6 Best Cuisinart Ice Cream Makers of 2026

Unleash your inner artisan with the Cuisinart ICE-100, a premium ice cream and gelato maker that sets itself apart with a commercial-quality compressor. This means it’s always ready to go, eliminating the need for pre-freezing a bowl, allowing you to churn batch after batch of lusciously rich gelato or ice cream without waiting. Its 1.5-quart capacity is ideal for families or entertaining, and the inclusion of two distinct paddles—one specifically for dense gelato and another for creamy ice cream—provides exceptional control over texture.

In practical use, the ICE-100 shines by its sheer convenience. Whether you crave a spontaneous scoop or plan a multi-flavor dessert spread, its compressor-freezer ensures you’re only limited by your ingredients and recipes. The 60-minute countdown timer with touchpad controls and blue LCD readout makes operation precise and intuitive. A thoughtful 10-minute Keep Cool feature activates automatically, maintaining the optimal temperature after churning finishes, giving you flexibility before serving.

Compared to freezer bowl models like the Cuisinart ICE-70P1 or ICE-30BCP1, the ICE-100 offers unparalleled spontaneity at the cost of a larger footprint and higher initial investment. It’s perfectly suited for the serious home chef or dessert enthusiast who values convenience, versatility, and consistent results for both ice cream and gelato. While other Cuisinart machines offer larger capacity or specific features, the ICE-100 is the ultimate workhorse for frequent, high-quality frozen dessert production.

Seeking precision and speed in your homemade frozen treats? The Cuisinart ICE-70P1 Cool Creations machine delivers, boasting the ability to produce two quarts of delicious frozen desserts in just about 20 minutes. Its enhanced paddle design contributes to faster processing time and potentially smoother results compared to older models. The standout feature is its advanced digital interface, featuring an LCD screen, three settings (ice cream, gelato, sorbet) with multiple speeds, and a countdown timer with auto shutoff for set-it-and-forget-it convenience.

Operating the Cuisinart ICE-70P1 is straightforward, thanks to the clear digital display and dedicated settings that optimize churning for different dessert types. The integrated measuring cup within the ingredient spout is a clever design touch that simplifies adding mix-ins or the base mixture with less mess. While it relies on a double-insulated freezer bowl (requiring pre-freezing), its quick churning time minimizes the wait once the bowl is ready. It handles standard recipes and mix-ins effectively, producing consistently good textures.

Compared to the simpler Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1, the ICE-70P1 offers superior control and automation via its digital timer and settings, making it better suited for users who appreciate precision and ease of use. It provides a larger capacity than the budget-friendly ICE-21P1 or the single-serve B0D1YBB1RT. This model is an excellent choice for families or those who make frozen treats regularly and desire a balance of generous capacity, speed, and modern features without the higher cost of a compressor model like the ICE-100.

Bring the fun of a soft-serve parlor right into your home with the unique Cuisinart ICE-48 Mix It In Ice Cream Maker. This machine is specifically designed to produce smooth, swirl-ready soft serve in approximately 20 minutes using a double-insulated freezer bowl. Its defining feature is the integrated mix-in system, featuring three condiment containers and a lever-based dispensing method that allows you to add sprinkles, chips, or other small candies directly into your soft serve as it’s dispensed into a cone or bowl.

The Cuisinart ICE-48 turns dessert making into an interactive experience, especially for kids. Pulling the handle to dispense the soft serve creates that classic swirl, while the side levers drop in your chosen mix-ins. A clever built-in ‘Keep Warm Cup’ with a heating plate even allows for dispensing warm liquid toppings like fudge or caramel. It includes a convenient cone holder and a removable drip tray for easier cleanup. While the mix-in gauge helps prevent clogs, users should be mindful of the size and type of additions.

Unlike standard Cuisinart ice cream makers such as the ICE-21P1 or ICE-30BCP1 which produce firmer ice cream, the ICE-48 focuses exclusively on soft serve consistency. Its unique dispensing and mix-in features differentiate it significantly, making it less versatile for traditional hard-scoop ice cream or gelato but unbeatable for soft serve fans. This unit is perfect for families, parties, or anyone who loves customized soft serve and the novelty of dispensing it themselves, offering a unique experience compared to other Cuisinart models.

