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Tested and Approved: In terms of the best milkshake machines, the Hamilton Beach 730C DrinkMaster is an excellent option due to its affordability and a powerful motor that enables optimal blending. However, for those requiring a machine to handle heavy-duty tasks and cater to large gatherings, the Waring WDM360TX is an ideal choice. Its automatic timer for shutdown and speed settings offer convenience and practicality, particularly when operating from a distance.
If you’ve ever attempted to make a milkshake at home using a regular juice blender, you may have noticed the lack of thickness and richness compared to commercial options. This is where investing in a high-quality milkshake maker comes in handy. These machines offer the perfect balance of spinning power and force needed to create the perfect milkshake during snack time.
After extensive research and testing, we have curated a list of milkshake makers that cater to your needs. These selected machines have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they provide the ideal blend of richness, taste, and thickness that you crave in your milkshake.
8 Best Milkshake Makers You Can Buy in 2023
- Best For Home Use: Hamilton Beach 730C DrinkMaster
- Best Overall: Breville BSB510XL
- Best Commercial: Waring Commercial WDM120TX
- Best Budget: Nostalgia MLKS100COKE
- Best Classic: Brentwood Classic Milkshake Maker
- Best Heavy-Duty: Hamilton Beach HMD200
- Best for Cocktails: KitchenAid K150
- Best Durable: Waring WDM360TX
- Best portable: Nostalgia MLKS100BL
- Best for kids: ZOKU Jumbo Slush and Shake Maker
- Runner-up Commercial: Omega Commercial Milk Shake Maker
1. Hamilton Beach 730C DrinkMaster
Traditional stainless steel milkshake maker
Specifications
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
The Hamilton Beach 730C DrinkMaster is the best milkshake maker I have ever used. Its spindle attachment ensures thorough mixing of juices, blends, and shakes, delivering just the right consistency. The machine’s retro design is available in chrome and white plastic, both of which are sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. The chrome version looks especially sophisticated and blends in well with other appliances.
Cleaning the 730C DrinkMaster is a breeze, thanks to its detachable storage jar/juice container that can be easily washed with soap and water. I’ve found that harsh cleaning agents should be avoided as they can damage the chrome body.
The machine’s 28-ounce capacity and decent motor power make it perfect for lightweight tasks like soft fruits and vegetables. However, it may struggle when handling ice or hard fruits. Nonetheless, I have found that it works perfectly fine for making milkshakes, Strawberry Banana Smoothie, and Peach Smoothie.
Operating the 730C DrinkMaster is straightforward, with its tilting head and two-speed settings making it perfect for making milkshakes, protein shakes, blended cocktails, and more. Its versatility is unmatched, making it an excellent addition to any kitchen.
While the motor may not be suitable for heavy-duty or prolonged usage, it is still a powerful and cost-effective choice for making milkshakes and most smoothies, delivering a consistent and thick shake like those found in commercial establishments. Overall, I highly recommend the Hamilton Beach 730C DrinkMaster to anyone looking to create delicious and frothy milkshakes at home.
2. Breville BSB510XL
Best blender for making every type of smoothies, juices, and shakes
Specifications
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Breville BSB510XL offers a powerful motor, anti-suction control, ergonomic handles, and scratch-less base to boost perfect functionality. Its 280-watt motor delivers raw power with 15-speed settings for making smoothies and milkshakes.
Due to its larger size and power, the wireless whisk is usable anywhere in the kitchen. It is perfect for whisking items that require being placed in an open container, such as a pot, jar, etc. The stainless steel blades do the perfect job of chopping and blending everything for those who like smoothies, milkshakes, and cocktails. The eight-inch long shaft works perfectly without hiccups for soups and in the jug.
This set is safe, comfortable, ergonomically designed, and has a non-slip surface. With fifteen different settings, it lets you control how much power the machine uses. Once complete, the blending jug can easily be converted into an efficient storage container and placed inside a chopping bowl to maximize space and make it easier to use.
The stainless steel cutting blades on the 25-ounce chopping bowl make it easy to quickly chop the fruit and vegetables. You can throw anything from fruits, dry fruits, and vegetables up against the cutting blades, and they will evenly chop and make a homogenous mixer for the milkshakes. The 42 oz blender has excellent performance, doing what blenders do best.
In terms of its drawback, the size of the milkshake maker is not suitable for the tabletops that don’t have enough space for tall equipment. You can adjust the things according to the situation, but with low-lying countertops and tabletops, it can feel taller to handle.
Overall, Breville BSB510XL is an excellent milkshake maker with hundreds of trusted customers. Paired with the 280-watt motor and 15-speed settings, it is a machine worth considering a purchase if you want to try several recipes besides milkshakes.
