Best popcorn makers 2025

The best popcorn makers will cook fluffy, crisp and evenly popped corn for your movie night at home, or even just as a low-calorie snack during the day. The worst will leave you hugging a bowl of half-popped, burnt kernels. 

We've expertly tested air popper and hob-style popcorn makers from Salter, Giles & Posner, Joe & Seph and more.  

We've gone to town weighing every single unpopped kernel, measuring energy usage and dodging hot kernels. A tasting panel also compared the flavour and texture with microwave and stove-style popcorn makers, too.

Two impressed us enough to become Best Buys.  

The best popcorn makers

Only logged-in Which? members can view the popcorn maker test results below. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

The popcorn makers we tested

All the popcorn makers we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the best popcorn makers from our tests.

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.

Ariete Party Time 2957 Air Popper Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? No

Amount of kernels per use 60g (approx two portions)

Size and weight 32 x 19 x 19cm (HxWxD); 1.25kg

Need to know 1,100W, power cord length 100cm, instructions state to wait 10 minutes between uses and to not use for more than 10 minutes continuously, comes with a serving bowl and measuring cup, one-year warranty

Cooks Professional Retro Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? Yes (one tbsp)

Amount of kernels per use 60g (approx two portions)

Size and weight 48 x 25 x 30cm (HxWxD); 3.7kg

Need to know 310W, power cord length 103cm, stirs kernels while in use, instructions state to wait 12 minutes between uses, comes with a storage cabinet, measuring cup and eight cardboard popcorn bags, two-year warranty

Cozeemax Air Popper Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? No

Amount of kernels per use 60g (approx two portions)

Size and weight 38.5 x 16.5 x 23cm (HxWxD); 1.2kg

Need to know 1,200W, power cord length 76cm, instructions state to wait 15 minutes between uses and to not use for more than five minutes continuously, can melt butter in a measuring cup while popcorn maker is in use, need a bowl to catch popcorn, comes with a measuring cup, two-year warranty

Gadgy Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? Yes (one tbsp)

Amount of kernels per use 130g (approx five portions)

Size and weight  25 x 36 x 30cm (HxWxD); 1.6kg

Need to know 800W, power cord length 77cm, stirs kernels while in use, instructions don't state time between uses (we recommend at least 10 minutes), can melt butter on transparent lid and it drips onto popcorn while in use, comes with a serving bowl, two-year warranty

Giles & Posner EK0493 Air Popper Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? No

Amount of kernels per use 70g (approx three servings)

Size and weight 30 x 15 x 15.5cm (HxWxD); 0.8kg

Need to know 1,200W, power cord length 109cm, instructions state to wait 12 minutes between uses, need a bowl to catch popcorn, comes with a measuring cup, two-year warranty on registering the product

Giles & Posner Mini Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? Yes (one tbsp)

Amount of kernels per use 75g (approx three portions)

Size and weight 19.5 x 21 x 21cm (HxWxD); 1kg

Need to know 500W, power cord length 77cm, stirs kernels while in use, instructions state to wait 10 minutes between uses, comes with a serving bowl and two measuring cups, two-year warranty on registering the product

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Global Gizmos 50900 Air Popper Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? No

Amount of kernels per use 55g (approx two portions)

Size and weight  26.5 x 13 x 18cm (HxWxD); 0.65kg

Need to know 1,200W, power cord length 105cm, instructions don't state time between uses (we recommend at least 10 minutes), need a bowl to catch popcorn, comes with a measuring cup and four paper popcorn bags, one-year warranty

Joe & Seph's Gourmet Air Popper Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? No

Amount of kernels per use 80g (approx three portions)

Size and weight 28 x 28 x 28cm (HxWxD); 1.3kg

Need to know 1,200W, power cord length 82cm, instructions state to wait 20 minutes between uses and to not use for more than three minutes continuously, comes with a serving bowl and measuring cup, one-year warranty

Salter EK2902 Air Popper Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? No

Amount of kernels per use 50g (approx two portions)

Size and weight 28 x 14.5 x 14.5cm (HxWxD); 0.7kg

Need to know 1,200W, power cord length 81cm, instructions state to wait 12 minutes between uses, need a bowl to catch popcorn, comes with a measuring cup, one-year warranty

Tower T19050RD Air Popper Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? No

Amount of kernels per use 30g (approx one portion)

Size and weight 25.5 x 12 x 12cm (HxWxD); 0.5kg

Need to know 900W, power cord length 73cm, instructions state to wait 15 minutes between uses, need a bowl to catch popcorn, comes with a measuring cup, two-year warranty on registering the product

VonShef Air Popper Popcorn Maker

Does it need oil? No

Amount of kernels per use 50g (approx two portions)

Size and weight 25 x 16 x 16cm (HxWxD); 0.6kg

Need to know 1,200W, power cord length 77cm, instructions state to wait 'several minutes' between uses (we recommend at least 10 minutes), need a bowl to catch popcorn, comes with a measuring cup and six cardboard popcorn bags, two-year warranty

 How we test popcorn makers

We buy every popcorn maker we test and we don't accept freebies from manufacturers – they can't buy their way into our testing.

How we test and our results are also verified via a panel of our own research experts to ensure we're being thorough and fair when bringing you the very best popcorn makers. 

