The 8 Best Milk Frothers of 2020

Best Overall: POWERLIX Handheld Battery Operated Milk Frother

Very Good

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The PowerLix Handheld Battery Operated Milk Frother earns top marks for it's slim, portable design and ability to create delicious foam (even with non-dairy milk) in a matter of seconds. After testing the product, our reviewer said the process is simple from start to finish and that it took just 15 seconds to get "a good foam going with lots of volume."

The wand is made from 18/10 stainless steel that won’t rust, tarnish, or stain, and it won’t bend or break in normal use. The motor provides 19,000 rpm's and runs quietly, so you can have your early-morning latte or late-night hot chocolate without disturbing anyone’s sleep.

The power button is conveniently located on top, and the sleek black body looks good in any kitchen. It’s lightweight, ergonomic, and cleans easily. After use, our reviewer said the best way to clean the frother is to "take the whisk end of the wand and place it into a glass of hot water and turn it on." When coffee hour is over, you can use this for mixing milkshakes or blending cocktails, as well. Two AA batteries are required; they are not included. The frother body should not be immersed in water.

Runner-Up, Best Overall: Nespresso Aeroccino4 Milk Frother

Excellent

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For coffee fiends who prefer their milk foam a specific way, the top-rated Nespresso 4192-US Aeroccino4 Milk Frother is a truly excellent tool. This high-quality frother can make either hot or cold milk foam and can also heat milk, offering you a wide range of options for your next caffeine fix.

In terms of foam consistency, it’s versatile—you can choose between two levels of foam density, to make either lattes or cappuccinos. Our product tester described the cappuccino foam as "airy" and the latte foam as "velvety smooth and dense."

The Aeroccino4’s sleek design also renders it easy to use and simple to clean (it's dishwasher safe). If washing by hand, our reviewer cautions not to "submerge the carafe nor the base in water, as it can cause damage."

The gleaming stainless steel Aeroccino4 produces the richest crema imaginable, resulting in decadent and delicious coffee drinks. Reviewers write that this machine provides consistent results, and it's worth every penny because the results "taste better than Starbucks."

Best Temperature Control: Breville Milk Cafe Milk Frother

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If you’re serious about coffee, you need a serious, high-end frother that makes tiny bubbles for the smoothest, thickest foam. This electric frother includes two separate frothing discs for different types of froth. The latte frothing disc produces a smooth, creamy milk, while the cappuccino frothing disc creates a thick, creamy froth. There’s onboard storage for the discs, so you won’t lose them in the bottom of a drawer.

Besides frothing milk, you can use this to make smooth creamy hot chocolate or other hot drinks. It’s easy to use, too. Just choose the proper disc, fill with enough milk to create one to three cups of foam, select the temperature, and start the machine. The temperature is variable from warm to hot, and machine will turn itself off when the proper temperature is reached. There is also a cold-stir option that will mix cold beverages and provide a little froth, but it won’t make a cold foam.

This uses induction heating to warm the jug and control the spinning frothing disks. Since the jug doesn’t need to have any electronic components, it means the metal jug is dishwasher safe.

Best Design: Secura Automatic Electric Milk Frother

Excellent

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If you're looking for a frother that can be displayed on your kitchen counter, this one is a great option. The carafe is made from beautiful stainless steel, which is also vacuum insulated to retain temperature.

This versatile frother can heat milk if you enjoy lattes, or it can make hot or cold milk froth for cappuccinos. It holds about one cup for heating and a half cup for frothing, since the volume doubles.

It's easy to operate, relying a single, straightforward button. It also features a detachable base for easy pouring, and a brush that you can use to clean your machine. After testing the item, our reviewer wrote that the automatic features are "the best thing about the frother" and that users have to do little more than press a button. Setup might require a bit of time, however. Our reviewer recommends cleaning all components before use and consulting the included instruction manual.

Best Hand-Held: Aerolatte Electric Milk Frother

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One of the very first hand-held frothers on the market, aerolatte has continued to improve the product over the years, including versions that feature stands, cappuccino art stencils, and quirky decorative bodies. Meanwhile, they’ve engineered the tiny motor to operate at a speed and torque that is perfect for foaming milk and the spring coils are just as specifically produced. It's one of the handiest coffee tools you can have in your kitchen.

This frother leaves out the extras, but does exactly what it’s supposed to—it creates frothy milk in 20 seconds or less. This can handle almost any kind of milk, either hot or cold. All you need is a reliable espresso machine and you can whip up lattes and cappuccinos right from the comfort of home.

The whisking head and shaft are made from 18/8 stainless steel that won’t rust, corrode or stain. The shaft is hardened and thickened to protect against bending. This operates on two AA batteries that are pre-installed and has a simple toggle switch to turn it on and off.

The body should not be immersed in water. To clean, just rinse under hot tap water or operate it in a glass of hot soapy water for a more thorough cleaning. This handheld frother is available in a variety of different colors and designs.

Best Budget: Bodum Electric Milk Frother

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There are plenty of affordable milk frothers out there, but the Bodum Electric Milk Frother is our top choice because of its performance, one-touch convenience, and of course that budget cost. While the majority of frothers in this price range are manual or hand-held, this one is electric and froths milk in less than one minute. All you have to do is plug it in and toggle the lone switch on the sleek and simple matte black device. The milk even heats up as it froths, perfect for seamlessly pouring over espresso for delicious lattes and cappuccinos. The frother holds a maximum of 10 ounces, but 8 ounces is recommended for best results; there are clear markings inside to indicate proper fill levels.

While the majority of customers give the product five stars, some noted that a filmy layer of milk can stick to the bottom of the frother after use, making clean-up more of a hassle. There are also some durability concerns, as a number of customers said performance declined after several months.

Best Manual: HIC Harold Import Co. Milk Creamer Frother

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This manual frother is much more economical than electric models, and it's a great choice for travel, camping, or glamping. One of our other product round-ups can help you can pair it with the perfect travel mug or Thermos.

Even though it's manual, it still creates a rich foam in a minute or less. The lid has a built-in double mesh aerator that easily creates foam, and the carafe has an easy grip handle. It holds up to 14 ounces. This can froth cold or warm milks. To use, just add warm or cold milk, place the plunger and lid on top, and pump the handle for 30-60 seconds to create the ideal foam. In a pinch, a similar trick can be performed with a French press plunger, though not as effectively.

This is top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Since it doesn’t require electricity, it’s very portable, and the stainless steel carafe is durable enough for travel anywhere.