If you want to upgrade your hot drinks at home, treat yourself to the best milk frothers that'll aerate your brew for a lighter, creamier, silky, smooth beverage. This device is excellent for people who do not own a coffee machine. It will enable you to make a barista-style coffee for a fraction of the price. From creamy pumpkin spice lattes to cappuccinos in a flash, here are affordable, handheld electric milk frothers for frothy hot beverages that will hit the spot.
Different milk frothers are available, from manual, handheld electric and coffee machines with milk frothers attached - plenty of options are available for every budget and preference. Some budget coffee machines do not have a milk frother, so you may want to purchase one separately to evaluate your morning beverage.
Best electric milk frothers shortlist:
• Best Nespresso milk frother: Aeroccino 4 - view on Nespresso
• Best handheld milk frother: Zulay Kitchen Original Handheld Milk Frother - view on Amazon UK
• Best Smeg milk frother: Smeg MFF01BLUK 600ml Milk Frother - view on Amazon UK
For our list, we've chosen handheld electric milk frothers, which work like a vortex to inject air into the milk. Handheld options are affordable, versatile and easier to use if you have weakened dexterity in your hands. They'll also produce an excellent foam for your drink, and some include settings that'll heat your milk to the perfect temperature. Some are even travel-friendly - great if you have to leave your beloved bean-to-cup coffee machine at home.
So, with that in mind, let's take a look at the best milk frothers for the perfect latte.
Best electric milk frothers:
Best Nespresso milk frother
www.nespresso.com
This kitchen gadget that'll seriously up your coffee game! This bad boy isn't just another milk frother; it's a milk-frothing powerhouse. Imagine creamy lattes, velvety cappuccinos, and dreamy hot chocolates right at your fingertips.
With its sleek design and easy-to-use buttons, the Aeroccino 4 makes frothing milk a breeze. You can heat and froth milk to perfection, and it even has a cold froth setting for iced coffee lovers.
Customer review: "I honestly didn't think I'd like this as much as I do. It's so easy to use and the temp of the milk is perfect. Its so quiet, easy to use and clean. I love this thing. The company actually recommends cleaning the whole thing in the dishwasher but I don't. I rinse the whisk under hot water after every use and on days that I run my dishwasher, I throw that whisk in the utensils caddy. I wash the cup by hand after every use but because it has a non-stick coating it cleans up really quickly. Literally take about 30 seconds to wash."
Pros
- Can froth both hot and cold milk in a matter of seconds
- Versatility
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Some customers found that they experienced inconsistent frothing over a long period of usage time
Item dimensions: | 22.2 x 15.29 x 11 cm |
Material: | Stainless Steel |
Colour: | Silver |
- Multiple froth types
- Large Capacity
- Easy Cleaning
- One touch operation
- 360-Degree Swivel Base
- Indicator Lights
Best budget milk frother
Add instant oomph to your hot drinks with this whizzy gadget that comes at a mega low cost. With the touch of a button, this milk frother will whip your milk to a silky smooth consistency. This handy gadget is powered by two AA batteries (not included) and comes with a 12-month guarantee.
Customer review: "This gadget is amazing and creates great lattes and capcunnios. It frothes almost any milk as well. I find that hot drink stay very warm and it's similar to the nespresso one in style."
Pros
- Large capacity
- Battery powered
- Modern design
Cons
- Level marks are difficult to see
Item dimensions: | 20.5 x 14.3 x 11.2 cm |
Material: | Stainless Steel |
Colour: | White |
- Auto Shut Off
Most versatile milk frother
Spoil your loved ones with a hot brew made with this automatic milk frothing machine that has a whopping 13 integrated programmes.
There's a special setting for hot and cold milk foam, hot milk, hot chocolate, vegan milk foam made from cashew or soy milk, lactose-free milk foam, mulled wine, baby food, protein shakes and milk foam, especially for cappuccino or latte macchiato.
