I Tested 22 Milk Frothers To Find The Best for Barista-Quality Foam (2026)

Even as a zealous, everyday coffee drinker, I used to think milk frothers were just another food gadget I didn’t need. Fun? Sure. Essential? Meh, not really. My Mr. Coffee got me through the years just fine. Then I tried one, and suddenly my sad splash of half-and-half turned into silky, glossy foam that made my morning drip coffee or espresso feel like a latte from a fancy café. Now I can’t go back.

But the milk frother game is tricky. Some whip dairy and nondairy milk into airy soap bubbles that collapse before you even take a sip, while others create the good stuff—smooth, velvety foam that looks (and tastes) luxurious.

Our top picks

• Best milk frother overall: Breville Milk Café
• Runner-up: Keurig K-Froth Hot and Cold Frother
• Best for latte art: Subminimal NanoFoamer PRO
• Best for alt milks: Maestri House DualFro Ultra Milk Frother
• Best budget milk frother: Instant Pot Instant MagicFroth 9-in-1 Frother
• Best for small spaces: Smeg Mini Milk Frother
• Best handheld milk frother: Maestri House LunaFro
• Best portable milk frother: Subminimal NanoFoamer Go

I tested 22 of the best milk frothers on the market, chatted with professional baristas for their tips, and narrowed it down to the electric milk frothers actually worth your money, no matter your budget or how much counter space you have.

New in this update: I got my hands on a batch of new frothers, both free-standing and wand-style. Over testing, I finally found a frother that could handle plant milk: the Maestri House DualFro Ultra. Plus, I found a bunch of great handheld options, including Subminimal’s Nanofoamer Go, which we crowned the “best portable” wand.

Best milk frother overall: Breville Milk Café

What we loved: This is the Ferrari of milk frothers, and even professionals recommend it. “A good frother shouldn’t just make bubbles—it should create silky, velvety microfoam that elevates a latte or cappuccino. Temperature control is also key because if the milk gets too hot, you lose that natural sweetness,” says Erika Arostegui, barista at Love You a Latte in Greenwich, Connecticut. “For a splurge, we love the Breville Milk Café. It’s precise, powerful, and really gives you café-quality foam with the ability to fine-tune temperature and texture.”

It looks impressive; just having it out on my kitchen counter made me look like I was an award-winning barista who knew how to make museum-quality latte art (which I don’t). Both the base and carafe are stainless steel for a sleek, modern aesthetic.

What sold me was how well it frothed different types of milk. With whole milk, it whips up rich, glossy foam that feels almost elastic, the kind you can spoon on top of cold brew and it just sits there like a marshmallow. It pulls out the natural sweetness in dairy, too, so a plain cappuccino suddenly tastes like dessert. Oat milk, notoriously tricky to make foamy with cheaper frothers, came out smooth and stable with no splitting or watery texture. I tested it with Oatly and the foam consistently held up—creamy and dense enough to pour without collapsing.

If you switch between dairy and alt-milks, that versatility is huge. Many frothers can handle one or the other, but the Breville nails both thanks to its precise temperature control.

What we’d leave: the Breville Milk Café is expensive. If you aren’t a coffee connoisseur, it’s probably overkill. It’s also hefty and takes up a lot of counter space—more than any of the other frothers I tested. For a niche gadget, sacrificing that space can feel like a major commitment.

Runner-up: Keurig K-Froth Hot and Cold Frother

What we love: I went into this thinking Keurig’s milk frother would be a basic, no-frills option, and it ended up being one of the most reliable frothers I tested. Frankly, it reminds me of a budget-friendly Breville, so if you want that premium aesthetic and café-quality feel without spending over $100, this is the one.

It’s incredibly easy to use: Pick one of four presets (Hot Latte, Hot Capp, Cold Foam, or Iced Latte), boom—you get smooth, bouncy foam with both dairy and plant-based milks. It feels more substantial than its price tag suggests, with a sturdy, almost commercial-grade build that holds up to daily use. And technically, it is designed with commercial settings in mind: It comes with three separate carafes, each with its own lid and whisk, making it ideal for busy offices or households with multiple coffee drinkers. Cleanup is easy too—most parts can go straight into the dishwasher, which is always a win in my book. For $70, you really can’t beat it.

What we’d leave: The three-carafe setup is smart for families or group settings, but it can feel like overkill if you’re just making a single morning latte. In fact, I opened the box and said: “What am I supposed to do with all these carafes?” Not the worst problem in the world, but it could be a dealbreaker if you’re tight on space.

