The perfect cup of coffee is a combination of many different factors. Getting your hands on the right beans, the best manual coffee grinder, and selecting the ideal brewing method are all key contributors to a stellar cup of joe. But if you’re a cappuccino or latte fan who enjoys a thick, luxurious layer of milk on top of your drink, then acquiring the best milk frother should also be a priority.
It’s for that reason that we’ve put together this guide of the best milk frothers currently on the market in 2019. In an effort to find the best milk mixing machine, and to ensure that you always have the creamiest coffee companion, we frothed ourselves silly. The result – a definitive guide of lactose lathering that (hopefully) won’t leave you intolerant.
Editor’s Pick for Best Milk Frother — The Breville Milk Cafe Frother
Features: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Price: 2.5/5
With its temperature control dial, the Breville Milk Cafe Frother might just be the most feature-laden milk frother on the list, and maybe even on the market. However, this is definitely not a cheap frother. It might be an overkill for many coffee drinkers.
The Best Milk Frother: Our Ranking Factors
Type
Milk frothers generally fall into three different types. Namely electric, battery-powered, and manual. This doesn’t necessarily determine the efficacy of the frother, but each category is going to appeal to different types of buyers, and so we tried to include a good mix of all three.
Temperate Control
Can a milk frother heat your milk as well or can it only froth? These are the burning questions we want to know the answers to, and so we judged each frother accordingly.
Construction
Not all frothers are made equally. We sorted the wheat from the chaff (the curds from the whey, if you will) by looking at the construction quality and what the frothers were built from. All of the frothers on the list feature solid, robust and sturdy designs that will keep you frothing for years.
Price
It’s difficult to create any buying guide without taking the price into consideration, and this one was no different. As with any other broad category of product, there are levels to the amount of money one is willing to spend. We included a wide price range so that we could find something for everyone.
Best Milk Frother: Quick Round-Up
 Milk Frother & Price |  Pros & Cons |
 Secura Automatic Electric Frother Check Latest Price | + Beautiful, functional design. + Insulated interior keeps your milk either hot or cold. + Can heat and froth milk. + Easy to operate. – Not dishwasher safe. – Electric and so always needs electricity in order to froth milk. |
 Powerlix Battery Operated Handheld Milk Frother Check Latest Price | + Slim and portable design; perfect for travel. + Froths milk quickly and evenly. + Quiet motor so you can froth milk early in the morning and late at night. – Battery operated and so requires the changing of batteries from time to time. |
 Aerolatte Hand Frother Check Latest Price | + Solid stainless steel construction means it won’t rust. + Froths milk extremely fast. + Reliable product from a trusted brand. – More expensive than other frothers on this list. – Battery-operated so batteries will need to be replaced at some point. |
 Nespresso Aeroccino Plus Check Latest Price | + Offers a wide range of milk frothing options. + Can make hot and cold milk very easily. + Extremely consistent and versatile. + Beautiful design. – Extremely expensive especially compared to other frothers on this list. |
 Bonsen Kitchen Electric Milk Frother Check Latest Price | + Extremely affordable. + Handheld and portable. + Perfect for travelling. – Uses batteries and so needs new ones periodically. |
 HIC Milk Creamer Frother Check Latest Price | + Very affordable considering the quality. + Beautiful design that looks great in any kitchen. + Produces consistently foamy and creamy milk. + Doesn’t require electricity and is very portable. – Takes slightly longer than electric frothers. |
 Capresso Froth Plus Check Latest Price | + Large capacity means it can froth large quantities of milk. + Dishwasher friendly. + Very easy to use; froth milk at the push of a button. – Expensive considering that the frother is made from plastic. |
 NoPro Glass Froth Master Check Latest Price | + Beautifully minimal design. + Extremely affordable.Manual milk frother that doesn’t require any batteries. – Glass construction makes this frother quite fragile. – Small volume means you might have to froth multiple servings of milk. |
 Nestle Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother Check Latest Price | + Rapid hot or cold milk frothing capabilities. + Unique design. + Auto shut off when milk is finished frothing. – Hefty price tag makes this quite inaccessible for first-time buyers. |
 Breville Milk Cafe Frother Check Latest Price | + Dial allows precision control of temperature. + Creates consistently foamy and thick milk. + Ideal for making cappuccinos. – Huge price tag; most expensive milk frother on the milk. |
Top Milk Frother Picks – in Detail
Secura Automatic Electric Frother
Sleekest Design
Sleekest Design 
As far as electric frothers go, you’d be hard pressed to find a better looking one than the Secura Automatic Electric Frother. Made entirely from stainless steel, the Secura is easy on the eyes and would look great on any kitchen counter.
