Top 10 Recommended Model Paint Mixers and Shakers

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Are you looking for a do-it-yourself (DIY) homemade paint mixer?

Forget retrofitting your Dremels or jigaws to your paint pots and bottles, check out this useful video from my favorite YouTuber, Luke Towan, for a DIY option for mixing your model paints.

Not your cup of tea? Too much work? I agree. Dodge those paint mixing sticks.

Continue reading below for the review of model paint mixers and shakers.

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The Robart Hobby Paint Shaker is my recommendation for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money, but don’t want to sacrifice capability. I purchased this shaker more than 3 years ago and it still drives fantastic.

As a commissioned miniature painter, I rely on these paint mixing machines to not only save me time, but physical pain. For more details about this very useful mixer, check out more details here.

This shaker is powered by an AC adapted power cord/plug. But, if you look online you’ll find a battery-powered version of this paint shaker (though it has other issues, like stability and reliability).

Functionally, all you do is strap in your paint bottle with the included rubber band, and press a button. Give it 60-90 seconds and your paint should be mixed well.

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It is certainly more expensive (though it tends to go on sale on Amazon, check updated pricing here), as a commercial shaker system it’s definitely worth a look.

The ProShaker (Version 2.0) is a hot-seller! If you’re doing a bit of market research, like I tend to do, you’ll find this bottle shaker selling a lot.

If you paint a lot, you’ll want something that will work and last a long time with frequent use. Don’t get bottlenecked by equipment.

1. Useful – 5/5
2. Usable – 3.5/5
3. Findable – 5/5
4. Credible – 4/5
5. Desirable – 4/5
6. Accessible – 5/5
7. Valuable – 4.5/5

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Inexpensive and functional, the generic Nail Polish Shaker Mixer has been a go-to device for modelers and miniature painters for a long time.

Of course, even though the arrival of the dedicated mixing machines has changed what is available (improving things along the way), do-it-yourself (DIY) mixers/shakers and these off-indicated apparatus have always been popular.

At under $25, these part-time rededicated hobby mixers don’t have a lot of durability (even for nail salons). Rather, they are for the painter or hobbyist who needs a small boost.

Attach your model paint bottle or pot with the rubber bands (spares included), and hold down the button for a minute or so. If all goes well, your paint will be mixed up well, or much better than your aging (or lazy) body could do.

1. Useful – 4/5
2. Usable – 3/5
3. Findable – 5/5
4. Credible – 3/5
5. Desirable – 3/5
6. Accessible – 5/5
7. Valuable – 4/5

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Of all the vortex mixers on this list (and others), the Four E’s Scientific Lab Vortex Mixer is the best all-around valued mixer (for anything, not just model paint). Check out our full review of this vortex mixer here.

Toping out at over $135, this vortex mixer is similarly priced to the Typhoon re-branded vortex mixer that sells on Etsy, eBay, and elsewhere online.

This vortex mixer uses a powerful, heavy duty motor with a variable power knob (to control speed) to quickly shake/mix anything in a closed, sealed container.

Models paints in most sized bottles or pots will fit nicely on the touch-operated mixing platform. The heavy weight and suction cups of the Four E’s Vortex mixer will keep the entire system stable while the machine does its job.

1. Useful – 4/5
2. Usable – 5/5
3. Findable – 4/5
4. Credible – 5/5
5. Desirable – 3/5
6. Accessible – 3/5
7. Valuable – 4/5

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This Four E’s Mini Vortex Mixer the more budget- and size-friendly vortex mixer to the laboratory mixer above.

Similar in style and function as the LabGenius mini, this vortex mixer will easily sit on any hobbyist’s desk or workspace.

The simple light touch-to-operate platform will be fully accessible for users, even smaller children (who might be enjoying your hobby, too!).

1. Useful – 5/5
2. Usable – 5/5
3. Findable – 4.5/5
4. Credible – 5/5
5. Desirable – 4/5
6. Accessible – 4/5
7. Valuable – 5/5

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Get the Vortex Genie-2 only if you can’t find a Typhoon vortex mixer and want the best out there. Indeed, at over $300, this is the vortex mixer for those hobby modelers or artists who have money to burn on the best products on the market.

