Vegetables are pivotal, delivering an array of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that bolster optimal health. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans advocate for a minimum daily intake of 2.5 cups of vegetables for adults. However, many struggle to meet this benchmark, often defaulting to a limited variety of familiar veggies.
Greens powders emerge as a versatile solution, incorporating a medley of green foods, including both common vegetables and more exotic elements like seaweed and algae. These powders can be mixed with water, smoothies, and even integrated into sauces, salad dressings, baked goods, and frozen desserts, thus providing a nutrient-dense boost akin to juicing, minus the mess. While they shouldn’t replace whole vegetables in your diet, greens powders can supplement your intake, ensuring a more consistent nutritional profile.
These powders typically blend greens with fruits, herbs, mushrooms, and adaptogens, delivering additional antioxidants and health benefits. Some formulas also include prebiotics and probiotics, promoting gut health. Given the plethora of health claims and ingredient lists, selecting the best greens powder can be daunting. Therefore, we have scrutinized 41 greens powders, prioritizing those third-party tested for safety. Here are our top picks for the best greens powders to enhance your wellness regimen.
Benefits of Greens Powder
Greens powder offers vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in an easy-to-use form, supporting overall health and ensuring nutrient intake even on hectic days.
How to Take Greens Powder
Mix greens powder with water, juice, or a smoothie. Follow manufacturer directions for the best results, as some powders require more liquid to mix thoroughly.
How to Choose the Best Greens Powder
Consider ingredients, quality, taste, nutrient content, and price. Look for reputable brands with clinically effective ingredients and third-party certifications for quality assurance.
Greens Powder Recommendations
Best Overall Greens Powder: AG1 by Athletic Greens
Pros: Balanced taste, versatile in water, juice, or smoothies.
Cons: Expensive, over $3 per serving.
Athletic Greens, propelled by a robust social media presence and strategic advertisements, offers AG1, a greens powder distinguished by its formulation of 75 ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, and whole foods. Comparable to a liquid multivitamin, AG1 exceeds daily values for most B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E, although it lacks vitamin D. Noteworthy greens like spirulina, chlorella, and barley leaf, combined with superfoods, herbs, adaptogens, mushrooms, plant extracts, digestive enzymes, and probiotics, enhance overall wellness. AG1, albeit costly, is a favorite due to its superior taste and mixability, reminiscent of a tropical fruit smoothie with hints of pineapple and vanilla.
Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free | Flavors: Original
Also Great: Sakara Organic Protein + Greens Super Powder
Pros: Combines 12 grams of plant-based protein with greens.
Cons: Requires a robust mixer to mask the texture.
Sakara’s Organic Protein + Greens Super Powder merges plant-based protein sources (pea, hemp, pumpkin) with nutrient-rich greens like spirulina, wheatgrass, barley grass, and chlorella. Enhanced with coconut milk powder, vanilla, coconut sugar, and stevia, this powder delivers a creamy, sweet coconut-vanilla flavor. Ideal for mixing with almond milk or smoothies, it offers a protein boost with 12 grams per serving, making it a filling option for those seeking to increase both greens and protein intake.
Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Organic, vegan, gluten-free | Flavors: Vanilla
Best Greens Powder for Matcha Lovers: Amazing Grass Greens Blend The Original
Pros: Contains 3 grams of fiber per serving.
Cons: Requires thorough mixing to avoid sediment.
Amazing Grass offers various greens powders aimed at different health needs. The Original Superfood Greens, preferred for its matcha-like flavor, delivers a smooth taste suitable for mixing with milk, juice, or smoothies. It includes seven types of greens, green tea leaf extract, açai, maca, and extra fiber from flax seed and pectin, providing 58% of the daily recommended value of vitamin K.
Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Organic, non-GMO, vegan, kosher, gluten-free | Flavors: Original, Berry, Chocolate
Best Organic Greens Powder: Ancient Nutrition Organic SuperGreens
Pros: Available in various flavors.
Cons: Lacks detailed vitamin and mineral content on the label.
Ancient Nutrition utilizes grass juices instead of powdered whole grasses, claiming better nutrient preservation. With more than 25 organic superfood ingredients, including seven types of greens, this powder is favored for its taste. The mint flavor is particularly well-received, offering a pleasant taste that’s less vegetal, ideal for a green veggie juice with a mint twist.
Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Organic, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free | Flavors: Greens, Mint, Watermelon, Berry, Mango
Best Minimal-Ingredient Greens Powder: Ora Organic Easy Being Green
Pros: Contains 21 different ingredients, including leafy greens, veggies, and sea plants.
Cons: Thicker consistency better suited for smoothies.
