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Ice cream makers are one of the most sought-after kitchen appliances these days, as people want to prepare sweet and tasty frozen treats at home. From old-school manual ice cream makers to some new electric models, the market is filled with many choices that can’t be missing in your kitchen. In order to help you make your decision, this article will go through a brief comparison of top products available today.
How We Compared Ice Cream Makers
To find the right ice cream makers, we considered multiple factors, including :
- Capacity
- Time
- Size
- Energy Efficiency
- Additional Accessories
Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products catering to all needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to create this list.
Ice Cream Maker Reviews
Cuisinart Ice Cream Deluxe (Editor’s Choice)
A tasty design that’s a masterpiece of stainless steel oozing modern aesthetics, this is a choice worth considering if you’re looking for a step up from the entry-level machines. The quality of workmanship is reflected in the machine’s exterior and, with its impressive features, is a break from the norm.
Making your homemade ice cream, frozen yoghurt, or sorbet is easy with the Cuisinart ICE30BCU. Simply pre-freeze the bowl overnight, switch it on and add ingredients when you’re ready. Depending on your recipe and quantity, you can prepare ice cream in as little as 25 minutes.
If you need an ice cream maker for a large gathering, look no further: this option has a large 2-litre capacity, which is almost double the average of most home ice cream machines. The dimensions are also relatively compact, so it shouldn’t be difficult to store or take up too much space on your kitchen worktop.
Pros:
- Large capacity
- Removable bowl, lid, and paddle for easy cleaning
- Fast production
- Good size, fit for even the smallest kitchens
Cons:
- The stainless steel finish might not suit everyone’s taste
- Having only one paddle could be a hindrance for some
Cuisinart ICE100BCU (Luxury Choice)
If you’re after a hassle-free ice cream maker that you simply want to throw in some ingredients and go to, then this product is perfect for you. It has everything you need to make cool desserts without much prep.
A noteworthy feature is the professional compressor system used in the Cuisinart ICE100BCU. It generates its own cooling power, making it much more time-efficient. If you don’t have time to pre-freeze your ice cream bowl or don’t wish to wait between creating batches of ice cream, this one is a perfect option.
It is also extremely easy to use. Simply add the ingredients and switch it on. For added flavour, you can even throw in extra toppings of your choice through the lid during churning. With a 1.5 litre capacity, digital screen, two mixing paddles and the instant-freeze bowl, this is luxury homemade ice cream production at its best.
Pros:
- Separate paddles for ice cream and gelato
- Digital display with countdown timer
- No need to pre-freeze the bowl the night before
- Design and build quality looks second-to-none
Cons:
- It might be considered large for some smaller kitchens
- The 40-minute wait time may be too long for some
Andrew James Ice Cream Maker (Best Value)
This ice cream maker has everything a home cook needs to make sweet treats and is a great choice for experienced and first-time users. Easy to use, clean, and lightweight, this is a superb option with a simple yet functional design.
The 1.5-litre capacity makes it a perfect choice for home users, as you don’t need to worry about preparing ice cream in batches. The Andrew James ice cream maker can create delicious results within 20-30 minutes and operates at a quiet 60dba (approx). What’s more, cleanup is easy thanks to the removable parts. You can also quickly rinse under a tap to make cleaning even faster.
One of the most notable pluses of this ice cream maker is its low energy consumption. Operating at a mere 12 watts is considered low compared to other similar machines on the market. So you can indulge more regularly without the guilt of racking up your energy use.
Pros:
- Comfortable size and weight
- Easy to clean and store away
- Generous 1.5-litre capacity, given its size
- Includes six recipe suggestions to get you started
Cons:
- The plastic exterior might not suit everyone’s taste
- A second paddle for gelato would’ve been great
Ninja CREAMi NC300UK (Best For Versatility)
If simplicity is your thing, this ice cream maker can churn out a range of frozen treats at the touch of a button. The intuitive interface allows you to choose from several flavours without much interaction or to have to monitor the consistency.
One of the things we love most about the Ninja NC300UK is the seven predefined settings. So, once your ingredients are in, hit the preset control and watch the intelligent system churn out whichever dessert you like. For example, choose between ice cream, gelato, sorbet, a milkshake, and others.
Although the 473-millilitre capacity may seem small compared to some other ice cream machines on the market, it’s still sizeable enough to provide multiple servings of your favourite desserts without hassle. What’s more, it’s effortless to clean and store away.
Pros:
- Touchscreen interface
- Preset controls for different desserts
- The cleanable parts are dishwasher safe
- Three tubs with lids included
Cons:
- It could be a little tall for some worktops with wall cupboards
- A 473-millilitre capacity per tub might be too small for some people
Duronic IM540 (Best for Ease of Use)
This machine is designed with simplicity in mind, as it features only a single on/off knob for the entire operation. This facilitates the easy creation of homemade desserts with almost no effort.
With a generous 1.5 litre capacity and parts that are effortless to disassemble and clean, the Duronic IM540 is a solid choice for any home user who wants the convenience of making desserts without hassle. As well as being easy to use, the ice cream machine is light at 2.4 kg and compact, with a relatively small footprint. So, if you have limited space in your kitchen worktop and cupboards, this shouldn’t prove much of a problem.
Production times vary depending on the recipe, but generally, it’s approximately 15-30 minutes, which is a good average for domestic ice cream makers. However, considering the low energy usage at 9.5 watts, even 30 minutes is quite fast for this machine.
