GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W Review: The Retro Dream with a Critical Flaw?

There’s a certain magic to a classic, diner-style milkshake. It’s that perfect alchemy of cold milk, rich ice cream, and your favourite syrup, whipped into a frothy, indulgent vortex that no home blender ever seems to replicate. I remember countless attempts in my own kitchen, wrestling with a bulky, oversized blender jug, trying to get the ratios just right. The result was often a noisy, messy affair that produced something either too thin and watery or so thick it wouldn’t budge up the straw. It was a compromise, not a creation. The dream of effortlessly whipping up a single-serving, perfectly blended iced coffee on a warm afternoon or a smooth, clump-free protein shake after a workout felt just out of reach. This frustration is what sends many of us on a quest for a dedicated device—something simple, stylish, and built for the specific task of mixing, not pulverizing. The promise is an end to compromise; the reality, as we discovered, can be far more complicated.

What to Consider Before Buying an Electric Drinks Mixer

An electric drinks mixer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for elevating your home beverage game. It’s the bridge between a lumpy, hand-shaken protein drink and a smooth, fully incorporated supplement. It’s the tool that transforms milk and ice cream into a nostalgic, frothy delight. The main benefits lie in its specialized design: a high-speed spindle and agitator designed to aerate and emulsify liquids, creating a texture that traditional blenders, with their food-chopping blades, struggle to achieve. For those who regularly make milkshakes, health drinks, or even cocktails like a Grasshopper or Brandy Alexander, a dedicated mixer offers convenience, consistency, and superior results, all with a much smaller footprint and easier setup than a full-sized blender.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who craves single-serving convenience and authentic texture. This includes fitness enthusiasts tired of gritty protein shakes, parents looking to create fun milkshake treats for their kids, and home baristas wanting to whip up iced lattes or froth milk for coffee. However, it might not be suitable for those who need to blend hard ingredients like frozen fruit, ice, or fibrous vegetables. These devices are mixers, not blenders, and lack the torque and blade design for heavy-duty tasks. For that, a traditional countertop blender or a personal “bullet-style” blender would be a much better alternative. If your primary goal is silky microfoam for lattes, a dedicated milk frother with heating capabilities would also be a more appropriate choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: These mixers are generally slim and tall, designed to occupy minimal counter space. However, check the height (the GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W stands at 37.7 cm) to ensure it will fit comfortably under your kitchen cabinets. Its narrow profile is a significant advantage over bulky blenders, making it easy to tuck away or leave out as a stylish statement piece.
• Capacity/Performance: Performance is dictated by motor power (wattage) and spindle design. A 100W motor, as found in this model, is suitable for light-duty mixing of liquids and powders. For thicker shakes with hard ice cream, a more powerful motor might be necessary to avoid straining. The cup capacity, typically around 500ml, is perfect for single servings, preventing waste and ensuring efficient mixing.
• Materials & Durability: Look for a sturdy housing, whether it’s high-quality plastic or metal. Critically, the mixing cup and the spindle/blade should be stainless steel. This material is not only durable and resistant to rust but also non-reactive, meaning it won’t impart any flavours to your drinks. A plastic housing keeps the unit lightweight and affordable, while a stainless steel cup adds a premium feel and better temperature retention.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Simplicity is key. A good mixer should have intuitive controls—often just a one or two-speed switch. However, the most critical factor for long-term satisfaction is maintenance. Can the components be easily cleaned? A removable cup is standard, but check if the mixing spindle and blade can also be detached or are designed for effortless, hygienic cleaning. This single point can be the difference between a beloved gadget and a source of frustration.

Making an informed choice requires balancing style, performance, and practicality. While the features on paper tell part of the story, how they come together in daily use is what truly matters.

While the GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W is an excellent choice on paper, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Pop of Pastel with a Puzzling Design

Unboxing the GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W felt like stepping back in time. The pastel blue housing is unapologetically retro, evoking images of 1950s diners and soda fountains. It’s lightweight yet feels reasonably stable on the countertop, thanks to its well-balanced base. Assembly is non-existent; it’s ready to go straight out of the box. The star of the initial impression is undoubtedly the 500ml stainless steel cup. It feels solid, professional, and pleasantly cool to the touch. The measurement markings on the inside are a thoughtful touch that we immediately appreciated, promising precise and consistent recipes. The two-speed switch clicks into place with a satisfying, no-nonsense action. However, as we examined the core of the machine—the mixing spindle—we noticed something that gave us pause. The blade and stirrer are fixed permanently to the machine’s head. Our immediate thought was about cleaning. How could you possibly scrub around the nooks and crannies of that mechanism? It was a puzzling design choice that cast a shadow of doubt over an otherwise charming first impression.

