Quick verdict: Sports Research Collagen Peptides is a clean, well-tested collagen that costs less than most big names. One ingredient, tested for heavy metals, no taste. A scoop is 11 grams, which is a real dose but smaller than some rivals, so take two if you want more. If you want good collagen without paying a premium, this is an easy pick.
We scored it with our 5-point system. Same five questions we ask of every supplement: does it work, is there enough in it, is it clean and tested, is the label honest, and is it worth the money.
The scorecard
| What we checked | Score | In short |
|---|---|---|
| Does it work? | 7/10 | Right form and dose, but collagen’s effects are modest |
| Is there enough in it? | 8/10 | 11 g per scoop, a real dose |
| Is it clean and tested? | 9/10 | Heavy-metal tested and GMP certified |
| Is the label honest? | 10/10 | One ingredient, nothing hidden |
| Is it worth the money? | 8/10 | Cheaper per gram than most big names |
| Overall | 8.4 / 10 | A strong value pick that nearly matches pricier rivals |
What is it?
| Sports Research Collagen Peptides | |
|---|---|
| Collagen type | Type I and III |
| Form | Hydrolysed peptides |
| Source | Grass-fed cattle hides |
| Per scoop | 11 g collagen, 10 g protein, 40 kcal |
| Added ingredients | None |
| Flavour | Unflavoured, dissolves hot or cold |
Type I and III are the collagens found in skin, hair and nails, so this is the right type for what it’s sold for.
Summary
Single-ingredient bovine collagen, 11 g per scoop, no additives. The type and form match what the research uses.
Does it actually work?
Here’s the honest part. It’s the right product, but collagen itself is modest.
Trials on hydrolysed collagen peptides show improvements in skin hydration and elasticity over roughly eight to twelve weeks [1][2]. For nails, one controlled trial found about 12% faster growth and 42% fewer breakages at 2.5 g a day over 24 weeks [3].
Wrinkles are the weak spot. The largest independent review found gains in hydration and elasticity, and no significant effect on wrinkles [4].
There are no clinical trials on this specific product. The research is on collagen peptides in general, which still applies, because this is the same form and a comparable dose. Our guide on whether collagen supplements work covers the full evidence.
Summary
The form and dose match the studies, so it has a fair chance of the documented effects: better hydration, elasticity and nail strength. Not wrinkles.
Is there enough in it?
Yes. One scoop gives 11 grams, which sits inside the range used in research.
The studies use anywhere from 2.5 g for specific peptides up to 10 g or more for general skin and joint outcomes [1][3]. So a single scoop is a real dose, not a token amount.
Want closer to 20 grams? The label says take two scoops. That empties the tub twice as fast.
One gap: there’s no added vitamin C, which your body needs to build collagen. So take it with something that has some.
Is it clean and tested?
This is the strongest part of the product.
- Heavy metals tested, including lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury
- Also screened for pesticides, hormones and antibiotics
- GMP-certified manufacturing, non-GMO and gluten-free
- Sourced from hides, not bones, which lowers heavy-metal risk at the start
That last point matters more than it sounds. Bones concentrate heavy metals in a way hides don’t.
The standard version doesn’t carry the NSF Certified for Sport seal that some rivals have. The organic version adds USDA Organic and Informed Sport, which is the banned-substance check athletes look for.
Summary
Well above average for the category. Heavy-metal tested, GMP certified, and sourced from hides rather than bones.
Is the label honest?
One ingredient: hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides.
Nothing hidden behind a proprietary blend, no filler list to decode. What the label says is what you get.
Is it worth the money?
This is where it stands out.
Per gram of collagen, Sports Research usually costs less than the big premium names while giving you the same single-ingredient quality and solid testing.
Prices move, and bulk or subscription brings the cost down further, so check the current price rather than trusting any figure in an article. It isn’t the cheapest collagen you can find. But for the quality and testing, it’s strong value.
How does it compare to Vital Proteins?
These two get compared constantly. Both are clean, single-ingredient, grass-fed bovine collagen with Type I and III. The differences are small.
| Sports Research | Vital Proteins | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard serving | 11 g (1 scoop) | 20 g (2 scoops) |
| Certification | Heavy-metal tested, GMP. Informed Sport on organic version | NSF Certified for Sport on standard tub |
| Price per gram | Usually lower | Usually higher |
| Ingredients | One | One |
In our scoring they end up neck and neck.
Go with Vital Proteins if you want the strongest third-party certification on the standard tub.
Go with Sports Research if you want very similar quality for less. Our full Vital Proteins review has the details.
What collagen can and can’t do
A reality check, because no product fixes this.
Taken daily for a couple of months, collagen gives small gains in skin hydration, elasticity and nail strength [1][3]. Plenty of people notice very little. It won’t erase deep wrinkles [4].
And sunscreen, sleep and not smoking do more for your skin than any powder. Buy it knowing what to expect.
Summary
Collagen’s real effects are modest. This product delivers them properly, but it can’t do more than collagen does.
Who’s it for?
Buy it if you want a clean, tested collagen at a fair price and you don’t need a premium label.
Skip it if you want the strongest third-party certification on a standard product, since Vital Proteins has the edge there. Also skip it if you want a vegan option, because this comes from cattle.
Questions people ask
How many scoops should I take?
One scoop, 11 grams, is a real dose. Take two if you want closer to 20. There’s no clear benefit to going much higher.
Is it third-party tested?
Yes. Heavy metals and contaminants, made in GMP-certified facilities. The organic version also carries Informed Sport.
Is it better than Vital Proteins?
They’re very close. Sports Research usually costs less per gram, Vital Proteins has stronger certification on its standard tub.
Does it taste like anything?
The unflavoured version has no real taste and mixes into hot or cold drinks.
Does it contain vitamin C?
No. Your body needs vitamin C to build collagen, so take it with a food or drink that has some.
References
- Proksch E, Segger D, Degwert J, et al. “Oral supplementation of specific collagen peptides has beneficial effects on human skin physiology: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2014;27(1):47-55. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23949208/
- Choi FD, Sung CT, Juhasz ML, Mesinkovska NA. “Oral Collagen Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Dermatological Applications.” Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2019;18(1):9-16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30681787/
- Hexsel D, Zague V, Schunck M, et al. “Oral supplementation with specific bioactive collagen peptides improves nail growth and reduces symptoms of brittle nails.” Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2017;16(4):520-526. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28786550/
- Ravindran R, Pizzol D, López-Gil JF, et al. “Collagen Supplementation for Skin and Musculoskeletal Health: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses on Elasticity, Hydration, and Structural Outcomes.” Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. 2026;8:ojag018. https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojag018
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. Supplements are not meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.
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