On a sizzling hot summer day, nothing beats a scoop of ice cream. It’s satisfying to let a spoonful of creamy homemade ice cream melt in your mouth. And to assist you in finding the 10 best ice cream makers for 2024, we’ve produced a list.
Who isn’t a lover of ice cream? Owning an ice cream maker gives the chance to experiment with new flavors. And it’s a fun activity to engage the help of your kids in creating one.
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To create many people’s favorite sweet treats, you’ll need an ice cream machine that freezes quickly enough to avoid hard crystals and unnecessary air. There are different machine types to pick from.
To assist you in deciding which one is ideal for you, let’s get rolling!
The 10 Best Ice Cream Makers For 2024:
In a rush? Here are our favorite ice cream maker recommendations. We go into more detail about why we like them later on in this article.
| Image | Name | Price | Buy |
 | Best Overall: Cuisinart ICE-70 Electronic Ice Cream Maker | $$$ | BEST PRICE |
 | Best Value: Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker | $$ | BEST PRICE |
 | Best Attachment: KitchenAid KICA0WH Ice Cream Maker Attachment | $$$ | BEST PRICE |
 | Best High-End: Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Compressor | $$$ | BEST PRICE |
 | Best Design: Nostalgia 4-Quart Electric Ice Cream Maker | $$ | BEST PRICE |
 | Best Manual: Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker | $ | BEST PRICE |
 | Best Soft Serve: Cuisinart ICE-45 Ice Cream Maker | $$ | BEST PRICE |
 | Best for Small Spaces: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Ice Cream Maker | $ | BEST PRICE |
 | Best Single Serving: Zoku Ice Cream Maker | $ | BEST PRICE |
 | Best for Vegans: Yonanas Classic Soft Serve Machine | $$ | BEST PRICE |
Our Favorite Ice Cream Maker Review
Here are my recommendations for the best ice cream maker to have in your kitchen. All of the products included are of the highest quality, and each one excels in a different way.
Best Overall: Cuisinart ICE-70 Electronic Ice Cream Maker
The Highlights:
Pros
+ It has an automatic shut-off timer
+ It has automatic and manual modes
+ Comes with measuring cups and a recipe book
Cons
– It might overflow
– It produces noise while in use
– The lid is difficult to tighten properly
Today, most ice cream makers are also designed to make not only ice cream. This Cuisinart ice cream maker can also make delicious gelato and sorbet.
It includes settings for ice cream, gelato, and sorbet, allowing you to easily control the mixing paddle’s speed. Each option’s time is set automatically, but you can also alter it manually. And it also features an automated shut-off when the timer ends.
You can easily make a 2-quart freezer bowl with this product from Cuisinart.
Best Value: Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker
Pros
+ Budget-friendly
+ It has a double-insulated bowl
+ Comes with an easy lock transparent lid
Cons
– The cover is prone to cracking
– The bowl is not dishwasher safe
– It has a smaller capacity than others
If you still don’t have a budget for the best overall in the list. This best value ice cream maker also from Cuisinart will fit your budget.
While this model lacks some of the bells and whistles found on higher-end versions from the brand, it is fully automatic and produces high-quality homemade ice cream. The double-insulated freezer bowl removes the need for ice when churning ice cream.
You can easily make ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet with this ice cream maker.
Best Attachment: KitchenAid KICA0WH Ice Cream Maker Attachment
Pros
+ Space efficient
+ Dishwasher safe dasher
+ All attachments fits almost all KitchenAid Stand Mixers
Cons
– It will take a space on the freezer
– It may take a little longer to freeze
– The bowl does not come with a lid
Do you already have a KitchenAid mixer? Then this best attachment ice cream mixer from KitchenAid is the one you need. This can fit almost all of the models of KitchenAid mixer.
It is quite simple to use. With a simple change of attachment heads, the ice cream maker doubles the use of your KitchenAid mixer. This machine is can make two quarts of ice cream. You may prepare several batches because it takes only 20-30 minutes to make.
