Homemade ice cream is one of those simple pleasures that feels a little extra special. With the right machine, making your creamy scoops is easier than it looks. Luckily, today’s ice cream makers are better than ever at bringing professional-quality results into home kitchens.
Our Top 5 Ice Cream Makers 🍦
Here’s a review of the five best ice cream makers to help you choose the perfect one for your needs.
🏆 Top Pick: 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 15,884+ reviews
Real Scoop 🍦:
“I bought this as a gift for my mom, who already made delicious homemade ice cream. After using this machine, we’ll never go back to her old one. It makes the creamiest ice cream we’ve ever tasted — even after storing it in the freezer, it stays soft and creamy without ice crystals. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and the handle makes it simple to carry. I’m getting one for myself too!” — Terri H., Verified Amazon Customer.
Our ice cream maker reviews section dives deeper into real experiences from home kitchens like yours.
For those in love with sweet treats, check out the guide on the best picnic desserts.
⭐ Best for Creative Experimenters: Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
If you love the idea of inventing your own frozen creations, the Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker is a smart, reliable choice. It’s a small ice cream maker that’s big on possibilities, letting you experiment with everything from classic vanilla to bold seasonal blends without taking over your countertop.
Rating: 4.6 based on 19,944+ reviews
This ice cream maker is simple to use, with just a few moving parts. Once the freezer bowl is chilled overnight, you’re ready to pour in your mix and spin up a batch in about 30 minutes. While it doesn’t have an automatic shutoff, it’s easy to keep an eye on, and the texture comes out consistently smooth if you stick to the suggested time.
Real Scoop 🍦:
“We bought this after losing our old one in a hurricane. It’s a little bigger than our last, but it makes more ice cream, and it’s easy to clean overall. The recipes included are actually fantastic — I made mango ice cream using their strawberry recipe and it turned out so good, it might be dangerous! I’d definitely buy this ice cream maker again.” — James M., Verified Amazon Customer
🍓 Mini-Recipe to Try:
Make a 3-ingredient strawberry sorbet: blend fresh strawberries, a little sugar, and a squeeze of lemon, then let the machine do the rest.
Perfect for small families or events like 18th birthday party ideas, where you can show off some unique flavors.
⭐ Best for Custom Textures: Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker
The Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker is built for anyone who doesn’t want to wait around for dessert. This powerful electric ice cream maker turns frozen bases into silky ice cream, sorbets, smoothies, and even milkshakes in just a few minutes.
Rating: 4.5 
based on 3600+ reviews
Unlike most frozen ice cream makers that require long pre-freeze cycles or waiting overnight, the Ninja blends frozen pints on demand using a specialized blade that evenly shaves and mixes.
Real Scoop 🍦:
“I was hesitant to spend the money, but the hype is real! I now make my own healthy ice creams using protein shakes and pudding mixes. It’s loud for a few minutes — it has to be, it’s breaking up frozen blocks — but it’s 100% worth it. Clean-up is easy too, and the parts are dishwasher-safe.” — Ashley, Verified Amazon Customer
In addition to ice cream makers, think about how you can make your event even more memorable with the best foam party machines.
⭐ Best Luxury Pick for Creamy Perfection: Whynter Upright Automatic Ice Cream Maker
For serious dessert lovers, the Whynter Upright Automatic Ice Cream Maker feels like bringing a professional kitchen home. With a built-in compressor, you can create batch after batch without having to freeze the bowl ahead of time. It’s easily one of the best compressor ice cream makers available today for consistent, restaurant-level results.
Rating: 4.6 based on 2,062+ reviews
If gelato is your passion, this gelato maker can get you there, too. It handles denser, creamier textures with ease, perfect for small batches of rich, flavorful creations.
Real Scoop 🍦:
“This is the best ice cream maker I’ve ever used. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, and the ice cream comes out silky smooth. I love that I know exactly what’s going into my ice cream — no weird ingredients like store-bought. Today’s batch was honey chocolate, and it turned out amazing!” — Marlene W., Verified Amazon Customer
🍨 Mini Flavor Adventure Tip:
Dare yourself to craft pistachio gelato with this beauty. It’s the perfect way to put its creamy texture to the test.
⭐ Best Compact Machine for Small Spaces: Narcissus Mini Ice Cream Maker
The Narcissus Mini Ice Cream Maker proves that you don’t need a huge kitchen to enjoy homemade treats. This small ice cream maker is designed for quick and easy batches, perfect for anyone who wants a soft-serve style scoop without a big machine taking over their countertop.
Rating: 3.7 
based on 111+ reviews
Despite its compact size, it gets the job done well. Just freeze the bowl overnight, add your mixture, and enjoy fresh ice cream or frozen yogurt in about 20 minutes. For a home ice cream machine, it’s remarkably simple to use, clean, and store.
Real Scoop 🍦:
“I was excited to try this and it worked exactly as promised. After freezing the cup, I had a delicious low-calorie ice cream ready in 20 minutes. The serving size is small, but it’s perfect for a treat without the extra calories. Easy to use, easy to clean — highly recommend!” — S. Kessler, Verified Amazon Customer
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.
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.
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 a capacity of about 1 to 1.5 quarts 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 a capacity of at least 2 quarts.
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 achieve that dense texture, you need 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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