Written by Arne Preuss (Coffee Expert) & Edited by Nicholas Marshall (Chief Editor US)
Updated on: 21 December 2023 We aim to provide you with the most relevant content! However, prices and availability can change at short notice. That's why we've integrated fact checking into our editorial process. During this additional step, our team members make sure that every article has the most current information available. That way you're always up to date! If you happen to notice an issue, please leave us a comment. Thank you! Facts checked by Nicholas Marshall
Written by people for people
Updated on: 21 December 2023 We aim to provide you with the most relevant content! However, prices and availability can change at short notice. That's why we've integrated fact checking into our editorial process. During this additional step, our team members make sure that every article has the most current information available. That way you're always up to date! If you happen to notice an issue, please leave us a comment. Thank you! Facts checked by Nicholas Marshall
Written by people for people
Hi! My name is Arne. Having spent years working as a barista I'm now on a mission to bring more good coffee to the people. To that end, my team and I provide you with a broad knowledge base on the subject of coffee.
Our review process | Our team
I admit that this best milk frother guide is long overdue. You see, I spend so much time reviewing machines with steam wands or built-in frothers that I’ve tended to overlook the standalone and handheld models.
Well, no longer! In this guide I’ll shine a light on the best handheld milk frother, the best electric milk frother and even the best frother for almond milk. I’ve found 10 awesome devices, ranging from sophisticated automatic models to simple and affordable battery-operated whisks.
So, without further ado, let’s jump into the wonderful world of milk frothers!
Our Top 10 Best Milk Frother Quick Picks
Here’s a quick overview of the milk frothers I’ll be reviewing today.
1 Stainless steel construction
Large capacity
Many adjustable settings
2 Intuitive operation
Sleek design
Dishwasher safe
3 Extremely versatile
Very affordable
Easy to clean
4 Compact and economical
Solid construction
Doesn’t require electricity
5 Microwave-safe
Very affordable
Easy to use
6 Stainless steel construction
Dual speeds
Ergonomic round handle
7 Durable construction
Compact design
Straightforward operation
8 Hot and cold froth
Compact and lightweight
Easy to clean
9 Induction heating
Adjustable temperature settings
Auto-stop function
10 Great value
Sleek design
Pourable spout
Why Buy a Milk Frother?
Let’s face it, the very best way to prepare milk foam is by using the steam wand on an espresso machine. And let’s not overlook the fact that some super automatic espresso machines can really deliver the goods, both in terms of quality and convenience.
Still, not everyone has the space or the money to justify owning a home espresso machine or fancy cappuccino maker. And even if they do, it could be that they simply prefer adding steamed milk to coffee from an AeroPress or a moka pot.
Enter the humble milk frother, which can provide the ideal solution to those without a fancy machine. And as you’re about to find out, there are plenty of very sophisticated standalone frothers out there.
Sure, you’d be wrong to expect the silky microfoam your local barista whips up for your daily espresso macchiato. However, the best milk frothers are capable of producing convincing results that’ll go great with your home-brewed coffee.
How to Choose the Best Milk Frother for You
Now that I’ve established why you might want a milk frother, it’s time to help you narrow down your options. In an effort to help you choose the best milk frother for your needs, let’s take a look at a few things to consider.
Budget
For most people, how much they’re able to spend will play a huge part in their decision. Fortunately, the best milk frothers run the gamut from less than 20 bucks to well over a hundred. In other words, you don’t have to spend much to get fantastic milk froth.
Of course, the more expensive models are going to feature better construction and more advanced features. However, if you’ve got a microwave and don’t care too much about multiple degrees of frothing, a simple and inexpensive handheld frother should suffice.
Type of Frother
Next, you should establish which type of milk frother is going to work best for you. Broadly speaking, milk frothing devices fall into one of three categories:
Manual frothers – you’ll be using your muscle power to create frothed milk. Plus, you’ll have to heat the milk in the microwave or on the stove.
Handheld frothers – usually battery operated, you use these “magic wands” by submerging the whisk in your preheated milk.
Automatic frothers – these larger devices heat the milk and usually offer a few adjustment settings. Automatic frothers take up more space and require electricity.
Design
If you’re anything like me, buying a new kitchen appliance isn’t just about its performance – the thing has to look good as well. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so only you can decide which design features are best. Still, I’ve tried to include a bunch of attractive milk frothers on my list.
Incidentally, while I’m on the subject of design I should remind you to take the frother’s size into consideration, too. While most models are fairly compact, you do run the risk of buying something that’s too big for your kitchen if you don’t take measurements!
Features
It’s easy to get sidetracked by a bunch of features you don’t need as you’re looking for the best milk frother. Then again, that’s true for just about any purchase.
