Owning a great blender makes a great and utilitarian addition to any kitchen, but you really benefit from it if you make and enjoy protein shakes. Going for protein shakes from smoothie bars may do you more harm than good in terms of your progress, because you are unsure of the ingredients they are using, their calorie counts, and it is also an expensive habit.
The good news is that blending your own shakes becomes very beneficial and easy, as long as you have a good, reliable blender. The best part is you can control your own calorie intake, and we have outlined 5 top protein shake blenders you should consider putting on your list the next time you go shopping for one.
Best blender for protein shakes – Comparison table
Blender | Capacity | Voltage | Wattage | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vitamix E310 Professional-Grade blender | 48 oz. | 120V | 1380W | |
Hamilton Beach Personal blender | 14 oz. | 110V | 600W | |
NutriBullet Pro blender/mixer system | 32 oz. | 110V | 900W | |
Vitamix 5200 Pro-Grade blender | 64 oz. | 120V | 1380W | |
Blendtec 800 Professional blender | 90 oz. | 120V | 1800W |
Reviews of the best blenders for protein shakes
If you know anything about blenders, Vitamix should be among your top ideal choices. Their blenders are so popular for their high-quality results, that many culinary schools and professional chefs use them. The E310 capitalizes on this strong reputation, although its build makes it a better fit for a family kitchen as compared to a restaurant.
Among its settings are a pulse feature, 10-speed settings, a self-cleaning mode that reduces your work cleaning the blender after you are done, and aircraft-craft steel blades. On the other hand, all Vitamix blenders are quite expensive, and this is no exception even though it is among their affordable blenders. Additionally, the motor tends to struggle slightly when handling thicker ingredients.
The self-cleaning mode is quite helpful and convenient, as cleaning the blender and its components after use is not the most fun job. All you need is some hot water and a drop of soap, then wipe it afterward.
In many cases, people find Vitamix blenders difficult to store, since their containers are so big, with a 64-ounce capacity that is different from the usual 48-ounce capacity that the E310 gives you. The company also optimizes the container design, and it has more of a short appearance to ensure easier storage in your pantry. This design assists in the blending process as well; ingredients fall into the blades easier since the base is wider.
Pros
- Easy to store
- It has a self-cleaning mode
- Easy to store
- Pulse feature makes the blending process easier
- Ten-speed settings to adjust the speed
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Tends to struggle when handling high-volume blending
Hamilton Beach personal blender
This is a great option if you want to make a protein shake or smoothie on-the-go, while still staying on a budget and without choosing a blender that takes up too much space in your cabinet. Thanks to its simple one-button operation, it makes it simple to use and the best option to make a simple drink. All you need to do is put the ingredients in, press the button and blend.
Its stainless steel blades and the 175-watt motor will easily crush ice to give you icy beverages and smoothies. The blender jar with a 14-ounce capacity is BPA-free and you can use it as a to-go cup when you attach its portable lid. This blender is perfect to use in the gym or office, thanks to its one-speed functionality.
You will not need to assemble the blades, and the box includes an additional blending jar. However, its 12-ounce serving size is inadequate if you plan to make blended content for more than one person, as well as if you plan to use it to mix hot drinks or food preparation.
Pros
- You can clean it in the dishwasher
- Excellent smoothie and frozen cocktail-making function
- Fairly quiet operation
- Affordable
- Cord storage style for added convenience
Cons
- Not convenient for large groups as the serving sizes are small
- You cannot use it to blend hot foods and liquids like sauces
- Only has one speed, so you will need to manually control the blending speed
NutriBullet Pro 13-piece blender system
This blender is quite popular for good reason. Its powerful 900-watt speed allows it to crush the toughest ingredients when making your smoothies, as long as you cut them into smaller coin-size pieces and add some water. However, you need to be careful when adding ice to it during the blending process, as it is not an ice crusher; the ice will simply damage the blades in the long term. It has one speed, so you cannot adjust it according to what you are crushing. However, you can control the process by pulsing it.
