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Meggan absolutely LOVES using her blender to make everything from yummy cocktails to healthy, fam-friendly acai bowls! But, if there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that different appliances can serve different purposes — and when it comes to the best blenders for protein shakes, the criteria slightly differ based on horsepower, size, and value. She needs something in her kitchen that will effortlessly puree fruits and veggies, mixing in her favorite protein powders for a delicious post-workout treat!
To create the list of the best blenders for protein shakes, Meggan and I worked together to find some of the top options available. We included her personal favorite, the Vitamix Professional Series 750, along with models from other popular brands. From hearty spinach smoothies to tropical Strawberry Citrus and Ginger, here are some of the best blenders for protein shake lovers!
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- In Meggan’s Kitchen: Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender – $479.95 at Amazon
- Meggan’s Favorite Personal Blender: Nutribullet Pro 900 Series – $79 at Walmart
- Also Great: Blendec Total Blender Classic – $379.95 at Amazon
- Best Budget Blender for Protein Shakes: Hamilton Beach Portable Blender for Shakes – $20.85 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Blenders for Protein Shakes
1. In Meggan’s Kitchen: Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender
This high-tech Vitamix blender is the one Meggan uses and adores on a near-daily basis!
“I started using the Vitamix in Culinary School in 2016 and bought it later that year for my home kitchen and for my test kitchen,” Meggan says. “My favorite thing is the manual speed dial because it just makes the controls so natural and effortless (vs. pushing buttons to increase or decrease).”
While it works well for other recipes, like fruit-based smoothies (like her Avocado Smoothie), acai bowls, or milkshakes, it stands out in a crowd of the best protein shake blenders. Not only does this high-performance blender have an extremely powerful motor for crushing, pureeing, and blending even the most stubborn ingredients, but it also features five pre-programmed settings and a self-cleaning cycle that both come in handy.
“I love the power and intensity of this blender,” Meggan says. “It crushes ice in my protein shakes like it’s nothing! It blends perfectly, cleans up easily, and it’s just a joy to use.”
The Specs:
- Weight: 12.5 pounds
- Dimensions: 8.5”L x 8.5”H x 7.5”W
- Capacity: 64 ounces
- Power: 1640 watts
The Pros:
- Self-cleaning mode
- High horsepower that can cut through tough, thick ingredients
- Great for other recipes like ice cream, soup, nut butter, and nut-based milk
- Five pre-programmed settings
- Large capacity
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Takes up more counter space than personal blenders
- Heavy
What Others Are Saying
Serious Eats named this blender their overall top pick for the best Vitamix. Simply Recipes also named it the best overall Vitamix model, Food & Wine named it the best splurge, and it also made the list of top blender picks from Good Housekeeping.
Buy the Vitamix Professional Series 750 Blender:
2. Meggan’s Favorite Personal Blender: Nutribullet Pro 900 Series
This Nutribullet features stainless steel, BPA-free blades that cut through even the thickest protein powders and toughest produce. That means it’s Meggan’s second-in-command behind her favorite Vitamix. This model has half the capacity of the Vitamix, which makes it much more ideal for personal smoothies (like this ultra-healthy Carrot Smoothie). At only five pounds, it’s definitely on the lightweight side, so it won’t be a hassle to take with you on weekend getaways—truly, a great feature for one of the best portable blenders.
However, if you’re looking for the best blender with a glass pitcher, this isn’t it — it’s made out of a plastic jar and stainless steel blades. Beyond the convenient single serving cup, it also comes with an extractor blade, one 32-ounce cup, one 24-ounce cup, and a to-go lid.
The Specs:
- Weight: 4.71 pounds
- Dimensions: 7.9”H x 5.5”W x 5.5”D
- Capacity: 32 ounces
- Power: 900 watts
The Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Lightweight
- Makes personal servings
- Portable
- Available in a variety of colors
- Dishwasher-safe on top rack
The Cons:
- Single servings only
- Can be tricky to use at first
- Made with cheaper plastic as opposed to glass
What Others Are Saying
The Spruce Eats ranked it as the best overall personal blender, while Sports Illustrated dubbed it the best personal blender. Verywell Fit also listed it as the best single-serve blender.
