Making sure you refuel your muscles after a workout is crucial for their growth and repair, so unless you fancy spending a fortune on shop-bought shakes, you're going to need something to mix your supplements in. A protein shaker is an essential accessory to include in any fitness enthusiast's arsenal and can help with not only your protein intake, but your hydration too, doubling up as a water bottle both on and off the mat.
Recent gym converts and old-timers alike seem to be constantly searching for the best and most innovative shaker (there are even electric designs now!), and navigating the compartments and sizes can be almost as difficult as that third set of Bulgarian split squats. Stay tuned for our buying guide and our ranking of the 10 best shakers in the UK from Amazon, Tesco and eBay, including MyProtein, SmartShake and PhD Nutrition!
Quick List - Top Protein Shakers
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It may be a basic piece of kit, but it's important to get the right shaker to give your body what it needs post-workout, as well as being easy to use and proficient enough to obliterate those awful powdery clumps. First up, we'll go through some vital points to help you decide.
These days, you won't just have the option of a plastic shaker - there are also hardier stainless steel options, and ones combining the two. Let's look into both of these materials to see which may be the most suitable for you.
Most protein shakers are those you’ve probably seen a hundred times: clear or coloured plastic with printed branding. It has to be said, they do everything they need to, as well as being extremely lightweight, which is perfect for carrying round in your kit bag all day, and are often under £10 or even £5.
Whilst absolutely fine for both occasional sippers and those making the daily gym pilgrimage, their main setback is their ability to absorb odours. An unwashed shaker left for a few hours, or even just regular use with milk-based whey powder, can mean over time your shaker takes on a pretty unpleasant pong.
If you do prefer the idea of a plastic shaker, we’d suggest looking for a dishwasher-safe design to ensure it gets a thorough clean. Or just remember to give it a good scrub after each use!
Hardwearing and robust, stainless steel shakers can better withstand knocks and are only slightly heavier than plastic varieties. Steel shakers aren’t as common but are becoming more recognised for their odour-resisting properties, and their ability to retain the temperature of the contents for longer. Excellent news for a hot training day!
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a completely steel design, as they’re usually combined with a plastic or silicone lid for comfort. Be aware that these shakers cost a little more than plastic. However, they may actually be more economical, as they will last much longer.
A vital part in getting the best shaker for your gains is its capacity. We’ll go through the common sizes and what they're suitable for below. To keep it simple, we’ll use good old metric millilitres. If you do select a product from across the pond that shows fluid ounces instead, you may need to convert them yourself.
The majority of protein powders typically require you to combine a single serving size with 200 – 250 ml of liquid. So for most people who only use their shaker for protein, we would recommend a 500 – 600 ml shaker. This gives enough room to allow for a thorough shaking, without being too bulky. Although, you should stick to the lower end of this scale if a compact size is your priority!
700 ml – 1 litre shakers are of course chunkier to carry around, but will suit more serious muscle gainers who require several scoops of their supplement at one time. These larger sizes can also double up as water bottles or containers for other drinks when you’re on the go.
As well as the right size, a helpful feature to check for is whether your shaker has measurement markings along its side. Guessing what a few hundred millilitres looks like and slugging it into your shaker along with your protein usually ends in disaster, or rather, a too-watery shake that doesn’t taste as good as it should.
If your goals require you to be precise with your nutrition and protein intake, we would recommend checking whether the measurements on your shaker are in fluid ounces or millilitres (or both).
Your shaker will use one of three methods to blend your protein powder and liquid to smooth satisfaction. In this section, we’ll compare each and their individual capabilities.
Whether made from steel or plastic, mixer balls quickly and efficiently blend your protein powder and desired liquid into a creamy, lump-free shake. Frustratingly, they are even easier to misplace than a Tupperware lid, so make sure you keep an eye on yours when washing up.
Luckily, there are replacements available to buy for only a few pounds. So they may be worth the extra caution!
Your second option is a mesh sieve that screws onto your shaker between the body and the lid. Some users will prefer these over mixer balls, simply because they’re not as noisy!
