Best ice cream makers 2026: Churn, baby churn, soft scoop and froyo

• The Lakeland Digital 1.8L is the best ice cream maker you can buy. It’s whisper quiet, made some of the best consistency ice cream and is the cheapest of all the ice cream makers we tested
• We’ve tested 11 ice cream makers and put them all through a rigorous testing process to ensure we’re giving you the best advice
• We tested an ice cream makers ease-of-use, versatility, accessories and noise amongst other things
• Check out our guide below to see which other ice cream makers we would recommend and what we think they performed particularly well on

You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy an ice cream maker, and that’s pretty close. 

Because  sometimes, shop-bought ice cream isn’t special enough. Sure, it’s tasty, but the flavours are predictable and they just don’t hit the spot. The very best ice cream maker can change that, though.

In our opinion, the Lakeland Digital 1.8L ice cream maker is the best overall for elevating your ice cream to the next level. It might not have all the bells and whistles of the other machines, but ticks all of the important boxes, including ease-of-use, noise, price, and most importantly, how amazing the ice cream tastes. 

With an ice cream maker, you can easily create the frozen treats you crave. Whether it’s a unique sorbet you can’t find in stores, a homemade frappe to start the morning on a high, a frozen yoghurt to zhuzh up your breakfast, or even frosé (frozen rosé) for a sophisticated garden party, the only thing stopping you is your imagination (and some technical machine limitations but you get the idea). 

Using a machine to concoct your own sweet treat not only means you’re able to fancify the flavours to your liking, but you can also make great vegan, low-calorie, high-protein and additive-free ice cream as well. 

As you can tell, we love a good bowl of homemade ice cream. If you’ve never used or bought an ice cream maker before, we’ll show you what to look out for in a machine in our guide below, including the types of machine available and the pros and cons of buying an ice cream maker.

Already have an idea of what you’re looking for? Read on to see our roundup of the best ice cream makers we’ve tried and tested.

Best ice cream makers: At a glance

•  Best overall ice cream maker: Lakeland Digital 1.8L | Check price 
• Best ease-of-use: Russell Hobbs Chilluxe | Check price 
• Best ice cream maker for variety: Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 10-in-1 | Check price 
• Best  ice cream maker for consistency: Cuisinart Frost Fusion | Check price 
• Quietest ice cream maker: ProCook Professional 1.2L | Check price 
• Best professional ice cream maker: Sage Smart Scoop | Check price

How we test ice cream makers

Before testing

Consistency is key where ice cream is concerned, and so we test every ice cream maker we review in the same way. We first unpack the ice cream maker to measure its size, weight, and make a note of aesthetics. Next, we check the included accessories and whether the parts are safe for the dishwasher or have to be washed by hand. 

These ice cream makers come with instruction booklets and recipes, so we take a look at how easy the instructions are to understand and how many recipes and preset functions the machine comes with. This is because we also test the versatility of the ice cream makers that make more than just ice cream, evaluating their ability to make gelato, frozen yoghurt, slushies and other chilled desserts.

During testing

To measure how fast the products on test can whip up ice cream, we time the process with a stopwatch. For ice cream makers without a built-in freezer, we also monitor the temperature throughout, checking the bowl every five minutes to track how cold it gets – the best ice cream makers reach colder temperatures, and reach those temperatures faster.

The capacity of an ice cream machine is a key consideration and we make sure to  record the size of its mixing bowl versus the actual volume of ice cream created. 

To evaluate how well the ice cream maker incorporates solid ingredients, we use an identical base recipe and precise measurements. However, for the chocolate ice cream, we introduce cocoa and chocolate chips, and then measure the consistency against the vanilla ice cream. 

To test the noise level of the ice cream makers, we use a decibel reader. Then, to find out how much energy the machines consume, we multiply its power rating (Watts) by the time used (hours), then divide it by 1,000 to find kilowatt-hours (kWh). The more energy efficient the machine, the better for energy bills, however, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the ice cream maker is better.

After testing

Following all our testing, we rank ease of use by ranking how intuitive the machine was, how simple or complicated the instructions were to follow. 

We also ranked the ice cream itself, including its consistency, if it was cold enough, and how much was made.

We’ve graded all of the ice cream makers against these points, as well as taking considerations such as price, to ensure we’re doing a comprehensive test.

The best ice cream makers to buy in 2026

1.  Lakeland Digital Ice Cream Maker 1.8L: Best overall ice cream maker

Price when reviewed: £45 | Check price at Lakeland

Reviewed in May 2026 by Louise Frohlich 

The Lakeland Digital ice cream maker is my overall favourite, and it’s also the cheapest option on this list. It churns out ice cream that’s creamy and evenly textured, with none of that icy graininess you sometimes get from cheaper machines.

