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The 8 Best Collagen Powders of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Your hair and nail health will thank you.

A trio of collagen powders on a neutral background

Shape / Jhett Thompson

If supplements are part of your wellness routine, you’ve likely considered your fair share of collagen powders. This is especially true if you’re on a mission to improve the health of your skin, hair, nails, joints, or bones (or all of the above).

“Collagen is the dominant protein found in the skin and connective tissue, and [it] makes up about 30 percent of the protein found in your body,” explains registered dietitian Maddie Pasquariello, M.S., R.D.N. It’s responsible for providing elasticity and structure to the skin, but as we get older, collagen naturally breaks down. Eventually, this deterioration can lead to changes such as wrinkles, joint pain, stiffer tendons and ligaments, and reduced blood flow, according to Pasquariello. A collagen powder can help bump up your levels.

To help you determine the best collagen powder for your supplement routine, we performed an in-depth test of 20 collagen powders vetted by a registered dietitian. Here are the best-tasting collagen powders on the market, plus other options based on different features and needs.

Best Collagen Powder Overall

Vital Proteins Lemon Collagen Peptides

Vital Proteins Lemon Collagen Peptides

Amazon

Why We Liked It: The powder dissolved quickly and had a great lemon flavor in both hot and cold drinks.

It’s Worth Noting: Although tasty, the lemon flavor isn’t ideal for every drink, as it might clash with beverages like coffee or protein shakes.

Thanks to its lightly sweet lemon flavor and impressive dissolvability, the Vital Proteins Lemon Collagen Peptides is our best overall pick. We discovered that it tasted just like lightly sweetened lemonade, making it a great addition to cold water and hot tea alike (plus, it dissolved well in both temperatures). This is a perk if you’re bored with the usual unflavored collagen powder.  At only 14 servings per 11-ounce tub (two scoops per 8-ounce drink), the powder is less budget-friendly than other options on the market. But if taste and texture are your top priorities, it might be worth the splurge. The powder also boasts 18 grams of protein per serving, which may be an attractive feature if protein intake is at the top of your mind.

Suggested serving size: 22 grams | Flavors: Lemon | Protein: 18 grams | Carbohydrates: < 1 gram | Fat: 0 grams | Servings per container: 14 | Key ingredients: Bovine collagen peptides, citric acid, natural flavors, sea salt, stevia sweetener

Best Unflavored Collagen Powder

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder

Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Peptides Protein Powder Pure

Amazon

Why We Liked It: This powder is completely flavorless and dissolvable, making it easy to use in many types of recipes.
It’s Worth Noting: The powder had a slightly chalky smell that intensified in cold water.

If you’re looking for a versatile collagen powder, our best unflavored collagen powder pick is the way to go. Despite its robust multi-collagen ingredients list, it’s a truly flavorless product, making it ideal for different types of drinks and recipes. In terms of texture and dissolvability, the Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein was impressively smooth. It broke down almost instantly when we stirred it in both cold and hot liquid, sans clumps or settling at the bottom of the glass. And though there were very small grains visible in the drink, we didn’t notice them at all when sipping our drinks. Likewise, we didn’t experience an aftertaste or feel the need to get rid of lingering flavors, which is always a plus.

Suggested serving size: 10.1 grams | Flavors: Unflavored | Protein: 9 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams| Fat: 0 grams | Servings per container: 45 | Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed bovine hide collagen peptides, fermented eggshell membrane collagen, chicken bone broth protein concentrate, probiotics (Bacillus coagulans), hydrolyzed fish collagen peptides, vitamin C 

Best Sweet Tasting Collagen Powder

Garden of Life Collagen Coconut MCT Powder

Garden of Life Grass Fed Collagen Coconut MCT Powder

Amazon

Why We Liked It: It tasted like a sweet vanilla protein shake when mixed in cold water.

It’s Worth Noting: The powder left a lingering aftertaste.

