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 2026-06-13.
Overview
The protein powder aisle at the supermarket can be a confusing place, but the numbers point to a clear winner. The Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla takes the top spot, proving a plant-based blend can compete with the best whey tubs on protein density, delivering 75.2g of protein per 100g. It also earns a strong Clean Score of 9.1 with only one additive on the list. The top of our rankings isn't a one-horse race, with strong options for different needs. The Coles Perform Elite range shows up again with its Whey High Protein Powder Chocolate at rank three, showing the brand delivers across both dairy and plant sources. For those watching sugar, Musashi's Plant Protein Plant Protein Powder Vanilla is the leanest we analysed, with just 0.5g per 100g, and comes with an Informed Sport certification for athletes. Ultimately, the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla is the standout tub on the shelf. It combines elite protein numbers with a clean formula and HASTA certification, a combination you'd typically expect from a specialty supplement store. It's the one we'd grab first.
The verdict
Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla takes the crown, proving plant-based powders can compete with whey on pure numbers. It delivers 75.2g of protein per 100g and a solid 30.1g protein per serve, putting it right at the top of the category. With just one additive on its ingredient list and HASTA certification for peace of mind, it's clean and reliable formula for athletes. For those who prefer whey, the Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla leads the entire guide on protein density at 76.6g per 100g. If minimising sugar is the main goal, Musashi Plant Protein Plant Protein Powder Vanilla is the standout, with just 0.5g of sugar per 100g. Both are strong picks, but the Coles plant protein offers the best all-round profile we analysed.
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, the Coles Perform Elite Plant Protein is a genuine surprise at the top of the rankings. It delivers 75.2g of protein per 100g, a figure that puts it at the high end for any plant-based blend. Each serve packs 30.1g of protein, making it a proper post-training option without compromise. The clean profile is just as strong. Earning a Clean Score of 9.1/10, the formula contains just a single additive and keeps sugars low at 2.4g per 100g. For anyone after a high-purity plant protein from the supermarket aisle that skips the fillers, this is the tub to get.
- #2. Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Chocolate - Protein Score 9.8/10 · Clean Score 8.6/10 · 30.2g/serve
Protein Score 9.8/10. This powder from Musashi is a standout, running a very close second to the guide's winner, Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla. It carves out its own major win, however, by being the leanest on sugar across all the protein powders we scored, with just 0.5g per 100g. Protein density is still excellent at 71.1g per 100g, and it manages this with clean profile of only two additives. While the Coles powder just edges it out on raw protein metrics, the Musashi Plant Protein is the pick for anyone prioritising a minimal formula without sacrificing performance. It's a top plant-based powder that delivers a clean, high-protein scoop you can find easily on the supermarket shelf.
- #3. Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla - Protein Score 9.6/10 · Clean Score 8.7/10 · 30.6g/serve
Protein Score: 9.8/10. The Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Chocolate earns its spot near the top with a massive 75.5g of protein per 100g. That delivers a huge 30.2g of protein per serve, making it a serious contender for post-workout recovery. It sits just behind the brand's own #1 pick, Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla, but holds its own with a very low additive count of just two. The sugar content is kept in check at 4.1g per 100g, and the clean profile is a big plus in a category often loaded with gums and fillers. For anyone wanting a straightforward, high-performance whey protein without a long list of extras, this is one of the best picks you can find in a supermarket. It proves you don't need to go to a specialty store for a quality tub.
- #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 Vanilla - Protein Score 7.4/10 · Clean Score 8.3/10 · 20.1g/serve
- #12. Keep It Cleaner Protein Powder Chocolate - 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 can feel like a numbers game, but the difference is in the source. Plant-based powders have stepped up, delivering protein levels that now seriously challenge traditional whey concentrates. The standout here is the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla, which leads the category with a Protein Score of 10.0. It packs 75.2g of protein per 100g, a figure that puts it well into the territory of a quality whey isolate, all while keeping the ingredient list clean with just one additive. Just behind the leader, another plant-based tub shows how competitive this space has become. Musashi Plant Protein Plant Protein Powder Vanilla earns its spot with a solid 71.1g of protein per 100g and the lowest sugar content in our analysis at just 0.5g per 100g. It's a great example of the trade-offs shoppers face: while the Coles powder is denser on protein, the Musashi option is the leanest on sugar, making it a strong contender for anyone prioritising that metric. Both are also certified for athlete assurance, with Coles carrying HASTA certification and Musashi holding an Informed Sport tick. For those who stick with dairy, the whey options haven't gone anywhere. The Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla actually has the most protein in this guide, with 76.6g per 100g. Its chocolate counterpart sits just behind it. This shows that if your goal is purely maximum protein per scoop, a high-quality whey blend still slightly edges out the best plant formulas. The fact that a supermarket's own brand can top the charts on both plant and whey fronts shows you don't always need to go to a specialty store. Further down the rankings, protein density starts to vary, and some tubs carry more sugar than you might expect. The protein powder shelf at Coles and Woolworths is mostly a mix of Coles, BSc, and Muscle Nation products, and it pays to read the label. Some blends sit in the mid-60s for protein per 100g, which is a noticeable drop from the leaders. So, where do you start? On the numbers, the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla is our top pick for its excellent protein density and clean profile. It proves that plant-based protein can deliver without compromise. If you're a whey loyalist chasing the absolute highest protein figure, then its sibling, the Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla, is the one to reach for.