3. Waring Commercial WDM120TX
Best commercial blender for smoothies and milkshake
Specifications
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
The Waring Commercial WDM12TX is an exceptional milkshake maker that can help you create the perfect blend of ingredients. With its stainless steel high precision and durable blades, this machine can cut through ice, vegetables, and fruits with ease. Its 1 HP motor is incredibly powerful and can spin the blades with a force that is unparalleled by other machines. If you’re looking for more control over your milkshake-making process, this is the right machine for you.
The WDM12TX has a sturdy stainless steel body that is built to last. Both the external body and the spindle that makes the drink spin are made of the same material, making this machine incredibly reliable. Cleaning this machine is straightforward thanks to its design and materials, but it’s important to follow the instructions given in the manual as it’s not suitable for dishwasher cleaning.
This milkshake maker comes with many features that are worth appreciating. For instance, it has a large LCD that shows the progress of the ongoing process. Not only is the screen large enough to read from a distance, but it also displays all the necessary information. The Waring milkshake maker is quite innovative, and you don’t have to rely on preset values as it provides you with complete control over the process.
The WDM12TX is a solid performer regardless of the material you use for mixing and blending. You can manually set the speed using the buttons and LCD and get the desired shake thickness. The auto shutdown option is also helpful as you can set the timer and do other tasks. Once the shake is ready, you can pick it up from the machine.
In our testing and review, the Waring WDM12TX was a solid choice for commercial-grade milkshake makers. We tested it with banana, strawberry, apple, and mango, and it blended all the materials with consistent thickness and taste. Making ice cream shakes was no issue as the shake showed the same thickness and consistency that we expect from commercial-grade machines.
It’s important to note that the Waring WDM12TX is not dishwasher friendly. If you rely on washing appliances and their parts using a dishwasher, you may want to consider other options. It’s also slightly more expensive than its competitors, which could be a factor for buyers looking for affordable options. However, the build quality and materials used in this machine justify its price.
Overall, the Waring WDM12TX milkshake maker is a top-performing machine that is durable, sturdy, and reliable. Its 1HP motor and timer settings provide the best performance you can get from a milkshake maker at this price. While it may not be the most affordable option, it certainly ranks above others in terms of performance and practicality.
4. Nostalgia MLKS100COKE
Best budget milkshake maker
Specifications
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
If you are a Coca-Cola collector and like homemade shakes, the Nostalgia MLKS100COKE is the best for both worlds. It blends the design and logo of Coca-Cola with the portable design of the milkshake maker in a compact package. Not only does it feels nice on the countertop or shelf, but it also works pretty well for making shakes of any kind. You can use it to make vegetable and fruit shakes, smoothies, and cocktails.
The food-grade stainless steel feels nice on the machine. It increases its durability while allowing it to stand against the test of years of usage. The food-grade materials used in the Nostalgia milkshake maker ensure healthy and fresh juice delivery. The material is not prone to corrode, making it a perfect fit for making healthy juices and shakes free from contamination.
Not only is the apparent design of the Nostalgia milkshake maker practical, but its base also sits firmly on the table and countertop. The weight of the base enables it to stand firm on any platform, allowing it to withstand the machine’s whirling movement. It is essential during the shaking process as you don’t want the machine to lose its balance and spill all the liquid over the place.
Similar to most other milkshake makers, the Nostalgia has two-speed controls. These controls let you handle the tasks with precision. Due to its large storage capacity, you can make a serving of 16 oz. So, in one go, you can do a service for yourself and your couple of friends without spending much time on the machine.
The 100-watt motor is sufficient to supply power for making smoothies and milkshakes. You can even blend various other items, given the load on the machine remains within the bearable limit. You cannot expect it to perform well with heavy-duty tasks as you only pay for a 100W motor. Although the milkshake maker lacks in a few areas, it delivers the performance it promises for the money spent.
The first thing I noticed while testing the Nostalgia milkshake maker is the lack of power I already discussed in the above lines. It takes slightly longer to quickly finish a job that you can do on other milkshake makers. You should beware before buying that the mixer is non-removable. It does not separate from the body, making the cleaning and maintenance slightly challenging. Other than that, it works fine for most tasks it claims on the sales page.
Overall, the Nostalgia MLKS100COKE is one of the best milkshake makers at an affordable price. It compromises the motor speed and power but not much that you cannot make milkshakes or smoothies. It has a plastic body that may feel slightly cheaper than the chrome or stainless steel counterparts but have good aesthetic value. The Coca-Cola logo adds to its appeal, making it a solid choice if you are into the looks and feel.
