Bostons can, however, be difficult to separate after shaking, due to the vacuum effect. Squeeze the shaker at the top to break the seal, or give it a little bash, and you should be able to remove it. During testing, we found this set to be one of the most comprehensive, easy-to-use, and aesthetically pleasing of the lineup. We found that the tins were well constructed and beautiful, although the strainer looked a tiny bit flimsier than some of the others. The tins felt great in the hand, separated easily, did not leak, and the strainer poured just fine. The muddler was simply an added bonus. Models K2004E004 and K2007E007 Miniature Shaker Systems offer the size and flexibility of utilizing a 2004E or 2007E Miniature Shaker along with a SmartAmp™ Power Amplifier Model 2100E21-100 for maximum testing performance. Lastly, since we live in a tech-centric age, we looked for any extra bells and whistles (ex, multiple liquid chambers, removable pill trays, detachable carrying loops) that were genuinely useful. At the end of the day, the best protein shakers sure won’t break the bank, but they should still be a good value overall.

Of course, if you're heading out and about after an hour in the weights room, a thorough scrubbing isn't always possible or desirable (you have just worked those cleaning muscles to failure, after all). The better plastic and stainless steel shakers on the market are, thankfully, dishwasher safe, and will be marked as such. Just be sure to keep it on the top shelf with your dirty cups and mugs. What extra protein shaker features should you look for? Capilungo points to the fact that the strainer doesn't seal perfectly into the tin. "When you shake it, it could easily open. If there's too much ice, or too much liquid, it can easily come off." Best steer clear of it, says the professional. We found this set to be one of our favorites and the best value by far. The product was a pleasure to unbox—very sleek and modern, with great fonts and marketing. Each product was individually wrapped in plastic, and the products themselves were very modern, sleek, and strong. They were definitely the shiniest of the bunch! The tins kept all ingredients inside and were totally sealed tight.Look for a protein shaker that includes built-in storage compartments that you can detach to store powder and other training fuels if you don’t want to carry around an entire tub of whey with you, or leave it mixed or dry in the bottle before you set off to the gym. Shakers with stainless steel designs will do a better job of keeping your drinks cool if you're pre-mixing and can even double as a water bottle when you need a hydration hit on the gym floor. Models K2004E01 and K2007E01 eliminate the need for a separate amplifier by integrating an amplifier directly into the shaker body. From use incorporations to universities, this all-in-one design delivers unique plug-and-play capability. Plug an excitation signal from a dynamic signal analyzer or function generator directly into the BNC input on the SmartShaker to initiate testing. But in 1961, Sabbathday Lake, the only Shaker colony remaining, stopped accepting new members, Carol Oppenheim reported in the Chicago Tribune. The challenging commitments of celibate, communal life have since caused the number of Shakers to dwindle from several thousand to just two. But though the Shaker tradition is now associated with a bygone era commemorated by old buildings and elegantly spare furniture, the sect is still hanging on. Tom Levron, formerly a bartender at The Beekeeper Bar in Carlsbad, Calif., likes the brand's Boston shakers, in particular. “These shakers are welded all around and not just in three spots like most shakers, which means they are stronger and will last longer. Also, they are priced competitively with other high-end shakers.” However, he doesn't recommend banging the ends of the tins together to seal them when double shaking—otherwise, this will cause the weighted caps to come off prematurely.Amy Wong, of Portland’s King Tide Fish & Shell, notes that while these tins are industry favorites, they take a while to get used to. “They can be hard to seal the first few times, but that means they will last longer,” she says. “It’s like breaking in quality leather shoes—they are hard and cause soreness at first, but they eventually mold, and you never want to get another pair.”

Pro bartenders swear by a shaker with weight. With a weighted shaker, one tin will have weight to it, while the other is unweighted. This gives a tighter seal and adds rigidity. The real bonus here, though, is it’s easier on your arms.Another thing to look out for is the size of the shaker. Most protein shakers hold between 16 and 36 ounces of liquid, leaving enough extra space inside to dissolve that workout mix or protein powder with whatever bartending flair you have on hand. The most important element of this type of shaker is the lid. After shaking a cobbler the lid can be tough to remove as the ice forces the material to contract. Not so here, and the lid popped off with a simple twist.