The 6 Best Hemp Based Protein Powders in 2024

Hemp protein is a complete protein with a nutty flavor and high fiber content. These are the best hemp protein powders to mix into smoothies, oatmeal and more.

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Hemp protein powder is an excellent protein source for people on a plant-based diet, who can’t have lactose or simply prefer the nutty taste of hemp. Full of essential fatty acids, dietary fiber and minerals like potassium, hemp protein can be a healthy addition to your diet. There are also numerous benefits of hemp protein powder, including reduced blood pressure and cholesterol.

Whether you’re seeking out a protein powder supplement to increase your protein intake or to build muscle mass, hemp protein is an effective alternative to whey protein that packs in plenty of nutrients. You can enjoy this plant-based protein powder in a smoothie, yogurt, oatmeal and more (here are some tips on how to use protein powder for weight loss and muscle recovery).

The best hemp protein powders have great taste, high protein content and minimal ingredients. These are our favorite hemp protein powders of 2024 and what makes them rank supreme, according to registered dietitians. Keep reading to learn more about our top picks, the benefits of hemp protein, how it compares to whey and how to choose a protein powder that’s right for you. We’ve included both 100 percent hemp products and hemp protein powder blends.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for Best Hemp Protein:

• Best Organic Hemp Protein Powder: Anthony’s Organic Hemp Seed Protein
• Best Pea and Hemp Protein Powder: Your Super Superfood Protein Powder
• Best Tasting Hemp Protein Powder: Food to Live Organic Hemp
• Best Chocolate Hemp Protein Powder: Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah!
• Best Hemp Protein Powder on Amazon: Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein
• Best Hemp Protein Blend: Sunwarrior Vegan Protein Powder

Best Organic Hemp Protein Powder: Anthony’s Organic Hemp Seed Protein

Anthony’s

Key features & specs

• Protein per serving: 15 grams
• Nutrition facts: 110 calories, eight grams carbs and one gram sugar
• Flavors: Unflavored
• Certifications: USDA Certified Organic, verified gluten-free and non-GMO
• Subscription: Save five percent on auto-deliveries
• Key ingredients: Organic hemp seed (cannabis sativa L.)
• Sweeteners: None
• Best for: Gluten-free diets and vegans
• Price per serving: $0.93

If you’re on the lookout for an organic and GMO-free hemp protein powder (meaning there are no genetically-modified ingredients), Anthony’s Organic Hemp Seed Protein is one of your best bets. With just one ingredient–cold-pressed organic hemp seed–Anthony’s is unflavored and verified gluten-free. One of the perks of taking unflavored protein powder is that you can mix it into just about anything, including dips and hummus, for an extra boost of protein in your day.

Each serving of this budget-friendly hemp protein powder packs in six grams of fiber (21 percent of the daily value) and 15 grams of protein. It also has 25 percent of the daily recommended iron intake, which is a bonus for vegetarians or vegans who may not get enough iron through food alone. With its mid-level protein content, this protein powder can help you stay full and assist with weight loss if losing weight is one of your goals.

Erika Collette, MS, RD, says it’s important to remember that one serving is three tablespoons, so you may need to take more of this product than other hemp proteins. Nonetheless, many customers praise the great price and high fiber content. “The hemp protein is earthy, but not overpowering,” one Amazon buyer writes. It’s “a great additive to my protein shake routine.”

What we like:

• Verified gluten-free and certified organic
• Contains just one ingredient
• Affordable price point
• Bag includes ziplock to maintain freshness

What to consider:

• Higher serving size (three tablespoons)
• Some people may not like unflavored protein

Best Pea and Hemp Protein Powder: Your Super Superfood Protein Powder

Your Super

Key features & specs

• Protein per serving: Nine grams
• Nutrition facts: 60 calories, three grams carbs and zero grams sugar
• Flavors: Unflavored
• Certifications: Certified USDA Organic, vegan, gluten-free and Non-GMO Project Verified
• Subscription: Two weeks to six months for 10-15 percent savings
• Key ingredients: Pea protein, hemp protein, moringa, spirulina and alfalfa
• Sweeteners: None
• Best for: Weight loss
• Price per serving: $1.35

For a super nutrient boost, check out Your Super Superfood Protein Powder. This plant-based protein blend contains five organic superfood ingredients, including hemp and pea protein, moringa, spirulina and alfalfa. With just 60 calories per serving, no sugar and only three grams of carbohydrates, we especially love this pea and hemp protein powder for weight loss.

