Best milk frothers 2024 – tried and tested by a barista

Once you've added a milk frother to your coffee setup, you won't look back. These smart, small appliances can give you barista capabilities at the touch of a button, adding a little finesse to your morning routine.

Before we get deep into the best milk frother to pair with your coffee maker, I want to let you know that I have only put one whisk and one handheld milk frother in this guide. Although they fall under the same category, on the whole, they're not worth wasting money on. They lack power and precison. If you want silky milk, you need an electric, plug-in model. Trust me: as a former barista I've steamed thousands of gallons of milk in my time.

I've tested plenty of names you'll recognize, including Breville, Nespresso, and Illy, as well as some you won't. They've all passed my rigorous tests for making hot frothed milk, warm plain milk, and cold froth on both dairy and plant-based milks.

The quick list

Here's a headline of what you need to know about the best milk frothers on the market. If you want to know more, I go into depth further below.

The best milk frother 2024

The best milk frother overall

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Breville's The Milk Cafe is the best of the best. Aside from the professional aesthetics, the main reason this is worth upping your budget to invest in is the range of controls available. There's a temperature control dial, which can warm your milk between 120 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. When you want different texture, there are two discs, offering a range of foam consistencies.

It might sound excessive, but Breville delivers on their promise of versatility: the temperatures are accurate and each milk consistency is different. Breville uses an induction heating element and the bubbles created from that froth the milk, whilst preventing it from sticking or scalding. I was particularly impressed with their microfoam, which is notoriously tricky to achieve, but was silky, thick, and well-frothed.

It's well-suited to large and busy households; the 25 oz capacity could effortlessly cater to over five people and, when you're finished using it, everything can go in the dishwasher. If you're worried about losing the latte or cappuccino disc, don't be. They're magnetic and store neatly at the back of the machine.

Whilst this sounds dreamy, such luxury comes at a cost. The Milk Cafe costs around $160, which is nearly triple most of the basic milk frothers on this list. If you can't tell your microfoam from your macrofoam, this is a pointless expense. Also, a 25 oz capacity is great when you've got a home of five or more people, but if it's just you, this is overkill and can be wasteful. You have to fill the milk to the minimum level of 6 oz, which is too much for just one cappuccino. It's also not the quietest milk frother on the market either. Overall, The Milk Cafe is high-quality, uniquely customizable, but at a cost.

We're currently testing The Milk Cafe and will have a formal review published soon. These are our thoughts so far.

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The best milk frother for speed

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Nespresso lovers may already be tuned in to the ease of the Aeroccino milk frothers, but anyone looking to up their coffee and espresso recipes will want to pay attention. It's speedy, close to silent, and can froth perfectly sweet, silky milk (whether it's dairy or plant-based). There are various iterations of the Aeroccino, but their fourth model includes dishwasher-safe components and a hot froth mode, which is better suited to cappuccinos.

The Nespresso makes it easy to choose between hot milk, hot froth, and cold froth at the touch of the button. It also uses the same whisk for all its features, so you don't have to worry about switching them out as you choose different settings.

The capacity can reach up to 8 oz, which is perfect for a few people, no more. However, if you want a frothy coffee, you'll need to froth in 4 oz batches, otherwise it will overflow.

This is a premium product, but it comes with the price tag to match it. You could buy more expensive models, but there are also good options for a half, or even a third of the price. Nespresso also recommends not to use sugars or syrups in the Aeroccino, so it might limit your creativity. I'd recommend the Nespresso to baristas and coffee connoisseurs, but if you just need the basics, you can save another $50.

Read more: Nespresso Aeroccino 4 review

The best milk frother for latte art

Dreo's brand-new BaristaMaker is a winner for latte art. Our Kitchen Appliance Editor Lydia was amazed by the precise spout, which means that anyone (yes, anyone) can create intricate latte art. The grip is comfortable, so you have strong control over the pour, making it ideal for beginners. The basics are there – all it takes is practice and technique to make your latte art look amazing.

The touchscreen panel helps you select your type of milk - be it dairy or non-dairy – and the type of coffee you want to make. Each program is calibrated to deliver consistent results, so you can make anything from oat milk flat whites to coconut iced lattes, at the touch of a button.

