7 Best Protein Powders With Caffeine
Protein powders have taken the world by storm. And today, they are no longer only used as pre- and post-workout drinks. Many people have incorporated them into their daily routine as meal replacers or nutrient supplements.
So, if you’re looking to start your day with a protein shake but aren’t willing to skip that delicious, caffeine-rich coffee, then we have the ultimate solution for you.
What are the best protein powders with caffeine? First, you’ll need to think about the amount of caffeine you want, then what the other benefits of the protein powders are. Do you want a meal replacement shake, a muscle-building drink, or a workout enhancer? All are simple questions which will help you narrow down your options.
In today’s packed article, we will be looking at some of your best caffeine-rich protein powders. We’ll discuss each of these options in depth to help you choose the best protein powder for your needs!
What Is Protein Powder With Caffeine?
If you know even a little about protein powders, you’ll know that most brands do not include caffeine inside their powders.
However, there are some brands that include coffee flavorings in the powder, which can add a little bit of caffeine.
But what are the benefits of using protein powders with caffeine?
Well, caffeine is a type of stimulant that helps increase the performance abilities of athletes. Many use it as an aid during practice and competitions (seeing as it isn’t an illegal drug).
The caffeine in these powders also helps fight off fatigue. And as we all know, it’s a great energy booster for most people!
Another reason people love this combination of protein and caffeine is convenience. Instead of having to travel with two cups of coffee and protein shakes, you can get the best of both in one easy-to-use mug!
How To Use Protein Powder With Caffeine
Unfortunately, there is a relatively important reason most protein powders don’t include caffeine in them.
Mainly, it’s because caffeine can denature proteins, especially when combined with boiling hot water — it ultimately makes the protein powder ineffective (and useless).
So, it is crucial that you only use protein powders with caffeine in a cold form. It is the safest way to ensure that you actually get the benefits from both of the products.
How To Choose Your Best Protein Powder With Caffeine
Let’s have a look at some important factors to consider before buying any type of protein powder.
Nutritional Build
Okay, so full disclosure, we aren’t dietitians or nutritionists. So, while we do have your higher-than-average amount of knowledge on nutrition when it comes to protein powders and workouts, you should always do your own research!
Why? Well, because there are MANY different reasons people take protein powders. There are also some very specific products for those reasons.
A stupid-simple example is that there are protein powders specifically made for women and some specifically for men. Then, there are some higher in fat and carbs, while others are virtually fat and carb-free.
Bodybuilders would use a different protein powder than long-distance runners. And long-distance runners will use a different protein powder than a sprinter!
So the bottom line is that you’ll have to research what you want from your protein powder, then look if our list has a caffeine option that can meet your needs.
The below list is just a general list of protein powders with caffeine and is not suited to any specific need.
Amount Of Caffeine
While most of these caffeine-infused protein powders won’t contain loads and loads of it, many brands still specify an amount.
It is important (or at least could be to some people) because the amount of caffeine you ingest can either help or hinder you.
If you ingest about 3-6 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight, you can experience many performance-enhancing benefits. However, anything more than that and you may be exposed to harmful side effects.
So, always check if the brand specifies the amount of caffeine and whether or not that will work for you!
Flavor
The nutrition of the protein powder is the most important factor with a product like this. But if it doesn’t taste good to you, none of that matters.
Some people can chug down a horrendous protein shake, while others (ourselves included) just cannot.
So, if you found an option that nutritionally looks good to you, try to buy a small container first. Try it out for a few days, then invest in a larger container or go for a different one entirely.
Availability
Now, this is super important. You have to check how easy it is to find the exact product you are interested in.
Trust us, there is nothing worse than getting invested in a specific flavor or brand of protein powder and not being able to find it ever again!
Sure, it’s easy to find a different one. But if you like it, you like it. And there shouldn’t be a reason to change.
Price
Last but not least, the price is also very important to consider. Protein powders are not cheap. Even the cheapest options aren’t considered by most as an affordable one.
So, think about cost versus quantity versus quality. Is the cost that you’re paying worth the product? If yes, then go for it.
But never break your piggy bank on a protein powder. There will be an option just as great at a lower price if you cannot afford the high-priced ones.
Best Protein Powders With Caffeine
So, without further ado, here is our list of the best protein powders with caffeine. We are sure that you will be able to find something that works for you!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ISOPURE Protein Powder With Coffee | Coffee-flavored whey protein with about 30mg of caffeine per portion. It also contains generous amounts of BCAAs, glutamine, and 25g of protein. Sugar-, gluten-, and lactose-free. |
| 2 | Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, Dunkin’ Mocha Latte | Delicious Dunkin' Mocha Latte flavor with 95mg of caffeine. It has 25g of protein, loads of BCAAs, and Leucine. |
| 3 | Premium Protein Powder, Cafe Latte | High protein and caffeine protein powder that’s also generally low in calories. It contains about 95mg of caffeine and 30g of protein per serving. |
| 4 | Dymatize Elite Whey Protein Powder, Cafe Mocha | Amazing Cafe Mocha whey protein powder with about 100mg of caffeine per serving. It’s also high in protein, with 25g per serving. |
| 5 | Labrada Lean Body MRP With Colombian Coffee | Meal replacement shakes with 154mg of caffeine per portion. Pure Columbian coffee flavor with 35g of protein and 22 vitamins and minerals. |
| 6 | Muscle Milk Caffeinated Protein Powder Mocha Latte | Generous portion sizes with 120 mg of caffeine that have been infused with vitamins and minerals. Mocha Latte flavored. |
| 7 | Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder, Iced Coffee | Vegan and organic protein powder with 60mg of caffeine and 21g of plant-based protein. Iced coffee flavor. |
1. ISOPURE Protein Powder With Coffee
This is one of the all-time best protein powders with caffeine in them. The main reason, for us at least, is because they use real Colombian coffee beans to add caffeine to the powder!