To show you how it works, Qelsey Z on YouTube:
The Secura is able to froth both hot and cold milk effortlessly. You can also heat the milk without frothing it at all.
- Heating only: Remove the heating whisk and fill it with up to 8.5 oz of milk. Since you aren’t frothing the milk, it won’t increase in volume, so you can safely fill it to maximum capacity. Next, press the selector switch once. A red light will flash for approximately 3 seconds before the machine begins to heat the milk. This can take up to 3 minutes, depending on the original temperature and volume of the milk. The frother will turn off automatically once the milk is ready.
- Heating and frothing: Insert the frothing whisk and fill the Secura to half maximum capacity. The froth will double in volume, so be sure not to exceed the halfway mark, which is clearly indicated inside the frother. Hit the selector button once and, within 3 minutes, the milk will be frothed.
- Frothing milk without heat: The process is much like when frothing and heating. However, to ensure the milk stays cool, press the selector button 3 times. The light will then flash blue before beginning to operate. The light and appliance will turn off automatically once your milk is ready to be enjoyed.
We were particularly impressed by the consistency of the Secura’s froth. The output is thick and creamy rather than bubbly foam. On the cold setting, the frothed milk slightly resembles whipped cream, while the warm setting is perfect for preparing a more decadent cappuccino.
This frother is vacuum insulated meaning it will keep your milk warm (or cold) for quite a while, even when you’re done heating it.
It’s also detachable, making it super easy to clean without worrying about getting the electric parts wet. And really that’s it’s only handicap – being electric. The Secura is a great and affordable little frother, but without batteries it means that you’ll never be able to bring it with you on a business trip and it will be forever relegated to the kitchen.
Powerlix Battery Operated Handheld Milk Frother
Best Battery Operated Frother
If you’re looking for a milk frother that feels great in your hand and does exactly what it says on the packet, the Powerlix Battery Operated Handheld Milk Frother should be your go-to. The Powerlix features a svelte, portable design that will make short, creamy work of any flat, bodiless milk.
To see it in action, here’s a tutorial video from News World on YouTube about using the Powerlix Battery Operated Handheld Milk Frother:
Much like other battery operated milk frothers, the PowerLix is simple to use:
- Fill a vessel halfway with either warm or cold milk.
- Plunge the frother halfway down and press the button located at the head of the appliance.
- Gently move the frother up and down as the milk begins to thicken.
- Turn off the frother once you’ve reached your desired consistency.
If you’re looking for a powerful, sturdy handheld frother, then the PowerLix is a fine choice. Constructed from stainless steel and featuring a motor capable of producing 19000 revolutions per minute, it froths milk to double the volume in just a few minutes. Not bad for a handheld frother! With this kind of power, we expected the PowerLix to be louder than your average handheld appliance. However, the motor is quiet enough to froth to your heart’s content early in the morning without worrying about waking anyone. Aesthetically, the construction is pretty enough to fit most kitchens, especially with its sleek stainless steel stand. It also comes in 14 different colors, making it easy to find one that’ll match your tea towels!
Another advantage is it’s portable, meaning you can take it camping or on business trips. The downside is that you need a couple of AA batteries to keep it running, which over time can add up. You’ll also have to heat the milk first if it’s a warm beverage you’re after, which means more dishes than with an automatic frother.
Aerolatte Hand Frother
Best Handheld Frother
Aerolatte is one of the most trusted coffee brands on the market, so it makes sense that when it comes to hand frothers they would deliver a great product too. The Aerolatte Hand Frother is a beautiful hand-held frother packing a tiny motor just strong enough to froth milk perfectly every time.
This is a no-frills frother that does exactly what it claims. With a whisking head and shafted constructed from 18/8 stainless steel, you don’t have to worry about wear and tear or rust, regardless of whether you’re frothing hot or cold milk.
