The short answer
These two are often cross-shopped, but they are not really the same kind of machine. The ChefWave is a versatile, heated, do-everything machine; the Almond Cow is a focused, cold-only value machine. The buyer evidence reflects that split.
| Almond Cow | ChefWave Milkmade | |
|---|---|---|
| Heated milks / soy? | No (cold only) | Yes — six programs incl. soy |
| Standout strength | Value + simplicity | Easiest cleaning in the category |
| Signature weakness | Coarser strain (filtration) | Durability + some delivery-condition reports |
| Price tier | Lower, better value | Higher |
| Batch | Larger | Moderate |
| Storage vessel | Stainless basket | Glass pitcher |
The deciding factor: do you need heated milks?
The single biggest difference is capability. The ChefWave makes soy milk — and oat, rice, and other heated milks — across six programs. The Almond Cow cannot: it is cold-extraction only, with no heating element, so soy (which must be cooked) is off the table entirely.
If soy or heated milks are on your list, the decision is essentially made: the ChefWave is the only one of the two that can do it. If you exclusively make cold nut milks — almond, cashew, hazelnut — then this difference doesn’t matter, and the comparison comes down to value versus cleaning and their respective weak points.
Where the ChefWave wins
Cleaning — its defining strength. Ease of cleaning lifts ChefWave owner satisfaction more than almost any competing machine, which matters because cleanup is the number-one regret across this whole category. Between these two, the ChefWave is the easier machine to live with day to day, with a self-clean cycle and a dishwasher-safe glass pitcher.
Versatility. Six programs mean one machine for cold nut milks, heated soy, controlled-heat oat, and more. For a household that rotates milk types, it replaces what would otherwise take two machines.
Where the Almond Cow wins
Value and batch size. Owners reward the Almond Cow for value above the norm, at a lower price than the ChefWave, and it makes a larger batch — better for households and daily coffee. “Worth the investment” is a recurring note.
Simplicity. One job, done simply. Ease of use and clear instructions are both rewarded qualities — there is less to learn and less that can go wrong than on a multi-program machine.
The weakness each way
- The ChefWave’s is durability — the quality its owners penalize most, and more than the category norm — plus a subset who report units arriving open-box or used (inspect on delivery). A minority also note an off-smell on the soy cycle specifically.
- The Almond Cow’s is filtration — a coarser, higher-pulp strain by design (“the filter is terrible” is the sharp version). A single second pass through a nut-milk bag fixes it.
ChefWave Milkmade 6-in-1 Nut Milk Maker
The choice if you want heated milks (soy, oat) and the easiest cleanup. Six programs cover the full milk range, and cleaning is the quality owners reward it for most. The honest trade-off is durability — the quality it is penalized for most — plus occasional delivery-condition issues to inspect for on arrival.
What buyers praise
- Six programs including heated soy, oat, and rice — one machine for everything
- Cleaning is its standout strength — rewarded above the category norm
- Glass pitcher — taste-neutral, dishwasher-safe
- Controlled-heat oat program avoids cold-blended sliminess
What buyers flag
- Durability is the quality owners penalize most
- A subset report units arriving open-box or used — inspect on delivery
- A few note an off-smell on the soy cycle specifically
- Higher price than the Almond Cow
Almond Cow Plant-Based Milk Maker
The value pick for cold nut milk at a lower price. Owners reward it for value, overall quality, clear setup, and easy cleaning, and it makes a larger batch. Its trade-offs are two: it is cold-only (no soy or heated milks), and filtration is its signature weakness — a coarser strain a quick second pass resolves.
What buyers praise
- Value-for-money is its standout — strong satisfaction at a lower price
- Larger batch — suited to households and daily coffee use
- Rewarded for overall quality, clear instructions, and easy cleaning
- Simple, focused machine with less to learn
What buyers flag
- Cold only — no soy or heated milks (the ChefWave's big advantage)
- Filtration is its signature weakness — a coarser, higher-pulp strain
- A second-pass strain is needed for silky milk
- Fewer milk types than the six-program ChefWave
Who should buy which
Buy the ChefWave Milkmade if: you want soy or heated milks, you want one machine for every milk type, and you prioritize the easiest cleanup — accepting durability as the trade-off. See the full ChefWave review.
Buy the Almond Cow if: you only make cold nut milks, want strong value at a lower price and a larger batch, and prefer a simple machine — and you don’t mind a heartier strain or a quick second pass. See the full Almond Cow review.
Considering durability above all? Within the cluster, the Nama M1 is the machine owners penalize least on longevity — see Nama M1 vs Almond Cow.
Best soy milk makers · How to choose a plant-based milk maker