Best Milk Frothers: Handheld and Electric

The Picks at a Glance

1. Nespresso Aeroccino XL: Best One-Touch Frother for Hot and Cold Foam

Nespresso Aeroccino XL Milk Frother on Amazon

Nespresso lists three preparations: cold milk foam, hot milk foam and hot milk, each done in a single step. The XL froths up to 7.6 oz (225 ml) of milk for hot or cold foam and heats up to 13.5 oz (400 ml) of plain hot milk, which Nespresso pitches at larger recipes. It turns itself off when it finishes.

The jug is stainless steel with a plastic cover, and the unit measures 4.66 inches across and 8.04 inches tall. Nespresso says the jug, lid, seal, whisk and spring are dishwasher resistant at up to 158°F (70°C). If you want a capsule machine too, our Nespresso and capsule espresso machine picks cover that half.

The trade-off: Nespresso lists three preset preparations and no temperature settings.

Best for: latte and iced-latte drinkers who want foam with no technique.

2. Breville Milk Café: Best for Big Batches and Temperature Choice

Search Amazon for Breville Milk Café BMF600XL

The Milk Café is the largest frother here: Breville lists a 25 oz (3 cup) capacity. It heats by induction and has four settings, Cold Stir, Warm, Optimum Temperature and Hot, and turns itself off once the milk reaches your chosen temperature. Two discs come in the box, one for lattes and one for cappuccinos, plus a measuring cap for adding ingredients such as hot chocolate powder or chai while it mixes.

Breville says the induction heating lets the jug go straight into the dishwasher. It draws 500 watts at 110 to 120 volts, measures 6.4 x 7.5 x 10.4 inches (W x D x H), weighs 3.46 lb and carries a 1-year limited warranty.

The trade-off: it is the bulkiest option here, and when this page was written, Amazon’s offers came from third-party sellers.

Best for: households making several milk drinks at once, or hot chocolate and chai as well as coffee.

3. Subminimal NanoFoamer Lithium: Best Handheld for Microfoam

Subminimal NanoFoamer Lithium on Amazon

The NanoFoamer is a handheld impeller with a mesh screen over it, which Subminimal says creates microfoam for lattes, flat whites and cappuccinos without a steam wand. Two NanoScreens come in the box, Fine and Superfine. Subminimal’s guide pairs the Superfine screen with flat whites and the Fine screen with cappuccinos, and its manual says to aerate near the surface for 3 to 20 seconds, then churn deeper.

The Lithium model charges over USB-C, with LEDs that show the charge level, and has two speeds. It measures 234 x 35 mm and is rated IPX-4 for splash resistance. It comes in black or white. Subminimal’s manual says to rinse the shaft, impeller and screens under running water, wipe the body with a damp cloth and not submerge it. It also sells a V2 version that runs on two AA batteries with one speed (Search Amazon for Subminimal NanoFoamer V2 ).

The trade-off: you heat the milk and handle the jug yourself.

Best for: home espresso and moka pot drinkers who want pourable foam for latte art.

4. Aerolatte Original: Best Simple Battery Wand

Search Amazon for Aerolatte Original Milk Frother

The Aerolatte Original is the plainest tool here: a battery-powered wand with a spiral whisk head and shaft made of 18/8 stainless steel, with two AA batteries included. Aerolatte says to heat your milk, submerge the whisk and turn it on, and that frothing usually takes 20 to 60 seconds. Cleanup is a rinse of the whisk head under the tap.

Aerolatte says it froths soy, rice, almond, coconut, UHT and powdered milk as well as dairy, and makes cold drinks such as frappés and milkshakes too. It is sold in several finishes, including satin and polished chrome, and with a counter stand.

The trade-off: no heating and no screen, so you control the temperature and texture.

Best for: an occasional cappuccino or hot chocolate without another appliance on the counter.

How to Choose

• Heating built in or not. The Aeroccino XL and Milk Café heat the milk. The two handhelds don’t, so you heat the milk separately; Aerolatte’s instructions start with that step.
• Batch size. The Aeroccino XL makes up to 7.6 oz of foam. The Milk Café holds 25 oz. Handhelds work in whatever jug or mug you use.
• Cold foam. Nespresso lists cold milk foam on the Aeroccino XL, Breville lists a Cold Stir setting, and Aerolatte lists cold drinks.
• Foam for latte art. Subminimal designs the NanoFoamer around microfoam and pairs screens with drink styles. The jug frothers are built for one-touch foam instead.
• Cleanup. The two jugs list dishwasher-safe parts. The handhelds rinse clean, and Subminimal says not to submerge the NanoFoamer’s body.

Already own an espresso machine? See how a steam wand and pitcher compare with a dedicated frother . Still choosing the espresso side? Our cheap espresso machine picks include machines with steam wands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do handheld milk frothers heat the milk?

Not these two. Aerolatte says to heat your milk first, then froth it, and Subminimal lists no heating function for the NanoFoamer. The Aeroccino XL and Milk Café heat the milk themselves.

Which of these frothers can make cold foam?

Nespresso lists cold milk foam as one of the Aeroccino XL’s three preparations, and Breville lists a Cold Stir setting on the Milk Café. Aerolatte says its wand makes cold drinks such as frappés and milkshakes.

Can milk frother parts go in the dishwasher?

For the jugs, yes: Nespresso lists the Aeroccino XL’s jug, lid, seal, whisk and spring as dishwasher resistant at up to 158°F, and Breville says the Milk Café jug can go in the dishwasher. For the NanoFoamer, Subminimal’s manual says to rinse the shaft and screens under running water and wipe the body with a damp cloth.

Sources

• Nespresso Aeroccino XL Milk Frother
• Breville the Milk Café
• Subminimal NanoFoamer
• Subminimal NanoFoamer Lithium user and safety manual (PDF)
• Aerolatte Original Steam Free Milk Frother