Pasta maker Finder: Take the effort out of DIY pasta making

Best Rated Pasta Makers Brand: Baccarat

If you're looking to make your own ravioli, look no further than Baccarat. Crowned the best pasta maker brand, Baccarat had the highest overall rating and top scores for ease-of-use and variety.

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What should I know about pasta makers?

If you want to create restaurant-quality pasta at home, a pasta maker makes the job easier. Ask any homemade pasta aficionado and they'll tell you that store-bought products simply can't compete with the taste of your very own pasta recipe, while there's undoubtedly something satisfying about cooking from scratch.

Pasta makers are designed to take some of the hard work out of the pasta-making process. They make it quicker and easier to roll your dough to the perfect thickness. You can then use your flattened dough in a lasagne, shape it into ravioli, or use the pasta maker's attachment to cut it into a wide range of noodle varieties and rounded pastas.

And because the machine takes the guesswork out of it, you'll end up with identical individual pieces to ensure consistent cooking.

What types are available?

You have two options to choose from when shopping for a pasta maker:

• Manual pasta makers. These traditional models are what most of us picture when we think of a pasta maker. They feature a crank which you turn to feed the dough through the machine's rollers and are great for making lasagne and long pasta noodles. They're generally reliable and easy to use, plus they're more affordable than electric pasta makers. However, you'll have to do more work with a manual pasta maker than if you have an automatic machine.
• Automatic pasta makers. As the name suggests, automatic pasta makers come with an electric motor, removing the need for you to turn the crank by hand. There are also high-end models available that can take care of mixing and kneading the dough for you, making the cooking process even simpler. However, electric pasta makers are more expensive than manual models and will also take up more space in your kitchen. And because they're more complicated than manual machines, there's more that can potentially go wrong.

How to compare pasta makers

You'll need to shop around and compare a range of options before deciding on the best pasta maker for you. Here are the key factors you'll need to consider before you buy.

3 things to consider

There are a few other factors you should consider before you buy a pasta maker:

1. Is it a must-have? Making your own pasta takes time, while you'll also have the added hassle of keeping your pasta maker clean. You'll need to ask yourself whether the extra effort required is worth it when it's easy and affordable to buy cheap pasta from your local supermarket. You may decide you're better off saving money and space in your kitchen.
2. Could you use your stand mixer instead? Some stand mixers feature an attachment for rolling and cutting pasta. This means you can still produce the pasta you want at home, while at the same time taking advantage of the many benefits a mixer offers. Check out our kitchen mixer buying guide for more information.
3. Can't decide between manual and automatic? If you think you want a manual machine but you're tempted by the convenience of an automatic model, some manufacturers offer manual pasta makers that allow you to add a motor (sold separately) at a later date. That way you've got the freedom to switch to electric assistance in the future if that better suits your cooking needs.

If you've decided that a pasta maker is a must-have appliance for your kitchen, here's where you can buy pasta makers online.

Best rated pasta maker brand award breakdown

Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2020, Kantar. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info.