Guide · Milk frothers
Best handheld milk frother UK: battery and rechargeable whisks compared
Handheld frothers are the cheapest way to add foam at home. We compare battery and rechargeable whisks from UK retailers, with prices checked 3 Oct 2026.
Looking for the best handheld milk frother UK shops sell? A handheld frother is a small whisk on a stick. You dip it into milk, press the button and it spins fast enough to fold in air. It’s the cheapest way to put foam on a latte, and it works in hot or cold milk. The catch is that it doesn’t heat anything, so you warm the milk yourself first. The main choices are between battery and rechargeable models, and between a basic whisk and one with extra heads or a stand. We haven’t tested this in person. This guide is based on retailer listings, with prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Best handheld milk frother UK: the short answer
Get the Lakeland Foamie Rechargeable if you’d rather not buy batteries. Lakeland lists USB-C charging and a double whisk. It’s £9.99 at Lakeland, checked 3 Oct 2026. We cover it in more depth in our Lakeland Foamie review.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who forgets to charge things. A battery model can be swapped back to life in seconds.
Get the aerolatte Steam-Free if you want the simplest option. It was £10.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. It runs on two AA batteries, which John Lewis says aren’t included.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a stand or storage case in the box.
Choose the Bialetti Cordless Handheld Milk Whipper & Frother Set if you want speeds and spare heads. John Lewis lists USB charging, three speeds and two stainless steel heads. It was £30.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who only froths milk for one coffee a day. That’s a lot to pay for a whisk.
Skip a handheld if you want hot froth at the press of a button. A heating jug does both jobs; see our guide to the best milk frother under £50.
Who it isn’t for: if you already heat milk in a pan or microwave, a handheld fits right in.
Battery or rechargeable?
Battery models are easy to keep going: swap the cells and carry on. Check whether the batteries come in the box. John Lewis says the aerolatte Steam-Free needs two AA batteries that aren’t included, while the stainless aerolatte with stand includes them.
Rechargeable models skip the batteries but need a cable and a reminder to charge. The Lakeland Foamie uses USB-C, according to Lakeland, and the Bialetti set charges by USB, according to John Lewis.
Who it isn’t for: if you’re choosing on running costs alone, the difference is small either way.
The handhelds compared
- aerolatte Handheld Steam-Free Milk Frother: £10.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. Two AA batteries, not included. John Lewis says it works with plant milks too. See it at John Lewis
- Lakeland Foamie Rechargeable: £9.99 at Lakeland, checked 3 Oct 2026. USB-C charging, double whisk and a three-year guarantee, according to Lakeland. See it at Lakeland
- aerolatte To Go with storage tube: £12.99 at Lakeland, checked 3 Oct 2026. It comes with two AA batteries and a tube to keep it clean in a bag. See it at Lakeland
- aerolatte with Stand: £18.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. It’s listed for hot or cold milk. See it at John Lewis
- AdHoc Rapid Milk & Sauce Frother: £21.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. John Lewis lists 10,000 revolutions per minute and a dishwasher-safe whisk. See it at John Lewis
- aerolatte Battery-Operated Stainless with Kitchen Stand: £24.95 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. Two AA batteries included. See it at John Lewis
- AdHoc Rapid Stainless Steel Coffee Milk Frother: £29.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. Three AAA batteries, a dishwasher-safe whisk, and a case and stand. See it at John Lewis
- Bialetti Cordless Handheld Milk Whipper & Frother Set: £30.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. USB rechargeable, three speeds, two heads, an LED charge light and a two-year guarantee. John Lewis says not to submerge it. See it at John Lewis
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants silky, pourable microfoam for latte art. That needs a steam wand and a milk jug with a good spout.
How to get good foam from a handheld
- Heat the milk first if you want a hot drink. Don’t let it boil.
- Use a tall mug or jug, and fill it no more than about a third, as the milk will grow.
- Dip the whisk just under the surface before you switch it on, so it doesn’t spray.
- Hold it at a slight angle and move it up and down gently for about 20 to 30 seconds.
- Switch off before you lift it out, then tap the mug to knock out big bubbles.
For iced drinks, whisk cold milk straight from the fridge. See our guide to the best milk frother for cold foam for more on that.
Who it isn’t for: if you need foam for four drinks at once, a jug is quicker.
Cleaning a handheld
Run the whisk in a cup of warm water for a few seconds straight after use, then wipe it dry. Never put the handle in water. Some whisks are listed as dishwasher safe, such as the AdHoc models according to John Lewis, but check the instructions for yours.
Downsides to know about
- No heating. You still need a pan, microwave or kettle routine.
- Bigger bubbles. Expect a light, airy foam rather than café-style microfoam.
- Batteries. Some models don’t include them, so check before you buy.
- Splashing. A wide or shallow mug makes a mess.
Where to go next
- For heated froth, see our best milk frother guide.
FAQ
Do handheld milk frothers work with oat milk? They can. Barista-style plant milks are made to foam, and John Lewis says the aerolatte Steam-Free works with plant milks.
Can you froth cold milk with a handheld? Yes. Handhelds just whisk, so cold milk works for iced drinks.
Are handheld frothers dishwasher safe? Only the whisk, on some models, such as the AdHoc frothers according to John Lewis. Never put the handle in the dishwasher.
How long do the batteries last? John Lewis says the aerolatte Steam-Free gives about 150 uses from its batteries.