A nut milk maker turns a handful of almonds, oats or soybeans and some water into fresh milk, and most of them spare you the straining bag. They do this in very different ways. Some are cold and take a minute, some heat and grind for 15 minutes or more, and one here is not a machine at all.
That difference matters more than any feature list, above all for soy. This guide covers seven options, from a big cold batch for a family to a small hot one for a single cup, and says plainly which ones have independent reviews and which rest on the maker’s details.
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Quick verdict: which milk machine to buy
For most homes, the best nut milk maker is the Almond Cow: one button, 5 to 6 cups, about a minute, with the clearest independent coverage here. For coffee and a long warranty, choose the Nama M1. For small hot batches with an automatic rinse, choose the ChefWave Milkmade. If soy is the main goal, go for a heated Joyoung.
Five milk makers at a glance
Our five standout picks side by side, one for each kind of buyer, with what each maker, listing or reviewer states. All seven are covered in full below.
| Milk maker | Best for | Key detail | Keep in mind | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Almond Cow Milk MakerBest overall
|
Families who drink it daily | 5 to 6 cups, cold, one button | Hand washing, no heat | View on Amazon |
Nama M1 Plant-Milk MakerBest for coffee
|
Latte drinkers and pulp savers | About 32 fl oz, no soaking | No heat, and a premium buy | View on Amazon |
ChefWave MilkmadeBest for small hot batches
|
One or two people, hot drinks | 10 or 20 oz, six presets | Fine pulp, may need straining | View on Amazon |
GreenPan 30 oz Nut Milk MakerMost versatile
|
Mixed use, soups as well as milk | 30 oz, six dial presets | Buyer reports only, no test found | View on Amazon |
Chef’n Nut Milk MakerBest non-electric
|
Blender owners who make it now and then | 32 oz carafe, mesh filter | Needs a blender, no heat | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Details are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best nut milk maker
We start with the three machines that independent writers have covered, then move to heated soy-style machines, and finish with a non-electric option. Each pick says who it suits and gives one honest reason to skip it. The Nutr, which reviewers rate highly, did not turn up as an in-stock Amazon listing when we checked, so it is not here, and neither is the Tribest Soyabella, which was out of stock.
1. Almond Cow Milk Maker – Big Batches in About a Minute
If you want a jug of cold almond or cashew milk with the least fuss, this is the machine to look at first. You add nuts, seeds or grains, press the one button, and the machine separates the pulp for you, so there is no bag to wring out. The maker rates a batch at 5 to 6 cups, and the listing gives the footprint as 12 by 9.5 by 6.5 inches.
Reviewed compared it directly with the Nutr. Its writer found it ran much quieter and made the larger batches, and called it a strong choice for speed and family-sized jugs. That review also explains the limits. Coconut milk came out watery, with hard bits of fat after chilling, and the writer blamed the one-minute cycle. The oat recipe called for a four-hour soak and some oil, and the writer suggested leaving the oil out.
Two more things to plan for. Five cups is the smallest batch, and Reviewed puts the milk’s fridge life at about five days, so a light drinker may pour some away. It also does not heat, as One Green Planet notes, so cook soybeans before you use it for soy milk (see the soy section below). Homes & Gardens named it its almond milk pick.
Why we like it
- The maker rates each batch at 5 to 6 cups
- Reviewed found it much quieter than the Nutr
- A single button runs the whole cycle
- The machine separates the pulp, so no straining bag is needed
Key specifications
| Model | Almond Cow |
|---|---|
| Batch size | 5 to 6 cups |
| Heats the milk | No |
| Programs | One button |
| Straining | Built in |
| Soaking | Depends on the recipe |
| Cleaning | By hand |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits households that go through a jug every few days and mostly want cold nut milk. The large batch and short cycle are the reasons to choose it.
Skip it if you live alone, want hot drinks or hate hand-washing: Reviewed found the heavy lid and sharp blades made cleaning awkward.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest batch here
- Very short cycle
- Simple one-button use
Cons
- No self-clean, and not dishwasher safe, according to Reviewed
- No heat
- Reviewed found its coconut milk watery
2. Nama M1 Plant-Milk Maker – Creamy Milk, Dry Pulp
The Nama M1 blends and strains in one container, and the maker says no soaking or straining bag is needed. What sets it apart is the pulp, which comes out dry enough to reuse in baking. The box includes a pitcher with lid, a pulp pouch and a cleaning brush.
Homes & Gardens named it its coconut milk pick. The fullest owner account we read is on The Green Creator, whose writer used one daily for months and reported smooth almond, cashew, oat and pistachio milks that frothed well for coffee. That writer also reported quick cleanup, with fewer parts than an Almond Cow and a built-in rinse. Treat that review with some care: its links carry a referral code, and the writer asked Nama for a reader discount.
