Although runners grind through miles and miles while training, they often forget the importance of weight training. When I was training for my marathon, I used to hit the gym and lift weights around twice a week. I didn’t know at the time, but it was actually helping me develop my strength, preventing me from getting injured.
As I train for my half-Ironman, with running, swimming, and cycling events all in one, I know it’s time to develop my strength even more. That’s why I’ve started lifting heavier weights. Doing this means I need to increase my protein intake to help my muscles build and recover.
We all have our daily recommended amount of protein that we need, which differs as we increase our daily activity. According to the US Food and Nutrition Board, the average adult needs 0.8g of protein per kilogram of body weight every day.
For amateur athletes like me, this number goes higher. Protein shakes can act as supplements to reach the daily recommended amount needed. Muscle gain and improved performances are just some of the benefits of taking protein shakes.
If you’re an amateur athlete, regular gym-goer or someone who just has a home gym who wants to increase their performance, or even if you’re just currently looking for an easier way to prepare protein shakes, you might want to look for protein shaker bottles!
Add protein powder, add water, shake a little bit (or press a button, depending on the bottle you prefer), and voila! You have your protein shake ready to drink after you hit the gym.
Just remember that protein shakes are not necessary if you only exercise every once in a while. These are also meant to be supplements, so don’t replace them for your meals!
If you’re still interested, keep reading to find out the best protein shaker bottles you can find that are some of the best on the market today as rated by other consumers.
Best Protein Shaker Bottles Compared and Reviewed
| Image | Name | Brand | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Top | BlenderBottle Classic Shaker Bottle | BlenderBottle | Check Price on Amazon |
 | PROMiXX 2.0 Electric Protein Shaker | PROMiXX | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Contigo Shake & Go Fit | Contigo | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Helimix Vortex Blender Shaker Bottle | Helimix | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Hydra Cup Dual Threat Shaker Bottle | Hydra Cup | Check Price on Amazon |
#1 - BlenderBottle Classic Shaker Bottle
Its Classic Shaker Bottle isn’t called classic for no reason; it gives you all the features you need especially when hitting the gym, losing all the extra features that other brands include in order to stand out, only keeping the best parts of a protein shaker.
Its prominent feature is the BlenderBall. It is what’s behind the great mixing system of the bottle. It is made out of 316 surgical-grade stainless steel and acts as a whisk.
I’m sure anyone who’s tried protein shakes out there hates those lumps that won’t seem to budge, especially when you hand-mix! BlenderBall will help you smooth that out with ease.
Carrying this to the gym won’t be a worry. You’ll have the convenience of the adjustable carry loop attached to the lid of the bottle so you won’t need a full hand to carry it. Not only that, no matter how much you swing it around your fingers, but BlenderBottle also guarantees that you won’t get any leaks out of it.
Protein shake bottles are supposed to be as strong as the protein shake, and the BlenderBottle doesn’t disappoint with its durability. Its safe materials will guarantee that you can clean them in the dishwasher.
It’s hard to get a simple shaker bottle wrong. This is also one of the cheaper protein shaker bottles on this list! I will say that the BlenderBottle doesn’t have that much of a premium look to it. Although it has great features, some variations look just like any other cheap bottle.
PROS
- BlenderBall makes for a smooth protein shake
- Leakproof
- Cheap
CONS
- Some users have reported the lid being too hard to put on/remove
- Reports of the bottle easily breaking
- Cheap-looking
#2 - PROMiXX 2.0 Electric Protein Shaker
Or maybe you really hate having to gulp down unmixed protein powder and just want smoother protein drinks with low effort! You might be interested in electric shaker bottles, particularly the PROMiXX 2.0 Electric Protein Shaker.
Looking at how the PROMiXX blends its drinks is actually quite amazing. It forms a vortex because of its high-speed motor. In only a few seconds, you can have your smooth protein shake. No lumps and all, as it acts as your personal blender. Their vortex mixer is their third generation.
You won’t have to keep changing the batteries, though; this particular PROMiXX shaker is rechargeable, meaning all you have to do is charge it. You might find that you won’t have to charge until after many workouts.
Because of its materials, you won’t find any smells left on the bottle. It’s very easy to clean too! All you have to do is add some detergent, water, and let the shaker bottle clean itself. You’ll also have some extra storage if you decide to have some water before your workouts first. The NUTRiPod is designed to store your supplements or protein powder.
The stainless steel trims around the product add a new style to it, making it look sophisticated and of premium quality. It adds weight so it doesn’t fall over too. However, this bottle is too expensive for my taste. Some users have also reported that their motors stopped working after a month or two, so watch out for that.
PROS
- Electric shaker blends drinks for you
- Rechargeable battery
- Easy cleaning
CONS
- Some users have reported motor issues
#3 - Contigo Shake & Go Fit
Contigo knows the struggle, and so they made this protein shaker just for you!
