These Ice Cream Makers Aced Our Tests, and They’re Still Marked Down at Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

Amazon’s very first Big Spring Sale ends tonight at midnight PST, but there’s still time to score great discounts on cookware, tools, appliances, and more. As the weather warms up, our cravings for hearty meals are usurped by a renewed appetite for all things frozen. The familiar Mr. Softee jingle is the soundtrack to spring, but if you’re anything like us, you’ve also thought about experimenting with homemade ice cream. 

This spring, put your curiosities to rest. For an easy way to make professional-quality ice cream, ditch the no-churn recipes and snag one of our test-winning ice cream makers from Cuisinart before discounts disappear. 

Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker Deals at Amazon

• The Best Ice Cream Maker: Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, & Sorbet Maker
• The Best Larger Capacity Ice Cream Maker: Cuisinart Pure Indulgence 2-Qt. Ice Cream Maker
• The Best Ice Cream Maker for Ice Cream on Demand: Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor Ice Cream and Gelato Maker

Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, & Sorbet Maker

Why It Won Our Review

Simple, straightforward, and speedy, this ice cream maker has been Serious Eats’ test-winning pick for years. While it’s small (measuring 9.5 by 9 by 11.25 inches), affordable (now only $56), and unassuming, it consistently churns out smooth, fluffy ice cream you won’t want to stop eating. The machine features an asymmetrical paddle for even mixing, it can make ice cream in just 20 minutes, and thanks to its wide opening, it’s easy to add the mix-ins of your choice. This is a great entry-level ice cream machine in terms of price and ease of use. It uncomplicates the ice cream making process with just one single button, and now that it’s 20% off at Amazon, you can snag it for just $56. 

Good to Know 

• Style: Canister
• Capacity: 1.5 quarts
• Material: Plastic
• Canister freezing time: 16 to 24 hours
• Churn time: 20 minutes
• Dimensions: 9.5 x 9 x 11.25 inches
• Warranty: 3 year limited

Cuisinart Pure Indulgence 2-Qt. Ice Cream Maker

Why It Won Our Review

With a sturdy stainless steel base and powerful motor, Cuisinart’s Pure Indulgence was another favorite during testing. It’s just as easy to use as our top pick—simply freeze your bowl ahead of time, add in your ice cream base, and flip the switch to “on.” With a 2-quart capacity, it’s slightly larger than our test winner, which is why we named it the “best larger capacity ice cream maker.” Best of all, while it has the largest capacity of our picks, the machine also has the smallest countertop footprint and fits easily into most kitchen cabinets. Hurry to Amazon and snag yours while it’s still 21% off. 

Good to Know 

• Style: Canister
• Capacity: 2 quarts
• Material: Stainless steel, plastic
• Canister freezing time: 16 to 24 hours
• Churn time: 30 minutes
• Dimensions: 8.25 x 8 x 11.25 inches
• Warranty: 3 year limited

Cuisinart ICE-100 Compressor Ice Cream and Gelato Maker

Why It Won Our Review

Maybe you’re not the type to plan ahead, or maybe you don’t have room in your fridge to pre-freeze your bowl. Either way, this highly-efficient model from Cuisinart is your best bet. Our superlative-winner for “best ice cream maker for ice cream on demand,” the machine allows you to make ice cream with zero forethought required. The machine takes only 40 minutes to whip up a batch of ice cream, and just like Cuisinart’s canister-style machines, this compressor model is easy to operate. While it looks sleek and churns out professional-grade ice cream, the machine only has three buttons: an on/off switch, a timer and a start button. 

Good to Know 

• Style: Compressor
• Capacity: 1.5 quarts
• Material: Stainless steel, plastic
• Canister freezing time: N/A
• Churn time: 40 minutes
• Dimensions: 16.73 x 12 x 9.33 inches
• Warranty: 3 year limited

FAQs

How long does an ice cream maker need to freeze?

Every model is unique, but our top canister-style picks from Cuisinart require a 16 to 24 hour pre-freeze for best results. However, if you decide to go with a compressor-style ice cream machine like the Cuisinart ICE-100, you can skip the pre-freezing step altogether.

How much does an ice cream machine cost?

The options vary, but our test-winner costs $70 when it’s not on sale, while our priciest pick from Breville costs $500.

Why We're the Experts

• Katie Brown is a commerce writer for Serious Eats, Food & Wine, Allrecipes, and EatingWell.
• Katie has been writing about food and drinks for over five years and has been known to go through an entire pint of ice cream in a single sitting. Her favorite flavor is cookies and cream.