Alternative Brewing put together a pretty cool video about the Aerolatte Hand Frother:
The Aerolatte is operated with a simple on/off toggle switch and powered by two replaceable AA batteries. Much like the other hand frothers on this list, the Aerolatte creates a delicate, creamy froth in under 30 seconds. So why opt for this particular brand over others? It’s a wonderfully effective and functional frother, but better still, the sleek chrome finish makes it the perfect tool to complement a modern kitchen. The latest model also comes with a durable travel container, meaning you can take it with you wherever you go and rest assured that it won’t get damaged in your luggage.
Finally, for its relatively affordable price, it’s hard to fault this handy appliance.
Nespresso Aeroccino Plus
The Beast Frother
If you don’t have too much time in the mornings but would like to sneak in a quality cup of coffee before work, then the Nespresso Aeroccino Plus is the answer.
Much like its predecessor, its ability to quickly heat and froth all types of milk – both dairy and plant-based – makes it ideal for making a cappuccino on the go.
However, unlike the Aeroccino 3, this newer version is able to create two types of hot foam – airy and dense – in addition to cold foam and hot milk. We also found it was easier to clean than the Aeroccino 3 thanks to the new ceramic inner coating. However, keep in mind neither version is dishwasher-safe.
How to use the Aeroccino 4:
- First, insert the whisk element. Even though the Aeroccino Plus is able to produce two different types of foam, only one whisk is required.
- Fill the jug with your milk of choice. Use the markings inside the jug as a guide. The lower level marking is the maximum capacity if you’d like to froth your milk. The highest level marking is for heating only.
- Attach the lid, place the jug on the base and choose the style of froth you would like by pressing one of the four buttons on the base of the machine. The button will begin to blink while operating and will stop blinking once your milk is ready to be served.
With a capacity of 8 oz this isn’t even the biggest frother on the list, but its ability to produce foam so creamy you might as well be drinking a cloud sets it head and shoulders above similar frothers. But with an expensive 3-digit price tag, some might struggle to justify the huge expense.
Bonsen Kitchen Electric Milk Frother
Best Value for Money
If you’re absolutely strapped for cash but you just can’t live without a morning latte, then you might want to consider the Bonsen Kitchen Electric Milk Frother. It’s the cheapest frother on this list by a mile, but that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective.
Here’s a video about the Bonsen Kitchen Electric Milk Frother by Ahad Hossain on YouTube:
Quite the contrary, with a solid construction and a wand and whisking head made from 18/8 stainless steel, the Bonsen can froth milk with the best of them. Operating the Bonsen is also exceedingly simple; a single button turns it off and on. Of course, you will need to heat the milk separately first, but that’s to be expected with any portable frother. Then, much like other handheld frothing devices, submerge the wand halfway and froth in a gentle up-and-down motion until you’re satisfied.
But here’s what really impressed us: the Bonsen is not only simple – it’s fast. We were pleasantly surprised when, in roughly 20 seconds, the milk was adequately frothed for a cappuccino as good as any other. The Bonsen is also portable and reliable, making it the perfect device for a coffee-fueled camping trip. The lightweight design means it won’t weigh down your backpack, and the surprisingly sturdy design will keep it intact even if you’re really roughing it. Keep in mind the Bonsen is battery-operated, so make sure you keep a couple handy should this little guy run out of juice halfway through a froth. However, the appliance comes complete with two batteries – a nice touch for anyone who simply can’t wait to quench their thirst for froth.
HIC Milk Creamer Frother
The Best Manual Frother
Electric frothers are cool and all, but you’ll always be beholden to power to get the job done. Not with the HIC Milk Creamer Frother! This manual frother gives you the ability to create creamy concoctions regardless of whether or not you’re close to a power source.
It also gives you total control over the thickness of your froth, another advantage missing in some electric milk frothers.
How to use the HIC Milk Creamer Frother:
- Pour pre-warmed milk into the frother. Remember, the more milk you add, the less space you have to froth. Filling it up halfway will leave enough capacity for the milk to double and create a thick, rich consistency perfect for cappuccinos. For lattes, you can fill the frother up to two-thirds.
- Place the lid on top and gently begin to pump. We recommend using gentle, shallow pumping motions and keeping the plunger submerged. This will result in a creamier consistency rather than foam that will quickly dissipate.
- The HIC Milk Creamer Frother only requires about 50 pumps to produce an extra creamy consistency. However, you may want to pump some more (or less) to reach your desired texture.
