Milk frothers are a wise purchase for people who love to make professional-quality hot drinks at home. Whether you like lattes, cappuccinos, or lots of steaming mugs of hot chocolate, these machines are capable of heating and steaming milk to perfection in minutes.
They’re especially useful if you own a coffee machine without a steaming wand attachment. For hot chocolate fans, there are also specialist frothers that whip the chocolate in with the milk for a professional, ultra-creamy finish.
I tested a range of milk frothers and used them to blend hot chocolate to test blending capacity, before picking out my favourites. For more unbiased expert buyer’s guides, visit our reviews section to find 400+ round-ups of everything including the best coffee machines, best bean-to-cup coffee machines, best filter coffee machines, and best iced coffee makers.
Best milk frothers at a glance
- Best milk frother for versatility: Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser (2025), £149.95
- Best large milk frother: ProCook milk frother, £69
- Best milk frother overall: Dualit handheld milk frother, £69.99
- Best premium milk frother: Smeg milk frother, £179
- Best value milk frother: Lavazza A Modo Mio MilkEasy milk frother, £48.30
- Most stylish milk frother: Smeg mini milk frother, £99.95
- Best milk frother for skimmed milk: Melitta Cremio II milk frother, £72.99
- Best milk frother for oat milk: Nespresso Aeroccino 4 milk frother, £89
- Best manual milk frother: Bodum Latteo milk frother, £19.49
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How I tested milk frothers
The milk frothers featured in this guide were selected from a longlist of over 20 products. All were tested in controlled conditions using the same criteria for semi-skimmed milk, Oatly Barista oat milk, and Hotel Chocolat hot chocolate flakes. I then scored each product out of five against the following areas:
- Quality of milk foam: I looked for ultra-creamy, thick results that could easily be dolloped or spooned into a mug of coffee or hot chocolate.
- Ease of use and cleaning: Milk frothers that had easy-to-use features, like ergonomic handles and pouring outlets, scored highly in my tests. I also looked at the effectiveness of the non-stick coating (where applicable) and whether the product could be put in the dishwasher.
- Quality of materials: I questioned whether the product felt well made, sturdy and built to last.
- Value for money: Looking at the price point and quality of results, I evaluated whether the milk frother felt like a good investment.
- Design and appearance: Looks are a big factor if you want to store your milk frother out on the worktop, so I considered whether I’d be happy to keep each product on display.
The average score out of 5 decided the overall star rating. The additional criteria played into my decision making:
- Versatility
- Packaging
- Kitchen footprint
- Noise and speed during use
- Additional features
Best milk frothers to buy in 2025
Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser (2025)
Available from Hotel Chocolat (£149.95)
Best milk frother for versatility
Pros:
- Mug and glass included
- Fully recyclable packaging
- Settings for hot and cold chocolate
- Comes with a selection of hot and cold chocolate sachets to get started
Cons:
Star rating: 5/5
Capacity: 220ml
The latest version of the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser comes with some thoughtful upgrades: the design, inspired by a cacao pod, gives it a sleek and distinctive look; the whisk has been refined so it folds chocolate smoothly through gently heated milk; and there’s also a cold setting that lets you whip up chilled chocolate drinks, too.
Inside the recyclable packaging you’ll find the Velvetiser itself, two cups (one ceramic, one glass) and a 10-pack of hot and cold chocolate sachets, so you can get started straight away without buying extras.
Each drink in our test came out at around 70C – hot enough to sip but not scalding. The texture was consistently smooth and creamy, with none of the powdery residue you often get from standard hot chocolate mixes. The cold versions were just as satisfying, with the feel of a grown-up milkshake rather than a sugar-heavy treat.
Although designed for hot chocolate, the Velvetiser works well as a milk frother too. It handles cappuccinos, lattes and even matcha with the same creamy finish. That flexibility adds to its value if you enjoy a range of drinks.
