How to Choose House Milk Frother?

A perfectly executed latte or cappuccino really is something. But trying to mimic what you get at a coffee shop? That can be tough. However, an inexpensive milk frother can do the trick at home.

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 We tested a whopping 24 milk frothers to help you determine which will best suit your needs, whether you're whipping up cold foam or heating and frothing hot cocoa. We also asked coffee pros for their best milk frothing techniques.

The Winners, at a Glance

The MagicFroth has three temperature settings and three foam settings, giving the user nine combinations to choose from. It whipped up silky, velvety milk foam that held its texture well, and its removable pitcher was easy to pour from.

Breville’s Milk Cafe has a custom temperature dial so you can pick exactly how hot or cold you’d like your milk to be. It also has a tapered pitcher that creates a strong vortex for silkier textures and two whisk attachments for different styles of milk foam.

With a simple interface, two foam settings, and a lower price point, the Instant Milk Frother is an affordable model that produces excellent foam. It also heats up quickly.

The Golde Superwhisk made great cold milk foam and comes with a cap for easy storage—and for travel, if frothing on-the-go is a priority. The Superwhisk is rechargeable, too. 

Although slightly less powerful than the Golde Superwhisk, the Zulay did well in all of our tests. It comes with a stand for built-in counter storage, and it's often on sale on Amazon.

The Tests

• Foam Quality Test: We evaluated how well each milk frother made velvety microfoam using whole milk and oat milk. If models had multiple foam settings, we tested them and compared the amount of foam expansion. 
• Temperature Test: We set each milk frother to its lowest temperature setting and checked what this was with an instant-read thermometer. We also timed how long each milk frother took to reach that setting, repeating this test with each model's other temperature settings (if available).
• Cold Foam Test: We tested each milk frother’s cold foam setting with whole and oat milk and evaluated the quantity and quality of the foams. 
• Usability and Cleanup Tests: We tried any other bonus features or settings and evaluated how easy each milk frother was to set up and use. We also cleaned the frothers after each test.

What We Learned

What Is Foam, Anyway?

Foam is a liquid or solid that has trapped gas inside it. For this review, we will focus on milk—and what makes it particularly interesting. “What makes milk proteins unique is that they are highly soluble in water and they are surface active,” Dr. Thom Huppertz, a dairy science professor and editor-in-chief of the International Dairy Journal, told us when we interviewed him for a previous version of this story. “The only other substance that can foam like milk is eggs.” 

But what does “surface active” mean? Basically, milk readily snags air molecules, making it easy to aerate. This is also why dairy milk froths better than plant-based milk—and why its foam holds up longer.

There are two other key factors in frothing: heat and fat content. Heat denatures milk proteins, exposing hydrophobic ends that readily attach to air (foam!). Fat, though, is actually a barrier to frothing, which is why non-fat milk foam is fluffier and more pillow-like than that made with whole milk.

How Do Milk Frothers Work?

When using an espresso machine, milk foam is created with a high-pressure steam wand that heats milk while whipping air into it. Home milk frothers work differently. They use a circular wire whisk attached to a motor that spins it and creates a vortex. This agitation is what makes air bubbles.

While both use a similar style circular whisk to create foam, countertop and handheld milk frothers work differently. Countertop models will warm milk through an electric heating element (similar to a kettle) and work automatically, but handheld milk frothers require you to heat the milk separately. With a handheld milk frother, you will also need to hold the whisk at the right depth and angle to create optimal foam texture.

Many of the Milk Frothers Made Nice Foam

Most models we tested were able to create good-quality milk foam. While some were better at making a silky, homogenized milk and foam mixture (like the Instant MagicFroth Milk Frother and Breville Milk Cafe Milk Frother), most were at least able to produce a stable, velvety foam layer that was good enough for at-home lattes or cappuccinos.

Customizable Settings Were Key

Frothers with limited settings fell short in our testing. The Spinn and Bodum frothers only had one setting for temperature and foam, which limited our options. Higher-end models with multiple settings let us customize our preferred drinking temperatures and foam thickness. But even low-cost models like the Instant Milk Frother had numerous settings for foam and temperature—key for those wanting to make both cappuccinos and lattes at home. And while handheld whisks like the Golde Superwhisk Milk Frother didn’t have built-in settings, their manual operation allowed us to add foam to our heart's desire.

