In this Best Ice Cream Makers Review we will not only use a comparison chart to show the pros and cons of the top ice cream appliances, but we'll also look at the specs and capacities of each.
So what is the best ice cream maker? Here is the popular top pick from each category!
| Name | Image | Capacity | Pre-Freezing | Price | Rating ( /5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YayLabs Ice Cream Ball |  |
2 cups | not required | $$ | 4.3 |
| Nostalgia Vintage Ice Cream Maker |  |
16 cups | not required | $$ | 4.4 |
| Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt Sorbet and Ice Cream Maker |  |
8 cups | yes | $$ | 4.6 |
| KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment |  |
8 cups | yes | $$ | 4.3 |
| Musso Lussino Ice Cream Maker |  |
6 cups | not required | $$$ | 4.6 |
| Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker |  |
6 cups | not required | $$$ | 4.4 |
Price Range: $ = Under $50, $$ = $50-100, $$$ = $100+
If you have ever researched how to make ice cream at home, you have probably also wondered what the best ice cream maker for home use might be.
Today we'll break down exactly what to look for when buying an ice cream machine. We'll look at the best selling and top rated models, and hopefully by the end of this review, you will know enough to make an educated decision on what the best ice cream maker is for you.
Why Make Ice Cream at Home?
Healthier Options
Have you ever let ice cream melt a little too much and suddenly be revolted by the sickly sweet taste? Our taste buds are less sensitive with cold foods, so in order to make frozen treats taste sweet, usually a LOT of sugar is added.
By choosing to make your own ice cream at home, you have a ton of options and get to avoid yucky stabilizers that keep store-bought ice cream from melting. For example, you can use less or healthier sweetener, use yogurt, only half cream, or make it dairy-free (I love a coconut milk ice cream base)!
Of course you also have a million options to flavor your ice cream. From classic vanilla ice cream with added chocolate chips, to salted caramel, peanut butter chocolate ripple. The sky is your limit!
Economical
Continuing on the 'health' argument above, there definitely are options of healthier or dairy-free store bought ice cream. But then you'll be lucky to get a dainty pint (canister) of it that isn't pushing close to $10.
Any die-hard ice cream lovers, large families, and especially large ice cream loving families will have the investment of an ice cream or gelato maker pay for itself in no time!
How to Choose the Best Ice Cream Maker
There really isn’t a “best” way to judge an ice cream maker. Quality we can judge, yes, but it seems as though there are many different preferences on methods how to make ice cream at home, and price ranges in which to do it.
It’s important to be thoughtful - rather than impulsive - when buying an ice cream machine, so deciding which type is best for you is an important consideration.
Type - Cooling Method
1. Fully Automatic Ice Cream Makers
There are a few different models to choose from. The more expensive models are fully automatic, which have built-in compressors to create temperatures as cold as your freezer. This kind is really nice for the spontaneous ice cream cravings (which we all know don’t happen seldom).
2. Manual Ice Cream Machines
The second type are manual machines, where you have to freeze the freezer bowls prior to use. These require adequate freezer space and some planning ahead as to when you would want to make and serve homemade ice cream.
While these may seem like great downsides, manual ice cream machines are considerably cheaper than fully automatic ones.
3. Classic Ice Cream Makers
Lastly, there is the classic model, which, by churning, combines the powers of rock and salt with cream, sugar, and flavoring to create ice cream, in a fairly cost-effective way.
In this post, I will share with you the best of each different method and model, in hope of helping you find the ice cream maker that is most perfect for you!
Capacity
There are vast differences in the amount of ice cream each machine can produce per running cycle. Keep in mind your family's size or the number of guests you are likely to have, if serving homemade ice cream while entertaining.
And with the type of ice cream maker that requires pre-freezing of the bowl, you can't just put on another batch - you'll likely have to wait 12-24 hours to get that frozen bowl again before running another cycle.
Closer Look at Top Ice Cream Makers
YayLabs Ice Cream Ball Review
For a good price, you can keep my childhood memories alive with Yaylabs Ice Cream Ball by rolling your ice-cream-to-be down the hill, down the street, to your dog, or even just on your kitchen floor (for obvious reasons, this one is my favorite).
