A cappuccino with no foam is like a G&T with no tonic. In other words, it just ain’t happening. And that goes for latte, flat white and macchiato too. But just because you don’t have a fancy espresso machine with high-pressure steam wand, it doesn’t mean you have to forgo your favourite caffeinated drink at home.
Today’s milk frothers do a surprisingly decent job without taking up a huge chunk of your work-surface or costing you a bomb. Handheld or electric, we’ve sussed out the best ones you can buy – as well as what to look out for when buying one - so you can be your very own barista in your very own home, and all at the push of a button.
READ NEXT: Best coffee machines
How to choose the best milk frother for you
Types of milk frother
You don’t have to spend hundreds to get a gorgeous, creamy foam; you can get a decent milk-frother for under £10, while even the best come in at under £100. You can break milk-frothers down into three major types:
Handheld– these wand-like devices are basically small motorised whisks that aerate milk by working at very high speeds. The upsides are that they’re inexpensive, easy to pop in a drawer and you can use them anywhere as they’re battery operated. They can be used on cold milk or hot and you simply stop whisking when you reach the required consistency, giving more control than other types.
The downside is that if you want your milk hot, you need to heat it manually first, while there’s a knack involved in using the wand. Plus, if you use them regularly, the cost of batteries can mount up. There’s an alternative to the wand type – a glass jar with a whisk built into the lid – but we’ve found these are prone to breaking and lack the power required to produce a decent foam.
Jug style– these small jugs, which look a bit like a compact kettle, both heat and froth your milk, using a small induction ring in the base of the jug and a built-in whisk. They are by far the most convenient and easy to use - once you’ve pressed the button, you can just walk away and let the machine do its job. Many come with a range of temperature settings, as well as the ability to choose the volume of foam, depending on whether you want, say, a flat white or cappuccino. With some, you can heat milk without whisking it (good for hot chocolate) or make cold foam (good for milkshakes). The downsides are that some only let you prepare the milk to one temperature and consistency and some only work well with a small amount of milk.
Stovetop– these consist of a metal jug and frothing pump. You partially fill it with milk, then put it on the hob, heat it up, then pop the lid on and pump the handle to produce the foam. Upsides are the ease of use; there’s no need for batteries or electricity and they are easy to clean, with most parts dishwasher safe. Downsides are (although barista wannabes may see it as an upside) that producing froth requires more customisation than with other types.
How easy are milk frothers to clean?
Ideally, your milk frother will be non-stick, with easy-to-clean parts as dried milk requires serious scrubbing. Good news is that most milk frothers are very easy to clean – some can simply be run under a tap, while others can be popped in the dishwasher. The more you use your milk frother, the more you’ll need to clean it – so the latter option is definitely best for coffee addicts.
The best milk frothers you can buy
1. Aerolatte To Go Handheld Milk Frother: Best handheld milk frother
Price:£10 | Buy now from Lakeland
The first thing this has on its side is the price; it’ll cost you around the same as three cups of coffee from Starbucks or Costa. The second is that it’s easy to store – it comes with its own tube and you just bung it in your drawer when not in use. You can take it anywhere and it also gives you a lot of control. Indeed, by controlling the distance the whisk is from the surface of the milk, you get more influence over the froth-value, which makes it more akin to a steam wand. But – and it’s a big but – you need to know, or learn to know, what you’re doing as it’s easy to end up with all bubbles, no froth. The milk also needs heating first and you’ll need two AA batteries to make it work.
Key specs – Handheld; Power: mains; Dishwasher-friendly?: Yes; Warranty: 3 years; Weight: 200g
2. Vonshef Electric Milk Frother: Best for hot frothy milk in a hurry
Price:£30 | Buy now from Domu
This budget frother heats milk to around 65℃ and froths it to the max in seconds – a lot more than can be said for some machines that cost at least double the price. We like the contemporary design (it also comes in black or silver, but who can resist the in-vogue copper) and has a handy swivel base. If you were to line up frothed milk from the other machines here, it probably wouldn’t come out top but it would do pretty well - and does even better on smaller amounts of milk. We think calling it cordless is a bit naughty, though, as the jug attaches to a plug-in base unit.