Unique Whisk Attachments Performed Better

While most milk frothers use similar circular wire whisks, the Breville Milk Cafe offers two whisks for creating different foams. The flatter disk produced a thinner, latte-style texture while the ridged whisk made airy cappuccino foam easily. We also liked the spiky whisk of the Capresso Froth Select Milk Frother, which was better at keeping foam mixed into the milk longer than a standard attachment.

Countertop Models Can Be Tricky to Clean

Because countertop models are heating the milk from the bottom, most leave a cooked milk film on the base of the pitcher. While the sides of the pitchers were easy to rinse out, it was difficult to scrub the bottoms of narrow frothers like the Nestle Aeroccino 4. Wider pitchers were easier to scrub clean, but we appreciated detachable pitchers that were dishwasher-safe, like the Breville’s and Instant MagicFroth’s.

The Criteria: What to Look for in a Milk Frother

The best milk frothers create a silky, velvety microfoam that holds its texture long enough for you to enjoy your beverage. They also have multiple settings so you can customize your preferred temperature and foam levels, are easy to clean, and work well with dairy and non-dairy milk.

Our Favorite Milk Frothers

What we liked: The MagicFroth has a sleek interface with three foam and variable temperature settings. It created silky, well-incorporated microfoam at each setting and consistently hit temperatures of 140ºF and 160ºF. It was simple to set up, had a large capacity to accommodate multiple drinks at once, and its detachable pitcher was dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. It also performed well with oat milk and cold foam. It’s a feature-rich milk frother with high performance and a moderate price point, making it a great choice for most people.

What we didn’t like: It takes a little longer than other models, with some frothing and heating cycles lasting almost five minutes.

Key Specs 

• Capacity: 17 ounces
• Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 6 inches
• Temperature settings: Cold, warm, hot
• Foam settings: Stir only, latte, cappuccino
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe milk pitcher, wipe base clean with a damp cloth

What we liked: The Breville allows you to really customize the temperature of the milk (anywhere from 100ºF to over 160ºF, though Breville notes the ideal temperature as being around 140ºF). If you want to make a cappuccino, latte, or hot chocolate, it can do it all. The Breville comes with two whisks and we found the latte whisk did a great job at frothing non-dairy milk. Thanks to its 25-ounce capacity pitcher, it can froth enough milk for multiple drinks, but also works well with smaller volumes. There are some other handy usability features worth mentioning: The pitcher is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup, there’s cord storage, and there’s a magnetic spot on the back for whisk storage. 

What we didn’t like: The Breville’s pricey, but it’s also the best-performing model we tested. If you’re picky about milk texture and temperature we think it’s worth it. 

Key Specs

• Capacity: 25 ounces
• Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.4 x 10.4 inches
• Temperature settings: Variable temperature dial from 100ºF to over 160ºF; also cold
• Foam settings: Stir only, latte and cappuccino whisk attachments 
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe milk pitcher; wipe base clean with a damp cloth

What we liked: This model had a simple interface and only four settings: cold foam, warm latte foam, warm cappuccino foam, and hot milk. It did a good job differentiating between latte and cappuccino foam, and it consistently hit 145ºF for its warm setting and 165ºF for its hot setting. It made a solid cold foam, too. If you’re looking for a basic milk frother at a low price, we recommend this one. 

What we didn’t like: We wish it had more settings and a bigger capacity, but at this price, we think it covers its bases well. 

Key Specs

• Capacity: 10 ounces
• Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Dimensions: 4.7 x 4.2 x 8.25 inches
• Temperature settings: Cold, warm, hot
• Foam settings: Latte, cappuccino
• Care instructions: Wash the interior with warm, soapy water and wipe off the outside with a damp cloth

What we liked: The Golde Superwhisk has two speeds, which helped tailor foam amounts. Thanks to its dual-coiled head, it was also more powerful than other handheld frothers, creating silky-smooth microfoam. It has a lid for storage and traveling, and it’s rechargeable. (Its USB cord is included, too.) While this wasn’t an official test, the Golde did a good job mixing powders like matcha into liquid. The whisk can be removed from the handle and is dishwasher-safe. 