The main limitation is that it only serves a single portion per cycle, which might be less convenient for larger households. The sachets are also pricier than supermarket hot chocolate powders, but the quality is noticeably higher. Read our full Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser review.
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ProCook milk frother
Available from ProCook (£69)
Best large milk frother
Pros:
- Four froth settings
- Generous 400ml capacity
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Fully recyclable packaging
Cons:
- A little slow
- Noisier than others we’ve tested
Star rating: 5/5
Capacity: 400ml
It’s rare to find an electric milk frother with enough space to make two drinks at once. So, I was very excited to get my hands on this generously sized ProCook model, which is included as part of the brand’s first ever electricals range.
It comes with a 400ml stainless-steel cup and four pre-programmed settings for both hot and cold drinks, and you can even put the cup in the dishwasher afterwards – something unheard of for most milk frothers.
Owing to its larger capacity, it has a relatively chunky footprint but looks attractive on the countertop – sporting a sleek matte base and ergonomic handle. We found it a little slower and noisier than other milk frothers we’ve tested, but the sound wasn’t so intrusive that it put us off.
It produced steaming glossy results in three-and-a-half minutes, and gave us equally creamy results when making hot chocolate. The manual is thorough and easy to navigate, and we also gave this gadget top marks for sustainability, as it arrived in fully recyclable packaging.
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Dualit handheld milk frother
Available from Lakeland (£69.99)
Best milk frother overall
Pros:
- Offers different frothing options
- Quiet in use
- Attractive
- Clear measurement markings
Cons:
- No pouring spout or handle
Star rating: 5/5
Capacity: 320ml
This upgraded version of Dualit’s milk frother is as sleek and efficient as its predecessor, but what set its apart is its hot chocolate-making abilities – which allow you to use any pure chocolate bar (free from nuts, biscuit, etc.) to make smooth, chocolatey drinks.
It’s compact and stylish enough to keep out on the countertop, and like the previous model it’s whisper-quiet during use. There’s no handle, which makes it more difficult to pick up with one hand – particularly as the body of the appliance is quite wide. On the plus side, this does mean it’s easy to store.
In test, I achieved thick, silky microfoam at perfect drinking temperature in 2 minutes, 14 seconds – and this model worked especially well with barista oat milk, too.
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Smeg milk frother
Available from John Lewis & Partners (£179)
Best premium milk frother
Pros:
- Creates an excellent frothy texture
- Stylish-looking
- Easy to pour
- Different froth settings
Cons:
Star rating: 4.5/5
Capacity: 250ml for frothing and heating, 500ml for cold milk
The Smeg milk frother may be the most expensive I tested, but it delivered in bucketloads. For hot chocolate, it gave the best heat, coming in at 70C – a great drinking temperature without burning the chocolate. The texture and lightness of the finished drink were outstanding and, on maximum fill, made enough to fill two decent mugs.
Though the price may be high, this is a quality product that’s well-made and super-stylish – it can sit happily on the worktop to be admired.
Using it for frothing milk for coffee is like having a barista in your kitchen, with different settings producing milk (including non-dairy alternatives) for many different coffee styles.
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Lavazza A Modo Mio MilkEasy milk frother
Available from Lavazza (£48.30)
Best value milk frother
Pros:
- Compact
- Range of settings
- Operates quietly
Cons:
- Wide body makes it tricky to lift
Star rating: 4.5/5
Capacity: 180ml for heating, 120ml for frothing
This Lavazza model was the most straightforward electric milk frother I tried, and its instructions were concise and easy to follow. Simply fill it with milk (using the 180ml or 120ml markings as a guide), then press once for hot froth, twice for hot milk, or three times for cold froth for iced coffees.
In use, it’s efficient and quiet, producing impressively thick results similar to that of a dalgona coffee, though I struggled to get oat milk to the same consistency. Because the frother is quite wide, it’s also not the easiest to pick up and pour into a mug.
