Want delicious lattes the easy way? I'm a certified barista, and these are the top 3 milk frothers I recommend for perfect results every time

Want to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos at home without using a steam wand?

<![CDATA[ <article> <p>Want to make delicious lattes and cappuccinos at home without using a steam wand? You need an electric milk frother — and as TechRadar's resident barista, I've put together the top three I recommend, whether you enjoy plant milk or dairy.</p><p>Before we get started, I should note that electric milk frothers and steam wands both have their pros and cons. A manual steam wand works much more quickly than an electric milk frother, and once you've got your eye in, it allows you greater control over the texture of the milk (more creamy for lattes, and 'drier' for a cappuccino, for example).</p><p>Electric frothers, however, can usually whip up cold milk foam as well as hot, and make it easy to prepare other drinks including hot chocolate and protein shakes. The inside of an electric milk frother usually has a non-stick coating, making it a breeze to clean. An electric frother is also a great option if you have limited mobility, often featuring just one or two physical buttons that can be operated with one hand. Sounds good? On with the recommendations...</p><h2 id="dreo-baristamaker">Dreo Baristamaker</h2><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V6Zbh29bxnj4ZULb4d5gU.jpg" alt="Strawberry protein shake prepared using Dreo BaristaMaker" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DdG3XiHawNS8abAsuGuUP3.png" alt="Dreo BaristaMaker milk frother with pitcher and frothing tips" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WPvVMezy4ZTkjhBPUf6ew.jpg" alt="Dreo BaristaMaker machine beside oat milk latte" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QFPr53pGzAWXkNZV48ayD3.jpg" alt="Milk frothing settings on Dreo BaristaMaker screen" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vFGTnYAbsTUb2K9JCNED93.jpg" alt="Dreo BaristaMaker milk frother tips" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2DWWYJpshp3gf5LujLetf.jpg" alt="Dreo BaristaMaker interior with heating element warning" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uyqry4JC5w2CtaXoJdDor.jpg" alt="Lattes prepared using milk foamed with a traditional steam wand (left) and Dreo BaristaMaker (right)" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure></figure><p>If you enjoy plant-based milk, the Dreo Baristamaker is the electric milk frother for you. While the other two in this guide are optimized for dairy, the Baristamaker also has settings for soya, almond, coconut, and oat — as well as half-and-half if you want something richer in your coffee.</p><p>The base of the unit contains the heating element and motor, and the two whisking attachments are held in position (and spun) using magnets. One attachment looks like your standard milk whisk, while the other has large blades to pull the milk in towards the center, where a mesh screen breaks up large bubbles and turns them into fine foam. </p><p>During the foaming process, the Baristamaker will alternate between stirring and foaming, which is intended to create an even texture. It's also the only electric milk frother here whose pitcher has a fine spout, which is essential for creating latte art, though in my tests I found that the foam was less smooth than milk steamed the old-fashioned way, and I couldn't achieve the same results when pouring it.</p><p>Nevertheless, for sheer versatility, the Baristamaker is my number one pick if you're looking for an electric milk frother, provided your budget can take the hit. If you're looking for something a little more affordable (or just smaller), read on for two more options.</p><p><strong>Read our full </strong><a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/dreo-baristamaker"><strong>Dreo Baristamaker review</strong></a></p><h2 id="smeg-mini-milk-frother">Smeg Mini Milk Frother</h2><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QCxzVhccXWi6oL43yxcVZ8.jpg" alt="Smeg milk frother" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CVGF6KTEZyTqDMbE3YSfSC.jpg" alt="Smeg milk frother" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g2rjVcDgmtPHCid7J3yEkA.jpg" alt="Smeg milk frother" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y3ekLRP8vwQ7K3PJPDMDf3.jpg" alt="Smeg milk frother" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dKLNVKged2TgkqrgFKMuiU.jpg" alt="Smeg milk frother" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fV7qhzpSyRZs7bymF9jWt.jpg" alt="Smeg milk frother" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y3bpPrU6wb6DYLusxkbZF9.jpg" alt="Smeg milk frother" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future</small></figcaption></figure></figure><p>The Smeg Mini Milk Frother is an ideal companion to the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/home/coffee-machines/lavazza-a-modo-mio-smeg-review">Lavazza A Modo Mio Smeg</a> capsule coffee machine, but its clean, minimalist design would look right at home anywhere (particularly since it comes in a wide array of colors, including black, white, and pastels).