Best Blender For Protein Shakes and Protein Smoothies – Your Updated Guide For 2020
Blending up healthy protein shakes at home can be quick and easy with the help of a quality blender. In this guide we review the top brands and models that help keep you on pace with your fitness, health and weight goals.
Personal blenders bring convenience and ease for smaller serving sizes at a more affordable cost.
However, heftier blenders made to handle ice and coarse ingredients usually make a better job at creating a smooth texture are more durable - though at a higher price tag.
Check out this roundup review of personal blenders, including those which handle ice, to choose the one that is perfect for your needs.
Blender Models Reviewed
Blender Model | Type | Our Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TOP PICK Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender |  | Hand Blender | ||
Cuisinart Smart Stick CSB-75BC |  | Hand Blender | ||
KitchenAid KHB2351CU 3-Speed Hand Blender |  | Hand Blender | ||
NutriBullet Rx |  | Ice-capable compact blender | ||
Jamba Appliances Quiet Shield Blender |  | Ice-capable compact blender | ||
Oster Pro 1200 Blender |  | Ice-capable compact blender | ||
Why protein shakes are so important?
Protein. An essential part of the structural components of your body - a “macronutrient” as it’s called. What does this mean?
Protein is a building block of your body. This vital amino acid breaks down in the body and fuels your muscles.
Sounds useful. But… what does this mean to YOU?
- Proteins Keep you full longer which helps your weight loss efforts, and helps keep a healthy body weight, once you achieved your weight goal
- Proteins boost your immune system (and, who doesn’t want to be sick less?)
- Trim fat when combined with a low-calorie, nutritionally balanced diet
- Fuel muscles to increase endurance before high intensity activities such as workouts
- Promote muscle recovery when consumed within 20 minutes post-exercise
- Build muscle mass and bulk in bodybuilders and others needing to gain healthy weight
- Help in wound recovery including muscle injury and surgical trauma to get you moving and back to your goals quickly.
Wow! That’s a lot of benefits from one daily drink!
Yet, many believe it's too difficult or time consuming to make a proper healthy protein beverage, and settle for just mixing some protein powder with water or milk.
The great news is, if you know what to do, you're just three minutes away from a delicious dessert-like beverage, healthy and nutrient-rich.
With a quality machine and a few simple ingredients, you are speedily on your way to achieving your nutritional and fitness goals - with a lot of style and fun!
What to look for in a protein shake maker?
Motor power
Before deciding which is the right blender model for you, ask yourself what kind of protein smoothies are you looking to make?
Would you use anything other than liquid, protein powder and maybe a soft fruit like banana or watermelon? If that’s all you need, then a personal hand blender would be perfect.
These come with relatively low-powered motors, around 150-300 watts.
For blending tougher ingredients and ice, you’d need more than 300 watts. This also depends on the blade design, since some of the models we reviewed here can handle ice even with only modest power.
Ice crushing ability
If you prefer your smoothies or shakes chilled, then an appliance designed to handle ice and other frozen ingredients is a must.
That’s the reason we divided this review into two sections - one for those that can crush it, and the other - for the less ice-savvy.
Accessories and additions
If you think that we’d recommend buying the machine that offer the most accessories - well, not at all. Any additional parts that you don’t really need, end up taking valuable kitchen space and cluttering your storage areas.
Having said that, we’ve found to-go cups to be extremely helpful additions, as it means less cleaning and being able to easily take the shake with you to where you exercise.
Size of jar or cup
If you’re looking to make protein drinks for yourself or for up to two people, then personal blenders are the way to go.
They’re easier to clean and store, while some even feature a to go cup. This means you can blend and then directly drink from the blending cup, or take it with you if you’re on the go.
If you’re looking to make more than two servings each time, then a countertop or high performance blender could be more efficient.
The Nutribullet Rx comes with to go cups - mix, drink and take away with the same cup
Design
A protein drink maker can be dull and boring, or it can be this cool device you’re always looking forward to using again, before or after workout.
So, the design does count, and as you’ll see in our reviews here, there are a couple of personal shake blenders that stand out.
Personal Blenders
Whether you are looking to gain or lose weight, build muscle more efficiently or just boost your immunities, whipping up a protein shake makes the process simple. And, a personal blender becomes your ally in keeping your goals on track.
But, as you tackle this healthy lifestyle, the blender options swimming across a Web search are likely to slow your progress.
That is why we are here to help.
Review our pros and cons and top picks in the personal blender category below and blend up the following recipe the same day.
Boasting almost 30 grams of protein without the use of protein powder, this shake benefits your body in more ways than one.
