An ice cream maker allows you to enjoy a sweet treat made in the comfort of your home. There are lots of options on the market from well-known kitchen appliance makers such as Ninja, Breville, and Hamilton Beach. Ice cream makers come in a range of varieties, including machines that require no pre-cooling and models that can also make gelato and drinks. However, it can be challenging to figure out which ice cream maker best suits your needs.
Dann got his first job in 1977 as a dishwasher at a YMCA camp. The food service industry appealed to him. Since that young age, he's been a head chef, a head baker, worked in grocery retail baking, and written three books (two were cookbooks and one a question and answer about being a chef). He's also learning about gluten-free cooking and baking.
Nanami Den oversees the creation of content related to food and lifestyle, including kitchen appliances and kitchenware. Dedicated to delivering a healthy eating lifestyle to as many users as possible, she has tested over 300 products, focusing on health foods, supplements, and drinks. A true foodie, she enjoys exploring restaurants of all kinds, and her must-visit list exceeds 500 establishments nationwide.
We set the standard for ice cream smoothness as a product that our testers rated highly based on texture.
We set the standard for an ice cream maker that can make vegan ice cream smoothly as one that was rated “smoother” by our 12 lactose-intolerant testers.
We established criteria for a user-friendly ice cream maker as a product that can make delicious ice cream without fail, is easy to use, and requires no preparation.
We looked for products that produce ice cream almost immediately after mixing, with hardly any waiting time.
We established the standard for an ice cream maker that is easy to maintain as a machine that allows you to remove the bowl and safely put it in the dishwasher.
We checked the products for how quietly they operate, so you don't have to worry about when or where you use them.
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.The mybest team independently conducts its own tests to rank products.
An ice cream maker lets you enjoy the frozen delicacy of ice cream at home. Below, we will explain the benefits of owning an ice cream maker.
The appeal of an ice cream maker is you can make gelato and sundaes that taste as good as the ones you can get from an ice cream shop or truck without leaving your home.
Making ice cream takes some time and attention to detail, such as temperature adjustment and stirring. But some machines are simple to use. You just add the ingredients, press a button, and wait to enjoy a tasty treat.
As tempting as it may be, you don’t have to consume your homemade ice cream in one sitting. If you transfer it to a container and seal it, the ice cream will last for about a month. Making ice cream at home also allows you to control what ingredients you use, so it’s a healthier choice for people who are concerned about additives in store-bought ice creams.
Using an ice cream maker at home allows you to create a dessert using fresh, natural ingredients.
These machines also let you try all kinds of flavors. Are you a traditionalist who loves strawberry ice cream? Stir some jam into the base for flavor. Prefer the crunch of cookies? Swirl some Oreos into your batch.
Not only you can adjust the flavor and sweetness to your liking, but some machines also let you set it and forget it. Once you pour the base in, you can leave it to set until it’s ready, so it’s perfect for parties and holiday dinners.
You can also make vegan ice cream by replacing the traditional ingredients of vanilla ice cream with soy milk and cashew nut butter.
The ability to make your own ice cream is not only great for vegans, but also for people who are lactose intolerant or have food allergies.
Here are the points to keep in mind when choosing the best Ice Cream Makers .
The ice cream maker that topped our list after our rigorous testing? The ”CREAMi Deluxe” by Ninja. We’ll explain below how this product excelled in comparison to other models.
The most important thing when choosing an ice cream maker is whether it can make delicious ice cream, right?
To find out, we made frozen desserts in the five ice cream makers, and recruited eight testers to compare the taste and texture. Only the ice cream from the "CREAMi Deluxe" turned out smooth, with just the right amount of hardness. The testers noted, “It's so smooth and tasty like it's melting! There was absolutely no gritty taste from ice."
The ice cream makers we tested either left ice crystals in the finished product, or the ice cream didn't solidify enough, even after we ran them for several minutes. Instead, we were left with ice cream that was more like the consistency of a milkshake. So if you want an ice cream maker you can trust to produce high-quality scoops, the "CREAMi Deluxe" from Ninja is the machine we recommend far above the others we tested.