Best High-End: Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Compressor
Pros
+ It can be automated or manual
+ It comes with 12 hardness settings
+ It has a pre-cool and keeps the cool feature
Cons
– It warms rapidly when the cover is open
– Dasher design makes messy ice cream removal
– It may take up space on your storage or counter
Do you want to get serious about making your homemade ice cream? This might be the perfect ice cream maker for you. Even though it comes with a high-end price, but it has a lot of benefits.
This 1 and 1/2 quart ice cream maker features a compressor that chills the ice cream while it churns. It also features 12 settings for different degrees of softness. With these settings, you may simply produce ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or frozen yogurt.
Best Design: Nostalgia 4-Quart Electric Ice Cream Maker
Pros
+ I looks like a bucket machine
+ It has an electric cranking mechanism
+ It comes with a convenient carrying handle
Cons
– It requires salt and ice
– It is a bit noisy when in use
– Paddle size is not big enough to churn contents near the wall
This device is not like other ice cream makers in terms of design. This looks like a bucket. This also has the idea of an old ice cream maker.
Why is it has the idea of an old-fashioned ice cream maker? Because this ice cream maker uses ice and salt to freeze the ice cream, it also has an electric cranking mechanism. As a result, you won’t have to work as hard to have your favorite sweet treat.
Best Manual: Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker
Pros
+ Easy to use
+ Safe for kids
+ Does not need electric power
Cons
– It needs a space in your freezer
– Does not work well with vegan recipes
– The bowl is only suitable for ice cream
No electricity, no rock salt, and no lengthy churning needed. This product from Chef’n is the best manual ice cream maker.
Mostly of ice cream makers needs patience before you can taste your heavenly homemade ice cream. But with this product, provides a simple and quick method for making ice cream. Simply freeze the meal ahead of time and then add the ingredients.
Best Soft Serve: Cuisinart ICE-45 Ice Cream Maker
Pros
+ Easy to use
+ It has a three condiments container
+ Removable drip tray for easy cleaning
Cons
– There are lots of parts to clean
– It can only make one batch at a time
– It is bulky and takes up space on storage or counter
The best ice cream is soft serve, and this Cuisinart product shines at it. It is completely automatic and capable of producing 1 and 1/2 quarts of ice cream.
Not only does this product make soft-serve ice cream. It transforms your counter into an ice cream parlor, equipped with a cone holder and three dispensers for your favorite ice cream toppings.
Best for Small Spaces: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Ice Cream Maker
Pros
+ Automatic shut-off feature
+ Space-saving bucket design
+ It comes with an easy lock lid
Cons
– It is noisy
– It has a short cord
– It requires lots of ice
Got no space on your freezer? Then this Hamilton product is ideal for you. This ice cream machine can produce 4 quarts of ice cream.
This is a fully automatic system that shuts off when the mixture becomes thick. Simply add ice and salt, as it does not include a freezer bowl. You can enjoy your favorite frozen yogurt, sorbet, and ice cream in 20 to 40 minutes.
Best Single Serving: Zoku Ice Cream Maker
Pros
+ It is easy to use
+ Does not need electricity
+ It takes less space in the kitchen
Cons
– Not dishwasher safe
– It needs 12 hours to freeze the bowl
– Sometimes the ice cream will get stuck to the side of the ice cream maker
Are you leaving alone and often crave ice cream? This Zoku ice cream maker is ideal for single servings. It is available in a range of colors.
This small freezer bowl can hold 5 ounces of ice cream. Simply place the bowl in the freezer, add your ingredients, and stir and scrape. You may have soft-serve ice cream in as little as 10 to 20 minutes after freezing.
Best for Vegans: Yonanas Classic Soft Serve Machine
Pros
+ Works easy and quick
+ Easy to assemble and disassemble
+ It takes a small space n your storage
Cons
– It is a little bit noisy
– It can only be used for one purpose
– Needs to scrape ice cream from the blade
Is ice cream a guilty pleasure of yours? Don’t worry! With this Yonanas ice cream maker, you can make your own healthy, sugar-free ice cream.