For a collagen powder that will satisfy your sweet tooth, consider the Garden of Life Grass Fed Collagen with coconut MCT. We detected a vanilla-like taste with a tinge of coconut, so we’d recommend it for protein shakes or smoothies. In cold water, the powder tasted like a protein shake, while hot English breakfast tea seemed to elevate the vanilla notes. When we combined the powder with cold water, it dissolved fairly well and left a few small powder clumps. This might not be a concern if you plan to blend the powder into protein shakes. It dissolved even better when we stirred it into hot tea, leaving behind zero clumps. Our testers also noted a slight oily feeling on their tongues from the coconut MCT, which stuck around for several minutes. You’d have to brush your teeth to make it fully go away, so we’d suggest keeping this in mind if you’re sensitive to different sensations. 

Suggested serving size: 17 grams | Flavors: Vanilla | Protein: 9 grams | Carbohydrates: 3 grams | Fat: 3 grams | Servings per container: 24 | Key ingredients: Bovine collagen peptides, coconut medium chain triglycerides, gum acacia, national vanilla flavor, coconut cream, stevia

Best Sustainable Sourcing Collagen Powder

Zhou Collagen Peptides

Zhou Collagen Peptides

Amazon

Why We Liked It: The collagen is sourced sustainably and mixed best with hot water.

It’s Worth Noting: When mixed with cold water, it took longer to dissolve and left behind a smell.

If sustainability is your top priority, the Zhou Collagen Peptides will fit the bill. It’s sourced from grass-fed and pasture-raised cattle. When we drank it with cold water, the collagen was completely flavorless, though a slight taste surfaced as we continued to drink it. About 70 percent of the powder dissolved in cold water after 90 seconds of stirring, and there was a stubborn clump that took longer to break down. We could also see the powder’s texture throughout the entire drink, and by the bottom of the cup, a few grains had settled.  When we drank the powder in hot tea, it dissolved in about 10 seconds, and even after our testers finished the tea, there was no powder residue left in the cup.

Suggested serving size: 11 grams | Flavors: Unflavored | Protein: 10 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams | Fat: 0 grams | Servings per container: 46 | Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides

Best Collagen Powder for Hot Liquids

Sports Research Powder Supplement

Sports Research Collagen Powder Supplement

Amazon

Why We Liked It: It dissolved well in hot drinks and left no aftertaste.

It’s Worth Noting: The powder didn’t fully dissolve in cold drinks.

This powder gets our top pick for hot liquids, as it seamlessly dissolves in drinks like hot tea and coffee. It was a different story in room-temperature water, though. Even after we constantly stirred the mixture, the powder did not dissolve very well. While the label said it was unflavored, the powder had a slight taste in cold water. We thought was a bit chalky and unnatural, but nothing too unpleasant. Meanwhile, we were unable to detect the flavor in coffee. We also noticed no aftertaste after drinking cold and hot drinks containing the powder.  

Suggested serving size: 11 grams | Flavors: Unflavored | Protein: 10 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams | Fat: 0 grams | Servings per container: 41 | Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides

Best Collagen Powder for Cold Liquids

Bubs Naturals Collagen Peptides

Bubs Naturals Collagen Peptides

Amazon

Why We Liked It: Unlike other collagen powders, it dissolved well in both hot and cold liquids.

It’s Worth Noting: It has a faint dairy odor that some people might dislike. You don’t get a lot for the price.

Collagen water fans will appreciate how well this product dissolves in cold water. Compared to other powders, it left fewer clumps. After pouring out the cold collagen drink, we saw a thin layer of powder on the bottom — but it’s much better than getting a clump in your mouth. Similarly, when we mixed the powder with hot coffee, it dissolved well and left a few tiny grains. In both cold and hot drinks, the collagen simply made the liquid a bit thicker. In cold water, the powder added a subtle flavor and smell. We found no taste or smell when the powder was mixed in hot coffee.

Suggested serving size: 20 grams | Flavors: Unflavored | Protein: 18 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams | Fat: 0 grams | Servings per container: 28 | Key ingredients: Bovine collagen peptides

Best Marine Collagen Powder

Procaps Marine Collagen Peptides

Procaps Marine Collagen Peptides

Amazon

Why We Liked It: The powder had a very neutral, non-fishy taste or smell.

It’s Worth Noting: In cold water, it left a slight gelatin aftertaste.