What we didn’t like: Since it’s a handheld model, you’ll have to heat milk first if making hot foam. It’s not as powerful as a countertop frother.

Key Specs

• Weight: 6 ounces
• Dimensions: 7 x 1.3 inches
• Temperature settings: None
• Foam settings: Two speeds
• Care instructions: Dishwasher-safe whisk attachment; wipe down body with a damp cloth

What we liked: The Zulay is easy to use—just press a button and you're frothing. It's well-made and comfortable, and we liked the included stand. It weighs a touch less than the Golde and has a longer wand. It's a no-frills model that just works well and costs around $10.

What we didn't like: If you want two or three-tiered whisks, you'll need to pay for an upgraded model; the heads aren't interchangeable. There's only one speed.

Key Specs

• Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Dimensions: 9.76 x 1.45 inches
• Temperature settings: None
• Foam settings: One speed
• Care instructions: Start whisk under running water to clean

The Competition

• Elita Double Whisk Handheld Milk Frother: This whisk created large bubbles. It appears to be discontinued, too.
• Rösle Stainless Steel Dual Speed Frother: We were surprised by how weak this milk frother was.
• Vava Electric Milk Frother: This was another so-so frother. It’s now discontinued.
• Capresso Froth Max Milk Frother: This model just couldn’t match up to the comparably priced Instant. 
• Keurig Standalone Frother: This frother produced foam that deflated quickly.
• Ninja Coffee Bar Easy Milk Frother: This French press-esque frother made milk foam with air bubbles that were too large.
• PowerLix Milk Pro: This is fairly identical to the Zulay—so if that’s out of stock, we say go for it. 
• Aerolatte Milk Frother: The Aerolatte is battery-operated and loses its charges fast.
• FoodVille MF05 Rechargeable Milk Frother: This had numerous whisk attachments, but its performance was so-so.
• Nespresso Aeroccino 4: This pricier frother couldn’t hold a lot of milk and didn’t froth as well as our winners.
• Bodum Bistro Electric Milk Frother: With just one temperature and foam setting, this was less versatile than our other countertop top picks.
• Miroco MI-MF002: Our former favorite, this model has consistent stock issues.
• Miroco Detachable Milk Frother: While this performed fine, it lacks features. It’s discontinued, too.
• Spinn Milk Frother: With only one temperature and foam setting and a limited capacity, this milk frother didn’t measure up to our winners.
• Paris Rhone Milk Frother: This model had an odd cage that surrounded the whisk and was difficult to set up properly. It also produced too much foam on the latte setting. It's frequently out of stock.
• Zwilling Effinigy Milk Frother: This frother is expensive and ultimately didn’t perform as well as our winner. 
• Capresso Froth Select Milk Frother: This model created great foam but its price point and lack of settings kept it from being a top pick. 
• Nespresso Aeroccino 3: This model was narrow and a pain to clean.
• Smeg Milk Frother: Not only is this milk frother extremely expensive, but its whisk becomes clogged easily causing the frother not to work.

FAQs

How do you use a milk frother?

Most of our top picks are countertop electric milk frothers. With these, you add milk (the pitchers usually have minimum and maximum lines on them), select your temperature and/or froth setting, and press the power button. The frother will automatically stop once frothing is completed. For handheld milk frothers, you add the milk to a separate pitcher/glass, insert the whisk end into the milk, and then turn on the frother. You will want to move the frother up and down and/or tilt it side to side for best results.

Can you froth oat milk with a milk frother?

You can froth any non-dairy milk—including oat milk—with a milk frother. Some alternative milk might not froth well or take longer to froth. You can also seek out barista blends of non-dairy milk, which tend to be fattier and more stable when frothed. The Breville Milk Cafe is the best milk frother we tested for plant-based/alternative milk, like oat or almond milk. Because it had multiple whisk attachments and precise temperature control, we found we could make small adjustments when frothing non-dairy milk to achieve the best results.

Is a milk frother worth it?

If you like to make lattes, cappuccinos, cold foam, match, or even hot chocolate at home, a milk frother can be worth it.

Does a milk frother heat up milk too?

Countertop milk frothers can heat up milk, but handheld ones can’t (and neither can ones shaped like a French press). If you want to froth hot milk with a handheld milk frother, you’ll need to heat it up first.