Pros:
- Simple, minimal design with a single on/off button
- Lightweight and compact for storage or sitting on the worktop
- A sizeable transparent lid makes it easy to see the action
- Low energy consumption
Cons:
- The aesthetics may be extreme for some kitchen decors
- Having only one universal paddle might disappoint dessert connoisseurs
SENSIOHOME Ice Cream Maker (Best for Practicality)
If you’re after a simple, no-fuss machine that churns out tasty homemade desserts in a short time frame, this might be a choice to consider. Designed for ease of use and quick results, it doesn’t feature fancy controls or dials; just add your ingredients, switch it on and leave it to do its thing until it’s finished.
Even if you don’t have much time to spend making ice cream, this is among the more efficient machines on the market when used correctly. Made from plastic and metal, the SENSIOHOME ice cream maker produces ice cream in 20 minutes. Designed to be as versatile as possible, with the single included paddle, you can also prepare gelato, sorbet and frozen yoghurt. However, as with many other similar machines, you may need to freeze the bowl for approximately 12 hours the night before.
The 1.4-litre capacity means this product will provide you with multiple servings of your favourite desserts, making it ideal for sharing at parties and for large families. With just four removable components, the set-up process is straightforward. This also means the parts can be easily disassembled, so cleaning up after your creation is quick and painless.
Pros:
- The removable components are easily accessible for cleaning
- Double-insulated and large-capacity freezer bowl
- Lightweight, at just 2.82 kg
- It uses only 12 watts of power
Cons:
- The parts aren’t dishwasher-friendly, which could be inconvenient for some
- The plastic exterior could be a little worrying for some people
Springlane Kitchen Elli (Best Compact)
At first glance, you’ll see this machine has a chic and stylish design. Built around a plastic and stainless steel body, it is compact, versatile, and packed with everything you need for an effortless experience in creating tasty results.
Due to its self-cooling built-in compressor, the Springlane Kitchen Elli does not require any pre-freezing of the bowl before use. Simply throw in your ingredients and easily produce ice cream, frozen yoghurt, sorbet, or gelato. This feature is particularly useful if you want to create different recipes in bulk or on the fly.
Another noteworthy feature is the LCD display which has a timer and indicates the temperature and preparation time. Some accessories are also included, such as a stirrer, a recipe book and an ice cream scoop.
Pros:
- Easily add ingredients through the refill opening during the stirring process
- The self-cooling compressor is very convenient
- Having an LCD display is a nice touch
- Generous 1.2-litre capacity for a compact device
Cons:
- The operating power could be a little high compared to other machines
- The production time might seem long for some
How to Choose an Ice Cream Maker
When looking for an ice cream maker, there are several different factors you’ll want to consider. For example, some machines are perfect for small get-togethers and infrequent usage, while others are more suited for large parties and require minimal preparation. Overall, there’s no one-size-fits-all choice. Take a look at our buying guide below and see what to consider when choosing the best ice cream maker for your needs.
Capacity
Every ice cream maker should state the capacity of the freezer bowl. This is the amount of ice cream the machine can make in one go. The most common figure for a homemade ice cream maker is between 1-2 litres. If you have a small family or prefer smaller portions, go with a smaller machine with around 1 litre. For more frequent and larger families and parties, 2 litres would be ideal.
Time
The time taken to produce a batch of ice cream can vary greatly, with an average time between 15-45 minutes. Aside from the recipe, factors such as the type of freezer bowl and whether or not the bowl needs freezing the night before will ultimately determine how long it takes to produce. Bowls that don’t require freezing will churn and chill in one, therefore taking longer to make ice cream. If the freezer bowl is needed to be kept in the freezer overnight (usually 8-24 hours), the machine can work more quickly.
Size
Ice cream machines come in various shapes and sizes, meaning you can choose the one that best fits your kitchen set-up and home decor. For many people, space matters whether you store it in a cupboard or leave it on your worktop. Most domestic ice cream makers with a 1-2 litre capacity are pretty compact, but even these can vary significantly in size.
Energy Efficiency
Most ice cream machines are relatively efficient compared to other domestic appliances. For example, the average power usage for most ice cream makers is between 9-15 watts. However, certain models draw much more energy, sometimes tenfold. The energy-efficient models are the ones which require you to freeze the bowl overnight. The least efficient type has its own self-cooling compressor and doesn’t require prior bowl-freezing. As it cools on the fly, the latter requires higher energy consumption.
Additional Accessories
With an abundance of accessories available for the domestic creation of ice cream, it’s always nice to have some thrown in with your purchase. For example, some machines come with none, while others will include a handful. The most common and sought-after accessories include an additional mixing bowl, ice cream scoop, recipe book, measuring cup, and spatula.
Summary
The Cuisinart Ice Cream Deluxe is an expert ice cream maker suitable for both new and experienced users. It provides a high-quality home production of different types of desserts and also allows you to add additional ingredients during churning if you’re feeling creative. The 2-litre bowl capacity makes it great for households with large appetites, as it can produce generous portions of ice cream in one go. Once you’re done, the removable lid, bowl and paddle are easy to clean. The product is efficient, using minimal energy at 25 watts, and its compact design has a small footprint, even in the smallest kitchens.
Paul is the type of person who never met a problem he couldn’t fix. He can always be found tinkering with something in his house, even if it isn’t broken! His tips and tricks are often shared on our site. He’s the one you call when something breaks because he has been known to improvise fixes for everything from leaky faucets to malfunctioning dryers.