Frequent users of protein shakes often buy their own shake mixer. To select the best protein shake mixer, you should consider both your lifestyle and whether you need a mixer that can blend other ingredients into your protein shake.
Many households already own a metal immersion blender or a standard kitchen blender. Each is capable of quickly blending a shake with no risk of protein powder lumps, and they are each also capable of blending ice or fruit into the protein drink. Neither is particularly portable, however, and both require access to a power supply. They can be a good option for someone who works or exercises at home and doesn't need to carry a mixer throughout the day.
Another option is the small, wand-style protein shake mixer. These hand-held devices have a battery in the handle and a rotating wand that blends up shakes more quickly and thoroughly than a mixer bottle. Some are designed so that the handle and the wand come apart and can be packed in a carrying case for easy portability. The disadvantages of a wand mixer are that the batteries can go dead at inconvenient times, you still need to tote a cup with you, and the wand mixer can't always chop ice or blend up fruit.
Probably the simplest and most inexpensive protein shake mixer is the "mixer cup" or "mixer bottle." These products are equipped with a tight seal so that you can vigorously shake your drink without the risk of the contents spraying all over the room. The mixer bottle's main advantages are that it doesn't require batteries or electricity and that it is truly portable. On the other hand, mixing cups and bottles generally require very vigorous shaking in order thoroughly mix the protein shake powder and to break up any lumps. This can make it difficult for those with medical problems, such as arthritis, to shake the mix to their desired consistency.
Some mixing cups contain a device, such as a little wire ball or a grate, for the purpose of breaking up clumps of shake mix. Unfortunately, no amount of shaking will blend in ice or fruit, so those who need these additions may need to purchase an immersion or counter top blender for their shakes and smoothies.
