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Milk Frother: Café-style foam without a full machine
A compact frother for making lattes, hot chocolate and other creamy drinks at home.
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Whisk or heating jug?
A handheld frother is a small powered whisk: it usually froths milk that has been heated separately. An electric jug can combine heating and frothing, but takes more space and needs cleaning after each use. Choose around the drinks they already make and how much extra washing up they will tolerate.
Buy for the drink, not the jug size
Frothed milk expands, so the maximum frothing amount may be lower than the jug's heating capacity. Check both fill lines and the number of drinks they normally make. A cold-foam mode is worth seeking only if they enjoy chilled drinks.
Cleaning affects whether it gets used
Look at how the whisk detaches and whether the jug or its lining can go in the dishwasher; do not assume. Different milks produce different results, so check the manufacturer's guidance for their usual dairy or plant-based milk rather than promising café-style foam from every carton.
Our gifts for coffee lovers offer other ways to add to the coffee drinks they enjoy at home.