I’ve written plenty on the joys of at-home espresso. From the money, you’ll save in the long run compared to daily trips to a coffee shop to the joys of perfecting your espresso technique to the best espresso machines for budget living or to take travelling.
But with most at-home espresso options, there’s something key missing.
I’m a double espresso drinker and lover of a long black. But from time to time, I want a gorgeous flat white (oat milk, usually) or a cheeky cortado.
Unless you’re going very high-end, though, most espresso machines don’t come with a milk frother.
Lucky for us all, that’s easily remedied.
Today I’m going to round up eight of the very best milk frothers on the market for home use.
The options range from simple milk wands that you can pick up for a few bucks to automatic induction heating pots. So whatever you want, and whatever your budget, you’re bound to find your perfect frothing fit!
The Best Milk Frothers of 2021:
Now, let’s make some microfoam…
1. Breville BMF600XL Milk Cafe Milk Frother
The Breville BMF600XL is a cafe-quality milk frother with all the bells and whistles.
This milk frother is made up of a frothing pot on top of a base that heats it through induction. It holds from one to three cups worth of milk.
You can precisely control the temperature of your milk via a large, user-friendly dial. Temperatures range from a cold stir option right up to a very hot 70c. The optimum temperature of between 55 and 60c is clearly marked as well.
And if you don’t like coffee, or your guests or kids or spouse or roommate don’t like coffee, the BMF600XL can also be used to make fantastic hot chocolate!
As it’s automatic and so adjustable, this frother is on the more expensive side. It’s worth it for convenience, but if you know your milk, you might resent not being able to see the magic happen and adjust as you go.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Very adjustable
- Froths quickly
CONS
- On the expensive side
Bottom Line
The Breville BMF600XL is perfect for beginners or for anyone for whom time and ease is important.
2. Nespresso Aeroccino4
Nespresso Aeroccinos have been on the market for a few years as a compliment to their single-serve espresso pod machines.
The Aeroccino 4 froths milk into two styles — larger structured foam for cappuccinos, and a silky smooth milk for less built up espresso-based drinks. It’s automatic, so you can’t set the milk temperature, but offers the two foams, hot milk and even cold foam.
The coffee pot itself is pretty good looking, with a modern industrial vibe. Its base, which plugs in to provide heat, is less attractive but it does the job. The fact that the jug is removable also means it’s dishwasher safe and easy and clean to pour.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- From the well known Nespresso brand
- Comfortable to use and largely stylish
CONS
- Very automated, taking away some of your ability to improvise
Bottom Line
With a price-point at the high end of medium, this easy-to-use frother is a practical investment for anyone who values ease of use in their kitchen appliances.
3. PowerLix Milk Frother
The PowerLix Milk Frother is a great handheld milk frother that’s also great value!
The whisk is stainless steel, so it’s hardwearing and easy to clean. It has an ergonomic handle, so you won’t get tired of holding it day after day! To clean it, simply whizz a mug of hot water as if it were milk.
It froths milk, cream, or hot chocolate. You have to heat the milk if you’re making hot foam, and there’s definitely a knack to making perfecting the various styles of foam you’ll want for different drinks. If you’re willing to learn, though, this is a fantastic little frother.
PROS
- Great value
- Available in a variety of colors
- Portable
- Easy to clean
- It comes with a stand
CONS
- Has a learning curve
- You have to be sure to have extra batteries in the house, or else you might end up with half-frother milk when they run out!
Bottom Line
If you want something cheap and cheerful and don’t mind being hands-on then the PowerLix is for you.
4. Secura Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Warmer
This automatic milk frothing pot from Secura is the best auto milk foamer you’ll get for the price.
A brush is provided to help with cleaning, and the pot is also dishwasher safe.
The Secura is simple to use, and really good value — its looks match that, with simple chrome and black accents that will suit most kitchens.
It heats milk for lattes, froths for cappuccinos, or for cold-frothed milk.
PROS
- Excellent value
- Hot and cold frothing
- Easy to use
CONS
- Very simple
- Not as sleek looking as other automatic frothers
Bottom Line
If you want the best possible value for a simple, automatic frothing pot, then the Secura is perfect.
5. Aerolatte Milk Foamer
The Aerolatte is the classic milk foaming wand.
The Aerolatte is also really easy to use — it takes just 30-60 seconds to froth hot or cold milk. You can even do it in a mug. It works well with all sorts of milk, from full-fat cow’s milk to oat to hemp to goat, so you can cater to every one of your friends.
In fact, the wand can even be used for other kinds of whisking. Need to emulsify your homemade mayonnaise? Grab the Aerolatte.
It’s available in a whole variety of colors, so if you want to match your color scheme, that’s totally possible.
