Levels Grass-Fed 100% Whey Protein
Budget-conscious consumers who want affordable grass-fed whey without fillers
Garden of Life SPORT Organic Plant-Based Protein
Organic-focused consumers who prioritize NSF and USDA certifications (note heavy metal flag)
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Levels Grass-Fed 100% Whey Protein
Budget-conscious consumers who want affordable grass-fed whey without fillers
Levels offers solid grass-fed whey at competitive prices with clean ingredients. The lack of major certifications keeps it from premium territory, but third-party lab testing and honest ingredient lists make it a reliable budget option for those who want grass-fed quality without the premium price.
Strengths
- Grass-fed, hormone-free whey with no artificial ingredients or fillers
- Good value with multiple size options from 1lb to 5lb
- Third-party tested by independent labs with results available on request
Limitations
- No major third-party certification (no NSF, Informed Sport, or Labdoor rating)
- Smaller brand with less established quality track record
- Uses whey concentrate rather than isolate — lower protein percentage
When to Choose Garden of Life SPORT Organic Plant-Based Protein
Organic-focused consumers who prioritize NSF and USDA certifications (note heavy metal flag)
Garden of Life SPORT checks every certification box — NSF for Sport, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Verified. However, Consumer Reports flagged elevated lead levels at 4-6x their daily safety limit, which significantly impacts the heavy metal safety score. Buyers should weigh the strong certifications against the contamination data.
Strengths
- NSF Certified for Sport plus USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified triple certification
- Organic plant blend with probiotics and enzymes for digestive support
- 30g protein per serving from organic pea, navy bean, lentil, and garbanzo sources
Limitations
- Consumer Reports flagged lead at 4-6x daily safety concern level — significant safety concern
- Grittier texture than whey-based competitors due to plant protein blend
- Organic certification adds cost without directly addressing heavy metal contamination
