Best Blenders for Protein Shakes in 2018
Stop wasting time using shakers to create protein shakes by hand. Instead, start using one of these 10 blenders for protein shakes. Not only will they save your time but also make more delicious shakes!
Our list was based on author’s test of over 17 blenders including mix of positive and negative reviews found online.
The list includes a mix of budget, value and high end shakers.
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Are you feeling that you don’t get enough protein through your diet? You are not able to make enough gains in the gym no matter how hard you work? Or you maybe want to lose the extra weight without jeopardizing your health?
What you need are the protein shakes as a substantial part of your gym routine and diet. The perfect way to start your day would be by drinking the home made protein shake and the only appliance you’ll need for that is the blender.
Now, there are so many good quality blenders in the market that choosing the right one that meets your needs and the budget can take a lot of time and patience.
Since those shakes don’t take much time and energy to be made, any blender that can make a good smoothie will be able to make a protein shake. However, we are looking for the best here, so in the article below, we will review some of the best blenders for protein shakes and hopefully help you to find the perfect one for you.
Related reading: list of 6 best masticating juicers (if you’re more into healthy juices)
Last updated 8/28/2018.
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Best Blenders for Protein Shakes 2018
| Model (link jumps to our review) | Image | Power (watt) | Speed | Rating | Price* | Order Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Vitamix 5200 |  | 1380 | 10 speeds | (1,977 Reviews reviews) | $439.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2. Smeg BLF01 CUS 50s Style Blender |  | 800 | 4 speeds | (3 Reviews reviews) | $259.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3. The Sharper Image Stainless Steel Multi Blender |  | 300 | 1 speed | (22 Reviews reviews) | Price not available | Buy on Amazon |
| 4. Ninja Professional Blender BL 610 |  | 1000 | 3 speeds + Pulse | (6,834 Reviews reviews) | $72.67 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5. Tribest Personal Blender PB-250 |  | 200 | 2 speeds | (234 Reviews reviews) | $69.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 6. Blendtec 1003257 Designer Series WildSide Blender |  | 1560 | 8 speed | (470 Reviews reviews) | $313.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 7. Cuisinart CPB 350 |  | 350 | 2 speeds +Pulse | (2,108 Reviews reviews) | $78.92 | Buy on Amazon |
| 8. Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB 79 |  | 200 | 2 speeds | (2,025 Reviews reviews) | Price not available | Buy on Amazon |
| 9. Hamilton Beach 58146 Power Elite Blender |  | 700 | 12 speeds | (10 Reviews reviews) | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 10. Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend |  | 250 | 1 speed | (6,732 Reviews reviews) | Price not available | Buy on Amazon |
*Product prices were last updated on 2020-07-03 - more info
FAQ
Immersion blender looks like a long stick with holder on the one side, and blades on the other side. They are simple and easy to use and clean. It can be used to mix up soft ingredients into a soup, smoothie or a cream.
Countertop blender, from the other side, are bigger and must be placed on the counter. It can be used for variety of kitchen tasks but what you’ll be able to prepare depends on the specific model you choose and its power.
You can learn more about these differences here.
There is no only one option that is best for everyone. The best blender for protein shakes is the one you’ll use on daily basis. All of these blenders are excellent, but you should choose one based on the features that are important to you.
Here's Our List of 10 Best Blenders for Protein Shakes:
We’ve compiled a hand-picked list of top 10 blenders for protein shakes of 2018. The list is based on our author’s objective review and combination of various opinions from users all over the world. Continue reading to see all of our blender for protein shakes reviews:
1. Vitamix 5200
Ranked #1 by the editor
Amazon rating:
(based on 1,977 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- It is so powerful that it can crush anything
- Easy to use and clean
- Vitamix provides a 7 year warranty
- BPA free
Cons:
- The container is plastic
- It the motor gets overheated the whole blender just shuts off
- It’s a little too expensive
Editor’s Review:
This is a high-power blender, powerful enough to crush ice and all kinds of nuts and it can be used for so many different kitchen tasks. It is really easy to use and it allows you to customize and control the blending according to your needs. It is really well designed: it has the square motor base, the container or the main blending base with the assembled blade, the lid. It is really study and it weighs about 11 pounds which makes it stay firmly placed. All the controls are placed on the front of the base. There are two switches, one on each side – one of them is for power and the other one is for the speed control. There is the dial placed in the middle that also controls the speed which allows you to set the blending as fast or as slow as you want. Along with the blender, you also get the user guide and tips card, the DVD with the cooking class and warranty certificate.
