Is there anything better than that foamy texture on the top of your favourite coffee? We don’t think so. And the way to get that is to invest in your very own at-home milk frother. They are wonderful devices that can turn a run-of-the-mill coffee into a real experience. If you’ve never tried one before, you are really missing out.
In this article, we delve into some of the best milk frothers out there to help you get the most suitable one for your coffee habit. We’ve done all the research for you, so you can be assured that if you get one of the ones on this list, you’ll be in good shape.
So, read on, and find the milk frother that’s calling your name!
What can a milk frother be used for?
A milk frother is used to create a creamy, foamy texture to any latte, cappuccino, or cold brew drink. They work by spinning the milk rapidly with a coiled whisk or pushing steam through it to create bubbles in the milk. They can be used with any sort of milk to turn an ordinary hot drink into one that soothes the soul on the way down.
In this review, we discuss;
Why buy a milk frother or steam wand?
Great tasting coffee
It’s simply undeniable that a milk frother or steam wand will elevate the taste of your coffee. It allows you to create a smooth, creamy, velvety texture that can take your breath away if you let it. If you’re looking to take your coffee game to the next level, then you have to get yourself one of these magical devices.
Practice latte art
We’ve all seen those super creative art pieces on Instagram, balancing delicately on the top of a freshly brewed latte. With a milk frother or a steam wand, you can start creating these too. It’s perfect for latte art hobbyists and coffee fanatics who want that perfect aesthetic for their drink. And you could even go one step further and use microfoam to decorate as well, if you wanted to.
Impress your guests
We’ve alluded to it above, but when you use one of these devices, you’ll be able to serve insanely good coffee to guests that you have over at your home. Not only will their coffee taste better because of the smooth texture, but it will look more appealing as well. Nothing impresses a guest more than receiving a drink that looks like it came straight out of a gourmet coffee shop. You’ll be the talk of the town.
Top Milk Frothers and Steam Wands
Best Electric Milk Frothers
1. Lavazza A Modo Mio MilkEasy Milk Frother
This Lavazza milk frother is sleek and classy to the hilt. Its ergonomic design makes for a very easy to use device that enables you to make all sorts of milky drinks in the comfort of your own home. It’s compact, robust, and does everything you need it to, without any fuss whatsoever. In no time, you’ll have that creamy texture that makes you feel like all is right with the world.
- Type: Electric milk frother.
- Capacity: 1 cup.
- Temperature settings: Yes, temperature dial for hot and cold.
- Powered: Yes, batteries required.
- Brand: Lavazza
- Retailer: John Lewis & Partners
- Price: ££
2. Dualit Triple Function Heated Milk Frother
This Dualit milk frother can do it all, including steamed milk, hot frothed milk, and cold frothed milk. This wide variety of options is made even more powerful with a generous capacity, and a very easy to clean set up. It’s one of the best all round milk frothers out there and is perfect for those of us who care deeply about the texture of our coffee. Don’t be fooled by the simple black design – this thing is a powerhouse.
- Type: Electric milk frother.
- Capacity: 2 cups.
- Temperature settings: Yes, temperature dial for hot and cold.
- Powered: Yes, connect to mains.
- Brand: Dualit
- Retailer: Amazon
- Price: ££
3. Severin Induction Milk Frother
The Severin Induction is a really neat milk frother that has a number of different applications across its broad temperature spectrum to create a range of coffee experiences. Its compact design makes it a great addition to any kitchen and the LED light ring certainly makes it stand out from the rest in this regard. It’s easy to clean, efficient in its operation, and is a great choice for anyone looking for a capable milk frother than can do it all.
- Type: Electric milk frother.
- Capacity: 3 cups.
- Temperature settings: Yes, temperature dial for hot and cold.
- Powered: Yes, connect to mains.
