Nespresso Aeroccino 3 vs. Aeroccino 4: Which Should You Buy?

Aeroccino 3 or Aeroccino 4: Buttons and the Dishwasher

The Aeroccino 4 has four buttons, one for each preparation: cold foam, hot milk, airy foam for cappuccino and dense foam for latte macchiato. Its jug, lid and whisk go in the dishwasher (up to 158 °F / 70 °C). The Aeroccino 3 has one button, a whisk with a removable spring, and its manual says plainly: "Do not clean in dishwasher." Both froth up to 120 ml (4 oz) of milk.

So the choice is mostly about how many drink styles you make and how you want to clean up. Nespresso's own comparison pages agree on that much, though they disagree about one number, covered below.

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Side by Side

The capacities, controls and cleaning rules come from the two manuals. The finishes come from Nespresso's customer FAQs.

About the Aeroccino 3's hot-milk maximum: one Nespresso FAQ gives both models 240 ml for hot milk; another gives the Aeroccino 3 only 120 ml. The Aeroccino 3 manual we read shows the levels as marks on the jug rather than numbers, so follow the marks on yours.

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Using Them

Aeroccino 4 (from its manual):

1. Fit the whisk and fill to one of two levels: Max foam 120 ml or Max milk 240 ml.
2. Put the lid on. Make sure the connector under the jug is dry, then set it on the base. All four buttons light.
3. Press a button. It blinks while working and goes steady when done: about 80 seconds for foam (hot or cold) and 150 seconds for hot milk.
4. Stop at any time by pressing the button or lifting the jug.

It switches itself off after 9 minutes of non-use; press any button to wake it.

Aeroccino 3: one button, and the whisk with its removable spring. The manual shows its steps as pictures, so we haven't listed button timings for it.

Milk for both: cold, pasteurised, fresh semi-skimmed milk at 4-6 °C (39-43 °F) works best; the Aeroccino 3 manual also lists whole milk. Frozen milk won't froth. Don't put syrup, sugar or chocolate powder in the jug. The Aeroccino 4 manual says additives may damage the coating.

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Cleaning: The Real Day-to-Day Difference

On both, the base is wiped with a damp cloth, unplugged, and never immersed. Dry the bottom of the jug and the connector before putting it back: both manuals say it won't start with wet connectors.

Neither manual mentions descaling, and neither has a reset.

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Warning Lights and Fixes

Stop using it if it has been dropped. Both manuals warn that water can get into the electrical compartment through small cracks. In the US, call Nespresso at 1-800-562-1465; in Canada, 1-855-325-5781.

More: Aeroccino not working · Aeroccino leaking.

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Which Should You Buy?

• Choose the Aeroccino 4 if you make several milk styles and want each on its own button, or want to put the jug in the dishwasher.
• Choose the Aeroccino 3 if one button covers what you drink and you're happy to hand-wash.

We haven't compared prices; they vary by region and bundle.

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FAQ

Is the Aeroccino 3 dishwasher safe?

No. Its manual says "Do not clean in dishwasher." The Aeroccino 4's jug, lid and whisk can go in at up to 70 °C (158 °F), but never the base.

Why is my Aeroccino 4 blinking red on all buttons?

It's the error signal. It's too hot (rinse the jug under cool water), there isn't enough milk, or there's water on the base. If it keeps blinking, call Nespresso.

Can the Aeroccino make cold foam?

Yes, both can. On the Aeroccino 4 it's the Cold Macchiato button. Nespresso's FAQs list cold foam for the Aeroccino 3 as well.

Does the Aeroccino need descaling?

Neither manual mentions descaling. Clean the jug and whisk after every use instead.

Do the whisks swap between models?

Neither manual says they do. The Aeroccino 3 uses a whisk with a removable spring, and the Aeroccino 4 uses one whisk for all preparations.

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Related Nespresso Guides

• Nespresso Aeroccino Not Working?
• Nespresso Aeroccino Leaking?
• Nespresso Milk Frother Not Working?
• Creatista Uno vs Plus vs Pro: if you want the frother built into the machine

Sources: Nespresso Aeroccino 4 manual (US/Canada specifications); Nespresso Aeroccino 3 manual (EU edition, model 3594); Nespresso customer FAQs "What is the difference between Aeroccino 3 and Aeroccino 4?" (Singapore and Malaysia editions).