• Helping you find the right product, at the right price, whatever the occasion

Welcome to our ultimate guide on the best ice cream makers available for creating your very own frozen delights at home! Whether you’re aiming to impress your dinner guests with a freshly churned dessert, keep the kids happy with smooth soft-serve treats, or simply indulge in a little after-dinner sweetness, having the right ice cream maker in your kitchen can make all the difference.

In the world of at-home dessert making, there are several factors to consider when choosing a machine that suits your needs. Self-freezing or compressor-based models are incredibly convenient, giving you quick results without the hassle of pre-freezing bowls. They often excel at producing professional-quality textures. Freeze-first models, on the other hand, may require a bit more patience but can be cost-effective, compact, and still deliver superb results if you plan ahead. An extra perk of many modern ice cream makers is their versatility: they can churn out creamy ice cream, tangy frozen yoghurt, fruity sorbet, and so much more.

In this carefully curated list, we’ve factored in real-world performance, feedback from external review sources, awards, and overall user experience. Our aim is to help you identify the model that ticks all your boxes—be it speed, budget, or advanced features, such as speciality paddles and automated hardness sensors. Throughout our rankings, we’ve placed great importance on how each maker balances performance, value, and the range of features on offer. That way, you can confidently narrow down the perfect device for whipping up a variety of ice-cold treats.

Get ready to discover top-rated ice cream makers, each one earning its place through robust testing, consumer praise, and our own in-depth comparisons. With these picks, you’ll be on your way to making rich gelato, refreshing sorbets, velvety frozen yoghurts, and of course, classic, indulgent ice cream. Read on, and let us help you find your ideal match for all your chilled dessert adventures!

1
Product Image for Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 10-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker

Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 10-in-1 Ice Cream and Frozen Treat Maker

  • 10 functions for versatile dessert-making
  • Family-sized 709ml capacity
  • Freeze-first model for easy setup
  • Quick churning for smooth textures
  • Dishwasher-safe parts for convenient cleaning
  • Two-flavour combination feature in one tub
  • Ideal for gelato, ice cream, sorbet, and more
  • Accessory set includes tubs with lids and creameriser paddle
  • Two-year guarantee
  • Intuitive controls
Pros
  • Fast churning time
  • Smooth, creamy results
  • Multiple functions including slushies and frozen yoghurt
  • Comes with three tubs
  • Intuitive controls and easy setup
  • Fully recyclable packaging
Cons
  • Loud in use
  • Requires 24 hours of pre-freezing
  • Must keep mixture flat in the tub
2
Product Image for Cuisinart Ice Cream and Gelato Professional

Cuisinart Ice Cream and Gelato Professional

  • Self-freezing compressor design, no pre-freezing needed
  • Two specialist paddles for ice cream and gelato
  • Produces up to 1.5L of dessert in around 40 minutes
  • Multiple dessert settings (ice cream, gelato, sorbet)
  • Brushed stainless steel finish
  • Large capacity for bigger batches
  • Allows continuous batch-making
  • Quick and straightforward setup
  • Consistent textures with minimal monitoring
  • Transparent lid for easy viewing
Pros
  • No need for pre-freezing
  • Easy-to-use controls
  • Separate paddles for ice cream and gelato
  • Ultra-smooth results
  • Professional, durable design
Cons
  • Noisy operation
  • Large footprint and heavy
3
Product Image for Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker & Frozen Dessert Maker

Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker & Frozen Dessert Maker

  • 7 preset programs including ice cream, gelato, sorbet
  • Freeze-first model requiring overnight preparation
  • Three tubs for multiple flavours
  • Quick churning for smooth, airy textures
  • Easy to operate with minimal prep
  • Even mixing of add-ins like chocolate chips or nuts
  • Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleanup
  • About 1.4L total capacity across tubs
  • Compact design for counter storage
  • Great for vegan and low-sugar recipes
Pros
  • Quick churning and consistent results
  • Straightforward operation
  • Smooth, airy texture with no large ice crystals
  • Versatile settings for ice cream, sorbet, and more
Cons
  • Loud in use
  • Requires overnight freezing of tubs
  • Limited batch size
  • Must keep contents flat when freezing
4
Product Image for Cuisinart Iced Dessert Maker

Cuisinart Iced Dessert Maker

  • Freeze-first bowl ready to churn in about 25 minutes
  • Two paddles: one for ice cream, one for fruit blends
  • Ingredients can be added during churning
  • 1.4L capacity for family-sized portions
  • Quiet operation relative to similar models
  • Customisable for lower fat or vegan recipes
  • Quick to set up and simple to use
  • Compact size for easy storage
  • Produces smooth, consistent textures
  • Ideal for experimenting with mix-ins
Pros
  • Low noise levels
  • Even, effective churning
  • Quick assembly
  • Modern, stylish design
Cons
  • Ice cream can be awkward to remove
5
Product Image for Magimix Gelato Expert

Magimix Gelato Expert

  • Self-freezing machine, no pre-freezing required
  • Makes ice cream, sorbet, gelato, and granita in around 30 minutes
  • Two 2L stainless steel bowls for consecutive batches
  • Storage mode holds consistency for up to 2 hours
  • Paddle stops automatically when ready
  • Robust Italian build with a 3-year guarantee
  • Manual and automatic settings for control
  • Durable stainless steel construction
  • Large capacity, perfect for gatherings
  • Dishwasher-safe removable parts
Pros
  • No pre-freezing needed
  • Multiple batches back-to-back
  • Storage mode keeps texture
  • Professional-quality results
Cons
  • Pricey investment
  • Recipes may need adjustment to fit the bowls
6
Product Image for Lakeland Compressor Ice-Cream Maker

