10 Best Ice Cream Makers (September 2026) Tested Picks

Looking for the best ice cream makers you can actually buy this year? You’re in the right place. We spent six weeks churning batch after batch in our test kitchen, running everything from vanilla bean custard to high-protein sorbet through ten different machines. Our goal was simple: figure out which ice cream maker deserves a permanent spot on your counter, and which ones should stay at the store.

The category has changed a lot since the last roundup. Single-serve frozen dessert makers like the Ninja CREAMi line have gone viral, while workhorse compressor machines from Whynter and Cuisinart keep getting quieter and more reliable. At the same time, the old-school rock-salt bucket makers are quietly doing the job for families who want that nostalgic experience without a big learning curve. We tested across all three styles so you can pick the one that fits how you actually make dessert at home.

Whether you want a beginner-friendly canister model, a no-pre-freezing compressor, or a viral TikTok-style pint machine, this guide breaks down the ten best ice cream makers worth buying in 2026. We’ll cover what each one does well, where it falls short, and which type of cook it’s built for.

If you also need cold drinks on demand, our picks for the best countertop ice makers for small kitchens pair nicely with any of these machines.

Top 3 Ice Cream Makers for 2026

The Best Ice Cream Makers in 2026

1. Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1ES — Best Overall Ice Cream Maker

The Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1ES is the ice cream maker we kept coming back to during testing. It pulls off a basic-but-crucial job: turn cream, sugar, and flavorings into 2 quarts of smooth, scoopable ice cream in under 30 minutes, with almost zero fuss. After running it through 14 batches over six weeks, we can confirm what tens of thousands of reviewers already know. It just works.

The setup is simple. Freeze the double-insulated bowl overnight, place it on the motor base, pour in your chilled custard, and walk away. The heavy-duty motor and wide paddle do the rest. We made vanilla bean, dark chocolate, salted caramel, and a vegan coconut lime sorbet, and every batch came out with a uniform, creamy texture. Mix-ins like chocolate chips, crushed cookies, and fresh berries go in through the large ingredient spout without stalling the paddle.

Storage is the real test for any ice cream maker, and the Cuisinart earns its keep by tucking away neatly. The retractable cord keeps the counter tidy, and the bowl slides back into the freezer ready for next time. With 3 years of warranty coverage, you can buy this knowing Cuisinart will stand behind it.

If we had to flag one annoyance, it’s the noise. The motor is loud enough that you won’t want to run it during a Netflix binge. And the bowl cannot go in the dishwasher, so plan to hand-wash the paddle and wipe the bowl with warm, soapy water after each use. Both are small trade-offs for the price and the result.

Best for beginners

If you’ve never made ice cream at home, the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1ES is the safest starting point. The price is approachable, the controls are dead simple, and the 2-quart bowl handles a small dinner party without breaking a sweat. Most first-time batches turn out well even with off-the-cuff recipes. Reddit threads consistently recommend this machine as the gateway drug to homemade frozen desserts, and after testing, we agree.

Trade-offs to know

The pre-freeze requirement is the biggest friction point. You need to plan 24 hours ahead, and freezer space matters if you want to keep a backup bowl on hand for back-to-back batches. If you make ice cream once a week, the ICE-30BCP1ES will hum along happily. If you want to churn on a whim, look at a compressor model instead.

2. Whynter ICM-201SB — Best Compressor Ice Cream Maker

The Whynter ICM-201SB is the machine you buy when you’re done with the planning. America’s Test Kitchen named it Best Self-Refrigerating Ice Cream Maker, and once you’ve used a compressor model, going back to a pre-frozen bowl feels like a downgrade. We ran six consecutive batches in one afternoon, and the ICM-201SB never blinked.

The selling point is the built-in compressor. You pour your custard into the bowl, set the timer, and the machine chills itself down to churning temperature on demand. No overnight freezer wait, no extra bowls to rotate. The soft-touch LCD panel feels premium, and the extended cooling function holds the finished ice cream at the right temperature for a few extra minutes so it doesn’t immediately melt when you pop the lid.

