For the smoothest, silkiest, creamiest, perfectly heated and frothed milk we will break down the different choices available so you can quickly decide on the best option for your specific needs.
Deciding on the best milk frother for you depends on the type of coffee machine that you are using and the type of coffee that you like to drink.
If you choose correctly you will be able to produce the exact texture of milk and froth that you get with your £3 Cappuccino or Latte in one of the high street coffee chains except it will cost you a fraction of the price they charge.
What are the different types of milk frother?
There are 3 different methods to choose from when deciding how to heat and froth your milk.
Manual Frothing
With this method, you simply add your milk to the frothing jug which comes with a plunger and you rapidly move the plunger up and down for a short period until the milk reaches the level of frothiness that you want and you are good to go.
This is a cheap and convenient way to froth your milk with the main drawback being if you want hot milk then you will need to heat it in the microwave first before frothing.
Manual milk frothers may be most suitable if you enjoy drinking your coffee from a cafetière or a stove top espresso machine like a Bialetti but can be used with all types of coffee machines.
Electric Milk Frothing
If you want your milk heated and frothed all at the same time and you don’t want to be plunging up and down yourself to make it happen then an electric milk frother is probably the best solution.
Pour in the milk, press a button and your milk will be heated and frothed within a few minutes ready to add to your double espresso for a perfect latte or cappuccino.
There are downsides to this method as well because you are restricted to the default settings of which you get three. Heat milk, froth milk or froth cold milk.
If you do not choose carefully you may select one that does not heat your milk up hot enough which is annoying. We have been careful to avoid those in our recommendations.
You also have to accept the level of frothiness that you get and again it’s different by machine. The better ones give you a nice thick, fluffy froth, the poorer ones do not.
These milk frothers are perfect if you have a Nespresso machine without a milk frother or we would definitely recommend them with a Dolce Gusto Machine or a Tassimo and ditch the milk capsules with Dolce Gusto and Tassimo because they are powdered milk.
Fresh milk, heated and frothed is miles better than water being pushed through powdered milk in a capsule
Milk Jugs and Pitchers
This is the best way to control the heat and texture of your milk to get it perfectly balanced and the method you will see in use in Starbucks and Costa or any high street coffee shop.
There are hundreds to choose from but we will show you just a handful that represent excellent value for money.
Here are the 11 best milk frothers on the market today that combines both quality AND value for money:
Bodum Manual Milk Frother
This is the only manual milk frother in our recommended list simply because for the price you will pay for a manual frother its not worth taking a chance on a brand that you have never heard of. This is very well priced and it works and its from a brand name that you know you can trust.
Bodum specialises in this type of product and has long been associated with quality cafetieres. This milk frother is made from the same glass that they make their cafetieres from – borosilicate glass. It is heat resistant and far less likely to break or crack from quick changes in temperature.
This is particularly helpful if you are pouring in cold milk and then heating it up in the microwave before frothing. Once the milk is in you attach the lid and plunge up and down for about 30-40 seconds until you get the desired level of froth. This is perfect if you like it your way because you can plunge longer for a thicker froth and for less time if you want it fluffy but not too thick.
It’s a simple, great product that works and gives you the flexibility to froth just how you like it.
See the full review of the Bodum manual milk frother
HadinEEon Electric Milk Frother
Most electric milk frothers have a bland tubular design but this one is very stylish compared to most. The manufacturer has paid as much attention to how this looks as to how it works.
When you have something sitting on your worksurface in the kitchen the whole time it’s certainly better if it looks nice and this definitely achieves that.
But it doesn’t just look good, it delivers high quality creamy and frothy milk hearted to 62 degrees Celcius in just 60 seconds.
It feels good to hold, pours easily without any dripping and it swivels on a 360 degree base for both right and left-hand use.
A great value for money milk frother that does the job it is supposed to do and is highly recommended by thousands of happy customers.
See the full review of the HadinEEon milk frother
Lavazza Electric Milk Frother
Lavazza are experts when it comes to coffee so you know that they are not going to tarnish their reputation when it comes to a milk frother. This combines quality with value across all of the measures that are important when choosing a product like this to heat and froth your milk.
Coffee tastes best when the milk is at a temperature of 65-70 degrees. 70 degrees can be a bit hot for some people so this will automatically shut down at 65 degrees which is perfect.
You get 3 settings. The first is to heat milk if you perhaps want a hot chocolate without any froth or a flat white may be your coffee drink of choice in which case this setting is the one you would use. Next is the heat and froth setting which will whisk the milk up into a nice thick creamy froth perfect for cappuccino or latte and thirdly you can froth up cold milk for drinks such as milkshakes.
It has a good capacity ensuring you can heat 3/4 cups without froth or 2/3 with froth.
See the full review of the Lavazza milk frother
Severin Induction Milk Frother
If you are looking for coffee shop quality this milk frother has the features and specification to deliver it.
An induction heating element will deliver the temperature you want every time. The stainless steel jug spins around 360 degrees so it can fit in any small space and be used just as well regardless of whether you use your right or left hand.
