- Smeg's Mini Milk Frother is now available with a smart matte finish
- It froths hot and cold, and works with both dairy and plant-based milk
- It's on sale now for £129.95 (about $170 / AUS$250) direct from Smeg
If you enjoy a shot of espresso, but long for a luxurious latte in the morning, you'll be pleased to know that Smeg has given its compact Mini Milk Frother a fresh new look for 2026. The tiny appliance, which was originally available with a glossy black or white finish, is now also available with a satiny matte finish that looks smarter and is less prone to attracting fingerprints.
Manual espresso machines usually have a steam wand for frothing your milk, compact bean-to-cup machines (like the excellent Philips Baristina I reviewed recently) may not, leaving you with a perfectly brewed espresso but no means of turning it into a latte or cappuccino. It's the same story with even the best Nespresso machines; without anything extra, foam is out of the question.
That's where a standalone milk frother comes in. I've tested quite a few of these little gadgets as TechRadar's Homes Editor, and the Smeg Mini Milk Frother remains my favorite. It's particularly easy to use.
This little frother can be used with dairy or plant-based milk, which it heats to a consistent temperature of 140F / 60C while whisking it into a creamy foam. This is an ideal temperature for drinking, and means your coffee never tastes scalded or 'custardy'.
The Mini Milk Frother gives you the option to foam milk cold as well, which is excellent considering how many espresso machines now give you the option to brew with cold water rather than hot. Just add cold foam and a couple of ice cubes, and you've got an iced cappuccino in no time, at a fraction of the price of coffee shop drinks.
It's also a lot easier to use than a steam wand, making it a great option for anyone with limited mobility in their hands. Just pour in your milk, hit the large button, and away you go. When you're done, its non-stick coating makes it easy to clean; a quick rinse and wipe, and it's ready to use again.
My only complaints were that the fill level markings inside can be difficult to see, depending on the lighting in your kitchen, and unlike the more advanced (but also more expensive) Dreo Baristamaker, you can't choose the texture of your finished foam.
The new-look Mini Milk Frother is available now direct from Smeg for £129.95 (about $170 / AU$250. If you'd rather stick with the original glossy finish, there's a choice of colors, including red, cream, and pastel green for $200 / £99.95 / AU$169.
