Making ice cream at home is fun, far cheaper than buying it, and dangerously with a reliable automatic ice cream maker. Cuisinart is a leader in the frozen dessert category and the stalwart kitchen brand's ice cream makers consistently rank well in consumer sentiment in buyer reviews and on Reddit . After testing eight models myself from a range of manufacturers, Cuisinart's 2-quart double-insulated machine tops our list as the best ice cream maker to buy in 2024.
Ice cream is a summer staple, and a year-round favorite in this house, but the good stuff isn't cheap. That's what makes at-home ice cream makers the perfect fix for keeping a stockade of vanilla, chocolate or mint around without going broke. In addition to Cuisinart's formidable lineup or ice cream machines, there are other models worthy of consideration including smaller single-serve machines and one super speedy model that's likely hit your feed on Instagram or TikTok.
I tested eight machines in all and challenged each to make more than just old-fashioned ice cream. I gauged each model's ability to make creamy fruit sorbet and vegan frozen desserts (can we call it ice cream?) for those who prefer a sweet treat without dairy. After more than 25 hours of turning through three tasty recipes in eight industry-leading machines, I landed on this definitive list of the best ice cream makers for 2024.
Best ice cream makers At any given time, Cuisinart has six or seven ice cream makers available but this model is the bran.