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6 Best Milk Frothers (Handheld, Automatic, etc.)

Getting the perfect froth for your latte, flat white, or cappuccino is possibly the best way to start the morning. The sense of victory you feel after hitting the nail right on the head goes great with the creamy, foamy coffee you just made.

While we would all like to say that lattes at home are just as good as at the coffee shop, the truth is achieving the perfect foam can be a real challenge. That would require choosing among the best coffee makers and the best milk frothers.

At A Glance:

Behold the Milky Lies

Before anything, let’s bust a few myths about the world of milk frothing. 

  1. You need an expensive machine to froth milk correctly. WRONG! Remember, the best milk frothers (or even the best coffee makers) are not necessarily the priciest. While most espresso machines come with a steam wand to steam and froth milk, you can buy a separate, affordable milk frother that gets the job done. If you are really in a budget-bind, you can even find ways to froth your milk with things you may already have in your kitchen. There is no general best way to approach this, just a best way for you, so keep reading to find out what that is!
  2. Milk steaming and frothing are the same. WRONG AGAIN! Though they are similar processes, they are distinct and produce milk for  distinct coffee recipes. Hang tight and we will explain more about this.
  3. All milk frothers are the same. Err! There are two main categories of milk frothers, each with plenty of options to choose from. There are frothers that differ in speed, user control, heating capacity, and certainly in style. We are going to break down these two types, handheld and automatic, and give you our favorite picks for each!

Now that we have the most common misconceptions out of the way, we can dive into the nuts and bolts of the best milk frother options. Our picks include frothers for just about every specification–budget-friendly, environmentally-conscious, customizable froth, super-convenient, and basic no-frills.

The 6 Best Milk Frothers 

Product Details Button
Best Overall The Breville Milk Cafe The Breville Milk Cafe
  • Allows for greater control and customization
  • Comes with a latte and cappuccino frothing disk
  • Dishwasher-safe
amazon-logo See on Amazon
Runner Up Secura Automatic Milk Frother Secura Milk Frother
  • Comes in two sizes
  • Allows users to heat milk as it froths
  • Sleek stainless steel design
amazon-logo See on Amazon
Budget Pick powerlix milk frother PowerLix Milk Frother
  • Affordable
  • Easy-to-use
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty
amazon-logo SEE ON AMAZON
Kuwan Rechargeable Handheld Milk Frother Aerolatte Milk Foamer
  • Simple and efficient
  • Works with different milks
  • Travel models available
amazon-logo See on Amazon
Cafe Casa Handheld Milk Frother Cafe Casa Handheld Frother
  • Stainless steel body allows for faster speed and precision
  • Has 2 speed settings
  • Easy to clean
amazon-logo See on Amazon
Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Nespresso Aeroccino 3
  • Compact
  • Powerful
  • Can froth up to 120 ml of milk
amazon-logo SEE ON AMAZON
The Breville Milk Cafe
Best Overall The Breville Milk Cafe
  • Allows for greater control and customization
  • Comes with a latte and cappuccino frothing disk
  • Dishwasher-safe
Secura Milk Frother
Runner Up Secura Automatic Milk Frother
  • Comes in two sizes
  • Allows users to heat milk as it froths
  • Sleek stainless steel design
PowerLix Milk Frother
Budget Pick powerlix milk frother
  • Affordable
  • Easy-to-use
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty
Aerolatte Milk Foamer
Kuwan Rechargeable Handheld Milk Frother
  • Simple and efficient
  • Works with different milks
  • Travel models available
Cafe Casa Handheld Frother
Cafe Casa Handheld Milk Frother
  • Stainless steel body allows for faster speed and precision
  • Has 2 speed settings
  • Easy to clean
Nespresso Aeroccino 3
Nespresso Aeroccino 3
  • Compact
  • Powerful
  • Can froth up to 120 ml of milk

Now that we’ve busted a few myths and explained the importance of this coffee-making accessory, it’s time to compare the best milk frothers for your coffee drink.

1. The Breville Milk Cafe – Best Overall

Breville Milk Cafe

Specifications

  • Allows for greater control and customization

  • Comes with a latte and cappuccino frothing disk
  • Dishwasher-safe

Users can choose the temperature they want, the froth type, and simply turn on the machine. When the milk foam is ready, the frother automatically shuts off and you are ready to pour. We also love that the induction milk jug is dishwasher safe, making it simple to clean.

This Breville electric Frother has a brushed stainless steel finish. It comes with a measuring cap that allows you to add in extra ingredients to your milk once frothing has begun–say hello to the best Chai lattes, hot chocolate, and chocolate-y cappuccinos of your life! Though Breville does not provide any other accessories for this frother, all of its parts are available for individual purchase online, so you can repair it in the case of malfunction.

