Robart Hobby Paint Shaker – Shake All The Polishes!!
I have a new toy… the Robart Hobby Paint Shaker. It’s been on my wishlist for a very long time, and I finally broke down and bought it. This miniature paint shaker is really meant for hobby paints, but it also works great for shaking nail polish. I’ve heard a lot of women talk about their Robarts in various nail groups, and my friend Michelle from Manic Talons has mentioned hers a few times. After asking her some questions about it, I finally bought it.
Hand-shaking gel polish can cause some serious air bubbles that make it difficult to get a smooth application. You’re really not supposed to shake gels for that reason, but rather roll them between your hands. Sometimes polishes need a really good mixing, and that’s where the Robart comes in handy. It mixes the polish well, and it doesn’t cause any bubbles!
As soon as I received my Robart in the mail, I started playing with it and made this short video to demonstrate how it works. I’ve used it a few more times since then. I had a couple of polishes that seemed a little thin when I was applying them and they had some shrink-back issues. After putting them on the Robart for a couple of minutes they applied like a dream with better coverage and no shrinking. And as you’ll see in the video, the Robart also helps shake up glitter polishes because the glitter always seems to sink to the bottom over time.
So far I’m super happy with this purchase! I bought this on Amazon for $41. There are actually two versions – the one I have which is powered with a cord (see it here), and then there is a cheaper version that runs on batteries for only $33 (see it here). The expense of batteries really adds up over time, so I avoid them whenever possible. You can also purchase replacement straps if the little rubber strap breaks.
I saw another product on Amazon called the PROshaker. This one is says it’s endorsed by OPI Gelcolor, and comes with a much stiffer price tag of $99. I admit that I was tempted to buy it because it looks much more sleek, but the price tag scared me off. If any of you own this shaker I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
And I literally JUST heard about another shaker yesterday with a more reasonable price tag called the ForPro shaker. I wish I had seen this one before I bought the Robart. This one is $34 on Amazon, can be used with batteries OR the AC adapter, and comes with extra straps. I heard that it’s quieter than the Robart and doesn’t move around as much. I might have to buy this one so I can do my own comparisons.
Leave a comment if you own any of these shakers, or if you know of any other good ones!
Good luck with your Robart Shaker! Mine broke apart after about 3 months of light use — the cradle snapped off the body of the shaker and it and the polish went flying. I didn’t buy it at Amazon, so I was unable to return it. I have the Izen ProShaker now, so far so good. It’s very solid, large, and heavy. Hopefully this one will keep going.
I’ve read mixed reviews on the Robart, as far as durability. For that reason, I bought the Izen when it first came out (lower price) and it’s been great. I figured it’ll be worth the investment for a sturdier product. I hope the Robart holds up well for you!
I own the ProShaker and I definitely think it’s worth the price tag. I purchased mine back in January of this year, but purchased for around $75-79. Since then they have improved the power portion of the ProShaker, which broke on mine in September. I just received mine back and it’s a marvelous thing. It’s working well, even better than when i first received it. I definitely think it’s worth it b/c it’s sturdy, I like the fact that the bottle is upside down – which for me helps the polish mix better, I like that it has the OPI endorsement. While I wasn’t thrilled that I had an issue with my shaker, I was happy that they paid the shipping to/from for the replacement parts/fixing and that it works great now – and I was out of “warranty” so to speak. The newer model hasn’t been out for long enough to talk about durability, nor have I gotten to use mine enough (got it back yesterday) to tell you about the longevity of the current fix, but I’ll keep you updated.
I agree with Cindy. The ProShaker is amazing and stands up to daily use. A great buy. I’ve never had any problems with mine but I’m happy to hear that they have great customer care. I love it.
Thanks for the feedback, ladies! I may have to save up my pennies and invest in the PROshaker eventually :)
I have the Izen Proshaker that I got at the end of April. Had to send it back for repair because it came with the button sticking up and pushing it in did not help. Just 2 days ago, it started not working right. Sometimes I have to push the button several times to get it to start. Luckily, I am just within the 6 month warranty and they are going to fix it again. I love the machine, but I hate being without it and with the quality issues and the price, they need to warrant it for a year in my opinion.