Buy the Nutribullet Pro 900:
3. Also Great: Blendec Total Blender Classic
Despite being on the pricier side, this blender from Blendec is a great option if you’re willing to splurge a bit more. It has many of the same features Meggan loves in her faves from Vitamix and Nutribullet, including a powerful motor (with 10-speed manual control) and a variety of pre-programmed blender cycles that make using it simple and intuitive.
Its wattage is a whopping 1560, which means that it’s one of the best blenders for crushing ice cubes! When using it at its full capacity, it can blend servings for three to four people, which can be another great feature if you have a small family or protein shake-loving roomies.
Meggan’s a huge fan of using it for her four-ingredient, protein-packed Peanut Butter Smoothie — yum!
The Specs:
- Weight: 7.28 pounds
- Dimensions: 7”D x 8”W x 15.5”H
- Capacity: 72-ounce volume jar with 32-ounce blending capacity
- Power: 1560 watts
The Pros:
- Includes easy-to-use, pre-programmed features
- Compact
- Easy to clean
- Powerful motor
- 10-speed controls
The Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Pricey
What Others Are Saying
It received a great review from The Spruce Eats. It also has an overall 4.6-star rating from more than 2,925 ratings on Amazon.
Buy the Blendtec Total Blender Classic:
4. Best Budget: Hamilton Beach Portable Blender for Shakes
If you’re in the market to purchase one of the best cheap blenders, we’re huge fans of this portable model from Hamilton Beach. It has a smaller capacity at 14 liquid ounces, but it’s still one of the best personal blenders thanks to its lightweight feel and easy-to-clean and store parts (especially because the cord wraps neatly around the bottom for convenient, tangle-free storage!).
We LOVE that it’s up for grabs in a few different colors, plus some parts are dishwasher-safe. Best of all, the included cup is small enough to fit into most cup holders, meaning you can have a yummy Blueberry Smoothie waiting for you in the car after your workout class!
The Specs:
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Dimensions: 3.9”D x 3.9”W x 11.9”H
- Capacity: 14 ounces
- Power: 175 watts
The Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and portable
- Easy to set up
- Compact and features its own cord storage
- Affordable
- Some parts are dishwasher safe
The Cons:
- Not enough capacity for multiple servings
- Only one blending cycle is available
What Others Are Saying
Verywell Fit named this blender as the best budget pick. It also has a 4.2-star rating from more than 105,000 Amazon buyers.
Buy the Hamilton Beach Portable Blender for Shakes:
Other Protein Shake Blenders We Researched
Ninja Blast Portable Blender
Up there with the best Ninja blenders, the Ninja Blast Portable is a decent model for its lightweight design (it’s only 1.1 pounds!) and easy-to-carry handle. However, that also means it’s best for only one person at a time. If you don’t plan on traveling with it, we’d suggest a smaller, personal countertop blender, like the Nutribullet 900. The Ninja Blast Portable Blender is available at Amazon for $54.99.
Promixx Pro Shaker Bottle
Another one of the best budget blenders, this Promixx is easy to clean, leak-proof, and seamlessly blends powder up so there’s no chalky residue or buildup left behind. However, it technically qualifies as a “shaker,” not a true blender, so while it’s great for protein shakes, it’s not nearly as versatile as the other blenders on our list. The Promixx Pro Shaker Bottle is available at Amazon for $32.99.
Black + Decker FusionBlade Personal Blender
With a 20-ounce capacity, this Black + Decker model is a contender for people in search of the best small blenders or the best mini blenders. But if you need a little more oomph, look elsewhere. Reviewers complain about the motor burning out rather quickly, so we’re afraid it doesn’t go toe to toe with any of Meggan’s favorites. The Black + Decker FusionBlade Personal Blender is available at Walmart for $16.49.
Beast Blender
With a unique design, the Beast Blender has a lot of hype around it, but the fanfare alone isn’t enough for it to make its way to our top picks, and user reviews fall a bit short. It’s at a middle-of-the-road price point, and we love how the blending vessel transforms into a portable little bucket, but it only 500 milliliters fits inside. If you’re specifically looking for a quiet blender with a glass jar, this one could be worth considering. The Beast Blender is available at Amazon for $164.95.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi, I’m Stephanie, a food, lifestyle, and sustainability writer who specializes in product reviews. Blenders are a kitchen appliance that I know a ton about because I’m sort of a fruit smoothie and protein shake queen! (After all, we vegetarians have to get our protein and nutrients somehow!)
