The best milk frothers

Hot foam, cold foam or just hot milk at the press of a button, with proper Strix temperature controls doing the work.

• Hot foam, cold foam and hot milk
• 240ml, enough for two cups
• Strix temperature controls
• Non-stick inside
• Cleaning brush included

What owners say: Owners say it makes excellent froth, is easy to clean and good value, and some prefer it to far pricier frothers.

Heads up: It’s slow to heat milk, taking a couple of minutes.

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A closer look: Take the coil off the whisk when you only want hot milk for tea or hot chocolate, and leave it on for foam. Cold foam takes about a minute, which is handy for iced coffee in summer. Rinse and wipe it while it’s still warm and the non-stick lining stays clean.

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Neat enough to leave on the worktop, with one button for hot or cold milk and froth, a magnetic whisk and a clear lid to watch it work.

• Hot or cold froth, or warm milk
• One multifunction button
• Magnetic whisk
• Transparent lid
• Non-stick interior

What owners say: Owners say it gets close to a café cappuccino, is easier than heating milk in the microwave and is worth the money.

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A closer look: It works on its own with any coffee, so there’s no need for a Lavazza machine. The magnetic whisk and non-stick jug make rinsing quick. Ideal for someone whose capsule or bean-to-cup machine has no steam wand.

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A handheld frother that charges by USB-C instead of eating batteries, with a double whisk and a tube to keep it clean in a drawer.

• USB-C rechargeable
• Dual-spring whisk
• Stainless steel shaft
• Storage tube
• Froths in about 20 seconds

What owners say: Owners say it froths all sorts of milk including oat, holds its charge for months and is worth the money.

Heads up: Several owners say it gave up after around six months.

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A closer look: Heat the milk first, then hold the whisk just below the surface and tilt the jug slightly to pull in air. It’s handy for whisking matcha, protein shakes and hot chocolate too. Small enough to take to the office or on holiday.

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aerolatte was started in 1999 by two home coffee drinkers fed up with flat milk, and it still calls its whisk the original steam-free frother. It’s stainless steel, comes with a stand and has a two-year guarantee.

• 18/8 stainless steel whisk and shaft
• Froths in 20 seconds or less
• Works with dairy and plant milks
• Counter stand included
• 2 AA batteries included

What owners say: Owners like how fast it spins, the stand and the look of it, though battery life and durability get mixed reports.

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A closer look: It’s as useful for whisking a dressing, a hot chocolate or an egg for an omelette as it is for coffee. Run it in hot soapy water for a few seconds after use, then rinse and dry. Keep spare AAs in the drawer.

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The cheapest way to try frothy coffee at home, and a handy whisk for protein shakes and hot chocolate too.

• Froths in 15–20 seconds
• Stainless steel whisk
• Battery powered
• Lightweight
• Doubles as a drinks mixer

What owners say: Owners say it makes good froth, but views on its power and reliability are mixed.

Heads up: Durability is hit and miss: some stopped working after a few uses.

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A closer look: Start it with the whisk under the surface of the milk, or it will spray. Rinse it under the tap and run it for a second to dry. A fun stocking filler or Secret Santa present for a coffee drinker.

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