Power-Packed Protein Shake
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (or soy yogurt for a non-dairy version)
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
Instructions
- Beginning with the water, add all ingredients to your personal blender and blend until smooth.
- In short order, you will be dashing off to your next activity, muscles fueled.
Pros and Cons of Personal Blenders
Before getting to the blender reviews, take a quick look at the pros and cons of choosing personal blenders to meet your needs, over the more expensive ice-crushing blenders.
Pros
- Quick and convenient to use.
- Easy to clean in the dishwasher.
- Budget friendly price.
Cons
Less power to handle coarse ingredients and ice.
Tend to be messy to use.
No hands-off operation.
Review of Personal Hand Blenders
We chose the best models of hand (immersion) blenders according to our experience as well as based on our research of user reviews.
Uses & Features | Cuisinart Smart Stick Blender | KitchenAid 3-Speed Hand Blender | Breville Control Grip Immersion Blender |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
Power to handle coarse ingredients | 200-watts works best with liquid based ingredients | Handles nuts and harder cheese | 280-watts handle ice and coarse ingredients |
Variable power for versatility | 2 speeds | 3 speeds | 15 speeds |
Ease of Assembly | Button release to attach/detach shaft | Components twist together | Blending shaft easily attaches |
Ease of cleaning | Dishwasher safe except handle | Dishwasher safe except handle | Dishwasher safe except handle |
1. Breville Control Grip - Best portable blender for protein shakes
Breville offers convenience and blending control in the unique design of this immersion blender.
We found the design to be innovative, but it isn't just for the sake of being a pretty appliance - operating it is very convenient due to the ergonomic features, and as far as making shakes and smoothies it's top notch.
We especially liked its ice-crushing abilities and versatility. Read on to know why we gave it a solid rating of 5 stars.
Features & Capabilites | Value for | Ease of | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | |||
Overall great appliance. | |||
Speed and Power
With a 280-watt motor, the Breville Immersion Blender gets the job done when it comes to evenly blending shake ingredients and more. This quality, durable product handles ice and other tough ingredients with a stainless steel shaft and blades.
Plus, the 15 adjustable speeds offer you blending flexibility with easy trigger control operation. Can you imagine a shake ingredient that you could not handle with 15 speeds?
Ease of Use
A trigger-like control grip sets your hand in a natural position which offers less tiring blending plus greater stability and control. And, the innovative bell shape of this immersion blender reduces suction giving you more efficient blending.
Plus, the 15 variable speeds of this unit allow you to dictate the texture of your shake. This level of speed control also decreases splatters.
The eight-inch shaft of the Breville accommodates most of your blending needs from single serving shakes to deeper pots. And, a non-scratch base guards your cups, bowls and pots from scratches.
Ease of Cleaning
The accompanying whisk, chopping bowl and blending jug along with the blending shaft of this unit are dishwasher safe for quick cleanup. And, as with other brands, the motor handle simply requires a wipe with a damp sponge.
Cuisinart is a well known home kitchen staple, and this smart stick is a good example of the kind of quality and convenience of the brand.
Features & Capabilites | Value for | Ease of | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | |||
Well designed, mixes well and easy to use. | |||
Speed and Power
The 200-watt motor of the Smart Stick handles basic blending tasks such as creating your favorite protein shake.
Typically, easy to blend ingredients such as liquids, powders and batter-like substances work best. For vegetable smoothies, you might want to use a traditional blender.
With two speeds, this hand blender gives you control over the blending and the consistency of your finished shake. Also, holding the high or low button down offers continuous blending while rhythmically releasing the button provides a pulse feature for precise mixing.
Ease of Use
While the Smart Stick comes with a two-cup mixing beaker for quick drink blending, the design reaches easily into pots, pitchers and bowls. This versatility in blending options all around the kitchen gives you control.
Plus, the one-touch feature allows you to operate the blender with one hand comfortably. And, this convenience leaves you free to add ingredients (or complete other tasks) with the other hand.
Ergonomically designed, the Stick allows for comfortable handling with more control. The stainless steel blade and guard snap easily into the handles and protect your fingers from accidents that might arise when you are moving quickly.
Plus, the included beaker or container offers you the convenience of transferring recipes to and from the microwave. Drip-free pouring and an easy grip prevent spills which frustrate busy mornings.
Ease of Cleaning
Both the blending shaft and beaker are dishwasher-safe which makes cleanup simple and quick. In other words, blend, toss it in the dishwasher and go.
The shaft easily detaches from the handle with the press of a button. And, the motor body itself requires only a wipe with a damp sponge to clean.
