Best Milk Frothers for Lattes (2026)
Milk frothers that make silky, pourable latte foam with dairy and oat milk, based on testing from Bon Appétit, Serious Eats, ATK and The Guardian.
Quick answer: my top pick is the Breville Milk Café (best overall). The top pick at Bon Appétit and America's Test Kitchen, and Serious Eats' best performer.
- Best value: Instant Pot MagicFroth 9-in-1
- Best compact: Nespresso Aeroccino 4
- Best handheld: Zulay Kitchen Milk Boss
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At a glance
| Product | Type | Capacity | Price at retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breville Milk CaféBest overall | Countertop, induction | 25 oz | Check price for Breville Milk Café at Amazon |
| Instant Pot MagicFroth 9-in-1Best value | Countertop | 17 oz | Check price for Instant Pot MagicFroth 9-in-1 at Amazon |
| Nespresso Aeroccino 4Best compact | Countertop | Not published | Check price for Nespresso Aeroccino 4 at Amazon |
| Zulay Kitchen Milk BossBest handheld | Handheld, battery | Not published | Check price for Zulay Kitchen Milk Boss at Zulay Kitchen |
“Not published” means none of my cited sources list that spec. Prices aren't shown because they change often; “Check price” opens the current listing. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
The short answer
If lattes are part of your daily routine, the Breville Milk Café is the frother testers keep picking first. It has a temperature dial, a dedicated latte disc and a big carafe. The Instant Pot MagicFroth 9-in-1 makes nearly as silky foam for much less money. For a small kitchen, the Nespresso Aeroccino 4 is compact, fast and very simple. If you’d rather heat milk yourself and spend very little, ATK’s favorite handheld is the Zulay Milk Boss.
What to look for
- A latte (dense) setting. Lattes need silky microfoam, not stiff, airy froth. Look for a separate latte mode or whisk.
- Temperature control. Baristas warn that overheated milk loses its sweetness. Around 140°F is a common target.
- Capacity. Plan on roughly 4–6 oz of milk per latte. A larger carafe lets you make two drinks at once.
- Easy cleaning. A dishwasher-safe pitcher makes daily use much easier.
- Milk type. If you use oat milk, pick a model that tested well with it.
Want steamed milk and espresso from one machine? See my espresso machines for beginners, including the Bambino Plus with its automatic steam wand.
Want the machine to do it all? Compare my super-automatic espresso machines.
Need the espresso first? See my espresso machines under $500.
For a stovetop base for milk drinks, compare my moka pots.
My picks in detail
1. Breville Milk Café
by Breville
- Type
- Countertop, induction
- Capacity
- 25 oz
- Discs
- Latte + cappuccino
The top pick at Bon Appétit and America's Test Kitchen, and Serious Eats' best performer. Induction heating, a temperature dial and separate latte and cappuccino discs give silky microfoam with both dairy and oat milk.
- Separate latte and cappuccino discs
- Adjustable temperature dial
- Large 25 oz carafe for several drinks
- Carafe is dishwasher-safe
- Handles oat milk well in testing
- Expensive for a single-purpose gadget
- Bulky — takes real counter space
Opens Amazon in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
2. Instant Pot MagicFroth 9-in-1
by Instant
- Type
- Countertop
- Capacity
- 17 oz
- Settings
- 3 foam × 3 temp
Bon Appétit's budget pick and a Serious Eats favorite. Three foam settings (stir, latte, cappuccino) and cold/warm/hot temperatures; Serious Eats measured it heating milk to 140–160°F with silky, well-incorporated microfoam.
- Silky latte foam with dairy and oat milk
- Three foam and three temperature settings
- Detachable, dishwasher-safe pitcher
- 17 oz capacity for multiple drinks
- Some cycles take close to five minutes
- Less customizable than the Breville
Opens Amazon in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
3. Nespresso Aeroccino 4
by Nespresso
- Type
- Countertop
- Modes
- Hot dense, hot light, warm, cold
- Very simple one-button operation
- Compact footprint
The Guardian found it the quietest and fastest unit it tested, with quality foam on every setting using dairy and oat milk. It offers hot dense (latte), hot light (cappuccino), warm and cold cycles.
- Very simple one-button operation
- Compact footprint
- Dedicated hot dense setting suits lattes
- Non-stick jug needs care — no metal utensils
- One UK reviewer found it louder than the Breville
Opens Amazon in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
4. Zulay Kitchen Milk Boss
by Zulay Kitchen
- Type
- Handheld, battery
- Very affordable and takes almost no space
- Good hot and cold foam in ATK testing
- Also whips cream and mixes drinks
America's Test Kitchen's favorite handheld frother: it made quality hot and cold foam and mixed smooth hot chocolate. You heat the milk yourself.
- Very affordable and takes almost no space
- Good hot and cold foam in ATK testing
- Also whips cream and mixes drinks
- Doesn't heat milk — you warm it separately
- Less control over texture than countertop units
Opens the Zulay Kitchen site in a new tab. Price and stock can change. Availability and shipping vary by region; links go to US stores.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between latte and cappuccino foam?
Latte foam is silky, looser and pourable, so it mixes into the coffee. Cappuccino foam is airier and sits on top. America's Test Kitchen favored frothers that can make both, such as the Breville with its separate latte and cappuccino discs.
Do milk frothers work with oat milk?
The Breville Milk Café and Instant MagicFroth both did well with oat milk in testing. Barista-style oat milks foam more reliably than standard cartons, on almost any frother.
Is a handheld frother good enough for lattes?
It can be, if you heat the milk first. ATK's handheld pick, the Zulay Milk Boss, made quality foam, but a countertop frother heats and foams in one step and gives more consistent texture.