Top 10 Best Protein Shakers in the UK 2021 (PhD Nutrition, Myprotein, and More)

It may be a basic piece of kit, but it's important to get the right shaker to give your body what it needs post-workout, as well as being easy to use and proficient enough to obliterate those awful powdery clumps. First up, we'll go through some vital points to help you decide.

These days, you won't just have the option of a plastic shaker - there are also hardier stainless steel options, and ones combining the two. Let's look into both of these materials to see which may be the most suitable for you.

Most protein shakers are those you’ve probably seen a hundred times: clear or coloured plastic with printed branding. It has to be said, they do everything they need to, as well as being extremely lightweight, which is perfect for carrying round in your kit bag all day, and are often under £10 or even £5.

Whilst absolutely fine for both occasional sippers and those making the daily gym pilgrimage, their main setback is their ability to absorb odours. An unwashed shaker left for a few hours, or even just regular use with milk-based whey powder, can mean over time your shaker takes on a pretty unpleasant pong.

If you do prefer the idea of a plastic shaker, we’d suggest looking for a dishwasher-safe design to ensure it gets a thorough clean. Or just remember to give it a good scrub after each use!

Hardwearing and robust, stainless steel shakers can better withstand knocks and are only slightly heavier than plastic varieties. Steel shakers aren’t as common but are becoming more recognised for their odour-resisting properties, and their ability to retain the temperature of the contents for longer. Excellent news for a hot training day!

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a completely steel design, as they’re usually combined with a plastic or silicone lid for comfort. Be aware that these shakers cost a little more than plastic. However, they may actually be more economical, as they will last much longer.

A vital part in getting the best shaker for your gains is its capacity. We’ll go through the common sizes and what they're suitable for below. To keep it simple, we’ll use good old metric millilitres. If you do select a product from across the pond that shows fluid ounces instead, you may need to convert them yourself.

The majority of protein powders typically require you to combine a single serving size with 200 – 250 ml of liquid. So for most people who only use their shaker for protein, we would recommend a 500 – 600 ml shaker. This gives enough room to allow for a thorough shaking, without being too bulky. Although, you should stick to the lower end of this scale if a compact size is your priority!

700 ml – 1 litre shakers are of course chunkier to carry around, but will suit more serious muscle gainers who require several scoops of their supplement at one time. These larger sizes can also double up as water bottles or containers for other drinks when you’re on the go.

As well as the right size, a helpful feature to check for is whether your shaker has measurement markings along its side. Guessing what a few hundred millilitres looks like and slugging it into your shaker along with your protein usually ends in disaster, or rather, a too-watery shake that doesn’t taste as good as it should.

If your goals require you to be precise with your nutrition and protein intake, we would recommend checking whether the measurements on your shaker are in fluid ounces or millilitres (or both).

Your shaker will use one of three methods to blend your protein powder and liquid to smooth satisfaction. In this section, we’ll compare each and their individual capabilities.

Whether made from steel or plastic, mixer balls quickly and efficiently blend your protein powder and desired liquid into a creamy, lump-free shake. Frustratingly, they are even easier to misplace than a Tupperware lid, so make sure you keep an eye on yours when washing up.

Luckily, there are replacements available to buy for only a few pounds. So they may be worth the extra caution!

Your second option is a mesh sieve that screws onto your shaker between the body and the lid. Some users will prefer these over mixer balls, simply because they’re not as noisy! 

Aside from this, they do their job well and are easy to keep track of. However, they can be more of a chore to clean.

The newest breed of shakers are powered by USB or batteries for a sort of portable blender. These are guaranteed to elicit stares of envy in the gym, but more importantly, they're guaranteed to blitz your shake to perfection.

It goes without saying that they are heavier to carry around, more expensive, and have to be cleaned with care due to their electrical parts. But, they can also be used for mixing other liquids such as batters, thick shakes and egg whites, provided they are soft enough for the plastic blades to handle.

We’ve mentioned that a bigger sized shaker can double up as a water bottle, but if you want to cut out the need for lugging two containers around the gym, we’d suggest looking for one with a separate supplement compartment. This way, your powder can sit unmixed to be shaken up fresh when you require it.

Some shakers feature several compartments for any extra supplements you may require, such as pre-workout mixes, tablets, or even snacks to keep you going. Think about how many you need and choose accordingly!

Anything that contains food or drink and is going to be carried around in your bag, your car, or your pocket should not leak, and protein shakers are no exception.

Even if it’s just a case of keeping the contents safe after an accidental knock over at the gym, you will want to check that the design is leakproof. This will require a scan through the product description, and possibly a glance over other shoppers’ reviews.

With all the knowledge you need under your belt, it’s time to introduce the ranking of our 10 top recommended protein shakers in the UK. Hopefully, you’ll find something to suit your protein needs and get you smashing those PB’s!

Now that you've decided on the perfect shaker, you'll need something to go in it! Selecting a high-quality protein powder will help you refuel and meet your nutritional needs both pre and post-workout. That's why we've put together these buying guides to help you make an informed choice. We've even included a guide to the best sports drinks for optimum hydration.

Whatever your training style, so long as you consider the size, blending method, material, and other useful features before you buy, you should be on your way to finding the best protein shaker for your needs. We hope you’ve found some inspiration within our ranking list, so now all that’s left to do is get strong!

Author: Natasha Dziubajlo