Is the Zulay Original Milk Frother worth it?
Yes, if you want café-style foam for lattes, matcha or hot chocolate without buying an espresso machine. The Zulay handheld frother is inexpensive, fast and easy to clean. If you want silky microfoam for latte art or hot milk at the push of a button, an electric milk frother that heats and froths together is the better choice.
Getting good foam
Heat the milk first, but don't boil it. Milk that's warm but not scalding foams best; very hot milk produces large bubbles that collapse quickly. Fill your container only about a third full, because the milk will expand as it foams.
Start with the whisk just below the surface and hold the container at a slight angle to create a vortex. Once it has expanded, lower the whisk to break up big bubbles. Tapping the cup on the counter afterward helps settle the foam.
Choosing the right milk
Prote in drives foam. Whole and low-fat dairy milk both foam well; whole milk gives a richer, creamier texture. Among plant milks, barista versions of oat and soy milk foam best because they're formulated for it, while regular almond milk tends to produce th in foam that fades fast.
Cold foam for iced drinks works too. Froth cold skim or low-fat milk for the stiffest result.
Its limits
A handheld frother doesn't heat milk, so you'll need a microwave or stove. The foam is airier than the dense microfoam a steam wand produces, which means it's great for cappuccino-style drinks but not ideal for pouring latte art.
It runs on batteries, so strength falls off as they drain. Weak, slow spinning is almost always a battery issue.
Getting the most from it
- Fill the cup no more than a third full to leave room for the foam to expand.
- Use barista-style oat or soy milk if you want plant-based foam that holds.
- Clean it immediately by running it in warm, soapy water, then rinse and dry.
- Replace the batteries when it starts to sp in noticeably slower.
Alternatives to the Zulay Original Milk Frother
Products ranked near it in our research, each better for a slightly different buyer.
Buying advice: milk frothers
- 1Handheld wands suit occasional use. Electric frothers suit daily lattes and cold foam. Steam wands suit espresso enthusiasts.
- 2Jug frothers with interchangeable whisks can make thick cappuccino foam or flatter latte milk.
- 3Check the maximum froth volume. It is smaller than the heating volume because milk expands.
- 4Nonstick interiors are easiest to rinse. Dishwasher-safe jugs save time but are less common.
- 5Barista editions of oat and soy milk froth more reliably than standard cartons.
Read the full guides
- How to Choose a Milk Frother
- Milk Frothers Buying Guide
- Milk Frother Leaking
- Milk Frother Not Frothing Thick Enough
- Milk Frother Not Heating Milk
More milk frothers shortlists
- Best Milk Frothers for Cold Foam
- Best Milk Frothers for Lattes at Home
- Best Milk Frothers for Matcha
- Best Milk Frothers for Oat Milk
- Best Milk Frothers Under $30
- Best Milk Frothers Under $50
Our picks
Products we recommend
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports.
Zulay
The Zulay makes real cold foam with zero heat risk for a fraction of a dedicated cold-mode machine's price.
- Handheld battery-powered whisk
- Never applies heat, ideal for cold-only use
- Works directly in a tall glass or cup
- Under $15
✓ Pros
- Never heats the milk at all, so there's zero risk of accidentally warming a cold foam batch
- Full manual control over whisking time to dial in foam density
- Works directly in the cup the iced drink is being built in
- Cheapest dedicated route to cafe-style cold foam
✕ Cons
- Takes more manual effort and time (30 to 45 seconds of active whisking) than a one-button countertop cycle
- Foam can be inconsistent between batches depending on whisking technique
- Splashes more than a closed jug system if used in a narrow glass
Nespresso
The Aeroccino4's cold mode is calibrated specifically for dense, stable foam without any heat.
- Dedicated cold froth mode
- Non-stick jug rated for cold use
- Induction motor with no heating in cold mode
- One-button operation
✓ Pros
- Only countertop model in this list with a purpose-built cold froth setting
- Produces noticeably denser, longer-lasting foam than whisking cold milk on a general setting
- Same jug handles hot froth for other drinks, so it isn't a single-purpose appliance
✕ Cons
- No manual control over whisk duration, the cold cycle runs a fixed length
- Non-stick coating needs hand washing to avoid scratches over time
PowerLix
A battery-powered whisk wand for quick foam, matcha and prote in drinks.