Lakeland Compressor Ice-Cream Maker

  • Self-contained compressor, no need to pre-freeze
  • Produces up to 1.5L in under an hour
  • Simple, user-friendly digital controls
  • Operates more quietly than many compressors
  • Transparent lid to watch progress
  • Easy-clean design
  • Suitable for ice cream, sorbet, gelato, and yoghurt
  • Sturdy stainless steel housing
  • Keep-cool function for consistent texture
  • Quick, straightforward setup
Pros
  • Quiet running
  • Transparent lid for viewing
  • Sleek stainless steel design
  • Rapid production times
  • Consistently smooth textures
Cons
  • Heavy and bulky
  • Narrow opening for pouring
  • Packaging not fully recyclable
7
Product Image for Sage The Smart Scoop

Sage The Smart Scoop

  • Built-in sensor to detect dessert hardness
  • Keep-cool function holds texture for up to 3 hours
  • 12 hardness settings from sorbet to ice cream
  • Self-freezing compressor design
  • Suitable for gelato, frozen yoghurt, and more
  • Combines automatic and manual modes
  • Alert for adding mix-ins
  • Durable stainless steel housing
  • Clear display for monitoring progress
  • Large capacity for bigger batches
Pros
  • Multiple preset hardness and dessert options
  • Convenient feeding chute for mix-ins
  • Modern, attractive design
  • Fully customisable operation
Cons
  • Premium price
  • Hardness sensor can be inconsistent
8
Product Image for Cuisinart Solo Scoops Ice Cream Maker

Cuisinart Solo Scoops Ice Cream Maker

  • Designed for smaller batches (475ml capacity)
  • Freeze-first bowl to be left overnight
  • Compact size for limited countertop space
  • One-touch operation
  • Option to add mix-ins during churning
  • Soft-serve ice cream and sorbet settings
  • Stackable lid and cord wrap for tidy storage
  • Three-year warranty included
  • Quick churn times
  • Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning
Pros
  • Compact and budget-friendly
  • Straightforward, single-dial operation
  • Creates soft-serve ice cream and sorbet
Cons
  • Dessert can melt quickly
  • Must add extra ingredients slowly to prevent blockages
9
Product Image for Cuisinart Ice-Cream Maker ICE30BCU

Cuisinart Ice-Cream Maker ICE30BCU

  • Freeze-first model with a 2L capacity
  • Ready in as little as 25 minutes
  • Clear lid for easy ingredient additions
  • Paddle scrapes closely for even mixing
  • Simple on/off control
  • Compact footprint for easier storage
  • Quick to assemble
  • Produces firm ice cream ready to serve
  • Durable construction
  • Good value for larger portions
Pros
  • Close-scraping paddle for thorough mixing
  • Generous capacity
  • Firm, serve-ready consistency
Cons
  • Noticeable noise during operation
  • Occasional slight grittiness in texture
10
Product Image for Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker

Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker

  • Freeze-first model for soft serve, sorbet, and frozen yoghurt
  • Built-in topping dispensers for added fun
  • Keep-warm plate for sauces
  • Foldable cone holder for neat serving
  • 1.42L bowl with 800ml working capacity
  • Straightforward controls for quick setup
  • Swirl effect possible with multiple toppings
  • Integrated, space-saving design
  • Great for home soft-serve enthusiasts
  • Removable containers for easier cleaning
Pros
  • Built-in topping dispensers
  • Keep-warm function for sauces
  • Ideal for true soft-serve texture
Cons
  • Bulky footprint
  • May require recipe tweaks for optimal dispensing
11
Product Image for Caso Design IceCreamer

Caso Design IceCreamer

  • No pre-freezing required (powerful 180W compressor)
  • Large 2L capacity for family use
  • Ready in under an hour
  • Four automatic programmes (ice cream, soft serve, yoghurt, sorbet)
  • Aftercool function chills contents for up to 60 minutes
  • Simple digital controls for hassle-free operation
  • Perfect for dairy or plant-based recipes
  • Removable container for easy serving and cleaning
  • Includes ice cream scoop and measuring cup
  • Stable, minimal-vibration performance
Pros
  • Quick ice cream making (under an hour)
  • Large capacity ideal for families
  • Consistent churning with minimal noise
Cons
  • Add-ins may not distribute evenly
  • Bulky and heavy footprint
12
Product Image for VonShef Stainless Steel Ice-Cream Maker

VonShef Stainless Steel Ice-Cream Maker

  • Freeze-first model with 2L capacity
  • One-touch operation for simplicity
  • Reversible motor for smooth, soft-scoop results
  • Pre-freeze bowl for at least 8 hours
  • Compact design for easier storage
  • Suitable for ice cream, sorbet, gelato, frozen yoghurt
  • Transparent lid to watch progress
  • Budget-friendly price point
  • Quick 20-40 minute churning
  • Easy to clean and maintain
Pros
  • Small, space-saving design
  • Fast preparation once the bowl is frozen
  • Great value for money
Cons
  • Lacks timer function
  • Cannot check progress without stopping
13
Product Image for Sensio Home Ice-Cream Maker

Sensio Home Ice-Cream Maker

  • Pre-freeze bowl for 12 hours
  • Creates ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yoghurt in around 20 minutes
  • Refill opening in the lid for adding toppings or mix-ins
  • Simple setup with only four removable parts
  • Compact size suitable for smaller kitchens
  • One-touch operation
  • Easy to assemble, disassemble, and clean
  • Indy Best Buy 2023 for soft serve ice cream
  • 2-year guarantee
  • Budget-friendly option
Pros
  • Compact and straightforward design
  • Easy assembly and cleaning
  • Affordable and quick churning
Cons
  • Large freezer bowl can be bulky
  • Less effective when making sorbet
We use cookies to personalize content and to analyze our traffic. Please decide if you are willing to accept cookies from our website.