A true workhorse for those who need generous capacity and simple, reliable operation, the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1 stands out with its 2-quart double-insulated freezer bowl. This machine is built to handle larger batches of ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet, or frozen drinks, producing results in as little as 20 minutes thanks to its heavy-duty motor. The brushed stainless steel exterior gives it a classic, durable feel that fits well in most kitchens.

Operating the Cuisinart ICE-30BCP1 is incredibly straightforward – simply add your chilled mixture, turn it on, and let it churn. The large ingredient spout is a practical feature for easily incorporating mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit during the last few minutes of churning. It includes essential accessories like the freezer bowl, paddle, and lid, plus a recipe book to get you started. The retractable cord storage is a small but appreciated detail for keeping countertops tidy when not in use.

Compared to the digitally controlled Cuisinart ICE-70P1 which offers a timer and settings, the ICE-30BCP1 is more basic but equally capable of producing 2 quarts of frozen dessert quickly. It offers significantly more capacity than the budget Cuisinart ICE-21P1 or the single-serve B0D1YBB1RT. This model is an ideal choice for families or anyone who frequently makes frozen treats in larger quantities and prefers a no-fuss, dependable machine over digital bells and whistles, providing great value for its capacity and performance.

For those taking their first steps into homemade frozen desserts or seeking a simple, budget-friendly option, the Cuisinart ICE-21P1 is an excellent entry point. Utilizing a double-insulated freezer bowl, this machine can create up to 1.5 quarts of ice cream, frozen yogurt, or sorbet in 20 minutes or less. Its design prioritizes ease of use and affordability, making homemade treats accessible without a significant investment or complex features.

The Cuisinart ICE-21P1 features a patent-pending mixing paddle designed for efficient churning and quick results. The transparent lid with an easy lock allows you to monitor the freezing process, and the large spout makes adding ingredients or mix-ins simple and mess-free. There are no buttons or settings beyond the on/off switch, streamlining the process. Like all freezer bowl models, ensure the bowl is fully frozen (typically 16-24 hours) before starting for optimal results.

While it lacks the digital controls of the Cuisinart ICE-70P1 or the large capacity of the ICE-30BCP1, the ICE-21P1 provides the core functionality needed to make delicious frozen desserts reliably. It offers a standard 1.5-quart capacity, suitable for small families or individuals, unlike the ultra-compact B0D1YBB1RT. This machine is perfectly suited for the beginner or budget-conscious user who wants a dependable, easy-to-use Cuisinart ice cream maker without unnecessary complexities or a high price tag.

Designed specifically for single servings or small households, the Cuisinart 1-pint Wonder Ice Cream Maker is the most compact option in the lineup. This miniature machine uses a double-insulated freezer bowl to create a perfect 1-pint portion of ice cream or frozen dessert in 25 minutes or less. Its small footprint makes it ideal for kitchens with limited counter or freezer space, or for users who only want enough for one or two people at a time.

The Cuisinart B0D1YBB1RT excels in simplicity and convenience. Its detachable motor unit, lid, and paddle are designed for easy cleaning, with the lid and paddle being conveniently dishwasher safe – a significant plus for quick cleanup after making a treat. The large built-in ingredient funnel allows for easy pouring of your base mixture and effortless addition of mix-ins like mini chocolate chips or small fruit pieces. It’s a no-fuss appliance focused purely on making a single serving efficiently.

Unlike larger Cuisinart models such as the 1.5-quart ICE-21P1 or the 2-quart ICE-30BCP1, this unit is strictly for individual portions, sacrificing capacity for size and speed. It’s a great fit for dorm rooms, small apartments, or anyone living alone who craves fresh, homemade ice cream without leftovers or the need for a large appliance. While its use case is specific, it delivers on its promise of quick, easy single-serve frozen desserts, standing apart from other Cuisinart machines focused on larger batches.