With or without kids, this act of rolling the ball around is highly recommended and can be a lot of fun for adults with the right attitude. If you wish to have even more fun, and get a little more crazy, you can also buy an inflatable cover!
By just adding cream, flavoring, and sugar in one side, and ice and rock salt in the other side, you can play with this soft-shell ball and 25 minutes later, also have a pint of homemade ice cream! Plus, it’s easy to clean (dishwasher-safe) and BPA free! What’s cooler than showing up to a beach party with a homemade ice cream volley ball?
Nostalgia Vintage Collection Electric Ice Cream Maker Review
If you are nostalgic like me, and are strangely attracted to the classical way of making ice cream (with rock salt and ice), but prefer to not manually churn it by running up and down hills, slightly more advanced versions of Ye Ol’ Coffee can trick exist.
Constructed of real, old-fashioned wood and a durable electric-powered churn paddle (say goodbye to the hand crank), this Nostalgia Vintage Collection bucket makes a whopping 4 quarts of rich, fantastic ice cream!
Also, when you are finished, you can use the provided lid to easily store any leftover ice cream in the freezer - bonus!
Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet & Ice Cream Maker - AMAZON BESTSELLER
Being Amazon’s #1 Best Seller, this machine has satisfied many. It’s simple. It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s sleak. And it takes up very little counter space compared to other machinery.
It’s stainless steel; and although this machine requires that responsibility I mentioned earlier, of knowing when you’re going to want ice cream (pre-freezing the bowl), it can easily churn up 2 quarts in only 25 minutes. At a fair price and a built-in timer, this is one of the more “standard” ice cream and sorbet maker approaches you can take, which may be why it is so popular.
I've personally used this Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker to churn up many delicious and healthier batches of homemade ice cream. Price and ease of use were the deciding factor here.
Kitchenaid Ice Cream Maker Attachment Review
The creators at Kitchenaid are coming at us again with yet another brilliant product… The Ice Cream Maker Attachment!
This is a genius purchase for any chef or ice cream lover who happens to also have a KitchenAid stand mixer.
By pre-freezing the bowl (that responsibility again), adding the ingredients, and letting the dasher scrape, spread, and mix, you can quickly have yourself a yield of 2 quarts of soft, luscious goodness.
Lello 4080 Musso Lussino Ice Cream Maker Review
This one is for serious ice cream makers. Looking rather snazzy, this ultra high-quality, stainless steel machine gives birth to perfect, professional grade ice cream (as well as sorbet, frozen ice cream, gelato, and all kinds of frozen drinks), time and time again.
With its built-in freezer, all that you have to do is make sure the switch is on, pour in the ingredients, push two buttons, wait a few minutes, and bam - you have your spontaneous-ice-cream-making-self 1 and ½ quarts of delectable, spontaneous frozen dessert (ice cream).
If you like a "hands off" approach to ice cream making and you have enough storage space to keep this appliance (I'd argue it has a smaller footprint than some of the other ice cream makers), this is the one you will be most proud of owning. By far!
Now, perhaps this could be why it is the most expensive machine I’m mentioning here, but hey, if it's up your alley but out of your price range, it also comes with a 12-month payment plan.
Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker Review
This machine sings like an ice cream truck when it’s ready- it’s that cool!
What’s even cooler, is that it lets you customize the hardness and texture consistency of your ice cream. Not only that, but it comes with a “keep cool” function that maintains the consistency of your ice cream for 3 hours, by automatically sensing the hardness every 3 minutes.
Oh, and did I mention there is no need to pre-freeze any bowls? Yes, this machine is also spontaneous-friendly, and gets down to "ice crystals" temperature in less than 10 minutes. Meaning you can produce batch after batch of ice cream - because sometimes it takes just a bit more creamy goodness to fulfill the craving.
Conclusion
Indulging in the creamy delight of homemade ice cream is a joy that can be experienced all year round. With the best ice cream maker for your home, you can unleash your creativity and explore a world of ice cream recipes of various flavors right in your own kitchen.