Why We're the Experts

There’s no questioning the delight of a simple cup of coffee or a shot of espresso. But add in some frothed milk, and you’ve got an elevated experience reminiscent of your favorite cafe. Suddenly, that nice cuppa is transformed into an excellent latte or cappuccino. Plus, you’ve got control over what kind of milk you use — whether it's whole milk or a non-dairy alternative — and how much of it you add, all without having to leave the comfort of your own kitchen.

Whatever coffee or espresso drink you opt for, you'll want a milk frother that does the job well. That means it creates tight bubbles of foam, pours nicely, and doesn’t take up your whole counter. You can also use a frother for other drinks. Whether you're making matcha or hot chocolate, a frother will give you silkier results than you could obtain with just a whisk. We tested dozens of milk frothers of all types to discern which offered the best experience and most consistent results. No matter if you’re looking for a countertop addition or you enjoy the old-fashioned nature of a manual frother, we have a pick for you.

Types of Milk Frothers

There are three main types of milk frothers, and each has its advantages.

• Manual Milk Frothers: Combining the functionality of a French press with a whisk, a manual milk frother is the only one of the three that doesn't use an electric power source. Your elbow grease does the work instead, pushing up and down to add air bubbles to the liquid inside. This allows for strong precision in terms of exactly how frothed your milk is, but it requires manual labor that the other two forms don’t.
• Handheld Milk Frothers: Also known as stick frothers due to their stick-like shape, this device looks similar to a miniature version of an immersion blender. The round whisk at its bottom is inserted into your milk of choice, and you’re able to watch as it froths up. They can be used in glasses, mugs, or even pots and pans on the stove. Less expensive than a countertop model, they offer the advantage of being easily tucked away in a drawer for storage.
• Countertop Milk Frothers: Usually the priciest of the frother varieties, a countertop frother typically plugs into the wall and has the widest selection of features available. If you love cold and hot foam, like to pick a setting that will yield exact results every time, and use a frother with regularity, this type is worth the small investment.
  

Pros

• With nine settings, this countertop frother is highly customizable and creates well-structured foam.

Cons

• It’s not as fast as other models.

Allowing you to make foam that’s hot, warm, or cold (and with three texture options), this milk frother by the brand that revolutionized pressure cooking is our top pick. It’s a stainless steel frother with a design that’s both sleek and sturdy, and though the base is on the larger side, it won’t take up too much extra counter space. The spout makes for easy pouring without spillage, and we appreciated the speed and ease of cleanup, particularly with how secure the lid gasket felt.

All temperatures and textures of frothed milk we tried had a firm structure that we enjoyed. We experienced the best results with whole dairy milk or half and half, and cold milk produced a more ideal foam than hot milk. We did find that the act of frothing took longer with this model than with the other products we tested, but we found it to be worth the brief wait. 

Type: Countertop | Self-Heating: Yes | Capacity: 17 ounces | Dimensions: 7.44 x 5.98 x 6.59 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Foam Settings: 9

Pros

• This frother's design is lovely, and it uses an inductive heat source.

Cons

• The bulky size requires extra counter space.

With six presets and two manual settings, you have an abundance of options with this SMEG frother. Its retro design and larger size both mean it's likely to become a countertop fixture, and since it's priced on the high side, you’ll want to be an avid frother to make the investment in this designer-esque kitchen brand worth it. Hefty and shiny, it’s as attractive as it is functional, and the hardy weight of it keeps everything secure on the counter as it works.

We found that this frother is particularly useful for hot chocolate lovers, as it has a setting specifically for that use case, and it works best with heavier or fattier liquids. For example, we loved what it did with barista milks, but it had difficulties with thinner, non-dairy varieties. You'll also have to plan on spending an extra moment to get your desired texture, as we found it took up to two full minutes to achieve fully frothed milk. 

Type: Countertop | Self-Heating: Yes | Capacity: 20 ounces | Dimensions: 7 x 6 x 10 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Foam Settings: 8

Pros

• Inexpensive for a countertop frother, it still offers self-heating.

Cons

• The whisk can be tricky to place inside properly.