3. KitchenAid 3-Speed Hand Immersion Blender
KitchenAid is known as the blending and mixing king of home chefs. This 3-speed hand blender puts the reputation of their stand mixers in the palm of your hand.
Features & Capabilites | Value for | Ease of | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | |||
Overall great blender. | |||
Speed and Power
Three speeds give you blending flexibility with the KitchenAid Hand Blender. And, holding down the speed buttons operates the blender and leaves you in control of your shake texture outcomes.
With a stainless steel S-shaped blade, the KitchenAid easily blends basic smoothie ingredients including nuts and harder cheeses. Perfect for adding almonds and chia seeds to boost a shake’s protein punch.
Ease of Use
The eight-inch blending arm of this hand blender twists to remove and lock into place easily for use in everything from deeper pots to 16-ounce cups. With a two-inch base span, most cups accommodate this personal blender.
Plus, a whip attachment offers you versatility in mixing to your consistency preferences. And, a non slip, soft grip handle allows for longer comfortable blending when making shakes for the whole family.
Two BPA-free containers (a 2.5-cup and 3-cup size) offer quick gotta-get-out-the-door blending. Plus, the lids offer spill-proof travel or storage for a healthy protein snack later.
Ease of Cleaning
The accompanying containers and whisk attachment of this product toss into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. And, for added convenience, the blending arm detaches easily and proves dishwasher safe as well.
Wiping the handle with a damp dishcloth is the only care required by this one non dishwasher safe component. And, cumbersome storage issues are diverted with this slim stick.
What are Customers Saying?
The experience of verified review users is always worth consideration. After all, whether a product works in the real time or not is the true test.
Often rated with four and five stars, customers feel the Cuisinart Smart Stick offered plenty of power and was hefty but not heavy. However, some buyers question its durability.
In short, KitchenAid users found the hand blender to be heavy when blending for longer periods and stated that it bogged down with thicker consistencies. While there was also some question as to its quality when compared to other KitchenAid products, a high percentage of customers consistently rate this blender at five stars, preferring it over Cuisinart.
The unique, more expensive Breville blender was liked for its speed and power plus its splash-less function. Many users thought this product worked best with liquid based recipes but fared well with vegetables and ice.
Will these immersion blenders handle ice?
Unfortunately, a hand (immersion) blender may bog down when adding hearty elements. And, frustrating experiences short-change your quest to meet your health goals.
This is how it looks like with most hand blenders, when trying to mix anything slightly firmer, into your protein shake:
Good news!
There is no need to get derailed. Several blenders accommodate harder to blend ingredients with ease.
The Best Blenders for Icy Protein Shakes
Some protein shake recipes include tougher ingredients such as fibrous celery or beet. Or, you may simply enjoy a chilled drink and choose to add ice cubes.
Immersion blenders will not do a great job at these tougher ingredients, but the three blenders below are the perfect solution.
For instance, you may want to try the following quick and easy shake recipe packed with 25 grams of protein:
Pineapple Cucumber Protein Shake
This one works great for kids as well as adults - love the creaminess of the almond butter and the sweetness coming from the dates and banana.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek vanilla yogurt
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cucumber
- 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
- ½ cup water
- 3 ice cubes
Instructions
Blend until smooth in your choice of blender and drink up!
Pros and Cons of Ice-Worthy Blenders
Again, consider a brief list of pros and cons when looking to purchase a heftier blender.
Pros
- Greater power
- More versatility, quick preparation
- Easily handles ice, tough fruits, vegetables, nuts and more
Cons
Larger in size, might be challenging to fit into really small kitchens
May be more machine than needed for personal shake makers
Usually higher budget needed
Reviews of Blenders for Frozen Ingredients
In this section we review the blenders that you can use for personal shakes incorporating tougher ingredients like ice and vegetables.
We chose the best models according to our experience as well as based on our research of user reviews.
Uses & Features | Jamba Appliances Quiet Shield Blender | NutriBullet Rx | Oster Pro 1200 Blender |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  | |
Power to handle coarse ingredients | Handles ice and other tough ingredients | 1700-watts to handle even tough ingredients | 1200-watts for tough ingredients plus 900-power watts for ice |
Speed Versatility | Infinite speed control dial but no automatic shut off or presets | Easy hands free operation | 7 speeds and 3 presets for hands free operation |
Added Benefits | Quiet Shield for quieter operation | Heating cycles for making quick creamy soups | Effective blending with the extra wide 3.5 inch blades |
Ease of Cleaning | Detachable parts dishwasher safe | Detachable parts dishwasher safe | Detachable parts dishwasher safe |
Features & Capabilites | Value for | Ease of | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Rating: 5 out of 5 stars | |||
Overall great blender. | |||
The Jamba Juice Company is known for its dedication to healthy, active lifestyles with products to bring convenience and blending to your home. The Jamba Appliances Quiet Shield Blender created in conjunction with Hamilton Beach makes good on this legacy.