The same review gives the catch. A batch is about 32 fl oz, smaller than an Almond Cow, and there is no heater, so soybeans must be cooked first. One Green Planet calls it the most expensive of its picks, so this is a machine for regular use, not a trial run.
Why we like it
- Nama backs it with a 15-year warranty, the longest here
- The maker says no soaking or straining bag is needed
- The Green Creator’s writer reports dry, reusable pulp
- Works with nuts, seeds and grains, according to the maker
Key specifications
| Model | MM100 |
|---|---|
| Batch size | About 32 fl oz, per The Green Creator |
| Heats the milk | No |
| Programs | Not stated on the listing |
| Straining | Built in |
| Soaking | Not needed, according to Nama |
| Cleaning | Brush and rinse cycle |
| Warranty | 15 years |
Why we recommend it
It suits daily coffee drinkers who care most about texture and who would use the pulp. The long warranty also makes more sense for someone who plans to run it for years.
Skip it if you want soy milk straight from dry beans, because you will have to cook them yourself first.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Longest warranty on this page
- Dry pulp, as an owner reports
- Includes pitcher and brush
Cons
- No heat
- Smaller batch than the Almond Cow
- One Green Planet’s most expensive pick
3. ChefWave Milkmade – Six Presets, Self-Cleaning Cycle
The Milkmade works more like a small coffee machine than a blender. It has a water tank at the back, a grinding chamber you fill with a spoonful or two of ingredients, and a glass pitcher that catches the milk. There are six programs, for almond, soy, cashew, oat, macadamia and coconut, in 10 oz or 20 oz batches, and a delay start lets you plan it around your morning. The maker says no soaking is needed.
Reviewed’s writer made soy, almond, oat and cashew milks in it. The 20 oz soy program ran 16 minutes, and the writer found the nut milk grainier than store-bought and suggested a mesh filter or bag for a smoother result. So ‘no straining’ is the maker’s line, not the whole story. The Gadgeteer’s reviewer describes the milk as coming out hot and chills it for later. Homes & Gardens named it its oat milk pick.
The cleaning cycle is the real draw. It runs after a batch using water from the tank and sends the dirty water to a waste bin, so there is no jug of blades to scrub. The Gadgeteer also advises checking the steam valve for residue and descaling in hard water, and notes it needs a permanent counter spot of about 13.6 by 6.5 by 12.8 inches, with room above.
Why we like it
- Six dedicated programs, including soy
- Two batch sizes suit one or two people
- An automatic rinse sends dirty water to a separate bin
- Delay start, and a glass pitcher that goes in the fridge
Key specifications
| Model | Milkmade CW-NMM |
|---|---|
| Batch size | 10 or 20 oz |
| Heats the milk | Yes, according to The Gadgeteer |
| Programs | 6 presets |
| Straining | Built in; extra straining may help |
| Soaking | Not needed, according to ChefWave |
| Cleaning | Automatic cycle |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits one or two people who want a fresh small batch, including hot soy or oat drinks, without washing a jug afterwards.
Skip it if you want a big batch, or you dislike any fine sediment in your glass.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Runs its own rinse
- Handles six kinds of milk
- Small batches mean less waste
Cons
- Reviewed found the nut milk grainy
- 20 oz is a small batch for a family
- Takes a permanent counter spot
4. GreenPan 30 oz Nut Milk Maker – Glass Jar, Soups and Soy
GreenPan is better known for pans, and this is a heated blending jug rather than a filtering machine. The listing describes a 30 oz BPA-free glass container and a dial with presets for Soy Milk/Soup, Nut/Oat Milk, Smoothies, Boil Water, Self-Clean and a delay timer of 6 to 12 hours. It also claims soups, sauces, dips and baby food, which is why we call it the most versatile pick.
A strainer and a cleaning brush come in the box, so plan to strain if you want the milk fully smooth. Magnetic lid detection shuts the machine off when the lid is not seated, and the cord detaches. Those are maker’s claims. A search found no independent test of this machine. It did turn up buyer comments on a similar GreenPan milk maker sold at Sam’s Club as the Better Blend, saying it made smooth almond and sesame milk and cleaned itself, with one buyer wishing water heated faster.
The glass jar lets you watch the blend, and the self-clean setting saves on washing up. For a household that would use it for soup too, it earns its counter space.
Why we like it
- Glass container you can see through
- A soy milk and soup preset, plus boil water
- Magnetic lid detection stops it when the lid is not on
- Delay timer on the soy and boil settings
Key specifications
| Model | CC010346-001 |
|---|---|
| Batch size | 30 oz |
| Heats the milk | Yes |
| Programs | 6 dial presets |
| Straining | Strainer included |
| Soaking | Not stated on the listing |
| Cleaning | Self-clean setting |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits a kitchen that wants one small appliance for plant milk, soup and smoothies, from a brand you already know.