You can prepare frozen desserts with fruits instead of dairy and sugar, whether you are vegan or not. This is also a good way to get your children to eat fruits. Make smooth, creamy ice cream with your fresh bananas.
A Guide Before Buying Ice Cream Maker
Ice cream churning used to be time-consuming because the creamy smoothness of the ice cream needs many minutes of hand cranking. There is now a large variety of ice cream makers on the market, with some options needing only a touch of a button.
Before buying one, you can consider these things.
Settings and Options:
Some of the most basic ice cream machines only have an on/off switch. Timers, automatic shut-off or “keep cool” options, extra freezer bowls, gelato-making settings, and other features are available on other machines.
Compared to other versions, compressor-style ice cream makers have more controls and options for making different types of ice cream.
Freezing Style:
Many ice cream makers require that the freezer bowl be frozen before the ice cream may be churned.
If you don’t have enough freezer space, this may not be practical, and you’ll have to wait for the bowl to freeze again if you want to create a second batch.
Making Many Batches:
Whether you can produce multiple batches in a row depends on the type of ice cream machine you pick. Freezer bowl models must be frozen before use, and most can only make one batch of ice cream before needing to be frozen again.
Compressor models make it easier to make a second or third batch. You may make as many batches as you like with the salt-and-ice models, as long as you have enough ice and salt to keep the machine cold.
Type of Machine:
Because electric ice cream machines do all of the churnings for you, producing ice cream is as simple as putting the ingredients in the machine, pressing the start button, and waiting for it to finish.
While churning ice cream might take 20 minutes or longer, and the process becomes more difficult as the ice cream solidifies, manual machines demand more effort. They are more portable because they do not require a power source.
Cleaning:
It’s important to think about how easy the product is to clean. Plastic paddles and lids, for example, can be washed in the dishwasher. However, most manufacturers advise that it be washed by hand. The motors and exteriors were also simply wipe-clean.
People Also Ask
Can you make Frozen Yogurt and Gelato in an ice cream maker?
Yes! You can make ice cream, frozen yogurt, and gelato, with an ice cream maker. The best results will come from an ice cream maker that lets you change the speed of churning and the amount of time it takes to freeze. Only electric ice cream makers have these features, although not all electric ice cream makers can do this. Make sure to read up on the ice cream maker’s dessert settings to make sure it has the flexibility you want.
Do all ice cream makers require rock salt?
To make ice cream treats, ice cream makers may need rock salt. The rock salt in the outer container naturally lowers the freezing point of the ice around it. The ice melts because of this. The ice cream’s ingredients, which are pressed against the inside of the container, give off heat as they melt.
How long does it take to freeze ice cream in a maker?
Start the motor and churn the ice cream until it’s done, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or even longer. When it is done, the ice cream will start to rise to the top and get bigger, and the motor will slow down.
Conclusion
When it comes to ice cream, everyone has a favorite flavor. They might become a guilty pleasure at times. And if you want to make your own at home and try out other flavors, you can do so. The Cuisinart ICE-70 Electronic Ice Cream Maker, which is both automated and manual and can contain up to 2-quarts of ice cream, is the best overall option. Not only can you make ice cream with this, but you can also make gelato and sorbet with it.
Of course, not everyone wants to spend a lot of money on an ice cream machine. Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, and Sorbet Maker offer the best value for money. It comes with a double-insulated bowl that doesn’t need ice for the ice cream when churning.
The Yonanas Classic Soft Serve Machine is the best for vegans if you’re on a diet. With this ice cream machine, you can produce your own healthy, sugar-free ice cream in no time.
Hope you found an ice cream maker that caught your interest. What’s your favorite ice cream flavor ? Let us know in the comments!
P.S. If you’re looking to bake or make the best ice creams, you’ll need precision! Come check out our review of the best measuring spoons here. These aren’t your typical measuring spoons! You’ll even be able to precisely measure sticky goopy ingredients like peanut butter.
