# Best Brown Rice Protein Powder > The best brown rice protein powders, rice-only and rice-pea blends, compared on label and testing, with the lysine gap, the whey trial and arsenic explained. - **URL**: https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-brown-rice-protein-powder/ - **Updated**: 2026-11-08 - **Author**: [Best Protein Powder Editorial Team](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/authors/editorial-team/) - **Publisher**: [Best Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/) --- Rice protein is the legume-free plant protein: hypoallergenic, mild and cheap to make. It also runs short on lysine and can carry more arsenic than other plant proteins. Here is how to buy it well. **How we rank:** We judge every powder on the label, not the marketing: protein per scoop, cost per 25 g of protein, the full ingredient list and third-party testing. No paid placements, and commission never sets a ranking. [Read our methodology](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-we-test/) Short answer: if you want rice protein on its own, Naked Rice is the cleanest single-ingredient option, and Sunwarrior Classic is the easiest flavored one. For most people, though, a rice and pea blend is the better buy, because pea fills the lysine gap that limits rice, and Legion Plant+ or Thorne Plant Protein are our picks there. Two facts shape everything below. A small 2013 trial found rice protein isolate matched whey isolate for strength and body composition gains when the dose was large enough. And rice takes up more arsenic than most crops, so a brand's testing and transparency count for more here than they do with whey. ## Our Top Picks | Award | Product | Why | | --- | --- | --- | | Best Single-Ingredient | [Naked Nutrition Naked Rice Organic Brown Rice Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-brown-rice-protein-powder/#naked-nutrition-naked-rice) | The rice protein to buy if you want nothing but rice and plan to blend it into food. | | Best Flavored Rice-Only | [Sunwarrior Classic Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-brown-rice-protein-powder/#sunwarrior-classic-protein) | The best flavored option if pea is off the table; plan on a scoop and a half for a full dose. | | Best Budget Rice-Only | [NutriBiotic Rice Protein, Plain](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-brown-rice-protein-powder/#nutribiotic-rice-protein) | A cheap rice protein for blending, if you are happy to double the serving. | | Best Rice and Pea Blend | [Legion Plant+ Vegan Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-brown-rice-protein-powder/#legion-plant-plus) | The best all-round rice-pea blend if you want a full dose per scoop. | | Best Certified | [Thorne Plant Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-brown-rice-protein-powder/#thorne-plant-protein) | The pick for tested athletes and anyone who wants the strongest testing assurance. | | Best Organic Blend | [Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-brown-rice-protein-powder/#garden-of-life-raw-organic-protein) | A solid organic rice-pea blend for daily smoothies. | | Best Budget Blend | [Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-brown-rice-protein-powder/#orgain-organic-protein-plant-based) | Cheap and pleasant, but limit how often you have it given the lead data. | | Best Low-Calorie Blend | [PEScience Select Vegan Protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-brown-rice-protein-powder/#pescience-select-vegan-protein) | A lean rice-pea blend for people watching calories. | ## 1. Brown Rice Protein Powders Compared at a Glance Here are the eight powders on our list. Protein, calories and sugar are per the label at the time of writing and vary by flavor; serving sizes differ, so check protein per serving rather than per scoop. Price tier compares cost per 25 g of protein against other plant powders: budget, mid or premium. | Product | Protein/serving | Calories | Sugar | Price tier | Certification | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Naked Rice | About 25 g (2 scoops) | About 120 | 0 g | Mid | Brand-reported heavy-metal testing | | Sunwarrior Classic | 18-20 g | About 100 | Low; see label | Mid | None | | NutriBiotic Rice Protein | About 12 g (15 g serving) | About 60 | Minimal | Budget | None | | Legion Plant+ | 24 g | 130-140 | Low; see label | Premium | Labdoor-certified brand (per Legion) | | Thorne Plant Protein | 21-22 g | 130-140 | Low; see label | Premium | NSF Certified for Sport | | Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein | 22 g | About 130 | 0 g | Mid | NSF Gluten-Free, USDA Organic | | Orgain Organic Plant-Based | 21 g | About 150 | 0-1 g | Budget | USDA Organic | | PEScience