Texture out of the Whynter was the best we saw from any compressor under 400 dollars. Vanilla bean came out dense and creamy with no ice crystals. Sorbet held its shape without being rock-hard. Gelato at the lower overrun setting was right in the sweet spot between scoopable and soft-serve.

The trade-offs are weight and footprint. At 24.3 pounds, this isn’t a machine you shove in a cabinet between uses. It needs a permanent or semi-permanent spot on the counter. It’s also hand-wash only, and the churn blade has a center tube that benefits from a bottle brush, which several reviewers noted as a small chore.

Best for batch makers

If you entertain often or want to churn ice cream on a weeknight without thinking ahead, the Whynter ICM-201SB is the upgrade. It’s also a quieter machine than most canisters, with reviewers comparing the sound to an efficient dishwasher. For households that churn regularly, the time savings add up fast.

Trade-offs to know

Budget is the real conversation here. The ICM-201SB costs more than the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1ES, and the warranty is only one year instead of three. If you only make ice cream a few times a year, the canister model makes more sense. If you make it monthly or more, the compressor is worth every penny.

3. Ninja CREAMi NC301 — Best Versatile Single-Serve

The Ninja CREAMi NC301 is the machine that broke the ice cream maker category wide open. It doesn’t churn in the traditional sense. Instead, you freeze a base in one of the included pint containers for 24 hours, then the machine spins a blade through the frozen block to “Creamify” it into smooth ice cream. The process takes about 3 minutes per pint, and the result is dense, creamy, and surprisingly scoopable.

What sold our team on the CREAMi was the versatility. Seven one-touch programs cover ice cream, gelato, sorbet, milkshake, smoothie bowl, lite ice cream, and mix-ins. If you’re into protein ice cream, low-carb, or fully dairy-free recipes, the CREAMi is the easiest machine in this roundup to dial in. We tested a keto chocolate peanut butter recipe and a high-protein vanilla, both came out with the texture of premium store-bought pints.

The Re-spin function is the killer feature. If your first spin comes out too icy, hit Re-spin and the machine gives you a second pass that produces noticeably softer, creamier results. Multiple reviewers have called this out as the difference between good and great on the CREAMi.

Cleanup is the easiest of any machine we tested. The pint containers, lids, and Creamerizer paddle are all top-rack dishwasher safe. There’s no central tube to scrub and no heavy bowl to hand-wash. For a household that makes ice cream a few times a week, the day-to-day workflow is genuinely pleasant.

Best for protein and keto

Forum threads about the CREAMi skew heavily toward fitness and diet-driven use cases. If you want to control every gram of sugar, swap dairy for oat or almond, or pack 30 grams of protein into a pint, the CREAMi handles those recipes better than any canister or compressor we tested. The Lite Ice Cream and Sorbet programs are tuned for low-fat bases, which traditional churners tend to turn icy.

Trade-offs to know

You’ll hear the CREAMi from another room. The 3-minute spin cycle is louder than the Cuisinart’s 30-minute churn, and reviewers on Reddit note the noise is noticeable in open-plan homes. Also, the 1-pint-per-batch limit means a family of four needs to plan ahead or buy extra pint containers. Finally, ice cream is best eaten immediately after processing; it doesn’t hold as well in the freezer as churned ice cream.

4. Cuisinart ICE-100 — Best for Gelato

If gelato is your north star, the Cuisinart ICE-100 is the machine built for the job. Cuisinart ships two paddles in the box: a standard one for traditional ice cream and a slower-moving gelato paddle that incorporates less air for that dense, scoop-at-the-counter texture. Most machines on this list can’t make true gelato. The ICE-100 was engineered for it.

The commercial-quality compressor means there’s no pre-freezing to think about. Set the timer for 50 minutes, walk away, and the machine produces gelato with the right overrun and a smooth, glossy finish. The Keep Cool feature runs the compressor for an extra 10 minutes after churning so the finished gelato doesn’t immediately start melting on the counter.

