WIRED updates guide to best milk frothers for 2025
WIRED has refreshed its annual roundup of top milk frothers, highlighting devices that excel in creating microfoam for home espresso drinks. The update, published in October 2025, adds new budget and microfoam options while naming Subminimal's NanoFoamer Pro as the overall best. Testers evaluated models using whole milk to assess froth quality, time, and temperature for latte art and cappuccinos.
The WIRED guide, originally compiled over nearly a year of testing, focuses on electric milk frothers that transform whole milk into silky microfoam suitable for lattes, cappuccinos, and cortados. Updated in October 2025, it incorporates the Bizewo Electric Milk Frother and Smeg Mini Milk Frother, alongside established picks. All tests used 8 ounces of organic whole milk starting at 45 degrees Fahrenheit, aiming for wet froth ideal for latte art, with three trials per device to measure cycle time, final temperature, and texture.
Subminimal's NanoFoamer Pro ($159) tops the list for its sleek design and advanced lid-mounted impeller system, which includes magnetic flow controls for customizable aeration. It produces consistent froth in about 3 minutes at 141 degrees Fahrenheit, with a 4- to 8-ounce capacity. Reviewer notes: "The froth produced by the NanoFoamer Pro is perfect for latte art straight out of the pitcher." It's ideal for pairing with single-boiler espresso machines like the Casabrews 5700 Pro.
Dreo's BaristaMaker ($99) is the runner-up, praised for its simple controls and interchangeable impellers, though better for larger drinks (7.5- to 10-ounce capacity) at 3:41 minutes to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The Best Value pick, Dreo's BaristaMaker Milk Frother Air ($60), offers velvety microfoam in 4:10 minutes at 165 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 to 12 ounces, making it accessible for smaller setups.
For microfoam, Smeg's Mini Milk Frother ($170) delivers creamy results in 1:43 minutes at 155 degrees Fahrenheit (2- to 8-ounce capacity), while Bizewo's Electric ($40) provides budget-friendly dense or airy foam in 2:39 minutes at 160 degrees Fahrenheit (2- to 10 ounces). Breville's Milk Cafe Frother BMF600XL ($200) excels in bulk heating (6- to 18 ounces) but falls short on latte art, taking 1:55 minutes to 136 degrees Fahrenheit.
Honorable mentions include Instant Pot's basic model ($28) for simple frothing and Nespresso's Aeroccino 4 ($113) for quick results, though not ideal for art. Bodum's Barista ($56) is not recommended due to overflow issues and burnt-tasting foam. The guide emphasizes ease for home baristas, from Gen X nostalgics to busy parents, without testing nondairy milks due to variability.