Making ice cream used to involve a laborious process of churning cream and freezing the mixture outside. But ice cream makers since have streamlined the process so you can create a delicious frozen dessert with much less time and effort. For example, if you freeze the mix the day before you want to eat it, all it takes is two minutes of operating the “CREAMi Deluxe” the next day to produce a rich ice cream. Since it takes very little time to create some delicious ice cream, with a little planning, you can whip up a tasty dessert whenever you want with this handy ice cream maker.
On the other hand, the other ice cream makers we tested took significantly longer to make ice cream, an average of 40 to 60 minutes. Some machines didn’t have a timer, so you’d have to keep a close eye on the process. Although ice cream makers are easier than churning out ice cream by hand, they still require some hands-on management of the process.
The "CREAMi Deluxe" from Ninja is compact, so it won't take up much space in your freezer. Moreover, it comes with two containers, so you can freeze different flavors and enjoy a variety of tastes at once.
Ice cream makers not only allow you to create ice cream but many models are also designed to let you mix it up with sorbets and frozen drinks. This ice cream maker automatically adjusts the hardness according to the recipe, so you can enjoy a range of delicious frozen concoctions.
Another advantage of the "CREAMi Deluxe" is its compact body. While the width of other ice cream makers was 12 to 16 inches, the "CREAMi Deluxe" is smaller at 8.42 inches, taking up less space on the counter and in the cupboard.
The “CREAMi Deluxe” is also easy to maintain since you can take the container off and wash it thoroughly. The container comes with a lid, so after making ice cream, you can simply close the lid to store your delicious dessert. Then, when you're done eating the ice cream, all you need to do is wash the container with a sponge. So maintenance is hardly a chore.
On the other hand, other ice cream makers were designed with bowls that could not be removed and could only be cleaned by wiping them off. Since ice cream becomes liquid when it melts, wiping up all the liquid that accumulates at the bottom of the ice cream maker can be an arduous task. It can require many dishcloths or paper towels and extra time and effort.
Ice cream makers can weigh up to 40 pounds, which makes it difficult to carry them and pour out the remaining liquid into the sink. So when choosing one, I recommend you select a model that comes with a bowl that’s easy to remove for cleaning.
If you’re interested in making vegan ice cream, our top pick is Whynter's "Automatic Ice Cream Maker." We’ll explain below how this machine excelled at creating dairy-free desserts.
Vegan ice cream, unlike regular ice cream, does not contain dairy products. That means that its texture is harder than desserts made with cream.
When we tested the ice cream machines on this list by making vegan ice cream, the result every time was very hard ice cream. But that wasn’t the case with Whynter's "Automatic Ice Cream Maker." This machine managed to produce vegan ice cream with a pleasing degree of softness and smooth finish. Feedback from our testers included comments such as: "It's delicious and melts in your mouth the moment you put it in! There were no ice crystals and it was smooth."
On the other hand, ice cream makers that ranked lower on our list produced ice cream that was either too hard or separated into different ingredients. The ice cream didn’t melt in the mouth, leaving our testers less than satisfied, with comments like "Even when you put the ice cream in your mouth, ice grains remain for a few seconds, leaving a rough impression on the tongue."
Whynter’s “Automatic Ice Cream Maker” comes with a built-in cooling function, so there's no need to pre-freeze the mix or container. By preparing the base in advance, you can make ice cream whenever you feel like it.
You don’t have to pre-cool your ice cream maker, but it does take 60 minutes from the time you turn on the switch until the ice cream is ready. So be sure to keep this prep time in mind when planning your dessert.
