Guide · Milk frothers
Best milk frother for cold foam: jugs and whisks for iced drinks
Cold foam needs a frother that can whip milk without heating it. We compare UK jugs with a cold setting and handheld whisks, with prices checked 3 Oct 2026.
The best milk frother for cold foam is one that can whip milk into a thick, spoonable layer without warming it. Cold foam sits on top of iced lattes and cold brew, and it’s become a common café option. At home, you have two routes. A frother jug with a cold setting spins the milk with a magnetic whisk and switches the heater off. A handheld whisk does the same job in a glass, for a fraction of the price. We haven’t tested this in person. This guide is based on retailer listings and maker specs, with prices checked 3 Oct 2026. Read how we compare.
Best milk frother for cold foam: the short answer
Get the Dualit Milk Frother Max if you want a big jug with a dedicated cold froth function. John Lewis lists 580ml and a dial to set how much froth you get. It was £99.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026, and £98.99 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026, prices can change.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who only makes one iced drink at a time. A smaller jug or a whisk will do.
Get the Smeg MFF11 if you want lots of programmes and iced drinks are part of the plan. Currys lists six programmes, 600ml of milk or 250ml of froth, and mentions iced coffees. It was from £149.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026, depending on colour. Our Smeg MFF11 review has the detail.
Who it isn’t for: anyone on a budget. Cold foam doesn’t need a jug at this price.
Choose the Melitta Cremio II if you want a cheaper jug with a cold option. Currys lists cold froth, 250ml and a dishwasher-safe jug. It was £46.99 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: anyone making cold foam for the whole household in one go.
Skip a jug if cold foam is an occasional treat. The aerolatte Steam-Free was £10.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants hot milk too, as a handheld doesn’t heat.
What makes a frother good for cold foam
- A true cold setting. Some jugs only froth while heating. Look for “cold froth” or “cold foam” in the listing.
- Froth capacity, not milk capacity. Froth fills far more space than milk, so check the froth figure.
- Easy cleaning. A dishwasher-safe jug saves time if you make cold foam most days.
Who it isn’t for: if you mostly want hot lattes, see our best milk frother guide instead.
Jugs with a cold setting
- Smeg MFF11: from £149.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026, depending on colour, and £149.97 in black at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026, prices can change. Currys lists six programmes, and John Lewis says it comes with two whisks for hot or cold drinks. See it at John Lewis
- Dualit Milk Frother Max: £99.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. John Lewis lists a cold milk froth function, and Dualit says a dial sets the amount of froth from zero to maximum. See it at John Lewis
- Smeg MFF02: £99.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026, and £99.95 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. Currys lists 120ml of cold froth, 120ml of hot froth, 180ml of hot milk and 500W. See it at Currys
- Lavazza Milk Easy Plus: £59.99 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026. John Lewis lists four modes including Cold Cappuccino, and Lavazza says it’s approved by Alpro for plant-based drinks. See it at John Lewis
- Melitta Cremio II: £46.99 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026. Cold froth, 250ml, dishwasher safe. See it at Currys
- Salter EK6359: £24.99 at Currys, checked 3 Oct 2026, prices can change. Currys lists cold foam, hot froth, full foam and part foam, and 300ml. See it at Currys
More jugs with cold options are in our guide to the best milk frother under £50.
Who it isn’t for: anyone short on cupboard space. Jugs need a base and a plug socket.
Handhelds for cold foam
A handheld whisk works in cold milk straight from the fridge. Use a tall glass, keep the whisk just under the surface, and move it gently up and down until the milk thickens. It won’t be as dense as foam from a jug, but it’s fine on an iced latte. The aerolatte Steam-Free was £10.00 at John Lewis, checked 3 Oct 2026, and the Lakeland Foamie Rechargeable is £9.99 at Lakeland, checked 3 Oct 2026. Our guide to the best handheld milk frother compares more.
Who it isn’t for: if you want café-thick foam every time, a jug is more consistent.
How to make cold foam at home
- Pour cold milk into the jug or a tall glass. Keep it below the froth line on a jug.
- Choose the cold setting, or whisk by hand for about 30 seconds.
- Add a little syrup before frothing if you like it sweet.
- Spoon the foam over iced coffee or cold brew.
Results vary by milk. Barista-style versions of plant milks are made to foam, and standard versions may collapse sooner.
Who it isn’t for: anyone who wants a fixed recipe. Expect to adjust the milk and timing.
Downsides to know about
- Not every jug does cold. Check the listing for a cold setting before you buy.
- Small froth batches. The Smeg MFF02 makes 120ml of cold froth, according to Currys.
- Prices change. Currys prices here were checked on 3 Oct 2026 and can change.
- Handhelds give lighter foam. They suit occasional use better than daily batches.
Where to go next
- Making iced drinks often? Look at a cold brew coffee maker too.
FAQ
Can any milk frother make cold foam? No. Some jugs only froth while heating. Look for a cold froth setting, or use a handheld whisk.
What milk is best for cold foam? It depends on taste. Barista-style plant milks are designed to foam, and dairy milk works in most frothers.
Is a handheld frother good enough for cold foam? For the odd iced drink, yes. A jug gives thicker, more even foam.
Can you put syrup in a milk frother? Check your frother’s manual first. Some makers advise against adding anything but milk to the jug.