The Contigo Shake & Go Fit has its Thermalock technology to provide insulation for up to 12 hours. This means that your protein shake will maintain its temperature from the moment it was put in the bottle. It’ll keep and even improve the taste of your protein shake.
The lid is a screw-top and leak-proof, so when you have to shake it won’t spill at all and you can do it anywhere. To improve the consistency of your protein shake, it includes a weighted ball to blend it properly. Plus, you have a storage pod to put your protein powder in.
Worried about the mess of having a ball included? Don’t worry; the lid and the ball are dishwasher-safe, so you can throw it in the dishwasher and you’re good to go!
However, the body has to be hand washed. But that’s no problem. They designed it in such a way that there would be no corners for the stubborn protein powder to get stuck in. Its rounded bottom makes sure of this!
I really like the style of this product. It looks heavyweight and like it’ll take up a beating, which is great in the gym! You won’t have to worry about how flimsy your bottle is. It is made from stainless steel, making it extra durable.
Some users have reported leaking for after only a week! The cap of the mouthpiece would also be hard to screw together. Some parts also broke. However, some users also praised its durability, so there might be some manufacturing issues.
PROS
- Thermalock technology for insulation up to 12 hours
- Sturdy stainless steel
- Rubber blending ball
CONS
- Reports of leaking and misfitting caps
#4 - Helimix Vortex Blender Shaker Bottle
Its helix shape and increasing size are designed so that the liquid inside spirals as you shake it up and down, almost like how a blender does so. Helimix even says that it can blend peanut butter!
Users are actually amazed by how great it mixes without any other blending equipment. To make sure you get your proportion of water to protein powder right, you can simply check the markings on the bottle.
Helimix uses Tritan plastic, which is durable and shatter-resistant. It also doesn’t hold the odor in the bottle, so you won’t have to scrub too hard if you forget to clean your bottle yesterday. All you have to do is put it in the dishwasher, and forget about it!
Helimix also guarantees that your protein shake won’t spill all over you once you seal it properly. You’ll easily carry this anywhere you want, as it has a loop on the lid for your fingers. Your hands don’t have to be full.
However, some users have reported that protein powders may get stuck in some corners when you put it in before the water, so take note of that. The cap, which covers the drinking spout, also has some issues of leakage according to some users.
PROS
- No extra blending accessories
- Durable plastic
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Cap design causes some leaks
#5 - Hydra Cup Dual Threat Shaker Bottle
The Hydra Cup features two shaker cups in one bottle. Each shaker cup is 15 ounces, so you have 30 ounces total (if that’s the variation you get). I can actually see this being such a great way to save some space in your gym bag!
Instead of the usual twisting lids that you have on other protein shakers, the Hydra Cup has a lid that snaps on securely! It also has a rubber gasket seal for extra leak-proof guarantee. Other protein shakers are really hard to take off; this one solves that problem for you.
As mentioned in other protein shakers, you might find that protein powder gets stuck in the corners of the bottle. This makes for very inconvenient cleaning experience. The Hydra Cup is way ahead of you. The base of the bottle is rounded so that it is easier to clean and nothing can get stuck.
Other users, though, have found that the bottle has leaked within a month of purchase. Others have also said that there is not enough space for the protein powder.
PROS
- Rounded base for easier cleaning
- Two shaker cups in one bottle
- Snap lids
CONS
- Reports of leaking
My Number One Pick
- 28-ounce capacity (note: measurements only go to 20 ounces) shaker cup for mixing protein shakes, smoothies, and supplements
- Patented mixing system uses 316 surgical-grade stainless steel BlenderBall wire whisk found only in BlenderBottle brand shaker bottles
- Screw-on lid creates leak-proof seal, and flip cap snaps securely shut to keep contents contained; loop top for easy carrying or attaching keys
Key Considerations When Looking For A Protein Shaker Bottle
Although it seems that protein shakers are simple purchases, once you’re in the gym and you have to deal with leaky bottles and other small nuisances, you’ll find that the little inconveniences build-up to an unsatisfying gym experience.
So, to make sure you minimize those annoying little features, make sure you read about what to look for in a protein shaker bottle!
Material
Some materials are more durable than others! For example, stainless steel bottles are much more durable than some plastics.
The best way to figure this out is to look at reviews online and find out if there are reports of cracking bottles upon impact with the floor. Odor-resistant materials are also great so that you don’t have to scrub out the odor from yesterday’s protein shake.
Some plastics also are said to be BPA-free. BPA, or bisphenol A, may be absorbed into food or beverages from containers. This may cause some health issues such as effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children, according to Mayo Clinic.
To avoid these issues, the BlenderBottle Classic Shaker Bottle makes sure its plastic is safe for you to drink from.
