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Ice Cream MakersHelping You Find the Best
mybest
Ice Cream MakersHelping You Find the Best
5 Best Ice Cream Makers  [Tested and Reviewed]

5 Best Ice Cream Makers [Tested and Reviewed]

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. 

To determine the best options on the market, we gathered five popular ice cream makers from the newest and best-selling products and compared them in six key areas. After our rigorous testing, we ranked the ice cream makers and made recommendations based on performance.

At mybest, we think the best ice cream maker is one that makes deliciously smooth ice cream and is easy to use and care for. We will also explain what features to look for in an ice cream maker and share the results of our testing so you can make an informed purchase. 
Last updated 11/22/2024
Dann Reid
Expert
Freelance Food Writer
Dann Reid

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.

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Nanami Den
Guide
Head of Kitchen and Food at mybest
Nanami Den

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.

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How We Tested the Products

We gathered the 5 bestselling Ice Cream Makers and put them through rigorous testing.
  1. Ice Cream Texture

    1
    Ice Cream Texture

    We set the standard for ice cream smoothness as a product that our testers rated highly based on texture.

  2. Vegan Ice Cream Texture

    2
    Vegan Ice Cream 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. 

  3. Ease of Use

    3
    Ease of Use

    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.

  4. Churn Speed

    4
    Churn Speed

    We looked for products that produce ice cream almost immediately after mixing, with hardly any waiting time.

  5. Ease of Cleaning

    5
    Ease of Cleaning

    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.

  6. Noise Level

    6
    Noise Level

    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

Company Facility
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.

Table of Contents

What Are the Benefits of Buying an Ice Cream Maker?

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.

Make Delicious Scoops That Taste Like They’re From an Ice Cream Parlor

Make Delicious Scoops That Taste Like They’re From an Ice Cream Parlor

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. 

It’s Not Just Vanilla! Depending on Your Tastes, You Can Enjoy a Variety of Flavors

It’s Not Just Vanilla! Depending on Your Tastes, You Can Enjoy a Variety of Flavors

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.

Nanami Den
Head of Kitchen and Food at mybest
Nanami Den

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

The Best Ice Cream Makers: Testing Results and Our Top Picks

Here are the points to keep in mind when choosing the best Ice Cream Makers .

1

Our Top Ice Cream Maker: Ninja’s CREAMi Deluxe

Our Top Ice Cream Maker: Ninja’s CREAMi Deluxe

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 CREAMi Deluxe Made Ice Cream that Was Smooth, and Just Hard Enough

The CREAMi Deluxe Made Ice Cream that Was Smooth, and Just Hard Enough

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. 

Ice Cream is Easy to Make! With a Little Prep, It's Ready in Just 2 Minutes the Next Day

Ice Cream is Easy to Make! With a Little Prep, It's Ready in Just 2 Minutes the Next Day

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.

Nanami Den
Head of Kitchen and Food at mybest
Nanami Den

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.

You Can Also Make Frozen Yogurt and Gelato, so the Range of Potential Variations Is Limitless

You Can Also Make Frozen Yogurt and Gelato, so the Range of Potential Variations Is Limitless

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. 

Nanami Den
Head of Kitchen and Food at mybest
Nanami Den

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.

Maintenance Is Easy, You Just Need to Wash a Small Container

Maintenance Is Easy, You Just Need to Wash a Small Container

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.

Nanami Den
Head of Kitchen and Food at mybest
Nanami Den

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.

2

Best for Vegan Ice Cream: Whynter’s Automatic Ice Cream Maker

Best for Vegan Ice Cream: Whynter’s Automatic Ice Cream Maker

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.

This Machine Made Smooth Ice Cream Without Using Any Dairy Products!

This Machine Made Smooth Ice Cream Without Using Any Dairy Products!

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."

Pre-cooling Is Not Necessary, So It’s Convenient to Make Ice Cream Whenever You Feel Like It

Pre-cooling Is Not Necessary, So It’s Convenient to Make Ice Cream Whenever You Feel Like It

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.

Nanami Den
Head of Kitchen and Food at mybest
Nanami Den

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.

