Making homemade ice cream is a delightful way to enjoy a treat to your taste.
Whether you’re a fan of classic vanilla, rich chocolate, or adventurous with unique flavors, a reliable ice cream maker ups the dessert-making process.
Here’s a review of the five best ice cream makers to help you choose the perfect one for your needs.
Best Yummy Ice Cream Maker
🏆 Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Machine
The Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker is the best machine that combines vintage charm with modern functionality.
It’s simple to use, with an electric motor that handles the churning, and is quick to clean.
Rating: 4.6 
based on 14,700+ reviews
Highlights:
- Capacity: 4 quarts
- Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 16 inches
- Weight: 7.48 pounds
- Special features: manual, convenient handle for portability
- Colors: Light Wood, Rock Salt, Blue, Dark Wood, Dark Wood Original, White
You can have it ready in 20 minutes with no manual effort required.
This ice cream maker is perfect for family gatherings or parties where making lots of ice cream at once is important. Besides ice cream, it provides a fun and easy way to make delicious gelato and frozen yogurt.
This ice cream maker is perfect for those who love the old-fashioned ice cream makers but also want the convenience of modern technology.
An ice cream maker is a great tool for making delicious treats for various occasions.
For those in love with sweat treats, – check out the guide on the best picnic desserts.
Ice Cream Maker for Small Events
⭐ Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
The Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is a great choice for making smaller batches of frozen desserts quickly and easily.
We at the Picnic Makers event planning company team understand the various sizes of events, and that`s why we have included this ice cream maker for small settings.
Rating: 4.6 based on 18,800+ reviews
Highlights:
- Capacity: 2 Quarts
- Dimensions: 81.5″L x 8″W x 111.4″H
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Special features: programmable, large ingredient spout, double-insulated freezer bowl
- Colors: Brushed Chrome, Red, White
What we like: this machine gets great reviews for its ease of use and quick work (the ice cream is ready in as little as 20 minutes). The double-insulated freezer bowl keeps your ice cream nice and cold, and the large ingredient spout makes it easy to add mix-ins.
It can get pretty noisy and requires the freezer bowl to be pre-frozen, which requires some planning.
Perfect for small families or events like 18th birthday party ideas, where you can show off some unique flavors.
⭐ Ninja Ice Cream Maker
Let’s look at the next alternative! The Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker is a sleek, compact way to make ice cream, gelato, smoothie bowls, milkshakes, and more.
Rating: 4.5 
based on 9,400+ reviews
Highlights:
- Capacity: 16 Fluid Ounces
- Dimensions: 12.07″L x 6.52″W x 15.95″H
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Special Features: dishwasher-safe parts, 7 one-touch programs, Creamify technology
- Color: Black
It’s a great fit for smaller kitchens, and the one-touch programs make it really easy to use. Please note that the machine is pretty loud when it’s in use.
Recommendations: this ice cream maker is an excellent choice for those who want a versatile machine that can handle a variety of frozen treats. It’s especially useful when the kitchen space is limited.
In addition to ice cream makers, think about how you can make your event even more memorable with the best foam party machines.
Ice Cream Machine for Grand Events
⭐ Whynter Upright Ice Cream Maker
The Whynter Upright Automatic Ice Cream Maker is a top-of-the-line ice cream maker with a built-in compressor for continuous use.
So, it`s a great choice for big party setups and serious ice cream enthusiasts who want a machine that can make multiple batches (ready in about 30 minutes) without waiting for hours.
Rating: 4.5 based on 2,400+ reviews
Why this party ice cream maker is great:
- Capacity: 2.1 quarts
- Dimensions: 10.75 x 12.5 x 14.25 inches
- Weight: 24.2 pounds
- Special features: built-in timer, motor protection function, no pre-freezing required
- Color: Gray
We like that this machine has a built-in compressor, so there is no need to pre-freeze the ice cream, making the process very convenient. With a straightforward control panel, it’s built to last and a breeze to use.
Budget-friendly Ice Cream Machine
⭐ Narcissus Ice Cream Maker
The Narcissus Mini Ice Cream Maker is a compact and affordable option for making small batches of ice cream.