The power and versatility of the Vitamix 5200 is remarkable. It transforms all kinds of fruits and vegetables into a healthy smoothie or a shakes within just a few seconds. Using frozen ingredients to make ice cream or a cold drink is a lot easier and faster with this blender.
The Vitamix 5200 is not just easy to handle, but easy to clean to. Just add some warm water and dish soap, turn it on and the blender will clean itself in matter of seconds.
If you need a blender that will help you with variety of kitchen tasks, this might be the one for you, however, if you are looking for something only for making protein shakes in, it will probably seem too big and expensive.
2. Smeg BLF01 CUS 50s Style Blender
Ranked #2 by the editor
Amazon rating:
(based on 3 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- Beautiful retro design
- Powerful
- Dishwasher safe
- Build to survive anything
- BPA free
Cons:
- Kind of expensive
- Has no soup program
Editor’s Review:
This blender has an iconic 50s retro design which makes it a Cadillac among the blenders. It can be ordered in a few typically retro colors such as red, cream, pastel blue, green and pink, and of course silver and black. It has four standard speeds plus the smoothie and ice-crushing presets that you can choose from by turning the control knob on the side of the base. The button in the middle of the knob is actually the start button and the little one above it the pulse button. The container is dish washer safe and it has the capacity of 1.5l. The blender is powerful enough to crush ice in a less than a minute and to make a creamy smoothie without any chunks left.
This is one of the most unique looking blenders and it looks very decorative on a kitchen counter top, but the beauty isn’t the only positive feature of this appliance. It has such a powerful 800 watt motor that is able of blending, crushing and grinding any ingredient you put in it. It is really amazing how fast and easily you can make any kind of smoothie or shake with the 50s style Smeg.
It is really to use and clean. You can either unscrew the container and hand-wash it or dish wash it or you can even use the self-cleaning option which is the most simple. Just pour some warm water and dish soap, start the blender on the slowest setting and press the pulse button for a couple of times (you still have to rinse it, though).
3. The Sharper Image Stainless Steel Multi Blender
Ranked #3 by the editor
Amazon rating:
(based on 22 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- Great capability
- Great small size
- Nice design
- BPA free
Cons:
- All cups are plastic
- Not for a larger amount of drinks
- Blending requires the manual operating
Editor’s Review:
This is such a versatile blender that can do it all. It grinds meet and coffee, mixes batters, smoothies and frozen yogurts, whips cream and chops ice. When you see how small it is you would never say that it is capable of all of that, but that’s just how powerful it is. Its small size takes up very little space so it is perfect for a small kitchen. With this blender it will be easy for you to replace your breakfast and dinner with a healthy smoothie or mix up the protein shake in just a matter of seconds. The blender comes with three cups, which is more than enough even if you need your shake on the go. The cups are all plastic, so even though the blender can handle ice, you probably shouldn’t do that very often because you will ruin all the cups quickly. The design is nice and clean and the noise level is acceptable.
This multi blender is really easy to use. Just put the ingredients into one of the cups, twist on the blade, lock it on to a power base and press down to start blending. Now, I don’t like that you have to hold it pressed during the blending but with this combination of the power and the price, it is all forgiven.