Ora’s greens powder, boasting 21 ingredients like grasses, veggies, sea plants, cilantro, and parsley, surprises with its palatable taste. Enhanced with lemon and orange flavors, it provides a citrusy twist without an unpleasant aftertaste. Its simplicity, with only three additional ingredients (oligosaccharides, ashwagandha, and triphala), supports gut health and general well-being.
Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Organic, vegan, kosher | Flavors: Orange
Best Multi-Benefit Greens Powder: Vital Proteins Collagen Beauty Greens
Pros: 14 grams of protein per serving.
Cons: A 10-ounce container doesn’t last long due to the two-scoop serving size.
Vital Proteins combines collagen peptides with greens powders, offering benefits for skin hydration, elasticity, and potentially hair growth. With 15 grams of collagen peptides (14 grams of protein per serving) and hyaluronic acid, this powder is ideal for a nutritious mid-morning or mid-afternoon drink, providing vitamins, minerals, and protein to keep you satiated between meals.
Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Dairy-free, gluten-free, Whole30-approved | Flavors: Vanilla Coconut
Best Greens Powder for Smoothies: Bulletproof Greens
Pros: Adds subtly sweet pineapple notes to fruit smoothies.
Cons: Lacks the green grasses found in most powdered greens.
Bulletproof Greens, known for its MCTs in coffee, includes vegetables, fruit, superfoods, mushrooms, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and nootropics, but omits the typical green grasses. Instead, it features spinach, kale, kelp, spirulina, and chlorella, providing B vitamins and vitamin K2. Its pineapple flavor is ideal for enhancing fruit smoothies, despite being gritty in water.
Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Vegan, non-GMO | Flavors: Pineapple
Best Labeling: Swolverine Greens + Reds
Pros: Combines greens with “reds powders” for extra antioxidants.
Cons: Strong citrus taste may be off-putting; dilute more than recommended.
Swolverine Greens+Reds emphasizes labeling transparency, listing the exact amount of each ingredient. It includes three types of greens (spirulina, wheatgrass, chlorella) and antioxidant-rich reds powders (beets, bilberry, blueberry, pomegranate, goji, açai). While the taste resembles an orange cream ice pop with green tea hints, diluting it more than recommended improves palatability.
Third-Party Tested: Yes | Certifications: Gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan | Flavors: Orange
Best Overall Greens Powder: Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens
Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens tops our list due to its formula, which includes clinically effective dosages of essential ingredients like spirulina and chlorella. The product’s third-party testing adds an extra layer of transparency and reliability.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. For health advice, consult a licensed healthcare provider.
Our Picks for the Best Greens Powders:
- Best Overall: Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens
- Best for Gut Health: Nested Naturals Super Greens
- Best for Bloating: Gainful Daily Performance Greens
- Best Super: Live It Up Super Greens
- Best Daily: Huel Daily Greens
- Best Clean: Legion Genesis
- Best Organic: Ora Organic Easy Being Green
- Best for Weight Loss: Bloom Greens & Superfoods
- Best for Smoothies: Cymbiotika Super Greens
- Best Tasting: Jacked Factory Green Surge
Compare Greens Powders:
| Product | Rating | Cost per Serving | Dose | Key Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens | 4.7/5 | $1.53 | 1 scoop | Spirulina, chlorella, acacia fiber, green banana flour, Jerusalem artichoke fiber |
| Nested Naturals Super Greens | 4/5 | $1.07 | 1 scoop | Barley grass, alfalfa grass, wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella, probiotics, enzymes |
| Gainful Daily Performance Greens | 3.8/5 | $1.50 | 1 packet | Chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass, barley grass, inulin, lion’s mane, L-theanine |
| Live It Up Super Greens | 3.5/5 | $2.00 | 1 scoop | Chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass, kale, broccoli, probiotics, digestive enzymes |
| Huel Daily Greens | 3.7/5 | $1.88 | 1 scoop | Chlorella, spirulina, broccoli sprouts, ashwagandha, rhodiola, probiotics |
| Legion Genesis | 4.5/5 | $2.00 | 1 scoop | Spirulina, reishi mushroom, astragalus, dong quai root, maca |
| Ora Organic Easy Being Green | 3.7/5 | $1.17 | 1 scoop | Barley grass, wheatgrass, alfalfa, chlorella, spirulina |
| Bloom Greens & Superfoods | 4.2/5 | $1.33 | 1 scoop | Barley grass, spirulina, wheatgrass, pre and probiotics, digestive enzymes, ashwagandha |
| Cymbiotika Super Greens | 3.4/5 | $2.60 | 1 pouch | Chlorophyll, alfalfa, oat grass, spinach, spirulina, broccoli seed |
| Jacked Factory Green Surge | 3.8/5 | $1.00 | 1 scoop | Spirulina, spinach, collards, wheatgrass, digestive enzymes |
In-Depth Product Analysis
Best Overall: Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens
Pros: Clinically dosed ingredients, third-party certified, no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners, non-GMO, vegan, and gluten-free. Cons: Messy when mixing, deep green color stains easily.
Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens excels due to its potent blend of greens and prebiotic fibers, with clinically supported dosages of spirulina and chlorella. Each serving contains 3 grams of spirulina, which provides essential nutrients like protein and vitamins, supporting energy levels and the immune system. Additionally, chlorella offers detoxifying properties and supports digestive health. Organic acacia fiber aids digestion and regularity, while green banana flour helps manage blood sugar levels and fosters a healthy gut environment. Jerusalem artichoke fiber and chicory root nourish beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to digestive health. Despite its higher price, its transparency and effectiveness make it a top choice.
Key Ingredients: Organic spirulina, organic chlorella, organic acacia fiber, green banana flour, Jerusalem artichoke fiber, chicory root. Cost per Serving: $1.53 Flavors: Original, peach mango
Best for Gut Health: Nested Naturals Super Greens
Pros: Contains prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes; cost-effective; lifetime guarantee; third-party tested; organic and non-GMO ingredients. Cons: Ingredients listed in blends without individual dosages; limited flavors.
Nested Naturals Super Greens stands out for gut health due to its prebiotic fibers, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. The blend includes ingredients like barley grass, alfalfa grass, wheatgrass, spirulina, chlorella, and sea kelp, which support overall health and immunity. However, the lack of individual dosages for each ingredient in the blend is a drawback.
Key Ingredients: Alkalizing blend, fiber blend, antioxidant/immune blend, probiotic blend, enzyme blend. Cost per Serving: $1.07 Flavors: Original, chocolate
Best for Bloating: Gainful Daily Performance Greens
Pros: Ingredients support gut health and digestion; no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors; money-back guarantee; access to dietitians. Cons: No third-party testing; subscription-based; limited flavors; ingredients listed in blends.
Gainful Daily Performance Greens is ideal for reducing bloating, with ingredients that support digestive health, immune function, and mental clarity. The blend includes spirulina, wheatgrass, chlorella, parsley, beetroot, and spinach, along with adaptogens like lion’s mane powder and L-theanine. Despite its benefits, the lack of individual dosages for ingredients and the mandatory subscription are notable drawbacks.
Key Ingredients: Chlorella, organic greens blend, inulin, ginger root, tapioca fiber, lion’s mane powder, L-theanine. Cost per Serving: $1.50 Flavors: Lemon ginger, tropical pineapple
Best Super Greens Powder: Live It Up Super Greens
Pros: Contains over 20 greens, probiotics, and enzymes; third-party tested; organic and non-GMO; money-back guarantee. Cons: Proprietary blends obscure individual dosages; above-average cost per serving.
Live It Up Super Greens offers a concentrated blend of over 20 nutrient-dense ingredients, including leafy greens, spirulina, and chlorella. The formula also contains probiotics and digestive enzymes to support gut health. However, the use of proprietary blends makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of each ingredient.
Key Ingredients: Chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass, kale, broccoli, spinach, barley grass, moringa, parsley, digestive enzymes, probiotics. Cost per Serving: $2.00 Flavors: Original, wild berries
Best Daily Greens Powder: Huel Daily Greens
Pros: Contains numerous vitamins and minerals from whole-food sources; no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners; gluten-free and non-GMO. Cons: No third-party testing; lack of individual ingredient dosages.
Huel Daily Greens offers a comprehensive blend of 91 ingredients, including chlorella, spirulina, spinach, kale, and broccoli. The inclusion of adaptogens and super mushrooms further enhances its health benefits. However, the extensive ingredient list and lack of individual dosages may pose risks for some users.
Key Ingredients: Plant-based protein, superfood blend, organic superfood blend, organic antioxidant greens blend, organic adaptogen and super mushroom complex, organic botanical blend, probiotics. Cost per Serving: $1.88 Flavors: Original
Best Clean Greens Powder: Legion Genesis
Pros: No artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners; third-party tested; clinically effective dosages; no-return necessary money-back guarantee. Cons: Contains erythritol, which may cause digestive upset; above-average cost per serving.
Legion Genesis features a blend of natural ingredients, including organic spirulina, reishi mushroom, and astragalus. With a clinically effective dosage of spirulina, it supports energy and immune function. Despite its benefits, the presence of erythritol and higher cost are considerations.