The temperatures for hot drinks are adjustable between 45 and 65 degrees Celsius, and the induction technology should prevent any burnt milk.
Customer review: "This is an absolutely excellent product, expensive but worth it. I think it uses magnets to heat the milk perfectly - don't ask me how that works it would need someone who understands physics. Anyway, milk (dairy and Oatly) is heated perfectly every time, hot chocolate is delicious, perfectly blended."
Pros
- Lots of programmes
- Versatile
- Adjustable heat
Cons
- Fairly large device
Item dimensions: | 19.5 x 15.5 x 25 centimetres |
Material: | Stainless Steel, Plastic |
Colour: | Black - Stainless Steel |
- Stainless Steel Milk Jug with Barista Style Pouring Spout
- Stylish 360 ° Degree LED Indicator Light Ring
- Hot Chocoloate Function
Best handheld milk frother
This small but efficient frother works on all types of milk and is easy to clean and store with a convenient stand giving you quick access in seconds. Get whisking with an easy on/off switch and comfortably hold with an ergonomic handle. Powered by 2 AA batteries (not included).
Customer review: "I mean it works wonders this little machine. It is fast, makes the product fluffy and the battery I added Duracell, it lasted 2 weeks, taking in mind that i use this every day. Really love it, great little tool for the kitchen."
Pros
- Travel friendly
- Compact
- Multiple colour choices
Cons
- Does not come with batteries
Item dimensions: | Durable Stand |
Material: | Stainless Steel |
Colour: | Jet Metallic Black |
- Durable Stand
Easiest to clean milk frother
www.argos.co.uk
Fancy a frothy coffee, or does the little one like warm milk before bedtime? This Cookworks milk frother can hold 200ml of milk in its stainless-steel cup, which also has a non-stick coating for easy cleaning. Simply press the button and get a foamy coffee in seconds.
Customer review: "I highly recommend the milk frother. Easy to use and clean. Great cappuccino froth. It's worth the money!"
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Non-stick coating
- Simple to use
Cons
- Some customers found that the foam was lighter than other models
Item dimensions: | 172 x 128 x 205 mm |
Material: | Stainless-steel |
Colour: | White |
- Non-stick coating
Best Smeg milk frother
Did you know Smeg did milk frothers too? Add extra retro glamour to your kitchen worktop with this automatic milk frother that comes with 8 functions for optimal frothing - hot and cold. With the clear measurement markings inside the jug, too, you can make sure no milk goes wasted.
Customer review: "I read reviews for this not all were good. However so glad I bought it. It does exactly what it should and gets used every day. Quite expensive but worth the price tag. Very sturdy, looks great, does a great job.
Milk froths best on cold setting."
Pros
- Multiple colour choices
- Suits most kitchens
- Reliable
Cons
- Some customers found the milk wasn't hot enough
Item dimensions: | 18.4 x 14.2 x 25.1 centimetres |
Material: | Alloy Steel |
Colour: | Multiple Choices |
- Removable Jug
- Anti Slip Feet
- Tritan Lid
- Induction Hearting System
- 500 ML Capacity
Best Dualit milk frother
www.johnlewis.com
Fancy perfect-frothed milk in just 70 seconds? The Dualit milk frother is capable of frothing and heating milk at the touch of a button with the internal whisk whipping up foam to the perfect consistency. Stylish and a great addition to use with a home coffee machine.
Customer review: "Love this item and it's our second one. It's the best frother and my grandson makes himself a hot chocolate safely. The only thing that could be improved is to have a removable a removable inner but it's easy to wipe clean with a soft cloth and rinse. Definitely recommend it. My daughter has had one for years too."
Pros
- Simple to clean
- Adjustable temperature
- Easy to use
Cons
- No lip to pour from the machine
Item dimensions: | H19.5 x W11.5 x D17cm |
Material: | Stainless steel |
Colour: | Black |
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Automatic switch off
- Removable whisk
Best Lavazza milk frother
Lavazza doesn't just make Italy's favourite espresso but a nifty milk frother too for enhancing your favourite blend with hot or cold milk foam at the push of a button. Compact in size, the inside of the MilkUp is embossed with markings that recommend the fill levels for milk and foam. While the whisk and lid are both dishwasher safe, the body can be easily cleaned, too using its auto-clean feature.
