If you are a health buff or you just want to eat healthily, protein shakes are the way to go.

I’m Abigail. My husband, James and I love food a lot. Naturally, over time and with such fascination for food, our waistlines grew bigger and bigger.

We were both instructed by our physicians to lose weight and to take on a healthier lifestyle. Proper food and exercise were the keys to longer life.

Why Do You Need The Best Blender For Protein Shakes?

We alternate days jogging and going to a nearby gym. At the start, we would have coffee and some bread or pastry for breakfast, but we felt heavy, but after an hour of sweating, already hungry.

Finally, we discovered we could just have a toast and water, and to buy protein shakes after jogging or gym.

Consuming protein is good for the health, and also for weight loss. Protein shakes make you feel full, suppresses appetite, and you would not be eating so often nor a lot.

Great idea, but costly in the long run so now we make our own protein shakes for our protein needs. As a result, both our bodies and our wallets are getting healthier.

After much research and experiment with different types of protein shakes, James and I both agree that we like 100% whey protein.

It can be a bit pricier but it is the best and most nutritious kind, and it tastes good, too. We like to add whatever tropical fruits to make it interesting and for variety.

At the start, we used a bottle shaker. The protein powder and water did not mix so well. And we COULD NOT add any other solid ingredients for the protein shakes.

We finally invested in a top blender to make protein shakes smoothies, and it has been a breeze since then:

Here are three of my best finds:

They are all quality personal blenders to help you make great protein shakes and smoothies at home, gym or workplace.

Before investing in any equipment, always know what you want and what you need. It will significantly affect your decision as to how much to spend.

The first is…

What are your plans and goals?

Our goal is to have a healthy and charming body. Always strive to improve our lives.

Do we have the same purpose?

Yes, I think you are cherishing your plans or goals:

The next is…

What do you need?

How do we start the eating healthy?

Below is the essential list:

In the article, we will discuss handy appliance that helps you make the great protein shakes and smoothies, that is the Blender.

Quick comparison chart of best blenders for shakes

Top 5 Considerations in Buying Blender for Protein Shake

Offhand, when talking about protein shakes and blenders, we want smooth, refreshing protein shakes done at the quickest time possible, and without breaking the bank.

In this journey of search, the slogan “BLEND n GO” is the way we go.

Here are the KEY aspects or criteria that we should consider:

1 – Blending abilities

Three things we are looking for are the power, the speed and the fineness of the results.

To find those three things we look at:

In short, a blender with its power of about 1000 watts can do all of blending tasks well; if your ingredients are soft like fresh fruits, kinds of milk… the motor of about 300 watts is enough for you.

2 – Size & Convenience

About size:

About convenience:

3 – Ease of use

Personal size blenders are the most straightforward operation. After you screw in the cup, it will automatically start working.

Full-size blenders have two options: manual operation or the automatic operation. Automatic functions have pre-set features where your blender will remember its previous settings, and it also has different speed settings.

Come to think of it; when you make protein shakes, it does not require rocket science. So pretty much, you don’t need these fancy pre-set features. You need a strong motor to get the job done efficiently within a few dozen seconds.

4 – Ease to clean

Most blenders are dishwasher-friendly. Most instructions will also tell you to put soapy water in the cup and to run the blender a few minutes. This will remove small bits from under the blade.

For protein shakes, full-sized blenders with big pitches are not suitable. Our goal is to minimize time and effort to clean up.

So, it is easy to understand, a personal blender with single cups can carry away immediately is best suited to the fitness lovers.

We want a blender that is easy to clean and maintain. It also helps if it’s made of stainless steel that will not stain or get dirty.

5 – Durability

You get what you pay for. Understandably, lesser-priced blenders may be made of less sturdier materials, like plastic.

Even the quality of plastic may vary, with some that easily break. The thicker the material, the more it will hold the temperature or coldness of your protein shakes.

Aside from cups, also look into the durability of the base itself. If it is made from stainless steel, then it is the sturdier kind.