Key specs – Jug milk frother; Power: mains; Dishwasher-friendly?: Yes; Warranty: 2 years; Weight: 1.18kg
3. Dualit Milk Frother: Best hot milk frother under £50
Price:£45 | Buy now from John Lewis
This shiny black machine certainly looks the part, making a smart addition to any kitchen countertop. It’s also easy to use, with clear minimum and maximum marks, though the instructions aren’t very comprehensive. We found it made great hot milk time after time, regardless of how much milk you use, and the capacity is on the generous side too. It’s not so good with cold milk though. Initially, we thought we’d nailed it for the perfect milkshake, but by the time we turned back round, it had gone. On the plus side, it pours beautifully and we like the glass lid, so you can see what’s going on. The lid and the whisk can go in the dishwasher, but the instructions say to remove them before the drying cycle starts, which some may find a bit of a faff. It’s also not the fastest machine, so no good for those in a hurry.
Key specs – Jug milk frother; Power: mains; Dishwasher-friendly?: yes; Warranty: 1 year; Weight: 1.04kg
4. Lakeland Easy Clean Electric Milk Heater and Frother: Best jug frother for hot and cold milk
Price:£40 | Buy now from Lakeland
The Lakeland Easy Clean produces mountains of light, airy, silky-smooth milk from both cold and hot milk – making it a great option if you’re as keen on creative milkshakes as you are on cappuccinos. The instructions are the clearest we came across – with plenty of information about which milks work best for which results – and it is very intuitive to use. It also gets Brownie points for the clear lid, which means you can check progress anytime. We do have two small criticisms; first, the milk gets extremely hot if you are frothing smaller quantities. And second? You can’t add hot chocolate powder to the jug so you have to mix the powder into the mug afterwards.
Key specs – Jug milk frother; Power: mains; Dishwasher-friendly?: yes; Warranty: 3 years; Weight: 820g
5. Lavazza MilkUp Milk Frother: Best jug frother under £60
Price:£60 | Buy now from Lakeland
With 120 years’ experience of Italian coffee making – and a reputation for luxury – behind them, this company knows a thing or two about the right consistency of milk for coffee. We like the fact that the jug is removable – it means it can be immersed in the washing up bowl or put in the dishwasher after use – and the same goes for the frothing disc. Another handy feature is that you can add things like chocolate powder directly to the jug. It’s a doddle to use (you just press the button) and it works fast, giving fantastic results every time if you want hot milk. Sadly, the same cannot be said for cold milk, which didn’t stay frothy once poured from the jug.
Key specs – Jug milk frother; Power: mains; Dishwasher-friendly: yes; Warranty: 3 years; Weight: 900g
6. Krups XL2000 Milk Frother: Best milk frother for everything – except price
Price:£99 | Buy now from Amazon
This is the most expensive machine in our roundup by far, but it is particularly robust and durable, so should see you through years of barista-style coffee-making. The stainless steel finish to the jug gives it a nice look too. Designed for hot milk only, it has three settings depending on the amount of foam you want. We found it made exceptional hot chocolates, lattes and cappuccinos every time. It’s got a good pouring spout, the handle is comfy to hold and the machine is easy to use, with a clear lid in case you want to peek. Downsides include the stainless steel attracting sticky finger-marks (although they’re easy enough to wipe off) and the fact that it can’t go in the dishwasher (although the removable whisking attachment means cleaning it isn’t a problem). The instructions could be clearer and it is hot to the touch, but overall it’s a coffee lover’s dream milk frother.
Key specs – Jug-style frother; Power: mains; Dishwasher-friendly?: Yes; Warranty: 2 years; Weight: 1.04kg