2. Secura Milk Frother – Runner Up

Secura Automatic Milk Frother

Specifications

  • Four drink settings

  • Quiet operation
  • Slimline design

The Secura Automatic Milk Frother takes all the guesswork out of milk preparation while also being possibly the best bargain buy. Aside from coming in two sizes–250mL and 500mL–this  frother also gives users the option of heating the milk as it froths.

The stainless steel body has state-of-the-art vacuum insulation to keep your milk hot and hold up well over time, a guarantee supported by the Secura two year warranty.

The sleek design looks good on just about any kitchen counter and is easy to keep clean. This electric milk frother comes with a cleaning brush and can be washed simply using hot water so that you get the best milk taste and texture with every use.

3. PowerLix Handheld Milk Frother – Budget Pick

PowerLix Handheld Milk Frother

Specifications

  • Affordable

  • Easy-to-use
  • Comes with a lifetime warranty

For the price of about 3 cappuccinos, you can get perfectly frothed milk for infinite lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, hot chocolate, and frothy drinks of your own creation. For this reason, the Powerlix could be the best manual frother there is.

This easy-to-use, battery-operated PowerLix Frother ‘s stainless steel whisk spins at 19,000 rpm, turning your milk into beautiful foam in a matter of mere seconds. The two AA-batteries it requires are not included, so you may want to consider the more environmentally-and-economically-conscious option: rechargeable NiMH-Batteries.

This milk frother is super easy-to-use, with one on/off button located on the top of the frother for a comfortable grip. Though it is not dishwasher safe, cleaning it is as easy as submerging the whisk in hot, soapy water and turning it on. We also love that the PowerLix Milk Frother comes with a lifetime warranty, certainly the best among its competitors–PowerLix believes in this frother and so do we.

4. Aerolatte Milk Foamer – Best Handheld Milk Frother

“Aerolatte”

Specifications

  • Simple and efficient

  • Works with different milks
  • Travel models available

Handheld milk frothers are now a common sight in kitchens, but Aerolatte claims to have been the “original steam-free milk frother”. The invention meant that there was now a quick and affordable way to enjoy a cappuccino at home–no steam wand required.

The brand’s range of products has now expanded, but this frother remains simple and effective. The whisk itself is made from food-safe 18/8 stainless steel and will foam up any kind of milk (including powdered milk) and dairy-free options like hemp milk or almond milk. For the body, you have the choice of stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic in a range of colors or a fun cow print.

For heavy users, there’s an Aerolatte with a stand, so that you can keep it close to hand on your countertop. Or if you only use the handheld frother when you’re away from your home espresso machine, you can opt for the version with the travel case.

5. Cafe Casa Handheld Milk Frother – Most Durable

Cafe Casa Handheld Milk Frother

Specifications

  • Stainless steel body allows for faster speed and precision

  • Has 2 speed settings
  • Easy to clean

The Cafe Casa is a classic favorite milk frother guaranteed to provide the best fluffy, creamy  foam for all the drinks your heart desires. Unlike the PowerLix and the Kuwan, this frother has two different speed settings–one that clocks in at 13,000 rpm and the other at 15,000 rpm.

It is a bit heavier than competing milk frothers, giving it a sturdy feel to match its high performance. The stainless steel body of the milk frother is among the best in terms of precision and speed, and is also easy to clean. The Cafe Casa runs on two AA batteries for easy cordless use.

Buying an automatic milk frother is certainly a step up from affordable handheld version, but it doesn’t need to be expensive. Even if you want some of the seemingly more high-end features.

6. Nespresso Aeroccino 3 – Best for Pod Machines

Nespresso Aeroccino 3

Specifications

  • Compact

  • Powerful
  • Can froth up to 120 ml of milk

This small but powerful electric milk frother Nespresso developed is the best option for someone who needs just enough milk for one latte or cappuccino at a time. It is easy to operate and can froth up to 120 mL of milk. The third iteration in Nespresso’s line of milk frothers, the Aeroccino 3 has an updated, narrow base to save counter space while still being a stylish addition to your kitchen.

This electric milk frother also has the ability to heat and froth milk both separately and simultaneously, so you choose how you want your beverage. Though it comes at a distinctly higher price than the Secura, this compact Aeroccino has an energy saving mode, making it the best option for environmentally-conscious shoppers looking for an automatic frother. Though it is not dishwasher safe, the chamber is easy to clean with a soft cloth and warm water.

Things to Consider When Buying a Milk Frother

So you like lattes, cappuccinos, and other drinks that contain milk. What factors and features should you look for in a milk frother? Let’s talk a bit more about the particularities of frothing and the industry-standard best practices.

Steaming vs Frothing

Unless you are barista or have already devoted yourself to the exquisite world of milk coffee drinks, you probably don’t exactly understand the difference between steamed and frothed milk. While these two milk preparation methods are very similar, they are still distinct.

