Mark MorphewMany home baristas struggle to get a pitcher of perfectly textured milk foam. You need to master the proper technique, invest in a good espresso machine that can produce enough consistent steam, and let’s not forget you need to also buy a good quality frothing jug.
Even with all of the right tools, becoming skilled at the art of frothing milk takes time and practice.
The problem is that many of us have hectic lives and early mornings are often a time of chaos and school runs. The last thing you want to do is stand over your coffee machine, patiently trying to froth a jug of milk.
You Need A Nespresso Aeroccino Milk Frother
For mornings when time is short, and multitasking is a must, getting yourself a hands-free electric milk frother will be a godsend.
I suspect if you’ve landed on this page, you already know that. You’ve already decided that a Nespresso Aeroccino is exactly what you need to relieve some of the stress from those crazy mornings.
But you’re stuck deciding whether to buy the Aeroccino 3 or the Aeroccino 4.
Although both do look very similar, a few features set them apart. In this Aeroccino comparison, I have taken a closer look at both.
By the time you reach the end, you should have a clear idea of which of the Nespresso Aeroccino milk frothers will be best for your needs.
What Is An Aeroccino?
Do you really know what a Nespresso Aeroccino is? Sure, you’ve probably read on Reddit or some other forum that it’s a device that froths milk, but apart from that, do you know anything else?
Here’s a quick rundown.
You’ve probably heard of the name “Nespresso” they’re the same company behind those iconic coffee pod machines; I bet you’ve even got one sitting on your kitchen counter.
The Aeroccino is another line of products Nespresso produces that compliments their coffee pod machine range. With the capsule coffee machine, you basically have a shot of coffee with a push of a button, and the Aeroccino operates in the same way.
Add your milk, push a button and return a short while later to a jug of frothed milk.
Nespresso has had a few devices with the now discontinued Aeroccino Plus, the Aeroccino 3, and the newest addition, the Aeroccino 4.
There is a lesser-known Nespresso Barista that follows a recipe via Bluetooth on a phone app and combines milk, coffee, and even syrups, but the Nespresso Barista is a different beast entirely. And the price tag is enough to scare most people away.
If you just want some quick frothy milk, stick with either the Aeroccino 3 or 4.
What Is The Difference Between Aeroccino 3 And 4?
So which Nespresso milk frother will be the best fit for you? The Aeroccino 3 or the 4?
Below I have delved deeper and taken a closer look at the features and functions each Aeroccino offers. I have even included a handy chart so you can quickly see a side-by-side comparison of both frothing devices.
Aeroccino 3 Milk Frother
The Nespresso Aeroccino 3 was initially released in 2012 and was the successor to the now discontinued Aeroccino Plus.
The Aeroccino 3 is simple to use; it is almost foolproof. There’s not a lot that can go wrong with one single button and a lid.
To produce hot milk foam, you simply press down on the button located on the side for one second until it lights up red.
With the Aeroccino 3, It’s also possible to make cold frothed milk for iced coffee and cold brew. Just press down on the button for 2 seconds until it lights up blue.
The Aeroccino 3 comes with one whisk, which has a spring that needs to be removed depending on the type of milk froth you want. The original version shipped with two separate whisks. However, the Aeroccino3 was later redesigned to accommodate one whisk, which can be converted.
The spring can be stored on the underside of the lid. With the spring removed, you can create steamed milk with less froth/foam, perfect for lattes.
One thing I don’t like is the lack of a handle which can make pouring your milk slightly challenging, especially if you have damp hands. The outer body does have a ribbed design, but I found that that offered minimal additional grip.
One of the drawbacks of the Aeroccino 3 frother is it isn’t dishwasher safe, so you can only hand wash and wipe down the unit with a damp cloth. Not a deal breaker, but definitely something to keep in mind.
Comparing it to the Aeroccino 4, the 3 does feel less durable with the body being made from plastic. Plus, the stainless jug inside has a Teflon non-stick coating, which isn’t ideal.
As you would expect, with the Aeroccino 3 frother being the older model, there is a noticeable price difference. So if you can get past the plastic body and it not being dishwasher safe, the Aeroccino 3 is still a good option for frothing milk with a lower price point compared to the Aeroccino 4.
