Homemade ice cream is easy with the right machine. Under $100 you can buy Cuisinart’s classic freezer-bowl makers, a KitchenAid attachment or big old-fashioned churns.
We chose six top-rated ice cream makers under $100 on Amazon and used only the specs listed by each brand.
Top 3 Ice Cream Makers Under $100 at a Glance
Cuisinart ICE-30 2 Qt
Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5 Qt
KitchenAid AttachmentIce Cream Makers Under $100 Compared
| Image | Product | Key Specs | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cuisinart ICE-30 2 Qt Best Overall | 2 quarts in 1 churn · Automatic churning | 4.5/5 43,405 reviews | Check Price |
| 2. Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5 Qt Best for Beginners | 1.5-quart capacity · One-switch simplicity | 4.5/5 43,405 reviews | Check Price |
| 3. KitchenAid Attachment Best for Stand Mixers | Makes up to 2 quarts · 20–30 minutes | 4.6/5 7,933 reviews | Check Price |
 | 4. Cuisinart Automatic (Pink) Best Rated | Frozen yogurt, ice cream and sorbet · Patent-pending mixing paddle | 4.7/5 2,453 reviews | Check Price |
 | 5. Nostalgia 4 Qt Wood Best Old-Fashioned | 4-quart capacity · Old-fashioned wooden style | 4.5/5 17,761 reviews | Check Price |
 | 6. Nostalgia 4 Qt Best Budget Big Batch | 4 quarts · Electric old-fashioned machine | 4.5/5 17,761 reviews | Check Price |
Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker, Frozen Yogurt Sorbet Maker, ICE-21P1
1. Cuisinart ICE-30 2 Qt – Best Overall
Cuisinart 2 Qt. Ice Cream Maker, ICE-30BCP1
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 43,405 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Cuisinart ICE-30 is the best ice cream maker under $100. It churns 2 quarts in one batch, enough for the whole family, with a heavy-duty motor.
With more than 43,000 reviews, it is one of the most popular ice cream makers ever sold on Amazon.
Best for: Families.
May not fit: Spontaneous treats.
2. Cuisinart ICE-21 1.5 Qt – Best for Beginners
Cuisinart 1.5-Quart Ice Cream Maker, ICE-21P1
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 43,405 reviews
Pros
Cons
Cuisinart’s ICE-21 is made for beginners who want real churned ice cream with one switch.
It uses a double-insulated freezer bowl.
Best for: Beginners.
May not fit: Big batches.
3. KitchenAid Attachment – Best for Stand Mixers
KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 from 7,933 reviews
Pros
Cons
KitchenAid’s attachment turns a compatible stand mixer into a 2-quart ice cream maker in 20–30 minutes.
Check compatibility: it excludes 7, 8 and most 6-quart models.
Best for: KitchenAid owners.
May not fit: Non-owners.
4. Cuisinart Automatic (Pink) – Best Rated
Cuisinart Automatic Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 from 2,453 reviews
Pros
Cons
Cuisinart’s pink automatic maker uses a patent-pending paddle to make treats in 20 minutes or less.
Cuisinart donates to breast cancer research with this model, according to its listing.
Best for: Gift buyers.
May not fit: Big batches.
5. Nostalgia 4 Qt Wood – Best Old-Fashioned
Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker, 4 Qt, Wood Style
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 17,761 reviews
Pros
Cons
Nostalgia’s 4-quart wooden-style maker brings old-fashioned ice cream with electric churning.
It makes big batches for parties.
Best for: Parties.
May not fit: Small kitchens.
6. Nostalgia 4 Qt – Best Budget Big Batch
Nostalgia Electric Ice Cream Maker, 4 Quart
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 17,761 reviews
Pros
Cons
Nostalgia’s 4-quart maker is the cheapest big-batch option.
It makes soft serve, frozen yogurt and gelato.
Best for: Budget parties.
May not fit: Small kitchens.
How to Choose an Ice Cream Maker
Freezer bowl, compressor or CREAMi
Freezer-bowl makers (Cuisinart ICE-21/30) are cheapest but need a pre-frozen bowl. Compressor models (Whynter, Cuisinart ICE-100) need no pre-freezing. Ninja CREAMi processes frozen pints.
Capacity
1.5–2 quarts suits most families; pint-based CREAMi models make single or family-size treats.
Programs
Multi-program machines handle gelato, sorbet, soft serve and more.
Noise and space
Compressor machines are larger; check counter space.
FAQ
Do I need to pre-freeze the bowl?
Freezer-bowl models do; compressor models like Whynter and Cuisinart ICE-100 do not.
How long does ice cream take?
Many machines churn in about 20–30 minutes.
What is the Ninja CREAMi?
A machine that “creamifies” pre-frozen pints into ice cream, gelato, sorbet and more.
Can I make dairy-free ice cream?
Yes, and CREAMi Gen 2 adds a dedicated Dairy-Free program.
Final Verdict
The Cuisinart ICE-30 is our best ice cream maker under $100, with 43,000+ reviews. ICE-21 is the beginner pick.
KitchenAid owners should choose the attachment.
Related buying guides: Best Waffle Makers Under $50 · Best Ice Cream Makers Under $200
