When the weather heats up, cold treats hit differently. A home ice cream maker gives you the freedom to mix your own flavors and keep things cool your way. If you’re craving soft serve, sorbet, or something dairy-free, the right machine makes it easy to get started.
What To Consider Before Picking an Ice Cream Maker
There’s a wide range of small appliances for summer treats out there, but the best one for you depends on how you plan to use it. Some are perfect for quick treats now and then. Others are better for regular use, larger batches, or experimenting with texture and mix-ins.
Here are a few things to think about before you decide on an ice cream maker:
- Freezing method: Some machines use a pre-frozen bowl, others have a built-in compressor, and a few still rely on salt and ice.
- Batch size: You can find compact machines for one serving or larger ones built for entertaining.
- Ease of use: Controls can be as simple as a single button or as involved as digital panels, built-in timers, or manual cranks.
- Storage space: Larger machines may live on your counter, while smaller ones can fit neatly in a cabinet.
- Cleaning: Removable parts make cleanup quicker, but built-in components take more time to clean.
Once you know how much ice cream you want and how much work you want to do, it gets easier to choose. Think about your kitchen space, how often you’ll use the machine, and if you care more about convenience or control.
Pick an Ice Cream Maker Based on How It Freezes the Bowl
Ice cream makers fall into a few categories based on how they freeze the mixture. Some rely on pre-frozen parts. Meanwhile others chill on their own with built-in compressors. A few use salt and ice or even manual methods.
Keep It Simple With Canister-Style Churning in the Cuisinart ICE-21
Canister-style machines are some of the most common for home use. With the Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker, you keep the insulated bowl in your freezer for 16 to 24 hours. It contains a gel-like substance that holds a low temperature long enough to freeze your base while the machine churns.
Once the bowl is frozen solid, you pour in your mix and press a switch to start. It’s a straightforward setup with fewer parts to manage or clean. Just remember that timing matters. If the bowl isn’t fully frozen, the results may fall flat.
This style works well if you’re only going to make ice cream occasionally, especially in smaller kitchens.
Make Ice Cream on Demand With the Breville Smart Scoop Compressor
Compressor models like the Breville Smart Scoop (BCI600XL) have their own built-in cooling system. While that often means a higher price tag, it gives you the freedom to make ice cream on the spot. You don’t need to pre-freeze the bowl or plan ahead. These machines use the same technology found in refrigerators to lower the temperature of the bowl during the process.
This ice cream maker is a good choice for those who want less prep and more control. You also get more options for adjusting texture and consistency. Some models let you make multiple batches back-to-back without waiting.
Freeze the Old-Fashioned Way With the Hamilton Beach 4-Qt. Ice Cream Maker
This is the classic method that’s been around for generations. The Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Ice Cream Maker uses a simple chemical reaction. You load a bucket with ice and sprinkle rock salt between the layers, which causes the ice to melt at a much colder temperature than normal.
That lower temperature pulls heat from the cream mixture inside the metal canister, freezing it as it churns. The machine handles the churning, but you’ll still need to manage the ice and salt manually.
It’s not the cleanest option, but it’s reliable and produces large batches, making it a go-to for families or cookouts.
Create by Hand With the Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker
The Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker is closer to a hands-on dessert station than a machine. It has a metal surface filled with cooling liquid that you freeze overnight. When you pour a cold ice cream base onto it, the plate quickly draws out the heat, letting you scrape and fold the mixture until it firms up.
You’re in charge of every step: spreading, scraping, mixing. It’s not ideal for large servings, but it makes the process fun and interactive.
This ice cream maker is best for quick batches, rolled ice cream, or letting kids help out in the kitchen.
Think About How Much Ice Cream You Want to Make
Ice cream makers come in a wide range of sizes. Some are built for single servings, while others can handle multiple quarts in a row. If you’re mostly making treats for one or two people, a small capacity might be fine. But if you’re feeding a family or prepping for gatherings, you may want something bigger.
Get Small-Batch Flexibility With the DASH My Pint Ice Cream Maker
The DASH My Pint Ice Cream Maker is a compact machine that makes around 1.6 cups per batch. That’s just under half a quart, making it a solid choice for single servings or small households. It’s also a fun way to test new flavors without committing to a full container.
