Everyone wants to be able to make their favorite coffee shop drinks in the comfort of their own home these days. After all, trying to keep up with a thrice-daily Starbucks habit... in this economy? No, thanks. So brewing at home helps us save a little (okay, a lot) of money and grants us unfettered access to tasty caffeine concoctions to fuel our busy days, especially when working from home. Win-win, right?

Well, sort of. In order to make coffee drinks that are actually comparable — or maybe even better — than the liquid gold deliciousness poured at your favorite local coffee shop, you'll need to stock your at-home coffee bar with some key tools, such as a milk frother or steamer. 

These special, yet generally affordable tools help you create frothy steamed milk and cold foam to top your lattes, cappuccinos, cold brews, iced matcha tea lattes, and more. However, there are a few different types of frothers to choose from — and each one works in different ways — so we're breaking it all down to help you find the best milk frother for your coffee-drinking pleasure.

Milk frothers and steamers come in a few different forms, and you'll want to consider the types of coffee drinks you like to make before deciding on which one is best for you.

Electric milk frothers. Sometimes called “automatic milk frothers,” these plug-in appliances not only froth but also create heated milk, since hot milk is often easier to turn into froth. They tend to have options for fluffy foam versus dense foam, and they typically are able to create cold foam, too. They can also steam milk without frothing it, which opens the door for many other types of hot coffee drinks — and hot chocolate as well!

The gold standard of electric milk frothers is typically thought to be Smeg(opens in a new tab) , which is really no surprise given the fact that the stylish brand's retro-aesthetic kitchen appliances tend to top any design-conscious decorator's list. The only downside is that Smeg is hella expensive. 

The high price tag might be justifiable for the brand's refrigerators or blenders, but for a relatively simple appliance that just does one thing? No, ma'am — a nearly $300 milk frother is just not the vibe. Same goes for the expert-recommended Breville Milk Cafe Milk Frother(opens in a new tab) which seems like a bargain at half the price of Smeg, but is still pretty steep for most folks to rationalize.

Fortunately, there are lots of dupes and alternatives out there that are far more affordable, and they work just as well. (They might be a little less cute, but hey, that's the sacrifice we make.)

Handheld frothers. These battery-powered tools create lots of air bubbles to froth your milk, kind of like a tiny electric whisk. However, they don’t heat your milk, so if you want a hot foam, you’ll first have to bring your milk up to temperature on the stovetop or in the microwave. (Bonus: They can also be used to whip eggs, blend protein powder or matcha tea powder with liquid, stir keto coffee concoctions and more.)

Manual milk frothers. These contraptions look like a French press and, alternatively, you could use your French press to froth milk in the same way. You'll have to put a little muscle into it, though, pumping the froth-making plunger up to 90 times until you feel the milk getting thicker. At that point, you might as well churn your own butter too — but these manual devices are still a good choice for travel and camping.

You can absolutely make cold foam with a milk frother! But first, let's jump into what cold foam actually is, and what makes it different from steamed frothiness.

In the simplest terms, cold foam is a frothed milk topping for iced coffee drinks, aka the cold equivalent of the steamed milk froth that tops hot lattes and cappuccinos. If you tried to put that steamy froth on a cold drink, however, it would just melt right into the drink. On the flipside, cold froth will sit right on top, get comfy and just settle in as you enjoy each sip. It's almost like adding a decadent whipped topping straight from the can, but with far fewer calories.

So yes, you can make cold foam at home, but the best milk frother for the job may be a handheld option. While electric frothers can make cold foam too, they tend to be more expensive than handheld frothers since they also have the ability to steam milk. So the latter may be a more economical choice for those who prefer cold milk foam and cold coffee drinks. 

Alternatively, you could use a manual milk frother or even a French press to pump the milk into a cold foam. And keep in mind that your choice of milk can have an effect on the consistency of your cold foam, too.

To get some expert insight into best frothing practices — and get the lowdown on the cold foam trend — we spoke to Aaron Contreras of Volcanica Coffee(opens in a new tab) , an online specialty coffee roaster that imports over 150 exotic coffees from volcanic regions around the world.

"Lighter and thinner milk typically produce the best frothed cold foams," says Contreras. "[This is] because they produce microbubbles in the texture that is reminiscent of that thick, velvety sort of taste people tend to look for in their cold foam froth."

Depending on your drink of choice (and whether you like to sip hot or cold brews), you may prefer a steamed milk froth rather than a cold foam. In that case, you’ll want to opt for a different milk to get the best result.

"Lattes and cappuccinos taste better with milk that has a higher fat and lipid content, [while] cold foam froth is best done with 2% (sometimes even non-fat milk) to produce a lighter, frothier sort of body that will easily sit on top of the beverage," says Contreras. "Almond milk and oat milk are thick and don't work as well foamed cold, but thinner non-dairies like soy and coconut milk tend to do well."

