Buying guide for Best shaker bottles
Shake, shake, shake. Shake your bottle. Shake that bottle and you won't have to down another gritty, clumpy protein drink. Prepping high-protein fuel for your morning or post-workout snack is a snap with a shaker bottle, also known as a shaker cup or mixing bottle.
The shaker bottle’s primary purpose is to thoroughly combine ingredients into a smooth, cohesive mixture. Inside each shaker cup is a mixing ball, usually made of stainless steel, which helps to blend the ingredients. Shaker cups are a popular accessory for fitness enthusiasts and other athletes because they offer up a quick and convenient way to prepare and drink protein on the go. They’re equally useful for anyone who needs a quick, drinkable meal option on busy mornings or during a jam-packed lunch hour.
Key considerations
Uses
You can use a shaker bottle to prepare any number of drinks.
Protein shakes: Mix protein powder with milk, water, or any other beverage of your choice and shake to blend.
Smoothies. While a shaker bottle isn’t as effective as a blender, it’ll do the trick when you’re in a hurry. Use fresh fruits, not frozen, to prepare shaker cup smoothies.
Hydration: Remove the shaker ball and you’ve got yourself a water bottle to keep you hydrated at the gym or office.
Sauces and dressings: Use your shaker bottle to mix up healthy dressings for lunchtime salads.
Pancakes: If you live in a small space and don’t have room for a stand mixer or only want to prepare a single serving, use your blender bottle to shake up pancake batter.
Eggs: Use your bottle to shake up a batch of scrambled eggs.
Size
How big a shaker bottle do you need? That depends on your lifestyle and goals. Are you looking to bulk up significantly? A larger 45-ounce bottle offers greater capacity for protein shakes. If you’re more interested in creating quick morning smoothies, a standard 20-ounce cup should do.
Construction
Shaker bottles are made of a variety of materials, including the following:
Stainless steel: Stainless steel is easy to clean and durable. Some stainless steel shaker bottles also have insulating properties to keep your blended drink hot or cold for several hours.
Plastic: Plastic is a popular shaker bottle material, but watch out for cheap, flimsy plastic products. Opt for BPA-free bottles, and search for ones made of food-grade plastics to prevent your beverages from taking on a strong chemical taste.
Glass: It’s less common than stainless steel or plastic, but glass doesn’t hold onto odors or smells. Shaker bottles made of glass are more delicate than others, but they usually have a protective sheath to help prevent breakage.
Use your shaker cup to carry iced coffee or other iced beverages to cool off on a hot day.
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Features
Lid
Like a regular water bottle, shaker bottles are available with different types of lids. A quality lid should fit securely and be leakproof. It should also be easy to open. Twist-off caps with a pop-top drinking spout are the most common lid type seen in shaker bottles.
Shaker mechanism
The mixing mechanism is what separates shaker bottles from regular bottles, and they come in a wide variety of types. The most common is a mixing ball, which is typically made of food-grade stainless steel. Other mechanisms include propeller-shaped mixers and built-in strainers that leave behind un-blended bits. A mixing device should be tough enough to incorporate the ingredients and produce a consistently smooth mixture. A good-quality mixer accessory should have no trouble gliding through ripe banana and nut butter.
Design and color
Shaker bottles are available in a wide range of colors and designs. There are so many choices that some individuals enjoy collecting different shaker cup models.
A shaker bottle makes a great gift or holiday stocking stuffer for the athlete or gym rat in your life.
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Accessories
Pair the following with your shaker bottle for best results.
Protein powder: Naked Nutrition Undenatured 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder
If you plan to mix up protein shakes in your shaker bottle, you’ll need a high-quality powder to deliver the right amount of this necessary macronutrient. We’re fond of Naked Nutrition’s protein powder because it’s sourced from grass-fed cows and blends easily.
Vegan protein powder: Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder
If you’re sticking to a plant-based diet, select a cruelty-free protein powder like this one to add to your blender bottle shake. One serving offers up a whopping 30 grams of protein.
Blender: Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender
Give your shaker bottle a head start by pre-blending smoothie ingredients with a powerful countertop blender from Vitamix. Fill up your bottle with a prepared protein smoothie, and the whisking mechanism will keep the mixture from clumping over time.
Shaker bottle prices
Most shaker bottles cost less than $20. There are also products available that cost under $10, but the quality may be lacking at this price point. When in doubt, opt for a bottle from a reputable brand. Multipacks of bottles are available for a slightly higher price, as are special edition shaker bottles with limited-run designs.
Don’t use your blender bottle to shake up anything carbonated!
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Tips
- Look for a leakproof bottle. Since you’ll be vigorously shaking your shaker bottle, a leakproof design is paramount. You don’t want to end up with a half-blended protein shake splattered all over your kitchen. In addition, always be sure the lid is securely attached and fully closed before shaking the bottle.
- Look for a wide opening. A wide opening is useful when it comes time to fill up your shaker bottle with ingredients like protein powder or fruit.
- Look for a dishwasher-safe bottle. Many shaker bottles can be put in the dishwasher. Toss the mixing ball or mechanism into your dishwasher’s utensil caddy to keep it from falling to the bottom of the tub.
- Rinse it out. If you’ve finished your shake but you’re far from home, rinse out your shaker bottle to prevent odors from sticking around.
- Keep the bottle and mixing mechanism together. The small mixing parts are easy to lose if you’re not careful.
- Buy several. Why buy a two-pack (or more) of shaker bottles? You can prep extra shakes — one for the morning and another for after your evening workout. Make a smoothie for you and your gym buddy or significant other. Use one bottle at work or at the gym and keep the other at home.
FAQ
Q. Are shaker bottles dishwasher safe?
A. The majority of shaker bottles are dishwasher safe and can be placed in the top rack of your appliance. Consider choosing a dishwasher-safe bottle because hand-washing takes more time, and it’s often difficult to thoroughly clean a bottle by hand without the help of a specialized brush. It’s also tougher to rid your bottle of lingering odors when you wash it manually.
Q. My shaker bottle seems to be holding on to odors. What should I do?
A. You should take care to wash your bottle immediately after use to prevent a smelly interior. If you’re noticing a lingering odor, pop your bottle and accessories into the top rack of your dishwasher. Is the offending scent still there? Fill your cup with vinegar and baking soda and let the mixture soak overnight.
Q. Can I put my shaker bottle in the freezer or microwave?
A. You shouldn't do either unless the manufacturer notes explicitly that it’s okay. Putting plastic or glass bottles in the freezer may lead to cracking, and most shaker bottles don’t fare well when exposed to high heat.
