With back-to-back heatwaves, summer feels endless – and who can complain? Summer brings ice cream, and now you don't need the beach to enjoy a creamy scoop. The best ice cream makers let you whip up mint choc chip or mango sorbet at home. Whether you love classic ice cream, soft serve, gelato, frozen yoghurt or sorbet, modern machines make it easy. Before buying, decide between pre-freeze models (cheaper, more compact) and compressor machines (on-demand, pricier, larger).
Best overall: GreenPan Frost Ice Cream Maker & Slushie Machine
GreenPan's machine is stylish with a natural finish. It comes assembled; just click parts in place. Settings include sorbet, slushies, milkshakes, ice cream, smoothies, frozen cocktails and frozen yoghurt. It froze a frozen Dr Pepper quickly even at 33°C, but over-freezing is possible. The lemon sorbet was incredible. Minimum and maximum fill lines are important; unusual noises indicate low liquid. Cleaning uses a clean cycle with water and washing up liquid. Capacity 1.8L, weight 11kg, dimensions D43.8xW22.2xH44.1cm, churn time 15 min, no pre-freeze. £329 at Tesco.
Best budget: Lakeland Ice Cream Maker
Compact but makes 1.5L. Simple design, easy to use. The bowl clicks away from lid and stores finished ice cream. Open hatch for mix-ins. Requires pre-freeze 8-12 hours; struggled on hot days. Results smooth and creamy, rivaling expensive models. Capacity 1.5L, weight 2.2kg, diameter 20cm x height 22.2cm, churn time 25 min, pre-freeze required. £44.99 at Lakeland.
Best swirl: Ninja Creami Swirl & Scoop Machine
Soft serve function is precise, replicating a 99 from an ice cream van. Six programs: classic ice cream, frozen yoghurt, gelato, high-protein option. Following recipes is important. Ice cream smooth and creamy, close to proper gelato. Generous portions. Includes four tubs. Requires pre-freeze 24 hours. Capacity 480ml (4 tubs), weight 9.45kg, dimensions H44.5xW38.5xD25.5cm, churn time 5-10 min. £279.99 at Sharkninja.
Best sleek: Russell Hobbs Chilluxe Ice Cream Maker
Modern, minimalist design fits any worktop. Requires pre-freeze 24 hours. Makes smaller batches but versatile: ice cream, sorbet, milkshakes. Mix-in function disperses chips evenly. Milkshake setting is standout. Capacity 500ml (2 tubs), weight 8.3kg, dimensions H38.5xW17.2xD30.7cm, churn time 4 min, pre-freeze required. £139.99 at Amazon.
Best gelato: Magimix Gelato Expert
Produces authentic, creamy gelato reminiscent of Rome. No pre-freeze needed. Add ingredients to stainless steel bowl; bowl comes out like an ice cream shop pail. Easy to clean. Quiet during operation. Capacity 1L ice cream, 1.3L sorbet/granita, weight 10.9kg, dimensions 260x290x370mm, churn time 20-60 min, no pre-freeze. £449 at Fenwick.
Best family-size: CASO Design Icecreamer 5-in-1
Bulky but easy to use. No pre-freeze except for heating milk if required. Four automatic programs; makes ice cream in half an hour to just over an hour. Ingredients added through hatch; container removable. Ice cream quality super creamy. Can also make yoghurt in less than 8 hours. Capacity 2L, weight 11.8kg, dimensions 43x28x28.5cm, churn time 1 hour, no pre-freeze. £278 at Amazon.
Best stylish addition: KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
Requires a KitchenAid mixer. Bowl needs pre-freeze 16 hours; bowl is large, may not fit all freezers. Recipe book included; strawberry and Champagne sorbet was delicious. Mixer churns quickly, creating smooth texture. Capacity 1.9L, weight 2.7kg, dimensions H17.8xW27.9xD21.6cm, churn time 30 min, pre-freeze required. £104.30 at Kitchenaid.
What are the best ice cream makers?
The best ice cream maker depends on budget and preference. For luxurious gelato, choose Magimix. For budget, Lakeland. A good middle ground is GreenPan, which makes more than just ice cream and is great for hosting.
