Quest Protein Powder Review: Balancing Taste, Nutrition, and Cost

Hi, I’m Corey 👋🏽

As an ex-NFL/CFL athlete and current personal trainer, I’ve put countless supplements to the test. I have a degree in Sports Administration and a passion for the science behind sports nutrition.

Plus, I’m backed by a wonderful team of doctors, dietitians, and athletes.

You can read more about our testing process here. Or connect with me on Instagram here.

Quest Whey Protein Overview:

*Cost and ingredients may vary depending on the tub size, retailer, and flavor.

What Makes Quest Whey Different?

Quest is all about helping you crush your fitness goals. They’ve put in the work to create a protein powder that’s not just for us gym rats, but for anyone looking to up their protein game.

They focus on packing in the protein while keeping the sugar and carbs low. It’s not rocket science, but it makes a big difference when you’re trying to build muscle and stay lean. They use dairy-based proteins that give your body all the amino acids it needs to recover and grow.

One thing I appreciate about Quest is how selective they are about their use of artificial ingredients. They use sweeteners that won’t mess with your blood sugar and add fiber that’s actually good for you. It’s why a lot of trainers and nutritionists I know recommend it.

Putting Quest Whey Protein to the Test:

As usual, we tested 8 factors in total. To learn more about our testing process, see here.

*Note: Averages are calculated using our proprietary database of 350+ protein powders.

Taste Test (7.25)

I tested two flavors of Quest Whey Protein: Chocolate Milkshake and Vanilla Milkshake. I scored the Chocolate Milkshake a 7.5 out of 10 and the Vanilla Milkshake a 7 out of 10.

The Vanilla Milkshake flavor was smooth and tasty. It didn’t leave a chalky aftertaste like I find with a lot of proteins. However, some people have complained about it being *too* sweet due to the Stevia Extract so… you’ve been warned : )

My all time favorite testing whey protein—at least so far—is the Boba Tea Whey Protein. So if you’re top priority is taste, I recommend trying that.

Mixability (8)

Quest protein mixes pretty well. I gave it an 8 out of 10 for mixability, which is well above average compared to other protein powders I’ve tried.

Now, you might get a clump or two if you’re just using a shaker bottle, but nothing a little extra shaking can’t fix. If you want to ensure a smooth consistency, I recommend using a blender or adding a blender ball to your shaker bottle.

One tip I’ve found helpful is to mix the powder with room temperature or slightly warm liquid first, then add ice if you want a colder shake. This helps the powder dissolve more easily and prevents clumping.

Nutritional Value (7.5)

I scored Quest a 7.5 out of 10 for nutritional value, which is right around the average score of all 15+ whey protein powders I’ve tested so far.

A scoop of Quest Protein Powder contains between 20 and 26 grams of protein, depending on which flavor you choose, which is pretty standard for most whey proteins. It’s also low in carbs and fat, with 2-3 grams of carbs and 0-2 grams of fat per serving, which is great if you’re trying minimize your calories.

Note: the Cookies & Cream flavor contains 7 grams of carbs per serving, so I would avoid that particular flavor if you’re trying to minimize your calories.

To compare, Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey also has 24 grams of protein per serving, and Dymatize ISO100 has 25 grams of protein per serving. The only proteins I’ve reviewed with 30+ grams of protein per serving are Muscle Milk Genuine Whey, Six Star Whey, and Body Fortress “Super Advanced” Whey.

But keep in mind, there are diminishing returns with amount of protein per serving, because your body can only process so much protein at once. Yes, there is such thing as consuming too much protein.

Cost (8.5)

Quest protein is a pretty affordable whey protein option. I scored it an 8.5 which is above average (as in cheaper) than most whey proteins I’ve reviewed.

At around $1.24 per serving, depending on the size and flavor, Quest is definitely a premium protein at below average pricing (and above average density).

To compare, Ghost Whey Protein is around $1.73 per serving, and Body Fortess Whey Protein is around $1.89 per serving. So while Quest isn’t the cheapest option out there, it’s definitely on the more affordable side.

Third Party Testing (0)

Quest Protein Powder does not third party test its products. So I had to give it a 0 out of 10.

It is important to note, however, that only about half of the whey protein powders we’ve tested to date actually do third party test. This is part of the reason Quest has been able to keep their prices low. Offering third party testing is only going to add to production costs.

If you’re only interested in whey proteins that third-party test, check out Clean Simple Eats Whey Protein, Naked Whey, or Dymatize ISO100.

Quest Nutrition Whey Protein VS The Market

Let’s take a closer look at how Quest Whey compares to other whey proteins on the market in terms of price:

*You can read full reviews of each product by clicking on the product name.

**Prices will vary depending on tub size, time of purchase, and place of purchase.

As you can see, Quest is an affordable option. The above list only contains proteins my team and I have reviewed, though, so it’s not a comprehensive list.

The average price per serving and price per gram of protein across the 150+ whey protein powders on the market is $2.36 and $0.09 respectively. So again, Quest is pretty affordable.

That said, if your top priority is price and you’re less concerned about taste and mixability, check out Gold Standard Whey or Dymatize ISO100. Both of those proteins are around the same density as Quest but come at half the price per serving around $0.60.

Let’s see how Quest Whey compares in terms of protein per serving and calories per serving:

As you can see, Quest Whey is on the low end of total calories per serving, which is why it is considered such a “dense” protein—most of its calories come from actual protein.

Here’s how it compares in terms of protein density, i.e. the % of calories from protein:

As you can see, Quest Whey is one of the densest whey protein powders on the market, meaning there are fewer “filler” ingredients in their formula.

This is great if you’re trying to stay lean, build muscle, and minimize your caloric intake. The only other proteins we’ve reviewed that are more dense than Quest are SEEQ Whey Protein and Isopure (both the flavored and unflavored options).

*Note: total caloric intake—and therefore protein density—may vary across flavors, so make sure to double-check your flavor before buying.

Quest Whey IS a Good Option if:

• You don’t mind paying a slight premium
• You want a protein powder that’s low in carbs and fat
• Your main priority is minimizing calories and maximizing protein

Quest Whey is NOT a Good Option if:

• You’re looking for the absolute cheapest whey protein on the market
• You have no tolerance for artificial sweeteners
• You want a whey protein that has been third party tested

Final Thoughts:

Quest Nutrition is a great choice if you’re looking for a “dense” protein where protein accounts for most of the calories. It tastes good (not great), mixes well, and is one of the more affordable options out there.

However, if you’re looking for all natural ingredients, and want a protein that’s been third-party tested, this isn’t the right protein for you.

Regardless, I would recommend getting clear on three things before making a decision: 1) your fitness goals, 2) your dietary constraints, and 3) your budget constraints. Once you have clarity on those three things, it’s much easier to find the perfect protein.

And hey, if you want a more personalized recommendation, feel free to hit us up on YouTube—we answer every comment!—or connect with me on Instagram.

In the meantime, if you want to give Quest Whey Protein a try, you can buy some on Amazon or directly from the Quest Nutrition website.

Thanks for stopping by,
Coach Big C out ✌🏽