A Deep Dive into the Giles & Posner’s Performance

Aesthetics can only take a kitchen appliance so far. To earn a permanent spot on our counter, it has to perform reliably and, just as importantly, be practical for everyday use. We put the GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W through a series of tests, from classic milkshakes to protein drinks, to see if its performance could match its fetching looks. Our findings were a mix of pleasant surprises and profound disappointments, culminating in a conclusion that was impossible to ignore.

Performance in a Glass: Milkshakes, Iced Coffee, and the Protein Powder Test

We started our testing with the quintessential task: a classic chocolate milkshake. We added two scoops of vanilla ice cream, a healthy splash of whole milk, and chocolate syrup to the gleaming stainless steel cup, right up to the 300ml mark. We clipped the cup into place and flipped the switch to the lower speed. The 100W motor whirred to life, and within about 45 seconds, we had a reasonably well-mixed shake. It was frothy on top and had a decent texture, certainly better than a hand-stirred attempt. Switching to the higher speed for the last 10 seconds added a little more air, creating a lighter foam. For a simple, classic shake with soft ingredients, the machine performed adequately.

Next, we tried an iced coffee. We mixed instant espresso powder, sugar, and a little cold water, hoping for that trendy Dalgona-style froth. The mixer did an excellent job here, quickly whipping the mixture into a stable, light brown foam. We then added milk and ice, gave it another quick pulse, and the result was a perfectly serviceable and refreshing iced coffee. The narrow cup and focused mixing action are well-suited for this kind of task. However, our optimism began to wane when we moved on to the final and most demanding test: the post-workout protein shake. This is where many users, ourselves included, need a mixer the most. We added one scoop of whey protein powder to 350ml of cold water. After a full minute on the highest speed, the results were deeply disappointing. The drink was frothy, but it was littered with unincorporated clumps of powder. We could feel the gritty texture with every sip. It confirmed our initial suspicion that the 100W motor simply lacks the torque to create the powerful vortex needed to break down and fully dissolve dense powders. This finding was a major blow, as it eliminates one of the key use cases for such a device and directly mirrors user complaints about poor mixing performance. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to verify these limitations.

Design and Usability: Style Meets Simplicity

From a purely operational standpoint, the GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W is a study in simplicity. There are no complex menus or arrays of buttons—just a single, three-position switch for Off, Speed 1, and Speed 2. This makes it incredibly approachable; anyone can use it without even glancing at a manual. The process of clipping the stainless steel cup into place is intuitive, with a small hook on the back of the cup holder that activates the motor’s safety switch. The machine will not turn on unless the cup is properly seated, which is a commendable safety feature. The pastel blue plastic housing, while not feeling exceptionally premium, is easy to wipe down, and its slim, upright design is a genuine space-saver. It’s an appliance that you wouldn’t mind leaving out on the counter, as it adds a splash of colour and personality to the kitchen.

The 500ml stainless steel cup is, without a doubt, the product’s best physical feature. It’s robust, hygienic (in itself), and the perfect size for a generous single serving. The internal markings are etched, not printed, so they won’t fade over time. Using a metal cup also helps keep the drink cold during the mixing process, a small but significant advantage over plastic blender jugs. For all its simplicity and style, however, the overall design is completely undermined by one single, catastrophic choice that impacts not just usability, but basic food safety.

The Deal-Breaker: A Deep Dive into the Cleaning Conundrum

This brings us to the most critical part of our review, a design flaw so significant that it overshadows every positive attribute of the GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W. The mixing spindle and blade are permanently fixed to the motor housing. They cannot be removed for cleaning. The manual’s suggested cleaning method, which we followed to the letter, is to fill the cup with clean water and a drop of soap, place it on the mixer, and run it for a few seconds. In theory, this should create a vortex that self-cleans the spindle. In practice, it is a hygienic nightmare.