Best for latte art: Subminimal NanoFoamer PRO

What we love: Subminimal's high-tech NanoFoamer PRO is beloved by professional and at-home baristas for its microfoam technology and sleek, futuristic design. Megan Biolsi, manager of coffee education and training at Sightglass Coffee, recommends it for its ability to fine-tune froth, whether it’s whipping up fatty whole milk or less dense plant-based alternatives. “A good milk frother provides consistency while also allowing adaptability in foam content to suit a variety of drink styles,” she says. “The NanoFoamer PRO, which is an automatic frother, helps create consistency and offers five foam settings, allowing flexibility.”

Here’s how it works: First, select one of three magnetic flow controllers (a.k.a. paddles) that allow for aeration customization for dairy, plant-based, or one that gives somewhere in between. The paddle sticks to the carafe wall to control airflow, then you pick one of six programs that range from drizzle-ready microfoam to thick, stable drink toppers. Hit start, and in 1–2 minutes, you’ve got foam tailored to your milk and drink style.

I was super impressed with how well it whips both types of milk, especially oat milk. The paddles seem to really make a difference in aeration to get foam that stands up. I think it’s a great choice for folks who geek out on their morning cup of joe. Subliminal even includes an access code to an online latte art class with purchases, so if you want to perfect your rosetta, it’s got you covered.

What we’d leave: The NanoFoamer PRO is pretty techy. If you’re a casual coffee drinker and just want to make a classic cold foam float or steamed milk, you’ll want to opt for something simpler. Figuring out what programs and paddles to use was definitely cool, but probably too much for most folks. It’s also expensive, and the carafe has a smaller capacity.

Best for alt milks: Maestri House DualFro Ultra Milk Frother

What we love: Over my testing journey, I’ve noticed that plant-based milks are significantly harder to froth than traditional whole milk. Even some of the fanciest, tech-iest frothers I’ve tested struggle to whip up puffy clouds of foam with oat milk, which is why I was thrilled to discover that the Maestri House Ultra was up to the job.

It whisked up oat milk better than any of the other models I’ve tried so far, whether I was making hot froth for a latte or cold foam for an iced coffee. The hot foam was thick and pillowy (hello, cappuccino!), but I was equally impressed by the microfoam setting, which produced the smooth, silky texture you need for latte art. The included flow diverter—which looks like a three-pronged plastic cap that sits over the whisk inside the carafe—is a thoughtful addition, too, giving you more control over your pour if you want to get fancy with your morning coffee. It keeps the puffy foam out of the microfoam while you pour, giving you more control over your art design. I also loved the intuitive toggle and switches and generous 2-cup capacity in the carafe, which is perfect for making batch coffees in the A.M. for partners or families. With eight presets, including settings for hot chocolate, plant-based milks, and latte-art microfoam, this thing can do a lot more than just heat up your milk. For the price, I think it's a pretty fair deal, especially if you're someone who likes to experiment with different coffee drinks at home.

What we’d leave: The biggest drawback for me is the size. The carafe has a generous capacity, but that also means this frother takes up more counter space than some of the smaller models I tested. And while I appreciated having so many presets to choose from, the high-tech setup might feel a little intimidating if you're just looking for a straightforward way to froth milk for your morning coffee.

Best budget milk frother: Instant Pot Instant MagicFroth 9-in-1 Frother

What we love: I love my Instant Pot. It makes cooking on weeknights when I don’t feel like thinking about prep and complicated recipes so much easier. That said, I was very skeptical the brand would make a quality milk frother, particularly one that has nine different functions. But I was wrong! This gadget rocks and is surprisingly powerful for the low price.

Rather than locking you into presets for Cappuccino or Latte, the MagicFroth lets you customize the temperature and froth levels. During my testing, it fluffed up both milk and oat milk nicely and evenly, whether I had it set on a warm or cooler setting. The large carafe is also a major standout. While you can’t froth 17 ounces of milk in it (it’ll overflow with anything over 8.5 ounces), you can warm 17 ounces of liquid in it at a time, making it great for hot, creamy drinks. Despite its bigger carafe, this appliance is compact. Some large-capacity frothers end up taking over your countertops, but this is still small enough to stash politely in the corner.

What we’d leave: The flexibility of the two controls for temperature and froth levels can be a con if you’re someone who doesn’t want to think too hard about your morning beverage. The frother isn’t difficult to use—it takes just a few extra presses. But if you prefer a machine that makes a latte when you press Latte, this is not for you.