Select Vegan | About 20 g | 100-110 | Low; see label | Mid | Third-party tested (brand) | The quick read: rice-only powders tend to deliver slightly less protein per serving and need a little more volume to match whey on leucine. The blends land in the 20 to 24 g range and round out the amino acid profile. Thorne is the only pick here with a sport certification, which also means its batches are screened for contaminants, a meaningful advantage in a rice-based product. For the wider plant category, see our [best plant-based protein powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-plant-based-protein-powder/) guide. ## 2. The Best Brown Rice Protein Powders We ranked these on the label and on public information, not on hands-on taste tests: how much of the protein comes from rice, protein per serving, calories, sweeteners, third-party testing and any heavy-metal data, plus price tier at the time of writing. Our [how we test](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-we-test/) page explains the method. Nutrition figures are per the label or brand listing and vary by flavor. The first three picks are rice-only. The rest are blends where brown rice protein is one of the two main sources, because that is where most buyers end up once they understand the amino acid trade-off. ### 1. Naked Nutrition Naked Rice Organic Brown Rice Protein **Award:** Best Single-Ingredient | **Type:** Unflavored sprouted brown rice protein - **Protein per serving:** About 25 g (brand) - **Calories:** About 120 - **Third-party testing:** Heavy-metal testing, per brand - **Best for:** Allergy-friendly smoothies, cooking Naked Rice has one ingredient: sprouted brown rice protein, extracted without hexane, per the brand. Brand listings at the time of writing give about 25 g of protein in roughly 120 calories per two-scoop serving, with 0 g of sugar, and Naked says it independently tests for heavy metals. It is unflavored and unsweetened, which makes it a good base for smoothies and cooking but not something most people will enjoy shaken in water. **Bottom line:** The rice protein to buy if you want nothing but rice and plan to blend it into food. **Pros:** - One ingredient, no sweeteners or gums - About 25 g of protein per serving, per the brand - Brand says it tests independently for heavy metals **Cons:** - Gritty and bland in water on its own, per buyer feedback - Rice-only, so lower in lysine than a blend - We found no published product-level heavy-metal results to verify the testing claim [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NBIDHP8?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 2. Sunwarrior Classic Protein **Award:** Best Flavored Rice-Only | **Type:** Fermented brown rice protein - **Protein per serving:** About 18-20 g (1 scoop) - **Calories:** About 100 - **Third-party testing:** No sport certification - **Best for:** Legume-free diets Classic is Sunwarrior's original product: fermented brown rice protein with flavor, gums, salt and stevia. Per the label at the time of writing, a 25 g scoop gives about 18 to 20 g of protein at about 100 calories, with chocolate at the lower end. It is one of the few flavored powders built only on rice, which makes it the easy choice for people avoiding legumes who still want something drinkable. **Bottom line:** The best flavored option if pea is off the table; plan on a scoop and a half for a full dose. **Pros:** - Rice-only protein with no legumes - Flavored and sweetened, so it is drinkable without blending - About 100 calories per scoop, per the label **Cons:** - Only 18-20 g of protein per scoop - No sport certification or published heavy-metal data we could find - Stevia aftertaste is a common buyer complaint [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072LXHKZ7?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 3. NutriBiotic Rice Protein, Plain **Award:** Best Budget Rice-Only | **Type:** Unflavored brown rice protein - **Protein per serving:** About 12 g per 15 g (estimate from brand) - **Calories:** About 60 - **Third-party testing:** None confirmed - **Best for:** Budget smoothies, elimination diets NutriBiotic has sold plain rice protein for years, and it remains one of the cheapest ways to buy rice-only protein. Retail listings at the time of writing give a 15 g serving of about 60 calories, and the brand describes the powder as roughly 80 percent protein, which works out to about 12 g of protein per serving; check the panel on your tub. It also comes in flavored versions. The small serving means you will usually take two for a meaningful dose. **Bottom line:** A cheap rice protein for blending, if you are happy to double the serving. **Pros:** - Budget price tier per gram of protein - Plain, unsweetened, single-source rice protein - Long-established product that is easy to find **Cons:** - Small 15 g serving, so about 12 g of protein each - Very gritty in water, per buyer feedback - No published heavy-metal results we could find [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0033TA8K2?