Customer review: " I recently purchased the Lavazza A Modo Mio MilkEasy Frother and it has been a game-changer for making lattes at home! The electric milk frother is easy to use and creates perfectly frothed milk every time. It's a great addition to my morning routine and has saved me a lot of money on expensive coffee shop lattes. Highly recommend getting this if you're a fan of lattes and want to enjoy them at home."
Pros
- Speed of frothing
- Quiet
- Compact size
Cons
- Some found the foam was a little weak
Item dimensions: | 13 x 20.5 x 23 centimetres |
Material: | Plastic |
Colour: | Black |
Best easy to use milk frother
www.currys.co.uk
The Melitta Cremio milk frother will perfectly froth milk for any coffee speciality. The illuminated buttons and minimum and maximum level indicators make this milk frother intuitive and simple to use, and the integrated heater warms up the milk evenly.
Customer review: "Love it! Much easier to clean than one with the whisk in the container."
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Illuminated buttons make it easy to see (especially in winter dreary mornings)
- Level indicators
Cons
- Some reviewers wished it had more of a pouring spout
Item dimensions: | 210 x 165 x 110 mm (H x W x D) |
Material: | Plastic and metal |
Colour: | Stainless steel |
- Non-stick container
Is it worth getting a milk frother?
Getting a milk frother is a worthy investment for coffee and hot drink enthusiasts. Milk frothers come in various types, with electric milk frothers and milk frother heaters being some of the best options on the market.
One of the primary advantages of a milk frother is its ability to elevate your beverage experience. Frothed milk can turn a regular cup of coffee or tea into a creamy and luxurious treat. If you frequently enjoy lattes, cappuccinos, or hot chocolate, a milk frother can make a significant difference in the quality of your drinks.
Electric milk frothers are particularly popular for their ease of use and consistency in producing perfectly frothed milk. They are quick and efficient, making them a valuable addition to your morning routine. On the other hand, milk frother heaters offer the added benefit of heating the milk simultaneously, making them a versatile choice for creating any warm beverages.
So, the short answer is yes! We think that they are a worthwhile investment for anyone who loves a luxurious hot drink.
What can you make with a milk frother?
You can use a milk frother to make not just your favourite hot drinks but cold drinks too! You can try making:
• Hot chocolate
• Latte
• Iced Latte
• Cappuccino
• Iced Cappuccino
• Cold Brew Coffee
• Flat White
• Mocha
• Macchiato
• Matcha
• Milkshake
• Smoothies
• Protein shakes
You can even use your electric milk frother to beat eggs or whipping cream to add to recipes, mix pancake batter or to mix up homemade dressings.
If hot chocolate is your drink of choice, check out our pick of the best hot chocolate makers, with milk frothers and other alternatives included too.
Can you froth dairy milk substitutes?
While the protein content in cow's milk is perfect for foaming, there are vegan and non-dairy alternatives that can be frothed too.
According to RAVE, the coffee subscription service, pea, hemp and soy milk are great alternatives that can be frothed well in coffees. As the consistency of each is similar to cow's milk, especially pea and hemp with high protein, they have very similar fab frothy qualities.
Cashew and oat milk can also be used to froth well but will produce larger bubbles.
Almond milk tends to separate when heated, so it can foam but may leave a watery layer beneath, and coconut milk can be a bit hit and miss,
Rice milk, unfortunately, does not work well as a frothing alternative as there's not enough protein to make bubbles.
Hannah James is a Senior Home, Parenting and Lifestyle Product writer for Yours, specialising in product testing and reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah loves finding clothes that makes her feel fabulous and products that are great for large families.
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