Then check the blades which should be of metal to withstand the high-speed and to efficiently pulverize hard food items like ice, frozen fruits, and hard seeds.

In totality, a durable blender will not get hot or overheat during operation. It will not easily break if it falls or when it works on harder foods.

In my experience, the KEY point in picking a quality blender is to look at its blade assembly and drive shaft. They should be made of metal. That is #1 sign of recognizing a heavy-duty blender.

However, I found that the life of the machine depends mostly on the way we use it. Please read the instructions carefully before use.

What Is The Best Blender To Make Protein Shakes in 2018?

Based on the qualities stated above, you can already narrow down the model that best suits your needs and budget.

I have my favorite personal blenders that I will share with you. They are my choices in making protein shakes and fruit smoothies. These are:

Protein Shake Blender Reviews

Let’s start with the first position:

#1 – Nutri Ninja Pro

My love:

Offhand, for me, the Nutri Ninja is the best single serve blender for protein shakes.

Pros:

Cons:

Why I love it:

James and I take turns making our protein shakes in the mornings. We like to surprise each other with fancy flavors and different ingredients mixed in.

And it has done well all our requests!

Our Nutri Ninja Pro can efficiently pulverize anything we put inside from ice cubes to carrots to berries, nuts, and peanut butter…in about a minute.

We always get smooth and beautiful mixtures. Just twist the travel cups and be ready to go.

Also, the Nutri Ninja is the perfect solution to supplement the fruits and vegetables for my children; they love to drink the smoothies.

Final thoughts:

I’ve used the Ninja blender for two years with daily frequency.

I have successfully blended all kinds of protein shakes and smoothies that I wanted in high satisfaction without ever having any problems.

What is the key?

I always apply the right ratio of ingredients from solid to liquid and don’t overfill.

I highly recommend the Nutri Ninja Pro.

The personal blender really is easy to use, easy to clean, and I personally think I get more value out of its price because of the free Nutri cups and lids, and it is a sturdy, useful blender at the mid-price range.

This is the best option for those who are serious about their smoothies and protein shakes.

Stainless Steel Nutri Ninja Cup

My love:

I love the Ninja cup, and I use it every day. Because it is made of stainless steel, it does not get scratched when blending ice and frozen fruits, and it always looks like new (not as blurry as plastic cups).

It also does not leave the smell of food like plastic cups and is very easy to clean.

The 24 oz. Stainless Steel Cup is the perfect addition to my Ninja. It is an excellent cup for my shakes on the go!

#2 – Breville Boss To Go

This is a high-end personal blender, priced rather expensively, but is heavy-duty and durable.

Pros:

• Set includes two sizes of cups (18 oz. and 25 oz.), two travel lids with hand hoops.
• The robust 1000 watts motor and die-cast metal driveshaft that can smoothly pulverize whole fruits, vegetables, and ice without ever overloading.
• Its blade has a Kinetix design, which is a combination of serrated blades and curved, sweeping blades. It functions to both cut and pulls the ingredients down towards the edges so no stray foods will remain uncut at the top portion.
• The blade is more accessible to attach and/or remove which makes cleaning easy.
• The blender design is fine and glossy.
• Power cord and plug are designed to be firm, reliable and professional.
• Its cord uses wraparound storage for better protection of it.
• Has two settings – pulse and liquefy.
• Cups are thicker than the Nutri Ninja and able to maintain the coldness of the protein shakes and smoothies.
• Have extensive drainage allows liquid to flow out the blender base quickly.

Cons:

• Twisting in the lid with the blades can be a bit finicky and may take a few tries before it securely locks in.
• The way to use the pulse feature is not really easy.
• This is one noisy blender, not recommended if anyone is sleeping nearby.
• The cups are of a bigger size and do not fit the cup holder in most cars.
• It also does not have water levels on the cups, has only MAX line.

Why I love it:

Kale is one of the most terrible vegetables to liquefy yet it carries so many vitamins that most times we really want to mix it in our protein shake.

