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Before we begin: if you just want our top pick, it’s the Breville BMF600XL Milk Cafe Milk Frother. We love it for its design, large capacity, versatility, temperature control, and reasonable price given its great features. (Or if you’re on a tight budget, try the Bodum Schiuma Milk Frother, which is an extremely affordable handheld whisk with a 2-year warranty.)
One of the biggest things that sets apart fancy gourmet coffees from those common at home or in the office is foam or froth. This (and the maker’s skill, of course!) is what separates a bland, flat cup of coffee from a beautiful, enticing, artistically decorated beverage to truly enjoy.
Luckily, you don’t need to invest in a fancy, professional-quality espresso machine to get amazing results. There are quite a few milk frothers that are perfect for home use! And whether you prefer a dedicated countertop electric frother or a simple handheld wand that tucks away in a drawer, you’ll find the ideal solution on our list of the best milk frothers.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ll find that foam gets addictive! These days, it’s rare for anyone in my house to drink a hot beverage that doesn’t have some sort of foam or froth poured on top. It just feels so much more special that way!
Table of Contents
10 Best Milk Frothers at a Glance
Best for: Full temperature control and large capacity
Best for: All-around frother for a great price
Best for: Best handheld frother at an amazing price
Best for: Amazing design and aesthetic
Best for: Magnetic technology for easy cleaning
Best for: Travel frother with USB batteries
Best for: Ultra budget
Best for: Multi-purpose
Best for: Manual frother
Best for: Entry-level espresso machine combo
The Top 10 Milk Frothers
#1. Breville BMF600XL Milk Cafe Milk Frother
Best for: Full temperature control and large capacity
It’s amazing how often we end up recommending Breville products (like their great Smoking Gun)—and we have no connection to the company or reason to be biased! We just consistently find that they make solid, reliable products that function well for a very reasonable price. And their Milk Cafe Milk Frother is no exception.
While it’s definitely not the cheapest on our list, it’s incredibly reasonably priced for all it offers, which is why it takes our top spot. We love its high-quality build and extremely large capacity; a 16-ounce frothing capacity is almost unheard of, and definitely makes this device stand out. If you tend to make drinks for the whole family in the morning and need a sizable capacity, look no further!
If you’re enough of a coffee aficionado to want a frother of this caliber, you’ll appreciate that it comes with two frothing disks. One is designed for cappuccinos, and the other for lattes. And, conveniently, whichever you’re not using at the moment has a magnetic storage spot on the back of the device. You’ll also appreciate the adjustable temperature, which can take you all the way from a cold stir to over 165° F (well above the recommended temperature for milk).
A final detail that we enjoy on this device is the lid. While the lid itself could be higher quality overall, we like that it has a removable insert (like a blender lid). This allows you to add ingredients as the milk is heating. Overall, the combination of quality, value, capacity, and innovation earns the Breville device the top spot on our list.
Specs and Features
- Power source: outlet
- Max capacity: 16 oz for frothing
#2. Miroco Electric Milk Frother
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Best for: All-around frother for a great price
Even though Breville took our top spot on this list, Miroco definitely gave them a run for their money! At a fraction of the price of the Breville, this Miroco Electric Milk Frother offers great functionality, high-quality construction, and stylish design. In fact, it’s our top pick for a budget electric milk frother.
With four frothing options, this Miroco device makes it clear that saving money doesn’t mean you need to miss out on versatility and the perfect drink. You’re able to choose from hot dense foam, hot airy foam, hot milk frothing, and cold milk frothing. And it comes with both a frothing whisk and a heating whisk to ensure it functions as perfectly as possible.
If you’ve ever heated milk on the stove and then had it dry against the walls of a pot (haven’t we all?), you know how hard it can be to get milk off a surface once it’s decided it wants to stick. That’s why we particularly appreciate the non-stick interior of this frother. Instead of soaking, scrubbing, and soaking again, you can simply and effortlessly wipe it clean.
Important note: Miroco also has a higher-tier model that we love. Since they’re our top recommendation for a budget electric frother, we won’t list the higher-end, larger model separately. But it’s definitely worth looking into! At the time of writing, this other model has a discount that brings it close to the price of the basic Miroco model. Before you buy the basic Miroco, check the higher-tier Miroco 4-in-1 Frother on Amazon to see whether it’s on sale! You may be able to get an even better device for not much more than the cost of our budget pick.
