The most joyful feeling about getting a cup of coffee at a coffee shop is when the barista serves your latte or cappuccino with beautiful latte arts. The taste of coffee automatically feels a lot better, because of the way it is presented to you. Isn’t that true?
But nowadays, you do not need to go to a coffee shop to get a cup of latte. In fact, once you learn that you can actually make this delicious coffee and latte art at home, you would probably always want to make coffee at home.
After reviewing and comparing dozens of milk frothers, we have selected the 6 best milk frothers for making latte art. In this article, we will talk about the science behind frothing milk, what you should know before making a buying decision, and the 6 best milk frothers for latte art.
What Is A Milk Frother?
In simple words, a milk frother is an equipment used for frothing milk or creating milk foam. Milk foam is most commonly used in beverages like cappuccino, macchiato, etc. The process of frothing milk involves incorporating air into the milk until it becomes light and foamy.
In order to make latte art, you will need really good-quality microfoam that is stable enough to hold its shape on your coffee. Therefore, In this article, we have reviewed some of the best electric frothers for latte art.
Electric Milk Frothers are definitely the most popular option if you want to get high-quality foam within seconds. If you would like to check out the best options for handheld milk frothers, you can find them here!
6 Best Milk Frother For Latte Art (At A Glance)
| No. | Product Name | Reviews | Product Link |
| 1. | Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine With Steamer | Read Review | View Product |
| 2. | Secura Detahacble Milk Frother | Read Review | View Product |
| 3. | Nespresso Aeroccino3 | Read Review | View Product |
| 4. | Breville BMF600XL Milk Frother | Read Review | View Product |
| 5. | Bodum Bistro Milk Frother | Read Review | View Product |
| 6. | Froth Labs Milk Frothing Machine | Read Review | View Product |
1. Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine With Steamer
- Earn up to $200 cashback with a Beanz coffee subscription when you purchase a selected Breville espresso machine. Valid Aug 1, 2023 until Jun 30, 2024
- The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute, helping you make the perfect cup of Cappuccino or Latte
- DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
- OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
- PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction
If you want to replicate the exact way baristas make latte art, you need to work with professional equipment, and Breville’s Espresso Maker with Steamer does exactly that. This espresso maker with a milk frother attached is one-of-a-kind and hence tops our list of milk frothers for latte art.
Apart from being able to make exceptional coffee, you also get a built-in grinder with this appliance. So you can grind coffee beans in no time. The Breville Espresso Machine comes with a powerful steam wand that allows you to hand texture your microfoam which helps you make beautiful-looking latte art.
It is simple and user-friendly; once you know the basic usage you will get the hang of this equipment in no time. The only stretch is the price, it is more expensive than a traditional milk frother as it offers grinding, espresso-making, and steaming all in one.
We wrote an article on 7 Best Espresso Machines With Milk Frother – Check it out!
Things we liked!
- 3-in-1 appliance that can grind beans, make coffee, and steam milk
- Powerful steam wand
- Gives a perfectly balanced taste with the right water pressure and grind size.
Things we didn’t like!
- It is expensive
2. Secura Detachable Milk Frother
- The Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker is perfect for creating thick and rich froth for coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and for making hot chocolate.
- Larger capacity creates up to 250ml of creamy milk foam, or up to 500ml of hot chocolate milk. This is double the capacity of most other milk frothers.
The Secura detachable milk frother has a modern and elite feel to it. It’s a smart multifunctional milk frother that can be used to heat milk, froth cold, or hot milk, and also make hot chocolate.
This device can froth upto 250 ml of milk at once which is double the basic capacity of any other milk frother. It comes with two whisk attachments, one for frothing milk and the other for heating milk.
Another good thing about the Secura detachable milk frother is that it has a stainless steel milk carafe that is easy to clean, and it is also dishwasher-safe.
Things we liked!
- One button controls all the functions
- Large capacity
- Dishwasher safe
Things we didn’t like!
- Requires changing the whisk attachment for heating and frothing milk
3. Nespresso Aeroccino3 Milk Frother
- EXCELLENT QUALITY: Add that little something extra to your coffee maker set! The Nespresso Aeroccino 3 milk frother makes hot milk foam, hot milk, or cold froth, making it the perfect addition to your coffee maker or espresso machine set!
- VERSATILITY: This Nespresso milk frother has a simple one touch operation, and you use one second of button pressure for hot milk and froth, and two seconds of button pressure for cold milk froth
The Nespresso Aeroccino3 comes in a cool design and is compact in size, which means it requires less storage space. The process of using the milk frother is fairly simple. It is equipped with a single button.