Aeroccino 4 Milk Frother
In 2016, Nespresso released the Aeroccino 4, which has been completely redesigned with added features and functions. They have done away with the plastic body and instead opted for a more durable full stainless steel body.
Another change with the design is the inside of the jug, which is now coated with a ceramic non-stick coating – far better than the Teflon coating.
Like the Aeroccino 3, you can make two densities of milk foam using one whisk. However, with the Aeroccino 4, there is no need to mess around removing a spring, and everything functions without changing anything on the whisk.
Another key difference is the function buttons, which are now located on a separate base that is much easier to use than the single button operation in Aero 3.
There is no long or short pressing required with the Aeroccino 4; you simply press the button on the base for cold milk foam, steamed milk, latte macchiato, and light and airy warm foam for cappuccino.
It’s worth mentioning that the Aeroccino 4 comes with two more milk frothing options versus the Aeroccino 3 – More functionality is always better!
It’s also nice to see a handle on the Aeroccino 4; it makes pouring milk and even doing latte art much easier.
When it comes to cleaning, the Aeroccino 4 detaches from the base and is dishwasher safe. However, the base with the power cord still needs to be wiped down with a damp cloth.
In large part, the Nespresso Aeroccino 4 is a considerable upgrade from the Aeroccino 3.
Regarding the overall design, added functions, and features, it’s hard not to recommend the newer Nespresso Aeroccino 4 to anyone trying to decide which of these milk frothers to buy.
Aeroccino Feature Comparison Chart
| Nespresso Aeroccino 3 | |
| Construction | Plastic body, interior Teflon non-stick coating. |
| Frothing Options | 1 hot and 1 cold foam. |
| Cleanup | Hand wash only. |
| Handle | No, ribbed body for grip. |
| Pouring Spout | Pouring spout – No. |
| Whisk | One whisk with a removable spring for different preparations. |
| Nespresso Aeroccino 4 | |
| Construction | Stainless steel, interior ceramic non-stick coating. |
| Frothing Options | 2 hot and 1 cold foam. |
| Cleanup | Dishwasher safe. |
| Handle | Yes. |
| Pouring Spout | Yes. |
| Whisk | One single whisk for all preparations. |
Is The Nespresso Aeroccino Worth It?
Only you can answer that.
If you find that you’re spending a small fortune on lattes or cappuccinos at your high street coffee house and you want to save a few bucks by creating the same coffee-based drinks at home, then yes, the Nespresso’s Aeroccino milk frother is going to be a great buy. And you will make the money back on your initial investment pretty quickly.
These electric milk frothing devices are both very capable of what they are designed to do. The Nespresso Aeroccino 3 and Aeroccino 4 are easy to use and take up very little counter space.
Simplicity is where both excel, removing all guesswork from creating a large batch of frothy milk foam – They’re almost a “plug and play” gadget.
However, if you are a home coffee enthusiast who wants more control over the milk microfoam, the Aeroccino might not be a good choice, and you might be better off investing in a good espresso machine with a built-in steam wand.
Conclusion: Aeroccino 3 vs 4
The Aeroccino 4 has a ton of added features and design elements that definitely make it a step up from the Aeroccino 3.
But innovation comes at a price. If you have the budget, I would absolutely recommend spending a bit more to buy the newer Aeroccino 4 milk frother.
But if money is tight, the older Aeroccino 3 model is still capable of whipping up a batch of hot milk foam at about two-thirds the cost of the new Aeroccino 4 frother.
If you are okay with not having a pouring spout to aid in creating latte art and you’re okay with manually removing the spring when making different types of milk foam, the Aeroccino 3 is still good value.
Also, it’s worth bearing in mind that If you are planning to buy a new Nespresso coffee capsule machine, you can often find a bundle with an Aeroccino frother for even better value.
When he's not fiddling around with a new coffee gadget, you'll find him busy doing DIY projects around the home and taking his German Shepherd for a walk, who funnily enough is called Kona!
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Since the creation of the Bean Ground coffee blog in 2014, Mark and a small circle of coffee hobbyists have rigorously tested, reviewed, and researched coffee gear. In most cases, they have purchased the items themselves with the sole intention of rating and evaluating.
In that time, they have built up a list of quality points to look for and what makes specific equipment better than others. They cut through the noise and marketing hype that often surrounds products to give you their unbiased opinions so you can make clear decisions on your next purchase.