Each serving will also pack in a healthy dose of minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and copper, among others. Raw hemp seeds are rich in omega-6 fatty acids as well, which are great for heart health. While the protein content is slightly lower at nine grams per serving, this protein powder blend will work well mixed into smaller snacks and meals, such as yogurt.

Buyers say the product “blends extremely well” and has a “very mild taste,” which is a perk for those who may not be fans of hemp protein’s natural nutty flavor. It also mixes well with water.

What we like:

• Packs five superfoods into each serving
• High in essential minerals
• Low in calories and carbs
• Non-GMO Project Verified

What to consider:

• Somewhat expensive per serving
• Lower protein and fiber content

Best Tasting Hemp Protein Powder: Food to Live Organic Hemp

Amazon

Key features & specs

• Protein per serving: 13 grams
• Nutrition facts: 113 calories, six grams carbs and two grams sugar
• Flavors: Unflavored
• Certifications: Non-GMO, kosher, vegan and Certified USDA Organic
• Subscription: Two weeks to six months for 10-15 percent savings
• Key ingredients: Organic hemp protein
• Sweeteners: None
• Best for: Mixing into smoothies
• Price per serving: $0.88

Our best hemp plant-based protein powder with great taste is Food to Live Organic Hemp. This all-natural product comes from Canada and has just one star ingredient - organic hemp protein. One ounce gives you a hefty 32 percent of your daily recommended intake of iron, which is important for immune function, muscle growth and circulating oxygen throughout your body.

This protein powder accommodates a variety of diets, including kosher and vegan. It’s also non-GMO and Certified USDA Organic, so you can feel good about what you’re consuming. You’ll also get a moderate dose of protein in each serving equivalent to 13 grams.

Most customers are big fans of the taste, noting that they mix Food to Live Organic Hemp into everything from waffles and pancakes, to greek yogurt and muffins. Others note a “clean, fresh taste,” but the powder is on the more granular side and will need a thorough mixing.

Related Post: The Best Tasting Protein Powders

What we like:

• High dose of iron per serving
• Accommodates kosher diets
• Moderate protein content
• Includes just one ingredient

What to consider:

• Has some sugar content
• More granular texture

Best Chocolate Hemp Protein Powder: Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah!

Manitoba

Key features & specs

• Protein per serving: 20 grams
• Nutrition facts: 160 calories, 15 grams carbs and eight grams sugar
• Flavors: Chocolate, Unsweetened and Vanilla
• Certifications: Certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, vegan, kosher and dairy-free
• Subscription: None
• Key ingredients: Organic pea protein, hemp protein concentrate, oregano extract (for freshness), coconut sugar, cocoa, vanilla extract, natural flavors and guar gum
• Sweeteners: Coconut sugar
• Best for: Meal replacements
• Price per serving: $2.55

It may have a catchy name, but that’s not all Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! offers. This high-protein plant-based protein powder blend contains 20 grams of protein per serving and works well as a meal replacement or post-workout fuel. It also comes in three flavors (not common for hemp protein, which is generally unflavored) that include chocolate and vanilla.

With 1.9 grams of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids per serving, plus four grams of fiber, this protein blend delivers essential nutrients for the brain and body. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that this protein powder is higher in carbs and sugar for the flavored varieties (15 grams and eight grams, respectively). You may want to keep an eye on your intake of both, especially if you mix Hemp Yeah! into smoothies with other higher-carb and -sugar ingredients.

Amazon buyers praise this protein powder for using natural sweeteners, but wish there were more servings per container. “The chocolate protein powder is the best,” a customer notes.

What we like:

• Includes three flavor options
• High protein content
• Uses natural sweetener
• Convenient packaging

What to consider:

• High in sugar and carbs
• Expensive per serving
• One serving is six tablespoons

Best Hemp Protein Powder on Amazon: Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein

Nutiva

Key features & specs

• Protein per serving: 15 grams
• Nutrition facts: 110 calories, eight grams carbs and one gram sugar
• Flavors: Unflavored
• Certifications: Non-GMO, Certified USDA Organic, Whole 30 Approved, vegan, gluten-free and keto
• Subscription: Two weeks to six months for five to 15 percent savings
• Key ingredients: Organic hemp seed protein
• Sweeteners: None
• Best for: Keto diets
• Price per serving: $0.78

Shopping on Amazon makes life easier, especially if you’re a Prime member, and our favorite hemp protein for sale on the online retailer is Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein Powder. As a keto-friendly, gluten-free and vegan supplement, Nutiva’s cold-pressed raw hemp seed protein powder fits a variety of lifestyles and dietary needs. It’s also higher in protein with 15 grams per serving, which equals four tablespoons of the protein powder.

