Finding the perfect milk frother can be overwhelming, especially on a tight budget. We’ve sifted through countless options and presented you with the top 6 milk frothers under $100.
Continue reading to find out what are the key factors to be considered when buying a milk frother and which one is the right choice for you.
What Is A Milk Frother?
As the name suggests, it is the equipment used to froth milk. But, what is it needed for?
How do you use it? If you enjoy cappuccino that is because it contains equal quantities of espresso, steamed milk, and foam.
You can use this amazing equipment to make your favorite drinks like cappuccino, latte. macchiato or hot chocolate at home without having to spend a tonne of money on cafes.
There are mainly 3 types of milk frothers- Electric, handheld, and manual. How milk frothers work is that it consists of a whisk or mesh aerator which helps in incorporating air in the milk which in turn creates bubbles and milk foam.
Top 6 Milk frothers under $100
- Secura Detachable Milk frother
- Nespresso Aeroccino Milk frother
- Hola Rico Milk Frother
- Aerolatte Milk frother
- HIC Milk Creamer Frother
- Norpro Glass Froth Master
1. Secura Detachable Milk Frother Review
The Secura Detachable Milk frother has to be our top pick in the list due to its amazing features. One of the first things that catch the user’s attention is that it has a modern and elite feel to it.
It consists of a stainless steel milk jug that is detachable from its base unit where all the heating is controlled. It’s a smart multifunctional milk frother that can be used to heat milk, froth cold, or hot milk and also make hot chocolate.
The Secura milk frother is perfect for bigger gatherings as it can froth up to 250 ml of milk at a time, which is double the basic capacity of any other milk frother.
It also comes with two whisk attachments. One for frothing and the other for heating. Another great thing about this product is that it offers an overheat protection auto-shut-off feature.
On top of the above features, the detachable milk jug is dishwasher safe which makes cleaning very easy.
Ease of use
The process of frothing milk in the Secura Milk frother is really simple. To begin with, attach the frothing disk attachment in the frother. Now, pour in the milk of your choice. For the quantity of milk to be poured, you can follow the minimum and maximum marking inside the frother.
Next, connect the frother with the base unit properly and cover the lid properly. It has one button for all the functions. So, if you want to get hot milk foam press once, and for cold milk foam press thrice. The button will light up red and blue accordingly.
Now let the frother do its job, it comes with a see-through lid so you can check on your progress. Once done pour the frothy milk on your coffee and enjoy!
The good
- One button controls all functions
- Dishwasher safe
The bad
- Requires changing attachment if you need to just heat milk
- Does not offer different temperature setting
2. Nespresso Aeroccino Review
The Nespresso Aeroccino comes in a cool design and is compact which means it requires less storage space. It also comes with a single touch operation which means that one button controls all the operations.
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 has an auto shut-off feature, that is it stops automatically once the frothing is done.
The only downside can be 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.
Ease of use
The process of using the Nespresso frother is a simple two-step process. It is equipped with a single button.
For frothing hot milk you simply need to add milk and press the button and the button lights up red. For cold froth keep the button pressed for around 2 seconds and the button lights up blue.
It automatically shuts off once the frothing is done. You can enjoy your hot or cold foam to make your favorite beverage.
The good
- One button performs all functions
- Auto shut off feature
The bad
- Not dishwasher safe making it difficult to clean
- High heating temperature
3. Maestri House Milk Frother Review
This one has to be one of our favorite models due to its advanced technology and features. Its look gives it a stylish element. It comes with a detachable milk jug, the heating is controlled through its base unit.
One of the many impressive features of this product is that it comes with a digital touch panel to control its settings. The user can choose between different temperature settings and amongst 3 different froth density options which include – thick, medium, and airy foam.
A perfect equipment for bigger gatherings as it can steam up to 600ml of milk at a time.
It also contains an overheating protection setting that is once the operating temperature range exceeds the usual range, its overheating protection setting will be activated and it will automatically shut down the device for rest.
On top of the above features the milk jug, the lid, the measuring cap, and the frothing whisk are all dishwasher safe which means easy cleaning.
The Maestri House Milk Frother sure contains some really impressive features! What do you think?
Ease of use
The process of frothing milk is similar to other electric frothers. Pour the milk in the frother. For quantity, there are maximum and minimum quantity markings. Choose the froth density and temperature and switch on the frother with the power button.
Once you have reached your desired level of foam pour it into your mug. The design of the frother has a U – style spout for an easy pour.
The good
- It offers different temperature settings and froth density options
- Has a memory feature that stores previous temperature settings
- Dishwasher safe
4. Aerolatte Milk Frother Review
The Aerolatte Milk frother is a handheld battery-operated device. It has a very reasonable price and does a good job at frothing milk. The size of the Aerolatte Frother makes it portable and also comes with a storage case to protect it when not in use or traveling.
