HOT TO GO
We tried 6 dupes for Hotel Chocolat’s £99.95 Velvetiser – Aldi’s £25 buy works great & B&M’s is even cheaper
One is also great for cappuccinos and milkshakes
NOTHING perks up a winter's day like a silky smooth cup of hot chocolate.
But you no longer have to put up with a few teaspoons of powder mixed with hot water or milk to get your fix.
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The Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser has taken homemade hot chocolate up a level - and now Aldi has launched a £24.99 dupe of the luxury drink maker.
Here, writer Lynsey Hope puts both gadgets to the test alongside five other budget-friendly rivals…
Hotel Chocolat The Velvetiser, £99.95,
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The original luxury hot chocolate machine has sold out numerous times since its launch in 2018 and is an influencer favourite.
When I give it a whirl, I can understand the hype.
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It’s so easy to use - simply add chocolate, pour milk to the fill line and you have a cafe-standard drink in two-and-a-half minutes.
Cleaning is a doddle too. Refill with water, add a dash of washing up liquid and switch on again, before rinsing.
My only complaint is the size, producing one 200ml cup at a time, so you can’t do a family batch in one go.
Rating: 4/5
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This B&M buy is a must-have dupe of Hotel Chocolat's Velvetiser
Salter The Chocolatier Milk Frother Hot Chocolate Maker, £34.99,
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This gadget is slightly bigger than The Velvetiser, with a 240ml capacity - and a third of the price.
It’s also multi-purpose, able to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos as well as cold drinks like frappes and milkshakes, with a user-friendly touch control panel.
The compact size won’t take up much counter space and makes it easy to store away, if you’d rather.
The Chocolatier only takes a few minutes and while the result wasn’t as smooth as The Velvetiser, only connoisseurs would notice the difference.
It’s easy to clean afterwards, with a non-stick coating and removable whisk.
Rating: 3/5
Aldi Ambiano Hot Chocolate Maker, £24.99,
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My first go wasn’t very successful - I added too much milk and the drink wasn’t hot enough.
But if you go for the lower fill line, it only took a couple of minutes for a lump-free, velvety smooth result at the perfect temperature for instant drinking.
Size-wise, it doesn’t take up tons of space and looks smart enough for the kitchen counter, but has a huge 450ml capacity, the biggest I tested.
It couldn’t be easier to clean as the base only needs a wipe and the detachable cup is dishwasher safe.
Impressive stuff - and an absolute bargain.
Rating: 5/5
ProCook Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker, £62.10,
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This is a great option for families, with a 400ml capacity.
While that makes it a little slower - taking five minutes for a batch - it meant I didn’t have two lots and we could all have a hot drink at the same time.
The gadget is incredibly simple.
Pour in the right amount of milk and your chosen powder or flakes, then press the button three times to reach the symbol.
The result was silky, rich and decadent, plus the perfect temperature.
The price is mid-range but still a third less than The Velvetiser and very robust.
A real crowd-pleaser.
Rating: 5/5
Heat and Eat Hot Chocolate Maker, £20,
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This copper machine is a stylish copy of one of the Hotel Chocolat colour options and is a cinch to use, making up to 250ml at a time.
Add milk and chocolate before selecting one of four settings - warm and firm foam, warm and creamy foam, heat milk with little foam or cold foam.
For the £20 price tag, I wasn’t expecting much but it mixed the chocolate really well.
While it wasn't the hottest, my drink had a smooth and creamy feel in the mouth.
There’s also an easy-to-clean non-stick surface and removable whisk.
It's currently £5 off too - a total bargain buy.
Rating: 4/5
4-in-1 Chocolatier, £59,
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I loved the sleek look of this MenKind machine, which has a generous 350ml capacity.
It's a simple touch screen display with easy controls.
But there are two max lines, one for frothing and one for heating milk, and I wasn't entirely clear which was best for hot chocolate.
The drink only took a few minutes to prepare but when I used flakes in place of powder, it wasn't fully mixed and I had to run it again.
The result was delicious, if a little hot.
You also get two stylish glasses for the price and it’s no bother to clean.
Rating: 3/5
VpiuV Electric Milk Frother, £29.99,
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This is a solid option - smart looking, under £30 and you can use it to froth milk or make hot chocolate.
The 350ml capacity was brilliant when I had my three kids all keen to get a hot drink at the same time.
It couldn't be simpler to use, with a one touch operation, and it was quicker than a lot of the others, producing silky and smooth milk in a matter of seconds and not much longer for a hot chocolate.
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It's lightweight too. I wasn't wowed by it - but no real complaints.
Rating: 3/5
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