</p><p>Its controls are extremely simple: just one button on the front, which you press once, twice, or three times to choose your preferred setting (hot milk foam, hot milk, or cold milk foam). There are no options for different milk types, and according to Smeg, it's intended to be used with chilled full-fat dairy milk, which it turns into quite a thick foam. I also tried it with barista-style oat and almond milk to see how it compared with the Baristamaker; oat milk produced similar results to dairy, while almond was 'drier' and less creamy.</p><p>Whether I used the hot milk or hot milk foam option, the milk was always heated to exactly 140F / 60C, which is optimal for coffee. However, it's a shame the milk vessel doesn't have a fine spout like the Baristamaker; the milk pours cleanly without drips, but the lack of fine control combined with the thick texture means it's impossible to create latte art.</p><p><strong>Read our full </strong><a href="https://www.techradar.com/home/coffee-machines/smeg-mini-milk-frother-review"><strong>Smeg Mini Milk Frother review</strong></a></p><figure role="gallery"><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H4JThGc5MVwg8mvFTV75vY.jpg" alt="Philips Baristina Milk Frother" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Max Langridge</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mswYf8bAJvZ728Gw9C8qSY.jpg" alt="Philips Baristina Milk Frother base" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Max Langridge</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RAFeN5SjgCKnR2LPcViipY.jpg" alt="Philips Baristina Milk Frother off base" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Max Langridge</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EtgohhPz6AfhwtmHh84ALY.jpg" alt="Philips Baristina Milk Frother whisk" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Max Langridge</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Vvm8SGSYNB9FnV2AfrF5UY.jpg" alt="Philips Baristina Milk Frother with frothed milk" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Max Langridge</small></figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gTF7JZyqqNeKcHaJdwarSY.jpg" alt="Philips Baristina Milk Frother with milk inside" /><figcaption><small role="credit">Future / Max Langridge</small></figcaption></figure></figure><h2 id="philips-baristina-milk-frother">Philips Baristina Milk Frother</h2><p>This smart-looking electric milk frother is available on its own, or bundled with the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/home/coffee-machines/philips-baristina-review">Philips Baristina</a> coffee machine — one of my all-time favorite espresso machines. When my colleague Max Langridge tested this frother, he found it "consistently produces thick milk foam, whether hot or cold", but as with all the devices we've tried, the foam it produces tends to be on the stiffer side and not ideal for pouring latte art. </p><p>Unlike the other frothers here, the Baristina doesn't use a heating element underneath the pitcher to heat your milk. Instead, it has a heated coil, which needs to be removed first if you want your milk cold. There's no audible beep to tell you that your milk is ready, but there is an LED indicator, and at just 40dB the while heating and whisking process is very quiet.</p><p>There are no options for tweaking the texture of your finished froth, but unlike the Smeg Mini Milk Frother above, Philips says that the Baristina frother is designed to be used with all types of milk — plant and dairy. However, Max noticed that whatever type of milk he used, the foam was always on the thicker side, and like the Smeg frother, there's no spout for pouring patterns onto your coffee.</p><p>If you're considering the Baristina coffee maker and milk frother bundle, you should also be aware that Philips has recently launched the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/home/coffee-machines/ive-never-been-so-excited-for-a-coffee-maker-the-philips-baristina-just-got-a-huge-upgrade-with-an-integrated-smart-steam-wand-for-perfectly-foamed-milk">Baristina Latte</a>, which bundles both into one compact package. I've not had the opportunity to test it yet, but I have high expectations. </p><p><strong>Read our full </strong><a href="https://www.techradar.com/home/coffee-machines/philips-baristina-milk-frother-review"><strong>Philips Baristina Milk Frother review</strong></a></p> </article> ]]>