The best milk frothers – Comparison and buying guide

Without a doubt, the possibilities offered by a milk frother greatly multiply the repertoire of coffee recipes and other drinks that you can make with your coffee maker.

Cappuccino,  latte coffee,  latte macchiato,  frappé or smoothie are just some examples of preparations where a good, creamy and consistent milk foam becomes the main ingredient.

Due to its growing demand, there are a wide variety of types, models and brands available on the market, so it can be difficult to make the best choice for each case.

If you are considering buying a milk frother, this article is for you. I have selected the best milk frothers you can buy, depending on the type and your budget.

Recommended milk frothers

• Best electric milk frother: The Cecotec Power Moca (€49.90) is the number 1 best-seller in automatic milk mixers ( read review ).
• Best manual milk frother: Under the slogan “ Good design does not have to be expensive ” we find the Bodum Latteo (€23.91). Without a doubt, one of the standards of this segment that has very good references from users.
• Best battery-powered milk frother: Within the range of models that we can find, the Bonsenkitchen frother (€12.99) is one of the consumer preferences. Its value for money is unbeatable.

Tips before buying a milk frother

This is the first thing you should be clear about, but it is simple if you follow these tips:

• If you are looking for something fast, practical and that can also heat milk,  electric or automatic ones give the best results and are very effective. Do you want to know what the best options are? 
• If you are going to use it occasionally and you are looking for the cheapest option, choose a manual, battery-powered or battery-powered one. The latter are more comfortable and you will not depend on your strength. Do you want to know what the best options are? 

The 5 best electric milk frothers (heat and froth)

This should be your choice if you usually make milk foam, as they are the fastest and most comfortable to use.

Advantage

• The process is fully automatic.
• They can froth both hot and cold milk.
• They are made with non-stick materials.
• They have a heating function.
• They are easy to clean.
• They make various textures of foam.

Disadvantages

• They are not the cheapest.
• They take up more space than handheld ones.
• The vast majority are not dishwasher safe.

1. Power Moca Spume 5000, the Cecotec milk frother

See main details

• Heating capacity:  400 ml (5-6 cups)
• Frothing capacity:  200 ml (2-3 cups)
• Power:  650W
• 4 functions:  hot/cold foam, hot milk, and chocolate
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

From the outset, say that the Power Moca 5000 milk mixer comes from a renowned Spanish manufacturer, Cecotec, which gives a certain guarantee.

Not only is its generous capacity the most differentiating feature from its competition, but also its innovative function to prepare hot chocolate.

Another detail that makes it different is its ease of cleaning, as its stainless steel jug is dishwasher safe.

• Take note:
  It has particularly caught my attention that some users who have previously had the famous Nespresso frother put it at its height, but its price is much more affordable.

2. Shardor, another option within the 3-in-1 skimmers

See main details

• Heating capacity:  240 ml (3-4 cups)
• Frothing capacity:  115 ml (1 cup)
• Power:  500W
• 3 functions:  hot/cold foam and hot milk
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Another of the automatic milk frothers that lead the ranking of the best sellers comes from the manufacturer Shardor. Its success is nothing more than the fruit of its good value for money.

• eye!
  In such a crowded market in which mid-range electric emulsifiers predominate, between €30-50, earning a place among the top positions is no small feat.

Functionally, in terms of what it allows you to do, it has nothing that we cannot find in the rest of the models on the market, it simply has all the qualities that users demand from a product of this type.

3. Morpilot, the 4 functions in 1 milk frother

See main details

• Heating capacity:  240 ml (3-4 cups)
• Frothing capacity:  115 ml (1 cup)
• Power:  400W
• 4 Functions:  dense or soft hot/cold foam and hot milk
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

The Morpilot milk frother is characterized by executing 4 different functions, instead of 3, which is usual for this price range.

• Did you know that…
  Thanks to this extra function you can choose between two types of foam. A denser foam will be ideal for a latte macchiato. On the other hand, a more aerated foam is perfect for preparing a cappuccino.

Its capacity is ideal for foaming enough for a cup, so if you are two people you will need to carry out the process twice. I don’t think it’s a problem, because the procedure is quite fast.

Likewise, it can be used with all types of milk, but users make sure that vegetable milk foam is not as dense as that of animal origin.

4. Severin 700, high-end and large capacity

The most remarkable thing about the Severin SM 3586 is, without a doubt, its great capacity. It is one of the automatic milk mixers with the highest filling and foaming volume, making it ideal for large families.