The package includes several items as well. These include 2 re-sealable flip-top lids, a stainless steel extractor blade that allows the blender to harness the motor power, and a 32-ounce colossal cup that holds your drink after you are done.
The only negative is the blade components that are not dishwasher-safe, forcing you to wash the machine manually. The good news is that it is quite easy to clean up since you will only need to wipe down most of it using a clean cloth. Additionally, avoid removing its gasket when you clean it because it will damage the machine.
Pros
- The very strong motor can break down the toughest ingredients
- The package includes a recipe book that makes it convenient for on-the-go situations
- Convenient and quick setup
- Easy to clean and store
- Includes traveling containers
Cons
- Noisy operation
- The motor and blade are not dishwasher safe
- You cannot use it to blend hot liquids
- Quite pricey
Vitamix 5200 Professional-Grade blender
Similar to other Vitamix blenders, the 5200 Pro-grade blender is a powerhouse in many ways and is a top-selling model in the company’s Legacy series. Thanks to its impressive durability and quality, many buyers still prefer getting it over other blenders, even if its 2007 release year makes it quite old compared to other blenders.
The Swedish-built 1500-watt motor is very durable and powerful, and the blender includes 10-speed adjustment options, a 64-ounce container, toggle switches that are easy to operate, and many other convenient and great features if you want a high-end yet super-reliable machine. The blender is an industrial-style blender that is powerful enough to handle anything you put in it. All its motor parts are comprised of metal, making them highly durable as well.
Among the interesting features is its advanced cooling system that prevents overheating, as the system automatically shuts off. Aside from its 10-speed adjustment control panel, it also includes the on/off switch and a variable/high switch. Its manual is easy to understand and use, and the variations in speed allow you to control your blending preferences as well.
The only negative is its very big container, which has a 64-ounce capacity. If your priority is looking for a smaller model that can fit in your kitchen cabinet, then this may prove inconvenient for you in its storage. It can process smaller food batches though, so it should not be a problem if you want to make a smaller batch only for yourself.
The entire container sits on a rubber pad to reduce vibration, and impact-resistant copolyester comprises the pitcher, making it compatible with most drinks and foods.
Pros
- The very powerful blender can handle almost anything you put in it
- It can do pulsing jobs, although it does not have a pulse mode
- Effectively handles a variety of foods and recipes
- You can process both large and smaller food batches
- Ten variable speed controls for more control
- Extremely reliable and durable
- It has a self-cleaning mechanism
Cons
- Lacks a juice squeezing attachment
- Lacks pre-set programs
- While cleaning the blades is easy, you can only remove them using a special wrench
Blendtec 800 Professional Blender
There is a huge worldwide market for blenders, but many people complain about their noise levels. However, the Blendtec 800 is the exception; its nickname is the Stealth for good reason since it is among the quietest blenders we have seen. That does not take away its powerful motor abilities though, as it has a motor with a peak of 3.8 horsepower, which ensures it can blend any ingredient to give you smooth consistent results.
It has 6 preprogrammed cycles on its control panel, as well as an 11-speed touchscreen slider that you can slide simply at the touch of a finger. It has a 360-degree sealed enclosure, which is the reason for its quietness; and this enclosure is within a second jar to enhance this effect through sound dampening. The maximum noise you can expect from it is 67 decibels even at its highest speed, which is good news if you aim to avoid annoying your neighbors and other people around you.
The blade design is two-pronged and comprised of stainless steel, which ensures it can break larger ingredients such as frozen fruits and ice. On the other hand, the jar is BPA-free with a 90-ounce capacity and clear markings that go up to 36 oz. The container itself has a distinct 5-sided design that pulls the ingredients down to the blades, and also makes it easier to scrape out the blended results.