4. Ninja Professional Blender BL 610
Amazon rating:
(based on 6,834 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- Large cup size, perfect for families
- Strong motor
- BPA free
- Affordable
Cons:
- It is really loud
- Too tall and boxy
Editor’s Review:
This is one powerful blender without a huge price tag. The design is a little boxy and it might take you a few tries to mount the jar on to the base but this blender performs as good as some much more expensive blenders which will make you forget about those little downsides. On the inside of the blender you’ll find three rows of extremely sharp blades, capable of crushing ice, nuts and so many different fruits and vegetables, but it can also cut your finger while unloading the dish washer, so I recommend not washing it that way. You can always pour some hot water and dish detergent into the blender and press the power button for the “self-cleaning”. It is much safer and the blades won’t dull as quickly as if they were washed in the dish washer. The blades are removable, but I wouldn’t recommend taking them off unless you really need to.
The Ninja Professional Blender BL 610 is highly powerful and versatile. It perfectly blends ingredients into shakes, smoothies and soups, it crushes ice, and nuts, grinds grains and chops vegetables. It is also great for preparing baby food and butters.
It does have some trouble with green vegetables like broccoli and spinach, but if you put some water before putting those veggies into the blender, you won’t have any problems.
5. Tribest Personal Blender PB-250
Ranked #5 by the editor
Amazon rating:
(based on 234 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- Blades, whips and grinds almost anything
- Really powerful for its range
- Compact design
- Requires minimal washing
- Easy to use
- BPA free
Cons:
- Less powerful than some higher end models
- Can’t crush ice alone
Editor’s Review:
This is high powered blender that is capable of making fruit and protein smoothies, homemade nut butters and soups and so much more. You’ll be able to read in countless reviews that it is also capable of crushing ice, but that isn’t completely true. If you put only ice cubes into the blender it won’t do a good job, but if you put the ice in the mix with your fruits or vegetables it will be able to crush it. I love the design of the blender, it is light and compact and really attractive. It is potable and versatile which makes it perfect for today’s on-the-go lifestyle. It blends quickly and it is really easy to use and clean. It comes with two different types of blades – the blending and the grinding blade. The blending one is for fruits and vegetables, while the grinding one if for the seeds and nuts.
One of the reasons I fell in love with this blender is because its low speed motor doesn’t prevents the air from being sucked in so the food can’t oxidize. Overall, this is a great blender for light healthy smoothies and protein shakes.
6. Blendtec 1003257 Designer Series WildSide Blender
Ranked #6 by the editor
Amazon rating:
(based on 470 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- Incredibly powerful
- Works as a food processor and coffee grinder
- Easy to use
- Beautiful design
- 7-year warranty
Cons:
- A bit pricey
- Large serving sizes
Editor’s Review:
Let’s start with the design. The clean and simple look of this blender will without a doubt complement the look of your kitchen. There are two colors available, black and red. Our favorite is red because it’s eye-catching, and it pops up in usually black, grayish kitchens. One thing to mention here, if you have an eye on the red version of this blender, be prepared to pay that $100 more than you would a black one.
The name WildSide refers to the interesting design of the jar, which unlike most jars features a fifth side (WildSide). With added fifth side, Blendtec manages to create a better blending whirlpool than other blenders that have four-sided jars.
Blendtec has a unique flat display panel. Most blenders use dials and buttons, but Blendtec features a smooth display that illuminates when it’s in use. The display has six images that represent presets (batter, smoothie, ice crush, ice cream, whole juice, and soup). There are also icons for a pulse, stop, turn on/off, and there’s a slide bar for speed.
With the power of 1560 watts, WildSide can crush anything with ease. This blender can easily replace an entire set of kitchen appliances. It can work as a food processor, mixer, and a coffee grinder. If you love making peanut or almond butter, you’re going to love Blendtec as it can blend up nuts to a smooth consistency in a matter of minutes. There is nothing that WildSide cannot blend up, and if you don’t trust us, just take a look at Will It Blend video. For those that won’t bother with a video, Blendtec WildSide blends up an iPhone SE to dust.
If you want to get your protein from all kinds of foods, and in a matter of minutes, there is no better option than Blendtec WildSide blender. This blender will serve as nine kitchen appliances, and no matter what type of food you’re preparing, WildSide will surely make it more convenient.
Blendtec offers a 7-year manufacturer warranty, and a lifetime warranty on the blade, which tells a lot about this product.
