Brezza Supermix review: We tested the $300 protein shake maker so you don't have to

Protein powders: Love them, tolerate them or silently curse them when they turn into a lumpy cement mixture in your shaker bottle. If protein powder is a staple in your daily wellness routine, you're not alone. Whether you're chasing gains at the gym, supporting healthy aging or simply trying to bump up your protein intake, finding the best protein powder often takes trial and error — particularly if you'd rather not fit in a second arm workout just to shake up your postexercise drink. Enter the Brezza Supermix.

While flavor and nutritional profile are key factors when finding the right powder for you, a shake that's gritty or filled with clumps can also be a deal-breaker. Usually, a blender solves the problem, but scrubbing protein paste out of all those crevices gets old fast. The Brezza Supermix Protein Shake Maker is essentially the grown-up sibling of the company's fan-favorite baby formula dispenser. This techy machine promises to deliver a silky-smooth shake in under 25 seconds — no scooping, no shaking, no clumps. But at nearly $300, it begs the question: Is it a game changer or just another shiny appliance destined to gather dust?

As a registered dietitian, wellness editor and daily protein shake drinker, I had to find out. So, I put the Brezza Supermix to the test with whey- and plant-based powders — including one that is notorious for clumping in my shaker bottle. Here's what I discovered.

What is the Brezza Supermix?

Brezza Supermix: Key features

If you've used the Baby Brezza, the Brezza Supermix looks very similar. In the front, there's an LED touchscreen, a powder container that holds up to 1 pound of your favorite protein powder, a dispensing funnel and a tray to put your rechargeable mixing cup on. In the back, you'll find the water tank, which holds up to 3 liters of water. According to the company, when completely filled, the machine can make approximately 12 shakes before you need to add more water or powder.

The key feature of the machine is that it measures and dispenses water and protein powder based on the settings you enter. Once it's set, you don't have to worry about adjusting the settings again until you swap out your powder (or if you need to make tweaks to get your shake just right).

The included mixing cup is where the magic happens: Once the water and powder are dispensed, the motor on the bottom of the cup powers on and mixes the shake for about 25 seconds. A benefit of the cup is that you can place the to-go lid on top and press the power button any time you need your shake to be stirred up a bit. However, if you prefer not to use the cup (or forget to charge it), you can still dispense the powder and water into a shaker bottle or glass of your choice (as long as it's 24 ounces or smaller); you'll just need to manually do the mixing.

With the exception of the motor base for the mixing cup, all parts can be washed in warm, soapy water, and many parts are top rack dishwasher safe. For safety, and to keep your machine working properly, it's recommended that you rinse the funnel after every seven uses and then do a full clean once a month or whenever you switch out your powder — whichever comes first.

It's easy, but messy, to use

The Brezza Supermix arrives nearly fully assembled — you'll just need to remove some plastic and pop the tray into place. Easy enough. That said, you're supposed to rinse all the parts before using it, so there is a bit of disassembly and reassembly involved. (Heads up: I found the mixing wheel surprisingly tough to remove. It felt like I was going to break it, but it eventually popped out.)

Once it's clean, it's time to fill the water tank and protein powder container. Filling the tank is super simple — I used cold filtered water from my fridge, but fresh tap water works too. Adding your protein powder is also a breeze, though be prepared for a little mess. I recommend having a wet paper towel handy to wipe down protein dust from the touchscreen and your counter.

Next, you'll place the mixer cup at the bottom, adjust your water and protein settings, and hit start. The touchscreen is easy to use, but having to look up the right settings for each powder could get old fast — especially if you like to switch things up regularly. If you're loyal to one powder, though, it's pretty much a set-it-and-forget-it situation, which is nice.

When you press start, the machine dispenses the powder and water (which again, got a bit messy), and then the vibrating shaker cup does the actual mixing.

For my first test, I used Quince's Organic Plant Protein, which almost always clumps in my shaker bottle — and, unfortunately, it clumped in the Brezza too. Most of the shake was smooth, but there was a chunk of chocolatey "cement" stuck to the side of the cup near the bottom. Next, I tried Ora Organic So Lean & So Clean (one of my favorite protein powders for women) and was happy with the silky-smooth results. I also tried two whey-based powders, Naked Whey and Momentous Grass-Fed Whey, both of which the Brezza successfully blended without any clumps or sludge at the bottom.