With that in mind, you should think realistically about what you want from a milk frother. For example, if you only need a wee dollop of foam for your daily cafe au lait, is it really worth spending extra on a device with multiple foam functions and temperature settings?
On the flip side, perhaps you’re part of a household full of coffee fanatics, each with specific preferences. In that case, buying a manual milk frother might not be the best way to go.
Our Top 10 Best Milk Frothers in Detail
Maestri House Milk Frother: Best Overall
PROS
- Four temperature settings
- Adjustable hot or cold froth
- Large capacity
- Touchscreen controls
One of the larger options on my list, the 21-ounce (621-milliliter) capacity Maestri House Milk Frother will set you back $N/A on Amazon. Sure, that’s quite the investment, but when you consider how well this milk frother performs, the price seems quite reasonable.
For starters, the Maestri House Milk Frother offers four temperature settings and three milk froth settings. That makes it versatile enough to froth milk for a variety of coffee drinks, including cappuccino and flat white. What’s more, you can create pillowy cold milk froth if that’s your jam.
I particularly like the Maestri House frother’s touch screen user interface. Aside from making the frother really easy to operate, it fits nicely with the sleek, streamlined design. Speaking of design, the Maestri House is made from durable stainless steel and you can throw the upper pitcher in the dishwasher after each use.
See Also: Maestri House Milk Frother 2024
PROS
- Easy to use
- Durable construction
- Dishwasher safe
- Hot and cold foam
CONS
- Limited customization options
- Quite expensive
You guys know how I feel about coffee capsules, so don’t expect me to discuss Nespresso pod machines. However, the Nespresso Aeroccino XL automatic milk frother is something I can definitely recommend.
For $109.00, this is another rather pricey frother, but if you like to start your day with delicious milk-based drinks, it’s worth considering.
Thanks to its straightforward design and intuitive operation, the Nespresso Aeroccino XL is a breeze to use. It’s simply a case of selecting either cold foam, hot foam or hot milk then pressing a button. What’s more, you can prepare multiple drinks at once with the Aeroccino XL, thanks to its generous 13.5-ounce (400-milliliter) capacity.
Finally, the Nespresso Aeroccino XL is super easy to clean; simply rinse by hand or put it in the dishwasher.
See Also: Nespresso Aeroccino XL Review 2024
Bizewo 4-in-1 Milk Frother: Best Value
PROS
- Great value for money
- Stylish design
- Multiple functions
- Easy to clean
If you’re looking for an inexpensive automatic milk frother, the Bizewo 4-in-1 Milk Frother might be just the ticket. In fact, for just $39.99, this thing represents incredible value for the money.
Featuring coated stainless steel construction and a sleek, streamlined design, the Bizewo frother is a very versatile machine. You can use it to prepare tea and hot chocolate as well as hot and cold milk foam. Oh, and you can select between a couple of different foam consistencies depending on which type of drink you want to make.
While the Bizewo 4-in-1 Milk Frother also features a spout for creating latte art, I’m not sure how effective it’ll be. Then again, if you’ve got mad barista skills you can probably make pretty patterns!
With an overall capacity of 10.1ounces (299 milliliters) for hot milk, the Bizewo isn’t exactly huge. Still, I’d say it’s a great option for smaller households.
See Also: Bizewo 4-in-1 Milk Frother Review 2024
Aerolatte Essentials Milk Frother: Best Budget
PROS
- Very affordable
- Easy to use
- Doesn’t require electricity
Aerolatte produces a range of manual milk frothers, with the Aerolatte Essentials Milk Frother being the manufacturer’s most affordable option. Costing just $15.99 on Amazon, this awesome little device could be all you need for your daily latte macchiato.
The Aerolatte Essentials Milk Frother is about as easy to use as it gets. You simply submerge the whisk in milk and hold down the power button until you’re happy. Of course, it’ll take a little trial and error to dial in your method, but it won’t be long before you’re creating beautiful milk foam.
Oh, and if you want to take things to the next level, Aerolatte offers a Cappuccino Stencil Set for $12.99. Just sayin’!
Bodum Latteo Milk Frother: Best Manual
PROS
- Very inexpensive
- Borosilicate glass
- Provides a good workout
If you’ve read my guide to steaming milk at home, you’ll know about my DIY hacks, including the French press method. And while the Bodum Latteo Glass Milk Frother might look just like a French press, it’s been designed a little differently. Plus, thanks to its borosilicate glass construction, you can use it to heat milk in the microwave.
Costing a measly $16.99, the Bodum Manual Milk Frother won’t exactly break the bank. Still, you’ll have to be prepared for a workout, seeing as it takes moving the plunger up and down around 90 times before you’ll get good results from whole milk.