For frothing hot milk, you simply need to press the button, and the button lights up red. For cold froth, keep the button pressed for around 2 seconds, and the button will light up blue.
The product also contains a whisk for making dense froth, if less froth is needed, the whisk can be removed. Another feature is that it also has an auto shut-off feature, that is it stops automatically once the frothing is done.
The only downside is that it heats milk to 160 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit which is a little too hot. The recommended temperature for heating and frothing milk is between 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Things we liked!
- One button performs all functions
- Auto-shutoff feature
Things we didn’t like!
- Not dishwasher-safe, making it difficult to clean
- High heating temperature
4. Breville BMF600XL Milk Cafe Milk frother
- Latté frothing disc for smooth and silky milk; Please review the product videos under the images before use
- Cappucino frothing disk for thick and creamy froth
- Hot chocolate maker, by simply adding drinking chocolate powder, flakes or syrup to the warming milk
The Breville milk cafe is another great frother due to its amazing features. It comes with a detachable milk carafe, which is attached to a base unit that controls the heating.
One of the most promising features of this milk frother is that it has adjustable temperature settings. You can froth your milk hot or cold, as per your preference. You can also use this product to steam milk when you do not need to froth milk.
It also comes with two frothing disc attachments. One is a cappuccino disc used for thick and creamy froth and the other is a latte disc for more smooth and silky froth.
Another great thing about the Breville milk frother is that it consists of a durable stainless steel body making it easy to clean and also its milk frother jug is dishwasher safe.
On top of all the above features, the Breville Milk Cafe is a fully automatic milk frother, which means it will automatically shut down once it has frothed milk at the desired temperature.
If you’re not a coffee lover, you can also use this gear to make hot chocolate for yourself or your kids. It can froth upto 3 cups of milk at a time. Isn’t that amazing?
With all the amazing features and benefits, the Breville milk cafe frother definitely makes for an excellent addition to your kitchen equipment?
Things we liked!
- It offers different temperature settings
- Can froth milk hot or cold
- The milk jug is dishwasher safe
- Can be used just to steam milk
Things we didn’t like!
- Expensive
5. Bodum Bistro Electric Milk Frother
- Milk frother Bistro milk frother was designed to make you a professional Barista without leaving your doorstep
- Compact small electric milk frother has convenient cord storage in the removable base perfect if you plan to leave out on the kitchen counter
The Bodum Milk frother is another great equipment for making milk foam for cappuccino, latte, and macchiato It has a compact design and comes with a removable base with cord storage.
It has a stainless steel body, which ensures durability, and a non-stick interior that avoids burning the milk. It is accompanied by a single button that controls all the functionalities. The process of using the frother is also very simple.
Add the milk to the frother and cover the lid. For the quantity of milk, follow the markings on the milk jug. Press the button, and the frother will turn on.
Once frothing is complete, the frother automatically stops. And there you have it. Pour your frothed milk on top of your coffee and enjoy!
Things we liked!
- Compact and portable
- One button operation
Things we didn’t like
- Not dishwasher safe
6. Froth Labs Frothing Machine
- CONSISTENTLY FROTHY, EVERY TIME — Our milk frother creates extra foamy milk every time you use it. I’m not saying you should eat it with a spoon, but you could if you want!
- HOT & COLD FROTH SETTINGS — With variable temperature settings, the FrothLabs milk foamer allows you to create either hot or cold froth to make the perfect drink for the season.
The Froth Labs Milk Frothing Machine comes with a detachable milk pitcher, which is attached to a base unit where all the heating is controlled.
The most impressive feature of the AEVO Milk frother is that the user can choose from 4 different modes: hot cappuccino foam, cold cappuccino foam, hot latte foam, and just heating milk or hot chocolate.
The milk pitcher is dishwasher safe, so it can be easily removed and cleaned. The lid, however, is not dishwasher-safe, so it needs to be washed by hand.
The machine makes little to no noise while frothing milk, which is great. It can froth up to 150 mL of milk. And steam up to 300 ml of milk. The product,however,r does specifically require you to use whole milk, so not the best option if you want to froth non-dairy milk.
Things we liked!
- 4 Modes to choose from
- Dishwasher Safe
Things we didn’t like!
- Not a good option for non-dairy Milk
What to look for in a Milk frother (Buying Guide)
Similar to any other kitchen tool, when selecting a milk frother or steamer, it is important to look at what your requirements are and what specifications suit you the best.
Here are some of the key points that can be looked at while selecting any kitchen gadget:
- Price: Your budget and the price of the product play a huge role in deciding which model is the right fit for you. However, it is also important to look at other qualities of a product. Just because it fits your budget does not necessarily mean it is the right fit.
