Best Ice Cream Maker 2021 – Buyer’s Guide

Extremely easy to use, this modern Cuisinart model is a sleek and stylish addition to your kitchen appliance selection.

It allows you to create 1.5L of ice cream, sorbet, frozen yoghurt or rich gelato in around 40 minutes, and there is no need to pre-freeze the bowl for hours before use as the freezer is built in and fully automatic.

This makes it a perfect choice if you are likely to want to whip up a sweet treat impulsively or make batch after batch in the same afternoon. The 2 paddles are robust, meaning the product created is of the perfect consistency.

All you need to do is add your selected ingredients, use the digital display to set your time and press start. The machine does all the work for you without having to be monitored and automatically switches itself off, keeping the mix cold for 10 minutes.

The paddle, lid and bowl are all removable for easy cleaning, taking the effort out of the washing up too. Because of the incredible power output, it can get quite noisy, but as it can be left alone this isn’t too much of an issue.

The price may be quite high, but if it will be used frequently and you want your ice cream to be top quality, then it is worth it.

By far the machine with the most features, this SAGE model gives you ultimate control over creating your ideal ice cream. Most ice cream makers are either automatic or manual, but this one is capable of both.

The 12 automatic pre-sets churn mixtures to a particular consistency, which largely fall into the sorbet, gelato, frozen yoghurt and soft or hard ice cream categories. The alternative manual mode gives you ultimate control, allowing you to adjust the timing between 5 and 180 minutes to suit particular recipes or experiment until you get it just right for your liking. With a digital display, you have full control over your ice cream production.

Set the Smart Scoop to the pre-cool setting and after 10 minutes the machine will lower in temperature to between -10°C and -30°C to keep the contents cool once made. You can also choose a fun sound to alert you of when your produce is ready.

The unique brushed stainless-steel mixer can handle chocolate chips, fresh fruit, nuts and other hard ingredients, ensuring everything is mixed thoroughly. It will also prompt you when to add these to achieve the best results.

For those conscious of safety, there’s a child lock which prevents it being stopped part way through. The 1L capacity bowl is fully detachable and has a little handle to ensure safe, trouble-free removal.

This is by far the most powerful ice cream maker on the market, and not just in terms of energy.

If you are serious about your ice cream preparation, then you’ll need a machine which can deal with the flavours, styles and capacities which your heart desires.

There is no need to pre-freeze any of the attachments, thanks to the powerful 250W motor which gets everything down to low temperatures and prepare your ice cream in well under two hours. Just add your ingredients, and the appliance will do all the rest of the work for you.

It will make soft and hard ice cream, as well as sorbets and frozen yoghurts, so you aren’t limited to one particular texture or variety. The LCD screen gives you all of the control you need, and you know you are getting the results you are after.

Design also ticks all the boxes. The black and stainless silver outer will match any kitchen, which is important as it is likely it will be out on your worktops all the time ready to go at a moments notice. This is handy, as the size is large so it isn’t one for storing away anyway.

When we first tried to remove the inner bucket, we realised it was frozen in with the cooling. This is normal, but don’t be tempted to force it. A few minutes wait is perfect. Plus, as it is fresh, you know what has gone into it. Ideal if you want to keep an eye on what you’re eating or keep the kids away from sugar.

As it is so quick, it is ideal for the British summer time. Said on the weather report it would be raining but actually turns out to be 32 degrees and blaring sun? No problem. A batch can be ready in no time.

With a huge 2L capacity, this is the most generous sized ice cream maker we have reviewed. Able to make a large batch in around 25 minutes, this Cuisinart model is easy to use – simply pre-freeze the bowl, add your ingredients and turn the switch to the on position.

It is also incredibly easy to assemble in lightning fast time so there is no hanging about when the time arises for a sweet treat. There is a handy viewing window, making it easy to keep an eye on the development. The power lead is also lengthy, making it’s positioning in your kitchen more flexible.

The bowl and base of the machine are super easy to clean, meaning there is little effort in maintaining the ICE30BCU no matter how much it is used. There is also an easy-lock lid for those conscious about safety.

Because of the easy controls, it is perfect for the children to use under supervision, and there is plenty of ice cream produced to be passed around or stored for a later date. The bowl has to be pre-frozen for about 12 hours so is best left in the freezer all the time; ensure you have enough room to cater for the large height.

The ice cream produced is soft-scoop, so leave it to set in the freezer for a bit longer if you prefer something with a harder consistency. Removing the product from the bowl can also be quite tricky as it gets so cold but will scrape off with an appropriate non-metallic spoon.

The taste of fresh homemade ice cream is one of those simple pleasures in life, and this affordable machine allows you to make your own without stepping out of your front door.

Just pre-freeze the bowl for 12 hours (planning overnight is good), and then your ice cream can be ready in 45 minutes. It will make just over a pint, which is enough for the whole family to join in on the after-dinner treat or summers day cool-down.

Overall, it is a fun activity for the kids to get involved in. It isn’t the most technical, nor the most time-saving. Patience is key, but the end result is delicious as long as you nail the recipe. As a bonus, however, it is a compact machine so can be stored away or left out on the bench with ease which is important if you’re only going to be using it seasonally.

With a 14 cm high stainless-steel bowl, the Magimix Le Glacier machine can produce 0.85L of fresh ice cream in only 20-30 minutes, using either yoghurt or cream. Or, you can easily prepare sorbet and frozen yoghurt if you fancy something different and a little bit healthier.

Easy to clean, the stainless-steel bowl needs to be left in the freezer for at least 8-12 hours before use, but then all you need to do is add the ingredients and press a button for the machine to work its magic.

As the bowl is on the small side compared to those included with most other options on the market, it should fit in most standard sized freezer drawers and is ideal if you are short on space. The creamy soft-scoop ice cream that is produced tastes great, and enough is made to satisfy several people’s appetites.

The handy large feed tube is perfect for pouring ingredients into the bowl without creating too much mess, and the paddle is removable for easy cleaning. The clear lid allows for the viewing of contents whilst it is mixing.

The paddle is on the fragile side so may struggle to churn ice cream that is of a thicker consistency or has added extras in the ingredients, such as nuts. The spindle which it sits upon is also quite fiddly and possibly easy to lose, so not ideal for chaotic kitchens.

However, there are 45 recipe suggestions in the handy booklet included, such as coffee ice cream, mango sorbet and even brown bread ice cream. One of the simplest machines to use that are on the market.

With ridiculously easy to follow instructions, the ChillFactor™ Ice Cream Maker is perfect if the kids like to get involved with every step of the process.

Simply keep the product in the freezer and remove when needed, add the milk/cream and tasty toppings, shake it about a little and squeeze until the ice cream forms for a straightforward yet delicious soft-serve concoction.

The design of the item is fun, and it is the only of our picks to be transportable and come with a little spoon making it fully on-the-go. There’s also a recipe booklet if you’re stuck for inspiration.

The product comes in chocolate, vanilla or strawberry design colours but unfortunately, you can’t be picky and choose your preference. Also be prepared to squeeze a lot, and bear in mind that it only makes enough for one person and can’t be used repeatedly throughout the day as it requires a long pre-freezing time. Overall, it isn’t the most effective technique on the market, but it is enjoyable fun for the kids and keeps them busy.