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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.
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 are designed to 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.
You have two main choices when shopping around for an ice cream maker:
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.
Most budget ice cream makers have simple controls and limited features. High-end models offer more features, including the following:
Consider how much ice cream you'll likely need to create in a single batch. Most home ice cream makers have a capacity of one to two 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.
Check how long it will take for the machine to make a batch of ice cream. As a general guide, many machines will take between 20 and 40 minutes. However, keep in mind that frozen bowl ice cream makers usually require you to place the bowl in the freezer at least eight hours in advance.
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 and are commonly priced between $300 and $500.
Want to know how a manufacturer's ambitious claims stand up in the real world? Check out some independent reviews from previous buyers to find out whether they'd recommend their ice cream maker to others.
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.
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?
If you'll be storing the ice cream maker on your benchtop, you may want to consider a colour or material that matches your other appliances and decor.
Finally, check whether there's a manufacturer's warranty, what it covers and how long it lasts.
There are a few other factors worth considering before you buy an ice cream maker:
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.
| Total Score | Overall rating | Value for Money | Ease of cleaning | Ease of use | Performance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yonanas | 8.07 | 4.46 | 4.04 | 4.33 | 4.29 | 4.46 |
| KitchenAid | 8.01 | 4.38 | 4.34 | 4.36 | 4.26 | 4.42 |
| Ambiano (Aldi) | 7.99 | 4.35 | 4.45 | 4.3 | 4.25 | 4.35 |
| Breville | 7.94 | 4.3 | 4.24 | 4.26 | 4.4 | 4.24 |
| Sunbeam | 7.69 | 4.22 | 4.02 | 4.24 | 4.2 | 4.18 |
| Cuisinart | 7.64 | 4.22 | 4.14 | 4.16 | 4.22 | 4.24 |
| Apuro | 7.63 | 4.1 | 4.07 | 4.28 | 4.21 | 4.14 |
| Other | 7.28 | 3.67 | 4.33 | 4 | 4.33 | 4 |
These are the best ice cream makers available to buy in Australia right now.
