Best Ice Cream Makers You Can Buy: 7 Picks for Every Budget & Need
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In 2025, homemade desserts are more popular than ever—and leading the trend are ice cream makers. With rising prices of store-bought treats and a growing focus on clean, customizable eating, more people are opting to make their frozen treats at home. Whether it’s a classic vanilla, a dairy-free coconut blend, or a rich chocolate overload, making ice cream at home has never been easier—or more rewarding.
Investing in one of the best ice cream makers not only saves you money over time but also gives you full control over the ingredients. Want to cut back on sugar? Do you prefer almond milk? Looking to recreate your favorite childhood flavor? With a quality ice cream machine, the possibilities are endless—and fresh.
This guide is perfect for families seeking weekend fun, dessert lovers experimenting with flavors, and health-conscious users who want guilt-free indulgence. Whatever your reason, the right ice cream maker can transform your kitchen into your favorite scoop shop.
Top 7 Ice Cream Makers for Every Budget
1. Cuisinart ICE-21P1 – Best Overall for Beginners
The Cuisinart ICE-21P1 stands out as the perfect entry-level ice cream maker for beginners who want simplicity, speed, and quality without spending too much. Priced affordably between ₹7,000–₹8,500 (around $65–$75), this electric ice cream maker features a 1.5-liter capacity, making it great for small families or couples. Its standout feature is the patented mixing paddle, which churns ice cream in 20 minutes or less, far quicker than many other models in its category.
The machine uses a double-insulated freezer bowl, which needs to be pre-frozen (typically overnight), but this also means there’s no need for ice or salt. It’s lightweight, compact, and very easy to clean, making it ideal for kitchens with limited counter space. While it doesn’t include advanced features like built-in freezing or digital controls, its performance and consistency more than makeup for it. The Cuisinart ICE-21P1 is a smart pick for those new to homemade desserts who want fast, reliable results.
Cuisinart ICE-21P1: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Electric (Pre-freeze bowl) |
| Capacity | 1.5 Liters |
| Churning Time | 15–20 Minutes |
| Price Range | ₹7,000 – ₹8,500 / $65 – $75 |
| Key Features | Patented paddle, double-insulated bowl |
| Ease of Cleaning | Easy to clean, no small parts |
| Noise Level | Moderate |
| Ideal For | Beginners, small families |
| Pros | Fast churning, compact size, budget-friendly |
| Cons | Requires bowl pre-freezing, no advanced settings |
2. Ninja Creami – Best Multi-Function Ice Cream Maker
The Ninja Creami is a compact powerhouse that goes beyond traditional ice cream—offering gelato, sorbet, smoothies, milkshakes, and even smoothie bowls at the touch of a button. Its standout feature is the sleek touchscreen interface, with seven preset programs (Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Milkshake, Smoothie Bowl, Lite Ice Cream, and Mix-In), making it exceptionally versatile. Powered by 800 W and equipped with Creamify™ technology, it shaves a frozen pint block into a creamy texture in just 1–2½ minutes.
Priced around ₹15,000–₹18,000 (approximately $200–$230), the Creami includes two 24 oz (≈0.7 L) pints and a dishwasher-safe paddle—perfect for users who want to prep multiple flavors ahead. Despite a required 24-hour pre-freeze for the pint containers and occasional blender-style noise, reviewers laud its ability to deliver smooth sorbets and indulgent smoothie bowls quickly.
Ideal for experimenters and those who enjoy a range of frozen treats, the Ninja Creami is a top pick for anyone wanting more than just classic ice cream.
Ninja Creami: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Touch‑screen ice cream and frozen‑treat machine |
| Capacity | 2 × 24 oz (≈0.7 L) pints |
| Programs | 7 presets: Ice Cream, Sorbet, Gelato, Milkshake, Smoothie Bowl, Lite Ice, Mix-In |
| Power | 800 W motor with Creamify™ shaving blade |
| Price Range | ₹15,000–₹18,000 / $200 – $230 |
| Special Features | One-touch controls, re-spin option, dishwasher-safe parts |
| Prep Time | Pint-sized batches only need planning, moderate noise |
| Pros | Multi-function, fast results, compact design, easy-to-clean |
| Cons | Pint-sized batches only need planning ahead, moderate noise |
| Ideal For | Flavor tinkerers, vegans, smoothie and sorbet fans |
3. Kitchenif Digital Ice Cream Maker – Best Budget Option in India
The Kitchen Digital Ice Cream Maker offers fantastic value for Indian households seeking an affordable yet efficient way to make homemade frozen desserts. Priced around ₹4,200–₹4,500, this electric machine features a 1.5 L double-insulated bowl, ideal for family-sized servings of ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt, or slush. It stands out with its digital timer and auto shut-off, allowing busy users to set it and walk away without worrying about over-churning. The compact design includes a handy spout for adding mix-ins mid-cycle, and its components are easily detachable for quick cleaning. While it does require 12–18 hours of pre-freezing the bowl, it reliably produces creamy, preservative-free treats within 25–30 minutes. Overall, it’s an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers in India who want a simple, reliable ice cream maker.
