We Tested Dozens of Ice Cream Makers, and the Best Treats Came from Machines Under $100

Out of all the products we tested, one of the simplest and most affordable ended up being our favorite. The Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker yielded some of the creamiest ice cream we tasted, with minimal setup and maintenance.

We found that the simplicity of this gadget aided in its overall convenience — it’s lightweight and about the size of a large mixing bowl, so it doesn’t take up too much space on the countertop and doesn’t have extra parts to wash. 

Throughout testing, this gadget performed exceptionally well — it made ice cream faster than any of the other products we tested and yielded creamy results with consistently dispersed mix-ins. Although it doesn’t yield as much ice cream as some of the larger, more advanced machines, it’s a great option for someone looking to experiment with making ice cream at home. (Plus, it doubles as a frozen margarita maker for summer.)

Style: Manual | Accessories: 2 spatulas | Yield: 3/4 cup finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: No

Another one of our favorite ice cream makers is Ninja’s Creami Deluxe. This versatile gadget is electric, so it requires less manpower than the Chef’n Sweet Spot Ice Cream Maker, but it yields similarly creamy results.

Throughout the testing process, we were thrilled at how easy this machine was to understand and use, and its performance and versatility made it stand out from the competition. It’s easy to store and doesn’t take up a ton of space, and we love that the controls are easy to read — especially for beginners.

Eleven functions mean this electric ice cream maker is one of the more versatile options we tested, and it can even be used to make frozen lattes or milkshakes. We love how hands-off this machine allows you to be while still delivering exceptionally creamy results. Keep in mind that, because it’s on the smaller side, it doesn’t yield as much finished product as some of the other machines we tried.

Style: Electric | Accessories: Bowl and lid, creamer paddle, 2 pints with lids | Yield: 24 ounces finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes (removable parts)

This simple, easy-to-use electric ice cream maker is perfect for beginners or someone who isn’t looking to invest a ton of money in a new gadget. It utilizes the frozen bowl method, which means the technique is simple and yields perfectly creamy results with mix-ins that are consistently incorporated.

Throughout the testing process, we found that this machine was one of the simplest and easiest to use while still delivering top-tier results. The ice cream and sorbet were dense and creamy, without being runny or crystallized. We love that this machine has an ingredient spout, so you can easily disperse ingredients without anything spilling out of the side.

Keep in mind that this machine took longer to churn the ingredients than some of the others we tried. Because this ice cream maker uses a frozen bowl, it does take up space in your freezer, so be mindful of that before purchasing. 

Style: Freezer bowl | Accessories: Locking lid, creamer paddle, freezing bowl | Yield: 2 pints finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: No

This ice cream maker is a fantastic option for anyone who loves to make ice cream every week. The small base means it doesn’t take up a ton of room on the countertop, and the lightweight body means you can keep it out on your counter or transport it back and forth to the pantry with no problem. Throughout the testing process, we found that this streamlined machine is super easy to use and doesn’t require too much prep or maintenance. 

The simple control panel has three pre-set functions, and users can easily toggle between the presets and add more time as needed. We love how intuitive this control panel is and were happy to see how easy it is to add the base thanks to a clean and simple hatch. We love that you can add the base to the machine even while it’s churning without creating any mess. 

While we love how easy this machine is to use, it’s worth noting that it yielded softer ice cream than some of the other machines we tested. While the texture was creamy, smooth, and consistent, it wasn’t as firm as standard hard-packed ice cream. 

Style: Electric compressor | Accessories: Ice cream scoop, freezing bowl, mixing paddle | Yield: 1.5 quarts finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: Mixing paddle only

When it comes to expertly light, airy, and creamy ice cream, this machine from Cuisinart impressed us throughout the testing process. The touchscreen is easy to use and operate, thanks to its minimal functions. It yielded professional-quality results despite the lack of extra buttons or functions.