This model uses a pre-frozen canister, so you’ll need to freeze the bowl overnight before churning. It has a simple one-button operation, comes with a mixing spoon, and includes a few starter recipes. The whole unit weighs just a couple of pounds, which makes it easy to move or store in a cabinet when not in use.
If you’re looking for a personal-sized machine that’s low-maintenance and won’t crowd your counter, this one is worth a look.
Go With Mid-Size Versatility in the Whynter ICM-15LS
If you want more than a single serving but don’t need a full party-sized batch, a mid-range machine like the Whynter ICM-15LS strikes a nice balance. It has a 1.6-qt. removable bowl and uses compressor cooling, so there’s no pre-freezing involved, which means you can make several back-to-back batches without waiting for anything to re-freeze.
This model includes a digital timer and automatic shutoff, making it easy to walk away while it churns. Plus, the stainless steel exterior gives it a clean, modern look, and the built-in handle helps with repositioning.
This ice cream maker is good fit for regular use, especially if you want more flexibility with ingredients or batch sizes.
Go Big & Get More With the The Lello Musso Pola 5030 Dessert Maker
The Lello Musso Pola 5030 Dessert Maker is in another league (with a price to match). This is a semi-professional compressor model with a 2-qt. stainless steel bowl and the ability to produce up to 6 qts. of ice cream per hour.
Everything about this ice cream maker is built for performance. It has a heavy all-metal body, an induction motor, and mechanical controls that let you manage churn time and chilling separately. The bowl is fixed in place, so cleaning takes up more time, but you get consistent texture and fast results with each batch.
This machine suits people who make ice cream often and want durability, volume, and precision in one unit. It’s especially useful for larger households, food projects, or anyone who likes to share their frozen creations.
How Much Work Do You Want to Put In?
Some ice cream makers do most of the work for you. Others let you control every step. What feels like fun to one person may feel like a chore to someone else. So, it helps to think about how hands-on you want the process to be.
Just Flip a Switch With the Cuisinart Pure Indulgence Ice Cream Maker
The Cuisinart Pure Indulgence 2-Qt. Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker is as simple as it gets. Once the double-insulated bowl freezes, all you do is pour in your mixture and press the switch. The ice cream maker has a heavy-duty motor and can churn up to two quarts per batch.
There are no presets or timers to deal with. The ice cream maker churns continuously until you turn it off, which gives you flexibility without needing to read a manual. It also has a wide ingredient spout, making it easy to toss in mix-ins like chocolate chips or fruit while the base is freezing.
This style is ideal if you want homemade ice cream with minimal steps and don’t mind freezing the bowl in advance.
Enjoy More Control, Less Guesswork With the Cuisinart ICE-70
The Cuisinart ICE-70 gives you more ways to control the process. It comes with three modes—gelato, sorbet, and ice cream—each with its own speed and timing. Additionally, a digital countdown timer lets you track progress, and it shuts off automatically when the cycle ends.
The 2-qt. bowl is double-insulated, like the ICE-30, but the LCD screen and built-in measuring tools add an extra layer of convenience. You also get a clear lid with a spout for adding ingredients mid-churn.
This model ice cream maker works well for anyone who wants to experiment with recipes while keeping the process mostly hands-off.
Bring Back Nostalgia With the Immergood Hand Crank Ice Cream Maker
The Immergood 6-Qt. Hand Crank Ice Cream Maker is completely manual. You fill the outer tub with ice and salt, pour your cream base into the stainless steel canister, and crank the handle until it thickens. Though a bit pricey, this unit features heavy-duty materials, including a triple-insulated tub and cast metal gears.
It takes real effort, but many people enjoy the slow, hands-on process. There’s a nostalgic feel to gathering outside, taking turns mixing, and waiting for the ice cream to come together the old-fashioned way.
There are no electronics to plug in or settings to choose from. So, this one’s best for people who enjoy the process as much as the result, especially in family or group settings.
Make Space for an Ice Cream Maker in Your Routine
Whether you go with a compact canister model or a compressor machine that does the freezing for you, having an ice cream maker at home opens up all kinds of possibilities. You can test out new flavors, tweak textures, or make dairy-free recipes that fit your needs.