If you’re a pescatarian or looking for an alternative to bone collagen, consider the Procaps Marine Collagen Peptides, our top marine collagen pick. When we mixed it with cold water, it was mostly tasteless, albeit for e a faint gelatin-like flavor. And though the powder created clumps (along with a slightly cloudy gray translucent color) after we stirred the drink for 10 seconds, the drink was surprisingly smooth — just like regular water. The powder was flavorless in both black hot coffee and coffee with creamer. In terms of aftertaste and smell, we noticed the subtle gelatin notes in cold water. It wasn’t fishy, despite being made from fish. In hot coffee, there was no aftertaste or odor.

Suggested serving size: 5 grams | Flavors: Unflavored | Protein: 5 grams | Carbohydrates: 0 grams | Fat: 0 grams | Servings per container: 30 | Key ingredients: Marine collagen peptides

We Also Tested

Shaklee Collagen-9, $67

The Shaklee Collagen-9 is an unflavored powder that consists of bovine collagen, pea protein, biotin, and vitamin C. We found that it had a slightly gritty texture in cold water but was less grainy in hot tea. It’s significantly more expensive than other collagen powders, so it might not be a good fit for most people’s budgets.

A person stirs Shaklee Collagen-9 powder into a cup of coffee

Shape / Jhett Thompson

What to Know About Collagen Powders

  • Benefits: According to Pasquariello, most research suggests that supplemental collagen peptides may help improve skin elasticity, boost hair and nail strength, strengthen bones and joints (especially in conjunction with strength training), and repair scars. However, most of the purported benefits haven’t been studied enough to warrant blanket statements about their usage, she adds. Talk to your own medical health professional before deciding if you need a collagen supplement.
  • Sources: Collagen can come from different sources, such as beef (bovine), fish (marine), and chicken. Thus, collagen powder is not ideal for vegan diets, as it’s derived from animals. 
  • Hydrolyzed collagen: Hydrolyzed collagen is collagen that has been broken down into smaller proteins or individual amino acids, according to Pasquariello. This makes them more digestible throughout the gastrointestinal tract, which is important for those interested in supplementation, as collagen cannot be absorbed whole, says Pasquariello.
  • Ingredients:  “You don’t necessarily need to seek out anything in your collagen peptide supplement other than the peptides themselves,” explains Pasquariello. However, some powders might have additional ingredients that have similar health benefits or can further boost collagen synthesis. One common example is vitamin C, which the body needs to synthesize collagen.
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Is collagen powder good for you?

    Collagen powder may benefit various parts of the body, including the skin, nails, bones, and joints. For those experiencing hair loss due to dietary protein deficiency, collagen-sourced protein can serve as a good hair growth supplement. The research is still ongoing, however, and the results can vary greatly for each person.

  • Is liquid collagen better than powder?

    According to Pasquariello, there’s very limited (if any) research available that has examined the medical differences between liquid vs. powder collagen — so the jury is still out on this one. Yet, there are other reasons you might choose one over the other. Liquid collagen is usually sold in a flavored format for palatability (that is, does it taste good?), so it may contain ingredients like processed sugar, which is something to consider if you’re watching your sugar intake. In contrast, powder forms typically contain fewer ingredients and can have more potent formulas because the collagen is non-diluted, explains Pasquariello. Adding a scoop of collagen peptides to your favorite mix, for example, is an easy way to make healthy pancakes. Your best bet is to consider your top priorities, including cost vs. dosage, palatability, ease of use, and any added ingredients you’re looking for (or avoiding), she notes.

  • What are the side effects of taking collagen?

    In general, collagen peptides are well-tolerated by most people. But if you take too much too quickly, it can cause adverse gastrointestinal effects like constipation, diarrhea, and reduced appetite, says Pasquariello. More severe reactions can occur with higher doses, so always add it to your diet slowly and with caution, she adds. 

Why Trust Shape

Kirsten Nunez is a contributor at Shape who has covered health, nutrition, and food for more than seven years. She has an M.S. in Nutrition and B.S. in Dietetics. In writing this article, she researched collagen powders herself and interviewed Pasquariello to get all the facts about the benefits of collagen and what to look for in collagen powders. Kirsten also analyzed testing insights from 20 different collagen powders, drilling down into the most important pros and cons of each to share these recommendations.

We determined the best collagen powders under the guidance of Eliza Savage, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., registered dietitian and associate director of Verywell Fit. We also interviewed registered dietitian Maddie Pasquariello, M.S., R.D.N. for expert insight on collagen powders.

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