(This is not the best value paint mixer for casual hobby use, but it certainly will do the job for decades without breaking service).

This vortex mixer also rates very high in other reviews.

Suffice it to say, this industrial mixer (of any art medium or liquid substance you can think of) will provide great use for any individual or business who needs this level of productivity.

1. Useful – 5/5
2. Usable – 5/5
3. Findable – 4/5
4. Credible – 5/5
5. Desirable – 3/5
6. Accessible – 3/5
7. Valuable – 3/5

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The Badger Paint Mixer is particularly useful because you’re not attached to a wall outlet for power.

I have this paint mixer. It works like a industrial sized paint stirrer, the kind you would see at the hardware shop. Or, where you attached a paint mixer attachment to a drill that you dunk into a gallon can of paint.

Of course, this Badger paint mixer is mini-sized. Unlike the drill paint mixer, you can place this into much smaller containers and stir up tiny volumes of paint.

For my needs, I use it a lot when I need to mix batches of paint for terrain-making. Because it is small and portable, I am able to move about my workspace with it. For model train hobbyists, this could also serve well as a plaster scenery powder mixer, e.g., Hydrocal.

Or, you’re painting miniatures with coffee, and you need to stir up a wash.

A notable limitation of this mixer is that the mixing tip may be too large for some containers. You certainly can’t mix paint within Citadel paint pots, or model paints in dropper bottles, e.g., Vallejo Model color or Army Painter. On the other hand, this is definitely your pick over paint mixer drill attachments–you know the kind you would mix drywall mud.

Keep in mind though, that at some point, you’ll want to mix up a larger volume of something in a plastic container or small cup. This mixer will be perfect for this use.

1. Useful – 3/5
2. Usable – 3/5
3. Findable – 4/5
4. Credible – 4/5
5. Desirable – 3/5
6. Accessible – 5/5
7. Valuable – 4.5/5

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If the Badger Paint mixer above doesn’t fit your paint pots, the Electric Tattoo Ink Mixer will do the job. The disposable mixing tips are specifically designed to access small volume pots of ink, paint, or other media.

For the tabletop miniature painter, this is a nice portable alternative to the tabletop vortex mixers or hobby paint shakers.

The Ink mixer uses batteries and mixing tips that you can dispose of when you’re finished.

Of course, for the environmentally conscience of us, you can re-use the tips by washing them off. Drop them into an ultrasonic cleaner and buzz them clean.

Easy!

MORE: WHY AN ULTRASONIC CLEANER WILL HELP YOU PAINT MINIATURES

The nice thing about this ink mixer is that the motor doesn’t splash your paint/inks everywhere. You have a lot of control over the mixing.

1. Useful – 4/5
2. Usable – 4/5
3. Findable – 4/5
4. Credible – 4/5
5. Desirable – 3/5
6. Accessible – 5/5
7. Valuable – 4/5

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New to the market, the Paint Shaker from Artis Opus uses a similar design to other vortex mixers with the added bonus of aesthetic design (looks pretty doesn’t it?).

If you’re looking for a review of the Artis Opus paint mixer, you will have to wait a little longer to see what users think.

At the pricier side of hobby paint mixers (over $100), this is a luxury good for those looking to stand out. This is especially true because of the other “mini vortex mixers” that will likely do the same job.

The benefits of this mini-sized vortex mixer, of course, is the small size, touch operation, and variable motor speed knob.

Are you looking to mix thin, low-viscosity inks, or the thicker foundation paint with a lot of pigment? Adjust the motor power to fit the need.

This is a tried and true mini-vortex mixer design. It is sure to please many of its users.

1. Useful – 4/5
2. Usable – 4/5
3. Findable – 3/5
4. Credible – 3.5/5
5. Desirable – 4/5
6. Accessible – 4/5
7. Valuable – 3.5/5

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