Pros
- BPA-free jar with a vented Gripper lid
- It includes a pulse feature
- Very strong blade design and motor
- Up to 6 pre-program cycles to handle frozen treats, hot soups, whole juices, smoothies, batters, and mixed drinks
- Very quiet mechanism
- Long warranty lasting 10 years
Cons
- Expensive compared to most blenders
- Lacks a self-cleaning mechanism
- Too powerful to make frozen margaritas
Features to look for in a blender for your protein shakes
Purchasing a kitchen appliance that you will use frequently, such as a blender, will need you to consider many factors. However, the process can be confusing when you are unsure of what features make a good blender since they can vary in strength, speed, and size.
Look at the size
Different blenders have different container sizes, mostly ranging from 3 to 14 cups; so it is essential to choose one that fits your needs. If you are concerned about storage space, you are better off choosing a single-serve and compact blender, while larger sizes are best for people who enjoy meal prepping or making blended products for a large group of friends and family.
Power and speed
Not all households require blenders that come with gimmicks and so many add-ons since even a simple blender is good enough as long as it is powerful enough to blend what you want. However, the more powerful blenders can handle very complex tasks as well, including crushing ice, making nut butter, and grinding meat; similar to food processors.
In terms of speed, it is best to select blenders that have between 3 and 10-speed settings, and a pulse function is also good for blending the tougher ingredients. Less than 3 settings will not give you sufficient control, and you will not need more than 10 settings unless you want a blender for commercial use.
On the other hand, you should ensure the blender has a strong and powerful motor, which ensures it can blend ingredients easily without much struggle on your end. The typical blender is fine with 500 watts of power at least, which allows it to handle blending of smoothies and making milkshakes.
The inclusion of special attachments
Not everyone has the luxury of living in a big house; many people do not. Choosing a blender also involves considering the special gadgets and appliances it comes with, which will ultimately reduce the items you store in your kitchen. These items include:
- Mixing or chopping bowls: the sharper your blades are, the more your blender can handle the double duty in case you need it to function as a food processor.
- Personal cups: these will allow you to blend and carry a personal-size drink anywhere you go.
- Coffee grinders: these will allow you to store and grind spices and coffee beans.
The blender types you want
Did you know that blenders are of different types? You may know the traditional countertop type, likely because of seeing your grandmother or mother using it. There are other blender types aside from this type, which we will discuss below:
- Countertop blenders: Most of these blenders offer a variety of speeds, as well as a straightforward and easy-to-understand operation style. Their popularity is due to their affordability, although you will sacrifice the power aspect. They will require plenty of storage space since many people keep them on their kitchen countertops. If you are choosing them, you will only require between 3 and 5 speeds.
- Immersion blenders: These started as expensive, premium options, but they have become significantly cheaper over time. To use it, you immerse the blender into the food you want to blend, although you can use a hand blender in bowls, pans, and pots. Because of its structure, it works best if you are making soups and smoothies, although the motor is not as powerful as a countertop type.
- Personal blenders: These are meant to handle single-sized servings, making them great for making smoothies and power shakes in the morning. Most of these will include extra gadgets such as cups or containers, which you can use for drinking and blending; and they usually have only one or two speeds, making them unsuitable if you plan to do heavy cooking.
- High-performance blenders: These blender types will offer you the functionality of a countertop blender, but boost the efficiency aspect. They can process both soft and hard ingredients unlike most blenders due to their powerful motors, have a larger base than a traditional blender, and are quite expensive.
Price
Although this is the last factor to consider, it is not the least; the last thing you want is to purchase a kitchen appliance that is out of your budget. While you can find plenty of budget-friendly choices, you need to choose the machine that offers you the best value for your money; and you may find that in a professional-grade machine as well.
FAQs
How will I know whether a blender is powerful?
Check the wattage of the motor, as this is the power measure. If the wattage is higher, the blender is more powerful, which is useful if you plan to blend hard foods.
Do I need an expensive blender?
No, you will just need one that works for your needs. If the blender is less powerful, you can add water or a liquid to ease the process.
Conclusion
Choosing a good blender for protein shakes will require you to consider the versatility of use and the price, as well as the features it offers. A full-size countertop blender should give you all your needs, as well as giving you the widest variety of price points.