Products | Image | mybest Score | Click to purchase | Key features | Main Score | Details | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ice Cream Texture | Vegan Ice Cream Texture | Ease of Use | Churn Speed | Easy to Clean | Noise Level | Width | Depth | Height | Power Consumption | Weight | Capacity | Length of Power Cord | Type of Operation | Compact Size | Automatic Cooling Function | Ice Cream Maker Type | Time From Start to Finish | Pre-cooling Time | Equipped with Timer | Automatic Timer Function | Supported Recipes | Removable Bowl | Operational Noise Level (Measured) | Firmness Adjustment | ||||||
1 | Ninja CREAMi Deluxe|NC501 | ![]() | The Best Option for Easy-to-Make, Smooth Ice Cream! The Possibilities for Variations Are Endless | 8.4 in. | 12.0 in. | 16.7 in. | 800W | 14.4 lb. | 0.75 qt. | 31.5 in. | Dial | Cooling Pot Type | 2min. | 1day | Ice Cream, Lite Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Frozen Yogurt, Creamiccino, Frozen Drink, Slushi, Milkshake, Italian Ice | 78.85 dB. | ||||||||||||||
2 | Whynter Automatic Ice Cream Maker|ICM-201SB | ![]() | If You Want to Make Vegan Ice Cream, This Machine Can Produce Delicious, Dairy-Free Concoctions | 12.5 in. | 10.8 in. | 16.7 in. | 180W | 24.2 lb. | 2.1 qt. | 49.6 in. | Button | Built-in Cooling System Type | 60 min. | 0 min. | Ice Cream | 56.50 dB. | ||||||||||||||
3 | Breville USA The Smart Scoop|BCI600XL | ![]() | Convenient to Use, If You Want to Make Vegan Ice Cream, This Ice Cream Maker Is an Option | 7.2 in. | 16.2 in. | 10.7 in. | 165 W | 30.0 lb. | 1.1 qt. | 70.1 in. | Dial | Built-in Cooling System Type | 50 min. | 5~10 min. | Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Frozen Yogurt | 54.10 dB. | ||||||||||||||
4 | Musso Lussino|musso-mini-4080 | ![]() | The Finish Is Somewhat Hard, and You Can’t Remove the Bowl, So Maintenance Can Be Time-Consuming | 12.0 in. | 18.0 in. | 11.0 in. | 100W | 39.6 lb. | 0.79 qt | 66.9 in. | Dial | Built-in Cooling System Type | 60 min. | 0 min. | Ice Cream | 60.90 dB. | ||||||||||||||
5 | Hamilton Beach Brands 4 Quart Ice Cream Maker|68330N | ![]() | You Can Make a Large Amount of Ice at Once, but It’s Difficult to Use Because There’s No Timer | 12.5 in. | 11.1 in. | 15.3 in. | 80W | 5.0 lb. | 4.0 qt. | 24.0 in. | AUTO | Cooling Pot Type | 40 min. | 0 min. | Ice Cream | 75.70 dB. |
Ice Cream Maker Type | Cooling Pot Type |
---|---|
Time From Start to Finish | 2min. |
Removable Bowl |
What we loved
What we didn't love
After making a batch and tasting it, our testers gave the ice cream this machine produced high marks for smoothness. They didn’t encounter any ice crystals, and the ice cream had a pleasant consistency. Testers said: "The moment it enters your mouth, it melts smoothly, creating a luxurious taste!" and "There's no icy feeling, and the smooth texture is delicious."
The CREAMi Deluxe is also easy to use with a bit of advance planning. Just make and chilll the base in the container a day before you plan to eat the ice cream. Then on the day of, all you need to do is run the machine for two minutes. This machine comes with 10 automatic settings that allow you to fine-tune the type of frozen concoction you’re making. You can also adjust the hardness to your preferred consistency.
Another advantage is that the container is removable and easy to clean. Although it is not dishwasher-safe and must be washed by hand, the compact design makes it easy to wash.