Also, chia seeds which require being ground or pre-soaked to get the best nutritional value. In both cases, James and I were able to successfully pulverize the kale and the chia seeds using the Breville Boss To Go.

The Breville blender gets the highest score for performance.

Is the key to perfect shakes and smoothies smoothness?

The Breville is the key.

It is the best personal bender to make protein shakes and smoothies I’ve used.

It can give the finest mixtures with frozen berries, bananas and peanuts very easily in a few dozen seconds.

I like it that the cups have smooth rims if I want to drink it straight away. If I bring it along, I like it that the lids are designed nicely and functionally.

The flap stays in place when I tip it when drinking. It is also to bring around because of the circle handle at the top. Incidentally, I sometimes use that, too, for easier twisting of the lid.

Tips for using & cleaning:

• Clean right after use so the food particles do not harden and by then it would be more difficult to remove.
• You can fill the cup with soapy water and run it through the blender. Rinse under running water.
• Do not use abrasive pads on any parts.
• And of course, never exceed the “Max” line.

Final thoughts:

I like the Breville Boss To Go because it is a top quality, durable blender, and it makes great protein shakes.

However, I think it is much investment for a personal blender. This may be a good match to a homemaker who does more than just make smoothies and shakes. Since this is a durable, high performing unit, it can be used for other purposes inside the house, like make soups, sauces and even baby food.

If the budget is not your problem then I extremely recommend using the Breville blender.

#3 – Epica Personal Blender

The Epica is best known for its compact size and its affordable price.

Pros:

• The set comes with silver, stainless steel base, one 20 oz. cup and travel lid.
• The blender base has a small footprint, so it saves much space.
• The base has a suction at the bottom to prevent movement during the blending.
• Easy to operate with push button.

Cons:

• The blender’s performance is low. The motor cannot crush ice cubes with 300 watts.
• With its motor, I think it can crush ice but it would take too long, and it would wear out the motor and blades faster.
• It can’t also blend frozen fruits and purees, even kale, basically anything that is too hard or tough.
• Cup to go is designed too tall; it is somewhat difficult to drink off the last bits at the bottom since it does not come with a straw.
• In the same way that during blending, some bits get stuck at the very top, and I would need to remove the whole thing, shake it up for it to go down to where the blades are. Otherwise, those at the top will not be blended smoothly.
• The cup is easy to hold, but it is thin and of low quality. It also has no water marks.

Why I love it:

Set aside heavy tasks, the Epica blender effectively mixes all soft stuff and liquids. We need to note that only a maximum of a half cup should be filled to ensure the blending effectiveness.

The fact that I did not have a problem making protein shakes smoothies with only fresh fruits, milk and whey powder.

The Epica’s design is compact and vertical, it looks good on a countertop and does not occupy much space, nor is heavy to lug around.

This is my sub blender. With the mini-personal size of it, I can take it along to the gym, workplace, even travel. Good travel size!

Tips for using & cleaning:

• It is easy to remove the blades should you want to clean it separately from the top.
• Another option is to fill it with soapy water and run it on the blend.
• To ensure better and more complete blending, cut the fruits and vegetables into smaller bits.
• You can still add ice cubes to your drinks but you need to beat them with a hammer or a pestle.
• After 10 secs. of the pulse, unscrew cup and shake it, then return, and run for another 10 secs. of the blend. Do this to make sure bits at the top get mixed in.

Final thoughts:

Two things I love about the Epica Personal Blender is that its compact and lightweight, and that it is very affordable. On the opposite side, its performance and cup design are not good.

Does it blend my shakes and smoothies well?

It is not as smooth or fine as I want it to be, and not as fast either because of its small 300-watt motor.

If you want to make beautiful mixtures with the blender, you need to prepare the right things before you put them in, such as smashing ice cubes, defrosting fruits or slicing them.

To be honest, if I had to do all that preparation work, I would be willing to pay more for a more powerful and efficient machine.

However, if you just need the essential protein shakes, then the Epica is right for you.