Kitchen Digital Ice Cream Maker: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Electric (Pre-freeze bowl) |
| Capacity | 1.5 Liters |
| Digital Features | Timer with auto shut-off |
| Price Range | ₹4,200 – ₹4,500 |
| Freezing Time | 12–18 hours (bowl needs overnight freeze) |
| Churning Time | 25–30 minutes |
| Special Features | Mix-in spout, detachable components for easy cleaning |
| Pros | Affordable, user-friendly, compact, multi-dessert options |
| Cons | Requires long bowl freeze, smaller batches compared to premium units |
| Ideal For | Budget-focused Indian families, beginners to homemade desserts |
4. Whynter ICM-200LS – Best for Serious Home Chefs
The Whynter ICM‑200LS is a top-tier choice for those who want commercial-grade results in a home kitchen. It’s a compressor-based ice cream maker, meaning it has its built-in freezer—so no pre-freezing of bowls is required. With a generous 2.1 qt (~2 L) capacity, it’s ideal for making large batches for parties or big families. The powerful compressor cools down to around –32 °F, enabling rapid churning in under 30 minutes. Its soft-touch LCD panel features multiple modes—ice cream, cooling, mixing—and includes a built-in timer and motor-protection feature to prevent overheating.
While the ₹36,000–₹55,000 price tag (imported) places it in the premium range, the ICM‑200LS delivers smooth, dense textures usually found in upscale gelaterias. Reviews highlight its reliability, relative quietness, and the convenience it brings—simply pour in your mix and walk away. For serious dessert makers who value both performance and flexibility, the Whynter is a game-changer.
Whynter ICM‑200LS: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Compressor-based (self-cooling) |
| Capacity | 2.1 quarts (~2 L) |
| Freezing Requirement | No pre-freeze required |
| Churning Time | 25–30 minutes |
| Price (India, imported) | ₹36,000 – ₹55,000 |
| Special Features | LCD timer, cooling-only & mixing-only modes, motor protection |
| Pros | Large capacity, fast, no pre-freezing, quality texture |
| Cons | Expensive, bulky (weighs ~11 kg) |
| Ideal For | Serious home chefs, large families, entertainment events |
5. Hamilton Beach 68330N – Best Manual-Style Electric Maker
The Hamilton Beach 68330N brings nostalgia to your kitchen with its classic bucket design and fully automatic operation. Using ice and rock salt for freezing, this electric machine blends traditional charm with modern convenience. With a spacious 4‑quart (~3.8 L) capacity, it’s perfect for whipping up large batches of ice cream, gelato, sorbet, or yogurt—ideal for family gatherings or weekend fun.
Despite its retro setup requiring intermittent adding of ice and salt, the process is straightforward: plus, it automatically shuts off when ready. You’ll get creamy desserts in 20–40 minutes for about ₹7,362–₹12,200 in India (varies by importer). Though some reviews caution about it being a bit messy and noisy, its durability and large yield consistently earn praise from users looking for bulk ice cream without high-tech frills.
Perfect for old-school enthusiasts and those hosting parties, the 68330N is an affordable workhorse that makes sizable sweet treats with minimal fuss.
Hamilton Beach 68330N: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Manual‑style electric (ice + salt) |
| Capacity | 4 quarts (~3.8 L) |
| Price in India | ₹7,362 – ₹12,200 (imported) |
| Freezing Method | Requires ice and rock salt |
| Churning Time | 20–40 minutes |
| Special Features | Fully automatic, easy‑lock lid, includes 20 recipes |
| Pros | Large yield, traditional charm, budget-friendly |
| Cons | Messy, noisy, frequent topping of ice & salt |
| Ideal For | Families, party hosts, nostalgia lovers |
6. Agaro Royal Ice Cream Maker – Best Mid-Range Pick
The Agaro Royal Ice Cream Maker hits the sweet spot for Indian users seeking a balance between price, performance, and ease of use. Priced around ₹6,000–₹7,500, it features a 1.2 L double-insulated freezing bowl—perfect for everyday desserts without taking up too much space. It excels at simplicity: just pre-freeze the bowl for 12–18 hours, pour in your chilled mixture, press a button, and get creamy ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yogurt in 20–30 minutes.
