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Coffee Gear Scout

Breville Milk Café vs Nespresso Aeroccino 3

Both turn cold milk into warm, soft foam at the press of a button, so you can enjoy café-style drinks with any brewer. The difference is how much milk they handle, how much control you get, and how you clean them.

By Coffee Gear Scout Editors · Specs checked · Researched from manufacturer specifications, not hands-on tested

Quick answer

Choose the Breville Milk Café if you make several milk drinks at once or want to choose the temperature: it has a temperature dial, two frothing discs and a dishwasher-safe jug (per Breville). Choose the Nespresso Aeroccino 3 for one or two drinks in a small kitchen: one button, up to 120 ml of froth or 240 ml of hot milk (per Nespresso), but it must be cleaned by hand.

Choose the Milk Café Milk Frother if…

  • You make milk drinks for the whole household
  • You'd like to choose the milk temperature
  • Dishwasher cleaning matters to you
  • You want separate latte and cappuccino textures
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Choose the Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother if…

  • It's usually one or two drinks at a time
  • Your counter space is precious
  • One button is all the control you want
  • Cold foam for iced coffee sounds fun
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Side-by-side comparison

Breville Milk Café vs Nespresso Aeroccino 3: side-by-side comparison
Attribute Breville Milk Café Milk Frother (opens Amazon in a new tab) Breville Milk Café Milk Frother Researched Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother (opens Amazon in a new tab) Nespresso Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother Researched
Capacity
Capacity A roomy jug for several drinks Up to 120 ml froth or 240 ml hot milk (per Nespresso)
Temperature
Temperature Adjustable dial Fixed
Textures
Textures Latte and cappuccino discs Hot foam, hot milk or cold foam
Heating
Heating Induction (per Breville) Heated base
Cleaning
Cleaning Jug is dishwasher safe (per Breville) Hand clean only; don't immerse (per Nespresso)
Size
Size About 6.4 × 7.5 × 10.4 in (per Breville) About 9 cm across, 17 cm tall (per Nespresso)
Dimensions (W × D × H)
Dimensions (W × D × H) 163 × 191 × 264 mm —
Voltage (US version)
Voltage (US version) 110–120V —
Makes
Makes Milk drinks Milk drinks
Maintenance
Maintenance Low Low
Learning curve
Learning curve Beginner Beginner
Best for
Best for Households that make several milk drinks at once, or anyone pairing a frother with a machine that has no steam wand. One or two milk drinks at a time, small kitchens, and anyone who loves a simple one-button routine.
Where to buy
Where to buy

$199.95 on Amazon

Price as of – Details

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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$72.99 on Amazon

Only 15 left in stock - order soon.

Price as of – Details

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

View on Amazon.com (opens Amazon.com in a new tab, affiliate link)

Check the current price on the retailer's site. Affiliate link.

Which should you choose?

For households and anyone who loves a big, warm mug, the Breville Milk Café is the generous choice: more milk, a temperature dial, and a jug that goes in the dishwasher. For one or two drinks and a tidy counter, the Nespresso Aeroccino 3 is the delightfully simple one: press a button, enjoy your foam.

Either way: start with cold, fresh milk, and try a "barista" oat milk if you prefer plant milk. It's made to foam beautifully.

New to frothing? Read our gentle guide on how to froth milk at home.

Frequently asked questions

Which frother makes more milk, the Milk Café or the Aeroccino 3?

The Breville Milk Café has a much roomier jug for several drinks. The Aeroccino 3 froths up to 120 ml or heats up to 240 ml, according to Nespresso.

Which is easier to clean?

The Milk Café: Breville says its jug is dishwasher safe. The Aeroccino 3 must be cleaned by hand, and Nespresso says not to immerse it.

Can either make cold foam?

The Aeroccino 3 makes cold foam as well as hot foam and hot milk.

Can I set the temperature?

On the Milk Café, yes, with its dial. The Aeroccino 3 heats to a fixed temperature.

Do they work with plant milk?

Yes, many plant milks froth well in both, especially "barista" versions of oat and soy.

Milk Café Milk Frother (view on Amazon.com, opens in a new tab, affiliate link) Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother (view on Amazon.com, opens in a new tab, affiliate link)