Power and Speed
The 1.6 horsepower of the durable metal drive and stainless steel blade of the Jamba handle ice cubes plus coarse fruits, vegetables and nuts. In other words, this blender proves up to the challenge of any ingredient you add to your shake.
Infinite speed control through a dial gives you blending and texture control. And, a pulse feature offers even greater precision.
Ease of Use
The infinite speed dial control proves intuitive and easy to use. However, without presets or timers, this blending option requires you to stay close by.
The bonus feature of the Jamba is the accompanying quiet shield which does as it promises. A blending experience quieter than other brands results, even quiet enough to hold a conversation.
Two BPA-free, shatterproof containers offer mixing size choice. While the 32-ounce offers measurement markings, the 20-ounce with a flip-top lid brings you the convenience of blend-and-go beverages.
Ease of Cleaning
All removable parts of this blender can be thrown into the dishwasher for quick cleanup. Or, add a few drops of dish soap to the blender jar, fill halfway with water, blend 30 seconds and you are done.
NutriBullet offers state of the art blending using their patented extraction methods.
We like the convenience of using this appliance, and if you want your shakes and smoothies to pack significant nutritional punch, this is the blender to go for.
Features & Capabilites | Value for | Ease of | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | |||
Overall great blender. | |||
We've recently researched this machine in-depth, so be sure to check out our full review on the NutriBullet Rx.
Oster blenders have brought power, speed and delicious meals to kitchens for years. This legend among blending companies offers a modern twist in the Pro 1200 as it jumps on board the smoothie and protein shake craze.
Features & Capabilites | Value for | Ease of | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|
Our Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars | |||
Overall great blender. | |||
Power and Speed
Dual Direction Blade Technology including extra wide 3.5-inch blades offer you boosted blending power ensuring foods reach the blades for smoother shakes. And, the 1200 power watts which handle tougher ingredients are joined with an added 900-watts specifically designed to crush ice.
The Smart Settings Technology of the Oster brings seven speeds into your kitchen to meet your shake texture preferences. And, three pre-programmed settings make for quick, thought-free blending experiences to keep you moving on those busy mornings.
Ease of Use
The power and pre-programmed settings of the Oster make quick work of consistently delicious protein beverages. It frees you to walk away from the blender. Plus, a pulse feature gives you added blending control and precision.
A six-cup Boroclass glass jar proves useful for larger batches but less so for single servings. However, the included 24-ounce smoothie cup answers your needs by allowing you to blend directly in the cup and go.
The All-Metal Drive of Oster products such as this one ensure years of uninterrupted blending. And, this durability guarantees that you have the opportunity to keep up with your healthy eating plans.
Ease of Cleaning
The Boroclass glass jar and cup are dishwasher safe which speeds up cleaning. And, the blender fits nicely under the counter for quick storage.
What Customers are Saying?
The Jamba consistently receives five-star ratings with buyers praising its quietness and power. While the included sound enclosure proves a bit inconvenient, it gets the job done.
While users find the NutriBullet loud, they praise its durability and ability to make smooth, delicious shakes.
A problem with gasket seems an issue for some customers, but others found an easy fix by following the manufacturer’s instructions when removing the blade housing.
Oster offers a product which easily blends coarse ingredients including ice and seeds according to customers. With four and five star ratings common, some buyers are pleased with this blender over the more expensive NutriBullet Rx.
Conclusion
Choosing between a personal blender and a heftier version which handles ice and other tough ingredients well, requires you to know your habits and preferences.
In short, your answers to the following questions help determine the blender which is right for you:
- What ingredients will I include in my protein shake? Will they be primarily soft foods like yogurt and chopped mango? Or, will I use nuts, ice or fibrous vegetables like kale?
- Do I intend to make mostly personal-sized batches? Or, will I use the blender for other larger batch items?
- What is my budget?
Using our guide above with these three questions in mind, will help you quickly zoom in on the blender model that’s perfect for your protein shakes.
The above top picks offer quality solutions no matter your answer.
So, do a bit of soul searching and grab your top pick from the products above to get started on your health, fitness and weight goals with a protein shake.
What do you think? Comment below on your experience with any of these personal blenders.