It took three minutes to steam my milk for a latte, which is much longer than more basic models, like Nespresso's Aeroccino. However, unlike Breville's milk frother, Dreo's BaristaMaker can make cold foam. Lydia also used the stirring accessory to create a delicious iced matcha latte – a promising sign that this machine can handle powders, like hot chocolate and protein powder.

We’re still putting it through its paces in the test kitchen, but our initial impressions suggest it’s a worthwhile investment for coffee enthusiasts looking to up their game. Maybe it could even steal the crown from Breville in this buying guide?

Stay tuned for our full review and comparison.

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The best milk frother for versatility

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It's no secret that I love the Illy Milk Frother. It covers the basics of milk frothing like a professional, from cold foam to frothed milk. I tested it on both dairy and almond milk and the Illy achieved a marshmallowy texture that was gently warmed, smooth, and sweet.

On the countertop, the Illy is easy to miss. It's ultra-compact and available in black and white, which blends neatly into almost any interior. Lots of people love the touchscreen controls, which make the Illy feel like a smart and premium product. The glossy finish is a little high maintenance, but, if you're anything like me, you'll love this so much you will want to keep it clean.

As you might expect, the Illy has limited capacity. The most milk you can warm at once is 5 oz, so it's really only suitable for single-servings, or two at a push. Whilst the cold foam function is excellent, it can't be done directly after heating milk, because the element will stay warm for a while.

Read more: Illy milk frother review

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The best value milk frother

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Getting the most out of your money looks like this: it's tall, slim, matte, and only costs $30. Instant Pot are better known for their iconic multi cookers, but don't let that deceive you. This is a fantastic milk frother.

Milk frothers come in all shapes and sizes, but Instant has opted for the best. The handle and spout make it very similar to a barista jug. If you like your latte art, you'll be able to achieve it effortlessly with this. It's also easy to hold.

I've tested it on dairy milk, plant-based milks, warm foam, thick warm foam, cold foam, and warm milk functions. It's hard to fault on any of them. The milk is always nicely sweetened, smooth in the mouth, and gently warmed. If I'm being picky, the Instant could get a little warmer; I know plenty of people who drink their milk at 160 degrees Fahrenheit and Instant's never gets close.

When all the fun is over, you'll need to wash the Instant by hand. It's not dishwasher safe, but the jug isn't too narrow and so shouldn't take long. If you opt for the white Instant, just note that you'll need to keep it extra-clean, because mine showed dirt almost as soon as it came out of the box.

We have tested the Instant and our review will be up soon. This is a summary of our thoughts.

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The best luxury milk frother

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I've made no secret of my Smeg crush. I've lusted after their milk frother ever since I saw the Blu Mediterraneo design, which, if I had the money, I would have bought yesterday. In person, it's just as beautiful. Smeg offers a range of color options, so you can suit your milk frother to your interior decor. I would recommend that you choose carefully, because this is quite a big machine, so you'll probably want to sit it on your countertop and keep it there.

The Smeg has an impressive 20 oz capacity. However, if you want hot, frothed milk, I would say the maximum capacity is about 12 oz. It does a great job on dairy milk, producing sweet, velvety results, whether you opt for hot or cold. You can choose degrees of foaminess, which allows a little more customization than most models, but you won't be able to adjust the temperature. The more milk you put in, the cooler it will be. If this is a problem, you can run it again.

I desperately wanted this to become my go-to for almond or oat milk cappuccinos, but the Smeg isn't quite as perfect on plant-based milks. It does froth them and warm them perfectly, but they can end up a little bubbly. I've had some impressive almond milk results, but for oat milk, it just doesn't seem to play ball. When you're spending over $200 on a milk frother, you'd expect utter perfection.

Read more: Smeg milk frother review

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The best milk frother for small spaces

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Bodum has established a reputation for their Danish design and durability. Combined with the surprisingly reasonable price tag, it's a dream come true, especially if you're new to milk frothing.

In spite of the considerable capacity, the Bodum has a small footprint. It looks neat on the countertop — a lot like the Nespresso Aeroccino in fact — and is available in a range of finishes.

