## Common ground
All options are devices designed to create foam in milk, typically using electrical or thermal energy.
## Options at a glance
**8479.82 – Industrial foam maker**
- **Defining trait:** Built for continuous, high-volume commercial use (e.g., cafes).
- **Typical examples:** Commercial espresso machine attachments, bulk milk frothers in restaurants.
- **Best fit when:** Used in professional settings with frequent, large-scale operation.
**8509.40/8509.80 – Motor-driven household frother**
- **Defining trait:** Uses an electric motor to spin a whisk or impeller for foam creation.
- **Typical examples:** Handheld milk frothers, automatic espresso machine attachments.
- **Best fit when:** Requires mechanical agitation via rotating parts; common in home coffee makers.
**8516.79 – Electrothermic household frother**
- **Defining trait:** Heats milk using electrical resistance (heating element) to create foam.
- **Typical examples:** Electric milk warmers with built-in frothing function, warming jugs with foam mode.
- **Best fit when:** Foam is created by heating and bubbling, not mechanical agitation.
## Key differences
| Feature | 8479.82 (Industrial) | 8509.40/8509.80 (Motor-driven) | 8516.79 (Electrothermic) |
|-----------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------|
| Primary mechanism | High-power motor & pump | Rotating whisk or impeller | Heating element |
| Typical use | Commercial | Home, with motor action | Home, with heat-based foam |
| Heat generation | Minimal | Some friction | Significant |
## How to choose
- Does it use a spinning motor to create foam? → 8509.40/8509.80
- Is it designed for cafes or restaurants with heavy daily use? → 8479.82
- Does it heat the milk significantly to form foam (e.g., via boiling or bubbling)? → 8516.79
## Overlaps & pitfalls
A device may combine heating and motor action (e.g., a heated frother with a spinning whisk), which could fit both 8509.40/8509.80 and 8516.79. In such cases, prioritize the **main function**: if foam is made by heat, choose 8516.79; if by motion, choose 8509.40/8509.80. If unclear, use context to decide