Calling all protein lovers! If you have recently started working out or just want to boost your daily protein intake, you may find yourself in need of a more powerful blender to whip up your shakes. To help, I've created this guide covering the best blender for protein shakes.
Using a poorly powered or dull bladed blender to make your shakes can be demotivating. Nobody has time for that!
In my guide, I will review the top protein shake blender brands as well as tips to get the most out of your blender!
Best Protein Shake Blenders
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Best Blender for Protein Shakes with Fruit
Why is the COSORI Blender for Shakes and Smoothies one of the best blenders for making protein shakes? The 800 watt motor will power through fresh fruit and vegetables as well as frozen fruits in a flash. Versatile 3 Edge blades also give the COSORI (and you!) the ability to finely chop whatever ingredients you include in your shake. It will grind up ice cubes, but, considering the motor size, I suggest using smaller ice cubes rather than larger ice cubes.
It is trim, has hardened steel blades, and can quickly go anywhere you go considering it's small footprint. As a bonus, it includes storage cups, a storage lid, and travel lid so you can take your protein drink anywhere with you.
Pros:
- Travel cups in various sizes
- 3 button easy controls
- Twist in container
- Built-in overheating protection
- Budget friendly
- Powerful 800W motor
Cons:
- Blades difficult to clean
Best Blender for Protein Shakes with Milk
Oster My Blend, offers the ability to blend your powder mix protein right in the sport bottle. Isn't that cool?! This may not be your ice crusher as the motor is only 400 watts but I can't get over the convenient bottle!
The Oster also offers one-touch blending and a fuse that will self revive the blender if it overheats; if it does overheat, just reset the fuse to start it again. The 20 ounce sports bottle is dishwasher safe and BPA free. Lastly, the compact size of the Oster make it convenient enough to travel anywhere with you.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Available in multiple colors
- Easy to use controls
- Self reviving fuse technology
- Sport bottle included
Cons:
- Not suitable for ice
Best Blender for Protein Shakes with Water
I consider the Hamilton Beach Personal Blender for Shakes and Smoothies the essential protein shake blender. At only 175 watts, it won’t crush dense ice but it will surely mix protein powder and soft fruit ingredients as long as you cut them into small chunks. The one touch button feature also makes this a great utility blender.
Compact and light in design, this blender is great for office, home, or travel. While it may not have the power of its competitors or even other Hamilton blenders, this personal blender has just what you need to make your shake.
Pros:
- One touch blending
- No fuss clean up
- Portable
- Dishwasher safe travel cup
Cons:
- Not suitable for ice
Best Blender for Protein Shakes with Ice
The Oster Blender Pro 1200 provides a budget-friendly countertop model to mix up protein shakes. It comes in a gorgeous stainless steel finish and includes a 24-ounce smoothie cup. For power, this blender boasts 1200 watts.
Another convenience of the Oster are the smart settings technology which features three speeds and three pre programmed buttons to the most common blender uses. This feature is especially helpful on those busy mornings when you just want to press one button and go!
Pros:
- 6 cup glass jar
- Extra wide 3.5" blades
- Pulse feature for added control
- Sleek design
Cons:
- Larger than personal blenders
Best Blender for Protein Shakes with Oats
While the Ninja Mega Kitchen System can make your protein shake in a flash, it can also do so much more! This is why I can't resist highlighting it in my guide. In my opinion, it's the best ninja blender for protein shakes.
This countertop blender falls in a medium budget range, but offers high class blending power and several bonus parts such as a food processor bowl and two, 16 ounce Nutri Ninja cups with to go lids.
The 72 ounce total crushing pitcher allows you to make enough protein shakes for your entire family while the 1100 watt base can pulverize ice and frozen fruit in an instant giving you a smooth shake consistency. The best of all is everything but the base is dishwasher safe and free of BPA. .
Pros:
- Single serve and large capacity
- Multiple speeds
- Dishwasher safe
- Doubles as food processor
- BPA free parts
Cons:
- Many parts to clean
Best Blender for Protein Shakes with Peanut Butter
The Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender, Professional-Grade offers 10 variable speeds, a 48 ounce container, hardened stainless steel blades, radial cooling fan, and thermal protection system.
The Vitamix brand is well known for quality and durability and the E310 model is no exception. This blender is so powerful that it can easily handle thick soups and salsas in addition to as many protein shakes as you can make!
While the Vitamix E310 is a little pricey compared to the other models, the long lasting brand will serve you for years.