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 4. Legion Plant+ Vegan Protein **Award:** Best Rice and Pea Blend | **Type:** Pea and brown rice protein blend - **Protein per serving:** 24 g (label) - **Calories:** About 130-140 (by flavor) - **Third-party testing:** Labdoor-certified brand (per Legion) - **Best for:** Vegans and dairy-free lifters Plant+ pairs PURIS pea protein with organic brown rice protein for 24 g of protein in about 130 to 140 calories per serving, per Legion at the time of writing, which is a full leucine-matched dose for most adults. It is sweetened with stevia and monk fruit or allulose depending on flavor. Legion promotes itself as a Labdoor-certified brand and publishes testing information, which matters with a rice-containing product. **Bottom line:** The best all-round rice-pea blend if you want a full dose per scoop. **Pros:** - 24 g of protein per serving, among the highest here - Pea and rice cover each other's amino acid gaps - Naturally sweetened, per the label **Cons:** - Premium price tier per 25 g of protein - Exact pea-to-rice ratio not disclosed - Not a sport certification for tested athletes [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GH2YR755?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 5. Thorne Plant Protein **Award:** Best Certified | **Type:** Pea, brown rice and chia protein blend - **Protein per serving:** About 21-22 g (2 scoops) - **Calories:** About 130-140 - **Third-party testing:** NSF Certified for Sport - **Best for:** Tested athletes, cautious buyers Thorne Plant Protein blends pea, brown rice and chia protein for about 21 to 22 g of protein per two-scoop serving and roughly 130 to 140 calories, per retailer labels at the time of writing. It is free of dairy, soy and gluten and carries NSF Certified for Sport status, the only sport certification on this list. That certification includes contaminant screening, which is worth more on a rice-containing powder than almost anywhere else. **Bottom line:** The pick for tested athletes and anyone who wants the strongest testing assurance. **Pros:** - NSF Certified for Sport, per Thorne - Free of dairy, soy and gluten - Rice, pea and chia for a rounded amino profile **Cons:** - Premium price tier - Two scoops needed per serving - Limited flavor range [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2TJ3Y2J?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 6. Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein **Award:** Best Organic Blend | **Type:** Organic sprouted pea and brown rice blend - **Protein per serving:** 22 g (label) - **Calories:** About 130 - **Third-party testing:** NSF Gluten-Free, USDA Organic - **Best for:** Organic smoothies Raw Organic Protein lists 22 g of protein, 4 g of BCAAs and 5 g of fiber in 130 calories per scoop, with 0 g of sugar, per the listing at the time of writing. The protein comes mainly from organic pea and sprouted brown rice protein, with a long list of sprouted grains and seeds. The vanilla is sweetened with organic erythritol and stevia and adds digestive enzymes and a probiotic. It is USDA Organic and NSF Gluten-Free certified. **Bottom line:** A solid organic rice-pea blend for daily smoothies. **Pros:** - 22 g of protein and 5 g of fiber, per the label - USDA Organic with sprouted brown rice protein - 0 g of sugar, per the listing **Cons:** - Erythritol can cause bloating in some people - Earthy taste that buyers either like or dislike - Not a sport certification [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SYT7LO?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 7. Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Powder **Award:** Best Budget Blend | **Type:** Organic pea, brown rice and chia blend - **Protein per serving:** About 21 g (label) - **Calories:** About 150 - **Third-party testing:** USDA Organic; no sport certification - **Best for:** Occasional use on a budget Orgain is one of the best-selling plant protein powders on Amazon, per third-party sales estimates. Per the label at the time of writing, two scoops give 21 g of protein from organic pea, brown rice and chia seed, at roughly 150 calories, sweetened with organic erythritol and stevia. It is cheap per serving and easy to find. In its October 2025 testing, Consumer Reports measured the Vanilla Bean flavor at about 143 percent of its daily lead level of concern per serving and rated it as okay to have occasionally. **Bottom line:** Cheap and pleasant, but limit how often you have it given the lead data. **Pros:** - Budget price tier and widely available - Pea, rice and chia blend, per the label - USDA Organic **Cons:** - Consumer Reports' 2025 lead result was above its daily level of concern - 150 calories for 21 g of protein is less efficient than others here - Erythritol may not suit sensitive stomachs [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J074W7Q?