By clicking a retailer link you consent to third-party cookies that track your onward journey. This enables W? to receive an affiliate commission if you make a purchase, which supports our mission to be the UK's consumer champion.
Best ice cream makers for homemade frozen desserts in 2026
The best ice cream makers whip up deliciously smooth, indulgent ice cream with no fuss, while the worst leave you with a gloopy mess.
We’ve tested models from Cuisinart, Lakeland, Ninja and more, including the bestselling Ninja Creami and Ninja Swirl.
Most ice cream makers produce thick, scoopable ice cream similar to the tubs you buy in supermarkets. Soft-serve machines churn out a softer, ice-cream-van-style version and are increasingly popular.
We've tested both types, with prices ranging from £20 to £450. You'll also need to choose between a self-freezing or freeze-first ice cream maker. The former can turn fresh ingredients in to ice cream in around an hour. Freeze-first models require a little more patience because you have to freeze the bowl for eight to 12 hours.
After whipping up dozens of batches of ice cream, we've named four ice cream makers as Best Buys, while a cheaper model impressed enough to get our Great Value recommendation.
How our tests find you the best
We've tested 19 ice cream makers
Do you want soft serve or scoopable ice cream? Should you opt for a self-freezing or freeze-first machine? We've tested all the different types so you find the best option for you.
Texture
We don't rely on one person's opinion; our selfless panel tastes every single batch of ice cream and decide which machines produce the smoothest results.
Dispersal of mix-ins
Our taste testers pay close attention to the spread of chocolate chips, so you get to enjoy delicious extras with every single scoop.
Ease of use
50-plus batches of homemade ice cream (and a few frustrations) later, we’ve learnt a thing or two. That’s why we’ve shared our top tips for each machine.
The ice cream makers we tested
Only logged-in Which? members can view the test results for ice cream makers (soft-serve ice cream makers are reviewed below).
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
| Ice cream maker | Price | Score | Type | Making ready-to-serve ice cream* | Ice cream texture** | Dispersing mix-ins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? | 88% | |||||
| 88% | ||||||
| 84% | ||||||
| 82% | ||||||
| 78% | ||||||
| 78% | ||||||
| 76% | ||||||
| 74% | ||||||
| 72% | ||||||
| 72% | ||||||
| 70% | ||||||
| 64% | ||||||
| 64% | ||||||
| 58% | ||||||
| 56% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time.
Already a member?
Log in
Date tested: July 2026, April 2024 and July 2021. Page last checked: August 2026. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
*See how we test ice cream makers to find out how we judge whether or not the ice cream is ready to serve. **After freezing overnight for freeze-first machines.
All the ice cream makers we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best ice cream makers from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
Cuisinart Freeze Ease Pro Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested July 2026
Type Self-freezing
Size 23 x 28 x 36cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 1.5 litres
Need to know Keep-cool function; also makes gelato, sorbet and frozen yoghurt
Cuisinart Gelato and Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested July 2021
Type Self-freezing
Size 23 x 29 x 56cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 1.5 litres
Need to know Keep-cool function up to 10 minutes; also makes frozen yoghurt, gelato and sorbet
Cuisinart Ice Cream Deluxe
Most recently tested July 2026
Type Freeze-first
Size 29 x 22cm (HxW)
Capacity 2 litres
Need to know Pre-freeze time overnight, recipes included, also makes frozen yoghurt and sorbet
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested April 2024
Type Freeze-first
Size 18 x 28cm (HxW)
Capacity 1.9 litres
Need to know Pre-freeze time of 16 hours, compatible with all KitchenAid tilt-head stand mixers except the 5KSM3311X, compatible with all bowl-lift mixers except for models 5KPM5, 5KPM50 and 5K5, also makes frozen yoghurt, gelato and sorbet
Lakeland Compressor Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested April 2024
Type Self-freezing
Size 23 x 41 x 28cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 1.5 litres
Need to know Ice cream scoop included; also makes frozen yoghurt, gelato and sorbet
Lakeland Digital Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested April 2024
Type Freeze-first
Size 23 x 20cm (HxW)
Capacity 1.8 litres
Need to know Pre-freeze time of 12 hours, recipes included, also makes frozen yoghurt and sorbet
Lakeland Mini Digital Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested April 2024
Type Freeze-first
Size 16 x 15cm (HxW)
Capacity 0.5 litres
Need to know Pre-freeze time of 12 hours, recipes included
We've tested ready-made ice cream, too. Our vanilla ice cream taste test pitted Häagen-Dazs against supermarket own brands
Magimix Gelato Expert
Most recently tested July 2021
Type Self-freezing
Size 26 x 29 x 37cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 2 litres
Need to know Includes a spatula and measuring cup, also makes frozen yoghurt, granita and sorbet