Specs and Features
- Power source: outlet
- Max Capacity: 4 oz for frothing / 8 oz for heating
#3. Zulay MilkBoss Frother
Best for: Best handheld frother at an amazing price
If you’re not a true coffee fanatic (or you’re working with limited kitchen space), a full-sized electric frother might not be the best choice for you. Instead, a handheld milk frother may be the ideal pick. And if that’s what you have in mind, look no further than the Zulay MilkBoss Frother!
This device is almost too good to be true. Its price is so remarkably low that you could almost treat these frothers as disposable. But luckily, you don’t need to, because they have a fantastic history of holding up well after repeated use. And given the low price, you might be surprised to learn that the company actually offers a lifetime guarantee!
While a handheld frother is inherently less versatile than a countertop electric milk frother, that doesn’t mean you aren’t able to enjoy a wide variety of drinks. Zulay recommends using their frother not just for frothing milk, but also for mixing matcha, making protein drinks, or mixing powders into smoothies.
Our only real complaint is that there isn’t a switch to turn the device on indefinitely. Instead, you need to hold down the power button the entire time that you’re using the frother. This isn’t a big deal, but it happens to be a pet peeve of mine, so it’s worth pointing out in case you’re not a fan of that particular design choice either.
Pro tip: different colors of this device are different prices. If you don’t have your heart set on a particular color, click through the various options to compare the prices. You might find one that’s even more affordable than the basic black!
Specs and Features
- Power source: 2 AA batteries (not included)
#4. Smeg 50’s Retro Style Aesthetic Milk Frother
Best for: Amazing design and aesthetic
I have a confession: I have been absolutely in love with Smeg’s design and style ever since I first saw their products in the darkened window of a closed store late at night in Germany years ago. If I had the funds for it, my entire kitchen would be full of Smeg products. Their elegant retro yet contemporary designs are famous, and for good reason.
As you would expect, Smeg’s milk frother is no exception to its gorgeous aesthetic. Looking like it could belong either in the 1950s or a tasteful futuristic kitchen, it stands head and shoulders above the competition in terms of design. This is absolutely a statement piece, and one that we think you’ll be happy to use again and again.
But enough about how beautiful it is. Let’s talk about how well the Smeg frother works. It has a great capacity (8.5 ounces for frothing and 20 ounces for heating), meaning you can easily make multiple drinks at once. And in addition to frothing milk for coffee, this gorgeous device is also designed to create other hot or cold drinks, such as tea or hot chocolate. It even comes with two different kinds of whisks to better suit various drinks.
With several beautiful color choices available, this device is as varied in its aesthetics as its function. And with seven functions (including a manual mode), you have enough options to ensure each drink turns out exactly the way you want. All of this quality comes with a price, but it’s worth it for the elegant modern kitchen.
Specs and Features
- Power source: outlet
- Max capacity: 8.5oz for frothing / 20oz for heating
#5. HadinEEon 5-in-1 Milk Frother
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Best for: Magnetic technology for easy cleaning
If you’re always on the cutting edge and appreciate new technology, you’ll enjoy starting your mornings with the HadinEEon 5-in-1 Milk Frother. This device uses the “newest magnetic heating and rotation technology that provides more dense, creamy and consistent foam.” Because the whisk is attached to the motor with this magnetic technology, it’s particularly easy to take apart and clean, which can save valuable minutes on a busy morning.
Speaking of whisks, we were initially concerned that this frother comes with only one type of whisk (although it does include two of them). However, it manages very well at making both hot dense foam and hot airy foam using the same whisk. It also makes cold foam, hot milk, and hot chocolate milk, for a total of 5 settings.
Other factors we love include the sharp angles on the pouring cup (designed to help you create your own stunning latte art) and the automatic shutoff feature once the milk is done heating.
One of the drawbacks for us is that there’s only one button to control the device, and the only way to know which setting it’s on is the color of this button. I’m not sure that I trust myself to remember that green means hot airy frothing, and purple means heating milk, for example. If your memory is better than mine, though, this may not be a factor for you!
Specs and Features
- Power source: outlet
- Max capacity: 5oz for frothing / 10oz for heating
#6. Basecent Electric Rechargeable Milk/Coffee Frother
Best for: Travel frother with USB batteries
If you’re tired of bland, lukewarm coffee from a shared pot in the office, this convenient rechargeable frother may be the beginning of the solution. It’s designed to be travel-friendly, so you can easily bring it from home to work every day. This lets you enjoy foamy, frothy drinks wherever you have access to coffee and milk.