The material of the mixing accessories, such as the blending ball, also affects how easy it is to clean. For example, stainless steel blending balls might be easier to clean than rubber balls.
Mixing and Blending
The different ways that protein shaker bottles mix protein shakes are what make them unique and different.
One way is by using mixing accessories, such as the blending ball. As you shake, the blending ball creates a disturbance in the beverage which makes it easier to mix. It is usually made of stainless steel or rubber, and “cuts” up the liquid so that no chunks of protein powder is left.
Another way is to distort the shape of the bottle. Some are shaped in a spiral or a helix, which agitates the fluids and mimics the shaking of a blender. This way, when you shake it, the fluid also spirals!
This makes it easier to clean because there are no accessories to misplace or clean. The Helimix Vortex Blender Shaker Bottle, in particular, does this well.
The last way I saw is an actual portable electric blender. You simply press a button, and the blades spin around to mix the protein with the water. In a matter of seconds, you are sure to get a smooth protein shake. The only con I see to this is how hard it is to clean the blades.
Leakproof
You definitely don’t want your gym bag with a side of protein shake, do you? To avoid smelly bags, you need a leak-proof bottle to keep all your beverages in. You might want to look at how the lid stays put. Is it a screw system? Does it snap in place? Does it have a rubber gasket seal for extra protection? Some brands guarantee that their bottles are leak proof.
However, some reviews also report that their bottles leaked only after a month of use! Other reviews for the same brand say that their bottle works just fine and is impressed with the leak-proof guarantee.
If this is the case, you have to check which of the reviews are the majority. It also would be great if the brand is responsive to those kinds of comments and would be willing to replace it.
Capacity
One of the things to consider is the capacity or the size of your bottle. How much protein shake do you usually drink? Do you usually drink it a bit diluted or do you like a thick consistency?
This matters when thinking of the capacity of the protein shaker bottle. Bigger bottles might be great, especially if you plan to use one bottle for both water and protein shake. If that’s the case, you might want to check out HydraCup Dual Threat Shaker Bottle as two different beverages can be in one bottle.
Cleaning
This might not be a top priority for you, but trust me, once you’re out of the gym and you want nothing else but to sleep right after, cleaning will be such a big burden on you! Well, it really depends on how efficient the protein shaker bottle is at designing an easy-to-clean bottle.
Some materials are easy to clean, like plastics which can be thrown in the dishwasher. Others require hand-washing, like some stainless steel bottles.
However, even if some bottles require hand-washing, they still design their bottles to be easy to clean. For example, the bottom of some bottles is rounded so that stubborn protein powder won’t get stuck in corners. This is the case for the Contigo Shake & Go Fit protein shaker bottle.
You might also want to consider how easy it is to clean your blending ball. The brand will definitely inform you about how to best clean the bottle, so take note of that!
Style
You might notice that some protein shaker bottles look more sophisticated than others. Other bottles really look like they’re just made of cheap plastic but with a higher price tag. Maybe it’s just me, but I’d rather not want to go to the gym with that equipment.
Nicer style doesn’t mean higher price tags anyway! Steel trims make such a huge difference in my opinion. The PROMiXX 2.0 Electric Protein Shaker elegantly shows this off.
Frequently Asked Questions About Protein Shaker Bottles
Q: Why do I need a protein shaker? Can’t I just mix it myself?
A: If you have ever tried making a protein shake, you know how hard it is to get the lumps of dry protein powder to mix with the water! Protein shakers make it much easier for you to prepare your drink instead of taking 10 minutes mixing with a spoon.
Q: What do I look for in blending balls?
A: You definitely want a blending ball or any kind of blending accessory, that is easy to clean and dishwasher safe. Stainless steel blending balls are great for this one. It’s also easily replaceable.
Q: How do I remove my protein shaker smell?
A: Yikes! Some protein shakes really do leave a scent. You can wrap a charcoal briquette in newspaper and leave it in the closed bottle for a few days. You can also scrub it with a dash of white vinegar and baking soda solution.
Conclusion
Although there are a lot of things to consider, like the ease of cleaning and the leak-proof guarantee of each bottle, choosing a protein shaker bottle is an exciting endeavour! It’s like adding a new member to your gym equipment family.
Just like having the right shoes for when entering the gym I consider protein to be one of the my key gym essentials for recovery. Having the right shaker bottle that’s easily cleaned is the main thing I wanted in order to save time.
If you’ve been picking up the ante on your strength training check out my previous review on weightlifting belts that I’ve done. I consider them useful if you’re looking to lift heavier weights and want stability but at the same time help prevent injury.
Always remember to check the online reviews for each product as this gives you so much more insight into how well the protein shaker works. After all, there’s nothing truer than the actual experience. Hope to see your muscle gains soon!
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/do-protein-shakes-work
https://www.blenderbottle.com/pages/faq
Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.