I have the Robart and it is truly great, BUT it will not accommodate any larger size bottles. For this reason I put myself on the waitlist for the ProShaker.
I’ve been holding out for the proshaker. I just can’t justify both the price and the huge extra cost of shipping to Canada. Sigh, I guess I will have to keep fighting bubbles for now
The ForPro is unavailable on Amazon, bummer!
It must have just sold out. There were only 2 left yesterday when I checked.
I also have the PROshaker and I’m so glad I bought it (and it’s even more expensive in the UK!). As you have found, put a polish in there which looks a little thin and is a nightmare to apply, shake it up, and afterwards it’s a much better polish with better coverage. The PROshaker runs for a minute of vigorous shaking and gives a smooth finish with no bubbles.
I know it was a lot of money, but when you have polishes that you were thinking of getting rid of, which now have a new lease of life, it”s worth it. This year I got new life out of my Gelish Glow polishes which were better after shaking than they were brand new.
I read comments from salon owners who use the PROshaker every day in their salons and it has a good reputation. So, yeah, expensive, but cheaper in the long run than chucking out old polish and getting replacements.
I have the Izen ProShaker. I bought it for $60 on Ebay. A risk, I know, but so far it works great. It is weighted heavily and does not move an inch. I like that I can turn it on and walk away. Bottles with necks fit securely. I only have trouble with those with no neck (like BMC). It shakes bottles vigorously in several different directions. My power button does stick up, but it works, so I don’t mess with it. ;) Excellent overall at this point. I did note that the Robart is only meant for intermittent use–makes me think shaking to much at a time may be an issue long term.
I had planned to just wait on the ForPro shaker to come back into stock and ask for it for Christmas, but I was shaking a franken on Friday, the bottle slipped, and it nailed me in the chin! I have a nice lump and red spot (I’m sure I’m the only one that would notice it, but it’s definitely there). So I opted not to wait.
The only ProShakers I could find on Ebay were significantly more expensive than Amazon, and I have more BundleMonster gels than any other brand, so that was a huge knock against it too.
I ended up ordering the Makartt shaker from Amazon for $35. It looks just like the ForPro, has the exact same accessories, and looks like it’s the same type of company, so I’m guessing it’s just a difference in the sticker on the base. We’ll see if it’s decent!
Sounds like it’s probably the same shaker with a different label as you said. Let us know how it goes! Sorry to hear about your shaking-related injury! Ouch!
I know you just recently bought your shaker, but…I was wondering if you’re still using it and how it’s working for you. I decided to treat myself and splurge on the ProShaker. Should be here soon, can’t wait to try it!
Yep, I’m still using it. So far so good! :)
hi i heard these paint shakers don’t work very well can you tell me if yours is still going strong
Mine is still working fine.
Can you review the mix-bit pro shakers? I don’t like shakers that allow the polish to move into the cap, because later it will leak down. Especially on the gel polishes.
http://www.mixbitpro.com/
Hi Jane. Thanks for the link. I bought one of these to try. Based on appearance I don’t think it will fit every type of bottle – especially square bottles, but we’ll see! :)
Wow, I had no idea anything like this even existed! I only have about 15 bottles of nail polish, but I have at least a hundred bottles of acrylic paint. I have a condition where my fingers and wrists will dislocate (SUPER painful) when I use my hands much, and so I have a really hard time shaking nail polish/paint. AKA I try and roll it across the floor which basically does nothing. I am SO glad you wrote this review! Seriously- you are going to save me SOOOO much pain over the course of my life just because you wrote about this gadget! I’ll have to tell people with arthritis and stuff about it, too. Thank you, Andrea! You rock!
Is it still working?
Yes it still works
I know your post is a few years old now, but are you still using the same shaker?