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Many of these hot cocoa makers also froth milk for coffee! automatic candy making machine
Few things are cozier than a cup of hot chocolate with (homemade?!) marshmallows or whipped cream. And the fine folks in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab want to get you cuddling up to cocoa faster, which is why we tested hot chocolate makers — to find the very best picks for winter.
Our pros evaluate all kinds of beverage appliances like coffee makers, espresso machines, milk frothers and heated mugs. For hot chocolate makers, we consider performance as well as cleanability and noise level. We evaluated hot chocolate makers using a standard powdered mix to see how well the mix was incorporated, its taste and each device's ease of cleaning afterward. We also value those that are versatile: Does it froth milk? Does it work with powdered mixes as well as chocolate chips? After tallying up the scores from all of these tests, we found the hot chocolate makers we think are worth it.
There are some models on this list that we did not test, and to select those, we opted for popular options with rave reviews from trusted brands that have performed well in previous Kitchen Lab tests. Read on for more on how we tested hot chocolate makers and what to look for when shopping for one, and for more cozy drink inspo, try these out with a spiked hot chocolate recipe or the best coffee recipes to try at home.
We loved the decadent hot chocolate we made with just milk and chocolate chips in this Capresso frother. Turn the dial to the "choc" setting and press the center button; when the maker blinks and beeps, the milk is warm and you can add the chocolate.
This model is also the most versatile on our list: In addition to chips, you can use chocolate chunks, chocolate flakes, chocolate syrup and cocoa powder or hot cocoa mix, according to the manufacturer. The removable carafe is dishwasher safe, which keeps cleanup simple. Our pros also like the Capresso Froth Select, which has a similarly easy-to-clean stainless steel carafe. The caveats here are that it takes about nine minutes to produce your cocoa, and the frother makes a rattling noise when it operates.
For a speedy cup of cocoa, put down the spoon and reach for this handheld milk frother. While we haven't tested it, we like that it's lightweight and compact and includes a stand so it's easy to tuck away on your countertop. It won't heat your milk or water, but it will create a frothy beverage and can be used with milk for lattes or cappuccinos.
Our pros also noted that it's battery operated — no need for access to an outlet or to remember to recharge. The cost is low, but some online reviewers did complain of a short shelf life.
If you're hosting winter parties or have a big family (or just a big love of cocoa!), Nostalgia's hot chocolate maker might be right for you. We like that it has a removable pitcher for pouring, and the pitcher has a built-in spigot so people can help themselves while the carafe stays put. You can either just mix up your beverage with the Froth setting, or you can heat and mix with the Heat Froth setting. Though we have not tested this pick in the Lab, according to the manufacturer, it works with both powders and syrups. Because it's large enough for a crowd, it's somewhat bulky to store, but there is a built-in cord wrap on the bottom to keep it tidy.
Hotel Chocolat is a luxury chocolate maker based in the UK, and it's one of the most-searched-for hot chocolate machines. This luxe model is designed to produce rich cocoa with the brand's high-end specialty hot chocolate blends. But our American testers enjoyed it as well: One tester noted they got perfect cocoa even when they used a different brand of chocolate. (But note that the device is intended for Hotel Chocolat's shaving and cannot be used with powders.)
Our testers liked that the Velvetiser was simple to use — just one button — but wished the carafe was dishwasher safe. They noted that it worked quickly to make hot chocolate or frothed milk, but some complained that it made only one serving at a time and that the serving was small.
This is a no-fuss way to get a quick cup of cocoa: Simply fill the reservoir with 6 to 12 ounces of water, pop in a hot chocolate pod and press the button. Though we have not tested this model with hot chocolate, another Keurig took the top spot in our single-serve coffee makers tests, so we feel confident recommending the brand. The machine includes an auto-shutoff function that will turn off 90 seconds after use, and if you choose to unplug it, there's built-in cord storage. While there's now a wide variety of brands that make K-cup hot chocolate pods, you are limited to pods, unless you use the machine solely to heat water for packets.
Breville's stainless steel beauty lets you customize the temperature of the milk — all the way from "cold stir" to "hot," which is greater than 160˚F. We did find in our tests that the temperature was hard to pinpoint on the dial, but we were pleased with the results overall. It's also ideal for hot chocolate because the lid includes an inset that doubles as a measuring cup for cocoa powder, powdered hot chocolate mixes and chocolate flakes, which you can add once the frother is stirring. (Note: While you can add chocolate flakes, you should not use chocolate chips or chunks, according to the manufacturer.) It's also very easy to clean: The carafe is removable and can be popped into the dishwasher after use.
Nespresso's Aeroccino 4 Refresh came out on top in our milk frother Lab tests, creating silky, uniform foam with both whole milk and almond milk. Though a downside is that, according to the manufacturer, you should not add ingredients (chocolate or powders) directly to the device, it will whip up hot or cold froth in about 90 seconds, which you can stir into hot chocolate mix for a creamy, fluffy cocoa in no time. The carafe, whisk and lid are dishwasher safe, making it easier to avoid sticky, dried-on cocoa. And we like that it has an auto-shutoff feature so that there's no risk of leaving it on.
The lightweight and USB-rechargeable Superwhisk performed well in our milk frothing lab tests, increasing the volume of both whole and almond milk with fluffy froth. It also got positive reviews from testers. While you will need to heat the milk or water yourself, we like this for hot chocolate because it's got enough power to speed up the job compared with stirring by hand, and the whisk can be removed from the wand, which makes cleanup simple. We also like that it's portable — the whisk slips in a cover to create one sleek cylinder — so you can toss it in your bag for ski trips or weekends at a snowy cabin. It's also easy to store.
When testing milk frothers, we made hot chocolate with those that were compatible with chocolate chips. We used whole milk and the weight of chocolate chips recommended by the manufacturer. We noted how long each device needed to prepare the hot chocolate and took the temperature of the completed beverage. We tasted each to evaluate the flavor and texture.
For this story, we used a powdered hot chocolate mix to prepare a cup to evaluate how well the powder was incorporated, how the drink tasted and how easy the device was to clean after. For those models on this list that we did not test, we considered popular options that have strong user reviews, brands that have done well in previous tests and features we found unique.
✔️ Size: When choosing the hot chocolate maker that's right for you, think about both the capacity and footprint. Consider how many cups of cocoa you and your friends or family will want — our smallest pick makes one at a time, and our largest pick makes up to 32 ounces — as well as what you have room for on your counter.
✔️ Versatility: Some picks work only with powdered hot chocolate mixes or pods, while others will create cocoa mixes as well as chocolate chips or chocolate flakes. Several of our recommendations also froth milk for all sorts of coffee drinks.
✔️ Cleanability: Sugary beverages can become sticky messes, so it's important that your hot chocolate maker be easy to clean. Look for ones that have smooth surfaces (nooks and crannies are the enemy!) and, if possible, are dishwasher safe.
Sarah Wharton is the Senior Editor and Analyst for the Good Housekeeping Institute. She lead the testing for hot chocolate makers as well as milk frothers. She has written about making hot drinks as well, like this advice on how to make a latte. She also sipped many cups of cocoa while testing the Ember Mug 2 for a year.
Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She has been cooking professionally since 2017 and has tested kitchen appliances and gear for Family Circle as well as developed recipes and food content for Simply Recipes, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Oxo and Food52. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).
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