Whether you prefer traditional churn-style machines or the convenience of modern compressor models, there is a wide range of options to choose from. From top-rated brands like Breville, Cuisinart, and Kitchenaid, to budget-friendly alternatives, there's an ice cream maker that suits every taste and budget.
For those seeking the velvety goodness of soft serve ice cream, there are specialized machines available for both home and commercial use. Whether you're hosting a party or simply treating yourself, these machines ensure that you can enjoy the perfect soft serve mixture every time.
When considering your options, it's worth checking out consumer reports and reviews to get a sense of what others have found to be the best ice cream makers. However, remember that the "best" choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and needs.
With an ice cream maker at your disposal, you can unleash your inner ice cream maestro and experiment with endless combinations of flavors, mix-ins, and toppings. From classic vanilla and decadent chocolate to unique creations like lavender honey or salted caramel swirl, the possibilities are truly endless.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!
Apologies for ending with a cliche’, I just had to, hah!
Frequently Asked Question
The Cuisinart ICE-21 Compact Ice Cream Maker and Hamilton Beach 68330N Ice Cream Maker are both budget-friendly options that offer good performance and value for money while producing delicious homemade ice cream.
The Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker consistently receives top ratings from both experts and consumers due to its advanced features, versatility, and high-quality ice cream production.
The VEVOR Commercial Ice Cream Machine and Kolice Commercial 5 Flavors Soft Ice Cream Machine are highly regarded commercial soft serve machines known for their reliability, consistency, and performance.
The Cuisinart ICE-45 Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker and Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker are popular choices for making soft serve ice cream at home. They offer convenient features and produce smooth and creamy soft serve desserts.
The Cuisinart ICE-21 Compact Ice Cream Maker and Dash My Pint Ice Cream Maker are compact and affordable options for small households or individuals looking to make smaller batches of ice cream.
The Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker and Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker are both electric models that are highly regarded for their performance, ease of use, and ability to produce delicious homemade ice cream.
For commercial use, popular choices for ice cream machines include the Mvckyi Commercial Gelato Hard Ice Cream Machine and VEVOR Commercial Ice Cream Machine. These machines are designed to handle high-volume production while maintaining consistent quality.
The Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker is considered one of the best compressor ice cream makers available. It features a built-in compressor, allowing you to make multiple batches of ice cream without the need for pre-freezing the bowl.
While Consumer Reports doesn't provide specific rankings for ice cream makers, many of the top-rated models, such as the Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker and Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker, are highly regarded by consumers and experts alike.
The best ice cream machine for home use can vary depending on individual preferences and needs. However, popular options that consistently receive positive reviews include the Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker, Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker, and Kitchenaid Ice Cream Maker Attachment (assuming you already own a Kitchen Aid).
It depends. Do you like ice cream? If yes, and you can see yourself using an ice cream machine, then absolutely get yourself one. Definitely a worthwhile kitchen appliance to have.
Remember, choosing the best ice cream maker ultimately depends on your specific preferences, budget, and desired features.
Ice Cream Is For Creating Memories
Reminiscing of riding with my sisters in the bed of a pick-up-truck on a hot summer day, eating an ice cream cone, giggling at the creamy chocolate goo dripping down our arms, smiling ear to ear while trying to avoid getting too much of it in my windblown eager-to-eat-it-with-me hair, and bobbing my head to “I Love Rock and Roll...” I have realized that some of my absolute favorite memories revolve around ice cream desserts.
Another fond memory is from when I was in middle school. I was making my own ice cream almost daily - after school - and it was the coolest thing ever. Pun intended, hah!
We converted two coffee cans, some ice, salt, cream, sugar, and the laws of gravity together to miraculously create ice cream. I remember rolling the coffee can down a hill thinking to my overly-excited self, “Oh my, oh my, oh my... I'm doing it! I'm making it! I'm making ice cream- and I'm going to eat it!”
When I got older, I realized that although the rustic, old-fashioned way I made ice cream in middle school was sentimental and to my young mind, rather romantic, there were much easier and not mention, quicker, ways to make ice cream. Although the method I initially learned is an all-time classic, the same methods, as well as many others, are utilized in more modern forms of ice cream machinery.
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