Nespresso Aeroccino4 Milk Frother Review

We purchased the Nespresso Aeroccino4 Milk Frother so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

The Nespresso brand is deeply rooted in high quality, and, more specifically, high-quality coffee. So it’s no surprise they’ve come up with several accessories for their machines, attempting to achieve the same level of success they had with their well-known espresso machines. We tested out the Nespresso Aeroccino4 Milk Frother over several weeks by making a variety of beverages. We took notes and judged this frother on its overall performance, ease of use, cleanup, cost, and aesthetic. Keep reading to see if it compares to the quality of Nespresso’s other top-tier products.

Design: One whisk for all functions 

The Nespresso Aeroccino4 Milk Frother was designed with careful thought. Included with this frother is a chrome jug, base, transparent lid and seal, and a whisk. We found the whisk to be a major highlight because it functions for all preparations. It works whether you're making hot milk, hot froth, or cold froth. The whisk is also magnetized, allowing it to easily adhere to the bottom of the jug when placed inside.

On the bottom of the base are four buttons, each for a different drink function. The functions are for making cold froth, hot milk, warm and airy milk foam, and warm and dense milk foam. We found that the four-button panel was easy to use and understand. 

As for the aesthetics, this frother is somewhat obscure. It almost looks like a canned good without the wrapper. The strange thing is that it doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the Nespresso brand, which has a more elevated vibe. Because of its unique look, it’s unlikely to match a modern kitchen design. 

Setup Process: Simple setup 

To get started with the Nespresso milk frother, we cleaned all parts per the instruction manual. Once clean and dry, we placed the chrome jug on the base. Next, we inserted the whisk into the jug and filled it with milk at one of the two “Max” level marks. There are two “Max” level marks: one for milk froth preparations (120 milliliters or 4 ounces) and the other for hot milk (240 milliliters or 8 ounces). We put the lid securely on the jug and then plugged it into an outlet.  

When the buttons light up, that means the frother is ready for use. We pressed the button for our milk preparation. The button should start to blink and continue through until preparation finishes. Once the milk is ready, the button light will remain steady, and the milk is ready to drink. 

Performance: A variety of options for frothing 

One thing is for certain: The Nespresso frother makes high-quality foam. It also provides a couple of foam-density options, making this product even more alluring to the coffee-lover. When pressing the “Latte Macchiato” button, we found that the froth was velvety smooth and dense. It was perfectly suited for making a hot latte. As for the “Cappuccino” button, it makes a more airy type of foam that we were able to dollop on top of our cappuccino drinks. It also makes hot milk using the “Hot Milk” button for something like hot cocoa, and there is also a “Cold Macchiato” button, used for making a cool, dense froth. 

We also loved that this kitchen gadget is automatic. Upon touching a button, it starts preparing the milk and then stops automatically when ready to serve. To make hot or cold milk froth takes about 80 seconds. To make hot milk, it takes about 150 seconds. Though it is automatic, the user can also stop it by pressing the same button used to start it. 

The Nespresso frother has a maximum capacity of 120 milliliters (4 ounces) for milk froth preparation and 240 milliliters (8 ounces) for hot milk preparation. This amount worked out well for making one to two beverages, which is exactly what we needed.

Ease of Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe

One of the best features of the Nespresso milk frother is that all of the parts are dishwasher-safe except the base. This makes cleanup a lot more doable and encourages the use of this frother on a more frequent basis than a frother that needs to be washed by hand. The instruction manual does recommend washing the frother and its parts after every use. 

To properly clean this frother, remove the Aeroccino4 jug from the base, along with the seal, whisk, and spring. Once you've disassembled all the pieces, hand-wash everything (except the base) with warm, soapy water. You can also place the frother in the dishwasher at a maximum of 158 degrees. Be careful not to submerge the jug or the base in water, as it can cause damage. Also, make sure that the jug's bottom is dry before placing it on top of its base. 

Price: A costly item 

Retailing for around $120, the Nespresso Aeroccino4 Milk Frother does not run cheap. It’s one of the pricier milk frothers on the market and likely more targeted toward the more advanced home barista. 

Nespresso Aeroccino4 Milk Frother vs. Secura MMF-015 Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Warmer

The Secura MMF-015 is a competing milk frother that we also tested. Like the Nespresso milk frother, it offers users a heating-only option, a frothing-only option, or a combination of both. It comes in a sleek design, sure to match any kitchen set. Plus, it is vacuum-insulated, meaning it will retain the milk's temperature inside the carafe for a long time. 

The main difference between the two is price. The Secura milk frother retails for around $40, whereas the Nespresso milk frother retails for approximately $120. Though there is a significant price difference, the difference in results is minor. The Nespresso has the added feature of offering two types of foam consistencies, while the Secura offers only one foam consistency. This extra feature hardly makes it worth the higher price tag, in our opinion, as the Secura is pretty much the Nespresso’s equal in all other aspects.

Someone with a deep love for espresso drinks may prefer having the two different options for foam, making the Nespresso worth the splurge. But for the average user, the Secura is a great deal on a milk frother that also produces excellent foam.  

Interested in reading more reviews? Check out our guide to the best milk frothers.