Getty Images
Winter is coming! And that can only mean one thing: hot chocolate season. If you're still heating up water in a microwavable mug for your hot cocoa, it’s time you upgraded to something a little more reliable and invested in a hot chocolate maker.
Hot chocolate machines can be an invaluable addition to anyone's kitchen. They don't just whip up hot chocolate: These handy appliances can steam your favorite milk, add frothy deliciousness to your espresso, smoothen out any powdered clumps, and just make the overall task of whipping up hot chocolate easier, more convenient, and — dare we say it — that much cozier.
We've researched the best hot chocolate makers that get the job done for your convenience. You've got the tools, so now put them to use and ring in winter the right way.
The Best Hot Chocolate Makers
What to Consider
When in the market for a hot chocolate maker, it's helpful to first consider your counter space. If you have the real estate for a dedicated hot cocoa machine, these appliances definitely offer the most straightforward — and even kid-safe — experience. Smaller counters, however, can benefit from handheld milk frothers — which typically come with their own stands and still look relatively unobtrusive — while also remaining easy to clean, use, and store.
Another option to consider is multifunctionality. Many milk frothers not only create foam for coffee and hot chocolate, but also come with interchangeable heads for other forms of food processing, such as whipping up baby food, whisking eggs, and making yummy dips, whipped sauces, and smoothies. This might be the best route for those who want less appliance clutter, as well as for those on a budget who want a machine that ticks as many boxes as possible.
Last but not least is convenience. If hot chocolate, frothy lattes, and bistro-worthy cappuccinos are somewhat of a daily occurrence in your household, it might be worth it to invest in a pitcher-type machine, a detachable induction frother, or an actual hot chocolate maker, as these non-handheld options are faster, require less manual labor, and produce more drinks or foam yield for bigger families.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
1
Best for Families
Mr. Coffee Cafe Cocoa Hot Chocolate Maker
This wholesome-looking hot cocoa maker from Mr. Coffee is one of the most charming picks on our list.
Not only is it a one-touch device, making it easy for both adults and littles to operate, it also has a nifty basket to put your ingredients in. It takes any combo of milk, water, chocolate powder, chocolate syrup, and even real chunks of your fave chocolate — so yes, you can let your creativity fly with this one (and the 20 included recipes ensure that you do).
Best yet? Its 32-ounce pitcher makes up to four mugs of yummy hot cocoa, perfect for a whole family of chocoholics. It's restocking on Amazon soon, so get ready to be first in line!
More: These Genius Mug Warmers Are an Essential Gadget
2
Fun Color Options
PowerLix Milk Frother Handheld
You'll definitely get smooth, frothy, fluffy hot chocolate and espresso drinks out of the super-popular PowerLix, but the fun doesn't end there! You can also use this 4.5-starred hot chocolate maker and frother to mix up milkshakes for the young ones (or even boozy milkshakes for the adults).
If you lack kitchen space and storage, this frother will fit right into any cabinet you have available, or you can store it on your counter right in its stand. It's battery-operated (it uses two AA batteries) and is ready to froth milk instantly in 15 to 20 seconds without needing a plug.
3
Best for Melting Chocolate
Capresso Froth Control Milk Frother
Make like a true cocoa connoisseur (coconnoisseur?) and pour those delectable chocolate chunks directly into the Capresso pot for the easiest, most legit cuppa yet. The illuminated control has four settings — cold froth, hot froth, hot milk, or hot chocolate — for a foolproof experience.
It's hands-down the machine to get for larger families or for hosting that après-ski soirée, as its clear, BPA-free, dishwasher-safe jug is able to churn out nearly 300 milliliters of frothed drinks and over 400 milliliters of heated milk. Winter nights by the fire have never been this cozy.
4
The Retro Pick
Nostalgia Retro 32-Ounce Hot Chocolate Maker and Dispenser
If you're planning a movie night or just a cozy evening in, this hot chocolate maker and dispenser is for you. It has multiple settings that let you mix and froth a beverage at the same time, and it keeps the drink warm, too.
You'll like that this hot chocolate maker has two ways to get to your frothy drink — you can use the no-drip spout, or the pitcher detaches and and has an easy-pour spout.
5
Best Splurge
Breville the Milk Cafe Creamy Milk and Hot Chocolate Maker
If you're one for luxury, non-handheld, high-end design, look no further than the Breville Milk Café Frother. It has swappable disks, which allow users to get the exact foam consistency they desire. Whether you're looking to add thick and creamy froth to your cappuccino or smooth and silky milk to your latte, this will get the job done easily.
Making hot chocolate with the device is even easier — simply add chocolate flakes, powder, or syrup to the frothing milk. Thanks to its induction heating, you'll be able to place the hub in the dishwasher for hassle-free cleaning, too.
