The best gadget I bought this year is a milk frother
News Source
β’2026-10-18T09:00:00-04:00
π° What Happened
A Verge reporter bought a $14 handheld milk frother and says it is the best gadget she bought this year. She first tried a cream-topped iced Americano at a cafe in Los Angeles and wanted to make one at home.
The frother looks like a small blender stick. You put milk in a glass, press the button and hold it until the foam is thick. It takes about 30 seconds to a minute with fresh batteries.
She also uses it to beat eggs, mix protein powder and make hot chocolate.
π The Backstory
The cream top comes from a Viennese coffee drink called the Einspanner, named after a one-horse carriage. Whipped cream kept the drivers' coffee warm in the cold.
The drink became popular in South Korea with iced versions, then spread to the US. Starbucks helped by selling cold foam drinks. A cream top sits between light latte foam and heavy whipped cream, so it drips slowly into the coffee.
π― Why It Matters
You do not need an expensive machine to make cafe-style drinks. A cheap tool and a few minutes can change a daily habit.
A Verge reporter bought a $14 handheld milk frother and says it is the best gadget she bought this year. She first tried a cream-topped iced Americano at a cafe in Los Angeles and wanted to make one at home.
The frother looks like a small blender stick. You put milk in a glass, press the button and hold it until the foam is thick. It takes about 30 seconds to a minute with fresh batteries.
She also uses it to beat eggs, mix protein powder and make hot chocolate.
The cream top comes from a Viennese coffee drink called the Einspanner, named after a one-horse carriage. Whipped cream kept the drivers' coffee warm in the cold.
The drink became popular in South Korea with iced versions, then spread to the US. Starbucks helped by selling cold foam drinks. A cream top sits between light latte foam and heavy whipped cream, so it drips slowly into the coffee.
You do not need an expensive machine to make cafe-style drinks. A cheap tool and a few minutes can change a daily habit.