The machine  takes 40 minutes to churn a batch, but what it lacks in speed, it makes up for by being  incredibly quiet. We measured a high of 47dB with an occasional whine. 

The design is refreshingly simple too: an inner and outer bowl, plus a lid with a built-in motor and paddle attachment. There’s no integrated freezer, but the bowl freezes well and remains  cold long after the ice cream has been churned.

Getting the ice cream off the paddle can be messy, and the bowl picked up a few scratches during the process. It’s not dishwasher safe, although easy to clean by hand.

Where this machine really shines is its size. It’s very compact but has room for more ice cream because the bowl makes up 90% of the machine. It’s easy to carry and store in small kitchens. 

It might not have all the bells and whistles of fancier machines, but if you just want reliably good ice cream without the fuss or hefty price tag, the Lakeland Digital ice cream maker absolutely delivers.

Key specs – Built-in freezer: No; Size of bowl: 1.8l; Accessories: None; Dimensions (WDH): 21 x 21 x 23.5cm; Warranty: 3 yrs

Lakeland Digital Ice Cream Maker 1.8L – Homemade Ice Cream Sorbet & Frozen Yoghurt In 40 Minutes

£48.49

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2. Russell Hobbs Chilluxe Ice Cream Maker: Best for ease-of-use

Price when reviewed: £160  | Check price at Argos

Reviewed in May 2026 by Louise Frohlich 

The Russell Hobbs Chilluxe ice cream maker might look a bit intimidating at first, with its nine buttons lined up on the front, but it’s actually the easiest machine to use that I tested. You’ve got an on/off button, six pre-set options, plus mix-in and re-spin functions. Simply pop your ice cream mixture into the measuring tub, slot it into the larger container, lock it in, close the door and press your button of choice. Four minutes later, it’s done. 

That said, there’s no built-in freezer, so you’ll need to freeze the tub for a full 24 hours beforehand with the mixture inside.  Also, for the four minutes it takes to make ice cream, it’s incredibly loud, hitting an average of 82dB which is as loud as a blender. 

The plastic door feels a bit flimsy which isn’t a dealbreaker, but something to bear in mind when handling the machine.

However, the Russell Hobbs Chilluxe ice cream maker delivers genuinely great-tasting, well-textured ice cream. It’s so simple to use that pretty much anyone can get perfect results with minimal effort.

Key specs – Built-in freezer: No; Size of bowl: N/A; Accessories: 2x 500ml tubs; Dimensions (WDH): 18 x 32 x 38.5cm; Warranty: 1 yr

Russell Hobbs Ice Cream Maker [7 Auto Functions] Chill Luxe™ Stone (Ice Cream, Sorbet, Milkshake, Gelato, Frozen Yogurt & Mix-In Toppings, 2 Tubs, Respin, Fast Processing, Dishwasher Safe) 28750

£159.99

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3. Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 10-in-1: Best ice cream maker for variety

Price when reviewed: £250 | Check price at John Lewis

Reviewed in May 2026 by Louise Frohlich 

The Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 10-in-1 has – yes, you guessed it – ten different functions, and it’s the best ice cream maker for variety. It’s  more like a frozen dessert all-rounder than an ice cream maker. Unlike traditional ice cream makers,  you freeze your mixture for 24 hours first, then let the machine churn it into soft, creamy ice cream. 

It’s well labelled, the instruction booklet is clear, and it looks a bit like a coffee machine so it won’t look out of place on your countertop. Also, it’s also easy to clean, with dishwasher-friendly parts and a retractable paddle.

It’s meant to make ice cream in two minutes, but after the first spin, the texture was more crumbly than creamy, so it needed a re-spin. I also noticed the blade doesn’t quite reach the very bottom, leaving a thin layer less churned than the rest. However, it has options to ‘creamify’ the full, top or bottom of the tub which can help. 

Now, the downside is that the Ninja 10-in-1 is undeniably expensive. And then there’s the noise. Let’s just say if actual ninjas sounded like this machine, they’d be out of the job. Measuring 85 dB, it’s the loudest machine we’ve tested.

Still, if you want a versatile, slightly over-the-top machine that can churn out a wide range of frozen treats, it’s a seriously impressive bit of kit.

Key specs – Built-in freezer: No; Size of bowl: N/A; Accessories: 3x 710ml tubs; Dimensions (WDH): 21.38×30.5×42.39cm; Warranty: 2yrs

Ninja CREAMi Deluxe Ice Cream Maker & Frozen Dessert Maker with 3 Tubs, 10 Functions, Makes Ice Cream, Gelato, Sorbet, Frozen Yoghurt, Milkshakes, Slushi & More, 2-in-1 Flavour Option, Silver, NC501UK

£199.00

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4. Cuisinart Frost Fusion: Best  ice cream maker for consistency

Price when reviewed: £300  | Check price at Cuisinart

Reviewed in May 2026 by Louise Frohlich 

The Cuisinart Frost Fusion is the best ice cream maker I tested when it comes to the ice cream itself. Thanks to its built-in freezer, it produces smooth, dense, properly churned ice cream, like the kind you’d expect from a proper ice cream shop. It does this all in 30-45 minutes without any need for a 24 hours pre-freeze. 