- Temperature: We highly recommend selecting a product that offers different temperature settings. Some of the milk steamers and frothers come with a single temperature setting. Choose what works best for you and fill in the requirements.
- Capacity: Do you like hosting big gatherings? The quantity of milk that can be steamed or frothed at a time may look like something you can ignore, but it serves great benefit in times of need.
- Cleaning: If you hate doing dishes you probably want to pick a model that is dishwasher-safe and doesn’t leave a huge mess for you to clean.
The Science behind frothing Milk
Believe it or not, milk isn’t just plain liquid and there is a whole science behind why and how milk foams.
The process of foaming milk involves incorporating air into the milk while heating it. This causes the milk to create spheres around the air and then the protein in the milk stabilizes the bubbles that are the foam.
Let’s look at the main factors responsible for the soft creamy foam on your cappuccino and latte.
Milk Nutrients
Milk is a complex liquid and consists of several chemical compounds. Any kind of milk will have three basic macronutrients- Protein, Fats, and Carbohydrates. The protein in the milk is one of the most important contributing factors that result in foamy milk.
When frothing milk, air is incorporated into the milk. During this process, the protein in the milk forms spheres around the milk and stabilizes the bubbles in the form of milk foam.
The fats in the milk impact the quality of the milk more than the quantity of foam in the milk. All forms of milk can foam, regardless of their fat content.
The underlying difference here is that milk with a higher fat content, such as whole milk, will create a more soft and creamy foam. While milk with less or no fat content, such as skim milk, will create dry foam.
Temperature
The temperature at which the milk is steamed or frothed can adversely affect the milk foam. If you foam milk at a lower temperature than the one recommended, the foam will be thin and the bubbles will not be stable.
If you overheat the milk while frothing, the protein will unwind and also result in unstable milk foam. Therefore, to achieve the perfect foam, the heating temperature of the milk makes a huge difference.
The ideal temperature when frothing whole milk is between 139℉ to 150℉. And when foaming Plant Milk the ideal temperature is 149℉/ 65℃.
Why do you need a Milk frother?
By now, we have explained how milk foam is created and what our best-recommended products are. But the question remains: why do I need a milk frother? What is its purpose?
Let’s talk about some of the reasons why we think a milk frother is a must-have:
1. To elevate your coffee-making skills
The first and foremost reason has to be to elevate your coffee-making skills. Using a professional milk frother to prepare your coffee is a whole new experience. If you enjoy having coffee on a regular basis, a milk frother is a must-buy.
2. Convenience
How convenient would it be if you could make your favorite cup of coffee at home? You do not have to drive to the coffee shop every day, you do not have to spend money every day. Plus, you get to learn new skills. We think it’s a win-win situation.
3. Experimenting
Experimenting is one of the biggest reasons people try out new things. There is just so much you can try and experiment with a milk frother and learn during the process.
You can try out different drinks like cappuccino, macchiato, mocha, hot chocolate, etc. You can also practice your latte art skills
Drinks That Require Milk Foam
| Coffee | Proportions |
| Cappuccino | 1 part espresso, 1 part steamed milk, and 1 part milk foam |
| Macchiato | A shot of espresso topped with foamed milk |
| Latte | Made of ⅓ espresso, ⅔ steamed milk, and a small layer of milk foam. |
Is A Milk Frother Worth It For Latte Arts?
If you are an avid coffee drinker, and if you really enjoy spending time and money trying out new beverages then investing in a frother and steamer is definitely worth it. We recommend getting equipment that does the job of both a steamer and a frother; this way, there are fewer things to worry about and also saves a lot on cost.
Most electric frothers are also steamers and therefore are equipped to either just steam milk or steam and froth milk. When buying such equipment, it is important to consider some important factors, such as:
- What temperature settings does it offer?
- What is the price range for such gears?
- How is the cleaning process?
How To Use A Milk Frother The Correct Way – Best Tips
Making a perfect barista-style frothy cappuccino or latte at home is every coffee enthusiast’s dream. Adding a layer of creamy foam to any beverage not only defines the texture of the beverage but also elevates the drinking experience. Knowing how to use a milk frother to get the perfect velvety foam would make the whole process a lot easier and will make a huge difference to your coffee.
Learn how to use a milk frother, what is the best milk type and temperature to get the perfect froth, and some useful tips to make a perfect latte at home.
#Tip 1 – Choosing the right milk type
While it may not seem so, choosing the correct milk type makes a world of difference in creating the perfect froth. Whole milk creates a thicker and creamier foam while skim milk creates lighter foam because large foam bubbles are created.
