powders, under 130 calories per bottle for RTDs, and minimal added sugars. Ranked by cost per gram of protein.
All prices verified within the last 24 hours. We re-check every product across all 12 tracked retailers (Walmart, Amazon, iHerb, GNC, Bodybuilding.com, Target, Vitacost, Muscle & Strength, Costco, Tiger Fitness, MyProtein, Transparent Labs) every two hours. Out-of-stock products are excluded from these rankings entirely.
Our Top Pick
5 lb · 25g protein/scoop · 72 servings
Clear whey at 80 to 90 calories and 20g protein per serving is the cleanest macro fit for a cut. No fat, almost no carbs, and a thin water-like texture that doesn't trick your brain into thinking you just ate a meal. See Amazon price →
Runner-Up
5 lb · 25g protein/scoop · 75 servings
Clear whey alternative with a stronger flavor lineup. Same ~90 calories, same 20g protein, different texture experience. See Amazon price →
Honorable Mentions
The next picks worth knowing about. Slightly different trade-offs but still in the top tier for this category.
MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate. 5.5 lb, 25g protein/scoop, $54.99 at MyProtein.
Transparent Labs 100% Whey Protein Isolate. 5 lb, 28g protein/scoop, $59.99 at Transparent Labs.
Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey. 5 lb, 25g protein/scoop, $59.99 at Amazon.
Rule 1 Proteins R1 Protein Whey Isolate. 5 lb, 25g protein/scoop, $64.99 at Amazon.
See clear whey and lean RTDs live
The clear protein category is the fastest-growing on a cut. See live pricing.
Browse clear whey →Frequently Asked Questions
Whey isolate or clear whey. Both deliver high protein (20 to 30g per scoop) at low calories (90 to 120). Look for products with under 130 calories per scoop and minimal added sugars. The protein helps preserve muscle while you're in a deficit and reduces hunger between meals.
Aim higher than at maintenance: 2.2 to 2.6g per kg of bodyweight. For a 75 kg cutter, that's 165 to 195g protein daily. The reason: higher protein protects muscle mass during a calorie deficit and increases satiety.
Less filling, on a per-calorie basis. A 200-calorie chicken breast has more satiety than a 200-calorie shake. But shakes are convenient and easy to dose precisely, which matters on a cut. Use them as a tool, not the foundation.
Indirectly. Protein has the highest thermic effect of food (~25 to 30 percent of calories burned during digestion). On a cut, a 30g protein meal effectively delivers only ~85g of usable calories. Higher protein also preserves muscle, which keeps metabolic rate higher.
Both work. Clear whey is lighter (water-thin texture, lower calories per scoop) and ideal for hot weather or when you don't want a creamy shake. Isolate is more filling and works better as a meal substitute. Use both depending on context.
Often yes, especially in the gap before a meal where hunger is highest. A 100-calorie clear whey shake at 4pm can prevent the 6pm overeating that derails many cuts. Use it strategically rather than just adding shakes on top of meals.
Related Rankings
Other useful price comparisons on ProteinPrice.com:
- The full best-value protein ranking across all 377 tracked products.
- Head-to-head product comparisons across our catalog.
- Browse whey isolate, the cleanest whey category by macros.
- Browse all whey protein blends, isolates, and concentrates.
- Casein protein for slow-release recovery and bedtime use.
- Plant protein from pea, rice, hemp, and soy blends.
- Mass gainers for hard gainers and calorie-surplus bulking.
- Protein bar comparisons across 70+ tracked bars.
- Ready-to-drink shakes and protein waters.
- Current protein deals live across all retailers.