After making our chocolate milkshake—a sticky concoction of dairy and sugar—we performed this “cleaning” cycle. The initial rinse dislodged the most obvious residue, but upon close inspection, the reality was alarming. A sticky film remained on the shaft of the spindle, especially on the upper parts that the water vortex doesn’t vigorously reach. Worse, tiny deposits of milkshake residue were trapped in the crevice where the blade assembly meets the vertical shaft. No amount of running the machine in clean water could remove this. The only way to attempt a proper clean was to unplug the machine and awkwardly try to scrub the fixed blade with a small brush and cloth, a process that is not only difficult but also unsafe. As one user aptly noted, this creates a “food poisoning bomb,” especially when working with milk products. Bacteria can easily colonize in these hard-to-reach areas, contaminating every subsequent drink you make. This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a fundamental failure of design that renders the product unsanitary for its intended purpose. It is a flaw that makes it impossible for us to recommend, regardless of its charming looks or initial performance. Anyone considering this device needs to be aware of a feature that really sets it apart, but for all the wrong reasons.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our in-house testing painted a clear picture, but we always cross-reference our findings with real-world user experiences to ensure a comprehensive view. In this case, the public feedback, though sparse, was laser-focused and powerfully confirmed our primary concern. One user reported an identical experience to ours with protein drinks, stating, “it’s not mixing good… still you can feel some not mixed powder inside of drink.” This directly validates our test results regarding the underpowered 100W motor.

More critically, this same user highlighted the exact design flaw that we found so alarming. They explained that because the “STIRRER IS NOT REMOVABLE… it’s impossible to clean.” They shared a photo of the residue left behind even after following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions, a visual representation of our own hygienic concerns. Their conclusion that it’s a “food poisoning bomb, specially if you use it with milk” is strongly worded but, in our expert opinion, entirely justified. This feedback is not an isolated complaint about a minor issue; it’s a damning indictment of a core design failure that poses a genuine health risk. It serves as a crucial warning for any potential buyer.

Clash of the Countertops: Giles & Posner vs. The Alternatives

The GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W occupies a niche, but it’s important to understand the other options available, especially since its core flaw makes it a risky purchase. We’ve compared it to three distinct alternatives that cater to different needs and priorities.

1. Melitta CREMIO II Black Milk Frother

The Melitta CREMIO II is not a milkshake maker, but a dedicated milk frother. This is the perfect alternative for the coffee aficionado. Where the Giles & Posner fails to heat and struggles with frothing, the CREMIO II excels, creating both hot and cold milk foam perfect for lattes, cappuccinos, and hot chocolates. It features a non-stick coating and, most importantly, a removable magnetic whisk that is incredibly easy to clean. If your primary goal is elevating your coffee drinks with perfectly textured milk and you value ease of cleaning, the Melitta CREMIO II is an infinitely more practical and hygienic choice.

2. Rafow 5 in 1 Milk Frother Electric

The Rafow 5 in 1 represents the modern, multi-functional evolution of the frother. It bridges the gap between a simple mixer and a dedicated coffee accessory. It offers multiple functions, including hot dense foam, hot airy foam, cold foam, and milk warming. Its standout features in this comparison are its larger 350ml frothing capacity and the fact that its stainless steel jug is completely separate from the base and is dishwasher safe. This provides the ultimate in cleaning convenience, directly contrasting with the Giles & Posner’s biggest weakness. For someone who wants versatility and guaranteed hygiene, the Rafow is a vastly superior option.

3. De’Longhi Magnifica Evo ECAM292.52.GB Automatic Coffee Machine

This De’Longhi machine is in a different league entirely. It’s a full-fledged, bean-to-cup automatic coffee machine for the user who wants the complete café experience at the touch of a button. The milk frothing capability is just one feature of a much more complex and capable system that also grinds fresh beans and brews espresso. While it carries a significantly higher price tag, it’s the ultimate all-in-one solution. It’s an alternative for someone whose budget is larger and whose primary interest is high-quality, effortless coffee, making the single-purpose, flawed design of the Giles & Posner mixer seem utterly obsolete in comparison.

Final Verdict: A Stylish Appliance Betrayed by a Fatal Flaw

The GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W is a product we desperately wanted to love. Its retro aesthetic is genuinely charming, it takes up very little space, and for the simplest of liquid-based drinks, it performs adequately. The included stainless steel cup is a high-quality accessory that feels great to use. However, a kitchen appliance must, above all else, be safe and hygienic. It is here that the Giles & Posner mixer fails so completely that none of its positive attributes can redeem it.

The non-removable mixing spindle is a baffling and unforgivable design flaw. Our tests, confirmed by user feedback, prove that it is impossible to clean thoroughly, creating a breeding ground for bacteria right at the heart of the machine. When combined with an underpowered motor that leaves protein powders clumpy, the product fails at both its primary functions and its basic duty of care to the consumer. For these reasons, we cannot recommend the GILES & POSNER Milkshake Maker 100W. It is a clear case of style over substance, where a critical oversight renders the entire product impractical and unsanitary. If you’re in the market for a beverage maker, we strongly urge you to consider the alternatives that prioritize performance, versatility, and, most importantly, your health and safety. You can check the latest price and availability, but we recommend investing your money in a product designed with hygiene in mind.