Steaming milk is the process of using hot steam to heat milk and inject air bubbles, giving it the full-bodied, creamy texture that turns your latte into liquid velvet. You can froth the milk or foam it using a steam wand, but steam wands are traditionally geared towards coffee recipes that need more steamed milk and less frothed milk, like a latte or flat white (1).

Steamed milk is less dense than frothed milk, although it may still have a bit of foam on top.

Gaggia Milano

Milk frothing,  whether you use hot or cold milk, is a process that is solely focused on incorporating air into the milk. A milk frother, then, does not need to include a heating element. Whether or not you choose to steam the milk as well as froth it, your goal is to “stretch” or aerate the milk to get the best microfoam (2).

If you’ve ever been in a coffee shop and heard that quintessential cafe sound, that is the stretch, that’s aeration, that’s air being pumped into the milk. This creates the bubbles.

Chris Baca, Cat and Cloud Coffee
frothed cold milk in mason jar

You can froth milk with a number of tools, from the most basic to the most sophisticated. Naturally, you could use a handheld or automatic frother, but those are not the only options. The best DIY techniques include shaking your milk in a mason jar, using a french press, and even using an immersion blender or hand mixer–though this one can get a bit messy. Check out our article on making fluffy milk foam at home to learn more.

Then of course there is the option to froth milk with the steam wand found on most espresso machines. To get the best foam with a steam wand, be sure to keep the end of the wand as near to the milk’s surface as possible so that you can pull in the maximum amount of air into the milk.

Handheld vs Automatic

Handheld and automatic milk frothers are some of the best tools for creating smooth and delicious microfoam. Both of these frother types can froth hot or cold milk, so you can craft just about any drink you like.

Handheld frothers are typically battery-operated ergonomic machines that use a small whisk to froth your milk in a matter of seconds. Although most models are easy-to-use, this type of milk frother requires more effort on your part, since it cannot be left alone in the milk–so get in there and froth your milk!

Automatic milk frothers, on the other hand, do the work for you. Simply pour your milk into the frother, close it, and turn it on.

Automatic milk frothers are all about taking the effort and human error out of the equation.

While these milk frothers are generally more expensive than their handheld counterparts, many of them offer a steaming feature, so you can easily froth hot and cold milk alike. Neither a handheld nor an automatic frother requires any extra accessories, though many of the manufacturers produce different whisks for different types of coffee drinks.

handheld vs automatic milk frother

The Technique

Whether you have a handheld or automatic milk frother, you need to discern how much cold milk to start with so that you end up with just the right amount of milk for your coffee.

Note: Read our reviews of the best home coffee roasters if you fancy roasting your own beans at home.

Depending on the type of drink you are making, you will aerate the milk–volumizing it by creating microfoam–to varying degrees.

Lattes typically require 25% milk aeration while traditional cappuccinos require 50% aeration (3). This means that for an 8 oz. latte, you will need to start with 5.25 oz. of milk so that the total amount of steamed milk equals 7 oz., leaving space for 1 oz. of espresso. Similarly, for an 8 oz. cappuccino, you will need to start with just 3.5 ounces of milk so that once its volume doubles, you will have 7 ounces of beautifully frothed milk.

Now that you have mastered determining the best milk quantities for your coffee, let’s talk about  technique. Naturally, if you choose an automatic milk frother, the physical technique is of no concern to you, simply turn on your frother and let the magic happen!

a cup of cappuccino
Frothing milk with a handheld frother is certainly not complex, but we have a few tips to help you get the best latte or cappuccino possible.

Tip #1: Move the frother in circles through the milk. Just as with the steam wand on an espresso machine, you want to move the milk frother around to achieve the whirlpool or “vortex” milk movement.

Tip #2: Make sure to get your milk frother deep into the container, so that the texture is even throughout the milk. Keeping the frother still in just one area is likely to result in differences in milk thickness, leading to a disappointing cappuccino.

Before Wrapping Up

We hope you appreciate the importance of using milk frother when making espresso-based drinks. In the same way, using certain accessories such as coffee scales and the best gooseneck kettles can help you make better-tasting pour over coffee – that is if you’re also into that type of coffee.

While of course the espresso – as well as the freshness of the beans – is a key part of any latte, cappuccino, or flat white, it is often the milk that makes or breaks the drink. The velvety, fluffy texture of the milk permeating each sip is a big part of why the best days tend to begin with a delicious, creamy cappuccino or latte.

a cup of cappuccino on white saucer

Unfortunately, buying any of these more “done-up” coffee drinks at a coffee shop ends up being tough on your wallet and really limits your ability to get your latte just the way you like it. The best milk frother for you, whether it is automatic or handheld, let’s you brew delicious coffee recipes in your own kitchen for a fraction of what you would pay at any of these coffee shops.