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 in Australia 2026?
- The best protein powder in Australia for 2026 is the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla, based on our analysis. It achieves a perfect Protein Score of 10.0, the highest of all 21 protein powders we scored. This is driven by its excellent nutritional profile, packing 75.2g of protein per 100g while keeping sugar very low at just 2.4g per 100g. It stands out by beating many dairy-based whey protein powders on pure numbers.
- What is the best protein powder for weight loss in Australia?
- We don't give nutritional advice for weight loss, but on the numbers, a protein powder low in sugar and calories is a good place to look in Australia for 2026. The Musashi Plant Protein Plant Protein Powder Vanilla is the standout here, containing the lowest sugar content we found at just 0.5g per 100g. It still delivers a strong 71.1g of protein per 100g, making it a very lean option if you're aiming to increase protein intake without the extra sugar.
- Is Muscle Nation a good protein powder brand?
- We can't say if it's a good protein powder for you, but the data shows Muscle Nation products have high protein content but can also be high in sugar. For instance, their Whey Protein Daily Shake Vanilla Ice Cream offers 73g of protein per 100g, but also contains 13.6g of sugar per 100g, which is on the higher end. Their plant-based options are leaner, so it's worth checking the specific label before buying.
- Coles Perform vs BSc: which protein powder is better?
- In our analysis, the Coles Perform range scores better than the BSc protein powders. The Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla is our number one ranked product overall, earning a Protein Score of 10.0. In contrast, the BSc protein powders we scored sit in the middle of the pack. While BSc products are HASTA Certified, which is a bonus for athletes, the Coles Perform range consistently delivers a stronger combination of high protein and low sugar. For the best nutritional profile, pick Coles Perform.
- How does ProteinScore rank protein powders?
- Our Protein Score is a 0-10 rating that measures the nutritional quality of protein powders based on the information on the label. We analyse three key metrics to calculate the score. The most important factor is protein density, which is the grams of protein per 100g. After that, we apply penalties for high amounts of sugar and sodium. This method rewards protein powders that deliver maximum protein with minimal filler ingredients.
- What is the cleanest protein powder?
- The cleanest protein powder we scored is the Keep It Cleaner Plant Protein Powder Vanilla, which earns the highest Clean Score of 9.7. Our Clean Score rates products based on their ingredient list, rewarding those with fewer additives, no artificial sweeteners, and no added colours. This particular powder has a very simple formula with natural sweeteners, making it a top pick for shoppers wanting to avoid a long list of chemicals. Its protein density is lower at 43.8g per 100g, but it wins on simplicity.
- How much protein is in Coles Perform Elite protein powder?
- The Coles Perform Elite range is one of the most protein-dense on the market. The Coles Perform Elite Whey High Protein Powder Vanilla packs a massive 76.6g of protein per 100g, the highest of any protein powder in our analysis. The plant-based version, Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla, is right behind it with 75.2g of protein per 100g. Both are excellent choices if maximising protein intake is your main goal.
- What is the highest protein plant-based powder?
- The highest-protein plant-based powder in our guide is the Coles Perform Elite Plant High Protein Powder Vanilla. It delivers 75.2g of protein per 100g, which is high for a plant-based product and even surpasses most of its whey-based rivals. Its strong protein content, combined with very low sugar, is what makes it our number one ranked protein powder overall with a Protein Score of 10.0. Other options like Muscle Nation Plant Protein Powder Vanilla are close behind at 72.4g per 100g.