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Casein normally costs more than whey, which is one reason most people never buy it. Applied Nutrition’s micellar casein breaks that pattern at the moment. On 21 October 2026 the 1.8kg tub was £44.95 on Amazon UK, which is £24.97 per kg. That was cheaper per kg than every one of the 22 whey powders in our whey price table, where the cheapest was Applied’s own Critical Whey at £27.27. Yet the casein has only 94 ratings on Amazon and hardly any reviews elsewhere, so I looked at what you actually get.
The short version
On paper it’s a strong casein: 25.2g of protein in a 30g serving, 105 calories, Informed Sport batch tested, and the lowest price per kg of any casein I could find on Amazon UK. The weak points are the small number of reviews and a split on taste and texture, with some owners loving it and others calling it grainy. Buy the 1.8kg tub. The 900g tub costs a third more per serving.
What’s in a serving
| Serving | 30g (60 servings in 1.8kg, 30 in 900g) |
| Protein | 25.2g, which is 84% of the scoop |
| Calories | 105 kcal |
| Carbs / sugar | 1.1g / 1.1g |
| BCAAs | 5.4g |
| Extras | A digestive enzyme blend |
| Testing | Informed Sport batch tested |
| Flavours | Chocolate Cream, Strawberry Cream, Vanilla Cream |
84% protein by weight is a good figure for a flavoured powder. The enzyme blend is harder to judge: neither the listing nor Applied’s product description says which enzymes are in it or how much, so I wouldn’t pay extra for it.
What casein is for
Casein is the slow-digesting protein in milk. Applied says theirs releases amino acids over up to seven hours, which is why people take it before bed or when they’ll go a long time without food. The research on a pre-bed casein shake is encouraging but modest, and your total protein for the day matters far more than timing. If you’re not sure how much you need, start with how much protein per day, and for the choice between the two powders see whey protein vs casein.
What owners say
With 94 ratings and a 4.4 average, there isn’t much to go on yet. Amazon’s summary (October 2026) has six of seven mentions of mixing as positive, and all five mentions of value as positive. Taste and texture are split: some reviewers find it lovely and smooth, others call it awful and grainy. One owner says it mixes with just a glass and a fork, and another mixes it into hot milk.
The cons
- Only 94 ratings, against more than 9,000 for Optimum Nutrition’s casein. There’s less evidence about taste and consistency from batch to batch.
- Taste and texture divide owners, so a 900g tub or a single flavour you already like is the safer first buy, even though it costs more per serving.
- The 900g tub on Applied’s site is £29.95, or £1.00 a serving against 75p for the 1.8kg tub.
- It’s a milk protein, so it’s no use if you have a dairy allergy, and the listing text doesn’t state the lactose content.
- The digestive enzyme blend isn’t quantified.
How to use it
One 30g scoop in water or milk, usually shortly before bed. Casein thickens more than whey, so use a bit more liquid than you would for a whey shake, or a blender if you hate lumps. With less liquid it sets into a thick pudding, which is how a lot of people prefer to eat casein. On a cut, mixing it with water keeps a serving at 105 calories.
Price per kg vs other casein (Amazon UK, 21 Oct 2026)
| Product | Size | Price | Per kg | Amazon rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Nutrition Micellar Casein | 1.8kg | £44.95 | £24.97 | 4.4 (94) |
| PBN Micellar Casein | 1kg | £28.04 | £28.04 | 4.3 (1,136) |
| Bulk Micellar Casein | 500g | £15.99 | £31.98 | 4.3 (762) |
| Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Casein | 924g | £45.99 | £49.77 | 4.4 (9,041) |
Prices are approximate and change daily; the live price is the one on Amazon. For comparison, the cheapest whey in our whey table was £27.27 per kg and the middle of the table was about £40 per kg. Our casein price table is re-checked regularly.
Per serving, the 1.8kg tub works out at 75p, or about £2.97 per 100g of protein.
Check Applied Nutrition Micellar Casein 1.8kg on Amazon UK
Who should buy it
- Anyone who wants a protein shake before bed or a thick, filling shake between meals.
- People on a budget who want casein without paying the ON premium.
- Athletes who need Informed Sport tested products.
Who should NOT buy it
- Anyone with a dairy allergy, and vegans.
- People who want the most reviewed, most predictable option. Optimum Nutrition’s casein costs twice as much per kg but has years of reviews behind it.
- Anyone who only has one shake a day straight after training. A standard whey suits that better.
FAQ
Is Applied Nutrition casein micellar casein?
Yes. The listing describes it as 100% micellar casein, which is the slow-digesting form.
How much protein is in a scoop?
25.2g in a 30g serving, with 105 calories and 1.1g of carbs.
When should I take casein?
Most people take it before bed, but it works at any time of day. Your daily protein total matters more than the timing.
Is it Informed Sport tested?
Applied says it’s batch tested under Informed Sport, the programme that screens for banned substances.
Can I use it instead of whey?
You can. It’s thicker and digests more slowly, and at this price it costs less per kg than most whey. Whey mixes thinner and is the usual choice straight after training.
Verdict
Applied’s micellar casein looks like the best-value casein on Amazon UK right now, and the nutrition panel is good. What’s missing is a long record of reviews, and the taste and texture comments are mixed. On paper I’d rate it 7.5/10, and I’ll update that once I’ve used a tub myself.
Or check Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Casein on Amazon UK