7 Best Milk Frothers for Making Café-Quality Drinks at Home

Capacity: 8 ounces | Heats milk: Yes

Nespresso’s Aeroccino frother warms milk to the ideal 160-170 degrees Fahrenheit range and can whip hot or cold milk into the cappuccino-ready foam with a single button. The thin form saves space on the counter, and the ribbed exterior makes it easy to handle and pour. “When it comes to steam and foam, my Aeroccino delivers the best coffee shop effect,” explains Chapa.

Pros: 

• Fast and powerful frothing
• Sleek, space-saving design

Cons:

• Handwash only

Capacity: Flexible | Heats milk: No

For her daily coffee-making needs, Chapa swears by a Zulay milk frother. “It takes up almost no counter space and makes my milk so frothy,” she continues. The handheld frother is battery-powered and has a powerful motor that quickly whips dairy and nondairy milk into a creamy foam. The whisk is easy to clean, and the frother includes a little stand for stylish countertop storage.

Pros: 

• Small and compact
• Easy cleanup
• Comes with a stand

Cons: 

• Does not heat milk

Capacity: Flexible | Heats milk: No

While traveling, you don’t have to give up your handmade coffee, chai, or matcha latte habit. Golde’s small-but-mighty electric whisk effectively froths milk and tucks it easily into your luggage or handbag. (The carrying case offered keeps things clean in between uses.) Instead of carrying batteries, a USB charger keeps your frother running even on the go.

Pros:

• Small and compact
• Easy cleanup
• Comes with travel case

Cons: 

• Does not heat milk

Capacity: 24 ounces | Heats milk: Yes

The frother from Breville comes with two discs: one for silky smooth lattes (or hot chocolate if you like) and another for thick and fluffy cappuccinos. Wrap-around induction heating is used for gentle and equal distribution in the heating function. It also allows you to modify the temperature of the milk to your preference while providing optimal ranges based on the drink you’re making. Breville’s frother is straightforward and convenient, thanks to its one-button functionality.

Pros: 

• Generous capacity
• Milk pitcher is dishwasher safe
• Built-in disc storage

Cons: 

• Does not heat milk
• Not as effective with small amounts of milk

Capacity: 8 ounces | Heats milk: Yes

In seconds, Secura’s electric frother creates dense, creamy foam for hot or cold drinks. The frother comes with several discs that allow you to adjust the amount of froth wanted. And the milk pitcher effortlessly detaches from the base, making it simple to put the milk and foam into your coffee drink. In addition to heating and foaming milk, Secura’s frother whizzes milk and chocolate powder into hot chocolate at the touch of a button.

Pros:

• Detachable milk pitcher
• Milk pitcher is dishwasher safe
• Auto shut-off

Cons: 

• Relatively loud

Capacity: Flexible | Heats milk: Yes

Prima’s Bellman Stovetop Steamer allows you to build a steam wand for heating and frothy milk without buying an at-home espresso maker. The steamer boils a water chamber on the stovetop before releasing steam to whip milk into rich foam using the accompanying wand. The results are coffee shop-quality, all with a machine small and light enough to take on a camping trip. Some reviewers remarked that there is a learning curve to using this steamer, but they believe the quality of the foam created is worth it.

Pros: 

• Barista-quality results
• Great for traveling

Cons: 

• Takes about 15 minutes to heat up
• Steaming pitcher sold separately
• Operational learning curve

Capacity: 14 ounces | Heats milk: No

Fino’s stainless steel frother is your best friend for rich, foamy milk without energy or batteries. Like a French press coffee machine, the frother is made out of a pitcher and a double-mesh plunger. Instead of separating coffee grounds from water, the plunger is pressed up and down quickly to aerate the milk and create billowy foam.

Pros: 

• Shatter proof
• Dishwasher safe

Cons: 

• Opaque, so cannot watch the milk’s foaming progress