Related: Best reusable straws for smoothies.
5. Brentwood Classic Milkshake Maker
Features & Specs:
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
If you are a hostelite, a fitness freak who enjoys having protein shakes or just want to enjoy your shake for yourself, this cute little milk shaker maker is just for you. Brentwood classic milkshake maker is a small, compact, and handy device.
It has a capacity of 450ml and makes a variety of milkshakes. It can blend ice cream, fruits, and nuts very well to make amazing shake mixes for your everyday use. The benefit of having a small and compact device is that you can carry it anywhere with you.
Another thing that I, as a homemaker appreciate is that it is easy to clean. You can simply wash it with a mild liquid dishwasher and lukewarm water to make it sparkling clean. It also has a safety switch which automatically turns off the machine if you remove the cup. This prevents any hazards with blade or spilling accidents.
Since it is small and has relatively lower power than regular shake makers, I could not use it for a heavy load. The mixing wand becomes unstable at times. If you want a milkshake maker for large batches, try using Breville BSB510XL, as it is larger and more powerful. It also offers experimenting with foods and creating drinks beyond simple milkshakes.
Overall, it is ideal for young kids, people living in hostels, or some fitness freaks who regularly want a small serving of shakes. However, upon using this at my home, I noticed that this milkshake maker is perfect for a single person.
6. Hamilton Beach HMD200
Best milkshake machine for heavy-duty tasks
Specifications
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
The Hamilton Beach HMD200 milkshake maker is a fantastic choice for your establishment, offering several benefits. It can mix drinks twice as fast as regular mixers, saving time and increasing productivity. It is also very durable, ensuring that it will last for years. With enough power to make smoothies, cocktails, and milkshakes of any kind, this machine is a versatile option.
The Hamilton Beach HMD200 is built to last, with a heavy-duty die-cast housing that can handle everyday use. It has a sleek silver finish and lower suction cups that keep the unit steady during use. The dishwasher-safe ergonomic drinking cup has a unique design that allows for simultaneous and quick usage, making serving drinks effortless.
This milkshake maker comes with two levels to control the speed, making it useful in various situations. The first level acts as a pulse switch for making smoothies and shakes, while the second level offers instant control by attaching and detaching the cup. With a powerful 1/3 HP motor, you can make fresh servings anytime, and the speed settings help in making vegetable shakes and cocktails.
During testing, the only drawback was the lack of an agitator, which you must buy separately to mix all ingredients inside the milkshake maker uniformly. However, this does not affect the mixing and overall process much in most cases. The Hamilton Beach HMD200 is an excellent performer and powerhouse for mixing liquids and making milkshakes. It can blend liquids thick and make them taste like commercially available milkshakes.
Overall, the Hamilton Beach HMD200 milkshake maker is a versatile and durable machine that can handle various tasks. Its construction quality is impressive, ensuring a long-lasting lifetime. It is no less than any commercial-grade milkshake maker in terms of performance, high-quality drink mixing, and overall handling.
7. KitchenAid K150
Best milkshake mixer for cocktails
Specifications
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
The KitchenAid K150 milkshake maker is an affordable option that can handle commercial-grade milkshake making. Its simple design with no extra accessories is paired with three-speed settings, making it a perfect choice for any task, including crushing ice, making smoothies, and preparing milkshakes of any kind. The stainless steel blades ensure a perfect blend with the right consistency.
While the KitchenAid K150 features a minimal design with no attachments, its overall size provides a bulky look. However, the machine is surprisingly lightweight and easy to lift. The jar and lids are detachable, providing ample storage space in vertical spaces.
The build quality of the KitchenAid K150 milkshake maker is exceptional, with a sturdy and reliable feel despite the primary material being plastic. The base has a solid motor, while the control dial for speed has metal construction and the transmission gears have steel. The only exception is the handle, which can feel cheap.
During testing, the KitchenAid K150 performed well, with a powerful motor and three preset speed levels. The pulse or ice crushing mode is helpful for crushing ice into fine-textured commercial-grade material. The blender’s performance is powerful, taking only up to two minutes to mix and blend everything you put in it.
The only downside is the lack of manual presets or speed controls. It has only three preset values, which can do most jobs perfectly, but if you need more control, the Waring WDM360TX is a better choice as it has manual timers for perfect blends of fruits and vegetables.
Overall, the KitchenAid K150 is a great choice for making bar-quality mixtures, smoothies, and milkshakes. Its extraordinary potential for crushing ice fits well in this niche. The blender’s performance is great, and the material selection is impressive, mostly featuring durable plastic and stainless steel. While it lacks manual control, it is still a reliable and affordable option for commercial-grade milkshake making.
