Ice Cream Makers: Reviews, Comparisons & Buying Guide

Homemade ice cream stands or falls on temperature control. A machine that cannot keep its bowl cold enough while it churns produces icy, soft dessert no matter how good the base recipe is, while a machine that churns steadily at a low temperature produces a smooth, scoopable result. That is why the freezing method matters more than any other feature: compressor machines freeze as they churn, freezer-bowl machines rely on a bowl chilled overnight, pint makers like the Ninja CREAMi process a base that is already frozen solid, and ice-and-salt machines use an old-fashioned bucket of ice around a canister.