On the aesthetic front, it’s also a winner. The Cuisinart Frost Fusion is exactly what you picture when you think of an ice cream maker. The white colour and dispensing chute makes it look like a commercial soft-serve machine, the likes of which you’d see in the back of an ice cream van. 

However, I found that the dispensing chute didn’t work very well. In theory, the machine pushes the ice cream forward through the chute, and the instruction manual explains that it might take time for the ice cream to get to the front of the vessel. In practice, I found only several drips coming out after 30 minutes of trying. However, it worked well for other frozen desserts such as slushies. 

The self-cleaning function also didn’t quite live up to its name, leaving more ice cream behind than I’d expect. There was sticky residue on the inside and I had to go in with a cloth and wipe up what was left behind, before rinsing it again to be sure it was clean. 

So, while it’s far from the easiest machine to use, if your top priority is top-tier texture and ice cream at the drop of a hat, the Cuisinart Frost Fusion is a great choice.

Key specs – Built-in freezer: No; Size of bowl: 1.5l; Accessories: Ice-cream paddle; Dimensions (WDH): 19 x 23 x 22cm; Warranty: 2 yrs

Cuisinart Frost Fusion® Makes fast Frozen Drinks & Soft Serve Ice Cream with 6 modes. No ice needed, ready in 30 mins, self‑rinsing, built to last with a 3‑year warranty.

£199.99

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5. ProCook Professional Ice Cream Maker: Quietest ice cream maker

Price when reviewed: £149 | Check price at ProCook

Reviewed in May 2026 by Louise Frohlich 

The ProCook Professional ice cream maker is the quietest machine I tested. I even ran it in the office without a single complaint, though to be fair, the promise of free ice cream may have helped smooth things over.

It’s simple to use too, which is part of the appeal. Fewer buttons helped keep things straightforward – an on/off button, start/stop button, and plus and minus buttons to adjust the timer.

The built-in freezer is another big win as you don’t need to pre-freeze the bowl for 24 hours. If the craving strikes, you can go from nothing to ice cream in about an hour.

One clever feature is that the machine stops automatically when the ice cream is ready. In my tests, vanilla finished in just over 53 minutes, while chocolate, made shortly after, was done in about 35.

The ice cream was very firm in the bowl which was great, but it was very hard to pull the paddle out. When I did, the shape of it made scooping the ice cream from it a bit awkward, and I found myself rushing it straight into the freezer as it started to melt pretty quickly.

Still, if you’re after a no-fuss, low-noise machine that delivers reliable results without disturbing the entire household, the ProCook Professional is a very easy one to live with.chio colour and is fairly compact, so it won’t be an eyesore on your kitchen counter.

Key specs – Built-in freezer: Yes; Size of bowl: 1.2l; Accessories: None; Dimensions (WDH): 37x 27x 22cm; Warranty: 2 yrs

6. Sage Smart Scoop: The best professional ice cream maker

Price when reviewed: £370 | Check price at John Lewis

Reviewed in January 2024 by Danielle Amato

There seems to be no end to the bells and whistles on this clever machine – 12 hardness settings, four pre-set programmes, a manual mode, a flashing light when it’s time to add mix-ins (such as raisins or chocolate chips) and an automatic hardness sensor. Plus, our favourite feature of all: an ice cream van jingle when it’s ready. If it’s not quite time for pud, simply use the keep-cool function, which keeps it at the required texture for up to three hours. The result of all this attention to detail is that you get professional results for ice cream, sorbet, gelato or frozen yoghurt, as well as having some fun on the way.

The instruction booklet has 16 great recipes and some top tips from Heston Blumenthal, although it would be nice if the parts were dishwasher-friendly, and the ice cream isn’t the easiest to remove from the machine. The bowl could be bigger, too, while the machine itself is huge.

Key specs – Built-in freezer: Yes; Size of bowl: 1l; Accessories: Ice-cream paddle, cleaning brush, spatula; Dimensions (WDH): 26 x 39 x 23cm; Warranty: 2 yrs

Sage – The Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker – Self-Cooling Machine – Manual & Automatic Modes – Brushed Stainless Steel

£369.95

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Written By

Louise Frohlich Editorial Assistant

Joining Expert Reviews in 2023 as product assistant, Louise doubles as a freelance artist and has countless hours of experience specialising in pencil-based portraiture. As such, she now writes for our art pages and is always trying out the latest creative mediums. Louise also manages the circulation of products amongst the team, ensuring a smooth daily running of the office.

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