Pros:
- Ten variable speeds
- Self cleaning
- Sleek design
- Power and durability
- Stainless steel blades
- Mini tamper included
Cons:
- Less affordable
Guide to Buying a Protein Shake Blender
Before making your purchase, I suggest taking the time to make a few considerations. Doing these things will help you make an informed decision when purchasing your protein shake blender.
Protein Shake Ingredients
Make a list of the food items you will want to blend. Along with your protein powder, think long and hard about the types of things you want to blend. Fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts are all things you can blend into protein drinks. Adding variety will spice up your life and your diet.
Portability
Consider if you will be preparing your protein shakes at home or on the go. Several of the models I reviewed are awesome for your grab and go experience! By far, for running out of the house in a flash, I feel that the Oster My Blend is definitely the best portable protein shake blender.
Protein Blender Power
If you intend to use ice or hard frozen fruit in your shakes, then blender power definitely needs to be on the top of your blender shopping list. If the blender that you choose is low on horsepower, you may end up with broken blades or large chunks of fruit. This category is where the Vitamix really earns its top stars.
Accessories
I love when blenders come equipped with special to go cups or, even better, double as food processors! Be sure to make this consideration if you want to get the biggest bang for your buck with an all in one solution like the Ninja Mega Kitchen System.
Size
Consider the size of your kitchen as well as available counter and cabinet space. Some models might be too tall to effectively push back against the wall or under a cabinet. Even more, if you plan to travel with your blender, you don't want to carry around more weight than needed!
Price
Staying within budget is important! Take your time and think about how much you want to invest. I know that spending too much can be uncomfortable, but buying cheap blenders over and over again can also become a wallet drain.
Lastly, in addition to my review, take a look at a product comparison of all of the things that are important to you that I may not have mentioned. I also suggest asking family and friends how they like their own blenders and what they can do with them as far as food processing and blending.
Crafting the Perfect Protein Shake
Your perfect protein shake will depend on what you are using the protein drink for - to build muscle, or maybe just a nutritious meal replacement. There are also many types of protein powders available in the market. To inspire you, I have highlighted some of the more creative protein shake blender recipes.
Egg White Protein Shake
Eggs in a shake?! It's true! Some athletes are utilizing egg protein as an alternative or in addition to other protein powders. I started my research here and I am eager to try this egg white protein powder for myself! As always, be sure to self study and check with your doctor to learn what is best for your unique diet before trying new foods.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Shake
In my opinion, there is no greater combination than peanut butter and chocolate. I loved this recipe so much that I decided to share it with everyone.
The author doesn't suggest a specific protein powder, but I like this plant based protein powder made by Orgain. It can be purchased at most health food stores, but I've found that Amazon usually has the best price.
FAQ's
Should I put the liquid in first or the dry protein powder?
I recommend that you put the water or juice into the blender jar or bottle first, then the powder. This helps prevent the powder from caking onto the bottom of the jar. From here, turn on the power and watch the magic happen!
Should I cut up my fruit or vegetables into tiny pieces?
This depends on the type of blender that you purchase. A high utility blender like the Vitamix or Ninja will be able to handle large pieces of fruit or vegetables. A blender with a smaller jar may require you to chop your fruits and veggies in order to get a smooth blend. Alternatively, you could also try thawing any frozen fruit ahead of time.
Can I clear fruit stuck underneath the blades without dumping all the ingredients out?
I suggest powering off and unplugging the blender. From here, use a long spoon or spatula to poke at the fruit gently to clear it. If this does not work, you may also try to gently shake the jar. Be sure that the lid is secure before you try this! If these methods fail, then you may need to dump the ingredients into your smoothie cup, and then use a butter knife to push the fruit out from under the blades.
Can I make a protein shake without a blender?
Yes. You can definitely make a basic protein shake with just protein powder, a glass, some water, and a spoon. You can even use a blender bottle to do the mixing for you.
However, I prefer using a blender for my shakes to add ice and other hard to stir ingredients like frozen fruit.
Can I put my blender parts in the dishwasher?
This depends entirely on the type of blender that you purchase. Many blenders contain dishwasher safe jars, cups, and lids, but it is best to double check with the manufacturer before placing in the dishwasher.
Conclusion
Making protein shakes using a blender can be a blast! If you are just getting started, I think the COSORI Blender for Shakes and Smoothies is a great middle of the road option due to its convenient size and impressive motor. If you are a veteran protein shake maker, then why not go all out and grab the Vitamix?! It has a cult following for a reason!
Ultimately, when buying a blender, you need to decide what you want to do with it and how often you will use it. This decision will help you determine which blender is right for you. I hope my guide has helped clear up your blender questions. Cheers to many more protein shakes!