Aside from this, they do their job well and are easy to keep track of. However, they can be more of a chore to clean.
The newest breed of shakers are powered by USB or batteries for a sort of portable blender. These are guaranteed to elicit stares of envy in the gym, but more importantly, they're guaranteed to blitz your shake to perfection.
It goes without saying that they are heavier to carry around, more expensive, and have to be cleaned with care due to their electrical parts. But, they can also be used for mixing other liquids such as batters, thick shakes and egg whites, provided they are soft enough for the plastic blades to handle.
We’ve mentioned that a bigger sized shaker can double up as a water bottle, but if you want to cut out the need for lugging two containers around the gym, we’d suggest looking for one with a separate supplement compartment. This way, your powder can sit unmixed to be shaken up fresh when you require it.
Some shakers feature several compartments for any extra supplements you may require, such as pre-workout mixes, tablets, or even snacks to keep you going. Think about how many you need and choose accordingly!
Anything that contains food or drink and is going to be carried around in your bag, your car, or your pocket should not leak, and protein shakers are no exception.
Even if it’s just a case of keeping the contents safe after an accidental knock over at the gym, you will want to check that the design is leakproof. This will require a scan through the product description, and possibly a glance over other shoppers’ reviews.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | SmartShake Original Multi-Storage Shaker Bottle | ![]() | Top Pick for an All-Round Gem | |
2 | Beyond Fitness Premium Insulated Protein Shaker | ![]() | Insulated Steel for Every Drink | |
3 | ShakeSphere Protein Shaker Bottle | ![]() | Ultra-Cool Design Both Inside and Out | |
4 | BOTTLED JOY Protein Shaker Bottle with Storage | ![]() | Best Multi-Compartment Design | |
5 | Free Soul Steel Shaker | ![]() | Stylish Steel for Chilled Shakes | |
6 | Contigo Kangaroo Shake & Go FIT Protein Shaker | ![]() | Clump-Free Shakes With a Handy Compartment | |
7 | PROMiXX MiiXR+ Stealth | ![]() | Battery-Powdered Blending for a Smooth Shake Every Time | |
8 | MYPROTEIN Smartshake Slim Shaker | ![]() | Simple Smaller Shaker for Everyday Use | |
9 | BlenderBottle Pro45 Shaker Cup | ![]() | XL Shaker for Big Gains | |
10 | PhD Nutrition Mixball Shaker | ![]() | No-Frills Cheap and Cheerful Shaker |
This simple, yet powerful shaker from SmartShake packs in all the features you could possibly need, whilst still being very reasonably priced. With 2 removable compartments for snacks and powders, a keychain, and an effective mesh sieve for blissful blending, it’s just the right size for pretty much every protein sipper.
It’s also microwave, freezer, and dishwasher-safe, totally leakproof, and available in a rainbow of colours to match to your favourite gym gear!
Our top pick when it comes to buying a steel shaker is this super-strong, fully insulated and pro-quality offering from Beyond Fitness. It’ll keep your shakes, water, or anything else you desire chilled for a whopping 24 hours or hot for 6, eliminating the need to carry multiple drinks containers before or after your gym session.
The measurement markings are internal to make life easier and the whole thing has anti-leak silicone seals to ensure nary a drop will escape. You can also use the loop to hold it one-handed when training or on the go.
You’ll score some serious style points with this frosted black shaker, but don’t worry, it’s got more than just good looks. The patented capsule design actually requires no mixing ball at all. Instead, it uses its shape to blend your shake – and it actually works!
The innovative features don’t stop there: a slide-open cap means you don’t need two hands to swig, and an adjustable finger loop makes carting it around even easier. The body’s capacity is a generous 700 ml, and although it's not dishwasher-safe, you can put it in the freezer.
However many powders, snacks and potions you require for your workout, this shaker will find room for them within its 3 compartments. One of which can even be split into 4 sections for tablets. It also has a carabiner keychain, an upgraded stirring ball, and a silicone grip for easy opening with wet or sweaty hands.