High in zinc, iron and magnesium, this protein powder delivers numerous essential nutrients - and we also love that it’s Whole 30 Approved and Certified USDA Organic. It’s also very affordable. “One of the pros of this hemp protein is that it’s on the cheaper side for protein powder,” Collette says. “It’s also made from cold-pressed hemp, making the protein in it more bioavailable for your body to use.” (This means your body can absorb it better.)

“This is a very fresh and nutty taste,” an Amazon buyer says of Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein. “It goes well with savory dishes, sweet drinks and desserts. Pretty much anything.”

What we like:

• High in zinc, iron and magnesium
• Whole 30 Approved
• Low price per serving
• Higher in protein content

What to consider:

• May not mix as well as protein blends

Best Hemp Protein Blend: Sunwarrior Vegan Protein Powder

Sunwarrior

Key features & specs

• Protein per serving: 18 grams
• Nutrition facts: 100 calories, two grams carbs and zero grams sugar
• Flavors: Berry, Chocolate, Maple Toast, Mocha, Unflavored and Vanilla
• Certifications: Non-GMO, dairy-free, gluten-free and soy-free
• Subscription: Two weeks to six months for 10-15 percent savings
• Key ingredients: Proprietary protein blend, vanilla, MCT oil, guar gum, sea salt and stevia leaf extract
• Sweeteners: Stevia leaf extract
• Best for: Athletes
• Price per serving: $1.26

If you’re tired of unflavored protein powder and want a boost of flavor in your smoothies and more, Sunwarrior Vegan Protein Powder comes in six unique flavor profiles that include berry and maple toast. This hemp protein blend packs in 18 grams of plant protein per scoop, but the food label also includes guidelines for a larger serving of 27 grams per 1.5 scoops.

As a great plant-based hemp protein blend for athletes and active individuals, people who track their amino acid intake will be happy to know this product discloses the amino acid profile on the food label (which isn’t a common find in many hemp protein powders). It’s also made with MCT oil, which can help you lose weight, fight inflammation and temporarily boost your energy.

Collette says this protein blend is an excellent option if you’re avoiding added sugars. Despite the many flavor options, all Sunwarrior Vegan Protein Powder is sugar-free and sweetened with stevia leaf extract instead. “The chocolate isn’t overpowering and is a great healthy treat after a workout,” one Amazon buyer writes. “A definite must for those looking for a clean protein powder.”

What we like:

• Six unique flavor options
• Food label lists amino acid profile
• MCT oil provides energy boost
• No added sugars

What to consider:

• Proprietary protein blend doesn’t disclose ratios
• Somewhat expensive per serving

Is Hemp a High-Quality Protein?

Hemp itself is generally a high-quality vegan and plant-based protein, but it ultimately depends on the source, says Collette. The key is to purchase hemp protein from a reputable company, ideally one that uses third-party testing to guarantee safety and efficacy of their products. Yet overall, you can expect to reap many health benefits by making hemp protein a part of your diet.

“Hemp protein contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source,” Collette says. “Hemp protein is easy to digest [up to 90-98 percent digestible], so you will have more bioavailability of the essential amino acids in the protein for your body to use.” (Still, data is mixed; some research shows hemp protein has low levels of the essential amino acid lysine.)

In addition, hemp seeds are high in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals, making them a great addition to a balanced diet. They’re also a source of healthy fats. “Fiber is beneficial in reducing our risk of heart disease, improving blood sugar and maintaining a healthy gut,” Collette adds. Plus, if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, chances are you’re getting less protein than meat eaters, and hemp protein can be a healthy and effective way to increase your protein intake.

Is Hemp Protein Better than Whey Protein?

You’ll often hear fitness gurus and nutrition experts hailing whey protein as the ultimate gold standard of all protein powder, but which is better will truly depend on your dietary needs. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, hemp protein will naturally be a better choice for you than whey protein. It will also be a better option for people who are lactose-intolerant and can’t have whey.

However, both protein powder sources come with benefits and drawbacks. “Whey protein does not have much else in it besides protein, some carbs and calcium,” Collette explains. “Hemp protein naturally has omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and iron.” Yet whey protein powder has the upper hand in BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) content, which “promote muscle growth and energy for your muscles,” Collette adds.

Precautions for Hemp Protein

Hemp protein is a well-tolerated protein source that many people enjoy for its nutty taste (which goes well with nut butters and/or almond milk in a smoothie).

“Hemp protein is generally considered safe, with most of the side effects occurring in those who have an allergy to hemp or to any ingredients in the protein powder,” Collette says. “It can cause stomach or mild digestion problems like bloating, gas and diarrhea, but most of these symptoms are related to using the protein too often or in too high of doses.”

