Outstanding machine with loads of uses
First off the TLDR: If you have an espresso machine, buy this. The Maestri 4 in 1 is a solidly built little machine that I truly enjoy using. It has a one piece stainless steel pitcher that is dishwasher safe and the spinner has a removable metal frother. So the only plastic touching your beverage is the small plastic spinner. As of January 2026, there is a coupon for $20, off making it $48 and for this price it simply cannot be beat. Now, if you’d like to know why I bought this over the Velvitiser read on. This is meant to be detailed and helpful for those looking at these two machines or wanting to get the most out of this one. First, cost did not really factor in. I mean I’m not looking to get ripped off, but I would rather wait and save for a superior machine, than purchase an inferior one that I will be unhappy with and is likely to break on me. Just getting that out of the way. Also I looked at the new hot and cold cocoa maker that comes with the hot cocoa mug and the iced chocolate milk glass, as well as a starter kit of 10 cocoa pouches, 5 hot and 5 cold. $179. So why did I get this instead? 1. The Velvitiser, while a beautiful machine (and it is pretty) uses a proprietary hook type spinner to whisk the cocoa while it heats it. Because of this, it is designed to be used with their proprietary hot cocoa packets, which is why 10 are included. You can upgrade to 40. And of course more are on the site. There are also subscription options. However this unit was specifically designed for the cocoa butter content, size of granules, and melting point of their chocolate, you cannot use ANY OTHER chocolate, powder, matcha, etc with it - and doing so VOIDS your warranty. Now people have done it, mostly after a year when the warranty runs out. But they risk burning out the motor. The Maestri on the other hand can use just about anything. As long as you don’t drop a whole azz bar of chocolate in the thing, you’re golden. So far, the chocolate I’ve used is: Cocoa powder, Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Chocolate, and Ghirardelli white chocolate which I grated. They worked beautifully and the drinks were delicious. Also, unlike the Velvitiser, “based on the Aztec Molinillo”, I can grate and use Abuelitas Mexican Chocolate. Take that! Also, this machine goes beyond chocolate, see point 3 for other options. 2. It only holds 8 oz. Well technically 9oz but it counts on 8 oz of milk and an oz of chocolate. Hope you’re not married. Or have a boyfriend. Or a big mug. I wanna make a hot chocky for hubby and me. If I’d gotten this I would have had to make the first mug, give it to him, refill with more milk, more chocolate, and wait for the machine. And let’s be honest, by the time my mug was ready, his would be empty. 😩 The Maestri holds two cups or 16oz, and if you pour that into the pitcher you are still well under the Max Fill Line. It’s plenty to share or for my biggest mugs it’s also great when I make iced drinks or soup which brings me to 3. The Velvitiser was very limited. I had my choice of hot cocoa or the next big thing, COLD cocoa newly introduced in September 2025. That’s it. And I hope you like their flavors cause they are your only options. Now I’m not gonna lie, they look delicious. And they almost had me with the banana milk. But they are clearly operating on a subscription model here. Also, I wanted more options. So the Maestri whispered cold foam and here we are. I’m glad I went with this because yes, the Maestri 4 in 1 will do cold foam. It will also do all kinds of cold drinks. If you have an espresso maker buy this. I should probably put that at the top. Mix any of your syrups or sauces with milk and hit the first button (snowflake). Cookie Butter Milk. Hazelnut Milk. I will buy banana syrup and have Banana Milk (I hope it tastes like Banana Runts), And you can use it to mix up your morning protein shake, as long as it’s not super thick (this is not a blender). I make protein coffee so this is a HUGE step up from my old crappy shaker with the little wire ball in it. Of course you can heat and foam your milk for cappuccinos and lattes, middle button. But I also take out the foaming ring and use that setting to make veggie broth, miso soup, and vegan ginger chik’n broth. As long as you don’t have veggies or other chunks in there you can heat up/cook any clear broth. The last button is the Cocoa button. I’ve made tons of stuff with that. Hot chocolate, mocha, golden milk, matcha, and even chai. Be sure to heat your water and milk using the machine, then steep your tea. Remove your tea bag or loose tea and spices before you run the machine again to add your sugar. None of this was possible with the Velvitiser. This machine looks nice on my espresso bar, I like that the pitcher is held to the base magnetically. I love how easy it is to clean. But most of all I absolutely love how versatile it is. I’ve only had it a short period of time but it has become central to my drink making. I use it each morning for my espresso, I use it to make an iced drink at some point during the day, and it’s winter so I am using it to make a broth most days as well. So yeah, glad I went with the Maestri 4 in 1. It’s my favorite new addition to the espresso station.