At about 10” long, this frother is small enough to tuck into a briefcase or a large purse to bring with you. And it comes with a lid that turns the whole thing into one tube, protecting the wand and whisk so you don’t need to worry about the device getting damaged in transit.
Given the small size and low price for this frother, we’re impressed that it offers two speeds instead of just one! But that also ties into our main critique. There’s a single button to control the speed, and its pattern goes Off -> Regular Speed -> High Speed -> Off. The problem, then, is that you can’t simply turn it off from regular speed; you need to pass through high speed first. We would have preferred to see a switch with the “Off” position in the center, and the speeds on either side.
Specs and Features
- Power source: USB rechargeable batteries
#7. Bodum Schiuma Milk Frother
Best for: Ultra budget
Bodum is well-known among home coffee lovers, and for good reason! Their products typically combine affordability with memorable design and a distinctive aesthetic. Their milk frother, which comes in four colors, is no exception. And that’s why it’s our top pick for coffee aficionados who are on a tight budget.
Before we go on, let’s be honest: there are definitely some higher-quality products on our list. If you have the luxury of a higher budget, we would recommend shopping accordingly. But if you’re watching your money, this is a great choice. There have been some reports of these devices breaking (which is somewhat to be expected at this price point, unfortunately), but the 2-year manufacturer warranty is reassuring.
Keep in mind that this frother is battery-operated, and doesn’t come with batteries. If you don’t already have two AA batteries on hand, we recommend ordering them at the same time as the frother so you’ll be able to use it as soon as the package arrives.
Pro tip: the four colors tend to cost different prices. If you care more about your budget than having a particular color, click through each option to see which is most affordable at the moment.
Specs and Features
- Power source: 2 AA Batteries (not included)
#8. Fivtyily Rechargeable Milk Frother
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Best for: Multi-purpose
If you’re all about versatility and avoiding single-use gadgets, we think you’ll love the Fivtyily Rechargeable Milk Frother. With multiple whisk options, this device is designed for more than just frothing milk (although of course it’s great for that too). It’s also designed to whip cream, beat eggs, and even mix batters.
With that said, its primary function is still as a milk frother, which is why it’s on our list. But if you want to branch out even further and get a tool that’s truly designed to be multifunctional, you could look into an immersion blender with a frothing attachment. For example, check out the Mueller Austria 9-Speed Immersion Blender.
While the Fivtyily milk frother doesn’t double as a blender, we still appreciate that it can accomplish more than one task. Plus it comes with a whopping 16 stencils that will let you turn your coffees into beautiful works of art even if your latte art skills aren’t yet up to par.
As with the HadinEEon, our biggest complaint is that the button doesn’t operate in the way you would intuitively expect. On this one, the button cycles through the three speeds. Each time you turn it off and on, you end up at the next speed, instead of staying at the speed that you had previously used (and liked).
Pro tip: like several other frothers on our list, this one’s price depends on which color you choose. If you’re budget-conscious and not too concerned about color, look through the options to see which has the best price.
Specs and Features
- Power source: USB rechargeable batteries
#9. Bellemain Hand Pump Milk Frother
Best for: Manual frother
One of the problems with electric devices is that, no matter how high-quality they are, they all eventually seem to break. And they often manage to do it at the worst time! (Or is that just me?) If your luck with electronics is as bad as mine, don’t get stuck with a malfunctioning frother just when everyone has come over for brunch.
The Bellemain Hand Pump Milk Frother is definitely more work than an electric frother or a handheld frother, but it’s also much less prone to issues. Because it’s hand-powered, you don’t need to worry about a battery getting dislodged or a tiny wire coming loose.
Instead, you simply put in milk and then pump the device by hand. Then pull out the lid (which somewhat resembles that of a French press, if that helps you envision how the device works). Now you have a stainless steel jug full of beautifully frothed milk that’s ready to use in your latest creation.
This tool is ideal if you want to be absolutely confident that you have a reliable device that won’t let you down. (Plus you get a little arm workout in the process!) And even if you have an electric milk frother, this is a great backup to have on hand just in case.
Pro tip: this device is reasonably priced even when it’s not on sale. But when it is on sale, it’s an incredible deal. Check the price of the Bellemain hand pump on Amazon now to see whether you’re lucky enough to catch it when it’s discounted.
