Small luxuries can make the everyday seem special. Perfectly frothed milk is key for coffee shop-quality espresso, lattes, and cappuccinos, and thanks to the rise of interest in quality coffee, there are endless options for home brewers nowadays, too. The process is simple: Milk is force-whipped with a coiled whisk or by agitating it with steam. Both methods result in a dense foam with a silky, creamy texture.
From handheld frothers that create enviable foam simply through hand-whisking to automated machines that literally do all the grunt work for you, there are an array of options that will suit every lifestyle and budget.
When it comes to building the perfect cup of joe, the right kind of milk foam can make or break the project. But the many milk frothers on the market can make picking the right one for you difficult. Keep the following in mind and you’ll be on your way to a better cup of home-brew:
Type: There are handheld battery-operated frothers, automatic machines that need to be plugged in, or hand-pump versions that just require a little manual action to build a thick foam.
Cost: Milk frothers vary more in cost than other common kitchen items, with the more high-powered automatic versions topping $100 and handheld and automatic ones often running for well under $20. A general rule of thumb: The more you pay, the less you have to do.
Options:If you can name more than one type of milk foam, you’re probably going to want a frother that comes with multiple settings, temperature, and texture options.
How We Chose
We reviewed hundreds of milk frothers, keeping in mind the various budgets and foam needs coffee lovers have. We also consulted reviews from experts in the field and read through thousands of product reviews from users. From there, we chose the best frothers on the market that we could find, at several different price points.
This Ovente milk frother is reasonably priced and still manages to over-deliver on our loftiest milk frothing expectations. It features two whisks — one for frothing, the other simply for heating.
The carafe holds up to 4 ounces of milk that will then froth up to 8 ounces. It’s easy to clean (just use warm, soapy water), and comes with a rotary base so the carafe can be swiveled around. The frother also shuts off automatically when there is no liquid inside.
The Ovente comes with a one-year warranty. Reviewers say this “perfect and petite” machine “works wonderfully,” and is a “good value for the money.”
This is the perfect frother for someone who wants high-quality coffee without spending a lot of time and money accomplishing it. The PowerLix is easy to use and clean, and not only makes fantastic coffee drinks but can also be used to quickly mix powdered drinks and beat eggs. It comes with a stand for easy storage and can be kept on your counter right next to the coffee machine.
This frother is battery-operated (the two AA batteries required are not included), so you can bring it with you on the road. The PowerLix creates a creamy froth in 15-20 seconds and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Reviewers gave this frother high marks, with one noting that it “works great even with non-dairy milks.”
This milk frother and heater punches well above its price bracket. You can use the Gourmia to froth milk with a single tap of a pre-programmed button, or just heat up milk for a smooth and toasty treat. It comes with a handle and can be lifted off its base. The stainless steel exterior and nonstick interior are easy to clean.
One reviewer says that the Gourmia delivers “the most froth from fat-free milk” they’ve ever seen. Others love how “small, quiet, and portable” it is, though others say they wish it had a bigger capacity.
This is the Porsche of the milk frothing universe. The flashy, chrome-colored Aeroccino delivers as much as it promises, making two types of hot foam, as well as hot milk and cold foam, and can be put in the dishwasher on the cool-to-warm cycle (up to 70 degrees). All you have to do is pour in milk, hit the desired button, and wait for the whisk to do its work.
One reviewer likes the machine so much they keep one at work and one at home. Another notes that it makes fancy coffee and that those from stores “taste like garbage. Each morning I get up looking forward to my yummy latte or cappuccino.” One reviewer does warn that it doesn’t perform as well with non-dairy milks.
Bonus: includes milk frother, latte frother, cappuccino frother + the cup is dishwasher-safe
This milk frother has so many settings, it can pretty much transform you into a full-scale barista. And while there’s a lot this Breville can do — and fast — it’s also intuitive to use.
The frother comes with three discs for lattes, cappuccino, and hot milk. The latte disc creates smooth and silk milk, while the cappuccino disc creates thick and creamy foam, and the hot milk disc simply warms milk up.
You can also turn this into a hot chocolate maker simply by adding syrup, powder, or chocolate flakes. It’s also beautifully designed and allows you to slightly warm up milk or make it piping hot.
Reviewers say they love the “versatility,” “speed,” and “power” of this little frother. One notes that it works best on the highest temperature setting.
This no-frills, handheld, battery-operated milk frother creates delicate foam in 20 seconds or less, and also creates smooth, delicious bulletproof coffees and milkshakes. It’s lightweight and small enough for kids to use if they want to make milkshakes or hot chocolate.
The Bonsenkitchen features a one-touch switch with a powerful motor. It should be cleaned in mild soapy water by hand and not the dishwasher. Reviewers gave this handheld high marks, but for those who can tell the difference between cappuccino and latte foam, it may not cut it.
One enthusiast notes that they “use it almost every morning, and I got it months ago. I haven’t had to change the batteries yet!”
This handheld is a great option for those who don’t want to shell out big bucks on a milk frother, but still want a precise type of foam.
This rechargeable model comes with three stainless steel whisks designed to create the ideal foam for coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos. Included are a mixing rod, a balloon whisk head, and a regular milk frother head. Three speeds can be utilized and a USB charging cable is included, as is the rechargeable lithium battery.
Each full charge lasts about six hours. Reviewers praise how “super powerful, sturdy, and handy this is,” and many appreciate the “three power setting” options.
This classic frother is hand-operated, which means a smidge of elbow grease is required, but it also means it can be brought anywhere without you having to worry about plugs or batteries.
The frother foams up to 7 ounces of milk at a time, making it a great option for homes with a lot of froth fanatics. The hand pump works with cold or hot dairy milk as well as with milk alternatives, like coconut and soy.
The pump comes with a 2-year warranty and is dishwasher-safe. One reviewer says they switched from a battery-operated pump to this one, has found the foam to be “thick and creamy,” and that its froth “doesn’t dissipate and turn into regular milk over time the way the whisk foam does.”
This automated Pansonite milk frother offers an array of options for those seeking a particular texture of foam one day and another kind of foam the next. There are four modes to choose from — cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate, and cold — so temperature and textures can change at the touch of a button. The machine is fast and quiet, and the thickest foam can be created in 2 minutes or less.
The stainless steel jug can be placed in the dishwasher. Reviewers call this frother “amazing,” saying it offers “top-tier performance with an entry-level price.” Others say it creates beautiful foam even with low-fat and non-dairy milks.
The Bodum hand pump features a lid with a deep rim that prevents foam from escaping. The plunger handle offers a comfortable grip, and allows you to whip up a seriously thick and airy foam in less than a minute. It also comes at a budget price point and is often used as a travel or camping option, because it doesn’t require anything but your own hand strength to power it up.
Reviewers marvel at this pump’s power, even with “very cold fat-free milk.” Others appreciate how sturdy and easy to clean it is.
Kathleen WillcoxKathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about parenting, technology, shopping, food and wine.
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