The Verdict

By frothing your milk at home, you have access to a whole new world of hot and cold foamy drinks. If you are someone who loves the personal touch of frothing by hand, any of our favorite handheld options will be a good fit.

An automatic milk frother is the best machine for those of us who want push-button convenience that maintains the ideal artisanal taste. We love and recommend all of these milk frothers. Get one for yourself or get one as a gift for a coffee lover! Don’t forget to share your pick with us in the comments.

“Breville

FAQs

The commonly accepted best temperature for frothing milk is around 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 60 degrees Celsius. As milk is heated, the protein structures and fats break down and change shape, creating the tiny bubbles, or microfoam, that give it the beautiful foamy texture. 

Coffee experts and baristas say that 140 degrees is the best temperature because both the texture and flavor of the milk reach a balanced peak. (4)

While heating your milk slightly higher or lower than 140 degrees is not going to be catastrophic for your coffee, the best flavor and foam link up right around this point. Once the milk gets too hot, you start to lose the sweet taste and it will end up tasting bad, while being too cold means it is unlikely to achieve the smooth, foamy texture you want.

If you have ever heated milk on the stove you have seen that two different films can form. The first is the milk skin that forms on the surface of the milk as a result of coagulating proteins during the application of heat. (5)  While this is a natural phenomenon, there is no argument that it looks bad and certainly disrupts the milk texture. The milk skin is easy to avoid, simply stir the milk as it heats so that those proteins cannot come together on the surface.

The second odd by-product of heated milk is the light film that typically forms on the surface of the pot. This phenomenon is essentially the same as the formation of the milk skin. (6)

In order to avoid this issue, you can spread a tiny amount of coconut oil on the pan to keep the milk from sticking, or simply introduce a tablespoon or two of water before adding the milk. This greases the pan just as you would for cooking food, without altering too greatly the taste of the milk. For best results, keep stirring the milk as you heat it.

The three most popular hot dairy coffee drinks are the latte, cappuccino, and flat white. While these all have their distinctions, the exact composition of each one often depends on where you order it.

For any readers currently visiting or living in Italy, you may have noticed that ‘latte’ simply means ‘milk’ in Italian. Ordering a latte in a cafe will get you a warm glass of milk, while a cafe latte will get you the traditional espresso with steamed milk and a delicate layer of milk foam. If you wanna learn how make a latte at home, here’s our step-by-step guide.

Cappuccinos are the frothiest of the three beverages, containing equal parts coffee, steamed milk, and milk froth. Coffee Expert James Hoffmann points out that, while a cappuccino has typically been comprised of 1 part espresso, 1 part steamed milk, and 1 part foam, this recipe has transformed over time. With the popularization of latte art, cappuccinos now often have less foam and may include two shots of espresso rather than one. (7)

“The drink as a whole is much more an idea than a strict recipe.” – James Hoffmann

Flat Whites, in contrast to the cappuccino, include a double shot of espresso and very thinly textured steam milk–hence the name ‘flat.’ Readers should note that this recipe is also flexible, particularly given that flat whites are most popular in Oceania, and may therefore be quite different if ordered in an American or European coffeeshop.

References
  1. Gaggia Milano. (n.d.). Steaming and Frothing. Retrieved from https://www.gaggia-usa.com/pages/steaming-and-frothing#steaming-frothing.
  2. Baca, C. (2018, December 24). Milk Steaming For Latte Art – Barista Tutorial | Real Chris Baca. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMgB61WyvE.
  3. Sunergos Coffee. (2018, April 12). Sunergos Milk Training Video: Learn Milk Science, Steaming, and Latte Art. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5nOFirDRTo
  4. Klimanova, Y. (2019, February 6). What Temperature Should Your Cappuccino Milk Be? Retrieved from https://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2019/02/what-temperature-should-your-cappuccino-milk-be/
  5. Ballam, R. (1999, January 31). Food for thought: Why does a skin form over hot milk? Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/food-for-thought-why-does-a-skin-form-over-hot-milk-1074030.html
  6. How to Prevent HotMilk from Sticking to the Pan. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.cooksillustrated.com/how_tos/11461-how-to-prevent-hot-milk-from-sticking-to-the-pan
  7. Hoffmann, J. (2019, January 23). The Cappuccino Explained. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-US-wCePuRA
thomas

Coffee expert and industry insider, I’ve dedicated years to mastering the art and science of coffee making. From scrutinizing particle fineness to evaluating burr shapes, I delve into the minutiae that elevate coffee from good to exceptional. Whether it’s a complex pour-over or a robust espresso, my insights cater to those who don’t just drink coffee, but experience it.

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