Specs and Features
- Power source: manual
- Max capacity: 14 oz
#10. Hamilton Beach Espresso Machine
Best for: Entry-level espresso machine combo
Since you’re looking for a milk frother, there’s a good chance that you’re a true coffee aficionado. And since that’s the case, why not skip the simple frother and go for a full espresso machine (with an included frother) instead?
Believe it or not, you can get an entry-level espresso machine with a frother for a lower price than some of the single-purpose frothers on our list. Just check out the Hamilton Beach Espresso Machine, which performs impressively well given its remarkably low price. We think you’ll love being able to make cafe-style espresso and fancy coffees at home—and for a price that may pay for itself after just a few weeks of use, depending on your coffee habits.
Of course, this is an entry-level machine. If you can justify splurging on something a step up in quality, we love the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine. This is a well-built product that will get you truly professional results for a fraction of the price of some of the high-end espresso machines out there.
If an espresso machine with a steam wand for frothing isn’t the right fit for you, one of the other options on our list should be exactly what you’re looking for! But if it hadn’t occurred to you that you might be able to get an espresso machine instead (and potentially for the same price as a high-end frother), it’s definitely an option worth considering.
Specs and Features
- Power source: outlet
- Max capacity: n/a
The Different Types of Milk Frother
There are four basic types of milk frother: electric, handheld wands (and the subcategory of multipurpose frothers), manual, and espresso machine wands.
Electric milk frothers
These are purpose-built countertop devices. Most of them are capable of both warming and frothing your milk. They typically have various settings depending on the temperature of your liquid and the kind of froth you want to make. These tend to be more expensive than handheld wands and manual frothers. On the other hand, they’re the easiest to use of all the frother types, because they require next to no effort or skill on your part.
Our top pick for an electric milk frother: the Breville BMF600XL Milk Cafe Milk Frother
Handheld wands
A common choice for the budget-conscious (or anyone without a large kitchen), handheld wands are small enough to easily tuck away in a drawer. Plus they’re affordable enough to be a great entry-level purchase if you’re just starting your homemade fancy coffee journey. These are the slender sticks that you’ve likely seen before, that you simply insert into your jug of milk. (See our instructions below to learn how to use one properly, or you risk splashing milk and thinking your frother is too strong!)
Our top pick for a handheld wand: the Bodum Schiuma Milk Frother
A subcategory or branch of this type of device is what we call multipurpose frothers: other tools that have a frothing option. For example, some immersion blenders come with a frothing attachment. Take a look at the Mueller Austria 9-Speed Immersion Blender to see whether this type might be the best fit for you.
Manual frothers
Very similar in style to French press coffee makers, manual frothers are fully hand-operated. But instead of being designed to brew coffee like a French press, you pump the insert up and down to aerate and froth your milk. These devices are fairly straightforward to use, but require some effort on your part. In terms of price, they tend to fall between electric milk frothers and handheld wands.
Our top pick for a manual frother: the Bellemain Hand Pump Milk Frother
Believe it or not, you can actually use a French press to foam coffee, too! Take a look at the Bellemain to see how similar it is to a French press, which you might already have at home. If you’re satisfied with this option, you don’t need to buy a frother!
Espresso machines
This is the ultimate top-of-the-line option. Obviously these do much more than simply frothing milk, but they tend to include a steaming/frothing wand. If you want to make gourmet cafe-style drinks at home, consider investing in one of these machines instead of a single-purpose frother. While the top-tier machines can easily run into the thousands, you can get an entry-level option for less than the cost of some electric milk frothers.
Our top pick for an espresso machine: the Hamilton Beach Espresso Machine if you’re on a budget, or the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine if you can splurge a bit!
What Kind of Frother Should I Use for Dalgona Coffee?
Milk frothers have enjoyed extra popularity lately, thanks to the delightful trend of dalgona coffee. This drink involves whipping together instant coffee, sugar, and hot water, then pouring the resulting foam over iced milk.
Theoretically, you can use any type of milk frother for this. But if this is one of your priorities, we recommend choosing an electric frother or a multipurpose frother. Both of these are strong enough to make the rich foam involved.
On the other hand, avoid manual frothers and single-purpose handheld milk frothers if dalgona coffee is your priority. Manual pump frothers aren’t designed for this extra-thick, velvety style of foam, and many small handheld wands struggle thanks to the density of dalgona. While they may work, you’ll likely end up frustrated.