8. Waring WDM360TX
Best commercial milkshake maker
Specifications
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
The Waring WEM360TX is a highly durable and reliable milkshake maker that offers great performance for commercial usage. Its high-precision stainless steel blades and powerful motor can blend everything from milkshakes, smoothies, to vegetables and ice with ease. The design is simple yet innovative, with an LCD screen and touch controls that enable you to control the auto shut down timers.
This milkshake maker comes with three containers for storage and making milkshakes simultaneously, and two variable spindles can mix anything from milkshakes to smoothies without any extra effort. The three-spindle version is practical for individual or simultaneous usage. The lifetime lubricant takes care of the top ball bearings of this milkshake maker, making it ideal for home and commercial use.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Waring WEM360TX cannot be put in the dishwasher. It’s also more expensive than some competitors, but the build quality and materials used justify the price.
Overall, the Waring WEM360TX is an excellent option for anyone looking for a reliable and durable appliance for making shakes and smoothies. Its 1HP motor provides great performance, and with a cULus approval and NSF certification and a limited warranty of one year, you can be assured that it is not just gimmickry.
9. Nostalgia MLKS100BL
Best portable milkshake machine
Specifications
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Nostalgia MLKS100BL milkshake maker is a portable yet powerful machine that is perfect for household usage. With its 100-watt motor, it powers the stirrer efficiently, giving you the perfect consistency and thickness you desire for milkshakes. It is also lightweight and easy to carry around, making it a great option for those who like to entertain guests.
The design of the Nostalgia MLKS100BL is modern with a hint of retro style, reminiscent of the old commercial milkshake makers we saw in soda shops during childhood. The shake maker comes with one stainless steel cup and rod that are food-safe, rust-proof, and corrosion-proof, ensuring that they remain in good condition for years to come. Cleaning these components is a breeze, and they require no extra care.
The Nostalgia MLKS100BL comes with two-speed settings that allow for versatile usage. Its chrome-plated motor is not only classy but also durable, providing you with a high level of sturdiness. The milkshake maker’s bottom is well-insulated and weighted, ensuring that it stays in place and reduces the impact of motor vibrations, especially when blending vegetables or fruits for smoothies or shakes.
However, its machine quality is slightly questionable for commercial use, as it may not be able to handle large quantities or more demanding tasks like ice crushing. Unfortunately, the motor’s power of 100 watts has its limits, but it works perfectly for most jobs. The milkshake cup has calibration for exact readings, making it easy to attach and detach and prepare daily meals or malt without stress.
Overall, if you are in the market for a milkshake maker that does its job without breaking the bank, the Nostalgia MLKS100BL is an excellent pick. While it may have a plastic body that feels less durable than stainless steel or aluminum machines, it is sturdy enough to withstand years of usage. Its affordability makes it a great fit for any kitchen, and it works flawlessly for its intended operations.
10. ZOKU Jumbo Slush and Shake Maker
Features & Specs:
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
Zoku Jumbo slush and shake maker will be your best friend this summer. It helps you to make the best and most healthy slushies and milkshakes. You can also make frozen alcoholic drinks and fruit smoothies. Making you a perfect and reliable drink takes only 7 minutes on the countertop.
The milkshake maker ensures high performance with its design-driver strategy. You don’t need to add ice, heavy tools, or a constant electric outlet. You can enjoy your 10-ounce cup outside the maker without connecting it with power. The shaker is highly easy to use, and you can freeze your shaker’s inner core inside the freezer for 8-plus hours.
It can work great as fun for kids and adults; you can experiment with multiple ingredients and make a new perfect experience. You can also make the perfect blended fruit drink with it.
11. Omega Commercial Milk Shake Maker
Features & Specs:
What We Like
What We Don’t Like
The Omega drink mixer is a powerful soda fountain-style mixer that makes the perfect milkshakes, malted milk, soda fountain drinks, and other health drinks. The material is stainless steel, and the blender contains 28 ounces of mixing cup. It gives you enough space to make a perfectly delicious cup.
One of the best features I admire about this amazing milk shaker is its three speeds that help you blend and mix the shake and bring out a smooth and perfect textured milkshake. The whole tool is easy to use; you must add the products and press the button, and your smoothie will be ready in minutes.
Since this is a miltipurpose milkshake machine, you can use it for more than one thing. You can not only make more than one drink, but also make the fluffier batter and beat eggs for your omelets and other scrambles.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are different milkshake machines available in the market. Some of the best machines, including Waring WDM360TX and Breville BSB510Xl, make the best milkshake. Always consider the points highlighted in the buyer’s guide to choose the best machine for a milkshake.