6
The User Favorite
Zulay Kitchen Milk Boss Electric Milk Frother
Zulay Kitchen
$16.99
$11.98 (29% Off)
With a whopping 44 colors to choose from and starting at less than $16, it's no surprise that the Zulay Kitchen Milk Boss, is, well, living up to its name. Similar to the PowerLix, it runs on two AA batteries and comes with its own stand, making countertop displaying a no-brainer.
It boasts a frothing speed that’s five times faster than its competition, which should be more than enough for standard household use. The handle also has more of a silicone feel, therefore giving it more grip.
At its price, some users have reported defective units — which the brand has dutifully addressed with a lifetime warranty.
7
Best Rechargeable
Fivtyily Rechargeable Electric Foam Maker
This USB-rechargeable handheld whisk comes with two stainless steel attachments and three speed settings. Users say not to let its slim design fool you: Even the lowest setting is plenty powerful for creating foamy drinks.
Aside from its surprising power, the best thing about this frother is something quite unexpected: It comes with (drumroll) 16 super-cute decorative stencils to give your cup that extra something special. Can you say hygge?
8
The Sleek Pick
Aevo Milk Frothing Machine
AEVO
$83.99
$74.99 (11% Off)
Clocking in at just over 850 grams, this simple, compact frother from Aevo still packs quite the punch. Featuring a detachable, induction-style mechanism (it's also dishwasher-safe!), it has four straightforward modes (two foamy, two hot/cold) and is, as expected, easy to use.
It's best for households that don't have much counter real estate or want a quiet, yet high-performing (and easy to clean) frother that ticks all the foaming boxes.
9
Best Handheld
Aerolatte Milk Foamer
This is the original steam-free, battery-operated handheld whisk. Its tech, which has been around for nearly two decades, is one of the best in its category, and with good reason: With rave reviews from the likes of Business Insider, Good Housekeeping, and even our own editors here at BestProducts.com, the Aerolatte Milk Foamer is one of the best gadgets for all your hot chocolate frothing needs.
It has an adjustable speed and turns milk into foam in just a few seconds — all in a simple, sleek, sophisticated design that has spawned more than its fair share of copycats.
If you're looking to upgrade your latte or hot chocolate game, you definitely need this little guy in your kitchen, stat.
10
Most Compact
Nestle Nespresso Aeroccino3 Milk Frother
This milk frother is particularly simple to use, with one-touch preparation for all modes. Hold the button for 1 second for hot milk froth, and 2 seconds for cold milk froth. It's versatile and easy for anyone to get the hang of, and it'll even shut off automatically when finished.
The unit can hold up to 8.1 ounces of frothed milk, and it features a nonstick surface for easy cleaning. It's also great for anyone looking for a hot chocolate machine that won't take up much real estate in the kitchen.
It's small enough to store somewhere on your counter out of sight until it's time for it to shine, and then it's ready to go at the drop of a hat. Quick and easy cocoa in no time flat.
11
Best Multipurpose
Mueller Austria Ultra-Stick Multi-Purpose Hand Blender
Mueller Austria
$44.99
$29.97 (33% Off)
Minimalists and streamliners, rejoice: Aside from the standard food processing whisk heads, this multiway blender from Mueller also comes with a milk frothing attachment to help you with your hot chocolate and coffee creations.
With eight variable speeds (and a two-speed option for each), it's a practical tool that any home chef will find useful. It can handle everything from making baby food to eggs to salsa, and it can even help to whip up your own peanut butter.
The European-engineered tech also withstands continuous use and gives it exceptional durability — with a 1-year warranty just in case.
12
Best for Large Batches
Secura Detachable Milk Frother
Not only can this refreshingly straightforward milk frother create up to 250 milliliters of creamy froth, but the pitcher-like jug (and its lid) also detach for easy cleaning on the top shelf of your dishwasher. It comes with one heating and one frothing disk, which you can interchange as desired.
Press the button once for hot milk/hot foam, press twice for hot chocolate, or press thrice for cold milk foam — literally as easy as 1, 2, 3.
13
Best Pitcher Style
Bonsenkitchen Electric Milk Frother and Steamer
Both adults and kids love this user-friendly, large-capacity (300 milliliters for hot milk, 150 for milliliters froth) frother and steamer. Simply choose among four preset modes to get your barista-worthy drink ready in 2 minutes flat.
A big draw for families is its stainless steel, easy-to-clean container, which can be quickly rinsed out and wiped with a soft cloth.
Eunice Lucero-Lee
Senior Editor
Eunice Lucero-Lee is the Senior Editor for Best Products, and is a beauty, astrology, and pop culture obsessive whose work has been featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, Esquire, The Numinous, and woman&home, among many others.
Danielle St. Pierre
Senior Food & Drink Editor
Danielle is the former food & drink editor for BestProducts.com, where she put her knowledge as a cocktail consultant and connoisseur to use; her work can also be spotted on Thrillist, Food & Wine, and Delish.
This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