That said, this is easily the best manual milk frother for controlling the consistency of your milk. Plus, the more cappuccinos you prepare, the more impressive your arm muscles will become. Ooh la la!
See Also: Bodum Latteo Review 2024
Rösle Dual Speed Frother: Best Battery Operated
PROS
- High-quality engineering
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Two speeds
- Easy to maintain
Call me biased, but the Rösle Dual Speed Frother represents German engineering at its best! Seriously, this streamlined beauty might be all you’ll ever need to create fluffy milk foam.
Made from highly durable stainless steel, the Rösle Dual Speed Frother has been designed to last. Plus, it’s corrosion-resistant and extremely easy to clean. Best of all, the frother’s drive shaft is made from specially tempered steel, so it ain’t going to break after a couple of uses.
Featuring two speed settings – both slow and fast – this milk frother is pretty versatile. Heck, you can even use it to whip up gourmet sauces and salad dressing.
Finally, the Rösle Dual Speed Frother will set you back just $36.26, making it one of the more affordable options on my list. Overall, I’d say this is the best handheld milk frother out there.
Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother: Best for Cold Foam
PROS
- Compact design
- Durable construction
- Heats milk quickly
- Three settings
CONS
- Rather expensive
- Limited capacity
Those with limited kitchen counter space might want to check out the Nespresso Aeroccino 3, which retails for $75.41.
While this might not be the best electric milk frother in terms of adjustment options, it’ll deliver hot milk, hot foam and really good cold foam.
Made from stainless steel and ribbed black plastic, the Nespresso Aeroccino 3 is durable and easy to clean. It heats milk really quickly, although its maximum capacity of just 8.1 ounces might not be enough for some folks. Still, as I mentioned above, this automatic milk frother is nice and compact, so it won’t take up much space in your kitchen.
See Also: Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Review 2024
Keurig Standalone Frother: Best for Almond Milk
PROS
- Compact design
- Straightforward operation
- Ideal for non-dairy milk
Another compact automatic option, the Keurig Standalone Frother is just 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) tall. Of course, that means this milk frother has a fairly limited capacity, but it shouldn’t be hard to find storage space when it isn’t being used.
Costing $63.99, the Keurig Standalone Frother is on the pricey side, especially given its limited size. What’s more, you’ll only have two options – hot foam or cold foam.
However, this nifty little device is known to produce great results with non-dairy milk, especially almond milk and oat milk. And thanks to its non-stick coated interior, the Keurig is very easy to keep clean, which is always a bonus.
See Also: Keurig Standalone Frother 2024
Breville Milk Cafe: Best for Hot Chocolate
PROS
- Stylish design
- Large capacity
- Awesome temperature dial
- Great for hot cocoa
Sporting over 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the Breville Milk Cafe is available for $159.95. It’s quite a bit pricier than the other options on my list, but also has a more fashionable look that will enhance any kitchen.
Plus, Breville sets this frother apart from the competition by including a sophisticated heat selector dial.
While ideal for cappuccinos and lattes, the Breville Milk Cafe also does an amazing job with cocoa powder and matcha. What’s more, the Breville has a whopping 25-ounce (739-milliliter) capacity, making it ideal for coffee-loving families.
Keep in mind with this and any automatic milk frother that you don’t want to leave it unattended when in use. It has been designed to turn itself off when the desired temperature is achieved, but if the milk bubbles over, you definitely want to be around.
See Also: Breville Milk Cafe Review 2024
Instant Pot 4-in-1 Frother: Best for Latte Art
PROS
- Great value
- Four settings
- Attractive design
- Latte art pouring spout
The Instant Pot 4-in-1 Frother is one of the most popular milk frothers out there, and it’s easy to see why.
For starters, you’ll only have to shell out $39.66 for this versatile device. Plus, its slim, modern design will definitely enhance the vibes in your kitchen. What I really like is that the Instant Pot offers everything you need, including two types of hot foam, hot milk and cold foam. And operating the 4-in-1 frother is a breeze thanks to its intuitive control panel.
With a capacity of 10 ounces (296 milliliters), the Instant Pot frother isn’t the biggest option available. Still, it heats milk really quickly, so making coffee drinks for multiple people shouldn’t be too hard. Oh, and I shouldn’t forget to mention the Instant Pot spout, which has been specially designed with latte art in mind.
See Also: Instant Pot 4-in-1 Frother Review 2024
Decision Time
If you’ve made it this far without skipping sections you can consider yourself a milk frother expert! Not only that, you should have a good idea of which model will work best for you.
At the end of the day, choosing the best milk frother shouldn’t be a stressful experience. After all, any of the options on my list will serve you well. It all really comes down to how much you want to spend and how many extra features you’ll need.
I hope this guide has helped you find the best milk frother for your needs. Tell me all about your experiences using it in the comments section!