How the NanoScreen works

Most handheld frothers are spinning whisks. They beat air into milk and give you stiff, dry foam with visible bubbles, which sits on top of the drink instead of blending into it. The NanoFoamer works differently: the impeller drives milk through a fine stainless steel mesh (the NanoScreen), which shears large bubbles down into microfoam with the wet, paint-like texture a steam wand produces. That texture is what allows the milk to fold into the espresso and hold a pattern when you pour.

One thing to plan for: the GO textures milk but does not heat it. You warm the milk first, on the hob or in the microwave, then foam it for roughly 30 seconds. The GO ships with the Superfine NanoScreen, which is the size Subminimal sells most of.

Three heads, two speeds

The head clicks off the shaft, so the same handle covers three different tasks. With the NanoScreen fitted you get microfoam for cappuccinos and flat whites, or cold foam for iced drinks. Swap to the bare mixing impeller and it dissolves matcha, cocoa and protein powder without lumps. The whisk impeller handles cream, mayonnaise, vinaigrettes and eggs. Two speeds let you dial back the aeration when a drink needs less air.

GO or NanoFoamer Lithium?

Both use the same patented NanoScreen technology and both charge over USB-C. The GO is the compact one: slimmer impellers, a smaller battery, and a case included as standard. Subminimal notes the smaller impeller diameter means the reduced battery capacity still gives long runtime. Choose the Lithium if it lives permanently on your kitchen bench and you want the larger body to hold; choose the GO if it travels, or if you want the mixing and whisk heads in the box.

Pouring, cleaning and spares

Texture is only half of latte art; the rest is the jug. A spouted pitcher such as the Subminimal Handleless FlowTip Milk Jug gives you the flow control the GO’s microfoam deserves, and a wide, round-bottomed cup like one from the Loveramics Egg Series gives the pattern room to spread. Cleaning is a matter of spinning the impeller under running water. The IPX-4 rating means splashes on the handle are fine. Subminimal sells the NanoScreen kit and the shaft as separate spare parts, and the battery is changed by unscrewing the cap at the back and pushing the mechanism out.

Specifications