- Brand: Severin
- Retailer: Amazon
- Price: £££
4. Smeg Milk Frother in Cream
The Smeg milk frother brings a retro vibe back to your kitchen as it delivers exceptional quality time after time. It can make both hot and cold milk light or thick with foam, ensuring that no matter what drink you’re after, it’s got you covered. The design is really thoughtful, and it does all that you expect it to, nothing more. Simple and efficient.
- Type: Electric milk frother.
- Capacity: 2 cups.
- Temperature settings: Yes, temperature dial for hot and cold.
- Powered: Yes, connect to mains.
- Brand: Smeg
- Retailer: John Lewis & Partners
- Price: ££££
Best Handheld Milk Frothers
1. Aerolatte Milk Frother with Stand
This milk frother from Aerolatte is incredibly compact and lightweight which means that it will never take up more space than is needed. With just a few seconds, your milk is transformed into the creamy texture that you’ve been dreaming of. Forget the run of the mill, this creates masterpieces. And the bonus is that it’s incredibly easy to clean as well – making it an all-round great choice.
- Type: Handheld milk frother.
- Capacity: No limit.
- Temperature settings: No.
- Powered: Yes, batteries required.
- Brand: Aerolatte
- Retailer: John Lewis & Partners
- Price: £
2. KitchenCraft Le’Xpress Electric Milk Frother Whisk
This frother brings an instant magic to any drink it touches because of its power and efficiency. It’s simple in its design and incredibly versatile because not only does it create wonderful coffees, but it can also be used to whisk egg whites, salad dressings, and the like. If you’re looking for a generalist machine that offers fantastic value for money, then look no further. This is the one.
- Type: Handheld milk frother.
- Capacity: No limit.
- Temperature settings: No.
- Powered: Yes, batteries required.
- Brand: KitchenCraft.
- Retailer: Amazon
- Price: £
Best Manual Milk Frothers
1. Bodum Latteo Manual Milk Frother
This milk frother from Bodum is made from heat resistant borosilicate glass which assists with the frothing process, but also makes it very durable and easy to use. The silk plastic lid has a deep rim which ensures that no foam escapes and you’re left with all the magic you deserve. It’s a great manual milk frother that gets the job done without any fancy bells and whistles.
- Type: Manual milk frother.
- Capacity: 1 cup.
- Temperature settings: No.
- Powered: No.
- Brand: Bodum.
- Retailer: Amazon
- Price: ££
2. Barista & Co Manual Milk Frother
This milk frother has the sleek design and tall features of a supermodel. Its contemporary, heat-resistant components ensure that you can use it easily and without worrying about safety. You’ve also got the double mesh filter that puts it a cut above the rest. It’s a near-perfect device for any home barista who wants to take their milk frothing into their own hands. And once you’ve made that perfect cup, throw it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. What’s not to love about that?
- Type: Manual milk frother.
- Capacity: 2 cups.
- Temperature settings: No.
- Powered: No.
- Brand: Barista & Co.
- Retailer: Amazon
- Price: ££
Best Steam Wands
1. Dualit Cino Milk Steamer with Wand
This compact machine is worth its weight in gold, truly. It has a really unique thermobloc element that provides continuous steam on demand and in under a minute – you can get some perfectly steamed milk to revolutionise how you drink your coffee. It has a generous capacity and has some great descaling features which make it a dream to clean and maintain. As far as steam wands go, you can’t go wrong with this one.
- Type: Steam wand.
- Capacity: 3 cups.
- Temperature settings: Yes, temperature dial for hot and cold.
- Powered: Yes, connect to mains.
- Brand: Dualit.
- Retailer: Amazon
- Price: ££££
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Buying Guide
Electric frother, handheld frother, manual frother, or steam wand.
The most important factor when considering buying a milk frother is to choose the type of milk frother that best suits your needs. Every different type comes with its own quirks and strengths – so there is no ‘right’ decision for everyone. It really depends on your personal preferences and budget.
- Electric frothers are very easy to use and make much better froth than if you were to do it with a handheld device. That being said, they are much more cumbersome – taking up more space and requiring more effort to clean them – so you to weigh up those tradeoffs when making a decision.