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5 Best Ice Cream Makers Ranking

Here are the best Ice Cream Makers we found after testing them. We ranked them after weighting each of our testing specs.
Recommended
Price Performance
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Products
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mybest Score
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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 DeluxeNC501

Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 1
4.52

The Best Option for Easy-to-Make, Smooth Ice Cream! The Possibilities for Variations Are Endless

4.69
4.21
4.65
5.00
4.50
3.06

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 MakerICM-201SB

Whynter Automatic Ice Cream Maker 1
4.29

If You Want to Make Vegan Ice Cream, This Machine Can Produce Delicious, Dairy-Free Concoctions

4.38
4.59
4.10
4.00
4.50
4.18

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 ScoopBCI600XL

Breville USA The Smart Scoop 1
4.15

Convenient to Use, If You Want to Make Vegan Ice Cream, This Ice Cream Maker Is an Option

3.88
4.50
4.65
4.25
4.50
4.30

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

Lussinomusso-mini-4080

Musso Lussino 1
4.04

The Finish Is Somewhat Hard, and You Can’t Remove the Bowl, So Maintenance Can Be Time-Consuming

4.38
4.50
4.10
4.00
3.00
3.96

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 Maker68330N

Hamilton Beach Brands 4 Quart Ice Cream Maker 1
3.87

You Can Make a Large Amount of Ice at Once, but It’s Difficult to Use Because There’s No Timer

4.32
4.50
3.00
4.50
4.50
3.22

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.

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1
Top Choice Ice Cream Makers
No.1 in Ice Cream Texture
No.1 in Ease of Use
No.1 in Churn Speed
No.1 in Easy to Clean

Ninja
CREAMi DeluxeNC501

mybest Score
4.52
Ice Cream Texture
4.69
Vegan Ice Cream Texture
4.21
Ease of Use
4.65
Churn Speed
5.00
Easy to Clean
4.50
Noise Level
3.06
View on Amazon
CREAMi Deluxe 1
Lowest price
$229.99
Mid
Lowest price
$229.99
Mid
Ice Cream Maker TypeCooling Pot Type
Time From Start to Finish2min.
Removable Bowl
Automatic Cooling Function
Pre-cooling Time
1day

The Best Option for Easy-to-Make, Smooth Ice Cream! The Possibilities for Variations Are Endless

What we loved

  • Make delicious dairy ice cream
  • Easy to use

What we didn't love

  • Can’t make good vegan ice cream
  • One-day lag between mixing up a batch and eating it
The Ninja "CREAMi Deluxe NC501" topped our list for ice cream makers. It turns ice particles into smooth ice cream by rotating a paddle under pressure.

 

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.


The only drawback of the CREAMi Deluxe is that you can’t use it to make vegan ice cream. That process requires stirring the base forcefully all at once, but using the CREAMi, the mixture is separated and turned into powder.

If you’re making ice cream with dairy ingredients, though, the CREAMi is our top pick. You can count on this easy-to-use machine to produce delicious frozen treats. 
Width8.4 in.
Depth12.0 in.
Height16.7 in.
Power Consumption800W
Weight14.4 lb.
Capacity0.75 qt.
Length of Power Cord31.5 in.
Type of OperationDial
Compact Size
Equipped with Timer
Automatic Timer Function
Supported RecipesIce Cream, Lite Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Frozen Yogurt, Creamiccino, Frozen Drink, Slushi, Milkshake, Italian Ice
Operational Noise Level (Measured)78.85 dB.
Firmness Adjustment
View all
Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2
No.1 in Vegan Ice Cream Texture
No.1 in Easy to Clean

Whynter
Automatic Ice Cream MakerICM-201SB

mybest Score
4.29
Ice Cream Texture
4.38
Vegan Ice Cream Texture
4.59
Ease of Use
4.10
Churn Speed
4.00
Easy to Clean
4.50
Noise Level
4.18
Lowest price
$340.00
Mid
Ice Cream Maker TypeBuilt-in Cooling System Type
Time From Start to Finish60 min.
Removable Bowl
Automatic Cooling Function
Pre-cooling Time
0 min.

