| Type | What it does | Best for | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld electric frother | Froths warmed milk in 30 seconds | A few lattes a week; trying it out | Heating happens separately, in the microwave |
| Automatic frother (heating) | One button for warm, frothed milk | Daily drinks for the whole household | Counter space, and more parts to wash |
| French press, repurposed | Pump warmed milk to froth it | Press owners who won't buy more gear | Coarser foam, and small batches only |
| Steam wand (on a machine) | Fine microfoam, the real thing | People who already own an espresso machine | Not an option without the machine |
Do You Need a Milk Frother?
Published: ·Updated:
Photo: Tim Wright CC0 1.0 Source
If you make lattes or cappuccinos at home, a handheld electric frother is all it takes. Only households frothing every day, for several people, should invest in the automatic kind that heats and froths in one step.