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Best ice cream makers in Australia 2022

We churned through hundreds of reviews to find the 5 best ice cream makers you can buy right now.

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Melanie Pike

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Tim Falk
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How did we pick this list?

Our team chose these 5 ice cream makers based on consumer reviews on Amazon Australia, Kitchen Warehouse, Appliances Online and the manufacturers' own websites. To make it to the shortlist each ice cream maker needed to score a minimum of 4 stars.

Read more detail on our methodology below.

The best ice cream makers in Australia

Best Ice Cream Makers

Best Rated Ice Cream Makers Brand: Yonanas

Yonanas was the highest rated ice cream maker brand. It received the best score for performance, and competitive ratings for ease of use and ease of cleaing.

Cuisinart ice cream and gelato maker

Best overall ice cream maker

Cuisinart ice cream and gelato maker
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • No need to pre-freeze the bowl
  • Can make ice cream and gelato

Cons

  • It will take up a fair amount of bench/cupboard space
  • The price

Why we chose it

If you're serious about making your own ice cream at home, you need a serious ice cream maker to churn it out for you. The Cuisinart ice cream and gelato maker took out the top spot in this list with a star rating of 4.7 across more than 500 reviews.

You don't need to waste time pre-freezing with this unit as it has an in-built compressor. Simply add your ingredients, select how long you want to churn (up to 60 minutes) and hit start. The clear lid allows you to watch what's happening inside (while keeping little fingers out) and the flap on top makes it easy to add any mix-ins you like while the machine is still running.

Included are 2 paddles, 1 for ice cream and 1 for gelato. The difference between the 2 is that ice cream is light and fluffy in texture, while gelato is denser and creamier, so you'll notice the ice cream paddle has extra blades to help incorporate more air while it churns.

What users say

I love it, I am having real old fashioned ice cream like I used to have as a child, thick and creamy.

Davis & Waddell electric ice cream maker

Best budget ice cream maker

Davis & Waddell electric ice cream maker
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Compact for easy storage
  • One switch operation

Cons

  • Speaking from experience, it's noisy
  • Bowl needs 8 hours minimum in the freezer

Why we chose it

If you're just dipping your toes into the homemade ice cream realm and don't want to invest too much cash, the Davis & Waddell electric ice cream maker is for you. It earned a 4-star rating in our research and if you look online, it's easy to find it for much cheaper than its already low $119 RRP.

It's a compact unit for easy storage, but the bowl itself will still churn out 1.5L of soft serve ice cream for you. The 1 switch operation makes it kid-friendly to use and the rubber non-slip feet mean it won't vibrate onto the floor. It has a clear lid with a hole to drop in any mix-ins when ready. I used to own one and can honestly say that apart from ice cream it can also make delicious slushies – for kids or adults, it's up to you!

What users say

I think this does a pretty good ice-cream for the price.

Cuisinart ice cream and frozen yoghurt maker

Best mid-range ice cream maker

Cuisinart ice cream and frozen yoghurt maker
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • 25-minute churn time
  • Consumers say it's easy to clean

Cons

  • 24-hour bowl freeze required
  • Some reviewers find it noisy

Why we chose it

Cuisinart is a popular kitchen appliance brand and with its 4.8-star rating, this ice cream and frozen yoghurt maker is no exception.

The heavy-duty build holds an impressive 2L double insulated bowl inside. There is a downside though – the bowl needs 24 hours in the freezer so you'll need to pre-plan your spontaneous "Hey kids, let's make ice cream!" Once the bowl is frozen though, you'll be eating ice cream in 25 minutes. It also has a clear lid with a hole in top so they can watch and add their favourite mix-ins.

What users say

Excellent ice cream & frozen yoghurt maker, easy to use and clean.

Breville Smart Scoop ice cream maker

Best premium ice cream maker

Breville Smart Scoop ice cream maker
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Makes a range of consistencies
  • All-in-one unit, no pre-freezing needed

Cons

  • Lots of reviewers mention it's heavy and bulky
  • It's expensive

Why we chose it

When you're paying a premium price you want an ice cream maker that can do it all. The Breville Smart Scoop (Model: BCI600BSS) does exactly that. It took out this category with a 4.5-star rating.

With 12 hardness settings, there's no more arguing over soft serve versus real ice cream (can you tell which I prefer?) Equipped with a Pre Cool function, you don't need to worry about refrigerating your mix first either, the machine will do that before it starts to churn. If you prefer to have more control over the process, there's also a manual setting where you can decide exactly how long to churn for (3 minutes to 3 hours). Once done, the self-refrigerating compressor will keep the batch at the desired hardness for up to 3 hours with its Keep Cool function.

What users say

Overall the features are awesome and it makes everything from soft to hard and in between. Love it!

KitchenAid ice cream bowl attachment

Best ice cream attachment for stand mixers

KitchenAid ice cream bowl attachment
Image: Supplied/Finder

Not yet rated

Pros

  • Easy to store
  • Simple to use

Cons

  • Only compatible with KitchenAid stand mixers
  • Some users found the blue coolant begins to leak after a while

Why we chose it

In an effort to reduce kitchen clutter, have you considered an attachment for your stand mixer? We took a look at what's available on the market and the KitchenAid ice cream bowl attachment was the most popular choice with a 4.5-star rating.