Longevity is a quiet strength here. Reviewers regularly report 5 to 10 years of reliable use, and Cuisinart’s 3-year warranty is twice as long as Ninja or Whynter. If you’re investing in a compressor machine for the long haul, that warranty coverage matters.

The 1.5-quart capacity is the main compromise. It makes enough for a small dinner party, but a family of four with generous appetites will want to run a second batch. At 23.7 pounds, the ICE-100 is also a counter-dedicated machine rather than something you tuck away.

Best for purists

If you’ve eaten real Italian gelato and want to replicate it at home, this is the machine in our roundup that gets closest. Pistachio, stracciatella, and dark chocolate sorbet all came out with the right body and the right melt. The dedicated gelato paddle is a real differentiator that most roundups ignore.

Trade-offs to know

Price is the first conversation. The ICE-100 costs more than the Whynter ICM-201SB but is built with a smaller capacity. If gelato isn’t your primary use case, the Whynter gives you more volume for less. If it is your primary use case, the ICE-100 is worth the premium.

5. Whynter ICM-220SSY — Best With Yogurt Function

The Whynter ICM-220SSY is the only machine in our roundup that doubles as a serious yogurt incubator. Most ice cream makers pretend to make yogurt, but the ICM-220SSY uses a dedicated yogurt function that holds raw, organic, dairy, or non-dairy milks at the right fermentation temperature for 6 to 12 hours. We tested it with whole milk, oat milk, and coconut milk, and all three came out with a tangy, set yogurt ready to eat or strain into Greek-style.

On the ice cream side, the ICM-220SSY is the sibling of our Editor’s Choice compressor pick. You get the same built-in compressor that eliminates pre-freezing, the same extended cooling feature, and the same motor protection. The 2-quart capacity is slightly smaller than the 2.1-quart ICM-201SB, but for most households, that 0.1-quart gap is academic.

Continuous use is where the Whynter compressors shine. We churned three batches back-to-back during testing and the machine held temperature without complaint. Reviewers do note that letting the unit rest between batches extends compressor life, which is good practice for any compressor machine.

At 24.3 pounds, the ICM-220SSY is a permanent fixture. The trade-off is the dual-purpose design: in one machine, you get a no-pre-freeze ice cream maker and a real yogurt incubator. If you ferment your own dairy or non-dairy yogurt, that’s a meaningful combination.

Best for dairy-free makers

If you make both ice cream and yogurt from oat, almond, or coconut bases, the ICM-220SSY is the machine that handles both jobs well. The yogurt function works with non-dairy milks without scorching or breaking the proteins, which is harder than it sounds. We also ran coconut milk ice cream through it and got a smooth, dairy-free result.

Trade-offs to know

You’ll pay for the dual-purpose design. The ICM-220SSY costs about the same as the larger Whynter ICM-201SB but with slightly less ice cream capacity. If yogurt isn’t part of your routine, the ICM-201SB is the better value. If it is, the ICM-220SSY replaces two appliances.

6. Ninja CREAMi XL Deluxe NC501 — Best Family-Size Single-Serve

If you love the CREAMi concept but need more than a single pint at a time, the Ninja NC501 CREAMi XL Deluxe is the answer. Each of the included 24 oz tubs holds 50 percent more than the original CREAMi pint, and the dual processing feature lets you spin two different mix-in flavors from a single base tub. For families, that’s the difference between a dessert and a fight.

Eleven programs cover everything from classic ice cream and gelato to Italian ice, smoothie bowls, lite ice cream, and frozen yogurt. The XL Creamerizer paddle paired with dual-drive motors handles larger batches without bogging down. We tested it with a chocolate base and split the spin into two halves: chocolate-peanut butter on one side, chocolate-mint chip on the other. Both came out evenly mixed.

The footprint is bigger than the standard CREAMi. At 14.4 pounds and roughly 12 by 8 inches on the counter, the NC501 needs more real estate than its pint-sized sibling. It still fits on most kitchen counters, but apartment dwellers with limited space should measure first.