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ### 8. PEScience Select Vegan Protein **Award:** Best Low-Calorie Blend | **Type:** Pea and brown rice protein blend - **Protein per serving:** About 20 g (label) - **Calories:** About 100-110 - **Third-party testing:** Brand says third-party tested - **Best for:** Lower-calorie dairy-free shakes Select Vegan blends pea and brown rice protein concentrates for about 20 g of protein per scoop, with roughly 100 to 110 calories depending on flavor, per retailer labels at the time of writing. It is sweetened only with stevia and is free of dairy, soy and gluten. The brand says it is third-party tested. Sodium is relatively high, and some buyers report a chalky texture and stevia aftertaste. **Bottom line:** A lean rice-pea blend for people watching calories. **Pros:** - About 20 g of protein in 100-110 calories - Stevia only, no sugar alcohols - Free of dairy, soy and gluten **Cons:** - Relatively high sodium per scoop - Chalky texture and stevia aftertaste, per buyer feedback - No sport certification [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWIVYQN?tag=sktiger-20&linkCode=ll1) ## 3. What Is Brown Rice Protein Powder? Brown rice is mostly starch, with only around 7 to 8 percent protein by weight. To make a protein powder, manufacturers mill whole-grain brown rice and use enzymes to break down and separate the starch and fiber, leaving a concentrate or isolate that is typically around 80 percent protein or more. Some brands sprout or ferment the rice first, which they say improves digestibility; the evidence for those claims is limited, and the bigger differences between products come from purity and testing. The appeal is mostly what rice protein lacks. It contains no dairy, soy, egg or gluten, and it is not a legume, which makes it one of the least allergenic proteins you can buy. That makes it a common choice for people with multiple food allergies, people following a low-FODMAP or legume-free diet, and anyone whose stomach does not get on with pea protein. It is also mild-tasting and blends into smoothies without the earthy, beany note some pea powders carry. Rice protein has drawbacks too, and they are why it is rarely the best-selling plant protein. It is lower in the essential amino acid lysine, it can feel gritty in water, and rice as a crop tends to take up more arsenic than other grains. Each of those problems has a workaround, which the rest of this guide covers: blend it, mix it into something thicker, and choose a brand that tests. ## 4. Rice Protein's Amino Acid Profile: The Lysine Gap Every protein is judged partly on whether it provides all nine essential amino acids in the right proportions. Rice protein contains all nine, but lysine is its limiting amino acid, meaning it is the one present in the lowest amount relative to human requirements. That lowers rice protein's score on protein-quality measures such as PDCAAS and DIAAS compared with whey, egg or a well-built plant blend. In practice, a lysine shortfall in one shake is rarely a problem for someone eating a mixed diet, because beans, lentils, dairy, eggs, meat, tofu and many other foods are rich in lysine. It becomes more relevant if rice protein is your main protein source, if you follow a vegan diet that leans heavily on grains, or if you are trying to get the most muscle-building value out of every serving. Leucine is the other amino acid worth watching, because it acts as a key trigger for muscle protein synthesis. Per gram of protein, rice protein provides somewhat less leucine than whey. The simplest fix is dose: a serving that delivers closer to 30 g of rice protein provides roughly the leucine of a standard 25 g whey scoop. That is why rice-only powders with 18 to 20 g per scoop often need a scoop and a half to match a whey shake. > **THE RULE** > > **Rice is short on lysine; pea is short on methionine. Together they cover each other.