We take a look at some of the most popular shaker cups on the market and assess them for functionality, value and design to try to find the best protein shaker.
If you’re not sure what you should consider when buying a protein shaker bottle, please see our Protein Shaker Tips.
Here’s what we found:
The Best Seller(s)
Let’s start our assessment of the best protein shaker bottles in Australia by running an eye over a couple of options by one of the market leaders – BlenderBottle.
Blender Bottle Classic Loop Top Shaker Bottle
If you are a gym bunny you probably know all about this best selling protein shaker by BlenderBottle.
This is a tried and tested shaker design and the features include their own patented BlenderBall which is made from surgical-grade stainless steel. In fact, BlenderBottle was one of the original brands to add a mixing ball to their bottles. As you would expect, once you give your cup a vigorous shake, the blender ball breaks up any lumps of protein powder and gives you a smooth protein drink without you giving yourself a wrist injury.
It is made in 20 oz. (591ml), 28 oz.(828ml) and a very generous 32 oz. (907ml) capacity, is phthalate and BPA-free and is good to run through the dishwasher.
The patented loop top is easy to hold on a finger and the ergonomic flip lid comes with a guarantee that it won’t leak – excellent news if you’ve ever suffered the horror of spilled protein shake through your sports bag!
With literally thousands of 5 Star reviews on Amazon, this is clearly the best protein shaker for many happy customers, though a few mention a persistent ‘plastic smell’ even after multiple washes.
And if you’d like some hints on how to get rid of that unwanted ‘plastic smell’, please see here.
It won’t break the bank, but will do everything that you need from a shaker bottle.
BlenderBottle Classic V2 Shaker Bottle
Also featuring the patented BlenderBall and coming in 20 oz. (591ml) and 28 oz. (828ml) sizes the BlenderBottle Classic V2 Shaker Bottle has sold a lot of units and get impressively positive feedback online.
Like it’s cousin, the Classic Loop, this protein shaker has a finger loop to make carrying easy and has a leak-proof lid. There is a flip cap opening to drink from which has a SpoutGuard, to help keep it hygienic.
The BlenderBottle Classic V2 is made from the same BPA etc free plastic as the ‘Loop. And this is where a few quibbles start to appear in the reviews. Apparently, the plastic smell is pretty powerful with this shaker cup – even after a few spins through the dishwasher.
That aside, at only $14.95 at the time of writing this critique, there are hoards of customers who are not only delighted with their purchase, but didn’t have to spend a fortune on it either.
BlenderBottle also makes the Blender Bottle C03318 Harry Potter Pro Series 28-Ounce Shaker Bottle, if you want to advertise your allegiance to Hufflepuff or anything else connected to the world of Harry Potter.
And their strong position sales wouldn’t be complete without the Blender Bottle Strada Insulated Shaker Bottle, for those who like their protein shake chilled.
That’s not all the models in the Blender Bottle stable, but enough to be going on with. Let’s move along some of the other products popular here in Australia as we search for the best protein shaker.
The Ferrari
VOLTRX Premium Electric Protein Shaker Bottle
Let me say straight up that this pretty sexy gym accessory not only looks good, but also does exactly what it promises. The VOLTRX Premium Electric Shaker Bottle mixes a lump-free protein shake with the minimum of fuss.
This 600ml Vortex Portable Mixer Cup is made from shatterproof, Tritan BPA-free plastic and comes on a range of colours as well as LEDs which illuminate the bottom of the shaker when it is creating its blender whirlpool within the cup. The glowing base is a nice touch.
But the big selling point on this protein shaker bottle is the motor in the base of the bottle which spins at 2000rpm and mixes your preferred protein powder and liquid until smooth. It’s powered by a rechargeable USB and the manufacturers claim you’ll get 1 month of blending per 2-hour charge.
Apart from all that, the VOLTRX Protein Shaker Bottle has a leakproof lid and carry loop, along with an attractive ergonomic design. It’s also comparatively easy to clean as you just pour in some warm water and detergent and give it a spin.
As a keen home cook, I love that the marketing team from VOLTRX point out in their product description that their shaker is good for blending milkshakes, mixing up baby formula and shaking cocktails, amongst other uses.
For the money, this is a really great protein shaker, as thousands of glowing online reviews testify.
The Budget Favourite
Endura Smart Shaker
This might be an ugly ducking when compared to some of its sleek and shiny cousins, but the Endura Smart Shaker does everything that you want from a protein shaker and all at a genuinely bargain basement price.
Made from BPA and DEHP-free plastic, this shaker cup comes with a stainless steel mixing ball, to ensure a smooth protein shake and a container which twists off the bottom that can hold protein powder, additional supplements or vitamin tablets.
There’s no swanky design, handle or ergonomic finger loops, but feedback consistently says that it doesn’t leak – and that’s a major requirement.
A number of reviewers pointed out that the chunky shape means that it doesn’t fit into most car cup-holders – it’s a small complaint, but so annoying when if you like to swig your sports nutrition whilst driving!
On the upside, I like that this shaker bottle comes with a separate compartment for the mixer ball that you can pop inside the cup, keeping it clean until you want to use it.