Non-dairy milk such as almond milk and soy milk will froth but will lose the bubbles quickly as the protein structures of these types of milk do not support the milk bubbles completely. The protein in the milk is what stabilizes the air bubbles, therefore the higher the protein content in the milk the better the foam.
We found out when making latte art it is best to go with whole milk as it gives a denser foam perfect for structuring the microfoam into latte arts. Meanwhile, when trying to make cappuccino or macchiato it requires a light layer of milk foam, it is best to go with skim milk.
#Tip 2-Warm vs Cold milk
You can froth milk at both Warm and cold temperatures. For warm milk, the ideal temperature to froth the milk should be between 140 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit since milk protein tends to break down and burn at around 170 degrees.
Different types of milk have different burning points. Soy milk will burn quicker than whole milk. The best way to get this right is to practice it with your favorite milk type to find out what works best. It is also important to take note that when using a milk steamer or milk frother it is advised to use chilled milk as the appliance automatically heats milk while frothing.
#Tip 3 – Quantity of the Milk
The quantity of the milk can influence the whole process, so while adding the milk to the vessel keep an eye on the quantity of the milk added. Most milk frothers come with markings on the vessel indicating the maximum quantity of milk to be poured.
If the carafe doesn’t have a particular marking, the quantity of the milk you pour can be one-third the volume of the vessel since the milk will double in volume after frothing. In such cases, you can use your best judgment to avoid messy countertops.
Milk Frother VS Milk Steamer- What’s the difference?
The main difference between a Milk frother and a Milk steamer is that frothing milk creates very light and airy milk foam while steaming milk heats the milk and slightly aerates it resulting in microfoam which creates a shiny velvety texture.
Key Differences:
To understand how frothed Milk is different from steamed Milk, let’s discuss some key differential points:
Process
The process of steaming milk is a little more complicated than frothing milk. During the process of steaming the milk is heated and milk is exposed to steam. Due to the high pressure of the steamer, the fats in the milk expand and create foam. While with frothing milk, the air is incorporated into the milk which creates larger air bubbles in the milk resulting in light and airy foam.
Texture
Frothed Milk has a light and airy structure. It is more suitable for drinks like cappuccino as it requires milk foam in larger quantities. When frothing milk it doubles in volume and creates larger air bubbles and milk foam. On the other hand, the texture of steamed milk is thick and velvety. The process of exposing steam to the milk creates smaller bubbles in the milk so it does not double in volume. Steamed milk is perfect for drinks like a latte or flat white.
Temperature
With frothed Milk, there can be both cold as well as hot milk froth. But, with steamed milk, it is always hot.
How to Use a Milk Frother?
Steps involving the usage of Milk frother can differ depending on the type of frother you are using. We go through a step-by-step process in an article to guide you on how to use all types of a Milk frother. Check it out here.
How to Clean a Milk Frother?
Just like using, cleaning an Electric milk frother will be a lot different than cleaning a Handheld device. We also have a detailed guide on Cleaning your frother the correct way, Check it out here!
The Verdict – Which is the Best Milk Frother for Latte Art?
There are hundreds of Milk frothers in the market. When investing in a product like that you want to weigh out the Pros and Cons. If you end up buying the right product you end up with a delicious cup of coffee with nice latte art at home. On the other hand, If you end up choosing the wrong product, you end up with watery milk and no foam at all.
Therefore, we try our best to bring to you the best products for your needs. For a Milk frother for latte art, we have chosen the 2 Best options from the Top 6. The First one has to be the Breville BES870XL Barista Espresso Machine With Steamer. Though it is the most expensive milk frother plus espresso machine on our list, it has the most amazing functionalities and provides the most value for money.
The Second Best option is the Secura Detachable Milk Frother. This is best if you’re on a budget. We love that it offers such advanced technology. It’s a smart multifunctional milk frother that can be used to heat milk, froth cold, or hot milk, and also make hot chocolate. This device can froth upto 250 ml of milk at once which is double the basic capacity of any other milk frother.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Most electric milk frothers come with a setting of heating or steaming the milk. However handheld or manual milk frother can not steam milk. Milk needs to be heated separately when using such equipment.
Frothing milk depends on the protein content of milk. Higher the protein content the better the foam. Whole milk creates a thicker and creamier foam while skim milk creates lighter foam because large foam bubbles are created.
When frothing non-dairy milk such as almond or soy milk it is important to use a good quality electric milk frother. The above guide would be applicable when using non-dairy milk as well.