Key Ingredients: Organic spirulina, reishi mushroom, astragalus, dong quai root, maca root extract. Cost per Serving: $2.00 Flavors: Original, acai berry
Best Organic Greens Powder: Ora Organic Easy Being Green
Pros: Organic and non-GMO ingredients; no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives; third-party tested; cost-effective. Cons: Contains blends without individual dosages; leaves residue after mixing.
Ora Organic Easy Being Green provides a nutrient-rich blend of organic ingredients, including barley grass, wheatgrass, alfalfa, and spinach. Its inclusion of prebiotic fibers and ashwagandha enhances its health benefits. However, the use of blends and lack of transparent labeling are drawbacks.
Key Ingredients: Barley grass, wheatgrass, alfalfa, oat grass, spinach, kale, broccoli, sea kelp, ashwagandha, Triphala. Cost per Serving: $1.17 Flavors: Orange
Best Greens Powder for Weight Loss: Bloom Greens & Superfoods
Pros: Low-calorie; available in multiple flavors; convenient stick packs; third-party tested. Cons: Ingredients listed in blends; key ingredients underdosed.
Bloom Greens & Superfoods offers a low-calorie blend of over 30 nutrient-dense ingredients, supporting weight loss, energy, and digestion. However, the use of proprietary blends makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of each ingredient.
Key Ingredients: Barley grass, spirulina, prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, fiber, fruits and vegetables, rhodiola, ashwagandha. Cost per Serving: $1.33 Flavors: Mango, strawberry kiwi, coconut, berry, original, fruity faves, orange passionfruit, classic, citrus
Best Greens Powder for Smoothies: Cymbiotika Super Greens
Pros: Convenient liquid pouches; suitable for vegan, keto, and gluten-free diets; no added sugar. Cons: High cost per serving; no third-party testing; contains proprietary blends.
Cymbiotika Super Greens, available in liquid form, offers convenience and a blend of beneficial ingredients like chlorophyll and broccoli seed. Despite its health benefits, the high cost and lack of third-party testing are notable drawbacks.
Key Ingredients: Chlorophyll, glucoraphanin, broccoli seed, spirulina. Cost per Serving: $2.60 Flavors: Original
Best Tasting Greens Powder: Jacked Factory Green Surge
Pros: Available in multiple flavors; no fillers or dyes; keto-friendly; money-back guarantee. Cons: Not third-party tested; contains sucralose; proprietary blends.
Jacked Factory Green Surge combines organic greens with probiotics and digestive enzymes, available in multiple flavors for those who dislike unflavored greens powders. Despite its benefits, the lack of third-party testing and use of sucralose are considerations.
Key Ingredients: Probiotic and inulin blend, organic spirulina powder, organic spinach leaf powder, organic collards powder, organic wheatgrass, apple fruit powder, digestive enzyme blend, green tea extract. Cost per Serving: $1.00 Flavors: Unflavored, mixed berry, lemon lime, sour apple
The Bottom Line: The Best Greens Powders
For an easy-drinking, nutrient-rich option, AG1 by Athletic Greens remains our top pick. If you seek to increase protein intake as well, consider Sakara Organic Protein + Greens Super Powder and Vital Proteins Collagen Beauty Greens.
Choosing a Greens Powder
When selecting a greens powder, consider third-party testing, ingredients, price, and value. Look for powders tested by independent bodies like NSF or Informed Choice, which ensure the product’s quality and safety. Verify the ingredients, favoring those derived from whole foods, and consider additional components like prebiotics, probiotics, adaptogens, and functional mushrooms for comprehensive health benefits. Lastly, evaluate the cost per serving, balancing price against the product’s nutritional value and your specific health goals.
Our Search for the Best Greens Powders
Through rigorous testing of 41 greens powders, our methodology involved assessing smell, mixability, texture, and taste. Our top-rated powders, selected by EatingWell editors, excel in these criteria, ensuring a superior selection for your dietary needs.
Common Questions
Are powdered greens good for you?
Yes, especially when made from whole-food ingredients. They may aid inflammation, blood pressure, and energy levels. Opt for those low in added sugars.
Are powdered greens as healthy as fresh?
No, they don’t provide the same fiber or micronutrient content as fresh greens. They should complement, not replace, fresh vegetables.
Should you take greens powders every day?
Manufacturers generally recommend daily use. Monitor how you feel over time and adjust as necessary.
Who should not take greens powders?
Individuals already consuming sufficient fruits and vegetables, those on multivitamins, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, and those on medication should consult a healthcare provider before use.