Rating: 3.8 
based on 80+ reviews
Highlights:
- Capacity: 0.15 quarts
- Dimensions: 10.4″L x 6″W x 6.1″H
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Special features: detachable freezer bowl, portable, low noise
- Color: Blue
This mini ice cream maker is great for small households or individuals. It’s simple and fast to use (ice cream is ready in 15-20 minutes) and clean, and its compact size makes it easy to store.
Recommendations: This is a great option if you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to make personal-sized servings of ice cream. It’s perfect for kids (use it with caution or when the parents are nearby) and small families as well.
What to look for when buying an ice cream maker
When picking an ice cream maker, we, as experienced event planners who often have to cater to large groups, have come up with a few key things to think about:
1. Capacity 🍨 Look for a machine with a large enough capacity to serve your event sizes. A larger bowl size can make more ice cream in a single batch, reducing the time and effort needed for multiple batches.
2. Speed of churning ⏱️ Go for an ice cream maker that churns quickly if you’re planning an event. This means you can make multiple batches in a shorter time during back-to-back events.
3. Ease of use 🤹♂️ Opt for machines that are simple to use. This is important when different team members might be using the equipment or when you need to train staff quickly.
4. Consistency and texture 🍦 The best ice cream makers produce a nice, smooth texture. It’s important to ensure that each batch meets the high standards needed for events where first impressions matter.
5. Cleaning up 🧼 Look for an ice cream maker with parts that are easy to take apart and clean. Cleaning up quickly and efficiently is important in a fast-paced event environment.
6. Noise level 🔇 Some events might require the machine to operate near guests, so it’s better to look for a quieter model to avoid any disruptions.
Tip: when planning large gatherings where ice cream is featured, having large coolers is crucial for keeping everything perfectly chilled. To ensure your coolers stay cold throughout the event use efficient ice packs for coolers.
The benefits of ice cream maker
There are lots of reasons to get an ice cream maker. The main benefit is creating custom flavors that match your tastes or dietary needs, which isn’t always possible with store-bought options. Plus, you can use fresh, high-quality ingredients, a healthier alternative, because you can control what goes into your ice cream.
Additionally, owning an ice cream maker can save you money in the long run, especially if you love indulging in frozen treats regularly. It’s also a great way to get the whole family or friends involved in making ice cream, which makes it a fun and interactive activity for gatherings and special occasions.
Picnic Makers’ Perspective on Ice Cream Makers
Having used these ice cream makers extensively for our events, we have listed valuable insights into their performance, strengths, and weaknesses.
Each ice cream maker has its strengths and is best for different things. If you’re looking for an ice cream maker for a large event, the Nostalgia Electric and Whynter Upright models are great options. They have plenty of capacity and are convenient.
The Cuisinart and Ninja models are great for small and large gatherings, but they require just a little planning, while the Narcissus Mini Ice Cream Maker is a great, compact, and affordable option for personal or small family use.
From our experience, having the right ice cream maker can boost the fun and flavor at your events. It lets you whip up custom flavors and gives guests a fun activity to enjoy together.
FAQs
How do I choose the right size of an ice cream maker for my needs?
Think about how much ice cream you plan to make in one batch. A machine with about 1 to 1.5 quarts capacity should be fine for individual or small family use. If you’re making ice cream for a larger family or gathering, we recommend a machine with at least 2 quarts of capacity.
Can I make other frozen desserts with an ice cream maker?
Yes, most ice cream makers can make a range of frozen desserts, including sorbet, frozen yogurt, and frozen cocktails.
This versatility makes them a great addition to any kitchen, especially for those who enjoy experimenting with different types of desserts.
What type of ice cream maker is best for making gelato?
To get that dense texture, you’ve got to chill the gelato a bit slower to keep the air out. A compressor ice cream maker is probably your best bet if you want to make gelato. They keep the temperature nice and low and have variable speed settings perfect for gelato.
How important is the freezing method in selecting an ice cream maker?
The freezing method is important because it affects the texture and preparation time of the ice cream. Compressor models freeze the mixture independently, so you can use them whenever you need. On the other hand, models that need a pre-frozen bowl are cheaper, but you need to plan and have space in the freezer.
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