ice cream maker guru

Best Ice Cream Maker for Home Use – The Guru’s Top 5

Good, delicious ice cream is the perfect way to beat the heat, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t love ice cream? What could be more perfect than homemade ice cream? Making the delight at home may sound like a big, daunting task but it is not! With the right appliances and utensils, you can easily make ice cream at home.

One benefit of making ice cream at home is that you can control what goes inside it, you can make a combination of your type, choose whichever flavor you want and it is all really easy. If you are a hardcore ice cream lover like me, then investing in an ice cream machine is the best investment you will make.

While buying an ice cream machine, there are three factors you need to keep in mind.
1. Quality
2. Durability
3. Cost

When you are paying a considerable amount of money on an ice cream machine, you want to make sure you pick the right one, a machine that will last for some time and is also of high quality. You don’t always have to pay big money for a great quality ice cream maker.  

Taking these things into consideration, we have compiled a list of home ice cream machines that we think will be the right pick for you and your home.

Find Your Very Own Home Ice Cream Maker

Product
Cuisinart ICE-70
Top Pick
Lello 4080
Donvier 837450 Manual Ice Cream Maker
Breville BCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 2 Quart, Cool Creations Frozen Yogurt, Gelato, Sorbet Maker, LCD...
Lello 4080 Musso Lussino 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker, Stainless - 110/120V 60 HZ
Donvier 837450 Manual Ice Cream Maker, 1-Quart, White
Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker BCI600XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
Best For
All Rounder
Professional Ice Cream Maker
Best for Kids
Best Countertop Ice Cream Maker
Type
Freezer bowl
Compressor
Freezer Bowl
Compressor
Capacity
2 quarts
1.5 quart
1 quart
1.5 quart
Churn Time
20 minutes
20 minutes
Manual
-
Product
Cuisinart ICE-70
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Machine, 2 Quart, Cool Creations Frozen Yogurt, Gelato, Sorbet Maker, LCD...
Best For
All Rounder
Type
Freezer bowl
Capacity
2 quarts
Churn Time
20 minutes
More Info
Top Pick
Product
Lello 4080
Lello 4080 Musso Lussino 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker, Stainless - 110/120V 60 HZ
Best For
Professional Ice Cream Maker
Type
Compressor
Capacity
1.5 quart
Churn Time
20 minutes
More Info
Product
Donvier 837450 Manual Ice Cream Maker
Donvier 837450 Manual Ice Cream Maker, 1-Quart, White
Best For
Best for Kids
Type
Freezer Bowl
Capacity
1 quart
Churn Time
Manual
More Info
Product
Breville BCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker
Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker BCI600XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
Best For
Best Countertop Ice Cream Maker
Type
Compressor
Capacity
1.5 quart
Churn Time
-
More Info

Cuisinart ICE-70 Electronic Ice Cream Maker

This machine may be a bit expensive, especially when you’re on a budget but it is totally worth every penny. The machine makes 2-quarts of ice cream, but it can make much more than that. You can also use it to make sorbet, gelato, or yogurt.
It has an improved paddle with fast processing time and a countdown timer that will automatically shut off once it’s done. The machine comes with an ingredient spout and an integrated measuring cup. Working the machine is relatively easy. You can interact with it through a control panel with an LCD screen and 3 settings at numerous speeds. It does the job in just 20 minutes.

The machine is also very pleasant to look at, it has a sleek appearance, and also consumes very little space.

Check out our Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Comparison article.

Pros:

  • Takes little time – only 20mins
  • Can be used for multiple purposes – ice cream, sorbet, gelato, or yogurt
  • User friendly and easy to operate

What Could Be Better?

  • More expensive than other machines
  • May be bulky, heavy in weight

Summary:

The Cuisinart ICE-70 Electronic Ice Cream Maker is a multi-purpose machine and takes little time. It has a fast processing time and is easier to use, so you won’t be confused when it comes to making your delicious ice cream at home.

Lello 4080 Ice Cream Maker

This home ice cream maker by Lello is fully automatic. All you have to do is pour ingredients into the bowl and press two buttons, and your job is done. This machine monitors the hardness of the mixture and automatically will stop when the ice cream is ready. Not only does it make ice cream but you can also create sorbet, frozen yogurt, gelato AND frozen drinks – all in the comfort of your own home

It has a 1.5quart capacity. The machine will give you a delicious dessert in minutes.

Read the full Lello 4080 review.