Typically, the frothiest results come from milks that are high in fat, but some milk frothers — handheld milk frothers, in particular — are quite good at frothing milk alternatives that have a lower fat content, such as nut milks, seed milks, oat milks, soy milks and coconut milks. And, as Contreras noted, sticking to non-dairy milks with a thinner consistency will work best when creating cold foam with a milk frother.

Not really! Though it’s hard to beat the sheer simplicity of a one-button-touch automatic milk frother, their handheld counterparts are still incredibly easy to use. That said, there are a few expert tips to keep in mind.

"In terms of technique, it's mostly being able to aerate the milk throughout," says Contreras. "[When using] a handheld frother, place it right under the surface (but not too far down into the body of the milk), turn it on to get that swirl going, and then gently push the frother into the body of the milk."

So there you have it. Whether you like your frothed milk from a dairy source or a milk alternative, steamed or whipped into a cold foam, one of these affordable milk frothers is sure to elevate your home-brewed coffee drinks to café status in no time.

According to Contreras' professional experience, "Bodum products tend to last the longest and be the most reasonably priced for their quality." And it's no surprise that this expert-approved brand receives such high praise as it can create cafe-style milk froth with the one-handed push of a button. It also boasts a lightweight design and an ergonomic stainless steel handle so you can froth to your heart's content without your arm getting tired. It's simple to use, effective at creating airy froth and cold foam, and it's battery-powered so you can take it on the go, if needed.

It may not be as cute as a Smeg or as shiny as the Breville Milk Cafe, but this electric milk frother will still look pretty darn stylish sitting on your countertop right next to your coffee maker or espresso machine. It's not just about its good looks, though; it also holds its own as an electric milk frother in its own right. The 3-in-1 appliance can heat milk, and make both hot milk foam and cold foam from cold milk. It also has a generous capacity that can froth up to 3.9 ounces of foam or steam up to 8.1 ounces of milk for a whole crowd — or to balance out a proper cappuccino, latte or flat white. It even has an ergonomically designed handle and a dripless spout that makes it easy to pour precise latte art designs into your coffee for that true cafe experience at home.

This powerful, but easy to use handheld frother can make a rich and creamy froth in just a matter of seconds — and it scores high marks for crafting the perfect cold foam, too. It works well with any type of milk (both dairy and non-dairy), running the gamut from half-and-half to almond milk to soy. It's also easy to clean; just run the whisk under hot water and turn it on very briefly. And did we mention how sleek its matte black finish would look as it's perched against the backdrop of nearly any kitchen decor? Even better, it comes with its own stand to put it on display right next to your coffee maker or espresso maker.

Maybe you're camping or otherwise traveling off the grid. Or, maybe you just like to put in a little work for your fancy coffee drinks. Either way, this manual milk frother can create a nice, airy foam in as little as 30 seconds — you just need to plunge your milk of choice about 60 to 90 times to properly get it nice and frothy. The manual frother includes a durable, heat-resistant glass carafe so you can warm your milk in the microwave without any worry. (But you can definitely make cold foam by starting with cold milk, too.) It also has a deep plastic lid to prevent messes as you pump, and an easy-to-grip plunger handle so you stay comfortable through your arm workout.

This high-speed handheld frother has a powerful titanium motor that "whips the living hell out of your milk," according to the brand. (Can't deny that we love their enthusiasm!) But in all seriousness, this compact milk frother gets the job done fast with just the press of a button, and a pair of AA batteries. It's said to work best with milk that's about 60 degrees, but it easily whips up both hot frothy milk and cold froth. Best of all, you get all the frothing power for a super affordable price, and the company provides hassle-free lifetime replacement.

This battery-operated Powerlix milk frother whips up a creamy froth in as little as 15 seconds, whether you're using dairy milk, nut milk or any number of other non-dairy milks. This is likely due to the fact that it delivers twice as much motor power as other frothers, but makes very little noise in comparison. It also works well with both hot and cold liquids but, as is the case with any handheld milk frother, it does not steam the milk itself. It's lightweight and has an ergonomic handheld design with a power button on top, making it easy to use with just one hand.

This electric milk steamer and frother offers a generous heating capacity of 10.1 ounces and a frothing capacity of 5.1 ounces, which is considerably larger than its top competitors. This makes it a great choice for drinks that call for lots of frothy or steamed milk — like cappuccinos, flat whites, lattes and hot chocolate — and for entertaining a crowd with your at-home barista skills. Its four functions consist of: creating hot dense foam, hot fluffy foam and cold fluffy foam, and heating milk. Plus, its non-stick interior makes it easy to clean.

Thanks to its double-spring whisking action and high-power, low-noise design, this handheld milk frother is able to deliver a thick and velvety froth for your homemade coffee drinks in as little as 15 seconds. It works well with non-dairy milks and can make cold foam worthy of your local barista's handiwork. Its rust-resistant stainless steel whisks are easy to clean, and it even comes with a bonus egg beater attachment for quickly whisking eggs. Best of all, it’s available in a ton of fun hues to match your kitchen decor or add a pop of color as it sits in its included stand.