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One of the best things about being a commerce editor is having the opportunity to test different products and appliances. I’ve smashed dozens of garlic cloves to test garlic presses, put nonstick pans through the dishwasher (I cringed every time) and cooked dozens of meals from various delivery services. My work also allows me to compare popular products to ones I’ve used for years. The most important question I’m always trying to answer, whether for myself or a reader, is this: Is it worth it? Most recently, I was asked to compare my favorite chocolate whey protein powder, Aldi’s Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder, with an EatingWell Test Kitchen favorite, the Garden of Life SPORT Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder.
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As I’ve written before, protein is a nutrient I probably think about more than the average person. I’ve been powerlifting for several years, and an essential ingredient for muscle growth is, you guessed it, protein. The average person only needs about 0.8 to 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. However, since building muscle is one of my goals, I strive to hit 100 grams daily. Like most nutrients, you’re better off getting protein from whole food sources like chicken, eggs and lentils. But a scoop of protein powder is often a quick and easy way to get closer to my goal (plus, there’s only so much chicken breast a person can eat).
To see how my bargain whey protein pick (you can usually get a tub of Elevation for under $25 at Aldi) stood up against a pricier favorite, I compared the two based on taste, texture and nutrition. Here’s what I ultimately thought.
Nutrition by the Numbers
Naturally, nutrition will be at the top of the list when comparing whey protein powders. I decided to put together a quick nutritional rundown of the two to compare them:
As you can see, the Elevation whey protein powder has more protein per gram than the Garden of Life version. The tradeoff is that it also contains more fat and sugar. However, the Elevation protein powder has the added benefit of containing 2 g of creatine monohydrate per serving (which is at the lower end of the recommended dose range). Creatine has numerous health benefits, the most well-known of which is its ability to help you build more muscle during strength training. Adding in that extra boost along with my protein powder is a huge plus for me (though if you want to take a creatine supplement, we have a few we recommend).
However, one of the biggest differentiators is that while Garden of Life is third-party tested, Elevation is not. Why is that important? Third-party testing is one way to ensure that the ingredients and quantities listed on the supplement facts labels are accurate. While Aldi Inc., the owner of Millville, indicates that it has rigorous quality and safety standards, it does not list any third-party certification on its corporate site or its supplement facts label.
Texture
As you can see from my photos, the Garden of Life protein powder (top) has a fine, baby-powder-like texture, while the Elevation protein powder (below) is grainier in texture. I blended both with almond milk in my shaker bottle, shaking each for 30 seconds. Garden of Life’s protein powder mixes more seamlessly with the liquid, leaving fewer clumps after shaking than Elevation’s protein powder. When it comes to easy mixing, Garden of Life was the clear winner.
EatingWell / Katie Tuttle
Taste
While both have a solid, chocolatey flavor courtesy of cocoa powder, no one would mistake either for a milkshake. However, the sweeteners in each are what differentiates the two. The Elevation whey protein powder is sweetened with sucralose, while Garden of Life uses organic stevia extract. I personally find I’m very sensitive to the flavor of stevia; it lends an artificial note that I find unexpectedly cloying. However, if you prefer a natural sweetener, Elevation’s use of sucralose may be a turnoff.
EatingWell / Katie Tuttle
The Bottom Line
Choosing between these two protein powders wasn’t easy. The Garden of Life version has a lot going for it in terms of sourcing and texture, and I appreciate the role of third-party testing when it comes to any kind of dietary supplement. However, if I’m taking something on a near-daily basis, taste and value are significant considerations. Therefore, the Elevation by Millville Chocolate Protein Powder (view at Amazon) remains my favorite. It packs in more protein per gram than Garden of Life, provides a slight creatine boost and, most importantly, tastes better. That’s why it will continue to be my go-to—it simply fits better into my routine and makes my shakes something I can look forward to drinking.
Our Trusted Expertise
Katie Tuttle is a commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats. She has been powerlifting for six years and testing food and kitchen products for two.
This article was edited and reviewed by senior commerce editor Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, who has 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing nutrition and health content.