But you don’t actually need a frother to make dalgona coffee. Here are some other options you can try:
- The whisk attachment on your food processor
- An egg beater (either electric or manual)
- A simple handheld whisk (this takes a while, but eventually works)
How to Use a Handheld Milk Frother
A lot of common complaints about handheld frothers are actually due to user error rather than something being wrong with the frother itself. Before you get frustrated with your device and consider returning it, make sure you’re using it properly! This is especially true if you feel like your handheld frother is “too powerful” or “too strong,” or that it tends to splash milk everywhere.
- Choose an appropriate container. You want something that’s relatively tall and deep. It’s even better if it slants inward slightly at the top! If you don’t have a frothing jug (which tends to meet these criteria), look for another similar vessel. Personally, when I don’t have access to a jug, I like to use the bottom of a cocktail shaker because it’s tall enough to prevent the milk from splashing.
- Bring the milk (or liquid of choice) to the correct temperature. Depending on how you want to use it, you can heat the liquid or use it cold.
- Pour the milk into your container. Very importantly, do not overfill the container. It should be no more than 1/3 full. This allows room for the milk to expand without overflowing or splashing.
- Insert the wand into the container until the whisk is fully, but barely, submerged in the milk. The device should not be turned on yet at this point, and the whisking part should be just deep enough that it’s fully submerged.
- Turn on the handheld frother. You should immediately see a whirlpool forming in the drink as the froth begins to form.
- Optional: tilt the container slightly, leaving the wand in place. This will help achieve perfect foam, but isn’t necessary if you’re still getting a feel for how to use your frothing wand.
- Turn off the frother with the tip still in the milk. This is a common place for mistakes; if you try to pull the frother out before turning it off, you’re likely to end up splashing milk and foam around.
- Remove the frother from the milk.
- Lift the container a few inches from the countertop, then hit it down pretty hard. The idea here is to pop any extra-large bubbles. If you’ve ever seen chefs making macarons on your favorite cooking show, you’ve seen this concept in action, as they hit the baking sheets onto the counter! Just be careful not to hit it so hard that milk splashes out.
- Your froth is now ready! Enjoy in your favorite coffee preparation.
Do Milk Frothers Heat the Milk?
It depends.
As a general rule, electric milk frothers (which sit on your countertop) have the option of heating your milk. This allows you to either simply froth cold milk, or to froth and heat your milk at once. (But double-check to make sure that the one you’re interested in has the features you require!)
Espresso machine steaming wands froth and heat your milk all at once.
But handheld milk frothing wands, as well as manual hand-pumped frothers, typically do not heat your milk. You can either use them with cold milk, or heat your milk via another method (like in the microwave or on the stovetop) before frothing it.
If one of your priorities is to have a device that both heats and froths, you’ll be better off looking into electric milk frothers and espresso machines.
Is It Better to Froth Milk Hot or Cold? (And Can You Froth Cold Milk?)
First things first: you can froth either hot or cold milk. With the exception of espresso machines (which use a steam wand to froth, and therefore always heat your milk), any type of frother will work for both hot and cold milk.
Whether you froth milk hot or cold depends primarily on how you want to use the result. If you’re making an iced coffee, for example, you might as well use cold froth so that you don’t heat up the drink unnecessarily. But if you’re making a hot drink, there’s a good chance you’ll want hot foam too.
While the question of hot or cold is mostly up to preference, there are two important factors to keep in mind:
- Cold milk tends to hold air better and therefore make a longer-lasting foam.
- When milk gets too hot, it can lose its flavor and quality. Eventually it will scorch, creating an unpleasant result. The incredible Blue Bottle Coffee recommends heating your milk to only 140° to 145° Fahrenheit.
Conclusion
Fancy, foamy coffee drinks don’t need to be special treats that you only get from a cafe. With any of the tools on our list, you’ll be able to froth your own milk and craft your own gourmet coffees at home!
There are four basic types of frother, each of which features on our list. Handheld wands (like the Bodum Schiuma Milk Frother) are the most affordable and smallest, but they don’t heat the milk. Electric frothers like the Breville BMF600XL Milk Cafe Milk Frother are our top pick; they’re generally able to heat the milk, and also create foam with very little effort on your part! Manual frothers are very similar to French presses (and, in fact, you can use a French press as a substitute). Finally, espresso machines (like the surprisingly affordable Hamilton Beach Espresso Machine) tend to have steam wands, which both heat and froth your milk.
Whatever type of frother you choose, you’ll soon be well on your way to making amazing drinks at home! And you can even work on your latte art skills to completely wow your friends and family.
