Klean Athlete Klean Isolate
Professional and Olympic athletes who need NSF-certified protein with pharmaceutical-grade purity
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 Klean Athlete Klean Isolate
Professional and Olympic athletes who need NSF-certified protein with pharmaceutical-grade purity
Klean Athlete is purpose-built for competitive athletes who cannot risk contamination. NSF Certified for Sport plus pharmaceutical-grade manufacturing standards make it one of the safest protein powders available. The unflavored single-ingredient option is ideal for purists.
Strengths
- NSF Certified for Sport — trusted by Olympic and professional athletes
- Single-ingredient unflavored option available for maximum purity
- Made by supplement industry leader (Atrium Innovations) with pharmaceutical-grade standards
Limitations
- Flavored options (Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry) are less sweet than mainstream competitors
- Only 20 servings per pouch at $2.20/serving is expensive
- Limited retail availability — primarily sold through specialty channels
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
