We tested a range of milk frothers: Here’s our selection of the top models

Top Pick

Whether you're in the mood for iced coffee or a warm, cozy drink, this versatile frother can help you create the perfect coffee. Unlike many other models, it offers four settings: cold foam, warm thick foam, warm light foam, and hot milk (no foam). It can handle up to 10 ounces of milk and froth 5 ounces into foam.

Although positioning the whisk took a bit of effort, switching between settings was effortless. The machine features an intuitive two-button design—one button to change the setting and another to start or stop the process.

The frother worked wonders with whole milk, creating a smooth, consistent foam that stayed intact on top of our drink. While the oat milk foam had larger, airier bubbles, we were impressed to see that it didn’t deflate and even tightened after the first pour. Plus, it operated quietly, making it a great choice for early-morning coffee.

The lid and whisk are dishwasher safe, and the interior can be cleaned with nonstick wipes. Though it’s one of the more expensive models on our list, the range of settings may be overkill for a beginner barista. Still, its advanced features justify the higher price tag.

Type: Countertop | Power Source: Electric | Care: Lid and whisk are dishwasher safe

Best for Cold Foam

Known for its top-tier blenders, it’s no surprise that Ninja delivers an excellent milk frother. In our tests, the foam was nearly perfect for both hot and cold milks: smooth and dense. Although we had to do 60 to 70 pumps instead of the suggested 20, the extra effort paid off. We achieved similar results with oat milk, producing tight, lasting foam.

Unfortunately, this frother didn’t perform well with hot chocolate. While it did create a decent foam layer, about an inch thick, it struggled to fully blend the hot chocolate mix, leaving behind dry chunks. For hot chocolate, we’d recommend sticking with coffee beverages. On the plus side, the glass carafe is microwave-safe, making it perfect for both hot and cold drinks.

Type: Countertop | Power Source: Manual | Care: Dishwasher safe

Top Pick for Non-Dairy Milk

Non-dairy milk, whether due to lactose intolerance or personal preference, can also be frothed. However, the best frother for dairy doesn’t always perform the same with non-dairy varieties. Enter the Rösle Stainless Steel Dual Frother, which, with two speed settings, consistently performed well in our tests.

It not only made a smooth, pourable foam with cold whole milk, but it also impressed with oat milk. The foam formed tight bubbles that maintained their volume longer than when using dairy milk. Despite its excellent performance with oat and cold whole milk, the frother struggled to mix hot chocolate. It produced about an inch of foam, but had trouble blending the mix into the liquid.

This battery-powered frother is lightweight and comfortable to use, though you’ll need to keep the power button pressed during operation. Its ease of use and affordable price make it a great option for beginner baristas. Cleaning is just as simple—just spin the whisk in soapy water. It also comes with a stand for storage and an additional egg whisk.

Type: Handheld | Power Source: Battery | Care: Hand-wash

Top Pick for Manual Frothing

For those who like to display their milk frother as part of their kitchen decor, the HIC Fino Milk Frother serves as both a functional tool and a decorative piece. Unlike electric models, it requires manual pumping, but it only takes about a minute to create foam that rivals that of electric frothers we tested. In fact, we found that the foam it produces is often superior to some of the automatic options.

Our whole milk foam turned out beautifully stable, smooth, and glossy, while the oat milk foam had slightly larger bubbles but still maintained its frothy texture. The cold milk foam was a highlight, rivaling the quality you’d find at a coffee shop. Unfortunately, the hot chocolate didn't blend well, possibly due to the opaque stainless steel vessel, which blocks your view of the mixing process. While it’s aesthetically pleasing, this may not be ideal for those who like to watch the frothing in action.

Type: Countertop | Power Source: Manual | Care: Dishwasher safe

Final Verdict

Our top choice is the Instant 4-in-1 Milk Frother and Steamer, which excels at creating cold foam, thick warm foam, light warm foam, and hot milk. It's also impressively quiet, so you can use it in the morning without disturbing anyone. For those who prefer non-dairy milk, we highly recommend the Rösle Dual Speed Frother, which delivered tight, voluminous, and long-lasting oat milk foam that truly impressed us.

Our Testing Process

We tested 26 different milk frothers, evaluating them based on usability, design, and performance. We followed the manufacturer’s guidelines to create foam from both whole milk and oat milk, which we then used for lattes. In this test, we assessed the foam's quality based on volume, the size and tightness of bubbles (with small, compact bubbles being ideal for lattes), and its ability to hold its shape during testing.

We repeated the process with cold whole milk, ensuring it was pourable from the glass we were using. Additionally, we made hot chocolate to test whether the frothers could adequately mix the ingredients while also producing a frothy foam.

After testing the frothers, we assessed their ease of cleaning and any extra features that could simplify and enhance the frothing experience. Taking all these factors into consideration, we determined the top milk frothers.

How to Shop for Milk Frothers Like a Pro

Frother Type

Milk frothers come in three varieties: automatic, handheld, and manual. Automatic frothers do all the work for you—just turn the machine on and select your setting. This is ideal for those who prefer a hands-off approach to frothing. Handheld frothers require some effort, as you’ll need to hold the wand and possibly keep pressing a button. Manual frothers, on the other hand, demand that you pump the mechanism up and down to create frothy milk.  

'If you want speed and simplicity, I’d suggest going with a manual frother,' says Markiewicz. 'Don’t waste your money on a plug-in model that takes up countertop space unless you want your milk to be electronically heated as well.' He adds that if you own a French press, there's no need for a separate frothing tool. Just fill the press with enough milk to cover the plunger and plunge rapidly until you reach your preferred texture.

Features

While some frothers offer basic functions, others provide more customization options. For instance, the Rösle Dual Speed Frother comes with two speed settings, while the Instant 4-in-1 Milk Frother and Steamer offers four distinct settings for frothing hot and cold milk, making hot chocolate, and heating milk. 

As with most products, more advanced features tend to come with a higher price, so it’s essential to consider your needs before purchasing. If you're a beginner or only plan to use your frother occasionally, a simpler model may be sufficient. However, for coffee lovers looking to explore various frothing options, a more sophisticated unit might be worth the investment.

Take Our Word for It

This article was crafted by Jamie Fischer, a writer for Mytour. As a passionate coffee enthusiast, Jamie relies on her milk frother to elevate her at-home coffee experience. Her top choice is this handheld model from Zulay, which she finds perfect for quick morning use.

To identify the best options, we tested 26 of the most popular models in our lab, assessing them on usability, design, performance, and feature variety. We also consulted with Josey Markiewicz, senior director of coffee quality at La Colombe, for expert advice.