Today I'll be taking a closer look at the Nespresso Aeroccino XL, which won the title of "Best Performing" in my guide to the best milk frothers. For those of you without home espresso machines or super automatics, the Nespresso Aeroccino XL could be the way to go. Especially if you enjoy a cafe au lait in the mornings.
Today I’ll be taking a closer look at the Nespresso Aeroccino XL, which won the title of “Best Performing” in my guide to the best milk frothers. For those of you without home espresso machines or super automatics, the Nespresso Aeroccino XL could be the way to go. Especially if you enjoy a cafe au lait in the mornings.
I bought the Nespresso Aeroccino XL to test out for you, and I’ll give you the details on its benefits and drawbacks. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what we’re dealing with!
Quiet as a mouse
Nespresso Aeroccino XL Milk Frother
Sleek, streamlined and effective
Sturdy construction
Premium materials
Sleek and streamlined
Easy to use
Rather pricey
Table of Contents
Nespresso Aeroccino XL Design and Features
Before going any further I should point out that just because I’m reviewing a Nespresso milk frother doesn’t mean I’ve changed my opinion of capsule coffee makers. In fact, I’m more determined than ever to convince you guys that coffee capsules are not the way forward.
Anyway, back to the Aeroccino XL, which I bought for $94.99 on Amazon. That’s quite a chunk of change to spend on a milk frother, but it’s certainly less than you’d spend on an espresso machine. And if you prefer java with hot milk from a drip coffee maker or moka pot, a standalone frother like this will get a lot of use. In terms of its design, the Nespresso Aeroccino XL couldn’t be any more straightforward.
Featuring a sleek, minimalist silhouette, the Aeroccino XL actually looks really cool. Plus, there’s nothing complicated about how it works – you simply pour milk in at the top then press the one and only button on the body.
This Nespresso milk frother feels really well made and sturdy, although I had a hard time getting the plastic lid to seal. That said, I think I was being a little too gentle!
One thing I particularly like about this milk frother is the small whisk, which sits at the bottom of the milk chamber. As well as being easy to remove, it actually stays in place while you’re pouring. That certainly helps set the Aeroccino apart from models that require you to remove the whisk. I mean, that’s just going to get messy!
Incidentally, you can get cold foam or hot foam from this device, as well as just hot milk. Other than that, there are no adjustable settings.
Nespresso Aeroccino XL Milk Frother in Use
Once I’d unboxed the Aeroccino XL and given it a good cleaning, there was very little to do in terms of setup. I simply mounted the small whisk in the chamber and filled it with milk according to the clearly labeled markers inside.
This baby actually has a fairly generous 13.5-ounce (400-milliliter) capacity for hot milk, but I focused on making milk foam during my testing. And let me tell ya, the Nespresso certainly delivers on that front.
Seriously, I couldn’t believe how thick and creamy the milk foam was – ideal for a cappuccino or latte macchiato. What’s more, the Aeroccino XL worked quickly and extremely quietly during operation.
With all that said, my main complaint about this milk frother centers around pouring. Unless you’re using a spoon, it seems almost impossible to pour a homogenous blend of hot milk and foam into your cappuccino cup. In fact, no matter how much I swirled before pouring, I ended up with mostly hot milk and then an awkward dollop of thick foam on top.
That might not be a dealbreaker for most people, but I do feel like the manufacturer could include a small spout in the frother’s design.
Cleaning
As with all milk frothers, it’s a good idea to thoroughly clean the Aeroccino XL after each use. Don’t worry, though – keeping the Nespresso spick and span is easy peasy.
Personally, I just rinsed the thing out with hot water, making sure to scrub the bottom of the chamber. After all, milk does tend to stick to the bottom, and the longer you leave it the worse it’s going to get.
The manufacturer claims that the Nespresso Aeroccino XL is dishwasher safe, but I have my doubts. Take it from me, handwashing this thing isn’t hard and keeping it away from the dishwasher will likely extend its lifespan.
Verdict: Nespresso Aeroccino XL Milk Frother
Quiet as a mouse
Nespresso Aeroccino XL Milk Frother
Sleek, streamlined and effective
Sturdy construction
Premium materials
Sleek and streamlined
Easy to use
Rather pricey
Seeing as I’m so used to espresso machine steam wands and super automatic milk systems, it can be hard to maintain objectivity during milk frother reviews. However, I can definitely see the appeal of the Nespresso Aeroccino XL.
After all, milk frothers really don’t get any more straightforward than this. What’s more, the Aeroccino XL is lightning fast and you’ll be checking to see if it’s actually working after pressing the button. Seriously, it really is that quiet.
Ultimately, the Aeroccino XL does exactly what it’s supposed to do. And a couple of design flaws aside, it does it supremely well. Just don’t be tempted to use it with a pod machine – then you run the risk of losing control of your life!
What’s your experience using the Nespresso Aeroccino XL? Any tips or tricks you’d like to share? The comments section is all yours!