It is made of stainless steel and plastic. You can foam milk in up to 30 to 60 seconds using this product. The only downside to these handheld frothers is that the batteries need to be replaced over and again.
Ease of use
- Take warm or cold milk in a cup or a glass. Make sure the quantity of milk is not more than ⅓ cup to avoid any spillage.
- Dip the frother wand in the milk and turn on the power.
- Hold the whisk in place for about 30 to 40 seconds, you can also tilt the glass if you feel comfortable.
- If you think it requires more frothing, continue to use it for 20 seconds.
Handheld frothers are the easiest to use and can be done by following simple steps:
The good
- Reasonable price
- Easy to clean and use
The bad
- Battery operated
5. HIC Milk Creamer Review
The HIC milk creamer frother is one of the top picks for manual milk frothers among a lot of coffee lovers. It is a stainless steel frother which ensures durability. The product includes a frothing pitcher and a lid.
The lid comes with a built-in double mesh aerator which helps in frothing the milk efficiently.
One of the great features about this milk frother is that it is dishwasher safe thus making it easy to clean.
You can also heat milk on the stovetop in the pitcher. The only downside to a stainless steel frother is that you have to open the lid to check on your progress every few seconds.
Ease of use
The process of frothing milk in the HIC milk creamer is quite simple. You can get good-quality foam within 30 to 60 seconds. This frother can be used to froth all types of dairy or non-dairy milk. The step to frothing milk involves:
- The first step is to pour hot or cold milk into the pitcher. Make sure to fill not more than ⅓ cup milk to avoid any spillage.
- Now pump the plunger for around 20 to 30 seconds to begin frothing.
- Remove the lid and check on your progress, continue plunging if required.
The good
- Stainless steel ensures durability
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to use
The bad
- Pumping takes a lot of effort
- Not a see-through pitcher, the user needs to open the lid to see progress
6. Norpro Glass Froth Master Review
One of the good features about this frother is that after frothing the milk you can put the glass jar into the microwave to heat the milk. It can froth milk quickly within 30 to 60 seconds.
It is reasonably priced and can make excellent foam for your morning coffee or hot chocolate.
The glass jar makes it easy to check your progress on the froth, however one needs to be careful while using it as the glass can break easily.
Ease of use
The process of creating milk is similar to other manual pump frothers. Simply pour ⅓ cup of milk into the pitcher, close the lid properly.
Pump the milk for about 30 seconds using the plunger. Microwave the milk for about 20 seconds once the frothing is done. Now transfer the frothed milk to your coffee cup.
Once you’re done, clean the frother by placing it under running water or using a soapy solution.
The good
- Froths quickly in about 30 seconds
- Microwavable glass pitcher
The bad
- Glass pitcher can break easily
How To Choose A Milk Frother? Buying Guide
Understanding your exact needs and requirements is important when investing in any equipment. Especially with kitchen equipment, you do not want to spend your money and later on, realize it wasn’t what you wanted.
Here are some key points and factors that you need to consider before investing in any kitchen equipment :
Time: If you are someone who wants to spend less time making their coffee every day, then an electric or a fully automatic frother should be your first preference. With fully automatic frothers you can pour the milk and you can step away while it froths milk. Manual or handheld milk frother on the other hand is more time-consuming.
Temperature: We highly recommend selecting a product that offers different temperature settings. Some of the milk frothers come with a single temperature setting. Choose what works the best for you and fill the requirement.
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.
Durability: Last, you want to choose a milk frother that’s the most durable. For this, aluminum or a stainless steel milk frother would be the best options. Milk frothers containing a glass carafe may look fancy, but have a higher risk of getting damaged.
Design: While choosing a design it depends on an individual’s requirement. If you are someone who travels a lot, you may want to get something small and portable.
Conclusion – What Is The Best Milk Frother For Your Money?
By now we have explained what are the three types of milk frother and what are the features one should be looking for when investing in one. While there are a lot of options available in the market, we have curated a list of the 6 best milk frothers you could get in under $100!
To answer the question, what is the best milk frother according to us? Our top pick has to be the Maestri House Milk Frother It is a fully automatic frother, and contains some amazing features.
Its stainless steel body ensures durability and it is also dishwasher safe. It is perfect for heating or frothing huge quantities of milk. We think it would be a perfect addition to your coffee gear.
Other posts
Till the time your frother arrives, you may be interested in reading Beginner’s guide to using a 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 the 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 frother. The above guide can help you pick a manual frother that is best for your requirements.
You can froth both hot and cold milk. However, it is important to use fresh milk.
Cold milk does create more stable foam, so it is preferable to use cold milk and then heat it.
