Best Protein Powders at Coles - Ranked 2026
Coles isn't the obvious place to buy protein powder, but a few options genuinely punch above their weight. We scored the full range. Full ranking inside.
17 products ranked. Updated 2026-05-19.
Overview
The protein powder aisle at Coles is a tight range, but that makes it easier to spot the real performers. Our top pick is the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla, a plant-based blend that earns a Protein Score of 10.0 and a Clean Score of 9.1. It comfortably leads the shelf, delivering 75.2g of protein per 100g with only a single additive on the label. For those who prefer whey, the Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla is the most protein-dense tub in this guide, packing 76.6g of protein per 100g and carrying a HASTA certification. If you're hunting for the absolute lowest sugar, Musashi Plant Protein Plant Protein Powder Vanilla is the one to grab, with just 0.5g of sugar per 100g and an Informed Sport certification for competing athletes. The clear lesson here is that the Coles own-brand 'Elite' range, in both its plant and whey versions, consistently outperforms the more established supplement brands sitting next to it. Next time you're shopping, look for the black Elite tubs first. They're the cleanest and most protein-dense options you can put in your trolley.
The verdict
The Coles private label range pulls off a surprise win, with the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla leading the pack. It earns its spot with a seriously 75.2g of protein per 100g, which is high for any powder, let alone a plant-based one. With just a single additive on the list and a solid 30.1g protein per serve, it's the cleanest and most effective all-rounder you can grab from the Coles aisle. If you're hunting for the absolute lowest sugar, Musashi Plant Protein Plant Protein Powder Vanilla is your pick, clocking in at just 0.5g sugar per 100g. For those after a classic dairy option with maximum protein density, the Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla leads on that front with 76.6g of protein per 100g. Both are strong alternatives, giving you a clear choice depending on whether sugar or total protein is your main focus.
Rankings
- #1. Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 10.0/10 · Clean Score 9.1/10 · 30.1g/serve
With a Protein Score of 10.0/10, this Coles powder sets a high bar for plant-based options on the supermarket shelf. It delivers 75.2g of protein per 100g, which translates to a solid 30.1g per serve. The formula is also clean, with only one additive and just 2.4g of sugar per 100g, earning it a Clean Score of 9.1/10. As a plant-based blend, this is a standout performer, hitting protein levels that many whey concentrates struggle to match. The extremely clean profile makes it a rare find in an aisle often loaded with thickeners, gums and artificial sweeteners. For vegan lifters or anyone wanting a simple, high-purity plant protein without the extra baggage, this is the clear winner.
- #2. Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Chocolate - Protein Score 9.8/10 · Clean Score 8.6/10 · 30.2g/serve
With a Protein Score of 9.8/10, this tub is a whisker away from the top spot. The Musashi Plant Protein powder delivers a strong 71.1g of protein per 100g, which translates to 22.8g per serve. Its real standout feature is the sugar content, which at just 0.5g per 100g is the lowest across all the plant protein powders we scored. A very clean label with only two additives rounds out a top profile. It just misses out on the crown to the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla, which packs a little more protein density. But where the Musashi tub wins is on simplicity. If you want the leanest plant powder on the supermarket shelf with almost no sugar and a minimal additive list, this is your pick over the Coles alternative.
- #3. Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 9.6/10 · Clean Score 8.7/10 · 30.6g/serve
With a Protein Score of 9.8/10, this whey powder is performer. It delivers a massive 30.2g of protein per serve, built on a 75.5g per 100g base that puts it among the most protein-dense powders we've scored. The real win is the clean profile, containing just two additives. It sits just shy of a perfect score, narrowly beaten by the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla. For a supermarket-brand whey, this. The numbers rival tubs from specialty supplement stores, but with a much cleaner formulation than many we see. If you prefer whey over plant-based protein powders and want a high-performance scoop without a long list of thickeners and gums, this is one of the best you can pull from the Coles shelf.
