Best Milk Frothers Of 2022

Best Milk Frothers Of 2022

Nataliia Karabin/Shutterstock By Robyn Hunt/Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 3:12 pm EST

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Simply put, a milk frother is a device that whips air into hot or cold milk to create foam which is, in turn, used for lattes, cappuccinos, and other coffee drinks that require milk foam (via TheServingDish). But why froth milk? According to CoffeeAffection, using frothed (or aerated) milk changes the texture of your hot or cold beverage, giving it a creamy, light mouthfeel. (Something that regular, or steamed milk, can’t accomplish.)

Personal use milk frothers have come a long way since the first handheld patent was filed in the early 2000s (via Google Patents). What started off as a somewhat flimsy handheld, battery-operated mini whisk has now branched out into a whole family of varietals. In addition to the original traditional hand-held battery-operated version, there are now rechargeable handheld whisks, electric and electric plug-ins, manual plungers, and even frothers you can use with a heating source like fire. But ultimately, all milk frothers will fall under one of three main categories: manual, handheld electric, and automatic (via BrownsCoffee).

Best Milk Frothers Of 2022

Nataliia Karabin/Shutterstock

By Robyn Hunt/Updated: Feb. 2, 2023 3:12 pm EST

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Simply put, a milk frother is a device that whips air into hot or cold milk to create foam which is, in turn, used for lattes, cappuccinos, and other coffee drinks that require milk foam (via TheServingDish). But why froth milk? According to CoffeeAffection, using frothed (or aerated) milk changes the texture of your hot or cold beverage, giving it a creamy, light mouthfeel. (Something that regular, or steamed milk, can’t accomplish.)

Personal use milk frothers have come a long way since the first handheld patent was filed in the early 2000s (via Google Patents). What started off as a somewhat flimsy handheld, battery-operated mini whisk has now branched out into a whole family of varietals. In addition to the original traditional hand-held battery-operated version, there are now rechargeable handheld whisks, electric and electric plug-ins, manual plungers, and even frothers you can use with a heating source like fire. But ultimately, all milk frothers will fall under one of three main categories: manual, handheld electric, and automatic (via BrownsCoffee).

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Personal use milk frothers have come a long way since the first handheld patent was filed in the early 2000s (via Google Patents). What started off as a somewhat flimsy handheld, battery-operated mini whisk has now branched out into a whole family of varietals. In addition to the original traditional hand-held battery-operated version, there are now rechargeable handheld whisks, electric and electric plug-ins, manual plungers, and even frothers you can use with a heating source like fire. But ultimately, all milk frothers will fall under one of three main categories: manual, handheld electric, and automatic (via BrownsCoffee).

How we selected the following milk frothers

Nita Yuko/Shutterstock

Is there really a reason to have a single-use kitchen gadget like a milk frother in your kitchen (especially if you live in a space-challenged abode)? The answer is ultimately up to you, but luckily the options below will give you important insights into what you want versus what you actually need.

Best overall

While some reviewers mentioned burn out after a short period of time, over-use is always a possibility and can cause a frother to stop working. The Zulay 4-in-1 also comes with a lifetime warranty, which adds to its awesomeness. Customer service is continually cited as excellent. The Zulay 4-in-1 carafe can be detached from the heating element (it’s not dishwasher safe), but you still need to be careful to not get the heating circuit wet or else it damage the frother.

Best multifunction

Instant Home

As with any product, there is a mention that the Instant 4-in-1 milk frother can suddenly stop working after only a short time frame. That being said, you never know if the product itself is being cleaned and maintained properly, and used according to instructions. It’s also important to note that the Instant 4-in-1 milk frother also comes with a one-year warranty. Other reviewers did find that the actual temperature of the finished foamy product leaves much to be desired.

Best for travel

PowerLix

That being said, this handheld frother doesn’t include the required two AA batteries — which is a bit of a bummer — and while it’s advertised as being able to mix any sort of liquid or food, some reviewers note that eggs prove to be an issue.

Best rechargeable

Best for latte art

AEVO Life

AEVO’s automatic frother comes with four different heating and frothing modes, and also includes a magnetic lid to keep your leftover milk (or hot chocolate) from getting cold. The automatic shut-off function will prevent scalding milk (because if you’ve ever tasted burnt milk, you know how that can ruin your day). Customers claim that because the steamer pot is detachable and dishwasher safe, it’s really easy to clean. Those of you who prefer non-dairy or low-fat milk will want to steer clear of AEVO’s automatic frother. Different outlets, including the manufacturer’s website, state that it only works on whole milk or milk that’s 3% or more. Another mild turn-off is that, according to this response from the vendor, you’re also going to have to purchase a whole new frother if something breaks or goes missing.

Best stove top

Bellman Coffee

One reviewer says to start with pre-heated water to minimize the horribly long three-minute wait, but that it’s basically espresso’s awesome best friend. Others remark that it works just as well as a true machine.

Keep in mind that if you have an induction burner, you’ll need to pass on this little gadget. The Bellman SS is made with stainless steel alloy — alloy is a mixture of metals (via KitchenAmbition), which means the iron content isn’t traceable. While some alloys do work with induction, it’s reported that the Bellamn SS will not. It also, for obvious reasons, gets incredibly hot on the outside, so you’ll need to exercise caution when handling it.

Best manual

Ninja Kitchen

You’re not going to be gambling too much when you buy one of these awesome frothers, because it’s set at a very affordable price point.

Best for time

sylv1rob1/Shutterstock

While this individual wasn’t that happy with the Nespresso Aeroccino3, they did mention that customer support was great. Another happy customer ran into an issue and customer support was readily available to troubleshoot and solve the problem. Reviewers at Best Buy give it 4.6 out of 5 stars, citing that it creates foam that is a consistent density, is simple to use, and easy to clean. However, a few individuals weren’t impressed with the quality of the foam the Nespresso Aeroccino3 produces. (Hey, you can’t please everyone.)

Best splurge

Smeg

One minor grievance is that the base is a little bulky and the durability is questionable as it’s made of plastic. Ultimately, the Smeg Retro milk frother is a great investment piece that excels in not only large amounts of frothed milk, but whipping up tasty hot chocolate. So if you have the moolah and love hot chocolate just as much as you love lattes (or want to experiment with making mochas), then this one’s for you.

Best electric

Bodum

Unfortunately, some testers have noted that their Bodum Bistro electric suddenly stops working. This could be a number of factors, from an actual issue with the frother itself, to accidental misuse. The website DreamyHome mentions that while the reasons your frother may not be working aren’t always obvious, there are usually two main culprits: residual is interfering with the electronics, or the wand is misaligned. Another minor objection is that the auto shut-off feature doesn’t actually turn the entire gizmo off (only the frothing stops). (But that’s not much of a learning curve — it is, after all, toted as the best for beginners).

Best for capacity

Maestri House