7. Cuisinart CPB 350
Amazon rating:
(based on 2,108 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- Really small, light and convenient
- It blends most of the ingredients within couple of seconds
- Allows you to control the speed easily
- Easy to use and clean
- Includes the to-go cups
Cons:
- It doesn’t crush big chunks of ice
- To-go cups are not spill proof
Editor’s Review:
This is a popular little blender that promises to offer the best blending experience. Its two main selling points are the small size, which makes it portable, and the power. It has a 350 watt motor that is capable of chopping and mixing any kind of fruits and vegetables that you need for your smoothie and it is certainly capable of mixing protein shakes without being overly loud. It has a three button touch pad with indicator lights which makes it really easy to operate. Those three: high, low and pulse buttons are actually all that you need. The small size of the blender doesn’t take much space on the counter top and if the blender isn’t something you’ll be using every day, you can easily pack it up in a kitchen cabinet.
No blender review would be complete if we didn’t mention how it handles ice and the Cuisinart CPB 350 has no problem crushing it. It is also capable of grinding coffee beans and nuts.
Unfortunately, this blender isn’t designed as a food processor and it can’t do a good job blending some green vegetables.
However, it is perfect for healthy smoothies and protein shakes and if that is the only thing you need a blender for, this might be a good one for you.
8. Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB 79
Amazon rating:
(based on 2,025 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- Really powerful Stick hand blender
- Easy to grip
- Push button control
- Includes mixing/measuring beaker
Cons:
- The chopper attachment might crack over the time
- The lid-lock mechanism isn’t the best
Editor’s Review:
If you want a blender that you will use exclusively for making protein shakes, you probably don’t want to have to clean so many containers as you would have to with some big blenders. In that case the best solution for you might be an immersion blender also called a hand blender.
The Cuisinart CPB 79 has a 200 watt power that is capable of making some salad dressings, shakes and soups. You can also use it to beat eggs and even make a mayonnaise. Its design allows you to use it attached to any container you want including bowls and pots. The only thing you need to remember is to attach it before you turn it on and to turn it off before you detach it. That’s it.
Overall, this is a great hand blender that can be used daily, but only for soft ingredients. Don’t use it to grind coffee beans or nuts, even though it might be able to crush them, because you will damage it really quickly. And definitely don’t use it to crush ice.
9. Hamilton Beach 58146 Power Elite Blender
Amazon rating:
(based on 10 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- One of the most affordable blenders
- Easy to use
- Has clear controls
- 12 speeds
- 3 years warranty
Cons:
- Glass jar is heavy
- Motor isn’t strong enough to crush hard ingredients
- It's a bit noisy
Editor’s Review:
This budget blender is powered by the 700 watt motor powerful enough to make a great smoothie or a shake (when used correctly). It comes with 1.1l glass heavy container and a lot of blending functions. To be precise, 12 speeds for mix, smoothie, milkshake, puree, icy drink, chop, salsa, grind, crush ice, grate and easy clean.
As this is a multifunction blender with so many speeds it should be versatile, however it is limited by its motor which is not powerful enough to crush hard ingredients like nuts or ice, even though there is a speed for that too. You are probably wondering what this blender can make than. Well, it is capable of blending all of the soft ingredients into a healthy smoothie or shake as well as frozen desserts, purees, sauces or soups. However, if you want to make smoothie or anything with some green vegetables like a broccoli you can’t do that without adding some water to decompose it a little, just so you know.
The glass jar would be a great thing if the blender actually had the motor that is powerful enough to crush ice and hard ingredients. This way is only a heavy bargain. It does allow you to prepare shakes and all with hot ingredients, though, and it that is what you need the blender for, this one will be just perfect for you.