This model may be a good match for a college student who lives in a dorm or small apartment, who can afford the price and won’t mind taking more time in making a protein shake.

In my mind, the Epica is the most compact blender – very friendly for the budget.

Comparison Between The Top Picks

We are now familiar with each brand and its features. I have also given you my two-cents worth of opinion on each.

However, as we are logical beings and we want facts more than opinions, we are going to compare each product on particular criteria:

1. Blending abilities
2. Ease of use
3. Convenience
4. Initial cost
5. Portability

1- Blending abilities

For motor power, the Breville Boss to Go has 1,000 watts, the Nutri Ninja Pro has 900 watts motor, while Epica only has 300 watts.

So it is an even playing field, let us use ice and frozen fruits as the basis of each product’s blending abilities.

The Breville blender can make excellent snow out of ice, and can efficiently pulverize frozen products. The Nutri Ninja Pro can also do this.

However, because of the durable and massive base of the Breville, it can blend with the unit still standing despite the movement.

With Nutri Ninja, the frequent shaking during operation requires you to at least hold it down a bit for fear it will run off the countertop.

The Epica blender cannot be used to crush ice or frozen products. This advice also comes from the manufacturer’s manual itself.

For blending abilities on fruits and vegetables, the two powerful motors can do it smoothly and efficiently without having to cut the fruits and vegetables into smaller bits.

However, for the Epica, there is need to help the unit by cutting the fresh items into smaller bits. Otherwise, it would take a longer time to pulverize it, and it still would not be as fine as the output of the Breville and the Nutri Ninja.

My ratings:

• #1 rank: Breville Boss To Go
• #2 rank: Nutri Ninja Pro
• #3 rank: Epica blender

>>> Our pick for blending abilities is the Breville blender.

2 – Ease of use

The three brands practically are easy to use. You choose a cup size to use, put the ingredients in, twist in the lid with the blades. Flip it down with the blades attached to the base. Twist towards one side of pulse function, then turn the other way for the blend.

Once you get the consistency and smoothness you prefer, remove the lid, and replace it with the to-go lid so you can quickly drink from it.

However, among the different brands, with its various nuances, I prefer the Nutri Ninja blender because it is just the right size with its maximum line a bit taller, and it has the right features to give me the smoothest protein shakes.

The Breville model has issues about the twisting; sometimes it gets done too tight it can’t change operation or done too loose it spills its contents.

The issue with Epica blender that you would need to stop in between to shake the ingredients inside to go down to where the blades are, and not get stuck in the uppermost portion of the cup.

>>> Our pick for ease of use is the Nutri Ninja Pro blender.

3 – Convenience

If a task is too difficult or inconvenient, no matter how one benefits from it, he would choose not to do it instead.

For instance, if I would have to do a lot of cutting into smaller sizes of the vegetables and fruits, I would say making my own protein shakes would be too much waste of energy and effort.

If I had to spend 30 minutes to clean a blender which I used for mere minutes, then I would not bother to use it again.

All brands are dishwasher-friendly, and all can be cleaned by putting soapy water inside and running it on a blend.

The Nutri Ninja Pro blender is our favorite, because of the two sizes of cups available fit into my car cup holders.

Epica is only packaged in one cup and one lid. With that tall cup, you need to use a bottle brush to clean it completely.

As to convenience in storing, the Breville is smaller in size but heavier and bulkier while the Nutri Ninja blender is just of the right size.

The Epica cup is tall and slim and tends to not fit when you have a hanging cabinet right above your countertop.

>>> Our pick for convenience is the Nutri Ninja blender.

4 – Initial cost

The Epica blender is the most affordable among the different brands. But remember, you get for what you pay for, and the functions and power of this blender are limited.

It only has a 300-watt motor and you have to take the extra effort of cutting the fruits and vegetables to smaller bits so it can be finely blended.

It also cannot cut or pulverize ice or any frozen fruits for your shakes and smoothies.