We regularly revisit the popcorn makers on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing and when we find them we do. 

Popping quality

We test every popcorn maker multiple times, using the amount of corn the instructions state to use. While the quality of corn can affect how well it pops, we used the same across all machines to make our tests fair and comparable. 

• We sieve out the unpopped kernels to measure exactly how much corn is popped. Some of the best popcorn makers only left around 5% unpopped, while the worst left nearly 50%.

• We check every batch to see if any of the popped corn burns. 
• We also measure how long it takes each machine to pop a gram of popcorn, stopping the machines once there's been 10 seconds without a pop. The best popcorn makers take around two minutes to pop their batch (two seconds per gram). The slowest take between five and six minutes (four to five seconds per gram).

Heat control and spillage

• We attach temperature probes to each popcorn maker to measure how hot they get during operation. All machines get hot, but the worst had parts reach temperatures over 70°C.
• We also note if they shoot out hot kernels. If they do we check if the direction is consistent. The best keep kernels contained, while the worst leave hot kernels flying everywhere. 

Taste tests

We conducted blind taste tests with 26 participants to answer the most searched-for questions around making popcorn, including which oil to use. 

These results aren't factored into the popcorn maker scores, but we found some scenarios where participants had a preference and others where there was none. Which? members can find these results below.

We also test

• How easy they are to use Including instructions, capacity, how easy they are to assemble and if you need extra equipment, such as a bowl, to use.
• How easy they are to store We take into account, weight, size and whether there's a neat way to store the cable.
• How easy they are to clean No popcorn maker is safe for putting in the dishwasher, but we rate how easy each is to wash by hand.
• Energy use We use energy monitors to measure the cost of running each popcorn maker. The cheapest cost 8p per hour vs 34p for the most expensive, but you'll only ever run them for three to six minutes at a time.

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.

Do popcorn machines make better popcorn?

There are a few different ways to make popcorn, including:

• Hob-style makers These heat up a plate with oil and have a stirrer to move the kernels around. They usually have a transparent plastic bowl placed on top of the plate so kernels don't fly out, which also doubles as a serving bowl. They use oil and are a bit slower to pop. The hot plate also remains hot after you turn it off, so if you leave the popped corn in there for too long you run the risk of burnt popcorn. 
• Air popping makers You put the kernels in an aluminium chamber. This heats up and blows air in – essentially a hair dryer for popcorn. The corn pops and spits out of the opening of the machine into a bowl you’ve placed there. They don’t use oil, but they are noisy and hot kernels can fly out.
• Microwave This is usually done with a collapsible silicone bowl that you put the kernels into. You then put the bowl in a microwave for a few minutes and, voila, popcorn. You can decide whether to use oil or not, but unlike other machines you need the additional appliance (a microwave) to use it. 
• On the hob In many ways you don't need a popcorn maker; just use a saucepan, with or without oil, to pop the kernels. However, this can be a bit fiddly, and probably needs some trial and error to figure out how hot to have the hob, and how often to move the pan, to avoid burnt popcorn. Most machines take away the guesswork. 

We had a panel of 26 people blind taste test popcorn made with all four of these methods. Join Which? to see if they had a preference.

What kind of oil is best for a popcorn machine?

Most popcorn makers that need oil suggest using vegetable.  

Kernels pop at high temperatures. So an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or coconut, can reach the temperature needed without smoking or burning.

Anecdotally, when we used coconut oil in our Best Buy recommendation we found the percentage of unpopped kernels was less compared to vegetable oil.

But oil can add flavour to your snack - we made popcorn using sunflower, vegetable, olive and coconut oil for 26 people to blind taste test. Join Which? to see if they had a preference.

If you don't want to use oil, we recommend going for one that air pops the corn.

Does soaking popcorn in water make it pop better?

Kernels pop because water inside the hull expands and turns to steam. When enough pressure builds up it bursts.

If you use poor quality popcorn kernels that are dry, in theory more of them won't pop. 

Soaking your corn in water should travel through the hulls into the interior weakening it so the kernels can burst under less pressure. But does this make for better popcorn? 

We compared unsoaked kernels to a batch soaked for 10 minutes and one hour, in water.  Join Which? to see our results.

Can I pop popcorn in an air fryer?

You can make popcorn in an air fryer. While we haven't tried this method, we would recommend putting the kernels in a suitable container, such as a silicone bowl with a lid or an aluminium foil pouch.

This will prevent the popcorn getting stuck to the heating elements and becoming a nightmare to clean. 

See all our best air fryers. 

Are popcorn makers safe?

Popcorn is made at high temperatures, so popcorn machines get hot. Our tests found parts of some of the machine's exterior reaches 70°C or more. Hot kernels can also fly out of some of the machines. To prevent accidents, we recommend the following: 

• Supervise children while using a popcorn maker.
• Prevent overheating by only having the machine on for as long as you need to pop the corn.
• Don't touch them while in use, and leave it to cool between consecutive uses (at least 10 minutes).
• Use a large mixing bowl to catch as many kernels as possible if using an air popping machine. 
• Stand back until the popping becomes less frequent and orient the opening away from where anyone is standing.