Best for small spaces: Smeg Mini Milk Frother

What we love: Smeg’s Mini Milk Frother was a delightful surprise on my testing journey that churned out frothy pillows of hot and cold foam at the push of a button, all in the cutest design. It has that signature retro Smeg vibe that doubles as counter decor and comes in a pretty palette of pastels, including sky blue, mint green, and classic cream. It’s compact and easy to stash away, and it features three simple preset modes, allowing you to make hot milk, hot foam, or cold foam with ease.

Performance-wise, it does a great job with both dairy and alt-milks. Whole milk comes out thick and lush, like the classic cappuccino topping, while oat milk holds up surprisingly well too—creamy and stable instead of watery. Cleanup is super straightforward; the magnetic whisk pops out, the lid can go in the dishwasher, and the nonstick interior keeps taking an easy rinse with soap and water.

What we’d leave: The Smeg Mini Milk Frother isn’t going to win any latte art competitions—the foam is more pillowy than silky, so creating fine details is tricky. The capacity is on the small side, so if you’re making drinks for more than one person, you’ll need to do a few rounds. Also, it’s a bit of a splurge for a mini frother, so you’re paying for the design as much as the performance.

Best handheld milk frother: Maestri House LunaFro Max

What we love: Some folks don’t want to shell out a small fortune of money or sacrifice counter space on a carafe-style frother, which is where a handheld one comes in handy. The Maestri House LunaFro Max was my favorite. For such a tiny, lightweight gadget, the results are big. It’s USB-C rechargeable, so no more hunting for batteries, and a full charge lasts up to three months. Instead of a button, it uses a rotary dial for speed control, which is fabulous for getting exactly the texture you want. And it’s not just for frothing milk—you can blend matcha, protein powder, hot chocolate, and more with this little wand.

Cleaning it is a breeze—the frothing head is detachable and easy to rinse, and the included stand keeps everything organized. At just $35, it offers premium features without the premium price tag. If you’re looking for a versatile, portable frother that doesn't skimp on performance, this is the one.

What we’d leave: It’s great for one-off drinks, but for larger pours, you’ll want something bigger and sturdier.

Best portable frother: Subminimal Nanofoamer Go

What we love: The Subminimal NanoFoamer Go is basically the portable toothbrush of milk frothers—in the best way. It comes in a neat, travel-friendly case that protects the rechargeable frother, along with three interchangeable whisk heads for mixing, foaming, and whisking. As someone who is always on the go—flying for work, road-tripping to visit friends, or camping on the weekends—I love that I can throw this thing in my bag and get a latte pretty much wherever I can froth one. The compact case is small enough to stash in tiny bags, too, like crossbodies or purses. And there is a rainbow of colors to choose from, which adds some personality to the product. Frankly, it’s a great small gift or stocking stuffer for the coffee nerd in your life.

What we’d leave: Where it falls a little short is power: If you’re hoping for big, stiff clouds of cappuccino foam, this probably isn’t your gadget. But for a compact, rechargeable option that’s easy to pack and better suited to mixing protein shakes or creating silky microfoam than dramatic froth, I think it’s a clever little buy.

How I tested milk frothers

I put every frother through its paces using two types of milk: classic whole milk and Oatly oat milk. For each one, I made hot foam, cold foam, and plain hot milk. I also tried some of the additional settings each frother offered, like dense versus airy foam or temperature adjustments. I paid attention to texture, stability, and flavor. I also considered design, weight, counter footprint, and how easy they were to clean.

For a professional’s point of view on what separates good foam from great foam, I spoke with baristas and coffee experts Erika Arostegui and Megan Biolsi.

What to look for in a milk frother

Both Arostegui and Biolsi agree that nothing beats a traditional steam wand (like you find on an espresso machine) for getting Instagram-worthy foam—the control and precision they allow for is unmatched. That said, they’re not the most realistic for at-home coffee drinkers. “That’s where automatic frothers shine,” Arostegui says. “They’re quick, consistent, and you don’t need barista training to get a great result.”

If you want to find your perfect frother, consider the following:

Other milk frothers I tested and liked

Lavazza MilkEasy Milk Frother

This machine is affordable, compact, and surprisingly speedy, whipping up froth in a jiffy without any fuss. I had a friend over while testing it, and she liked it so much that she actually asked if she could keep it. (I told her yes, so I guess that’s a pretty glowing endorsement.) The only reason it didn’t land on our “best of” list is that it’s a little basic. There are only four settings (hot foam, foamed milk, cappuccino, and cold cappuccino), so it’s not as feature-packed or versatile as some of the other models I tested. It also struggled a bit with oat milk, but if you’re short on counter space and just want a straightforward, budget-friendly frother, this one gets the job done.