10. Oster BLSTPB-WBL My Blend
Ranked #10 by the editor
Amazon rating:
(based on 6,732 Reviews reviews)
Pros:
- A lot more powerful than it looks
- Great design
- Easy to use and clean
- Doesn’t make much noise
- Perfect for on-the-go consumers
Cons:
- BPA free
- The bottle lid does not have a leak proof seal
Editor’s Review:
This blender provides you with the style, power and great performance in a small package. Because of its size, it is perfect for those consumers who are constantly on the go and it doesn’t take much space on the kitchen counter. It is really quick and convenient, and it takes only one touch to start blending. The motor is powerful enough to make a perfect healthy smoothie or protein shake, but not much more than that. It can also crush ice, but it has difficulties with big chunks, so if you want your shake or smoothie icy, try putting smaller pieces of ice. That way you won’t have any problems. It will take you only a few seconds to make a perfect healthy breakfast in the morning without noisy sounds, with this quiet little appliance.
The blender has no buttons, which is actually a good thing here, since the Oster My Blend is a blender you buy mainly for shakes and smoothies, so you won’t have to push buttons and turn dials to make your healthy snack every day. This makes it really easy to use, even for kids.
How to Choose The Best Blender For Your Protein Shakes - Buyer's Guide
When you are looking for your first protein shake blender there are a few things to keep in mind. There are so many different blenders out there. Different sizes, motors, cups, materials, designs…all of that can get you confused. And don’t even get me started on sellers who are only trying to sell the most expensive thing in the store.
Before deciding on the blender, there are some things you’ll need to consider first, if you want to make the right decision.
Here are some of the most important things to consider before deciding on the blender that will meet your needs:
This is the most important thing when it comes to blenders. If it isn’t powerful enough to mix, blend, crush and grind everything you need in your shake, than it isn’t good enough. That means that your blender needs to have the power of at least 600 watts (the more the better). However, if you want to mix just some basic shakes with liquid and powder you will be fine even with the low powered blender with at least 200 watts.
Blender is the appliance mostly used to make healthy snacks, and as we live these fast lives, we usually need them on the go. Most blenders are capable of mixing, chopping and grinding in a matter of seconds but starting them isn’t always as fast. It is really important for a blender to be user-friendly which mostly means easy to use. In the matter of buttons, less is always better, especially when it comes to protein shakes blenders.
Big countertop blenders make sense if you are making large portions for many people or stock of something for a couple of days (not a good idea). It also makes sense if you need a versatile blender that can perform a lot of kitchen tasks. However, if you’ll use the blender only for protein snacks I recommend buying as small as possible. It will be easier to use and clean and it won’t take much space on your counter top. The best choice would definitely be a personal blender because you would be able to drink right out of the blending jar after blending or you can put the lid on it and carry it to work or gym… or wherever you want.
Weight can be a good indicator of the materials that were used to make the blender. The heavier the blender is, the better, because heavier materials mean higher quality.
The size of a blending jar is usually relative to the size and the power of the blender. Blenders with lower power usually come with smaller cups while the high-speed blenders come with large cups up to 1.5l capacity. Those big jars are great if you are making smoothies or shakes for a group of people, but if it is just for you, those just wouldn’t be practical. Personal blenders usually come with cups that have the capacity of 500-700 ml and that is just enough for one person, but there are also those with larger cups. What is the best here, depends on your personal needs.
There are a few different blenders mentioned in this review, and you could notice that I’ve been rambling on about the purpose the whole time. This is a really important thing to clarify before making a purchase.
The most important question is why are you buying the blender? What do you need it for?
If you’ll be using the blender for a variety of kitchen tasks, as a cooking assistant and for healthy fruit and veggie smoothies or a protein shake without the powder, you should definitely get bigger and more powerful one with the power of at least 600 watts.
However, this is the review about the blenders for protein shakes and if those shakes are the only thing you’ll be using the blender for then all you need is a small personal blender. Even an immersion blender might do a good job for you. Just be sure that the blender has the power of 200 watts, at least, and you are good to go.
A lot of blenders come with some additional items, but not all. Those additions might be really handy in many situations so be sure to check if the blender you like goes with some additional cups (useful to carry your protein shake to the gym), recipes books or spare blades.Wrra
If something can tell you how good the appliance is, the warranty period can. The longer the warranty the better the blender. So, be sure to check that out before making a purchase.
