Shakes need a blender that mixes powder smoothly and handles frozen ingredients such as ice cream. Personal blenders suit protein shakes, while pitchers suit milkshakes for a group.
The six machines below range from personal cups to pitchers. We have not used these products ourselves. Confirm details on the current listing before buying.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Powder mixing | Strong blades avoid lumps |
| Cup or pitcher | Choose by how many shakes you make |
| Ice cream | Thick mixes need more power |
| Cleanup | Wide cups rinse easily |
| Warranty | Check the length and terms on the current listing |
Specs at a Glance
| Blender | Type | Jar | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NutriBullet Pro 900 | Personal | Single-serve cups | Extractor blade; to-go lid |
| Ninja Professional Plus BN701 | Full-size pitcher | Large plastic pitcher | Preset programs; stacked blades |
| Oster MyBlend | Personal | Portable bottle | Sport bottle with lid |
| Hamilton Beach Smoothie Smart | Full-size | Plastic jar | Smoothie setting |
| BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade | Full-size | Plastic jar | Push-button speeds |
| KitchenAid K150 | Full-size | Plastic jar | Three speeds; ice crush |
The 6 Best Blenders for Shakes
1. NutriBullet Pro 900 Series Blender
A compact personal blender in the NutriBullet range, with a tall cup, an extractor blade and a to-go lid. It blends straight in the cup you drink from. A cup-style blender that mixes protein shakes in the cup you drink from. You blend in the same cup you drink from, which cuts down on washing. Check the current listing for the number of cups and lids included.
Suits: quick protein shakes. Strengths: quick personal servings. Weaknesses: no large pitcher for sharing. Skip it if you make milkshakes for a family.
View NutriBullet Pro 900 on Amazon
2. Ninja Professional Plus Blender BN701
A pitcher blender with Auto-iQ preset programs, a stacked blade assembly and a large pitcher. The presets run timed pulse and pause patterns so you can walk away. Presets and a large pitcher suit milkshakes. The pitcher and lid are bulky, so measure your cabinet space first. Confirm which cups or accessories are in the set on the current listing, since bundles vary.
Suits: milkshakes for several people. Strengths: hands-off presets and a large capacity. Weaknesses: loud, and the pitcher takes up room. Skip it if you want a small cup.
View Ninja Professional Plus BN701 on Amazon
3. Oster MyBlend Personal Blender
A compact personal blender that blends into a portable bottle you drink from. A sport bottle for blending and carrying. The bottle has a lid, so it goes straight from the blender into a bag or cup holder. Check the current listing for the bottle size and the colors offered.
Suits: gym shakes. Strengths: grab-and-go simplicity. Weaknesses: small capacity. Skip it if you want big batches.
4. Hamilton Beach Smoothie Smart Blender
A full-size Hamilton Beach blender with a dedicated smoothie setting and plain controls. A budget-friendly pitcher with a dedicated smoothie setting. The dedicated setting takes the guesswork out of smoothies, though you can still blend manually. Check the current listing for the jar size and speed settings.
Suits: easy shakes. Strengths: easy one-touch smoothie program. Weaknesses: basic build. Skip it if you want presets.
View Hamilton Beach Smoothie Smart on Amazon
5. BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade Blender
A plain, budget-friendly BLACK+DECKER blender with a FusionBlade assembly and push-button speeds. A low-cost pitcher blender. It is a plain, light blender for people who do not blend every day. Confirm the jar material and size on the current listing, as versions differ.
Suits: basic shakes. Strengths: low outlay. Weaknesses: basic power. Skip it if you want powerful frozen blending.
View BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade on Amazon
6. KitchenAid K150 3-Speed Ice Crushing Blender
A simpler KitchenAid with three speeds and an ice-crush setting. A simple KitchenAid with an ice-crush setting. The three-speed layout is easy for anyone in the household to use. Confirm the jar size and colors on the current listing.
Suits: classic milkshakes. Strengths: simple controls and a recognized brand. Weaknesses: fewer controls for fine tuning. Skip it if you want fine control.
View KitchenAid K150 on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Blend liquid first, then powder.
- Wash the cup right after use to remove protein residue.
- Use a spatula for thick shakes.
- Check the seal for leaks.
- Unplug the base before cleaning around the blades.
- Wipe the base with a damp cloth and never submerge it.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Adding powder first, which can clump at the base.
- Overfilling the cup.
- Letting protein dry in the blades.
- Using weak blenders for frozen ice cream.
- Submerging the motor base in water.
Shake Blender FAQ
Do I need a special blender for protein?
No. Any blender that mixes powder smoothly will do.
How do I avoid lumps?
Add liquid first and blend a bit longer.
Pitcher or cup?
Cups for one; pitchers for groups.
How should I clean it?
Rinse right after use, then run it briefly with warm water and a drop of dish soap. Check the maker’s guidance on dishwasher safety.
The Short Version
For protein shakes, the NutriBullet Pro 900. For milkshakes, the Ninja Professional Plus BN701. For gym use, the Oster MyBlend. For a budget-friendly pitcher, the Hamilton Beach Smoothie Smart. For basic needs, the BLACK+DECKER FusionBlade. For simple milkshakes, the KitchenAid K150.