It’s not dishwasher-safe, though I had no issues washing-up by hand. It’s also compact enough to keep out on the counter or pop in the cupboard when not in use.
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Smeg mini milk frother
Available from Smeg (£99.95)
Most stylish milk frother
Pros:
- Quiet in use
- Attractive and compact
- Ultra-creamy results
- Fully recyclable packaging
Cons:
- Difficult to see the measurement markings inside the jug
- A bit wobbly on its stand
Star rating: 4/5
Capacity: 180ml
If you like the look of the Smeg milk frother above but want something more compact and less expensive, this mini version is a great alternative that comes in a range of colours.
It’s whisper-quiet in use and each of the three presets delivered solid results in test – ultra-thick hot foam, silky hot milk and creamy cold foam. There aren’t any instructions for hot chocolate in the manual, but I found the ‘hot foam’ setting had enough ‘oomph’ to whisk in and melt the chocolate flakes, leaving no residue behind.
The measurement markings on the inside of the jug are difficult to read and I had to rely on my phone’s torch to see where they were, and I also found the jug a little rickety on its stand. Otherwise, this is a nifty little appliance that looks attractive on the countertop, too.
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Melitta Cremio II milk frother
Available from Currys (£72.99)
Best milk frother for skimmed milk
Pros:
- Easy to pour
- Good-looking design
- Range of frothing options
Cons:
Star rating: 4/5
Capacity: 100-150ml for frothing, 100-250ml for heating
Ideal for hot chocolates, creamy coffees or desserts, this Melitta frother works with all milk types – though I found using skimmed milk worked best.
I liked the large ergonomic handle, which allowed for easy pouring, and the attractive brushed-steel design. The non-stick coating on the base of the jug was also effective, though conveniently the lid and the whisk can go in the dishwasher.
There are two buttons to choose from (heating or frothing), which illuminate when the frother is switched on. You use this gadget to prepare warm cocoa, too: simply add chocolate powder to the milk, then select the hot milk button to create whipped, chocolatey froth in minutes.
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Nespresso Aeroccino4 milk frother
Available from Nespresso (£89)
Best milk frother for oat milk
Pros:
- Ergonomic handle
- Compact
- Works well with oat milk
Cons:
- Base makes it more difficult to store
Star rating: 4/5
Capacity: 240ml
An upgrade from the Nespresso Aeroccino3, this sleek and glossy frother has three options (hot froth, cold froth, and hot milk) and a sturdy black handle that allows for seamless pouring. Simply add the milk up to the ‘max foam’ marking, select the desired button, and wait just 80 seconds for ultra-creamy, fluffy froth.
Everything except the base can be placed in the dishwasher, and because the design is so compact, you can easily store it or keep it out on the countertop. When it came to testing, I achieved the best results with oat milk using Aeroccino4. My semi-skimmed milk was surprisingly less frothy, but provided enough hot, thick foam to top an espresso or hot chocolate.
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Bodum Latteo milk frother
Available from Robert Dyas (£19.49)
Best manual milk frother
Pros:
- Compact
- Dishwasher-safe
- Easy to use
Cons:
Star rating: 3/5
Capacity: 250ml
This premium glass carafe from Bodum comes with a sleek handle that’s ideal for DIY milk frothing, and I found it one of the easiest to use, too. Simply fill the jug up to the line and warm it in the microwave for 30-50 seconds, then froth the milk with the manual pump until the volume doubles, and spoon it onto your drink of choice.
The Bodum Latteo produced a thicker, airier whip than other frothers I used, though I noticed a bit of spillage coming from the top hole and pouring outlet even when it was sealed. On the plus side, its compact footprint makes it an ideal choice for small kitchens, and it’s dishwasher-safe and easy to clean too.
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Milk frother recipes
Homemade hot chocolate
Hot chocolate recipes
Flat white
Cappuccino
Latte
Macchiato
Mocha
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