Skip it if you want an independent test before buying, because we only found buyer comments.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Does more than milk
- Glass jar
- Self-clean setting
Cons
- No independent test found
- Straining is on you
- Smaller than the Joyoung DJ13U-G91 jug
5. Joyoung DJ13U-G91 Soy Milk Maker – Stainless Jug With Warming
Joyoung has been making home soy milk machines for a long time, and this is the traditional format: a steel jug with a motor head that grinds and heats on its own. The listing gives a 900 to 1300 ml range, a 304 stainless steel jug, a warming function and a nut milk program, with a one-year warranty and a panel and recipes in English and Chinese.
A search found no independent review of this exact model, so this pick rests on the listing and on the maker’s record with similar machines. Sam Putman wrote up an older Joyoung for Cool Tools, and a household review on The Whole Health Practice covers another model, with rich soy milk in about 20 minutes and about a litre a batch. Those are different machines, so take them as a guide to the format, not as a verdict on this one. The Cool Tools write-up did warn that soaked beans beat the dry-bean mode on its model.
The listing shows it as a 120-volt product. It is sold by a third-party seller on Amazon, so read the returns terms before you buy. Expect to wash the head and jug after each batch, as no automatic rinse is listed, and to deal with the fine pulp.
Why we like it
- Built around heated soy milk, not adapted to it
- 304 stainless steel jug, according to the listing
- Warming function keeps a batch hot
- Listed for 120-volt outlets
Key specifications
| Model | DJ13U-G91 |
|---|---|
| Batch size | 900 to 1300 ml |
| Heats the milk | Yes |
| Programs | Soy and nut programs; full list not stated |
| Straining | Not stated on the listing |
| Soaking | Not stated on the listing |
| Cleaning | By hand, easy-wash design per the listing |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone whose main reason to buy is hot soy milk at breakfast, in a batch big enough to share.
Skip it if you want a machine that cleans itself, or a panel in English only.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Heats and grinds in one jug
- Family-size batch
- Stainless jug
Cons
- No review of this exact model found
- Sold by a third party
- Panel is in English and Chinese
6. Joyoung DJ10U-K1 Soy Milk Maker – Filter-Free With a Timer
This Joyoung takes a different approach from the steel jug above. The listing describes a countertop machine with a glass pot and a separate water system, filter-free grinding, and four serving sizes of 300, 500, 800 and 1000 ml. It also runs a self-cleaning cycle of rinse, steam and blade wash.
Beyond soy milk it lists rice paste, oatmeal, nut drinks, juice and coffee, and a preset timer of 3 to 12 hours lets you load it the night before. That timer is the best feature for busy mornings, but follow the manual on what can safely sit in the machine overnight. Overheating protection is listed as well.
As with the DJ13U-G91, a search found no independent review of this exact model, and the pick rests on the listing and maker. The listing shows it as a 120-volt product, with a one-year warranty, and it is sold by a third-party seller. If skipping the washing up matters most, this is the Joyoung to choose.
Why we like it
- Four serving sizes, down to 300 ml
- Self-cleaning cycle of rinse, steam and blade wash
- Preset timer of 3 to 12 hours
- Listed for 120-volt outlets
Key specifications
| Model | DJ10U-K1 |
|---|---|
| Batch size | 300 to 1000 ml |
| Heats the milk | Yes |
| Programs | Soy, rice paste, oatmeal, nut drinks, juice, coffee |
| Straining | Filter-free, according to the listing |
| Soaking | Not stated on the listing |
| Cleaning | Self-cleaning cycle |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small household that drinks soy milk most days and wants a choice of batch sizes without washing up.
Skip it if you want a review to lean on, as we could not find one for this model.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Self-cleaning
- Small to family batches
- Also listed as a kettle, juice and coffee maker
Cons
- No review of this exact model found
- Sold by a third party
- More functions than many homes need
7. Chef’n Nut Milk Maker – Carafe and Filter, Your Blender
This is the odd one out, and we want to be clear about it. The Chef’n Nut Milk Maker is not a machine. It is a 32 oz glass carafe with a reusable mesh filter, a silicone spill-proof lid and a recipe book covering almond, hazelnut, oat and coconut milk. Neither the listing nor a retailer description we read mentions a motor, and that retailer describes it as a way to blend, strain and store, so expect to do the grinding in your own blender.
What it replaces is the nut milk bag, which is the messy part of making milk by hand. You strain into the carafe, seal it and put it in the fridge. One buyer comment we found called it more of a refiner, and that is a fair way to think about it. A search found no independent test.