It’s uncomplicated and attractive, and it’s an easy way to have an ice cream shop in your home. The compressor automatically cools the machine, so there’s no need to freeze the bowl between each use.

While we loved using this machine in testing, we did notice that it’s a little messier than some of the others, and it’s a bit heavier than some machines of similar size. 

Style: Electric compressor | Accessories: Transparent lid, 2 paddles, mixing bowl with lift-out handle | Yield: 1.5 quarts finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: No

This super-simple electric ice cream maker is small and compact, so it can yield delicious ice cream without taking up too much space on your countertop. Throughout our testing, it consistently delivered airy, fluffy ice cream with toppings perfectly incorporated throughout. In fact, this machine delivered some of the best ice cream of all the products we tested. Its convenience was unmatched — in addition to being compact, it’s also super easy to clean. It’s simple to take apart for cleaning and leaves no mess behind on the countertop or the electric base.

Style: Electric | Accessories: 2 paddles | Yield: 1.5 quarts finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: No

This easy-to-use ice cream maker is perfect for families who want to make creamy frozen treats. It pulverizes fruit instantly and turns it into smooth, creamy, fruit-based desserts instantly. Simply add frozen fruit to the chute and use the plunger to push it through. 

Throughout testing, we found that this machine yielded fantastic results quickly and easily. It operates at a moderate noise level, and even when pushing fruit through the grinder, we never felt like it was too loud. 

Keep in mind that this machine only makes fruit-based, non-dairy frozen treats. And depending on the size of the frozen fruit you use, it can be challenging to push the fruit down the chute. 

Style: Electric | Accessories: Motor base, chute, blade base, gasket, screw cap, recipe book | Yield: 24 ounces finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

With just three parts, this simple compressor-style machine is extremely easy to put together and even easier to take apart for cleaning. The machine has three buttons, so it can be operated easily and is therefore a great option for kids or beginners. It yields a big batch of ice cream and sorbet, and throughout the testing process, we were thrilled to see how creamy, smooth, and thick each recipe came out.

We also love how clean and mess-free this machine is; it’s easy to add the base to the machine while it’s moving, and we didn’t notice anything dripping out of the sides. Adding the mix-ins was mess-free, too.

This machine has an auto-shut-off safety mechanism that stops the machine when the consistency begins to get too hard. This helps protect the motor and the compressor, but it can make adding the mix-ins a bit more confusing. We recommend adding your mix-ins as you see the machine start to slow down; if you wait until the machine automatically shuts off, you’ll need to add in the mix-ins by hand, which can be challenging and messy. 

Style: Electric compressor | Accessories: Recipe book, manual, spoon, measuring cup, mixing rod | Yield: 2 quarts finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: No

If you’re searching for a nostalgic gadget that can mix up creamy frozen treats, this affordable ice cream maker is for you. We love how easy it is to assemble and use, and the simple functionality means it’s perfect for beginners or occasional users. We found it to be a great value for the price, and we love that it’s compact and doesn’t take up too much space in the kitchen.

This machine can get a little messy, and it yielded ice cream that was occasionally a little soft. It’s a fantastic machine for occasional users, but we wouldn’t recommend it for someone looking to make professional-quality ice cream regularly. 

Style: Electric | Accessories: Ice cream bucket, lid, dasher, canister | Yield: 4 quarts finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: No

This loaded machine is packed with smart features that make it super functional and advanced. The compressor automatically cools the bowl before use, which means you don’t have to put it in your freezer each time you want to make ice cream. It features many presets that help beginners make everything from gelato to sorbet and 12 hardness settings to help users customize the exact texture of the ice cream they like.

Throughout testing, we loved that this machine yielded great-quality ice cream and that you could let the machine do all of the work for you. If you’re looking for a set-it-and-forget-it appliance, this is a great option.

Style: Electric | Accessories: Cleaning brush, removable bowl, removable paddle | Yield: 1.5 quarts finished ice cream | Dishwasher-Safe: No