If You Want to Make Vegan Ice Cream, This Machine Can Produce Delicious, Dairy-Free Concoctions

What we loved

  • Makes excellent vegan ice cream
  • Designed with overheating protection

What we didn't love

  • Can’t adjust level of hardness
  • Doesn’t make dairy ice cream well
The "Automatic Ice Cream Maker ICM-201SB" from Whynter is our top choice for making vegan ice cream.

 

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.

It’s also fairly simple to make ice cream with this machine. This ice cream maker comes with a timer and automatic cooling feature, so it’s easy to use. But this machine does not allow you to adjust the level of hardness, so you can’t customize your frozen creations as much as you can with other models.

 

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.
Width12.5 in.
Depth10.8 in.
Height16.7 in.
Power Consumption180W
Weight24.2 lb.
Capacity2.1 qt.
Length of Power Cord49.6 in.
Type of OperationButton
Compact Size
Equipped with Timer
Automatic Timer Function
Supported RecipesIce Cream
Operational Noise Level (Measured)56.50 dB.
Firmness Adjustment
View all
No.3
No.1 in Ease of Use
No.1 in Easy to Clean
No.1 in Noise Level

Breville USA
The Smart ScoopBCI600XL

Lowest price
$499.95
High Mid
Ice Cream Maker TypeBuilt-in Cooling System Type
Time From Start to Finish50 min.
Removable Bowl
Automatic Cooling Function
Pre-cooling Time
5~10 min.

Convenient to Use, If You Want to Make Vegan Ice Cream, This Ice Cream Maker Is an Option

What we loved

  • Has automatic cooling function
  • Allows you to choose between 12 levels of hardness
  • Makes good vegan ice cream

What we didn't love

  • Not as good with ice cream made with dairy ingredients
Breville USA's "The Smart Scoop BCI600XL" comes with smart features that take some of the guesswork out of making ice cream.

 

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."

On the other hand, this ice cream maker didn’t perform as well when it came to making traditional ice cream with dairy ingredients. This machine left grains of ice in the batch, giving the ice cream an unwanted crunchy texture. One tester said, "I could feel small chunks of ice in my mouth. The texture is not smooth if we have to bite ice."

Plus, this machine takes 60 minutes to make a batch of ice cream, including the pre-cooling time. This ice cream maker might be an option to consider if you only plan to make vegan ice cream, but it fell short when it came to ice cream made with dairy products. 
Width7.2 in.
Depth16.2 in.
Height10.7 in.
Power Consumption165 W
Weight30.0 lb.
Capacity1.1 qt.
Length of Power Cord70.1 in.
Type of OperationDial
Compact Size
Equipped with Timer
Automatic Timer Function
Supported RecipesIce Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Frozen Yogurt
Operational Noise Level (Measured)54.10 dB.
Firmness Adjustment
View all
No.4

Musso
Lussinomusso-mini-4080

mybest Score
4.04
Ice Cream Texture
4.38
Vegan Ice Cream Texture
4.50
Ease of Use
4.10
Churn Speed
4.00
Easy to Clean
3.00
Noise Level
3.96
Lowest price
$699.99
High Mid
Ice Cream Maker TypeBuilt-in Cooling System Type
Time From Start to Finish60 min.
Removable Bowl
Automatic Cooling Function
Pre-cooling Time
0 min.

The Finish Is Somewhat Hard, and You Can’t Remove the Bowl, So Maintenance Can Be Time-Consuming

What we loved

  • Makes both vegan and dairy ice cream well
  • Ice cream texture is smooth

What we didn't love

  • Difficult to maintain

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

Width12.0 in.
Depth18.0 in.
Height11.0 in.
Power Consumption100W
Weight39.6 lb.
Capacity0.79 qt
Length of Power Cord66.9 in.
Type of OperationDial
Compact Size
Equipped with Timer
Automatic Timer Function
Supported RecipesIce Cream
Operational Noise Level (Measured)60.90 dB.
Firmness Adjustment
View all
No.5
No.1 in Easy to Clean

Hamilton Beach Brands
4 Quart Ice Cream Maker68330N

mybest Score
3.87
Ice Cream Texture
4.32
Vegan Ice Cream Texture
4.50
Ease of Use
3.00
Churn Speed
4.50
Easy to Clean
4.50
Noise Level
3.22
Lowest price
$54.39
Low
Ice Cream Maker TypeCooling Pot Type
Time From Start to Finish40 min.
Removable Bowl
Automatic Cooling Function
Pre-cooling Time
0 min.