If you already own a strong blender, this is a low-commitment way to try homemade milk before buying a dedicated machine. Our guide to the best blender covers the machines that would do the grinding. The carafe goes on the top rack of the dishwasher, but Chef’n recommends washing the mesh filter by hand.
Why we like it
- The glass carafe doubles as fridge storage
- Reusable mesh filter replaces a bag
- Recipe book included
- Carafe is top-rack dishwasher friendly
Key specifications
| Model | 5255882 |
|---|---|
| Batch size | 32 oz |
| Heats the milk | No |
| Programs | None, not electric |
| Straining | Reusable mesh filter |
| Soaking | Depends on the recipe |
| Cleaning | Carafe top-rack; filter by hand |
| Warranty | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits someone with a good blender who makes milk now and then and wants less mess than a bag.
Skip it if you want a machine to do the work, because this needs your blender and your time.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No extra appliance on the counter
- Storage and straining in one
- Simple to clean
Cons
- Needs a blender
- No heat
- No independent test found
How to choose a nut milk maker
Hot or cold
This is the first decision. Cold machines such as the Almond Cow and Nama M1 suit almonds, cashews and oats, and they are fast. Heated machines such as the ChefWave, GreenPan and Joyoung take longer but can make hot drinks and soy milk in one go.
Soy needs heat
If soy is why you are shopping, buy a machine with a heated soy program, or cook the beans first and use them in a cold machine. Raw soybeans contain trypsin inhibitors, and a paper in the Journal of Food Science and Technology notes that heat treatment inactivates them effectively. Follow the maker’s soy instructions exactly and do not cut a program short.
Batch size and how fast you drink it
Homemade milk has none of the shelf life of a carton, so keep it cold and use it soon. Reviewed puts it at about five days for its Almond Cow batches. A big batch suits a family, while a light drinker is better off with the ChefWave’s 10 oz setting or the 300 ml setting on the Joyoung DJ10U-K1.
Cleaning
Think about washing up before you buy. If a machine is awkward to clean, it ends up in a cupboard. Self-cleaning models such as the ChefWave, GreenPan and Joyoung DJ10U-K1 rinse themselves, though it is still worth opening them up to check. Never leave a used machine sitting with milk residue inside.
How smooth you want it
Listings love the phrase “no straining”, but reviewers do not always agree. Reviewed found ChefWave’s nut milk grainy enough to want a filter. Filter-free machines grind finely and leave that fine pulp in the drink. If you want very smooth milk for coffee, budget for a fine bag or filter, or choose a machine that removes the pulp.
Allergies and shared equipment
Almonds, cashews, macadamias, coconut and soy all need thought if anyone at home has a food allergy. A machine used for tree nuts can hold traces, so a nut-free household or guest needs separate equipment, not just a quick rinse.
How we picked these seven milk makers
We have not used these machines ourselves. We started with Amazon listings, kept only new items showing plain in-stock status from identifiable makers, and left out newer brands with no independent coverage, since this equipment touches what you drink. We dropped the Numilk Home Machine because it runs on the maker’s pouches and those were not in stock on Amazon when we checked. We read Reviewed, The Gadgeteer, The Green Creator and One Green Planet, and used search summaries of Homes & Gardens’ guide. The GreenPan, both Joyoungs and the Chef’n rest on listing and maker details, with buyer comments where we found them. We checked U.S. recall records by brand and found nothing on these milk makers.
Nut and soy milk maker questions, answered
Can a soy milk maker make nut milk?
Usually, yes. The GreenPan, ChefWave and Joyoung listings all include nut programs alongside soy. Check the listing for the ingredient you plan to use most.
Is a nut milk maker better than a blender and a bag?
It is less work, not a different drink. A strong blender and a fine bag will make almond milk too. You are paying to skip the squeezing and the washing up, which is worth it if you do this several times a week.
Do I need to soak nuts first?
Often not. Nama and ChefWave both say no soaking is needed. Some recipes still ask for it, such as the Almond Cow oat recipe that Reviewed followed, so check the booklet that comes with the machine.
Can I make oat milk in these?
Most listings say so, but oat milk thickens. The Gadgeteer’s reviewer found it “thickens up quite a bit” after chilling, so a thinner recipe can help.
What can I do with the pulp?
Dry pulp, like the Nama M1 leaves, can be reused in recipes. Keep it in the fridge and use it soon, just as you would the milk.
Our final pick for homemade plant milk
Related guide: Cheesecloth alternative.
For most homes, the Almond Cow is the one to buy: it is quick, makes a real jug and has the clearest independent coverage on this page. If you already own a good machine, see our guide to the best blender and pair it with the Chef’n carafe. A fresh batch can go straight into a milk frother for coffee, and our cold press juicer guide covers machines for the fruit side of the fridge.