This is a very valuable product, and its features match that. It’s versatile, but it doesn’t have a lot of fancy tricks. You have to heat the milk yourself and perfect your frothing technique.
PROS
- Small and easy to transport
- Available in several colors
- Easy to use
- Easy to clean
- Great value
CONS
- Perhaps too simple for some
- Batteries have a way of running out!
Bottom Line
If you’re into simplicity and value, but also a trusted name, then go for an Aerolatte Milk Foamer.
6. HIC Milk Creamer
The HIC is a really classic milk frother.
An old-school frother like this is much like a French press, with a built-in plunger featuring a double-mesh aerator and an ergonomic handle.
Simply pump the plunger up and down to create your desired level of foam.
The HIC is a fantastic value and should last a long time.
PROS
- Great value
- Well built
- Easy to clean
CONS
- Takes a little longer than automatic alternatives
7. Bodum Bistro Automatic Milk Frother
Bodum’s Bistro frother delivers a fantastic balance of value and practicality.
The Bistro heats 300ml of milk at a time, so perfect for a single coffee lover or a caffeine-fiending couple. A clear lid means you can see just what your milk is doing, though you can’t customize your froth.
The neat little frother is really good value for an automatic machine, plus it’s from the trustworthy Bodum.
A nonstick coating makes it easier to clean, and it’s made from durable stainless steel. An auto shut off makes it safe to use even when you’re half awake.
PROS
- Great value
- From a trusted brand
- Small and easy to use
- Solidly built
CONS
- Only holds a cup of milk at a time
- Not the best looking
- Not at all customizable
Bottom Line
Overall, this is an incredibly practical frother that does exactly what it does on the tin. Your milk will be frothed to perfection, easy as pie!
8. Norpro Glass Froth Master
This glass frother is very chic and easy to use.
Manual frothing (without steam) creates a long-lasting froth that’s suitable for all sorts of things. You can even froth cream for desserts or hot chocolate.
You can microwave milk right in the jug as it’s glass, which is a great feature. Just remember to remove the metal plunger and aerator before you hit start on the microwave unless you like in-kitchen electrical storms of course!
Norpro has been making cookware since the early 70s, so they certainly know what they’re doing. And this is a fantastic value product from a trusted name, so what’s not to love?
As with the other manual options, the Norpro will take a little getting used to and isn’t as quick as an automatic pot. But that’s okay, right? You’ll learn along the way!
PROS
- Great looking option
- Microwavable
- A trusted brand
- Works with all sorts of milk and even cream
CONS
- Got to put in some elbow grease
- Takes longer than an automatic milk frother
Things to Consider Before Buying a Milk Frother
There’s price, as ever, but with milk frothers you are bound to find something to suit your budget.
The three main options for milk frothing technologies are automatic, heated milk jugs, wands and manual frothing pots.
Manual pots work a lot like French presses, but you pump down, up, down, etc to aerate the milk. Froth cold or hot milk, as well as most other liquids. Why not experiment with what holds bubbles? I mean, if you’re very bored…
The wands are the smallest, usually the cheapest and definitely the most portable options. They tend to take batteries, and a little getting used to. They’re very simple — just a motor, a long wand with a whisk at the end and a handle.
Automatic frothing pots. These are the most expensive and the most unwieldy usually. They plug in and often work through induction. Sometimes, there are changeable plates or whisks to make different qualities of foam. These take the least work to use, but unless you go high end you can’t customize your froth much at all.
Milk is Milk is…
What kind of milk do you use?
Most of these options will work on the standards — including oat, almond, etc. If they say they work on cream, then they may well be good with coconut milk too. Basically, it’s hard to guess so don’t be afraid to ask!
Even if you’re a traditional cow’s milk kinda gal, you’ll have to froth a lot harder with a manual frother in a thinner liquid, so do think about how willing you are to sweat.
Final Thoughts
I have an Aerolatte wand and have had one for a while. It takes a moment to get used to exactly how to flick your wrist, but once you get it the wand works perfectly. Plus, I can travel with it!
I think the Bodum automatic would be the best choice for anyone short on time, so I have my eye on one! I don’t mind that it isn’t very customisable, cos I have the wand for that. And even with the price of both of them I’d save money after only a few at-home coffees instead of trips to the cafe.
Of course, that’s just me. Plenty of you will be more interested in the Breville BMF600XL, which is without a doubt the most practical option if you don’t want to do much of the work yourself. The adjustable temperature is a really unique plus.
Whichever you choose, enjoy your cafe-quality coffees at home! Combine with one of my favorite espresso makers for the ultimate experience.
You may also be interested in:
Leave a Reply