Also by the makers of the Instant Pot, this simpler milk frother has four frothing settings in lieu of our top choice’s nine. It looks like a carafe, unlike some other countertop frothers, and it can be used purely for heating or reheating your beverages or for making hot chocolate if you aren’t looking for foam. It can reach a temperature of 132 degrees Fahrenheit, and it lets you foam both warm and cold liquids, which is a feat for its lower price point. 

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We found results for both dairy and non-dairy milks to be more than satisfactory, and we liked how well the foam stayed in our cups even after several minutes. Whole milk created a tighter foam than oat, and when using it for hot chocolate on the “extra frothy” setting, we did experience some overflow. That said, the hot chocolate results were thick and creamy. 

Type: Countertop | Self-Heating: Yes | Capacity: 10 ounces | Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.7 x 8.8 inches | Weight: 1.7 pounds | Foam Settings: 4

Pros

• This frother works equally well with dairy and non-dairy milks, and it has a small countertop footprint.

Cons

• The hottest setting can scorch and burn liquids.

Featuring an interesting metallic design that is slender and vaguely evocative of a tin can, the Nespresso Aeroccino4 was among the first countertop, multifunctional frothers on the market, and it remains a top choice. Narrower than the standard countertop models, it requires less counter space, and it also has numerous dishwasher-safe parts. Like other electric models, it is self-heating and performs on both cold and hot liquids. 

The hot liquids must be paid close attention to, however, as this frother can reach higher temperatures than others we tested and resulted in scorched hot chocolate for us. That said, its performance on oat milk was top-notch, holding tight bubbles without deflation in the glass for some time. Thanks to the magnetized whisk, the setup is a breeze. 

Type: Countertop | Self-Heating: Yes | Capacity: 8 ounces | Dimensions: 4.09 x 7.48 inches | Weight: 1.9 pounds | Foam Settings: 4

Pros

• This frother thrives with non-dairy milk and has a minimal cost.

Cons

• You won’t get the multifunctionality that countertop models offer.

Perfect for anyone who simply wants a frother that froths and isn’t looking for bells and whistles, this inexpensive, handheld model gets the job done and takes up very little space. It comes with a long whisk in addition to the flatter one for foaming, giving you the versatility for other kitchen tasks like whipping an egg white or mixing protein powder into a glass of milk or juice. It also comes with a stand so that, should you prefer to keep it on the counter, it sits vertically and is accessible. 

Surprisingly, while this frother created decent foam for all the milks we tested, we found it performed best with oat milk, crafting a tighter foam than it did for whole milk or cold foam. That means that if you err on the non-dairy side, it’s a great bet. It also takes but a moment to clean: Just run it briefly in hot soapy water and rinse, and you’re all set.  

Type: Handheld electric | Self-Heating: No | Dimensions: 8.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 0.33 pounds | Foam Settings: 1

Pros

• This frother lets you choose the exact temperature of foam you want, and make plenty of it at once.

Cons

• We didn’t care for the lower quality feel of the power button.
  

Customize your frothing endlessly with Breville the Milk Cafe, our largest frother of choice, which enables you to work with 25 ounces of liquid at once. We were surprised that despite its large capacity, it doesn’t take up a ton of counter space. It’s a stainless steel machine on a hefty base, and it comes with two different discs for frothing both cappuccinos and lattes.

We loved that the discs are magnetic, which makes getting them into place as quick and painless as possible, and we enjoyed the results they produced. Our only complaint was that, for a higher-end machine, the power button felt flimsy and cheap. It took some time to get the hang of the “optimal milk temperature” setting, but after some initial beeping, we didn’t have further troubles. If you’re one of many who love an exact specific temperature of beverage, it’s an ideal pick.

Type: Countertop | Self-Heating: Yes | Capacity: 25 ounces | Dimensions: 6.4 x 7.5 x 10.4 inches | Weight: 3.5 pounds | Foam Settings: 4, with variable temperature settings

Pros

• This frother can handle any type of milk and creates beautiful cold foam.

Cons

• It doesn’t fare well with hot chocolate.

Manual frothers, by nature, require manual labor, so expect to get a short minute of exercise with the HIC Fino Frother. The pretty stainless steel carafe can handle any type of milk, and you’ll use the pull spout on top to press the whisking mechanism up and down. With a 14-ounce capacity, you can even froth milk for two smaller cappuccinos or lattes at once. Because the construction is steel, you aren’t able to see the progress you’re attaining, which we found challenging when using it for hot chocolate.