** > > Pea protein is rich in lysine but lower in the sulfur amino acids methionine and cysteine. Rice is the reverse. That complementary fit is why rice and pea blends dominate the plant protein shelf. If you want the numbers behind protein targets, our [how much protein do I need](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-much-protein-do-i-need/) guide covers daily intakes by goal. The short version is that total daily protein matters more than any single amino acid in any single shake, and a slightly bigger rice serving or a blend solves the quality gap for most people. ## 5. Rice Protein vs Whey: What the 2013 Trial Found The study most often quoted on rice protein is an eight-week trial by Joy and colleagues, published in Nutrition Journal in 2013 and sometimes misdated in online coverage. Twenty-four resistance-trained college-aged men were split into two groups and given 48 g of either rice protein isolate or whey protein isolate on training days, immediately after exercise. The two supplements were matched for calories and protein, and everyone followed the same periodized training program three days a week. Both groups gained lean mass, lost fat and got stronger and more powerful, and the researchers found no statistically significant differences between the rice and whey groups. Some marketing summaries describe rice as having beaten whey; that is not what the paper concluded. The fair reading is that a large dose of rice protein isolate supported training adaptations about as well as the same dose of whey in this group. There are real limits. Twelve people per group is a small sample, the participants were young trained men, and the 48 g dose is roughly double a typical scoop, which conveniently compensates for rice's lower leucine content. The study was also funded and partly co-authored by a company with a commercial interest in rice protein. None of that makes the result wrong, but it means it shows rice protein can work at a generous dose, not that a small rice scoop equals a whey scoop. For buyers, the practical takeaway is simple. If you avoid dairy, rice protein is a credible alternative for training, provided you take enough of it. If you have no reason to avoid dairy, whey remains cheaper per gram of leucine and more convenient. Our [whey vs plant protein](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/whey-vs-plant-protein/) comparison covers the wider trade-offs, including cost, digestion and environmental footprint. ## 6. Does Brown Rice Protein Have Arsenic and Heavy Metals? This is the main reason to be choosy with rice protein. Rice is grown in flooded paddies, which makes arsenic in soil and water more available to the plant, and the US Food and Drug Administration notes that rice tends to absorb more arsenic than other food crops. The FDA has set an action level of 100 parts per billion of inorganic arsenic for infant rice cereal for that reason. Rice can also take up cadmium, and like other plants it can carry lead from soil and processing. Concentrating rice into an 80 percent protein powder can concentrate whatever came along with the protein, although processing can also remove some contaminants, so results vary widely by supplier. Independent testing has repeatedly found that plant protein powders carry more lead on average than dairy powders. Consumer Reports' October 2025 testing found plant powders averaged several times the lead of dairy powders, and the Clean Label Project has reported a similar pattern. Our [best protein powder without heavy metals](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-powder-without-heavy-metals/) guide covers those reports product by product. That does not make rice protein dangerous in normal use, and it does not mean every rice powder is high. It means the variation between brands matters, and you should favor products with independent data. Practical steps: choose a brand that publishes heavy-metal results or certificates of analysis, prefer a sport or contaminant certification where available, pick vanilla or unflavored over chocolate since cocoa adds its own lead and cadmium, and avoid stacking several plant protein servings every day. Pregnant people, children and anyone with kidney disease should be more cautious with any protein supplement and should check with a doctor or registered dietitian before using one daily. A California Prop 65 warning on a rice protein label is a reason to look for the brand's test data rather than proof of harm, because the Prop 65 thresholds are set far below levels with known effects. ## 7. Rice and Pea Protein Blends: Why Most People Should Buy One Because rice and pea cover each other's weak spots, a blend of the two delivers a more complete amino acid profile than either alone. Many brands use more pea than rice; a roughly 70:30 pea-to-rice ratio is often cited as a good match, though most labels do not disclose the exact split. You also get a smoother texture than rice-only powders and more protein per scoop, usually 20 to 24 g. Blends also spread the heavy-metal risk