Terra Kaffe Aero Milk Frother

I’ve been drooling over Terra Kaffe’s stunning espresso machines for a long time now, so I was so excited to get my hands on the brand’s equally gorgeous Aero frother. Fortunately, it was as good as I hoped! With four intuitive modes, it froths both dairy and plant-based milks with ease, turning out smooth, stable foam for hot and cold beverages. The texture strikes a nice balance—it’s creamy and bubbly with enough structure for cappuccinos but still easy to pour for lattes. It’s also refreshingly intuitive to use, without feeling clunky and overcomplicated like some higher-end machines do. Bonus points for the dedicated matcha mode for matcha drinkers who don’t feel like whisking by hand. Why isn't it higher on the list? At this price point, you get more functions from the Breville.

Dreo Baristamaker

This is a lovely coffee frother. It’s compact, easy to use, and turns out consistently good foam without requiring a learning curve. What really sets it apart at this price is the range: You can tweak settings for foam type, temperature, speed, and even milk type, giving you a level of control you rarely see without a more expensive machine.

While it claims to make dozens of foam styles, I stuck to the basics and was impressed by the creamy, stable froth it produced for cappuccinos and hot chocolate alike. That said, it leans more toward airy, puffy foam than the silky, pourable microfoam you’d want for latte art. Still, for the price, versatility, and overall performance, it hits a very appealing sweet spot.

De’Longhi LatteMix

The De’Longhi LatteMix looks gorgeous on the counter—sleek and modern—but the performance didn’t quite match the price tag. It froths decently for a single drink, but the foam can be inconsistent, especially with plant-based milks. I enjoyed the intuitive operation; there are three programs for hot foam, cold foam, and hot milk. Unfortunately, the results were lackluster compared to other models. For $180, I don’t want foam that’s decent—I want foam that rivals my local coffee shop, which I struggled to get with this device.

Philips Baristina Frother

The Philips Baristina is functional and gets the job done if all you want is a quick froth, but nothing about it blew me away. The slender, fluted carafe comes in either black or white with a removable magnetic whisk that makes it super easy to wipe clean after you’re done frothing. There’s a single button that only switches between hot and cold foam. There’s no way to control the foam’s texture, and the Baristina seems to only make stiff, structured microfoam. I do like how compact and stylish it is; it fits easily on countertops, next to coffee makers, or stashed away in cabinets.

AdHoc Rapido Milk & Sauce Frother

The AdHoc Rapido is a milky little powerhouse. It’s speedy, surprisingly powerful, and comes with a stand that makes it easy to keep on your counter without tossing another random kitchen gadget into a drawer. Out of all the handheld frothers I’ve tried, it has the sturdiest battery compartment (a.k.a., it doesn’t feel like it’s going to get water inside or come apart mid-whisk), which is a small but welcome design detail. The main drawback is that you only get one speed, and you have to keep pressing down while frothing to keep it running. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it does make the experience less hands-off than I’d like.

Selefina Milk Frother

This $10 frother is a dark horse. I was genuinely surprised by how quickly and powerfully it whipped up milk. It’s a great option if you want something inexpensive that can get the job done without much fuss. That said, you’re limited to a single setting, and the construction feels a little flimsy compared to other models I tested. But if your priority is getting a decent froth for as little money as possible, this one is worth a look.

Zulay Kitchen Handheld Milk Frother

Zulay’s handheld frother is honestly a steal for under $10. It gets the milk moving fast and produces a decent froth, making it perfect for small batches of coffee, hot chocolate, or even protein shakes. This battery-powered milk frother is lightweight, portable, and surprisingly durable. That said, it didn’t give me as much control as Maestri House’s model. The frothing head is smaller, so it takes a little longer for larger volumes, and the foam isn’t as fine or velvety. It’s a solid budget option, but don’t expect it to perform like a higher-end handheld or a full-size frother.

Subminimal Handheld NanoFoamer V2

Like the brand’s carafe-style frother, the NanoFoamer V2 is a dream for anyone who wants to practice latte art at home. It produces soft, drizzly microfoam with impressive precision, making it ideal for hearts, rosettas, or abstract designs. The frother is small, portable, and rechargeable, and it comes with two heads so you can customize your froth levels depending on your preferences. On the flip side, this frother isn’t built for large, puffy cappuccino clouds. It also takes some getting used to to get the results you want. If you just want effortless, everyday foam, this isn’t the frother for you—but for hobbyists and latte art enthusiasts, it’s a fantastic gadget.

Frothers I don’t recommend

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