I worked on this roundup of the best protein shake blenders with Meggan, the Executive Chef behind Culinary Hill. Meggan knows a thing or two about protein shakes herself after developing a list of the best protein powders for smoothies and creating tons of healthy, delicious smoothie recipes (this Spinach Smoothie is one of her faves!).
What to Know About Blenders for Protein Shakes
Things to Consider when Choosing a Blender for Protein Shakes
Using a blender to make a protein shake is, surprisingly, a little different than using it for a fruit-based smoothie or even a milkshake. When buying a blender specifically for protein shakes, you’ll want to take functionality, size, and storage into consideration.
Portability: Typically, when making protein shakes, the intention is to take them on the go with you—either to the gym, to school or work, to run errands, or wherever you see fit. But sometimes the best blenders for protein shakes aren’t exactly small enough to be portable, which means you’ll have to transfer them into a to-go cup. If these full-size blenders can make several servings at once and can usually feed three to four people or more in one spin, then the vessel itself is likely not too portable. This doesn’t impact the functionality at all, but you may want to consider it if you plan to take your shake on the go.
Some single-serve blenders may seem better for protein shakes since they’re easier to transport, but they also tend to have a smaller, less powerful motor. At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preference.
Design: Some models, like the Blendtec, come apart at the base of the jar. Meggan lost a gasket for the Blendtec at one point, which means it was no longer leak-proof. However, the Vitamix is just one unit and doesn’t come apart (except for the lid) and she prefers that much more. Consider how complex you’re willing to get with the design of your blender, especially when it comes to cleaning. Immersion blenders do not provide consistent results and were excluded from this post.
Storage: Unless you have endless counter space or plan to use your blender for protein shakes every single day, you’ll probably want a blender that can easily be stowed away. Blenders can be an eyesore on the counter and at their worst, can take up a lot of space. If you end up buying a larger blender, it’ll likely make good protein shakes for the entire family, but it may not be the most convenient thing for your kitchen counters. Likewise, if you opt for a personal-sized blender, you’ll be able to make shakes for yourself with ease, but it’ll get tricky if a friend or roommate asks for one.
Capacity: When considering capacity, you’ll want to consider how many smoothies you’re planning to make. If you have a big family, opt for a higher capacity, like 32- or 64-ounce. 14- or 20-ounce is perfect for personal blends.
Are Blenders Dishwasher-Safe?
It depends on the blender model you choose. Ninja blenders are usually dishwasher-safe—at least to some degree, like the cap and vessel—and that includes the Ninja Blast Portable Blender we mentioned above. Similarly, Vitamix blenders are typically dishwasher-safe as well, including the one in Meggan’s kitchen that’s our overall top pick. Regardless, make sure you read the instructions prior to popping anything in the dishwasher. If a piece isn’t dishwasher-safe, you can always go for some mild soap and warm water.
Are Protein Shakes Good for You?
It really depends on the person and their health goals. Everyone has a different body type and build, which means their general protein intake — including protein powder — varies. Most importantly, protein shakes shouldn’t be used as a replacement for meals, and you should always consult your doctor prior to making any big diet changes.
According to Mayo Clinic, some studies have found that having a larger daily protein intake can be healthy. Verywell Fit also states that protein shakes can offer some health benefits when they’re a part of a balanced diet, but they’re not necessary to weight loss or maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Before making protein shakes, look for more information about the shake you’re making, including the serving size and nutritional value of the powder you’re using. Read more on choosing the best protein powders here.
When to Drink Protein Shakes
If protein shakes are a good option for you, Cleveland Clinic suggests having one after a workout. This can promote active recovery since, after a workout, your body is in what’s considered an “anabolic state.” In this phase, the body needs to refuel and rebuild. Drinking a protein smoothie afterward can also help quell post-exercise muscle soreness and help you recover for your next workout that much faster.
How to Make a Protein Shake
Once you have one of the best blenders for protein shakes, you can check out Meggan’s recipes for the yummiest smoothies!
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
Megan, Since sharing the best blenders and protein powders- do you have recipes for protein shakes”