When it comes to performance, the Bodum can froth up to eight cups of deliciously perfect cappuccino. The foam was tight and silky, which I didn't expect from a machine of this price. The biggest disappointment is that it's hard to enjoy this lovely foam, because there is no handle to hold the milk frother with and no spout to pout from. Therefore, either all the foam or all the warm milk comes out in one go. You never get the neat blend of the two. There's also no cold setting, so you will need something else for your morning iced macha.

Our experts are in the process of testing this. These are their thoughts so far.

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The best whisk milk frother

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Full disclosure: I'm a little skeptical of whisk milk frothers. They'll never match up to electric milk frothers and they take a lot more effort from the user. They also tend to lack power, but Zulay's is the best one you'll get.

It's easy to transport, whether you're going on holiday or on your way to work and, when you're finished, it only needs an easy rinse. Plenty of my colleages have been converted to the Zulay and actually, these are even a favorite of Heather Dubrow.

The Zulay has a one-touch operation that is super easy to use, and is available in a seemingless endless rainbow of colors. With 12,500 rotations per minute (RPM), it can froth your preferred milk, be it cow's milk or non-dairy alternatives like soy, almond, or oat to a fluffy consistency. It's versatility, goes much further than just your favorite coffee beverages; use it as a whisk for mixing milkshakes, matcha tea, bulletproof coffee, protein powders, cocktails, fruit drinks, eggs, soups, dressings, and even whipped cream.

The Zulay Milk Frother requires 2 AA batteries, which are not included. Also, be wary that since no lid is involved, your foam could splatter or overflow. You will have to actively pay attention to what you are doing, rather than setting and forgetting it like in an electric.

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The best handheld milk frother

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Keep things old school with the forever dependable with the HIC Stainless Steel Milk Frother Pitcher. The stainless steel design is durable and dishwasher safe, and no electrical components limit the chance of malfunction. However, as a manual design, you will have to pump it yourself, which also gives you the most control over your froth levels.

Beyond looking like a pro, (something about stainless steel pitchers just look barista-quality) it's easy to use. Plus, the pitcher with a lid is a roomy 14 oz. that can double as a serving piece when you have guests. The spout also enables you to work on your latte art. It features a built-in double-mesh aerator to make froth and an easy-grip handle. Simply pump the handle for a minute, and you'll have silky, smooth milk froth for your lattes.

You can heat milk on the stove but will need to use a separate container to heat up the milk in the microwave.

Additionally, there is a method to the pumping to make froth, as one reviewer on Amazon has pointed out. He found through trial and error that pumping milk at a "steady pace, deliberately but not too fast" resulted in the fluffiest milk. He also recommended frothing it cold and then warming it up in the microwave. In fact, the review section is a treasure trove of users offering up their favorite tips and tricks.

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How to choose the best milk frother for you

So that you can get to enjoying your coffee quicker, we've broken down the varying types of milk frothers available.

It's all about aeration. A milk frother quickly stirs milk to aerate it, which causes the milk to form a lather on top. This creates foam, which can be light or dense depending on the type of frothing device used.

Dairy milk froths best, and the fresher the better. Low fat milks create dry, stiff foam while high fat or whole milk create wet, silky foam. Milk that previously was frozen will not froth.

Many reviewers across the models have noted that Oat milk has worked and led to frothy results, but milk alternatives like almond, coconut, or soy milk often have a harder time yielding consistent results. A lot of it comes down to experimentation.

How we tested these milk frothers

At Homes & Gardens we prioritize giving practical, useful advice. That's why we like to have in-person experience of a product before we recommend it to you. We have a team of expert testers who took all of these milk frothers to our dedicated test kitchen to see how they performed under a series of standardized tests. Some we even took into our homes and used over longer periods to see how well they lasted in the long-term.

We made notes on every froth setting available, testing them all on dairy and non-dairy milks. The team also consider how a product looks, what it's like to clean, and what it looks like on the countertop. There's nothing you won't know by the time we're finished with our tests. If you're interested and want to find out more, you can visit our page for how we test appliances.