Simply freeze the bowl overnight and attach it to your KitchenAid stand mixer (it's compatible with most of them, check the KitchenAid website), pour in your ice cream base and switch it on. It takes around 20 minutes to churn before you can scoop it into a freezer-safe container ready for storage.

What's that? You don't have a stand mixer? Check out our kitchen mixer guide here.

What users say

So easy to use and makes delicious ice cream.

Amazon prices last updated on 21 January, 2022 at 06:02 am
eBay prices last updated on 21 January, 2022 at 04:05 pm

Methodology

6
Brands considered
11
Products compared
5
Best products chosen
  • We researched ice cream makers from 6 brands available in Australia.
  • The 5 categories awarded were: best overall, best budget ice cream maker, best mid-range ice cream maker, best premium ice cream maker and best ice cream attachment for stand mixers.
  • The products on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not selected based on commercial relationships.

How to compare ice cream makers

Make sure you compare a range of options before deciding which is the best ice cream maker for your needs. Here are the key factors you'll need to consider when shopping around for the right appliance.

Settings and features

Most budget ice cream makers have simple controls and limited features. High-end models offer more features, including the following:

  • Automatic and manual modes
  • Built-in timers
  • Settings for ice cream, gelato, sorbet and more
  • The ability to add in extra ingredients – choc chips, anyone?
  • Auto-off function
  • Recipe booklets

Size and capacity

Consider how much ice cream you'll likely need to create in a single batch. Most home ice cream makers have a capacity of 1–2 litres.

If there's limited space in your kitchen, remember to check the dimensions of the ice cream maker so you'll have enough room for it in your cupboards or on the bench. And if you go for a frozen bowl machine, check whether you'll be able to fit the bowl in your freezer.

Preparation time

Check how long it will take for the machine to make a batch of ice cream. Many machines will take between 20 and 40 minutes as a general guide. However, keep in mind that frozen bowl ice cream makers usually require you to place the bowl in the freezer at least 8 hours in advance.

Price

Frozen bowl ice cream makers are the cheapest option, with many machines priced in the $70–$200 range. Compressor ice cream makers are more expensive, commonly between $300 and $500.

Reviews

Want to know how a manufacturer's ambitious claims stand up in the real world? Check out some independent reviews from previous buyers to determine whether they'd recommend their ice cream maker to others.

Ease of use

The best ice cream maker will be simple to set up and use. Look for easy-to-understand controls, a user-friendly interface and features like digital displays.

Ease of cleaning

How easy is it to pull apart the machine and clean it? Are there dishwasher-safe removable parts, or will they need to be washed by hand?

Appearance

If you're storing the ice cream maker on your bench-top, you may want to consider a colour or material that matches your other appliances and decor.

Warranty

Finally, check whether there's a manufacturer's warranty, what it covers and how long it lasts.

What should I know about ice cream makers?

In this guide, we're dealing with electric ice cream makers. While you can still buy those old-school manual ice cream makers, you may have had in your kitchen cupboard while growing up. Electric models take care of the hard work of churning for you.

They also allow you to prepare ice cream just the way you like it – for cheaper than the cost of buying in-store. However, before you buy one, you'll need to work out whether the upfront cost, the preparation time and the cleaning involved with an ice cream maker make it a better choice than just buying a tub of the good stuff from the freezer aisle of your local supermarket.

What are my main options?

You have 2 main choices when shopping around for an ice cream maker:

  • Frozen bowl ice cream makers. These models come with an insulated ice cream bowl that you're typically required to place in the freezer at least 8 (or as much as 24) hours before use. They're easy to use and more affordable than compressor ice cream makers, but you'll need to be prepared well in advance if you're planning on making ice cream – this is also a major drawback if you need to make multiple batches.
  • Compressor ice cream makers. These advanced models feature built-in freezers that cool your ingredients while they're being combined, making it quicker and easier to produce a batch of ice cream. They can also keep your ice cream at ready-to-serve temperature for hours, which can be very handy when you're entertaining guests. Compressor models eliminate the need for any pre-freezing and advance planning, but you'll need to fork out more cash upfront to own one of these machines. They also take up more space in your kitchen cupboards.

Three things to consider

There are a few other factors worth considering before you buy an ice cream maker:

  1. Do you really need an ice cream maker? Are your kitchen cupboards filled with other appliances that seemed like must-haves at the time but now do nothing more than take up space? If so, take some time to consider whether you'll use an ice cream maker often enough to justify its purchase price and the space it'll take up in your kitchen.
  2. Noise levels. Ice cream makers don't exactly have a reputation as whisper-quiet appliances. Noise levels may not be a major concern for some buyers, but a loud machine can be a real hassle if you're trying to whip up a batch of ice cream while the kids are watching a movie. Check what other buyers have to say about a machine's noise levels before you hand over any money.
  3. Kitchen mixer. Finally, don't forget that some kitchen mixers also come with an ice cream making attachment.
  4. Maybe you also want the convenience of a machine that can help with several other food preparation tasks. In that case, you may be better buying a kitchen mixer instead of 2 separate appliances. Check out our kitchen mixer buying guide for more information.

But if you're ready to start shopping around for your very own ice cream machine, here's where you can buy ice cream makers online.

Best rated ice cream maker brand award breakdown

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