The 5 Best Gelato Makers for Homemade Gelato

Everything you need to know about the Top 5 Machines that Make Great Homemade Gelato & Ice-cream

Choosing an ice-cream and gelato machine doesn't have to be hard.

Although there are a lot of machines to choose from, we've narrowed down the top 5 machines considering things such as price, ease of use, quality of gelato and quality and durability of the machine.

5. The Whynter ICM-200LS Stainless Steel Ice Cream Maker

The Whynter ICM-200LS is a great machine for making gelato or Ice-cream. Its 2 quart capacity is a major plus.

It's a great-looking and hard-working accessory for your kitchen.

Check out our Full Review of the Whynter ICM-200 Ice Cream Maker

See the Whynter ICM-200LS on Amazon

4. The Cuisinart ICE-100 Ice Cream and Gelato Maker

The Cuisinart ICE-100 is impressive for its size. It produces 1.5 quarts per batch.

It doesn't have the heavy-duty parts of the higher-end machines, but it's one of the most popular ice cream makers out there, with thousands of reviews.

View our review of the Cuisinart ICE-100

See the Cuisinart ICE-100 on Amazon

3. The Breville Smart Scoop Ice-cream Maker

The Breville BCI600XL is a great ice-cream and gelato maker. Breville's products are well designed and hold up to lots and lots of use. It has 12 hardness settings including frozen yogurt, sorbet, gelato, and ice-cream.

It's got a 1.5-quart capacity and is solidly made.

Breville really does make top-of-the-line machines, and the Smart Scoop is no exception.

Read our review of the Breville Smart Scoop

See the Breville Smart Scoop on Amazon

2. Lello 4080 Musso Lussino Ice Cream & Gelato Maker

The Italians know gelato. It's their thing, and they make one of the absolute best gelato machines, one that makes ice cream too.

It's called the Musso Lussino 4080 by Lello, and its industrial strength, ease of use, and stainless steel construction truly take the cake. It's a premium machine, and the price reflects the quality.

It can produce 3 quarts an hour, and that's tremendous, beating other gelato makers, except the one below.

Check out our Review of the Lello 4080 Gelato and Ice-cream Machine

See the Lello 4080 Musso Lussino on Amazon

1. Lello Musso Pola 5030 Gelato & Ice-cream Maker

If you want the best gelato and you want a lot of it fast, the 5030 by Lello is the best in the business.

It can make up to 6 quarts of Gelato an hour.

Its stainless steel housing, bowl, and mixer set it apart from other gelato and Ice-cream machines. This puppy works hard and will outlast the competition. It's an investment, but the results are fantastic.

If you want the best Gelato, you can't go wrong with the Italian-made Lello 5030.

See our review (with video demos) of the Lello 5030 Gelato & Ice-cream Maker

One catch: the 5030 isn't available on Amazon right now. If you want a Lello today, the 4080 at #2 is our pick. It's built the same way, just a little smaller.

See the Lello 4080 on Amazon

How to Choose by How You'll Use It

All five make great frozen desserts. The right one depends on how you'll use it:

• A treat for two, a few times a month: the Cuisinart ICE-100. It's compact and easy to pull out.
• A big family or backyard parties: the Whynter. Its 2.1-quart bowl means fewer batches.
• Sorbet one night, frozen yogurt the next: the Breville Smart Scoop. Its presets take out the guesswork, and Keep Cool holds dessert until you're ready.
• Serious gelato lovers: the Lello 4080. It makes batch after batch with no downtime, so you can make two or three flavors in an evening.
• Cafés, caterers and very big crowds: the Lello 5030, if you can find one.

Whichever you pick, don't stop at vanilla. Try fresh strawberry in June and peach in August, or sandwich a scoop between two warm cookies for homemade ice cream sandwiches.