10 Best Protein Shakers for Maximizing Your Gym Gains

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YOU'RE NOT NEW to the fitness game, and at this point, you and everyone else knows a protein shaker is just as vital to your gains as the protein powder itself. If your protein shaker bottle is crud, then how do you expect to establish a routine of consuming a post-workout shake within your anabolic window?

For the past 10 years, the editors of Men's Health have been keeping up with all the latest protein shaker bottle innovations. It's true you can never go wrong with a classic whisking ball shaker (go with BlenderBottle if that's what you want), however, we've discovered a handful of versatile and premium shaker bottles on the market now that make drinking post-workout shakes even more easier and enjoyable.

Best Protein Shakers

What to Consider

Similar to what we have outlined in our shaker specs, consider the following factors:

Mixing Mechanism: Having a mixing mechanism that disintegrates clumps with ease is the most important factor when buying a shaker bottle. Whisk balls, the wire-y metal balls that click and clack around inside the container, have been around for a long time and are the most popular. Other mechanisms include electric (tiny little devices with motors on the bottom) and whisk-ball-free designs that rely on the mold of the bottle to break up protein powder. Another design you'll see that's similar to a whisk ball is a built-in agitator, which is typically some kind of stick or plastic interior mold that attaches under the cap to break up powder.

Material Quality: Opt for shakers made from durable materials like BPA-free plastic or stainless steel. Insulation: If you want to keep your liquids ice cold (like when making a delicious pre-workout drink) go with an insulated design.

Lid Design: Look for leakproof lids to prevent spills during shaking. It pays to buy a more expensive shaker that has a super tight lid. Otherwise, prepare to do the thing where you hold your index finger down on top and pray there's no spillage.

Size: Usually 20-28 ounces will suffice for your shaker bottle. Go with the higher capacity if you want to use your bottle for other drinks like water, iced coffee, and pre-workout. Go lower capacity if you just plan on using for protein shakers (it takes up less space too and is easier to pack away).

Machine-Washable: Not a necessity, but at times, convenience matters. The good news is most protein shakers are machine washable these days.

Are Protein Shakers Worth It?

It's important to refuel your body with the right nutrients, especially after a grueling workout session. That's why protein shakes are a staple in helping promote gym gains. Protein shakes help you recover faster, build lean muscle tissue, and satisfy your hunger, thus putting you on a path to success. To truly make the most of your protein shakes, you need one of the best protein shaker bottles that can mix protein powder (and even creatine) smooth and easy.

Another reason why a protein shaker is worth it: you'll save money. Instead of buying a $5 post-workout shake or $10 post-workout smoothie every time you leave the gym, you can cut your protein shakes down to just a few dollars per use when you make your own shakes with a protein shaker bottle.

How We Selected

We ranked our top protein shakers in 2024 based on factors such as material, capacity, blending mechanism, ease of use, and price. We've also checked with our editors and writers for insider feedback on their protein shakers of choice. Before we get to the full list, make some space in your gym bag. There's about to a be a new shaker in town.

Electric Protein Shaker

If you're tired of all the manual shaking, then you need to check out the Voltrx protein shaker. The powerful mini motor will blend your shake in less than 10 seconds with a simple, one-touch click. The detachable battery will hold a charge for literal months before needing a charge (via USB-C cable).

Made of a BPA-free material, this bottle is durable and can withstand high temperatures, making it dishwasher-friendly. Ample seals throughout the design ensure it's leak-proof and worry-free.

We hardly have any knocks on the Voltrx. The only thing to consider is the battery when thinking about long-term use (we're talking over 1-2 years of use). We mention this because it's possible the battery life gets shorter with age. There's also the fact that you could theoretically misplace the battery, which would prompt you to need to buy a new one.

Other than that, though, the Voltrx is affordable, durable, and fun to use. This is the pick for futurists.

Read more: Coolest Tech Gadgets

Classic

One of the original brands to master the protein shaker bottle, the Classic from BlenderBottle keeps it minimal. It's leak-proof, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. The SpoutGuard helps prevent germs and has a wide mouth and a loop top. You can also use it for other purposes, such as a water bottle or a snack container. The best part? The price tag is darn tough to beat.

You can get the Classic in a handful of colors and in three different sizes. Start here if you're looking for a tried-and-true pick.

2.0 Vortex Blender Shaker Bottle

This shaker bottle was one of the first to perfect the whisk-ball-free design. Instead, the Helimix relies on a vortex mold that blends supplements and powders when shaken up and down. What's nice is the cap is incredibly secure, so you don't have to hold your index finger down on top of it to prevent any leaks.

