Your questions on ice cream makers answered What is the best ice cream maker? My top pick is the Ninja deluxe creami. Not only does it make delicious, creamy ice cream in just two minutes (although you will need to remember to pre-freeze), you’ll also get the benefit of being able to make a whole host of other frozen treats, including frozen yoghurt and milkshakes. If you’re on a budget or short on space, the Cuisinart solo scoops is a great choice. You need to freeze the bowl, but it’s the right size for a small family (or those who like a big portion), and you can get a bowl in just 25 minutes. If you don’t have the time for that kind of planning, I recommend a self-freeze machine. The Cuisinart six-in-one frost fusion is a good choice – you get the benefit of multiple frozen treats (as with the Ninja creami), but you also get the added extra of being able to recreate the perfect soft swirl ice cream for cones.I tested each ice cream machine using the same basic vanilla ice cream recipe, as this was a fair way to determine how each machine handled the ice cream and what kind of consistency was produced. I also tried a range of other ice cream recipes to test each appliance’s versatility. While assessing the machines, I took into account the following criteria: Functions: For machines with multiple functions, I tested them all. That said, I was mostly judging the generic ice cream-making ability. Ice cream quality: I considered the creaminess, softness and flavour of the ice cream.Capacity: Ice cream makers are available in a range of sizes, so consider your needs before investing. You can buy from a single-serving-sized maker to up to 2l. Practicality: I noted the size and weight of the machines to see how much space they occupied on the kitchen counter, and how easy they were to store and move around. Speed: I took into account the minimum churn time – this ranges from two minutes to an hour – and how long it took to whip up a batch of ice cream from scratch. Some ice cream makers can whip up gelato, sorbet and more in a matter of minutes, while others can take hours of preparation time, especially freeze-first designs that require as long as 16 hours in the freezer before you actually make the ice cream. Noise levels: Some machines are extremely loud, while others are so quiet you’ll hardly know they’re on, so I took note of noise levels.Affordability: As with any home appliance, there is a range of ice cream makers to cater to all budgets. Smaller, freeze-first models are cheaper, as are individual makers, beginning from as little as £25, whereas more expensive self-freezing machines cost hundreds of pounds. Ease of cleaning: Finally, I assessed each ice cream maker on how easy they were to clean after use. It tastes great, but ice cream making can be a very messy business. Which type of ice cream maker should I buy?A freeze-first or pre-freeze ice cream maker uses a double-walled bowl filled with a freezing agent. Once you’ve frozen the bowl, you re-attach it to the ice cream maker, and it cools the mixture as a paddle churns it in the bowl. With this type of machine, you’ll need a decent amount of space in your freezer, and you’ll need to prep and chill your ice cream base for several hours before you want to make it. This type of machine can be a good option if you have lots of freezer space and can leave the bowl in there permanently, so it’s ready to go when you want it. It’s less than ideal if your freezer is so full that things tend to fall out when you open it, or you want to be able to whip up a batch of soft-serve on a whim.You’ll also find some ice cream makers that require you to freeze the mixture itself before it’s churned. The machine then whips up the mixture from frozen, using metal blades. While super quick, these are usually best for creating ice-cream-style desserts rather than authentic, creamy ice-creams. As such, they’re less popular with ice cream aficionados.A self-freezing or all-in-one machine does the freezing for you as it churns the mixture. Self-freezing ice cream makers are generally more expensive than the first option because they cut out the need to pre-freeze a bowl beforehand, which enables you to be more spontaneous. They also tend to be quite bulky (due to the integrated freezer compressor), but some of these machines look so smart they can take pride of place on the countertop, if you’ve got the space.What else can I make with an ice cream maker?The basic ingredients needed for most ice cream recipes I tested are double cream, whole milk and sugar – and you’ll need plenty of each. Many recipes also call for four or five egg yolks, and these require you to heat the mixture on the hob beforehand, to make a thin, custard base, then chill for several hours – or overnight – before you can churn your ice cream.With every ice cream maker I tested, I found that the longer this base mixture chilled, the better the result. I also found that the recipes with egg yolks made a richer, creamier ice cream that the adults enjoyed, while the kids preferred the egg-free options. Ice cream makers can also make sorbets, which are even easier to prepare, as well as granita, smoothie bowls, frozen yoghurts, and milkshakes.When you’re choosing an ice cream maker, pay close attention to the capacity, which is usually in litres. Bowl sizes vary, so consider a larger bowl size – or a machine with two bowls – if you’re making ice cream for a larger family or using it for entertaining. I found all the ice cream makers I tested made enough for four people, but there were some that produced far more than this. Whatever you do, check the dimensions of the bowl itself before you buy, to ensure you can squeeze it into your freezer.Why you can trust IndyBest reviews Rachael Penn is a writer specialising in lifestyle and tech, particularly home appliances, food, and drink. She has tried, tested and reviewed toasters, air fryers, hand mixers and much more for IndyBest, and has been contributing to the section since 2021. Rachael puts every product featured in her reviews through real-world testing, and her years of experience with different machines mean she knows what makes an appliance great value for money. Want more recommendations? Read our honest thoughts on the Ninja slushi