There are few things better than savoring a scoop or two of refreshing ice cream. But it’s even better when you make the sweet treat from scratch. That way you have the ability to experiment endlessly with different flavor combinations and even create refreshing Italian gelato or healthy-ish frozen yogurt.
Despite what you may initially think, churning cream and sugar into a deliciously smooth ice cream is not that difficult—if, of course, you have a dedicated ice cream maker. These nifty machines freeze your mixture fast to ensure you don’t end up with any ice crystals or excess air all the while whipping it into a velvety consistency.
Ready to start scooping? We’ve pored through all of the ice cream makers on Amazon and selected four of the highest quality machines. The best part? Thanks to our good friend electricity, these models do all the work for you, so you can just sit back and wait for your ice cream.
1. Cuisinart Ice Cream and Gelato Maker
If you’re craving simplicity, Cuisinart’s ice cream and gelato maker delivers. Fitted with two mixing paddles and a commercial-grade compressor, this no-fuss machine can churn out 1.5 quarts of rich creamy gelato, refreshing sorbet or classic ice cream in around 60 minutes. To make sure you achieve the perfect consistency, the machine features a nifty countdown timer that will notify you when your dessert is ready to eat. The ice cream maker also comes with a recipe book that’s packed with a variety of different flavors to ensure you get the most out of the machine.
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2. White Mountain Ice Cream Maker
While this ice cream maker has a decidedly old-school aesthetic, its mechanics are anything but. Packing a powerful 12,000 rpm electric motor, it can churn a staggering 6 quarts of ice cream in just 20 to 40 minutes and is perfect for large family gatherings or birthday parties. Thanks to the machine’s triple-motion action dasher system, each batch of ice cream you create will have a perfectly smooth consistency and if you don’t eat it all, the steel canister comes with a matching lid for easy storage. The design itself is a lot of fun, too. Handcrafted from New England pine wood it boasts an endearing country feel.
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3. Whynter Upright Ice Cream Maker
As convenient as an at-home ice cream maker may be, it can also tend to take up a lot of space. Not this model from Whynter, though. It features an upright design that minimizes its footprint, meaning it will fit on nearly any countertop. Despite this, it still has more than enough capacity to deliver 2.1 quarts of ice cream, frozen yogurt or gelato in the comfort of your own home. The unit also features a built-in LCD timer and a removable stainless-steel mixing bowl that makes cleanup a breeze.
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4. Lello Musso Pola Dessert Maker
Since its made by Italians, you can trust that Lello’s ice cream maker will deliver delectable ice cream, sorbet, and, of course, gelato. Sure, it’s a pricey pick, but for ice cream aficionados with exacting standards, this machine is definitely worth it. The workhorse is capable of churning out up to 60 quarts of ice cream in an hour, or two quarts in less than 20 minutes. Perfect when you need an ice cream fix quick. Looks-wise, it keeps things pretty classic, with a stainless steel shell and blade that also increases its durability.
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