If there's a downside to the Helimix, it's that you have to shake it pretty hard sometimes to get everything inside completely dissolved. It's more of a minor inconvieniece than anything, but it did play a part in why we ranked the Helimix below the Voltrx Electric Protein Shaker.

Hydro Flask 24 Oz Insulated Shaker Bottle Indigo

Stainless steel shaker bottles are on the rage lately. This one from Hydro Flask is super versatile in the way it can operate as a protein shaker (just pop in the whisk ball) and as a tumbler. The brand applied the same type of vacuum insulation it uses in its regular tumbler to its shaker bottle. Therefore, you can expect it to keep warm drinks hot for at least half a day and cold drinks ice cold for up to a full day.

The best part about the Hydro Flask shaker is its versatility. Of course we've used it for the occasional iced coffee or daily water bottle. However, our favorite use was with pre-workout. The Hydro Flask will keep pre-workout crisp and cold, which we found way more enjoyable than pre-workout dumped into a lukewarm plastic water bottle.

After the pre-workout was finished, we washed it out and then tossed in our protein powder at the end of the workout with water. This is a great gym buddy indeed.

Bolde Bottle

Bolde takes the shaker bottle to new heights by utilizing hygienic 304 stainless steel that's smell-resistant, stain-resistant. The special material also makes sure the bottle does not retain flavors or bacteria. Bolde then adds on a double-walled vacuum insulation that keeps drinks cold for up to 36 hours, plus a silent mixer that blends your powder smooth and quiet.

Another unique feature is its detachable storage compartment at the bottom that can hold supplements, powder, or other small items.

The Bolde Bottle is one of the more expensive protein shakers on the market, but gosh is it worth every penny.

Tumbler Original

Go beyond water and powders with the Shakesphere Tumbler Original. This innovative shaker bottle has a corner-less design that creates a powerful centrifugal force when you shake it. It can dissolve powders in as fast as five seconds, and even blend soft fruit in another five seconds.

The Shakesphere is made of high-quality plastic that is BPA-free and has a leak-proof slide cap that keeps your drink secure and prevents any spills. With its round design it's easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, plus it takes up minimal space in your gym bag.

SportShaker

Our choice for the best budget-friendly bottle, the SportShaker, is a reliable no-frills pick. It's proudly made in the USA, uses BPA-free plastic, and holds up to a massive 27 ounces of liquid when filled to the brim.

The SportShaker has a secure screw-on cap with a convenient carry handle and a built-in kinetic-based mixing element that mixes contents with ease and is noise-free. It's functional and affordable. Just don't count on it to provide you with any extra features.

MultiShaker

BrüMate's MultiShaker is a unique hybrid bottle that's equal parts protein shaker as it is a tumbler. The MultiShaker is made of insulated BevGuard stainless steel that can keep drinks warm for hours or cold for over 24 hours. It has a magnetic cap and a MagFlip lid that snaps back when you close it, preventing any spills or drips.

We tested the MultiShaker with various drinks, such as protein shakes, pre-workout drinks, coffee, tea, greens, and infused water. The result was always a smooth and delicious drink, with no clumps, lumps, or messes, thanks to its built-in patent-pending agitator. The silicone handle, non-slip base, and the ability to interchange tops are all added bonuses.

Radian

Rogue makes some of the best home gym equipment around, and its protein shaker is no different. This sturdy shaker features a double-wall, vacuum-insulated design, keeping drinks refreshing all day long. No more worrying about leaks, spills, or sweat on your bottle, thanks to the secure seal and anti-condensation technology, plus its BPA and Phthalate-free materials.

Another unique aspect is being able to drink from the center-mounted spout with the twist-on cap. The extra wide mouth allows you to add large scoops of protein powder, fruits, or ice cubes, and also makes cleaning a breeze.

26oz Ice Shaker

Constructed from premium, kitchen-grade stainless steel, the Ice Shaker will repell odors and keep drinks ice-cold for over 30 hours and prevents any sweating on the outside. The Ice Shaker has a unique twist on agitator that blends your protein powder and acts as a strainer. You can easily measure your liquid with the internal lines and enjoy your drink from the leak-proof lid too.

The silicone base makes the shaker bottle stable, chip-resistant, and quiet. It fits in any standard cup holder, so you can take it with you wherever you go. The one downside of the Ice Shaker? It's kind of heavy and clunky—like most stainless steel bottles.

The coolest aspect about the Ice Shaker is its awesome array of colors, designs, and officially licensed sports teams it has to offer.

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