The jug also comes away from the main body of the frother making it really easy to transfer the milk to your cup. It also goes into the dishwasher.
One of the models also makes the perfect hot chocolate where you can add blocks of real milk chocolate and it will melt the chocolate and whisk the milk at the same time to create an extra special indulgence.
Not the cheapest milk frother out there but definitely one of the best.
See the full review of the Severin induction milk frother
Chinya Electric Milk Frother
There are so many milk frother brands at this price point that you have never heard of so it can be difficult to find one that you can trust but the Chinya performs strongly against the criteria that matters.
The milk is consistently heated to a temperature of between 60 and 65 degrees Celcius which is perfect for cappuccinos and latte and the texture is thick and creamy.
Its very simple to use with one button for hot frothy milk and another for cold frothy milk for milkshakes. It operates almost silently and will stop automatically when your milk is ready.
Many happy customers have already left overwhelmingly positive reviews making this an excellent budget choice.
See the full review of the Chinya milk frother
Dualit Electric Milk Frother
More famous for their toasters than anything else, Dualit is a British based company that has built a reputation for producing high-quality products that last. It’s a brand you can trust that won’t let you down.
It has a larger than average capacity of 500ml for milk heating and if their toasters are anything to go by you can expect this to last a good 3-5 years. Milk temperature is good at 60-65 degrees and it performs in a very similar way to some of our cheaper alternative recommendations so it just depends if you prefer to pay for a recognised brand name.
See the full review of the Dualit milk frother
Budget Milk Frothing Jug / Pitcher
With this type of milk frothing jug, you will need to have an espresso machine with a steam wand. Heating your milk this way gives you complete control over temperature and texture. If you are interested in perfecting the art of milk heating and frothing you can take a look at our detailed article on how to froth milk.
There is no shortage of choice if you are just looking for a plain stainless steel milk jug to froth up your milk. We recommend staying away from the very cheap options simply because it is a false economy and you will find that they will break and decay very quickly due to their inferior quality.
Despite its very competitive price, this budget milk frothing pitcher is made of a good quality stainless steel that will last and it also has measure lines on the inside so you know how much milk you have poured in.
See the full review of the budget milk frothing jug
HOOMIL Milk Frothing Jug / Pitcher
Stepping up from the basic frothing jug you can consider this stainless steel milk pitcher that comes with an accessory which is both a scoop and a latte art pen.
One end has a very fine tip that you can use to create the perfect coffee with the addition of some nice latte art shapes once you have added the froth to the top of your cappuccino or latte and on the other end, you have a scoop that makes it easier to pour the froth from the jug into your cup.
It’s available in a few sizes and we would recommend the 600ml version because milk doubles in volume once it has been heated and frothed so its best to give yourself as much extra room in the jug as possible.
See the full review of the milk frothing jug with latte art pen and scoop
Milk Frothing Jug with Integrated Thermometer
This is our favourite jug because it’s really important to heat your milk up to 65-70 degrees for the optimum coffee experience. Any cooler and it will be lukewarm in no time and any hotter and you risk completely ruining the taste by burning the milk.
Most people will try and judge it by hand by feeling the base of the jug and when it is too hot to keep your hand there then it is ready. It’s normally too hot to handle at around 55 degrees which is nowhere near hot enough and why leave it to guesswork when you don’t have to?
The strip on the outside of this jug will show you exactly how hot the milk is on the inside so you can stop when it gets to 65-70 degrees. Well worth paying a few pounds more for.
See the full review of the milk frothing jug with integrated thermometer
Barista & Co Designer Milk Frothing Jug
If you want to indulge yourself in something a little bit special then this beautifully designed milk frothing jug from Barista & Co will be a perfect addition to any coffee set up.
Available in 4 different colours and with a wide spout perfect for resting the steam wand on for easy heating and frothing this proves you can add a touch of class even when it comes to a milk jug. This would also work wonderfully as a gift for any coffee lover.
See the full review of the Barista & Co milk frothing jug
Shorty Barista & Co Professional Milk Pitcher
We love Barista & Co so much that we have included another one of their products with their professional milk frothing jug. Who said you need a handle?
With a wide silicone band across the middle of the jug it makes it easier to nurture the milk to exactly how you like it by being able to grip and manoeuvre more of the jug with your hand. The spout has been designed for the steam wand to be perfectly positioned by it during the heating process.
See the full review of the Barista & Co professional milk pitcher
What’s the best type of milk to use for frothing?
At the end of the day it comes down to personal preference but whole milk will always produce the best flavour and the best texture and the best, creamiest froth.
Why? Because it’s full fat but don’t make that a reason to avoid it. If you re only drinking one or two cups of coffee a day then there is nothing wrong with using the milk that will give you the best experience. Unless you specify otherwise that’s the milk that they use in the high street coffee chains because it tastes best.
Semi-skimmed is ok too but skimmed milk will not produce great results because it’s just too watered down. Non-dairy alternatives like soy or almond milk will also work ok but for the best possible experience treat yourself to some whole milk for best results.
Combined with one of the above recommended milk frothing options you will be all set for the wonderful world of coffee.
