A milk frother can be a small handheld whisk or a separate appliance that may heat as well as froth. Those are different routines. Before buying, decide whether you need heating, frothing or both, and whether an existing tool already handles part of the job.
A handheld model usually needs a suitable container and a separate heating method if you want warm milk. An automatic jug-style model may combine steps, but it has its own minimum and maximum quantities. The maximum for frothing may differ from the maximum for heating because the contents expand.
Leave room for the foam
Use the fill marks and instructions for the selected mode. A container filled near the top before frothing can overflow as the volume changes. With a handheld tool, use a vessel deep enough for the intended movement and follow the device's guidance to reduce splashing.
Different milk products can behave differently. Do not assume every dairy or plant-based option will produce the same texture, or that a frother guarantees a particular café-style result. Follow product and appliance guidance, then adjust one part of your routine at a time.
Check the controls and any automatic shutoff behavior. A warming setting is not a general food-safety holding system. Prepare an amount you intend to use and handle remaining milk according to appropriate storage guidance.
Wash before residue becomes stubborn
Milk can leave residue around a whisk, seal or coated jug. Clean the parts promptly using the manufacturer's method, keeping electrical components dry as required. A removable whisk needs a place to dry where it will not be lost among larger utensils.
Check whether replacement whisks, lids or seals are available for the exact model. A small missing component can make a larger appliance unusable. For a battery-powered tool, keep the battery type and replacement procedure accessible.
If you make an occasional milk drink, a compact handheld tool may suit the task. If you regularly want the combined heating-and-frothing routine, a jug-style model may earn its space. Either way, the cleaning step should be part of the purchase rather than a surprise after the first cup.