The 5 Best Coffee Machines For Making Hot Chocolate

Even if you love drinking coffee every day, there are times when you want something a bit more luxurious and decadent. During those times, you probably want a rich cup of hot chocolate. So if you love drinking both coffee and hot chocolate, you need to have the best coffee machine for making hot chocolate in your kitchen!

In this round up, we’re going to look into how you can find the best coffee machine that can produce both great coffee and delicious hot chocolate, as well as what you need to know to be able to make authentic hot chocolate with your coffee machine.

Pods vs. Powder: Which is Better?

There are generally two ways that you can make hot chocolate with your coffee maker: you can either use pods or cocoa powder.

If you prefer speed and convenience, pods are the way to go. There are multiple brands out there that make hot chocolate pods that can be used with most coffee machines that accept standard-sized pods. However, the most popular brand is the Keurig K-cup. Pods are easy to use and easy to clean, but you will be limited to the flavors available in the pods and you won’t be able to tweak the taste of the hot chocolate to your specific taste. What’s more, some people have reported that hot chocolate made from pods are usually very sweet and have that “packaged” taste.

If you want a bit more control when it comes to the taste of your hot chocolate, using cocoa powder is the better option for you. You can use either a pre-made mix or you can go all the way and make your hot chocolate from scratch by making your own hot chocolate mix. Making your own hot chocolate mix from scratch allows you to get the perfect flavor profile but it requires more effort and time on your part. It also involves a lot more cleaning up after!

Comparison Chart

Detailed Reviews of the 5 Best Coffee Makers for Making Hot Chocolate

Mr. Coffee BVMC-PSTX95 10-Cup Optimal Brew

The Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew Coffee Maker has an amazing water filtration system that will give you clean-tasting drinks.

Value

The Mr. Coffee makes a great cup of hot chocolate and it’s affordable.

Functionality

While it’s easy to use, the plastic parts of the machine feel like they will break easily.

The Earls Overall Rating

For great-tasting hot chocolate AND coffee that you can make from scratch, the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew is our top pick.

AICOK Single Serve Coffee Maker Brewer

Easy to use and brews your hot chocolate in less than a minute, the AICOK Single Serve is the perfect coffee machine for those who don’t want to wait long for their delicious beverage.

Value

Affordable and comes with a 2-year warranty but feels flimsy.

Functionality

The one-touch operation makes it easy to use but you need to keep refilling it with water for making multiple cups.

The Earls Overall Rating

The AICOK Single Serve is a handy and compact little coffee maker that’s perfect for small households.

Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Coffee Maker

Do you have a large family who loves drinking hot chocolate? The Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Brewer can easily brew a batch that can satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth in a single brewing cycle.

Value

Affordable and gives great value for money.

Functionality

Easy to use but the machine leaks water and can be difficult to clean.

The Earls Overall Rating

The Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Brewer is great for large groups and the internal drink reservoir keeps the beverages hot and fresh for hours!

Cuisinart CHW-12 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker

Whether you want to make your own hot chocolate from scratch inside the machine or you just want hot water to mix hot chocolate in your mug, the Cuisinart CHW-12 does both jobs without breaking a sweat.

Value

Great price point but disappointing customer service if something goes wrong with your machine.

Functionality

Easy to use but be careful with the temperature control because it can burn the plastic parts.

The Earls Overall Rating

One of the best things about the Cuisinart CHW-12 is that you can program it the night before so that you can wake up to a fresh cup of hot chocolate in the morning!

Ninja Hot and Cold Brewed System, Auto-iQ Tea and Coffee Maker

Having a Ninja Hot & Cold Brewed System is like having your own barista at home: simply pick your drink and let the machine do all the hard work!

Value

Somewhat pricey and the customer service is disappointing.

Functionality

Makes great hot chocolate but difficult to clean afterwards.

The Earls Overall Rating

Do you love hot chocolate? What about iced hot chocolate? The Ninja Hot & Cold Brewed System can make those of you with just the touch of a button AND froth your milk!

Parting Shots

That’s it, our rundown of the 5 best coffee machine for making hot chocolate. We know that you’re excited to go out and get one for yourself so that you can start enjoying delicious coffee and hot chocolate. Whether you want something easy to use like the AICOK Single Serve or coffee machine that allows you to customize your drink like the Mr. Coffee Optimal Brew, make sure that you choose a machine that fit your budget, your drinking preferences, and the space you have in your kitchen! 

Related Articles