One important note: Only water can go in the tank. If you're like me and prefer milk or a plant-based alternative, you'll need to pour that into the mixer cup manually and use the powder-only setting. At that point, you're basically paying almost $300 for a vibrating mixing cup — but I'll get into value later.

You'll want to check the supported protein powder list before using

One of the Supermix's core features is that it automatically measures both the water and protein powder for you. But because different protein powders vary in density and liquid recommendations — even by flavor — the correct settings depend on the specific product you're using. At the time of this writing, the Supermix supports over 90 powders with preset configurations, most of which are whey-based. To check if your powder is supported, head to the Protein Shake Maker Powder Settings page, where you can either scan your powder's barcode or search for it manually.

Keep in mind that because of the large volume of powder required, mass gainers won't work. The company also notes the machine isn't yet compatible with pre-workout, super greens, clear protein or fiber powders.

If your protein powder isn't already listed, you'll need to submit a request to the company. For example, I submitted a request for Quince's plant-based protein powder and received an email within two hours asking for images and the barcode. After a day of back-and-forth, I was advised to use the powder-only setting to figure out the right mix on my own. The customer service rep also mentioned that the company can purchase the powder to test and eventually add it to its database.

That said, if you don't want to experiment with settings yourself, I highly recommend checking in advance to confirm that your go-to powders are supported.

Brezza Supermix: How much does it cost?

The Brezza Supermix retails for $299.99, though it's currently $100 off on the company's website. Shipping is free within the continental United States, and you can return it within 30 days for a full refund.

The Supermix comes with a 12-month warranty that covers manufacturing defects. I actually took advantage of the warranty because my first unit wouldn't turn on. Fortunately, Brezza's customer service was easy to reach and handled things quickly. They sent me a return label for the defective machine, and I had a replacement in under five days.

Tips for using the Brezza Supermix

I used the Supermix daily for about a week. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of it:

• Keep the tank in the fridge. This might be more of a personal preference, but if you like your shakes cold and refreshing, storing the tank in the fridge makes a big difference.

• Place a cup or bowl under the funnel when adding protein powder. When you first pour powder into the protein container, a small amount often falls straight through the funnel. It's easy to wipe up, but placing a cup or bowl underneath lets you catch that pricey powder and pour it right back in so it doesn't go to waste.

• Check the protein powder database ahead of time. I mentioned this earlier, but it's worth repeating: If you plan to use the Supermix right away, make sure your protein powder is listed in the company's database, or submit a settings request in advance. They may be able to send you setting recommendations, or you may be instructed to use the powder-only setting to determine it on your own.

• Buy extra containers if you like switching powders. Swapping powders in and out of a single container is time-consuming and messy. If you like variety — chocolate one day, birthday cake the next — it's worth picking up a few extra powder containers so you can quickly and cleanly switch things up.

Brezza Supermix: Should you buy it?

FAQs

Does the Brezza Supermix work with every protein powder?

Not quite. The Brezza Supermix currently supports a little over 90 protein powders listed in its database. If your powder isn't included, you can contact the company for setting recommendations, and most powders will still work using the powder-only setting. The main exception is mass gainers. Because they require such a large volume of powder, the Supermix isn't able to handle them.

How noisy is the Brezza Supermix?

It's relatively quiet — I'd compare it to the noise level of a Nespresso machine.

How much space does it take?

The Brezza Supermix is 7.25 inches wide, 13 inches deep and 16.5 inches tall. While it doesn't take up a lot of space, it's not a small appliance either.

Is the Brezza Supermix easy to clean?

Yes, the Supermix is relatively easy to clean. Most of the parts are top rack dishwasher safe, which makes the process simple. However, because there are several pieces, cleaning can be a bit time-consuming. The good news is that you don't need to clean everything after each use. Aside from the funnel — which should be washed every seven uses — you only need to clean all the parts about once a month or whenever you switch protein powders, whichever comes first.

How do you return it?

If your Supermix is unopened, you can start the return process directly from your order history in your account. If the package has already been opened, you'll need to contact the company's customer service team. The company offers a full refund, including free return shipping, as long as the return is made within 30 days of your order date.

Is it covered under warranty?

Yes, when purchased from the company, the Brezza Supermix comes with a 12-month manufacturer's warranty. To submit a claim, you'll need to have proof of purchase and may be asked to submit photos or a video of the issue.

2 cheaper alternatives to consider

Not ready to shell out $300 on the Supermix? Here are two more affordable alternatives.

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.