across two crops rather than concentrating it in one, though that is not a substitute for testing. And they are easier to find: most of the big plant protein brands, including Orgain, Garden of Life, Legion, Thorne and PEScience, build their main vegan products on pea and brown rice. The case for rice-only is narrower but real. If you react to pea protein, which some people with legume sensitivities do, or you are following a strict elimination diet, a single-ingredient rice powder keeps the variables down. If that is you, add lysine-rich foods elsewhere in your day and take a slightly larger serving. If pea is the main protein you want, rather than rice, our [best pea protein powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-pea-protein-powder/) guide covers pea isolates and pea-led blends in detail. This guide focuses on products where rice is either the only protein or one of the two headline sources. ## 8. Who Should Buy Brown Rice Protein Powder? Rice protein makes most sense for four groups. People with dairy, soy or egg allergies who want a hypoallergenic base. People who react to pea or other legumes. Vegans who want a mild-tasting powder for smoothies and want to rotate protein sources. And anyone on an elimination diet where single-ingredient products make it easier to identify triggers. Anyone with a diagnosed food allergy should still check the label's allergen statement and facility warnings, and confirm with their doctor. It makes less sense if you tolerate dairy and want the most muscle-building protein per dollar, because whey isolate gives you more leucine per gram for less. It is also a weaker choice if you want a thick, creamy shake from water alone, since rice-only powders are among the grittiest proteins on the market. Budget matters too. Plain rice protein from brands like NutriBiotic is inexpensive per gram, but you may need more of it per serving. Certified blends such as Thorne cost noticeably more, and part of what you pay for is contaminant screening, which is arguably worth more on a rice product than on any other protein. If you are unsure, start with a mid-priced blend that publishes testing information, use it for a few weeks, and only move to rice-only if pea clearly disagrees with you. That path gives you a better amino acid profile and better texture while keeping the option open. ## 9. Taste, Texture and How to Use Rice Protein Rice protein's flavor is mild, slightly sweet and nutty, which is an advantage over the stronger taste of some pea and hemp powders. Its texture is the weak point. Buyers consistently describe rice-only powders as gritty or chalky in water, because the particles do not dissolve the way whey does. Finer milling helps, and some brands are smoother than others, but it rarely disappears completely. The fix is to blend rather than shake, and to use a thicker base. A blender with frozen banana, oat milk or soy milk, and a spoon of nut butter hides grit almost entirely. Rice protein also works well stirred into oatmeal, yogurt or overnight oats, where texture is already varied. Our [best protein powder for smoothies](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-powder-for-smoothies/) guide covers blending in more detail. In baking, rice protein absorbs a lot of liquid and can make bakes dry and dense, so use it for a small share of the flour and add extra moisture. Unflavored rice protein is also a handy way to add protein to savory foods such as soups, because its taste is neutral. ## 10. Common Mistakes to Avoid ### Matching scoop for scoop with whey Rice protein has less leucine per gram than whey, and many rice scoops give only 18 to 20 g. To get a comparable effect, take a larger serving, around 30 g of rice protein, or choose a rice and pea blend with more protein per scoop. ### Ignoring heavy-metal testing Rice takes up more arsenic than most crops, and plant powders test higher for lead on average. Choose brands that publish results or hold a contaminant certification, prefer vanilla or unflavored, and avoid stacking several plant servings daily. ### Shaking rice protein in water Rice-only powders are gritty in a shaker bottle. Blend them with frozen fruit and plant milk, or stir them into oatmeal or yogurt. Texture complaints are the most common reason people give up on rice protein, and they are easy to avoid. ### Overreading the rice vs whey study The 2013 Joy trial found no significant difference between groups at a 48 g dose, not that rice beat whey. It was also small and industry-funded. It shows rice can work at a generous dose; it does not make a small rice scoop equal to whey. ### Assuming hypoallergenic means allergen-free Rice protein avoids the major allergens, but products can be made in facilities that handle milk, soy, tree nuts or peanuts. Read the allergen statement on the exact product, and check with your doctor if you have a serious allergy. ## 11. Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the best brown rice protein powder? For rice-only protein, Naked Rice is the cleanest single-ingredient option and Sunwarrior Classic the easiest flavored one. For most people, a rice and pea blend is better, and Legion Plant+ and Thorne Plant Protein are our top picks. Thorne is the only one here with NSF Certified for Sport status. ### Is brown rice protein a complete protein? It contains all nine essential amino acids, but lysine is its limiting amino acid, so it scores lower on protein-quality measures than whey or soy. Eating lysine-rich foods elsewhere in the day, taking a slightly larger serving or choosing a rice and pea blend closes the gap. ### Is rice protein as good as whey? At a large dose, it can be close. A 2013 trial by Joy and colleagues gave trained men 48 g of rice or whey isolate after workouts for eight weeks and found no significant difference in strength or body composition gains. The study was small and industry-funded, and at typical scoop sizes whey still gives more leucine per gram. ### Does brown rice protein have arsenic? It can. Rice absorbs more arsenic from soil and water than most crops, and plant protein powders test higher for heavy metals on average than dairy. Levels vary widely by supplier, so choose brands that publish heavy-metal results or hold a contaminant certification, and avoid several plant servings a day. ### Is rice and pea protein better than rice alone? For most people, yes. Pea is rich in lysine and rice is richer in methionine, so together they form a more complete profile. Blends also tend to have more protein per scoop and a smoother texture. Rice alone makes sense if you react to pea or are on an elimination diet. ### Is brown rice protein good for sensitive stomachs? Often, yes. It contains no dairy, soy or legumes, and many people find it gentle. Check for sugar alcohols such as erythritol, gums and inulin in flavored versions, which can cause bloating. If you have a diagnosed digestive condition or food allergy, ask your doctor or a registered dietitian. ### How much brown rice protein should I take? For a post-workout shake, aim for about 25 to 30 g of rice protein, slightly more than a typical whey serving, to match leucine. Total daily protein matters more than any single shake. People with kidney disease, or who are pregnant, should check with a doctor before using protein supplements daily. ## Related Plant Protein Guides - [Best Plant-Based Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-plant-based-protein-powder/): The best vegan powders across pea, rice, soy and blends. - [Best Pea Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-pea-protein-powder/): Pea isolates and pea-led blends ranked on label and testing. - [Best Protein Powder Without Heavy Metals](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-protein-powder-without-heavy-metals/): What the lead and cadmium tests found, and the cleanest picks. ## The Bottom Line Brown rice protein is a genuinely useful option for people who need a legume-free, dairy-free, hypoallergenic protein. Its limits are well understood: it is short on lysine, a little lower in leucine, gritty in water and more exposed to arsenic than other crops. Each has a fix: take a larger serving, blend it, and buy from a brand that tests. For rice alone, Naked Rice and Sunwarrior Classic are our picks. For most people, a rice and pea blend such as Legion Plant+ or Thorne Plant Protein is the better buy, with Thorne the strongest choice if testing matters most to you. ## More in Plant Protein Guides in this category that pair with what you just read. - [Best Plant-Based Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-plant-based-protein-powder/) - [Best Pea Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-pea-protein-powder/) - [Best Hemp Protein Powder](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/best-hemp-protein-powder/) - [Sunwarrior Protein Powder Review](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/sunwarrior-protein-powder-review/) About the Author [Best Protein Powder Editorial Team](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/authors/editorial-team/), Supplements Desk The editorial team reads the label, the certificate and the price per gram of protein before a powder gets near a ranking -- and says plainly when a cheaper tub does the same job. [Full profile](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/authors/editorial-team/) | [How we test](https://www.best-proteinpowder.com/how-we-test/)