- #4. Muscle Nation Plant Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 9.4/10 · Clean Score 8.7/10 · 21.7g/serve
- #5. Coles Perform Plant Protein Powder Chocolate - Protein Score 9.1/10 · Clean Score 8.8/10 · 22.7g/serve
- #6. Coles Perform Plant Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 8.8/10 · Clean Score 8.6/10 · 22g/serve
- #7. Coles Perform Whey Protein Powder Chocolate - Protein Score 8.2/10 · Clean Score 8.1/10 · 22.2g/serve
- #8. BSc Shred Protein Powder - Protein Score 8.2/10 · Clean Score 7.7/10 · 22.8g/serve
- #9. Coles Perform Whey Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 8.1/10 · Clean Score 8.2/10 · 22.1g/serve
- #10. Muscle Nation Whey Protein Daily Shake Vanilla Ice Cream - Protein Score 7.8/10 · Clean Score 7.4/10 · 21.9g/serve
- #11. Keep It Cleaner Protein Powder Chocolate - Protein Score 7.4/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 20.1g/serve
- #12. Keep It Cleaner Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 7.4/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 20.1g/serve
- #13. Muscle Nation High Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 7.3/10 · Clean Score 7.4/10 · 30.2g/serve
- #14. Keep It Cleaner Plant Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 6.0/10 · Clean Score 9.7/10 · 15.1g/serve
- #15. BSc High Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 4.8/10 · Clean Score 6.4/10 · 27.2g/serve
- #16. BSc Protein Powder Chocolate Honeycomb - Protein Score 4.8/10 · Clean Score 6.4/10 · 26.8g/serve
- #17. BSc High Protein Powder Chocolate - Protein Score 4.6/10 · Clean Score 6.4/10 · 30g/serve
Editorial deep dive
The protein powder aisle at Coles can feel a bit limited compared to a specialty supplement store, but there are some genuinely good tubs hiding on the shelf. The range is mostly a mix of Coles's own Perform brand, BSc, and Muscle Nation. Your main decision comes down to choosing between a whey or plant-based protein, and then figuring out which one delivers the goods without a long list of fillers. Our analysis shows the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla is the standout, earning a perfect Protein Score of 10.0. For a plant blend, it delivers 75.2g of protein per 100g, putting it well into territory usually reserved for whey isolates. With just a single additive, it's clean formula for a supermarket powder and comes with HASTA certification, which is a bonus for athletes. It's not the only strong performer, though. The Musashi Plant Protein Plant Protein Powder Vanilla gives it a real run, landing at number two. It packs a solid 71.1g of protein per 100g and is the leanest option on sugar across this guide, with just 0.5g per 100g. Coles also lands its whey alternative in the top ranks, with the Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Chocolate proving the home brand is a serious contender across the board. If your only goal is the maximum amount of protein per gram, the Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla leads this specific list with 76.6g of protein per 100g. While the Keep It Cleaner Plant Protein Powder Vanilla takes the crown as the cleanest formula we scored with a Clean Score of 9.7, the top-ranked Coles powder isn't far behind on that front. It shows that you don't have to sacrifice a clean ingredient list for high protein density. So, when you're standing in the Coles aisle, the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla is the best all-rounder to grab first. If you need the absolute lowest sugar content, the Musashi Plant Protein is the one. For a straightforward, high-protein whey, the Coles Perform Elite Whey alternative is pick. Check the protein source, glance at the additive count, and you'll walk out with a quality tub.
Brand-by-brand notes
Coles
Coles is more than just a place to do your weekly shop, it's a major player in the protein powder aisle with its own private label range. The "Coles Perform" lineup covers both whey and plant-based options, aiming to compete with specialty brands right there on the supermarket shelf. With seven different tubs in our analysis, Coles has the largest presence in its own guide. The home-brand advantage pays off, with the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla earning a perfect Protein Score of 10.0 to lead the entire category. It packs 75.2g of protein per 100g with a lean 2.4g of sugar per 100g. For pure protein density, the Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla is the highest in the guide at 76.6g per 100g. The standard, non-elite tubs are a step down, with the Coles Perform Whey Protein Powder Vanilla sitting at the bottom of the brand's range. The verdict is pretty straightforward: stick to the "Elite" tubs. The plant-based Elite version is our number one pick across the entire guide, making it a clear winner for anyone shopping at Coles. If you prioritise whey and the absolute highest protein number on the label, the whey Elite version is your best bet. The standard Perform tubs are just okay, and easily beaten by their premium siblings on the same shelf.
Muscle Nation
Muscle Nation is an Australian brand that started in apparel before expanding into a full sports nutrition line. They've landed a strong presence on supermarket shelves, making their tubs an easy find at Coles or Woolworths. We've analysed 3 of their popular protein powders available in major grocers. The range is a real mixed bag on the numbers, averaging 70.8g of protein and a high 9.4g of sugar per 100g. The clear standout is the Muscle Nation Plant Protein Powder Vanilla, packing 72.4g of protein per 100g with only 3g of sugar per 100g. Their whey-based options don't fare as well. The High Protein Powder Vanilla drops to 67.1g of protein per 100g, while the Whey Protein Daily Shake Vanilla Ice Cream hits a very high 13.6g of sugar per 100g. Our advice is to be selective with this brand. The Plant Protein Powder is a genuinely strong performer that holds its own against the category leaders on protein density and low sugar. The whey tubs, however, are harder to recommend due to their higher sugar content. If you're grabbing a Muscle Nation tub during your weekly shop, make it the plant-based one.