Beyond its shortfalls with hot chocolate, the results in the HIC Fino were otherwise consistent, and we were impressed with the stability of the foam once we poured it into a glass. We particularly enjoyed using it for cold foam, finding the results similar to a Starbucks cold foam drink. 

Type: Manual | Self-Heating: No | Capacity: 14 ounces | Dimensions: 5.25 x 6 inches | Weight: 11.2 ounces

Our Favorite Milk Frother

The Instant Pot Magic Froth 9-in-1 is everything you could want in a milk frother. With multiple settings for temperature and foam structure, you’ll get the highly customized drink you want every time, from a brand that makes trustworthy kitchen equipment. It works for hot, warm, or cold foams, has a sturdy construction, and is quick to clean.

How We Tested Milk Frothers

To find the best milk frothers, we put 26 countertop, handheld, and manual frothers through multiple rounds of testing.

• Overall Design and Functionality: We examined these frothers from top to bottom, inside and out, to evaluate their design and functionality. Specifically, we looked at whether they had a spout for pouring, the amount of space they took up, whether they felt cheap or sturdy, and if the lid had a gasket to keep it in place. On the functionality front, we checked out the settings and how well they worked, as well as any special features. When they had self-heating abilities, we also assessed how well those performed.
• Dairy Milk: Throughout our rounds of tests, we used both whole milk and half-and-half to see how they frothed in each model. This was done at varied settings and with attention paid to how the temperature of the milk changed and whether the frother worked as advertised in terms of heating, if it had that ability. We tested how tight the bubbles were that formed, how long the bubbles stayed in a glass, and what their texture was like in regards to silkiness and smoothness.

• Non-Dairy Milk: We used oat milk, barista oat milk, and almond milk in our tests, and we paid attention to the same factors as we did for dairy: the structure of the bubbles, their ability to remain in full form for numerous minutes in a glass, and what their texture was like.
• Hot Chocolate: We made hot chocolate with these frothers to determine whether or not they were functional for making it, and how well-combined and creamy the end result was. We also paid attention to whether or not the machine overflowed.
• Cleaning: To clean these frothers, we first looked into whether or not they had any dishwasher-safe parts. From there, we cleaned them after each usage and looked at whether any damage had occurred to any parts, if it was possible for moisture to get trapped in a lid or gasket, if the whisk was removable, and whether there were any special parts included for the purpose of cleaning.
  

Factors to Consider

Electric vs. Manual

An electric frother requires just the push of a button to use, whereas a manual frother has you press a lever up and down to create a frothy foam. Both get the job done in about a minute, but a manual frother requires more work on your end. A manual model gives you more control over texture as well because the speed and amount of time you aerate determines the final texture of your foam, and you can achieve a range from barely bubbly to nearly whipped cream.

Countertop vs. Handheld

A countertop model is larger than a handheld one and typically has more features. If you have the space to spare and the budget, a countertop one will have more varied offerings. Handheld models trade some of the extra bells and whistles for convenience and portability, but they typically get the job done and can offer some added versatility.

Self-Heating Capabilities

Typically, only countertop models are able to self-heat. This means you can add cold milk and get warm or hot foam. For some countertop frothers, you can use them solely to heat or reheat a drink. However, most self-heating models can heat and froth at the same time, and some have multiple temperature options to choose from. If you prefer to have your milk heated and frothed at just the touch of a button, then this is the way to go. Otherwise, with a handheld or manual frother, you'll have to heat your milk separately and then froth it afterward.

Size and Footprint

Countertop models generally have the biggest footprint, and handheld ones are usually much smaller. If you’re tight on space, a handheld frother that can be tucked away in a drawer is your best bet. But if you have the space to spare, you can consider a countertop frother. If portability is high on your list, then we'd suggest a manual or battery-powered hand-held frother in that case. Those types of frothers don't require an outlet and can easily be tucked into an office breakroom drawer or nestled into a backpack for camping.