Another of the things that I like the most, that the rest of its competitors do not have, is that it allows you to adjust the temperature both to heat and to froth the milk between 45 – 65ºC.

Now, it is true that it is within the high range and its price is around €100, it is not cheap -it must be said-. Of course, its benefits are quite unique and it has details that stand out from the rest such as; induction technology, chocolate function, adjustable temperature, and LED light ring with a status indicator, among others.

• Bottom line:
  An ideal option if you frequently froth a lot of milk and money is not an issue for you. The results obtained are of very good quality; consistent and firm milk foam, ideal for latte macchiato and other similar preparations.

5. Nwouiiay, a cheap milk frother

The NWOUIIAY electric milk frother has nothing that we can’t find in other models, but given the same features, it has an unbeatable price of €41.99.

• eye!
  This same model is also marketed under the HadinEEon brand, but with a much higher price, almost twice as much. Both versions enjoy thousands of ratings, all of them close to five stars, a very good indicator!

In short, it brings together all the qualities that consumers demand in a milk frother and heater. His greatest success? Without a doubt, it’s an adjusted price.

The 2 best manual milk frothers

Designed for those people who are looking for simplicity and want to be part of the whole process.

Advantage

• They do not require batteries or electricity.
• It’s easy to use.
• Are cheap.
• They are very strong and durable.

Disadvantages

• The result will depend on the time and the force you exert.
• They do not have a function to heat the milk.

The 2 best battery-powered or battery-powered milk shakers

They are small and very light, ideal if you are going to give them sporadic use and are looking for an economical option.

Advantage

• They take up very little space.
• They are the cheapest.
• They are very easy to clean.
• They do not need electricity.
• Some allow you to apply multiple speeds.

Disadvantages

• They are less powerful, so it will take longer.
• You have to heat the milk beforehand.

Buying guide for the best milk shaker

Before making a decision, there are a few important factors to consider. That is why I have prepared a small guide so that you can choose the best one for you.

Types of milk foaming machines

We can differentiate milk frothers into three categories: automatic, manual, and battery-powered. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, but the choice between one or the other will depend on your needs and your budget.

Next, I am going to give you a brief overview of each one to get to know them better:

electric or automatic

They carry out the entire process automatically, which is why they are the easiest to use. But in turn, they are the ones that occupy the most space and their cost is higher.

They are also called milk heaters since another of their functions is to heat milk without emulsifying it.

manual or hand

They are the easiest models to use and clean. Of course, the final result will depend on the force used and the time you are raising and lowering the mast.

By not using any type of electrical charge, if you want to make hot milk foam you will have to heat it beforehand.

Manual battery or battery

Battery-powered milk frothers are the lightest and smallest, so they are easier to store. In addition, they are by far the cheapest.

Of course, you should bear in mind that they are less powerful than the automatic ones, so it will take longer to froth the same amount of milk.

Practical tips for choosing a good milk frother

Functions

There are basically two functions that a milk frother can perform: heating and frothing the milk or just frothing.

Heat and foam function

• eye!
  Only electric milk churns are capable of frothing and heating the milk at the same time. On the other hand, the manual or battery-powered ones have the disadvantage, compared to the electric ones, of having to heat the milk beforehand.

It is very important to froth the milk at the right temperature, as its flavor and texture will depend on it. The International Dairy Journal investigated the effect of temperature on foam formation, concluding that UHT whole milk is more stable at 65ºC.

With manual or battery-powered models it will be more difficult for you to control the temperature. On the other hand, the electric ones have automatic temperature control, that is, once they reach 65º they turn off automatically to avoid overheating and preserve the natural nutrients of the milk.

container capacity

If you opt for an electric or manual skimmer, you will have to take into account the capacity of your jars. You should pay special attention to its foaming capacity since it is much less than heating (more or less half).

• For individual use, choose those that can foam between 115-130 ml, with that it is more than enough. Keep in mind that the greater the capacity, the greater its size.
• To prepare more quantity, two or more cups, opt for those that exceed 130ml, as it will be much more comfortable and faster to prepare it in one go.

Foaming is not the same as heating, which is why all the containers include several marks inside with a volume scale that tells you how far you should fill them in each case in order to avoid overflow during operation.