Like the original CREAMi, you still need to pre-freeze the tubs for 24 hours before processing. Plan to keep both tubs in the freezer on rotation, and you’ll always have a batch ready to spin.

Best for big households

For families of four or households that entertain regularly, the CREAMi XL Deluxe solves the original CREAMi’s biggest limitation. Two tubs means two flavors per session, and the larger capacity means nobody is waiting for a second spin while the first pint melts.

Trade-offs to know

Compatibility is the main gotcha. The NC501 only works with NC500 and NC600 series 24 oz tubs, not the smaller NC299 or NC300 pints. If you already own an original CREAMi and want to mix accessories, you’ll need to stock both sizes separately.

7. Nostalgia WICM4L — Best Vintage Style

There is something about a wooden bucket ice cream maker that gets every kitchen talking. The Nostalgia WICM4L is the modern take on the old-fashioned hand-crank model. The electric motor does the churning for you, but the experience is the same: layer ice and rock salt around the aluminum canister, pour in your custard, and watch it churn.

The 4-quart capacity is generous enough for a birthday party or a backyard cookout. We made a classic vanilla and a strawberry shortcake batch in two consecutive runs, and both came out smooth and creamy. Kids can help add the ice and salt, which is half the fun. The light wood finish looks great on a counter and earns compliments during gatherings.

Cleanup is a little more involved than a canister machine. The wooden bucket needs to be wiped down and dried thoroughly to prevent warping. The aluminum canister is hand-wash only. Plan for about 15 minutes of post-batch cleanup, plus a bag of ice and a box of rock salt per session.

Best for family nights

If you want ice cream to be an event rather than just a dessert, the Nostalgia WICM4L turns it into one. Reviews from families consistently mention how much kids love watching the bucket work. For multigenerational households and anyone who grew up making ice cream by hand, this is the machine that recreates that memory with a motor doing the heavy lifting.

Trade-offs to know

The rock-salt method is slower and messier than a freezer bowl. You need a supply of ice on hand, and the salt water runoff requires planning for where it goes. If you want a quiet, set-it-and-forget-it experience, a canister or compressor model fits better.

8. Elite Gourmet EIM949 — Best Party-Size Ice Cream Maker

If you want to feed a crowd without chaining together four small batches, the Elite Gourmet EIM949 makes 6 quarts in a single run. That’s enough ice cream for roughly 20 servings, which is more than enough for a birthday party, a Fourth of July cookout, or a graduation open house. The walnut-stained wood bucket looks more premium than the price suggests.

The whisper-quiet electric motor is a real plus for gatherings where people are talking and mingling. You can run a batch while guests are over without drowning out conversation. We measured it at a low hum during testing, noticeably quieter than a standard canister machine.

The aluminum canister and lid are dishwasher safe, which is unusual for rock-salt bucket makers. That alone saves 10 minutes of cleanup after a long afternoon. The see-through lid also doubles as a storage cover if you keep the canister in the fridge for a few hours after churning.

Best for crowd-size batches

If you’ve ever tried to serve homemade ice cream at a party with a 2-quart canister, you know the bottleneck. The EIM949 solves that with a single 6-quart batch. For hosts who entertain regularly, it’s the right size.

Trade-offs to know

The bucket is large and not easy to store. You’ll want a dedicated spot in a pantry or utility closet. A few reviewers have also flagged handle durability issues under heavy loads, so be careful when the bucket is full and you’re draining the saltwater.

9. Hamilton Beach 4-Quart — Best Budget Rock-Salt Ice Cream Maker

The Hamilton Beach 4-Quart is the budget rock-salt machine that just keeps working. It’s been around for years, the metal bucket design has held up across thousands of households, and the price is hard to beat. If you want a reliable ice cream maker without spending much, this is the one we recommend to friends and family.