Users appreciate its compact build that fits well in small kitchens, and the one-touch operation makes it remarkably easy to operate, even for beginners. Despite its simpler feature set, it delivers consistent textures and has a sturdy, durable design. The Agaro Royal is a standout mid-range option that combines convenience, quality, and value—ideal for families and daily dessert lovers.
Agaro Royal Ice Cream Maker: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Electric (Pre-freeze double-insulated bowl) |
| Capacity | 1.2 Liters |
| Price Range | ₹6,000 – ₹7,500 |
| Freezing Time | 12–18 hours |
| Churning Time | 20–30 minutes |
| Special Features | One-touch operation, compact design, 1-year + 6-month warranty |
| Pros | Easy to operate, compact, reliable performance |
| Cons | Small capacity, no timer or digital controls |
| Ideal For | Indian households, couples, beginners, small families |
7. Breville Smart Scoop – Best Premium Pick
The Breville Smart Scoop (BCI600XL) is a premium, processor-grade ice cream maker that delivers café-quality results at home. Equipped with a self-refrigerating compressor, it eliminates the need to pre-freeze bowls. It offers 12 precision hardness settings—covering ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, and soft-serve—allowing you to dial in the exact texture you want. Its pre-cool feature chills the bowl to an optimal temperature, while the keep-cool function maintains hardened texture for up to 3 hours after the cycle ends. The Smart Scoop also includes a mix-in alert, a transparent lid with a flip-up portion for adding toppings, and a child-lock for safety—all housed in an elegant stainless steel design.
Available in India via import, its premium technology comes with a high price tag of approximately ₹55,000–₹65,000. While costly, this machine is perfect for professionals or serious home chefs who appreciate automation, consistency, and ultimate control over texture and flavor. As a testament to its pedigree, Forbes recently named it a “solid choice” among compressor-style ice cream makers.
Breville Smart Scoop: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Compressor-based (self-freezing) |
| Capacity | ~1–1.5 quart (≈1 L) |
| Hardness Settings | 12 precision levels (ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt, soft serve) |
| Additional Features | Pre-cool, mix-in alert, keep-cool (up to 3 hrs), child lock |
| Build | Stainless steel, transparent lid, removable bowl and paddle |
| Price in India | ₹55,000 – ₹65,000 |
| Pros | No pre-freeze, ultra-customizable texture, hold function, premium build |
| Cons | High cost, large footprint, requires import |
| Ideal For | Pros, serious home chefs, tech-savvy dessert lovers |
Comparison Table
| Model | Type | Capacity | Price (INR/USD) | Key Feature | Best For |
| Cuisinart ICE-21P1 | Electric (Basic) | 1.5 L | ₹7,500 / $70 | Fast churning | Beginners |
| Ninja Creami | Multi-function | 1 Pint | ₹15,000 / $130 | Gelato/Smoothie mode | Variety lovers |
| Kitchenif Digital | Budget Electric | 1.5 L | ₹4,999 | Auto shut-off | Budget seekers |
| Whynter ICM-200LS | Compressor | 2 L | ₹30,000 / $300 | No pre-freezing | Serious dessert fans |
| Hamilton Beach | Manual Electric | 4 Quart | ₹6,800 / $60 | Classic churning | Traditional style |
| Agaro Royal | Mid-range | 1.2 L | ₹8,999 | Digital timer | Indian households |
| Breville Scoop | Premium Compressor | 1.5 L | ₹45,000 / $400 | 12 settings | Pros & perfectionists |
Conclusion
Finding the perfect ice cream maker doesn’t have to be overwhelming—whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned dessert enthusiast, there’s a model that fits your needs and budget. For beginners and budget-conscious shoppers, options like Kitchenif Digital and Agaro Royal offer great value without compromising on quality. If you’re looking to experiment with more than just ice cream, the Ninja Creami delivers unmatched versatility with presets for gelato, smoothies, and more. For serious home chefs who want professional results, the Whynter ICM-200LS and Breville Smart Scoop are standout picks, offering compressor-based convenience and high-performance features.
Before you buy, consider what matters most—family size, how often you’ll use the machine, and whether you prefer convenience or customization. A small, simple machine might be perfect for occasional treats, while a self-refrigerating, high-capacity model is better for frequent churning and entertaining guests.