How we test ice-cream makers
We’ve tested more than 18 ice cream makers over the years in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab. Each model was tested to make vanilla ice cream or peach sorbet with 52 pounds of peaches, 52lbs of sugar, and 15 quarts each of heavy cream and half-and-half. Although the process and reward are fun, testing protocols are rigorous. Every aspect of the machine is tested, including ease of use and noise levels, cleaning ease, and customer service.
1 Pure Indulgence 2-Quart Automatic Ice Cream Maker
Cuisinart Pure indulgence makes two quarts of perfect thick, smooth ice cream or soft sorbet in just 25 minutes. The integrated motor turns the mixing paddle in the double-insulated freezer bowl, creating the frozen treat automatically. The machine can mix candy or fruit from the large ingredient spout.
The resulting ice-cream and sorbet were loved by our Lab professionals — it scored the highest performance in tests. It made thick, delicious vanilla ice cream, and smooth, flavorful, sorbet. The base’s cord compartment is great for storage. You will need to ensure you have enough freezer space as the large bowl needs to be pre-frozen before being used.
2 Attachment for 2 Ice Cream Makers
You already have the ingredients for an electric ice cream machine if you own a KitchenAid mixer. The ice cream-making attachment comes with a large bowl that can be used to add any mix-ins. The machine was quick to use (around 25 minutes), according to our recipe testing.
It works well too. After pre-freezing for 24 hours, the attachment made smooth, super-aerated, and creamy vanilla ice cream in Lab tests.
3 Ice Cream Makers
The brand is known for making high-quality refrigeration and air conditioning products. This machine is a star. You don’t need to pre-freeze or salt the machine in order to make ice cream. This is a great convenience because you can make frozen treats at will and then make batches of icecream without waiting.
The quiet compressor makes this model a favorite among kitchen appliance professionals. It does the majority of the work without making any noise. The unit has multiple modes, an easy-to-read LCD clock to aid in the process. There is also a Motor Protection Function which shuts down the unit to prevent any damage from occurring if the mixture freezes.
4 Smart Scoop Ice cream Makers
Breville’s Smart Scoop electric machine is fully automated and has many special features. It includes a backlit LED display, a self-refrigerating compressor to bring the ingredients down to below freezing temperature. ).
It has 12 hardness settings that can be used to make ice-cream in different ways. These include sorbet, frozen yogurt and gelato. It is no surprise that this pick is more expensive, making it a better choice for those who want to make ice cream.
5 Ice Cream Makers
The ice cream maker can also be used as a cute dessert dish. The bowl can be used to make a variety of treats including soft ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato, and granitas. It takes between 10-20 minutes to prepare a range of treats.
The individual serving sizes allow children to choose their favorite flavors, mix-ins, and varieties. The bowls come with a protective cover and a spoon so that you can get in all the ingredients. The kitchen appliance Lab professionals recommend storing it in the freezer to make frozen treats whenever you feel like it.
6 Softshell Icecream Balls
This innovative ice cream maker looks like a ball, and is meant to be used in the churning process. After you have made the ice-cream base and added any add-ins, give the children 25 minutes of fun. You get a pint of ice-cream that you can eat right away. You don’t have to worry about it being too soft for your children or furniture. It seals well so that you don’t get a stained rug.
For easy cleanup, place the entire thing in the dishwasher after dessert. You shouldn’t expect the icecream to be as good as anything you would buy in a store. Lab professionals say that this ball is more fun than it is for creating culinary delights.
7 Sweet Spot Instant Ice Cream Maker
For those who need dessert quickly, our kitchen appliance experts recommend the Chef’n Sweet Spot. Preparation is simple. Place the bowl in the freezer overnight. Next, freeze the base for about 15 minutes. Then pour the mixture onto the prepared surface and mix it until you get ice cream. Your cream will freeze immediately due to the cold metal surface.
You may need to use the paddles for different frozen treats. This can vary depending on whether you want rolled icecream, regular icecream with mix-ins or frozen yogurt.
8 Fruit Soft Serve Maker
Although the machine’s name might lead you to believe it is only for banana “nice-cream”, it can make creamy soft serve from any fruit, including frozen mangos, strawberries, and bananas in just seconds. The machine will churn out delicious, vegan-friendly soft-serve that you won’t believe was made without sugar or heavy cream by simply pushing the frozen fruit through its chute. Mix-ins such as coconut, almond butter, and cacao nibs can be added later, just like traditional frozen yogurt.
9 4-Quart Electric Ice cream Maker
Ice cream is a summer favorite, but picnicking is also a great option. This portable ice cream maker makes it easy to bring your creations with you wherever you go. This four-quart icecream maker can hold enough for everyone and is easy to carry around.
An electric motor powers the machine, which does all the churning. Our recipe testers have found that no effort is required to make traditional ice cream, frozen yogurt, or gelato. To check consistency, you can simply peek through the transparent lid. It’s easy to clean up the bucket: just wipe it down.
