If your machine has no steam wand, a frother is how you get milk for flat whites and lattes. The right choice depends on how silky you need the milk and how much space you have.
This guide compares the main frother types on texture, cleaning and footprint.
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Bodum
A battery-powered handheld stick frother for whisking warm milk into foam. Suits anyone wanting milk drinks without a steam wand or counter appliance.
Best for: Manual-brew and moka users who want quick foam cheaply.
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Bodum
A manual plunger frother that aerates milk by pumping a mesh disc, with no power required. Suits anyone wanting foam with zero electricity or batteries.
Best for: Small kitchens wanting milk foam with no powered appliance.
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Handheld whisks are tiny and cheap but airier; electric jug frothers heat and texture more evenly but take counter space.
For fine microfoam and latte art, a steam wand is best. For everyday milky coffee, a jug frother is plenty.
Choose removable, dishwasher-safe parts and a jug size that matches how many drinks you make at once.
Expecting latte art from a handheld whisk
Fix: Handheld frothers make airy foam, not fine microfoam; set expectations accordingly.
Leaving milk to dry on parts
Fix: Rinse straight after use; pick dishwasher-safe components.
Buying an oversized jug
Fix: Match capacity to your usual number of milk drinks.