Magimix Le Glacier Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested June 2022
Type Freeze-first
Size 22 x 20cm (HxW)
Capacity 850ml; 15 x 19cm (HxW)
Need to know Also makes frozen drinks, frozen yoghurt and sorbet
Ninja Creami Deluxe Ice Cream & Frozen Drink Maker
Most recently tested August 2025
Type Freeze-first
Size 42 x 26 x 17cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 0.7 litres
Need to know Pre-freeze time of 24 hours, three ice cream tubs with lids and recipes included; also makes gelato, frappes, frozen yoghurt, frozen drinks, milkshake and slushies
Ninja Creami Ice Cream & Frozen Dessert Maker
Most recently tested June 2022
Type Freeze-first
Size 40.5 x 16.5 x 27cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 0.5 litres
Need to know Pre-freeze time of 24 hours, three ice cream tubs with lids and recipes are included; also makes gelato, milkshakes, sorbet and smoothies
Ninja Swirl by Creami Ice Cream and Soft Serve Maker
Most recently tested August 2025
Type Freeze-first
Size 45 x 39 x 26cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 0.5 litres
Need to know Pre-freeze time of 24 hours, two ice cream tubs with lids and recipes are included; also makes gelato, soft serve ice cream, milkshake, sorbet and yoghurt
Russell Hobbs Chilluxe Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested July 2026
Type Freeze-first
Size 38 x 17 x 30cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 0.5 litres
Need to know Two ice cream tubs are included; also makes sorbet, milkshakes, gelato, frozen yoghurt.
Sage The Smart Scoop Gelato and Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested April 2024
Type Self-freezing
Size 23 x 39 x 26cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 1 litre
Need to know Pre-cool function, keep-cool function up to three hours, cleaning brush included, also makes frozen yoghurt, gelato and sorbet
VonShef Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested June 2022
Type Freeze-first
Size 23 x 21cm (HxW)
Capacity 0.75 litres
Need to know Pre-feeze time of eight hours, also makes frozen yoghurt and sorbet
The soft serve ice cream makers we tested
Only logged-in Which? members can view the soft serve ice cream makers test results.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
| Soft serve ice cream maker | Price | Score | Type | Ice cream texture | Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? | 86% | ||||
| 77% | |||||
| 74% | |||||
| 46% | |||||
| 46% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time.
Already a member?
Log in
Date tested: July 2026. Page last checked: August 2026. We're not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
All the soft-serve ice cream makers we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the best soft-serve ice cream makers from our tests.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.
Cuisinart Frost Fusion
Most recently tested July 2026
Type Self-freezing
Size 45 x 18 x 47cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 1.6 litres
Need to know Keep-cool function; also makes sorbet, slushies, frappés, frozen cocktails and wine slushies
Cooks Professional Luxury Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested July 2026
Type Self-freezing
Size 47 x 27 x 41cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 1.5 litres
Need to know Keep-cool function; also makes milkshakes and smoothies
Greenpan Frost Ice Cream Maker
Most recently tested July 2026
Type Self-freezing
Size 44 x 22 x 43cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 1.8 litres
Need to know Keep-cool function; also makes slushies, sorbets and milkshakes
An ice cream maker can be a fun gift for the whole family, which is why we've included it in our guide to the best gifts for kids
Klarstein Sweet Sundae Ice Cream Machine
Most recently tested July 2026
Type Self-freezing
Size 47 x 27 x 41cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 1.5 litres
Need to know Keep-cool function; also makes milkshakes and smoothies
Ninja Swirl by Creami
Most recently tested July 2026
Type Freeze First
Size 45 x 39 x 26cm (HxWxD)
Capacity 0.5 litres
Need to know Pre-freeze time of 24 hours, two ice cream tubs with lids and recipes are included; also makes gelato, milkshakes, sorbet and yoghurt
How we test ice cream makers
We buy the bestselling ice cream makers and put them through out tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers. We regularly revisit the ice cream makers on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them, we do.
We make vanilla ice cream in each machine according to the manufacturer's recipes and instructions, then assess it on the factors below.
- Is the scoopable ice cream ready to serve? Most ice cream makers create the scoopable stuff and the best made perfect, ready-to-serve ice cream, which is of an even, thick consistency and easy to scoop out. Others produce ice cream that's too solid or too sloppy and needs extra freezing to come together.
- Ice cream texture We conduct a blind-taste test with a panel of testers. For scoopable ice cream, they look for a creamy, airy and smooth consistency, and mark down those that are crumbly, watery or sloppy. For soft serve, they look for similar things but a softer consistency similar to a Mr Whippy.