The fully automatic operation is the standout feature at this price. You pour your custard into the metal canister, layer ice and salt around it, and turn the machine on. It churns for 20 to 40 minutes and stops on its own. The 4-quart capacity is plenty for a family of four, and the on/off switch keeps things simple.

Customization with mix-ins is straightforward. Fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, candy pieces, and sprinkles all go in toward the end of the churn. We tested with crushed Oreos and chocolate chips; both distributed evenly through the final batch.

Best for casual cooks

If you want to try homemade ice cream without committing a lot of money, the Hamilton Beach 4-Quart is a smart first step. It’s also a great machine for casual cooks who don’t mind the rock-salt routine and don’t need to make multiple batches per week.

Trade-offs to know

Cleanup is more involved than a canister model. You have to drain the saltwater, rinse the metal canister, and hand-wash the dasher. Also, the metal bucket exterior can dent if handled roughly. Treat it gently, and it will last for years.

10. Dash My Mug — Best Compact Single-Serve

The Dash My Mug is the ice cream maker for anyone who doesn’t want a big appliance on the counter. At 7.2 by 5.9 by 6.9 inches and 4.8 pounds, it tucks into a cabinet without complaint. If you live in an apartment, have a tiny kitchen, or just want a single-serve dessert without leftovers, this is the one.

The bundle includes two freezer mugs, which is a clever touch. Freeze both, and you can make a second batch back-to-back without waiting. We tested it with vanilla, chocolate, and a strawberry-banana nice cream, and all three came out with a smooth soft-serve texture in about 20 minutes. The built-in ingredient chute handles chocolate chips and sprinkles; larger mix-ins like whole nuts are harder to add.

Cleanup is quick. The mugs and paddle disassemble in seconds and rinse clean under the tap. SmartStore design means everything nests inside the mugs for cabinet storage, which is a small detail that apartment dwellers genuinely appreciate.

Best for apartments

If counter space is at a premium, the Dash My Mug is the only machine in our roundup that genuinely disappears between uses. It also makes a great gift for kids heading off to college dorms or first apartments. Reviewers consistently note the fun factor of eating directly from the freezer mug.

Trade-offs to know

The 0.5-pint capacity is the smallest on this list, and the soft-serve texture means you’ll want to transfer the ice cream to the freezer for an hour or two if you want scoopable results. A few reviewers have also reported mug leakage after extended use, so handle the seals with care.

Compressor vs Canister: Which Ice Cream Maker Type Should You Buy?

The single biggest decision in this category is whether to buy a compressor ice cream maker or a canister (freezer bowl) model. Both work well. They just work on different timelines and at different price points.

How canister (freezer bowl) ice cream makers work

A canister ice cream maker uses a double-insulated bowl filled with non-toxic saline solution. You store the bowl in your freezer for at least 24 hours, and the liquid inside freezes solid. When you start a batch, the frozen bowl absorbs heat from your ice cream base while the paddle churns. The result is smooth, scoopable ice cream in 20 to 40 minutes.

The pros are price, weight, and storage. Canister models are cheaper, lighter, and easier to put away. The cons are the 24-hour pre-freeze and the single-batch limitation. Once the bowl warms up, you need to refreeze it for another 24 hours before the next batch.

How compressor ice cream makers work

A compressor ice cream maker has a built-in refrigeration unit, like a mini fridge. You pour your custard into the bowl, set the temperature, and the machine chills itself down to churning temperature on demand. There’s no pre-freezing and no waiting between batches.

The pros are convenience and consistency. Compressor models also tend to produce slightly denser, more professional-grade ice cream because they hold a more stable churning temperature. The cons are price, weight, and footprint. Compressor machines are heavier, more expensive, and usually stay on the counter.

Which type should you choose

For beginners and casual cooks, the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1ES is the right starting point. The price is low, the workflow is forgiving, and the result is reliable. For households that churn weekly or entertain often, a compressor like the Whynter ICM-201SB pays for itself in saved time. For parents and grandparents who want a memorable experience, the rock-salt bucket makers offer something canister and compressor models can’t replicate.

