I need multiple drinks at all times. There are practical ones (hello, water) and just-for-fun drinks, like fizzy kombucha and sweet, syrupy soda. Plain and simple, you'll rarely find me without a beverage-or two or three.
I put great care into setting myself up for refreshment success. That means tools and accessories that make drinking anything better, like glass straws, fun cups, and when I'm in need of caffeine, a reliable milk frother.
I know what you're probably thinking: Do I really need to add another kitchen gadget to my collection? I'm not here to tell you what to do, but the answer is, in short, yes. A milk frother takes a homemade drink to the next level, blending all types of milk for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, and even whisking up protein powder, or egg whites for a creamy White Russian cocktail.
If you're on a mission to find the right milk frother for your needs, we've got you covered. I spoke with five coffee experts-including at-home connoisseurs and brand founders-to get their recommendations for the best milk frothers. More on their faves below.
Making a great latte or cappuccino at home should be easy, and with the Secura frother, it is. The device is automatic and electric, so all you have to do is fill it with the milk of your choice, press a button, and voilà-you'll get a thick layer of foam at the ready for your drink. This frother can make a dense or light foam, and it can heat the milk, too.
Zoë Brown, a product reviewer at The Quality Edit, is incredibly passionate about this milk frother. "I've used it for more than two years, and still fall asleep looking forward to my latte the next morning because of the sheer magic of this machine. It's easy to use, durable, well-priced, and makes perfectly airy and fluffy hot or cold foam from any nondairy milk I throw in it," she says.
If affordability, convenience, and ease of use are the most important qualities you're looking for, a handheld milk frother will serve you well. This one from SIMPLETaste could not be easier to use. Just press the power button and froth away. It's small, comes with a stand for seamless storage, and is rust-resistant.
"Okay, maybe a fancy frother is a little better? I wouldn't know because I think this one from Amazon is great. I love adding a little foam to my matcha lattes. It also comes with a little stand, so you can leave it on the counter, which is great," says New York-based home cook and matcha-lover Alli Rubin. To add to the list of benefits, you can often find this on Amazon for less than $10.
Nondairy milks are gaining in popularity, but for purists, this frother works best with dairy milk. AEVO actually advises you to use milk with a fat content of 3 percent or above. Sahra Nguyen, founder of Nguyen Coffee Supply, also suggests adding a dash of cream to create a fluffy froth.
The device has a magnetic frothing lid and removable milk pitcher, which is detachable and dishwasher-safe. "It has multiple options, including frothing, just foam, and hot and cold foam," Nguyen says. "It can turn any drink into a comforting, frothy drink, including cappuccinos, chai, and turmeric lattes. It's easy to use and clean. I pour my milk or mixture in, hit the button, then step away until it's done."
While it's the priciest option on this list, this frother has the bells and whistles that make it worth it. It has a simple, streamlined design with smart features that get you your froth fast. The device heats up milk in just 60 seconds, and can prepare hot or cold foam in about 70 seconds. With this gadget you can get hot foam, hot milk, or cold froth to make your favorite coffee preparations, like a café au lait or cappuccino. It also turns off automatically when you're done.
San Francisco-based home cook Miranda Song prides herself on making coffee at home every day and is a huge fan of this device. "I love my Nespresso Aeroccino! It has settings for both warm and cold foam, so you can make hot and iced lattes at home. It froths the milk quickly and is also very easy to clean."
I usually drink my coffee black, but when I don't, I'm using this Aerolatte frother. I've had this frother for years, and I've sung its praises for all of them. It's convenient, takes up barely any space, and is so easy to use. It also works with dairy-free milks, which I also love. It can't heat milk, but you can easily heat a cup of milk up first then froth it to solve that issue. My favorite use for this little gadget is actually blending powders. I love adding collagen powder to my coffee, but it tends to get clumpy. A little whisk with this and it becomes creamy and delicious.