Time of preparation

As is logical, with a manual milk shaker it will take longer to give texture to the milk than with an electric or battery-powered one, since it is your strength and the time you spend that will determine the density and volume of the foam.

However, the fastest and least expensive are the electric ones. The higher the power, the faster it will generate foam. Depending on which function you choose and the capacity, the completion time varies. For example, for a standard mixer of about 400W, the times are as follows:

• The function to heat milk (350ml) takes about 120-160 seconds.
• The hot foaming option (160ml) takes between 90-120s.
• Cold milk foam (160ml) takes about 1 minute.

Ease of cleaning

The most comfortable would be if it were dishwasher safe, but not all milk frothers are. The vast majority have electrical components integrated into their container which, naturally, disables this function.

However, the insides of the jugs are coated with a non-stick material to prevent milk from sticking to the sides and bottom, making cleaning easier. You will only have to pass a specific brush for it or a damp cloth.

In addition, you will find it even more comfortable if its heads are removable since taking them out and cleaning them under water will be more than enough.

Noise level

When emulsifying milk, it is almost inevitable to cause some noise. However, electric models are the ones that generate the least noise. Its silent technology ensures that there is almost no noise or vibration during operation.

How to froth milk correctly? on video

Milk foam plays a very important role in various preparations, such as cappuccinos, lattes macchiatos, or simply decorating drinks to our liking. However, not everyone knows how to froth milk properly.

The process basically consists of aerating it as much as possible, in order to generate small bubbles of milk and air. The smaller the bubbles, the more difficult it will be for them to evaporate, and consequently, you will get a higher foam density.

Practical tips for making a good layer of foam

Next, I have prepared some essential tips to carry out this process with guarantees:

• The temperature of the milk is important since, if it is cold, it is much easier to foam. At low temperatures, the air is more soluble with the milk, so it is easier for many bubbles to form.
• A good skimmer is essential. I recommend you buy an electric one , since it will always give you better results, and greater consistency than a manual or battery-powered one.
• Skimmed milk is the easiest to froth as it contains less fat, but it is also less creamy. The less fat the milk has, the easier it will be to cream.
• Semi-skimmed milk is the best option, as it foams easily, and has enough fat to add some flavor to the coffee. You will achieve a good balance between ease of foaming and the presence of some fat.
• If you use a better stainless steel container because it dissipates heat better and allows the milk fat to melt later, favoring the creation of bubbles.
• When you finish frothing the milk, stabilize the foam by tapping the bottom of the jug to break up the larger bubbles.
• The ideal temperature to serve the milk foam is between 65ºC and 70ºC.
• Once emulsified, make small movements in a circle with the jug, to give the milk more texture.

Can almond milk be heated?

Of course! The only difference is that the vegetable drink, when heated, reacts differently from the animal one since it contains different types of protein.

Likewise, it also reacts differently when foamed. Almond milk foams very well and adds a smooth flavor to the coffee.

• Tip:
  The foam of non-dairy milk is easily cut by changes in temperature and the acidity of the coffee. For this reason, I advise you to carry out this process at a temperature a little lower than that of a cow, in this way you will prevent it from cutting and, consequently, lower the foam.

Vegetable milk with sugar, fat, and protein is the most suitable to achieve a creamy foam. Fats should not be added.

Similarly, stabilizers make it easier to foam, although it is true that they are not the most natural option.

What is the price of a milk frother?

Manual or battery

If what you want is to buy a cheap milk frother, you should opt for the manual models or those that work with batteries, since they are the cheapest.

Their price range is between €10 and €30 (sometimes even less). Of course, you must bear in mind that you will have to give up the comfort of the automatic mixer, and the milk heater function.

electrical

If you opt for an automatic or electric one, the initial investment will go up a bit, but in return, you will save effort and gain quality.

However, for just over €30 you can find models with a very good quality ratio, such as the Nobebird.

The high-end ones can even exceed €70, as is the case with the Nespresso Aeroccino 4.

Where can I buy a milk frother?

Not many years ago there were few who dared to shop online, but today stores are gaining more and more presence on the Internet. The prices are usually better, they also have the advantage that you can compare between several stores from the comfort of your home.

When we talk about online stores, Amazon is the undisputed giant and is already known throughout the world for the advantages it offers. At Amazon, you will find the largest variety of skimmers and at the best price, if you are not satisfied, their return policy is one of the best.

It will also be of great help to review the opinions of users who have already purchased the product. There is no better guarantee than that!