Guide To Buying A Shaker Bottle
If you train regularly and need to take supplements to boost your muscle recovery, you will require a shaker bottle that you can carry with you to the gym and use at home. There are a few key factors to consider such as shape, size, and number of compartments to buy the right shaker for yourself.
Product Comparison Table
What To Look for
20/02/2020
A 27oz – 32oz shaker is usually a safe bet.
- The size of the shaker must be large enough to dissolve all your supplements, without any clumping but not so large that it is a burden to carry around or fit in your bag.
- A 27oz to 32oz capacity is generally adequate for most people.
- Furthermore, the base of the container should be rounded to keep the supplement powder from getting stuck at the bottom.
Buy a shaker with multiple containers to carry your supplements separately.
- Some shakers come with small containers that can be attached to the main bottle.
- The added containers create separate compartments for different supplements. These compartments are mostly used to store post-workout supplements individually to avoid mixing them with the intra-workout supplements.
There must be a spring or strainer type object to mix the powder and water.
- Many shakers come with mixing mechanisms to help dissolve supplements.
- They can be in the form of a cylindrical spring that moves around inside the bottle when you shake it or a circular filter that sits at the top of the container.
- These are both fine as long as either of them is present. Avoid any bottle that comes without a mixer since it will not be able to prevent the powder from clumping together.
Top Picks
Best Shaker Overall
BlenderBottle classic
For $7.99
- Ample size
- Mixes effortlessly
- BPA free plastic
- Great price
Best Electric Shaker
Promixx 2.0- Vortex Mixer
For $39.99
- Results in smoother shake
- Helps clean itself
- Capacity is comparatively less
- Pricey
Best Shaker Without A Mixing mechanism
Helimix Vortex Blender Shaker Bottle
For $22.95
- Makes it super easy to mix shakes
- Odor-resistant and dishwasher safe
- Edgy, eye-catching design
- Might need to hold it shut for high pressure shaking
Best Stainless Steel Shaker Bottle
BlenderBottle Radian Insulated Stainless Steel
For $20.50
- Insulated so you can use it outdoors
- Easy to clean
- Incredible durability
- Heavy
Best Shaker For Separating Supplements
Smartshake Original 2GO Shaker
For $8.42
- Effective mixing mechanism
- Organized compartments
- Durable construction
Best Budget Shaker Bottle
Contigo Shake & Go Fit Shaker Bottle
For $5.29
- Little handle on the lid for easy carrying
- Easy to read numbers so you can check the fluid volume
- Great price
- Lacks the mixing and sipping ergonomics of more expensive shakers
Common Questions
Q:How do I clean the shaker bottle?
- Get a steel wool scrub as a regular sponge won’t be enough. Use hot water and the scrub to clean off the container.
- To neutralize the smell, you can a tablespoon of baking powder into the warm water.
- Cleanliness freaks can also add a bit of vinegar to the bottle, mix it up with water and let it sit for a while. You can also add coffee grinds instead of vinegar to get rid of the odor.
- Another way to kill the bacteria and get rid of the smell is to add mouthwash and shake the bottle.
Q:Why do some shakers come with a steel mesh?
Some shakers come with a steel mixing ball and some come with strainers. Their purpose is to break down any lumps that may get created when you mix your protein powder with water/milk. When you shake the bottle, the steel wire ball bounces around and breaks up the powder clumps. This lends a smooth consistency to your drink.
Q:What’s a smart shaker bottle and how do I use it?
Smart shaker bottles contain separate storage compartments for dry powder, tablets, and water. They help avoid drink spillage and mixing up. When it’s time for your drink, simply unscrew the storage compartment underneath your container and add the powder into the main compartment. The separate compartment for your pills means that you can carry just one shaker bottle with all your supplements.
Q:Which material should I prefer? Metal or plastic?
Most plastic shakers are made from the safest plastic for food contact, polypropylene (PP). So, you don’t need to worry about any adverse effects of using a plastic shaker bottle. However, if you still want a more environmentally healthy option, you can go for a stainless-steel shaker bottle.
Q:What is an insulated shaker bottle?
An insulated shaker or blender is made from materials that can keep the drink cold for up to 24 hours. They’re usually made of stainless steel and high-quality BPA-free materials.
Q:Can I make smoothies in the shaker bottle?
Yes, you can, provided the bottle comes with the steel mixing ball. You can even add mashed fruits like bananas along with your drink. Just make sure that the ingredients are not lumpy. Just add all the ingredients and shake the container to mix them all up.
Q:Should I get a shaker bottle or a sipper?
- If you just want to carry water to the gym, you can go for the sipper. It allows you to limit your drinking to sips of water instead of gulps. You cannot mix a protein drink in a sipper.
- If you wish to carry protein supplements or if you intend to mix them in the gym, go for a shaker bottle. Most shakers have separate compartments to store supplements and tables; sippers don’t have that feature. Also, cleaning up a shaker bottle is easier than cleaning a sipper.
Q:Which shaker bottle do I need for Whey protein?
Get a shaker with a mixing ball and/or a strainer to ensure a smooth blend. The size depends on how much volume you intend to drink during your workout. For example, if you consume a 300 ml drink, get a shaker of at least 400-500 ml volume so that there’s enough space to shake and mix the contents properly. Likewise, get a 600ml bottle for a 500ml drink, and so on.
Online Sources:
- https://garagegympower.com/best-protein-shaker-bottles/
- https://fightingreport.com/best-shaker-bottles-reviewed/,
- https://garagegymbuilder.com/protein-shaker-blender-bottles/
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/372489-how-to-use-a-protein-shaker/
- https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/protein-shakes-for-newbies-what-to-buy-when-to-drink/