One of the signature traits of any coffee house, whether it’s Starbucks or a local establishment, is a frothy milk topping gently resting at the top of your beverage. This delicious topping is the work of just one ingenious gadget known as a milk frother. If you’ve ever been curious about the loud hissing sounds when watching a barista make your coffee, that’s the sounds of a milk frother in action.
How this tool works is simple, with anyone able to master it in just a few short minutes. The milk frother aerates the liquid at a rapid speed, which causes bubbles to form within the milk. This aeration causes the milk to gain volume, turning it from a pure liquid into a half-solid, half-liquid combination. The milk frother is what gives drinks like cappuccinos their unique texture and taste. In the home, some coffee makers come with a good milk frother or steam pump installed. However, even some of the best coffee makers come without a milk frother and for the best coffee you really need one. You can classify a milk frother into one of three categories: manual, motorized and electric.
Which Milk Frother Is Best for Me?
The manual milk frother works similar to how our ancestors churned butter in the 19th century. To create the froth, just place the milk into a small stainless steel cup, then use a plunger to create the foam yourself manually. While the manual milk frother is inexpensive, there is one disadvantage: It requires a few minutes out to create the foamy substance. If you’re looking for a milk frother to make a quick cappuccino before work, this isn’t the category for you.
The motorized milk frother retains the stainless steel cup but with technology inside of it that makes the froth for you. Simply pour the milk into the cup and in under a minute, you can enjoy a delicious cappuccino. Motorized milk frothers offer other features as well, such as heating your beverage while frothing. The only downside to a motorized milk frother is the price, as they are typically the most expensive of the three options.
The electric milk frother is a small handheld device that you can use to make a delicious froth from any cup. This tool is speedy and usually not as expensive as the motorized milk frother. However, it does have one major drawback: Electric milk frothers can damage your cups if you’re not careful. For this reason, experts recommend using an electric milk frother only if you already have some experience working with delicate tools in the kitchen.
The Top 10 Best Milk Frothers
Below, we’ve assembled 10 of the best milk frothers on the market today. No matter what your skill level is, there is a milk frother on this list that is perfect for you.
1. PowerLix Milk Frother Handheld Battery Operated Electric Foam Maker
No matter what drink you want to add froth too, the PowerLix Milk Frother Handheld Battery Operated Electric Foam Maker can do it with no problems. In addition to cappuccinos, this handheld milk frother works perfectly with hot chocolate. This battery-powered milk frother gets the job done in under 20 seconds. The stainless steel whisk spins at 19,000 RPM, but with a motor so quiet you won’t even know it’s running. The ergonomic handle lets you see this frother for multiple drinks without getting any hand cramps.
2. KUKPO Milk Frother
KUKPO Milk Frother – Stainless Steel Body, With Stand – Blue LED Light Indicator – Portable, Lightweight Design – Battery OperatedThe KUKPO Milk Frother is all about safety. Not only is this milk frother made from stainless steel but it also features a protective stainless steel case. This case ensures that your milk frother remains free from bacteria and germs when not in use. The case also stands vertically, letting you store this tool in any corner of your kitchen. The lightweight device features a blue LED light to indicate when it is in use. If you’re itching for a late-night drink, this milk frother is perfect for whipping up delicious milkshakes, cocktails and even mixed alcoholic beverages.
3. Brentmoor Deluxe Stainless Steel Manual Milk Creamer/Frother
Take your cappuccino game to the next level with the Brentmoor Deluxe Stainless Steel Manual Milk Creamer/Frother. This manual frother features a double mesh aerator to get the perfect consistency of froth every time. Even though it’s a manual milk frother, the Brentmoor Deluxe Stainless Steel Manual Milk Creamer/Frother is easy to operate and won’t wear you out. The compact design means you don’t need a lot of surface space to use this milk frother. As a bonus, you’ll receive three cappuccino stencils with this milk frother in shamrock, daisy and spiral designs. With these stencils, your cappuccinos will look like they came out of a fancy coffee house.
4. Froth Wizard Stainless Steel Manual Push Whisk
The Froth Wizard Stainless Steel Manual Push Whisk uses a multi-pronged design that is both easy to use and versatile. Naturally, you can use this milk frother on milk, but you can also use it to whisk up eggs for a scrambled eggs dish, use it when baking a batch of delicious cookies and even use it to smooth out a salad dressing. The best part about this manual frother is how easy it is to clean. Simply run it under some hot water for a few minutes, and it’s ready for its next delicious task. If you’d rather skip the manual cleaning, you can just toss this stainless steel milk frother into the dishwasher.
5. Epica Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Heater Carafe
The Epica Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Heater Carafe is a motorized milk frother that makes frothing milk a simple process. Just pour the milk into the device, heat it up using the built-in controls and use the detachable carafe to pour it directly into your cup. If you want to froth the milk in advance, the stainless steel container uses high-quality insulation to keep the milk at a constant temperature. This insulation also allows the carafe to double as a thermos. In addition to beverages, the carafe can also hold liquid food such as soup.
6. MatchaDNA Handheld Electric Milk Frother
If you’re looking for a no-frills, inexpensive milk frother, then you’ll love the MatchaDNA Handheld Electric Milk Frother. This electric milk frother goes back to basics, offering an ergonomic design and a body made of high-quality ABS plastic. The whisk is stainless steel, which makes cleaning up a breeze. It only takes two AA batteries to power this small device, and you won’t need to replace the batteries for at least a few months. The lightweight size and small shape of the MatchaDNA Handheld Electric Milk Frother make it easy to transport and store it.
7. Secura Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Warmer
The Secura Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Warmer is one of the more expensive items on the list, but it makes up for it by packing in an array of features. This milk frother features indicators that let you know precisely how much liquid to add for the perfect froth. The stainless steel exterior with vacuum insulation ensures that your liquids stay warm for hours at a time. The detachable base lets you pour the foam safely without needing to lift the whole device and getting tangled in cords. As a bonus, you’ll also receive a free cleaning brush that will let you keep the Secura Automatic Electric Milk Frother and Warmer in excellent condition for years to come.
8. Nespresso Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother
While most motorized milk frothers specialize in hot drinks, the Nespresso Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother doesn’t confine itself to just one category of froth. This high-quality milk frother lets you froth both hot and cold milk, giving you the ability to make a delicious iced cappuccino for those warm summer days. The Nespresso Aeroccino Plus Milk Frother has all the other features you’d expect from a high-end motorized milk frother as well, including a detachable base and level indicators.
9. Norpro Milk Frother Deluxe
Norpro claims that the Norpro Milk Frother Deluxe makes healthier froth than the competition due to the removal of steam from the frothing process. However, this means you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and make the froth yourself as this is a manual milk frother. The tempered glass cup holds approximately two cups of milk and can froth both hot and cold milk. The whisk seals tightly around the cup, ensuring that you don’t create any spills even with vigorous pumping. The included recipe book will give you plenty of new ideas of how to use your delicious froth.
10. Ikea Milk Frother
Last but not least is the Ikea Milk Frother. Ikea is best known for their high-quality goods for your home or office, and the Ikea Milk Frother is no exception. This small handheld electric frother can make froth from both hot and cold milk in 15 to 20 seconds. The black case is sleek and will fit right in with your other kitchen tools and decor. Cleaning up is as easy as wiping the machine with a damp cloth and letting it dry.
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