Milk Compatibility

Throughout our tests, we used both dairy and non-dairy milks. Different models thrived with different milks, so if you know that you will always be choosing one specific type, it can be helpful to ensure the frother you choose works nicely with it. That being said, all frothers can froth all types of milk — some just have particular strengths.

For the best possible results when frothing non-dairy milk, look for containers labeled "barista-style" or any type of full-fat alternative milk, as these will be closest to dairy milk. If you're using dairy milk, the higher the fat content, the better. The fat in milk helps the bubbles retain their shape, so whole milk is best for frothing. You can absolutely use 2% or even skim milk in frothers, but just know the foam won't be quite as velvety and won't last as long.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do milk frothers work?

  "A milk frother does just that," says Anthony Contrino, an Emmy-awarded culinary producer and the host of Saucy on Peacock. "It froths milk by whipping or agitating the liquid to create small bubbles." This creates foam, and you can have anything from very silky, lightly foamed milk, like for a latte, to much firmer, tightly foamed milk, like for a cappuccino.
  

• Do milk frothers heat milk, too?

  "It depends on the actual type and brand; some do and some don't," Contrino says. "A handheld device will just agitate the milk, while larger electric varieties will both heat and froth." Countertop models are usually the ones with self-heating abilities. Be sure to check the product specifications to see if it can do that, as not all can.

• Can you froth almond milk, oat milk, and coconut milk?

  "Most plant-based milks will froth well, especially those with higher protein and fat content. The more fat, the more luxurious the foam will be," Contrino says. Most frothers we tested did just as well with non-dairy as they did with dairy milk. That said, every frother is different, and some will do a better job than others. For the best results, look for ones labeled "extra-rich" or "barista-style."

• What can you do with a milk frother besides froth milk?

  You can use a milk frother to blend match powder into milk, to make hot chocolate, or to mix protein powder into liquid. Some handheld frothers even come with a traditional whisk attachment for beating eggs, so the possibilities are endless.

  A quick buzz in pancake batter can turn the finished product extra-fluffy. If you're making cornstarch slurry to thicken a soup or sauce, a frother can eliminate clumps for a smooth mixture in seconds. You can even use a milk frother to aerate wine, in a sort-of-substitute for a wine decanter.

Other Milk Frothers We Tested

Strong Contenders

Bodum Bistro Electric Milk Frother ($83 at Amazon)

The Bodum created a tight foam with dairy milk and a decent foam with oat milk. We liked how it performed with cold foam, though it did deflate, and hot chocolate did not mix up nicely at all.

Philips Baristina Milk Frother ($90 at Williams Sonoma)

We liked the quality of foam that this model produced, but it didn’t stay heated well. Additionally, we had some issues with cleaning in regard to the whisk’s coil not staying intact. 

PowerLix Handheld Battery Operated Milk Frother ($20 at Amazon)

Better with non-dairy milk than dairy, this frother didn’t create a solid dairy foam, and it quickly lost structure. The cold foam dissipated quickly, and the hot chocolate didn’t turn out well. 

Golde Superwhisk ($34 at Golde)

The foam structure broke down quickly with the Golde at all temperature settings, including cold. However, we did like the double whisk and how solid a job it did with hot chocolate. 

Ninja Coffee Bar Easy Milk Frother ($20 at Ninja)

It took many more reps than the manufacturer instructed to get the right texture of foam with this frother. We also had a hard time incorporating the hot chocolate mix, which was left with dry bits at the bottom.

What Didn't Make the List

The frothers that didn’t make our list all failed at producing quality foam, whether with dairy milk, non-dairy, or both. These foams, if they did turn out, fell more quickly than anticipated. The frothers also varied in their ability to heat, sometimes overflowed, and some had design flaws that rendered them difficult to clean. Some of these models were name-brand countertop frothers, while others were handheld. 

Contact us to discuss your requirements of House Milk Frother. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Our Expertise

• Contributor Ariane Resnick is a special diet chef, certified nutritionist, and bestselling author. She has written for platforms such as Simply Recipes, The Spruce Eats, Allrecipes, Huffington Post, and Health. She’s the longtime owner of a handheld frother but also appreciates the frothing mechanism on her Jura espresso machine.
• We also spoke with Anthony Contrino, an Emmy-awarded culinary producer and the host of Saucy on Peacock, to gain further insight into how milk frothers work.