Shakers come in all forms and sizes, but two reign in the category: cobbler and Boston. Cobbler is a household favorite made up of three parts: a tin, a cap, and a built-in strainer. We loved that it felt and performed like a high-end version of a classic Boston-style shaker. One of the many reasons we prefer a Boston shaker is that it consists of just two very sturdy metal cups, which makes cleanup a breeze. The only downside is the stainless steel exterior, which is prone to fingerprints and water drips. Use a microfiber towel when drying to ensure the shaker remains pristine and shiny. 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. 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. Material is crucial in a shaker. You want your shaker to last for a long time, and low-quality metals will rust, tarnish, and chip with wear. Higher-quality stainless steel is your best bet—it will remain shiny and new after years of shaking.

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. These shakers tend to show every drip of liquid, so if that bugs you, our tester had a suggestion: Buy a microfiber towel to dry them off with, which will help keep them nice and shiny. Ultimately, our testers felt these shakers were heavy, well-made, and worth the price. While I will always be a fan of a cobbler shaker and love my mixing glass, I will always default to using a Parisian shaker,” says "Ghostbusters" director and founder of Artingstall’s Brilliant London Dry Gin Paul Feig. “To me, it’s the best combination of a Boston shaker and a cobbler. You get the solid seal of a cobbler—even better, sometimes, since I have several cobblers that leak when you shake aggressively—and the extra distance between top and bottom results in a great mix when you give it a good shake. It’s also simply the most elegant looking of all shakers and fits comfortably in your hands.” 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.” Boston shakers are far easier to clean than the average cobbler shaker, however. This set proves that, as there are fewer nooks and crannies to scrub.We loved the durable and classic design of this functional set, especially since it's also dishwasher-safe. We only wish it were a bit easier to use. The transparent walls of this shaker provide guidelines for measuring out the ingredients for a martini, mojito, Long Island iced tea, margarita, or cosmopolitan. There’s even advice on how to garnish each drink. The measuring marks are ideal for the beginner bartender, but more seasoned mixologists will certainly get great use out of this, too. It's convenient making one, two, or three drinks at a time, and the lid even doubles as a jigger. For the home enthusiast, I am also loving the design and construction of the Coley shaker,” says Escalante. “[It will] get the job done while also bringing some style to your home bar.” This will largely depend on the quality of your shaker. A good shaker tin will create a tight seal automatically. If working with a Boston shaker, use the heel of your hand to tighten the seal.

Our tester appreciated that these are thin and lightweight yet incredibly durable. The seal forms well and stays tight through shaking, and the weighted ends ensure your arms feel less tired after a good shake. The capacity is generous and the outside of the shaker is easy to grip. While you may think any old shaker is fine, material makes a big difference. Lower-quality metals or coated metals will rust, tarnish, and chip over time, while higher-quality stainless steel will remain shiny and looking new after years of happy hours. Many folks like glass, but keep your situation in mind. Are you prone to dropping things? Maybe it’s best to skip the glass shaker.

Style: Boston | Material: Stainless steel, copper | Capacity: 18- and 28-ounce shaker tins | Dishwasher-Safe: No Some of the attributes we looked for and rated each item on included how easy the shaker was to use, the design and aesthetics of the shaker, the overall performance, and how easy they were to clean. The overall value of each product was also taken into consideration.