Width | 8.4 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 12.0 in. |
Height | 16.7 in. |
Power Consumption | 800W |
Weight | 14.4 lb. |
Capacity | 0.75 qt. |
Length of Power Cord | 31.5 in. |
Type of Operation | Dial |
Compact Size | |
Equipped with Timer | |
Automatic Timer Function | |
Supported Recipes | Ice Cream, Lite Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Frozen Yogurt, Creamiccino, Frozen Drink, Slushi, Milkshake, Italian Ice |
Operational Noise Level (Measured) | 78.85 dB. |
Firmness Adjustment |
Ice Cream Maker Type | Built-in Cooling System Type |
---|---|
Time From Start to Finish | 60 min. |
Removable Bowl |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The appeal of this product is that it can make vegan ice cream that’s just the right consistency. The ice cream this machine produces is hard enough to hold its shape long enough to eat, yet it melts in the mouth. One tester said, "It has a velvety texture, and there was no icy sensation at all." It features three modes: ice cream making, cooling, and mixing. To prevent overheating of the unit and damage to the motor, it is equipped with a motor protection function that stops the motor rotation once the ice cream is made.
Another attractive feature of this ice cream maker is that you can remove the bowl, so it’s easy to clean. That said, the bowl it’s not dishwasher-friendly, so you’ll need to wash it by hand.
Finally, you should take time and versatility into account when deciding if this ice cream maker is the best option for you. It took 60 minutes for this machine to make the vegan ice cream. For recipes made with dairy, it took even longer for the ice cream to set properly. So this machine isn’t the best option if you want to quickly knock out a batch of traditional ice cream.
Width | 12.5 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 10.8 in. |
Height | 16.7 in. |
Power Consumption | 180W |
Weight | 24.2 lb. |
Capacity | 2.1 qt. |
Length of Power Cord | 49.6 in. |
Type of Operation | Button |
Compact Size | |
Equipped with Timer | |
Automatic Timer Function | |
Supported Recipes | Ice Cream |
Operational Noise Level (Measured) | 56.50 dB. |
Firmness Adjustment |
Ice Cream Maker Type | Built-in Cooling System Type |
---|---|
Time From Start to Finish | 50 min. |
Removable Bowl |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The appeal of this machine is that it makes it mix up some ice cream. This ice cream maker has an automatic cooling function, so no pre-preparation is needed. It also automatically senses the hardness of the base and adjusts how much it stirs accordingly. This machine also allows you to customize the consistency, and you can choose between 12 levels of hardness. Not only can this ice cream maker run in automatic mode, but you can also manually set the operating time, so it offers plenty of opportunity for customization.
We were able to make delicious vegan ice cream using this machine. Though vegan ice cream can turn out hard when produced by some other ice cream makers, the output from the Breville had a smooth texture. One tester said that it was "soft and creamy. There were no residual ice particles."
Width | 7.2 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 16.2 in. |
Height | 10.7 in. |
Power Consumption | 165 W |
Weight | 30.0 lb. |
Capacity | 1.1 qt. |
Length of Power Cord | 70.1 in. |
Type of Operation | Dial |
Compact Size | |
Equipped with Timer | |
Automatic Timer Function | |
Supported Recipes | Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Frozen Yogurt |
Operational Noise Level (Measured) | 54.10 dB. |
Firmness Adjustment |
Ice Cream Maker Type | Built-in Cooling System Type |
---|---|
Time From Start to Finish | 60 min. |
Removable Bowl |
What we loved
What we didn't love
Lello's "Musso Lussino musso-mini-4080" is one ice cream maker that can make both vegan and dairy ice cream.
Featuring a stainless steel body, this machine automatically stops stirring when the ice cream is ready. It also comes with basic functions such as a timer and an automatic cooling function. Although the ice cream can be a little too hard, it’s smooth, with no grains of ice. One tester said, "It's incredibly smooth, and there was no icy feeling at all."
On the other hand, the reason for this machine's lower rating is that it’s hard to maintain. You can’t remove the bowl, so you have to wipe it clean with cloth or paper towels each time you use it.
While this machine is great for people who like hard ice cream, the inability to adjust the level of hardness or remove the bowl for cleaning are drawback.
