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Think protein shakers start and end with a plastic beaker? Think again. Here, our edit walks you through the best to buy this year

There are few other items that signpost a healthy guy who's passionate about his health and fitness than a protein shaker. More than just a sippy-cup for your go-to muscle booster — whether that's whey protein or vegan protein — they're also the ideal vehicle for creatine, BCAAs, smoothies, electrolyte blends and other carb drinks and, if your container game isn't so strong, on-the-go meals like overnight oats.

Needless to say, not all protein shakers are made equally and, crucially, you deserve the best. Below, our guide to the best protein shakers does the heavy lifting for you. All you need to do is tap "add to basket". First things first...

On the surface, the humble protein shaker has a few simple objectives – the lid needs to stay on, cause no leaks or spills and to be easily cleaned, whether it's five minutes or five hours after use. Similarly, brands including Myprotein, Met-RX and Bulk — to name a few — stock protein shakers that come with removable containers for other capsules such as BCAA and creatine supplements. It's a handy way of keeping all your supps in one place. Just like its shape, the protein shaker's material is another factor to consider. The vast majority of protein shakers will either be metal or plastic, with metal generally being easier to clean.

As anyone with a protein shaker can attest, the stench of an unwashed shaker is a smell like no other. If left unattended even for a few hours, the leftover protein mix begins to fester and produce an unwelcome pong. As soon as you've finished your protein shake — or as quick as realistically possible — rinse, clean and rinse (again) with plenty of warm water and washing up liquid. And don't forget to show the lid some love. If it's been several hours since you've finished the shake, let the mix of warm water and washing up liquid soak in the shaker, ideally overnight, to get rid of the pong. Rush the job, however, and the smell — and subsequent aftertaste — could be there to stay.

If you're sick of plastic protein shakers — we are too — Myprotein's pro Metal Shaker, made with 100% stainless steel, is easy to clean, holds plenty of liquid and is lightweight when it's not in use.

Light enough to go un-noticed in your gym bag but big enough to pack a full, post-workout shake, Bulk's Mini protein shaker bottle is a great space-saver with a leak-proof, dishwasher-safe design.

If you want a more modular protein shaker, Myprotein's Pro Large Smartshake shaker makes for a good purchase. It comes with a removable screw-on container to house extra scoops of protein or other supplement capsules.

Optimum Nutrition's headline protein shaker is leakproof, lightweight and dishwasher safe.

MyProtein's screw-tight, leak-free lid keeps the goodness sealed in, and it's dishwasher-friendly too.

The OG of protein shakers — it's hard to hit a workout and not see someone rocking one of these in the changing rooms. At 700ml, it's larger than standard 500ml shakers and is one of Maximuscle's best-sellers for a reason. 

Despite not being a headline brand, Precision Engineered makes an impressive protein shaker, with the Precision Engineered Sportmixer protein shaker proving that you don't need to pay double digits for a decent protein shaker.

With a BlenderBall wire whisk, MET-x's BlenderBottles protein shaker uses a patented mixing system to blend even the thickest mixtures without tasting last week's protein shake.

It's a protein shaker, but not as you know it. Using a unique capsule design and a slider mechanism for the mouthpiece, ShakeSphere protein shaker makes the most of its unique design by offering a corner-free environment for easy mixing. A carry loop also makes it more portable than most protein shakers.

With a 200ml storage compartment and stainless steel mix ball, this protein shaker is loaded with four and five-star reviews on Amazon.

Oftentimes, mixing your own protein shake after a tough workout can feel like one rep too many. Blackube's protein shaker takes care of that, with an electric motor that guarantees a clump-free mix every time.

If, like a lot of guys, you rely on a few supplements to bolster your nutrition game, you probably rotate between two or three protein shakers. Hydra Cup's double protein shaker flask is here to help you, with two separate chambers for different mixes. Throw pre-workout in one chamber, for example, and keep your post-workout mix separate in the other. It's a smart solution.

The screw-on lid and leak-proof flip cap keep your bottle shaker where it belongs, while wire grids ensure your shake is completely smooth and free of lumps – every time.

This electric shaker features patented X-Blade technology for the smoothest of shakes, and includes a through-flow lid so you can use your shaker bottle as a water bottle while keeping your supplements dry inside.

Aimed at endurance athletes, Xendurance's protein shaker comes with a side scale to make sure you're getting the right measurements for your supps.