Keep It Cleaner
Keep It Cleaner's whole deal is simple, natural ingredients you can find right on the supermarket shelf. The brand has a strong presence in Coles and Woolworths, aiming its three protein powders at shoppers who prioritise a clean label over hitting the absolute highest protein numbers in the category. On the numbers, the range is pretty mid-tier for protein density. The powders average 54.0g of protein per 100g, which is a fair way behind the category leaders pushing past 75g. The real highlight is the Keep It Cleaner Plant Protein Powder Vanilla, which earns the highest Clean Score of 9.7 in this guide thanks to a super short ingredient list. However, it's also the weakest for protein in their lineup, with just 43.8g of protein per 100g. If you're after the cleanest label we've scored, the Plant Protein Powder Vanilla is the one to grab. Just know you're trading off a significant amount of protein for that simplicity. For anyone purely chasing protein density, you're better off looking at the category-leading Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla, which delivers much higher protein content.
BSc
BSc is one of the most visible sports nutrition brands in Australia, with a presence that goes way beyond specialty shops. You'll find all four of the protein powders we've scored right there on the shelves at Coles and Woolworths. Their whole range is HASTA Certified, signalling a clear focus on athletes who need that screened assurance. On the numbers, the BSc range is decent but doesn't lead the pack. Protein density averages 67.2g per 100g, a fair way behind the category's best. The average sugar at 9.3g per 100g is also on the higher side. The strongest performer of the bunch is the BSc Shred Protein Powder, with 67g of protein per 100g and 7.1g of sugar per 100g. At the other end, the BSc High Protein Powder Chocolate has similar protein but pushes sugar up to 11.4g per 100g. For shoppers, BSc is a convenient supermarket grab, but it's not the cleanest or most protein-dense option. The formulas often include added sugar like dextrose alongside artificial sweeteners. If you're set on the brand, the Shred Protein Powder is the one to pick. Otherwise, you're better off looking at leaner powders like our top pick, the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best protein powder at Coles in Australia 2026?
- The best protein powder we scored at Coles is the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla, which earns a perfect Protein Score of 10.0. It leads our analysis for Australia in 2026 because it combines a massive 75.2g of protein per 100g with very low sugar at just 2.4g per 100g. For a supermarket home-brand product, its numbers. outperforming many specialty brands.
- Is Muscle Nation a good protein powder?
- We can't say if it's 'good' for you specifically, but on the numbers, Muscle Nation's protein powders are very protein-dense. For example, their Whey Protein Daily Shake Vanilla Ice Cream contains 73g of protein per 100g. However, it also has one of the higher sugar counts in our Australian analysis for 2026 at 13.6g per 100g, so it's a trade-off between high protein and higher sugar.
- What is the best protein powder for weight loss at Coles?
- We don't give nutritional advice, but if you're looking for a protein powder with favourable macros, the data points to Musashi Plant Protein Plant Protein Powder Vanilla. It has the lowest sugar content in this guide at just 0.5g per 100g, while still providing a strong 71.1g of protein per 100g. This combination makes it a standout for anyone wanting high protein with minimal sugar.
- BSc vs Muscle Nation protein powder: which is better?
- Looking at the data, Muscle Nation Whey Protein Daily Shake Vanilla Ice Cream packs more protein with 73g per 100g, compared to 67.9g per 100g in the BSc High Protein Powder Vanilla. However, the BSc tub is lower in sugar, with 11.2g per 100g versus Muscle Nation's 13.6g per 100g. Both use artificial sweeteners and digestive enzymes. Pick Muscle Nation for the higher protein density, but neither is a low-sugar option.
- What is the best plant-based protein powder at Coles?
- The top-scoring protein powder in our entire Coles analysis is plant-based: the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla. It earns a standout Protein Score of 10.0, thanks to a huge 75.2g of protein per 100g and very low sugar at 2.4g per 100g. It's the clear winner for plant-based options on the shelf, proving you don't need whey to get a high-performance powder.
- How much protein is in Coles Perform Elite protein powder?
- The Coles Perform Elite range is very high in protein. The Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla has the most protein of any powder in this guide, with 76.6g of protein per 100g. Its plant-based counterpart, the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla, is right behind it with 75.2g of protein per 100g.
- What is the cleanest protein powder at Coles?
- The cleanest protein powder we scored at Coles is the Keep It Cleaner Plant Protein Powder Vanilla, which earns the highest Clean Score of 9.7. Its score is driven by a very short and simple ingredient list that uses natural sweeteners like erythritol and stevia. The trade-off is a lower protein content, sitting at 43.8g of protein per 100g, making it a choice for those who prioritise ingredients over protein density.
- Is Keep It Cleaner protein powder any good?
- We don't give nutritional advice, but the numbers show Keep It Cleaner's protein powders are designed for those who prioritise simple ingredients. Their Plant Protein Powder Vanilla has the highest Clean Score of 9.7 in this guide, thanks to its short ingredient list and natural sweeteners. However, its protein content of 43.8g per 100g is significantly lower than more performance-focused brands, so it's built for a different goal.