- Remove the lid and gently tap the base of the frother on a flat surface, being careful not to spill. Swirl the milk in a circular motion to help remove any larger air bubbles.
This milk frother is not only functional, but it looks beautiful as well. The stainless steel construction is as ornate as a vanity mirror, and is extremely easy to clean being dishwasher-safe. It also comes in several different sizes, from 6 oz all the way to 24 oz, so you can easily find one for your unique milk frothing needs.However, the real draw is the price. Considering that you’ll never have to spend money on a single battery, the HIC is an absolute steal and perfect for eco-conscious cappuccino connoisseurs who want to froth their milk waste-free.
Capresso Froth Plus
The Best Electric Frother
If you want to get technical with your frothing or you plan on having a lot of guests over, then the Capresso Froth Plus is what you need. With a massive capacity of 8 ounces of milk for frothing or 12 ounces for heating, there’s enough space in here to make lattes for the whole family.
The Capresso is smart too. With two frothing disks and one heating disk that stirs the milk simultaneously, this frother will keep your milk warm and mobile to avoid it burning.
Better still, it has 3 different heat settings so you have more control over the temperature of your beverage.
Here’s a video of how the Capresso Froth Plus works:
How to use the Capresso Froth Pro:
This frothing device is one of the most intuitive machines on this list. It has just 3 buttons, one for each heat setting.
- Insert one of two frothing disks depending on whether you want to froth or simply heat your milk.
- Pour in your milk of choice.
- Press one of the buttons to select the temperature.
- Wait until the unit turns off automatically.
- Spoon out the delightfully thick foam into your beverage.
This is one of the most popular milk frothers on the market – and for good reason. The end result is incredibly thick and creamy. Compared to the earlier model, the Capresso Plus Frother, this newer version is scratch-resistant and ceramic coated, making for much easier cleanup. It’s also dishwasher safe, which makes it a great option for fuss-free frothing.
However, as impressive as it is, it does come with its downsides, one being its limited mobility. This little guy (or should we say big guy) is going to have to live in a kitchen unless you plan on traveling with no other luggage. The device is also relatively expensive. Still, considering how functional it is, it’s hard not to be impressed.
NoPro Glass Froth Master
Best Budget Frother
You can be forgiven is at first glance you think that the NoPro Glass Froth Master is a little French press coffee maker. But no, while the NoPro does share some similarities and even uses a similar technique to the French press, it’s functionality is limited to frothing milk, which it excels at.
How to use the NoPro Milk Frother
The NoPro doesn’t require any external power source. Rather, it’s powered by your own elbow grease (none of which makes its way into your milk hopefully).
- Pour the desired amount of milk into the beaker, keeping in mind the froth will double in volume.
- Attach the lid and pump for 10-20 seconds, or until you’ve reached your desired froth factor.
- We recommend pumping gently to avoid any spills or, even worse, damage to the beautiful yet somewhat delicate glass beaker. Be sure not to smash the stem all the way to the bottom.
- Remove the lid and pop the glass mug containing the frothed milk into the microwave for no more than half a minute.
As far as manual frothers go, the most obvious advantage is that you can heat up the milk directly in the frother (if you have a microwave, that is). This will save you time and some washing up – just be sure to remove the metal lid first!
Nestle Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother
Most Functional Frother
Sure most milk frothers can deliver a decent foam when working with milk, but how many can lather up non-dairy alternatives? The Nestle Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother does just that, making short work of even the most stubbornly non-foamy products such as almond and cashew milk.
The Aeroccino 3 is also an impressive piece of kit to observe, and looks like it would look at home on the set of a science fiction film. It has a one button functionality for both heating and frothing milk, and its auto shutoff feature means milk will never overheat or spill over the top.
Here’s one of the brand’s promotional videos on how to use the Nestle Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother:
How to use the Nestle Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother:
- Ensure the vessel is completely dry before attaching it to its base.
- Attach the whisk for frothing, or leave it aside if you simply want to warm the milk.
- Pour your choice of milk into the vessel, using the guides inside the frother to measure out the correct volume. If frothing, fill to the lower level mark (4.1 oz, enough for about 2 cappuccinos once frothed). If simply heating, you can fill the vessel up to the max level mark, which measures at 8.1 oz.
