Typically, you don’t want to damage magical objects; they’re too valuable as loot. Shatter is therefore better, because it automatically works against the objects you don’t mind destroying: nonmagical locks and things that are giving you a hard time but aren’t worth keeping yourself.

Also, since most magical objects have pretty high Hardness, even full eldritch blast damage isn’t going to break through them with much speed.

Typically, you don’t want to damage magical objects; they’re too valuable as loot. Shatter is therefore better, because it automatically works against the objects you don’t mind destroying: nonmagical locks and things that are giving you a hard time but aren’t worth keeping yourself.

Also, since most magical objects have pretty high Hardness, even full eldritch blast damage isn’t going to break through them with much speed. For situations like that, an adamantine pick or something is better. Or someone who knows the mountain hammer maneuver.