Preparation
Here’s an easy way to make your morning routine that much better: If you like milk in your coffee, invest in a milk frother. It takes your perfect cup of coffee or espresso—whether you’ve made it using a Keurig, French Press, or pour-over—and bumps it up to a coffee-shop-level drink in just a few extra minutes. Plus, these gadgets help make rich and creamy hot chocolate and can even be used to froth matcha or a chai latte. Some also heat milk without frothing it, a helpful tool for anyone who has ever burnt milk trying to warm it on the stove before. A good frother will also be able to froth milk alternatives like soy, almond, coconut, or oat milk.
There are several different types of frothers: battery operated, electrical, and manual; hand-held wands and jugs. Handheld stick or wand frothers function like a mini immersion blender and generally create a more bubbly foam. They take up the least amount of less space, are more portable and affordable, and can also be used for whipping eggs or emulsifying dressing. But they need their batteries changed often, can make a mess since there’s no lid, cannot heat or cool the liquid, and generally make a less creamy foam. Automatic jugs are more like small appliances that are electric-powered. They can heat or cool the liquid, create a creamy, even foam without air bubbles, operate easily with the push of a button, and usually come with interchangeable discs for different types of frothing. But they are bulky and more expensive. A manual frother is also an option if you want to forgo electricity altogether and using a pumping method can produce a surprisingly creamy foam.
Best Handheld Milk Frother: Aerolatte Milk FrotherMost Versatile Milk Frother: Breville the Milk CaféBest Manual Milk Frother: HIC Harold Import Co. Milk Creamer FrotherBest Affordable Electric Milk Frother: Capresso Froth Pro Milk FrotherMilk Frother with the Best Design: SMEG Milk Frother