How to Choose the Best Hemp Protein for You

You’ll find a variety of hemp protein powders on the market that range from 100 percent hemp to hemp protein powder blends (often mixed with pea or rice protein). They also vary in protein content, flavor and ingredients. Consider these factors when choosing the best hemp seed protein powder for your needs.

Price

Hemp protein powder has a wide price range. You can find products under $20, or above $50 (though a higher price point doesn’t necessarily mean a better product). Luckily, hemp protein is on par with prices for whey protein and other plant-based protein powders, so you shouldn’t have to pay extra to add hemp protein to your diet. Be sure to consider the overall price, price per serving and how often you plan to take hemp protein to find a product for your budget.

Flavor

Hemp protein’s natural nutty flavor is an acquired taste–you either love it, or you don’t. Most, but not all hemp protein powders come in their unflavored natural form, though this flavor can vary slightly depending on how the product is made, its ingredients and if the protein is part of a plant-based blend. We recommend trying hemp protein as is, but if the flavor just doesn’t work for you, you can opt for a flavored variety like Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah!

Protein content

You can find hemp protein powders low on the scale for protein content, or high on the scale with up to 20 grams of protein per serving. If you struggle to get enough protein through food alone or you’re very active, you may want to look for a product with a higher protein serving.

Registered dietitian and founder of Gut Feeling Consultancy, Kara Landau, prebiotic RD, offers tips for shopping for a high-protein hemp powder. “When looking for a quality hemp protein product, keep your eyes out for those that are lighter in color,” she says. “The darker the hemp protein, the more fat, fiber and chlorophyll are in the product, which at the same time means there will be less protein.”

Ingredients

Less is always better when it comes to ingredients, as this reduces the chances of consuming unnecessary filler ingredients or artificial flavors, but most hemp protein powders have few to begin with. A good majority of hemp protein powder, especially the unflavored and unsweetened variety, is made entirely from ground hemp seed. Protein blends and flavored protein will often have additional ingredients like various plant protein sources, sugar and oregano extract (a natural food preservative that helps keep the protein powder fresh, Landau explains).

Carefully scanning food labels for ingredients is important, especially if you have allergies. If you can’t eat gluten, for example, be sure to look for products that are certified gluten-free; this helps eliminate the possibility of cross-contamination in the production of hemp protein powder.

Third-party testing

Third-party testing plays an important role in the safety and efficacy of your products. A product that’s been third-party tested is checked for potentially harmful materials, like heavy metals, and its ingredients (and protein content) are as the product says. For an extra layer of security and peace of mind, choosing a product that’s third-party tested can guarantee it’s safe to consume—a smart step, since supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA like medications.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Hemp Proteins

We chose the best hemp protein powder based on a number of factors and input from nutrition experts. Cost, ingredients, third-party testing, certifications (such as USDA Certified Organic), taste and brand reputation were considered in our decisions, as well as customer satisfaction.

Best Hemp Protein FAQs

Does Hemp Protein Powder contain CBD?

You won’t find CBD in hemp protein powder. While both come from hemp plants, hemp protein is made out of ground hemp plant seeds, while CBD is harvested from the flowers of the leaves. There’s also no THC (the psychoactive compound found in marijuana) in hemp protein powder.

When should I drink hemp protein?

There’s no right or wrong time to drink hemp protein, but many people like mixing it into a morning protein shake or taking it after a workout for muscle recovery and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Which is better hemp or pea protein?

Pea protein has a complete amino acid profile and is the most similar to whey protein (the gold standard of protein powder), making it a superior choice over hemp protein. Yet hemp protein is also a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. You may opt for hemp over pea protein because of its higher fiber content, taste or for allergy reasons.

Does hemp protein boost the immune system?

Hemp seeds (which hemp protein is made out of) are rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making hemp protein a great immune booster. Try mixing it into a smoothie with other immune-boosting foods like berries and leafy greens for maximum benefits.

What is the difference between hemp hearts and hemp protein?

While they come from the same source, hemp hearts and hemp protein aren’t the same. Hemp hearts are shelled seeds of the hemp plant (the soft inner white seed), while hemp protein is ground-up seeds turned into a powder.

Takeaway: Is Hemp Protein Worth It?

Hemp protein powder is definitely worth taking. It can be a great addition to a heart-healthy diet and a vegan and plant-based option for those who want to up their protein intake. The best hemp-based protein powder is rich in vitamins and minerals, comes with great taste and has high enough protein content to meet your needs. If you’re interested in trying hemp protein, be sure to check our list for our favorite products of 2024 and what makes them our top picks.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.