The Nutri Ninja Pro is the most practical in pricing and functions.

You get the power and the performance without having to pay the cost of a Breville, which is the most expensive among the three.

However, we should also look at the package that you get for your purchase.

While the cheapest, the Epica only comes with one thin cup and lid.

The Breville, the highest in purchase price gives you two sizes of high-quality cups.

The Nutri Ninja Pro, the most practically-priced gives you two sizes of Nutri cups and 75 healthy recipe book. In the long run, these added accessories mean you get more value for your money.

About initial cost, of course, the winner is the little Epica.

5 – Portability

Regarding size and weight, the Epica blender is most compact. The Breville is smaller than the Nutri Ninja, but it is the heaviest because of its heavy-duty material, particularly its base.

So, regarding portability, the Epica is the model chosen.

However, also in this aspect, the Epica is not comparable to a hand-held immersion blender.

Despite its small size, Epica blender is a countertop blender; it is entirely different from a hand-held immersion blender.

What is the hand-held immersion blender?

• A hand-held immersion blender is practically a stick with rotating blades on one end. It does not have a base and cannot stand on its own. To use, it is immersed, thus the name, into a bowl with the ingredients that need mixing or homogenizing.
• A blender, whether countertop size or personal size, is totally different from a hand-held immersion blender. The blender is used to make protein shakes, fruit smoothies, sauces, drinks, soups. It can cut, pulverize, and liquefy anything depending on its motor power.
• A hand-held immersion blender is very limited in use. It is used to mix and create a volume of liquids. Its main benefit is that you can have your food in its cooking pot or container, and you use the hand-held immersion blender in there without having to transfer the food. So even if your food is still hot, like soup, you can work on it.

Can a hand/immersion blender be used for protein shakes?

Yes, but it would be limited in its functions. For instance, it cannot pulverize nor liquefy ice or hard vegetables and fruits.

Which is the best hand blender for protein shakes?

I highly recommend the model:

KOIOS Hand Immersion Blender

Pros:

• It has a 400-watt motor power.
• Multiple speed functions, with the turbo option.
• Package includes power cord, blender, stainless egg whisk.
• Also includes chopper and beaker attachments which can be used to make protein shakes.
• Easy to hold the handle
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Power and turbo buttons have to be pressed down continually to work, although for only about a minute.
• The blade guard is sharp, it is quite dangerous to use.

Why I love it:

I love its stainless steel S-shaped blade. The hand blender does a good job of cutting and blending.

I tried using this with our protein shakes, and it does perform well. However, the cups it comes with are not big enough for our needs so I need to make two batches.

Also, after the mixing and blending, I need to find containers for us to use since we take our protein shakes on the go.

It is able to cut down and pulverize fruits and vegetables, but not as fine and as quick as I want them to be.

For a baby food perhaps it is passable since it is good to have some bits of solid fruits in there.  I, however, really prefer my protein shakes to be smooth.

For other tasks, like making scrambled eggs, I love to use this hand-held immersion blender. I also use it with soups, sauces and for baking.

I love that while it’s working, I can adjust the speed at the top without having to stop. It has 6-speed variations, but it also has half speeds in between so it gives you more options to work with.

Tips for using & cleaning:

• The blades are sharp and have to be handled with care.
• It is dishwasher-friendly, but if you want a more thorough cleaning, it is also easy to take apart and fix afterward.
• As always, wash right after use. Do not wait for the food particles to harden. It would be tougher to remove.

Final thoughts:

In the spirit of protein shakes, the KOIOS immersion blender can do the job of cutting and liquefying soft fruits into my protein shakes.

However, I would still prefer a personal blender.

First, because a top blender like Nutri Ninja Pro or Breville Boss To Go both have the strong motor to literally pulverize and crush any fruits, seeds, nuts and even ice cubes and frozen items.

And it is able to do that in mere seconds so I can have my protein shakes fast, not requiring much time for me in the morning.