It’s simple and unassuming, but it does the job and the very low price point, makes it a strong contender for best protein shaker.
The Cool Customer
Republik Premium Stainless Steel Protein Shaker
Many of the protein shaker bottles above sell lots of units overseas, and that’s great, but let’s not forget that we live in Australia, were winters can be quite hot in the north and summers are generally very hot everywhere.
So I feel there may be room in your life for a bottle that keeps your protein shake cool. And if I’m right, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option for the price than the Republik Premium Stainless Steel Protein Shaker.
This attractive shaker bottle is stainless steel with vacuum sealed insulation, which the makers claim will keep your drink cool (or hot) for 12 hours. It has a ‘click lock’ lid that is guaranteed to prevent leaks and an ergonomic mouth piece to make sipping a pleasure. It also has one of those handy finger loops so that you can swing it on your finger.
But the key to a winning protein shaker is the smoothness of the shake, and the Republik model comes with a shaker ball, to de-clump your protein.
This product wears its eco credentials with pride and promotes that fact that it’s plastic-free.
The other big plus point is that stainless steel doesn’t absorb odours. So unlike some plastic protein shaker bottles, you’re not fighting to eliminate a funky smell every time you wash it.
And it comes in 3 rather fetching colours. Personally, I’m a fan of the Ocean Blue.
The Rule Breaker
ShakeSphere Shaker Bottle
It’s not often that a drink bottle really grabs my attention, but when I first saw the ShakeSphere Shaker Bottle, I was intrigued. Plus I LOVE the punny name!
This bullet-shaped protein shaker has a major point of difference over its competitors – no blender ball, no mesh, no motor. Instead, you simply shake the shaker bottle and the ‘patented capsule shape’ mixes the powder and water together. And there are no corners for powder the get stuck in. It sounds too good to be true. So it is?
Well, from the number of highly-rated reviews, it is that good. But with a few provisos. Not all protein powders dissolve equally and so a few buyers have mentioned the odd clump in their protein shake. Also, the manufacturers of the ShakeSphere, claim that you can blend fruit based smoothies just as easily. Sadly, a number of users reckon that a chunk of banana remains a chunk of banana, no matter how hard you shake it.
Anyway, here’s the theory behind the chic design, in animated form.
Other design features include a sliding leak-proof cap and a finger loop for carrying your protein capsule around. Made from BPA-free Tritan, this shaker cup is also very easy to clean.
Looking at the online feedback, quite a customers have found that the leak-proof sliding cap starts isn’t as robust as it could be. There’s also the problem that the solid plastic grenade isn’t transparent and has no window, so it’s hard to gauge the water level as you pour it in.
Is it the best protein shaker in Australia at the moment? The reviewers either love it or loathe it. Me? I think the concept is great, but are hoping that the makers continue to tweak their design for further improvements.
On a side note, ShakeSphere also make the ShakeSphere Tumbler STEEL. This is an attractive copper-coloured version of their beloved capsule which is insulated, giving you ‘a shaker bottle and thermos all in one.’
It looks great and sounds fab, but quite a few reviews say that the thermos isn’t as effective as you’d like, so it’s up to you whether or not you want to spend your hard earned and give it a go.
The Double Whammy
Utopia Home (2-Pack) Bottle – Fitness Sports Classic Protein Mixer Bottle
What’s better than one protein shaker? Two protein shakers!
The smarties who make the Utopia Home (2-Pack) Bottle – Fitness Sports Classic Protein Mixer Bottle have realised that having 2 protein shakers for the price of 1 is firstly, very convenient, as being able to keep one shaker bottle at home and another in your work or gym locker is always useful. Or 1 in use whilst the other is cleansed in the dishwasher – perfect. And secondly, well, 2 for 1 and who doesn’t love a bargain?
In our search for the best protein shaker, this model offers yet another spin on the classic stainless steel blender ball. The Utopia shaker bottle comes with a BPA-free plastic (the whole bottle is made of the same material) mixer ball, to smash those troublesome powdery lumps and a filter at the neck of the cup to catch any bits that get past the mixer ball.
These protein shakers each include an interlocking storage compartment that sits on the bottom of the cup, for holding extra powder or other supplements.
As ever, the maker promises a leak-proof lid – this time in the form of a flip cap. Reviews show that not everyone has found the flip-lid to be 100% reliable, but again, a large portion of buyers give the product a 5-star rating, so it can’t be all bad.
Just Balls
Shaker Balls
Of course, someone very wise has foreseen that you might misplace your protein shaker ball. Alternatively, you might have a favourite protein shaker bottle which doesn’t include any kind of mixing ball and, as you don’t (yet) have arms like Chris Hemsworth in his Thor-mode, adding a wire ball before you go for the shake might help you dissolve those pesky lumps.
The answer is to buy a set of 4 separate Shaker Balls and toss them into whatever protein shaker you favour. Easy!
Edible Balls!
And if you’re not a fan of taken your protein powder in shake form, or maybe just want to break up the monotony a bit, why not try chucking some of your favourite protein supplement into our best bliss balls recipe?
These bliss balls, are delicious, healthy and oh so easy to make!
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