- Attach the lid and hold the button for one second to begin frothing and heating. A red light will appear, then all that’s left to do is finish prepping your coffee while the Aeroccino works its magic.
- For cold milk, hold the button down for 2 seconds until the blue light appears.
- Once the milk is ready, the light will turn off.
Although the jug is waterproof, the Aeroccino is not suitable for the dishwasher. Instead, you’ll have to remove any detachable parts and wash them separately under running water. We recommend washing the Aeroccino immediately after use to avoid any crusty buildup that may be difficult to clean later.
While this frother is a bit pricey compared to others on the market, its ability to work with other types of milk apart from dairy makes it worth the investment, especially for those following a plant-based diet.
Breville Milk Cafe Frother
Most Multifunctional Frother
The Breville Milk Cafe Frother might just be the most feature-laden milk frother on the list, and maybe even on the market. Before purchasing one, you might not be aware that you want or need temperature control, but afterwards you’ll struggle to understand how you coped without it.
Here’s one of the brand’s promotional videos on how to use the Breville Milk Cafe Frother :
How to use the Breville Milk Cafe Frother:
This frother is more versatile than any other we’ve tried. Not only can you control the temperature and texture, the Breville can also be used to make various other hot and cold milk beverages. This is above and beyond your average latte or cappuccino (although, fair warning, we guarantee your coffee game will elevate to untold levels of awesome with this nifty device). But without going into too much detail on all the wow-worthy capabilities of this milk frother, here is a quick tutorial on how to froth your milk of choice.
- Insert your whisk of choice. Impressively, the Breville comes with 2 different whisks: one for lattes and another for cappuccinos.
- Pour your desired amount of cold milk into the jug, ensuring it is between the min and max level markings inside. Note that the machine will not start if you have added too little or too much milk. Yup, this is one smart milk frother.
- Attach the lid and select your desired temperature.
- Hit the start button once and within 2-7 minutes (depending on the amount and type of milk) you’ll be topping your beverage of choice with supremely silky froth.
When it comes to versatility, the Breville is indisputably the best option on this list. The fact that it’s dishwasher-safe is yet another bonus. However, this is definitely not a cheap frother. You’re paying for quality here, and to that end the Breville delivers every time, making it the ultimate frother for any avid coffee enthusiast.
Automatic (Electric) Milk Frother vs Handheld Milk Frother
Can’t choose between handheld or automatic? We’ve got you covered with the pros, cons, and best use cases for both types of milk frother.
Automatic Milk Frothers
Automatic milk frothers are best for those who don’t mind paying more for better quality foamed milk on their coffee. A lot of them also include useful features—like temperature control and auto shut-down—so you can just turn the frother on and let it do its job while you prepare something else.
Pros
- Ease of Use: Simply pour in your milk, press a button, and voila.
- Quality Results: Automatic frothers are known to produce thicker, higher quality foam for your coffee.
- Features: Temperature Control and Steaming are exclusive to automatic milk frothers.
Cons
- Cleaning: Most Electric Milk Frothers aren’t dishwasher safe, so even though you save some time not having to manually froth the milk, you’ll probably end up having to spend that time on the cleaning process anyway.
- Price: Expect to pay at least 40-50 bucks for an automatic milk frother.
- Portability: Not so ideal for travel because of its size and its need for an electric outlet to operate.
Handheld Milk Frothers
Handheld milk frothers are the best option if you’re looking for a simple way to add frothed milk to your beverage. They’re cheap and convenient, and very portable in case you’re going out on a trip.
Pros
- Cleaning: Handheld frothers are easy to clean, you just wash the small whisk after each use.
- Ease of Use: If your handheld frother is battery-operated, you simply switch it on and move it around slowly.
- Price: handheld milk frothers are very modestly priced compared to automatic ones.
Cons
- Not as consistent as an automatic milk frother.
- Features: no steaming or temperature control abilities.
The Creme de la Creme
So there you have it. The best frothers on the market ranked, discussed and reviewed. We left no stone unturned in order to bring you the very best in foam-making machinery.
The only choice you have to make is which device you choose to purchase in your pursuit of the perfect latte or cappuccino. As the ultimate test (if you’re still unsure about which one you should pick), we recommend determining the effectiveness of your frother by the size of the cream moustache it can give you.