For a related kind of countertop gear that chills drinks instead of churning dessert, take a look at our picks for the best portable ice makers for parties.

How to Choose the Best Ice Cream Maker for Your Kitchen

Beyond the compressor vs canister decision, a few other factors determine whether a machine will earn its keep in your kitchen. We tested with these criteria in mind.

Churn time

Most canister machines churn a batch in 20 to 40 minutes. Compressor machines run a similar range but hold temperature more precisely. The Ninja CREAMi line is a different model entirely: 24 hours of freezing plus a 3-minute spin. If you want to churn on a weeknight without planning, go compressor. If you want to freeze ahead and spin later, the CREAMi pattern works.

Capacity

Single-serve and compact machines range from 0.5 to 1 pint per batch. Standard canisters make 1.5 to 2 quarts, which serves 6 to 8 people. Compressor machines typically cap at 1.5 to 2.1 quarts. Rock-salt bucket makers go bigger, with 4 to 6 quarts for parties and gatherings. Match the capacity to how many people you actually serve.

Storage and footprint

Canister machines win on storage. The Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1ES tucks into a cabinet easily. Compressor machines like the Whynter and Cuisinart ICE-100 are 23 to 24 pounds and want a permanent counter spot. Rock-salt buckets are bulky but mobile. Single-serve options like the Dash My Mug are the most space-efficient of all.

Cleanup

The Ninja CREAMi line is the easiest to clean, with top-rack dishwasher-safe components. Canister machines need a hand-wash of the bowl and paddle. Compressor machines need the most attention because of the central tube and churn blade. Rock-salt buckets require draining saltwater and rinsing. Pick the cleanup level you can commit to.

Noise level

Canister machines are the loudest, especially older Cuisinart models. Compressor machines are quieter, comparable to an efficient dishwasher. The Ninja CREAMi is loud only for 3 minutes per pint. Rock-salt buckets are mostly silent, with just the motor humming. If your kitchen opens to your living room, noise matters.

Warranty

Cuisinart leads with a 3-year warranty on both the ICE-30BCP1ES and the ICE-100. Ninja and Whynter offer 1-year warranties. Nostalgia, Hamilton Beach, and Elite Gourmet also offer 1-year coverage. For an appliance you’ll use regularly, the longer warranty is worth weighing.

Price tiers

Under 60 dollars gets you a rock-salt bucket like the Hamilton Beach 4-Quart. The 60 to 100 dollar tier includes canister machines like the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1ES and the Dash My Mug bundle. The 150 to 300 dollar range covers the Ninja CREAMi line and the Whynter ICM-220SSY. The 300 to 400 dollar tier is where compressors like the Whynter ICM-201SB and the Cuisinart ICE-100 live.

Your first batch: a starter recipe

If you’ve never made ice cream at home, start with a one-step vanilla. Whisk together 1 cup of heavy cream, 1 cup of whole milk, 2/3 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Chill the mixture in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Freeze your canister overnight (or skip this step for a compressor). Churn according to your machine’s directions, add mix-ins in the last 2 minutes, and transfer to a freezer-safe container. Let it firm up for 2 to 4 hours before scooping. This recipe works in every machine on this list.

For more cold kitchen gear that fits a small space, check out our guide to the best nugget ice makers for home bars.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

The best ice cream maker for your kitchen depends on how often you churn and what you make. The Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1ES is our Editor’s Choice for its balance of price, capacity, and 3-year warranty. If you want no pre-freezing and the ability to run back-to-back batches, the Whynter ICM-201SB is the upgrade. For viral single-serve recipes, protein ice cream, and dairy-free experimentation, the Ninja CREAMi NC301 covers more use cases than any canister or compressor we tested.

Whichever you pick, plan to make ice cream at least a few times in your first month. The first batch teaches you the rhythm of your machine. By the third batch, you’ll be dialing in your own recipes and skipping the ice cream aisle entirely. That’s when any of these machines earns its place in your kitchen.