✓ Pros
- Very cheap
- Works with hot or cold drinks
- Great for whisking matcha
- Stand included
✕ Cons
- Doesn't heat milk
- Needs AA batteries
- Foam is less fine than a jug frother
Maestri House
A rechargeable handheld frother with stepless speed control and three whisk heads.
✓ Pros
- Rechargeable, no batteries
- Stepless speed control
- Three whisk heads
- Good for matcha and prote in shakes
✕ Cons
- Doesn't heat milk
- Needs charging
- Less fine foam than a jug
Bodum
The Bodum Bistro heats and froths reliably for a fraction of the Breville's price.
- 10-ounce stainless steel body
- Non-stick interior whisk chamber
- Single-button heat and froth cycle
- Cord storage in the base
✓ Pros
- Simple single button, nothing to learn or misconfigure
- Compact enough for small kitchens or a shelf
✕ Cons
- Foam is denser and less fine than induction-disc models
- No cappuccino/latte-specific settings
- Non-stick coating needs gentle hand cleaning, not dishwasher-safe on most versions
Best overallBreville
The Breville Milk Cafe gets closest to cafe microfoam with the least manual effort.
- Induction heating with spinning disc technology
- Separate latte and cappuccino froth discs
- Adjustable temperature dial
- Automatic shut-off at target temperature
- Dishwasher-safe jug
✓ Pros
- Latte disc produces genuinely fine, glossy microfoam closest to a steam wand in this list
- Induction heating warms milk evenly without scorching the bottom
- Dishwasher-safe jug removes the most tedious part of frother ownership
- Temperature dial lets you match milk heat to personal preference
✕ Cons
- Larger footprint takes real counter space
- Two discs to keep track of and swap between drink styles
FAQ
Common questions
Can the Zulay frother heat milk?
No. It only froths. Warm your milk in the microwave or on the stove first, then froth it.
Why won't my milk foam?
Usually the milk is too hot, the wrong type, or the batteries are weak. Try whole or skim dairy milk, or a barista plant milk, warmed but not boiling.
How do I clean a handheld milk frother?
Run the whisk in a cup of warm, soapy water for a few seconds, then in clean water, and let it dry. Keep the handle and battery compartment away from water.
Is the Zulay Original Milk Frother worth buying?
Yes, for the right buyer. The Zulay Original Milk Frother ranks #1 in our Best Milk Frothers for Matcha list (top pick). Its biggest strength: never heats the milk at all, so there's zero risk of accidentally warming a cold foam batch. The ma in caveat: takes more manual effort and time (30 to 45 seconds of active whisking) than a one-button countertop cycle.
Who is the Zulay Original Milk Frother best for?
Based on our research it suits matcha, budgets under $30, cold foam and budgets under $50. It's ranked #1 of 4 in our Best Milk Frothers for Matcha list.
What are the downsides of the Zulay Original Milk Frother?
The ma in trade-offs owners and reviewers point to: takes more manual effort and time (30 to 45 seconds of active whisking) than a one-button countertop cycle; foam can be inconsistent between batches depending on whisking technique; splashes more than a closed jug system if used in a narrow glass.
What are the key features of the Zulay Original Milk Frother?
Handheld battery-powered whisk, Never applies heat, ideal for cold-only use, Works directly in a tall glass or cup and Under $15.
What are the best alternatives to the Zulay Original Milk Frother?
Worth comparing: Nespresso Aeroccino4, PowerLix Handheld Milk Frother with Stand and Maestri House LunaFro 2.0 Rechargeable Milk Frother. Each ranks near it in our research for a slightly different buyer.
Where can I buy the Zulay Original Milk Frother?
It's sold on Amazon. Prices and stock change often, so check the current listing before you buy, our link takes you straight to it.
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