Second, the three choices Nutri Ninja Pro, Breville Boss to Go and Epica blender all come with cups and secure lids, and this, I should say is one of the most convenient benefits which the KOIOS hand blender does not have.

I like it that I can quickly make my protein shakes, untwist it, put a lid on it, and I’m drinking on the go.

Conclusion

Let me go back to where we started. We like protein shakes and smoothies because the drinks are delicious, nutritious, and we can customize its contents based on our own preferences.

The protein shake is an excellent drink to cool down after work out, which incidentally is the best time for your body to absorb nutrients.

The whole reason of this research was to find an efficient way to make customized protein shakes at the fastest time and the easiest way.

Our choice is the Nutri Ninja Pro.

• It has the motor power to effectively cut and liquefy the fruits, seeds, nuts, oats, and ice we add to our protein shakes.
• It is able to do this in about a minute so we don’t waste any time, especially when in a rush in the morning.
• The cup and lid to go make it convenient and safe to carry around.
• The cost of the Nutri Ninja Pro is practical and reasonable. It is not as expensive as the Breville, yet can still perform the functions as well.
• It is dishwasher-friendly and easy to clean and maintain.

Pick the flavor that you enjoy!

Unique Tips For Using And Maintaining Your Blender

To maximize the life of your personal blender, you have to know how to properly use it. Here are some pro tips:

• Some blenders do not have the overload protection so don’t over-extend the usage of your blender. When it is warm to touch, give it some time to rest.
• Make sure the lid with the blades is securely in place before you tip the cup. Otherwise, there would be such messy spillage.
• Do not overfill your cup. Stay within the maximum line as labeled in your cup.
• For units with big wattage, you might have to hold down the cup while functioning to avoid being tipped over. Use a towel or hot pad to hold down.
• Pulse is the preferred function in many blending tasks.
• Check your manual if the blender may be used for hot items, like soups or carbonated liquids. Otherwise, refrain from such usage.

Keeping your equipment clean is very important not only to protect it but more importantly, for food safety. If there is food involved, you have to make sure to practice these cleaning tips:

General maintaining tips:

• Wash the blender after every use. You can do the more thorough cleaning, like disassembling it, over the weekend or at least once a week.
• Do not immerse the base in water.
• Unplug the base before wiping it with moist rag.
• Use cotton buds dipped in alcohol to clean around the buttons.

For a very dirty blender, soak overnight using these steps:

1. Pour white vinegar into the cup.
2. Add a drop or two of dishwashing soap.
3. Add half a cup of baking soda.
4. Expect the mixture to bubble, and when it subsides, let the blender run for 10 secs.
5. Don’t rinse out this liquid, but let it stay there overnight.

Two ways to clean a blender:

1- No disassembling:

• Fill blender half-way full with hot water.
• Add a drop of dishwasher liquid.
• To remove stains, add to your soapy water half a lemon that’s coarsely chopped.
• Vinegar may be used in place of lemon.
• Put the lid on the blades on.
• Return it to the base.
• Let it run for about 10 secs., holding it down with a towel.
• Pour out the soapy water.
• To rinse, pour in hot water halfway filled.
• Let it run for about 10 secs.
• Pour out the water.
• Remove the cup and tip it down to remove excess water.
• Remove the blades and put on top of a towel to air dry.

2- Requires disassembling:

• Unplug the blender before taking it apart.
• Remove the cup from the base.
• Remove the lid from the cup.
• Remove the gasket seal and the blade (be careful).
• Wash the jar with warm soapy water. Don’t use anything abrasive, just a sponge.
• You can opt to put the jar in the dishwasher, top rack.
• Rinse the jar and tip it down to remove excess water.
• Hand wash the smaller pieces in soapy water, rinse and put on top of a dish towel to dry.
• Wipe the motor base with a damp or moist cloth. Do not put in a dishwasher. Do not get it wet.

Remember, we take care of our bodies so it will serve as well and long.

Have a healthy lifestyle. Eat well, and exercise. Invest in blenders and foods that will help you take care of your body!