Width | 12.0 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 18.0 in. |
Height | 11.0 in. |
Power Consumption | 100W |
Weight | 39.6 lb. |
Capacity | 0.79 qt |
Length of Power Cord | 66.9 in. |
Type of Operation | Dial |
Compact Size | |
Equipped with Timer | |
Automatic Timer Function | |
Supported Recipes | Ice Cream |
Operational Noise Level (Measured) | 60.90 dB. |
Firmness Adjustment |
Ice Cream Maker Type | Cooling Pot Type |
---|---|
Time From Start to Finish | 40 min. |
Removable Bowl |
What we loved
What we didn't love
This ice cream maker did a good job with vegan ice cream. Although the finish was slightly hard, there was no unwelcome crunch from ice crystals. One tester said, "There were no grains of ice, and I enjoyed a smooth texture on my tongue."
Width | 12.5 in. |
---|---|
Depth | 11.1 in. |
Height | 15.3 in. |
Power Consumption | 80W |
Weight | 5.0 lb. |
Capacity | 4.0 qt. |
Length of Power Cord | 24.0 in. |
Type of Operation | AUTO |
Compact Size | |
Equipped with Timer | |
Automatic Timer Function | |
Supported Recipes | Ice Cream |
Operational Noise Level (Measured) | 75.70 dB. |
Firmness Adjustment |
At mybest, we define the best ice cream maker as a user-friendly product that can create smooth ice cream and is easy to maintain.
In order to find the best machine, we collected five popular ice cream makers from leading manufacturers, along with top-selling products on Amazon, Walmart, and Target. We thoroughly tested them based on the following six points:
Ice Cream Texture
Vegan Ice Cream Texture
Ease of Use
Churn Speed
Ease of Cleaning
Noise Level
Products we tested
We set the standard for ice cream smoothness as a product that our testers rated highly based on texture.
Our testers tasted the ice cream made by each ice cream maker. Then they evaluated its smoothness and then scored the recommendability of each product.
Testers: Eight ice cream lovers, men and women, who eat ice cream once a week
Ingredients: Three egg yolks, 70g granulated sugar, 250mL milk, 3 drops of vanilla essence, 150g fresh cream
Operating Time: Follow the recipe of each maker
Our reviewers tasted the vegan ice cream made by each machine, evaluated its smoothness, and then scored the recommended level for each product.
Tester: 12 men and women with lactose intolerance
Ingredients: 90g full-fat coconut milk, 7.2g raw cashew butter, 7.2g maple syrup, 7.2g organic cane sugar, 2g vanilla essence, 2g olive oil
Operating Time: Follow each maker's recipe
We established criteria for a user-friendly ice cream maker as a product that can make delicious ice cream without fail, is easy to use, and requires no preparation.
The testers evaluated each ice cream maker, scored them based on the points below, and turned the recommendations into a numerical score.
Is there a timer?
Is the machine easy to cool?
Can you add ingredients while stirring?
Is there an automatic function?
Can the hardness be adjusted?
Is it easy to arrange?
Does it come with a dedicated measuring cup?
We looked for products that produce ice cream almost immediately after mixing, with hardly any waiting time.
Based on the instructions from the manufacturer, we investigated the operating time. We scored each ice cream maker and gave ice cream makers with a shorter operating time (up to a limit of 20 minutes) higher recommendations.
If there is a range for the operating hours listed in the manufacturer's instructions, evaluate using the maximum value as the operating time
The testers reviewed each product and scored them based on the following points, quantifying the recommendation level of each product.
Is the bowl removable?
Is it dishwasher-safe?
We checked the products for how quietly they operate, so you don't have to worry about when or where you use them.
The ice cream maker was installed and operated in a soundproof room. A noise meter was placed 70cm away from the main unit to measure sound. With a maximum of 45dB (decibels), we scored the recommended level based on how quietly the machine operated. The quieter, the better.
No. 1: Ninja|CREAMi Deluxe|NC501
No. 2: Whynter|Automatic Ice Cream Maker|ICM-201SB
No. 3: Breville USA|The Smart Scoop|BCI600XL
No. 4: Musso|Lussino|musso-mini-4080
No. 5: Hamilton Beach Brands|4 Quart Ice Cream Maker|68330N
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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