- Handheld frothers are the most compact and affordable option in most cases. They are incredibly convenient because they have a wide range of uses, but they do result in less precise milk frothing than their electrical counterparts, which means that the texture is not as substantive as with other types of frothers.
- Manual frothers are extremely inexpensive, but they do take some manual labour to get the job done. They rely on the human to be the milk frother which can be good exercise, if you’re willing to put the effort in. Some people prefer this though because it becomes part of the coffee routine and almost acts as a small piece of mindfulness and intentional action that you can insert into your day.
- Steam wands are ideal for customising frothed milk for various specialty coffees. They especially shine when it comes to making microfoam that is the perfect addition to a good latte. However, they are the most expensive option and require some technique and expertise to get good results consistently.
How you brew your coffee.
How you brew your coffee will also have a big impact on the milk frother you should be considering. Depending on whether you use a bean to cup, pod, espresso, filter, or cafetiere coffee machine – you’ll have different considerations. For example, some of those will have built-in milk frothers already, so you don’t want to double dip if you don’t have to.
Ideally, you want to match your milk frother with your machine as best as possible. If you’ve got a Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, or Tassimo coffee machine, you’d be best off with an electric milk frother of some type which will get the most out of those pods. If you’ve got something a bit less fancy, you might want to go with a handheld one for convenience’s sake. Either way, be sure that it fits your coffee habits and the machine you’ve got. The last thing you want to do is get home with a milk frother, only to discover that it’s not actually suitable.
It also depends on how you like your coffee as well. If you are using an espresso machine and you’re trying to hone your barista skills, then you’ll get a lot of enjoyment out of a steam wand and milk frother jug – to test your skills. However, if you’re just drinking filter coffee and want something that’s affordable and easy to use – then you should go with a handheld version that eliminates the complexity.
FAQs
Do milk frothers heat the milk?
No, typically milk frothers don’t heat the milk – they introduce air into the milk. Milk steamers, on the other hand, do heat the milk through pressurised steam.
Can I use a milk frother to whip cream?
Yes, you can use a milk frother to whip cream – assuming you have a handheld milk frother. Just hold the handheld device in the cream for a minute or so until you get some stiff peaks. You can achieve some results in certain electric frothers, but it really pays to use a handheld one for whipped cream.
How do you make latte art?
To make latte art you want to add your steamed milk slowly and carefully, swirling it to incorporate it. Vary the height and speed at which you pour, as you trace the shape you want to make. Start with a narrow stream so that you don’t break the surface and then increase the flow as the distinction between the foam and the base solidifies. Latte art takes practice, but if you stick with it – you’ll be surprised at what you can make.
Conclusion
There you have it – all you ever needed to know about milk frothers. They really do hold a special place in the world of coffee and getting the right one for your needs will ensure that your drinks have that foamy texture that we all know and love. We hope that you’ve gotten some value out of the research that we’ve done. We went above and beyond to scour the online reviews, buyer personas, and trusted sellers to bring you only the cream of the crop, if you excuse the pun.
If we had to choose our personal favourites, we would probably go with the following:
Best Electric Milk Frother: Lavazza A Modo Mio MilkEasy Milk Frother
Best Handheld Milk Frother: Aerolatte Milk Frother with Stand
Best Manual Milk Frother: Bodum Latteo Manual Milk Frother
Best Steam Wand: Dualit Cino Milk Steamer with Wand
Best Overall Milk Frother: Lavazza A Modo Mio MilkEasy Milk Frother
But, even with that said, we stand by all the recommendations we’ve included above. You can’t go wrong with any of the ones on the list – it all depends on what works best for you.
Go and create those amazing coffees! We’re jealous that we can’t be there enjoying them with you.
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Co-founder at The Coffee Makers Guide
Fascinated by how old coffee-making traditions and habits meet new technology, Tom loves to test out the latest coffee makers, gadgets and other accessories in search of that perfect coffee.