The Best Milk Frother For Lattes

Café visits can get expensive, especially if you don’t stick with a basic cup of coffee. But you can get café-quality coffee at home as long as you have the right tools in your kitchen. With a milk frother, you can create a thick layer of foam using your favorite milk product to add texture to a cup of coffee.

When you hear the word “frother,” your mind probably immediately goes to lattes and cappuccinos, and that’s its most common use. A frother is used to add air to liquids, creating a foam-like consistency. But coffee isn’t the only beverage that can use a good layer of foamy milk. With a frother, you can quickly improve a cup of hot chocolate or tea.

Some frothers are even more versatile, though. With the right blend of whisking speed and whisker build, you can go beyond milk to improve the consistency of eggs, batter, baby formula and sauces. You also won’t have to get out the blender when it’s time to make a shake or a smoothie. A good frother can handle that, as well.

If you’re on a restrictive diet, you’ll want to pay special attention to the types of milk your frother can handle. Some frothers can not only create foam from dairy products but can also handle soy, almond and cashew milk, as well as whole milk and half-and-half. If you heat your milk before enjoying it with your latte, look for a frother that can equally manage cold and hot milk.

Although many frothers are handheld devices, you can also find those that steam and froth the milk in a contained unit. This takes a little longer, but it gives you the freedom to try out different types of foam. These units also come with fill lines to show you exactly how much liquid to add to get that perfect cappuccino or latte.

• You’ll need to clean your frother between uses, and this process varies between device types. If you have a handheld frother, you can just insert it into a glass of hot water to clean it. Most aren’t dishwasher safe, so look for how much work you’ll need to put into handwashing before you buy.
• Time to froth varies from one frother to another, but typically you’re talking about seconds rather than minutes.
• Although you won’t be using it long, having a handle you can comfortably hold can make frothing easier. Look for a lightweight build and an ergonomic design. Some frothers build the power button into the handle for simple one-handed operation.
• In addition to comfort, a handle should promise to avoid slipping to avoid a messy situation.
• Since your frother will regularly come into contact with liquid, rusting and corrosion can be an issue. High-quality stainless steel will provide the durability you need.
• As you’re considering frothers, keep in mind that you’ll need somewhere to store it between uses. Smaller may be better for that reason. Some frothers come with a stand that you may prefer for storage. A stand also gives you a way to store it upright while you’re making your coffee. However, some frothers stand up on their own, so this may not be an issue.
• The motor plays directly into how quickly your frother will do its job. Look for a frother with multiple speed settings and higher rotations per minute, especially if you plan to froth heavier liquids like cream.
• You can find frothers that have warranties extending as long as two years. If this is important to you, keep that in mind.
• If you prefer that perfect steamed consistency, consider a unit that both steams and froths the milk. This is especially important if you plan to try to create coffee art using a separately sold wand.