

If you’re looking for a sleeker version to keep out on your kitchen counter, Smeg’s Milk Frother is a stylish choice that makes excellent foam too, and being able to throw its pitcher in the dishwasher is a big plus. Instant’s appliance has a straightforward, utilitarian design that’s great as long as you’re someone who will take extra care while cleaning its pitcher (see our editor’s note below). In our tests it frothed milk better than machines that cost four times as much, creating the long-lasting, velvety “microfoam” you’ll see at cafes and coffee shops. Instant’s Milk Frother is the easiest and most affordable way to bring this barista-level detail to your lattes, cappuccinos and more with the push of a button. I have no counter space to spare, but this leaves the tool protected when I throw it in a drawer.A light and foamy cloud of frothed milk can elevate your daily cup (or cups) of coffee, whether you prefer drip, cold brew or espresso, and it can also make matcha drinks and hot chocolate tastier (and fancier). (But be careful not to fill your mug or glass more than 40 percent with milk, the brand says, as it will splatter.) Beyond the performance, my favorite feature is the cylindrical cap, which fully covers the metal parts and clicks in securely with the handle.

There are two speeds: what Golde calls “powerful” and “very powerful.” That’s an apt description - I tend to use the latter, but either way the foam always turns out fluffy, never dense or stiff, and without large air bubbles. And the metal parts - the thin pole that joins the handle to the whisk and the whisk itself - are exceptionally sturdy. The handle is a long cylinder, which provides a comfortable grip. It looks and acts similarly to the battery-operated models above, but its power comes from plugging it into a USB. Golde, a Strategist- favorite brand for all things wellness, sells a rechargeable milk frother. Steam creation: No | Frothing technology: USB-rechargeable What results is a perfectly hot cup of fresh-tasting coffee (I use a stovetop percolator), as opposed to the muddied flavor I notice when I reheat it over a low flame. I don’t own a microwave, so when an afternoon-coffee craving strikes, I simply pour a mug of cooled-down brew into the vessel (sometimes even without milk) and press the button. The no foam setting is also much appreciated (and actually, my most used). Over the past couple of months of using it, I’ve found that the dense setting produces a really luscious mouthfeel, while I use the latter when I want the majority of my oat milk to disperse into my coffee. I particularly appreciate the difference between the dense and airy settings, the former of which actually made me start drinking more espresso. The small buttons, denoted by clear illustrations, are all on the front of the machine you click one, it blinks until the liquid is done heating and/or frothing, then stops when it’s time to open and pour. The Nespresso Aerocinno has four settings: hot dense foam, hot airier foam, cold foam, and heated milk with no foam at all - so if you’re a person who likes to change up their coffee or tea drink, the range on this little machine will certainly be useful. Steam creation: Yes | Frothing technology: Electric