Blenders work with an electric motor present at their base. They have a sharp steel blade that rotates with a glass or plastic container. The milkshake machine has a powerful motor that helps mix multiple ingredients in a large metal and helps keep the ingredient cold and prevent them from being thin or watery.
A milkshake machine or drink mixer is a kitchen appliance used to make a milkshake. This countertop electric mixer is a blender alternative that helps make milkshakes, flavored milk, and frappes. You can also make many blended beverages as well.
Buying Tips For the Milkshake Makers
I have listed a few considerations you must consider when buying the milkshake maker. Once you go through these, you will better understand what to buy for your needs.
- The motor power is the first feature you should look for in a milkshake maker. Usually, the milkshake makers are made to blend various ingredients, including thick liquids, fruits, and vegetables. They need a powerful motor to blend the mixture homogeneously. Motor power of more than 100 watts is fine for most jobs, while more than 300 watts is required for commercial-grade ingredients. Waring WDM360TX is the perfect pick for such raw power, thanks to its motors offering more than 700 watts.
- While making the milkshake, the speed levels offered by the machine play a vital role. However, speed levels don’t matter for most tasks; having a power setting for heavy-duty jobs is better. If you want simple start/pause, auto blend, and pulse functions, Waring Commercial WDM120TX is all you need. If you want more control over the speed settings, Waring WDM360TX can address your needs quite well.
- The number and size of cups matter greatly when choosing the milkshake maker. Both features link with the size of serving you want from each round. If you have more people at home, consider buying a milkshake with a higher capacity and more cups. Milkshake makers like Nostalgia MLKS100BL have a single cup and a 16 to 28 oz capacity. For larger serving, choose between Breville BSB510XL and Waring WDM360TX, as they offer three cups.
- The material used in constructing the milkshake makers certainly affects the decision-making process. These machines’ most common materials are plastic, stainless steel, and aluminum cast. The sturdy material is the right choice for heavy-duty handling tasks and long-term usage. Nostalgia MLKS100COKE offers all plastic bodies, while Hamilton Beach HMD200 offers stainless steel bodies. You can buy Hamilton Beach 730C DrinkMaster if you want a stainless steel milkshake maker with a balance of all the above features.
- Last on the features list is the ease of cleaning the milkshake makers. It is essential as you don’t want to buy a model that gives you a hard time cleaning. Most milkshake makers with detachable parts are dishwasher friendly, while a few offer cup or storage container cleaning. Hamilton Beach 730C DrinkMaster offers a tilt-back mechanism for easy cleaning, which comes in handy when you don’t have much time to deal with maintenance.
- ooking for one that is not too heavy and prone to shifting while using it. Color is also an essential factor to consider to suit your personal preferences.
How We Tested?
We have invested many hours in researching and testing various milkshake makers to bring you the best options available in the market. Our rigorous analysis focused on factors such as materials, speed settings, motor power, and cup capacity to ensure that the machines we recommend meet the highest standards of quality and performance.
Our shortlisted milkshake makers provide great value for money and come with all the features you need to make the perfect milkshake. We have carefully selected products that have excellent built quality and are reliable for a worry-free experience. Most of the machines are dishwasher safe, making them easy to clean, while others require manual cleaning of certain parts.
Our recommended milkshake makers have powerful motors and speeds sufficient for home usage, with a few models capable of commercial usage. This is a testament to their strength and ability to handle a wide range of milkshake and smoothie recipes.
All the machines featured on our list have a large cup capacity, perfect for single servings. The size may vary depending on the model and brand, but they are all ideal for most tasks. For larger family-sized servings, we have included milkshake makers with more than one cup for filling and storing the milkshake before preparation and serving. With our carefully curated list of milkshake makers, you can enjoy the perfect milkshake experience from the comfort of your home.
Why Trust TheLadyChef?
Adalynn Ward, a professional chef with extensive experience in testing kitchen appliances, is a part of the expert team at TheLadyChef. They rigorously test and analyze the performance of various kitchen appliances, including milkshake makers, to shortlist the best options available in the market. The products that make it to their list are selected based on their criteria and practicality, ensuring that customers don’t end up with inferior products.
Adalynn Ward has spent countless hours testing and reviewing hundreds of kitchen appliances, and her expertise is reflected in the detailed buying guides she has written for TheLadyChef. After evaluating home and commercial milkshake makers of varying qualities, she has selected the best options based on their performance and usage. Her vast experience in testing and reviewing kitchen appliances enables her to identify the critical factors that customers should consider when selecting a milkshake maker for achieving the desired consistency and thickness.