The cup itself has a 600ml capacity, so if you don’t need all of the compartments you cut down the bulk. It’s also guaranteed leakproof and, excluding the cap, is dishwasher safe!
For those who like to accessorise their protein shaker, how about this stylish plastic-free steel and silicone number? It’s a generous size, and will keep your shakes, water and smoothies cooler for longer. It even has a no-leak guarantee!
The mesh grill efficiently blends up any powder you throw at it, plus there’s no chance of losing it because it’s built into the lid! You will have to hand wash this one, but thankfully the material is naturally odour-resistant so you won’t have to worry about unwanted smells.
Using a plastic mixer ball instead of wire, and with a rounded base, Contigo’s Kangaroo really does produce some of the smoothest shakes out there. It’s also incredibly durable for plastic, and is designed to resist odours and staining.
Our favourite feature is the built-in storage compartment. Whilst it won’t hold your powder, it can keep your keys, cards, money and any other essentials safe and sound while you work out. This, plus its carrying loop make it a great multipurpose water bottle for daily use, outdoor jogs and gym sessions alike.
One that certainly does have all the mod cons, this battery-powered shaker (rechargeable via the included USB cable) makes short work of any shake in seconds, delivering a velvety-smooth result. It’s their latest design with an improved ergonomic leakproof lid and inbuilt power bank.
Beneath the flip-top lid is an airtight supplement storage container, and dual measurement markers on the inside for accuracy. Whilst it may be a bit much (or a bit bulky) for some, if you love your tech and can’t stand lumps, it may be the one for you!
Myprotein is one of the UK's leading supplement brands, so you can trust that their shaker is equipped with everything you need. Ideal for the average exerciser requiring a simple post-workout scoop, there’s a separate compartment for your powder, a carabiner for your locker or house key, and a volume compact enough to fit in your kit bag.
The mesh sieve does well enough if shaken vigorously, but it can become clogged with powder from time to time. Therefore, it probably isn’t the one for super thick shakes or those with added fruit or oats.
Go big, or go home! BlenderBottle’s massive 1.3-litre shaker is designed for mass gainer proteins that require a cup or two of powder. It has an extra-wide opening for larger scoops. as well as a heavier mixer ball to accommodate the additional volume.
Sadly, there are no supplement compartments, which is a shame seeing as it’s aimed at serious lifters. Although, they can be bought separately and will slot inside of the empty shaker when not in use. It’s great for getting in your daily hydration too, but its obvious merit is also its downfall: the size may be just too much for some.
No bells, no whistles, just a decent-sized plastic shaker. Suitable for newer gym-goers, or those who don’t want to splash out too much on their first shaker, it’s a bargain at just over £5. You even receive a sample of PhD Nutrition’s famous protein powder along with it!
It’s roomy enough to fit a double protein serving and uses a steel mixing ball to get the job done. Unfortunately, it is described as “drip-proof” rather than 100% leakproof, and a few users report it leaking when carried as a water bottle, so perhaps it’s one for the gym only.
Now that you've decided on the perfect shaker, you'll need something to go in it! Selecting a high-quality protein powder will help you refuel and meet your nutritional needs both pre and post-workout. That's why we've put together these buying guides to help you make an informed choice. We've even included a guide to the best sports drinks for optimum hydration.
Whatever your training style, so long as you consider the size, blending method, material, and other useful features before you buy, you should be on your way to finding the best protein shaker for your needs. We hope you’ve found some inspiration within our ranking list, so now all that’s left to do is get strong!
Author: Natasha Dziubajlo
No. 1: SmartShake|Original Multi-Storage Shaker Bottle
No. 2: Beyond Fitness|Premium Insulated Protein Shaker
No. 3: ShakeSphere|Protein Shaker Bottle
No. 4: BOTTLED JOY |Protein Shaker Bottle with Storage
No. 5: Free Soul |Steel Shaker
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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