What Are The Differences Between Blenders?
Blender is probably the most versatile appliance that you have in your kitchen but each blender’s purpose is the same in the end – to mash up the ingredients. Depending on what kind of mixture you want blenders can make smoothies, creams, sauces, cold soups, purees, yogurts, you can even crush ice, make an ice-cream or dough for different kinds of cakes. The possibilities are endless! However, not every blender can do everything and it depends mostly of the material and the power and there are a hundreds of different blender types but the most basic types are immersion and countertop blenders.
Immersion blenders:
The immersion blenders are also called stick blenders or hand-held blenders. They look like a long stick that you hold on the one side and the blades are on the other side. I saw my mom using it to make a homemade mayonnaise, so that is the type of a mash that it makes. It mixes up soft ingredients into a soup, smoothie or a cream and it allows you to blend even boiling hot ingredients. Those are very practical and easy to clean. This type of blenders can be divided into 4 more groups but the differences are only in design, power and speed.
Countertop Blenders:
These blenders are also called Jar Blenders and they are way bigger and heavier than immersion blenders. Because of their size and weight, these are the appliances that have their place on the counter top. You can use these blenders for variety of kitchen tasks but what you’ll be able to prepare depends on the specific model you choose and its power.
What are the Protein Shakes, anyway?
In order to provide proteins, your body uses up to 20 types of amino acids that you gain through your diet from animal and plant sources. Obviously, you get more proteins from animal sources, but not everyone eats meat. Vegetarians and vegans certainly provide a lot fewer proteins for themselves, so those protein shakes might seem like a good supplement for them. However, they are not the biggest consumers of this product. Protein shakes are mostly used by men and women who are exercising at the gym because those shakes help their body provide more protein which is adding to the growth and repair of their muscles.
Now, there are many different protein powders (from which you make those protein shakes) and they can be used in a variety of situations. Protein shakes actually contain those amino acids your body needs to provide the protein, you just mix it with the water or some other liquid (this is where the blender comes handy) and that’s about it.
Customer's Opinion - See What Other Users Say:
I’ve had the Nutri Ninja Pro for a couple of months now and I can tell you that I’m absolutely satisfied with it. It does the work it is supposed to do and it does it very quickly. I bought it to make protein shakes that I need after my gym exercise but then I realized that I can make so many kinds of smoothies, sauces and creams with it. It has no problem handling even walnuts and that is what I love the most about it. However there are a couple of things that I don’t like about it. First, it is way too loud and I’m sure my neighbors know when I use it and it surely annoys them even more than it annoys me. The second thing is that it doesn’t have the lock option so you basically have to hold it the whole time. Other than that, it is the most perfect blender you will find for the money.
Michelle
User of the Nutri Ninja Pro
I bought the Cuisinart BP 350 because my gym trainer told me to drink protein shakes for breakfast and I had nothing to prepare them in. At first I didn’t expect much from it, because you don’t need a much of a blender to mix up the protein shake. The more I was using it the more it blew me away! It offers an incredible power that can mix up smoothies and protein shakes in a matter of seconds. It can also chop up nuts and make great creams and sauces. The size is just perfect. It is small enough to leave it on the counter, but not too small in a way that annoys you while using it. This is the only one appliance that I own in my home that I had had zero issues with. It is also an amazing value for the price so this has been a very good purchase. I totally recommend it!
Timothy
User of the Cuisinart BP 350
Conclusion
As always, everything comes down to a personal preference. This review was written to help you narrow down to what you think it is the best choice, not to make the decision for you. So, ask yourself again the questions I’ve been asking you through the whole text. Why do you need a blender? What will you use it for? How often will you use it?
After you answer those questions it will be clear which blender is the best fit for you.
My choice, if you were wondering, would definitely be the SMEG 50s Style Blender because it has everything I want from a blender.
You’ve made the decision? The healthier life is just a few clicks away now.
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Tijana Milunovic
Tijana is a copywriter and a fashion designer. She has years of experience in testing & reviewing products.
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