- Dispersing mix-ins Is chocolate chip your go-to flavour? We add chocolate chips when making scoopable ice cream to check how evenly they are spread. The worst have lots of chocolate chips clumped together or not enough in a serving.
- Ease of use For every ice cream maker, we consider how easy they are to operate, assemble and unload ice cream from. The best have intuitive designs with clearly labelled parts and responsive functions. The worst we encounter are overly complicated, messy to scoop out of or, in the worst case, break.
- Cleaning We found that cleaning traditional ice cream machines is generally hassle-free, but the same can't be said of soft serve ice cream makers. Making soft serve requires more components, which all need to be cleaned properly. The best are easy to disassemble and wash, whereas the worst have poorly functioning flush modes, so you end up having to repeat the whole process.
- Noise The louder the machine, the worse it scores. Most make noise due to the built-in freezers and motors, but some are much louder than others.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
Soft serve vs freeze-first vs self-freezing ice cream makers: which type should you buy?
Ice cream makers generally fall into two camps: freeze-first and self-freezing.
Self-freezing machines also do the freezing for you. Add your chilled ingredients and they can churn them into scoopable ice cream in under an hour, with no overnight prep.
Freeze-first machines are usually cheaper, but require more patience. You’ll typically need to freeze the bowl for at least 12 hours before you can start churning.
Soft serve machines make lighter, airier, Mr Whippy-style ice cream. They’re typically self-freezing machines and fairly pricey.
If you want to whip up a '99' at home, go for our soft serve Best Buy. Prefer traditional scoops without planning a day ahead? A self-freezing model is your best bet. If you’re happy with delayed satisfaction in exchange for a lower price, consider a freeze-first machine.
Is it worth getting an ice cream maker?
If you eat plenty of ice cream and fancy experimenting with your own flavours, an ice cream maker can be great fun. But they can also be temperamental beasts.
We picked up a few tricks during testing that should make your first batch smoother than some of ours:
- Give freeze-first machines enough time. Freeze the bowl for at least 24 hours. Some manufacturers even recommend keeping it permanently in the freezer if you have room. Give it a shake before using it. If you can hear liquid sloshing around, it needs longer.
- Stick to the recipes, at least at first. We had better results when following the manufacturer’s recipes rather than going rogue.
- Check how to add your mixture. Many machines need to be running before you pour it in, otherwise, the mixture can freeze against the sides. Keep it pourable and don’t over-whisk it.
- Keep metal utensils away. Silicone, plastic or wooden utensils are less likely to scratch the bowl.
- Start cold. Chilled ingredients churn better. If yours have been sitting out, pop the mixture back in the fridge for a couple of hours first.
- Make it ahead for firmer scoops. Many machines produce fairly soft ice cream straight from the bowl. For a thicker, scoopable texture, transfer it to the freezer to firm up.
- Save the extras until later. Add chocolate chips, fruit and other mix-ins during the latter half of churning. Throw them in too early and they can freeze to the bottom rather than mix through evenly.
Add to your kitchen gadgets with the best hand blenders and best stand mixers
Is the Ninja Creami worth it?
The viral Ninja Creami has been through several iterations, including the Creami Deluxe and Swirl. They’re all freeze-first ice cream makers, but work a little differently to most.
Typically, freeze-first machines require you to freeze an empty bowl for at least eight hours, then add your mixture and churn for around 30 minutes.
With the Ninja Creami, you freeze the mixture in its tub for 24 hours instead. Because the ingredients are already frozen solid, churning takes just two to five minutes.
The Swirl has another trick up its sleeve. Unlike other Creami models and all the other ice cream makers we tested, it can make both scoopable ice cream and soft serve.
Are the Ninja Creami better than the competition?
Starting at £200, the Ninja Creami models are pricey compared with most freeze-first ice cream makers.
Join Which? to read our reviews of the Ninja Creami, Ninja Creami Deluxe and Ninja Swirl to find out if these hugely popular ice cream makers are worth the price.
If you're curious how other Ninja products have fared in our tests, check out our guide to Ninja appliances.
What else can I make with an ice cream maker?
Most ice cream makers are more than one-trick ponies, with settings for sorbet, milkshakes, gelato, slushies and more.
Our testing found that many handle these extras well, too. In other words, give one enough worktop space and you'll never be stuck for a frozen dessert or sweet treat.
The Ninja Swirl by Creami is one of the most versatile machines we tested. It’s the only one that makes both soft serve and scoopable ice cream, as well as smoothies, gelato, frozen yoghurt and milkshakes.