Pros:

  • Takes little time
  • Fully automatic
  • Multi-functional – create ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt, gelato AND frozen drinks
  • Great customer reviews online – reading through these reviews it is clear that this is a top of the line product which allows you to produce ice cream that matches the quality of the machine.

What Could Be Better?

  • Expensive –  there are cheaper ice cream makers out there that you can buy. However having said that, most of them require a pre-freeze bowl to be used and would not be able to make Gelato.
  • Size – this is a big machine and you will need some space in your kitchen if you decide to buy it.

Summary:

If you are looking for a top quality ice cream machine I would say go for the Lello 4080 Musso Lussino and do not even think twice! Based on all the customer reviews it is clearly the best quality ice cream maker out there. 

Nostalgia ICMW400 Electrics Ice Cream Maker

No products found.

If you are looking for an old-fashioned ice cream maker, this Nostalgia Ice Cream Maker can be the perfect option for all your needs. Featuring a wooden bucket with plastic insert, this unit can make up to 4 quarts of your favorite frozen dessert at a time, allowing you to achieve a decent consistency and texture.

Read the full Nostalgia Ice Cream Maker review

Pros:

  • Transparent lid so you can see the ice cream churning throughout the ice cream making process – great for getting the kids involved!
  • Sturdy construction for guaranteed duarability
  • Easy clean up

What Could Be Better?

  • Don’t be mislead – some customers have been disappointed that is isn’t a real wooden bucket!
  • Some users have struggled to get a good consistency with their ice cream

Summary

The Nostalgia ICMW400 Electrics Ice Cream Maker is a reliable and sturdy home ice cream maker which will also get the kids involved in the ice cream making process!

Donvier 837450 Manual Ice Cream Maker

This Donvier Ice Cream Maker is a great choice for those looking for something ultra-simplistic, lightweight and mobile to make frozen desserts. This ice cream maker does not rely on electricity, instead it uses an old fashioned hand crank which means you can take it out camping or on picnics and still produce delicious ice cream!

Read the full Donvier Manual Ice Cream Maker review

Pros

  • Ergonomic design – it is light weight and easy to use
  • You have complete control as you are turning the crank
  • It is good value if you are looking for an affordable ice cream maker for home use

What Could Be Better?

  • Some customers have commented that the crank can easily come off
  • No automation means you have to do all the hard work

Conclusion

The Donvier 837450 Manual Ice Cream Maker is a great choice if looking for an affordable option however be prepared to do the hard work as it is an old fashioned ice cream maker with hand crank.

Breville BCI600XL Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker

This Breville Ice Cream Maker is one of the most reliable and modern units on the market. It not only makes delicious ice cream but also sorbet, frozen yogurt, and gelato.  It features a whopping 12 hardness settings and has a refrigeration compressor built in so there is no need to freeze bowls or use ice

Read our full Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker review here.

Pros:

  • Choose to function in automatic or manual mode
  • “Keep Cool” setting AND 12 hardness settings
  • Top quality and excellent user friendliness
  • Easy to clean

What Could Be Better?

  • Heavy construction – best to buy only if you plan on keep the machine in one place
  • Price – yes it is pricey but also remember – you get what you pay for

Summary

If you are serious about your ice cream and want one of the best machines on the market then this Breville Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker is for you. 

Home Ice Cream Machine Buying Guide:

Why Everyone Should Own an Ice Cream Maker

Q: What is the best ice cream maker for home use?

Our comprehensive list has taken into account honest customer reviews and reputable market reviews that judge each ice cream maker on their value for money, quality, durability and user friendliness. There are budget-friendly options, as well as expensive options. However, if you’re looking for a machine that can make more than just ice creams then Lello’s ice cream maker is the one for you. My budget pick? Definitely the Cuisinart ICE-70

Q: What should I look for in an ice cream maker?

When buying an ice cream maker, make sure it is durable, fast, and also won’t easily malfunction. An ice cream maker with built in freezer is also a plus so you don’t need to worry about pre-freezing. My other advice – make sure it is user friendly! There is nothing worse than getting your new ice cream maker out of the box but having no idea how to use it! These home ice cream machines have been chosen based on their user friendliness and automation which means you will spend less time lost in the kitchen and more time creating delicious home ice cream!  

Conclusion

Now that you have the latest scoop on the best ice cream maker for home use it is time to decide for yourself and get churning! Remember the key buying factory – quality, durability and price and you won’t go wrong!