You Can Make a Large Amount of Ice at Once, but It’s Difficult to Use Because There’s No Timer

What we loved

  • Large capacity
  • Makes smooth ice cream

What we didn't love

  • No timer
  • Can’t see inside machine when making ice cream
The Hamilton Beach "4 Quart Ice Cream Maker 68330N" is a large-capacity machine with a volume of 4 pints, so it’s great for families or home parties.

 

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."

While some other ice cream makers can take 60 minutes to produce a batch, this machine stands out because it only takes 40 minutes. So you can make enough ice cream to serve a small group in less time. Plus, the bowl is removable, and you can wash it thoroughly, making this machine easy to maintain.

That said, what lowered our rating of this machine was that it was difficult to use. It started running immediately after we plugged it in. There’s also no timer, so you’ll have to keep a close eye on it. Users of this machine also have to spread a large amount of ice and salt between the containers to cool the base, which is time-consuming. And because you can’t look inside this ice cream maker while it’s making a batch, it’s not possible to fine-tune the process.
Width12.5 in.
Depth11.1 in.
Height15.3 in.
Power Consumption80W
Weight5.0 lb.
Capacity4.0 qt.
Length of Power Cord24.0 in.
Type of OperationAUTO
Compact Size
Equipped with Timer
Automatic Timer Function
Supported RecipesIce Cream
Operational Noise Level (Measured)75.70 dB.
Firmness Adjustment
View all

How We Tested Ice Cream Makers

Ice Cream Makers Evaluation

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

  1. Breville USAThe Smart ScoopBCI600XL
  2. Hamilton Beach Brands4 Quart Ice Cream Maker68330N
  3. MussoLussinomusso-mini-4080
  4. NinjaCREAMi DeluxeNC501
  5. WhynterAutomatic Ice Cream MakerICM-201SB
1

Ice Cream Texture

Ice Cream Texture

We set the standard for ice cream smoothness as a product that our testers rated highly based on texture.

Scoring Method

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.

Test Conditions

  • 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

What We Checked

  • Is the texture smooth?
2

Vegan Ice Cream Texture

Vegan Ice Cream 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. 

Scoring Method

Our reviewers tasted the vegan ice cream made by each machine, evaluated its smoothness, and then scored the recommended level for each product.

Test Conditions

  • 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

What We Checked

  • Is the texture smooth?
3

Ease of Use

Ease of Use

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.

Scoring Method

The testers evaluated each ice cream maker, scored them based on the points below, and turned the recommendations into a numerical score.

What We Checked

  • 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?

4

Churn Speed

Churn Speed

We looked for products that produce ice cream almost immediately after mixing, with hardly any waiting time.

Scoring Method

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.

Test Conditions

  • If there is a range for the operating hours listed in the manufacturer's instructions, evaluate using the maximum value as the operating time

5

Ease of Cleaning

Ease of Cleaning
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.

Scoring Method

The testers reviewed each product and scored them based on the following points, quantifying the recommendation level of each product.

What We Checked

  • Is the bowl removable?

  • Is it dishwasher-safe?

6

Noise Level

Noise Level

We checked the products for how quietly they operate, so you don't have to worry about when or where you use them.

Scoring Method

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.

Test Conditions

  • Test Equipment: RION General Sound Level Meter (NL-27)

Top 5 Ice Cream Makers

No. 1: NinjaCREAMi DeluxeNC501

No. 2: WhynterAutomatic Ice Cream MakerICM-201SB

No. 3: Breville USAThe Smart ScoopBCI600XL

No. 4: MussoLussinomusso-mini-4080

No. 5: Hamilton Beach Brands4 Quart Ice Cream Maker68330N

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The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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