Each serving (1 scoop or 33 grams) contains about 30mg of caffeine. This will help give you the boost of energy you need while keeping it at acceptable levels.
And, of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t say that this is an extremely flavorful protein powder, most likely because they use real coffee beans and not extracts or flavoring powders.
This protein powder is made from 100% whey protein only that is free of rBST (growth hormones) as well as gluten- and lactose-free. It also doesn’t contain any sugars or carbs.
And for some more specific nutritional information (if you’re into that) is that it contains 25 grams of protein per serving, 5.5 grams of BCAAS (branched-chain amino acids), and 4 grams of glutamine.
2. Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, Dunkin’ Mocha Latte
Dymatize is a well-respected protein powder brand in the community. They are super open about their product build and what it can do for you.
So, when they developed special flavors, many fans went wild trying to get their hands on these! Because we’re discussing caffeine options today, their Dunkin’ Mocha Latte option immediately came to mind. So, let’s break it down.
Each scoop (30 grams) contains 95 mg of caffeine, which is almost twice what a single shot of espresso has (1 ounce). It also contains 25 grams of 100% whey protein, 5.5 grams of BCAAS, and 2.6 grams of Leucine.
The product also is completely gluten-free and contains less than 0.5 grams of lactose (because of the latte flavor). It has been tested for any banned products and has a certified stamp.
This is a fantastic high-caffeine protein powder that is as delicious as the drink that inspired it.
The biggest downside is that this is one of the more expensive options out there. However, you use relatively small scoops per portion, so you get more out of a container. It evens out at the end of the day.
3. Premium Protein Powder, Cafe Latte
With this protein powder, portion control is key — it is extremely high in caffeine. So, we’d only recommend taking in one serving a day to get your energy levels up.
One serving (2 scoops or 40 grams) contains 95mg of caffeine as well, which is quite a lot.
It is also a protein powder that doesn’t contain any gluten and soy products. It does however contain a little bit of sugar to add some sweetness. This in turn adds about 3 grams of carbs per serving.
It has about 30 grams of protein per serving (remember the servings are larger) and 150 calories.
Now, this isn’t necessarily an option we would recommend if you’re looking to build muscle or gain some other nutritional benefit.
But, as we’ve said before, we are only including the best caffeine-containing protein powders, regardless of their nutritional benefits.
4. Dymatize Elite Whey Protein Powder, Cafe Mocha
Next, we have another protein powder from Dymatize — this one isn’t associated with any brands.
If you’re looking to purchase this option in larger amounts, they do have larger options available (which ultimately works out to be cheaper per portion).
This is a cafe mocha flavor that has been developed using natural and artificial flavorings. And it is packed with caffeine — one serving (36 grams) contains 100 mg of caffeine!
Like almost all of their powders, they contain 25 grams of protein and the same about of amino acids and Leucine. This is another gluten-free option, but it does contain some sugar and milk. It has about 4 grams of carbs per serving.
All things considered, it is still an incredibly tasty and high-caffeine option that has a ton of muscle-building benefits that regular protein powders have.
5. Labrada Lean Body MRP With Colombian Coffee
This is a protein powder that functions as a meal replacement. As far as we can tell, it isn’t meant for muscle-building and workout-related uses. However, it’s still a type of protein powder.
Labrada is also a brand that some people don’t know at all, while others swear by it! This Power Latte flavor of theirs is stuffed with caffeine. It can replace your coffee for the entire day! One serving (70 grams) contains about 154mg of caffeine.
Now, granted, you need quite a lot per portion. But remember, it’s a meal replacement shake.
This serving also contains 7 grams of BCAAs and Glutamine combined with 35 grams of protein. It’s completely gluten-free and contains good amounts of fiber and healthy fats.
So, what does it takes like? Again, some people swear by it, while others tried it once and simply don’t like it. In our opinion, the flavor of protein powders is very personal.
You may love one that no one else likes and vice versa. So again, try a small container first before investing in a bulk one.
6. Muscle Milk Caffeinated Protein Powder Mocha Latte
This is a very nutrient-dense protein powder option that also has a delicious chocolate and coffee flavor.
It contains about 120 mg of caffeine per serving (which is about 70 grams each). And it’s loaded with vitamins A, C, and D with minerals like calcium and magnesium.
It is also very low in sugar, but not completely sugar-free. In terms of actual protein, you can get about 32 grams per portion.
What we love a lot about this protein powder as well is that it is one of those that have multiple uses. They specifically mention that it can be used as a pre-and post-workout drink, as well as a general snack.
It has also been certified as being safe for sport-related uses, and it is generally just a great affordable protein powder that will give you an energy boost!
7. Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder, Iced Coffee
Last but certainly not least, we finish strong with a vegan and organic protein powder.
It contains about 60mg of caffeine, 21 grams of plant-based proteins, and only 1 gram of sugar. It is also completely gluten-free, dairy-free, and free of soybean products.
So, where does the protein come from exactly? The main protein sources for this product include brown rice, pea, and chia seed (all organic and non-GMO certified of course).
This is a fantastic and surprisingly affordable protein powder with caffeine for vegans. And as you may know, there are very few options available out there!
